Mark Beeson

A Review of 2010 Almost As Long As The Year It's Reviewing

 

Yesterday, when Lydia had her first taste of birthday cake, it triggered a wave of gratitude in me. (I know we celebrated her 1st birthday a few days before her birthday, but we did it while the whole family was together so everyone could enjoy the party. Besides, it was her Uncle Ryan's 30th birthday and we had all that cake around, so we expanded the celebration to include the youngest member of our family.)  The fact remains, Lydia's life is a miracle, and I’m overwhelmed with the blessings and "sacred moments" of 2010. 

As is my tradition, I've taken some time to ponder a few of the year's challenges, trials and sacred opportunities. A few of those "blessings," reflected on my blog postings from 2010, follow...

• God rescued my youngest daughter and saved her baby when Angela delivered Lydia four days into 2010.
• GCC lavished tons of love on Michiana's poor during our Food Drop in January. (We're doing it again in a few days, on January 8, 2011.)
• Sheila and I helped her parents sell their home in Tucson, then we drove a truck from Arizona to their home in Indiana. During this trip I fell in love with Texas.
• Generosity prompted Christ's followers at GCC to donate thousands of dollars to relieve suffering in earthquake ravaged Haiti.
• I joined Tim and Rob as we jumped into a visionary group of entrepreneurial leaders to develop new strategies for missional ministry.
• During the trip of a lifetime, I climbed Mt. Sinai and traveled the route of the Exodus with some great friends.
• For 2 months I gathered hundreds of helpful comments from my "Methodist Mondays" blogs. The United Methodist Church is facing precipitous decline and I'd like to write a book to help reverse that trend.
• I was privileged to encourage and pray for church planters at the Exponential Conference.
• Scores of leaders from GCC helped Seth and Justin Maust make FiveStar a smashing success for hundreds of students in Michiana.
• Team after team of volunteers from GCC traveled to India to bring training, skills, hope and love to the wonderful people living there.
• I realized boys I loved became men I love.
• We cranked out the most open-sourced-collaborative-vision-process ever! All year long we worked and prayed and studied as we sought God's will for GCC's future.
• Hundreds of middle-schoolers took steps toward Christ at Camp Adventure. Student ministry at GCC exploded under DC's leadership.
• SpringHill Day Camps came to the Granger campus to help us reach the children of Michiana with the love of God.
• Moment by moment I've been surrounded by great, young, passionate, talented and loyal emerging leaders. I've recognized this as one of the high privileges of my life.  
• For the first time I took my son fishing in Canada. I'll be forever grateful for the memories we made. My friend Steve made that trip possible. I'm in his debt.
• The angels of heaven rejoiced as more than 450 people went public with their faith, declaring their salvation through Jesus Christ and being publicly baptized. 
• We lost our precious Ava: the daughter of my nephew Josh, the granddaughter of my sister Becky and a constant delight to our entire family. Ten weeks after she was diagnosed she returned to the God who gave her to us. I've rarely felt such sorrow, nor have I experienced such support and care from our GCC family.
• Sheila and I received a grant from the Lilly Foundation. That grant funded three months of renewal and sabbatical rest. It was fantastic. We shared the experience. Comprised of three parts it allowed us to "reconnect with family, reconnect with the ancient church and reconnect with God in the wilderness." I connected all three components of the sabbatical with photography. I've never experienced such profound restoration.
• Amber announced she is going to give us another grandchild. Wahoo!
• Leroy King led our missional efforts in the inner city to new levels of impact and outreach. God is receiving glory in our city!
• I met weekly with my small group all year long. It changed me....for the better.
• GCC's original musical, "Once Upon a Midnight Clear," delivered the message of God's faithfulness to thousands across Michiana. It was an astounding presentation and you can still see it here. 
• I've gotten tremendous feedback on the Christmas Eve Services we offered this year. I loved them too, and by the time we finished the last service I was ready for Christmas. 
• I've had the privilege of leading one of the greatest teams of devoted Christ-followers on the planet. It's been a year of joys, challenges and struggle. We've lost, and gained, both "family" and "friends."  2010 changed us all.

We've made the journey together and I'm confident we're prepared for the transitions 2011 will bring. God will use every step we've taken to strengthen us for the journey ahead...and I can't wait for 2011 to begin! 

Remember this one thing in the new year. God will never let you down!

