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Yesterday I was driving home lost in thought. I have been teaching about grace and I was thinking about the tension between grace and law. Flashing red lights behind me gave me a good and unwanted illustration. I had to smile at the incongruity of thinking about grace and getting caught by the law.

I had been a traffic sinner. The law said I was guilty of going over the posted speed limit. I confessed my sin. I tried for grace from the officer. “I have gone twenty-five years without a ticket,” I said affably. “Sorry,” he answered as he handed me the ticket. He was not in the mood for grace and, to be honest, I didn’t deserve it. So there was an expensive illustration of the law without grace.

The law showed me my wrongdoing. A penalty was assessed and had to be paid. Without grace I had to pay the penalty. So I will write a check to the city of Garland to atone for my sin.

In Romans Paul wrote these words.

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. (Romans 3, NLT)

Nearly forty years ago I realized that I was guilty before God. Jesus had paid my penalty and I simply had to accept that gift of grace by faith. My record was expunged without deferred adjudication or having to take defensive righteousness courses. There was nothing I could do to pay that penalty. It was paid by undeserved grace.

Now I am learning and trusting how grace allows me to live in freedom, joy and without condemnation. As I found out yesterday there are consequences to bad decisions. The city of Garland required payment. Thank God my sin payment has been paid by Jesus Christ. 

Paul went on to write the wonderful news of the Gospel.

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

So I made a bad decision yesterday and had to pay what I deserved for my careless traffic sin. I made a great decision many years ago and I was freed from having to pay the penalty for a lifetime of sin. What grace! I would have preferred a cheaper illustration for Sunday but today I rejoice in the freedom of His amazing grace.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. (Romans 8, NLT)

 

Sometimes I wonder how we will be grouped in heaven. Will there be an eHarmony kind of questionnaire to assign us to the right small group?

St.Peter:    Okay…tell me a little bit about your favorite sports teams.
Me:           I rooted for the Cleveland Browns, Baylor football and the Texas Rangers.
St.Peter:    Whoa. Hey Job! We have one for your group!

Over the years the Ohio State Buckeyes have given me a lot to rejoice over but recently the times have not been as good. Last night I watched my beloved Buckeyes lose a heartbreaking game. I shared the excitement and the agony with fellow Buckeye transplant and dear friend Mark. Neither of us struggled to find our inner child during the game. Our antics were far more entertaining than the game to the lovely Mrs.Burchett. This morning I awakened and tentatively opened one eye. Sure enough, the sun had come up and life appeared to be rocking along.

Earlier in my life journey a loss like that would have sent me into a multiple day funk of bad moods and bad manners. This morning I am not depressed. It would have been fun if Ohio State had won. But this season of my life is shaped by one very big word.

Perspective.

My beloved has battled cancer and currently has the upper hand. That puts a tough loss in perspective. Other friends and family are going through difficult seasons and trials. That puts football in perspective. I have had to say goodbye to both of my parents and to some dear friends in recent years. That puts life in perspective.

So armed with a perspective that I didn’t really sign up for I weathered last night okay. I am still proud to be an Ohio State fan. I am proud of Coach Jim Tressel, his integrity and his steadfast faith in Christ. I am proud of the players who worked so hard to get there and played their hearts out. Today they will be criticized by guys who can’t jump off the couch without pulling a muscle or run down stairs without oxygen. I know that Coach Tressel will give them the perspective to hold their heads high today.

Long suffering reader Jeff also put a smile on my face with a comment about a recent article I wrote about placebo faith. Our faith should give us some peace and joy as we travel a sometimes difficult path. Some readers would go to C.S.Lewis or Luther or Spurgeon. Jeff chose these words of encouragement from a lesser known source of spiritual wisdom.

However, we (Christians abiding in Christ) should be able to say with Monty Python, “I’m getting better. I feel happy, I feel happy. I think I’ll go for a walk now.”

And so I shall. Dog friend Hannah is extremely happy that I am donning the walking shoes and I will leave you with these words from James as we go for a walk now.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. (James 5, NLT)

It is a sign of hard earned perspective that I thinking about singing praises today.

