The Heart of the Matter

(Disclaimer: In the following post, the word "church" should be read with the negative connotations associated with the word in recent history. In this post, "church" refers to those sub-cultural, aggravating, disheartening intricacies associated with many establishments.)

I was reflecting the other day on various experiences that I have had over the past couple of years. If you've talked to me much at all, you realize that my church experiences have not been the most positive ones over the past several years. Furthermore, this has cause somewhat of a cynicism to arise which has lead me to distrust and discount much of the established hierarchal system which we call "church". As I was contemplating all of this while reclining on my "thinking chair", I had a thought which would alarm me, aggravate me and cause a certain amount of conviction. This is the thought, somewhat edited because I can't really remember it verbatim. "I can take myself out of "church" (see disclaimer), but.... can I take the "church" out of me?"

So I realized, that in all my analyzing and critiquing of the speck (lets be real... its larger than a speck... but I'll go with it anyway... lol) in the eye of the "church", I have actually looked right past the same looking plank in my own eye. I'll admit, I have responded ungenerously to the ungenerousness of "church". When confronted with hate and ignorance, I have responded with anger (not righteous indignation, mind you) and negative criticism. I have seen intolerance and responded likewise. In other words, I have seen the "church" out there, but looked past the "church" inside. How often are we like that? Perhaps there is a better way.

What to call ourselves...

Some of you have offered new names for the Christian life. There are those who would like to refer to being Christian more in terms of following Jesus than assuming some "Christianity" based culture, for various reasons. Others would like to refer to it as "The Way" or something else kinda ancient-groovy like that. Well, I think I have found the solution...no, I know I have found the solution. I saw this sign for a church in New Orleans that has the "end-of-discussion" answer to the name question. I took a picture to prove it:



"THE WAY JESUS CHRIST CHRISTIAN CHURCH!"

There it is my friends!!! That is the name we should all adopt, from this point on... no more worrying about what to call ourselves... we finally have a solution. You are welcome.

First Look!

Hope and I had a doctor visit today and we got our first look at our new baby. We still don't know what gender the baby is... but regardless, I'm really excited about the new addition to our lil' family.

Words to Ponder from Odd Places, edition 1

I've decided to start my own series... Words to Ponder from Odd Places; this is the first edition. The words today come from a grunge-era band known to many as the band that saved rock music. I don't know that I would go that far, but I do believe it would be difficult to over-estimate the value of Nirvana in the grand scope of things. These words come to us from the Nevermind album, released (I believe) in 1991. The song is Lithium. Ponder these words from this... Odd place:



LITHIUM

I'm so happy 'cause today i found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly
That's okay 'cause so are you
We've broken our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all i care
And i'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause i found God

Yeah, yeah, yeah (x6)
Yeah!

I'm so lonely, that's okay, i shaved my head
And i'm not sad
And just maybe i'm to blame for all i've heard
But i'm not sure
I'm so excited, i can't wait to meet you there
And i don't care
I'm so horny, that's okay my will is good

Yeah, yeah, yeah (x6)
Yeah!

I like it... i'm not gonna crack
I miss you... i'm not gonna crack
I love you... i'm not gonna crack
I kill you... i'm not gonna crack
I like it... i'm not gonna crack
I miss you... i'm not gonna crack
I love you... i'm not gonna crack
I kill you... i'm not gonna crack

I'm so happy 'cause today i found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, but that's okay 'cause so are you
We've broken our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all i care
And i'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze 'cause i found god!

Yeah, yeah, yeah (x6)
Yeah!

I like it... (repeat above lines)

Confession!

I have a confession to make.... I'm a reality tv fan! Not all reality tv... mainly just some of the main shows. In particular, I like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser, Wife Swap, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition... and the upcoming UNAN1MOUS (which is going to be awesome... all those people in one room making a decision about who will get 1.5 million, and they have to decide unanimously... awesome). Anyway, here's my AI update. Last night, the right people got kicked off. Heather and Brenna needed to go; so did David and Sway. Here's the top list... in no particular order. Guys: Taylor, Chris and Elliot are by far the best in the competition. Elliot is THE singer, bottomline. Taylor is the most original and Chris has the total package... voice and marketability. Girls: Paris is an awesome singer and you just can't help but like Mandisa. Other than that... I don't reallly see anybody else really making it. Kathleen McPhee can sing, I just don't think she has that star quality. Ace Young is incredibly appealing to the girls, and could make a long run on that alone. Kellie Pickler is cute... sorta, but the cal-a-mar-i thing can only take her so far... she just isn't that good of a singer. Anyway... I'm sure I've offended many people by not mentioning their person... oh well.