Please start the new year with me at our 1st Wednesday Worship and Communion service, Wednesday night at 6:30 PM. You can still bring your special Christmas Offering. I'll see you there.

1 Corinthians 10:13  -  No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Sporting Clays

 

We shot sporting clays this morning. Tracy lit 'em up! (Aaron has always been an incredible shot. Apparently he's an incredible shooting coach too, because before the round was over, he had Tracy powdering one clay bird after another.)

Galatians 6:6b  -  Enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.

Costly?

 

Make your parents proud. Good times with the family aren't always costly, so use your money to buy wisdom and build memories with those you love.

1. Second-hand snowsuit  -  $10.00
2. Cool pink "snow boots"  -  $4.00
3. Awesome blue "baby sled"   -  $9.00
4. Memories that last a lifetime  -  Priceless

Proverbs 23:22-25  -  Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud! 

Family Time

 

The big news around our house is probably only big news to us, but here it is.
   Our family is together.
      The kids are doing great.
         We're enjoying every minute God gives us.

Proverbs 24:3  -  Through skillful and godly Wisdom is a family built, and by understanding it is established on a sound and good foundation.

Meeting With The Church Today

 

- Photo by Becky Hunter -

Sheila and I will be meeting with a part of the Church today. We're not meeting in the Vatican. We're meeting with GCC at the Granger Campus. Either place is fine. Jesus said he'd be with us wherever we gather in HIS Name, so if you can't get to one of the GCC campus locations, and you end up worshipping with Christ's followers at St. Peter's, that'll be fine.

Matthew 18:20  -  Where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

Through HIM All Things Were Made

 

It was late in the afternoon when this bruiser appeared.

I'd traveled a thousand miles to see a Whitetail like this. Even now, when I look at this picture, I remember the thrill of the moment I first saw him. What a privilege to photograph this monarch.  

If this glorious spectacle is mere creation, how much greater is the Creator?  

Is it any wonder I worship the ONE who made all this?

John 1:1-5  -  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Lydia's 1st Christmas Eve Service

 

Angela and John brought Lydia to her first Christmas Eve Service last night.  I grabbed this snapshot in my office, just before she headed downstairs to join her little baby friends in GCC's nursery.

When you first glance at this picture, you may be impressed with the size of Lydia's headband bow. But when you realize that "fashion accessory" is about as big as Lydia was when she was born, you find yourself impressed by the miracle of her life. She's come a long way since she entered this world at 2 pounds, 11 ounces. 

To all who prayed us through Lydia's traumatic emergency birth, Sheila and I say, "Thank you. We have not forgotten your kindness. We have not forgotten your loving care."

Merry Christmas.
 

Job 10:12  -  You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.

You're Not Alone

 

Like Magi coming to worship Jesus Christ, thousands traveled to the Granger Campus for Christmas Eve. In each of the six services we celebrated The Greatest Story Ever Told and sang Silent Night with candles lifted high.

The Savior is born. 

HIS Kingdom is coming.

Merry Christmas.

Luke 2:10-11  -  The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

 

Christmas Eve On-Line

 

 

Can't get to the campus for one of the six Christmas Eve Services?  

Wish you could see "Once Upon a Midnight Clear" again?

No problem.

You can participate on-line. Get all the info here. Read what the South Bend Tribune wrote about Christmas eve at GCC here.

We're offering "Once Upon a Midnight Clear" on-line at 2:00 & 6:00 PM.

You can finish the day with worship. Join me on-line at 11:00 PM during the Christmas Eve Service right here.

Want to do something to relieve poverty and suffering this Christmas? You have "line of sight" from your special Christmas gift to its powerful impact, knowing precisely what your Christmas gift is accomplishing in three specific areas of need, when you give on-line here.

Merry Christmas!

Hebrews 10:25  -  Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

The Fraud Picked Us Clean

 

Our steps take us somewhere. 

Though our first steps may have been rebellious, taking us away from God, we can turn around this Christmas and take our next steps back to HIM. Bring your family and friends to one of the Christmas Eve Services and we'll take our next steps toward Christ...together.

Jeremiah 3:21-25

The sound of voices comes drifting out of the mountains, 
   the unhappy sound of Israel's crying,
Israel lamenting the wasted years, 
   never once giving her God a thought.
"Come back, wandering children! 
   I can heal your wanderlust!"