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite comedians is Steven Wright. He is the thinking man’s stand-up comedian. Here is one of his classics.

“I’m addicted to placebos. I’d give them up…but it wouldn’t make any difference.”

Think about it.

Dictionary.com defines a placebo drug as a substance having no pharmacological effect but given merely to satisfy a patient who supposes it to be a medicine. Some would suggest that all religion is a placebo. Friedrich Nietzsche said that “Faith means not wanting to know what is true.” I realize there are many people of faith who fit into that category. I can speak only for the Christian faith and myself. I have spent many years seeking what is true. I have tried to the best of my ability to be honest. I have read the arguments of thinkers on all sides. I have studied the life of Jesus. I have researched other religious figures. Why would I not want to know what is true? Why should I waste my time, money, and questionable talent on a faith that is false? The men who followed Jesus around for three years faced the same question about who He was.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”  Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” (Matthew 16)

 

I have looked at the evidence of the life of Jesus and the lives of those who followed Him. I have reached the same conclusion as Simon Peter. Others look at the same information and decide otherwise. As I get further into this journey I am less inclined to be offended by remarks like this one by former pro wrestler and governor Jesse Ventura.  “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers.” Actually I agree that “organized religion” can be a sham. That is why I often choose to simply call myself a follower of Jesus. I might take mild umbrage at the weak-minded people comment but I try not to get offended by men who wear feather boas. That is one of my life rules.

 

Perhaps the larger question for those who believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God is this one.

 

If you gave your faith up….would it make a difference? Would people notice that your faith is gone? Have you allowed the Spirit of God to work in your life or have you substituted the placebo of church and churchy stuff instead? Have our lives as Christians suggested to observers that faith is just a placebo? Jesus should make a difference in my life. It is so easy to be a placebo parishioner in America. There is no real cost to being a Christian in this country. Perhaps a little ridicule but certainly not the freedom or even life threatening decisions that some must make to follow Jesus. So placebos are good enough to get by in America.

 

But if you take the real thing you should see a change in heart that is revealed in changed behavior. Daily doses of Jesus should be producing the fruit of the Spirit. You know…that annoying list from Galatians.

“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law”

 

I once thought that list was a nice idea but living it was practically impossible. But I have seen men and women who display those traits when their circumstance would suggest far more bitter fruit. Just like the smart people ruined the classroom curve some authentic Christians (like the Amish in Pennsylvania) show me what it looks like to really love Jesus. Placebos only work when circumstances are good and when there is no real disease. When real problems come you need the real medicine. Tired of the placebo of playing church? Here is the prescription.

 

Try Jesus full strength daily. Don’t just acknowledge the truth. Trust it. Take whenever needed and also take as a preventative dosage. Refills are good for life. Do not accept generics. Users should experience peace, forgiveness, and grace. If anger, bitterness, lust, or other sin symptoms occur contact Great Physician immediately.

Today I accomplished one of my least favorite tasks of the year. Taking down the Christmas decorations always makes me a bit melancholy. One of our Christmas staples is a yard display that spells out “Joy”. The sign is simple yet the nativity scene incorporated into the letters clearly communicates our feelings about what this holiday represents. As I took down the display I thought about the reason I love this decoration so much.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great JOY to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  (Luke 2, NLT)

That is where I place my joy as I head into a unstable New Year. I find my joy in the Messiah, the Lord – who was born in the city of David. It is so easy to remember the reason for joy during the Christmas season. But now that we are past this wonderful season it is very easy to pack my joy away and unpack lots of worry. The twenty-four news cycle feeds on negativity and hearing the message of gloom and doom over and over has it’s effect. Our country is going through a difficult period but you would think the apocalypse is directly upon us when you watch the cable news networks. The news reporters peddle fear and I choose not to buy it. The angel of the Lord told the shepherds not to be afraid. Jesus talked a lot about fear.

