In the ancient world there were no glass or plastic bottles. Instead they would put liquids into animal skins that were sewn together and used like canteens. Eventually these skins would become brittle, and would break, spilling out the liquid.
Jesus once referred to these wineskins to teach us about change. He said, "New wine must be poured into new wineskins." [Luke 5:38] This is a principle of life: new situations always require new structures. A new job often requires you to learn new skills. A new relationship often requires new ways of relating.
What are the old wineskins that may be ready to break on you and me? Old ways of thinking? Old habits? They could be outdated ways of acting, or talking, or responding that worked well in the past, but aren’t useful or helpful anymore.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to re-examine your life. As we begin 2007, will you hold on to old wineskins or will you abandon them for new ones?
It is safe to assume that you will face 3 new “wines” in 2007: new problems, new pressures, and new possibilities. To handle these new challenges, you’ll need the new “wineskins” of creativity, conviction, and courage.
New Problems Will Require Creativity
Unfortunately you’re bound to have more problems in 2007. The good news is they won’t be same problems you had in 2006.You get a whole new set! These new problems will require new solutions, which require creativity. Your old ways of thinking and relating, your old attitudes may not work anymore. That’s why the Bible says, "The intelligent man is always open to new ideas. In fact, he looks for them."
New Pressures Will Require Conviction
Conviction is a willingness to stand up for what you believe. Romans 12:2 says, "Don't let the world squeeze you in its mold, but let God remake you so your whole attitude of mind is changed." Before you get too far into 2007, I suggest you sit down and write out what values are going to be important to you in the New Year.
New Possibilities Will Require Courage
Each New Year brings new possibilities – opportunities for growth. These are exciting times to be alive. I’m sure that God wants to do great things in your life in this New Year - but it won't happen automatically. You've got to step out in faith. There's always an element of risk. Hosea 10:12 says, "Plow new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessing your devotion to me will produce!”
What are you planning to harvest this next year? Three hundred sixty five days from today, how will you be any different? If you want to be different, you've got to start cultivating some new habits, activities, and relationships now! Success doesn't just happen. It takes effort.
One of the most common mistakes Christians make is that they think they can live their lives off a single commitment they made years ago. My spiritual birthday is November 15, 1969. The first 10 years of my Christian life, I tried to live on the basis of that one decision. I thought it was enough to carry me the rest of my life. I wondered why I wasn't growing as a Christian and becoming all that God wanted me to be. I prayed, but I didn't see that many answers. Then in 1980, I discovered that the Christian life is a continual renewal and daily recommitment to Christ. It’s not just a once-for-all decision.
As we begin another year, I don't know a better time for each of us to recommit ourselves to Jesus Christ and his purpose for our lives. I’m doing it and I hope you will too!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Being a faithful witness is becoming more challenging these days. People are openingly angry at all forms faith, especially Christianity. A quick glance at the New York Times’s bestseller list reveals two books selling by the truck load. “Letter to a Christian Nation” by Sam Harris, is reviewed as “a wonderful source of ammunition for those who, like me, hold to no religious doctrine.” Another critic jubilantly gushes, reading the book “was like sitting ring side, cheering the champion, yelling ‘Yes!’ at every jab.” The barrel of the gun and the sting of the fist, however, are aimed directly at Christians.
Another bestseller is Richard Dawkins’s “The God Delusion” weighing in at 416 pages of hot air. Even Publishers Weekly rightly cautions readers, “For a scientist who criticizes religion for its intolerance, Dawkins has written a surprisingly intolerant book, full of scorn for religion and those who believe.” [According to Dawkins] the biblical Yahweh is ‘psychotic.”
Dawkins is also quoted as saying, “At some point there is going to be enough pressure that it is just going to be too embarrassing to believe in God.”
Recently the New York Times ran a week-long series on church and state. With titles like, “Where Faith Abides Employees Have Few Rights,” and “As Exemptions Grow Religion Outweighs Regulation,” there’s little doubt that Christians are in for a season of harsh criticism, if not outright scorn. So how ought we to prepare ourselves for what may be a long winter of cultural disdain?
First of all, the situation isn’t new, and neither is the answer. The Apostle Paul, a former Christ-scoffer, responded to pressures of his day by reaffirming: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for all those who believe: first for the Jew, and then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). In 1 Peter 2:15, a favorite verse of mine, Peter instructed us to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men by doing good.
The truth of the matter is that the ones heaping scorn on Christians are probably the ones who most need our prayers. So, in the end, the best way to prepare ourselves for such an onslaught is to increase our own devotion to Christ through works of faith. If our lives are aflame with care for the least, the last, and the lost, we will know we’re where God wants us to be.
And don’t let this anti-Christian barrage intimidate you. Just keep making the case for a Biblical worldview ever more aggressively.
Another bestseller is Richard Dawkins’s “The God Delusion” weighing in at 416 pages of hot air. Even Publishers Weekly rightly cautions readers, “For a scientist who criticizes religion for its intolerance, Dawkins has written a surprisingly intolerant book, full of scorn for religion and those who believe.” [According to Dawkins] the biblical Yahweh is ‘psychotic.”
Dawkins is also quoted as saying, “At some point there is going to be enough pressure that it is just going to be too embarrassing to believe in God.”
Recently the New York Times ran a week-long series on church and state. With titles like, “Where Faith Abides Employees Have Few Rights,” and “As Exemptions Grow Religion Outweighs Regulation,” there’s little doubt that Christians are in for a season of harsh criticism, if not outright scorn. So how ought we to prepare ourselves for what may be a long winter of cultural disdain?
