Christmas or XMas?

There's a movement going around in fundamentalist Christianity.  It's the "Put the Christ back in Christmas" movement.   In this movement, people argue that the term, "Xmas" is "paganizing" (is that a word?) the idea that Christmas is about Santa Claus and toys instead of the birth of Jesus.

A former professor of mine, and pastor of Discovery Church in Gahanna, Ohio, explained to me how the Xmas vs. Christmas debate was a waste of time.  This blog will be used to somehow debunk the thought that Xmas is taking Jesus out of Christmas.

The letter X, or the Greek letter, Chi, is they first letter in the word Χριστός, or Khristós.  You can see the X in the familiar Christian symbol to your left. ☧ (This symbol is called the Labarum, after the first two Greek letters in Christ).


Xmas is a short form of CHmas, which, in itself, is a short form of Christmas.  The term is seen as far back as the 1920s in an ad in Ladies Home Journal, (see Wikipedia entry).


The term Xan means Christian.  The term xtal means crystal.  As I mentioned before, scholars, a lot of the time, use X in place of Christ in an institutional setting to save time.  It takes ten strokes on the keyboard to type the word Christian, (shift included).  It takes four strokes on the keyboard to type the word Xan.  


In conclusion, the use of the term Xmas is just for those in a hurry, (or lazy).  There are much more important things to worry about. Stop bashing and damning those who use Xmas. Instead teach them the story and love of Jesus Christ, and how he died for everyone's sins.

Adoption

I just found out today that my estrange uncle, John Harmon, just adopted a young man in Columbus.  Here's the article.

"Children ran around clutching toys much too big for their little fists, dodging chairs and tables as families laughed. The sight was unexpected in a courtroom.

“Coming to court is usually not a happy experience,” said Franklin County Probate Judge Robert G. Montgomery.

As seven children waited to be adopted into five families, their exuberance reverberated off the courtroom walls.

A 17-year-old who spent three years in foster care walked into the courtroom as Deshawn Johnson and walked out as John J. Harmon Jr., with new brothers David, 17, and Luke, 13.

“A dad and a son should have the same name,” Deshawn said, so he changed his first name at the same time that the court changed his last.

The official observance of National Adoption Day is Saturday, but yesterday was when five local families adopted children previously in foster care.

For 11 years, November has been recognized as National Adoption Month, said Rita Soronen, president of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The goal is for 4,000 children to be adopted across the country before or on Saturday.

“Our mission is to help show that adopting from foster care should be something we do,” Soronen said. “Kids just want to have a family, and families just want to have a kid. Adopting foster kids is not scary or foreboding, and we work to bring awareness to that.”

Franklin County Children Services finalized 166 adoptions last year, with a similar number expected in 2011, said Kim Toler, a director at the agency.

Children Services emphasizes the need for adoptive families for older youths such as Deshawn.

Sandra and John Harmon of Lancaster began fostering children in January last year. Deshawn was their third.

“In just a few months, he grew on us,” Mrs. Harmon said. “We were a little nervous at first because of his background.”

Deshawn’s mom kicked him out of the house when he was 8 because he was “old enough to take care of himself,” Mrs. Harmon said. He hooked up with a Columbus gang and often lived on the streets and slept in abandoned houses. He was picked up for robbery at 14 and later put in foster care.

Now a junior at Lancaster High School, Deshawn is doing well in his classes and is on the football, basketball and track teams.

“When you open your heart to these kids, they will repay you,” Mr. Harmon said. “They’ll shine."

The Harmons never expected to adopt, but Deshawn persuaded them.

“You get someone, and it either clicks or it doesn’t. It clicked with him,” Mrs. Harmon said. “ We’d love to save them all, but we can’t.”

In any given year, Children Services will have about 2,000 children in its foster-care system, Toler said. About 10 percent will be adopted.

The Harmons plan to continue taking in foster children and aren’t ruling out additional adoptions.

“These kids are crying out for help,” Mrs. Harmon said. “If you give these kids a chance, they will turn around.”

Alex Stuckey is a fellow in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Statehouse News Bureau.

astuckey@dispatch.com"

From "Scripture: An Ecumenical Introduction to the Bible and its Interpretation

I'm reading this book for my Religious Foundations and The Bible class at Capital University, where I attend.

One of the most striking passages of this whole book has to be this...

