There are many things in life that we do not expect. The untimely death of a 46 year old friend is one of them. On Friday, a long time friend of Woods Chapel, Sonia Clogston, had a heart attack and died.
She was an employee of DFS and a tireless worker and advocate for children. She was kind and friendly. Woods Chapel was more than a place that helped her care for children. This was her church home.
Please pray for her two sons and her parents. Please join me in thanking God for all that she was and all that she did. She will be missed by so many.
Please never take life for granted. Every day that we live is a gift from our Father.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
pray for rain
I regularly get the request. Pray for rain, Pastor! Pray for warmer weather. Pray for cooler weather. Pray for it to be more to our liking.
My answer is always the same. "I am in sales, not management."
As a member of the good Lord's sales force, it is my job, my opportunity to invite others to know and follow him regardless of the circumstances. Since I am not in management, I must leave the big decisions to Him.
What about your relationship with God? Are you in sales or management? How does our relationship with God's world change, depending on an understanding of us being in sales or management?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
My answer is always the same. "I am in sales, not management."
As a member of the good Lord's sales force, it is my job, my opportunity to invite others to know and follow him regardless of the circumstances. Since I am not in management, I must leave the big decisions to Him.
What about your relationship with God? Are you in sales or management? How does our relationship with God's world change, depending on an understanding of us being in sales or management?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, July 8, 2011
this is my country
Someone was dogging America the other day. Someone younger than I am, that maybe has not read the history or lived through so much of the great stuff.
They were asking me what good has America done. I told them, a lot. We talked back and forth. I think that there are many wonderful things that America has done. Some very Christian things. Here is the start of my list. Can you add to it?
we have created a country where everyone can worship as they please
it took a while, but we ended slavery
we welcomed Irish immigrants during the potato famine in the 1800's
we rebuilt Europe after WW2
we have sent and do send foreign aid all over the world.
the innovations and technology created in this country have revolutionized the world.
Please add to the list.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
They were asking me what good has America done. I told them, a lot. We talked back and forth. I think that there are many wonderful things that America has done. Some very Christian things. Here is the start of my list. Can you add to it?
we have created a country where everyone can worship as they please
it took a while, but we ended slavery
we welcomed Irish immigrants during the potato famine in the 1800's
we rebuilt Europe after WW2
we have sent and do send foreign aid all over the world.
the innovations and technology created in this country have revolutionized the world.
Please add to the list.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
what is old was once new
The shoes that I put on today are 12 years old. They have been resoled twice. They fit my foot like a glove. I can't imagine not having them. But, there was once a time when they were new, different and stiff. My feet hurt anytime I wore them. My self esteem questioned whether or not they were a good fit for me. But, that is all in the past now, I never think about those times, I just always put on "my" shoes and enjoy them.
Everything that we are comfortable with now, was once brand new, innovative and uncomfortable. The ideas seemed preposterous at the time. Sell our church and move to the highway. Have church in a hospital. Start a contemporary service. Go to four services on Sunday morning. Each of those ideas and many more, we have grown comfortable with. What was once new and frightening, is now accepted and the norm, the familiar, the shoe that fits.
And so the moral of the story is this- when you see a change on the horizon, when you see a paradigm shift coming, it will always feel like a new pair of shoes. For a while. Give it time. Focus on the goals of the change, not the discomfort that you may feel. Take joy in the new and celebrate that we are not simply reaching for the oxygen masks as a congregation.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Everything that we are comfortable with now, was once brand new, innovative and uncomfortable. The ideas seemed preposterous at the time. Sell our church and move to the highway. Have church in a hospital. Start a contemporary service. Go to four services on Sunday morning. Each of those ideas and many more, we have grown comfortable with. What was once new and frightening, is now accepted and the norm, the familiar, the shoe that fits.
And so the moral of the story is this- when you see a change on the horizon, when you see a paradigm shift coming, it will always feel like a new pair of shoes. For a while. Give it time. Focus on the goals of the change, not the discomfort that you may feel. Take joy in the new and celebrate that we are not simply reaching for the oxygen masks as a congregation.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
illegal
I was out to lunch with some pastors the other day and the topic of illegal immigration came up. One of the people at the lunch said something like, "Before you all mount up on your high horses, I want to let you know that I am part native American. To us, all of you are illegal immigrants."
