I've Moved

It was unanimous...well, from all 4 people that I heard from. The new layout wins hands down! Make sure you updated your rss reader...or whatever those things are called...and any other links you have to this blog. Just in case click here or the post title to reach the new location. See you there!!!

Old or New?

Go to this site and let me know which layout you like best...even you lurkers who don't usually have anything to say. They each have their pros and cons, so I'm a little unsure. I think I know which one I'm going to use, but wanted more opinions. Post your comment on either one.

The Reindeer life

I love... the idea of being able to survive without all our modern conveniences, learning about different cultures, and watching TV (unless it's Drake and Josh, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, or High School Musical relate). That's why, when I hear the theme song for the show, Going Tribal, my mind starts to drool (Pavlov's dogs don't have anything on this) from all the nourishment that it's about to receive. The concept of the show is simple and straight forward. A guy, Bruce Parry, goes around the globe to live with remote tribes for 4 to 6wks at a time, and the whole thing is filmed for our viewing enjoyment.

This particular episode he goes to live with the Nenet who are nomadic reindeer herders on the northern Siberian tundra...burrr! These people live reindeer. Their clothes are made from reindeer hides, their tents are made from reindeer hides, they eat reindeer meat (not solely), and sell reindeer to buy the supplies needed to live the life of herding reindeer.

The Nenet move with the reindeer on their winter migration south...are the Nenet leading the reindeer or are the reindeer leading the Nenet... it's hard to tell? Wherever you find one, you find the other. At the end of their trek they arrive in a town where they sell off some of the reindeer, and then go to homes that the tribe owns in the town. The show "host", Bruce, comments on how surreal it seems to see these people, that he lived with in tents, sat on the floor with, and saw cooking over open fires, now sitting in chairs and watching TV, while a woman stands at a gas stove cooking. While talking to Bruce one of the Nenet elders says that the life in town is easier and more comfortable, but he would be miserable there. His life is with the reindeer, out there, and that is where he must be.

There is no separation between who they are and what they do for the Nenet. They don't work and try to squeeze in a little "reindeer time" here or there. They don't stay in warm and cozy comfort and then, when the conditions are just right, get their "reindeer time". They live to herd reindeer...they herd reindeer to live. It occurred to me that this concept may have other applications...that there may be some way to apply it to my life...that there might be a way you can apply it to your life? Hmmm...I don't know? It's just a thought.

Home Schooled

Daughter #2 from her room yells, "Mommmmm!"

"Whaaat?", Wife shouts back.

Daughter #2 walking down the hall shouts, "Do I have to wash my hair tonight?"

"Yes.", Wife says to Daughter #2 who is now standing in the living room with us.

"But it's Wednesday.", Daughter #2 protest, "I didn't think I had to wash my hair on Wednesday nights?"

Wife and I share a glance and then Wife explains to Daughter #2, "We don't make you wash your hair on the Wednesday nights that we go to church in order to save time, because it is getting late and you need to get to bed. We didn't go to church tonight so you have time to wash your hair."

Under her breath Daughter #2 replies, "Humph", as she stomps (just hard enough to show her disapproval of our decision, but not draw our wrath) to the bath tub.

Funny thing is that we haven't been to a Wednesday night service for a while now, but she still asks this every Wednesday night. I know that Daughter #2 knows this and is just testing us to see if we will give in "this time", but for some reason this night it made me think a little.

This practice (not washing her hair) served a purpose (getting to bed on time) when it was started. The practice quickly became a habit or tradition for Daughter #2 , although it no longer served a purpose, she wanted to continue the practice. She made me aware of just how quickly a "tradition" can be formed and how difficult it can be to break.

Calm down. This is not a rant against tradition (I'll save that one for later!), but I did begin to wonder how many other practices have I taught her to do without teaching her the purpose behind them? How many practices do I continue in that no longer serve a purpose, but are done "just because"? Faithful follower versus mindless follower...I want to be sure that she knows the difference. Of course, I probably won't tell her how much harder it is to follow "faithfully" versus following "mindlessly" right now...wouldn't want her to go stomping off again just yet.

Yard Work...Yuk!

The immaculate yard, with a beautifully manicured lawn, sculpted hedges, and flowerbeds flowing through it all providing a splash of color here and a punch of color there, is a very appealing concept...and if you've seen my yard you know it's just a concept for me! The reason is simple, I can't find any volunteers to do it for me! I don't even cut the grass until it's absolutely necessary, much less plant something else that would require even more attention.

