Until Further Notice

Whew - what a busy time of year! And to think just after Christmas, we begin working on other things including Easter (Community Egg Hunt, Sunrise Service - read: major outreach). In other words, things won't slow down. It's chaos during the storm; however, experience shows us the hard work pays off. People create relationships, come to Christ, and join in our mission for reaching our community.

All that, to say this: From my perspective, it's been a great year on the blogosphere. I've learned tons from fellow bloggers, been encouraged and corrected, and even had a chance to write a bit. But the time has come for a little rest - at least from the blog.

I don't anticipate posting until 2009. This will give me a chance at completing some reading that so desperately needs to be done. I trust As The Crow Flies will return probably not bigger but hopefully better.

I want to thank those of you who stop by from time to time. Your comments (on the blog and in person) have been priceless. Please consider visiting in January. I'm always available for suggestions or corrections.

I want to wish each of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS. Yes, you can say that here! If you're traveling, be safe. Pray for those people experiencing stressful family times. And most importantly, remember why we celebrate!

Blessings until next year.

Friday Fodder - God's Interaction

In the near future, I hope to post (a series) on God's interaction within the world. While having lunch with a good friend yesterday, the conversation evolved to the discussion of how involved is God in our lives. Specifically, the question was raised about the third person of the Trinity. I'll give you a taste here.

1) How involved is the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? In other words, does the Spirit allow a believer to make a certain choice, knowing the choice is not the most beneficial for the (wo)man? Would the Spirit prevent man's choice in any way (read determinism)?

2) Does God determine everything? What does God's sovereignty entail? Is God a Gator fan or a Sooner fan? :)

3) It seems to me that Satan can use certain individuals (often times they are unaware). Might God (or the Holy Spirit) be involved with unbelievers and they be unaware as well? In other words, I realize God reaches out to man for salvation, but might He be involved in other matters prior to salvation?

Thoughts?

Holiday Cookies

One of my favorite cookies this time of year is gingerbread. There's nothing better than a glass of milk with a gingerbread cookie just out of the oven. To borrow a phrase from the old Lay's commercials, "You can't just eat one." In fact, I've indulged too many times in the sweet cookies and see the lasting results.

According to The Amazing Book of Useless Information, "The world's largest gingerbread man was baked on February 21, 2006 in Rochester, Minnesota, and weighed 466 pounds, 6 ounces."

On second thought, maybe I could eat just one. Any holiday desserts that you sense an over indulgence?

White Washed Tombs

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth. So you also on the outside look righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Mt 23:27-28 NRSV)

This passage has always been interesting to me. It's part of the 7 woes Jesus describes to the "religious" of the day. I've acted as a Pharisee myself from time to time. Odds are, my local church contains people with Pharisaical attitudes. Yours? The same.

Ed Stetzer has a great interview here with Kary Oberbrunner in regards to Christianity and Culture. It's worth checking out. Let me know what you think.

What's the role of the Church within culture?

A Picture of the Church

I have a confession to make. The secularization of the holidays makes me a bit of a Scrooge. I'm convinced that the reason we hear "The Little Drummer Boy" closer to July every year is based on $$$. Black Friday is evaluated to determine the national economy level. And the hungry get hungrier and the poor get poorer.

Needless to say, I wasn't all that thrilled when the wife mentioned her plan for an "Open House". We've (her more than I of course) spent the last few weeks decorating, shining and cleaning, and making great food. All this in an attempt to open our house so that church members could see how we live. I joked from time to time about what would be on display. Would those attending be able to open closets, look in the underwear drawer, and does anyone know the real reason for floating candles in a bathroom sink we use?

Sunday evening the big day arrived. The lights were turned on. Everything was polished. The food was just the right temperature. And several people came. I saw women who were gaga (is that a word?) over decorations, men enthralled by the food, and the kids were playing games. Some were dressed fancy. Others not so much. Everyone looked different, talked different, and enjoyed different things. The diversity was obvious. For a little over two hours, everyone seemed to enjoy the festivities and each other. After it was over, I couldn't help but think that this is what the church should look like.

I thanked Shae for a great night and her hospitality. Even though the work was long and tedious, it was well worth it. And finally, I repented for my attitude and saw the blessing of God providing a true picture of the church.

Friday Fodder - Wisdom

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?" 2 Ch 1:7-10 (NIV)

Most of us, okay, none of us are a king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. But we do have influence over people in our lives. Many of us are parents or grandparents. Some of us employ individuals and influence how they do their jobs. Some of us are blessed in that we're asked our opinions.

Leaders come and go. But the leaders who are remembered most are those who influenced with wisdom. True wisdom comes from God. And when Solomon is told he may ask for anything he wishes, he displays a certain amount of intelligence in that he asks God for righteous wisdom. Most if not all of us know a leader who has attempted to lead (without wisdom) and ultimately failed.

When is the last time you've asked God for wisdom? It's one of the things we've been promised by God. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 (NIV)

Godly wisdom is something we all need. And it's available if we will simply ask.

Anything to add?

Who's The Fool?

True stories:

On an American Airlines packet of nuts -
INSTRUCTIONS: OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.

On a Swanson frozen dinner -
SERVING SUGGESTION: DEFROST.

On a Sears hair dryer -
DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.

Who exactly are the fools here? Is it the consumer? Or is it the companies who pay individuals to write the instructions?

Marvelous Grace

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount out poured Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within,
Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide - What can avail to wash it away?
Look! there is flowing a crimson tide - Whiter than snow you may be today.

Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within,
Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Maybe you know this old hymn as well. One of my small groups is studying Romans. Romans 5:20 reads, "...but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (NRSV). The hymn above often times comes to mind when I read the verse.

Grace is a wonderful thing. A simple definition is often "unmerited favor." But if honesty prevails, we often provide ourselves with more grace than the grace we offer others. In other words, "My sins are covered by the blood of Jesus. But that sinner over there - do you know what they've done?" Quickly we become religious Pharisees.

We know Paul writes "grace abounds". But do we really believe it? Do we create an imaginary "boundary" where grace is no longer offered? Thankfully, God never does. Grace abounds. And it's marvelous!

Anything you want to add/subtract/modify?