Hayes Christmas Fun!!

Here's a sneak peak of our family Christmas. Cale got sick and had to throw up. I'm afraid I'm not far behind. Donna, my sister, is in from Philly to hang with us. Even my friend, Chad Freeman, came by for some gumbo and an accidental shot to the jewels (courtesy of Donna). Hope you enjoy the video. Merry Christmas!!

Summits, Trails and Books, Oh My!

I accidentally recorded what has become my favorite show of the year, and it's started me on an obsession that won't easily be assuaged. The show, Everest: Beyond the Limit, is the best thing to hit TV in a long time. It chronicles the story of a team of strangers who are seeking to climb Mount Everest. Their ascent of the mountain, and the accompanying story lines, is some of the most riveting stuff ever put on film. Incredible!!

Since discovering this gem, I can't get the idea of climbing and hiking out of my mind. I have no plans to climb Everest, but those who have attempted this feat are fascinating to me. I would, however, like to try something closer to sea level, and a little more attainable. Perhaps something like the Appalachian Trail.

In light of this, I've purchase two books that I highly recommend. The first is "Into Thin Air", by Jon Krakauer. It's the story of an Everest expedition gone wrong... very wrong. This book is intense and gripping, and it's also very sad. Even so, it's an enthralling read. The second book is called "A Walk in the Woods", by Bill Bryson, and this book is so funny and fresh that I just about can't put it down. It's Bryson's account of his hike through the Appalachian Trail (more than 2,100 miles). This guy can flat out write, and it's as enjoyable a book as I've ever read. A true joy!

If you have some time this holiday season to rip through a book, these two are guaranteed to satisfy. Enjoy!!

I'm Dreaming of an Ugly Christmas?

Each Christmas it seems I see different aspects of the Jesus event. In the past I've been struck by the simple beauty of the somewhat anonymous birth of the Savior of the world. I've been amazed by the bright glory of the Christmas Star, and its leading of the shepherds and wise men. I've been blown away by the pageantry of the heavenly host, and their dramatic announcement of the Messiah. But this year I've been struck by something completely different and unexpected.

This Christmas has been, for lack of a better word, ugly. The nice, clean picture of the Nativity, depicted serenely on Christmas cards and manicured lawns, is what most of us picture when we think of Jesus' birth. We think fondly of the winsome Christmas hymn "Away in a Manger", where we are told that "The little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes." What a bunch of hooey!

The fact of the matter is that Jesus was born under the worst of circumstances. His mother, fresh off a seventy mile donkey ride, settled into childbirth within the lovely confines of a livestock kennel. The smell alone had to be nauseating. Then there's the blood, sweat and tears that accompany such an event (after witnessing the birth of 4 kids, I can testify that childbirth is no picnic). Finally, think about the fact that Jesus' first guests were shepherds. No heads of state thought this birth worthy of a visit, but a bunch of penniless (and, no doubt, smelly) shepherds descended on the stable like flies on, well, you know. This was definitely not a pretty sight.

I like this picture, ugly though it may be. It gives me comfort to know, in an age where important births are so gaudy and on parade (see baby TomKat, baby Brangelina, etc.), the birth of Jesus wasn't even worthy of an attempted Madonna adoption. Jesus came to us like he left us: ugly, bloody, and humble. In so doing, he proved that he is such a different kind of King. He defends the weak, empowers the lowly and embraces the humble. Thanks, Jesus, for showing up without bells and whistles. Your meager entrance is pure and real. It's a story I can believe in!

Falling

It's probably not right to write about this sort of thing this close to Christmas, but it's on my mind, and that's kind of what this whole blog thing is about.

People come to me with stuff because I'm a pastor. Most of the time they come to me with stuff they can't go to anyone else with. I'm sworn to confidentiality, so I can't go into specifics, but let's just say I hear some pretty ugly stuff. I don't know what's in the water lately, but I've had a record month for ugly stuff.

I can honestly say that I'm seeing more and more people lured into terrible choices by life's temptations than ever before. My proof is not scientific, but all I can do is base this on what I'm observing, and what I'm observing is not good.

Look, we all have our stuff, but what I'm writing about is a bit more than the occasional slip up, or the periodic moral dilemma. What I'm addressing is full blown, large scale, no-way-out, what-the-heck-am-I-going-to-do-now screw up's of the highest order.

