Postmodern Church

Michael has a great post HERE in which he responds to: "10 Myths the Postmodern Church wants you to believe". Very interesting read. Worth the 5 minutes. Check it out.

Visitors Welcome, Members Expected

I saw the above on a church sign yesterday. Ok, I see. I get it. Not bad I suppose. (Compared to other church signs, this is extra extra mild). I guess it's a little catchy.

But as I do with most things, I thought about it. Then I thought some more. Then I overanalyzed. But seriously, here's my point: That's backwards. Seriously, give it a shot, reverse it: Members Welcome, Visitors Expected. Completely changes the meaning doesn't it? That'll preach. I like it. It fits with what our church is doing. Visitors are not just welcome, they are EXPECTED. If we are doing our job (that Great Commission stuff ya know) then each and every Sunday we should anticipate someone new showing up. If we say we're gearing everything toward the unchurched and partnering with our people to get their family and friends there...then it's no surprise when guests show up.

Members Welcome and Visitors Expected. Sounds a little off. Sounds different from church norm............I like it!

Simple Truth

For a few weeks now I've done the storytelling at church, K-5th. I was reminded today about how important simple truths are. Too often, people gripe about wanting to go "deeper" or the message wasn't "deep" enough. In my long life of 29 years (still immature I know), I often find these same people to be people who haven't taken ahold of the simple truths yet. Who still need to work on Love God and Love Others. Attitude. Patience. Forgiveness. Lord knows all the above are a daily struggle for me.

So I say all that to say this morning's lesson was great. The theme this month is discipline and today's topic was honoring God with your body. Talking about how we have been bought with a price. And that our body is not our own. A temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

At first glance of the lesson, during preparation, my temptation was to write off the lesson. After all, it seemed shallow. Talking to the kids about watching what they eat and not staying up late? What??!!? But as I prepared more, it became obviously clear just how important these simple truths are. Yes, absolutely kids need to know that they can honor God by taking care of themselves! (According to statistics, over 80% of Americans should have been in the theater this morning!) I quickly internalized the message and it became a great reminder for myself.

Deep is fine. Just never stop working on the "shallow". Need help with that? Go volunteer in your church's kids ministry. Go teach a lesson. Guaranteed God will show you something. A reminder. A Simple Truth.

2 phrases

Heard em on the radio yesterday:

Great Business Phrase
"The only ship that doesn't sail is a partnership"

Great Marriage Phrase:
"In marriage there is being right and there is being happy."

Gives New Meaning To The Phrase...

Feel free to add your witty reply in the comment section. The whole story HERE.

Post-Vac 2

Poolside at the Radison hotel in Port Canaveral, FL. (Random people included)
Bird. Pier. Cocoa Beach.
Disney Cruise ship in the same port. I heard they are incredible for kids, but bring your savings account.

Post-vacation 1

So blogging hasn't been much of a priority since returning from vacation. Tons of catching up to do in all areas. I will post some pics each day...until that gets old. Dana and I went on a carnival cruise. Great time. Was my first time on one. Big fan now. Loved it. This is a picture of the boat. (Look in the background.)

Cherry Moo

Has Chickfila always served cherry coke? I don't think so. Not that I can recall. Well, they do now! Had one today. Great move: Serving the best soft drink on the market. Yum. (Oh great, now another tempting reason to eat there.)

v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n

Defined: Aperiod of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday
Freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.

Next week will be a challenge. Next week is different from the norm. What some people anticipate every year and have no problem doing, may be the biggest challenge of 07 for me. (Ok, that's probably an exageration.) Next week is a vacation. A real one. As in: no kids. As in: "Freedom from duty, business, or activity." What's weird: I struggle to relax. My mind has a hard time slowing down. In our 7 years of marriage, Dana and I have had very few true vacations. (By this point in the post you may be screaming at your screen saying, "Are you crazy, just go! relax! I'd love a vacation right now! Shut up. Stop thinking about it and just go!") I hear your pleas of common sense. I yell the same thing at myself.

So, my prayer is that instead of listing out all the things I have to do when I get back, that instead I'll take time to reflect on God's goodness. His grace. His patience. His passionate pursuit of us all! His ultimate plan. I hope to come back re-energized and fresh. I hope this time strengthens my relationship with Dana. But, no pressure on these things, eh? I definitely will sleep in past 6am...at least once.

I'm coming around. I'm seeing the HUGE importance of taking time off. It has much spiritual significance. This "freedom," if only for a week, is now highly anticipated.

Look for pics and a new post in a week & 1/2.

Sharing Joy

Having a ton of kids is great. So many things to share. Memories. Laughs. Wisdom. Faith. Hope. Love. Dreams. Encouragement. Joy.......ahhhh, so many things....yes indeed, so many things to share.....oh, almost forgot. The Flu.

Our oldest has it.
Ah, joy.

Consider This

The 2006 college football season will come to an end Monday evening when the Buckeyes and Gators clash in Arizona. (Can't believe I'm about to utter these words, but, GO GATORS!) They are SEC after all. So, allow me to brag on my Tigers as we wrap up another great year (full of surprises):

Consider This:

*Auburn is 33-5 over the past three seasons. That is third best in the country behind the past two national champions, Texas and USC.

*This year’s outstanding seniors set a new school record with 41 wins over four years.

*In the last five years, AUburn has won exactly 50 games.
2002 9-4
2003 8-5
2004 13-0
2005 9-3
2006 11-2
-----------
TTL 50-14
*Auburn is averaging 10 wins a season over the last 5 years.

*AU has a five game winning streak against their archrival.

*AU has won parts of 5 SEC-Wests since CTT arrived.

*AU has the only perfect season in the SEC since UT in 98.

*Creating a virtual factory for NFL talent.

*Leading the charge for a Div-1 playoff system and integrity from the media.

Props to Tubs:
*Tuberville is 7-1 against the last 8 Top-10 teams he has played, and 13- 7 against his last 20 Top-10 opponents. He is 22-3 against SEC teams over the last three years.He has had only one losing season at Auburn—his first, in 1999, when he went 5-6 following a 3-8 season the previous year. (One year later, he was playing in the SEC Championship game.)

Not too shabby, eh?

War Eagle!

Gym Tip #27

When going to the gym to workout, please be considerate of others by not wearing your grandmother's perfume. Application of such perfume, especially in large amounts, can be harmful to the health of others in the gym. Please note: Recent studies have shown such perfume to even cause a choking effect on others within a 20 foot radius. Furthermore, this deadly odor is amplified when you choose to workout on a treadmill or running device. Furthermore, this deadly odor is amplified when the gym contains a large fan that blows such odor directly into the nostrils of the person on the treadmill right next to you.

Thank you.
This free tip is a service of C.G.M.A. (Concerned Gym Members of America)
Check back later for other helpful tips.
Feel free to add your own in the comment section.

Happy 07