GENDADS

Footnotes at Christmas are usually good things.  Stories about finding just the right gift, “Oh, that reminds me what I got when I was ten,” and, in my case, why the lump of coal.

Our family has a sad footnote.

It’s like the footnotes that will found for the first time this year–and for all the years to come–by the father and mother, maybe wife and children, are going to be without their Marine, their fireman, their policeman.

I’m writing at 7 am, Christmas eve.  About three hours from now will be the anniversary of  “The Call”.

Son, Darick, called to tell us, “No, it isn’t pneumonia after all.  Guys, the doc tells me it’s fourth stage lung cancer.”  Christmas was not merry. Symbolically, Darick’s journey, took him from Christmas to Easter.  Then, with all of us gathered to watch the ceremony, seen in its purest form only from Heaven, Darick left us to join the Christ Child who’d become the Resurrected Savior.

But there is another footnote.  A really uplifting one; it’s the one that makes us smile through the sadness that will be ten years on its journey three hours from now.  I just wrote about this yesterday in my personal blog, The Wild Gray Goose.  The tears seem barely dry as they form again this morning.  Yet the story is a classic “happily ever after” one.  You see, under dad’s nudging months before the Christmas eve announcement, Darick read “Sacred Romance” (Curtis and Eldredge).  It was his return from the detour.  By Millennial Eve (that’s Jan 31, 1999), Darick Scott Taylor was pronouncing profound truths freshly discovered.  He left that indelible imprint as family and friends circled the huge fireplace of our log home on the ranch, heavy snow flakes falling, lighted  by the deck lights: “I wish I’d known my whole life what I know now.  But this I do know, that if Jesus were to visit and offer me freedom from cancer but I’d have to give up the life I now have with Him, I’d take the cancer in a heartbeat.”

Now THAT is a footnote!  It lightens the load of the sadness that never goes away, it reminds us what the focus in life’s short–very short–journey is all about, it paints a smile beneath the tears that will not be wiped away until done by Jesus’ tender carpenter’s hand.  Maybe He’ll let Darick do it.

HOW ABOUT YOU?   Are you prepared as Darick was for the Ceremony that ends the Sacred Romance and the  BEGINS an eternal life of indescribable marriage bliss?  It is the point of the courtship, you know.

AND, FOR THOSE WITH TOO WET OR TOO WHITE A CHRISTMAS, MAY I POSE A WARM CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACH SOMEWHERE?

“Snippet” means short.  Got an idea.  Let me introduce you to a new friend, Chuck.  He’s a Kingdom Blogger.   Here’s my GenDads Readers Digest of his piece making his case for Christmas: it’s NOT about Christ.  (you’ll like a subscription at http://www.theworldofi.com)

Christmas is not about Jesus.  Does it surprise you to hear that?  Well, it’s true.  Christmas is about YOU!

Now that I have your attention, step back just a second.  In the grand scheme of creation, the birth of Jesus was for nothing more than reconciling us back to our Creator.  Where would we be if Jesus had not been born?  It’s IS about us.  And what He wants for US.  He was…well, a “gift” to US.

Whether we think it myth or fact, there’s no doubt Jesus’ birth is an important event.  However, we are missing the very importance of Christmas if we don’t grasp it was to save US from ourselves and the sin we so readily fall into. His birth resulted from God’s unmeasurable love for US.  It’s about US, our redemption.

In the noise of our cultural Christmas, we barely kept hold of ”reason for the season.”  Of course it’s not about the presents, the trees, the lights. The very SAVIOR of the world was born to start His journey into our hearts.  But, He HAD to because of US, our SIN.  Suddenly corrupt Rome, oppressed Israel, wandering fishermen and tax collectors had Hope.

This is the greatest life ever lived because of US, because we need Him so much.  Western Christians know John 3:16 by heart; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son…”

His son, Jesus born for you and me, period. 

Here’s the way the Apostle Paul put it:  “Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant–dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ” Phil 3:8

 on the ranch                  at the Capitol  

  at our RV resort

OK, I get it.  I just can’t keep it short.  I love sharing what God is doing in my family’s life as we edge toward Christmas.   Surprise:  today’s IS short.  But the thought is deep and long.  Then there is the optional video on the topic.  Long or short is up to you.  But please, PLEASE, don’t be in a hurry.  Take the option.  It’s a YouTube that will stay with you for awhile.

First, the topic.  PLENITUDE.  That’s the state of plenty.  More than enuf, abundance; copiousness, the condition of being full or complete.  If you make $50,000 annually, you are in the top 1% of the world’s wealth.  Rich.  The 69 national visa stamps in my passports tells you’ve I’ve seen plenty of NOT RICH.  The contrast is very real to me.

