Politics for Change

Some of you may know that I love politics. Love, Love, Love!!!! Why? Politics is emotionally charged, historic, laden with people of all socio-economic classes, faiths, genders, ages. It's about ideas and progress.(You could probably argue this point.) The strategies and maneuvering, the buzzwords, candidates trying to strike the right chord that bobs peoples heads up and down, the mathematics of delegates and electoral votes, the candidates spinning and twisting every soundbyte of their competitors all fascinate me. Several years ago, while a Captain in the Army, I received an offer from the USMA at West Point to teach Political Science for a 4 year commitment. We nearly accepted, but came to Kansas instead to raise a family. Politics and elections bring about hope. We all hope that newly elected leaders will take us to higher levels of safety, prosperity, and quality of life.

This election season, the theme that most of the candidates have latched onto, is that of change. I've watched Gov Romney talk about a change from Washington insiders and a business sense that Washington needs. I've listened to Sen Obama discuss changes to our military, schools, and healthcare. Sen Edwards campaigns about changes that are necessary for corporate america. Sen. Clinton touts that she has been an agent of change for over 30 years. In the backgrounds are signs for all these candidates and other espousing the buzzwords of change.

Change often is good and apparently the soup du jour for the next 10 months, but I am thankful that some things remain constant. Our Father in Heaven is the same now as He was to Adam in the Garden of Eden wanting to walk with us and talk with us developing an intimacy that can only be filled through His love and grace. Our scriptures never change. The Bible has stood steadfastly through scrutiny and time to remain our bedrock as Christians. It is our source of inspiration and guidance on a daily basis. Our call has never changed. Each path that God leads each of us on during our lifetimes is intent on one singular destination: to evoke His kingdom on His earth to His people. We are called to spread His love and mercy to those around us in every situation so that they can see Him.

Those things never change. So, during this year where so many call out for change, I ask that we take stock of what we have that is constant and thank God that He is.

What is Christmas?

My oldest daughter, Gracyn, asked me this morning as I was shaving, "What is Christmas?" I told her that it is Jesus' birthday. She then asked simply, "How does He get His presents? Do we just go outside and throw them in the air so He can catch them?" I tried explaining to my innocent nearly 6 year old that during Christmas we give gifts to others and to keep remembering Jesus everyday. "But don't we already pray to Him everyday?" she asked. "Yes we do," I said. "Then why isn't everyday Christmas? Then we could get lots of presents!" With that, her excitement carried her out of the bathroom to tell her siblings.

Ahhhhhhhh, another childhood conversation that I will remember and treasure always.

This time of year we hear lots of sermons, read lots of articles, and watch holiday specials that invoke the "spirit of Christmas." Some even title their oratories, literature, or broadcasts "What is Christmas?" I think simply it is a heightened awareness of what we are called to do everyday.

Christ called us to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) So during this season, we reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ. So what?

Jesus' teachings throughout the bible were calls to action. He invites us through Him to change our hearts and our minds, so that, our words and our actions are transformed into instruments for Him. If we simply reflect on Christ during this season, we may only be warming our hearts. Their exists a deeper purpose during this time. The true meaning of Christmas is what happens next.

How do we take this season into January and beyond? We must first pray to God to open our hearts and our minds to be touched by His presence. Invite God to use each of us daily to further His purpose.

Next, understand what Christ's mission here on earth was. He was sent to be a perfect model for God's creation to lead us into the eternal "promised land." In that, he loved everyone. How did he love? He listened to those in need of an ear, He displayed compassion to those hurting, He forgave those who wronged Him, He aided those who were of lesser means than even Him, He displayed patience to those who didn't understand. Those are some of the attributes of Christ that we can take with us everyday.

Finally, we must act. This is not the year to watch others and be in awe. We must our God-instilled passion and show others Christ through that passion. Our call may be involve great time and energy and affect entire communities, or it may be in our own homes.

So, take the time to reflect on Christ during this holiday season,as will I, but do so with a purpose, enthusiasm, and a prayerful heart so that God can work Christmas miracles through us all year 'round.

Prayer Room

This past weekend our church engaged in its first prayer vigil in some time. It was the work of many individuals and the hand of the Lord that created and completed this event. I spoke to many of you before the vigil, that through this endeavor, remarkable growth, collective and individual development, fellowship, and peace can be found. We won't realize the full benefits and blessings for weeks, months, or years. However, I can tell you what some of the immediate results were:

1) One individual eagerly signed up to come pray. After escorting this person up to a prayer station, and they got comfortable, this person remarked,"I've never done this before. What do I do?" I am confident this person has prayed oftentimes previously, but obviously not this way. To set aside a period of time in complete solitude to not only come to God with petitions and adoration, but also with open ears, heart, and mind, can be immensely changing. The opportunity to completely sense the presence of God not only brings peace, comfort, hope, and security, but also a renewed thirst to sense it again and again. That thirst changes lives, families, communities, and churches.

