There are lots of opinions about this, and lots of disagreement. After reading through several of these letters today, I can’t help it, I have to join in.

I want to first say that all in all I like Christmas card letters, especially the combination of pictures and letters. I like seeing kids grow up, hearing about new hobbies and adventures, and basic information that makes me feel closer to friends and re-connected to faraway friends.

Okay, that said, there are some other thoughts I have that do not exactly lift me into the Christmas spirit when I receive them. Here are three things that are sure to cause a reaction in me:

1. Letters that pretend that life is only good. It may have been a stellar year, with grades and job opportunities and vacations that could only have happened once a century, but this year happened to be it. I’m not saying we need to be negative, just more or less real. The year will come, trust me, when there seems to be nothing to write about but heartache and struggle. That has to be okay to share, but it needs to be done recognizing that in the midst of the darkness there are always rays of light… this is Christmas, after all.
2. Letters that presents a parent (usually the Dad) the chance to be clever at the kids’ expense. We get these every year, to varying degrees of intention and subtlety. Sure, we all can forgive the innocent gaff or mild tease easily enough. But there are those people, and most of the time its the same folks year after year, who cannot seem to avoid taking the Christmas letter to “joke” about their kids in a way that demeans, dismisses, or simply makes fun of them. Lay off, already. Life is tough enough for our kids. Even if the intent is to rebel against all those letters that makes each kid out to be All-State or the next Picasso, in the end they feel it, and it can’t help but sting. This is a great opportunity to honor them, and their trajectory. Bless, don’t curse, and let the world know how grateful and proud of them you are.
3. This is Christmas, so why is it so hard to remember that in our letters? The ones that are the toughest for me are those that have the token God/Christ accolades, but the rest of the letter is about kids, friends, fun, trips, money, wine, you name it. I have been especially struck this year by those letters from Christian leaders where, if the expected “Jesus is the reason for the season” paragraph was deleted, one would assume they were lawyers, sports agents, or Cubs fans.

You might be wondering where our example of the “appropriate” letter is. I don’t think I’ll share it with you… this is a blog. I’m just tossing out some ideas for you. (Besides, I’m pretty sure we have violated each of these pet peeves countless times over the years.)

~ re-”blogged” from Chap Clark

Many of you know that I’ve become rather addicted to endurance running. Completing two marathons and two Ultramarathons in 2011. Not bad for a boy who was always picked last in kickball during grade school. During those miles spent running there are many hours that can be used for reflection, prayer, and vision for my life, family, and ministry. Worth considering how you might want to begin “running” in 2012. Anyway… I am always ALSO inspired by those Elite Athletes who recognize their abilities are something that GOD GAVE them. Ryan Hall, America’s hope for Gold in the Olympic Marathon, is a man who I’ve grown to admire. Be encouraged by his blog entry below on a favorite passage of mine too.

~ Pastor Bruce

Who is The Greatest Runner of All-time?
By Ryan | Published: September 14, 2011

This morning, while enjoying my breakfast, I was reading Luke and came across the passage telling the story of the disciples of Jesus getting in an argument about which one of them is the greatest. In response to their argument Jesus brings a child before them and tells them that the one who is least among them is great. I have found all throughout Jesus’ teachings our typical view of what greatness is completely flipped on what we typically think of as great. Jesus, in my opinion the greatest man to ever live, tells us to be great we must become a servant of all. Far from our typically definition of greatness.

As I was reading this morning I was thinking how this passage would be translated in a RV (Runners Version…what a cool read that would be). I know when I think of the greatest runners of all-time my thoughts immediately go to guys like Bernard Lagat, Haile Gebrselassie, Hicham El Guerrouj and others. But who would Jesus tell me is the greatest? Who would He pull in front of me and tell me I needed to be like in order to be the “greatest runner of all-time?”

