Doug Rea Archive

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Choosing to have a Merry Christmas

 

Soon the immortal phrase, “Merry Christmas,” will be repeatedly shared by friends, family, and acquaintances.  The closer the big day approaches the more frequent it will become.  But what does it actually mean to wish someone, “Merry Christmas?”  Is it simply the expected salutation of the season? Do we think of offering someone a  “Merry Christmas” as our way of wishing them a time of joy, rest, peace and a fresh reflection on all the things that are good?

What about you – are you planning to have a “Merry” Christmas? It is, after all, your decision to make. What variables will you use to determine whether or not your Christmas is a merry one?  Perhaps for you a Merry Christmas is, by definition, gifting your children the latest Apple product or buying your wife more jewelry than your budget can possibly afford.  Will the pressure of holiday shopping and wrapping outweigh the joy of the family gathering?  People tend to stress as the lines at the stores, restaurants, and stop lights became seasonably long.  On the roadways the driving gloves come off and it’s “every man for himself.”  As I understand it, the season is about love, joy, peace on earth and good will toward man.  ALL of which, by the way, are bible quotes and attributes of the perfect gift of God, The Messiah, The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Even Hollywood recognizes this season as “merry.”  Just look at all the movies that come out this time of year that actually have happy endings.  There is always room for a new adaptation of, “A Christmas Carole.”  In the classic, Scrooge is reminded of his past and warned about his future should he not change his attitude to one of kindness and charity. Meanwhile, on 34th street, a miracle takes place and a broken little girl, from a broken home finds a new family and a new home. Santa even apologizes to Rudolph for treating him wrongly. Is there any music artist that does not have a Christmas song or CD on the market?

This Year – CHOOSE to have a Merry Christmas. Don’t let things like money and decorations get you down. Encourage your family to spread the joy of the season. Suggest that before presents are opened that you first help at the homeless shelter. Get the family to, “carol around the spinet” and to deck the halls and all those things. Bring a warm meal to a widow or rake the old man’s yard down the road. Have a Merry Christmas.

Tags: Doug Rea, Faith
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Swear Words

 

Comedian George Carlin made famous the, “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” Depending on your region of origin, you may know these as, “cuss words, curse words, or swear words.” I would suppose that their most common use is that of an adjective but I have heard them used as pronouns as well.  Although these words are commonly used in our everyday vernacular, I am questioning whether or not they are acceptable coming from the mouth of those of us claiming to be Christian.

In Colossians 3:8 Paul warns about the use of filthy language coming from the mouth of those claiming to be risen with Christ.  Although I would concede that the writer is not dealing specifically with the use of our swear words, I would submit that the verse teaches that there are words that are considered improper, abusive, or even vile. So my point is this: I think it is simply unbecoming of a Christian to swear. My feeling is that this particular use of words does not make us cool nor does it make us relevant.  They certainly do not project The Kingdom as I have come to know it.  I just can’t see Jesus dropping the “F-bomb.”

Being reared in the Northeast United States, in an Italian home, I can assure you that I have been exposed to my share of swear words.  Even still there was a certain degree of etiquette in their usage.  For example, we could never use them in front of woman. Also, their usage was prohibited in the presence of young children.  Most importantly, we would most certainly be damned to hell should they be used inside church. The rule at my house was if we siblings were heard using these words our mouths were washed with soap. Be real – Everyone knows that there is something different about swear words.

One could make the argument that you have the freedom to use them long as you don’t offend or cause a brother to stumble.  In turn I would have to ask, “To what end?”  When then Vice President Dick Cheney was recorded using a swear word, many in the media called on him to resign or at least apologize.  Why the outrage?  It was considered unbecoming of a representative of the United States to use such language. How much more so should we as ambassadors of Christ bridle our tongue? Let’s just assume for a moment that Jesus was Lord over your mouth and that everything you said was submitted to Him.  Would you still use these words?

Ask yourself and The Lord if the use of these words promotes things that are good and wholesome.  Be willing to question if swear words somehow bring God’s presence into the conversation. Perhaps one of 100,000 words in our English language that can be used as adjectives is better suited for the Christian.

Tags: Doug Rea, Faith
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Enduring 26.2 Miles

 

My 23yr old daughter Kayla set her mind on running the 26.2 miles that make up the foot race known as the, “Soldier Marathon” held on Ft. Benning, Columbus Ga.  She began her run at 7am on a cold 32 degree morning.  5 hours later, her mother and I cheered as Kayla crossed the finish line.  With our family camcorder rolling I asked her to say something that she would want to remember later.  Her response was both simple and profound.  Kayla proudly looked and me and proclaimed, “I did it.”

