The Advent Season

Well, Thanksgiving is behind us, the leftover turkey is in the freezer and now it's time once again to turn our full attention to Christmas. One of the oldest traditions in the Christian Church is the celebration of "Advent," which is the Latin word for "coming." It is a four-week celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ, celebrated initially in homes and later in churches. I've found Advent to be a wonderful thing to celebrate every year since it ties my generation of believers to those of yesteryear. There is a sense of completeness of the Church when celebrations of old are brought into the new.

Over a period of three years I wrote a daily Advent devotional and posted it on the web for family and friends. This year I have compiled and edited those devotionals into a PDF document that you can download and use at home. Each week I've focused on one aspect of Christ's coming: Light, Peace, Hope and Joy. At the beginning of the devotional I have given and explanation of the Advent elements, from the wreath to the candles. Please check it out. It may be of use to you, it may not. Download it HERE.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is a day to explain the meaning of Christ's coming and prepare for the celebration.

I pray that you have a blessed and wonderful Advent celebration!

-- Brother John

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Jesus in the Spotlight

In a world of celebrities gone bad, it's very refreshing to hear about someone in the spotlight who is actually setting a good example for the youth (and young adults) of this land. Tim Tebow, the star quarterback for the University of Florida, is one such celebrity.

Tim is a brother in Christ and a solid one at that. The son of missionaries, he has consistently placed Jesus into the same spotlight that media and fans have lavishly shined on him. A hard worker with a competitive passion to match, Tim has consciously sought to reach out to his teammates and coaches in the name of Jesus during his four years at Florida. His witness for Christ has even touched his coach, Urban Meyer. Here's an excerpt from an online article that started out focusing on speculation involving Meyer's job interest in Notre Dame into a testimony about Tebow's faith.

Meyer paused one more time, composing himself after he was asked about the impact Tebow has had on him. Tebow inspired Meyer to take his family on a mission trip to Central America.

“The one thing about Tim is his unselfishness, and his mission outside of college football is unparalleled as far as I’m concerned,” said Meyer, holding back tears. “The impact that he’s made, it’s almost like selflessness is now a cool thing. Kids realizing to give back and if you can brighten someone’s day, you do it. The impact that he’s made on this team is phenomenal and as coaches. It’s very noticeable behind closed doors, more than probably what you guys see. It’s a significant impact.”

Tebow wasn’t nearly as emotional when talking about his final home game. But he was adamant that Meyer would be in Gainesville a long time.

“I don’t think he’ll be at Notre Dame. I don’t think that’s anything he’ll do now. I don’t think he’ll do that ever,” Tebow said. “I don’t think he’s really interested. I think he’s enjoying his time here. I think he’s enjoying being the head coach at the University of Florida and enjoying this senior class and being undefeated; we’ve won 21 in a row.

“He loves his players, and I don’t think he wants to go to a place where he has to start fresh.”

Tebow added that he would consider coaching at Florida down the road, once his playing days are over. Meyer first mentioned the possibility a few years ago.

“He actually always gives me a hard time about that, saying one day how I’m going to be in his seat and coaching here,” Tebow said. “I don’t know. That’s something that intrigues me … being able to coach them as far as life experiences and football.

“I like being able to correlate the two. … I think I’d enjoy it. That door will never be closed for me.”

I love it when sports stars are focused on a bigger mission than touchdowns, home runs and dunks. They influence so many young lives. One man I admire greatly is former NFL coach Tony Dungy. Tony is in his second year of retirement but he has done anything but retire from the game. Tony is now seeking to invest in the lives of NFL players and coaches as a mentor. He knows that there is more than football affecting the lives of football players. There are pressures and temptations that can eat away at whatever moral fiber was instilled in the athletes as youths. So Tony is seeking to find the most troubled and enter their lives in the name of Jesus. It's great to see that Tim Tebow is seeking to do the same with those around him and wants to do the same when he gets to be in Tony Dungy's position.

It's wonderful to see such people in the spotlight for reasons that honor and glorify the Lord, isn't it?

Be God's.

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In the News

Every day I scan the national and regional headlines, largely for my own entertainment, but also to see if I can find instances of God's working in and through the Church. In the past few days it seems that there is a lot going on. Here are a few headlines and links to a few of the stories.

