I like Jesus...not the church

Eye catching title to an article recently published in Outreach Mag.

Here is the link

The article says that these are the top perceptions of how 20 & 30 somethings view the church today:

1) The Church is an organized religion with a political agenda.

2) The Church is judgmental and negative.

3) The Church is dominated by males and oppresses females.

4) The Church is homophobic.

5) The Church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong.

6) The Church is full of fundamentalists who take the whole Bible literally


I wonder if people in my town have this same perception of my church?? I wonder what I could do to change that perception?? Are these perceptions legit?? Something to ponder huh...


The article, which I recommend reading, closes with this statement that I completely agree with:

"May those who like Jesus but not the Church understand the Jesus of the Bible and the full, wonderful life that His life, death and resurrection bring. And may they move from liking Jesus to loving Him, and from not liking the Church to loving it."

A first

Yesterday, Elizabeth Anne spent the afternoon at Day Care for the first time. Mom was not thrilled.

I picked her up anticipating the ladies to tell me how Elizabeth Anne wore them out and to please take her...

But she slept the whole time and was a perfect baby!

That's my girl!

Lesson Recap!

This morning was my first time back in Sunday School since the end of Jan. It felt good to be back and see everyone. Here is the lesson recap:

We discussed Luke 9:10-17.

Picture woodstock without the bands... this was the scene. There were probably 10,000 men, women, and children spread out all over the hillside just to see and hear Jesus.

Late in the day, they realized there was no food - and Jesus looked at his team of 12 and said, "You feed them!" Of all ways to feed the people, Jesus took that route. Why? He could have snapped his fingers and made everyone a Big Mac right then. But why say to his team.."You feed them"?

Well...maybe it's because he wanted them to participate in the work he was doing. He wanted them to serve, talk to, and feed all these people.

And nothing has changed. Jesus wants us to participate in his work. He could snap his fingers and serve, talk to, and feed everyone in this world if he wanted. But he doesn't take that route. He says to us...."You feed them."

The question is: Will we just sit there and say, "Impossible"??? Or will we try to serve, talk to, and feed others? Only one of these decisions allows you to participate in the work of God. Don't miss out!

Spring Practice Begins!

Well, it's here. Football practice has started for Bama.

Here is a video link of the 1st day.

Can't wait!!!

It's been awhile...

Sorry it has been a couple of weeks since my last post. Here are a couple of things I have learned over the last two weeks:

1) Having a new baby is sooooo much harder than you ever think it will be. No sleep, No idea why she cries, no personal time, NO SLEEP.... But, when you look down and see your little girl, it is worth every bit of the daily sacrifices Lauran and I make.

2) Saying that, I had a couple of days free while Lauran and Elizabeth Anne visited family. I discovered the virtual world Second Life. LifeChurch.tv has a virtual church campus on second life, so I figured I would visit. It is pretty amazing, and I honestly see it as a mission field. There are roughly 5 million people in Second Life, and I would say 80-90% non-Christian. A whole new world worth visiting, but be careful as many places are rated mature.

3) Elizabeth Anne has some serious hair!

Random Thought

Something hit me out of the blue yesterday:

Not that I was a new Dad. Not that I have a wonderful wife and new baby. Not that I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams.

None of that.

I was sitting there, looking at Elizabeth Anne and thought....

I am going to have to pay for a wedding on day and it is going to cost way too much!

Dream

Sorry about the Chuck Norris post below, I just had a junior high moment there.

Last night I had a funny dream. I was holding Elizabeth Anne. She looks up at me and then her first words are spoken:

She says confidently..."I really am a beautiful girl aren't I."

It was at that moment I woke up and realized I am in a heap of trouble.

Chuck Norris

If Chuck Norris hits you, it will kill you. If he misses, the wind created by his miss will give you Pneumonia and you will die anyway.

Incredible editing

This is pretty cool. The guy doing this has no clue how to play.

Growth Spurt

Elizabeth Anne has gained 6 ounces in 4 days!

This is the equivalent of me gaining 8 pounds in 4 days - which considering the way I have been eating lately may not be too far fetched.

I had a conversation with her yesterday that went something like this:

Hey sweet girl...

I WANT FOOD!

Let's try to take a nap..

I WANT FOOD!

How about I rock you some...

FOOD!!!

Maybe you and Daddy can listen to Mr. Turtle sing...

FOOD!! FOOD!! FOOD!!

Maybe Daddy will sing you a song before it's time to eat...

WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!