I was blessed by many of you who shared with me how your churches are actively participating in “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday,” and the God-honoring results with the alternative investments in the least and the lost.

Jesus has given the world only one commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:14).

C.S. Lewis’ mentor, George MacDonald, brought clarity to this command for Jesus’ followers when he wrote: “To let their light shine, not to force on them their interpretations of God’s designs, is the duty of Christians toward their fellows. If you who set yourselves to explain the theory of Christianity, had set yourselves instead to do the will of the Master, the one object for which the Gospel was preached to you, how different would now be the condition of that portion of the world with which you came into contact!”

God bless…

In a statement, Barna says he is "honored to announce that I have accepted the position of co-chairman of the national Faith Leaders Coalition for Newt Gingrich." Barna says that after "a lot of study, soul searching, and prayer," he feels the former House speaker is the "best man for the job" and would like to help him get the Republican nomination.

Barna admits that he realizes Gingrich is in a tough battle for the nomination, but he believes the former congressman from Georgia is the person "best poised" to lead the nation as it faces a "difficult and uncertain future."

Other influential Christian leaders including Don Wildmon of the American Family Association and Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in Southern California have also publically endorsed Gingrich. Two of my pastor friends, Brian McLaren and Kirbyjon Caldwell, endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.

This is not a judgment for or against Gingrich or President Obama, or condemnation toward these Christian leaders for having political convictions. As Christian leaders, however, we need to remember that we have a responsibility to lead people who hold diverse political perspectives and represent a kingdom that is in redemptive tension with all the kingdoms of the world. The Psalmist might have been experiencing a similar heated political climate when he wrote, "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings who cannot save" (146:3).

As Christians we have too often allowed worldly political ideologies to become determining factors for our theology rather than grounding ourselves in sound biblical theology for determining our politic. Some well-meaning believers have become more passionate about engaging in the heat of partisan political debate than they have been in sharing the good news about Jesus. Left and right, blue and red are but imperfect systems that are passing away. These systems, by their very nature, create barriers of division. The way of the cross is eternal and tears down the dividing walls that stand between us. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).

As followers of Jesus we must not allow this political polarization of extremes to pollute the message and mission of Jesus. As Jesus' disciples, we must daily submit to the way of the cross in our attitudes, words and actions. Jesus taught that social transformation occurs when his followers seek the common good. The people who make up Jesus' new community are to be the leaven that permeates and transforms the world (Matt. 13:33).

God bless…

Seconds later I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. In the days that followed, a cardiologist said I hadn't taken good care of my heart and body. My body fat content was in the 30s-a ridiculously high level-so in October 2000 I started working with a personal trainer. I was converted in the way I eat and exercise.

In the wake of these potentially catastrophic events and my accompanying mini-conversions, I had a breakthrough. I discovered a group of practices that helped me achieve a self-discipline I had not experienced before. These practices cover every key area of my life-spiritual, intellectual, interpersonal, physical and missional-so that when I follow them faithfully I am a more complete human being. The opposite is also true-when I neglect any one of them, I begin to plateau and lose momentum. Worse, I begin to downsize God's dream.

These practices enable me to build momentum for life They keep me on an upward climb. I am convinced that every follower of Christ needs to find self-management practices that create momentum for life. Mine are based on the acronym D-R-I-V-E. They are the elements that keep me moving with momentum toward God's promised future, and I believe they can be effective tools for you as well.

• Devotion: Begin each day with the practice of Bible study, meditation, journaling and prayer.
• Readiness for lifelong learning: Live like a child in school, no matter what your chronological age. Take some time each day for the purpose of growing in "life science." Become a student of the culture, so that you can continue to make a meaningful contribution in God's world.
• Investing in key relationships: Many leaders have fallen here. This is the everyday practice of keeping your heart in the home first and then investing in those people who are most strategic to the mission that God has called you to.
• Vision for the future: Look forward through the eyes of faith. Articulate with clarity God's preferred future; make daily strategic corrections to your life picture.
• Eating and exercise: Take small steps and then bigger ones, exercising your "push back" muscle at the next meal (pushing yourself back from the table) to go take a vigorous walk. Take care of your body for the long haul and find more energy for today.

"These five activities are designed to reach God's purpose in your life and mine."

To delve into these life-disciplines in more detail for 2012, pick up Momentum for Life.

God bless…

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