This Wednesday, Robby talked about commitments and challenges that we face as Christians during the Christmas season.  When Robby read the definition of commitment and what we thought about its place in our culture the overwhelming response was that we need only to be committed to ourselves.  Think about it; we live in an “It’s all about me society.”  As Pete McKenzie puts it, “I know I am not much but I am all I think about.”   

Out of everything we discussed, one question summed it all up for me; “What are you going to do differently this year?”  Wow, that is a big question, isn’t it?  Like Bucky admitted to last Sunday, we all get caught up in the “spirit of Christmas” as the world defines it, which is CONSUMPTION.   To non-believers this is the time to run up the credit cards and buy, buy, buy.  I must admit it, too; I feel compelled to show my appreciation toward others in the form of material things – gifts. There is so much pressure to go along with the culture.  But we are to be different, aren’t we?  We are not to be part of this world.  We are to ensure our children, family, friends and co-workers know why we are smiling during this time of year; because for us it’s not about consumption – we are celebrating the birth of the Savior of the world.

So, what I am going to do differently this year?  I am going to try and be bolder about my faith.  I had some encouragement on that just today. My brother, Jake, and I went to a training session on the application of a product called Pli-Dek.  It is a waterproof deck coating.  There were 70 people at Pli-Dek’s main office in Murrieta to learn and be certified in this application process.  Jeff, the President of the company got up to give a PowerPoint presentation before the demonstrations began.  The first words out of Jeff’s mouth were, “Pli-Dek was found on Christian values and principles.”  Wow! I was impressed.  Here was a guy standing up in front of 70 strangers and not having a problem professing his faith.  I thought, if Jeff can do, I could, too.  In these times we shouldn’t be hiding our faith.  Our country needs a renewed faith in God more than ever; we need a revival.  And it has to start with each one of us.  God’s plan was 12 men.  I’ll borrow another quote from Pete, “God has a plan and you’re it.”  Go love up on someone as only Abba’s child can.

In His Service,
Dave