CONFESSIONS OF A MEMBER OF A CHURCH WHO LISTENS TO A PREACHER

This weekend I sat through a brilliant sermon. I know that I may have appeared to close my eyes. And I must honestly confess that I was tired, but I heard every word. I worked harder to hear and listen and understand this sermon than I ever have. I was listening for three people. It's hard work to listen (just ask my wife). Seriously, I think I broke a sweat on this one.

To those who have ears let him hear. Yes, I'm well aware that I have two ears and one mouth and ,therefore, should do more listening than talking. But at this time I think I have something to say. The passage is John 17:6-19 (the scene: upper room, the event: Jesus prays, Sermon theme: Going In To the World).

The first person I was listening for was myself.
Go into the world. Ambassador/Priest. Go and take Jesus with you and make a change.
I really get it. I am really doing it. I'm commited to my small group and going into my Judea/Samaria and making a difference in people's lives by meeting their physical needs first. I get it.

The second person I was listening for was the me that needs to be open to change.
Is there more I should be doing? At what point and to what lengths do I deny myself and my responsibility as a husband and father to serve Christ and "my mission." What is my mission? Am I actually doing anything in my ministry that creates a cultural change? You gotta know- I feel good about this. I'm doing good. The CULTURE of change I'm moving for is getting godly men to use their God given strength and tools to show love to others (needy or not). After all, isn't that the message of Jesus simplified? Love God, love your neighbor. This is not an esoteric, didactic, or otherwise, mental leap. Just do it. Shut up and do it.

The third person I was listening for was the Pastor.
His final punch...
"TO CREATE CULTURE MEANS:
-a culture of grace—in a culture of disgrace
-a culture of respect—in a culture of coarseness
-a culture of justice—in a culture of oppression
-a culture of trust—in a culture of cynicism."

It is at this very point that I finally realized why I struggle with "Church," so much. Why is it that I don't put great value in the words of preachers. Look at the bulleted list. Do you see the words: serve, sacrafice, give, share? Is it implied? Maybe. What about the Word of God. Is it meant to be preached or lived?

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

On the Home Front

Why haven't I blogged recently? Honestly?
Well, I've been a bit busy lately.

I've been readjusting to life back in the states after my 2 week trip to Klemtu, Canada.
I've been at two soccer games a Saturday - Go Mud puppies and Grey Wolves!

I've been gardening: replanting 4 azaleas, 5 hostas, and a bed of grass. AND removing a 50 foot sugar pine - I wish it had a tap-root - but no, it had 45 saprophytic anchor roots. I added 3 dump trips, 2 loads of decorative rock and one load of bark dust and several trips to Home Depot.
I've been starting a school year by opening up my first portable classroom.
I've been starting to apply my grant funding to my school technology and publishing plan.
I've been getting 22 new staff people (some still technology resistant) in a building of 800 students initiated on the computer network.
I've been in church commitee meetings.
I've been to the church pic a nic and (arguable) won the pie eating contest - this was one of my llife goals...
I've been sick with a fever of 101 for 3 days only to find I had an unexplained foot infection. Been to Doctor, Emergency, PT and more.
I've been busy "Jesus Punking" my fellow man.
I've been so lonely that all I could do is cry out to God for His comfort.
I've been angry.
I've been hurt.
I've been - Damn. I'm really going to have to stop blogging and start taking care of myself...

The truth of the matter... My loving wife has been hogging computer and I just haven't had that much to say latley.