Mile High Rev

REVerie - New Year's Eve

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Bill Vaughan

Reader's Digest, January 2006, p. 77

Happy 2006

REVealing - Text of President's New Year's Message

In the linked article on Yahoo, you can read the text of the President’s New Year’s message, released on Friday by the White House. Here’s my favorite excerpt: “As we celebrate the New Year, we give thanks to God for His blessings and ask for His guidance.  We look with hope to the year ahead and the many new opportunities the future will bring.  Laura and I sent our best wishes for a happy New Year.  May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.”  Text of President's New Year's Message

Do you realize how blessed we are in America to have a President who is not afraid to reference “God” and to ask for “God’s guidance?”  If we’re not careful, we can succumb to the temptation to expect perfection from a mere human leader.  Of course, he makes mistakes.  President Bush is far from perfect…like every one of us.  But the idea that he is asking God for guidance sends a chill down my spine.  This is exactly what he needs to do…and what we all need to do.

As we complete 2005 and look ahead to 2006, let’s all “ask for God’s guidance” and pray that God will continue to “bless America.”

REVolting - Catholic Archdiocese Still Settling Abuse Cases

The Catholic Archdiocese of Boston is offering a new round of settlements for sexual abuse claims that range from $5,000 to $200,000 per claim.  In 2003, they paid out claims to 554 people.  This time there are about 100 more plaintiffs.  As I read the headline, I thought of the shame of it all.  At least 650 plaintiffs sexually abused by priests, and now, years later, financial settlements to compensate for illicit and immoral behavior of those in leadership.  And then, it hit me – one day, each of these abusing priests will face the King of the Universe to give account for their actions.  The financial settlements are a drop in the bucket, compared with the price to be paid in eternity.  Luke 17:2 – “It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”  Church in Mass. offers more settlements

REVrant 9.10 - Discussion of Impeaching President Bush

I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised that partisan politics and politicians run wild when people get mad at the sitting President.  However, I could hardly believe my eyes as I read this headline on CBS News.com.   The I-Word is Gaining Ground  Do “the partisans” really think that we can’t see through this tit-for-tat knee-jerk reaction?  “You impeached our President, we’re going to impeach yours.”  The idea that President Bush should be impeached is ludicrous.  I grieve for our nation and for the younger generation who watches this petty and spiteful behavior from adults in power.

REVelation - Kwanzaa Under the Microscope

One of my daily Blog-stops is LaShawn Barber, a very influential African-American blogger. She tells the truth about Kwanzaa in a way that few seem willing to do.  I’m sure that what she’s written will be disturbing to many who do celebrate Kwanzaa.  I’ve often wondered about the origins of Kwanzaa (1966…not some deep-rooted African tradition), and felt like it didn’t ring true…especially coinciding with Christmas observance, as it does.  What LaShawn writes confirms my suspicions.  La Shawn Barber’s Corner » Kwanzaa with Commentary  Hugh Hewitt also has a recent blog by a guest blogger who draws similar conclusions about Kwanzaa. www.hughhewitt.com

Hat tip – Guy at www.mydamascusroad.com

REVelation - Thanks...but No Thanks

Today’s USA Today (12/27/05) has a cover story about the cultural movement away from giving thanks.  Apparently, fewer and fewer people are taking the time to write thank you notes.  Instead of hand-written notes, people are relying on; 1) verbal thanks when they get a gift, 2) emailed thanks, 3) generic group thank-you notes, or 4) no thanks at all.  I’m sure that many readers would be able to provide anecdotes of gifts given or good deeds done without receiving any thanks at all.  It’s kind of a hollow feeling, isn’t it?  For years, I’ve tried to hand-write at least five thank-you notes a week.  I haven’t always hit the goal, and I’m sure I missed saying thanks when I should have, but I’ve always been intrigued by the responses I get to personal thank you’s.  It’s not unusual to receive a “thank-you” for a hand-written thank you note.  I hope we don’t lose this tradition.  I’d write more, but Jan and I have to get busy writing thank-you notes to the people who gave us Christmas gifts! 

