Venting - As Controversial As It Will Get

People have said (I think they were joking), you need to make your blog more controversial, then more people would read it. There are many reasons why I don't. One is that I would get in trouble at world headquarters (I understand why). Another is that, believe it or not, I am just not that type of person. I am not in peoples' grill every day. I am capable, I have done it in the past, but day in day out, that is not who I am. When I do it, I lose ground most every time.

Today, through, I am going to address an increasing epidemic that may make this my most controversial entry ever (post #94). Another reason I don't call people out on my blog is that it is absolutely gutless. Using public media to act really smart about other peoples' lives and intentions shows no courage.

In fact, if you are criticising people without first attempting to address them, privately, then you are not following the book (Matt. 18) we preach and argue so passionately about. Get a spine and go to the people you are so bothered by. At least attempt to see them. Do you care enough to personally confront? Not only does that show a commitment to Biblical values, but there is an outside shot you might be right. Then, you are doing the compassionate thing, too.

We defend the Bible like rabid dogs, yet seldom live it. Particularly the hard parts. The parts that take courage to follow. Hey, I understand. Been there, done that. And will do it again.

God help us to be more personally accountable for our own behavior. It is not them, they need to, why do they? . . . Instead it should be, we, us, our, me. The QBQ. How will I live? Behave? Treat my family? Serve God in my church? Make a difference in the lives of my neighbors? You see, when it comes to personal accountability, it is ALL ABOUT ME.

Great visit to Camden yesterday to one of my new favorite spots (they need wireless - wait that was gutless, I will talk to them face to face), Carolina Cafe. Bill Drees, DoM in Kershaw County gets it, bottom line. Great coaching conversation and other stuff from world headquarters. Off to hang out with movement makers again today. Finished Spidey III last night. Enjoying Transformation by Bob Roberts, a last minute add in to the bag. Also, the novel, A Pagan's Nightmare. Funny book but the plot is taking too much time to develop. Opps, sorry, I need to tell that to Ray Blackston, the author. He lives in Greenville.

Flight of the Bumble Bee

Everyone, with the exception of the bumble bee himself, knows that a bumble bee can't fly. The wings, body-size, etc. does not permit flight. But wait, yes it does. Is that how you feel about yourself today? Your situation? Maybe a little wind draft from the plans, purposes, and power from God will get you going!

Fellowship of Praise reminds me of the bumble bee. This group of people from Santee, S.C. was a crew of well meaning Christ-followers. I met them first at a church and preached for them at a barbecue restaurant. I think there was around 25-30 people. Many life change stories later and almost four years . . . the bumble bee flys over Santee -- 150 people with great passion to make a difference for the Kingdom.

The River Church in Camden reminds me of the bumble bee. We were so close to giving up three years ago. I spoke to 150 people yesterday in Camden, most of them previously unchurched. It may not look pretty when you look at the picture. But there is always hope when God is involved. More is possible than you are thinking.

Since I have rooted for the other team my winning percentage of my real teams have soared to almost 90%. Another defeated, undefeated weekend. So I come out early for the Arkansas Razorbacks and St. Louis Rams. Evan Almighty and Spidey III was a part of my weekend. So were three wonderful ladies. More coming on those two movies. Both are keepers.

My time for the 5K in Spring Valley was 27.12. I came 103rd out of 100. It seems that a very old man with a walking stick, and two stray dogs, one who walked with a limp, got in the race without registering. Bummer. World headquarters today.

Confessions II - Things that Scare Me Worse Than Halloween

1. Churches that get warm fuzzies over who showed up on Sunday instead of those who did not . . . 77 % of South Carolina's residents will not be in church this Sunday.

2. The rapidly aging leadership base in many of our SBC churches in South Carolina. Could tomorrow for the SBC body of Christ be literally dying before our eyes?

3. Our sense of self-importance. We all suffer from momentary lapses. Bottom line, we are no where near as good as we would like to think. I remember that every time I get the courage to listen to my own sermon cd's.

4. The way we communicate. When 61% of our people are functionally illiterate why do we keep communicating in our churches like they are seminaries? I discovered another reason why some of our contemporary churches are doing so well - creative communication of the Gospel message. Slides, pictures, clips, stories, popular culture illustrations . . . Why? Because it is easier to understand for the common man.

5. None of us understand the QBQ (Question behind the Question) which is What am I going to do about it? I am part of the problem. I am part of the solution. I am personally responsible before God for this mess. Lord, bend me. Lord, bend the church, save the world!

Lexington Baptist deacons last night; Fellowship of Praise (great story btw) building dedication and a 5K run in the Northeast on Saturday; my friends at The River in Camden, Sunday. BTW since I have been cheering for the opposition, my teams have won 75% of their games. So . . . go Jags and Rajun Cajuns!

Ramblings of a Former Devil

Halloween doesn't scare me like it once did. I am not sure if that's good or bad. When I was a kid, growing up in East Tennessee, I was an avid trick-or-treat participant. My first costume I remember was of Old Slewfoot. Yeah, that's right, I dressed as the devil. I can't say for sure that an eight-year-old, future preacher, dressed like Satan, trying to intimidate the neighbors for candy, was harmless.

Yvette wonders if I have recovered. I still dig the old devil mask out to terrify her with my rants. I don't have my childhood mask. I am talking about the metaphorical mask www.dictionary.com/. I know that is a bit deep. I feel much better now that blog readers know my secret.

I took Abby and Owen (my two-year-old rock star grandson) trick-or-treating in my neighborhood last night. My favorite son-in-law, David was with us. Owen was dressed in an army uniform, Abby was a bat. I was dressed in Uncle Tom's Philadephia Eagles sweatshirt. Brian Plyler thought I would make a great Ghandi. I resisted his advice.

I understand the roots of Halloween. I have old sermon outlines that exposes the evil. I am different now. Krista (21) never went trick-or-treating much. Evil is nothing to be joked about. That is the way I felt then. My mind has not changed. I am not smarter. I just rank other forms of evil a greater problem.

Since the evil in our hearts is much more subtle, I think the damage can be far greater. I can bluff my way into places because I look like (generally speaking of course) a person, not a devil. I will walk right in the door of my home. I will walk in the office at work and no one will notice. I will blame others for my short comings and use my position to manipulate. I will hurt people, deeply, and not even know it. Even with my best intentions.

Self-awarness is a bit of a buzz term around me now. Are you? Self-aware? Do you know the damage you might cause today? The people you might hurt. Open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see me. Scary. Really Scary. Please Lord, may I walk with you and understand my potential for evil today. Remind me of the metaphorical devil mask in my heart.

Tough day in Columbia yesterday. Sinus infection. Too many rants from me and around me. Today will be better at world headquarters. Jim Slack will remind us of important things.