This giving season and the new year upcoming is a perfect time to take stock of your “attitude toward plenty,” PLENITUDE.  Our little assembly of three families in our house church saw the YouTube below.  It has  become a part of our Journey To Christmas.  We’re on the 10th Christmas Angel gift for the Twelve Days of Christmas (last night was 9 sticks of gum; hard to fit that into the song, but we did it, all five kids, including me, laughing roucously, as we drove to our “victim” family, lights out).  And we do a family caroling tomorrow for the assisted living home in the county.  And we pray for a missionary family in Turkey holding a service Friday, 10 am our time.

This short YouTube is rich.  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1744463994542090095#

Am a bit under conviction regarding  what is popularly known as the giving season.  As if often the case, as announced by Jesus with a bunch of kids on His lap, “A child shall lead them.”   So, my grandkids, who we visit for the long holiday season, gave me a really good idea to pass on to you. 

It started last year…TO THEM.  Every evening around Christmas, the twelve before, to be exact, there was a knock at the door.  Everyone got excited, kids ran from everywhere in the house.  At the opened door was a gift, an ANONYMOUS gift; first with one, eventually with 12 items.

It’s good to copy a good thing.  So, this became our “Christmas Serving Venture.”  I’m writing this is in our daughter’s very small town near the famous Capital Reef National Park, Bicknell, Utah.  About 300 people.  My kids know most all of them, of course.  About nine pm or so tonight, four of the five grandkids will stuff themselves and their excitment and their ninth gift of nine things into our little Chevy for “the ride.”  We drive across town, a little crazy and fun stuff, turn off the lights a block away, creep along with kids finishing their laugh-decorated version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” (Let see, ”…six cans of soda, five chocolate candies, four rolls of toilet paper…” etc.   They lay the box or bag or ZipLock on the steps, bang on the doublewide door. “Knock, knock, knock” and lickity split they all run like crazy to the darkened car laughing and yelling, “Hurry Popi!  Go!  Go!  Before they see us!”       

They have picked one family; they are fellow homeschoolers in town and very likely the poorest.  I’m the getaway driver. 

No telling what nine things we’ll load into a shopping bag tonight.  Last night it was eight very flat, very tasty Toll House cookies they made themselves without much flour.  Flat, hard, deliciously addictive.  A note from the “Christmas Angels” is different each day.  They make it; mostly the 12 yold.  It is the giving, not the gift.  Bottom line: giving and the joy and the fun of it.

Midst the so-called giving, the traditional kind in the commercial and cultural Christmas season, are you really giving?  You know what I mean.  SERVING, GIVING OF YOURSELF, maybe even sacrifice something you prize (your time, your quiet, your solitude), for someone else.   The Christmas Angels are going out of their way only a little, making it an event, having fun, and enjoying their picture of the other family enjoying, laughing, anticipating.

SO, I WONDER…It’s not too late to get the family into the act…the act of blessing and giving someone who would not be expecting the gift or the giver.  JESUS DID IT THAT WAY.  HAVE YOU BEGUN SERVING YOUR NEIGHBORS FOR CHRISTMAS YET?  

 AND DON’T FORGET:  2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Quick, while my heart is full and overflowing.  Some snippets from the “Catalog of Lovely Moments” going on as our Cari and Matt and their five share their lives and their Christmas journey with us.

I’ll also share my collection of wonderful (mostly snowy and romantic) Christmas photo’s from www.Webshots.com.  You can download them to your Desktop and Screensaver or copy and paste to keep them for now and future Christmas seasons. 

Yesterday’s house church service with a local family was rich.  Mainly  because it was focused and sorta quiet.  “Quiet” for the peace of family midst wrestless kids.  “Focused” on family and Jesus whose “light in dark street shining, the everlsting Light” seemed to join us.  Who knew the  Baby’s first breath would set in motion a world around which history’s calendars and lives would be dramatically changed…forever?   Who knew then, as the Baby wailed, that far more–by thousands– songs than for any other being would be sung?  

Our own 15-month old bounced around, danced for attention, sought her mom’s breast nourishment, but rather than distract us from our deep thoughts, added the reality that the “Come let us adore Him” Emmanuel, Messiah, Savior was just like little Charis for awhile.

The worship of  our “service” became rich and personal around a short You-Tube.  It was a cultural lesson.  The  late-twenties psychologist and bride, grads of my alma matre, Wheaton (50 years later), usually lead our songs via CD’s and YouTube.  Contemporary, Millennial Generation fare with tempo, instruments, and words I don’t really settle comfortably into (when I understand them…Wheaton chapel had a huge organ and hymn books). 