 "We're here! We've come back to you. 
   You're our own true God!
All that popular religion was a cheap lie, 
   duped crowds buying up the latest in gods.
We're back! Back to our true God, 
   the salvation of Israel.
The Fraud picked us clean, swindled us 
   of what our ancestors bequeathed us,
Gypped us out of our inheritance— 
   God-blessed flocks and God-given children.
We made our bed and now lie in it, 
   all tangled up in the dirty sheets of dishonor.
All because we sinned against our God, 
   we and our fathers and mothers.
From the time we took our first steps, said our first words, 
   we've been rebels, disobeying the voice of our God."

 

It's Not Your Birthday...

 

Ask any of these kids and you'll get the right answer.

"Whose birthday are we celebrating this Christmas? Whose birthday is it?"

They'll chorus, "It's Jesus' birthday!"

They're right.  

It's not your birthday.

Luke 2:11  -  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Prayer Vigil

 

Tim and I went to stand with Jacqueline Barton during tonight's prayer vigil for Teresa Blake. Teresa is in a nearby hospital fighting for her life. On December 8th, someone fired a single bullet through a window and closed blinds, into the open office area where Teresa was working. That bullet struck Teresa, critically wounding her. 

Jacqueline, and her husband Tom, are part of our GCC family. She's the founder and CEO of Specialized Staffing Solutions, and she employed Teresa at her company's South Bend office. The horrible tragedy has effected many of us, so we met tonight at Beutter Park to stand together and pray. 

My gratitude to Teresa's pastor, Rick Callahan. He led the vigil tonight. He helped us pray.

Matthew 26:38  -  He said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."

Try This...

 

 

Need a break from the chaos at the mall?  

Want to slow down, even as everyone seems to be accelerating?

Need some peace and quiet?

Try this:

1. Put on warm "outdoor" clothes and comfortable boots.
2. Find a state park, wildlife refuge, national forest or wilderness preserve. (Remember. Just because you see a woods doesn't mean it's public land. All forests are not state parks. Trespassing on private property won't reduce your stress. In fact, it increases your stress when you are arrested, fined, thrown in jail, attacked by the land-owners guard dogs and chased back to your car. You have no more right to walk around in a stranger's woods looking for critters, than a stranger has to walk around in your garden looking for beans or tomatoes.)
3. Park your car downwind of the woods and fields you'll be walking.
4. Mark your location. (You'll want to get back to your car eventually, so use your compass, GPS or the magnetic lobe in the front of your brain. Just make sure you can find your way out of the woods in time for the Christmas Eve Services.)
5. Walk quietly into the wind.  Take only a few steps at a time. Stop often. Look around for wild animals.
6. See how close you can get. 
7. Have fun.

By the way, you should not pick up wild animals, as they are not inclined to respond favorably to being snatched off the ground and restrained. You don't want a wild animal to misconstrue your well-intentioned "grasping" as a threat. You should remember that most cute little furry forest dwellers associate being "caught" with being "eaten," so if you actually catch a live one, you'll have more raccoon on you hands than you handle.  Trust me in this. You're listening to the voice of experience.

Down-shift for a minute and slow down. You'll be glad you did.

Jeremiah 2:25a  -  Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?  But you say, "I can't help it." 

Impressive

 

This young 8-pointer was cruising through the woods this morning.

He's made it through the entire bow season, every day of gun season and each hour of muzzle-loader season. Those hunting seasons are over now and he's alive, but not unscathed; you can see his left main beam is broken off just past his G2. Apparently he tangled with another buck and snapped the antler in battle. Now the little fellow is fearlessly chasing does through the snow. 

I'm impressed. 

Joel 2:21

 Fear not, Earth!
Be glad and celebrate! 
God has done great things. 
Fear not, wild animals!

 

A Simple Little Recommendation

 

 

I've been reading Seth Godin's stuff on marketing and advertising and he's got me thinking.  

Before seeing Monument Valley I'd heard it was impressive. When I finally visited the place, and walked around in that wilderness checking it out for myself, I found it to be far more exciting, far more remarkable and far more inspiring than I'd imagined - based on the reports I'd been given.

I've got a recommendation.

Under-promise and over-deliver.

What's that mean? 

Here's a thought: "When you say something, write something or present something, and someone 'Googles' it, the information they uncover should be even better than they expected."