I used her story at Connections this week as I taught from the 12th chapter of the book of Hebrews.  In the first 2 verses, the writer compares the life of a Christian believer to that of a marathon runner.  Mentioned in these verses are words commonly used in the arena of running such as “course, run, race, and endurance.”

Importantly, the chapter is preceded by a list of people who have persevered and trusted God in spite of the level of suffering, persecution, or even death. We then, are challenged to run our race in that same manner.  To run our race, the writer continues his athletic metaphor with some specific instructions.  We are first encouraged lay aside all encumbrances.

Although Kayla’s race started out with less the favorable temperatures, eventually the sun came up and the day warmed.  The gloves that earlier were a welcomed friend were eventually set aside for the sake of the race.  I trust that you are seeing tune correlation.

There are of things and people that are perfectly fine to be a party too.  If these, in some way, cause us to be hindered on our Christian course, they must be put aside.  Kayla dropped her gloves at our feet at mile 14.

The next thing the writer states is that our sin needs to go.  Sin is best defined by a single verse of scripture found in James 4:17 “to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  The word sin, in essence, means to miss the intended mark.  It was a term used in the field of archery to describe the arrow not hitting the very center of the target.

Kayla trained when she could have slept.  She read material that helped her accomplish her goal. She spent time with people who have already finished a marathon and that would train her to do the same.  And just as the athlete avoids doing things to their mind and body that may cost them victory, we as Christians must train our mind, will, and emotions to “hit the mark” when it involves running the course that has been set before us.

I will share more on running your race next week.  I hope you enjoy that, “With Your Latte.”. Ps make sure your latte is sugar free/fat free.

Tags: Doug Rea, Faith
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When it’s important to God…you will know it

In my reading through Leviticus, one consistent little phrase has been popping up since Exodus 6:1. And although the Bible conveys the same thought through other similar verbiage, it is the phrase, “The Lord said to Moses” that caused me to grin. From the book of Exodus through the book of Joshua, that exact phrase is used 122 times in the version that I read.

As the title of this week’s edition of With Your Latte indicates – When something becomes important enough to God for action, God makes it important to someone to act. Isn’t this essentially how this whole God/Moses thing came about? In Exodus 3:7 we see The Lord expressing a concern for His people. Mind you, these people have been in Egypt for 400 years by this time. I guess in “God years” that’s only about a ½ day. But He’s God and it’s all cool with me. The bigger picture is that the plight of the people became important enough to God to respond so He, in turn, made their situation important to Moses. Then Moses responded in obedience.

About a decade ago I heard The Lord say to me, “Show Southwest Georgia I am NOT what religion has made me out to be.” I obeyed by starting Connections. Living here since the turn of the century, I can tell you that He has made the same thing known to many others. For these “others” it may not have the same specifics accompanying their call as I have had. For you it might be as simple as a nudge that says “pray for him” or “check on her.” Don’t be too quick to write off a great idea in business or in ministry as just a dream. That idea may be God directing you to do something that is important to Him. When a permanent home for His people became important to God, He made it important to Abraham. When it was the Gentile nation, Paul’s heart was there. And when it was you and I who were important to God – Jesus obeyed.

I am also seeing that “important” may not always mean urgent. Something being important to God certainly doesn’t require that I act independently of Him. It does however indicate that He is inviting me to be a part of something He is doing. I’m down with that. Enjoy that With Your Latte – see you next week

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Halloween! OMG … HIDE!

 

      Christians love to hide. We have or own buildings, music, clothing, bookstores, and coffee shops. But most of all, we hide from Halloween – AKA “Satan’s Day” {{{insert evil laugh here}}}.

Many will be in their homes with their lights off indicating that the evil children of darkness, those that are caught up in the Devil’s web, are not welcome here! The evil of this night must move past us. We are way too holy to be close something and someone so unclean. What if  “these whom we do not speak of” see us or worse touch us! We will get a demonic impartation?

Imagine the “light of the world” turning off the lights in a dark world on a dark night. How pathetically weak we are. I know of people that went as far as to anoint the door post of their home to ward off the demons of the night. I guess it is better than applying the blood of a sacrificed lamb.

Why get into the community on this night of ghosts and goblins when we can hide ourselves safely inside the walls of our church and scream “sanctuary?” No, we can’t be a part of Halloween. Surely, our eternal souls would damned should we even think about it. Good thing we church folks have our fall festivals and our hallelujah nights that we might save ourselves. Sounds to me like the church, for the most part, “moved to the other side of the road.”