• Christian Singer Steven Curtis Chapman Copes with His Daughter's Death Through Music
• The Greek Orthodox Church Acts on Public Crucifix Ban
• Evangelist Tony Alamo Sentenced to 175 Years on Sex Charges

It seems that each day there is good and there is bad being reported about the Church or those who call themselves Christians.

Steven Curtis Chapman's story, if you're not aware, is heart-wrenching. He lost his 5-year-old adopted daughter 18 months ago to a tragic accident involving a car driven by his teenage son. He wrestled with the questions any sane person would wrestle with in times of grief. Is God good? Does He care? Why does He allow bad things to happen? The result of his searching was put into music, as SCC stripped away the polished pop production and just recorded his honest emotions in song as they crept into his heart. The Chapmans have been through a lot of grief in the past 18 months. Yet they still continue to believe in the God who loves them and sees to their every need. Even in times of their grief.

The Greek Orthodox Church is fighting a battle long lost here in America. The Church has been a major part in the development of modern Greece, and for centuries crosses have been on display in public buildings and school classrooms. Now a humanist organization is taking direct fire at such displays, claiming they infringe on the freedom of religion that Greek law guarantees. I can see their point, to be honest. Yet I also see the continued deterioration of the Church's influence and relevancy in Europe. It used to be that the Greek and Roman churches influenced law. Now it seems they influence little. With the evangelical and Protestant churches also suffering poor attendance and increased government intrusion, it's sad to say that the secularization of Europe is almost complete.

Finally, we have the ongoing saga of another creep in an evangelist's mask. Tony Alamo once stirred up followers with emotional vigor to prepare the world for the end times. I remember parking outside an Academy Sports store in Lewisville one day a few years back and being approached by an Alamo follower. He handed me a flier and asked me some questions I cannot now remember. It was my first introduction to Tony Alamo Christian Ministries. Little did that poor sap know, 75-year-old Tony was involved in horrifying child abuse, transporting underage girls across Arkansas state lines for sexual purposes and even indulging himself. Now he's going to jail for the rest of his life. He still claims innocence but circumstances say otherwise. Church leaders are to be "above reproach" and Tony's behavior was way below the reproach line. Sadly, the assistant U.S. Attorney pointed out in honesty that, "Not only did (the girls) entrust their lives to him, he did it in the name of God. And he betrayed their trust." How awful!

Keep praying for the Church around the world today. There are some positive stories mixed in the negativism that has become the norm. Pray that the Church of God may become salt and light in this world and influence culture in a way that lifts high the name of Jesus and proves the message of the gospel to be what we all have known it to be -- relevant.

Be God's!

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Grace... Explained the Skit Guys' Way

I absolutely love The Skit Guys, a comedy duo that writes and performs skits for student ministry and adult congregation audiences. In this video, Eddie James and Tommy Woodard act out several funny scenes to describe the amazing grace of God.

Be prepared to suspend belief and have some fun.

Be God's!

A Whirlwind of Thoughts

Been awhile since I last posted on Growing Young. I'd love to excuse this e-absence by citing my personal laziness but that's not the case. Life has just sped up for me. Mega fast. Mixed into a busy holiday season of preparing and managing promotional campaigns was the busyness of planning a flag football game for my singles group and the death of my grandfather in Louisiana. As I write this entry, I'm planning another trip to Acadiana (French Louisiana) for my grandfather's funeral. He went to be with the Lord today after a terrible battle with lung cancer. He was 84 and a significant blessing to my life.

Over the last two weeks I have had a variety of thoughts that I'd like to share with you.

DEATH

• Saying goodbye is never easy. As my grandfather lay in his hospital bed I placed my hand on his limp shoulder and said "I love you" over and over again. I could think of nothing more eloquent to say. I then drove for 45 minutes in stunned silence. I was doing okay emotionally until it was time to leave. Then I lost it.
  
• Suffering is not the best way to die, but it often cannot be avoided. My grandfather struggled for breath and fought various symptoms for days. He was on morphine and other drugs constantly towards the end. I don't know how much pain he was in but the suffering was obvious.
  
• Having a close family is a joy during times of trial.
  
• Hospice has to be one of the toughest jobs one can have. Caring for the dying is one of the ultimate acts of servitude. I couldn't do it.
• Dealing with death turns even the strongest of persons into a soul needing support. It was tough watching my grandmother care for her husband of 63 years. Very tough. Yet tender at the same time. Makes me cry even now.
  

It has been a tough few weeks for me and my family. Please keep us in your prayers.

Be God's!