The meaning of Christmas is … ?

(I wrote the following ‘article’ thirty years ago. I’ve been reproducing it at Christmas time simply because its message remains pertinent each year.)

“Your instructions,” announces the program’s famous MC, “and worth literally thousands of dollars if our judges deem your answer best, are, ‘In as few words as possible, interpret the meaning of CHRISTMAS!’”

The studio audience ripples with murmurs:  “I could do that”; “Simple”; “Too easy a question”.  Millions across this nation and in other countries as well, also declare, “What kind of question is that?  Anyone could be a winner with such a lucky draw!”

But wait; the young contestant hesitates.  “What answer should I give?” he wonders. “What is it that the judges want to hear, expect me to say?  After all, Christmas is many things to many people!  It’s:

“…..Santa Claus and toys, presents and gifts, Rudolf and Frosty to the children;

“…..colored lights and candles, holly and mistletoe, trees and decorations to the traditionalist;

“…..turkey and dressing and all the trimmings to the lover of culinary delights;

“…..traffic jams, crowded stores and long lines to the shopper;

“…..office parties, holidays and bonuses to the laborer;

“…..family gatherings, children and grandchildren to parents;

“…..drinking, carousing, and another hangover to ones given to the pursuits of the flesh;

“…..money, profits, and prosperity to the worshipper of mammon;

“…..music and special sounds of the season, bright eyes and radiant faces, snowflakes and nippy air, a ’special spirit’ to people everywhere!”

“Your time is up; you must now give your answer to the meaning of CHRISTMAS!” intones the MC.

Somewhere, overlooking all, knowing all, and loving all, the ETERNAL SOVEREIGN of this entire creation wonders, “If only he would say, ‘the meaning of Christmas is Bethlehem, a manger, a Baby, a star, shepherds, wise men, steeples, carols, an attitude of giving, a sense of love, joy, and peace—all because CHRISTMAS IS CHRIST!‘” 

Ah, but does the human race really know? Do we?

                                     Pastor Jimmy, December 21, 2009

The plight of a wounded ‘tiger’

Let’s get right to the point. All of you who feel sorry for Tiger Woods, raise your hands! I don’t see many. Let’s try it again. Anyone who thinks Tiger Woods is getting a ‘raw deal’ by the media, say ‘Amen”. I know my hearing is not as good as it once was, but even admitting such I should be able to hear if someone, anyone, even whispered ‘amen’!

Let’s reprise the story. Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer in the world at this time and maybe of all time. He was groomed by his late father who apparently decided on his own that his son would become the “best” ever and that he would be satisfied with nothing less. Now at the age of 33 years it appears that Woods has a better than average chance to break Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major golf tournament titles and Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA victories. Tying together his winnings in professional golf and endorsement incomes, Forbes magazine recently reported that he is the first sports figure to amass a fortune of over a billion dollars. (That a one followed by NINE zeros!) Five years ago he married Elin Nordegren, a former model from Sweden. In the following years two children have been born to this union, a girl, Sam, now 2, and a son, Charlie, age 10 months. It appears that he had everything — fame, riches, family — but it now is apparent that such wasn’t enough.

Long rumored to be strongly disliked by his golfing peers; accused of an attitude that usually bordered on arrogance; and even though a worldwide sports phenomena, noted for his unwillingness to share details of his personal life with the media — Woods now it is known as, and has been for years, an out-and-out “womanizer”. Young and attractive women are coming out of Tiger’s closet at an amazing speed testifying of their affairs with the famed golfer. Each has her own “story” of a personal relationship with him, from one-night stands to episodes that were months and months in length. One admitted to a long-term affair while his wife was carrying their second child! All of this secret life  began to be disclosed after Wood’s well documented car accident at 2:30 AM a few weeks ago. Pressured by the public’s insatiable desire to know all it can about their heroes and the persistence of a media smelling ’blood’,  Woods this past week finally admitted to marital infidelity. Following this disclosure, the first of Woods’ sponsors (the global consulting firm Accenture PLC) just yesterday severed its relationship with the now tainted golfer. Woods, meanwhile, has declared that he is taking a ’leave of absence’ from professional golf for an undisclosed period of time in the hopes that he can become a “better husband, father, and person”. I sincerely hope he means it; I wish him well.

