A crystalline blanket of white falling on a world of chaos, confusion, and fear,

The forecast calling for a dusting to one inch, but so far three inches are near.

A White Christmas, while unexpected, creates an excitement not felt in over a year.

A message from God, or just a coincidence? I wonder.

As I peer out my window at the fresh covering of an otherwise muddy and ugly terrain,

I feel a sense of hope and peace that have replaced my depression and anxiety as to

What the world and future hold for me, my family, and my country.

So much is wrong in the world, but this quiet, serene scene indicates that better days are ahead.

That first Christmas, the world was also in chaos; the shepherds were the lowliest of the lowly,

Yet the angels appeared to them declaring Good News and Peace to all people through the birth of a Child.

The shepherds finally had a sense of excitement that they had not felt maybe in their lifetime.

They went to see if what they had been told was true; could it be the end of the chaos?

The angels appeared, a view from the heavens in dazzling white.

The shepherds watched in wonder on that first Christmas night.

Just like the shepherds, I sit here amazed at this vision, the silence, the quiet

Created by the snow on this Christmas Eve night.

A message from God, or just a coincidence? I wonder, yet I know.

In 1 Timothy 6, Paul writes to his son in the ministry, Timothy, about how to live in a world that is focused on money and materialism as a child of God. In verses 10-11, he stresses the potential of the love of money being an agent of evil. He suggests that “in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” He encourages Timothy to “shun all this,” and “pursue instead righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.” He seems to indicate that one cannot be a follower of Christ and at the same time pursue riches. Jesus once told His disciples that they cannot love God and wealth. It seems that Paul is suggesting that rich people cannot be disciples of Jesus.

Yet, in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, he tells Timothy how to instruct “those who are rich in this present world.” He suggests that a follower of Christ may be rich and it not be an evil thing. The instructions Paul gives to the rich include not being arrogant and not putting their trust in wealth, rather putting their trust in God. He also makes suggestions as to what they should do with their wealth. They are to do good,be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.

Jesus told the rich young ruler the same thing when asked what the ruler must do to inherit eternal life. After suggesting that he keep the commandments, Jesus tells him to go and sell everything he has and give the proceeds to the poor. The rich man, according to Matthew, went away grieving because he was very wealthy and not willing to give that up.

Perhaps we can learn something from Paul’s teachings and the teachings of Jesus concerning how to deal with riches as a child of God. First of all, being wealthy is not a sin. It is what we do with our wealth that determines whether or not it is a blessing or a curse. In the scope of the world economy, we Americans are wealthy, no matter whether we consider ourselves that way or not. The question is not how much money do you have; the question is how do you use your money? Paul and Jesus suggest that it is a matter of focus and who my master is. If I trust in my wealth and my focus is on what I have and how to get more, I have lost sight of my responsibility and relationship with God. I should put my trust in heavenly things that will not rust and fade away with time. During the Depression of the 1930s, the very wealthy committed suicide at an alarming rate because they could not cope with life without their riches. On the other hand, the poor seemed to survive in numbers because they put their sense of worth in other things like hard work, family, and God.

Those of us who are blessed with wealth, according to Jesus and Paul, are to remain focused on God and others rather than our possessions. We are to do good, be rich in good works, and be generous and willing to share with the less fortunate. Jesus suggested that it was very difficult for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God, but He did not say that it was impossible. Those who put their wealth in the proper perspective and “seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness,” will be a blessing because they will see their wealth as something that God can use to help those who do not have enough. According to Jesus in Matthew 25, these are the ones who will hear an invitation to enter the Kingdom…those who have fed the hungry, visited the strangers, and helped “the least of these.” Because when they have done this, they have done it also unto Jesus.

In our world, it is hard to not focus on wealth. The New Testament warns against that being our focus if we claim to be Children of God. When we have more than we need, we should ask, “How can I use my surplus wealth to help those who are in need of the necessities of life,” rather than planning to build bigger barns and party because we have been blessed with wealth. This is the way people of the Kingdom handle their wealth.

This weekend I am privileged to attend the first “Meet the Author” event in Historic Rugby, Tennessee, which features Paul Young, author of THE SHACK and several other books. In the morning coffee session, Paul made mention of the fact that, “We are playing checkers while God is playing three dimensional chess!” He went on to say that what we do seems so insignificant, yet in God’s overall plan we have no idea the impact we have on the people around us and the history of the world. Our seemingly insignificant acts of love and kindness continue so far beyond us that we have no concept of how important they are. His account of how THE SHACK came into being is an illustration. He originally wrote the book for his children to record his pilgrimage. He had 15 copies made at Office Max which he distributed to his children and friends, with no intention of having it published or marketed. He said, “Those 15 copies did what I wanted the book to do; I didn’t expect it to go any further.” Through some miraculous events the manuscript fell into the right hands and it is now an international phenomenon. Paul is such a real person who has already had a great impact on me after just one session. What he says is so true; we have no idea the impact we have on others.

