CHRISTMAS – DID IT HAPPEN?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. – Isaiah 7:14

“The birth of God’s Son was no accident; it was not the result of unforeseen or uncontrollable events. The all-knowing Creator and Sustainer of all things is never caught off guard. God does not respond to human events; He superintends them. Nowhere is this divine omniscience more clearly seen or more profoundly delineated than in the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Marvin J. Rosenthal, Not Without Design)

Also pointed out by Rosenthal and others is that though many great men of history are remembered with holidays on their birthdays, none have both their birth and death commemorated as is Jesus Christ. Yet as we approach the celebration of his birth as the Incarnation of God’s Son we again face the challenges of skeptics and humanists who want public observance curtailed if not removed. The increasing nature of these complaints in media, advertising and the courts lay stress upon a Christian celebration that has been practiced for many centuries. For true and faithful believers it may only be a distraction. Our devotion to Christmas is only a seasonal tribute to our Holy Savior whom we revere and adore not only for his Birth but his Death and Resurrection as well. The Incarnation is central to our core beliefs; otherwise his sacrifice would be meaningless. Probably this is why the secularists want to take Christ out of Christmas.

Last year a number of large retail chains backed off in not allowing their salespersons from greeting their customers with “Merry Christmas.” It again was given to personal choice as it should be. This December the American Humanist Association is running ads on Washington, D. C. buses with the theme: Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake." The subliminal message is of course, “there is no God and celebrating his Son’s birth is merely fostering superstition.” There is also a sort of “evangelical” spirit to their message of disbelief, which they have a right too as much as we with the Christian Gospel. But let us not be willing to back off in the public square with our message either. God in Christ sent his beloved Son Jesus to be born of a virgin, laid in a manger, glorified by angels appearing from heaven and worshipped by shepherds and by Wisemen from the East. For we have substantial and verifiable evidence in recorded history that these things happened. One may refuse to accept them, but no one can disprove them.

Did Christmas happen? Did God look down upon fallen man and see that the time was now ripe for the Savior He had promised to Adam and Eve, Moses and Abraham, prophets and kings to come into our human flesh, live and die but without sin. We say a resounding YES!!! He did! Alleluia! You want proof? You want evidence? Then be willing to accept it. Confess that we are sinners in need of grace, then accept and rejoice in the new life given to you as a gift from God in Jesus’ birth. Then truly you will be good for Goodness sake!

Election Concerns

OK, I've avoided getting political with the impending national election until now. I have forwarded some emails to family and friends that pretty clearly identify me with a certain campaign. Most already know my preference among the canditates for president and vice-president. I have a McCain/Palin sign in my yard and stickers on our two vehicles. The fact that I am a diehard Reagan conservative is well-known by most who know me very well. But as a pastor of a congregation I do try to respect the fact that there are differing political views among Christians that have nothing to do with their faith or my proclamation of the Gospel. I will not and I cannot preach according to my political or candidate preferences although I have no compunction against the same about matters of moral conviction. I will and have preached and taught against abortion, gay marriage and homosexual preference as much as against sexual perversion or marital unfaithfulness, lying, stealing and murder. These are issues for which clear biblical inference and application can be made and fall clearly within my pastoral responsibilities.

But I am concerned enough about the outcome of next week's election that I am compelled to address the reasons why I am convinced this is the most critical determination American voters will make in my lifetime. This is not only a political issue, but I believe it is a religious one as well. Why might I say that even though the protections in our constitution and the rule of law in our society seem as adequate as they have ever been to assure a reasonable result with qualified legitimate winners representative of a democratically chosen government?

My problem is not with the process per se, but with the electorate itself. We live in what is called the "information age." One might think that this assures a positive outcome. Never before in history has there been such access to ubiquitous information as we have in our day. But with it also come the greatest opportunity for spin and subtle manipulation ever seen. And the main concern I have is how misled and deceived voters of all ages and interests can become via advertising, political speech and constant repitition of mantras intended to evoke an intended response. Talk about tax cuts for the middle class instead of for the rich, universal health care and spreading the wealth as if these are panaceas for our social problems are obscuring the real concern of electing a president empowered by an unchecked Legislature that will consider itself licensed to remake our nation in their own image.

