Merry Christmas 2008!

Christmas 2008 is nearing it conclusion, for me! It began as does every day for me. I literally roll out of bed and the first thing that hits the floor is my knees. I find myself in prayer, often times for several minutes. Once again, today was no different.

My kids are older now, almost 14, so there aren't quites as many presents under the tree, AND they weren't up before the sun. Opening gifts was "quick & easy" compared to many years past.

Tradition has us spending the afternoon with Karen's extended family. Over the years that experience has ranged from joyous to, well.... sometimes just a bit less than "good." I would rate today as a "better than average!"

I guess where I am going with this is.... today could have been so much more, and it wasn't. It was so full of potential, unfulfilled. My morning devotional CHALLENGED me to take advantage TODAY to share the Gospel of Jesus. TODAY!

Those that know me have heard me say before, "What would Jesus have me do, Today?" Today, on the anniversary of His birth, I was to share the gospel with someone, anyone. I didn't. Not because there was no opportunity. I was surrounded by people who know the "Our Father..." none of who KNOW THE FATHER!

How did you do? I would Really like to know. Did anyone have the opportunity to SHARE Jesus with another? More accurately I should ask, "Did anyone SHARE Jesus with another?" Tell me! I would love to hear your story.

Willow Creek has had some rather large Christmas productions in years past. For the two years prior, they have presented a rather elaborate production called "Imagine Christmas." It was very entertaining and quite spectacular. I'll say that the Christmas message was even faithfully delivered.

This year was a bit different. It was still a much larger and still a very "professional" and polished production. But this year much of the "glitz' was gone, replaced by a very simple central theme. Light. This year the gospel of the "Good News" was presented in a more comprehensive manner. Jesus was born. We know that. We celebrate that and for good reason. For a moment, go back to my post yesterday. If we simply celebrated the birth of a baby, how significant would that be? Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

He brought the Light to our dark world. And then what? He called all believers to be the "Light of the world." His birth, foretold by the bright and shinning star illuminated the world in a way that had not been seen since the creation. He is the Light and he is the souce of our Light!

Willow is currently offering the entire Christmas service (I believe that this is the first or second of 12) as streaming media, online. I don't know how long this link will last and I'll warn you that it comes in at just over 95 minutes. But, I would encourage you to check it out. I can assure you that it will NOT be your typical "Christmas Service".

http://www.willowcreek.org/christmasvideo

Shooting star....

As I left the house this morning 5:45, it was cold and clear. 8degF to be exact. The Eastern sky was just beginning to brighten an otherwise dark night. As I reached down to turn on the radio, a Shooting star flashed across the horizon, falling from grace, from South to North. It was a spectacular sight! I hadn't seen one like that in years.

Caught in the moment, my hand withdrew from the radio. I sat in silence. As I continued on my journey to Shaumburg, I pondered, "Shooting Star." My first thought took me back to my youth and a Bad Company song by the same name.

As I drove, I considered that a shooting star is often a metaphor for a momentary flash of brilliance, followed by complete and utter destruction. They appear from nowhere, shine brightly for a very short period of time and disappear for all eternity. Never to be seen again.

Compare that to a REAL star. They are/were created by God. They shine brightly for eons and their effects are felt long after they are gone? I have no interest in debating "Big Bang" theory or whether you agree that the were created by God. What I want to focus on is "...their effects are felt long after they are gone?" Did you know that? We see stars today that died (burned out) hundreds or thousands of years ago.

Think about your life! What do you want to be? Is 15 minutes of fame, enough for you? Do you want to rise quickly, burn brightly and fade into obscurity? OR, would it be better to live life as you were created, burning as light to others, leaving behind a legacy of life, love an faithfulness? You are called to be, "...the light of the world."

Shine brightly my friends. Don't burn out. Leave a legacy for all eternity.