I paused to think. Nobody said anything else on the topic. Sometimes issues aren't as easy to figure out as I wished they were.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I paused to think. Nobody said anything else on the topic. Sometimes issues aren't as easy to figure out as I wished they were.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
reincarnation
Someone asked that I write about reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that when we die, we return to life as a person again or as an animal or insect. These cycles continue until we "get it right" and enter heaven.
Reincarnation is an idea that although uncommon in the west, is very common in the east. Not all eastern ideas are bad, but in my opinion, this is not a good one.
For one, the math just doesn't add up. Think of the world's population in 500 AD, 1000 AD, 2011, and one hundred years from now. There are more and more people, so I guess that there must be fewer animals and insects. If you follow my logic. It just doesn't add up.
Another problem with reincarnation is that instead of seeing the animal world as here for our benefit, many cultures will not kill animals or insects for fear that they are killing someone's relative. Consequently, people in such cultures suffer from insect born disease and hunger.
Ultimately, I don't see how the concept of reincarnation fits at all with my understanding of the Christian faith. The scriptures say, it is given to man once to die, and then the judgement. Hebrews 9:27. This simply means to me that this is our chance, in this life to recognize and respond to God or not. After death, we are judged and we spend eternity in the place that God has prepared for those that love him, or in the place that God has prepared for those who are selfish and perfer not to love God.
So, thats my take on reincarnation.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Reincarnation is an idea that although uncommon in the west, is very common in the east. Not all eastern ideas are bad, but in my opinion, this is not a good one.
For one, the math just doesn't add up. Think of the world's population in 500 AD, 1000 AD, 2011, and one hundred years from now. There are more and more people, so I guess that there must be fewer animals and insects. If you follow my logic. It just doesn't add up.
Another problem with reincarnation is that instead of seeing the animal world as here for our benefit, many cultures will not kill animals or insects for fear that they are killing someone's relative. Consequently, people in such cultures suffer from insect born disease and hunger.
Ultimately, I don't see how the concept of reincarnation fits at all with my understanding of the Christian faith. The scriptures say, it is given to man once to die, and then the judgement. Hebrews 9:27. This simply means to me that this is our chance, in this life to recognize and respond to God or not. After death, we are judged and we spend eternity in the place that God has prepared for those that love him, or in the place that God has prepared for those who are selfish and perfer not to love God.
So, thats my take on reincarnation.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Monday, July 4, 2011
scam
I hear about scams on the radio. They never happen to people I know. Until last week. There is something that has come in vogue with some young people that you need to know about. Young people can get into some very interesting things. When I was a kid you could sniff glue. Over the years i have watch fads of shoplifting, graffiti, car surfing, and the list goes on.
Well there is a scam that some young people are running. They call up one of their "friends." Acquaintances really, maybe someone that you met a few times at a party. You are facebook friends. They call up with some convincing story about how they need help with a check.
Since you are kind, and you want to be their friend, you consider helping them. If you do deposit the check and give them the money, in a few days you will find out that the check is bad and this person is not a friend.
There are a few young people in our area that are doing this. Don't allow your teens or young adults to fall for it. The results can be painful.
As I walk through this experience with my family, I am appreciative of the Christian character that resides within my family, our friends, and our church. There are a few people out there that could benefit from some lessons in Christian character.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Well there is a scam that some young people are running. They call up one of their "friends." Acquaintances really, maybe someone that you met a few times at a party. You are facebook friends. They call up with some convincing story about how they need help with a check.
Since you are kind, and you want to be their friend, you consider helping them. If you do deposit the check and give them the money, in a few days you will find out that the check is bad and this person is not a friend.
There are a few young people in our area that are doing this. Don't allow your teens or young adults to fall for it. The results can be painful.
As I walk through this experience with my family, I am appreciative of the Christian character that resides within my family, our friends, and our church. There are a few people out there that could benefit from some lessons in Christian character.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
to my odd friend
Someone posted a comment about not being accepted in church. Here it is:
I am one of those people who are a Christian but do not go to Church. There are millions of us and we all have a different story I am sure. With me, it's not that I don't want to go to church. It's that the churches really don't want me or accept me. I have nuerological and mental differences. I am completely harmless but I can be exceptionally odd at times. People don't want to deal with me. It's not lack of trying, I have 2o some years of effort. The churches can claim they are accepting and that they want you, but their actions are louder. If you can't fit the mold, there's the door. Sorry if it hurts your christian ears but its true. Feel free to take a walk in my shoes.
