Christmas of 1985... Atari 5200

Christmas of 1985, I was in the second grade. Like any typical 2nd grader, I had a Christmas wish list. I’m sure the list was long, but the main item of interest on that list was the Atari 5200.
Now, the deal at the McMurry house was that we knew Mom and Dad were going to let us unwrap a few gifts from the parents. Maybe something my dad had made, like a Rubber Band Gun, but mostly the essentials like socks, underwear, shampoo. We didn't grow up having a lot when I was younger, so at Christmas Mom would wrap just about anything so that we had lots of gifts to open. Gum. Pajamas. Stamps. Stuff like that.
The big presents though, were from Santa. I'm pretty sure my parents had a deal worked out with Santa because he always brought each of us kids 3 presents. Usually the first 2 were ok; possibly something on the list but not necessarily. The 3rd gift though; the third gift was what Christmas was all about. It was the moment I waited for all year long.
Being the curious 2nd grader that I was, I had a tendency to do a little snooping when the opportunity arose. I had figured out that "Santa Claus" usually hid my Christmas presents in the top of my Mom's closet. On one snooping adventure, I discovered something that has been burned into my memory since. The Atari 5200.
Side note, my kids get presents off of Craigs list; I got presents out of the newspaper classified ads. Same thing. It wasn't new in the box. I didn't care. It was there. And in a few short days it would be mine. Oh yes, it would be mine.
The familiarity of Christmas Eve and the Family traditions were almost impossible to stand. I was like, "Yes, uh huh, angels, shepherds, virgin - don’t really know what that is, don’t really want to ask. Let’s just speed through this, sing some carols, read Twas The Night Before Christmas. Milk and cookies, carrot for the reindeer, and can I please get in bed and cover my head, because Santa Cause comes tonight, and I know he already left an Atari 5200 in Mom’s closet for me!"
When Christmas morning rolled around, we went through the joy of opening all the other presents first, saving the gifts from Santa for last. The whole time I’m opening underwear and t-shirts, I’ve got my eye on the rectangular one with my name on it, and the tag: From Santa.
It seemed like hours of opening shampoo and watching my sister open Sweet Valley High books and my brother open Tarheel basketball “Stuff,” until finally it was time to open our presents from Santa.
The opening order went the same every year. We would go Donald, Caroline, Joseph, Donald Caroline Joseph, Donald Caroline... and then it was time. I knew from snooping that the Atari 5200 wasn’t in a box, so it made sense that “Santa” would put it in a box before he wrapped it. I picked up the box, played the guessing game, you know, gave a little shake. I didn’t want to give away that I knew what was in the box.
My hands were starting to sweat. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I ripped the wrapping paper, and opened the box to find... dun dun dun... A G.I. Joe toy airplane.
I was disappointed, but I couldn't show it. The Atari 5200 had captured my attention. It had taken the place of honor in my life that Christmas.
The context of Luke 1 and 2 lets us know that the first Christmas was about the change from Caesar to Christ.. A change in power. A change in worship. A change in how things had always been done. From supremacy to service. From aggression to peace. The first Christmas was about trying to make the world understand that things weren’t always going to be the way they had been.
In the same way, this Christmas can also be about change. As Jesus’ birth was a direct confrontation of the powers that were in place, so Christmas can be a challenge to us—a challenge to whatever is taking power and precedence in our lives.
What is competing for the place of honor in your life this Christmas? We’ll call it your Atari 5200.
Whatever it is, good or bad, if it’s in the center, then Jesus is not. And Christmas, is nothing if not the chance to remove the powers that were, and put in its place the One that is.
Sure, we can keep some of our traditions: baking cookies, watching old movies, maybe even opening a present on Christmas Eve. But when it comes to the heart; when it comes to what has our attention and our effort and our focus, let’s work this year at getting Jesus to be exactly where He should be: at the center of our lives.
What about the Atari 5200, you ask? I couldn’t ask about it. That would totally have blown my snooping cover. They would have known what a sneaky little punk I was. I had to let the dream die.
On Valentines Day, I got the Atari 5200. I found out many years later that my Dad talked my mom, er Santa, out of giving me the Atari for Christmas because we only had one TV in the house, and there were too many football games on between Christmas and New Years.
Merry Christmas!