There should be no joy from any of us in seeing anyone “fall”. The grief, hurt, and influences shattered should give none of us comfort. But what it should do is remind us that fame and fortune do not happy and holy lives make! Too many have thought just the opposite — if I can only gather enough dollars or if I can only win enough popularity, then life promises to be one big “bed of roses“. Can anything be more wrong? We all need to remember that “pride goeth before destruction” and that nothing will please Satan more than to bring a self-centered, lust-driven person to his knees –especially if that person is a Christian. (NOTE: I have no idea of Wood’s spiritual position/condition.) These thoughts and words are directed to anyone who decides to live outside God’s designed parameters for his/her life. Would Woods say now, “It’s worth it”? From my perspective — and I hope from yours as well — I would say, “NO WAY!!”

                                Pastor Jimmy, December 14, 2009

Today’s ‘crashers’; eternity’s ‘no crashers’!

I’ve been truly fascinated by the recent “party crashing” furor at President Obama’s first state dinner. Haven’t you? Surely you know the event of which I refer:

Date? November 24.

Occasion? The first state dinner in the Obama presidency.

Guest of Honor? The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh

Attendees? Only those who were invited; those who had printed invitations.

Uninvited “party-crashers”? Tareq and Michaele Salahi!!!!

Fallout #1  A BIG “black eye” for the Secret Service whose job it is to protect the President and his family. These are the folks who would supposedly “take a bullet” in such protection if the need were to arise. How in the world did uninvited persons get close enough to the President to shake his hand and have their pictures taken with him and other dignitaries?

Fallout #2  Lots and lots of media exposure for the Salahis with most of itcasting a rather negative light on their background and very obvious desire to be seen with the ‘high and mighty’. It now is known that although this occasion may be the ‘cream de la cream’ of their social climbing, it certainly was not their first such caper.

Fallout #3  Congress is now in the ‘loop’ through hearings it held last weekconcerning this entire episode. It’s too early to know whether this is out of real concern over the breach of security for the President, a desire to embarrass the present party in power, or some Washington politicians simply seeking the spotlight while they can!

What is also fascinating in this matter is the insistence of the Salahis that they WERE invited to this ‘shin-dig’ through a personal contact at the Pentagon. However, that person (Michele Jones, a special assistant to Defense Secretary Robert Gates), although acknowledging that there was quite a bit of email correspondence over the matter of ‘invitations’, nevertheless still insists that such were never promised. Now the Salahis are claiming that their lives have been ruined due to all the bad press they have received. My soul – folks, ONLY in the U.S.!!

Well, there is a “dinner” coming that will overshadow all such earthly occasions. It’s called “the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9 NIV) and the Person it will honor is the Lord Jesus Christ. It will be the biggest, the best, and the most important of all royal occasions. The meal will take place in Heaven and those attending will be ALL who trusted and followed Jesus during their earthly lifetimes. But the best thing is that even now, TODAY, the invitations to this magnificent dinner at the end of time are still being issued for the Lord’s Word says, “Whosoever  will may come!” There will be no mix-ups and no ‘party-crashers’ but it promises to be a highlight of eternity! Hallelujah and amen!!

                                 Pastor Jimmy, December 7, 2009

Just how ’missionary’ am I?

I’m wondering today if I give enough consideration to world-wide “missions”? How often do I think about the millions and millions of people on this earth who do not know my Savior and who do not embrace Christianity? Do I pray enough about those millions; do I give enough financially to help reach them for Christ; do I truly care whether they spend eternity in heaven or be forever assigned to hell?

And what about you, my readers? Are these concerns high on your lists of priorities or would you rather that I not bring up the subject?