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. (Matthew 10 – NLT)

And these words from Jesus could have been in response to the news reporting hysteria we hear nearly every day.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.”  (Luke 12, NLT)

I believe those words. I may not have all that I want but I trust God to provide what I need. In America we too often confuse those concepts.

So I have made some decisions. I don’t make vows because I know I will fail at some point. Making a vow dooms me to failure. Choosing a direction allows me to stumble off course now and then but then get right back on track.

I have decided to direct my time a little differently this year. I want to spend less time watching and reading the news and more time reading and meditating on God’s Word. I want to pray for our leaders in Washington but I am going to trust God to provide my hope. I want to live joyfully in each precious moment that God gives me and not live in paralyzing fear of the future.

My retirement is shaky but my family is healthy. That gives me joy.
My house lost value but my family grew in faith. That gives me joy.
The world is volatile but my assurance is solid and built on the Rock. That gives me joy.

I have packed away the joy decoration for this year but I want to unpack the joy that Christ gives me every single day in 2009. You can do that too. May you have a joyful New Year in spite of your circumstance.

 

I am taking a respite from the humble ramblings for the rest of this year. Some accused me of already mailing it in by recycling some previous Christmas articles. However, I had to point out to those accusers that these are holiday classics! How does a blog become a holiday classic? It is easy. Start your own site, pay the server fee and you can call your posts whatever you want. Plus recycling those posts kept me from having to purchase carbon offsets to reduce my blogosphere carbon footprint. To be safe, I did plant a Chia pet.

To placate my sometimes needy tens of readers I have compiled a Baker’s Dozen of the most read articles of 2008. There is a snippet from each article and we begin with number thirteen.

13) Everybody Want To Go To Heaven?

A tune by Kenny Chesney is chock full of catchy rhythms and bad theology. The song is called Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven but the underlying theme is that nobody wants to go there right now. I think that is true for most of us. As long as God allows I want to live and serve here while I enjoy family and friends.

But what caught my ear was the theology. I am aware that Kenny Chesney is not a theologian so I am not throwing him under his tour bus. I found it interesting because the song reflects the theology of many people and churches in this nation. It used to be mine.

12) The Santa Clause Is Coming To Town Theology

I am a little too old and lot too cynical to be swept away by the latest fad in Christendom. I have sat on the sidelines while Jabez prayed, millions were purpose driven and others found their best life. I guess I was just left behind. Others were incredibly excited by one or all of these phenomenons.

So I was more than a little surprised to find that God has rocked my world through a ministry I knew little about.

11) Every Dad Leaves A Legacy

This series is not about being a perfect dad. If it were, I would be totally unqualified to write it. This series is not about piling guilt on you for mistakes made. I am not looking for the result like the boy who said to his preacher on the way out, “Boy, that was a good sermon. My dad slumped way down today.” This series is seeing what God’s plan is for leaving a positive legacy as an earthly father.

10) A “Bad Christian” Mini-festo

One central idea makes me shout AMEN loudly. That idea is that Evangelicals should be defined theologically and not politically, culturally or socially. Since I am not smart enough to produce a document as eloquent as the Evangelical Manifesto I have decided to issue my own smaller brain version.

9) Grace Between The Lines

I love this story. It is a wonderful metaphor for how the church should function. The Central Washington team could have stood by and done nothing. The players could have offered sympathy. They could have sadly noted how tough life can be. But they chose action. Compassion. And they chose sportsmanship that is extraordinary.

There is a good lesson for followers of Jesus. Caring is often appreciated but action is never forgotten. Too often we substitute a half sincere word of sympathy or we seek the emergency exit I have too often used. “I will pray for you.”

8) Ben Franklin’s Plan For Moral Perfection

I stumbled upon a fascinating History Channel feature on Ben Franklin. I knew Franklin as a brilliant statesman, inventor, writer and a bit of a scoundrel. But I did not know that in his autobiography the venerable statesman admitted a radical plan.

“I once conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection.”

Wonder how that worked out?

