Being nice is more than just nice!

Earlier this week I came across an atheist’s blog. Needless to say, it, like so many other atheist sites, did not defend the idea of “no God” as much as it just criticized and belittled Christianity. In fact his exact words about his blog were as follows “This blog should interest those who are questioning their faith in irrational belief systems and those who have already freed themselves from such silliness.”  However, his blog entry caught my attention because of my research for my most recent sermon on Kindness.

Where is your heart?

I know it has been a while since I last posted.  About two months ago I was given not one, but two other churches!  So for those who are keeping track, that gives me 3 churches.  I have been kept very busy to say the least.

I often wonder, “why am I doing this?”  With three churches, meetings to attend, people to visit, sermons to write, ministries to facilitate, I often wonder how I am able to keep up with it all.

The Value of Friendship

I have, in the past few months, found an overwhelming urge to develop more and better friendships.  You see, I am a horrible friend.  I believe it may be due to my extreme “housing instability”.  Since I have been married (15 years), I have moved 12 times, to 5 different states and 2 different countries.  This has created a habit of finding friends and then, when we moved, losing touch quickly.

Only a matter of time…

Well, it has finally happened.  I am so thrilled (very sarcastic here) that our government has chosen to “protect” the the “right’s” of the individual.  If you have not yet heard, the house passed the “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 - H.R.1913”  with a vote of 249-175.  In this bill we will be able to Federally prosecute individuals who commit hate crimes “based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of the victim or is a violation of the state, local, or tribal hate crime laws”.  

Here is my concern.  If I preach on adultery, fornication or even homosexuality in a way that “offends” someone, would/could I be arrested and charged with this?  Answer: YES!!  According to reports “Religious leaders or members of religious groups may be prosecuted criminally based on their speech or other protected activity.”

One more thing… Who voted for this? 231 Democrats and 18 Republicans voted Yes; 17 Democrats and 158 Republicans voted No.

Where has the Time Gone?

It has been forever since I have blogged last.  I just found it extremely difficult since beginning in January I challenged my church to read through the Bible in 90 days.  So since they were doing it, I felt compelled to do it as well.  and I must say, I thought it was wonderful.

The season of Lent

Ok, I don’t know why but I always seem so busy at this time of the year.  Sure we are leading up to a major Christian holiday and all with Easter, but I almost feel like it is busier now than during Christmas.  Maybe it is the idea that spring is coming and so there is a lot of planning for us as we look to come out of “hibernation” and begin to move ministries outside of the church.

In the next few months our church will have our VBS, we will also be serving at a food pantry (not associated with our church, we just like to help), Kelly and I will be leading a week long Church Camp (which we are in the process of writing curriculum).  After all this, we still have things that we work at in our community.  So, for me, things are seeming very hectic.  But I hope to become more consistent in the very near future.  In the mean time, why not leave some comments on what you or your church has planned this summer?  I can’t wait to hear.