Giving Is Already Our Lifestyle

In the midst of a global pandemic people are struggling trying to find a way to celebrate the holiday season. The entire year has been challenging and even as it wraps up, it still shows no sign of letting up on the relentless assault on our lives.

In years past, people of various faiths and religious beliefs have furiously battled over the appropriate way to deal with the holiday season. Even within Christianity there are debates about the way December 25th  should be celebrated, or if it should be celebrated at all.

Over the past few weeks we have been offering very important points for us to consider for making a Godly response to the pagan origins of December 25th. As Faith Leaders and Community Life CARE Coaches, we have decided to provide practical answers and solutions for you and your family.

Here are the three points we asked you to consider for responding to people who are caught in the midst of the Christmas controversy:

1.) Become all things to all men - 1 Corinthians 9:18-23 

2.) Don’t allow your freedom to cause your brother to stumble 

- 1 Corinthians 8:4-13

3.) Use the opportunity (holiday) to bless your enemies - Matthew 5:43-45

This week we are offering the fourth of five responses:

Response #4: Continue steadfast in the early church lifestyle of giving - Acts 2: 40-47

In the early church, they developed a lifestyle of sharing with others and making intentional efforts to help those in need. This was not a practice that came out of pagan rituals. The Church did this as part of the overflow of the life of Christ within them.

Never think of gift-giving and helping the needy as only a holiday thing. It's simply a Godly response. Christmas just happens to be a great time to do what should come naturally for Believers all year.

Many people claim that they give presents to others because December 25th is Jesus' birthday. Hopefully, we have made it clear that Christmas was never intended to be celebrated as the birth date of Christ, but instead, the celebration of the fact that Christ came into the world to take away the sin of humanity.

Therefore, even though the reasoning behind the gift-giving claim is a bit misguided, the practice of gift-giving is not.

Today, we are urgently trying to communicate that in spite of the historical facts, controversies and conflicts that surround December 25th, Christ must truly become YOUR reason for this season and all year round. 

The world will continue to celebrate the SUN god (in all its many names and forms) as part of their annual winter celebrations. WE must celebrate the SON of God and give a Godly RESPONSE to our non-believing family and friends, and to our Christian brothers and sisters who may not have this insight.

Many religious leaders are preaching strongly about the negative issues that surround the winter holiday season. However, we believe that it is one thing to expose all the problems with December 25th, but it is another thing to actually offer a way for people to RESPOND in this season and bring Glory to God the Father.

Yes, we must speak the truth about December 25th, but what does it matter if we cannot present TRUTH in LOVE and take advantage of the opportunity to lead people to a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

Giving gifts and helping the needy is more than a December 25th thing; it's a Godly thing. God gave us the gift of His son. For God so loved the world that He gave.....

The Gift of Forgiveness

A couple weeks ago we started discussing the controversies surrounding various December celebrations and traditions; and how we, as Believers, must stop merely REACTING to the negative origins of December 25th and begin making a wise RESPONSE to this season. 

We are offering at least Five Godly Responses to December 25th. 

So far we have presented two responses:

#1: Become All Things to All Men from 1 Corinthians 9:18-23 (NKJV)

#2: Don’t allow your freedom to cause your brother to stumble from 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (NKJV) 

This week we’re offering response #3 - Use the opportunity (holiday) to love, bless, do good and pray for your enemies, haters and persecutors. 

In years past, (before our current Covid-19 lock downs) many people were giving in to the pressure to buy gifts and they’d run up huge credit card bills to do it. During one holiday season, we saw a celebrity on a talk show and he said the only thing he asked his family and friends to give him was a gift that doesn’t cost any money. So he simply asked for a letter, a poem, a song, a phone call, etc. It is truly amazing how one of the richest people in America has a request for the most important things in life. Meanwhile, many financially struggling people in America try to spend money. 

We plan to enjoy the holiday by spending time with one another. We are focusing on our relationships; even the relationships that are not doing so well. We encourage you to do the same. 

In Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV), Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." 

This may seem radical, but we believe that we can use this holiday season as an opportunity to bless those who are our enemies. 

What a marvelous time to do something so completely unexpected that it truly personifies what it means to be a child of our Father in heaven. Just like HE provides sunshine and rain (both of these are blessings) to evil and good people, we can express His goodness and mercy in a tangible way as well. 