After some self evaluation, I've determined that this repulsion for yard work is a result of my childhood. Cutting grass was my job when I was a kid. I always had better things to do and would wait until I was forced to do it by threat of imminent pain (yes, my parents were spankers! My mom's skill at wielding a flip-flop would cause a Samurai to drool!). Like most things that we have to do, this one chore grew to be despised.

You must also know that my dad considers anything that works properly, boring. If something does not require at least 1 hr. of tinkering before use, then he won't have it. One of his greatest joys is rescuing something from the trash and restoring it to "working" order. Guess where some of my equipment came from. He enjoys the challenge, I guess! So, now to do something that I loathe, I had to first work on the equipment to do it with. Of course, I learned to despise working on things almost as much as yard work! This pattern has continued into my adult life...largely due to the fact that until recently I was using Dad's hand-me-downs for yard work. You got it...someone's rescued trash, that Dad finally determined to be too much trouble, became mine!

Well, over the past few years I've gotten my own equipment that works properly most of the time, but still there's always things like, the string trimmer runs out of line just before you finish; you get all ready to go and don't have any gas to start, or even more frustrating, you start, almost finish and run out of gas; and my favorite, the mysterious "shut off" for no apparent reason. I'm cursed, I tell ya!

I cut grass this morning. The mower ran and cut wonderfully. The string trimmer had plenty of line and ran great. I had all the gas on the premises that I needed. What's that you say? The curse is broken. Did I mention the two wasp stings before I even got started!?! The one on the right arm was bad, but the one to the top of my left ear... oooooo, now that one smarted a little!

Yeah, the curse stands!!

Look Out Hillary

Recent conversation in our bathroom...

Me looking in the mirror, "I'm feeling a little fat lately. I gotta start eating better and doing some kind of exercise." Turning to look at my wife I ask, "Do I look fat?"

She turns toward me and without any delay or break in facial expression she says, "Not from that angle."

It took a moment for my initial delight to sour and for me to realize I have a fat angle... and she's noticed!!

It was at this moment that I realized she may have a future in politics. What a great answer! She didn't lie but escaped the true question. Brilliant!!!

So guys, next time you hear, "Do these jeans make my butt look big?" Try, "Not from that angle." I'm sure it's the perfect answer for this question that has been the bane of man since the fig leaf. You try it first, I insist, and let me know how it goes.

Who Knew?

Did you know that it's a bad idea to let your 9 yr. old borrow and use your pocket knife unsupervised?

Me either...but I do now!

Don't worry. No one was hurt, but her mother has made it very clear to me just how bad of an idea it was!

Simply Complex

Go read Brant Hansen's plan to neutralize Al-Qaeda.


pssst...I think he's really talking about something else.

Sanctuary

My wife was reading a comment I left on a previous post and had something like this to say, "That part about the precious building sounds kinda condescending." I believe what I said was right because, as anyone who knows me knows, I usually am...calm down, I'm just kidding. When it comes to being right, however, the wife usually is...I'm not kidding, she really is. So, since she usually is right I gotta believe it did sound kinda condescending, which is not how I meant it at all...so, for the sake of understanding, I feel the need to explain myself just a bit.

As humans the way we "feel" can be greatly influenced by our surroundings. Great minds have spent countless hours studying why we're this way, I'm sure, but I'm satisfied with...God created us this way. One piece of Himself that God gave us was the ability to create. We see artist create paintings, sculptures, writings...and buildings. There was a time in history when the connection between the arts and the Creator was celebrated, and there seems to be a renewing of this knowledge. The stunning beauty of many of these buildings is a testament to a beautiful God who loves beauty. His definition and our definition of beauty are probably very different, but in our understanding of beauty these buildings can help us relate to Him.

The layout of these building can also affect our psyche. Ever notice how just about every sanctuary has a vestibule that you enter first. You come in from outside (the world), enter the vestibule leaving "the world" out there, and prepare to come into "the presence of God" (the sanctuary). The physical layout of these buildings can help produce the respect, awe and undivided attention God deserves from us. I respect that these buildings assist many in preparation for and the actual worship of God.

We need space to get alone with God sometimes. For some that space is within the walls of a building designed for just that, but for others it can be something entirely different. I have a friend who it is an understatement to call him an avid hunter. He loves the outdoors!!! He has confided in me on several occasions that he feels closer to God in the woods than he ever has "in church". I, myself, love to be outdoors...hiking, camping, and marveling at the natural beauty of God's creation. That's when I often feel closest to Him. Jesus spent time in the Temple (a building) as well as frequently went to "the garden" to spend time with God.