Taboo: Discussing the Difficult

Everyone knows there are things you just don’t talk about; at least not in public and especially not at church. During the month of March, at Fuel as we tackle the series, Taboo: Discussing the Difficult, we’ll journey beyond comfort zones to explore the truth behind some difficult topics. The culture may try to tell us what we are supposed to believe, but what does God have to say?

Week 1 - The Party Scene: Drugs, Alcohol and Hookin' Up.

When it comes to the Party Scene: drugs, alcohol and hookin’ up, we can separate everyone into 3 categories. Those who are dealing with it. Those who are not dealing with it. And those who are curious about it. Disclaimer: Lets not assume that a student has to be struggling with all 3 of these aspects (drugs, alcohol and hookin’ up) to be dealing with it, and lets also not assume that a student has to actually go to a party to struggle with any of these issues.

What does God’s word say, and how does it apply to us when it comes to the party scene? In the following three passages, notice that the instruction for behavior follows the condition of the heart.

1 Peter 4:1-6 What Peter describes is not a cleaned up act in order to please God, but a heart that lives for God, which results in a cleaned up act.

Galatians 5:19-24 The Fruit of the Spirit is a condition of the heart, that grows out of living and walking by the Spirit. When we belong to Jesus, we give up the desires of the flesh and instead of the party scene, we find Joy in Christ. 

Romans 13:12-14 The condition of the heart, by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, leads us to walk properly as in the daytime. 

I am not interested in you modifying your behavior because you think it will look better to people, or earn you points with God. I am interested in your understanding that wise decisions flow from a heart that beats to love God and live in relationship with him, and the results should be evident in your life. You need a plan!

Here is "The Plan" that was presented and discussed in Fuel Groups. Learn it. Memorize it. Own it.

1. Love God.

Matt 22:37-39

2. Resist Evil.

James 4:7-8

3. Lock Arms.

2 Tim 2:22

4. Stay Alert

1 Pet. 5:8

5. Get Out.

1 Cor. 10:13–14

Changed behavior does not lead to a relationship with God. A relationship with God leads to changed behavior.

My REAP Bible Study of Hebrews 7:11-28

1. Read

Read the passage with an open heart, asking the Holy Spirit to give you words of encouragement, direction, and correction. Underline the verses that seem important and that God is using to speak to you.

Important verses: 

13-14 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests., 

18, For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 

22, This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

25, Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

27. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

 

2. Examine

Write down one or two of the key verses that stick out to you. Verse 27.

 Ask yourself and write down your thoughts: 

What is going on? It's an explanation of Jesus role as a comparison to the Jewish priest. It explains that there is no longer any need for animal sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, because Jesus has become the sacrifice that would do away with the old system. 

Who is writing, and who is he writing to? We don't know who is writing. The book doesn't give us any concrete evidence. The audience is 1st century Jews, who had been faithful to the old system. 

When? Not sure, but sometime in the first century, probably late first century. 

What are the circumstances? This letter contains instruction concerning the new covenant verses the old covenant; that Jesus has fulfilled the Law, and has made salvation possible. 

Does the author mention anything that might mention his purpose or intent? Yes! V22,25, 27

How do you think the author wants his audience to respond? I think he wants his audience to respond with faith in Jesus as having the power to save. They no longer need to sacrifice animals at the alter b/c Jesus has paid their debt once and for all. Place your faith in Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that brings salvation. 

3. Apply

Ask yourself these questions: 

What is Gods word for me? There is no amount of good that I can do to be made right with God. Forgiveness comes because of and through Jesus. 

How will I live differently and be different today? I will do good and show kindness to others, not for the purpose of gaining favor with Jesus, but to show the love of Jesus. I don't need to gain any favor! My duty is to serve others so that they can see the love of Jesus in me. 

What are the things in my life that need to change in light of this truth? There certainly aren't always blatant issues that need to be changed because of a verse, but I can always be reminded of my reliance on Jesus for forgiveness. I am encouraged to make my life count in someone else's life today. 

4. Pray.

God help me to rely on you and you -alone for forgiveness; not on anything I can do. Help me to live out my faith by showing the love of Jesus to the people I encounter today through my attitude, actions, and the way I treat others. Amen!