I got the impression that the experience that this person describes over a 20 year period did not include a stint at Woods chapel. I want to say to you my friend, not all churches are the same. I am sure that our church would welcome you and care for you. We have wonderful people and a wonderful Stephen Ministry program. If you live in this area, please send me an email or call the church and let's have a cup of coffee.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
I am one of those people who are a Christian but do not go to Church. There are millions of us and we all have a different story I am sure. With me, it's not that I don't want to go to church. It's that the churches really don't want me or accept me. I have nuerological and mental differences. I am completely harmless but I can be exceptionally odd at times. People don't want to deal with me. It's not lack of trying, I have 2o some years of effort. The churches can claim they are accepting and that they want you, but their actions are louder. If you can't fit the mold, there's the door. Sorry if it hurts your christian ears but its true. Feel free to take a walk in my shoes.
I got the impression that the experience that this person describes over a 20 year period did not include a stint at Woods chapel. I want to say to you my friend, not all churches are the same. I am sure that our church would welcome you and care for you. We have wonderful people and a wonderful Stephen Ministry program. If you live in this area, please send me an email or call the church and let's have a cup of coffee.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
free gifts
I was reading a book, kind of a Dave Ramsey style book on responsible living. It was called "Living rich for less" by Ellie Kay. The subtitle to the book is "create the lifestyle you want by giving, saving and spending smart."
one of the things that I really liked in her book was a list of "free gifts." Things that you can give to another that don't cost anything, but were really cool. Here is the list:
Twenty Priceless Free Gifts
Fix broken fences by mending a quarrel.
Seek out a friend you haven’t seen in a while or who has been forgotten.
Hug someone and whisper, “I love you so.”
Forgive an enemy, or at the very least pray for him or her.
Be patient with an angry person.
Express gratitude to someone in your world.
Make a child smile.
Find the time to keep a promise.
Make or bake something for someone else – anonymously.
Speak kindly to a stranger, and tell him or her a joke.
Enter into another’s sorrows, and cut the pain in half.
Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a lot.
Take a walk with a friend.
Kneel down and pet a dog.
Lessen your expectations of others.
Apologize if you were wrong.
Turn off the television and talk.
Pray for someone who helped you when you were hurting.
Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly otherwise.
Encourage an older person.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
one of the things that I really liked in her book was a list of "free gifts." Things that you can give to another that don't cost anything, but were really cool. Here is the list:
Twenty Priceless Free Gifts
Fix broken fences by mending a quarrel.
Seek out a friend you haven’t seen in a while or who has been forgotten.
Hug someone and whisper, “I love you so.”
Forgive an enemy, or at the very least pray for him or her.
Be patient with an angry person.
Express gratitude to someone in your world.
Make a child smile.
Find the time to keep a promise.
Make or bake something for someone else – anonymously.
Speak kindly to a stranger, and tell him or her a joke.
Enter into another’s sorrows, and cut the pain in half.
Smile. Laugh a little. Laugh a lot.
Take a walk with a friend.
Kneel down and pet a dog.
Lessen your expectations of others.
Apologize if you were wrong.
Turn off the television and talk.
Pray for someone who helped you when you were hurting.
Give a soft answer even though you feel strongly otherwise.
Encourage an older person.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, July 1, 2011
marital advice
I am not very good with marital advice. I am not even sure how to spell it. But I was talking to a couple the other night and I have one good thought to share.
What ever you did together that you enjoyed when you were dating, keep doing it. Find the time for those things that you so enjoyed when you were dating. Maybe you went to listen to music. Maybe you played tennis. maybe you wandered in museums. Whatever it was, make time to do it.
It is amazing how many people get busy with life and stop doing the very things that brought them together in the first place. Engaging in such activity can actually be a healthy distraciton from other problems.
So, what ever it was, go do it. Royals games. Bowling. Pizza. Golden Tee. Tennis.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
What ever you did together that you enjoyed when you were dating, keep doing it. Find the time for those things that you so enjoyed when you were dating. Maybe you went to listen to music. Maybe you played tennis. maybe you wandered in museums. Whatever it was, make time to do it.
It is amazing how many people get busy with life and stop doing the very things that brought them together in the first place. Engaging in such activity can actually be a healthy distraciton from other problems.
So, what ever it was, go do it. Royals games. Bowling. Pizza. Golden Tee. Tennis.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
a beautiful day
So here is yesterday.
