Lessons at my Father's feet

Some leaders often write with warm affection of the lessons learned as a child or a teenager at their father’s feet. Dad taught me to fish. Dad taught me how to face adversity. Dad taught what it means to be a man.

I heard the stories in sermons, in books I’ve read, Stu Webber, John Eldridge, James Dobson, and Ed Young. It is true many leaders learn lessons sitting at their Father’s feet.

I was different.

Without tearing him down let’s first say my dad and I were never really close. The dysfunctions of our family dominated my childhood and teen years. Our enmity continued often in visits home as an adult.

But a number of years ago the Forgiver did two great things in my relationship with my dad. He reminded me that I had grace, I knew truth, I walked in light, and to whom much is given, much would be required. God placed the burden for peace in our relationship upon me.

The second thing God did is he increased ten-fold my love for my father. Now our relationship is different. Since those changes I have seen him change. I have watched faith be born in him. I have seen him at peace.

A week ago I moved my dad in with us. It’s for at least a month, maybe more. He and my mom have been using walkers for years. After a recent fall, mom is in rehabilitative care. Dad needs help. Living alone is no longer possible so he’s with us. It has been good.

Here’s the first lesson from my father’s feet:
No relationship is so estranged that the Forgiver cannot mend; when those who claim His name humbly allow Him to work.

True Christmas

I’ve been driving around amid all the houses decorated for Christmas. Some reveal incredible amounts of work and expense. Tiny lights hang in trees, line eaves and adorn fence rows and garage doors. Lawns are decked with miniature scenes: The Wisemen journey, elves work, reindeer frolic. Many of the scenes required not just an afternoon of work, some called for much more time to achieve their winter wonderland.

But I wonder how many of those pretty houses hide homes in shambles. How many families are celebrating their last Christmas before the “separation”, the “divorce”. I wonder how many sequester the wounded spirit that will end it all come January. Which ones are the ones filled with anger and abuse? Which are the homes with estranged loved ones? Sons and daughters adrift? For how many is peace on earth just a sign on the lawn, a decoration on the wall?

True Christmas celebrating will not be judged just by the outward decorations, by the externals. If He is to be experienced this year, He will be experienced internally at the core of our being.

Leaders who follow the Forgiver know this Christmas isn’t about the externals. It’s always about the internals.

As you celebrate, lead, teach, administrate may the inside stuff of Christmas radiate through you!

The Shout of Christmas

Christmas began in a whisper but now comes with a shout. Jesus’ entrance into our world was quiet and unassuming. The Almighty emptied Himself of glory to be born in a manger. It would have gone unnoticed if it weren’t for the announcement to shepherds.

Now Christmas comes with a Shout. I’m not referring to the pre-November commercial build-up to the season. And I am not referring to the madness of trying to do all we do each year. The shout of Christmas is different. Christmas shouts to us as we count the years by its passing.

The wonder of childhood Christmases gives way to the polite co-operation of teen years. Those pass into homecoming Christmases with the return of college students. Morphed again Christmas is expanded as new young families are united and daughters and sons-in-law are welcomed into the celebration.
The arrival of grandchildren changes it all again. We watch the cycle repeat as the new little ones grow. Through-out each of these changes Christmas shouts to us.

Our years are passing. The days are fleeting. Things will change, the nest will empty, and the celebration will evolve. We cannot stop the passage of time and each Christmas reminds us of another year passed. It shouts to us of our mortality.

Yet in the midst of this defining event, on our annual calendar a clarion call is heard. It rings forth year after year. Hear it now as you celebrate the season. It is a simple message that reminds us of one amazing thing year after year.

“God so loved the world. . .”

Hear the shout.

“God so loved. . .”

Tis the Season

Advent is upon us-the season of the great love affair. You know the one I’m talking about. It was heralded on the Friday after Thanksgiving! Its arrival came on a sleigh.

Santa arrived and children will fall in love with him. Every year more will love him. Why not? He is this incredible supernatural being who does wonderful things for them. They will love him because he gives them presents, and no ordinary presents, no shirts and skirts. He will bring them toys.

This advent season I’m seeking to be delivered from all of this. Not from a belief in Santa. That was lost in my preteen years. No, I am hoping to be delivered from the snare of loving God as if he were a Santa Claus. I am striving to avoid the trap of loving God because He gives God presents.

I am trying hard each day to remember that He was worthy of my love before the Forgiver came. He always has been worthy of my love, your love, the world’s love, not because He gives us gracious gifts, not because He chooses to focus His love on us. NO, He is worthy of our love.

As you lead this Advent season, this season of Love, may your love for the Worthy One adorn every celebration.