It seems for our family that December is the financially tightest month on the calendar. Merle Haggard has a well known song "If We Can Make It Through December" which embodies the sentiment. I suspect that we're not alone. The holidays can be the most financially tight times of the year. The pressure to purchase presents gets pretty high - especially if there are kids in the house.
This December looked to be the worst in the history of our family's existence. Having lost my job barely a month ago, we were behind on bills for most of the year. We were in danger of losing our house and a car. There was no way we could afford anything for Christmas this year. We tried to prepare our children in the weeks leading up to the holiday. It seemed like I'd be singing Merle's song the entire month, only there was no end in sight.
We've tried to teach our children over the years that Christmas isn't about the gifts. Down deep, however, having to do without gifts at Christmas really hurts. I remember the feeling of returning to school after such a Christmas as a boy. Just hearing kids talk about what they got over the Christmas Break was more painful than anything I had ever known. Forget all that "supposed to" stuff. It just hurt.
As Christmas neared, I tried to gradually prepare our kids and could see disappointment in their faces. To their credit, they didn't pout about our circumstances. We often talked about previous Christmas memories. One of the most memorable was two years ago. A friend of the family gave us a Toys-R-Us gift card to say thanks for our friendship. Wouldn't it be nice if that happened again! The truth was that such a thing wouldn't happen again and sadly we all knew it.
But, just when we resigned ourselves to our situation, the miracles started unfolding.
The first miracle took place shortly after Thanksgiving. My former boss was in a conference call with my now current boss. Shortly after the conference call, my former boss received an e-mail from me. He had told me when I left the company before "if there's anything I can do for you, please let me know." My wife and my dad both encouraged me to contact him to see if anything might be available with the company. I sent him the e-mail and he promptly contacted my current boss to tell him about me. Within a few days, I was happily re-employed by my former employer. Coincidence? Hardly - that is if you believe that God is still at work in the world today.
About the same time, I was trying to claim unemployment benefits. (I was notified that I would not receive benefits, due to circumstances surrounding my dismissal. Currently this is in appeal with the TWC) Still even more miracles began to take place.
I started receiving calls from different ones needing work done on their computers and was paid well for my time. We received several checks, one of which was from a former employer for proceeds on a sale of outstanding shares of stock that I didn't know about. People offered us cash out of the blue. It was like watching "It's A Wonderful Life" - only we were participating in the story.
My wife and I were up late on Christmas Eve wrapping Christmas presents. After the last present had been wrapped and tucked under the tree, we sat down together in our living room, basking in the warm lighting from the Christmas tree. We marveled at how our circumstances had changed so dramatically in the course of a month. Just being in our home, celebrating Christmas like this, was more than we could have hoped for only days before.
We like to say that God is concerned about our circumstances. We are told to believe God for the big stuff and we often see such prayers answered. But, every now and then, God does something that is so completely unexpected that it takes us by suprise. How can we begin to explain stuff like this?
It's the stuff that miracles are made of. That is why for our family, Christmas 2005 will forever be the miracle Christmas.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
What's Big Deal About Christmas?
With only 4 shopping days left, my opinion on the topic of celebrating Christmas this year is quite a few days late. There's already been a lot of blather on the topic - Christians who are offended by those who insist on the use of the word "holiday" instead of Christmas. At this point, I'm not even sure stores like Target, Home Depot and others, who have opted to use "holiday," have caved into the pressure from the religious right to use "Christmas" again. Earlier this month, that was the talk everywhere. The president also caused a stir when he chose to use the word "holiday" in the card sent to his supporters this year. I thought he said he was a christian?!
I don't think most of the folks who have been stating their offense with the omission of Christ from the season have been paying attention, well for the practical length of their lives. Christmas in our culture is not about Christ. It hasn't been about Christ in a long, LONG time. In fact, the term "post-Christian" has been circulated for nearly a decade and a half as a description of our culture. In a time when church attendance is in decline, government is removing references to religion. In case this comes as a shock, back away from the computer and take a couple of deep breaths.