I do have some issues with buildings, though. For starters, when the building no longer assists us in our worship of God, but becomes the focus of our worship. When it's all about what's happening "here". Another is while the physical layout can help us in or worship, I think it can also be a stumbling block. Does this layout sub-consciously suggest we can separate our "regular" life from our "spiritual" life? Is this mentality further supported when a preacher places so much importance on actual attendance to the sanctuary?

Contrary to popular belief, God does not reside in the sanctuary...He resides in us. We are the temple. To suggest that a building is more sacred than the outdoors, because God lives there is not in any way, shape or form scriptural! When people are gathered there in His name, then He is present, but when people are gathered in any location in His name He is present. At the end of the day, when everyone goes home...it's just a building. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the church can gather in a dedicated building with God present, but the church and God's presence have nothing to do with the dedicated building.

Right?

Read this story about a church that offered to perform the funeral of their janitor's brother until they found out that the brother (the dead one) was gay. Next you can read the church's statement here...so, what ya think?

Is it just me?

Community of Individuals...Individual Communities

So close... but no where near!!!

Jesus, Johnny, and Me

Emergent?...Yeah, that's me. Evangelical?...Yep, me. Conservative?...Sometimes. Liberal?...That one fits too. Traditional?...I Love tradition. Postmodern (whatever that is)?...I Love change.

I'm sure some would accuse me of "riding the fence"...and maybe I am...but I can see truth in all of the opposites above. Time after time in the New Testament we see people trying to get Jesus to label himself. The Pharisees and Sadducees, his disciples, and the government of the day could not or would not grasp just who He was. Even his own family would not accept Him at times! Jesus consistently refused to allow them to place boundaries on who He IS.

Shane Clairborne, in The Irresistible Revolution, made reference to the fact that we like to "high-lite" sections of the Scriptures and that these truths are the ones we'll accept while we'll just ignore the others. These truths are what we'll accept as being "Christian". Anyone not following these truths is wrong and therefore not "Christian". I know I've been guilty of this mentality and feel that everyone has at one time or another.

I think I'm gonna throw away all my high-liters and start fresh learning what it means to be a Christian. By Christian I mean one who follows and worships Christ...not one who follows and worships the religion of Christianity, because there is a difference between the two. There are absolutes (boundaries) in truth, but there are also man-made boundaries that I want to escape. I recently realized that I had started down the path of choosing "this way" or "that way"...I just want His way!

I struggle with what it means to "follow Christ", but Johnny Cash spent a lifetime of wrestling and toiling with what it means to be a Christian. He once made the statement, "I'm still a Christian, as I have been all my life. Beyond that I get complicated." Here's a man who knew he loved Jesus for who He is and what He does, but wasn't sure what to do with the rest of it all. I can relate!

So, if you just gotta have a category to put me in...need to define who I am or what doctrine I follow...it's gonna be a little tricky. Let's start with...

I'M A CHRISTIAN, A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, A DISCIPLE...
BEYOND THAT I GET COMPLICATED

College Educated

If you add up all my sporadic college attendance over the past 16 yrs., I should have at least a bachelors degree by now...but I don't. I don't even have an associates degree yet. With just 2 more classes and 5 more years, I should be able to complete the associates degree. I'm what they call "fast tracking it!" It's all the way to the top for me.

I've taken classes in literature, mathematics, history, people management, resource management, building construction, physics, and many more. I'm sure I learned something in every class, but I remember some lessons better than others. One of the greatest lessons I learned had nothing to do with any college course I was taking even though it did happen at college during my first college stint right out of high school.

A classmate (for some reason I can remember that he scouted cotton but not his name) and I were talking between classes about something, and at some point the conversation got religious, and we were talking about God and Jesus and salvation. I really don't remember the details of the conversation or how we got to the point where he says, "Oh, you're a Christian...I didn't know that." OUCH!!! He didn't say this to be mean or judgmental, and to this day he probably does not realize the impact it had on me. He was just stating a fact based on his observations of me. Granted we did not spend a lot of time around each other, but we were acquaintances who spoke to each other frequently.

Looking back now I see this as one of the major turning points (maybe starting point) in my walk, relationship, or whatever you want to call it with Jesus. Most of my education up to this point was in a "Christian" school. I knew about Jesus being my Savior and professing it with my mouth. I had done these things so I felt "secure". I knew ABOUT Him, and I knew I wanted what He was offering, and I knew I wanted to follow Him, but I hadn't given much thought to what that meant. I realized I didn't know what it meant to BE a Christian, disciple, follower of Christ, or however you want to phrase it. I was just a "believer". So at this point a switch has been flipped and I decided to follow. To follow requires action not just belief.

