Catalyst West is happening right now. The weather is not bad in Kelowna, but this puppy is happening in the big OC, and like who would not want to be there. The conference is future forward and in that light, my video for today is their online live webcasting of events during the conference. Enjoy.
Catalyst Webcast
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Those aren't my gloves
My youngest daughter found a pair of those whitish medical gloves in our house (I have no clue how they got here either but I am worried it is a sign indicating my yearly medical is fast approaching). She put them on and exclaimed, "Hey, daddy is a dentist!" To which my lovely wife responded with "I wish, but we got a pastor." Nice.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Head Count
Fascinating new(er) social networking forum.
Like honestly, thank goodness this worked out or there would be a throng of individuals struggling to use their arms.
Next time you are in Seattle do not miss eating here. Unacceptable.
I won't tell anyone that you really couldn't wait until I posted this website. Oh stop, I am getting embarrassed now.
I just don't know if this is completely lame or if I am going to buy a 4 pack.
I am saving the best for last. 2 vids you have to watch. I can feel the heat rising already. Check out the reason why first, and then watch the first couple minutes of this video to see it play out. Killer. I gotta know what do you think cause I am still on the fence...
Like honestly, thank goodness this worked out or there would be a throng of individuals struggling to use their arms.
Next time you are in Seattle do not miss eating here. Unacceptable.
I won't tell anyone that you really couldn't wait until I posted this website. Oh stop, I am getting embarrassed now.
I just don't know if this is completely lame or if I am going to buy a 4 pack.
I am saving the best for last. 2 vids you have to watch. I can feel the heat rising already. Check out the reason why first, and then watch the first couple minutes of this video to see it play out. Killer. I gotta know what do you think cause I am still on the fence...
Monday, April 19, 2010
It's Only Monday
I was locked and loaded in the pulpit this past weekend. If you missed it and desperate to see it, like I know so many of you are (clear throat here), check out all the deets here.
In my prep, I came across a little vid from Francis Chan's Blog. I haven't been able to shake it. Mostly because I am right there.
We are in the end stages of building a house, and it has been a rough ride. (specifically relating to finances). It was a tough decision for us to begin with, but it was the most cost effective way to get into a house with a suite. You know you are on the cheap when every supplier you walk into starts off with, "So, you're the Lanigan's. We understand that we aren't doing any upgrades. Well, let's get serious, we aren't really doing anything are we." Or as my incredible wife penned it, "A Pottery Barn look with a Walmart budget." Come on, most suppliers figure it out before you get in the door when they see you drive up in a 2003 Honda Accord. We cut some cost by doing all the cleaning of the site and taking care of all the interior painting. (Note: I have banned the words spackle and dapping for the next 7 generations of our offspring. You know you've painted just a wee bit too much when an elderly woman in a wheelchair asks to cut in line at the drugstore and you utter the phrase "I'll show you cutting in sister" and kick her chair over - it's okay, she was not injured badly) Let me tell you, painting is not for the feint of heart. But the question keeps rattling around in my head, 'Did we do the right thing?' What was our motivation anyway? There have been many sleepless nights wondering, worrying and begging God to show up. What is my expectation of him? How much am I trying to control? Watch the video and let me know what you think.
In my prep, I came across a little vid from Francis Chan's Blog. I haven't been able to shake it. Mostly because I am right there.
We are in the end stages of building a house, and it has been a rough ride. (specifically relating to finances). It was a tough decision for us to begin with, but it was the most cost effective way to get into a house with a suite. You know you are on the cheap when every supplier you walk into starts off with, "So, you're the Lanigan's. We understand that we aren't doing any upgrades. Well, let's get serious, we aren't really doing anything are we." Or as my incredible wife penned it, "A Pottery Barn look with a Walmart budget." Come on, most suppliers figure it out before you get in the door when they see you drive up in a 2003 Honda Accord. We cut some cost by doing all the cleaning of the site and taking care of all the interior painting. (Note: I have banned the words spackle and dapping for the next 7 generations of our offspring. You know you've painted just a wee bit too much when an elderly woman in a wheelchair asks to cut in line at the drugstore and you utter the phrase "I'll show you cutting in sister" and kick her chair over - it's okay, she was not injured badly) Let me tell you, painting is not for the feint of heart. But the question keeps rattling around in my head, 'Did we do the right thing?' What was our motivation anyway? There have been many sleepless nights wondering, worrying and begging God to show up. What is my expectation of him? How much am I trying to control? Watch the video and let me know what you think.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
As a 5 Year Old World Turns
This pic needs a caption... anyone?
