MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS -THE BIRTHDAY OF THE KING

SUNDAY FUNNIES - SANTA IS HAVING A BAD DAY AND SO ARE OTHERS

LIFE MATTERS - CHRISTMAS EVE 2017

 BY STEVE DUNN

Christmas Eve reminds me that in just the right time, while we were yet sinners (or as Paul describes it, God's enemies--a Savior was born who is Christ the Lord.  This is my favorite song of Christmas sung by David Phelps, a man of tremendous God-given talent.  May its message its invitation blessyou this Christmas with new life.

David Phelps - O Holy Night [Live] from david-phelps on GodTube.

CHRISTMAS EVE EVE - BREATH OF HEAVEN (MARY'S SONG)

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS - THE DREADED FRUITCAKE

By Steve Dunn

I love this cartoon. I share its sentiments.  I never have met a fruitcake I liked. I think most fruit cakes are better suited as a door stop. I have no one I dislike so much that I would inflict a fruitcake upon them; although I confess that in my early adulthood I did “re-gift” a fruitcake to someone who actually wanted one and was disappointed that no one had given them.  (I think they are still my friend.)

Although a fruitcake is not a person and does not have feelings, I sometimes wonder if my contemptuous dismissal of its attraction and value to someone doesn’t say something negative about me as a person.  Something that might create a hole in my heart as a Christ-follower.

The Bible tells me that sin deserves my contempt but not the sinner.   Although God does not want us to remain in our sin because it ultimately results in our spiritual death, He does not stop loving the sinner. There is no contempt towards the person in the words recorded in John 13:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

Harboring contempt towards persons for whom Christ died is the first step towards a judgmentalism that stops seeing the value that Christ sees in them.

So maybe I need to give the lowly fruitcake a break.

© 2017 by Stephen L. Dunn.  You have permission to reprint this provided it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com.  For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com 

A SOLDIER'S CHRISTMAS POEM

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS - SANTA IS NOT THE ENEMY

BY STEVE DUNN

A man walked into my office the other day to tell me that he didn't like celebrating Christmas because it really was borrowing a pagan holiday; and also, there was the Santa Claus thing.  We discussed the concern for paganism and Christianity's roots.  Then we moved on to Santa.

I know that in our highly commercialized culture and with the way that consumerism has an almost demonic grip on the nation's soul, many Christians would like to ban Santa from the celebration.  I do not share their crusade.

Let me "whisper" a little bit of reality.  Very few adults believe Santa is a real person.  And somewhere after kids pass into elementary school age; they come to realize that "Santa is really Dad," which comes sometime after they begin to suspect something fishy is going on when they find Santa in every department store or standing outside a building manning a Salvation Army kettle.

Instead of battling Santa, why don't we make sure that our kids (and our family Christmases) include the real Christmas story--the birth of Jesus.  Why don't we teach our kids about the blessing of giving instead of focusing so much on receiving.  Why not teach Santa as a symbol of blessing and as they grow older, encourage them to be blessings themselves?

And how about when we live year round (after Santa retreats to the North Pole), we live by the values of Jesus--which might include giving away those things we have accumulated that those new presents have made superfluous.

Just one man's perspective.

MORE CHRISTMAS SUNDAY FUNNIES

Continuing a highly popular feature of this blog.  Bless your Sunday afternoon-STEVE.

MARY DID YOU KNOW - CEELO GREEN

As we move through the remaining 16 days until Christmas, let me continue to bless you with some of the finest music written to prepare for and announce Christ's birth. - Steve

I HEARD THE BELL ON CHRISTMAS DAY-THIRD DAY

BY STEVE DUNN

As we move through the remaining 21 days until Christmas, let me bless you with some of the finest music written to prepare for and announce Christ's birth.

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS - TIME TO SHIFT ATTENTION

BY STEVE DUNN

This is a tumultuous Christmas season.  In addition to the rampant debate over consumerism and the rampant consumerism itself, the daily violence and terror on the planet, the outing of sexual misconduct in the entertainment world, the battles over Russian emails, the candidacy of Roy Moore, and the political maneuvering over the Republican tax bill -- even the "goodwill stories" are being drowned out.

A couple of days ago after initiating a Facebook debate over a political matter and noting how many of these debates were dominating Facebook, I sensed the Lord giving me some instructions.  As a result, this is what I posted next:

Short of a major politically cataclysmic event I plan on not participating in any more political debates on FB through Christmas. I have decided to not let the unreasonable passions and thoughtless posts of so many and the vitriol of others to interfere with being Christ to my neighbor this Christmas season. Instead of focusing on the people in the seats of power I will spend my prayers and energy on the poor, the oppressed, the hurting, etc. - i.e., the least, the last and the lost. Enough said.

What does this mean?  It means I will take my eyes off of Washington and set my eyes on the streets around my home and my church.  I spend my time seeking to listen to the stories of those who struggle in this life and wrestle with life's challenges.  I will spend my time praying for them and where God prompts try to be part of His blessing to my neighbor.

I suspect that it's what Jesus wants for His birthday anyway.

 

SUNDAY FUNNIES - CHRISTMAS SEASON VERSION

BY STEVE DUNN

Some of the best I have found on the internet.  A sense of humor and a spirit of laughter will add much to your celebration of Christmas.