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I put together a FREE Advent Devotional to guide your Christmas season. The guide includes: one truth each day (several from this post are included), Scriptures related to the day’s truth, a reflection, a question or two to guide your day and a prayer. Don’t allow stress to consume “the most wonderful time of the year.”

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Can I be real with you? Christmas season is stressful. Don’t get me wrong, I love this season. But it is exhausting. Most of my life runs in fifth gear, but during this season, I find myself punching the gas pedal begging my body for more juice.

Maybe you understand the feeling.

The unrealistic weight of expectations, combined with the constant demands for time and a materialistic anticipation for a moment that seems to disappoint, leaves me longing for “the most wonderful time of the year” to end.

But what if Christmas didn’t have to be this way? What if the Christmas season was a time to take our relationship with God deeper? What if this time of year was a season of renewal and not stress? What if (and this might be way out in left field) anticipation for the Christmas season reach unparalleled heights…and there was never a let down when the season ended?

It is absolutely possible. How? Here’s the answer…open more gifts. 

That’s right, more gifts. You see, behind the Christmas trees, decorations, and parties is a baby. But not just any baby…a Savior. And when baby Jesus stooped down to this earth and took his place in a manger, he also opened a divine warehouse of gifts.

These gifts could forever change how we approach this season.

So, here are 25 game-changing gifts from God that will transform Christmas forever.

1.) God always, always keeps his promises.

This truth screams through the birth of Jesus. When God makes a promise, it will happen. And this truth is easy to forget because broken promises weave through the fabric of our lives. Our word to someone means less than the trash we throw in the dumpster.

But the baby in a manger is a reminder God is different. Every promise he makes is true. Rest in the promises of God.

2.) God can be trusted.

The list of people I trust with my feelings, emotions, and heart is really small. I can count them on two hands. Why? Life teaches us not to trust people. We can’t trust the motives of everyone. We can’t give our heart to everyone.

But God has never lied. All of his motives are pure. We can trust our entire self to God. God will not disappoint us. He will not betray us.

3.) Hope is real and alive.

Hope is the catalyst for faith. Without hope, reaching the finished line is impossible. Followers of Jesus must set their eyes on the living hope we have through Jesus Christ. Our hope is real.

4.) God is a responder, not a reactor.

The story of Jesus doesn’t begin in Matthew 1…it begins in Genesis 3. When sin entered the world, God knew Jesus was the only answer. And this is where I start scratching my head. If God knew the answer to sin was Jesus, why in the world did he wait hundreds of years to send him?

We can draw our own conclusions, but this truth can’t be ignored…God doesn’t react to situations. He responds. He doesn’t freak out. He doesn’t lose his cool. Reactors allow emotions to drive actions. Responders are driven by logic. Praise God he is a responder, not a reactor. Otherwise, we would all be in serious trouble.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Reactors allow emotions to drive actions. Responders are driven by logic.[/tweet_box]

5.) The promises of God come through patience.

God always keeps his promises. But obtaining the promises of God requires patience (Hebrews 6:12). God’s promises rarely come overnight. They are inherited through seasons of waiting and perseverance.

In a 4G, super-fast DSL world, God shows us good things aren’t microwaved. They take time.

6.) We should live everyday expectantly.

In Matthew 2, the Magi come to praise Jesus after being prompted by a star. Yes, the Magi were astute astrologists. But the Magi saw something different when this star appeared. And they saw something different because they were expectant. Their eyes were open.

How many days do we wake up expecting to see God? It is possible to miss out on amazing works of God simply because we aren’t expectant. Seeing God’s work requires a different focus and posture.

7.) God never forgets his people.

One generation passes. Then another. Egypt. The Promised Land. Judges. Kings. Captivity. Still no Savior.

I think it is fair to say some Israelites wondered if the Savior would ever come. They were human. There are times in my life when I wonder if God has forgotten about me.

Jesus’s arrival reminds us God never forgets about his people. He is present. He is working. Never lose hope. No matter how hopeless or helpless our situation, God never abandons us.

8.) Sometimes answers come in unlikely places.

“Alright, God. Here’s the gameplan. Let’s raise up a king greater than David. Far greater. At the height of his reign, we will send Jesus to be his first born son. He will become king, take over the world, and save us from our sins. It’s foolproof.”

“Wait…what? You’re sending Jesus through a poor carpenter and his fiancee…and he will be born in a bed of straw? I am not sure that game plan will work, God. Do we have a plan B?”

In typical God fashion, he flips human logic and reasoning on its head. No one would have expected the Savior of the world to make his grand entrance in a manger. But God’s answers come in unlikely places. They come in unlikely circumstances. God doesn’t need position titles, followings, bright lights, or stages to change the world.

God needs…God. He can and will show himself in the most unlikely of circumstances.

[tweet_box design=”default”]God doesn’t need position titles, followings, brights lights, or stages to change the world.[/tweet_box]

9.) God fulfills his purposes through broken, ordinary people.

Remember the time God used a perfect person to do something great? Me neither. It doesn’t happen. Repeatedly, God looks at the most lowly, least talented guy or girl in the line…and picks them. Mary and Joseph were righteous people. But they were poor. They had 9-5 jobs. Not rock stars. Not kings or queens. Just normal people.

And God rattled the foundations of the world through two ordinary people. Never buy the lie that God can’t use you.

10.) God is active in the world.

God is active. He is working. Right now, God is molding hearts. He is shaping lives. He is drawing people to himself.