We, here in America, where our land was founded on Christian principles — regardless of how far we have presently strayed from the same — and where a church building can be seen in almost every community often fail to admit just how blessed we are. We could have been born in a place where Christians are hated. We could have ’grown up’ without ever hearing the name of Jesus. We could have never had access to the Bible and the story of God’s love for an entire world. BUT WE WEREN’T!! Most of us were born right here in the good ole US of A. In this nation the Bible continues to be a “bestseller”. In this land people can hear the message of the Gospel via radio, television, internet 24/7. In this country churches are still open on Sundays and people are free to worship. And my question is — why me? Why us? Why am not I enslaved in the darkness of pagan Africa? Why am I not one of the frozen thousands in Siberia? Why am I not one of the teeming millions in China where the government has outlawed evangelical Christianity?

I have no answers for such questions for such can only be answered and resolved by our sovereign God. I have complete faith in both His wisdom and His goodness. But neither of these keeps me from wondering “why me instead of someone else?”

Of one thing I AM certain. The God who has given me the gift of eternal salvation through a knowledge of, and faith in, Jesus Christ, desires that all peoples of the earth have the same opportunity to hear, trust, and be saved. This speaks to me of the missionary implications in my life of being a Christian. In some way, I am partially responsible for helping those lost millions learn of Jesus and His salvation. I know enough Bible to be certain that I, as a follower of the Lord, am compelled as an ambassador of Christ to be involved in whatever ways are open to me to reach a lost and dying world for Jesus. I also believe that this responsibility falls upon every other Christian as well.

Southern Baptists for scores of years have been emphasizing international missions during the year’s last month, thus connecting it to the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  We correctly interpret His coming as being the Gift of God for the WORLD and in the month of December we give financially to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to help support our denomination’s overseas missionary outreach. Why not this year each of us do something “more” than we have ever done before? Maybe in so doing, we can demonstrate that we really do care about the world’s unsaved millions.

                                           Pastor Jimmy, November 30, 2009

A “Big Bang” I Can Believe

In my position as Associate Pastor I do not get many opportunities to “preach” and since this has been a major portion of my life for the last half century or so, I’m always ready when the Pastor tenders me his pulpit. Therefore with the Pastor being in Canada the last few days, yesterday was to be a “red-letter day” for me. Take my word for it – I prayed hard, studied long, and prepared to the best of my ability. The Scripture is clear, however, when it insists that one never knows what a day will bring.

I was just into the subject of my sermon during the 8:30 AM service yesterday when – BOOM!!! – with the result being the lights went out and the sound system shut down. It was apparent that we had lost power in the building. I immediately asked some of our men to check out the situation and informed the people that we would continue the service with me trying to speak loud enough for the folks on the rear pews to hear. I read the text as best as I could in the light that was available, and sought to continue our worship experience under the new circumstances. It seemed as if only a few minutes passed before Russ Spikes headed down the aisle toward the front and I knew he had something that needed to be said. Surrendering the pulpit to him, all in attendance heard him announce that a huge transformer out on the street had blown and that it had affected our building in at least the following ways: power was down and there was a strange smell in the lower level of our building. He continued by stating that both BG & E and the fire department had been called and we were being advised to immediately evacuate the entire building – which we did! As disappointed as I was over not being able to finish my message I was deeply gratified that we had received the morning “offering” earlier in the service! (OK – that is a rather feeble attempt at humor!) One of our sweet ladies suggested that I finish my message outside – but as I knew, she was only being the sweet person that she is!!

Outside it was hectic and somewhat surreal. A fire truck and a rescue vehicle arrived plus a fire department SUV with “chief” on it and soon a BG & E truck also pulled into our front parking lot. Experts from both of these services investigated the entire building to discern dangers, problems, etc. Soon we were told that it was safe to reenter the building, but that it would be awhile before power would be restored. I informed the people, who were gathered in groups here and there (while some had already headed home) to go ahead with our Bible Study classes with whatever light was available inside. Rich and Jan Heil began helping with preparation for the church’s auxiliary portable sound system to be used in the 11 AM service. I talked with some of the firepersons (for one was a lady) and thanked them for their quick response. Sometime during the hour of Sunday School the lights came back on but our sound system didn’t make it until we were well into the next worship service.