The fear I have which is shared by many of my political persuasion is that we begin down the slippery slope where government again becomes supreme in its own eyes of being omnipotent, omniscient, beneficient to all and the final authority in all matters of life and purpose. This is a return to the ideal of pagan cultures of the past, a world in which Christiandom and the Reformation have delivered us culminating in a kind of government unique in the annals of history advocating freedom from tyranny and opportunity for all.

I am not completely satisified with John McCain's political views and have my own concerns about his potential administration. I do favor his desire to end our wars in the Middle East with victory, but I do worry about his desire to find compromise with those "across the aisle" and what that may lead to. But in terms of his commitment regarding judicial appointments and his economic principles and his commitment to maintaining American values and security in international affairs, I believe our future will be safer for Christian values and our purposes for the expansion of the Gospel with his administration.

THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves.” – Luke 21:25

The following is a recent press release from NASA:

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft has created a video of the moon transiting (passing in front of) Earth as seen from the spacecraft's point of view 31 million miles away. Scientists are using the video to develop techniques to study alien worlds.

"Making a video of Earth from so far away helps the search for other life-bearing planets in the Universe by giving insights into how a distant, Earth-like alien world would appear to us," said University of Maryland astronomer Michael A’Hearn, principal investigator for the Deep Impact extended mission, called EPOXI.

When I came across the above announcement while checking headlines from the Fox News Gadget on my Google Homepage, I was reminded again of how foolish and shortsighted most scientists and their followers are when they examine the universe with their sophisticated equipment. My first impression when viewing the video online and watching the moon passing over the earth was one of awe and appreciation for God’s magnificent creation in which we live. Their primary interest is in the vain search for any kind of extraterrestrial life to substantiate their idea that our life and our planet are not unique, the product of billions of years of random chance. Though some might postulate the possibility of a Creator or superior intelligence affecting our existence, most seem unconcerned in their quest for validation of their preconceived conclusions.

I am certainly not against space exploration of any kind for the sake of gaining knowledge or seeking usefulness and resources for our human needs. The efforts themselves, though at considerable cost, are likewise fruitful and have yielded many benefits to our lives as earth-bound people. My early career in aerospace engineering and manufacturing gave me an appreciation for scientific exploitation and its practical effects. But what a shame when the beauty of God’s Creation is not appreciated for what it really is: His loving provision for living creatures made in His image that the Bible calls man, “male and female he created them.” And then he gave us authority to rule over all the earth and over all living things.

Yes, we human beings have made a mess of things and we can expect that sinful man will continue the process, especially among those who fail to appreciate what our Heavenly Father has done for our reconciliation and welfare. Sending his Son Jesus Christ to redeem us and give us new life in Him further shows the purpose and intent of his beautiful creation.

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1

The End of Our Journey

On Friday we stayed at the campground relaxing until evening when our group held a potluck at the campground pavilion. Then we gathered again in a central location for a campfire before heading off to bed.

Today, Nelda and I left the campground with no specific plan but did stop at Uncle Bill’s Flea Market, strung out on the highway as we headed toward Dillsboro. Bought a couple items, including an Elk Ridge pocket knife for me and a Rooster embossed hot plate for Nelda. Have to find out from Butch if I got ripped off on the knife! Then we stopped in Dillsboro at a craft store, then on to nearby Sylva just looking around. There we found the Heinzelmannchen Brewery where we enjoyed a beer tasting treat of 6 or eight different brews (who’s counting?). The young assistant to Braumeister Dieter Kuhn gave us directions to the Mill & Main Restaurant nearby where they served their beers on tap. It was a delightful lunch and after several glasses of Heinzelmannchen Kilted Gnome Scottish Ale (a High Gravity 7.5% ABV ale, “wee bit lighter than most with a hint of smoked peat flavor, balanced maltiness and a lingering hop note with a warming alcohol finish”) we came back to camp where I was ready for a brief nap, then a quick cold swim in the pool.