Every action and circumstance, good and bad, prepared the way for Jesus. When we believe God is absent, it is not because God is taking a break. God is always working. We must open our eyes.

11.) God’s promises do not come without struggle and tragedy.

This is a common thread in God’s plan. On the heels of baby Jesus’s arrival comes one of the most tragic events in the Bible. King Herod, out of fear and anger, orders every child two and under to be killed (Matthew 2:16-17).

Tragedy is a core trait of this broken world. Our lives are filled with tragedy and difficulty. But allow the birth of Jesus to remind you struggle and tragedy are often the catalyst for great things.

12.) The gospel is for everyone.

Don’t miss this. One of the first groups notified of the Savior’s arrival were the Magi. Not the religious leaders. Not even a Jew. The Magi were Gentiles.

God is setting a new precedent with baby Jesus…salvation is for everyone. God’s people are not marked by an ethnicity. They are marked by a cross. The gospel is not an American product. And we need to spread the gospel to every human on earth.

[tweet_box design=”default”]God’s people are not marked by an ethnicity. They are marked by a cross.[/tweet_box]

13.) Nothing can destroy the plans of God.

From Genesis 3 to Matthew 1, powerful men and bleak circumstances threaten God’s plans. But when God initiates plans, they happen. No person can destroy God’s plans. No circumstance can erase them. God has great plans for our lives, and nothing will destroy those either.

14.) God loves us more than we could ever imagine.

God rescued us. And the depth to which he came to do this reveals the magnitude of his love. There are few things I would give my life to save. My closest family. Maybe a few more people I love like family. But certainly not every person. And absolutely not those who don’t like me.

Now consider the creator of the universe loving us so much he was willing to put on human skin…and be killed by men he created. Never lose sight of the love God shows us through the birth of Jesus.

15.) The same Holy Spirit that made the birth of Jesus a reality empowers Christians today.

Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18). This same Spirit is the one that empowers us today. He guarantees our inheritance (Eph. 1:13-14). He breathes life into our wounded, sinful hearts. He gives us strength when we are weak.

16.) Our righteousness does not determine how God sees us.

The birth of Jesus reminds us God had to send a sacrifice. Without Jesus’s arrival, it might be reasonable to assume our righteousness determines our standing before God. But the Savior’s descension to earth should cause us to take a deep breath and remove the weight of morality and personal righteousness.

We could not earn it. Jesus did earn it. He lived the life we could not. It is his righteousness that gives us new life and salvation.

17.) Seeing God means leaving everything behind.   

The shepherds in Luke 2 were told of Jesus’s birth, and immediately they went to see him. Now, catch this. Shepherds tended sheep, and it was a full-time job. Sheep are weak, vulnerable animals. These shepherds knew leaving their sheep meant leaving their livelihood.

But they didn’t spend hours debating between livelihood and God. Seeing God was far more important. And the same is true for us. When anything takes precedent over God, it hinders us from seeing God. We will not experience the fullness of God until we allow God to be THE option instead of AN option.

Is there something you need to leave behind to see God?

18.) Nothing is impossible to God.

Imagine an angel of God explaining the Savior’s entrance into the world. And to top it off, that plan includes you becoming pregnant…through the Holy Spirit. Think you would be skeptical? I would have a few questions. Mary did as well. In Luke 1:37, the angel proclaims a great truth about God. NOTHING is impossible with him.

The Christmas narrative reminds us God isn’t confined to our limitations and doubts. He can and will show his infinite power to the world through finite humans…for his glory.

19.) God’s plans are different from our plans.

Mary and Joseph had to pack up last minute to take a census in their hometown. They couldn’t find a bed for Mary to deliver Jesus. I would guess Mary and Joseph did not draw up the birth of Jesus this way. But God’s plans do not always match up with our plans. Trust God’s plans. Even if they seem crazy or ridiculous. He knows best.

20.) The greatest promises come in the most humble of situations.

There is a message here for everyone. In a culture of celebrities and popularity contests with Twitter followers or Instagram likes as metrics, God’s son makes his debut in a manger. No lights. No immediate anointing as king from men. No applause from thousands.

This is how God works. So, change the dirty diapers. Do the right thing when no one is around. Schedule lunch with someone that needs encouragement. God works in mighty ways through meaningless, mundane situations.

21.) God doesn’t need us, but he allows us to participate in his plans.

I have two boys, and I love them to help me around the house. Do I need them? Absolutely not. They actually hinder my productiveness and efficiency. But I want my boys to be part of the work I am doing. The same is true with God. And much more because God’s plans are eternal. It is a comforting truth that God allows imperfect people to fulfill perfect plans.

22.) God is our father, and we are his children.

Yes, we should recognize God as holy. Yes, we should have a healthy fear of God. After all, he created planets with his breath. But the birth of Jesus reminds us God is also our father. And he is a perfect father. He is always for us. He wants us to succeed. He loves us infinitely. He never leaves us. He is always good. He is our dad.

23.) This world is not our home.

Jesus did not come to earth and take permanent residence. He came down with a mission. He came down to fulfill promises. And once Jesus completed his mission, he went back home.

Jesus lays down a model for us. And Christmas season in America can pull us away from this model. Presents. Events and parties. Family gatherings. None of these are inherently bad.

But presents, events, and family gatherings become dangerous when they blur the model Jesus left for us. We are foreigners. This world is not home.

