Why You Smilin' a' Me?!

... Fair question Christy ... well, here's why ...



Because, as these pictures represent, you are a beautifully alive woman with a big heart. Your true colors may be veiled to some by your introverted tendencies, but those of us that know you, we have reason to be smilin' a you.

Because you used to think there was a Miami and a Yourami ... we're smilin'. Because you used to dress up like an Indian and shoot a bow and arrow ... we're smilin'(it was very convincing by the way). Because you used to smoke a pipe ... we're smilin'. Because you raised Kevin ... we're smilin'. And even though you often demanded "gimme a sandwhich now!" ... we're still smilin' (and snickering a little). You give us reason to smile. Happy Birthday Christy. We love you.

What Do You Say To Something Like That?

… I was in a hurry … didn’t see him … I’d been waiting in line since yesterday … but are any of these justification for taking a man’s life? Hardly. There are a lot of things worth dying over; bargain shopping isn’t one of them. But it was in the name of more stuff for less money that Wal-Mart employee Jdimytai Damour was killed by a stampede of lustful bargain hunters on what has been termed Black Friday, an ironically appropriate name in this case. As much as my heart warms at the thought of celebrating another Christmas, it is saddened by the death of this man, and by the slow death of the true spirit of Christmas in America. This is more than a "Keep Christ in Christmas!" cry from the local religious wing nut. It is a cry to consider what we have become and how we can change the face of Christmas celebrations in our country. Even in an economic slump one consumer stated “It’s our life. We cannot die because the economy is down.” I wonder if she realizes that she just equated buying gifts with life. If that is our life then we have sold out to something far below the vision that God has for us. The degradation of our Christmas traditions is encapsulated by the marketing madness of Black Friday and the gross consumerism it evokes, and it must change. But how? It is too late to be proactive, but reactive measures are very much in order. The church must begin to be the trend setters for the way Christ's birth in celebrated. Will we be brave enough to be counter-cultural, to buy less, and love more, to generate new traditions based on relationships, not stuff? There are so many ways to go against the consumerist flow and contribute to needs that represent the heart of God in the process. Did you know you can buy a goat for an impoverished family in another country? You can contribute to the building of a well for a village where people die frequently for lack of clean water. And you can spend the time that you would have shopped for stuff your loved ones don’t actually need and spend it with them instead. React against this sad death; bring joyful life back to the Christmas celebration. See www.adventconspiracy.org, www.musthavegifts.org, and www.rethinkingchristmas.org for more creative gift alternatives, and be brave enough to be counter-cultural. Also, perhaps you see fit to contact Wal-Mart and let them know how disgusted you are that they had inadequate security, and re-opened the store only hours after Mr. Damour’s death. (http://walmartstores.com/contactus/feedback.aspx)

702 SW 8th Street
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

“All it takes for evil to prevail is the good (wo)men do nothing” … do something.

Proud Moment

Joanna, after taking a stressful trip to downtown Raleigh, and in the face of sub-freezing windchill temperatures ... decided to go out and run today as she had planned ...



Trey was very supportive as Joanna finished the run with some intervals up the hill in front of our house ...






Joanna and I (and Trey) will be running a 5k on Thanksgiving Day! The goal is to finish without stopping ... but either way it'll be a blast! Can't wait! I'm so proud of my cute little runner girl!

Is This Guy For Real?

I think that's a fair question (on so many levels) when someone encounters Michael David Christmas. Answer - yea, he's for real ... he is every bit as fun, funny, insane, kind, nuts, loving, bright, hysterical, insightful, connected, relational, sketchy, and saved-by-grace as you perceive him to be. And he's my brother. I say that proudly, and I always have. I've seen this kid grow up and grow through challenges and accountability, and I've seen him desire to help others grow as well. November 10 ... 23 years ago (man I hope that's right) ... special day ... special guy. Happy Birthday Mike. Love ya. Your big brother.