7) Christians and Cussin’

Some say that any words other than taking the Lord’s name in vain are merely words. There is some truth to that. Jesus made it clear that what is in our heart is really the issue. So if you have profanity in your heart you might as well let’er rip. Right? Paul again moves from meditation to meddling with some more words to the church at Ephesus.

6) Dissin’ Jesus

I often get e-mails asking me to boycott, email, complain and mobilize to help stop an offensive program or event. I rarely respond. Am I a bad Christian? Do I not care? If you haven’t already launched a angry missive full of misspellings in my direction please allow me to discuss.

5) Be Good Just For Goodness Sake

(In response to an advertising campaign by American atheists)

I am sure that many Christians will be offended and make a ruckus about the campaign. I would suggest that you proceed cautiously and with grace. Angry Christians only confirm the perception of people of faith. I have long felt that billboards and road signs make little difference in people’s faith decisions.

In my neighborhood a local restaurant has this message on the marquee.

Jesus
Saves

Chicken Special
$6.99

I am sure their intentions are good but I don’t think that many people are being influenced toward faith by this sign. I can report the chicken special was excellent so that does give them some credibility. Nonetheless, I think most people’s decisions on such matters go a little deeper than a restaurant marquee or bus ad. So protesting this campaign is a battle not worth fighting in my view. I would rather mature in the grace of Christ Jesus and see if that will influence more people than even the chicken special sign. 

4) Spectacular Ceremony Sends Horrible Message

The opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics were truly spectacular. The creative genius of the program and disciplined performers left me awestruck. But a news story the next day left me  more than a little angry.

3) Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Illustrates Pretty Much Everything But Sports

This week marked a couple of rites of spring. The reporting of pitchers and catchers to spring training and the arrival of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. For me one is a “right” of spring and the other is becoming a “wrong”. I was on the road when the swimsuit issue arrived at my home. The lovely Mrs.Burchett led me into a marital minefield with this simple statement.

“Your swimsuit issue arrived today.” She waited. Work brain, work! Must step carefully. Following the lead of Nehemiah I “prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered”. My response was simple.

“Throw it away.”

2) A Gentle Balance To The Shack “Attack”

One of the dangers of Christian blogging is dealing with the spiritual hall monitors who seem to live only to smack your heretical knuckles with their ruler of truth. So I risk their wrath (carefully chosen word) with today’s post.

The novel The Shack has begun a wave of debate, hand-wringing, defensiveness and condemnation in Evangelical circles. The book has been called dangerous, subversive and heretical by many critics.

1) Should Christians Sit This Election Out?

A news story this week from Christianity Today amused me. The headline was provocative.

Super Tuesday Results Show Split Between Evangelicals and Their Spokesmen

I am an amateur evangelical anthropologist. Like Jane Goodall I go into their habitats and study their behaviors. Since I am one of the species it is easy to assimilate into their culture. My first journal, When Bad Christians Happen to Good People, was a result of my time spent with these fascinating creatures. From my observations a couple of immediate questions came to mind as I read the headline in Christianity Today.

I hope you found something to enjoy on that list. I will be back bringing sporadic joy and intermittent wisdom in the New Year.

Happy Holidays! May Grace Abound In Your Life!

Dave

I am a little too old and lot too cynical to be swept away by the latest fad in Christendom. I have sat on the sidelines while Jabez prayed, millions were purpose driven and others found their best life. I guess I was just left behind. Others were incredibly excited by one or all of these phenomenons.

So I was more than a little surprised to find that God has rocked my world through a ministry I knew little about. Their books and materials have not become an entire section at your local Christian superstore. And that is a shame. Because they have a message that needs to be heard by most of us.

The organization is called Leadership Catalyst and they have an incredible book called TrueFaced.  I don’t think I have ever had a book (not included in the original 66) impact me as much as this one. Here is how strongly I feel about this book and ministry. I have written two books. So selling a few books would be awesome for the fading retirement account. But if you only have the budget to buy one book in the near future I would tell you to buy TrueFaced. (That gives you a hint as to why I rarely am asked to do marketing seminars)

I am borrowing one little bit of content that is very timely during this month. John Lynch is one of the authors of the book and in this section he addresses how we are programmed from childhood to default to performance theology. He calls it the “Santa Clause is Coming to Town theology”.