24.) God knows and understands our temptations and struggles.

Hebrews 2:18. Rest in this truth. It separates our Savior from every other god. He took on flesh, and he experienced every temptation and struggle. Is this not mind-blowing? The God of the universe knows my temptations. He knows my struggles. He can empathize with my suffering. Wow!

25.) Jesus will return again.

God is a promise keeper. And we can rest assured of this…Jesus will return. And when he does, it won’t be in the form of a little baby. It will be in the form of a mighty warrior. And his second coming will be the final one. No more sin. No more suffering. No more hurting. Eternal rest with God.

I pray for Jesus’s return every day. I hope you do as well. It is coming.

But until it does, we wait. And as we wait, we are expectant. We are hopeful. We are confident. The God who sent Jesus is able. And the struggles of this life will be eternally mutilated by the return of our Savior.

_________________________

Meditate on these truths. Think about them. Regardless, my prayer is you see something different this Christmas.

I love this season. I love to see my boys open presents. I love to see my family. But these things mean nothing compared to the love I have for my Savior. His faithful promises are waiting under the tree for us to open.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

I’m going to be honest. Today, my heart breaks. Yes, my heart is broken for the families and victims in Paris. Yes, my heart hurts for the thousands of Syrian refugees displaced around the world. But the weight pressing heavily on me is the attitude of many American Christians.

Since terrorists attacked Paris, several states have closed their doors to Syrian refugees. Ironically (or not) most of these states are in the Bible Belt.

While I do not support the actions of these states, I’m also not writing to them. Governments operate under a particular set of parameters. Among those is the safety of their people. If government officials believe accepting Syrian refugees puts their particular state at risk, that’s their decision. Do I agree? No. Does it influence my response? No.

I’m also not talking to atheists, agnostics, animists, or any other “ist.” If you don’t know and love Jesus Christ, I’m not talking to you. It’s not that I don’t care about you. It’s just that I understand. If you don’t claim Jesus as lord, I see where you would applaud governments for protecting your safety. If you post articles to help others see why accepting Syrian refugees is, in essence, pulling the metaphorical trigger for ISIS, I get it. I don’t agree with you. But I totally get it.

Today, I am talking specifically to Christians. Since the Paris attacks, I have read statements ranging from logical to completely ludicrous. So, let’s start by assuming the worst.

If America open its borders to Syrian refugees, some of those entering might be bad guys. And not just any bad guys. Brain-washed, American-hating, bad guys. Like Joker in The Dark Knight on steroids. They will now be walking on American soil, plotting to wipe out massive amounts of people. This would certainly be the beginning of the end for America. Do we really want to accept a few refugees at the expense of everything we know and love?”

To me, this is a far-fetched scenario. Others might disagree. It doesn’t matter. Even if this scenario were true, the rules of the game wouldn’t change. Christians don’t make decisions using the world’s ideals. Our worldview is shaped by a man named Jesus.

And I believe Jesus has a simple word for Christians when it comes to Syrian refugees.

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. -Matthew 7:12

This one statement from Jesus summarizes everything. And this statement applies no matter how many hypothetical, “take down America” scenarios we conjure up. The foundational response for “How do we, as Christians, respond to the Syrian refugee crisis?” is “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”

What if followers of Jesus responded to every person through the filter of Matthew 7:12? What if we removed the red, white, and blue lense, and put on the Matthew 7:12 lense? Here’s what I believe would happen.

We would stop labeling people in ways that release us from helping them. 

A Matthew 7:12 lense would see Syrian refugees as men and women created in God’s image. They would be people desperate to feel the tangible love of God. We wouldn’t label them as potential terrorists but as helpless, homeless, displaced people desperate for healing and hope.

Labeling is an ancient sin. One of Satan’s oldest tricks to isolate and dehumanize. One he used to convince a crowd of Jews to crucify a sinless man. The Syrian refugees aren’t terrorists. They’re men and women created in the image of God. Any attempt to see them outside of this reality is from Satan.

We would stop allowing security and comfort to override compassion and grace. 

A Matthew 7:12 lense would default to love and compassion. If you were a Syrian refugee, displaced from your homeland, without a permanent place to lay your head, having left loved ones to die, how would you want others to respond? You would beg them to drop their walls and build bridges. You would ask them to look past the potential of allowing some bad guys in. You would beg anyone who claims to follow Jesus to fall down on their knees and beg God to heal their land.

So, maybe we can’t house Syrian refugees. But a heart driven by compassion doesn’t look at the situation and say, “Well, our state has closed its doors. Nothing I can do.” A heart filled with God’s spirit would turn to prayer.

Have you prayed for the Syrian refugees?

We would stop choosing the logical, sensical approach (fear) over the right approach (love).

Fear makes more sense than love. It’s a natural response to evil. But it’s not the right approach. At least, it’s not if you are a Christian. You see, fear is powerful. It drowns out love. You can live with fear or love, but not both.

When it comes to ISIS, in particular, and evil, in general, we don’t need more courage. Courage doesn’t drive out fear. Suicide bombers are courageous. And they’re also driven by fear.

[tweet_box design=”default”]You can live with fear or love, but not with both.[/tweet_box]

As Christians our call isn’t to conjure up more bravery and courage. The only response to fear is love. The apostle John said,”Perfect love drives out fear.” It’s the only thing powerful enough to break the chains of darkness. It’s the only thing compelling enough to drive the son of God to the cross.