Good Things Come In Small Packages ... The Gift of Mary Christmas

... some of you may be puzzled by that title ... I submit that you are no less puzzled than you would be were you to try to figure out how the one we celebrate today came to be so incredibly special as a servant-leader-warrior-princess-poet ... see what I mean ... puzzling. All I can say to this older, wiser, sweeter, better-looking sister of mine is ... I love ya Teec. You've meant so much to me ... from the huge amounts of encouragement I get from you, to the times you've challenged and taught me. God has had tons of fun with you, and He's so not through ...

The Mighty Warrior Turns 18

For eighteen years God has been shaping, molding, holding, refining, and ultimately, loving Matt Christmas. I've had the joy of watching the whole process, and a joy it has been. This is a special young man ... a leader with his friends, a stud on the football field, a loving uncle and a compassionate person. An old Scottish proverb says: Never give a man a sword who can't dance. Well, I'm pretty certain Matt can't dance (unless you've got some moves you've been hiding), but the point is, a warrior must fight from a passion that goes deeper than rage against an enemy ... the passionate fighter must have a compassionate heart that provides the motivation to fight for the truths and people he loves. Matt is a great example of a man (and I emphasize man today) who shows courage and compassion. With all that God has done in your life Matt ... He's not anywhere near done ... embrace it, love it, hunger for His truth. The Lord is with you mighty warrior ... now go in the strength that you have, and may unconditional love be your battle tactic ... just as Christ loved you.

Love you bro ... Robby

14 Years of Kevin Christmas

... and what a joy it has been ... mostly =). A few words about Kevin are in order at this point. Without going into much detail about how great the youngest of the Christmas clan is ... I think this quote works well: "Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting for centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossibility to do that thing." Attempt the impossible Gus ... God will provide peace and courage when you are tempted to believe it cannot be done. Live with passion. Love ya, Robby

Stop Babbling and Spread Out

It's winter, you're under the covers curled up in a ball to keep all your body heat in, the last thing you want to do is spread out over the whole mattress, and at this point you strangely resemble ... the tower of Babel?! What?! Yes, the people that descended from Noah after the flood assembled at a plain in Shinar and are responsible for the fact that you can't understand some of the more festive stations on your radio dial. Genesis 11:1-9 tells the typical tale of rebellious creation more concerned about its desires than the Creator’s. Because of the fall man is prone to think of himself rather than God and live for his purposes rather than God’s.

God had clearly said to increase in number and fill the earth (Gen. 1:28) and had even restated this mandate twice after Noah and his family came out of the ark (Gen. 9:1, 7). God's not into isolationism. The original idea was to spread out on the earth and display God's image (that He had given them) throughout the world, but the sinful heart of man desired to build a great tower to the heavens and “make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:4). So, everyone spoke the same language and they decided to build a huge tower, but God took some corrective measures to thwart their plans and keep His plans and His name ultimate. So He confused their language and “scattered them from there over all the earth” (11:8). That is why people speak different languages today, and that is why if someone can't understand you they say you are babbling.

The diversity is great, but remember this came about as a result of sin, and the consequences pose problems today as missionaries struggle to overcome cultural barriers while sharing the gospel. This passage not only gives us the origins of languages and people groups, it also provides an indicting picture of what can happen to those in a similar situation today. Think about the American church, all curled up in its own comfort, not wanting to spread out. Strikingly we even have similar building projects as those in Genesis 11, and God has made it clear that we are not to build anything for our name, but to spread out and fill the earth. The barriers begun at Babel are not to be strengthened through the same selfishness, but rather torn down through an intentional global mission.

In His grace God follows up Genesis 11 with Genesis 12 (not just cause it works so well numerically). Genesis 12 tells us of Abraham's calling. It is immediately after the Tower of Babel that God chooses one man to father a nation that would bless all nations, the very nations that were just created through rebellion. In the same spirit of Genesis 3:15, right on the heels of rebellion, a light of hope is shone through a man named Abram who would be blessed to bless the nations. The Messiah and the Mission continue to pervade the OT. In the spirit of Abraham, let us be willling to leave our country and our father's house and go to a land He will show us.