Tonight we will join the group a last time before leaving in the morning for home. One of the ladies is sharing a pot of beans and rice, which is probably all we’ll need to eat after our filling lunch. It has been an enjoyable time, meeting new friends, seeing new sights and just getting away for a few days. But we are ready to go home and pick up where we were and continuing the ministry that the Lord has given us in his mercy and grace.

Trail of Tears and Other Things

Cherokee NC is only 10 miles from our campground, so Nelda and I took off to get our tickets for the play without knowing where to get them. Several years ago when we went to Robbinsville with Butch and Mavis they took us to Cherokee as we saw the sights in the area. That was when the Indian in one of the shops told Nelda she was supposed to let the man walk ahead of her and for her to get behind me as we left his store. This trip she definitely didn’t want to go back to that shop, but not to worry—we would never be able to distinguish which of the many such shops in the town it was. A young Indian maiden in a local convenience store gave us directions to the Mountainside Theatre which we found easily enough but with the ticket office closed. We then located the ticket office in town, got our tickets and a Subway for lunch before heading back to the campground.

About 4:30 p.m. we joined the other Dixie Chapter folks in a caravan and headed to Sylva for a delightful supper at B’Regards then on to the theatre for the drama. We all sat together with our red “Dixie Chapter” t-shirts in the General Admission section and waited for the show to begin. Then the rains came, not much but enough of a thunder shower we headed for shelter above the seating area until it passed. Meanwhile the show was underway, first with a choir and comedy skits, then a fourteen scene play that depicted the whole history of the Cherokee nation with emphasis on the Indian Removal Act under President Andrew Jackson whose life had previously been saved by Junaluska, one of the Cherokee warriors that helped the U. S. Army at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama. This was the traitorous act as seen by the Cherokees that led to the Trail of Tears with the loss of many lives as they were forced to migrate to the Indian Territories—now Oklahoma. It was a moving drama which we thought well done, but not to the same quality for some who had seen it in years past. All in all it was a very entertaining evening.

A Ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Wednesday we took the Tuckasegee River Excursion on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad from Dillsboro to Bryson City and back. Dillsboro is a small mountain tourist town near Sylva and only about 4 miles from the campground. The trip along the river takes about an hour and a half each way with about the same time at Bryson. At the train stop is a museum of Lionel trains with a large and extensive display of model trains in full operation on a beautiful scale mountain table setting. We splurged on the Club Car tickets and enjoyed our beer and wine in comfortable chairs along the way with a large picture window to view the scenery. Lots of rafters and kayaks full of waving participants and other pictures I’ll share later.

Back at the campground we put some Johnsonville Brats on the grill and relaxed a while before going down to the Dixie Chapter campfire and joining our new friends for an evening of tall tales and good conversation. Met some Dixie members from the LCMS church in Foley who are looking for a new pastor, but I told them we still like Gadsden. It’s a small world after all! Anyway, tonight looks like we may go to Cherokee with the group and see “Unto These Hills,” the outdoor play about the Trail of Tears. Let you know more later.

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAIN VACATION

Relief from heat and beautiful surroundings in the mountains of North Carolina, what better way to enjoy a week of vacation at the Holly Cove RV Resort campground? Nelda and I arrived safely pulling our TrailManor camping trailer through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests to the Great Smokies near Bryson City, N.C. This trip was planned to meet other TrailManor owners of the Dixie Chapter Trailblazers having a Get-Together this week.

