Today I was reading from John 12 about how the Pharisees were upset that Jesus was getting so much attention. They were jealous that so many people were responding to Jesus all because he brought Lazarus back to life. While we know that the Pharisees were out to kill Jesus, we now find Lazarus being thrown into the middle of this struggle for power. We find out in 12:10 that the Pharisees who plotted on Jesus were now also plotting to kill Lazarus. What did Lazarus do? He simply died and was brought back to life.

Have you ever been thrust into some conflict that you never intended to join? It happens all the time. We become guilty by association, simply because we harbor a friendship or entertain a conversation. If this has never happened to you, it will. But what we must remember is that when push comes to shove, we are loved by our Father (John 3:16, I'm pretty sure you know it), that the truth sets us free (John 8:32, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free), and that God is always with us (Matthew 28:20b, And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age). In those three promises, as well as many others found in the Bible, we can find encouragement in those trying times.

This year, a nearby neighborhood has a house with lights syncronized just like in the above video. It looks so cool. I can't imagine the amount of time, energy, and detail it must have taken to do such a thing. I also think about the baby Jesus that we celebrate this time of the year. To think of the care that God went through to have the Christ child fill apx. 60 major prophecies of the Old Testament certainly gives a picture of God who pays attention to detail.

This time of year is also really good for loosing that point. With all the things rushing around, it's easy to feel insignificant. But one thing is that God views you as greatly significant. For God's got big plans for you. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". God promises us that there is a plan for us thats filled with HOPE and a FUTURE. That hope and future were solidified with the Christ Child. This Christmas season we should celebrate that birth and the love out of which that perfect gift was given.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

A few weeks ago I ran into this song. It's about how there is more to life than just arriving at death with a good looking corpse. Life is about living and yet so many never take the bait. Instead following the herd making sure not to get too far out of line with what everyone else is doing. Jesus never fell into that trap. While others were changing money in the temple, Jesus ran around overturning the tables. While people were striving to climb to greatness by walking on others, Jesus bent down and served the disciples by washing their feet. When others denied knowing Jesus out of safety, Jesus confronted the accusations of others head on no denying himself or the reason he was here.

If we want to call ourselves Christian, we need to become less concerned with existing until death and instead find ways to live until death has to take our weathered souls and bodies. One step towards living happens every year with the youth at Bethany. We take a week long mission trip. While on the trip, we get little sleep, work a long day, enjoy regular times of worship, eat some things that are very similar to school food, and WE LOVE IT. It's a great time of serving others. Of being like Jesus. Not the Jesus affluence that has become common in this world. Rather the Jesus of humility who lives among the poor, the suffering, the diseased, and the needy. I would encourage you to e-mail me (chrisbureshbethany@hotmail.com) for more information on how you can join us or take other steps towards choosing life, not just going through the motions.