This leads me to the question, “Are the things that happen just coincidence, or is God at work in our everyday lives to accomplish His master plan? Can God use our insignificant acts of kindness to meet needs that we are not aware of at the time?” I think of the students that I have taught over the years with whom I still maintain contact. They have shared things with me that they remember me saying or doing that I don’t even remember! Yet, these words or acts of kindness caused their lives to be better or made them think about things they would not have thought of otherwise. Some of these students are now impacting the lives of others through their chosen professions. I think of my “resident Republican” student that sat in my junior English class, challenging everything John Steinbeck advocated in THE GRAPES OF WRATH. She is now a legal advocate for the poor, helping them get assistance that they would not otherwise be able to receive. Another of my students is now a teacher in a private school, teaching English and Social Studies after having obtained a dual degree in Law and Divinity from Duke University. I have numerous public educators who, as I did, do their everyday tasks in an unknown place with students who will some day impact the world by remembering this teacher who believed in them and changed their lives. So in these and others God is achieving His goal of creating a loving atmosphere in which people can thrive.

I don’t think that God has programmed us like robots nor that we are manipulated without any choice in the matter. I do believe, however, that God works within the lives of people who allow Him to and accomplishes unbelievable things through their seemingly mundane insignificance. I am thankful to a God who has an overall plan, much like the accomplished chess champion, when I am playing the simple game of checkers, looking at one move at a time. Through the choices I make, God incorporates my actions into a bigger plan that impacts those around me and the world. In my own simplicity God transforms my loving acts and words into miracles in the lives of others. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20, when he says, “Now to him by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.” It happened in Paul Young’s experience in writing THE SHACK, and I am convinced it happens in all our lives by the Power that works within us. Thanks be to God!

In recent days, several religious groups, most of them identifying themselves as Christian, have been in the news regarding a disagreement on what stance/action to take toward certain individuals and/or groups. The United Methodists have taken a step back in terms of whether of not the LGBTQ community is to be accepted or rejected as ministers; they have also refused to accept or affirm marriage except between a man and a woman. This leaves some confused as to exactly where the church stands and whether or not they should leave the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:33, Paul indicates that God is not the author of confusion. If this is true, why the confusion?

As a Baptist, I have struggled with the Southern Baptist stance that the role of senior pastor is restricted to men only. In a denomination which once prided itself in the motto, “No law but love, no creed but Christ,” it seems that there is a litmus test as to what a “cooperating church” is related to whom they call as pastor. My own church was condemned by our State convention (now called the “Tennessee Baptist Mission Board) because we called a female pastor. They determined that we were not in keeping with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, which now is the required statement of faith to be a Southern Baptist. Interestingly, our church has been a major leader of the State convention since it was organized in the 1800s. Several of our pastors have been elected president and others have served on committees and boards. Yet, we are now considered a “non-cooperating church.” Many of us are confused about the issue of local church autonomy and the state convention’s apparent authority to dismiss a church who exercised its local autonomy in calling the pastor we considered being led by God to come and minister among us. So, if God is not the author of confusion, how do we reconcile this?

Several Christian groups are faced with what to do in regards to sexual harassment and/or assault by clergy. All of these groups affirm their commitment to protecting the innocent and condemning sin. Yet, they seem to protect those who have been sexual predators, especially members of the clergy, or turn a deaf ear to those who come forward to reveal their secrets that have caused them much grief and pain. Again, many are confused as to why the very institution that stands for truth and justice is so silent on this every increasing societal problem. If God is not the author of confusion, why can’t we call sin what it is?

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He replied that the first was to love God with all of our being. The second greatest, He said, was to love your neighbor as yourself. He declared that everything else should be measured by these two. That seems pretty clear to me. If we measured all that we do by our love for God and others, there would be less confusion. Even though it is hard to always love God or others the way God intends, it is still the measure God uses for all that we do. Life would be much less confusing if we were to ask, “How does my action or attitude show my love for God and others?” Maybe if we all stepped back and took a deep breath and asked this question there would be less confusion within the Church and toward the Church about how we address critical moral and religious issues.

