A gift for the new year

Looking for something memorable to do tonight on New Year's eve? How about renting a movie and inviting a friend over to watch it? I came across the trailer for this movie and it has great reviews. The person who recommended it used to work for David C. Cook Communications and was involved with getting the print version of the book to press. It is called "The Ultimate Gift." It may be just what you are looking for as you make 2008 a year to remember. Enjoy.

Cal

A safe place

Yesterday I visited the Strand book store in Manhattan. I couldn't believe the variety of titles that were available there. They specialize in used books and they have quite a collection of everything from sports, to religion to history and the classics. They are not a discounter like some book stores I have been in. Their prices tend to be a little high but they have the widest assortment that I have ever seen.

I found Ty Cobb's autobiography (I already have it) and lots of books on each of the U. S. Presidents. They had a whole section devoted to the arts and that was cool. I could have spent a fortune if I had it.

What struck me the most was the number of people that were there on a Sunday night. I never realized how many people love books. Everyone had an armful as they walked through the store. I have always been an avid reader but walking in the Strand opened my eyes. I was not alone.

I think the same thing happens for us sometimes when we go into church. There are times when we feel isolated and alone on our faith journey. Even if we are pretty self sufficient, there are moments when the world seems to be pressing in on us. What I like about church is the fact that I can find others who understand. We can talk about our faith journeys and the way God has touched us. We can encourage one another and when we tell how God has been with us, we don't get the blank stare that says, "Are you crazy?"

The church is a safe place to rest and be renewed as you journey through life. If you haven't stopped in lately, do it in the new year. You'll be amazed at how many of us there are who love and worship God.

Cal

The future is now

I'm sick today. It's funny but the world doesn't stop just because you happen to be under the weather. Sometimes you just have to get off the ride and let things go on without you. It's hard for me to let go but in the wonderful world of God I caught a break.

Today is our annual youth recognition Sunday and one of our college students is giving the message and our high school and college youth are leading the service. My role is to give them all parts to play and then step back and let them run the show. I do have a bit more to do than usual because many of our college students have graduated and we do not have a big contingent of high school students. Still, it came at a good time for me.

Melissa Hauser will be our student preacher today. She is the fourteenth to be honored in this way. The tradition dates back to 1994 but actually is a tribute to my pastor. He encouraged a whole group of us to get involved in the church as teenagers. We were Sunday School teachers, choir members, speakers, organists and soloists. He saw the kids as the future of the church and instead of just talking about it, he made it happen.

The truth is that these kids are our future. If there is any hope for the church it will come from their enthusiasm and ideas. The Holy Spirit will use their gifts and talents to reach the world. I like to say that today we will get a glimpse of the future. Well, say a prayer for me that I get over this bug and a prayer for the kids that they will know how much we love and appreciate them.

Cal

Saying thank you

As I look back on the year past, I can think of a lot of things I forgot to do. I was too busy or too preoccupied to get it right. As I look forward I want to slow down and live more in the moment. That means I will appreciate the little things that happen every day. It means thanking those people I may not see again. It means trying not to take everything in my life for granted.

In case you can't think of anything to be thankful for (ha ha!) this might help.



As I was thinking about this I opened an e-mail from a friend. She sent this along and it touched me. It isn't a political statement. It is simply a way to remember those who are called to keep the peace even in these perilous times. It is another reason to say thank you.

Enjoy!

Cal

The world of blog

Have you spent any time surfing through the blogosphere? Every once in a while I will just jump from one blog to another and catch a glimpse of what is out there in cyberspace. I feel a bit like a peeping tom in that I can stand outside the window of someone's life and admire the beauty of a mother's love for her family or the devotion a person has for his vocation.

I stood in awe as I realized that no one culture has the market on blogging. People from every society, writing in a multitude of languages, share bits and pieces of that which makes life important for them. Even though I can't always understand the written language, I can giggle along with a Japanese girl who shares her favorite music and presents photos of her and her girl friends dancing. I can get serious with a middle aged politician from the mid-west who shares his opinion on global warming and the state of the economy. I can fall in love all over again as I read the journal a young man in France who posts pictures of his bride to be and flash back to my own first days of love or laugh alongside an expectant mother in Italy who shows photos of her baby shower where someone painted a smiling face on her belly.

Yes there is pornography out there too, but I usually just skip right over that or file an Internet complaint. But don't let that stop you. You might miss a site where they speak about writing or one that gives tips on photography. You could happen upon a blog where a Christian mom talks about teaching her children about God or a fan club of Michael W. Smith or Third Day with a bunch of their songs to listen to.

Blogs are fun. Every time I go surfing I am reminded of how much more we have in common with other folks around the world than we think. Maybe this is where world peace can begin. It can begin by listening to the hearts of others.

Cal

It is His birthday

We always got up early when I was growing up. So bounding out of bed like Pooh's friend Tigger at the crack of dawn wasn't much of a stretch for us on Christmas morning. We would be up by 5:00 a.m. and scramble out to the living room to check on the bounty that Santa brought for us. Toy guns, G.I. Joes, Matchbox cars and lots of little trinkets were there ready for us to devour and enjoy for hours on end.

Christmas was always my favorite holiday. I looked forward to it for half a year. I'd get my mother's Sears Catalogue and begin marking down all the things I wanted as soon as it came out. Oh, to dream and hope at Christmas.

This morning as I got up and came down stairs I thought about Jesus and the fact that this day represents his birthday. I chuckled as I thought about Jesus rushing into the morn to greet the day. Yet instead of unwrapping all kinds of gifts we have for him, he finds his joy in sharing the gift of his love with us. for him it is truly more blessed to give than to receive.

As I watched my girls unwrap their presents today, I understood exactly why Jesus said this. There is nothing like watching the face of someone you love light up as they receive the most special gift. So why not make Jesus' day. Embrace the love he offers and bring a smile to his face on this, his birthday.

Merry Christmas.

Cal

The packing around my hopes

I found this poem several years ago and have included it often on our Christmas eve bulletin. This year I am going to post it here instead. Enjoy.

Cal

The Packing Around My Hopes
by Dorisanne Cooper

It's hard to hope. I mean to really hope for something-
Whether it be the answer to a problem,
or the solution to a difficult situation.
I use the word often and rather casually, too;
but even so,
I still feel I must pad my hopes
With all kinds of alternative outcomes:
"I hope this will work out... but something might interfere."
"I hope this is right... but I'm not really sure."

I pack in all the possibilities so airtight
That I don't leave room for surprise.
I think I do this partly for protection,
Protection from being disappointed or embarrassed or wrong.
I say I'm just being realistic.

But realism can only take me so far.
Surely mysticism can play a part as well.
But it's harder to plan for that.
Thinking realistically... how believable is it
that the birth of a child in a stable
could change the world?
Well, I believe it now: but
I can't help wondering, if I had lived then,
whether that would have been on my list of possibilities.
Somehow I doubt it.

This season reminds me...
It reminds me that if i hold too tightly to my list of possibilities,
I may overlook an answer that's staring me in the face.
It reminds me of the many ways
In which hope is fulfilled.

It reminds me to relax...
Not relax my hopes,
But the packing around them.
I need to leave room for God in my hopes.
Not just now, but all through the year.

Who knows?
I might even witness a miracle.