Stories of Thanks

We did something a little different this morning at our gathering.  Rather than have me talk, I wanted to have others share some stories of thankfulness.  But, my concern was that we would just stay on the surface and share the same old stuff (I'm thankful for my family, job, friends, etc.).

So, instead, we talked about the story of God in our lives.  As we reflected on our history with God, we tried to identify some themes that were consistent in those times.  And then, we described God in those terms (my friend, my savior, my father, my foundation, etc.).

It was a very meaningful time for me, to hear the stories of those that God has us crossing paths with.  Not to mention the FANTASTIC food following our gathering.  A great day with great friends.

Let's Give Presence

This is What Real Change is About

On Holiness and Mission

I think that, for the most part, we get holiness wrong.  OK, it's defined as "set apart", but that can be a lot of things.  For most "hard-core" Christians, it means I'm set apart by homeschooling, hating Harry Potter, not watching TV, voting Republican, homophobia, and just holding on until Jesus comes back to destroy this wicked world.

Hmm.

I think holiness has more to do with what we are turning toward than what we are turning from.  What really sets us apart is our capacity for authentic faith, genuine love and concern, and hope in God as redeemer.  All these things are only made possible through Jesus Christ and his transforming our hearts and minds.

I found this quote from Tim Keller:

Jesus’ teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while offending the Bible-believing, religious people of his day. However, in the main, our churches today do not have this effect. The kind of outsiders Jesus attracted are not attracted to contemporary churches, even our most avant-garde ones. We tend to draw conservative, buttoned-down, moralistic people. The licentious and liberated or the broken and marginal avoid church. That can only mean one thing. If the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishoners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did.

I've gone to homes that have a welcome mat at the door and a ravenous pit bull in the yard.  I think, oftentimes, that's what we communicate.  "Oh, please, come on in, Jesus loves you.  Oh, no?  That's a shame, at least we tried!"

Here's what Paul had to say to people like this:

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

OK, I'm done...

Fatty Melt with Grilled Onions

I made this for dinner tonight (for myself, Erika didn't want one).  It's a hamburger with grilled onions and mayo, with grilled cheese sandwiches as buns.  That's right.  And it was even better than it sounds.

The Perfect Storm

Erika gone for the weekend + Post-Halloween sugar rush + Extra hour as we "fall back" = ???

A.) No sleep for 36 hours.

B.) House catching on fire.

C.) No one bathes or cleans anything.

D.) The terrorists win.