Dean Inserra

Something that kind of drives me crazy:

The War On Christmas

First of all, I think calling it that is a little extreme. The ACLU does not want schools to use the words Merry Christmas. Wal-Mart did not let their greeters say anything but “Happy Holidays.”

Why is that an outrage or shock to anyone?

Can that even be considered persecution? Please. What an insult to our brothers and sisters around the world.

Have we not already butchered Christmas to begin with by making it nothing more than Merry Consumerism with a few songs about the manger on the side? Is the “holiday season” not known as the most stressful time of the year? A little different than the Prince of Peace coming to the world.

I want to use this season to have conversations with people about the real reason for the Christmas they are already celebrating. I have never met an atheist who did not go to his/her parents house for Christmas.

O’Reilly will talk about the War on Christmas 3 times a week for the next month.

Bumper stickers saying “I still say Merry Christmas” will appear on cars.

This War on Christmas has been going on ever since Satan was chucked out of heaven and the greeting we use for around 25 days is hardly the focus.

Making the Gospel known should be the concern. Not what the Wal-Mart greeter says when you walk in the door to go into debt over the next month.

Much bigger things to engage.

Tonight I went to Yiannis. It is nothing special. Just your basic Tennessee street, FSU/Tallahassee Bar.

That is really not my scene, but some guys from the Well were there playing in a cover-band. I like to show my support whenever our folks are out in the community (and not with all Christians “out in the community”), and I knew since it was Thanksgiving night…lots of locals I know would be there.

It was great to connect and reconnect with so many friends.

Something, without fail, 100% of time, always happens when I go out (which is actually on a pretty regular basis). There are people who are shocked to see me because I am a Pastor.

Fair enough.

My question: How did Pastors get so far removed from where people gather together…that they are shocked when they see us?

In Scripture, the only people shocked to see Jesus were the Religious.

I am not saying that Bars are or should be for everyone. I am just asking how we got so far removed???

I am so thankful for the Well.

For the many who call it their home.

Who bring friends.

Who start their Sundays at 7:30am.

Who stay late.

Who play their instruments as an act of worship.

Who pray, give, and encourage.

Who teach Jesus to the kids.

Who manage the finances.

Who lead groups.

Who believe “deep” is defined by the Gospel.

Who want to make that Gospel known.

For 2 1/2 years ago and the starting team of Jenny Rosen, Scott Simmons, Higgys, Cari Bradley, and Sally.

For Matthew.

For Folsom.

For those who just love their Church.

For people with the last name Graves.

For the backbone of support, Krissie.

For the many who invest their time.

For the Gospel.

Thank you Jesus for all of this.

Today is my parents’ 30th. Congrats to them. In a world where it is not that common to see your parents celebrate their 30th…I am grateful.

Some randoms on what I appreciate about them as parents (besides the obvious of giving me a place to live for 18 years, food, a car, and college).

-I NEVER saw them fight growing up. If they did (not sure), it was in private.

-I was born right before their 1st anniversary. That had to suck.

-They let us be kids. We had rules, but they were not strict. We never had a reason to rebel. Trust was the big deal.

-They let us develop our own beliefs. I never had anything forced on me.

-I respect them.

-My friends liked being at our house.

-I was never embarrassed to have them around.

-They never missed my games.

-They have always been the biggest cheerleaders of anything I set out to do.

-They are amazing grandparents.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. Thanks for paving the way.

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Samuel, Nathan, Isaiah, John, Peter, and Paul.

They Told The Truth.

If those men were here today they would eat us for breakfast.

Many believers put Nancy Kerrigan or Scott Hamilton to shame when it comes to skating skills.

Skating around what Scripture declares.

I want to be a truth-teller.

I want to take God’s Word so seriously that it terrifies me to take any other approach.

The great truth-teller John, said that this truth should be in love.

It is our love of God, His Word, and others that should inspire us to do the same.

Please take off the skates.

Love people enough to walk on that ice.