After an uneventful trip up I59 to Tennessee, I24 through Chattanooga and briefly on I75 to Cleveland, TN, we began our trip along the Ocoee River on US74 through the lush forests and scenery leading to Whittier, NC, and our campground. Along the way we saw many rafters on the white water rapids and the frequent blue busses carrying the rafts back to their head waters. We also found a nice roadside table for our lunch and a later very attractive rest stop near Andrews, NC. Much of the way was 4 lane, but in the heart of the National Forests along the rivers was winding 2 lane and slow going. But we arrived in mid-afternoon after 5 ½ hours got checked in, set-up and began enjoying the cooler fresh mountain air at an altitude of about 2600 ft. We also met a few Trailblazers who had already arrived, but most were coming in the next two days.

Tuesday, we hiked one of the trails from the campground, met some more Dixie members then went off to Sylva and nearby Dillsboro to check them out, get our train tickets and find the local Wal-Mart for a few supplies. Nelda found a Cross-Stitch shop in Dillsboro that carried other craft supplies and bought some sock yard to add to her knitting time. Then back to camp and a quick swim (the water was cold) before back to our site and a Taco Salad supper with appropriate adult beverages. The campground featured an informal white elephant Bingo game in the Pavilion which entertained us until we gave up and began our hike back up the hill to home. Along the way we stopped to meet and visit some Trailblazers who recently arrived then relaxed listening to the Angels and Braves games on XM (Angels won, Braves lost). Wednesday we are taking the 4 hour train ride from Dillsboro on the Great Smoky Rail Road. Should be a good trip.

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Hot & Humid in Alabama

It's another hot and humid but dry day here in Alabama. Not much to write about except some musings of here and there. Looks like the Democrats have finally settled on their candidate for the presidential race with Hillary giving her concesssion speech (finally- oh, I already said that) today. Only other big news will be the outcome of the Belmont Stakes race and if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown or goes lame from his cracked hoof.

Did hear from son Pat in California with news concerning his employment options. Hope it works out for him.

Sermon for tomorrow is done, just need to go over it some more before tomorrow. The message is on Christian hope based on Romans 4:18-25. I will post it at the church's website http://www.tlcgadsden.com/ when we get home. It takes me about 15 minutes to copy from my Olympus voice recorder to my laptop and upload it to the website. Christian hope is a very important benefit of Biblical Christianity as the Apostle Paul demonstrates from the story of Abraham in Genesis. Having done two funerals in the last 10 days I am especially reminded of the value having hope in Christ gives to us.

I'm still reading Dinesh D'Souza's book What's So Great About Christianity. I find his arguments very compelling and supporting my own conclusions in 40 years of studying the Christian religion. My only departure is his acceptance of a general view of evolution without Darwinian influenced conclusions that lead to atheism. His support for intelligent design is commendable, but I still see no scientifically determined absolutes that preclude a young earth creation as inferred from an inerrant Word of the Creator - the Bible. Dinesh is a good writer, however, and very thorough in his research. I appreciated some years ago his biography or Ronald Reagan, which I did complete and holds a key place in my home library collection.

Well, it's nearing race time and though I have no money riding on the race, curiosity needs its fulfillment.

IT’S JUST POLITICS!

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. – Romans 13:1

Here we go again, it’s another election year! Super Tuesday is February 5th. How ironic the next day, when we may find out who are the most likely Democratic and Republican candidates in the fall elections, is Ash Wednesday. Of course Ash Wednesday for Christians is an annual call to repentance and cleansing in the Blood of Christ. Would that our elected government officials could focus their attention along the same lines! Not to mix religion and government, yet a parallel cleansing of national interests would add a refreshing tone to the politics of our national elections. But, alas, the personal attacks and dirty tricks have become an inherent part of the game and election strategy on both sides of the aisle. It will be a rough year as the campaigns for each candidate become more desperate for our votes and our support. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand that their authority exists and has been given by God’s administration, but it’s a good point to keep in mind. As it is said, people usually get the government they deserve. Perhaps that should guide us to stop blaming the politicians so much and examine more closely what might improve the results for what we deserve.