Purpose of Pain, Part II

From a previous post in reference to running a triathlon: "All who choose to enter such misery must understand the meaning ... the sweet purpose of pain. That day was a physical picture of a spiritual reality ..." What's that all about? Misery with meaning? Purpose in pain? What?! Is there ever purpose in pain? I would have to argue yes. Consider a few examples. A woman goes into labor and experiences great pain, but she is overjoyed by the new life that results from this painful, and purposeful, experience. Consider a doctor who has to reset someone's bone so that it will heal correctly. I've never experienced that, though I think it's safe to assume it's painful; but it serves a purpose: realigning a bone that was separated so that it can heal. And the most purposeful pain ever experienced on this earth was for a similar reason, only it wasn't a bone that needed realigning, it was the human race; it wasn't the human body that was broken, it was the human soul. The painful event took place a couple thousand years ago, but the purpose is just as relevant today as it was then.

So, let's consider why it had to happen. Things were out of alignment with the human race. There was brokenness and pain at every turn. And no one seemed to have the solution. Why so many questions, why so much sorrow? The answer to those questions could only be found by going back several thousand years even before that ... to a garden. The book of Genesis in the Bible gives an account of the earliest days of human history. The first man and woman were in a garden. The garden was planted by the Creator to be enjoyed by the creation. They were given the freedom to experience the world God had created and make their own choices, and they chose to disobey a simple command God had given them. (See Genesis 3 for more details). This one decision brought severe consequences, not only for Adam and Eve, but for every human that would come after them. This act of treason against the King of the world threw things out of order in a cosmic sense, so that all the earth was effected, especially humans. They had commited what amounts to treason against the King of the world. And what is the penalty for treason? Death. So the human race is living on death row, separated from God, with no hope to be proven innocent. This is not the way God wanted things to be, hence the need for cosmic realignment and relational restoration with the Creator-King. How could all this be accomplished?

It could only be accomplished if the penalty for sin was paid by someone who never committed treason, a perfect human to take the penalty for all humans. Problem - no human was qualified to do this ... Until Jesus of Nazareth was born. This human being, who entered the pages of history two thousand years ago, offered to take the death penalty for humanity. But how? How could he do it? He'd have to be perfect and everyone knows that all humans mess up at some point. This is true, but Jesus was more than human, he was also divine. He was God on earth as a man to save men from their pain and to realign humanity. He is the only one who never committed treason against the King, and so He was qualified to take the penalty for the whole human race ... your penalty, my penalty ... our pain. In fact, that was his purpose in being born. (see Luke 19:10 and John 12:27)

Purposeful pain? Yes ... it is seen best in the picture of Jesus on the cross, taking the pain that we deserved, for the purpose of realigning our relationship with God and reuniting our souls with Him. As I ran the triathlon and felt the pain, I couldn't help but remember what the Bible says in Hebrews 12:1,2 " ... let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross ... " The joy set before him? You ... me ... humanity ... restored ... that was the joy, that's why he endured the pain.

Because Jesus experienced meaningful misery and purposeful pain, all humanity has the opportunity to be freed from spiritual death row and realign their lives with God's original purpose in creation ... a relationship with Him, the Creator, the King.

Well Mom, I guess we're the champions ...

Said Kevin leaving as he walked out of the gym with his sweet mother. Now, you might be thinking, wow they must have had a great season. No, not even a great game. In fact this comment came on the heels of yet another defeat for Kevin's first basketball team ... hardly a championship season. But you couldn't tell Kevin that. They were champions, and most importantly, he was a champion. And today, years later ... he still is.