Best caption will be posted (I know... "no expense spared")
Friday, April 16, 2010
VHF - Hockey's Second Season
In light of the Stanley Cup Playoffs kicking into high gear, here is a fresh take on playoff beards.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Big 3
I don't remember if I heard it at a seminar, read it on the internet or made it up myself (okay, pretty confident I didn't make it up myself) but I have never forgotten it. I am going to credit Walt Mueller from CPYU for it because it seems to me he was the one who penned it. I try to live it out in real time. A few weeks ago, in my prep for a speaking engagement, I wrote down the phrase "Journey with a purpose." It has rang in my head ever since, and these 3 statements give fuel to that engine:
1. Know the unchanging Word
2. Know changing people in a changing world
3. Take the unchanging Word to changing people in a changing world
Pretty straight up. Purpose to spend time marinating in God's word. It's truths are unchanging, eternal, right. Purpose to understand your neighbor, your co-workers, your friends, your community, and your world. Don't let the latest technological advances freak you out. Purpose to engage those people with unchanging truths that breathe life, hope & joy. That means creatively and relevantly communicating to your community. What works in your context. Downtown Vancouver is going to look a lot different than MooseJaw, Sasksatchewan.
So how are you doing with those 3? I'd love to hear stories of how you live this out.
(FYI - Moosejaw was my birthplace and I kid you not, the name of the physician who helped out with the birth, Dr. Gas - I know, there are so many places to unleash with that one. Okay, let's stop because, seriously, this whole thing has the potential to back fire. I don't want to float any air biscuits here or we will never recover from the explosive nature of all the crop dusting comments about being from Saskatchewan. For the record, people no longer live in covered wagons, Dutch ovens are used only for special occasions, and breaking wind is almost impossible. There is no point dropping bombs about being from the SK. So please everyone, don't bother squeezing out cutesy little catch phrases or trying to ignite a hot debate about the thunder being louder in BC than SK. I would rather you be silent than deadly. I am not pulling anyone's finger here nor serving up any air bagels. I want this blog to be a breath of fresh air. So here's my one gun salute to igniting a conversation about the real theme of this\posting.)
I don't know about you, but I just had to open a window... for some reason it is getting really hot in here.
1. Know the unchanging Word
2. Know changing people in a changing world
3. Take the unchanging Word to changing people in a changing world
Pretty straight up. Purpose to spend time marinating in God's word. It's truths are unchanging, eternal, right. Purpose to understand your neighbor, your co-workers, your friends, your community, and your world. Don't let the latest technological advances freak you out. Purpose to engage those people with unchanging truths that breathe life, hope & joy. That means creatively and relevantly communicating to your community. What works in your context. Downtown Vancouver is going to look a lot different than MooseJaw, Sasksatchewan.
So how are you doing with those 3? I'd love to hear stories of how you live this out.
(FYI - Moosejaw was my birthplace and I kid you not, the name of the physician who helped out with the birth, Dr. Gas - I know, there are so many places to unleash with that one. Okay, let's stop because, seriously, this whole thing has the potential to back fire. I don't want to float any air biscuits here or we will never recover from the explosive nature of all the crop dusting comments about being from Saskatchewan. For the record, people no longer live in covered wagons, Dutch ovens are used only for special occasions, and breaking wind is almost impossible. There is no point dropping bombs about being from the SK. So please everyone, don't bother squeezing out cutesy little catch phrases or trying to ignite a hot debate about the thunder being louder in BC than SK. I would rather you be silent than deadly. I am not pulling anyone's finger here nor serving up any air bagels. I want this blog to be a breath of fresh air. So here's my one gun salute to igniting a conversation about the real theme of this\posting.)
I don't know about you, but I just had to open a window... for some reason it is getting really hot in here.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Pant Rant
Received some feedback this weekend about how I dressed. At Willowpark church, we have weekend gatherings in 5 different locations. This past weekend, on the heels of finishing up a series called "One" stemming from the book of Ephesians (which oddly enough talks about those people who call themselves Christ followers to be "One Team" even with all it's weird, wild and stuck in the mud types - I know aren't we tricky). Not gonna get preachy here, but check out Eph 4:4-6 in the Message:
(vs 4-6) “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with oneness.”
