Chi Alpha

When I was in grad school, my Christian friends encouraged me to share my new found Christian faith with my family at Christmas. They were praying with me that I would have divine moments to speak to family members about knowing Jesus. Returning from the Christmas Eve Mass at the local Catholic church, I got into a discussion with my younger brother Ron. I talked about what had happened in my life and how I getting to know God in Scripture, and how He had healed me. Ron had some questions that night, and that turned out to be the only chance I would have to directly share my faith in Christ with my family during that visit home. Yet, a month later, Ron called to say he had asked Jesus to cleanse, forgive, and save him.

Some of us find it hard to talk to our family about Jesus. But to let them know about Him is essential so they can turn to the Lord in His time.

Jesus worked an amazing turnaround and deliverance in Mark 5:2-20. A crazed, loud, wild man was living among the tombs of Gerasa. The demons in the man confronted Jesus and He drove them out immediately. The once-crazed man was calmed down, stopped hurting himself, and asked to follow Jesus. But Jesus denied his request. He sent him to his family instead. This transformed man was sent to his family as a testimony of the power of Jesus to deliver all who came in faith to Him.

Serve globally. There may be someone in your family who is not a believer. You may be the only Christian in your house. You may be feeling frustrated or guilty that you have not yet told any of your family about your faith in Christ and the difference He makes in your life. Ask Him to give you the courage, the opportunity, and the words (it might help you to write down what you want to say before initiating any conversation). Then obey Him, just as the man did in Mark 5. Who knows? You may be able to bring your Christian friends an exciting report like I did when you return to school.

We are reminded in Luke 1:11 of the angel’s words to the shepherds, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is Christ the Lord.” What better Christmas present to give to Jesus this year than to share who He is with another person. Pray for the opportunity to share your faith as you travel home, and as you are reunited with your family.

Merry Christmas.

Mike O

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The headline declared, “Young star pulled by wrong crowd may be destined to stray forever.” The story was not about a current movie star, professional athlete, up-and-coming scientist, or American Idol wannabee whose life and career was in danger. The star of the story (no pun intended) was actually in outer space.

Known to astronomers as Tauri Sb, the small star (20 percent of the mass of our sun) used to be part of a four-star family. Scientists have been watching this family of stars for two decades. They noticed that the small star was often drawn towards a larger pair, and as they passed, Tauri Sb increased its speed and took off from its original path and solar family. Based on its trajectory, it appears that Tauri Sb will be wandering through space for a long while.

What sometimes happens in outer space often happens on planet earth, too. You may have heard of the account from the New Testament (Luke 15:11-20) about the prodigal son. It is the story of a young man who wanders from home, wastes the inheritance his father gave him, and pursues poor relationships. Wandering from home usually means wandering from God, but it could include family, friends, or any community you are a part of. And it is sadly evident and too easy to find “friends” who will encourage the wanderer to keep straying.

The primary difference between Tauri Sb and the prodigal Jesus talked about is that the star, if it ever turns home, will be in an orbit so far off track from its original family of stars. Jesus said the young man came back - he faced up to his failure and shame - and came home - right into his father’s loving arms.

The same can be true for anyone who comes to their senses and recognizes that they have allowed themselves to be pulled from a close relationship with God. You do not have to wonder if the Lord wants you and I back - Jesus assures us that He does. We do not have to wait light years to fix our lives before presenting ourselves to God. Jesus said in Luke 15:17-24 that He wants us back right now. He even promises to forgive, cleanse, and restore us to health.

Walk wisely. Who is influencing you today? Where is your life headed? Have you allowed yourself to get pulled away from Jesus by people who aren’t good for you? By school? Financial mismanagement? Misplaced priorities? Do you know that it is never too early to come home to God?

Love is a verb,

Mike O

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I read a story about a memorial service for a high school student named Melissa. As the parents read through the list of folks who signed the guest book, they received encouragement from each one. Yet one name brought extra feelings of good will. The man’s first name was Floyd.

The parents did not go to church with Floyd. They did not spend time with him socially, or know him very well. He was not a neighbor, close friend, or an associate. He did however, play basketball at lunchtime with Melissa’s dad at the YMCA. Twice a week, for an hour was the extent of their time spent together. Floyd joined a bunch of 30-40 year old men for exercise and a little 5 on 5 round ball. All Melissa’s dad knew of Floyd was that he was a really good basketball player.

Floyd heard about Melissa’s accident and took time out of his schedule as an executive at the town grocery store to stop by her funeral. Melissa’s dad was surprised to see Floyd at the funeral service and made a mental note that he stopped by to honor her memory with his presence. A few months later, Melissa’s dad felt up to playing basketball again and went back to the YMCA. He ran into Floyd in the locker room and thanked him for being at the memorial service. Floyd said it was the least he could do. Then he said he had been praying for the family ever since.

The dad remarked how comforting that was. They had hundreds of people express their love and sympathy and do many kind things for the family since Melissa’s death. But for some reason, the loving compassion and condolences of this grocery story executive touched the dad deeply. All Floyd knew is that Melissa’s dad has a decent jump shot, yet he took the time to care for him.

Floyd is a great example of what we should strive to be as followers of Jesus. We should take action when others are in need. A kind word. A call. A visit. An e-mail. Whatever the situation, we should be quick to seize every opportunity to show that we care. Live communally. One person said once, “that people do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Read Philippians 4:10-19 to see the kind of action those Christians took to lift the spirit of the apostle Paul in the first century. That same sort of intentional action can helps others today.

We all may not become an executive for a grocery store (or any kind of business or industry), but we can all have a big heart for others. Can you think of someone who is hurting for one reason or another? What can you do to help them today? If someone has recently helped you weather a difficult time, have you (like Paul in Philippians 4:10) said thanks? Go ahead, in the name of our savior, do something special for someone else today.

Love is a verb,

Mike O

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