This love crosses boundaries, destroys walls, and accepts enemies. Welcoming refugees makes no sense. It jeopardizes our safety. It makes us vulnerable to attack. But we don’t allow logic to drive the train. God’s love doesn’t make sense. And because of this love, Christians have eternal life.

We would stop throwing money at crises as a means to clear our conscious. 

Accepting Syrian refugees is dangerous, you say. But let’s not stop helping them. Let’s send them supplies and funds. Let’s hold them at arm’s length and use our pocketbooks to clear our conscious. It’s the Christian American way.

But it’s not the Jesus way.

A Matthew 7:12 lense would see money as a shallow excuse for receiving real people with real pain. As Christians, we should open our arms to the world’s suffering. In the process, we might also expose ourselves to the world’s pain. But this is the model of Jesus, who exposed himself to our pain on the cross.

Giving money to help refugees or orphans is great. But Jesus would never throw money at someone to protect his safety and maintain his lifestyle. Christians shouldn’t either.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Jesus would never throw money at someone to protect his safety.[/tweet_box]

We would stop adding stipulations to the commands of Jesus to keep us from loving our enemies. 

Jesus said a lot of radical things. He told a parable that challenged Pharisees to love wretched Samaritans. He said lust was equivalent to adultery. But the most radical statement from Jesus was his command to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48).

A Matthew 7:12 lense would not say Jesus would retract his command to love our enemies if he were alive today. “I mean, Frank. Do you believe think Jesus wants us to love ISIS?”

I think Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for them. In doing this, we become true children of heaven. I’m not saying we allow ISIS a free pass into America. But we MUST pray for them.

This isn’t optional.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Praying for your enemies isn’t optional if you love Jesus.[/tweet_box]

We would stop blaming political figures as a way to deflect our responsibility to feed orphans, homeless, and widows. 

A Matthew 7:12 lense wouldn’t deflect Christians’ responsibility onto the President, Congress, or anyone in between. In Matthew 25, Jesus instructed us to receive anyone who is hungry, thirsty, or lost. And doing this makes us righteous before God.

That’s real.

Homeless refugees shouldn’t be a catalyst for our political agenda. It’s not Obama’s fault. Even if he were catering to Muslims, the responsibility of Christians doesn’t change.

Look, I suck at living like Jesus most days. I try, but I’m not great at it. Like most Christians, I love to get side-tracked on real issues affecting real people by turning them into political or theological debates.

A Matthew 7:12 lense would challenge us to stop arguing over issues and start seeing real people. Hungry, thirsty, lost people. And, rather than blaming political figures, we should pray about and discuss ways to be Jesus to thousands of refugees.

______________

Christians, the fear mongering needs to stop. Governments will make their decisions. Those outside of Jesus will do the same. But we play the game with different rules. We don’t believe the lie that says more weapons, taller walls, or stronger militaries will overcome the evil in this world. Unapologetically, we fight with love. We believe the selfless, sacrificial love Jesus exemplified will destroy the evil and darkness in our world.

Love conquers evil and drowns out fear. Matthew 7:12 gives us the vision to see it.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

On Friday, the Supreme Court struck down the ban on gay marriage in this country. Make no mistake. This was a landmark day and a pivotal moment in American history.

And shortly after hearing the news, in my curiosity, I decided to open Facebook.

I wish I hadn’t.

Maybe I should have expected the response. But I didn’t. What I saw was social media at its worst. Post after post. Tweet after tweet. Some even using Bible verses and statements referencing God as stones to throw at a community of people who has suffered immensely at the hands of Christians.

In a moment where the whole world was watching, when Christians had an opportunity to show everyone something different, what I witnessed was more of the same tired approach. An approach that has led to the dehumanization of a community of men and women created in the image of God.

Yes, I am frustrated. Maybe I am guilty of youthful immaturity. But I can’t imagine a scenario where Jesus is pleased with the Christian community’s response to the ruling of the Supreme Court.

And, yes, I get it. For many, this decision is representative of a larger issue in our country. But this decision is also representative of a larger issue in the Christian community’s theology.

Here are some thoughts I have about the Supreme Court decision, social media, and the Christian community’s response to the LBGT community.

1.) God saw this decision coming, and it didn’t shock him. 

“I affirm God’s design for marriage.”

“God’s word is truth.”

“Marriage = one man + one woman.”

These are just a few of the posts I saw. The feeling of panic and fear was almost tangible as I slid my finger further down my timeline.

And it’s disheartening because Christians trust a God who never freaks out. Never.

When the decision came down from the Supreme Court, God didn’t call an emergency meeting with the Trinity. He saw this coming. And it didn’t shock him. It shouldn’t shock Christians either. If your eyes are fixed on God, you will never allow something on earth to force you into panic mode. God’s got this.

[tweet_box design=”default”]If your eyes are fixed on God, you will not fall into panic mode.[/tweet_box]

He was in control when Jesus took his last breath and it appeared to his followers as though everything was over. He was in control when Christians endured severe persecution in the early days of the church. He is still in control. Even if America falls, God’s plan will not fall. He will ultimately prevail.

The world needs to see a different response. Freaking out is the way of the world. But peace in the midst of a storm is weird and puzzling. Just puzzling enough for others to become curious. Just weird enough to open the door for God to show himself through you.

2.) Our government is not the Savior. 

The government is not always going to adhere to Christian values. Just think about it. Government is responsible for the death of Jesus, most of the apostles, and Paul.