God set the example for us by giving far more than we can ask or imagine.
 

Philippians 4:6-7  -  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Christmas Weekend Vocal Team

 

A zillion kids are singing this weekend. They more than compensate for any lack of pitch or rhythm with an abundance of enthusiasm.  Jesus is Lord and they bring that message, loud and clear. 

You can join the celebration. I hope you will.
 

Psalm 126:2a  -  Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. 

 

Morning-By-Morning, New Mercies I See

 

An old song came to mind this morning. Its refrain, "Great is thy faithfulness," echoes the cry of Lamentations 3:22-24: "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness."

Humming the song's phrase, "Morning, by morning, new mercies I see," I felt a moment of conviction about our special Christmas Offering. It occurred to me that God will bring his compassion and mercy to the homeless and hurting when we deliver food to the hungry this Christmas. 

Sheila and I will be bringing our special Christmas Offering check to GCC this weekend. If you'll be attending our on-line campus, you can give on-line here. If you're attending at Elkhart, MC3, the Granger campus or with our Prison Transition guys, bring your gift designated, "Special Christmas Offering."

Sharing and giving changes everything...including the lives of those who share and give.

Isaiah 58:7-9

Share your food with the hungry,
      and give shelter to the homeless.
   Give clothes to those who need them,
      and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

 Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
      and your wounds will quickly heal.
   Your godliness will lead you forward,
      and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
      "Yes, I am here," he will quickly reply.

 

The Good Life Awaits

 - Photo probably taken with the original camera. Really, the very 1st one. - 

I just found this 1936 picture of Sheila's Grandparents.  When I saw it I thought, "Wow! Look at them. They're living the good life and they've pegged the Fun Meter on that cool backyard swing-glider!" 

Then I remembered this weekend is "Christmas Weekend" at GCC, and I thought, "With a thousand children singing in our services this weekend, we may have even more fun than Grandma and Grandpa." Hard to imagine, eh?

The "good life" awaits you and yours.

Embrace it.
 

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13  -  Even though a person sins and gets by with it hundreds of times throughout a long life, I'm still convinced that the good life is reserved for the person who fears God, who lives reverently in his presence, and that the evil person will not experience a "good" life. No matter how many days he lives, they'll all be as flat and colorless as a shadow—because he doesn't fear God. 

Who Will Keep You From Falling?

 

"Once Upon a Midnight Clear" framed the question brilliantly: "Can you depend on anyone to be there when you fall? Who can you trust, really trust, to catch you? Who can you count on? Who will keep you from falling?" 

That's a good question.

I've got an honest answer. I found it in the Bible.

Psalm 91

You who sit down in the High God's presence,
spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, 
   Say this: "God, you're my refuge. 
      I trust in you and I'm safe!" 
   That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, 
      shields you from deadly hazards. 
   His huge outstretched arms protect you— 
      under them you're perfectly safe; 
      his arms fend off all harm. 
   Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, 
      not flying arrows in the day, 
   Not disease that prowls through the darkness, 
      not disaster that erupts at high noon. 
   Even though others succumb all around, 
      drop like flies right and left, 
      no harm will even graze you. 
   You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, 
      watch the wicked turn into corpses. 
   Yes, because God's your refuge, 
      the High God your very own home, 
   Evil can't get close to you, 
      harm can't get through the door. 
   He ordered his angels 
      to guard you wherever you go. 
   If you stumble, they'll catch you; 
      their job is to keep you from falling. 
   You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, 
      and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

Let's Reason Together

 

Isaiah wrote: "'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord."

My friend Paul File started his men's Bible Study by reading that verse to a bunch of guys this morning at 6:00 AM. We took turns reading Isaiah aloud: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." 

A few weeks ago Paul and his buddies had a dozen men showing up to study the Bible at this little restaurant in the middle of nowhere. (If you're not local to the area, you'll never even be able to find it.) The owners don't officially open for business until 7:00 AM, but they're great folks so they gave permission for the group to meet at their place before they open. This morning 40 men packed the little room to share the challenges of walking the road Isaiah calls, the "Highway of Holiness." 

As I sat there on my little stool (until I stood up to make room for more guys), I listened to the men talk about their genuine desire to stay on the road Isaiah described.  I thought, "A bunch of men with Bibles, who have a willingness to share the journey and 'reason together,' could change the world."

