Category: Uncategorized

This week we light the advent candle for “Joy”, and it brings with it a good reminder.  Most of us probably don’t use the word “joy” much throughout the year in every day conversation.  But in scriptures the word comes from “chairos” (not “kairos”), which is a verb meaning “to be glad, to be well, to thrive, to rejoice”.  We might quickly subsume such a thing into the American dream we’re all pursuing, as a noun we all would like to possess.   Most of us would respond “Yes”, if someone asked us “Would you like to have joy in your life?”

But that is something it does us good to remember, in each of these advent weeks.  Each of these words have their power reduced when they are taken as something to be possessed.  Whether Hope, or Peace, or Joy, or Love…these are most powerful not when they’re owned, but when they’re experienced.  I’d much rather experience Joy, than keep some in my pocket.

It’s the same with the Christ-child these are all leading up to.  We talk to our children about “having Jesus in their hearts”, and it’s good.  It’s something a child can understand.  But we needn’t stay at that level in our conversations with those who’ve grown intellectually.  We understand that Jesus isn’t actually IN our blood-pumping muscles.   So we must be honest that it’s not quite about us “possessing Jesus”, or “having Him”, as much as it is us releasing ourselves to be “taken by” Him.   Not in a future, rapture-centered experience.  But in a right-now, relinquishing all that once was mine to be overtaken by the flood of Kingdom-moving in our world today.

It’s less like me putting a piece of Jesus in my pocket, and more like me stepping into a torrential flood breaking through barriers of what was, proclaiming what is/what will be.  It’s less about me answering “yes, right here in my heart” to the question of “Do you have Jesus?”….and more about Jesus answering, “yes, right here in my Kingdom-arriving” to the question of “Do you have Chadwick?”

So how do we talk about these things with our children?  Well, I think we at least start, by talking about these things with our children. 🙂   Asking them what thoughts come to mind when they hear the word “Joy”. Asking them what makes them glad.  But not only pointing to memories…helping them to experience the joy of Christ.  Telling them the stories of how Christ has transformed things, and helping them to savor how the world is changing because of what God has done/is doing.

This Christmas, may we worry less about possessing the gift of Jesus Christ….and wonder how we might become possessed BY such a gifting…

On December 6th, 1999, a momentous occasion happened.  It was in the midst of an all-night chatting session on American Online Instant Messenger.  I don’t have the full text, but I believe it went something like this: (I could be way off, also.)

(long conversation on everything from music, to school, to catching up on Thanksgiving break, to friendships, and then relationships from High School….which obviously led to what we’re each looking for in a relationship…)

chaddlz:  I guess what I’m saying is, I think it’d be great to have someone who I could grow closer to God with.

SNicol99:  Right?  Like someone who you could do devotions with.

chaddlz: Exactly.

SNicol99: Yeah…

(awkward silence for a bit)

chaddlz: So…would you like to start doing devotions together?

(long pause…the world rotated a bit more slowly in this crucial moment)

SNicol99: I think that would be nice.

I’m not quite sure what we talked about after that.  Our chats usually consisted of me trying to get her to stay awake with me long into the night, even though she required a bit more sleep than me. (still does)  Nevertheless, we became “official” that night, after many conversations, and times of hanging out together and with friends.

It’s hard to imagine there were days, months, and years where I didn’t even know her.  She’s my best friend, my partner for life, my wife.  She’s put up with a lot, and continues to love me in ways that transform.  God has used her to reveal so much about His heart, and desires….and Sarah continues to be a source of so much love in my life, and the life of our family.

She’s quiet, so many people miss out on the steady faith and leadership she gives.  The strong source of love she provides.  She could write books on so many topics, and yet would be too humble to feel she has much to offer.  I’m so glad that she saw through my bleach blonde hair, and obnoxious social skills…..to see the man who she might call her husband someday. 🙂

As DC TALK once said, “She’s that kinda girl…”

“A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” – from Proverbs 31