Amazing response to the Nativity movie

I can't wait for tomorrow night at the local theatre where tons of folks from GVC will attend the opening night of the Nativity Story. I've been blown away by the response. I initially (in faith) secured 200 tickets. The theater's largest auditorium could seat 300. As of yesterday we just sold 400 tickets and have now taken over two complete theater rooms. The best part is that many of those who bought tickets are bringing friends -- many of whom I think will be quite moved by this film. What a great way to start the Christmas season.

Free Burritos

When Jesus told the famous parable about The Prodigal Son, it is a bit convicting because I see how easily I can become like the older brother.

One of the older brother's chief complaints against his father was this: You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' Luke 15:29b-30

I become like the older brother when I compare myself with others.

About a month ago I set up lunch with our worship pastor. He suggested we meet at Chipotle Restaurant and then says, “Hey I’ve got great news! On Halloween if you dress up like a Chipotle burrito you get a free burrito!" Which meant wrapping ourselves in foil.

So there we were, in the parking lot, wrapping ourselves head to foot in Reynold's Wrap. From below my knees to under my armpits I was covered with aluminum; not to mention the attractive, reflective head covering. We shuffled across the parking lot getting all kinds of looks. My colleague says, "Great news! No one else in there is dressed up!" I’m thinking this is not great news! This was a promotion from last year and we’ve wasted our time. As we get in line I am wondering, "Will this work? Does this qualify? Is this good enough? Have I done enough to earn a free burrito?" Sure enough, we got the free burritos.

But this is where it got interesting. As we were filling up our sodas, a guy comes in with a three inch band of foil wrapped around his wrist. Hardly bigger than a wristwatch. And I’m thinking, there is no way he is getting a free burrito. Five minutes later here he walks out. I have to ask him, “You paid for that burrito, right?” He looks at me and says, "Dude, no. Got it free. Dressed up like a burrito!" as he shows off his shiny bracelet. And I’m thinking. "This is not fair! This is wrong! Look at all that I’ve done. And he gets by with just that?! That should not qualify. Unfair!"

But why am I complaining? I got a free burrito too. There’s a little bit of older brother in all of us and it reveals itself all the time. I also get more like the older brother when I compare myself with others.

Over the years I have realized that God's plan for each individual is personalized. It doesn't help to compare ourselves with the work of God in someone else's life. Instead, as in Jesus' parable, accept the grace God has for you. Consider His work in your life. Follow His plan for you. Cherish His personalized goodness to you.

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Coming Home

This image has captured the essence of all I've wanted to say this fall in our series, "Once I was lost... finding my way back home." This is Rembrandt's depiction of the return of the prodigal son (Luke 15). The more I look at this painting the more I am moved by it. By the way, I plan to show this image coming up during my message on Sunday, Nov. 26.

Lost & Found

Has there ever been a time when you have lost something precious and then, after much searching, found it again? In these simple lost and found experiences, we get a glimpse into the heart of God who rejoices over finding lost people.

One day Jesus told a simple story about a housewife who lost a valuable coin. She became completely focused in the effort to find her missing treasure, and when ultimately it was found, "she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, `Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' " Luke 15:9 It was such an ordinary kind of event: A woman scouring the house for a lost coin and then celebrating with some girlfriends over finding it. The coin was valuable, the search was thorough, the joy was profound. Is there anything in your life that you recently lost and found again? Jesus’ point, of course, was that the joy we experience in finding our lost treasures is but a glimpse into the heart of God, who rejoices over finding people who are created to spend eternity with Him. Compared to the items we look for, how much more valuable are the lost individuals around us? How much more urgent should be our quest? How much more profound will be our joy?

Is there anyone in your life that is lost who needs to be found again?

On His Shoulders

In one of Jesus' most familiar parables, there is a sentence that often gets overlooked. Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd who goes to great lengths to rescue a lost sheep. This is the line I love: "And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home." (Luke 15:5-6) Now, if we had written this parable, we might have scolded the sheep and chased him back home. Maybe the sheep would have raced ahead of Jesus back to the flock. Something in us would have wanted the sheep to get home in his own strength, but that's not what Jesus said. Jesus seemed to indicate that the only way home is on His shoulders. A few months ago I was looking at our golden retriever, and for some reason, I just felt like putting him up on my shoulders. I lifted him up with the fireman’s carry - his two front legs over my left shoulder, his two back legs over my right shoulder. He looked pretty awkward. It was not his favorite moment, I'm sure. I kept saying, "Relax, relax." Sometimes it isn’t easy for us to be carried on Jesus’ shoulders..... to give up control and to let Him lead. Nonetheless, He keeps saying, “Relax, relax … you’re not going to make it in your own strength.” The only way home is absolute trust.... on His shoulders.

Authentic Lives

The first thing they did was hide. Earth's first couple, aware of their failure, fabricated self-made coverings and ducked into the trees. When God showed up (He always does) He asked a question. This is the question God asked Adam: Where are you?" (Gen. 3:9)

Now God didn't ask this question because Adam's camouflage worked so well. It wasn't as if God is saying, “Olly, Olly Oxen Free! I have no idea where you are, come on out.” God’s questions are always for our benefit, not His. As it turns out, this is a question God asks us every day, “Where are you? What are you hiding behind?”. Ever since the beginning we have been tempted to hide and cover. We are afraid to reveal our imperfections; afraid of being vulnerable. But just like with our first father, God invites us to come out of hiding into His presence. More than that, He invites us to drop our self-made facades and be real with Him. The spiritual life isn’t, first of all, about being good; it’s about being authentic. And admitting our brokenness is the first step to transformation.