You better watch out
Better not cry
Better not pout
I am telling you why
Santa Clause is comin’ to town
He’s making a list….checking it twice…three times…every day
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Clause is comin’ to town
He sees you when your sleeping, nows when your awake, he knows when you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake.

Oh, he’s watching. Waiting for you to screw up so you will get coal instead of a bicycle. You had better please him. And we teach our kids to put on the mask and be something they are not. Because Santa Clause is comin’ to town. This omniscient being who is judging our every deed is coming to town…and we learn to do the dance early. Buck up…be good. Don’t cry. Don’t pout. Santa Clause is coming to town.  (©Copyright 2003, William Thrall, Bruce McNicol, John Lynch. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.)

He is exactly right. We learn that we get good things and receive love only when we are good. Santa is pleased (and we later substitute God) when we obey. So we learn early. We had better be good. Or least fool everyone around us to think that we are being good.

Ask any child this Christmas if they are being good and I will wager you will never hear this response.

“Well, to be honest, I am really struggling with the whole being nice thing. I have actually been pouty and I cried yesterday. It just isn’t working out this Christmas so I suspect the video game system will have to wait.”

Nope. What you hear is the lie that we learn early and too often keep handy in our arsenal for a lifetime.

“Oh yeah. I am being really good!”

I remember (vaguely) the tension of the Santa Clause years. I knew I hadn’t really changed much. I tried to modify my behavior for a week or two leading up to Christmas but I knew I had failed to really be good. I learned a couple of things early. I learned how hard it is to change behavior by sheer willpower and I learned that I could fool Santa by living a lie. I learned that that he would bring me presents in spite of my failures. I did not learn about grace. That maybe Santa gave me gifts because of who I was and maybe he came to my house because I was lovable instead of rewarding me for what I had done to please him. I figured I had fooled him and to get the good stuff I would have to continue to hide the little boy who broke an ornament and then hid it.

Isn’t that too often how we view God? We had better not cry. Better not sin. I’m telling you why. Jesus is coming to town. He’s making a list and He is checking it not once or twice but every moment of every day. God knows if you’ve been bad or good so if you want to be healed or happy or prosperous you had better be good for goodness sake. If I do mess up I am scared to death that I will get a bad life or miss all that God has for me. So I put on the mask and try to be really good for Jesus. If I can fool those around me maybe, just maybe, I can fool God too.

Satan sells the lie so convincingly. And we buy it for months and years and even decades.

But God and Santa are very different in their approach. God does not keep a list. He is not impressed by our hernia inducing straining to control sin. What God sees is Jesus in Dave Burchett when I sin.

Jesus offers us so many gifts. But the one we seem to have the hardest time unwrapping is the gift of grace. The gift that allows us to become who God desires us to become as we simply trust Him and quit trying to be “good” for goodness sake. We are saved by grace and faith in Christ. We become like Him by the same radical strategy. Faith that He has changed us into a new creation. And understanding the grace that gives us good gifts even when we don’t deserve them.

Don’t let the Santa Clause theology live into the New Year. Go straight to the gift of grace that Jesus left under the Cross. Open it. And clothe yourself in His salvation, acceptance and love. It may be the best gift you have ever given yourself.

 

I keep having a recurring dream about the Congressional hearings with the Big 3 Automakers. I know. I need a hobby. But I imagine that the CEO of General Motors is addressing the Congressional panel.

GM Dude: “So that is how much money we have to get right away.”
Congressman: (HUGE Sigh)
  “I’m not sure we can do that deal.”
  (Looks up and rubs chin)
  “Let me go talk to my General Manager and see if he will go for this.”
  (Gets up and leaves the CEO shifting awkwardly)

Wouldn’t that be a moment of healing for all of us who sat in the chair while a car salesman went to “talk” to some wizard behind the curtain? I suspect my little dream will not come true. But I have been having another dream that has a little better chance to happen. A dream that we would learn to trust God as we face difficult times.