Jesus had an opportunity to usher in his kingdom through the government. Most everyone during his ministry thought this was the way of the Messiah. But it wasn’t the way. So when our government makes a decision that doesn’t line up with Christian values, why are we shocked? Our government is not the Savior. Jesus is. In fact, historically, Christianity has grown in environments where followers were oppressed, mostly at the hands of the government.

So, pray for our government and our officials. Respect them. But don’t place your allegiance there. That belongs to God.

3.) Lives aren’t transformed by words. They are transformed by actions.

Social media is a great tool for information, communication, and even teaching. But it’s not a great tool to address and resolve issues as complex as homosexuality. This issue will only be solved through human interaction, which is messy. Hard work. An investment of time. And many aren’t willing to make those sacrifices.

But doing nothing feels wrong. So, rather than taking the time to show the love of Christ to others through their actions, many Christians choose write a few words about God to no one in particular. Then they carry on with their day.

I think the Christian community has written enough. I would be willing to bet almost everyone knows where Christians stand on the issue of gay marriage. It’s time to put down the phone and start the messy process of building relationships.

4.) God loves the LBGT community, and you should too. 

Make no mistake. Every person on the face of the earth is loved by God. This includes me. A sinner. A terrible sinner. This also includes homosexuals.

Christians should love everyone as well. Not just those you agree with. Not just those who love you. Everyone. This separates Christians from the rest of the world. This love is transformative. It changes the world.

So, before you post something on social media or make a derogatory statement, ask yourself if the words are coming from a foundation of love. Is your desire to honestly see lives changed? If not, you will only add fuel to Satan’s fire, further widening the gap between the Christian and LBGT communities.

5.) An “I’m right, you’re wrong” attitude destroys the bridge between the world and God. 

Christians have played this game for too long. Rather than show love, Christians fight for their views and doctrines. We tell the world their sins from the mountaintop. We care more about winning an argument than rescuing a life. We use hateful, anger-saturated comments in an attempt to shame others, especially those in the LBGT community. And we somehow hope that in their shame, they will repent.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Shame has NEVER led a person to Christ.[/tweet_box]

But shame has NEVER led a person to Christ. Shame ostracizes, belittles, and dehumanizes. And the only remedy for shame is vulnerability and authenticity. This is where the Christian community finds themselves. We created the gap, and the only way to bridge the gap is to come down from our high horse, admit our faults, and listen.

Are you willing to sit across the table from someone in the LBGT community and apologize? Are you willing to lose an argument if it means winning the war? And the war is not against the LBGT community. It is against the evil one. The one who has been deceiving, shaming, and dividing from the beginning. Satan.

6.) Homosexuality is just one layer of sexuality.

Carey Neiuwhof’s recent comments on this point are excellent. He sums it up with this statement, “If you believe gay sex is sinful, it’s really no morally different than straight sex outside of marriage.”

Homosexuality is just one layer of the larger issue of sexuality. And, in my experience, the Christian community has not handled sexuality well. Recently, I was talking with a couple at our church, and I asked them what percentage of teenagers the believe have engaged (or currently engage) in sexual activity. This person said, “Maybe…25%?”

Uh, no.

The answer is closer to 100%. Lust. Masturbation. Porn. Sex outside of marriage. All of these are issues of sexuality. And almost all unmarried people (and many who are married) are involved in sexual activities that are against God’s design.

So, if you address homosexuality as a sinful activity, don’t elevate it above other layers of sexuality. And if you haven’t addressed issues of sexuality in your personal life, or if your church has a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach to heterosexual issues related to sex outside of marriage, you might do well to address those issues before you tackle homosexuality.

7.) Create a culture of engagement, not withdrawal. 

I have listened to many church leaders tell the world via social media what they won’t do. “I will never perform a gay marriage. Our church will never allow gay couples to marry in this building,” and various other similar statements.

And, while I understand and respect their convictions, I am tired of hearing church leaders tell the world what they WON’T do. The Christian community’s attitude of withdrawal is doing little to solve the problem at hand. I am ready to hear what Christians WILL do in response to the Supreme Court’s decision.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Christians must engage the culture to impact it.[/tweet_box]

Christians must engage the culture to impact it. And we have always believed this on a cognitive level. But the principle hasn’t moved from our head to our hands.

The gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) record 52 parables of Jesus. Of those, 45 have a marketplace context. The marketplace was a place of diversity. It was common ground for everyone. Jesus not only engaged people who weren’t righteous, he spent a large majority of his ministry in their contexts. He embraced all people.

So, instead of telling the world what you WON’T do, why not sit down with your community of friends and find things you WILL do?

________________

Change is never easy. And America is certainly in a season of transition. But never forget you serve a God who never changes (Heb. 13:8). He doesn’t shift back and forth. He isn’t swayed by human reasoning or Supreme Court decisions. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Don’t lose hope. Christians are people of hope, always trusting the future is better than the present because the future brings us one step closer to perfect, eternal shalom with God. As your church wrestles with the implications of the Supreme Court decision, pray for God’s wisdom and discernment. Pray for the government. Pray for those in your community…and those outside of it.

I am wrestling with the decision just like everyone else. These are simply my thoughts. You might not agree with me. That’s fine.

My goal isn’t for people to agree with my worldview or theology. My goal is to be an instrument for God. That’s all I can do. I don’t have it all figured out. But I believe with every ounce of my being that God is the path to joy and peace. I pray your eyes will be opened to God. He has totally transformed my life. He can do the same for you.