That seems to cover it nicely.
Anyway, we decided to have all 5 campuses gather at one site as an exclamation point to the whole series. It was a pretty sweet deal. All the pastors were in full effect during the services. The comment came after the second of three services. "I guess the dress code for pastors is jeans." Comically not all of the pastors were wearing jeans and one even had his shirt tucked in which was completely revolting... but I digress. Interestingly, this caused me to check out the literal greek translation of the passage above. Incredibly it reads "You were all called to wear spiffy pants but not too tight."
Before you call Billy Graham for an intervention, let's get something straight here. I get a little fiesty when comfy church going folk get so caught up in "nicing up" the church and the gospel and how we look and how we act. My non-church going friends aren't looking for nice-ities, they are screaming for authenticity. This contrast exploded from the tv this past Sunday when Phil Mickelson tearfully embraced his wife Amy who has been battling breast cancer for the last year, and who did not have enough strength to make it out of bed until those last few minutes of watching her husband clinch his 3rd Masters Title. He had not been winning nor was he spending much time away from his wife and kids. To boot, his mom was diagnosed with the same disease within months of his wife. And then they interview Tiger who's statement, although not directly relating to his off course antics, was "people are just making too much out of this deal" when asked about his first 5 holes and how cranky he was. Now, I do not know either one of these guys, nor do I dare put forward the allusion that I somehow understand what it is to live in their shoes, but the contrast between those 2 atheletes was stunning. We desperately want authenticity. People are desperately looking for an authentic people following an authentic God. Listen to Isaiah 53 talk about Jesus...
"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Jesus was not known for his dress code, his hair gel or his picture perfect golf swing. He was known for his gritty, passionate, faithful, relentless, tough, beautiful, authentic love. Love for those who's mistakes are found out, who's lives remain hidden, and who's hopes are lost. Love for those who long for tradition and those who push the envelope. Love for champions and for losers. Most stunning of all, is that he is depending on this ragamuffin group of mistake ridden, jean wearing, 18 handicappers to live that love out as aunthentically as possible.
For the record, my shirt was untucked.
(vs 4-6) “You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with oneness.”
That seems to cover it nicely.
Anyway, we decided to have all 5 campuses gather at one site as an exclamation point to the whole series. It was a pretty sweet deal. All the pastors were in full effect during the services. The comment came after the second of three services. "I guess the dress code for pastors is jeans." Comically not all of the pastors were wearing jeans and one even had his shirt tucked in which was completely revolting... but I digress. Interestingly, this caused me to check out the literal greek translation of the passage above. Incredibly it reads "You were all called to wear spiffy pants but not too tight."
Before you call Billy Graham for an intervention, let's get something straight here. I get a little fiesty when comfy church going folk get so caught up in "nicing up" the church and the gospel and how we look and how we act. My non-church going friends aren't looking for nice-ities, they are screaming for authenticity. This contrast exploded from the tv this past Sunday when Phil Mickelson tearfully embraced his wife Amy who has been battling breast cancer for the last year, and who did not have enough strength to make it out of bed until those last few minutes of watching her husband clinch his 3rd Masters Title. He had not been winning nor was he spending much time away from his wife and kids. To boot, his mom was diagnosed with the same disease within months of his wife. And then they interview Tiger who's statement, although not directly relating to his off course antics, was "people are just making too much out of this deal" when asked about his first 5 holes and how cranky he was. Now, I do not know either one of these guys, nor do I dare put forward the allusion that I somehow understand what it is to live in their shoes, but the contrast between those 2 atheletes was stunning. We desperately want authenticity. People are desperately looking for an authentic people following an authentic God. Listen to Isaiah 53 talk about Jesus...
"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
Jesus was not known for his dress code, his hair gel or his picture perfect golf swing. He was known for his gritty, passionate, faithful, relentless, tough, beautiful, authentic love. Love for those who's mistakes are found out, who's lives remain hidden, and who's hopes are lost. Love for those who long for tradition and those who push the envelope. Love for champions and for losers. Most stunning of all, is that he is depending on this ragamuffin group of mistake ridden, jean wearing, 18 handicappers to live that love out as aunthentically as possible.
