I Need Less Time To Do That…..

So,  I was visiting a different church yesterday and it really made me think.  Wow,   I want to visit more churches to see what other people are doing. I have time now that I’m not teaching SS.  Here’s whats going to happen though if I take the time to do that, I guarantee that people are going to start talking.  Right?  (You do know that happens…..I do).  The rumor mill will have us displeased with everything under the sun. lol (hopefully I’m being too harsh!  We all know there is no rumor mill at Church!)

Seeing Gods different churches invigorates me; it excites me; it lets me concentrate on Worship.  (In fact the only thing that I don’t like is people getting all wide eyed when they see us come in because “oh ….potential members…Now I get the change to put into use what we’re practicing (lol)…”  I know, I know ….they mean well….I’m just a low key guy who doesn’t like to stand out

I like to see how I can, improve me,  improve what I can improve in my church’s ministry or at least my part of it.  I love new ideas,  different ideas,  I really really enjoy visiting.  The ministry opportunities that come up that wouldn’t come up by staying in one place are eye opening and calls out for some of my passion. How can I / or our church reach out with these people ….and even to these people.

I really cry for more inter-church unity……

but then it hit me…..

If I have the chance to do this…Why cant we allow our Pastors (especially our specialty pastors) the opportunity to do this? They are the ones who really need to visit….to observe….to see and to get rejuvenated….

But we want to stick them in our church box and expect them to perform, to stay “relevant”,  to always be fresh and on the cutting edge but we don’t let them observe at the times the cutting edge in being put in to practice.

Why not give every minister a Sunday off every other month (maybe more,  not much less) to observe churches of their choice.  It would bring so much to their ministry and our church ministry in ways I cant even fathom.  I would help us in relationships with other churches….wow!  When I think of the possibilities  we miss by not doing that….

when they are starting a ministry they would need more observation and as it goes along and develops…maybe not as much….but for the rejuvenation aspect…maybe just as much.  But heck, I cant figure out everything for you guys  so make up some it on your own….

I will be mentioning it at our church….hopefully they can see the wisdom in it…I’ll be praying about this one.

LATE!!!!!

Stupid Car!

so…uh

My car got towed about 10 minutes ago…yep, its on its way to the doctors office…severe melencoly and lack of energy being the key symptoms…(ie the ignition wont turn) so including towing and repairs looking at about $250.

Which isnt bad when I consider that every time my roomate in Seattle took his Suburu to the shop back in the 90’s they would automatically charge him $1000. (I dont think they even looked at it. Just saw that he was wearing his “sucker” shirt).

So, assuming all things are accurate it could be a lot worse.

In other events the school district I work for is doing End of class testing today and Im monitoring their network broadband usage because my other half is out sick…..

Its Monday, but Im not bitter…..

Maybe the Project is the Project

I always have a few things going on in my head about things I could be working on,  things that would be fun to work on.  Things that one day I will get to work on…. the list is endless.  I need a job where I could just sit around and come up with ideas and other people could use them.

But I am working on collecting some stories.  This week I’m kinda seeing if anyone is going to volunteer themselves.   When working on collaborations, I always make some hoops to jump through… thats by design to see how bad people are into the project at hand.

Sometimes it works to my advantage, and sometimes it doesn’t.  However  I think I have something here and hopefully I can get some people who need to express themselves an avenue to do so.  Its about why you are who you are…..

Hopefully it will find itself off the ground some day.

Should I be worried that some of these projects never end?  Probably not,   Its seems like I am a project who never ends so maybe I shouldn’t worry about that ….

hmmmm…..

If You Haven’t Heard

Ok

Rogue Minister made an interesting pre-post on Issues Facing the Church this Morning.  I wll be posting some coments shortly on his site. its a great topic.

Just so you know,  if you are in the habit of subscribing to feeds.  This is one you need to add.  Don’t know much about him personally except I gathered he recently became an M overseas. However he reads solid and down to earth.

Its very cool to find someone who thinks in the same vein about Christ and effectiveness in following him.

Just some thoughts however:

1. Love God

2. Love Others  (in every style of communications and dealings)

3.Get closer to God.

4.Spread the news of Jesus.  (more than one way to do this.  But all ways are great)

If you start with these four that should keep you busy enough for a while

OUT!

A New Proclamation!!!!….

I have now decided that I should no longer have to earn things…I would like them to be just handed to me. Thanks in advance

(and of course that doesn’t mean that the general public shouldn’t go on earning…..)

Im the Wiz! Im the Wiz!

(not really) at least i think not; just wanted to share that it looks like we are going to be in …yet another production at the good ole ACT!

Its Wizard of Oz and my entire family of 5 auditioned and I think its gonna turn out well! So from my unpredictable 4-year-old third world country dictator in-training , My “star to be” 7-year-old daughter, and my All-around, All-American, can-do-anything-he-sets-his-mind-to 9-year-old son; It has become family time at the theatre.

My wife awes me when she steps out on stage! That girl can SANG! It is effortless-and beautiful. The Lord has truly blessed us all and I hope we can do even the littlest thing to glorify him with it, and the rest of our lives.

It was a family reunion this past weekend which means we gather about 75 people together for 2 days and have an amazing time together. Im am surprised that many people can be as close never mind just civil, as we are. We always do at least one devotion time and this time we did one on Saturday and Sunday and 4 of us spoke 2 of us did testimonies and 2 did a little devotion.