How do you believe Christians should respond to the LBGT community? Please respond thoughtfully and let your words be seasoned with grace and love. I reserve the right to delete any comment that doesn’t contribute to the conversation.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

If you live under a rock and decided to come out like right now, then you need to know Bruce Jenner is now a woman. And her name is Caitlyn. Maybe you need to take a minute to process that piece of information. Go right ahead.

So, now you want answers right? You want to know how to respond to your children. You want to know what you should say when your friends bring it up in conversation.

As I process what I know about Bruce Jenner (which is not much), I end up in the same place. Confused. I know what American Christian culture tells me say. “Bruce Jenner is not a woman and transgenderism is a sin. Period. Tell your readers, Frank. Tell them.”

And here lies a problem with being a minister and church leader. I feel the weight of making the politically correct statement. And the weight is heavy. At times, it’s too much to bear. There are severe penalties for not saying the “right” thing. It ultimately cost Jesus his life.

The Pharisees wanted Jesus to conform to their image of him. They wanted Him to be the ultimate Pharisee. The all-star of all-stars. But Jesus refused. It wasn’t that He was rebelling against the Pharisees. That would be quite childish of someone who created the universe.

Jesus was fighting. He was pushing back against the schemes of the evil one. He always has been. You see, Jesus understood something the Pharisees (and most everyone) did not. The war God’s people fight is not against flesh and blood. Paul would say this explicitly in Ephesians 6 several years after Jesus’s departure. But Paul only put into words what Jesus modeled.

Jesus fought the same war Christians fight today. But he didn’t fight people. He fought Satan. And Jesus didn’t fight with knowledge or correct doctrines. He fought with love. This is where many Christians get it wrong. Starting with me. We fight against people. And here’s the thing. If that person is on our team, we defend them (i.e. Josh Duggar). If not, we fiercely fight back against them (i.e. Bruce Jenner).

But Jesus didn’t draw lines in the sand based on beliefs, knowledge, and doctrines.

Jesus did, however, draw lines in the sand. In John 8, the Pharisees were ready to fight. This time a woman caught in adultery was the enemy. And Jesus found himself in the middle…drawing lines in the sand. Ironic? I think not.

[tweet_box design=”default”]The war isn’t fought with words and doctrines. It is fought with love.[/tweet_box]

We, Christians, tend to think the war can be won with stones, words, and correct application of Scripture. We believe everyone must pick a side on every issue. So, we ask questions and interrogate until everyone has a team.

“Are you supporting Bruce Jenner? Would you really have a cup of coffee with him? Well, we know what team you are on.”

Jesus, meanwhile, stood in the middle. He refused to take a side. The only perfect one. The only person worthy of throwing a stone stood in the middle. What a powerful contrast between the heart of man and the heart of God!

Back to the story in John 8. Jesus, instead of standing beside the Pharisees and pelting this adulteress woman with stones (as the law says she deserves), he delivered the Pharisees a different kind of stone.

“Let any of you who is without sin throw the first stone at her.” (John 8:7)

What the what? Jesus didn’t stop there. He then turned his attention to the adulteress woman. The one who was guilty.

“Woman, has no one condemned you?…Then neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)

Jesus, you are supposed to condemn her? You are supposed to give her your two cents. And your two cents will actually be the right advice. You are the son of God. C’mon man. Tell her she is an adulteress and her sin is repulsive to God. Tell her, Jesus.

“I do not condemn her.”

Wait. That’s it? You are minimizing the law, Jesus. You are abusing grace. This woman deserves punishment. You can’t just let her off the hook.

“I do not condemn her.”

You will have to answer to God for this, Jesus. And I wouldn’t want to be known as the guy who refused to carry out the commands of the law.

What did you say, Jesus? You are God?…Yeah, you’re right.

The reality is Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn the world. He said so himself. John 3:17. So, if Jesus’s arrival on earth wasn’t motivated by condemnation and judgment, what was it motivated by?

Love. Godly love. John 3:16.

Satan is the Accuser. The Condemner. And you fight condemnation with…wait for it…love.

Love tells an adulteress woman she is free to leave. Love frustrates religious fundamentalists. Love welcomes prostitutes.

Love angers the elite and puzzles the marginalized. It is scandalous. It doesn’t have boundaries. And yes, love rebukes. It even turns over tables. But love never throws stones. Never.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Love frustrates the elite and puzzles the marginalized. But it never throws stones. Never.[/tweet_box]

Jesus’s life was characterized by love because he knew the war could only be won with love. The war wasn’t against flesh and blood. It never has been.

So, what is a Christian to do with Bruce (or Caitlyn) Jenner? Transgenderism, homosexuality, and sex before marriage aren’t issues that are going away.

We put down our stones.

And, I know, you don’t like my response. You want something more definitive, more “Scripturally correct.”

But I won’t go there. You can find someone else who will, if that’s your real desire. Plenty of voices who will affirm your way of seeing the world.

Instead, I want to ask: What does love require?

You can condemn. You can get angry and blame the President or the culture or whatever.

But I do know this…God loves Bruce (or Caitlyn) Jenner. The Bible tells me so.

And if God loves Bruce (or Caitlyn) Jenner, so do I.

I am putting down my stone. Maybe you should too. Love does a lot of things. But it never throws stones. Because the war God’s people fight is not against flesh and blood.