But on the same screen came this.  I’d really like you to set aside four minutes and watch Joseph, Mary, the donkey, the innkeeper, the livestock cave, the shepherds and The Light come together.  Then set it up with a HDMI link or some such new generation wire and share it with friends on your 48″ flat screen.  Get the Kleenex box handy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83huFAMOte0

As is the serious blogger’s wont, I’m up early to present my legacy journey to that small part of the world seeking substance, value, and depth to this mostly shallow thing called “life.”   I’m at the far reaches of a full and fulfilling life.  Looking back recalls far more delights than sorrows.  It’s called a “romantics’ dementia.” 

I present a multi-layered joy here in Gendads.  Centering my view are two broad loves, that for my Lord, Jesus the Christ, and that for my family.  Living “them” and tellling “them” is pretty much “it” these days.  What a fine time of life. 

 ”Them” refers to my walk with God and building an enduring legacy with my family.  

One very big THEM happened yesterday.  It was a hiking picnic with my seven year-old granddaughter.  We lunched on yogurt, crackers, and PB&J specially preparted by her delicate hands.  We spread it on a rock next to a snowmelt stream.  We talked.  Of God, of course, but mostly “I Spy.”  I kept loosing over twigs and label colors on the Wild Cherry YoPlait container.  I found myself giggling with her.  Handn’t done that for awhile. 

Then we hiked.  I’d never been on a singing hike.  I would rob you of enjoying a portion of my delight if I didn’t tell you how Brooke, age 7,  described God and His creation He allowed us to stroll about in.

( CLICK ON “MORE” FOR DELIGHTFUL MORE) Imagine, as you read on, the smile on God’s face as Brooke sings. Imagine the smile on mine as I look and listen to my legacy. IF THE LORD WERE TO CALL ME HOME RIGHT NOW, I’D BE SATISFIED AND OUR SMILES WOULD MATCH  More

We talkers (keyboard and otherwise) too rarely discover the most enduring truths are expressed simply.  140 character Tweets are underscoring that.  I’m liking Rick Warren’s these days.  But this makes me think of Tuesday morning breakfast with soninlaw, Matt, and Taylor.  It’s Friday.  I’ve been mulling this one.

We read the very short section in 2 Kings 3 where King Joram illustrated a truth (with characteristic OT blood and gore mercifully without today’s visuals).  Here it is expressed in two ways:  “Like father, like son.”  Then there’s my favorite, “They do what they see.”  I’ve expressed that here before.

Why is Taylor working so hard to pitch hay bales for his horse?

SEE IF YOU AGREE WITH THE BIBLE AND TAYLOR More

TAYLOR, MY LUNCH AND POOL PARTNER
Maybe I can pin it on the mysterious electronic quirks of the Internet and Word Press. But an hour into my vingnette about God showing up at the pool table with Taylor and it disappears. Three hours later, kids yanking on Popi to join them with our traditional Muppets Christmas Carol, I finished for the second time.

But, I didn’t like it this morning when I re-read it.

Why? Because, on reflection, the concept at the pool table with Taylor is important. I labled it off the cuff as the “Transition Moment” that identifies when person, young or old, makes the Purpose Driven Life decision: “It’s not about me, it’s about God. I am not God.” It’s that decision moment when I decide to make my way in life alongside Jesus or decide (usually a non-decision) to follow the Christian crowd of my family or national culture.

So, this is a corrective, short post. It ends with a Scripture and a question. There are a lot of these if you have eyes and heart to see; here’s Colosians 3:1,2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things

Now the QUESTION: You made the TRANSITION yet? Is your life about Him or about you and yours?

Speaking of things above and below: You will really like the post in Legacy Dad. Like me, you may want to print it off and read it for family devotions: PLENTITUDE !  It’s a Christmas season thing.

This post had to wait a bit. Dates, billiards, and God were happening.

I was expecting God to show up somewhere during my lunch and pool table date with Taylor. He always does. Not “drop in” like a rescue. No, we had Jesus join us on that backpack challenge, so it’s more like He joins us on walks, rides, and lunch dates.

A NEW DIRECTION, THIS TRANSITION.  SOMETIMES IT’S MASKED.

There is real joy in being popular in the family. As a grandfather with legacy on my mind, one of the great joys of life is the delight of hearing God speak to my grandchildren. Greater still is His voice through them.

TWO KID DATES, TWO VOICES FROM THE LORD. . .READ MORE