Too often people enter “church” thinking they have to be something spiritual, different, plastic than how they are in real life. Jesus offers so much morethan a religious experience in the segment of one day a week at a given location. Does this look familiar to you?
I hate it when this happens. You get so caught up in what you’re doing from week to week you fail to realize someone’s been a part of the tribe for weeks, if not months — or even years…
May I offer an apology in advance to anyone I may have overlooked as part of our tribe? Welcome to you all! I look forward to getting to know each of you better!
Got a tip today about Christian humor site Stuff Christians Like. It’s similar to the popular Stuff White People Like and written as a tongue-in-cheek but brutally honest look at the Christian Bubble — from a PK’s point of view.
“From Chick-fil-a to youth pastors with goatees and bald worship leaders, author Prodigal Jon writes in a refreshing and totally humorous manner.”
After browsing the site some of the things make me wonder if I should laugh or cry because it’s so true. Take for instance #134:
#134. Witnessing to people that don’t believe in the Bible using the Bible.
This one is just cuckoo, but I promise it happens. I have some friends that if you open the door to hear about God or Jesus or Faith with them will immediately turn to the Bible to prove that all of the three mentioned subjects are true and good and worth giving your life to. The problem is that some people just don’t believe in the Bible. At all. So here is what those conversations tend to look like:
Christian friend:
“It’s a cliche to see it on signs at football games, but the message of John 3:16 is still a gift that holds true for all of us.”Non Christian friend:
“That’s cool, but I don’t believe in the Bible.”Christian friend:
“What do you mean? Which part?”Non Christian friend:
“The words part.”Christian friend:
“What?”Non Christian friend:
“I don’t believe in it. I don’t think it’s the word of God or some sort of holy truth.”Christian friend:
(Awkward silence.) “OK, but in Romans it says …”Clearly this isn’t how all my friends or all Christians are. But, if your Bible is the only outward expression or explanation of your faith then the minute you meet someone that does not believe in it you’ve hit a serious wall. It’s like trying to tell someone that lived their whole life in the desert how deep the ocean is and how many animals live in it. They don’t even believe in the concept of salt water, never mind the miracle of oceanic life. You’ve got to live it. You have to be the ocean and express your life in such a way that even if all they’ve seen are sandstorms for the last twenty years, when they’re around you, they can’t help but start to hear the waves.
A few other ones of interest:
#128. Throwing stuff away out of guilt. Buying it again later.
#130. Praying at people.
#120. Evangelism tools.
Heather and I were atthe wedding rehearsal last night for Randy E. Cox and Sheila Palmer. We had a great time before the rehearsal with their friends and family at Bucca di Beppo. Great Italian food!
Afterwards we went to the country club for the wedding rehearsal. As everyone was gathering, a woman asked me if I was in charge. I quickly assured her I was not. I was there to have a small part in the ceremony. The woman’s response was, “Oh I thought you were. You look like someone with an old soul.”
What! What does that mean? Best I could tell, I was on the younger side of most of the people there. I had Heather with me so I know I had to look somewhat younger. I wasn’t wearing my usual fare of jeans, but still! The woman could tell I was still processing her comment. She apologetically tried to assure me that it was a term of respect, a recognition of wisdom, a compliment.
I have never heard of someone having an “old soul”. Maybe it is a good thing. As I trimmed my beard this morning to keep the gray hairs hidden,that’s what I kept telling myself.