What do you think? Leave a comment below. Please keep the conversation seasoned with grace and free of stones.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

41.) The power of sex lies in its exclusivity.

When other faces, relationships, or fantasies enter our marriages, the exclusivity is destroyed. And when the exclusivity is destroyed, the power associated with sex is destroyed as well.

42.) Until we see sex and marriage as temporary, they will never accomplish the goal God intended.

This is why sex, marriage, and God are woven together. Sex and marriage were not given to us solely for our pleasure. They were given to us so we might give God glory. When we don’t give God glory for sex and marriage, we will use them as gods. When this happens, it is a virtual certainty sex and marriage will disappoint and leave us longing for more.

43.) Covenantal sex is a picture (albeit it incomplete) of heaven.

[tweet_box design=”default”]The ultimate longing we have as humans is to be fully known and fully loved.[/tweet_box]

The ultimate longing we have as humans is to be fully known and fully loved. This is why people crave sex. The problem is sex outside of the covenant bond of marriage will never provide this. Inside of marriage, however, we see a depiction of heaven. We see two people fully known to one another, yet fully loved. It is a picture of God’s relationship with us. A glimpse of what is to come.

44.) Men and women are designed in God’s image to COMPLIMENT one another, not COMPETE against one another.

God’s design for men and women is timely and relevant. In Gen. 3:23, Adam says, “This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.” The Hebrew word for “bone” symbolizes strength, and “flesh” symbolizes weakness. In essence, Adam is saying, “Where I am weak, Eve is strong, and where Eve is weak, I am strong.” Powerful!

45.) Hollywood’s portrait of romantic love is crippling to God’s design for romance.

Hollywood elevates romantic love to an unachievable level. It is the noblest of pursuits. It is an intense feeling of passion. And we are incomplete unless we have this romantic love.

God wires us for romance, love, and intimacy, but these things aren’t primarily controlled by feelings. And our completeness isn’t dependent upon them. That is God’s job.

46.) The problem with lust is the more we pursue it, the more difficult it becomes to catch it. It never satisfies. And the more we pursue it, the more it takes control of our life.

47.) What we watch and view shapes how we think. And how we think eventually becomes who we are.

Matthew 6:21-23. Proverbs 4:23. Proverbs 23:7. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Movies and books that distort God’s design for sex (or anything else) are not simply entertainment. They are shaping who we become.

[tweet_box design=”default”]What we watch influences how we think. And how we think becomes who we are.[/tweet_box]

48.) Gratification, pleasure, and satisfaction are not instant. They can’t be microwaved.

In fact, anything worthy of pursuing and believing happens over time. This is the lie, however, most movies try to sell. They prey on human emotions and manipulate those searching for gratification and satisfaction to believe these things can be experienced instantly. They can’t.

49.) Culture says sexual desire is uncontrollable. It equates sex to food.

In other words, sex is something, like food, that we need to remain alive. And anytime we feel the desire (like hunger), the only logical thing to do is feed it.

The problem is this view makes humanity nothing more than animals and makes God a liar. Humans are superior to creation because we have the power to exercise restraint. We have the ability to recognize needs. And the truth is we don’t NEED sex. It’s not like food. We won’t “croak over” if we don’t have it.

But when we believe we have no control over sexual desires, we deny our humanity. We deny the very essence of what separates us from the rest of creation.

[tweet_box design=”default”]When we believe we have no control over sexual desires, we deny our humanity.[/tweet_box]

This is the message culture sends us. Be an animal. You don’t have the power to resist sexual urges. Just feed them. But God has a different message. God tells us we are not animals. We are men and women created in his image. We have the power to exercise restraint.

50.) The church, generally speaking, has failed miserably in proclaiming God’s gift of sex, love, romance, and passion to the world. And for this failure, the church needs to repent…and get busy redeeming these gifts.

I hope the words in this post show the world God has a unique design for sex, love, romance, and passion. God’s design is certainly different from the culture’s design, but it is not boring and passionless. The world needs to hear this message. Christians need to hear this message. God created sex. And he loves it. Let’s get the message out to the world.

I would love to hear from you. What perceptions of sex did you have growing up? What perceptions of sex do you currently have? Is there anything about God’s design for sex I didn’t mention? Leave a comment below, and let’s keep the conversation going.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!

Disclaimer: this post isn’t going to read like you anticipate. Just be forewarned.

In less than a week, the most highly anticipated, highly discussed movie I can remember in years hits the big screen, Fifty Shades of Grey. And, I need to make a confession. Before last week, I didn’t read a single article or engage in a single conversation about either the book or the movie. Frankly, I didn’t care.

But slowly the articles began littering my Facebook timeline and Twitter feed. And, like a kid hovering around a candy store too long, eventually I took the bait. As sad as this sounds, right now if I were asked over/under 50 articles about Fifty Shades in the past week, I would choose over.

And here’s why I read so many. I noticed a trend that I had to explore. A trend that brought me sadness and frustration. You see, most of the articles that crossed my eye were from Christians blasting the film. And the more articles I read, the more nightmarish pictures developed. Pictures of an old preacher in a suit telling everyone they were going to hell if they didn’t repent.

But this is what Christians do. When something takes over culture, we proceed to tell the world why they are wrong and we are right.

