LIVING ON THE EDGE

Thought I would just write about the week that was-CHRISTMAS.

• Dec 20 we had the traditional Webb tree event-ripped into presents than ate like crazy
• Dec 21, C and me went to church and had a great service. Not many there but it was good
• That Sunday we had a B-day party for Jesus-cupcakes and candles. Gave Jesus a $2200.00 gift. Our people are the most generous people I know.
• C and me left for Colo that afternoon for 5 days in the snow of Pagosa Springs Colo-long drive.
• When we arrived, PS had 3 ft of snow with more on the way. We had no idea how much snow was coming. It snowed everyday. Check out the pics on my FB.
• Met a pastor who helped us snow blow our driveway every morning so we could get out and play. He is the Creative Arts Pastor at Grace Church-Pagosa. Great guy and has a servants heart.
• Went to his Christmas Eve service at the high school-great program and fun times. Place was packed.
• Christmas day we woke up to 6″ of additional snow then we opened presents w/ Stelor and the Bates family followed by Turkey dinner that Carolyn prepared. Great meal. I got Cowboy stuff-my fav.
• That afternoon the Bates had to leave because the snow was getting so bad they may not make it out of town and Bob had to go to work Sunday. They made it to Raton for a nights rest.
• The day after Christmas, P & C and Stelor had to pack fast and get out or we would have been snowed in for 2 more days. They had forcast 36″ by that afternoon.
• We drove to Chama New Mex 55 miles from Pagosa and it took 2 hrs. Snow packed roads and blowing snow. Thanks for all the prayers and the chains. We made it home Sat night at 6.

This was a great Christmas with many stories to tell and in the days ahead I will share some of the more funny tales.There were a lot of fun things happening that can only happen with that much snow.

Next year at Christmas, I think we will be traveling south to Florida around the Orlando area. Be my luck with global warming Disney World will be closed due to snow. I HATE SNOW.

Hope everyone reading this will have a great and Blessed New Year and may all your days be filled with SON shine.

This past week I went to my local Starbucks to read and do a little sermon prep.  I love the place when it is empty and quiet because I can get a lot of work done. This was the case this past Wednesday. I was having a great quiet time.

All of sudden, out of nowhere, three of our locals show up. Two Christians and one guy who just likes to argue religion and politics.  They sit, join me and we are off and running. We chased every rabbit that came through Starbucks.  What I found interesting and frustrating at the same time was the subject matter.  These good fellows were once again bashing our President for the war in Iraq. That is beginning to wear me out and it really is getting to be old and borders on nonsense.

But what fascinated me more than anything is when one guy said, “we should keep our nose out of other countries business. We have no business being the worlds policeman”.  Though I agree with that statement, I don’t agree that we, the most blessed country on the planet, the wealthiest nation, the most powerful and influential nation on the planet should sit idly by and watch other nations suffer at the hands of tyrants.  When we see suffering we should be the first to respond. When we see injustice in the world we should be first to stand up for what is right, even if it means removing those who in power who are inflicting the pain of injustice.

God has blessed our nation for a reason and where much is given much is required. (Luke 12:48) We must, as believers stand up for those who have no voice, for those who are oppressed and for those who are being slaughtered for no other reason than “convenience”.  Yes. I’m talking about abortion, the Sudan, Iraq, Somalia, China and even our own cities. Every place where we witness injustice, we the church must stand up and stick our nose in their business. God demands it.

The problem I see is, we are too ready and willing to let our government handle it and then when they “do it wrong” we are quick to bash them for making the hard choices. It’s easy for us to sit in our little white chapels with stained glass windows and soft cushy pews and tell the prez how to do it. But it is a whole other thang to get our hands dirty and actually DO THE WORD and not just be hearers only.

It’s time for those of us who call ourselves “Christ Followers” to actually start following His example. Get off our butts, do something and stop having Starbuck discussions about it. Stop blaming others for inaction and start taking action.

OK. I’m done ranting. Gotta DO something.

Sunday’s message for me was one of those that just seemed to never get off the ground.  I actually heard crickets in the room. I have those from time to time and wonder what it is that makes some talks great and others sound like a big “BURP”? You know what I’m talking about? Those talks where you say more and have a bigger impact on people when you let out a huge belch?  Well, that’s how I felt about Sunday’s message. No fire, no power, no impact. I should have just sat down and let the Band do their “thang” and then go home. But I didn’t. I dumped the whole load.

The cool thing about having talks like that is, the results are not my responsibility. That rests with God. All He has asked me to do is be faithful to Him, His word and deliver the goods.  He never told me I had to be perfect or a great orator or have a cool presentation. He simply told me to deliver the message.  Messengers do that and then the people have a choice-walk out, forget what they heard or act on what God has said to them.

Well, Sunday God spoke and Sunday, the people heard.

Monday?  Well, it’s not over yet.