The most difficult thing about all of this is that it makes me realize how thin the line is between walking upright and falling face down. Many of the people who have bombarded me with their stuff are indistinguishable. There's nothing about them that would cause others to have any suspicion about the level of their personal failures. Most of them are people I would describe as noble, yet they've been lured into deadly traps like bugs into the inviting confines of a hungry spider's web.

I'm reminded of this quote by the great John Bunyan: "One leak will sink a ship; and one sin will destroy a sinner."

I've probably shared more than I should have already, but if you think about it, please pray for these folks. Pray that their confidence would be renewed, and that their faith in the goodness and sovereignty of God would be bolstered. Pray for me as well. As Augustine said, "Nothing so clearly discovers a spiritual man as his treatment of an erring brother." I want to be discovered as one who is gracious with those who have fallen, and humble in the knowledge of my own weakness.

Grace and Peace to you.

More Christmas Funnies

OK, I'm getting over myself slowly but surely, and am feeling a bit better about Christmas this year. Here are a few fun things that have helped. Enjoy!!

• In this lovely clip, Bill Clinton tells a little girl of his plans to kill Santa. If you saw his original interview, you know he actually just wants to kill Fox News Sunday Anchor Chris Wallace

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• This comes from my good friend and coworker, Joanne (Well, I guess she's not "officailly" a co-worker. She's Canadian, so she doesn't actually get paid. I still consider her a co-worker!). Thanks Jo!!

• Be sure and check out Pimp My Nutcracker, America's new favorite holiday game!! It really is kind of fun. Thanks to Bag of Nothing for the link!

Christian or Christ Follower?

Keith at Bag of Nothing had this posted on his site today. It's brilliant! Forget the Mac/PC debates, and let the Christian/Christ Follower talks begin.

Christmas Funnies

As I said in my previous post, I'm not exactly in the Christmas spirit. Here's a few things that have helped put a smile on my face this Christmas:

• From my friend Keith at Bag of Nothing comes this lovely collection of pictures of kids who are scared to death of Santa. Who wouldn't be scared of this gaggle of drunken holiday nuts? Classic.

• I'll never forget the first time I heard this lovely rendition of "O Holy Night." Man, this just never gets old. As you listen, picture that one drunk Uncle who's always sneaking a swig from his trusty flask at the family Christmas party belting this one out. Enjoy!!

• Check out this hillarious video that shows what a jerk Santa was to Rudolph in the classic claymation holiday favorite. I guess I just never realized how much of a tool Santa was.

More to come!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

I'm tired, unmotivated and a bit grumpy.

Tired because we had to travel to Georgia for Kim's Grandmother's funeral. It was a long trip... with all the kids... in the minivan... for fifteen hours. Tired.

Unmotivated because, well, that's just the way I roll. I do really good and stay really focused for a long time, and then I just hit the wall. Who knows why, but it just happens. I think winter hits, and my motivation flies south for the season. Hopefully no one will mistake it for a duck and shoot it. I really need it back, so if you see my motivation, please scold it and tell it to get home right now!

Grumpy because I'm finding less and less joy in the Christmas phenomenon. Not a fan of Christmas music. Not so much a fan of Christmas decorations. Hate to shop. Frustrated by the commercialism. The only things I like about Christmas are Jesus and the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. When Linus quotes the Christmas story from Luke, I almost always shed a happy tear. Awesome.

In a feeble attempt to cheer myself up, I'm going to post a few Christmas funnies that I've found on the web lately. I hope they help you enjoy this time of year. It can be hard sometimes.

Hit me "Big Baby" one more time!

LSU and TX A&M faced off last night in an early season battle between two teams that are on the rise. A&M went 0-13 two years ago in the Big 12 conference, but has since posted some very impressive victories. They are in the top ten for the first time I can remember. No, this is not football, but basketball. Yes, I'm talking about TX A&M. weird, huh?

LSU is coming off of its first appearance in the Final Four since 1986, and is led by that big ball of chocolate love, Glen "Big Baby" Davis. LSU is confident and fun to watch, and this years Tigers bring back memories of the good ole days under former head coach Dale Brown (BTW - I once witnessed a speech by Dale Brown when I attended Louisiana Boys State as a Junior in high school. He was dynamic, inspiring, and every adjective above that. Man, I miss Dale Brown!).

