Christmas: The Wonder of the Incarnation

Over the years Christmas has come to represent so many things, both positive and negative. Whether materialism, consumerism, capitalism, debt, family fights or hope, goodwill, charity, generosity, joy or the importance of family, none of these things nearly approach what Christmas really represents. Easily forgotten is the sin that separated us from God and the sacrifice that only Jesus could make. If there is one thing you don't want to miss this Christmas, it is the profound significance of the incarnation. 

Christmas is filled with messages, yet far too many manage to keep the focus on humanity rather than focusing on Jesus. We hear lists of what Christmas means to us, the values we think it represents, ways we can better ourselves because of it, but how often do we hear about the implications of the incarnation? If for a moment we think Christmas is an opportunity for personal gain or improvement, it is as if we have never heard the real story. The attitude towards Christmas as a message of faith in humanity, generosity and goodwill reflects the disconnect towards what really happened at Jesus' birth.

The real Christmas story, what the incarnation really represents, starts in Philippians 2:5,

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The incarnation is the most baffling and unreasonable event of history, a keystone of our faith. What kind of God is this that would give up his thrown to take on a form that he created, subjecting himself to our rules, our hatred, our sin, and suffering our consequences? What was it like in the moments before Jesus took on flesh? Imagine Jesus, uncreated God in all of his glory with all of his power, giving up his uncreated form to become human forever. I tell you this is the greatest injustice of history, that the uncreated, perfect God would take on our imperfection and overcome it to redeem the undeserving (you and me). Such a sacrifice can only be motivated by one thing: pure, selfless love.

Yet humanity's response to this impossibly unjust sacrifice is commercialized, diluted into self-help messages and symbolism. If we ponder the depth of the sacrifice that was the incarnation and the fact that even now Jesus stands before God in a human body for our sake, the only proper response we can form is completely reckless love, in kind. What other response can there be? The God who had everything left it all because everything wasn't enough without you and me! And He did this knowing that it was our sin that brought this upon him, but also knowing that only He could make a way for us to be together. God calls this the greatest example of the love of a bridegroom for his bride, a love we could never experience apart from Him.

So what is the message of Christmas? Christmas is not a message of faith in humanity, but rather of our state of iniquity. Christmas is not a message of generosity, but of our emptiness. Christmas is not a message of goodwill, but of injustice. Christmas is not a message of self-help, but of selflessness. Christmas is perfect love on display, the love of God for us.

His sacrifice provokes the deepest level of love in us, setting the example for our response. The only proper response we can have to the story of Christmas is wholehearted, selfless love for Jesus, our best attempt to love him as he loved us. His sacrifice motivates sacrificial love in us, and suddenly our lives come into perspective and our purpose is revealed: to love God and to be loved by God. Everything else in life flows from that place.

So this year, when you read Luke 2 or whatever version of the Christmas story is your tradition, think on these things. Let your heart feel what Jesus felt in the moments before he became flesh, the love that would bring him to the ultimate sacrifice, which he made for you and me. Then respond with all of your heart. Such is the message of Christmas.

Paul shares his response in Philippians 3:7-8:

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Obama's Compelling Pro-Life Speech (if only)

Here are just a few excerpts from a speech that President Obama gave on January 16th, 2013, a month after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.. Of course, gun control was the subject of this speech, but I couldn't help relating everything the President said to our nation's abortion conflict. Take a look for yourself, you can read the full transcript here.

"This is our first task as a society, keeping our children safe. This is how we will be judged."

"...if there’s even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try."

"We have to examine ourselves in our hearts, and ask yourselves what is important? This will not happen, unless the American people demand it. If parents and teachers, police officers, and pastors, if hunters and sportsman, if responsible gun owners, if Americans of every background stand up and say, enough. We’ve suffered too much pain, and care too much about our children to allow this to continue, then change will -- change will come."

"This is the land of the free, and it always will be. As Americans we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights that no man or government can take away from us. But we’ve also long recognized, as our founders recognized, that with rights come responsibilities. Along with our freedom to live our lives as we will comes an obligation to allow others to do the same."

"That most fundamental set of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, fundamental rights that were denied to college students at Virginia Tech and high school students at Columbine and elementary school students in Newtown; and kids on street corners in Chicago on too frequent basis to tolerate [not to mention million's of unborn babies]; and all the families who never imagined they’d lose a loved one to a bullet, those rights are at stake. We’re responsible."

Amazingly, the altar of abortion seems to be crumbling in the wake of America's alleged "civil right's movement," gun control debates and the Kermit Gosnell case. While the ACLU rages, states are passing unprecedented pro-life legislation. Oh that America would wake from her delusions and stand for LIFE!

Our Only Hope For Real Freedom

As you no-doubt have heard, the United States Supreme Court is hearing cases related to California's voter-established ban on same-sex marriage as well as other cases related to the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. While it seems like everyone is focusing on either side's agenda, I think we sometimes get so caught up in the issue at hand that we miss the bigger picture.

No one on earth is without sin. Whether it be covetousness, the spirit of murder, adultery, or any other manifestation of our pride, everyone suffers from the effects of the fall of humanity in Genesis 3. Jesus came to earth to mend our broken relationship with God, yet without Jesus, our relationship with God remains unrestored. The real problem is not how marriage is being defined by our government, but an issue of bondage to sin and brokenness at a much deeper level in America. How can we stand for marriage while pornography ravages our own pulpits? We have a greater need.

