12. December 2008 by BruceSmith.

I confess.  I shopped on “black Friday”, and for the first time in my life.  I must admit, it was kinda fun actually.  I knocked out 90% of my Christmas shopping on that one day!  By the way, in case you did not know, “black Friday” has  nothing to do, by definition, with the supposed reality that only rank materialists love the event and thereby revel in the abuse and debasement of true Christmas.  Rather, it is called “black Friday” because it is the line of demarcation for most retailers in America whereby they go from being unprofitable (in the red) to being profitable (in the black).  So, all of you super-spiritual decriers of the cultural materialistic Friday pilgrimage, stop sermonizing the rest of us now!!O.K., now that my confession is confessed, on to the more important things.  Let’s get right to it.  Some 2,000 years ago a little baby was born on the other side of the planet, in a humble setting, surrounded by some farm animals and a few others.  That little one’s birth and life have literally changed the course of human history, and the life of that One born so long ago stands as the benchmark for our calendar.  In a literal sense, the Jesus event is the marker in time by which all other events are measured.  But, why did He show up, and what does it mean?  If you have seen the news in the last day or two you are aware that the Governor  of Illinois has been arrested on corruption charges.  He is the second Governor in a row from Illinois to be brought in for such.  Some of us down here in Louisiana are finding a sick and twisted sense of comfort from an otherwise ugly story.  Somehow, I guess, its nice to know that we are not “alone” in the race for being America’s most politically corrupt state, along with being the “unhealthiest”.  If you read any of the details of this latest scandal, you know its truly brazen.  Hot Rod, the Governor, seems to have been a very bitter, angry, and greedy individual.  As one Illinois politico stated it, “Lincoln would be rolling over in his grave”…”its a new low…”  And indeed it is.  Unfortunately for Rod, much of it is on tape.  It is very sad.You may have also seen in the news the story of the mother who invited teens to a “hooker” party.  Or you may have seen the story of William Jefferson, the Louisiana congressman, who has been under investigation for various charges.  Or you may have seen the story of O.J. Simpson, who will be serving years in prison after being found guilty of various crimes some thirteen years after the murder of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman. Or the story of Kaylee, the missing toddler, who, or so it appears, was done in by her own mother.  Or you may have seen…any countless number of stories highlighting the broken and malevolent nature of human beings.  All of this lovely, uplifting and joy-filled snowball of misery is what brings me to the question of the day.  What is the point of Christmas?  Who needs it anyway? A profound question no doubt, and one which deserves some thought.  The point is simply this: Christmas is THE reminder that we all need it, and that without which we are all off track, darkened inside, and without the refreshing hope which comes from a relationship with God.  The message of Christmas is a bit like the message those of us in the New Orleans area received yesterday when we received a historic snowfall!  We all need the white stuff in our lives.  That is to say, darkened as the heart of the human race clearly is, and as stained with cruelty, disease, and deception as the earth is, when its covered with a blanket of white, everything changes.  Each of our hearts needs that change.I am not going too far nor am I making too large a leap in brining the snowfall metaphor in view in light of this present discussion.  For, in the scriptures, we are regularly reminded of “difference” Christ makes in the lives of those who embrace Him.  More than a sweet, cuddly, gentle “baby in a manger”, He, Jesus, is the singular symbol and source of the darkest of all realities.  He was sent for our sin, do die in our place, to make a way for us back to God.  Likewise, He is THE figure which stands above and beyond all others as it relates to cleansing, renewal, truth, refreshing, and healing.  The scriptures tell us that where sin and death brought captivity, the blood of Christ, spilled upon the cross, brings healing, and the removal of the stain of darkness.  Those once covered in the dark soil of sin, the Bible and the old hymn tells us, can be made “white as snow”.  This work of Christ is viewed as a blanket of “white”, a metaphor for purity, wholeness, and vitality.  For the darkness of our souls, Christ brings the light of life, the blanket of purity which shrouds us, envelopes us, and refreshes our tired and broken spirits.One thing that all of us experienced yesterday here in the New Orleans area, especially those of us who got 4 or more inches, is the exhilarating reality of what a difference a day of white makes in our lives.  It was breath-taking to experience such wonder and fun.  What was so enchanting was not the mere fact that it snowed.  Many of us here, myself included, have no doubt traveled to various places where snow is everywhere.  But there is something totally different and thrilling when its “your snow”, in your yard, in your community, and where it just never happens.This is the sense one gets when they understand that Jesus was sent not just for the world in general, but personally and specifically for them.  What a difference it makes to know that the darkness and soiled ground of your own soul has been blanketed by the purity of Christ’s love and grace.  When the goodness of God shows up for you, its just different.This is the point of Christmas.  Jesus, sent some 2,000 years ago, was sent for YOU…and ME.  This changes your day, your life, your soul.  I could not help but think yesterday as the entire neighborhood was running around in the splendor of a truly white Christmas, “What a day a difference makes”!  Yes, I said it backwards, but for a reason.  A difference in setting changes the landscape entirely.  And that change changes everything, how you view, look at, experience everything.  When its all perceived through a veil of white, the world just looks and feels different.  That is the way it was on snow day, and that is the way it is when you understand who Jesus is and what the meaning of Christmas is.  Its all about the white, and that changes everything.  Wishing you a “white” Christmas,Bruce Smithoptimuslife.org 

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4. December 2008 by BruceSmith.

Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, Outliers, is about the “markedly different” profile of “successful” people.  The book, interesting as it is, evaluates the nature of success and how achievers make it to the top.  His basic question which he seeks an answer for is, “How are they so different?”  His finding?  In short, “Its complicated”.  The book has me thinking about what it means to be “utterly different”.  As I was ingesting my daily does of bad news on CNN this morning, and following right on the heels of the latest layoff numbers (some 20,000 plus today alone), I was struck as a commercial ran, advertising a product which promised to “change your life”.  What was so striking about the ad was the juxtaposition of this promise in light of the vast numbers of people losing wealth, homes, jobs, and hope in this country at this time.  The ad, after lots of glossy and high impact visuals, suggested that this product, bought during this Christmas season, would indeed, “change your life”.  The product, a gigantic plasma television, while the dream of every guy, does not quite strike me as a life changer, however.  If indeed it were, then we should all go out and buy a house full of them.  It seemed a crass offering coming on the heels of so much desperate need being highlighted just seconds before on the news.  They may just well have said, “Lost your job?  …buy a TV!”  or “Lost your home? …buy a bigger TV”… or something like that.  It does not quite work for me.After giving a bit of thought lately to the need in our culture for something that would indeed bring change, I stumbled upon a passage in the New Testament, one which I have read many times before, but which had not struck me as it does at this time.  At a moment in our culture when “change” seems to be the  word most referenced by politicians, leaders, and crisis managers, I wonder if anyone really has that thing we need which will actually effect change.John 7:37,38 offers us, I believe, the change agent every human being and every culture must embrace if lasting change is to be really had.  After days of teaching and many intense discussions with the leaders of the day over his message and miracles, Jesus speaks to the needy onlookers who had recently witnessed His “trick” of feeding thousands with very little.  Those in need are now mesmerized by this guy’s ability to give them stuff, physical stuff they really need.  That being so, they are all ears when He speaks.  They want to hear Him say, “Here is another TV!”Feeling like those watching and listening need to see beyond the felt needs they have, and sensing the need to see into the spiritual sphere, Jesus speaks.  He says to those who are in such need that only a metaphor will do, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, the scripture says, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’”.   What is striking to me about this passage is the “quantifiable difference” which is highlighted.  Without saying it, He says it.  Those who are so desperate for some kind of change that their life is dry, parched, and without the most basic of needs being quenched, can actually be so transformed that life can feel utterly different.  Jesus is suggesting that anyone who craves change, real change, can find an Outlier experience in a relationship with Him.  He can take a person from spiritual famine, from soul deprivation, into a life of overflowing abundance and satisfaction.  He can truly change one’s life.  Unlike a plasma TV, a new toy, a new relationship, a different house or anything else physical, Jesus alone provides for that internal “differentiation” we all ultimately crave. As we go about this season of gift buying, getting, and giving, let’s be keenly aware of that which really makes a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.  Let’s offer ourselves, our families, and others something beyond the norm this year.  Buy a gift, make a gift, offer yourself in ways which transcend the routine and point toward a special difference, a superior quality of life.  At a moment in our cultural life in which many are all ears, let’s offer the hope found in the One who offers an internal Outlier experience.  Jesus, the One who came some 2,000 years ago remains relevant, active, and interested in us today.  He is our change agent.Bruce Smithoptimuslife.org  

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1. December 2008 by BruceSmith.

We at Optimus have been sensing the urging to do something “bigger than ourselves” in recent days.  Simply put, we feel that we should be moving beyond, though not abandoning, the writing, teaching, and speaking.  Our hope, God willing, and with your help (really, we need your help, passion, hands, and, yes, funding), we desire to accomplish something tangible, big, and important in the world.  If the gospel is indeed the hope of the world, then it should be put into action.  So, do you believe the gospel is the hope of the world?  Have any “big ideas” how we can reach the world?  Let us know what you think, how you wish to help, and what you are willing to contribute.  Its easy to read, think, and blog back, but we want you to think bigger.  How about doing something in South Asia, the recent site of Mumbai chaos? Think, pray, stay tuned.  Get ready.  Do something.  Give something.  Feel something.  Be something…bigger than before.Bruce 

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