Merry Stinking Christmas

(2005) The fight is on and everyone is getting in on it.

The players: Pastors, civil leaders, politicians, actors, and your every day Joes.

The issue: Christmas

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas. Take your pick and put up your dukes cause your turn to swing might be next. Everyone is in the Christmas spirit!

The ACLU vs. the "Christian Right". Each has his own take and each is stirring the pot of Holiday discontent. Cities, schools, companies and retailers are getting blasted by Christians. Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly is on a rampage against corporations. Even President Bush can't avoid getting involved as he has taken his shots over the wording of his Christmas...excuse me....Holiday card.

People are now attacking the first vocal Christian President we have had in decades for not using "Christmas" in his card. I guess they failed to read this, which was written on the inside. "The Lord is my strength and my sheild; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him." Psalm 28:7" I know. I got one from him.

Funny thing is, have we stopped to ask ourselves, "Where would Jesus be in all of this?" As a matter of fact, as we throw our verbal punches back and forth, let me ask you, "Where is Jesus in the punches you throw?". Would He be arguing through the media? Yelling at the "left" or attacking corporate leaders for failing to make Christmas more prominent in their printings or policies? Would He really?

If He wouldn't speak a word in defense of Himself as He was falsely accused, I highly doubt He would say much about this issue of Christmas. Don't get me wrong. He put an end to the argument by what He did. He knew there was nothing He could say.

Keeping Christ in Christmas is simple. It has nothing to do with passing laws that say it remains. It has nothing to do with public displays of faith such as nativity scenes or fighting via lawsuits to force our beliefs upon others.

Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer of standing up for what we believe. But isn't it about time our "standing up for what we believe" is less about words and more about actions? We can argue about everything, or we can start working on making the world a better and more Godly place. It starts with you and me.

Keeping Christ in Christmas is about what we do, not what we say or demand. I bet we'd find Jesus doing one of these:

* giving to your local church in order to reach out to someone
* tipping your waiter an extra $20 bucks on a cold winter night
* spending some time at your local shelter or Salvation Army depot
* buying that needy family some clothes, giving them shelter
* providing toys to those kids who are left without any
* giving someone at the local mall an encouraging word
* inviting a friend to your church for Christmas Eve services
* using your own yard to display signs and decorations of your beliefs and values

If we'd spend half as much energy doing some or all of these as we did in fighting with others, who will never see it our way, Christ would always be in Christmas no matter what the tree was called and the season was labeled by the world. No one can keep us from saying "Merry Christmas", or giving to the needy, reaching out to a friend, helping a stranger, or walking around with a smile on our face while whistling "It's the most wonderful time of the year".

Instead, what we see are Christians using their words more than their actions and the sad truth, is that this has become a trend. We argue against abortions, homosexuality, sex, profanity, and greed. Yet, what do many Christians do? They fail to vote, they spew hate toward homosexuals, they get hooked on porn, they divorce their wives, they have sex outside of marriages, they mouth off at people and many cheat on their taxes. We scream at companies for using "holiday" than "Christmas", all the while "Joy to the World" is playing in the background over the music system in the same place we're screaming at. "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let Earth receive Her King". We just can't be happy can we?

People, "Happy Holidays" has been used for years to encompass both Christmas and New Years. Everyone knows that. It's not a big deal.

We can't legislate Christianity. It has to be who we are, not what we force people to think we are.

We need to stop ruining Christmas. It's making everyone around us sick.

As my wife put it so eloquently, why would anyone want to be a Christian when all they see us do is complain about everything?

Now that is a punch that hurts.

Happy Christmas (there....does that work?)

"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievious words stir up anger." Proverbs 15:1


© 2005, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."