First of all, the situation isn’t new, and neither is the answer. The Apostle Paul, a former Christ-scoffer, responded to pressures of his day by reaffirming: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for all those who believe: first for the Jew, and then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). In 1 Peter 2:15, a favorite verse of mine, Peter instructed us to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men by doing good.
The truth of the matter is that the ones heaping scorn on Christians are probably the ones who most need our prayers. So, in the end, the best way to prepare ourselves for such an onslaught is to increase our own devotion to Christ through works of faith. If our lives are aflame with care for the least, the last, and the lost, we will know we’re where God wants us to be.
And don’t let this anti-Christian barrage intimidate you. Just keep making the case for a Biblical worldview ever more aggressively.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Every year, the same questions always seem to come up: Should we be celebrating Christ? Is it okay to have a Christmas tree? And what’s the deal with Santa Claus? The first two questions are no-brainers, but the issue of Santa Claus should be handled with care.
Although Santa Claus is a mythical figure, his creation is based in part on a great Christian man named Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century. Nicholas was born to Christian parents who left him an inheritance when they died, which he distributed to the poor. He became a priest at a young age and was well-known for his compassion and generosity. He had a reputation for giving gifts anonymously, and he would throw bags of money into people's homes (and sometimes down their chimneys) under the cover of night to avoid being spotted.
Nicholas passed away on December 6 sometime around the 340s or 350s, and the day of his death became an annual feast in which children would put out food for Nicholas and straw for his donkey. It was said that the saint would come down from heaven during the night and replace the offerings with toys and treats – but only for the good boys and girls. There are many different versions of the legend of Saint Nicholas, but all are the inspiration for the jolly, red-suited gift-giver that we now know as Santa Claus.
Many Christian parents are torn as to whether or not they should play the "Santa game" with their children. On one hand, he makes Christmas fun, leaving wonderful holiday memories for years to come. On the other hand, the focus of Christmas should be on Jesus Christ and how much He has already given us. So, is the story of Santa Claus an innocent addition to Christmas festivities, or is he a subject that should be avoided?
I believe that parents need to use their own judgment in deciding whether or not to include Santa during the holidays, but here are some things to consider: Children who believe that the gifts they receive Christmas morning are from a magical man with unending resources are less likely to appreciate what they have been given, and the sacrifices their parents make in providing them. Greed and materialism can overshadow the holiday season, which is meant to be about giving, loving, and worshiping God. Children whose parents are on a tight budget may feel that they have been overlooked by Santa, or even worse, deemed one of the "bad" boys or girls.
An even more troubling aspect of telling our children that Santa comes down the chimney each year to leave their gifts is that it is, obviously, a lie. We live in a society that believes that lying for the "right" reason is acceptable. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it is not a problem. This is contrary to what the Bible tells us. "For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to live a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies'" (1 Peter 3:10, NLT). Of course, telling our children that Santa is real is not a malicious deception, but it is, nevertheless, a lie.
I do not believe this means we must leave Santa completely out of Christmas. Children can still play the "Santa game" even if they know it is all pretend. They can make lists, sit on his lap at the mall, and leave out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. This will not rob them of their joy of the season, and gives parents the opportunity to tell their children about the godly qualities of the real Saint Nicholas, who dedicated his life to serving others and made himself into a living example of Jesus Christ.
Although Santa Claus is a mythical figure, his creation is based in part on a great Christian man named Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century. Nicholas was born to Christian parents who left him an inheritance when they died, which he distributed to the poor. He became a priest at a young age and was well-known for his compassion and generosity. He had a reputation for giving gifts anonymously, and he would throw bags of money into people's homes (and sometimes down their chimneys) under the cover of night to avoid being spotted.
Nicholas passed away on December 6 sometime around the 340s or 350s, and the day of his death became an annual feast in which children would put out food for Nicholas and straw for his donkey. It was said that the saint would come down from heaven during the night and replace the offerings with toys and treats – but only for the good boys and girls. There are many different versions of the legend of Saint Nicholas, but all are the inspiration for the jolly, red-suited gift-giver that we now know as Santa Claus.
Many Christian parents are torn as to whether or not they should play the "Santa game" with their children. On one hand, he makes Christmas fun, leaving wonderful holiday memories for years to come. On the other hand, the focus of Christmas should be on Jesus Christ and how much He has already given us. So, is the story of Santa Claus an innocent addition to Christmas festivities, or is he a subject that should be avoided?
I believe that parents need to use their own judgment in deciding whether or not to include Santa during the holidays, but here are some things to consider: Children who believe that the gifts they receive Christmas morning are from a magical man with unending resources are less likely to appreciate what they have been given, and the sacrifices their parents make in providing them. Greed and materialism can overshadow the holiday season, which is meant to be about giving, loving, and worshiping God. Children whose parents are on a tight budget may feel that they have been overlooked by Santa, or even worse, deemed one of the "bad" boys or girls.
An even more troubling aspect of telling our children that Santa comes down the chimney each year to leave their gifts is that it is, obviously, a lie. We live in a society that believes that lying for the "right" reason is acceptable. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it is not a problem. This is contrary to what the Bible tells us. "For the Scriptures say, 'If you want to live a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies'" (1 Peter 3:10, NLT). Of course, telling our children that Santa is real is not a malicious deception, but it is, nevertheless, a lie.
I do not believe this means we must leave Santa completely out of Christmas. Children can still play the "Santa game" even if they know it is all pretend. They can make lists, sit on his lap at the mall, and leave out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. This will not rob them of their joy of the season, and gives parents the opportunity to tell their children about the godly qualities of the real Saint Nicholas, who dedicated his life to serving others and made himself into a living example of Jesus Christ.
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