In some ways I've come far in the last 16 yrs., but I know that there is so much more to learn. I'm still learning daily what it means to follow Him. There's no "fast tracking" here. Sometimes it's really easy to put one foot in front of the other as I follow, but at other times all that I can do is stand, catching my breath, looking up at the mountain before me. Sometimes I even try to walk around and catch up on the other side...doesn't work very well though...I wouldn't suggest that approach. I feel like I'm at another one of those "points" and that I'll look back one day and realize just what it was. I hope I have the courage to follow.

I learned a lot in college from some guy that scouted cotton . I hope boll weevils tremble at the mere mention of his name...whatever it is.

Sweet 16

...and she's been sweet all her life. I know her mom and I are a little bias, but ask anyone, and one of the first things they'll say about her is just how sweet she is. We noticed very early in her life that one of her main "gifts" is LOVE. I watched her in Peru show that love to so many children that needed it, and when you ask her what her favorite part of the trip was she'll tell you, "the kids."

I've watched you grow into the beautiful woman that you are becoming, and I must admit I'm a little scared now. The hard part about love is that it's not always returned and it's a guarantee that you will be very hurt and disappointed at times. It's becoming harder and harder for me to protect you from these things, but I know you're strong enough to handle them. There are many people in this world that are really hard to love, and the world will try to convince you that they don't deserve your love. DON'T LISTEN!! They're the ones who need it most! I've bought into this lie at times and pray that you never will.

I love you and who you are! I love that when people look at you they can see the sweet, caring, and loving characteristics of Jesus reflecting off of you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!!!

P.S. Please drive carefully. You are the daughter of a professional driver, and we have a reputation at stake.

20 Questions - 1 Answer

We have one of these 20 questions games that stays in the car to keep the kids occupied. It can be quite addictive when you start playing it. The concept is simple. The game asks 20 questions, which you answer yes, no, or sometimes by pushing the appropriate button, and then attempts to guess what you are thinking of. It amazes me how often it's correct.

The wife and I went out to eat last night and as we're pulling out of the parking lot I pick up the game and start playing it (she's driving...I don't have the control issues most men have...except with the tv remote). As I'm thinking of something for the game to guess she says, "Oooo, I like that dress." I look up and see two ladies walking across the parking lot wearing dresses so I ask, "Which dress?" She points out the window and says, "That one." Since the two ladies were walking side by side "that one" didn't clear it up any for me. After 14 years of marriage we still have communication issues sometimes, so I decided to clear this up and asked, "Is it the short dress on the girl with the blond hair and or is it the long dress on the girl not wearing any underwear?" Hey, the dress fit well and it was obvious she was wearing a thong, th-thong,thong, thong (read to the tune of the thong song) or going commando! It was the long dress...and yes I got that look she gives me when she's trying to act unamused but I can tell by that little hint of a sparkle in her eye that she really is.

Well, now I have a something for the game to guess...no, not dress...butt. There's no way this little artificially intelligent game will ever guess butt! The questions begin and I read them out loud to my wife as they scroll across the screen on the game. We get tickled at several of the questions asked and have a hoot (hoot?...I'm a dork!) of a time on our ride home laughing and answer some interesting questions. As we do this it's interesting how differently we will answer the same questions without trying to "deceive" the game. One question, "Do you use it at work?" She immediately answers no. I argue that being a firefighter I use mine a lot sitting around waiting for something to catch on fire and she uses hers on the rare occasions that she gets to sit down at her desk during the day. We answered that one, "sometimes." Another one, "Do you put it into something?" I immediately answer no. She argues that when you put on pants you're putting it into something. Good point... we answered that one yes. It asked 18 more questions that we laughed at and "argued" about until it makes it's final guess.

Amy's pointed out to me before that she thinks we answer differently sometimes because we're each looking for something different out of the game. I want to stump it because I like being a little mysterious, misunderstood, and uncategorized; she wants it to guess correctly because she is amazed at the fact that something with "artificial intelligence" CAN do this. When she shared this with me it was like the scales fell from my eyes. I never considered that someone would WANT it to guess correctly. In my mind the whole idea was to beat the game. Neither one is wrong we're just looking for different results.

I guess you could say we want different relationships with the game. I could spend a lot of time and effort to show her that my relationship is better and convince her to do it my way eventually, but would she have the same amount of enjoyment out of the game? Probably not. We are different people.