Kevin was young, but he understood a very important life principle - attitude is more important than circumstances. And this is a principle that I believe he will continue to follow in all areas of life. Whether on the game field, the practice field, or possibly one day ... the mission field. Because as much as Kevin loves football, I believe he understands that football is temporary, but God's love is eternal.

So Kevin will continue to be optimistic ... about football, about friends, about life. And Kevin will continue to be a champion ... as he loves God, loves people, and loves life.

I'm proud of you little brother.

Me holding my youngest brother ...

My youngest brother holding my son


The brothers Christmas

September 3, 2005 ... The Day My Life Changed Forever

I started to write a poem, but when two of the lines went like this:

Two people, two lives, two stories being written
Merge into one, like fingers in a mitten.

... I decided I should scrap it and just speak from the heart. But I'm having some trouble ... I don't have the proper tools. You see all I have to communicate what's in my heart concerning that special day is ... the English language, which seems to come up so short right now. No offense to all my anglo-saxon ancestors, I mean, nice work fellas ... we've come a long way in the past several centuries. And usually it's sufficient to communicate ... but not this time, not in an attempt to express the steady-rising, slow-burning, heart-consuming love that I cultivate for my wife.

That's my wedding day by the way, September 3, 2005. And tomorrow is Septemeber 3, 2008 ... three years of marriage ... to Joanna ... Joanna Marie Christmas ... the mother of my child, the thief of my heart. Now, I know stealing is typically frowned upon, but in her defense, I don't think she did it on purpose. Something about her was captivating and there came a point where I had to admit my captivation ... also it would've been hard to keep living without my heart ... and she had it. Besides ... let's be honest people ... who could resist this ...


But maybe a better question is ... how did this guy get that girl?!

(that's me in the middle, with brothers and sister in the background on go-cart ... but that's another blog for another day)

Well, by God's grace two became one and I got the better end of the deal. And by His grace we are living and loving and learning ... together ... as one ... reflecting the oneness of our God. It's a tall order to paint a picture for the world to get a glimpse of the kind of relationship Christ desires to have with the church ... but it is our desire to be accurate artists ... for His glory.

So, happy anniversary sugar-love-pumpkin-drops ... the best is yet to come. I love you.

Meaningful Misery ... Purposeful Pain

There I was ... wading out into a murky lake, on a chilly morning in the foothills of Virginia ... with 174 of my favorite friends, and I thought to myself ... this is it people, this is what we trained for. Soon I and my friends would begin to swim in the murky lake, some faster than others, all in the same direction, all with the same purpose - to finish the race. After the 3/4 mile swim we would head up a hill to where our mountain bikes awaited us, ready for the 11 mile ride through tight twisty trails. All this fun would be followed up by a 4 mile trail run, and then ... the finish. All who choose to enter such misery must understand the meaning ... the sweet purpose of pain. That day was a physical picture of a spiritual reality ... we are in a race, there is pain involved, but there is purpose in the pain (more on this, in part 2, coming soon). This is a strange paradigm to embrace in our convenience driven culture, but it was embraced that day ... by 175 crazy people who ran the Charlottesville Xterra Triathlon. Many of whom probably didn't realize the depth of the spiritual picture they were painting with their looks of exhaustion, stumbling steps, broken breaths ... as they pressed through the pain ... with one purpose - to finish the race.

Two of those 174 people were men I have history with ... fellow race buddies, Spencer and Andruis (respectively below). We've done an adventure race together, and now a triathlon, and we've really developed a cool bond in the context of purposeful pain. (note: in picture below, Andruis is taller than both me and Spencer ... but we're standing on my running boards ... I always seem to find my way onto some sort of step when I'm around tall people)

Andruis lives in Washington D.C. and is working on his PhD in biocellulochemicalogiconucleic theory (or something like that). Spencer lives next to us in Wake Forest with his wife Jana, who is friends with my sweet Joanna. They are great. For Andruis and Spencer this was their first triathlon; the second for me (so I shared my wealth of knowledge given my vast prior experience). It was a day we won't soon forget ... and we're already looking forward to the next one.