I feel like I would be surprised by who Jesus would sit in front of me. I think I probably wouldn’t have read their name in Runners World or watched them win an Olympic medal on television. I think He might put an ultra runner in front of me who maybe has never run a race in his/her life but soaks in every joy-filled step of their day to day running. I have a feeling that He would pull someone out of the Chicago Marathon who trained very hard for months, transforming their out-of-shape body into one that can cover 26.2 miles even if it takes them 4, 5 or 6 hours to cross the finish line. Perhaps he would put one of the many runners who run for a cause or in memory of a lost one. Maybe He would put that person that only runs because they want to spend meaningful time with friends and family out on the road. Maybe he would put Bart Yasso in front of me who travels over the world to encourage runners often going out on the course where no other spectators are just to shout some encouragement there way. Whoever Jesus would put in front of me I am confident of this: that it would be the heart of that runner that God see’s as great and the ability they have to run with a heart full of love for God, self, and others, not the speed of their legs.

“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:10-11

CLICK HERE twice

I’ve just begun reading my mentor, Chap Clark’s (& Kara Powell), most recent book — Sticky Faith. Which I have four extra copies! It clearly is a must read for any parent of a tween or teen who has a desire to see their student love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength past High School and into young adulthood. I won’t even mention the horrific statistics of students who abandon their faith. But I will suggest the single most important RESOURCE is … PARENTS! It only affirms our vision for Faith at Home and empowering parents to lead the charge for Spiritual formation in both their lives and their whole families.

The poem below is from Sticky Faith and I trust will encourage you…

Daughter 17

I have a daughter 17
When she lies to me…I love her
When she disappoints me…I love her
When she doesn’t live up to my expectations…I love her
When she reflects poorly on my name…I love her
“Now I can understand how when she pleases you…and obeys you…and fulfills you…,” you say
But that’s not what I’m talking about
It’s when she does none of these things…I love her
AND for a very simple reason:
I’m her father…and she’s my child

We all may need to print this out to remind ourselves of this truth regardless of our kids age or gender. And each of us may need to simply share that we love our kid TONIGHT not for what they’ve done but because the ARE. Keep loving them to Jesus and letting them know what our Father tells each of us, “No matter what you’ve done or not done…I love you through and through!”

~ Pastor Bruce

This Sunday is the Annual Pie Auction. Don’t miss the WEST CAMPUS 6 pm event that will have all monies go to offset costs for our Student Trips to Roseland, Mexico, and Ecuador this summer. It is a FAMILY event and a great opportunity to combine Faith at Home with SERVING. And obviously generosity too. For those who are baking a pie for the auction please remember to bring that to the West Campus kitchen by 2 pm.

~ Pastor Bruce

Excited that FBCG has come along the One Meal One Day campaign with LEAD222 and Compassion International. Don’t miss the opportunity this Wednesday to skip a meal and REMEMBER those less fortunate who live on less than a dollar a day. We are blessed. Consider being a blessing to others!

Preview: Grow Up (September 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Source: Boyd Bailey http://www.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Is there enough evidence in your home for you to be convicted of following Jesus Christ? This is a choice that God gives us, a choice to center our home around faith or a facade. What happens behind the doors of your home? Is your home an incubator for faith? Indeed, your ministry begins at home. When your faith works at home, you have the credibility to export it to other environments. It is your laboratory for living.

This does not mean you are without problems, conflicts, and challenges at home. On the contrary, it is when your faith sustains you through family difficulties that it becomes a compelling reason for others to follow Christ. The question for the head of the home is, are you the spiritual leader? As a single parent or the father or mother in the home, do you model prayer and Bible study? Does the fruit of the Spirit flow from your character? Are you involved with a community of believers in a local church?

Belief in God is a choice, so what are some wise choices you can make to build your household of faith? Begin by developing an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you are born again, you have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to grow in your faith. Learn the Bible, apply it to your life, and let God change you from the inside out.

Next, challenge your family to do the same. Create a culture of prayer that becomes a catalyst for their time with Christ. Family devotions, small groups with other believers, and journaling are a few ways to feed the faith appetite of your loved ones. Take your family to church. This sets the stage for a week of faith and obedience.

Perhaps you read a chapter in Proverbs over dinner. Pray with your spouse. Turn off the television one night a week for 30 minutes, then! discuss God’s word or act out a Bible story in a play and then pray for one another. Teach your children to pray for the sick, the lost, and the hurting. Model for them the joy of generous giving and serving.

Show them how to serve the homeless, orphans, and the elderly. Allow your kids to experience summer camps. This will galvanize their faith. It is a financial sacrifice but it is an investment that will keep throwing off dividends throughout their lives.