Someone broke out the back window of my pickup truck. [I am reminded that I mentioned in a sermon a few weeks ago that it is every one's truck]
the brakes are out in my wife's car
the AC is out at the house.
I must be getting mellow, because it is all going to be ok.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Someone broke out the back window of my pickup truck. [I am reminded that I mentioned in a sermon a few weeks ago that it is every one's truck]
the brakes are out in my wife's car
the AC is out at the house.
I must be getting mellow, because it is all going to be ok.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
transmissions
If you own a car, you know that transmission trouble is nothing that you want. So, for every car owner, it is just a matter of time. It must have been our time.
We bought my wife's car 2 years ago with 75,000 miles. Six months ago as it reached 95,000 and the jumping and lurching started. We took it to the transmission shop. I just picked one randomly from the yellow pages. I dropped the car off, they took a look and called me. "Mr. Brinkman, your car is not showing any codes on the computer. When we drive it, what we experience does not justify the cost of us tearing into your transmission."
That was good news and bad news. Good news that someone was honest enough not to just take our money, but bad news in that it was still acting funny. Over the next few months I got to know the transmission man very well. I kept taking it back and he kept telling me the same thing. "Mr Brinkman, as much as it will cost for us to work on this, we need to wait until I am sure that there is something to fix."
Finally it got so bad that my wife said that she would no longer drive the car. I took it back. Again, he told me that it didn't test bad. We went on a test drive together, and oddly enough, it ran pretty good on the roads near the shop.
I told him that we better do stage one anyway. Stage one replaces all of the solenoids, switches, and electrical parts in the transmission. Cost is $1800. When the repair work began, Bill the transmission man called me. He said that the parts that they replaced looked very worn and that it should be running much better. Also, he found some better prices. Only $1100.
Ok, so I am telling you this not because it drove us crazy for a few months, but because I have a new friend in the transmission business. I meet very few people who are so concerned about doing the right thing that they will not take your money without good cause. Bill at Cottmann transmission on 23rd and Noland Road is a very good man.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
We bought my wife's car 2 years ago with 75,000 miles. Six months ago as it reached 95,000 and the jumping and lurching started. We took it to the transmission shop. I just picked one randomly from the yellow pages. I dropped the car off, they took a look and called me. "Mr. Brinkman, your car is not showing any codes on the computer. When we drive it, what we experience does not justify the cost of us tearing into your transmission."
That was good news and bad news. Good news that someone was honest enough not to just take our money, but bad news in that it was still acting funny. Over the next few months I got to know the transmission man very well. I kept taking it back and he kept telling me the same thing. "Mr Brinkman, as much as it will cost for us to work on this, we need to wait until I am sure that there is something to fix."
Finally it got so bad that my wife said that she would no longer drive the car. I took it back. Again, he told me that it didn't test bad. We went on a test drive together, and oddly enough, it ran pretty good on the roads near the shop.
I told him that we better do stage one anyway. Stage one replaces all of the solenoids, switches, and electrical parts in the transmission. Cost is $1800. When the repair work began, Bill the transmission man called me. He said that the parts that they replaced looked very worn and that it should be running much better. Also, he found some better prices. Only $1100.
Ok, so I am telling you this not because it drove us crazy for a few months, but because I have a new friend in the transmission business. I meet very few people who are so concerned about doing the right thing that they will not take your money without good cause. Bill at Cottmann transmission on 23rd and Noland Road is a very good man.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
traditions
the 4th is around the corner and that always brings back memories. our family spent each 4th of July with four other families every year of my youth. it was awesome. all of the fathers were best of friends...brothers in many ways. no matter how old they grew they always acted like kids when they came together. I learned a lot of good stuff from them...mainly, how friendships work and how to not take life so seriously all of the time.
a lot of history and good stories can come from holidays, hopefully that is the case for you too...I consider myself very lucky in that category and I hope my kids, one day, will look back at the way we spent our time together on the 4th... lots of family and family time, lots of laughs and good times, and I hope, lots of good stories and memories to share over time...
Peace,
Lion's Den Man
a lot of history and good stories can come from holidays, hopefully that is the case for you too...I consider myself very lucky in that category and I hope my kids, one day, will look back at the way we spent our time together on the 4th... lots of family and family time, lots of laughs and good times, and I hope, lots of good stories and memories to share over time...