Anyway, LSU won the game, 64-52, and that gives me back to back bragging rights over all my A&M buddies (Help! I'm stuck in Texas!! Seriously, help). We beat A&M by one point last year in the NCAA tourney. Way to go Tigers!!

Turkey Musings

Thanksgiving was good this year, and here are some random thoughts I had over the holidays:

• If you ever find a recipe to cook turkey on the grill, watch out! When the juices drip into the flames, it can cause a pretty significant fire. Hence the piece of charcoal with legs that I proudly served on Thanksgiving day.
• Kim's Grandmother got really sick this year, and it looks like she's going to pass away this week. We found out on Thanksgiving day, and it was really hard to enjoy the day.
  
• Holiday shopping is no fun when you're a cashier. Kim started working at Kohl's, and the lines on Friday morning were literally a mile long. Wow, what some folks will do to get a bargain!
• The football was spectacular this Turkey day (that means LSU won!).
• Putting up Christmas lights is a beating. I was ready to mail it in while unraveling the hellacious mess that is the Christmas light knot. Nothing is more difficult to untie!! I seriously thought I was going to fall off the ladder and die about a dozen times. Don't put up Christmas lights without an insurance policy.
• Thanksgiving should be cancelled if it's 70 degrees or higher. Dallas winters are a joke!
• I saw the movie "The Fountain" over the holidays. What a strange and boring film. It had some beautiful imagery, but was very new age-y and Hindu. I highly recommend that you do not see this film.
• Thanksgiving parades are lame. My sister-in-law loves them, but seriously, what is the deal with watching a parade on tv? The music is horrible, and those performing are lip synching. Tons of money and manpower goes into this thing, and for what? I just don't get it. No offense, Jess. You know I love you!!
  
• I am extremely unmotivated heading into the Christmas season. I just want to go on vacation. Anyone else with me? Road Trip?!!
• I started reading Don Miller's "Searching for God knows What" the other day. Man, it's good. The guy is just a good writer. I also love the fact that he doesn't summarize thoughts about God - the kinds of thoughts that people have wrestled with throughout history - into neat little formlas. So different than most mainstream Christian fluff.
• I talked to my sister a lot on the phone. She was alone this Thanksgiving, a slave to the evil residency programs that most doctors have to endure. I love talking to her. She makes me feel like I matter. I think I make her feel the same way. Thanks, Donna, for being such a bright light!

OK, I'm back on the saddle again, and you should see some more posts coming soon. Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving! Now, get ready for the ultra hyped marketing machine known as Christmas. You know, the holiday where we celebrate the birth of Santa with large credit card statements and spoiled children? Tis the season!!

Disclaimer: I realize that Christmas marks the birth of Jesus, but I'm referring sarcastically to what Christmas has become, not what it should be.

God in a Shoe Box

One of the recent struggles that I've entered into in my view of the church is the knowledge vs. service war that rages throughout many communities of faith. Most people aren't aware of this war, but it exists, and it is fought on many fronts. I deal with it all the time. People come to me - well meaning people - and they tell me that they're not getting enough out of their Bible study time, and they need more solid teaching. They seem particularly distraught when, on certain weeks of the year, we emphasize service more than Bible knowledge. There is a fight at this point, and it's usually characterized by a passive/aggressive attitude that smiles at the idea of service, but sneers at the loss of Bible study.

I guess I have trouble seeing where the two are mutually exclusive. What you know, you are required to act upon, and in so doing, you usually gain more knowledge than you ever could in a classroom environment. Protestantism has been largely defined by individual practices of holiness: reading your Bible, prayer, "quiet times", and moral behavior. Unfortunately, these practices have led to a myopic view of faith, and have resulted in a selfish attitude toward service.

But isn't knowing God more defined by a life that is generous with its knowledge of God? How can we know God and be miserly with the riches of His goodness? How in the world can the knowledge of God be a completely individual discipline? It seems to me that if we wanted to know God more, we'd practice serving as many people as we could. That, after all, is what the crucifixion - God's ultimate act of service - was all about.