Well, I have you know that the theme of love, accountablity, compassion, and sacrifice were the message of all 4 times. I promise there was no pre-planning, no conference calls. IT confirmed to me a couple of things.

God is real! Thats not a coincidence to me that the same message fell on all four men at the same time. Rather that at least one person in that room need a reminder of who Jesus was, and what he stood for and what we need to stand for. I can tell you, that for one, I was one of those people who needed to hear that at the moment, at least

Secondly, The messages are to be heeded. If they come to 4 different people, then that tells me that it is indeed a message from God that we are feeling in our lives. We need to show action love; i

n the churches, associations, denominations, inter-denominations, and please, please, please, to our communities and non- christians everywhere;

show and not just talk about love.

So, with that being said….. break a leg and talk to you soon

Benjamin Goes Flying

Every once in a while you just have to live vicariously.  But I am jealous of my friends getting to fly. Way to go teach,

Too cool for school, that guy

I will stop now and refrain from wisecracks

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Mesh Live Member

Ok geek moment coming! Tried MS Mesh Live… was actually impressed with the website and the ease of use….able to remote computer and files at home with no problem….so kudos to Microsoft. So far, you got It right, this time, in my opinion.

What is like to be an MK?

I was talking to an old schoolmate of mind on Facebook Chat today (paycheck for the shameless plug?… please?). Topic:

Mk’s…how do you explain us?

I’ve had family and friends, at different times; all of who were contemplating missions and taking their kids out on the field ask me:

“What was it like for you? How was it?”

There were times when I was honest with my feelings at that moment. There were times when I was positive, there were times when I was negative. I never realized though until thinking about it later that:

I don’t think they wanted to hear anything bad when it came down to it. I think they were positive in their vision (and rightfully so) and probably thought. “it won’t be like that for us. They wanted me to say things like

“I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”.

“It was great, all the time, and it brought me closer in my walk with God then I could ever achieved living in the US.”

I want to tell you start off with: thats its true: I wouldn’t trade my growing up experience for anything!!! There are some things I would change….But overall, its has turned me into who I am today; Both the positive and the negative experiences. (I recognize that my inquisitors meant well (lol)). Please understand: The Lord has truly been good to me and brought me through the pits.

MKs are normal kids and normal teens….but do you really want to hear me when I say this? Do you really want to know what we went through?

The Emotional hardships?

The Spiritual hardships?

The exciting times?

The experiences we alway knew were unique?

The stress of being teens and dealing with the normal issues coupled with being in the spotlight in several unique ways that most teens are not faced with in US life?

Or are you just going to judge my current spiritual walk, based on my attempt to be transparent and helpful? What do you really want to hear? That we loved it? That there were pitfalls? ( I do honestly ask this question.)

I wonder sometimes that maybe transparent isn’t always to best way to go….

Again….I loved and love being an MK….Myself and my fellow brothers and sisters have adapted to their “after MK life” in different ways and different extremes (some happy stories and some – truly tragic ones – but all the result and cumulation of their experiences as an MK) and I feel for and appreciate and love all their experiences. We had/have a great comradery.

We do have a story. Some amazing stories! When you ask – Do you really wanna hear it?

Do you wanna hear them now?

Who do you Love?

So, have a couple of things on my mind today. One is how to we treat others around us that do not believe the things that we do?

Back up! First of all…Do you know anybody or associate with anybody who doesn’t believe what you believe? Do you/ would you hang with them on a regular basis? Ive been analyzing this through discussion/ blogs /etc and I just feel like there seems to always be an agenda when approaching non believers. Granted, the intentions are good and certainly sharing your faith is important. …..but…..

Have you just slowed down and loved someone for the heck of it? Not so you can get to where YOU want to go…but just to like them for being them?

I have a friend who I really haven’t talked to in a long time but my brother saw him a couple of months ago.

He’s a guy who just seems to rub EVERYONE the wrong way. He suffers from “short guy” complex and makes up for it by being obnoxious, and generally if you hang around with him, you are in for some real “uncomfortable” moments.

But hes like a brother to me, I love this guy just for being him….and I probably have every reason not to but I just made up my mind to do it. I feel like I could drop in on him without notice and be accepted for who I am and vice-versa.

I’ve taken to time to realize that deep down….he’s always been searching for people to love him….simply!

Do we really treat “nons” like that or do we just “move in for the kill” all too quickly and decide that since they don’t want to join right away, – God must want us to avoid them since “they have rejected the faith”. Can you be friends with a “non”? A true friend? (More than a “mentor” because, they will see right through that act, I guarantee you.)

If you don’t have true love….you may not even wanna bother…

Do you have standards for hanging around with them are can you love for love sakes? I bet there are varying opinions? Me? I just want to like people for liking people…I don’t think I will stand a chance with them otherwise.

There are “unacceptable” sides of me too. If you knew me….would you think different of me( – I may be a true radical…to you)

Can you hang for hangings sake? Or do you feel thats compromising? I have no answers but in lieu of true knowledge…..

I think I’m just gonna love anyways.

Other notes: gotta a couple of projects I’m mulling over…….we will see….(y’know…I cant sit still>>>>HELP!) I think my respect for Perry N. is growing more all the time… You may not know me, brother….but I know you. I love you…keep the truth coming!