This morning I experienced the Church in action - outside the box.

Colossians 2:2  -  My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.

Perspective on Severe Deprivation

 

I was watching this flock of turkeys this morning. In the cold and deep snow, I wondered how they could survive the winter. Then I started thinking of all the people facing severe deprivation this Christmas. I remembered something Bonhoeffer wrote in a letter he penned his fiance, so I tracked it down and figured I'd pass it along.

Bonhoeffer wrote these words from prison in 1943. He had lost good friends to the war. He was imprisoned and separated from those he loved. Evil was all around him, but he believed his Christmas was going to be "exceptionally good." 

"I think we're going to have an exceptionally good Christmas. The very fact that outward circumstance precludes our making provision for it will show whether we can be content with what is truly essential. I used to be very fond of thinking up and buying presents, but now that we have nothing to give, the gift God gave us in the birth of Christ will seem all the more glorious ... The poorer our quarters, the more clearly we perceive that our hearts should be Christ's home on earth."

In the stark and cold circumstances so many are facing these days, Bonhoeffer's words bring a bit of perspective, don't they?  With nothing to give, the gift God gave us in the birth of Christ is all the more marvelous. 

What a curious twist faith brings; that deprivation so borne makes possible the hope, for not only an "endurable" Christmas, but an "exceptional" one. 
 

Ephesians 3:17  -  Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. 

An HDR "Merry Christmas!"

 

When I was on my sabbatical, I took this picture of our family (including Amber's baby who is due this coming May). At the time, I thought, "Maybe I'll trick this out with an HDR effect."  It's different...but I've been told "different" is true of me too.  So I'm embracing it.

From our family to yours, here's wishing you a "Merry Christmas!"  

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Psalm 67:4  -  Let the whole world sing for joy, because you govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.

 

(By the way, if you'd like to see the best HDR photography in the history of the planet, check out Trey Ratcliff here. He will blow your mind.)

 

Early Sunday Morning in the Connection Cafe

Can you imagine church in America without coffee?  

Let's hear it for Susan Chipman's fantastic volunteers! They arrive early on these snowy Sunday mornings to prepare coffee for all the friends you've invited to a service. 

 Without the volunteers, where would we be?

Decaffeinated, that's where...and who needs that?
 

Judges 5:2  -  The people volunteered with abandon, bless God! 

So, This Is Christmas....

We're ready to gather the church this weekend. I'm going to tell a story and Janet has a song to sing. It may get cold outside, but our campuses are fired-up for Christmas.  Jesus is Lord, so let it snow; let it snow; let it snow.

Matthew 2:2  -  Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.

Pinky-Fingers

 

Thousands attended GCC's performances of Once Upon a Midnight Clear, and as I watched LOVE sweep across the crowd, I saw the most amazing thing happen, not once, but during every performance, again and again and again. 

There was a "commitment" theme running through the drama; it was about "choosing" and "renewing" love. That ideal was first explained in the musical when a husband described his wife's commitment. "She told me on our wedding day," he said, "'Every morning when I wake up beside you, I'll hook my pinky finger in yours and I'll choose you again. Every day of my life, I'll choose you.'" 

Well now. 

When everyone stopped wiping away the tears of emotion from their eyes, a curious thing began to happen.

Across the auditorium, wives began to reach for their husband's hands. Hearts raced as women took hold of their men. Hand-in-hand in that dark auditorium, with pinky fingers entwined, their silent vows screamed to their husbands, "I choose you!" 

It happened over, and over, and over again, as wives quietly "chose" their husbands, not just to talk about love, but to practice real love.

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1 John 3:18  -   Let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. 

This Morning's Group

 

 

So, I was sitting with some guys this morning: drinking coffee, eating eggs (over-easy with Frank's Red Hot Sauce) and talking about life. We discussed politics (the nation is polarized), family (our wives are awesome), kids (the saga continues) and Christmas (Jesus showed up and surprised a whole lot of folks in the manner of His appearing).

We eventually get around to most of those topics every time we get together.