This is a tough Christmas season for many Americans. The economy is struggling, jobs are hard to find and most investments are in the device that swirls water and flushes. It would be easy to feel anxious, frustrated and depressed. But for Christians that would be a really sad response to a great opportunity. That opportunity is a chance to trust God and show those around us what that looks like.

When Joni was diagnosed with breast cancer I remember saying this sentence to each of our three sons. “If our faith doesn’t work at moments like this then it is of little value.” Our faith in God did work throughout that life storm. And I learned that God’s faithfulness and loving kindness will trump whatever circumstance I find myself in. That is the abundant life. Knowing that I can trust God and be content in my circumstance. Paul wrote some really encouraging words in his letter to the church at Philippi.

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. (Philippians 4, NLT)

I am grateful for how Paul addressed this topic. He did not say I am “always content with whatever I have” in his letter. Paul wrote that he had “learned” to be content. It was a process for Saint Paul just as it is a process for Saint Dave. I can’t say that I have learned. I can say that I am learning. By the way, I doubt you will ever see Saint Dave as a church name.

Sunday a group of folks from our church went to share Christmas with a refugee family that had been relocated from the turmoil in Myanmar (Burma). They came to this country with nothing other than the clothes on their backs. We adopted this family to provide Christmas gifts and basic needs. We went to bless but we were blessed instead by their joy and gratitude. This family with almost nothing seemed happier than many Americans who have so much but think they deserve more. It is easy to lose perspective that even in hard times most Americans are incredibly blessed.

One of my Christmas movie memories is White Christmas with Bing Crosby. There is a song that applies for all of us as we approach a Christmas that may feel a little different from previous ones. When the character played by Rosemary Clooney frets and has trouble sleeping she is serenaded by Bing Crosby with this song.

When I’m worried and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

That is really excellent advice and pretty good theology. Even in adversity I have so many blessings I can count. Perhaps the following story is a bit indelicate but it always makes me smile. Ronald Reagan had a favorite joke that he told so often that the joke itself became a joke with staff members. The joke was told about twin boys who were six years old. Worried that the boys had developed extreme personalities — one was a total pessimist, the other a total optimist — their parents took them to a psychiatrist.

First the psychiatrist treated the pessimist. Trying to brighten his outlook, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with brand-new toys. But instead of yelping with delight, the little boy burst into tears. “What’s the matter?” the psychiatrist asked, baffled. “Don’t you want to play with any of the toys?” “Yes,” the little boy bawled, “but if I did I’d only break them.”

Next the psychiatrist treated the optimist. Trying to dampen his out look, the psychiatrist took him to a room piled to the ceiling with horse manure. But instead of wrinkling his nose in disgust, the optimist emitted just the yelp of delight the psychiatrist had been hoping to hear from his brother, the pessimist. Then he clambered to the top of the pile, dropped to his knees, and began gleefully digging out scoop after scoop with his bare hands. “What do you think you’re doing?” the psychiatrist asked, just as baffled by the optimist as he had been by the pessimist. “With all this manure,” the little boy replied, beaming, “there must be a pony in here somewhere!”

“Reagan told the joke so often,” Meese said, chuckling, “that it got to be kind of a joke with the rest of us. Whenever something would go wrong, somebody on the staff would be sure to say, “There must be a pony in here somewhere.’”

Things may be a bit difficult this year but I am trusting God that there is a pony in there somewhere. You don’t get that kind of spiritual insight in John Piper’s articles! Paul finished his passage to the Philippians that I quoted above with another great insight. After he had learned to be content in whatever circumstance he wrapped up the lesson with these words.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Count your blessings. Receive God’s love today and ask Him to love others through you. Perhaps this Christmas will be one of the best ever if we can lean on those simple actions and we can really believe that we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. Merry Christmas!