DROP 'EM?

Had to go to the doctor yesterday.  That's always a huge chore for me.  Every 10 years or so I have to look up a family doc and ask around for a good one to see.  Actually, its only been 5 years since I saw a doctor last, not counting family planning stuff.

Anyway, I was SOOO glad I didn't have to drop my drawers, haha.  Call me crazy, but I'm just not fond (sorry, couldn't help it) of introducing myself as the pastor from the church down the street and then unbuttoning my pants.

In case you're wondering why I thought I'd have to "DROP 'EM", I had some hernia-like symptoms, among other things.  The good news is he was able to examine me for that without my "Pants On The Ground" (no, I won't let that go away :)  and that he found no evidence of a hernia.

The not so good news is there are other things going on.  But, I'll be fine and I will feel alot less awkward now shaking the good doc's hand if he ever decided to visit our church.

R U KIDDIN' ME?

Yes, I'm talking about Lane Kiffin's leaving UT.  But no, I'm not focusing the title's question on his actions.  Rather, the question is based on so many of the reactions I've seen and heard.

Have I been a VOL fan since at least the 5th grade?  DUH!  Do I get so into the ballgames that I punch the nearest wall or door when GRRRAAPE APE blocks his 5,000th field goal against us, especially the game winning one against the #1 team in the country who would be the eventual national champion (yes, I'm aware this is a run on sentence fellow AP Englishers)?  YEP!  AND, DO I THINK FOLKS ARE ACTING PLUM CRAZY OVER HIM LEAVING AFTER 1 YEAR?  YOU'RE DADGUM RIGHT I DO!

Give me a break already, folks.  I love the BIG ORANGE.  But my life will go on.  I won't be sending the guy a Christmas card but I'm not gonna burn a mattress near his car, compare him to Tiger Woods (who we need to leave alone, too, by the way!), or rant and rave on how he "Betrayed me."

And no, I won't be comparing this story to the devastating Haitian earthquake story, either.  That's not exactly fair, in my opinion.  But, I digress...

Why am I not on my way to riot on campus or typing curses at him on facebook?  Uh, let's see...am I still sitting here in my old worn down but extremely comfy recliner typing this?  YEP!  Am I still married to my best friend, whom I've enjoyed nearly 10 1/2 years of marriage with so far?  ABSOLUTELY!  Has my earthly and eternal life been changed forever by the one figure in history who has changed the world since His birth, namely JESUS CHRIST??  THANK GOD, YES!!

So yeah, that's why I'm sittin' here looking at and listening to so many reactions and asking that question..."R U KIDDIN' ME?"

"I'M A BACK...HERE WE GO!"

If you have a Wii, chances are you've heard the phrases in the title of this post.  For, SUPER MARIO BROS is probably the hottest Wii game out there right now.  If you've played it, you know why.  Its fun for kids of all ages!

What sets this version of the popular series apart is the fact that up to 4 people can play at the same time.  This makes for some very fun but also very frustrating evenings.  Again, if you've played it, you know why.

With 4 people trying to run, jump, shoot, throw, swim, etc. in near unison, it becomes a challenge REALLY quickly.  You start hearing things like, "STOP JUMPING ON MY HEAD!"  And, "THANKS ALOT FOR GETTING MY MUSHROOM!"  Maybe some things you can't repeat even, haha.  Surely not at the preacher's house, though ;)

So, why bring it up in a blog post?  Because working together in that game says alot about the fun and frustrations we face in trying to work together with others.  Be it in a family, business, or yes, of course, a church, it can be a great challenge.

Sometimes you need folks to move faster.  Sometimes you need to do more...or maybe you  need to give someone else a try and do less.  Sometimes you want to throw the controller through at the person who is causing you the most frustration, lol.

The bottom line is we must find a way to work together to accomplish a common goal/vision/purpose.  Even when that goal/vision/purpose is as cartoonish as rescuing the princess from Bowser's castle...

LEAD ME TO REST...

I've been listening to some songs from Acapella (all the way back to '93, dang I'm old) on my new Ipod I got for Christmas (thanks again, Sis!).  I believe I've found a song I want played/sung at my funeral someday.  Its called, "LEAD ME TO REST" and here's some of the words.

LEAD ME TO REST, SWEET LORD,

LEAD ME TO REST.

FROM MY JOURNEY HERE,

LEAD ME TO REST.

THE RELIEF I'VE FOUND,

FROM THE BURDENS THAT'VE WEIGHED ME DOWN,

LEAD ME TO REST,

LEAD ME TO REST.

So, if you're reading this and happen to be around when I go someday, try to remember this request.

Of course, you could always be mean and play/sing, "Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye..."    

I DON'T GIVE A...

Yeah, I figured the title would get your attention, haha.  Don't worry, I was only going to say, "Plum Nickel" ;)

That statement (and similar ones, lol) comes to mind when I think of the stupid distractions we allow ourselves to become engrossed in, in our churches.

We are all susceptible to distractions.  So, don't think I'm saying I'm above it, because the good Lord knows how weak I am.

Its just so frustrating and frivolous though, you know?  This life is uncertain, unpredictable, and downright unnerving at times.  To be sure, it is brief and a precious gift from God, the only giver of life.  Even if you don't believe in God or the Bible, you'd have to agree with most of my above statements about life.

I heard just today about a lady that collapsed getting onto a plane, preparing to take a cruise vacation.  No known health problems.  No warning.  Game Over.  This page couldn't hold the volumes of books we'd have if we all shared the similarly true stories we know.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is going through such a loss right now, by the way.  

We know all that, don't we there fellow church folk?  I'm not saying anything new.  Yet, we live like we don't give a crap sometimes.  We complain and cause needless trouble, to the point where the pastor is ready to go to the mission field in Alaska.  The only problem is his wife demands a snuggie if he does that and I REFUSE TO PAY MONEY FOR A BACKWARDS ROBE!