As husband and wife (the smallest of communities) we have joint desires and expectations of the game, but as individuals we have our own desires and expectations of the game. We enjoyed the game more together as a "community" because of our differences as individuals. We individually enjoyed the game, we enjoyed the game together, and we enjoyed each other through our common interest in the game without giving any thought to who was right or wrong. Maybe because the focus was on the game and not the players.

Oh yeah, you're probably wondering what answer the game guessed...



*BUTT*

Stupid Game!

Stifler

I like Stifler! Is it his unconfined use of the f-bomb? No...well, maybe just a little. Is it his insatiable desire to SCORE? I can relate...but that's not it either. It's definitely not his exhaustive devotion to his own pleasure at the expense of everyone else around him!

But in spite of all of his flaws I still like him. I'm sure there are those that would (or will) be totally disgusted to know that I like someone so raw. Others that KNOW me would not be surprised at all. It may be a big surprise to know that I act different around certain people who expect certain behavior, but am more myself around others. Then again, maybe it's not.

And that's just what I like so much about Stifler...he's always Stifler. It doesn't mater who's around or what others expect...you get The Stifler. He's just one person unlike the two or more of me!

The Stifler and I have room for a lot of improvement, but there are also parts of us that are a little raw...not necessarily wrong... that just make us who we are. I'm tired of the game! Are you? I'll act like ME if you'll act like YOU. We can just kick it a little and have a good time while we help each other improve the parts of us that need improving and enjoy the parts that make us each unique creations.

Whadda ya say?

Good Faith Estimate

I was playing Bible roulette the other day, just flipping through the Bible scanning and reading anything that jumped out at me, when I hit Luke 14:28-30. I know I've read this before, but this time these few verses really speak to me. I love that no matter how many times I read the Bible there is always something "new" for me! With the help of my mad copy and paste skills here are the verses...

28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' "

Maybe the fact that I've been through the building process since last reading these verses is why they spoke so loudly this time or perhaps I'm just at a point where God felt I was ready to grow a little more. I really don't know why but these verses have been playing around in my head for several days now, and I would like to share a few thoughts I've had.

We don't allow people the time to estimate the cost. We've all been taught that our goal is to get them to say that "prayer" for their heaven ticket. Once they get that ticket everything else is gravy! Not only do we not allow time for the estimation, we go into salesman mode and pitch all the great things that have happened in our lives since we were saved. In the beginning we seldom mention that there is a cost at all. Once we've made the sale we turn them over to the professionals who can begin assisting with the foundation and help them through when they learn about the cost. You know, a debt consolidation strategy to get through the hard times. To allow someone the time to estimate the cost would require us to personally invest in them. That cost may be to great for us. For someone to truly estimate the cost requires all the information and usually a lot of assistance from those that know the cost. In other words...OUR TIME! Another debt of selflessness that we are not always willing to pay. Of course when they see and feel the love that is required for us to be able to help them as they estimate the cost, the burden seems a little more bearable. And on the flip side when we actually invest ourselves into someone for the cause of Jesus we learn that the cost really isn't much after all. There is usually a return on our investment. It may be just the satisfaction of knowing you are doing what we are all called to do or it may be a life long friend. Jesus dealt with people on a personal level...as His disciples we are to follow his example.

There is a very visible side effect to the fact that people are not allowed to estimate the cost. Week after week in churches around this country, preachers and pastors are going over the same basic information again and again. The foundation is complete, but people were not allowed to estimate the cost and the cost seems to great because no time was invested initially to show the return. The world watches and laughs at all the people who are unwilling to pay the cost for completion and find it harder and harder to believe. Then we try to convince more people more quickly to follow Jesus before all is lost. It's a vicious cycle to say the least. Let's break it! Find someone and make a little investment. I can't make any promises on the initial return, but I promise it will be worth it in the end!

