Sleep in Heavenly Peas?

Have you ever wondered what would be so heavenly about sleeping in peas, or just who John Virgin was, and what made him so round? One kid had drawn the manger scene, and off to the side was what looked like a snow man. His mom "ooo-ed and ah-ed" over his artistry, but said, "I don't think Frosty belongs here".
"Oh, that's not Frosty. That's the guy we always sing about in "Silent Night". You know, Round John Virgin."
Close! Funny how 'almost the right word' can be so, well, funny. Like the teller at the burger joint we stopped at. After she took our order, she asked my name to put on the receipt. I told her, she typed it in and handed me my copy. I glanced at it and snorted cola out my nose. "Wreck".
Ok, it was noisy, and I tend to save my outside voice for outside (or the pulpit), but "Wreck"? Who uses a name like that? Well, it was worth a chuckle, and then we forgot it. Until a couple of weeks later at a different restaurant in a different town, when the woman thought I said "Fred". Maybe I should start wearing a name tag. Or working on my enunciation. But I'll probably just blame them for not paying attention.
For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 1 Corinthians 14:8
Back in the days before walkie-talkies, military movements were directed by bugle calls. You had calls for Charge, for Retreat, for Left and Right and more. There were a sufficient number that some sounded alike, and a commander had to be sure he had heard correctly. Otherwise, he might be zigging when he should have been zagging and be out of place or in the way. The bugler was given no leeway for winging it or improvisation - jazz musicians need not apply! He had to be both clear and precise in sounding out orders, or chaos was going to disrupt everything.
As a preacher, I'm very concerned that I be heard AND understood. If it's important that messages not be garbled in mundane matters, how much more important is it that they be clear in heavenly ones? So let me be clear: Eternal life, salvation, "getting right with God" is NOT about your denomination or baptismal status. It's not about your bank account or the kind of car you drive or the good things you're going to get around to doing "one of these days". What must you do to be saved? Here's what the Bible says:
...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
Want more?
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17
Hope that clears it up for you!

In The Black

Did you find any great Black Friday deals? Retailers certainly hope you did! For many of them, this is the "make or break" day in their fiscal year. It accounts for up to 30 percent of sales and 50 percent of profits. It actually pays for the rest of the year for them. I guess that's why you see items for sale that you usually don't associate with Christ. Liquor and lingerie. Jerky and Jacuzzis. Armoires and ammunition. To be fair, you can't really blame the retailers. They are just selling what they sell and trying to take advantage of the seasonal shopping frenzy.
Black is actually not one of the colors I usually associate with Christmas. Biblically and historically, it is generally more associated with famine, disease, and death. Red, green, and white are more likely to put me in a holiday mood, but for those making their living during this season - getting "in the black" financially - they may be ready to remake Bing Crosby's greatest hit to fit THEIR "dreams". Great cash-flow, empty shelves, debts paid. Which brings us to our point.
As a pastor, I often encourage people to "Put Christ Back in Christmas", and I don't really mean putting a baby doll in manger scene. I mean getting a grip on why we celebrate His birth. No doubt there were millions of babies born that night, but only one we really remember, and not mainly for the circumstances of His birth. We remember Him because of a very black Friday, the blackest in all history:
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
"It is finished." Three English words, one Greek word: "Tetelestai". It's root carries the meanings "ended, completed, perfected", but it had a commercial application. Suppose you made a deal in the marketplace. "Give me 20 jars of oil today, and next month I'll pay you for 25." The dealer writes down the particulars, you sign it, and take your oil home. Next month comes around and you show up with the cash, the dealer pulls out the bill, you pay up, and he writes one word across the bill: "Tetelestai". We need three English words here, too: "Paid in Full".
On that Blackest Friday, out debt was fully paid. He who knew no sin became sin for us, took on Himself our just punishment, and wrote "Paid In Full" across our ledger of sin-debt. For all who call on Him, He puts "In The Black" forever. As for me? This year I'll be "dreaming" of a NEW Christmas color.

I'm dreaming of a Black Christmas
Because my sins are washed away
And the debt that I owed, Christ paid so I'd go
To live with Him in Heaven some day! (to the tune of "White Christmas")

And if you're not In The Black spiritually, it's time to get your debt paid!
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Foreign Gods

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 “Oh, come on! This can’t be for today.” “Why not?” “Foreign gods. Ashta-whatevers. Give me a break!” “Ashtaroth, the goddess of the moon and fertility, in many ancient places the epitome of sex. You don’t think we live in a sexualized society where people focus on it to an unhealthy degree, where manipulation and exploitation are rampant? Don’t you own a TV?”. “I see where you’re going with this. You’re gonna start beating me up with your Moral Majority club, aren’t you?" “Not exactly. It’s more about idolatry than morality. I know you’re a church member, you’re there most Sundays, and most people would call you a good Christian, right?" “Of course I am. I joined the church with my whole family back when Brother Buck Ripsnorter was the preacher. Best thing I’ve ever done." “So, you’re a part of God’s Kingdom, then, and He has made your heart His home." “Absolutely!" “So, anything you love or let your mind dwell on has a place in your heart, His home. And since wherever He is, His heavenly kingdom is, and anything that’s not of Heaven is by definition, ‘Foreign’. If you’ve ever harbored ungodly thoughts you’ve been harboring foreign gods and Ashtaroth." “uh...um...like what kind of thoughts?" Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 “So, uh, hypothetically, if I’ve been giving a place to ‘foreign gods’, what should I do?” “Just what Samuel said. Put them away. Clear them out. Give your heart completely over to the God of your salvation, then watch Him whip all those temptations and foreign influences and make you free.” Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28 -30