Anyway, I'm sure the Alaskan mission field has its share distractions, too, what with making sure the polar bears don't eat you and all.

I just want to be His hands, feet, voice, etc.  I just want to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, help somebody in His name.  I just want to make a dadgum difference in the temporal and eternal life of a fellow man, woman, boy, or girl!  As many as possible actually!!

I don't want to moderate foolishness.  I don't want to argue about the minutes of a meeting.  I don't want to waste precious time of this precious life, itself a precious gift of God, doing meaningless, menial tasks that wouldn't make a dang bit of difference in the life of a flea, much less a man, woman, boy, or girl!

I know, I know, we all have to do menial tasks we don't really love, etc. etc.  I just don't have to give a..."Plum Nickel" do I?

BUSINESS MEETING (cue "Ode to Joy")...

Actually, (knock on wood) our monthly business meetings haven't been what you'd call, MANIACAL, in quite some time.  I guess its been close to a year now that I started doing them after our regular "SNACK 'N STUDY" time of Bible discussion, coffee, etc.  Maybe folks are too worn out from listening to me teach for 30 minutes to fight about nonsensical stuff?  Lol.

We do have alot before us to meet about this year as a church.  God has nearly doubled our church family in just under 4 years.  And, as AWESOME as that is to be a part of, we do have a few growing pains.

Of course, we know we're still a "Small" church by most definitions (avg. around 110 on Sunday Mornings).  But, we also know we serve a "BIG" God!  So, we believe 2010 could be a BIG year for us if we catch on to some of our "BIG" God's visions.  The time is yesterday for us to grab onto a new, multipurpose building vision.  We could also use at least a used 12-15 passenger van.  I could use an old truck...just kidding (not really...mid 80's model Chevy/GMC, please ;)  

Our "CROSSROADS FELLOWSHIP" starts back up tonight for high schoolers, college age, and folks on up in their 20's.  My Associate Pastor, Zach, has done a great job with the little kids.  He'll have 20 or so come down front for his quick kids' devotion on Sunday Mornings.  But, having something for young people in high school on up has been on some of our hearts for a long time.  We've tried a few different times to kickstart it, but it just fizzled after an outing or two.

Pray with me that the core group of 8-10 we have now will catch fire and reach others .  There's 2 to 3 times that in our own church family/extended family, if we could just reach 'em.  Folks, we ABSOLUTELY MUST reach/keep them at this CRITICAL age in their lives.  It is SO HARD to get them to come back in their 30's or later, if they've been gone for 10 years or longer and are settled into different ways of thinking, living, etc.  Please pray about this with me...

WHERE THERE IS FAITH...

FAITH is a word/concept I've been thinkin' about lately.  Seems its everywhere you go.  We are told, "You Gotta Have FAITH" and to, "Keep The FAITH".  And that's just from George Michael and Bon Jovi!  But, you can learn alot from a song.  The title of this post is itself, a song.  A 90's Contemporary Christian group called 4Him sang that song and wrote it, too, I guess.  


Here's some of the lyrics to "Where There Is Faith":


I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving of myself...for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty and trust...but it's not enough
For all that I believe may never change the way it is
Unless I believe...Jesus lives... 


Its a neat song and thought provoking, as well.  It adds some insight into my thoughts on FAITH, especially the kind of faith required to become and be labeled a CHRISTIAN.  


I believe the Bible's definition of faith is in conflict with many people who claim they have it.  By the way, the Bible is always right if we ever find any of our opinions or beliefs in conflict with it (but, that's a post for another day).  


According to the Bible, Hebrews 11:1 to be exact, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."


I'll spare you the Greek lesson as I would make a horrible teacher.  Instead, I'll refer you to a copy of "Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary" so you won't take my word for the following statements on what I understand the Biblical definition of faith is, as originally written.


Here's how it breaks down in the Greek:  


"Faith (persuasion, especially reliance upon Christ for salvation) is the substance (support, essence, assurance) of things hoped for (expect, confide), the evidence (proof, conviction) of things (deed, affair, object) not seen (looked at/on/to, perceive, regard)."


Here's how it breaks down in my head (Lord bless the poor little fella...I know, I know, lol):


I RELY UPON CHRIST FOR MY SALVATION, BECAUSE HE SURELY MEETS ALL EXPECTATIONS OF THE ONLY ONE CAPABLE TO OFFER SALVATION.  THIS RELIANCE IS BASED ON THE EVIDENCE AVAILABLE TO ME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND MORE BY AND BY.  


I hope this kind of faith is real to you.  Because, it is the only real faith the Bible defines.  And, that's where the conflict I mentioned earlier comes into play.  People define their faith as personal to them.  I think this is done many times so as to not have to defend it or, "Give an answer...for the hope that is within you."  "Well, this is what I believe and I am entitled to my opinion and if its personal to me, you can't say anything to me about it."


That's a pretty easy/lazy way to get out of being responsible for what the Bible you claim to believe really says.  Now, does God want to have a personal, intimate relationship with us?  ABSOLUTELY!  Do we learn about Him differently and differentially than other Christians?  YES!  BUT...we must remember the only knowledge and understanding we will glean about God WILL BE VERIFIED in His HOLY WORD!  You won't have any secret knowledge that I don't and vice versa.  


There has to a standard we all use is what I'm saying.  He has left us an awesome one in the Bible.  We just need to use it more, in my opinion.   


That's how I see it at least and just some of my recent thoughts on FAITH.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.  But, I'm not here to argue, nor will I be impressed with your intelligence or want to hear about my lack thereof, lol.  


Holler at me...