So what does one say about yesterday’s rather unusual day at church? Can’t you just imagine the secular press’ headline, “The Day the Power Went Off at Church!” and I’ve been thinking about the same thing but in a different sense. Could it really be possible as some folks have suggested that if we suddenly found ourselves disconnected from the power of God’s Holy Spirit, we could continue up to 95% of our schedule, programs, ministries, etc. without ever missing a beat, and worse than that, without even knowing that we were devoid of His power? I hope with all my heart such is a supposition that is grossly wrong – BUT – I have a nagging fear that there may be more than a particle of truth in it. My prayer – and I sincerely hope yours – is that we will always remember the words of Zechariah 4:6, “This is the word of the Lord…‘not by might nor by (man’s) power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

                                          Pastor Jimmy, November 23, 2009

All in a day’s work

Some of you probably think that writing a weekly “GEM” is easy! Therefore, in order for you to understand the ‘agony’ that results in the ‘ecstasy’ of these regular words, I relate for you Monday’s time-frame for JIM’S GEMS:

   9:00 a.m.  Office opens; ‘process’ of writing begins.

   9:01 a.m.  ‘Process’ bogs down due to intelligence-gap.

   9:10 a.m.  ‘Process’ continues to lag due to dialogue with Mrs. Longface who complains again about all the ‘happiness at church’!

   9:20 a.m.  ‘Inspiration’ definitely needed.

   9:21 a.m.  One chocolate-iced donut (nicknamed ‘inspiration’) enters the ministry.

   9:22 a.m.  Pastry a great help but paragraphs still lagging.

   9:23 a.m.  “Break-time’ needed to clear mind.

                    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

 10:23 a.m.  ‘Break-time’ concluded; back to ‘call-of-the-column’. (Note alliteration!)

 10:24 a.m.  Computer refuses to cooperate for lack of an idea.

 10:25 a.m.  In order to stimulate inspirational ‘juices’, time is spent observing work being done at the church. (Ministry Assistant Barb White graciously shows me how to insert paper in the printer. Whew!! Tough job!!)

 10:45 a.m.  GEM begun on ‘spiritual procedures necessary to enlighten a church’ —– (house, that is!)

 10:46 a.m.  GEM goes nowhere as writer’s mind is still in darkness!

 10:47 a.m.  Adjourn for ‘coffee-break’.

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 11:47 a.m.  Coffee-break concluded; once again ready for mental gymnastics.

 11:50 a.m.  Still unable to ‘exercise’ my way into a column.

 11:59 a.m.  Prepare for lunch-break: comb hair, retie shoelaces, secure Diet Coke.

 12:00 noon Break for lunch

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   1:44 p.m.  Lunch interrupted by call from Mr. I. Got Nerve who needs a statement for the IRS relating that he did, indeed, give $12.81 to BBC in fiscal 2008!

   1:45 p.m.  Return to lunch after assuring Mr. Nerve that a statement will be sent verifying the $2.81 our records reveal plus the extra $10.00 he claims to have given. (I’m wondering if he is just now filing his return!!)

                    -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

   2:15 p.m.  Lunch finally concluded; back to my desk to do battle with the approaching 3:00 p.m. deadline.

   2:16 p.m.  Said battle continues to go badly; at this point entire ‘war’ may be lost!

   2:30 p.m.  Decision time arrives.

   2:31 p.m.  Decision made that words from other church mailouts are usable this week.

   2:41 p.m.  Decision made that words from other church mailouts are unusable this week.

   2:51 p.m.  Decision made that this week’s GEM is in BIG trouble!

   2:59 p.m.  Decision made to PRAY and ask for the Lord’s help!

   3:00 p.m.  Whew!! One more GEM squeezed in at the wire!

