Spreading Christmas Cheer...

A Random Attempt to Share Good News…


As I pushed my buggy down the ice cream aisle, I met a couple in their late 50’s with a small boy about 2 or 3 yrs tucked in the infant seat of their buggy. I love the Christmas season, and had been singing Christmas songs and making music to myself all day long. What else was I to do? You got it; I had an audience of three, adjacent to the freezers full of festive displays of celebratory foods…so…before I realized it, and quicker than they could escape, I began to sing to the little boy…“you better watch out, you better not pout, you better not cry, I’m telling you why…Santa Claus is coming to town.” Ok, he (like you, if you have ever heard me sing) wasn’t impressed, so I repeated my solo. This time, his scruffy older uncle and weary aunt, whom have raised their own flock but are now taking care of their feeble great nephew because he faces some health challenges of which his own family isn’t able to bear, began to sing with me.

In a few minutes the four of us were smiling, laughing, and the little guy was looking around hoping to spot a white beard in a red suit. The uncle and I traded a few stories, and I encouraged them with a genuine heart, realizing their obvious needs. Then, as we steered toward opposite ends of the aisle, and rolling back 15 years ago, I remembered each time Angela and I would see our three little miracles, Tyler (20), Nicholas (18), and Ben (16), climb into those high top buggy seats. With memories flooding my mind, I was reminded that life is lived once; there are no repeats, just new opportunities; that singing together makes a better concert; stopping in the busyness to intentionally encourage another just might work; that for those who believe, the white bearded red suited guy might bring a wishful smile for little and big ones alike; but the reason for celebrating this season of giving isn’t based on what we can get but what we can give while realizing God’s gift to us. Please join me in random and meaningful expressions of spreading the good news to all, in any forum you have, and in any way possible, even if you can’t sing in the Church Cantata.

I am interested in how others share the good news this season, so please take a moment and sign into this link http://tinyurl.com/Christmas-Cheer-2010 and tell your own short stories of random expressions of cheerful hearts. I will share these later.

A proud father…

I never tire of sharing amazing stories about my children or their mom. We all know that most of their good traits are from Angela. But, I get to travel with them more than she. This past weekend, Nicholas played in a worship band at a youth leadership conference in the Nashville area. I was also participating in the conference so he and I went together. During the 2 hour drive we conversed a lot about the typical father-son stuff, took some profile pictures by the 30 ft icicles hanging off the edge of the mountain, snagged some lunch, and discussed the worldly pitfalls of life like speeding. It was a great time.

But, amidst loads of memories for the weekend, the most favored one’s occurred on Friday and Saturday night as I stood in awe of Nicholas’ anointed and gifted musical ability. He has been playing the bass for a few years at our home church (PRC in Cleveland) but in the last few months, Nicholas has emerged as a great musician-more importantly a sincere worshiper. At one point on Friday night, I noticed Nick in pause from playing his bass, lost in personal worship with God. This moment flooded my mind with 17 years of memories where I would see Nick in various facets of his life…memories that came alive as I watched my son passionate about his creator and returning all of himself in worship.

Although I get to hear him each week at church, on occasions at these conferences and conventions, he also plays in his room almost every night before going to bed. Sometimes I stand in the hall by his room listening and learning. Here are three lessons I learned from watching Nick in worship:

• Make every moment count
• Worship daily not just when on the stage
• Honor the creator by working diligently to develop the gifts given to you

Thank you, Nick, for taking this call of music seriously. You are a joy to listen to but more importantly, you have chosen to honor God and give back your life in worship to Him.

Welcome Back

Welcome back! These two words usually accompany a warm welcome of family and friends after being apart for an extended amount of time. Perhaps you have visualized a long awaited reunion of a military servant, a missionary, parents and children, spouses, or best friends as they offer expressions of affection unique to each ones personality.

Several years ago, I traveled extensively and was away from my family for multiple days at a time. Each reunion was a refreshing reminder that family mattered; everything else seemed secondary to those long awaited reunions.

There are other elements of the relational paradigm aside from family where “welcome back” is applicable. One case in particular is the start of a new semester in school or college. You can visualize it: students are returning from a long awaited break where they enjoyed long hours of whatever it is students do on down days, apart from the pressing deadlines and tedious assignments. Then one morning they wake up away only to return to the rigor of an educational journey full of promise and possibility.

So, to my friends at Lee, the students that give us reason to serve, welcome back! I am glad you are here. I am glad you chose us. I am glad you are returning with vigor and zeal to glean and learn. I am thankful for your inspiration and commitments to excellence. Together we will sharpen each other and together we will invite our new friends to experience this amazing journey.