One of my classes (Life Together) pleasantly surprised me the other night when they decided to forego their normal class lecture for a group act of service. They each brought shoe boxes to class and filled them with all sorts of loving gifts and treats. They spent their entire class time decorating these boxes and filling them with a couple of size 12 doses of love. Their goal was to help with the Operation Christmas Child project, which gave 7.6 million shoe boxes to children in 95 different countries last year. Instead of clamoring for another lecture, this class decided to put all those lectures into practice by spending their valuable class time serving those who have nothing. If that's not knowledge of the divine, I don't know what is!

Thanks, Life Together, for modeling what it means to be knowledgeable Christians. You're winning the war one act of service at a time!

Change of Power

The Republicans got pummeled in the recent elections, and, in my opinion, they got what they had coming. Many will be surprised to see me write that, but I think it's true. Good leadership is all about having vision and communicating that vision in a way that is convincing, appealing and worthy of following. The Republicans have been miserable vision-casters, and as a result, they have seen the power that they fought so hard to attain slip right through their Iraq-loving, scandal-having, money-spending, Fox-News-watching hands. There, I said it.

By the way, I have traditionally voted Republican and I still believe in the more basic tenets of Republican thought: small government, fiscal conservatism and moral responsibility. The current Republican regime isn't placing a high priority on any of these traditionally conservative ideologies. That's probably another good reason why they got hammered in the elections.

On another note, this year's elections were out of control. The kind of bile that both parties spewed was ridiculous and disturbing. $1 billion were spent on negative advertising in this years elections. That's sickening. I wish these guys would clean it up. They expect us to believe that politics are the only hope for humanity, yet they cut each other down like school kids in the middle of a recess smack down. Grow up!!

If you don't believe me, check out John Ellis' article in the Wall Street Journal. It's called, "All Slander, All the Time." It's a worthwhile read. Something's going to have to change soon, or I just won't have the stomach for this junk.

Say Cheese!!

Ever wonder why we run around eagerly snapping photographs of smiling faces? Why is it that we tell the kids to say "cheese" at every family photo-op? When politicians sign bills, they shake hands and smile for the camera; when models flaunt the latest lip gloss, they "turn that frown upside down" and give it their best shiny lipped grin. Why are we obsessed with capturing smiles?

Could it be that the reason we take pictures is to solidify memories of the ideal? I mean, no one runs around at a party and says, "Say Yuck!", while snapping off a picture of the unhappy couple. Photographers don't generally tell families to "act like the dog just died", when they're trying to capture that eternal family moment. Friends don't run around with their camera phones telling each other to "stare blankly so that I can get a good shot of you in my phone." That's just not the way we want to envision each other.

No, we take pictures the way we want to remember and be remembered. We smile, or do silly things, or try to look noble or cool. In so doing, we say a lot about ourselves. We say that real life, with its hardships, frustrations and pains, is not what we were really made for. Those aren't the things we want see when we get the chance at a snap shot. We want to see love and fun and dignity and grace. In short, we want to see what it should be, and not always what it is.

We are our most idealistic when we're holding a camera, because we hope to see only that which is good. Shoot, even when we take a picture of something disturbing like war or death, we don't want it to be blurry or poorly lit. We want it to be clear and symetrical, with shades and accents framing every detail. When people view such photographs we want them to think "Whoa, that's a good picture." When we look through the lens of a camera, we see a world of potential and beauty, so unlike the one we see with our own eyes.

Jesus looked at life through a camera lens. When people saw leppers and blind men, Jesus saw healing. When others saw whores and tax collectors, Jesus saw disciples. What some viewed as treacherous and criminal, Jesus saw as compassionate and wholesome. When Jesus looked at mankind, he optimistically saw endless facets of redemption.

So, as I look at the pictures on my desk, around my house and in books and magazines, I remember that we should be optimistic like Jesus. We should certainly not be decieved into thinking that life is as good as a picture, but we should squint, look through the lens, and see the potential beauty in the world. When we do, we'll see what Jesus saw: opportunities to heal, chances to lead and love, openings for compassion and grace.

Say Cheese!!

Hayes Family Halloween!!

We didn't really celebrate Halloween when I was a kid. We were too spiritual to recognize such an evil day. Well, now I realize that it's hard for a holiday to be evil when every kid I know loves it so much! My kids absolutely love dressing up and eating candy, and I'll be darned if I'm going to stop them. Anyway, we had a good time trick or treating this year, and here's the video to prove it!!