For many of us, we don’t have to think too hard to come up with a name or two of people whom we could bless in this way. Before covid-19, many people were going to scramble through shopping malls trying to find the perfect gift for someone who is very special to them. But what if they had included in those lists, a couple of people who don’t like them very much? 

In these harsh economic times, most people don’t have very much money for purchasing gifts and the holiday season has become more of a burden of obligation. However, we encourage you to consider those who spitefully used you or even persecuted you. It might be something as simple as sending a greeting card or sending a text message or greeting. 

One year the Holy Spirit showed me that I had buried unforgiveness regarding a childhood bully. Just mentioning his name brought up old feelings of anger and resentment. So the Lord impressed upon me to start the cleansing process by sending a Christmas card with a letter. It was to be the first step in blessing someone who persecuted me long ago. 

What names and faces come into your thoughts as you consider this Godly response? Don’t hesitate. Take advantage of this season to respond like a child of God. Give the gift of forgiveness. 

Respond by blessing your enemies.

A Matter of Conscience

It might be difficult to conceive, but there are millions of people who have real issues with December 25th. 

Last week we began discussing some of the controversies surrounding December 25th and how we, as Believers, can stop merely REACTING to the negative origins of that date and begin making wise RESPONSES to this season.

We are offering at least Five Godly Responses to December 25th.

Last week we presented response #1: Become All Things to All Men, according to 1 Corinthians 9:18-23.

This week we offer Response #2: 

Don’t cause your brother to stumble - 1 Corinthians 8:4-13 (NKJV)

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul was dealing with a matter that was very similar to the controversial December 25th issues. Some Believers were participating in the practice of eating food that was offered to idols. They didn’t feel restricted because they knew that the idols were not real gods and they also knew that what goes into a person is not what defiles them.

It’s the same for Christian Believers today who participate in modern December 25th rituals that have proven historical foundation in idol worship. They feel, just as those early Believers, that they are free in Christ Jesus. Therefore, they have no problem with the negative origins.

However, Paul admonished those early Believers to not allow their freedom to cause another brother to stumble. He explained that due to his brother's conscience, he did not have internal permission to participate in that practice of eating food offered to idols.

If another Believer is struggling with our practices, it may wound their conscience. Paul actually says that we sin against our brother and Christ. The sin is not the practice itself, but it is in how the participation affects our brothers.

Let’s read the letter: “Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

We realize that even though there are many things that are okay for Chris and Carol to do, but as Spiritual coaches and spiritual leaders in this community, they are not always expedient. Some things are not wise for us to do. Some things are not beneficial for us to do. There are many things that we were at liberty to say and do in Missouri that have proven to be offensive in Pennsylvania. So we don't do them for the sake of our brothers and sisters in this region and their culture.

Why abstain? Well, because we have an extremely important mission and purpose for being in Pennsylvania. Some of our freedoms could go beyond merely offending another brother, and could actually cause them to stumble. Paul says that some of our freedoms could actually wound another brother’s conscience. Our freedoms can even cause others, who are outside of the Faith, to continue in their ungodly practices. 

So, we have learned that some things are just not worth it. Why risk losing potential brothers and sisters or wounding current brothers and sisters?

What are we saying to you today? We're saying, please be very careful of what you practice in this controversial season. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you the 'yea and nay' about what you do. Don't question Him. Just obey Him.

We cannot, do not, must not, and will not dictate what goes on in your home. We’re not the December 25th police! God knows who is in your family and He knows the people who are part of your life. You might be connected to people with whom your response is based upon what we mentioned last week ….I have become, to those who are without law, as without law.

Most of today’s December 25th practices don’t cause people any internal conflict because they have no knowledge of the history. But if you are closely connected with family members who have issues with these things, be very wise and sensitive to where they are in their conscience. They would require the response from last week's scripture .…I become to those who are under the law, as under the law.

Remember, a person’s beliefs are often deeply rooted in teachings, personal understanding, personal interpretation, cultural or familial upbringing, history and life-long experiences. 

It really is a matter of their conscience. Don’t force someone to violate their own conscience. It’s not simply a matter of whether THEY are right or wrong about December 25th. Don’t let your freedom cause your brother to stumble.

Respond with understanding, patience and love.