Is Satan MORE Satan on Halloween? Is he less Satan the next morning? Will you feel better and when the demon activity has subsided? We are soon to counter him with Christmas! That will get him back.

I have a better idea …

Let’s pretend that our God is great and mighty! Let’s assume that we are called to be light in the darkness and that we can walk right into the middle of a witch’s coven and not be vexed. Well, what better time to be a light then on Halloween?

What do you think your soul looked like to God when you approached him with your evil heart before He made it new? Aren’t you glad that the Lord your God did not hide from you or retreat to His inner chamber? No! He met you and loved on you right where you were – with righteousness that looked far worse than those kids do on Halloween night.
This year, instead of going to church, BE THE CHURCH. Go home, turn the lights on, and be a safe loving place for children to visit. Let them see, as well as their parents, that the Body of Christ has ZERO fear of this day! Greater is He that is in us! Show them the love of God by giving them a treat NO MATTER HOW they are dressed.

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The Secret of Contentment

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of columns on anxiety.

Learning to be content may be one of the most difficult concepts for us Americans to grasp. Here in the “land of opportunity,” we are rightly taught that we can accomplish everything we put our minds and backs, too.

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Anxiety and 9/11

Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, school field trips into Manhattan were not uncommon. One such trip in the early 70s was to the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Although I can’t begin to compare my personal sense of loss to those whose family members are no longer with us, I can say that my memories of the city tied me to the attacks in a notable way. This became evident as I watched bits and pieces of the many memorial services being offered around the NYC area.

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Anxiety Part 1

According to dictionary.com, anxiety is defined as “distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.” Based upon that definition, we don’t need to look much past our own communities to see that many people are indeed anxious.

Unemployment is high, and natural disasters are all around us. The stock market is down, the euro is in trouble, (as is the dollar), and wars are breaking out everywhere. At best, this leaves many of us in a place of uncertainly. Still others are living day-to-day in fear.

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Me? A Minister?

The ephod was a garment worn around the high priest’s upper body that featured 23 semiprecious and precious stones on the front, each one bearing the name of one of the tribes of Israel.

God gave Moses the following instructions concerning the ephod:

            Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord. Exodus 28:12 (NLT)

I added the underline as a reminder to myself and others that ministering before The Lord has always been about people. Later in verse 21, The Lord will add these words:

            Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal. Exodus 28:21 (NLT)

I wrote a post at www.DouglasRea.com titled “Being Conduit.” In that post I spoke on the concept of you and I are the priests of the New Covenant; and the conduit between man and God. These two verses from Exodus further accentuate that we have a responsibility to share the good news that God, through Jesus Christ, has redeemed mankind. Also, I see no biblical evidence that the plan to share that good news was to be the responsibility of the institution commonly known as “church.” Rather the duty always was, and still remains, the task of each and every person who calls Jesus their Lord. I’m not saying church is evil or anti-God.

I am thankful that we have places to gather together that we might sing, pray, teach, and socialize with one another. However, we are in the wrong to shift the responsibility of ministering on behalf of neighbors and our community to any group, church, committee, program, or clergyman.

Imagine what the country would be like if the millions of Americans who call themselves Christian began to think of themselves as ministers. Envision our resources going directly from us to those in need without having to pass it first through a church committee or program. Instead of inviting people to church for prayer, we pray for them and we do it in the moment. As an alternative to the monthly, “mother’s night out,” you would watch the children – in your home – and cook them dinner. Sound crazy? Sound like something Jesus would do?

No one can argue that Christians are among the most kind, sincere, and giving people on God’s green Earth. We have always been willing to serve or communities and worldwide in time of need. With those accolades acknowledged, most take little more responsibility in “ministry” then to sit, watch, listen, sing, give, leave, and repeat. This is not the way of God.

Let’s get out of our seats, watch for God to alert us moment and by moment, and be prepared to minister to The Lord by caring for those he puts into your path.

Doug Rea is the Pastor at Connections in Albany, GA.

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$100 Million Butcher Shop

Did God really use 2,193 pounds of pure gold in the building of the tabernacle?

According to Exodus 38:24 He did just that. Let me put that in 21st century economics. On the day I wrote this, the market value of gold was $1787.42 per ounce. So then,the value of those 2,193 of gold in today’s market equates to $62,716,992.96. Add to that all the silver, bronze, wood, and the expensive fabric for the tent and its construction cost soars like the U>S. debt.

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