                                            Pastor Jimmy, November 16, 2009

A Sunday night surprise

It gave every indication of being one of our usual Sunday evenings: church attendance at 6:00 PM and then an evening meal afterwards. For years Cleo and I have enjoyed a routine of “breakfast at night” on Sundays (either at home or in a local restaurant) and on this particular Sunday we had chosen an establishment near the Arundel Mills area that served breakfast type dishes around the clock.

I had finished off my senior omelette, Cleo had done damage on her “slam” of choice, we had enjoyed a second cup of coffee, and our young waitress was inquiring as to whether or not we would like to order dessert. Now we enjoy desserts, but hardly ever after a meal of “breakfast” ingredients, so I declined for the two of us and requested my check. A smile formed on her face and she said, “The gentleman in the brown sweater two booths behind has paid for your meal.” Well, I thought she must have been mistaken and told her so, but she insisted that she was simply the messenger of these tidings. I ventured a glance over my shoulder and saw a very young man sitting in the booth in question with two young ladies. I asked the obvious question, “Why?” or perhaps it was more specific, Why us?” She said he was a friend from ’church’ (she did not specify which church and I did not ask) and that he just liked to do this from time-to-time.

After assuring me that he had also given her the “tip” for the meal, she left and Cleo and I began to theorize  the possible ‘reason’ for this generous act. Could he have witnessed our prayer before the meal? Was he a fabulously rich young man who thought his riches  would feel better inwardly if he sometimes shared them with others? Had he picked out an elderly couple he thought might be having difficulty attempting to survive on Social Security in this day and time? Or was this a random “act of kindness” that is often used by evangelical Christians to open the door for a witness for the Lord? Our minds were filled with questions such as who was he; had his parents taught him this gesture; and what, really, was his motive?

We gathered our belongings and walked back to his booth to thank him for his financial gesture of kindness. He shyly received our gratitude but obviously did not want us to make a “big deal” out of it. We left shortly thereafter with our “why” questions unanswered but with a far greater knowledge that there are still some persons in this greedy, narcisstic, me-first, world who want to share themselves — and their goods — with others. Did our young man do this out of a love and commitment to Christ? I don’t know but I hope so. Regardless — his action is a reminder for all of us that the words of Jesus are still relevant and true, “It is better to give than receive”. Maybe his actions — and the GEM it has spawned — will motivate us to “go and do likewise”.

                                         Pastor Jimmy, November 9, 2009

‘A night out with the boys’

I don’t know, nor am I inclined to research the subject, of where the phrase, “a night out with the boys” originated. It obviously alludes to adult behavior rather than that of teenagers and as ordinarily used speaks of an action by someone of male gender. (If female gender is involved – that will call for a separate GEM!!) My best bet of its origin sees the moment as being one of the following: bad argument with the wife, an unexpected arrival of one’s mother-in-law, or the wife is ‘out’ so why not?? But there could be another application – such as a Men’s Retreat!! Yeah – and these are my thoughts regarding that night last week.

It was cold; it was wet, and it was foggy – all of which could have dampened the spirit and enthusiasm of anyone. But on the other side of the experience – the food was great, the fellowship was warm, and the Spirit was present. Our group of men were meeting at Skycroft Conference Center outside Middletown, Maryland and whether lucky or not, I arrived first and gained the honor of choosing my bunk (literally!) first in gorgeous (‘yeah’!) Valley View Lodge. I’d been coming to Skycroft for over 20 years, mostly as a staff member of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCMD) but this was my first overnighter in that particular location. Upon arriving, (after locating someone to unlock the door for me) I turned on the heat in the two bunk-rooms and the ‘group-gathering’ room, tested the functionality of both bathrooms (they either ‘worked’ or we would move!), and made my bed. Then I walked over to the dining hall, plunked down in the lobby with Mike Huckabee’s newest book, and waited for our guys to start arriving.