For the record, my shirt was untucked.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wedded Bliss
Earlier this week I mentioned the photographers my bro-in-law Steven hired for his wedding (Stone Photography). Well, they (Dan & Kat) posted a bunch of shots from Steven and Sara's wedding on their blog. Proof is in the pudding people. Enjoy.
Straight up pics
Slide show with musicah
Gotta throw a little love out for Keith. He is one of Steven's best friends. In the black and white fish eye pic of the groomsmen, he is second from the right, SINGLE, and a studly fireman type (Note: this is very similar to a studly pastor type just in case people were confused)
Straight up pics
Slide show with musicah
Gotta throw a little love out for Keith. He is one of Steven's best friends. In the black and white fish eye pic of the groomsmen, he is second from the right, SINGLE, and a studly fireman type (Note: this is very similar to a studly pastor type just in case people were confused)
Friday, April 9, 2010
VHF - Fav #1
This is one of my all-time fav vid's - the moaning like a deranged cow is priceless. Happy Friday.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Leadership Chops
I am always looking for my leadership envelope to be pushed. I really do not want to be satisfied with the assumption that somehow I have "arrived" at being a complete leader. Let's just say I am 96% there. Take a joke people. So here is some beefing up for your Leadership (parenting) chops.
I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley today. Pastor boy from North Point Community Church in Atalanta. His focus was the principle of "Do to one what you can't do for all." He reminded leaders that you cannot possibly do everything you want to for everyone in your staff. And he challenged the value of "fairness." Suggesting that "fairness" gets in the way of "rightness." I would fully agree. When we try and be fair, we de-value individuals. I struggle with this everyday in parenting. I fail when I try and treat every one of my kids the same. My 11 year old boy has way different needs than my 5 year old girl. On top of that, who they are and what they enjoy is completely different - so what does fair look like in that context? You will never succeed as a parent if you try and treat every kid the same "fair" way. More often than not, you don't do something for any of your kids because all is not possible. Too much money, too little enjoyment... whatever. What is right, is valuing each kid for who they are and what they like and meeting them at those junctures.
"Do to one what you can't do for all."
Stanley challenges the leader (and parent) to not let the fact that you can't so something for everyone hold you back from doing something for one. Make that person's day today, and aim for someone else the next day. Be in the moment with each conversation, each individual and the value will be huge.
To often I have been running on the value of fair and not the value of right. I gotta make a change. How about you? How are your values lining up?
I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley today. Pastor boy from North Point Community Church in Atalanta. His focus was the principle of "Do to one what you can't do for all." He reminded leaders that you cannot possibly do everything you want to for everyone in your staff. And he challenged the value of "fairness." Suggesting that "fairness" gets in the way of "rightness." I would fully agree. When we try and be fair, we de-value individuals. I struggle with this everyday in parenting. I fail when I try and treat every one of my kids the same. My 11 year old boy has way different needs than my 5 year old girl. On top of that, who they are and what they enjoy is completely different - so what does fair look like in that context? You will never succeed as a parent if you try and treat every kid the same "fair" way. More often than not, you don't do something for any of your kids because all is not possible. Too much money, too little enjoyment... whatever. What is right, is valuing each kid for who they are and what they like and meeting them at those junctures.
"Do to one what you can't do for all."
Stanley challenges the leader (and parent) to not let the fact that you can't so something for everyone hold you back from doing something for one. Make that person's day today, and aim for someone else the next day. Be in the moment with each conversation, each individual and the value will be huge.
To often I have been running on the value of fair and not the value of right. I gotta make a change. How about you? How are your values lining up?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
6 Things in my Brain Today
I must say, when your team is officially eliminated from the playoffs in November, it tends to leave a mark (which sometimes turns into a rash and that is just not good). On top of the mark and rash, you are tormented by friends and family alike for weeks. But you put up with it because they don't know you are secretly cheering for another team. It's not a happy cheer mind you, nooooo, not by a mile. I love cheering.
My bro-in-law flew these guys out from Vancouver to photograph his wedding. They are that good. Love the photo booth.
Monday and Tuesday were days that make you say, if I could I would buy this.
It's like the 80's just don't want to disappear. Maybe we really were coolish.
I kid you not... If you aren't careful this website will get you typing for hours.