REVrence - Tragedy One Year Ago - Dec 26, 2004

I’m sure none of us will ever forget the frightening images of last year’s tsunami the day after Christmas.  Take time today to stop to pray for the survivors who are still living with the devastating effects of the huge wave.  In some of the regions impacted by the tragedy, 80% of the people are still living in tents. May God strengthen and encourage the people whose lives were changed forever by this event.  CNN.com - Siren's wail marks tsunami moment - Dec 26, 2005

REvved - City & County Building - Christmas Display

As part of our Christmas celebration, last night we drove downtown to see the Christmas lights display at the Denver City & County Building.  I’ve linked to the site here – Public Office Buildings 

In addition to the obligatory Santa, snowman, and reindeer, I was pleasantly surprised to see the Nativity scene, complete with Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus.  Amazing.  Right there on public property - the real meaning of Christmas in all of it’s glory.  The light display on the building is remarkable, but even more remarkable, is the inclusion of the “greatest story ever told.”  With all of the complaining this year about the lack of “Merry CHRISTmas” greetings from retailers, I want to add a complimentary word to city officials in Denver.  Thank you for honoring the cornerstone of the Christmas season – Jesus!  You’ll notice that it does say, “Happy Holidays,” on the web site, but when you get up close, there’s no mistaking the message of Christ-mas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

As I write from the Residence Inn and contemplate years of Christmases, our temporary living arrangement has stripped away all of the peripheral trappings of Christmases past.  Gifts, trees, dinners, music, lights, home, and family - all missed this year.  But we haven't missed the most important thing - Celebrating The Birthday of Our Savior.

Christmas Eve at FBC - by the numbers:

3,800 - people who attended services

1 - Shuttle van that transported people from the main building to the      SHED for simulcast of the service.

4 - services at 2,4,6, & 8

5 - Triscuits eaten between the 6 pm and 8 pm services

67 - People who raised their hands to receive Christ as Savior

12(midnight) - Time Jan and I fell into bed, exhausted, but filled with joy.

HAVE A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS DAY.

Jan and I are thankful that there was "room for us at the (Residence) Inn" this year.

REVealing - A Rabbi's Christmas Greeting to Christians

If you want a great example of religious pluralism and tolerance, read the linked column by Jewish Rabbi, Marc Gellman – from a Newsweek column.  He’s so kind.  He’s so open.  He’s so tolerant.  And he’s so wrong.  All due respect, but the Rabbi misses the point about Jesus – in a classic way.  You can’t have Jesus the way the Rabbi wants to have him.  As a nice guy for his Christian friends, but NOT as his Messiah.  The Rabbi expresses the spirit of the age perfectly –It’s OK that Jesus is your Messiah, he’s just not mine.  But can’t we all just get along and agree that there are many different ways to get to the same place spiritually? Jesus’ Miracle - Newsweek Society

What would Jesus say to the rabbi?  What DID Jesus say when He was here?  “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father, but through me.”  That’s why they killed Him.  He said some tough things.  The Bible says he will be called, “Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”  Jesus said that whoever saw Him had seen the Father.  Jesus doesn’t allow for the neutral, one among many, just a cool option for Christians-idea.  He’s the only way.

Maybe this Bono quote (U2 fans are smiling) will underscore my point:

“Christ says, No, I’m not saying I’m a teacher.  Don’t call me teacher.  I’m not saying I’m a prophet.  I’m saying, I’m the Messiah.  I’m saying I’m God incarnate.  And people say, ’No, no, please just be a prophet.  A prophet we can take…but don’t mention the M word!  Because you know we’re going to have to crucify you.’  So what you’re left with is: either Christ was who he said he was – the Messiah – or a complete nutcase, I mean we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson…”

Michka Assayas, Bono:In Conversation With Michka Assayas, Riverhead Books, 2005.

Be careful that you don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s OK to have a generic “Jesus for Christians only!”  We have to speak up…kindly…and beg to differ with the Rabbi.  There’s so much he says that I like…and his tone is so winsome…but he’s missing the most important spiritual truth in human history.