"If we approach Scripture firmly believing that we already know its meaning, spiritual growth will be impeded, for inherent in any growth is change.  Thus, we must approach Scripture with both humility (admitting that we do not yet have all the answers) and patience (knowing that we will not receive all the answers immediately)."

Kindness Outreaches

Yesterday around 9:00am, I participated in my first Kindness Outreach at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, my home congregation.


We handed out about 200 free bottles of water to people who stop at a red light.


One of the most memorable things that happened was when I handed a bottle to a man and his son in a truck.  The son offered to give me his entire allowance from that week, (a dollar), but I declined and said the water was really free.  They both smiled, said thank you, and took the water bottles.  (We don't take money for these kindness outreaches.  We're trying to negate the idea that churches are only looking for people's money.)


Another memorable thing was when a woman running with her dog stopped.  We asked if she needed some water.  She declined, but said her dog loves to drink water from a water bottle.

From Pastor Mark's Blog

We do these kindness outreaches to share the love of Jesus in a practical way.  Pastor Steve Sjogren created this program in order to do just that.  My pastor, Mark Daniels, did this in his former congregation at Friendship Lutheran Church.  He and his congregation took cold cans of Coca-Cola and handed them out to folks stopped at intersections.  He recently decided to do the same thing at St. Matthew, his current congregation.  So far, the members that have participated have given over 500 bottles of water to people stopped at Hunter St. and Zanesville Ave. in Logan.




Another thing we're doing is a paying for people's meals at fast food or restaurants.  We hand out these cards.....

....and pay for the meal for the person behind us in the drive thru or for some family at a restaurant.  It's really satisfying when you do something like this.  Kindness does't have to be for summer mission trips.  They can be used any time of the year.




Why don't you do this?




____________________________________________________________________


On another, unrelated note, I will be at Parade Of The Hills this week at the stage between the post office and the library in Nelsonville helping the sound guy.  Come say hi!

Even when we believe the Scriptures are "without error," it's a risk to think our understanding is "without error."

Even when we believe the Scriptures are "without error," it's a risk to think our understanding is "without error."

This Meal's On Us!

Used my first "This Meal's On Us!" card at McDonald's today.  I ended up paying for three quarter pounders (one for me), three large drinks, (one for me), and two medium fries, (one for me).  Overall, I paid about $25.00.  When I looked back at the lady in the green Monte Carlo, she was waving to me with a big smile on her face.

My church gave these out a card that says "This Meal's On Us!" on the front and information for the church on the back.  The congregation is suppose to pay the meal for someone either in the restaurant or at the drive-thru.

Kindness goes a long way.

From Pastor Mark Daniels' June 6th Sermon

"I’ve mentioned before the woman who approached me after worship one Sunday in a former

 congregation. She was upset with the words of Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” (The same words appear also in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.)    

 

She affected that voice that some people use when trying to show their piety and said, “I don’t think that we should be afraid of God.” Look, Jesus says that we are His friends when we keep or strive to honor His commandments. He promises to stick closer to us than a brother."

Read this carefully

"But Jesus, God in the flesh, is not our buddy, not our rabbit’s foot, nor our ATM, nor our good luck charm.

He will be there to judge us at the end of history.

Paraphrasing Bill Cosby’s Cliff Huxtable, Jesus brought us into this world and He can take us out."

-Pastor Mark Daniels

Ten Things That I Need To Do Before the End of the World

Harold Camping and his minions predict that tomorrow, May 21, 2011, a catastrophic earthquake will destroy the world.

Here's a list of things that I need to do before it all ends.

1.)  Take out trash.

2.)  Take my medication

3.)  Get laid.

4.)  Read the Bible

5.)  Take a shower

6.)  Call grandma, (awww do I have to do that?!?)

7.)  

Feel the emotions of exposing myself on public transportation.

8.)  Watch Nine To Five one last time.

9.)  Dig into my secret stash of Four Locos.

10.)  Sing "Let's Have A Party" one last time.

Church isn't for entertainment

This book I'm reading by Biblical scholar Kimberly Smith states this.

"The Church's purpose is not to please the world.  Its purpose is to minister to the saints and to provide a sanctuary from the world...let it me said that if people are serious about finding God, they will come to our churches and won't need weekly entertainment to draw them."

This is exactly what I've been saying all along!  Church is suppose to glorify God; not glorify human.