You know you are getting old when you see a movie trailer for a tv show you used to watch and it is like infinitely better than the original, which makes you realize how pathetic tv show graphics were back in the day and also wonder how in the world acid wash jeans ever became a fad.
My bro-in-law flew these guys out from Vancouver to photograph his wedding. They are that good. Love the photo booth.
Monday and Tuesday were days that make you say, if I could I would buy this.
It's like the 80's just don't want to disappear. Maybe we really were coolish.
I kid you not... If you aren't careful this website will get you typing for hours.
You know you are getting old when you see a movie trailer for a tv show you used to watch and it is like infinitely better than the original, which makes you realize how pathetic tv show graphics were back in the day and also wonder how in the world acid wash jeans ever became a fad.
Castanet Classifieds Ad of the Week
This one is pretty tempting. For all you closet McDonald's lovers. Like seriously, does a Big Mac really taste that good? Like what exactly is in the special sauce? I am just asking.
McDonald's Pins & Hat
McDonald's Pins & Hat
Sunday, April 4, 2010
The Last week of Jesus
In any occupation, when you have a project to complete by a certain date, the enjoyment of the process can get lost very quickly. The completing becomes more important than the experiencing.
Sometimes when writing a sermon, it is no different. You can get lost in "just getting it done." As I endeavored to complete my task of writing a sermon for this weekend, oddly enough, it was the doing that get lost in the details. I was captured by the Passion Week. Jesus' last week on earth. As I read the words again, I found myself entering in. Smelling, feeling, seeing, hearing what was going on. Maybe you can too.
Jesus with his friends telling stories of tenants, sons, and hired hands. He spoke of wedding receptions, talents, wise and foolish young girls.
Telling his friends of his upcoming death.
Dealing with a mom who said "Jesus my boys need to be beside - they need to be elite!"
Giving blind men sight.
Walking from Jericho and entering Jerusalem to the accolades of a King.
Clearing his true home, the temple, of all that had gone wrong.
He spoke of how to pay your taxes and how to live love out:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Warned those in leadership, those who know better, not to lead others away from the truth.
Warned those who follow him to be careful not to be led away. He expressed to hiw followers not to spend time on predicting dates or times but to follow his lead.
He told a story of people who claim to know him but really don’t
He was blessed with an expensive gift of perfume by a woman
He was traded for 30 silver coins
He shared a special dinner with his friends. At that dinner Jesus told one of his closest friends, Peter, that although he has walked the last 3 years with Jesus, he would turn his back on him when it would hurt the most.
He prayed. He prayed hard enough to sweat blood while his friends slept.
He was handed over in a Garden
He healed a soldier
He watched his friends run away
He endured a fake trial
He spoke little
Peter disowned him.
He was mocked and tortured.
He was spit upon and hit
He walked a long road carrying his own means of death
His death a cross.
His clothes were stolen.
His hand nailed
His thirst unquenched
His side pierced with a sword
His mother was watching
A criminal dying beside him asked for life another mocked his death
He exclaimed it is finished.
The temple veil turn in two
He was buried
An angel appeared. An earthquake shock. A tomb empty. An Emmaus road walked. An upper room visited. Wounds touched, A doubter loved. His disciples commissioned. His victory over death secured. His return promised.
Hope for you and me given and guaranteed.
What a week.
Sometimes when writing a sermon, it is no different. You can get lost in "just getting it done." As I endeavored to complete my task of writing a sermon for this weekend, oddly enough, it was the doing that get lost in the details. I was captured by the Passion Week. Jesus' last week on earth. As I read the words again, I found myself entering in. Smelling, feeling, seeing, hearing what was going on. Maybe you can too.
Jesus with his friends telling stories of tenants, sons, and hired hands. He spoke of wedding receptions, talents, wise and foolish young girls.
Telling his friends of his upcoming death.
Dealing with a mom who said "Jesus my boys need to be beside - they need to be elite!"
Giving blind men sight.
Walking from Jericho and entering Jerusalem to the accolades of a King.
Clearing his true home, the temple, of all that had gone wrong.
He spoke of how to pay your taxes and how to live love out:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Warned those in leadership, those who know better, not to lead others away from the truth.
Warned those who follow him to be careful not to be led away. He expressed to hiw followers not to spend time on predicting dates or times but to follow his lead.