In other words, shouldn’t we be looking inwardly as much as we look outwardly? Or, to coin a phrase, all politics begin inside of us (not just at home!). King David, a politician of a different era, prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” And his example has been at the heart of Christian renewal as far back as the church begun. What effect do you suppose would happen, not just personally but corporately as well, if a majority of people in our churches seriously took David’s words to heart? And what effect do you think that would have on our nation? And what effect might it have on the world? One can only imagine, but one thing is for sure: for there to be any effect at all it must begin in me and you. For if the motivations and desires that guide our lives and propel our votes come from God cleansed hearts, then regardless of who wins the nominations and elections that govern our land, in God we can still trust.

One of course must fulfill their civic duty as well, especially in our country where we are free to vote for those we believe will serve us best in the authority God has given them. And that in itself is an awesome responsibility, for it is more than a popularity contest. We are forced to look below the surface and avoid the pressure of media and movements, but as objectively as possible consider the merits of each candidate in the face of grave and serious national and human interests. Our criteria in this endeavor are what separate church and state. Our civic interests should always be compatible with the purposes of our faith, but must first be concerned with America’s strength as envisioned by its founding principles and conserving it for the generations that follow us.

But let it begin with a grateful heart for all we have received and enjoy through faith in Jesus Christ who for our sakes and the forgiveness of our sins went to the cross to give us a greater freedom than any nation or government on earth can offer. And to our God who through divine providence has given the people of America great privileges in electing those who govern our lives here on earth.

2008: A Time for Faith to Grow

“. . . a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”
– Ecclesiastes 3:2b

I’m looking forward to a good year in 2008, how about you?
What will 2008 bring? What might we see happen that could bring the kind of happiness we hope for? In general terms related to the world we live in, it should be an interesting year at least. With the improvement seen in our military success in Iraq we are hopeful that fewer of our soldiers will be needed in the Middle East to secure a complex and dangerous political situation there. We hope also that greater security from terrorist movements will lessen the threat to our homeland. But then there are major political issues that will be at the heart of an election year sure to become at the center of our expectations for the future. It will truly be an interesting year indeed.
There are always a good many external events of which we have little control except in their aftermath that will also affect the coming year. Weather, human tragedy and institutional failure will all take their turn in bringing their own affects upon communities and individuals across our land and possibly including ourselves either directly or indirectly in major ways.
But whatever happens, and we can never depend on our knowing beforehand, we can be sure of the most important and essential thing that should matter the most to us, and that is God’s love for us in Jesus Christ and what faith in Him can bring. This can become a great year for us under any circumstances if we allow our faith to grow. There are many ways we can contribute to this growth process, all of course dependent on God’s Spirit and grace as the enabling power making it work. Devotions and Bible study are key activities requiring only a little self-discipline to be effective. Start with the Portals of Prayer booklets that we give out at church. There are also some good on-line resources and email lists that can be of help for those of us who spend a lot of time in front of a computer. A daily reading plan such as found on page 299 of the Lutheran Service Book hymnal coupled with a review of Luther’s Small Catechism is another helpful way, and there are many other such tools that can help us. Just reading and reflecting on a portion of Scripture each day will help your faith to grow. Of course these times are useful for fellowship with the Lord in prayer. As James tells us, the prayers of a righteous person have great effect, and we are made righteous by faith in the Lord Jesus that grows while we are in the Word and pray.
There are a lot of people who say they don't attend a certain church or they don't go as often as they should. But then how can you be growing in the Lord without a church to feed you in the Word? If you don't water a plant, it will wither and eventually die. The same is true of our walk with the Lord. We can grow complacent and immune to the ways of the world far too easily without being held accountable and being fed with His Word on a regular basis. Besides, your regular participation in church will bring you fellowship with other believers, vital to permanent growth in your faith. There is nothing like having that special "bond" with a fellow brother or sister in the Lord with whom you share a spiritual relationship in your church when you need a shoulder to cry on, advice, or encouragement in your life.
So make 2008 a year of growth, for you and for your family, and may God continually bless you in your commitment to him and in your endeavor to see your faith in Him grow.