Feed the Hungry

Yesterday, while the Ohio State Buckeyes were solidifying their dominance of Big 10 Conference football (that's not really relevant to anything, I just like saying it), the people of Light of the Canyon were holding a food drive at the Pavilions store in the Festival shopping center. What a great way to prepare for Thanksgiving, by helping to feed others. There is something downright Christian about that. Great job to everyone that was involved.

Lessons I Learned in Jail - part 3

Here is the final thing I learned at Chino Men's Jail on Sunday. I started the afternoon a little cynical (seriously, were we going to sing "Cum by Yah" with inmates). I figured that whatever these guys said would probably last about as long as it took me to walk back to my car. I was not ready for what I actually did see and hear. These men beared their souls to those gathered. They wept, they prayed, they thanked God, and they embraced one another. It did not take long to realize that, like the song says, "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace." Yes, grace. Grace was all over the place that afternoon. I don't know what these men's lives will be like when they return to their regular prison routine. But, I do know this. They have been changed by their experience of God's love. And more than that, I have been changed by them.

Lessons I Learned in Jail - part 2

This will absolutely preach someday. It is one of the most brilliant things that I have ever heard (and it is from someone that would know a thing or two about anger). One of the inmates was talking about his new life in Christ, and how difficult it was learning to forgive others, especially in the prison environment. He said, "But I learned something this weekend. Holding onto anger and resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it kills someone else." Here is a person that has probably been wronged and hurt in ways that I cannot even imagine. And yet, he grasped this simple truth that so many of us cannot seem to comprehend. Holding onto anger and resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it kills someone else. That is so true. How long will we hold onto bitterness and resentments from our past? It serves no purpose, except maybe to shorten our lives, and certainly to diminish our joy. I am going to try and follow this man's advice and let go of past resentments and let God doing something new in my life. How about you? Yeah, I'm talking to you.

Lessons I Learned in Jail - part 1

This past Sunday, I went to jail. Let me explain. I was blessed enough to attend the closing ceremony of the Kairos Prison Ministry program at Chino Men's Jail. It was an incredible service. Inmates that had spent four days with a group of volunteers talking, praying, singing and sharing fellowship with one another came together to celebrate one final time before the weekend was over. The highlight for me was listening to the personal stories that some of the inmates told. One man, in particular, said something that filled my heart with joy. He talked about struggles in his life. And then he said, "We are the church!" This man is incarcerated. An yet, he proclaimed a freedom that so few people on the outside really know. He reminded me of the Apostle Paul in the 16th chapter of Acts. I found myself in the first place envying this man his sense of connection to God and to Christ's church. But, ultimately, I simply celebrated the realization that I was indeed at church - there in the visiting yard at Chino Men's Jail.

Play for Change

Last Saturday, my wife and I had a great time at The Grove Theatre in Anaheim (how cool are we for a couple of codgers - two concerts in a few weeks). We saw the Play for Change band that was made famous on Youtube with their "Stand by Me" video. What an inspiring event. The set was simple, the lighting was low-key. But, the music was crazy inspiring. These folks are passionate about changing the world through music. Their work continues beyond simply performing concerts. If you would like to learn more about Play for Change, check out the foundation web site.

Thank You K-Mart

O.k., I know I said that I won't get all bunged up about stores commercializing Christmas. But, I do want to point out (merely for the sake of illustration, mind you) what we are up against when it comes to keeping our focus. Check out this K-Mart commercial that I saw on TV the other night. First of all, let me just say that it blows me away that you can find K-Mart commercials on Youtube. That having been said, in the middle of the commercial, you will hear something amazing. "K-Mart saves Christmas." Whew! That was close. Thanks K-Mart. I don't know what I would have ever done had you not saved Christmas for me. This is what we face every year, my friends. This is why we must be diligent and stay focused on the real reason for Christmas. I don't mean getting a bumper sticker that celebrates our devotion to Christ that people will see while our car is parked at the mall. I mean, honestly and truly, "keeping Christmas in our hearts." Do you think you can do it this year? Are you up for the challenge? C'mon. I dare you.

"No Ebenezer Zone!"