As a high school English teacher, I remember this question with fondness as part of Juliet’s soliloquy as she declares her love for Romeo. She goes on to say, “That which we call a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.” Apparently, to Juliet, someone’s name was not that important. However in another of my favorite units, THE CRUCIBLE, John Proctor seems to think that his name is worth more than his life as he refuses to sign the document which declares that he is a witch and has been working for Satan. He says,when asked why he will not sign, “Because it is my name! Because I can never have another in this life! You have taken my soul; leave me my name!”

So, what IS in a name? Some may wonder why I have chosen my name as “Jessstraub.” According to my genealogical records, my family first came to the United States in the late 18th century. There were three brothers who came from Germany whose last name was “Straub.” Apparently over the years, our name evolved as “Stroup.” No one can ever pronounce it the way my family insisted, usually calling me “Stroop.” People named “Stroud” do not have the same problem, even though it is the same two vowels. Over the years I have become almost as dogmatic about the pronunciation of my name as my dad was, and his dad before him. One of my uncles was once called upon to pray at church, but refused when they asked “Mr. Stroop” to pray. I am not that stubborn, but usually correct those who mispronounce it. That’s why I have chosen to return to Straub, at least for this blog. I am sure some will not pronounce it “Strowb” either, but it’s worth a try.

Names and what they signify can affect people in either positive or negative ways. I once had five girls in my English class with the name Sarah. Some spelled it “Sara,” some “Sarah,” and one “Sarai.” One girl from Alabama insisted that I pronounce her name “Say-ra”! Same name, different spellings and different pronunciations. To say the least I had a difficult time remembering how each spelled her name, but I made a point to get it right because of my own experiences.

A name is pretty much how we are identified. When we hear a person’s name, we get a mental picture of that person. Many names come from someone who was important to the person’s family when he or she was born. Some names are hard to live with. For example, I have a friend whose last name is Kyte, and he named his daughter “Wendy”! Poor girl! I heard of one lady who craved bananas during pregnancy and named her daughter “Chiquita.” Try living with that one! I once had surgery, and the surgeon’s name was Dr. Speer!

All in all, our name is not all that we are, but it is important. I would tend to agree with John Proctor rather than Juliet. Our name is more important, and changing it could have a greater effect than many would think. So, what’s in a name? Probably more than you would think. Jes Straub

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

Hello from “Jes Straub”! This is my first attempt at a blog, so bear with me. I am a former high school English teacher and public school administrator who also has been a youth minister. I have also taken a stab at writing essays, poetry, and a “would be” novel. I have two writing projects in the works–one a memoir type about my experiences as a high school English teacher. The other is an attempt to explore fictionally the struggles of being a wife/child of a minister who “follows the Lord’s leading,” while the family has no input as to when and where they go or for how long. These musings may take on the form of sharing some of my previous writings as well as random thoughts on random subjects. I will warn you that I have opinions and don’t hesitate to express them. I do, however, believe in being civil in what I write and respect those who may disagree. I only ask that you do the same.

Random thoughts for today are related to education, what it is and what it is not. I taught high school English, mostly 11th grade with some 9th grade as well, and did my best to encourage students to actually think rather than simply repeating what they heard. Ralph Waldo Emerson once mused that most people never get to the realm of actually thinking. They use their brains to store and reproduce information, becoming “merely parrots of other men’s thinking.” I am afraid that today’s education system actually expects students to be parrots. Most of the academic process is spent preparing the students to take a standardized test that does not measure actually thinking at all. These tests are used to grade not only the students, but the teachers and administrators as well. As a result, teachers are pressured to “teach to the test” so that their school will be considered a “blue ribbon school,” based solely on test scores. Not many generations hence, if we are not already there, we will have members of society who cannot respond to anything they have not already been taught and will merely repeat what they have been programmed to say. Where will the philosophers, poets, and challengers of society come from? An education should teach one how to think and respond to information rather than teaching one what to think and what not to question. My junior English classes read controversial novels and essays that challenged them to examine new ideas and respond “in their own voice.” I am afraid that we have moved too far away from this approach and endorsed the idea that “if it does not help the student get a job, it should not be a part of education.” There is so much more to an education than just getting a job. Our society depends on people who can listen to political candidates, examine the issues, and draw a conclusion as to whom to vote for. Otherwise, our system of government will no longer exist. A colleague of mine once told me that “education is what you have left when you forget all the stuff you learned in school.” To me, an education prepares one for becoming a contributing member of society, not just by getting a good-paying job, but also becoming involved in the community and nation in a productive and intelligent manner.