Mind Numbing Poverty

I'm sitting in my living room which is literally the size of 2 of the homes of the kids we met in Lima, Peru and I can't process this information. Should I feel blessed or guilty? One room out of 9 or so, not including bathrooms or closets, in my home is twice the size of their entire home! Does everyone in Lima live this way? No, but there are literally thousands that do just in Lima not to mention around the world. Even here at home...not on the same scale but there are people living here in very similar conditions. Why do I feel so concerned for the people of Lima and not my neighbors here? That bothers me a little. All my day to day concerns seem so trivial compared to whether or not they will have just one meal a day. I've noticed several people blogging about green living and our environmental footprint. Not to down play our responsibility of being good stewards, but it's laughable to me that we live in a society of such excess that are main concern is what to do with our trash and other waste while these people are using the rocks off the ground to hold the tin down on their roofs and whatever scrap material they can find to patch holes in their homes. At the end of our trip we were given 3 different scenarios that we would find ourselves in once we returned home. 1) We would return and be so disgusted with our society that we would withdraw from it. I must admit I could easily do this. I have loner type tendencies anyway. 2) We would return and merge right back into society completely unchanged. I don't think this is me, and pray that it won't be me... ever! 3) We would return and take what we had experienced and use it to better our home and the world for Christ. This is what I want to do, but like I said I'm still struggling with processing it all right now. I've said a lot to not say much but I'm just trying to get my mind around it all and though this might help. Any thoughts, words of encouragement, or suggestions would be appreciated.

Peru...just a peek

We got to tell her about Jesus!

Austin DANGER Powers

The truck was probably 25 yrs. old. It had that faded red paint that is content staying on the truck or leaving with you when brush against. As I turned left in front of this old beast of a vehicle I took a glance in the cab, and saw a rare sight in this day and time. The truck had four passengers in the front seat. I saw "dad" driving with three boys sitting in a row right next to him. "Dad's" arm was around the closest boy... perhaps offering a little added security since they probably were not all buckled up as is the law in our safe, little part of the world. I began to have that warm and fuzzy feeling that comes when a mind begins it's stroll down memory lane.

Any time I rode with my dad in his truck I sat in the back. Not the "crew cab" back, but the "bed" back. The only exception was during heavy rain or extreme cold. During these rare instances I would often chose to stay home rather than endure the sheer boredom of riding in the cab. No wind in my hair, sand pelting my face, or bugs in my teeth. Just too safe for me. I need to, at least, feel like I'm livin' on the edge. Life just seems so much better there. You know, that hyper-awareness that you can only experience there.

As I mentioned earlier, we live in a safe, little part of the world where the powers that be are always worried about our safety and taking steps to ever improve the safety rating. Buckle up, wear a helmet, brush your teeth, lock the door, and the list goes on and on. I know these things start with the best of intentions and I by no means support reckless abandon, but how does one gain courage and confidence without first facing a little danger and fear? Then everyone is surprised when individuals start going to extremes just to get a little adrenaline rush or feel the wind rushing through their hair. Jack-Ass anyone? I know a kid who played with a little gasoline and fire out in the country just for some kicks and giggles and was arrested with charges of terrorism threatened. We used to be able to blow off a little steam and have a little fun, but most of what we did would be considered too dangerous now!

I think the same thing has happened in our churches. Well intentioned people and leaders began offering new guidelines to help others. There are definitely some concrete do's and don'ts when following Christ, but there is also a lot of gray. These gray areas often are close to the dark areas or can easily lead one into the dark. Things like dancing. Other than the fact that I'm incapable of doing it, I don't know of anything wrong with dancing. However it can easily lead one into lust if done a certain way, so let's just say not to do it. I could list many more examples, but I think my point is clear. They put an "arm" around us for a little extra security. I guess we can't expect Jesus to handle it all on His own.

What used to be a trail through an exciting wilderness has become a nice wide path of decorative pavers with a fence that allows you to see the wilderness beyond but keeps a safe distance between you and it...a zoo. Most even come complete with a very informative tour guide to supply all the facts and stories of the thrills and spills others had before, when it was so dangerous and untamed, so that you don't have to chance getting scrapped and bruised the way they did. We can even gather together in safe places with people who are as concerned with being safe as we are. We have been protected to the point of boredom and laziness, but we have not been scarred up. To most of us livin' on the edge for Christ means we may upset a friend who won't talk to us for awhile...scary, huh.

I think it's time for a little Jack-Ass style Christianity... too the extreme so to speak! Don't just get out of your comfort zone, get out there at the edge where your mind is screaming, "too dangerous, too dangerous, I'm scared" but your heart is screaming even louder, "I'm scared but, too exciting, too exciting!" You'll experience that hyper-awareness...feel with more strength, see with more clarity, have a greater understanding. Simply put, you'll live the life more abundant. You may get a few bumps and bruises, bugs in your teeth, or even lasting scars...but scars make for great stories. Oh yeah, buckle up, it will definitely be a bumpy ride!

I'm tired

... of everything right now!

I pledge allegiance...

