We did our dollar drop yesterday and it was awesome, more later...but first...
"I think the problem I have with modern programs is that they place importance on the wrong things - sure, a church "leader" will say "the bible is important" but then he (or she) will turn to a canned program and say, "this will help our church grow" - never once coming to the realization that what is needed is a
deeper walk with Christ (emp. mine), in his word and in his way. Programs make church life easier. It places less responsibility on the Pastor, and more on the program. If the church does not grow after "40 days of purpose” it's the programs fault. The purpose driven may be calling for us to have a deeper walk; the call is not loud enough, long enough and with enough conviction to let an emerging conversation believe it. What happens is that most modern churches do the program and then wait for the next program to make their next move. I think the modern church likes programs because they have something to blame, or someone to blame, for the failures of the church."
I found this today and it is something that I have been thinking about too lately. I have really been struggling with "church programs" lately. The more that time passes and I begin to see how far (in my opinion) we are away from being what I think God has called us to be, the sadder I become. I pray that God will give us the strength and the widsom to move in a direction not so program oriented but more people focused.
On Tuesday we were driving home from Louisiana and we were moving pretty well down 59 when this really smart child of God pulled out in front of us. To which Susan says OH GEEZ Buddy! We went on down the road a little dissapointed and that was that.
Now, people for over a year have been telling us, be careful what you say because you may here it again from a strange place. Well, it happened. Wednesday morning Susan puts Hayden in the car to head to school and off they go. Hayden having just finished her eggo and still working on her favorite Dora sippy of milk. Well, on the way there, there is a place where you have to make a sharp turn. When Susan makes this hard right turn, Hayden's cup of milk goes flying out of her sweet little hands to which Hayden says, "OW SHEEEZ."
Thank you very much - from the mouth of babes - literally.
Well after last Wednesdays little talk with our teens I think things are going to be better. So many of them came up to me and said how much they appreciated it and how overdue it was. That was nice. About three of them were upset with me, but I called and talked to them. It's all good. It's funny how when someone says something to you about something that is really wrong in your life and you totally get offended cause the truth hurts...Okay I am just rambling now.
We had a great Sunday planned last week that got shifted to this Sunday, because Susan's uncle passed away on Saturday. So we packed up the car and headed to West Monroe, La. That wasn't any fun at all. Poor Hayden, she somehow found a fever with major teething going on, so Susan and I really didn't sleep the whole trip. Fortunately, I didn't have to speak or sing at the funeral, but keeping up with Hayden was enough work.
Back to the Sunday - which is now moved to this Sunday. I have been reading a lot about servant evangelism the last few months and we have begin to put some of that in to practice with our group. I have prayed a lot about what kind of service opportunities we should look for, and I decided that servant evanglism is a good thing for our group. So this Sunday we will head to the mall here in Mobile and do a "dollar drop" I made up some connection cards and we have glued them to the back of one dollar bills and ae going go shopping and dropping. Our kids are really pumped and I hope that our church catches the excitement too. We'll see how it goes, pray for us. I know that God can bless this effort. This will be the first of many attempts.
Much going on right now, Susan and I are getting ready to undertake some new work on our house and are very excited, cause it is long overdue. Have a great day!
I had the chance to spend a great time with some awesome teens and some great brothers and sisters last weekend. I really enjoyed our worship times, and everything that went along with it. In my heart and in my mind there was a great calm over the whole thing. I am not sure if everyone felt that (JD- he he) but I know I did.
We had good size group of our kids go to this exciting event, and I am pretty positive we ALL had an awesome time. I was a bit dissapointed when I got home though, because Satan couldn't wait to jump on all of us, especially me. We had some miscommunications, some minor issues, and they all sent my blood to boil. Issues that were really non issues, and things that really shouldn't have bothered me. I won't get in to all of the specifics, but I will get into this:
ap·a·thy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-th)n.
Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness. This is one of those issues I have been so frustrated by for the longest time. I won't go into details, but I think apathy is one of the single biggest killers of our churches. So last night, I laid it out there for some of our teens.
We talked about apathy, we talked about commitment. We talked about the abaility to give 100 percent. On a side note in the last few weeks, I have read the late Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality" two times. I like what he says about giving 100 %, about how it is really impossible to give God 100 percent and we should be realistic and shoot for 60. I won't do all the details now, but I think there is something to what he is saying. If you get a chance check it out. We talked about that too.
In my heart of hearts I keep coming back to one issue for apathy; lack of commitment. When we are commited to something we'll do it all out! When we're not, we play the "get by" game. It's frustrating. I'm no better. I do things that way too (like my blog - so shameful). I read another book that also is good on the subject, it's called "Bored with God" by Sean Dunn. It has some different theories about how to overcome apathy and some ideas that are great but doesn't it come back to this?
Some people have made a mistake. In my journey I have found that people become Christians for a variety of reasons. Some do it because "everyone else is." Some do it because it's what is expected of them. Some do it because it's just what you do. But sometimes the bottom line is people have done it and have left Jesus out of it. Why though? How does something so monumental and so Christ focused end up leaving Jesus as the side bar. Why is it in our society it has become OK to take a little Jesus each week, but never fully commit to Him? Why, to many Christians, has it become OK to put Jesus in our pockets and not wear him on our bodies and on our sleeves, and decorate our lives with Him, and truly give up what is us, and make it about Him.
7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.I have come to the conclusion, that some people have made a mistake. For them, becoming one with Christ was not their best decision. Some were not ready to hold to the advice of 1 Peter 2:11. Christianity isn't just something we do when it's relevant to us, not just on Sunday's at 10.
I won't sit and question anyone's decision to become a christian, but sometimes I wonder do we really understand what it means. Because in a society of indivdualism - there is no focus on body, in a world of cheap grace - there is no truth, and ultimately in a world of selfishness - there is no room for Jesus.
I pray for revival for our people, I pray for a brand new understanding of what it means to live by the Spirit. I pray for God to break up the ground we cling to and make us grab on to Him.
Bless you today!
I have been so busy lately. Susan's family came in on Thursday 3/26 and we have had a great time with them. They left today, so here is the rundown:
Friday - we learned how a solanoid in a riding lawnmower can stink and make smoke come off of the engine. I enjoy fighting lawnmowers - errr not! I actually worked in the yard Friday afternoon it was long overdue - and now it's already due again - can I get a little help here?
Saturday - Weddings outside in nasty weather don't achieve the preferred outcome...
Sunday - Easter services were OK at Port City, some good things happened, met some new people and I am working to build some relationships for Christ
Monday - We decided a few weeks ago that it was definitely time to repaint all of the trim work in the house, yes all of it. That means upstairs and downstairs, crown, baseboards, doors and doorways all 2900 plus square feet of my house. Translation a lot of work - project still underway. Hint - Oil based paint doesn't like to be coated by acrylic
Tues, Weds - see above plus if you like emo, Mae's new cd "T
he Everglow" is worth all of your nickels. Beautiful.
Thursday - I learned that in an average church typically there is a huge disparity in what the church should be about and actually is about. And the leaders and ministers don't agree as to what it should look like. Both parties think they know, but both are very wrong in many ways. Church speak is also a very popular language. It is a language easy to speak but so hard to live.
Friday - The paint saga continues as we have actually began to move towards the finish line. It is a miracle though, considering my house. Still much to do.
Ultimately - thankful that God has a great plan for my life, and that he has some exciting suprises in store for Susan and I. I have a positive confirmation that it has nothing to do with lawn maintenance and painting.
God bless you in your walk today.
