like a fire

Grant tells a great story about what happens when people stop being nice and start being real - Christians. Definitely read this story.

What I like so much about stories like this one is that they tell you a lot about church leadership. I hear a story like this probably once a week and think, “Man, that was great. I wished I was there for that.” Yet often I never show up that way myself. It takes guts to live outside the norm and frankly, I was raised better.

I was raised that you don’t buck the system and where I did I always paid the price. I was raised not only to wear clothes outside always, but wear certain clothes and always a belt (even though I rarely follow the latter). But what if we paid the price AND could see how it effected others. What if when you feel your worst because of something you have done outside the norm, you also see how it impacted people for eternity.

That would be interesting worship. Telling our stories and God telling how it was part of His plan to redeem those moments.

Just a thought.

Four Things
I have seen this on some other sites and thought it was a great idea, so here goes…

4 jobs you have had in your life:
< < Teacher - I used to be a band director of a very small school. I really loved it because I got to work with kids a lot and music at the same time. I would probably still be doing this if not for being able to share my faith as openly as I would like. And that time I was in a shoving match with a very belligerent student.

<< Sporting Goods Clerk - I also used to work at a couple of sports stores that mostly sold shoes. Yeah, I can fix your supination problems all day long. My favorite part of the job was when people would call in wondering if we had that “nike air” and I could say, “Yes we have about 50 versions in stock. Were you looking for a particaular style?” and they would say, “Uh… Yeah, the red one.”

<< I also used to play in a bunch of rock bands. I was just kind of a hired gun, but is was great being able to do that.

<< I now work for a church as a youth guy. This is definitely the best fit for my life and I will probably die in youth ministry. Hopefully not too soon.

4 goals you’ve set for this year:
I never sit down and actually right out goals, but I think of them all the time. I’m very goal driven.

<< I want to write a book on Process Ministry (hopefully published).

<< I want to recruit 12 new volunteers for next year and get 1 more intern.

<< This is so cliche, but I would like to get into the 185 lb range. Not just for looks. I actually get tired of lugging all this extra stuff around and somehow I think if I lose another 10 lbs that I will feel like I did when I was 16.

<< I want to love my job in such a way that I have plenty of time for it and my family. That means being able to let it go more.

4 movies you could watch over and over:

<< Bambi, of course. I love that movie. (Yes, I’m serious)

<< Shawshank Redemption

<< Blade Runner

<< The Mission

4 places you have lived:

<< Millbrook, AL - I grew up there and always wanted to get out but now could live there pretty happily.

<< Nashville, TN - Again, didn’t like ti much when I was there (couldn’t find a church not given over to CCM) but could probably live there now. Definitely the best place to eat.

<< Butler, PA - The epicenter of the universe and a great place to live if you like snow and perogies. I still visit when I can.

<< Orlando, FL - Hot, hot, hot and sandy and expensive and… well… at least you can’t smoke in the resteraunts. Great for the prog sort.

4 TV shows you love to watch:

<< Lost - I’m addicted

<< The Biggest Loser - at least there is some redemption in it

<< Surface - It has some of the best acting I have seen on TV. A lot of people don’t know this, but the monsters in it aren’t real and the actors have to “pretend” that they exist in the scenes with them. Very hard to do

<< House - Everyone loves hating a jerk

4 places you have been on vacation:

<< Vacation? What’s that?

<< I have actually been on a couple of cruises (carribean and bermuda) and they were lots of fun.

4 websites you visit daily:

<< Yahoo.com - for weather

<< whiteafrican.com - always great stuff from me buddy, Hash.

<< holdingoutforgrace.com - another of my peeps

<< thecatbirdseat (cathy.likeafire.net)

4 of your favorite foods:

<< Cornbread and Limas - It sounds disgusting, and maybe it is, but this is my favorite meal.

<< Crock Pot Roast - This is also really great, especially on Sunday for lunch.

<< Tollhouse ChocolatChip Cookies - My wife makes the best.

<< Dr. Pepper - It’s a food group, right?

4 places you’d rather be right now:

<< In Bed - I have a cold

<< Butler, PA - Even though it’s cold, I really loved living there. Miss the people.

<< Columbia, SC - IMO the best little town.

<< Auburn, AL - The second in the race for best little town.

4 people I’m tagging to do this:

<< Erik - My best friend

<< Ande - The funniest person I know

<< Cathy - My other best friend

<< You - If your reading it, it’s a good idea

Whew, I think I’m finished.

Ship of Fools: Biblical curse generator I have wished for this often and now have found it from the guys over at shipoffools. That’s right, whenever you are insulted and feel righteously indignant, just browse over to this site and find the right curse to call down on others. Curses like:

“I pray thou shalt beget difficult teenagers, O ye denizen of the underworld!”

and

“Hear this, thou armpit of Satan, for you will be as welcome as a fart in the queen’s bedchamber!”

Never again will you be found without the correct rebuke. Tip: memorize these for your next youth event.

Youthwork and more youthwork the yoofwork.co.uk way If you are new to ministry and especially if you are old in ministry, LOOK AT THIS SITE. It has everything you have always wanted to say in ministry. I quote from the sample parents letter for a retreat:

Dear Ungrateful whinge bags.

PZZB (as the youth group of “International Church of Jesus and his many Angels and the Holy Trinity of God the Father - Amen Church.”) are proud to announce a youth weekend away, for your spoilt brats!

Lots of fun and somewhat therapeutic

Church Marketing Sucks: Experience Church, Stripped Down This a great article about what is most important. I am not advocating selling the building and stripping it down to nothing, but it is good to be reminded that the people working as the body of Christ is the most important thing that the church does. Personally, I like all that we do to make our churches great places. In fact, I don’t think we go far enough. But all that means nothing without a group of people committed to God.