"We need a pastor over here."

Last Wednesday, Sherri and I, along with our son Jonathan and our two moms, ventured out into the cold, slippery night for an evening of good ole' country music at the Weyer's Cave Community Center. The concert was held to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. A worthy cause! And it was starring local hero and former member of the Hall of Fame Statler Brothers, Jimmy Fortune.

I grew up listening to the Statler Brothers. You know, "Flowers on the Wall" and "Elizabeth." I was first introduced to Jimmy a few years ago when our church helped to host a benefit concert for his brother Tony who was in need of a kidney transplant.

Well back to Wednesday...

It was intermission when I was approached by Kern Houff, one of the concert promoters and sponsors, who said he had an unusal request. He said, "We need a pastor over here." He went on to explain that the lead guitar player, Pat, and his wife, Starr, wanted to dedicate their new baby boy, Patrick, to the Lord. Now that was an unusual request considering we were in the middle of a holiday concert.

But I said, "So where are they."

After meeting Pat and Starr it was apparent that this was no fluke request. They wanted the Lord's blessing upon their child. They probably didn't understand what all that meant but in their hearts they knew it was something God would honor in their lives.

So about halfway through the second set of songs, Jimmy called me forward to have a child dedication service. I had Pat, Starr and Patrick come to the front and then for their family and friends to gather around them. Pat and Starr dedicated their lives to love Jesus with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. And then we laid hands upon Patrick and dedicated him to the Lord.

It was a very moving moment. Tears were shed. Hugs were given.

This odd, unusual request became a reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. Over 2000 years ago a baby came among us who was blessed by God to do mighty things upon the earth. Jesus became a man who performed miracles and taught mankind how to have peace with God and each other. And then he caught us by surprise by giving his life unto death. Why? So we could have life. And all of this from a baby born in a feeding trough.

Every child deserves the blessing of the Lord like little Patrick received. Every child has the potential to do great and mighty things. So the next time you hold a child, speak blessing over him/her for they are ordained to do great and mighty things in the name of the Lord.

It's a white, white Christmas 'round here

The storm of the decade arrived Friday afternoon. My son Jonathan and I were in the field cutting and hauling tree limbs when the sky turned gray and the ground white. It was awesome. The air smelled of winter and as the Christmas lights turned on it was a Norman Rockwell moment to enjoy.

But then the snow kept falling. And falling. And falling more. By 8pm I was in my pickup truck with snow plow in place, ready to keep my customers and friends happy.

After 24 straight hours of plowing and plenty of coffee to keep me going, I was wondering if the snow would ever stop. It did, eventually, but my plowing "ministry" was just beginning.

Having a truck with a plow needs no advertising. I was stopped several times at intersections by people who needed assistance. A state trooper enlisted my assistance to plow out a fellow employee who was needed on the job. A daughter who was concerned about her 84 yr. old father who was determined to shovel out his driveway. A young man who was at his wits end of digging out his apartment parking lot.

Trucks with plows need no advertising when people are desperate to escape from their snowy prisons.

So this got me thinking...I had plenty of time to think after being in my truck for about 60 hours.

I meet people everyday who are trying to escape prisons of hopelessness, despair, pain and misery. Sometimes they set out to escape on their own and yet grow weary in the process. Othertimes people just ignore their prisons. And then there are people who grow accustomed to their prisons.

So here's the connection.

For those who are desperate to escape their personal prisons, do they see anything in my life that can help them. I wonder! Do I wear the love of God in such a way that people will stop me at the intersections of their life and ask for help? I wonder!

Fear Not

In the Bible there are three angelic visitations surrounding the Christmas story. And there's a common message within all three.

FEAR NOT!!

"Fear not" Mary for God will help you to do the impossible.
"Fear not" Joseph for God will help you through these most unusal changes.
"Fear not" Shepherds for God will reveal your destiny.

When we are pushed up against impossible odds, our source(s) of trust are put to the test. When gets hard it is so easy to give up and forsake the trust we have put in God. Like Mary, we have not a clue how things are going to work out. But the message from God is still the same: "Fear not! Nothing is impossible with God!"

There are times we are faced to change our perspective, our traditions and our ideas of how things should work out. Joseph had everything laid out. He had a plan. But his plan was interrupted. He was tempted to give up. When God brings a change into your life, and fear of the unknown settles over you, are you tempted to give up? The message from God is still the same: "Fear not! I got this!"

And what about those poor shepherds? Tending their flocks. Minding their own business. And all of sudden angels appear...talking about a baby, a Savior and Bethlehem. What the world? After getting this new revelation, the shepherds said, "Let's go see what's going on." Their destiny shifted. They left their fields for a maternity ward. We sometimes fear a course change. We're heading in one direction but then God breaks in with new information regarding his will for our life. What do we do? The message from God is still the same: "Fear not! I've prepared the way!"

Be encouraged today and FEAR NOT!

Lighting Up at Christmas

Christmastime always brings out the kid in me, especially when it comes to lighting up the house. I love Christmas lights. The more the better.

I know, the meter is running like a race horse but I still love it!

We live on a farm with not many neighbors nearby so at night it can get really dark. Not like living in the city with all kinds of street lights and business signs glowing.

When I hit the switch and lights pop on from the rooftop to the bushes below, I get all warm and fuzzy inside. Sort of like a child who opens that special Christmas present.

Many years ago, my heart was a dark as the night. My life was on a collision course because I was heading in the wrong direction. But then, I was introduced to Jesus Christ, and all of a sudden the lights came on. The darkness was pushed back and I began to get all warm and fuzzy inside.

I think that is why I still like to light up the night so much. I love to string Christmas lights everywhere and anywhere. I love it because it reminds me of how much God loves me. He sent the Light of the world into my heart and removed the darkness that had settled over me.

Thanks Jesus, for lighting up my world!