Talk with your family about your own struggles and failures and God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and take care of you in spite of your mistakes. Your family needs to see you as much vulnerable as they do confident. Indeed, facilitating faith in your home is a daily choice; this is one reason Jesus prayed…

“Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).

Am I a catalyst for Christ in my home? Do I serve the Lord with my family?

Related Readings: Genesis 18:19; 2 Kings 23:24; John 4:53; Acts 18:18

Dr. Kara Powell and the team at the Fuller Youth Institute have been working hard for the last six years to try to figure out how to help kids have long-term faith, or “Sticky Faith”. The Orange website asked Kara to share a few excerpts from her brand new book that would be most helpful to parents wanting to intentionally set their kids on a lifetime trajectory of faith and service.

This is an excerpt from Chapter 5 of Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids

Find Compromise If Your Kid Doesn’t Want to Go to Church

About half of the time I share the importance of intergenerational worship with parents, I get asked,“Should I make my kid go to church?” Believe me, as much as I am an advocate for intergenerational worship, I’m not naïve about how teenagers feel about sitting through church. I felt that way a fair amount myself as a kid.

This is a tough question, one I wish we could discuss over coffee so I could ask more questions about your kids and family. But not knowing your specific family, let me say this: while your long-term goal is intergenerational connection primarily in and with a church family, the first hurdle is to help your kid to feel like they are part of something they are choosing and enjoy. Forced friendships do not work very well for adolescents. Depending on the issues your child is dealing with and why they do not want to go, perhaps you could consider the following:

1. Make sure your kids know that, as important as church is to you as the parent, you respect their desire not to go. At the same time, let them know that being a part of God’s family is an important part of your family’s life.

2. Find ways to connect your child to Christian friends in casual or organic settings. As these intentional relationships develop and deepen, your child will have a greater internal incentive to get involved.

3. Find out what, if any, faith activities they would like or are willing to be part of. (I would do all you can to steer away from “making” them attend.) Perhaps a parachurch group, or a different church’s worship service, or a Bible study would help them feel more connected and involved. Sometimes a friend’s church or youth group will become a place where they can connect with a faith community.

4. In the end, do your best to seek a compromise. Depending on their age and your family’s circumstance, ask your child to attend with you once a month, especially if they are plugged in somewhere else, and to do it out of love and respect for you and your faith. If they are attending a different church, you should probably offer to attend that church with them monthly also.

Taken from Sticky Faith by Kara Powell & Chap Clark. Copyright © 2011. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com.

Perhaps not too many race car fans reading our blog…at least Indy cars. However, Carey Casey shares a powerful encouragement for Dads in a recent entry from www.fathers.com

I was heartbroken to hear the news that Dan Wheldon, the 33-year-old racecar driver, died in a crash last Sunday, leaving behind his wife and two young children.

As I was watching the news of his death, I was touched by his commitment to his family. From all accounts, Dan was a great dad. He tried to be a good role model by working his hardest so that his sons would be proud. He was sure to spend time with his family.

His wife even commented in a news article that he changed 95 percent of the diapers. Now, I know this sounds a little trite, but not many wives can make this claim. A lot of dads aren’t around to change even 5 percent of the diapers. But Dan was.

Dad, time is the most precious gift you can give your kids. You aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow, so make sure that today counts.

So today, right now, in honor of Dan, I challenge you to start a new tradition.

Set aside time each day—whether it is five minutes or thirty minutes—to spend one-on-one with each of your children. Give your time together a silly name, like “Pick on Daddy Time.” Turn off your phone, your computer, and any other distraction.

Then protect that time at all costs. Don’t let anything take you or your child away.

Let your child decide how you will spend your time together. Perhaps you’ll wrestle with your four-year-old son. Maybe your teenager daughter will share her new favorite song with you. Regardless, if you let your child take the lead, you will build lasting memories.

One last note: Be sure to protect this time each day as if you will never have another day with your child. Someday, you might be right.

Remember: Have a sense of urgency about this and don’t put it off! Make sure that when you do die—whether it’s tomorrow or fifty years from now—your children have many memories of special time with you. You never know how much time you have left with them.