Now, understand this. I see no value in the movie or the book. And I am certainly not against freedom of expression. But it’s the same song, different verse for Christians. We beat the world over the head with our verbal attacks, but we fail to provide any substance or foundation. We lash out at the evil world, but our refusal to explain why only leaves us looking like control freaks. Worst of all, we believe attacking a movie means we actually stand against sin.

Maybe the world bought some lies about 50 Shades, but we bought some as well. Please understand my aim here. I want the Spirit to awaken us to inconsistencies. I want us to deal with the substance behind the shadows. With that said, here are four lies Christians believe about 50 Shades of Grey.

LIE #1: Fifty Shades of Grey is the problem.

Fifty Shades of Grey is not the problem. In fact, whether or not we watch the movie shouldn’t be the primary concern.

“What, Frank?! Have you lost it?!”

No, not at all. Cultural phenomenons like Fifty Shades of Grey give us an opportunity to show the world we are “serious” about God’s design for sex, romance, and the like. Many times, however, we are just serious about hiding under facades.

These phenomenonas allow Christians to feel good about ourselves while leaving the real issue untouched. What is the real issue? Our heart.

Instead of whether or not someone watches a movie, our concern should be the astronomically high percentage of people controlled by lust and porn. It is entirely possible to be outspokenly against the movie and be in a far worse position than many who will pay money to watch it.

If we attack the evil culture for watching Fifty Shades of Grey but we don’t attack our evil heart, we aren’t winning.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Attacking culture for viewing Fifty Shades of Grey but not attacking our heart isn’t a win.[/tweet_box]

This movie isn’t the problem…it is a shadow of the problem. The problem is our heart.

Is your heart full of lust? Does an addiction to porn or erotica novels control your life? Do you find it hard to look at others without turning them into objects? Do you know someone who struggles with these problems?

If so, stop hiding under the facade of 50 Shades and start attacking the real issue…the heart.

 LIE #2: There is nothing positive about Fifty Shades of Grey. 

You know what issues like this force Christians to do? Get our head out of the sand and acknowledge our distorted view of sex and romance is destroying our world and our young people. Christians have an opportunity right now to talk about sex. An opportunity to explain to young people, in particular, and our world, in general, the history and origins of sex through the lens of its creator, God.

For too many years, Christians played defense with sex. Like a kid attacked by a bully, we just handed sex to the world. Without a fight.

“Here, world, you take it. Just, please, please, don’t force me to talk about it. Please don’t make me explain it to my kids.”

Where in the timeline of humanity did we forget sex was designed and implemented by God? Yes, Christians, sex is a gift. One to be celebrated, cherished, and discussed. One divinely created so those who experience it would see the divine Creator.

Well, we have an opportunity to take back our candy. In the next month or so, everyone will be talking about sex. This means we need to take advantage of the moment and sit down with our teenagers/adolescent. We need to have serious conversations about God’s design for sex. Maybe it’s time to talk about the GIFT of sex with our friends or those we disciple.

Maybe nothing positive comes from the content in the movie. But something positive can come from the cultural phenomenon it has created. We have an opportunity to redeem one of the greatest gifts God has given us…sex. 

[tweet_box design=”default”]It’s time to redeem one of the greatest gifts God has given us…sex.[/tweet_box]

LIE #3: If I sign a petition, I am making a difference. 

If you want to sign a petition saying you won’t see the movie, go right ahead. But don’t believe signing a petition and making a difference are two sides of the same coin.

This is an enormous problem in most Christian circles. We would rather picket and sign petitions than actually attack issues. We care more about ideas than transformation.

So, what would make a difference? Stop signing petitions and start adding substance to your reasoning. Our failure to provide substance to our stances makes us look ignorant and hypocritical. It is the reason the next generation is leaving the church and no one in particular wants to join.

Instead of spouting off on Facebook, why don’t we grab some men and women and disciple them on the contrast between the messages from Fifty Shades and the messages from God? Instead of signing a petition or hoping the movie gets banned (which it won’t), why don’t we seek out someone planning to see the movie and have a healthy dialogue with them?

God never called Christians to sign petitions. Mostly because they are a waste of time. But he did call us to step into darkness and call out inconsistencies…with love and grace.

[tweet_box design=”default”]Until Christians value transformation more than petitions, we will be ineffective.[/tweet_box]

LIE #4: Fifty Shades is worse than other movies. 

Many won’t like this, but it needs to be said…the lies and manipulations prevalent in 50 Shades are no different than many of the lies in shows Christians watch every week.

You see, there is a problem (and the world notices) when we crucify those who watch Fifty Shades but re-arrange our schedules to watch shows like The Bachelor, Scandal, The Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother, among others.

Now, I have made it personal. But really. The same sins are celebrated (sex, drugs, money, etc.). The same lies are preached.

Here’s my point: Christians are sadly mistaken if we believe abstaining from Fifty Shades means we honor holiness and purity. There are perversions of God’s truth on sex and life in so many shows we view every week. There are movies many Christians pay way too much money to see that celebrate the same sins Fifty Shades celebrates. It’s time to stop playing the game.

Whether extremely graphic or subtle, what we watch matters. So, before we go blasting those who watch 50 Shades of Grey, we need to consider other shows or movies we watch regularly that celebrate the same sins.

________________

Let’s start attacking the real issues in our heart. Let’s stop placing more value on signing petitions than authentic transformation. Let’s teach others about God’s truth related to sex and romance. If we do this, there could be much to redeem in our culture because of this movie.

I love you all. To God be the glory forever. Amen!