2) Just this morning, Pastor Jeff described how his time in the Prayer Room, changed his entire approach to the message he delivered today. Jeff prays for weeks leading up to each sermon asking for the right message, the right tenor of the sermon and those that will hear it. But it was during that time he spent Friday night that God revealed the final piece for Jeff to hear. Because of his patience to wait on God and attentiveness in listening for Him, the message evolved into one that our church obviously needed to hear to continue His work in our families and communities. That short time in prayer now affected all those in attendance this morning, and then to all those who took the sermon home or to work, and to those who listen on the internet. Pretty far-reaching, huh?

3) For me, what I took away was two-fold. During the days leading up to the prayer vigil, I spent time praying not only for those coming, but also for people to come. About mid-week, I realized that we only had enough pray-ers to fill 12 hours rather than 24. I kept praying for God to send more. For about a day, I harbored some selfish disappointment. I was unloading on God the evening before the vigil and He told me that I was all screwed up and to be incredibly thankful and grateful for all those who signed up, to the church for opening their doors, for those who prayed at home, for an onset to a burgeoning ministry at Chapel Hill. I felt horrible and immediately knew that He was, as usual, on target. That evening came, and I spent some incredible time with some individuals that I have not gotten to know on a more intimate level and witnessed some amazing people come together for the sole purpose of furthering God's kingdom. I was fortunuate to be able to spend as much time as I wanted in the Prayer Room following the vigil with no one else at the church. The sun was just peeking over the horizon and I stood looking out a window in the Upper Room thankful to God for this church and its people.

During my time in the Prayer Room, God began to reveal that blessing we have in that room. The church set that space aside and left the door unlocked so that all may enter and feel His presence all encompassing at any time. It is a holy place to unload your burdens, bring your petitions, and thank God for all His mercy and grace.

We can keep company with God anywhere anytime, but I encourage you to take the opportunity and spend time alone with Him in the Prayer Room during the week. Take an hour during lunch on Tuesday, or before work on Wednesday, or on your way to the gym on Thursday, or before picking the kids up from school on Monday and further enhance your own personal prayer life.

TidBits

Items of note:
1) All the cards to Eric and Eva Johnson were sent out. We sent them one per day so they could receive them over the course of 2 weeks. Thank you to all who wrote them cards.

2) Progressive Dinner on October 19th. Even if you aren't a regular attender to Today's Christian, please come and participate. This is a wonderful opportunity to fellowship with others in our church on a social level and to deepen relationships that will continue to grow our church. Details on locations will be posted here next week. Call or e-mail me(bfuller96@hotmail.com) if you have any questions.

3) We have volunteered to serve the hungry in our community on November 3d. We have committed a working force of 8 people for that morning. I enourage you to bring your families and participate. I will post the information this week.

4) A very heartfelt thank-you to all the extremely nice notes, messages, and prayers following the birth of Emerson Hope. All is great and the delivery was smooth. We are now in the transition phase with the other children. For those of you wondering: This was the 4th and final Fuller offspring.

5) Think on this....A physician acquaintance and I were talking the other day on a personal visit. He is an extremely committed Christian and we swap books frequently and pick each others' minds on many a topic. He described for me a conversation he had recently had with another pharmaceutical rep in regards to an anti-depressant. The rep told him that suicide is now the 11th biggest cause of death in the U.S. and that many people are more afraid of the side effects of certain anti-depressants rather than the possible effect (suicide) of untreated depression. The doctor replied with,"Sounds like our struggle with faith." He went on to describe to me how he felt that so many people are disenfranchised with church, afraid of what God may ask of them, or comfortable in what they already know rather than commit to change. In effect, he believes, they aer willing to commit soulful suicide rather than experience the side effect of a changed life. What are your thoughts?

Emerson Hope Fuller

Thank you to all who have written or called the last couple of days. Mama and baby are doing awesome and are home. Emerson is the smallest of all the kids at birth and squeaks like a little mouse. Gracyn, Cannon, and Anniston in each of their own ways have taken to her and are eager to help out Mom in any way they can. The delivery was the smoothest and easiest of all four. Laura only pushed 3 times!!! Subsequently, her recovery has been speedy. We will take this weekend to spend time with the family. Your prayers and thoughts have been appreciated and welcomed. Emerson weighed 6 lbs, 8 oz and was 18 inches long. Will talk soon, Brad.

What Are We Really Missing?

This is Gracyn's second full week of kindergarten; you would have thought it was her first. By nature, she is highly sensitive, emotional, caring, and nurturing. However, this week, she exhibited those sweet and genuine qualities at a much higher level than what we are used to. Starting on Sunday evening, she began sobbing uncontrollably that she didn't want to go to school anymore. We calmed her down, but every morning and evening the tears started rolling again. Gracyn finally broke down and explained to Laura and I last night that she missed us during the day, she felt her brother and sister were having fun without her, that Laura was doing extracurricular events with Cannon and Anniston leaving her out, that she wasn't the leader all the time any more, etc. For those of you with kids, I can appreciate that most of you have experienced this previously.

I know that she'll get through this adjustment period, but it got me thinking. Gracyn felt so secure at home. Mom is here everyday showering her and her siblings with love and affection, teaching them life lessons and how to read, taking them outside to play and holding them when they scrape their knees. At school, Mom isn't around. Now, Gracyn didn't opt for kindergarten, it is required.