(Pause)
Now, is this offensive to you? Does it make you mad? Before you start planning to blow up my house or set my car on fire, stop for a second. What are the most prominent aspects of Christmas right now? What are the predominant concerns that people have as they enter the holiday season in our country? Ask nearly anyone anywhere, it will go something like this:
"I have so many gifts to get. I don't really have time for all the shopping I've got to do. Then, there's getting together with family. How are we going to work it out? Where will we/they stay? I have so many things going on this year. So many parties and get togethers. I'm so stressed. I can't wait for it all to be over!"
So much is made each year by how commercial the Christmas holiday has become. I get frustrated when I start seeing Christmas decorations on display in September and October. We can complain about it all we want. But, if we're spending money and running up credit card bills and running ourselves ragged with holiday events and stress - just like everyone else - we're just feeding the beast. Most folks do all those things and complain because Jesus isn't on display in the stores and shopping centers they go to. If it were on display, it would only be window dressing. There's no question why everyone is there - money is changing hands.
The truth is that it's not the job of any merchant to put Jesus on display in the first place. It's fine if they want to. It's their right to decline as well. It's not any business for any federal, municipal or civic governments to be involved in, either. This falls squarely on the shoulders of believers. What the world needs is not some clever marketing that includes the name of Jesus or pictures of a baby in a manger. Calling it Christmas or winter holiday won't make a bit of difference. No, what the needs is a fresh demonstration of Christ from His body - the church - plain and simple.
Remember the stir caused by the Passion of the Christ not too long ago? Christian leaders started calling that movie the greatest tool for evangelism that the world had ever seen, or something like that. How did people come to Christ before the Passion? Was it possible to become a Christian without it? No wonder it's been so hard to become a Christian all those years before! There are stories of those who turned to Christ as a direct result of watching the movie. In the time since, the furor has died down. With the release of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this year, the same people are saying some of the same things about this movie as they said about the Passion.
Do you see what's happening? We're expecting someone else to step up to do something spectacular that will "win the world." The truth is it's a lot harder to demonstrate a living Christ as we live out our lives. We can mess it up and often do. We have so many cares and burdens and have so little time to spare for anyone else. It's easier to tell someone to go watch a movie or give them a book and ask them what they thought about it than to get involved with them and their lives. Getting involved often gets ugly. But that is what makes a difference in someone's life.
As for "saving" Christmas, I don't know that it's possible to save the holiday at this point. Commercialism surrounding the season is big money. Our culture doesn't need another marketing scheme. It's become brazen to them, which is why we see more and more shocking means of advertising. If we approach it as a marketing scheme there will be no lasting affects. Public sentiment can be swayed as easily as the wind blows. The church must demonstrate to the world of what Christmas is supposed to be.
So, stop crying about the world recognizing Christmas. It's your chance to show them exactly what it is.
I don't think most of the folks who have been stating their offense with the omission of Christ from the season have been paying attention, well for the practical length of their lives. Christmas in our culture is not about Christ. It hasn't been about Christ in a long, LONG time. In fact, the term "post-Christian" has been circulated for nearly a decade and a half as a description of our culture. In a time when church attendance is in decline, government is removing references to religion. In case this comes as a shock, back away from the computer and take a couple of deep breaths.
(Pause)
Now, is this offensive to you? Does it make you mad? Before you start planning to blow up my house or set my car on fire, stop for a second. What are the most prominent aspects of Christmas right now? What are the predominant concerns that people have as they enter the holiday season in our country? Ask nearly anyone anywhere, it will go something like this:
"I have so many gifts to get. I don't really have time for all the shopping I've got to do. Then, there's getting together with family. How are we going to work it out? Where will we/they stay? I have so many things going on this year. So many parties and get togethers. I'm so stressed. I can't wait for it all to be over!"
So much is made each year by how commercial the Christmas holiday has become. I get frustrated when I start seeing Christmas decorations on display in September and October. We can complain about it all we want. But, if we're spending money and running up credit card bills and running ourselves ragged with holiday events and stress - just like everyone else - we're just feeding the beast. Most folks do all those things and complain because Jesus isn't on display in the stores and shopping centers they go to. If it were on display, it would only be window dressing. There's no question why everyone is there - money is changing hands.