Peace,
Lion's Den Man
Monday, June 27, 2011
a break
sometimes we just need to sit back and take a break. sometimes things are just going because the wheels are in motion. then, suddenly, you think, hey what just happen, where have I been, what have I been doing...
routines can be addicting and they can make us flat, they can take us out of the game of living. a change of pace, a new direction, 8:00 service versus 10:10, a different class, new faces, new conversations, a different environment. sometimes it just takes a little something or other... a breather to help us see the world outside of our own and hopefully put us back on higher ground.
so take a break, a detour, cross the hall to say hello to that person you don't speak to very often. on occasion, maybe say yes to the uncomfortable invitation and say no to the routine and see what happens.
Peace,
Lion's Den Man
routines can be addicting and they can make us flat, they can take us out of the game of living. a change of pace, a new direction, 8:00 service versus 10:10, a different class, new faces, new conversations, a different environment. sometimes it just takes a little something or other... a breather to help us see the world outside of our own and hopefully put us back on higher ground.
so take a break, a detour, cross the hall to say hello to that person you don't speak to very often. on occasion, maybe say yes to the uncomfortable invitation and say no to the routine and see what happens.
Peace,
Lion's Den Man
Sunday, June 26, 2011
No cats in heaven
Ok, it keeps coming up. People ask me things. Last week I was asked if cats go to heaven. I could not lie to this person, I had to tell the truth. There are no cats in heaven. In fact, all cats go to hell.There is a movie "all dogs go to heaven." There is no such movie for cats. There are nice Internet songs about dog and God, but there is no such song for cats. My friend Aaron Brown says, "If you bring home a stray dog, you have a friend for life. If you bring home a stray cat, it will still hate you."
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
regrets
Two years ago, a college friend told me that no one should live with regrets. He said that you just have to believe that you have been forgiven for whatever you did or did not do. Sometimes that is hard.
Ok, let's say I have no regrets, just a few wishes. One of my wishes, was that I would have spent more time with my Dad before he died. We had lunch every six weeks. If I would have known we were going to lose him, I would have had lunch with him every week.
So I have this kid that has a big girl job. A nurse at a local hospital. She works nights. She gets off at 7am. She has an idea. "Dad- how about we meet once a week for breakfast." I jump on this. I never got to coach any of their teams, so this is a good way for me to spend some time. This week was our third weekly breakfast.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be doing this every week. It makes me feel that in some way, one of my regrets has been healed, or one of my wishes has come true. Just one question- who is the old guy in the picture with my daughter?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Ok, let's say I have no regrets, just a few wishes. One of my wishes, was that I would have spent more time with my Dad before he died. We had lunch every six weeks. If I would have known we were going to lose him, I would have had lunch with him every week.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be doing this every week. It makes me feel that in some way, one of my regrets has been healed, or one of my wishes has come true. Just one question- who is the old guy in the picture with my daughter?
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Friday, June 24, 2011
deck fire
Ok, if you missed it, I was on the Jamaica dental mission trip the first week of May. We don't have an international calling plan so my phone was off for the week. When I arrived in Atlanta at the end of the week I had 11 voice mails. Message #5 said, "Dad, the deck caught on fire, but we put it out. Everything is ok."
So you call the young adult that left the message and they don't answer the phone. Are you serious? You finally arrive home and one of the 6x6 posts and part of the railing is burned up. Finally the young person arrives home. You ask how this happened. They don't know. They just looked out the window and it was on fire. "Gee Dad isn't it a good thing that we were here to see it and put it out?"
You scratch your head. A few years ago you might have been mad, but these days you are beat down by the almost adult children, so you just shake your head.
Since the first week of May, we have torn off old parts and started the process of repair. I am glad that it was only a little section of the deck.
That is the deck story.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
So you call the young adult that left the message and they don't answer the phone. Are you serious? You finally arrive home and one of the 6x6 posts and part of the railing is burned up. Finally the young person arrives home. You ask how this happened. They don't know. They just looked out the window and it was on fire. "Gee Dad isn't it a good thing that we were here to see it and put it out?"You scratch your head. A few years ago you might have been mad, but these days you are beat down by the almost adult children, so you just shake your head.
Since the first week of May, we have torn off old parts and started the process of repair. I am glad that it was only a little section of the deck.