Here are some of the interesting highlights from the experience:

* Picked up two hitchhikers, one out of gas, one just walking b/c he got his license temporarily taken away ... he told us all about it ... he talked a mile a minute.
* Stayed at a tent camping site at the KOA; this was a first for each of us. Question - how can they charge us 34 dollars for that?! We brought the tent! No wake up call, no continental breakfast, no way that's worth 34 bucks. Anyway ... oh, yea, there was a picnic table at the site, it makes sense now. But, really, I'm not complaining ... it was fun to camp out ... besides, that led to my next highlight, though I feel strange calling it a highlight ...
* We met this nice couple at the site next to us. They were unmarried, but on vacation together, which broke my heart because I know that's not God's plan for a relationship between a man and a woman. But we enjoyed talking with them, shared our beliefs and visions for serving God and hopefully demonstrated that Christians don't have to be boring, stiff weirdos. But after we had left their site and were winding down getting ready for bed I noticed that they too were getting in their tent. I noticed this b/c they had a lantern on ... inside the tent ... casting a silhouette on the side of the tent ... the side near us. So, I'm thinking ... these are educated people, both with college degrees ... they'll turn the light off. Time passed, I got more nervous, light still on. Looked like fairly normal get-ready-for-bed type stuff at first, ya know, fluff the pillow, set the alarm clock ... then the movements became more rhythmic ... I'll stop now. But I did make a mental note to self if I ever find myself in their situation ... turn the lantern off.
* Spencer's financial issues ... background: The first time we hung out w/ Spencer and Jana we went to Golden Corral to eat ... and Spencer "forgot his wallet" ... convenient. So we get to the race registration table Saturday afternoon (race was Sunday morning) and they inform him that he can't pay w/ a debit card til the morning ... back in the morning ... misunderstanding - can't pay w/ a debit card at all, and the race starts in like 45 minutes. None of us has a check or enough cash ... I end up explaining to the race director and promising to go to an ATM and bring the money back right after the race. Spencer raced. Thank you race director Ed.
* Ya have to have fun at these things ... so as I neared the Gatorade station w/ the volunteers I thought a cartwheel was in order ... it must get so boring just to watch everyone run by ... the camera man happened to catch the beginning of it ... it was a big hit. (I kept the picture pretty small b/c I have spandex on and ... yea, anyway)

It was a great experience, one that I look forward to having again before too long. Because there's nothing like the feeling of finishing the race.

The Lord Is With You Mighty Warrior …

Right, that’s how I feel when I wake up in the morning … like a mighty warrior, ready for anything, with the strength to overcome … no, not really. Most days I wake up just feeling like me … and I know me … not a mighty warrior … more like a wimpy wiener. (can I say that?) But, regardless of how I feel, there’s more to me than me … there’s He … Him … the Lord who is with me. Let’s not forget the first part of that charge: “the Lord is with you.” The “mighty warrior” part only makes sense when combined with the “the Lord is with you” part.

So where does this fancy phrase come from? This was spoken to a young man named Gideon several thousand years ago. Gideon was an Israelite living in a time when his nation was under the oppression of another nation, the Midianites. The Midianites would come in to Israelite territory, ruin crops, steal camels, and ravage the land. And even though the Lord allowed this because the Israelites turned from Him, when they called out for deliverance, their God answered. He answered by calling a young man to wage war against the Midianites … enter Gideon. Now, you’re probably thinking, “wow, this Gideon must have been some B.A.” (and I’m not talking about his academic credentials) That’s not how we find him … the record of this encounter (found in the Old Testament of the Bible, Judges 6) tells us that Gideon was hiding out in a winepress trying to keep his wheat from being stolen by the enemy … doesn’t exactly sound brave. But it was in that context that the Lord himself came to Gideon and declared him to be a mighty warrior. I call it truth before proof. God tells Gideon what is true about him, before there is any proof that it is so. And Gideon responds in total faith, accepts his new identity and is ready to wage war … no, not really. Gideon says “but …” Why does it always seem easier to question God than believe Him? Then God throws in some more truth: “go in the strength you have.” “What strength?” says Gideon, “my family is weak and I’m weak.” Then God reemphasizes the very first thing He said to Gideon … “I will be with you.” And that makes all the difference.