“Getting away” every once-in-awhile is good medicine for each of us. The stress in life with which all of us deal guarantees that we will often be “tied in knots” inwardly and a removal from that environment – even if for only 24 hours – can often be as good for the soul as it is for the body. In our ‘retreat setting’ we were just a group of men enjoying the company of one another while at the same time imploring the Lord to grant us a refreshing of His Spirit. In the night’s service there was worship – singing, praying, and hearing God’s Word taught by one of our laymen. What a joy to see ‘men leading men’ without the need of “clergy”. There the Pastor and I were simply participants like all the other men with no big distinction between ‘clergy’ and ‘laity’!

So far – so good regarding the ‘night out with the boys’ BUT bed-time had to follow, and here’s where I missed my bed, my wife, my home the most. Following is a “time synopsis” of that night:

11:15 PM  placed head on pillow, closed eyes, ready for sleep

11:20 PM  opened eyes wondering if from the sounds in the adjacent room,   a bunch of teenagers had invaded our lodge

11:21 PM  repeated actions of 11:15

11:25 PM  gave up actions of 11:21 and starred at bottom of bunk above me while overhearing the tale tails emanating from next-door until miraculously falling asleep

 1:00 AM  awakened by one of our men who decided at the last minute that sleep was a part of the retreat

 2:00 AM  awakened by snoring in our room which probably accounted for lights going on all over the campus (had a bomb exploded or was it the sound of an approaching storm?)

 3:00 AM  awakened by a need that affects most people of my age – ah, the trek down the cold hallway to an even colder bathroom

 4:00 AM  awakened by a discovery of how ‘cold’ I was (could I have been the  idiot who turned off the heat in our room?)

 5:00 AM  awakened from a deep sleep thinking that the “stink bugs” which had attacked our conference room in force were in our room (thank goodness – false alarm!)

 5:45 AM  having been unable to return to sleep, I somehow managed to free myself of sheet and blanket, prepared myself for a new day, and with eyes drooping and body badly in need of coffee, struggled to the dining hall, where I promptly fell asleep in one of its soft chairs

So accounts for my “night out with the boys”! I’m reminded that you ‘win some and you lose some’. The Retreat receives high marks; my “night” just barely gets a passing grade; and the worst thing of it all (even after being warned by my wife) is that I left my pillow behind when I headed home! Oh well, it’s only once a year!! 

                                        Pastor Jimmy, November 2, 2009

 

 

 

When you want to ask ‘why’?

Why? Why? WHY? Isn’t that what everyone wants to ask when there is a death in which we think it either should not have happened or it happened too soon? Examples abound: a young adult cut down by a terrible disease; a teenager killed in a tragic accident; or an infant who struggled to live outside its mother’s womb but simply could not prevail? The latter has in the last few days befallen members of my extended family and, even in the midst of great faith, has, nonetheless, brought much pain and heartache.

Gabriella Grace Jackson, the first child born to my great nephew Matthew and his wife Shannon, after 29 days lost her fight to live last Thursday. She came into this world via a very complicated delivery. From her first moments of life (here) there were indications of the difficulties that faced her. Breathing difficulties, swallowing difficulties, joint difficulties – these and others conspired to afflict her in such ways that there was hardly any way she could have survived.

Having been called on in the course of my decades of ministry to minister to parents and family members in similar situations, I have witnessed the shock, the sadness, the grief that is always present at such times. Non-believers always want to “blame” God even when they do not believe in Him. Some folks will claim that it’s not “fair”, as if everything else in life is. Some will give in to despair, and allow such to practically overwhelm them for weeks, months, even years. But there are always those followers of the Christ, who with tears flowing down their cheeks and a tremble in their voices echo the words of Job, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (1:21 NIV) Gabbi’s (as she was affectionately labeled) parents have already strongly identified themselves in this latter category. Following are Matthew’s own words, posted on his Facebook wall, shortly after his daughter’s death: “Our little girl is in the arms of Jesus. Thank you to all of those that have prayed for Gabbi! She was a beautiful, remarkable, and powerful little girl. Her mother and I are the unfortunate ones that we didn’t… get to see Gabbi grow up. But she is praising around the throne today, and we will see her again.” I say, “AMEN, and may God embrace these young parents with His personal love and strength.”