That is the deck story.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
when your wife travels
People ask me what it is like to have a wife that travels. Well, there are many things to get used to. The hardest thing is when you want to, or need to talk with them and you cannot. Such a night was last night. I wanted to talk with her, but she was on a late flight from Detroit to Lexington, KY. If I had the chance I would have told her:
Hey Babe, it's 11pm. The kids are all still out. Odd. 23, 22 and 20 and I still called them kids. I am in the garage working on the deck railings to replace the ones that burned in the fire. On the ipod, we just had Fernando Ortega and then the police- "I'll send an SOS to you." Do you hear my SOS? I miss you.
The weather is perfect. 73 degrees and a nice breeze. The trash is out for tomorrow and the flowers are all watered. The dog is in for the night and the cats are just warming up for another night of fighting.
Your friends are good, the church is good. All is well. I miss you. Come home soon.
[that is what you think when you wife travels every week.]
it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Hey Babe, it's 11pm. The kids are all still out. Odd. 23, 22 and 20 and I still called them kids. I am in the garage working on the deck railings to replace the ones that burned in the fire. On the ipod, we just had Fernando Ortega and then the police- "I'll send an SOS to you." Do you hear my SOS? I miss you.
The weather is perfect. 73 degrees and a nice breeze. The trash is out for tomorrow and the flowers are all watered. The dog is in for the night and the cats are just warming up for another night of fighting.
Your friends are good, the church is good. All is well. I miss you. Come home soon.
[that is what you think when you wife travels every week.]
it's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
what makes a good day
Some days I am gloomy because circumstances have me down. That bothers me. I don't want to be controlled by circumstances. I don't want to let gloomy circumstances set the tone for my day.
Some days I am happy because circumstances are good. This bothers me as well. I don't want to be defined by circumstances. I don't want to be happy just because things are going well.
My favorite days are the ones when circumstances could get you down, but they don't. I love the days when you know you could have every reason to be a whiner, but you refuse. It makes me smile just thinnking about it.
It's a good day because God loves us. That never changes. Be sure to see the good.
Some days I am happy because circumstances are good. This bothers me as well. I don't want to be defined by circumstances. I don't want to be happy just because things are going well.
My favorite days are the ones when circumstances could get you down, but they don't. I love the days when you know you could have every reason to be a whiner, but you refuse. It makes me smile just thinnking about it.
It's a good day because God loves us. That never changes. Be sure to see the good.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
correction
Good morning -
It is important that I make corrections from time to time. Sunday in the sermon, I said that only 40% of Americans professed faith in God. Someone thought that this did not sound quite right, so they checked some sources and sent me a note.
I returned to my source to verify what I was talking about. I am reading the book “on the verge” by Alan Rausch and Lance Ford.
There is a chapter where they talk about the red zone and the blue zone in America. They postulate that the red zone is the 40% of Americans that have some interest in attending church. And the churches, by and large, spend their time and effort to win folks within the 40%. It is called the red zone because it is like a bunch of sharks [churches] feeding for the same people over and over.
The blue zone represents those who may or may not believe or have an affinity to God, but are completely unchurched and are not likely to be won by the current efforts of our churches.
The point of the chapter is that churches need to get out in the mission field and figure out how to reach the 60% that we are currently not reaching in the blue zone.
Some internet research reveals that 76% of Americans profess to be Christians, but only 40% attend church [even a little bit.]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States
So my numbers were off, but I think the point still stands. We need to get out after the 60% that have little interest in being a part of the living body of Christ.
I am always glad to stand corrected.
It is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
It is important that I make corrections from time to time. Sunday in the sermon, I said that only 40% of Americans professed faith in God. Someone thought that this did not sound quite right, so they checked some sources and sent me a note.
I returned to my source to verify what I was talking about. I am reading the book “on the verge” by Alan Rausch and Lance Ford.
There is a chapter where they talk about the red zone and the blue zone in America. They postulate that the red zone is the 40% of Americans that have some interest in attending church. And the churches, by and large, spend their time and effort to win folks within the 40%. It is called the red zone because it is like a bunch of sharks [churches] feeding for the same people over and over.
The blue zone represents those who may or may not believe or have an affinity to God, but are completely unchurched and are not likely to be won by the current efforts of our churches.
The point of the chapter is that churches need to get out in the mission field and figure out how to reach the 60% that we are currently not reaching in the blue zone.
Some internet research reveals that 76% of Americans profess to be Christians, but only 40% attend church [even a little bit.]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States
So my numbers were off, but I think the point still stands. We need to get out after the 60% that have little interest in being a part of the living body of Christ.
I am always glad to stand corrected.
It is a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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