This morning, after discussing "Once Upon a Midnight Clear," we began talking about Jesus opening up a new life to everyone who comes to Him for help. One of the guys said:

"Think about it this way. The only way you're going to get in is if you know Jesus personally. You'll get in if you ask Him to bring you in to be with Him. It'd be like Mark trying to get into the White House. He could knock on the door of the White House a long time." At this point in the story he knocked on the wall of the restaurant with great vigor, causing most of the patrons to spin around in their chairs to see what was coming through the wall.

When he finished banging on the wall he continued, "Mark'll be knocking, saying, 'Hey, it's me, Mark Beeson. Let me in!'  They're going to say, 'Mark who? Never heard of you.'  But what will happen if the president knows him? Rest assured, if the president knows him personally, he'll get in."

Well now. Apparently, even when it comes to your salvation, it's not so much "what you know" as "who you know."

That's certainly food for thought...

Luke 13:24-25  -  “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.'  But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'"

Advice From Jesus

 

When I snapped this photo at our rehearsal for "Once Upon A Midnight Clear," I remembered some advice Jesus gave about children...and my heart soared. Your commitment to bring your children to Jesus is inspiring.

Mark 10:14  -  Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them."

A Ferris Wheel at GCC

 

"Once Upon a Midnight Clear" will be presented tomorrow and Friday. 

I suppose this musical extravaganza is a lot like many whiz-bang experiences. Most folks don't realize the time, money and effort other people invested to make the magic moments happen. But you can rest assured, most great productions are birthed in a zillion hours of hard work and preparation. 

I caught Bev Hall, Mary Glasser and Judy Wolf preparing the stage and putting their artistic finishing touches on the Ferris Wheel yesterday. They're just three of the "behind the scenes" volunteers who've made "Once Upon a Midnight Clear" possible.

Tickets are almost gone for the 7:00 PM performances, but you can still get tickets for Friday night at 9:00 PM here.

A Shiver of Fear In The Long Cold Waiting

 

During the seasons of Advent and Christmas those in poverty and distress often see most clearly the central truths of God's Story: Christ expresses strength best through weakness, and faith is more important than the beguiling trappings of religion.

As you wait for the celebration of Christ's birth, be wise. Do not be trifling in the presence of the Almighty. Be clear with the awe-inspiring truth, to which Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred when he wrote "The Coming of Jesus in Our Midst."

"We have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of God's coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that God's coming should arouse in us.  We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us."

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Exodus 33:18-20  -  Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 

Have You Seen This?

 

 

 

I love this.

Revelation 19:6  -  Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns."

The Tradeoff

 

I've been thinking about the time Jesus challenged a bunch of fishermen to follow him. 

It takes a pretty attractive proposition to pull a fisherman away from his passion. I know, because I used to call my son to come off the lake so we could eat, or go for a hike, or get ready for bed, and I don't remember Aaron jumping at any of those suggestions.  He loved fishing (still does) and couldn't justify giving up his passion for anything else. What I offered wasn't worth as much as what he already had.  I don't remember him saying these words, but when he was little I could read him like a book, and his body language shouted, "No deal."

It wasn't until he heard Jesus calling him that Aaron found something he loves even more than fishing. On that day his passion shifted from fishing for fish to fishing for men (which says a lot because he still really loves to fish for fish.) He made the right decision; the call of Jesus is too good to ignore.

Mark 1:17  -  And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

 

Kids, Clowns & Carnies

I went home after the last Sunday service, changed clothes, ate some sort of meatloaf concoction that was fantastic (it had to be venison), then headed back to the Granger campus. The first dress rehearsal for "Once Upon a Midnight Clear" was underway so I ran up to the balcony and grabbed a shot of the cast. 

WC Fields refused to work with children and dogs - the big sissy.  We're not afraid. We work with kids, clowns and carnies, and the results are quite satisfactory.

Get tickets here so your friends and loved ones can reap the benefits of GCC's family-focused production,"Once Upon a Midnight Clear."

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Luke 14:12-14  -  Don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people.

My Bride Talks About Our Lifestyle

 

I'm heading into the next season of life with the love of my life.

Sheila agreed to talk about our life and family, so a few months ago our video team sat down with her for a brief interview.  

I thought it might encourage you, as you face the pressures of the holiday season to over-extend and over-reach, to hear what Sheila says about simplicity.  

Enjoy.

 

 

Romans 13:8  

Keep out of debt and owe no man anything, except to love one another.

Sunset

 

The sun sets on my Sabbatical today.  

Tomorrow I'm back at GCC, all-out and pedal-to-the-metal.