It may be OK to ask the “why” question as long as one realizes that it is most likely that there will be no answer forthcoming. The Christian, rather than pressing God for an answer, stands upon his/her personal faith with the solid belief that God is good; that God does not make mistakes; and that there are reasons beyond our understanding for which we may have to wait until eternity for an explanation. As a child of God, one needs to remember that the Father would never do anything to harm a member of His own great family, but rather that His acts are to be seen in the context of knowing “that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…”.  So to Matthew and Shannon, family members, and all who have suffered similar losses – take heart, be strong, know that many are still praying for you, and above all, remember that God loves you and that you, like David of old, will be united with your dear little one in “the sweet by and by”.

                                        Pastor Jimmy, October 26, 2009        

The help a good lunch can provide

I just returned from a very interesting lunch meeting with some of my ministry peers. The gathering was hosted by BCMD (specifically Bob Simpson) and included not only a very fine meal, but helpful discussions about our ministries, needs and happenings in our churches, and some comments concerning a book from an earlier meeting Bob had given us to read. The most intriguing part of the entire session, however, was conducted by Dr. Tom Rodgerson, professor at Loyola, an adjunct staff member at BCMD for years and until recently Director of the Centrepointe (Christian) Counseling Service. He shared with us the importance of knowing – and understanding – both the timeline (or “history”) of the churches we are serving and one’s own personal background/history.

Now you would think that each person – whether he/she is engaged in professional “church-work”, would already be well aware of his/her own personal history. Dr. Rodgerson made it quite clear, however, that many such persons do NOT simply because their knowledge, and thus their understanding, of their personal history is often too limited. He insisted that knowledge of three sets of “families” would be necessary for a true grasp of one’s personal situation. The three families are: (1) family of origins (dating back to one’s grandparents); (2) immediate family; and, (3) of special significance to Christians, one’s church family. In what was almost a three point sermon, he claimed that the ARENA in which we live and move – the aforementioned three families – should be areas of relationships of love; that one’s ATTITUDE at all times must be one of openness to revelation (by which he means what we can learn from others) and should at all times seek to be consistent with the “mind of Christ”; and that there always needs to be AWARENESS of movement from outside to the inside in one’s life and visa-versa. By this he means that things ‘outside us’ are to be internalized and from who one truly is, internally, find their way outward into everyday living. Finally, he is a firm believer that in the “church family” side of this three-pronged equation, the history of one’s church (events, leadership, traumas, attitudes, successes, failures, strengths, weaknesses, friends, enemies, etc.) play an immense part in developing and rounding-out these areas of arena, attitude, and awareness. Dr. Rodgerson is a professional counselor, a teaching professor, and a former Baptist pastor. He is a highly respected leader and a long-time personal friend. His father, Phil Rodgerson, was a personal peer Director of State Missions (Virginia) when I held the same position in Maryland/Delaware.

You may wonder why I am writing of this meeting in today’s GEM. There are at least the following three reasons: (1) I am a firm believer in Rodgerson’s basic thesis, namely that knowledge and understanding of one’s three families is very important; (2) Rodgerson’s presentation today that the development of the right kind of attitudes depends to a great degree upon one’s willingness to be open to what others reveal to him/her about oneself: and (3) in a spirit of total honesty – I needed a topic for today’s article. Lying awake last night did not produce one; coming to work early with a prayer that the right one would be evident to me when I sat down at my computer didn’t work either; but lo, and behold, after a meal that included both crab-cakes and crème brulee, I was sufficiently enthused, informed and inspired to produce – for you, my readers – this essay that undoubtedly will do for you one of two things: either add greatly to your personal accumulation of educational information or be the cause of an absolute certainly that this is the last GEM you will ever read!

I’ll be delighted to know your decision.

                                         Pastor Jimmy, October 19, 2009