Don't we, though, relish that same warmth, compassion, comfort, and security when we are walking hand in hand with Christ? When we are "in sync" reading the scriptures, praying continuously, involved in church and small groups, striving to walk as did Jesus, we feel the warmth of God's spotlight on us. We sense His presence all around us and know we are being carried in His hands. Why then, do so many of us seem to then waver and drift out a ways? We know how good we have it, but does our flesh take over sometimes?

As a pharmaceutical rep, one of the medicines I used to have was a new drug for alcohol dependency. The drug worked to reduce cravings in a part of your brain. Doctors prescribed it like crazy for a year, but the company realized few refill prescriptions nationally. After conducting some market research with physicians, the company concluded that alcoholics were not refilling the prescription for two reasons. The first was that they just wanted to continue drinking. Not good candidates for treatment yet. The second reason was that so many had patients had been sober for a month, through their initial supply of pills, that they felt they had the disease conquered. They didn't associate being sober with the medicine, but as their own will.

I would submit that at times we feel so secure in Him and that we have things figured out, that we step out and venture a bit, confident in our own selves. Our minds wonder, at times, what we may be missing out on or see the"fun" others may be having without us. When in all actuality, our inner peace, security, and comfort has been fueled all along by staying right in the light.

When it gets a little cool in the shade, most of us step back in. If you have ever tried walking around at dusk after being in the bright sunshine all day, you notice that things get more difficult to make out and you stumble a bit. Likewise, after being in His light then taking a step out, it appears dusky. We may trip and stumble a little, but realize we see better in the light.

Spiritual journeys are difficult and full of obstacles themselves. The challenges are to enjoy being close to Him without the wonder of missing out, to never feel as if we've got it all figured out, and to appreciate the love and grace He showers on us regardless of where we stand.

What is Hope?

I was watching one of the news channels the other night laying in bed and a story pertaining to the Utah mine collapse aired. In it, one of the owners of the mine Bob Murray was peppered with questions at a press conference announcing that due to unsafe conditions after the second collapse killed 3 rescue workers, he was suspending human rescue efforts and would continue boring holes to search for any of the survivors. One specific question has stuck with me the last couple of days. A reporter asked Murray,"So, are you admitting that you are taking away all hope from the families of the missing miners?" The owner nearly buckled at the podium at hearing the question but responded that he was not going to risk further life when no signs of human activity have been recorded in any of the bored holes thus far. The company would continue the boring rescue effort.

Hope. What is hope? Can it be fleeting? In what is hope rooted? Are hope and faith intertwined? Is there room for hope in faith? Is hope the antithesis of faith? As Christians, what can we hope for? Can we hope?

I have generally felt that hoping for something derives it roots in selfish desires, i.e. I hope my wife has a healthy delivery, I hope my grandmother recovers from cancer, I hope my house sells. To that extent, doesn't that hope supercede my desire for God's will? If I am praying daily for God's will to be shown to me and affective in my life, then I shouldn't hope for those things. Right? "Thine will be done."

If that is true, then hope would be fleeting, because our desires and dreams change often. Hope can be taken away. So then is the difference between hope and faith that faith should be constant while hopes are not?

I have struggled with this for a couple of days, wrestling in my head over and over for hours in my car. Why? My heart wants my faith to be true and pure, without question, focused on God's holy and divine will. We've been reading about prayer the last couple of weeks and God got plenty from me since Monday!

This evening after soccer practices, I realized that I needed another resource God has left us. I hit the scriptures. Here is what I found:


Hebrews 6:16-20

16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.

God offers us hope through His promises. Further, Paul characterizes hope this hope as an anchor. That's not a bad thing. And this hope/anchor "enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain..." Behind the curtain. That's huge! Few ever even saw the curtain in the temples. The writers took care to pen that when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was ripped in two signaling that we now had access to God in a new way. So, if hope gets us behind that symbolic curtain, then it must be from above.

Look at Galatians 5:5

5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

Faith and hope in the same passage. Now we're getting answers.

We can hope through faith. Therefore, since our faith is rooted in God's will, then our hopes should be planted there as well. I'm getting this now. But, if that is the case, then how can others take away our hope?

I can surmise only one explanation. Those hopes don't come from or through God. We can harbor hopes of the flesh and hopes of faith. (Trust me, I never once read that or heard that in a sermon!!!!) I guess that human desires fall under hopes of the flesh. Those can fade away or blow in the wind. You've heard that you can take away my happiness, but not my joy? Much the same here. What goes on around me may affect my hopes of the flesh, however, my hopes of faith can't be taken away by you. My soul hopes for wisdom, peace, companionship with God, understanding of His love and grace. Only I can dim that hope within my soul because we know God only wants to fan that flame.

I "hope" that this makes sense. I'm sure most of you don't let your minds go crazy I do. Isn't God amazing? We have questions and through prayer and His word, I can now go on to ponder other things.

I welcome any and ALL comments.