The truth is that it's not the job of any merchant to put Jesus on display in the first place. It's fine if they want to. It's their right to decline as well. It's not any business for any federal, municipal or civic governments to be involved in, either. This falls squarely on the shoulders of believers. What the world needs is not some clever marketing that includes the name of Jesus or pictures of a baby in a manger. Calling it Christmas or winter holiday won't make a bit of difference. No, what the needs is a fresh demonstration of Christ from His body - the church - plain and simple.
Remember the stir caused by the Passion of the Christ not too long ago? Christian leaders started calling that movie the greatest tool for evangelism that the world had ever seen, or something like that. How did people come to Christ before the Passion? Was it possible to become a Christian without it? No wonder it's been so hard to become a Christian all those years before! There are stories of those who turned to Christ as a direct result of watching the movie. In the time since, the furor has died down. With the release of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this year, the same people are saying some of the same things about this movie as they said about the Passion.
Do you see what's happening? We're expecting someone else to step up to do something spectacular that will "win the world." The truth is it's a lot harder to demonstrate a living Christ as we live out our lives. We can mess it up and often do. We have so many cares and burdens and have so little time to spare for anyone else. It's easier to tell someone to go watch a movie or give them a book and ask them what they thought about it than to get involved with them and their lives. Getting involved often gets ugly. But that is what makes a difference in someone's life.
As for "saving" Christmas, I don't know that it's possible to save the holiday at this point. Commercialism surrounding the season is big money. Our culture doesn't need another marketing scheme. It's become brazen to them, which is why we see more and more shocking means of advertising. If we approach it as a marketing scheme there will be no lasting affects. Public sentiment can be swayed as easily as the wind blows. The church must demonstrate to the world of what Christmas is supposed to be.
So, stop crying about the world recognizing Christmas. It's your chance to show them exactly what it is.
Ever Heard of Friday Night Lights?
By now most folks in this country have heard about the book or the movie called "Friday Night Lights." It's the story from the entire 1988-89 football season in Odessa, Texas at Odessa Permian High School. Having played organized football for 10 years of my life, the story was one I could relate to. I've never been much of a reader, but I've known of the book for many years. It was a good thing for me when the movie came out. It was such a good movie that it made me want to read the book.
If you've only watched the movie, you may have gotten a different take on what really happened over the course of that football season in West Texas. According to many in the town, there were a lot of hurt feelings that emerged when the book went to print. Racial strife, bigotry, class warfare, excessive measures taken by coaches, parents, players, school faculty & students are observed and trumpeted to the world in book form. It's no wonder the whole town felt violated afterwards.
Unfortunately for Odessa, their city was the one selected by Mr. Bissinger (the book's author) out of the many hundreds of schools and towns across Texas - just like them. However, in the introduction, the writer makes it clear why he chose the home of Mojo as his subject audience. Odessa Permian is easily one of the most storied schools in the state with several state championships and many more playoff playoff appearances. Football is king in Texas but it's the center of life in Odessa. When anything garners so much energy, excesses follow and Permian High School is a prime example.
So, if you've not read the book or watched the movie, make an appointment for yourself. The truth is you may not like it.
Then again you may.
If you've only watched the movie, you may have gotten a different take on what really happened over the course of that football season in West Texas. According to many in the town, there were a lot of hurt feelings that emerged when the book went to print. Racial strife, bigotry, class warfare, excessive measures taken by coaches, parents, players, school faculty & students are observed and trumpeted to the world in book form. It's no wonder the whole town felt violated afterwards.
Unfortunately for Odessa, their city was the one selected by Mr. Bissinger (the book's author) out of the many hundreds of schools and towns across Texas - just like them. However, in the introduction, the writer makes it clear why he chose the home of Mojo as his subject audience. Odessa Permian is easily one of the most storied schools in the state with several state championships and many more playoff playoff appearances. Football is king in Texas but it's the center of life in Odessa. When anything garners so much energy, excesses follow and Permian High School is a prime example.
So, if you've not read the book or watched the movie, make an appointment for yourself. The truth is you may not like it.
Then again you may.
Friday, December 09, 2005
Lightning Strikes Twice - But with More Money
We've all heard the fable or myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice. It's a phrase that's as old as the hills, but there's not really any truth to it. Then again, maybe there is.
I'm not concerned about whether it happens in real life or not. Just as soon as I endorse a statement that says "lightning does indeed strike in the same place twice," somebody will show up that can definitively prove me wrong. That's not my concern.