Media Exposes Great Need for Much Grace

(2005) What a year it has been. Some might say 2005 was a year full of fallen heros, villains and corrupt role models. After all could the sins of man be more exposed than they have this year? Let’s take a quick walk down memory lane of some of the bigger things that have happened this year various popular people:

* A California jury acquits pop singer Michael Jackson of 10 charges, including molesting a child, conspiracy, and providing alcohol to minors

*Martha Stewart wraps up prison term after being convicted of corporate fraud

* Terrell Owens gets kicked of football team after stupid comments made about teammates and loses millions of dollars

* Former Dallas Cowboy star Michael Irvin gets busted again for not paying speeding tickets and being in possession of crack pipe and drug items in his Mercedes

* Long time GOP congressman Randy Cunningham resigns after admitting bribes CIA

* House Leader Tom DeLay (R) is arrested for suspicion of contribution fraud

* Governmental leaders point fingers at each other for FEMA failures in response to to the Hurricane Katrina disaster

* Mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, curses and acts vulgar on radio media outlet

* Republican Party takes major hits for issues of integrity and character

* Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove investigated regarding concerns of CIA leak about intelligence findings

* Democratic Party continues to spew verbal hatred and unprofessional personal attacks against GOP in speeches across country with the likes of Dean and Kerry leading the way

* For some unknown reason, Saddam Hussein is allowed a trail process in and acts arrogant despite his own years of committing atrocities and murders, claiming his trail is an “act of terrorism”

* Baseball hero Rafael Palmerio loses respect after testing positive for steroids just months after standing before Congress, pointing a finger at them and saying he ahs never taken steroids.

* Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO, Richard Scrushy were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of a "widespread racketeering conspiracy"

* Various WorldCom and ENRON execs receive jail time for fraud and corruption

* Brain damaged patient Terri Schiavo is allowed to die of starvation based on medical teams advise that she should could not feel pain

* Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski received 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison for his part in stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from the manufacturing conglomerate

* Teenager Jeff Weise, 16, kills nine people, many at his own high school, including his grandfather, before turning the gun on himself

* Nearly 125 years later, the U.S. Senate finally apologizes for failure to enact anti-lynching laws and issues a formal apology for decades-long failure to pass laws making lynching illegal. From 1882 to 1968, 4,742 people (3,446 of them black) were killed by lynch mobs

* In a totally hypocticial move, famous musicians urge the world to unite during Live 8 to end poverty in Africa, though most don’t give hardly any of their own money themselves to their own cause

* A federal grand jury indicts I. Lewis Libby, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, with one count of obstruction of justice, two of perjury, and two of making false statements in connection with an investigation into who disclosed the identity of a covert CIA officer

* Arlington pastor, Terry L. Hornbuckle, 43, indicted amid numerous sex allegations and then later is busted with drugs and denies it all

* The pastor of East Waynesville Baptist Church, Chan Chandler, resigned after terminating the membership of nine church members because they voted for John Kerry.

* Boston Pastor, Rev. Jerome F. Gillespie, resigned of St. John the Evangelist Church, after allegedly propositioning a mother and her daughter

* A 55-year-old former pastor was indicted for allegedly having sexually abused six males over a 14-year period, many inside his Westside Victory Baptist Church.

* The Internal Revenue Service is looking into the operations and finances of televangelist Benny Hinn's organization. The ministry is estimated to raise more than $100 million a year yet begs people for money daily to build supposed “healing centers”

* MinistryWatch.com advises donors to withhold support to Trinity Broadcasting Network and calls also for new leadership

* Pastor Joel Olsteen of 30,000 member Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, steers away from talking about sin and judgment…stating he is not sure about who won’t go to heaven on the talk show Larry King Live…

KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?
OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know . . .

* Teenagers David Ludwig, 18, and Kara Beth Borden involved in cold blooded murder of Borden’s parents after parents refuse to allow Ludwig to date her.

The devil is no respecter of persons. He’ll get anyone he can and it amazes me just what people will do. Day after day we read headlines like these that include people from all walks of life; athletes, politicians, business leaders, actors, and even ministers. Time after time they fail leaving us shaking our heads in amazement and wonder.

But we need to be honest here. We love seeing the failures of others, don’t we? It makes us feel better about ourselves. Yet, we need to be careful because we are treading on shaky ground. We must ask ourselves this question: Are we really any different? If we were famous, had superstar status or the popularity of many of these people, what would the media “discover” about us? What would they find in our lives?