Gideon spent too much time focusing on his puniness rather than on God’s presence. I spend too much time there as well. I have to understand that what God has declared to be true about me is true, regardless of how I feel. Gideon went on to lead an army of 300 against thousands and was victorious without losing a man. A mighty warrior … who was found hiding food from the enemy and was used by God to bring victory for His people. How ya feelin today? Doesn’t matter … go in the strength that you have, for the Lord is with you … Mighty Warrior.

Dedicated to my brother Matthew … a Mighty Warrior.

The Last Time I Wept Like That ...

I was at Catalyst Conference 05 in Atlanta GA. I was listening to Bill Hybels talk very plainly and humbly about where God has led him ... he ended very passionately with this concise statement ... "If you're dreaming about doing great things for God, do them." What was it about that simple challenge that got me? Not sure, but whatever it was ... it got me again. Saturday night ... as I watched the movie Amazing Grace.

If you've not yet seen it, I highly suggest you find the means and do so. In this movie you'll find a young William Wilberforce fighting fearlessly, and paying the price of his physical and emotional health, to end the slave trade in England. But Wilberforce stands on the shoulders of a man who had participated in the slave trade before repenting and experiencing grace, John Newton. Newton had been taught by his mother as a young boy to know the Bible and love God, and after a life of doing just the opposite, he finally surrendered the truth that lingered in his head from childhood and turned to Christ. This man was Wilberforce's preacher. His story and his preaching inspired Wilberforce to follow God's plan for his life ... to fight to end slavery ... and ultimately, to win that fight.

Something about the combination of a man on a mission (William Wilberforce) and a broken sinner who turns to the Savior (John Newton) sent an arrow toward that spot in my heart that gets stirred to passionately pursue God's glory no matter the cost ... and the tears flowed. As they do right now, as I think about something Newton said near the end of his life ... "My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior." (see John Newton)

How depressing it was for this man to recall the painful events of his life, but how sweet to remember the pain the Savior endured to redeem him. It was his run in with this great Savior that led him to write these words:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

That last line became particularly significant toward the end of Newton's life, as he lost his eyesight, but had the confidence that his physical blindness didn't alter his spiritual sight.

Now, think with me for a minute ... William Wilberforce was a dynamic, charismatic, passionate young man who changed the course of a nation by taking a stand against injustice, but he was inspired by a man who had lived a filthy life of blasphemy ... and this man was saved from such because his mother took the time to teach her young son the Bible. So when you think about the abolition of the slave trade in England, or you sing the words of Amazing Grace ... don't just think about the great orator William Wilberforce making speeches in parliament, or the great hymn writer John Newton whose hymns were heard by the masses ... think about a mother, who was faithful. And in the quiet moments, in the privacy of their own home, taught her son the truth of God's Word, and the truth about God's Amazing Grace.

Hi, I'm Robby Christmas ...

Yep, that's exactly what I said to her ... to Linda Christmas that is. The first Christmas I've ever met in my life that I'm not related to. Linda Christmas lives in Durham, NC and she wants a crepe myrtle planted in her front yard. Enter Wendell's Lawn Maintenance. Wendell is my employer ... but that's a whole nother blog (do you ever stick a word in the middle of a word? ... like "a whole nother" ... it's fun, you should try). Back to Linda, Linda Christmas that is. My last name is Christmas, so is Linda's. The thing is I've never met another Christmas face to face that I wasn't related to. So there I was, ready for an inspiring encounter with someone else who bears my name ... I was excited ... and curious. I don't know what it was exactly, I guess just the idea that there are other people who carry the name Christmas. What are they like? Do they carry it well? Do they have the same sense of privilege and responsibility that I feel when I think about my name, part of who I am.