 

"Have we forgotten that it is the Holy Spirit who draws people to Christ, not "methods" (including the "right" music) devised by man?"

I have to say.  There are a lot of things in this book that I disagree with, (the whole "carnal," or backbeats, complex harmonies, unnatural rhythms, vs. "non-carnal," or straightforward, spiritual music.  However, church suppose to satisfy God, not satisfy the flesh).  But the phrase above has to be true.

On a side note, I think dancing like Elvis or KISS on a stage in a church has got to displease God very much.

 

2 Timothy

I read today's verse in the daily devotion booklet called Our Daily Bread, published by RBC Ministries. This is a fantastic devotion booklet that I think is the best devotion resource I've ever used, (you can read it here at the Our Daily Bread website).

Today's lesson talked about how atheists have a..goal....as I should say to rid the community and our culture of anything that involves a creator, such as displays of a cross or the Ten Commandments. The lesson also states that turning away from God can make one even more angry at God. (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

I have decided to read the entire book of 2 Timothy and post selected comments here for you all to read.

2 Timothy is a letter from Paul to Timothy.

To me, this book seems to be more of a poem than a typical Bible book. The version I am looking at, The NIV's Bible Across America, is written in poem form.

1:4: Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

This verse really states what I am feeling right now. As my very public battle with depression still rages, I sometimes pray this very same thought. Even last night while trying to sleep, (I never did get much sleep), I was praying this because I was feeling alone.

1:8: So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of god,....

Every time I hear something like this, I remember Matthew 10:33 - ...but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

1:12: This is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

As you can read in my previous post called Doubt, I have recently had doubts about my faith. The verse above states that I know God is real. There's an old hymn that goes like this.

There are some things I may not know there are some places I can't go
But I am sure of this one thing my God is real for I can feel him in my soul

My god is real real in my soul my God is real for he has washed and made me whole
His love for me is like pure gold my God is real for I can feel him in my soul

Some folks may doubt some folks may scorn
Well they can all go on just leave me alone
But as for me I'll take God's part my God is real for I can feel him in my heart
My god is real real...

I cannot tell just how you felt when Jesus took your sins away
But since that day - yes since that hour
God has been real for I can feel His holy power

2:1: You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Kinda self explanatory.

2:6: The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

One of my college professors stated that I have done the most research for a project that she has ever seen any student do. I felt really good about that comment. I have a belief that I should work hard and not show myself to be lazy.

This past summer I worked at a printing press factory in Lancaster, Ohio. I was a temporary worker, hired by a temp agency. On numerous occasions, my temp agent said that the bosses and other workers at the printing press factory have stated that I am one of the hardest workers they've seen in a while. I did things without being told to do, and I did them the first time. When the trash needed taking out, I took it out. When the printing press was down, (one of a million times), I took a scraper and started to scrape the 20 year old gunk off of the floor, just to keep myself busy.

I believe that working hard will get me far in life.

2:9: For which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.

2:11-12: Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.

Kinda points back to my previous comment a few lines above.

2:14: Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

When I read this, I immediately thought about the homosexuality issue again with the ELCA and various other organizations. Why are we quarreling about words in the Bible? Isn't it the meaning behind the words and not the words themselves? If I say very loudly, "OH FIDDLE-STICKS!" what do I mean? Am I yelling at violin bows or am I making an interjection, possibly substituting it for the words son-of-a-bitch? (I would love to see a fight over this though).

2:23-26: Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and scape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Hello, WBC.

3:2-4: People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God.

This sounds like a person's teenage years. Hahaha!

3:12-13: In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

4:1-4: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his Kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.

Listen to this.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, the will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

We, as Christians, have to be VERY careful as to what we teach from the Bible. The WBC, (sorry that I keep going back to them), teach from the Bible what they want to hear. They take that famous verse from Leviticus and stretch it to suit their liking. However, the ELCA isn't always the perfect organization either. There are times I think they stretch scripture too much to suit their liking.

4:16: At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

This verse shows that Paul is a truly forgiving person. We all should follow his example.

I hope you learning a few things about me, and from Paul. I sure did. Thanks for reading!

4:22: The Lord be with your Spirit. Grace be with you.

Doubt

2 Esdras 16.75:

Do not fear or doubt, for God is your guide.

Ok folks. I have a confession. Ever since dad's surgery, I've had serious doubts about the Lord's presence in me. I have been feeling empty and pushed away from God for a long time now.