He told a story of people who claim to know him but really don’t
He was blessed with an expensive gift of perfume by a woman
He was traded for 30 silver coins
He shared a special dinner with his friends. At that dinner Jesus told one of his closest friends, Peter, that although he has walked the last 3 years with Jesus, he would turn his back on him when it would hurt the most.
He prayed. He prayed hard enough to sweat blood while his friends slept.
He was handed over in a Garden
He healed a soldier
He watched his friends run away
He endured a fake trial
He spoke little
Peter disowned him.
He was mocked and tortured.
He was spit upon and hit
He walked a long road carrying his own means of death
His death a cross.
His clothes were stolen.
His hand nailed
His thirst unquenched
His side pierced with a sword
His mother was watching
A criminal dying beside him asked for life another mocked his death
He exclaimed it is finished.
The temple veil turn in two
He was buried
An angel appeared. An earthquake shock. A tomb empty. An Emmaus road walked. An upper room visited. Wounds touched, A doubter loved. His disciples commissioned. His victory over death secured. His return promised.
Hope for you and me given and guaranteed.
What a week.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Mmmm... ulcers
I have another Corneal Ulcer. Lovely.
Just in case you were wondering..
From Wikipedia:
A corneal ulcer, or ulcerative keratitis, or eyesore is an inflammatory or more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma.
Thought you would like a picture too.
Just in case you were wondering..
From Wikipedia:
A corneal ulcer, or ulcerative keratitis, or eyesore is an inflammatory or more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma.
Thought you would like a picture too.
Friday, April 2, 2010
VHF - Friday is Here
We are showing this video in our weekend services this Easter Weekend. I think it is a perfect fit for VHF. Listen. Experience. Think.
Sorry, I have been trying to upload this puppy all day (hence the post delay). So have to watch it through this link.
Sorry, I have been trying to upload this puppy all day (hence the post delay). So have to watch it through this link.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Bad and the Good
THE BAD
Really? So this is what the gospel comes down to. This is the best way these church going folk figured they could express to the world that they love Jesus. I wonder what they would have picketed about to the criminal hanging beside Jesus on the cross when Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Considering their lifestyle choices, I wonder what their idea of love would have been to many of Jesus' family tree - Rahab, Issac, David, Uzziah, Tamar. I wonder how many times you have to use the word "hate" before people realize it's love. I wonder if Albert Snyder, the father of the soldier whose funeral was picketed, will ever be able to erase the image "God is your enemy" from his psyche. I sadly wonder.
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
I wonder if I create barriers in my life instead of bridges for people to meet Jesus. I wonder if I harbour prejudices, opinions and perceptions about people who need to experience the love of Jesus and not the hurtful expression of an opposing value. I wonder if I love more than I hate. I wonder if the fruit of my spirit is more evident than the Spirits fruit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
I wonder.
THE GOOD
Carlos Whittaker blogs on his site Ragamuffin Soul. One of his recent offerings went viral and is pretty sweet. Probably cause I can relate to my kids loving the song "Single Ladies" just as much as his. Oh Beyonce. He was recently featured on The Today Show and CBS because of it. Check it out.
Really? So this is what the gospel comes down to. This is the best way these church going folk figured they could express to the world that they love Jesus. I wonder what they would have picketed about to the criminal hanging beside Jesus on the cross when Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in paradise."
Considering their lifestyle choices, I wonder what their idea of love would have been to many of Jesus' family tree - Rahab, Issac, David, Uzziah, Tamar. I wonder how many times you have to use the word "hate" before people realize it's love. I wonder if Albert Snyder, the father of the soldier whose funeral was picketed, will ever be able to erase the image "God is your enemy" from his psyche. I sadly wonder.
"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
I wonder if I create barriers in my life instead of bridges for people to meet Jesus. I wonder if I harbour prejudices, opinions and perceptions about people who need to experience the love of Jesus and not the hurtful expression of an opposing value. I wonder if I love more than I hate. I wonder if the fruit of my spirit is more evident than the Spirits fruit... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
I wonder.
THE GOOD
Carlos Whittaker blogs on his site Ragamuffin Soul. One of his recent offerings went viral and is pretty sweet. Probably cause I can relate to my kids loving the song "Single Ladies" just as much as his. Oh Beyonce. He was recently featured on The Today Show and CBS because of it. Check it out.
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