There is an old wooden level on a shelf above my computer. Marvin Thiessen, one of our faithful volunteers used it for years as he worked on projects around the Evangel Home. When he left us about 10 years ago he told me to keep the level because he wouldn’t need it any more. I kept it in a desk drawer, found it during a recent cleaning flurry, and decided it needed a place of honor. So it is now poised slightly below eye level as I look at my computer screen.
I kept it because it was a wonderful memory of Marvin, but now I display because it is a pointed reminder of God. I can mock the wisdom of the world, and I can worry about the problems of Evangel Home. However, in the end, it is my responsibility to keep the bubble in the middle — to keep my relationship with Him level.
Because my desk isn’t quite level, the bubble is never in the middle. Pencils roll off of the desk, but I can adjust to the slight imbalance. I can adjust, but in order to be totally level – to get that bubble in the middle – I need help. Isn’t that what our relationship with Jesus is all about? We need His help to stay balanced in a world that is full of subtle inclines and steep curves. Many choose to negotiate the terrain on their own, and like that bubble suspended in the yellow liquid of Marvin’s level, their lives constantly move from side to side and end to end.
Thank you for helping us provide our women and children a place where they can find solid ground and understand what it means to stay balanced in Christ.
About Us: Telling our stories. Sharing our lives.
- Gerre Brenneman, Evangel Home Executive Director
- This blog is about the Evangel Home--a Christian ministry to homeless women and childen. It is called "Inside Out" because we want to give you a glimpse into our home--to share the joys of being part of redeemed lives as well as the hard landings that are the reality of being in the trenches. And sometimes there's just an opinion or thought we want to share.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Charlie Brown Truth
A recent conversation with some friends about why we love Charlie Brown Christmas prompted one to say, “We are now the counter-culture trying to follow the truth and tradition of Christmas.”
In Charlie Brown Christmas, it seems that Linus represents the counter culture, the truth of Christmas, and Charlie Brown’s cute little sister, Sally, IS the culture. Somehow Charlie Brown is the guy who brings it all together.
Sally asks him to write her letter to Santa as she dictates her list. She tells Santa he can make it easy on himself by just bringing her cash if it’s easier than meeting her list of demands. “I prefer tens and twenties. All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.”
Eventually her big brother cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Little Linus, dragging his blanket behind him, says he can explain it and he then recites the Christmas story from Luke 2: 8-14.
“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
The show ends with all the children humming Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Charlie Brown remembering the words of Linus: “This will be a sign to you . . .”
It is our prayer that our women and children find the true meaning of Christmas, and can escape the bonds of false cultural idols; that they will find new life in His life this Christmas.
Thank you for helping us tell them the truth.
In Charlie Brown Christmas, it seems that Linus represents the counter culture, the truth of Christmas, and Charlie Brown’s cute little sister, Sally, IS the culture. Somehow Charlie Brown is the guy who brings it all together.
Sally asks him to write her letter to Santa as she dictates her list. She tells Santa he can make it easy on himself by just bringing her cash if it’s easier than meeting her list of demands. “I prefer tens and twenties. All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share.”
Eventually her big brother cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?”
Little Linus, dragging his blanket behind him, says he can explain it and he then recites the Christmas story from Luke 2: 8-14.
“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.”
The show ends with all the children humming Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Charlie Brown remembering the words of Linus: “This will be a sign to you . . .”
It is our prayer that our women and children find the true meaning of Christmas, and can escape the bonds of false cultural idols; that they will find new life in His life this Christmas.
Thank you for helping us tell them the truth.
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