Remember: you can never go back and make a new beginning but you can begin today to make a great ending.

With purpose,

"Dad you are..."

Late yesterday afternoon, my son and I were headed into a straight stretch at 3.5 miles seeking to pass the 5-mile threshold. As occurs often during these runs, we get a chance to catch up on conversation and build our relationship. Little did I know, this one conversation with Ben would send ripples through my mind and challenge me toward eternity.

In a sort of boastful sense, Ben was spouting gratitude of his Poppy. Today, Poppy mounted the passenger side of the Chevy leaving Ben in full command of 351 horses and a 13-foot trailer. He successfully made it to his destination with both trailer and truck still intact—quite the feat for a relatively short fifteen-year-old boy. Of course, he called to brag about this opportunity.

Nearing mile four, the conversation took a turn. I shared some of my own accolades of Poppy and we reminisced about lessons learned from this great man. I then hinted in the conversation wishing to know what my son has learned from me. Without hesitation and in sort of a riveting sense he said, “Dad, you are one of the most godly men I know.” My gasping for breath at that point was not from the pain of running but the desire to be a godly man. This short phrase captured my heart, memory, and focus. I began to scan the artifacts of my life hoping to remain godly in his eyes. At that instant, the importance of living godly became a renewed fresh desire.

Here are three tips toward being Godly Men.
· Lead lives of integrity – Titus 2:12
· Guard your heart – Proverbs 4:23
· Live pure in all things – Philippians 4:8

To all the Grandfathers, Fathers, and Sons, remember – our lives are being monitored daily by “little ones” shaping their own identity and faith.

Marshmallow Memories

Last night, Angela and I hosted a party for our son Tyler and the new Lee Singers at our house. For nearly four hours, these students played Frisbee, pulled each other across the field in an old kayak with a John Deere Gator, shivered in the cold wind, ate tons of food, laughed and laughed around the table while talking with my wife, and roasted some marshmallows over the fire pit. It was just plain fun.

A few hours after these students returned to their busy collegiate schedules, I was soon to call it a night when my youngest son (Ben) asked "Dad, do you want to go roast marshmallows with me?" To be honest, I was tired and really didn't want to be bothered. My energy had been zapped and my aging body really didn't want to move.

Then I realized what was happening-my 15 year old son wanted to spend time with me. We bundled up and headed out by the fire for a few minutes, downed some air puffed marshmallows and shared in some memorable conversation.

To parents young and old, never grow tired or weary in your task of realtionships. Our children need our energy and priority.

Procrastination = Enemy #1

Creativity is an interesting phenomenon. Some people are dripping with this amazing gift while others seem to color within the lines all the time. Regardless of which side we reside on, one thing is true. The Creator – in my belief, presents all of us with a measure of creativity. See Psalm 139 for future insight your created existence.

Now – back to creativity – procrastination is the #1 enemy of creativity. The problem is not that we just waste time or spend energy needed for some other purpose the problem with procrastination is that it robs us of our best work.

Because of my ability to procrastinate effectively, I recently recognized the expense of this horrible crime. I was working on a project with a due date quickly approaching and realized that I had to accept less than I was capable of producing because I ran out of time.

If you procrastinate like me try to remind yourself that we are responsible to be good stewards of all that has been entrusted to us – yes, that includes time and resources.

Lesson Learned

Teaching students is a blast. Watching them "get it" and understand the complexities or simplicities of life is worth all the hours spent shaping knowledge into bite sized nuggets of value. At least its valuable to someone.


I recently spent some time with one of these student types on a 10 day trip to Honduras. As a result, we have connected and he stops by my office regularly to say hi. Because he doesn't complain or ever seem to busy to help, I think I took advantage of his kindness today.


When I heard him walk in the office I yelled his name knowing he would help me meet a daunting task. My young friend heard me and replied "Yes, Mr. Lamb." His simple "yes"awarded him the task of cleaning out the Salvation Army truck. As we lugged a two day old cooler of coffee to an available drain, it hit me - this kid doesn't need service hours and he isn't getting paid so why would he spend an hour doing grunt work.


So, I asked him: "why are you doing this?" he replied "why not?"


My friend's genuine gesture of goodness reminded me that the simplest yet impacting task of lending a hand just might be what the world needs most from Christians steeped in religious jargon and theory.


Thanks, Jeff, you encouraged me today.