I am a product of a Christian school education. We started every day by first saying the Pledge to the American flag and then the Pledge to the Cristian flag. Of course we would have a time for prayer request and then we would pray. What a wonderful environment to be formed in. My last two years of school were spent in the public school system. Talk about culture shock...Wow! I've since become an adult (my wife may disagree) and in retrospect have looked back on those early years of my life and wondered about the forming that took place.
I attended a program that my daughter was in today and the day started much the same as it did back in the day. The only real difference was the Pledge to the Bible (we never did that), but a thought that I've had before returned to me. Why, in a Christian school, do we pledge allegiance to the American flag, a representation of man's kingdom, before we pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, a representation of God's Kingdom?! Every Memorial Day I've had the same experience in church. I've asked others this question before and the common answer is that this country affords us the freedom to worship the one true God. But does not a nation receive it's authority from God? Is it not God who has blessed this country in the first place? Maybe I'm grasping at straws here, but it seems to me that, on at least a subconscious level, we're programming priorities into our children. Country and then God. Just seems backwards to me! I love this country and think we have the best system in the world today (it has it's flaws, but is the best at this time), but I love my God much more! I pledge allegiance to God, family, and then country, in that order and plan on teaching my children the same.

Pimping God?

Roland Martin was the guest host on Larry King Live over the Easter holiday, and he interviewed Paula White, Jerry Falwell, T.D.Jakes, and Rick Warren about what would Jesus really do if he was walking the earth today. I found a transcript of that show on crosswalk.com. It is a long article that I would recommend you read in it's entirety, but I just gotta share Martins closing statement.

He said: "Folks, I don't have a time to mince words. In 2007, enough with the people who pimp God. That's right. I said it, pimp God. Instead of focusing on the totality of Jesus, we have Christians who want to make the faith all about abortion and homosexuality. And then we have others who seek God as nothing but a spiritual slot machine. They say a prayer and down from Heaven comes a big house or a new car.
"Faith should be used to break down racial and economic barriers, not solidify them. Don't tell me Jesus would have embraced the sinners and you bar them from the church door. How can people say they love Jesus, but are afraid to speak to their neighbor, eat with a co-worker have their children play with peers across town?
"As we heard tonight, the Christian agenda should be broader than two issues. Let's stop with the nonsense that one political party has a hold on Jesus. We are called to speak truth to power no matter who sits in the White House. Christians, let's stop wondering what Jesus would do to make this world better. The question you need to answer is what am I prepared to do? "

I see you...

On a previous post I mentioned how satisfying it is to escape yourself and find that the circumstances that you find yourself in are not always just about you. How when we remove our own expectations of what will make us happy and choose to recognize God at work, that is when we will experience true joy. Well, I'm still in the same where that provoked the original post, but it sure isn't feeling much like the adventure that it was just 6 months ago! For one thing, after that great conversation, there really has not been much more talk about all that stuff. There's been talk, but mostly the same conversation over and over again. No real progress. At least not that I can see.
Now 6 months later and the place feels like a prison. There's tension in the air. The more information I get, which is very sporadic and often hidden in other conversations, the more it becomes evident to me that there are issues here that I inherited. Lucky me. A dysfunctional family so to speak. I've been left to wonder why must grown men act so much like children. It is absolutely ridiculous. I'm being forced to be the guy I don't like to be (the hard- ass supervisor)! The worst part about this whole situation is that I'm being played as a fool by individuals that are supposed to be friends. I have been attacked. I hope no one out there ever has the privilege of supervising people that not to long ago were your peers. I can't believe they treat me the same way I treated my supervisors. The nerve of these guys!(Note sarcasm).
Of course I have spent many hours wondering why they act like this. Now once again slowly but surely I'm realizing that this is bigger than them and me. They're just being people. We all have our moments. Their actions are not excusable, but definitely forgivable. Especially considering the fact that if they are not in the dark, they are spiritually immature. Not that I'm mature, just a little farther down the road. I see this for what it is now. It definitely is an attack.
Just not from whom I thought was attacking. I was in a place of joy. I felt almost at one with my Lord. the relationship was moving forward. Then you, the enemy, stepped in to stir things up. The stategy worked for a while, but I'm on to it now. How do I keep forgetting that the other side will settle for misery if they can't have you completely. Well, I SEE YOU... and the LORD has my back! Game on!

Did you see that?