We hear about how America is going to be judged for her sins of immorality and abortion, but I tell you the judgement is upon us and it is the removal of truth from our land. Throughout history God often judges nations not only through military conflict or natural disaster, but by removing their ability to discern right and wrong. You can read in Isaiah 59 about how truth was "slain in the streets," or in Malachi 3 where God removed the people's ability to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. We live in a such an hour of American history. 

Yet I am stirred by Peter's writings:

"For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. . . The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may PRAY. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:3-5,7-8

It is true that real justice, and the definition of marriage, comes only from the Lord. While we stand for truth, we must remember who we are standing against (Ephesians 6:12). Our stand for truth is a cry for mercy and an invitation into real freedom that can only be found in Jesus.

The Point of Life Outreach Photos

Pray for the Point Of Life Outreaches

By now you know that we are hosting gospel presentations in the three major school districts of Kansas City this month, encompassing 30,000 students. Rather than recite all of the details in this blog post, I would like to appeal for prayer in a critical time of need.

Hosting an outreach in a school rather than a church changes everything about how the outreach is done and adds dozens of potential disasters if things do not go according to plan in each school. We cannot deny that the devil will surely throw curve balls into our plans, so we desperately need a constant prayer covering. The sound system could break down (happened before), the sound technician provided by the school could have a complication, students or teachers may protest the outreaches, members of our team may become sick, and of course we need prayer for everyone who might attend and hear the Gospel.

We are only one week away from our first outreach, so I am asking you to mark your calendar and commit to pray, wherever you are, for each outreach. Few things we do have this much potential to change so many lives in a single night, or paint so large a target on our backs for the enemy. Please labor with us in prayer for the transformation of this city through these outreaches.

Here is a list of things to prayer for:
- A hedge of protection around our leadership team (Psalm 91)
   - Worship Team
   - Drama Team
   - Promotional Team
   - Administrative Team
   - Speakers
- Blessing/protection for the school administrators who are allowing these events
- For the Lord to prepare the hearts of those who will be attending and hearing the Gospel (Matt 13:1-8)
- Literally pray for the sound system to work...
- Blessing/protection for the sound/light techs that the school provides
- For students to open up during the small group time at the end of each outreach
- Against persecution or protesters
- Blessing/protection for youth pastors who are promoting and/or serving at the outreach

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified" - 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Moving to Little Rock, Arkansas

Molly and I are so excited to announce a new season in our ministry journey! You have likely already heard that we are planning on transitioning into a leadership role at a new house of prayer called PrayNow in Little Rock, Arkansas. This is a big change for us so I thought I'd share the backstory for whoever is interested!

Molly and I first heard about PrayNow in 2011 from Molly's family friends in Little Rock. Back then it was a group of people meeting at houses to pray and hopefully plant a house of prayer. Over time we were able to meet with some of the leaders and hear their vision. We loved everything we heard, but we never considered moving down as a real possibility, especially with the momentum of my high school missions ministry in Kansas City. A year past and PrayNow continued to gain momentum in Little Rock. It became clear that the Lord was building this house of prayer as they were given a free building, renovation material and financial support for their first full-time staff members. Molly and I celebrated all of this news in our hearts, but still didn't consider moving anytime soon.

In December 2012, as I was planning diligently for the 2013-2014 high school missions calendar, Molly and I took a last minute trip to Arkansas to celebrate her brother's engagement. On this last minute trip, we had last minute meetings with the leadership of PrayNow. They continued to share great news about their house of prayer and more of their heart for Jesus, and although Molly and I had a great time and loved them dearly, we still left thinking we were staying in Kansas City. It wasn't until we were driving home that we began to wonder "what if we moved down?"

I am always very slow to accept change, in particular, so I knew if I was going to consider moving, the Lord would have to make it very clear. Before we finished the drive home to Kansas City, Molly found out that if we did decide to move down we were offered the perfect house to live in for little-to-no-rent for the next 2 years while we make the transition. It hadn't even been an hour since we started considering moving, and already the largest logistical obstacle was behind us. That was big news! But we still wanted to be sure it was the Lord.

We prayed over this opportunity and sought the counsel of all of our mentors over the next several weeks. The more we looked into it, the more people blessed it and the doors kept opening. Molly became especially excited at the idea of building a small house of prayer together, and it was clear to me and our mentors that something new was coming alive inside of her. A few weeks later, I was listening to sermon given by Dwayne Roberts, who is moving to Brazil to build houses of prayer, and at the end of his message he prayed for those who were considering starting a house of prayer. The Lord spoke to me very clearly during his prayer that it is in fact His will and His timing that we move down to serve PrayNow this summer. The only other time the Lord was that clear with me was when I first felt called to start the High School Missions ministry I am doing now! 

After that, we met again with the leaders of PrayNow, told them our story, and of course they had all kinds of excitement and confirmation from the Lord that this is His direction! So now it's official! I will finish out this school year strong with High School Missions at IHOPKC while training my replacement, and starting this summer we will become full-time staff with PrayNow in Little Rock, AR! I am so excited to see what the Lord will do through this amazing house of prayer! You can learn more about PrayNow at their new website: www.praynowlr.org! Check it out and partner with them to see Jesus glorified in central Arkansas!

Partners: We will still be raising financial support while we serve at PrayNow in the same way we have been. Logan will remain on full-time staff at IHOPKC until May, so nothing will change until then.

Happy New Year From The Blooms!

View our January 2013 Newsletter!

This month's headlines: 25,000 attended the Onething 2012 conference and over 50,000 watched online! We're continuing to prepare for the Point of Life Outreaches coming up in February and training next years student leaders in the spring semester. Molly also shares her reflections from 2012!