The Zoo

Besides see interesting critters at the zoo you can also overhear really interesting conversations. Or be nosy which ever you prefer. As the girls and I were walking these 2 other moms were talking about buying another house. With the 200,000 profit they made on one house and the other 300,000 they had to put down that would leave them with a monthly mortgage of 3500/month. I am no mathematician but I think this new house must be huge and pricey. Well you may be asking yourself ...Ah so what ..people by expensive homes all the time. This is not the interesting part of the story.
While Casey and Ellie were getting our free snow cones..( yep free snow comes) these 2 same ladies and there girls were beginning to have lunch they prayed for their food and other things ..in Jesus name..Amen.. Have you ever had those moments of being ah that's cool and utter disgust in the same breath. It was cool they were thanking God for their food but they were talking about buying a really expensive house earlier. Obviously I know nothing about these people and perhaps they live a life style that is very simple but how can these 2 conversations happen with the same people. It seems to me a disconnect between a $3400 /month mortgage and being a follower of Jesus. It just does not seem to fit my understanding of the Kingdom view of Jesus and what it means to give to the poor and to love justice. It seems that these things are mutually exclusive of one another. Eat a snow cone and let me know what you think.

Something Funny..Kind of..

I love Chic Fillet probably without question the most enjoyable fast food experience in the world. First you have a perfectly done chicken sandwich not to greasy and seasoned to perfection, next you add the waffle fry. One of God's greatest creation. Who would have thought you could make art out of the potato. Then you have your choice of lemonade ( tart I might add) or the nectar of the gods Diet Dr Pepper. Lastly like a cherry on top they ( the people behind the counter) say "my pleasure". My pleasure, I am happy to serve you . I know they are forced to say it and severely reprimanded if not but what a great use of the English language. I feel like I want to give them my six bucks just because they appreciate me coming to their restaurant. They value my business or if not they make me think they do. Either way I am addicted and you get your food so quickly. It is a win , win.
You would not think saying My pleasure is not such a big deal but I am telling you for me it makes all of the difference in the world. I want to go back there , I want to take my family and our friends, if they would let my dog in. Do you see where I am going with this, I like feeling like I matter. That is what they do so well, they make you feel as if you matter. Often when I go to church I feel like that it does not matter if I am there or not. I don't feel welcomed or valued, I don't feel like people say we are really glad you are here. I think people , myself included are longing for that. To feel as if they matter , that for a brief second they are important to someone.
I long for the day the church is that way, a place that truly values people, The church becomes a place that cares if you are there or not and it is not because you give money but because you are a creation of God and therefore have infinite worth. What would church look like if on Sundays or Fridays or whenever there was a parade for your arrival, or maybe more simply every time someone said to you, "I am really glad you are here". I think it would go a long way.
I think it would help make church something you invited everyone to because you feel so invited, so welcome , so appreciated. Try it and see "my pleasure".

What is evangelism

Yesterday I played golf with a friend, a relatively new friend but friend none the less. For the sake of argument lets call him Jake. During our time together we talked about life and friends. We laughed, smoked cigars and missed some really easy putts. I shot a 77 by the way , not bad for a hack. We really talked about everything including the weather. I have been nurtured in a faith tradition that would put little value in this conversation unless you make the sell but I am leaning to the thought that perhaps this time together was of the utmost importence. I would guess that Jake has known very few "Christians" in fact he was visited by the Jehovah witness earlier that afternoon and asked if that is what all Christians were like. The point is that I experienced a Holy moment on the Golf Course. Even though we never once mentioned God or faith everything we talked about was spiritual.
It seems that we spend a lot of time in church looking for the next best thing, the next great program or thing that will get people in the door but perhaps the point is not getting people in the door but getting us ( the Church) outside of it. In my denomination we have a new new slogan, open hearts , open doors and open minds. It is catchy but probably not that true. As long as you come to us outside we will be those thing but I believe we need to be more of those things on the golf course or basketball court, coffee shop or local pub. The point is for us to be where the people are and to hear the message, we care about you not to make our thing bigger and better but because you are a fellow journeymen in this great adventure called life. I believe that it is possible for God to use those outside the church walls to speak to us a word from God. Church this is what I am really like. It is not about the songs or the words, the message or the nifty graphics we use, it is a bout relationship and listening to the story of someone who just needs to talk , no agenda no hidden plan, just being and hitting a little white ball around. Maybe I should do more church on the golf course. FORE !!