Am I just fooling myself? Am I one of the blind leading the blind? Or, maybe I'm blind being lead by some one with cruel intentions. Perhaps I can see, but have been around the blind so long I'm becoming convinced that I too am blind. If any of the previous is true, then why can I so vividly see what it's supposed to be and where it has gone wrong? Of course seeing it all so clearly doesn't make it any easier. Quite the opposite is true! When you have this new found freedom a whole new level of self discipline is required. That has never been one of my strengths... I can be rather lazy. There was a group of guys once who also struggled with understanding it all, and who could also be a little lazy at times. Does that make me one of them? They usually turned to their leader for guidance. Maybe I should too! You know, sometimes us disciples struggle a little. Sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes out of laziness, and sometimes it just isn't His time. Lord could you help me to understand it all, and give me the faith to accept it when I can't. I want with all my heart to serve You daily, hourly, ever minute...now! Even though I can't have it all.

Hmmmm...

Sometimes I think too much. Very seldom do I make impulsive decisions. Often I think myself right into inaction. Of course this is one of my many flaws that I'm sure my wife can tell you all about. Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think A LOT about many different things. One of my favorite subjects is God and the depths of His character that I will never be anywhere close to understanding. I had an experience last night similar to others I've had in the past that got me a thinkin' again. Here's the skinny on what happen. (My) Amy, if you're reading this you may want to skip the next paragraph.
We go to an electrical fire at one of these fenced in electrical sub-stations that belongs to one of the local power suppliers. We wait for a technician from the company to respond so that he can kill all that power (like a bajillion volts I think), we can put out any fire, and then go back to bed. He finally shows up and after we survey the situation he tells me he can handle it from here. We both go back to our own vehicles and then... WOOF! a giant fire ball erupts right where we were standing approx. 1 min. earlier. I'll be taking donations for the clean underwear fund. I had a very similar situation with an exploding propane tank on a forklift. Is this my punishment for all those horrible 'blew" eyes jokes I told as a kid after the first space shuttle exploded?
Did any decisions I made keep me from harms way? Was it the other guy's decisions? Was God looking out for me and influencing my decisions or the other guy's? Did it go exactly to God's plan or does He just allow us to do our thing and then make it all fit His plan? Could it have played out any other way? I guess I'm questioning how predestination plays into all this. I read Blink by Ted Dekker. In this book the main character could see multiple different futures based on the choices of individuals. Is this the way it all works? I'm really just curious. I know God is in control and ultimately it will be His will in the end. It's all this middle that fascinates me. Maybe I'm just over thinking it all. Like I said, I have a tendency to do that.

Agoraphobia

I've taken another giant step. I posted a comment and set my profile so that ANYONE can see my blog! I feel so vulnerable, but it's time for me to stop stalking other blogs from the shadows. If anyone actually reads it let me know what you think, feel, or just whatever. Please be gentle. It's really funny that I don't know whether it's worse that someone may actually sees my thoughts or that when presented with the opportunity no one even cares. maybe that's why I'm always so guarded when it comes to "feelings". It's a protection thing. Okay, that enough of being in touch with my feminine side. I'm going to go scratch myself and spit some. Probably play with some power tools.

Guilty

A friend recently gave me a writing, The Waning Authority of Christ in the Churches, by A.W.Tozer. As I read this pamphlet I was amazed that something written over 40 yrs. ago could be so inline with what I've been feeling about the problems with the current "church" model in America. He basically compared Christ with the monarchy in Britain...symbolic. Only pulled out on special occasions and given no real authority. As I read I was literally nodding my head in agreement and smiling with the satisfaction that comes from having someone with "clout" mirror my feelings. This continued right up to the last paragraph. Then yet again Jesus smacked me across the face. OUCH! Will I ever learn? I was having another one of my pride moments. One of my weaknesses. The last paragraph was outlining the three basic responses that one will have to Tozer's observations. The first being outrage. Can you see my smug expression as I think of all the people I know in this category? Glad I'm not one of them! Then reaction number two. As I begin to read this point you probably could see me start to go pale. Tozer says, "Another is to nod general agreement with what is written here but take comfort in the fact that there are exceptions and we are among the exceptions." Uh-Oh! I've read enough of these type list to know that the correct reaction is at the end and not in the middle. I'm not nodding and smiling much at this point. Reaction number three states, "... go down in meek humility and confess that we have grieved the Spirit and dishonored our Lord in failing to give Him the place His Father has given Him as Head and Lord of the church." My family and some friends have taken some steps that some see as drastic and basically removed ourselves from any form of institutionalized church because we feel as Tozer did. I didn't realize until now that I was beginning to think along the lines of "what we are doing" instead of "what He is doing with us"! I was beginning to give Him that symbolic headship instead of the true authority that He deserves. Lord forgive my pride and take your place as the Head of my life and Your church. Help us to remain humble in You and strong for You.