Truth is, most of us are glad we don’t have the spotlight on our own lives. We tend to hide in the comforts of being unknown. It makes things easier to hide and easier to get away with. All of us are sinners and all of us have done terrible things. As a matter of fact, some of us will do so today.

Christ addressed nearly the same issues once in His day. A woman was popular and had a reputation that followed her. She was known for her actions and the way she lived her life. In His day, Fox News and CNN weren’t around, but Pharisees were everywhere, ready to point their finger. They kept stones readily available, so they could keep the attention on the “sinner” while acting the part of a “saint”. That was their “m.o.”. Keep the focus off of them and let others take the heat.

Do you do the same? Do you shake your head when you hear these stories like I do? I know for me, sometimes hearing another person fall makes me feel a little better. My flesh has a way of soaking in it and telling my mind, “See, you’re not so bad. At least you didn’t do what Michael Irvin did and you don’t scam people like Benny Hinn!”

There is no excuse for what these people have done or continue to do and surely there is a need to expose the fallacies of man. The media isn’t going away. I just hope they continue to not see me. I’ll be sure to avoid making eye contact.

In the meantime, I’m going to get on my knees and thank God He covers me and let’s me start each day a new. I suggest you do the same.

CNN or Fox News might be heading your way….but even if they don’t God knows it all just the same.


“They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." John 8:8

© 2005, J. Brady"

I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."

Don't Let Frosty Melt

(2004) Is there a better time of year than Christmas time? Is there any other time of year that's more focused on joy, giving, peace and love? What about the greatness of our holiday friends like Rudolph, Santa, the Elves or Frosty?

I just love Christmas.

Of course as a Christian, this time of year is truly about celebrating our freedom from sin as Christ was born. No gift will ever be more meaningful or bigger than the one He gave us 2000 years ago.

But there are good reasons many of us could scoff at Christmas these days. There is no doubt it has become too commercialized and removed from the story of Jesus. People have become too busy, chasing the best deals for gifts, waiting in line overnight and fighting over something for the kids, or running here in there busier than ever. Stores make millions in 4 short weeks each year starting the day after Thanksgiving with what they call "Black Friday". That one day in sales usually moves them from a loss to a profit for the year. It's incredible.

Yet the world isn't alone. Christians get busy too. We fall in line with the mall shopping, the craziness of travel, volunteering, rehearsing and performing in plays or musicals at church, or even being busy entertaining the family with various movies, special events and Christmas light touring. It really does get crazy.

But even so, it is still the greatest time and we need to do our part to keep the real meaning and fun in Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season and we can honor Him by making it fun and enjoying every minute of it. Nothing honors anyone more than celebrating their birth for 30 days or more! Santa, Rudolph, the Elves and Frosty (yes, even if you live in Texas) are all apart of His birthday gang. They too can make us laugh, smile and ponder the joy of all that God has given us.

If we aren't careful though, Christmas time is going to be turned into "Holiday time". The world is already working on removing the name Christmas from Christmas Tree. Jesus is being pushed into the back and it won't be long before Frosty and the rest of the gang will be standing there all alone. After all, if not for Jesus, there would not be Christmas. And if there was no Christmas, there would be no Frosty, Santa or the rest. What would be the point?

Frosty didn’t' come alive because of just a corn cob pipe. He came alive with the birth of Christ. Without Christmas, he too will melt away into the past. He isn't a Holiday character, he is a Christmas character.

So, stop today and take some time to enjoy it all. Make it fun. Laugh, smile and cry and enjoy the birthday party for Jesus! Then steal a moment away to thank God for Him and commit to Him that you'll never let Frosty melt. If we don't, the world is going to steal Christmas right out from under our feet. An if they succeed, then there will no longer be a birthday party called Christmas.

And trust me, if that happens, it will do much more than just melt Frosty.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…" Psalm 30:11


© 2004, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."