I talked with Anthony just a few moments ago about what I was feeling, (or lack thereof). I also told him of my doubting of other things, such as when a petition was passed around Fully Alive tonight that would ask Capital University Programming to stop playing current hit songs for the Wednesday dinner. I asked myself, "Why are we worrying about little things like this? Why are we not spending more time thinking about those who are oppressed, those in Egypt, or those who are ill?"

Anthony explained to me that it's the little things, as well as the big things that matter in God's eyes. He explained that the little things like that can lead to bigger things in the future. I understood that perfectly.

In June or July of 2008, Luther Mowery, the sound engineer of St. Matthew Lutheran Church at that time, was on vacation the week of the Vacation Bible School. I opted to run the sound for the service that week for the VBS program. When Luther passed away in August of 2009, I was called upon to be Luther's replacement as sound engineer of the church. I believe that the one Sunday I was substituting at the sound board was a little decision that changed my life. I am now in college studying to be a sound engineer for the rest of my life.

Only mom, dad, Kylen, John, and Steph know this but in September of 2008, I was in a downward spiral, emotionally, mentally, and physically. I was dealing with a lot of issues concerning schooling, family, and friends. I had previously been diagnosed with severe depression just a few years earlier, but the medications that I was taking weren't working. I attempted suicide on September 17, 2008 in my home outside of Logan, (thankfully I was treated and released from the hospital the same night). By that time I was just going to church just to go to church. Nothing was inspiring. God was a thousand miles away from me at that point, and I didn't really care. I eventually did get therapy and I was put on another medication.

Lately, I've started feeling the same way about God, (not ending my life). I've felt like I've been pulling away from him for a long time. I haven't been going to church at either St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Christ Lutheran Church for fear of everyone coming up to me to ask about how my dad is doing, (it gets kind of annoying when you have to explain the same thing ten times). This was why I talked with Anthony tonight. I wanted reassurance from someone else that God is with me and will always be with me.

Luke 24.38:

He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Why am I frightened? Why does doubt arise in my heart? I don't know, but I DO know that I want it to stop, and I want it to stop NOW.

James 1.6-7

But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Help me to not doubt so much. Help me to not rebel so much against authority. Help me.

"Let The Lower Lights Be Burning" by Philip P. Bliss

By Warren Shiver

Those who live by the sea or on a large body of water, understand better than the folks that have never seen or been on the ocean, and seen the powerful waves crashing on the shore, the Biblical accounts of stories that involve the Sea of Galilee.Those who have had first hand experiences on a ship or boat sing with more understanding the hymns that speak of the Christian experience in nautical terms.

Rev. Dwight L. Moody, one of the greatest evangelists of the nineteenth century told a story in one of his sermons of a ship nearing the Lake Erie harbor at Cleveland, Ohio. It was a stormy night and the waves were high. Seeing only the lights from the lighthouse, the Captain asked the Pilot, “Are you sure this is Cleveland?” “Quite sure”, replied the Pilot. “But”, said the Captain, “where are the lower lights, the lights along the shore?” The Pilot replied calmly, “They’ve gone out sir.” He assured the Captain that they could make the harbor, and turned the wheel, but in the darkness, they missed the channel and crashed upon the rocks. Many passengers drowned and with this illustration, Rev. Moody concluded his sermon with this comment, “Beloved the Master will take care of the great Lighthouse. Let us keep the Lower Lights burning.”

Phillip P. Bliss, a well-known music teacher, hymn writer, and Christian leader that night listened to Rev. Moody’s sermon intently and the Holy Spirit spoke to him and shortly after the sermon ended, he picked up his pen and began writing both words and music to “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning”. The hymn was first published in 1871 in a Sunday school hymnal. Bliss’s hymn became exceedingly popular, even inland where the people could not relate to the meaning of the Lighthouse, or the "Lower lights along the shore". Churches throughout the land began singing this hymn and it blessed millions of people. Unfortunately it has been dropped from many hymnals in our churches today, and only the older folks in the congregation still remember this powerful message. I could only hope that it would have a revival in our churches today, so that our young people could enjoy this great message and hymn.

I feel this hymn, metaphorically, is what I need. I couldn't see the Lighthouse, (God), but I hope that with your help, I will be able to once again. I don't want to crash my boat on the shore. I want to see the light again.