StillWatersIowa: Lights, Sights, And Get-togethers

Dear Friends,

In some ways it seems like this week's post should be like a Christmas letter. The cards and letters we have received this season remind us and help us appreciate friendships.

However since I visit with many of you weekly on this blog it feels like I know you even though I'm not sure who you all are. And since we visit regularly it seems you not already know what our family has been up to, you can at times read my heart as well as my words.

Little kids are good at not hiding how they feel. If they are hurt they cry. If they are happy they laugh, jump, and sing.

One of my Christmas memories as a little kid was getting out our aluminum tree. It was in a box about 4 feet long and consisted of a wooden pole with angled holes and these tinsel branches that were stored in paper sleeves. I think I even remember my Dad buying this tree at a store called Erickson or something like that on A Ave West which was the main highway right through town.

Of course the anticipation moment was when someone would get to plug the colored light wheel in. My siblings and I would all have to have our pajamas on first. For some strange reason my Mom used to buy us all pajamas that matched.:(

In spite of matching pajamas we survived our upbringing in "flying colors".

This is my brother Doug and his family. They live and farm north of Osky kind of where we grew up.

This is my little sister Beth and her family except for their son Jim who is currently in Navy boot camp. Dan and Beth are visiting from Colorado and are staying with Jan and I. In the early 1970's when I was in high school and Beth was just a little tike I used to sing to her and call her "Funny face I love you", Donna Fargo's current hit back then.

I also have a brother Bill who lives with his family southeast of New Sharon, a sister Donna who lives with her family in Colorado, and a brother Dan who is in heaven.

Our culture today tells us not to admit to our flaws and shortcomings because that is a sign of weakness. It tells us to be careful who we help because we might be taken advantage of. It tells us to keep our guard up so folks can't see how we really feel.

Have you ever wondered how Mary was perceived as a young, pregnant, unwed Jewish girl? Have you ever wondered how Joseph felt? Was he to believe this crazy story his girlfriend was telling him and what would people think and say? In spite of their situation and most folk's assumptions they obeyed and headed the 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem where they were to go for a get-together.

Sometimes our culture driven ideas, perceptions, and presumptions creep into our churches. We get comfortable with who we are and how we do things.

Many times we get uncomfortable when someone suggests a change to make worship more inviting to our unsaved friends and neighbors. We say things like our church order says our main purpose is the pure preaching of the Word. Very true. What about the application and relevance of that Word?

I'm sure Mary and Joseph were somewhat uncomfortable with their situation that first Christmas being part of God's plan in bringing the gift of His Son to us. Later I think Jesus made church leaders uncomfortable when He talked to them about a gospel different than rules and traditions.

This past Christmas Eve Jan and I attended a packed church service in Ottumwa. The music was different than I was used to. Folks dressed casually. There were many visuals. No offering, just voluntary love boxes at the entrance. No order of worship. However the gospel was preached in a comfortable setting to unbelievers. And at the end of the service when asked a couple of folks stood up and said they would like to receive the gift of Jesus as their Savior. Wow.

Have you ever asked yourself why we have church? Many of us have gone ever since we were in diapers.

A church family is truly a blessing. Especially this time of year caroling together, potlucks, kids home from college, fellowship with family and friends. However all that stuff is about us.

What about others? Would outsiders be comfortable coming to our worship service? Do we eagerly want them to come? Do we have a passion for sharing our Gift we celebrate this season?