The Holiday Challenge

It’s that time again. It’s the holiday season. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Americans are still trying to make time for family, fellowship, food and festivities. 

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us we're going to start talking about December 25th. That's because, the day after Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Therefore, we're going to take advantage of this annual launch to start talking about December 25th and what it truly means in America today.

Did you know that many people feel that Christmas should not be celebrated?

When you learn about some of its history you can understand why. Here are just a few reasons why it is not celebrated in many sectors of American society. You might have family or friends who feel this way:

1.) December 25th is just a capitalistic marketing ploy to manipulate the masses to spend money.

2.) There is no Christian church validation that Jesus was really born on December 25th.

3.) December 25th is a day on which Jews have been shamed, tortured and murdered.

4.) Many of the most popular December 25th customs – including trees, mistletoe, stockings and Santa Claus – are modern reincarnations of pagan rituals.

5.) Most December 25th customs evolved from pagan rituals and practices and, therefore, should never be observed.

We agree that these are all very strong arguments for not participating in the festivities of the holiday. Many preachers across America will accurately and systematically destroy any reason a Christian Believer could possibly be connected to this season of the year.

However, as you know, we have built a reputation on diving into controversial topics and we’re about to add more fuel to that fire.

Many Christians and religious people have taken the position that it is wrong to embrace things that were perverted and sinful in their origins. They feel we should never attempt to use these things for God. 

However, that's exactly what God did with us. Even though we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. For anyone who receives Him, He gives them the power to become children of God. He changes us and sets us apart for His purpose. He didn't allow our sinful origins to keep us away from His divine purpose.

Now, as His children, we have the opportunity to take advantage of a season that has very negative origins and highly commercialized, money-making schemes. This is one of the special times in which our families can be exposed to the reality of Jesus Christ and the true reason why He came to earth.

We believe that we must do much more than just debate about all the reasons why we should not celebrate December 25th. Most people simply REACT to the negative aspects of this date. We believe that we need to provide Believers Godly ways to RESPOND to this season.

Beginning this week, and up until Christmas Day, we want to give you Five Godly Responses to the Pagan Origins of December 25th.

This week we’re presenting response #1: 

Become All Things to All Men.

In 1 Corinthians 9:18-23, Paul writes, "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you."

We see the Christmas season as the perfect opportunity to connect with many different kinds of people. This scripture does not mean that we become hypocrites and pretenders in order to indulge in secular practices. This is talking about connecting with people ON THEIR LEVEL of understanding. This is about identifying with them, the same way Christ identified with all of mankind.

Don't shun people because of what they believe or practice during this season. Don't isolate yourself from the office party or the family gathering because they may have traditions or rituals that are against your beliefs. Become all things to all men, so that you might by all means save some.

We'll give you a week to ponder over these thoughts! Please watch for next week's posting as we provide another way to avoid merely REACTING to, but instead, wisely RESPONDING to the pagan origins of December 25th.

Changing the Cancel Culture with CARE

How do you have a conversation with people who have a political, social or religious view that is different from your own?

How do you connect with someone who has no faith tradition or they have a non-traditional faith practice?

How do you handle life's awkward encounters?

How do you build a culture within your community and within your own heart that does not cancel people?

These challenges are answered in Chris and Carol Green's 19th publication titled Responding With Care: Listening, Lifting and Launching. 

In this powerfully relevant message for our time, embedded in a searcherdemic-based presentation, the Greens build a strong case for adopting the principles of CARE (Civility and Compassion, Awareness and Accountability with Respect and Empathy) in our personal and professional lives.

As the creators of the CARE-Ready Life Coaching® model and its initiatives, Chris and Carol Green, reveal their highly recommended, tested, proven and successful people-connecting strategy. Their innovative "Listen, Lift, Launch" approach to mentoring and life coaching (aka Discipleship) was built from years of successfully empowering those who live and work in underserved communities.

Coaches, mentors, counselors, pastors, community leaders and neighborhood helpers have been elevated higher than “assess and treat”.  Instead of trying to fix or reconstruct people, CARE is about listening for understanding, lifting  through skilled spiritual guidance, and launching people into new possibilities. 

With its Foreword written by La-Verna Fountain, a highly sought after communications and conflict resolution specialist who works with large scale organizations, we encourage you to get the CARE-Ready Handbook that's been 25 years in the making.

Order from Amazon Books HERE