This last week I was offered a position with Stewart Title - again. (Those of you who actually read my blog might remember that I left Stewart for the "opportunity" at Sam Houston State University. Of course that opportunity fell apart like a cheap suit.) After walking away from a job that I really enjoyed before, I've received another chance with the same company with another good boss. There are challenges, to be sure...a long commute, later hours and a different assignment that will involve more "over the phone" skills. But, I'm back with a company that I enjoyed to work for. That alone is something to sit back and think about. Who you work for AND with makes up about 80-90% of the work experience. If the people you work with really get on your nerves, it's hard to enjoy the job - as a whole.
But, the fact I get a second shot at the same thing - or same company - makes me stop and take notice. How often does lightning strike the same place - twice? How often does one get an actual second chance at the same opportunity? My experience has been not at all. However, I've been extended a second chance. I'm truly in awe of a God who can orchestrate the events of one's life so that things like this take place.
Despite the odds, it appears that lightning indeed struck the same place twice. The spot is smoldering. I go to work Monday morning. It's pretty cool.
I'm not concerned about whether it happens in real life or not. Just as soon as I endorse a statement that says "lightning does indeed strike in the same place twice," somebody will show up that can definitively prove me wrong. That's not my concern.
This last week I was offered a position with Stewart Title - again. (Those of you who actually read my blog might remember that I left Stewart for the "opportunity" at Sam Houston State University. Of course that opportunity fell apart like a cheap suit.) After walking away from a job that I really enjoyed before, I've received another chance with the same company with another good boss. There are challenges, to be sure...a long commute, later hours and a different assignment that will involve more "over the phone" skills. But, I'm back with a company that I enjoyed to work for. That alone is something to sit back and think about. Who you work for AND with makes up about 80-90% of the work experience. If the people you work with really get on your nerves, it's hard to enjoy the job - as a whole.
But, the fact I get a second shot at the same thing - or same company - makes me stop and take notice. How often does lightning strike the same place - twice? How often does one get an actual second chance at the same opportunity? My experience has been not at all. However, I've been extended a second chance. I'm truly in awe of a God who can orchestrate the events of one's life so that things like this take place.
Despite the odds, it appears that lightning indeed struck the same place twice. The spot is smoldering. I go to work Monday morning. It's pretty cool.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
The Return of Cheap Oil
After a year of seeing gas prices explode to unprecedented levels, it looks like they're going to fall off - sharply. In a report issued by many top oil company executives, gas prices could continue falling. Ironically, this news comes on the tail of a series of public service announcements instructing the public to curtail oil and gas usage until the shortages experienced as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita are replenished. Kinda ironic, huh?
For those who can remember back a further than a couple of decades, when prices have reached all time highs, the periods were followed by production gluts and significantly cheaper gas prices. During these periods, oil companies complained of their losses, begging for sympathy, suggesting federal assistance in some cases.
So, if prices continue falling, keep this in mind: Just a month or so ago, oil executives from Shell, Exxon-Mobil, BP, Chevron and others all boasted their record profits in the neighborhood of 250-300%. Maybe it's just me, but it's hard to feel sorry for the those who orchestrated their own good fortune.
Of course, all I can think about is that I sold the stock I had in an oil company in March of this year - just as the prices really began to take off. Perfect timing, huh?
I wonder in a few months if any of the same executives might be wondering if they should have run those "save gas" public service announcements in the first place.
For those who can remember back a further than a couple of decades, when prices have reached all time highs, the periods were followed by production gluts and significantly cheaper gas prices. During these periods, oil companies complained of their losses, begging for sympathy, suggesting federal assistance in some cases.
So, if prices continue falling, keep this in mind: Just a month or so ago, oil executives from Shell, Exxon-Mobil, BP, Chevron and others all boasted their record profits in the neighborhood of 250-300%. Maybe it's just me, but it's hard to feel sorry for the those who orchestrated their own good fortune.
Of course, all I can think about is that I sold the stock I had in an oil company in March of this year - just as the prices really began to take off. Perfect timing, huh?
I wonder in a few months if any of the same executives might be wondering if they should have run those "save gas" public service announcements in the first place.
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