CHRISTMAS IN SEPTEMBER???

 

     Christmas seems to start earlier every year! I'm not saying that is a bad thing but it is confusing. It seems to me that many in our nation want Christmas to begin early for one reason. It brings people joy! During the month of September I noticed at a few local Dollar Tree stores started putting out Christmas items next to the Halloween stuff. I never understood why the world of retail feels the need to begin selling merchandise for certain holidays 3 months before the actual holiday. I can understand maybe one month before, but three? 

     I used to run a summer program for kids at my church called "King's Kids Club" back in the 1980's. It was on Wednesday evenings for kids ages 4 to grade 6. I loved having theme nights such as "We Love America Wednesday". "Dress up like Moses Wednesday" and "Western Wednesday" where kids dressed up in Cowboy hats and western gear. My all time favorite was always "Christmas in August Wednesday." I guess you can say I got the idea from the old Crazy Eddie Commercials that were on TV here in NY. They sold all types of electronic equipment like TV's, radios and stereo equipment. They had this guy doing the commercial yelling and he always ended the commercial by saying "His prices are INSANE!" I always loved when they had a "Christmas in August Sale." The actor doing the commercial dressed up in a Santa suit and he had snowballs thrown at him as he tried to describe the sale going on. So once a year I was so happy to do this particular Wednesday event. We put up Christmas Trees with lights. We decorated the tree with ornaments and hung up tinsel, garland and so many decorations. One year I even had my friend Ed visiting from Buffalo bring his pet goat. We called him our "Christmas goat!" I always loved the expression in parents faces when they dropped of their kids or picked them up. They must have thought "This guy is nuts!!" To be a children's pastor and to be an adult talking to puppets, you have to be nuts! 

     Christmas brings people happiness! I don't necessarily agree that decorations should be put out in stores in September. But I do believe that with all that is going on in our world with Israel, shootings and Covid, I just know our world is looking for a glimmer of happiness. I am not surprised people put up Christmas lights after they take down those dreaded Halloween lights. I'm sure many people are listening to Christmas music as well. In my lifetime I have always enjoyed Christmas. But Christmas is only one day. Yes,it is a special day but in the world we live in, why are we choosing happiness only during a few months of the year? There are other things in life that will make us happy. My life is certainly not perfect and yes, I do love Christmas, but during the other months in the year I have chosen to find happiness following Jesus every single day. I pray you will all do the same! In the meantime, let's never forget the Thanksgiving holiday where we give thanks for all He has provided for us! After Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas friends and family!! 

  HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND EVERYONE

  

        

THE ISLAND OF SUMATRA

     This past week I have been very heartbroken. No, I didn't break up with anyone. Life is good! I mentioned in my blog last week all about an island off of Indonesia called Sumatra. When I read that it is the least evangelized Island in the world, I have to admit it really bothered me. It really eats at me and gets me very sad! To think that residents of that Island have never heard the name of Jesus is alarming! I think about the churches today around the world that are in conflict over such things as the color of the curtains in their windows or if they should have a drummer playing or not. Many churches around our nation have changed the look of their sanctuary to look like a movie theater instead of a church. The even have changed the name of many churches to be "user friendly" and pastors today want to dress more "hip" so that people won't think they are square. Wearing a tie is not cool anymore but wearing ripped jeans with a t-shirt is "styling." They even strive to make their children's area look more like Disney World to attract kids. Before you send me emails because your church does this, I am only sharing my opinion. I still wear my "character ties" to church and my churches name is Lift Jesus Higher Fellowship, not exactly "user friendly" but in my opinion "to the point!" Churches get so caught up in being "hip" that they lose the vision of what is going on in the "real world." Think about it! Sumatra is the LEAST EVANGELIZED ISLAND IN THE WORLD!!! Doesn't that as a Christian make you sick??? Shouldn't the Body of Christ feel the need to take action?? It makes me want to quit my job, raise support and get Grandpa Lou and my other "friends" on an airplane and get to this island pronto!!

     There are a few alarming things about this country that I need to share. Sumatra is 87% Muslim. They believe that Jesus was only a good prophet, not the Son of God. Only 20% consider themselves to be "Christian" and the rest are Buddhist and Hindu. There are well over 52 languages spoken on this island. The spread of the gospel is very weak on this island. Ministry to Muslims is very difficult! I should know. I spent almost 3 months in Bradford, England in 1986 also known as "Little Pakistan." We tried to reach them going door to door selling them literature and books in their language. The kids there loved the members of my team and we even had the opportunity to speak in a public school! In 3 months I only saw 4 converts and none were Muslim!  

     There is one thing I can do! The answer would be to go there obviously but in the meantime, I can pray for this Island. I can ask God to "send forth his laborers into the harvest field." I can pray that the Holy Spirit would move upon the people in an amazing way. 

     There are A LOT of people who are Lost not only in Sumatra but right here in the U.S. Come on Christians lets get motivated to pray that God raises up "His laborers!!!!" 

MAYBE IT'S YOU?????