It is not going to happen this year. Usually, at this time of the year - with Advent rapidly approaching - I already begin to feel the "bah, humbug" setting in. It doesn't take long for the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge to find its way into my life. Kind of odd for a pastor, you say. Not so fast, my friend. Christmas, regardless of what we want to think about it, is about God becoming one of us, about God doing all that he can to demonstrate his love and compassion for his wayward children. How do we honor that - with a sale! That says more about us than about God. And we (the church) have no one to blame but ourselves. Every year, we hope and pray (and maybe even ask Santa Claus) to make this holiday about Jesus. And then, every year, we buy in lock, stock and barrel to the over-commercialized, consumer Christmas. It is not our job to convince shopping malls to try and "put Christ back in Christmas". Christ has never been out of Christmas. Just because we don't pay attention doesn't make it so. This year will be different. This year, I am participating in the Advent Conspiracy. This year, I am taking responsibility for how I experience Christmas. Because, even though the malls can never give me the Christmas I want, neither can they take it away. There will be no Ebenezer Scrooge this year, only Jesus Christ.

Amplify Hope

This is a wonderful idea. I sometimes get frustrated with the United Methodist Church and the size of the "corporation." However, this is one of those times when I am proud of our connection. The Ivory Coast has issues, a long-standing civil war among them. Slavery and human trafficking, illness, hunger, are all major concerns for the people of this African nation. The United Methodist Church is trying to be a part of a long-term solution. You can support this effort. Make a contribution, and give that as a Christmas gift to a fellow United Methodist (or anyone you love).

"It Was 20 Years Ago Today..."

O.k., I have sinned doubly. I have quoted the Beatles out of context and I am celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down a day late. But, here's the thing. In our time, there are very few symbols left - bad or good - that speak to an entire generation. The Berlin wall is one such symbol for my generation. And in a dramatic moment, it switched from being a symbol of all that was frightening in the world to being a symbol of hope. For you whippersnappers, it is akin to Christians and Muslims and Jews all deciding to love one another because their faith tells them so (which is true, by the way), instead of using our religious dogma as a means to harm others. It has been a whole generation since the Berlin Wall came down, a whole generation since we collectively exhaled and began to dream of a world of peace and justice. We are not quite there. But, God is not finished working in and through us yet. Take a look at the picture that accompanies this blog. These people are doing something that just a day before would have gotten them shot. That is progress. That is hope. That is the work of the kingdom.

I Love LOTC

We are in the middle of our stewardship campaign. It is a time to reflect on a lot of things - on how we will dedicate our resources to God's kingdom being the most important. However, it is also a time to reflect on how the church puts those resources to use. I love Light of the Canyon. As I have personally reflected on this past year, it has warmed my heart to consider how we have witnessed to the love of Christ. I have prepared a little tribute that I am sharing in worship this morning. Enjoy!

Join the Conspiracy

This is a miracle - a Christmas miracle! The day before Halloween, I was listening to the radio in my car and I actually heard a Christmas commercial. Come on! Can I at least get through Halloween before my Christmas is ruined? I could already feel the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge creeping into my consciousness. I was just a breath away from a monumental "Bah Humbug!" And then something wonderful happened (hence, the miracle). I remembered that this year is different. This year I am not going to be beat down by the over-commercialization of a sacred day. This year, I will fight back. My church has joined the "Advent Conspiracy." We have allowed the god (note the small "g") of consumerism to steal God's (I know it's stating the obvious, but, note the capital "G") story, they have usurped our narrative. And complaining about it just isn't enough. That's why we have joined the conspiracy. Are you in?

Bono and the Boys

Last week, I went to church. I know that is not an earth shattering revelation for a minister. But, I went to church, with 96,000 of my closest friends (o.k., everyone there was not my closest friend - but, some of my closest friends were there). I am talking, of course about the U2 concert at the Rose Bowl. It was an epic event of biblical proportions. The highlight - Bono singing the opening verses of "Amazing Grace" a cappella and having the crowd join in. It was a moment in time. Near the end of the show, they played a clip from Desmond Tutu on the Jumbotron. He encouraged everyone to continue to fight for peace and justice. It was inspirational. If you were not lucky enough to be there, check it out on Youtube. It's a long show. So, grab some vittles, cuddle up with someone you love, and spend the evening being inspired by Bono and the boys.