Contextualizing the Mid East

Victor Davis Hanson has written a very interesting piece entitled "The Dark Ages - Live from the Middle East!", in which he effectively demonstrates how the progress and innovation that have come about as a result of the enlightenment are virtually nullified by the primitive views and practices of the majority of the Middle East. It's just odd to me how so many people defend the right of the Middle East to hate women, practice barbarism, support censorship and promote anti-semitism. The Middle East needs a revolution, and the only way that will happen is when the civilized world formally stands against the backward cultural milieu pushed forth in this region.

Anyway, check out the article. It'll make you think.

Dancing With Noonan

Peggy Noonan, my favorite syndicated columnist, has done it again. This is may be my favorite article to date. Here's a glimpse:

"Everyone is focusing on the polls and spreadsheets, on the scandals and negative ads. This in fact may be the year negative advertising reached critical mass. Voters are no longer running from the room saying, "Smith is dishonest, I must vote for Jones!" They're slouched in front of the TV thinking, They're all bums, I'll try to pick the least bummy. Or asking, 'Honey, which bum is least likely to raise my property taxes?'"

Ya Gotta love Peggy! She has once again crystalized my thoughts. Enjoy!

Poetry in Motion

OK, so I stumbled on a few poems I wrote about ten years ago, and I thought I'd share them with you. Some are about Jesus, others are about relationships, and others are about finding your way again after you've fallen. I just hope they make sense!

I hope you enjoy the poems below. I know it was a lot of fun for me to find them and post them for you. If you're impressed by them, just remember I probably looked something like the picture above when I wrote them. Now, that's impressive!

WWJD?

What would Jesus do if he were in the world today?
Would he step into our gawdy church and venture not to stay?
Would he cringe at his cruel cross recreated 'round our necks
And wonder why we market him and make him so high tech

And I'm curious to know if our assumptions are correct
Would the Son of God be happy with the money we collect?
To make ourselves remember Him with bracelets on our wrists
Or would it simply convince Him that we don't get the gist?

Would He really be happy with the pains that we go through
To turn off all our common sense in light of what He'd do?
Or would He tell us "Use your brains and follow my strong lead
Not with gimmicks, but with my book which I've given you to read."

"And talk with me, my sweet child, and I will give you rest
But please don't treat me like I'm some annoying kind of pest
Cause just because you wear my cross or have me on your clothes
Does not mean your favor in my eyes just grows and grows."

"I love you now as much as I have loved you all along
So get to know me, understanding that my love is strong
And follow me regardless of the fads that come your way
Cause who are you to know what I would do anyway?"

I've shown you what I've done, and I've offered you my hand
Now learn to love me properly and do the best you can!"

Beneath The Sea

I find myself consumed with you and what you think of me
Your thoughts concealed like coral reefs, set well beneath the sea
And if, by chance, I swim so deep, what answers will I find?
An injured anger held within, or thoughts as sweet as wine?

But soon before you have a chance to open up to me
I lose my breath and struggle to the surface of the sea
And as I gulp the tainted air of selfish preservation
I realize this problem is my own miscalculation

If only when I delved beyond the surface of the sea
I could have held you close and brought you to the top with me
For then, amidst the crisp clean air, true clarity we'll find
To conquer all our dissonance with tenderness and time

Time to trust and savor all the love we have to give
Believing that with God's sweet grace our love will truly live
A love that swims the murky depths of the darkened sea
Returning to the safety of the surface faithfully

The Sun

I heard you missed the sun today
It's precious light simply vanished from your way
And as it moved to slowly disappear
Its afterglow was dampened by your tears

So now the only light in all this dark
Burns the crackling embers of your heart
and lying ashen in your bed
You can hardly even lift your head

Why'd you cause the sun to fall?
It could have been so different, after all
You really didn't have to lose
You dragged your feet, were slow to choose

And remembering your lapse
You desperately began to grasp
The pleasant days of long ago
Set in the sun's amazing glow


It's now a year from that dark day
When the great sun had gone away
And though the memories are clear
And you still hurt and sometimes fear

The embers of your heart have died
And now a new light shines inside
So now the sun shines on your skin
Revealing newness, peace within

To know that if, again, it's dark
God's grace provides a brand new start
The sun is bigger than your faults
It rises steady, never halts

So even though the darkness comes
Somewhere, there's alway shines the sun.