The Sabbatical has been fantastic; it's been more helpful than I could have ever imagined.  But I'm done with it now.  

My time reconnecting with God reminded me I can't live in the past, and it does no good to worry about tomorrow. Instead, I want to focus on the things God is doing right now. And as I do, God helps me see how I should live, what I should do and why my life matters...even when times are tough.

Join me at GCC this weekend and we'll give our attention to Jesus, the Son of GOD who came to help us all - no matter how hard times may get.

I'll see you there.
 

Matthew 6:34  -  Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Behind The Barb Wire

 

 

How remarkable is this?

We'd been searching for Whitetails all day but when Wyman drove his pickup along this barb-wire fence we got a surprise.  Right there, next to the lane but on the other side of the barb-wire, was this heavy beamed monarch.  He just laid there as we shot picture after picture.  

Apparently, since he knew the aversion I have to rusty barb-wire, tetanus shots and torn clothing, he realized he was safe.  

Job 19:8a  -  He hath fenced up my way, that I cannot pass...

My Lexicon of Texas Colloquialisms

 

The final Sabbatical adventure took me to Texas.  That's where I photographed this coyote.  It's also where I was schooled in the fine art of "speaking Texan," something I've long aspired to do.  

Here are a few of the phrases I heard in Texas. 
 

• "Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco."
  Beware of unintended consequences. 
   
• "Fixin' to."
  This implies someone is preparing to do something. 
   
• "Lit out."
  Started off in some direction, took off or absconded in some way.
   
• "Dinner."
  The meal eaten at Noon. 
   
• "Supper."
  The evening meal. 
   
• "Tighter than bark on a tree."
  Not very generous. 
   
• "That's a fur piece."
  No. This isn't about winter coats. It means it's some distance away and it takes a while to get there. 
   
• "He's grinnin' like a mule eatin' briers."
  Very happy. 
   
• "Beat you like a rented mule."
  You don't want this to happen. 
   
• "Whole nuther thing."
  Something else entirely. 
   
• "Crooked as a dog's hind leg."
  Dishonest. 
   
• "Aw'ite."
  Ok. I agree. Alright. 
   
• "Ja'eat?"
  Have you already finished your meal? 
   
• "Gadagoda."
  It's critical that I go now.
   
• "Y'all."
  Everyone.
   
• "I'm fixin' to."
  I'm making preparations.

The reason I list these regional expressions (I actually heard last week in Texas) is because I'm back this weekend from my Sabbatical and I might greet the congregation with: "Aw'ite, y'all sit down. Y'all gadagoda your seats. I'm fixin' to start this service. So, y'all best git yourselves ready."

My heart belongs to Jesus, and to Texas (in that order).

Psalm 49:4a  -  I fine-tuned my ear to the sayings of the wise.

 

Last Night And Last Light

 

The light was right and the miracle of the moment was realized when – in the provision of God – this incredible Texas Whitetail appeared in the tall grass.  It’s one of the most remarkable bucks I’ve ever seen.  What a privilege to see such a wild animal in “The Big Empty” of this ranch country!

My soul finds rest and restoration in the wilds of this place.

At the end of the day Gerald Stewart, one of Wyman’s buddies and the son of Johnny Stewart (of "Johnny Stewart Game Calls") joined us for supper.  He’s a consultant with "Hunter Specialties" on his father's product line, and he stopped by on his way to the "World Coyote Calling Championships" in New Mexico.  Who even knew there was a competition going on, let alone a “World Championship Title” on the line? 

I’ve decided there is no place like Texas.  

I may need to return some day, to reconnect with God and find rest for my soul.
 

Psalm 116:7  -  Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

12 Point Drop Tine

 

Wyman spent years wandering all over the Gibson Ranch.

Mike Gibson and his wife Shonda are good friends to Wyman and Sylinda Meinzer; so the time Wyman has logged on Mike's ranch photographing wildlife, landscapes and stormy skies would be difficult to calculate.  Let's just say it's about a zillion hours, and leave it at that.

Even after all those hours, days, weeks, months and years on this ranch, Wyman says it's a very rare thing to see a big drop-tine-buck like this.  So, I put up another picture of the impressive Whitetail for you to enjoy.

Job 5:23  - You'll be on good terms with rocks and mountains; wild animals will become your good friends.