So I introduce myself with a smile and anticipate ... (um, ok, I'm watching Trey right now ... and there's been some intestinal movement ... everybody sit tight, back in a minute ... ok, that was delightful). Needless to say, Linda was shocked. She was even more shocked when, at Wendell's request, I shared what my sister's name is (Mary for any readers unfamiliar with the fam). I was curious about our connections or similarities so I asked ... She was from Arizona, but married a Christmas who was from the Durham area, a Hell's Angel no less, with a cousin named Boogie Christmas. Ahhh, it was all coming together ... Christmas, angels, uh ... Boogie ?? (hell didn't seem to fit in anywhere though). Wendell, former Hell's Angel (again, need another blog), chimed in and they had a rousing conversation about the Hell's Angels, including history and cultural influence (laughing track). She went on to explain to us where she wanted her crepe myrtle to be planted, doubted that we could do it right, and then offered to show us some old gas tanks that can be converted into large grills great for pig pickins' (let's see ... pig pickin' ... Christmas ham? no, no connection).

As we walked back up the hill toward the truck something shifted weird in Wendell's stomach and there was an ill-sounding release of methane, loud enough to not play off. After about six seconds of him not admitting it, Linda Christmas called him on it and I thought to myself ... "where am I? is this real?" The experience was different than I anticipated, though I must say, in no way disappointing ... because I got it, I understood the connection. Even though she and her Hell's Angels husband probably didn't see the historical and eternal significance in the name Christmas, nor desire to live up to that significance (unless he really does personify the name and is doing incarnational missions work with the Hell's Angels ... it could happen) ... there was still a connection. We're both human, and in need of a Savior ... the One that came at Christmas. That event (that changed the course of human history), that Savior (who offers His grace to all) is what connects us. Christ came for Linda Christmas, and for Robby Christmas, and for the Hell's Angels ... that we may have life, and life abundant. God showed His grace at Christmas. I am no less in need of that grace than anyone else, no matter their background or way of life.

Begin at the Beginning

The words escape me ... as I sit here, next to my wife and son, on a relaxing Sunday evening ... and I enter ... the blogosphere. These words will be the first of many, words that will express what's in my heart and head, my fears and failures, memorable moments and serious sentiments. So, where does one even begin such a journey ... only one logical place, the beginning. I'm not talking about my beginning. The beginning of my story is only a small blip on the pages of an epic that's been in motion for millenia ... I'm talking about the beginning of THE story. For only in His story do I find purpose in my story.

The Bible begins at the beginning ... "In the beginning God ..." (Genesis 1:1). He is the beginning ... and the end. Also the middle, He's the author ... and the main character. In Him I find purpose; from Him flow my passions. So, will this be one of those uber-religious, psycho-serious boring blogs? No. I look forward to blogging about my family (Joanna and Trey ... whom I am nuts about), adventures (from racing to sharing my faith), insights learned (from biblical to parenting), love experienced (from my wife to my Creator) ... a holistic approach to blogging. But it must begin at the beginning. And must flow from my connection with my Creator ... that's what I was designed for ... and that's what I'm about.


I intend to do much thinking and expressing but not much editing and smoothing out. I want to paint pictures of beauty, not pictures of perfection. I am setting out to sift through human experience, not human euphoria. I desire to promote restoration and redemption, not comfort and convenience.

Also it's my desire to use as many trendy Christian buzz words as possible. Just kidding ... but seriously. Here's a shot at it: I want to be a catalyst to open dialog for fleshing out concepts about authentic community and genuine worship while facilitating a movement toward a relevant revolution. It'll take every post for the rest of my bloglife to unpack that. Join me.