What do people outside of church, think of church?

*To all my friends who don't go to church, feel free to comment and give me your thoughts!
*However, to all my friends that are involved in church, this posting is more or less aimed at us

Check it out....

A friend posted this video on facebook.
Take 3 minutes and see...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=314593513992

The comments that got my attention the most were "hypocracy", and "The church isn't about being up HERE, but down *here*."

The first comment grabbed my attention in that I have to ask myself, am I a hypocrite? Do I DO what I tell others not to do? I'm honestly a little afraid to answer that. It really makes me look at what I do... Awhile ago I gave up watching a few TV shows. It's hard not to watch them when I'm at home and bored. But if I have made the stand that I'm not going to watch those shows because of their content, then I can't watch them when I'm bored. It's hard, but I've made up my mind. If not before, than definitly today. I don't want to be a person that turns people away from church, and ultimately Christ, because of my actions. I'll be honest, I've been there, done that before, and I wish I could fix it, but I can't go back in time. So what else? Are there things in your life that you "preach" at others as the standard you should shoot for but you're not really trying to reach it? Am I?

The second comment that grabbed my attention - wasn't that powerful?? For some reason, in our human nature, we think that status or attention defines worth. We would all like to be the president of a given company, but in reality, it's the 90% working force that DOES the work of that company. The president is important, but the point is that we all have a part to play. Take it back to church; working to be seen doesn't really help anyone. Real work and real change takes place at the ground level- not at the top. So what about me- am I working to be seen?? If so, then I'm contributing to the problem... Real love and real care for people is what causes change- from the ground up. Or you may even say, from the inside out.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? This video really hit me. It hit me because I know I need to work on doing what I SAY I'm going to do. And working for the good of others, not to be seen.
Definitly something to ponder on...

I ate 2 Twinkies, 3 Hot Dogs, and a Quart of Ben & Jerrys...

How is everyone's 2010 going so far?

Ok, so what were everyone's resolutions? And how are you doing with them?

Now that the month has calmed down a little bit and we're all starting to settle back into our routines, let me take a minute to encourage you.

At the end of 2009 you probalby spent some time reflecting on where you were (then) and where you want to be at the end of 2010. You made some resolutions you knew you wouldn't keep at all, and you made resolutions you knew you should keep...and probalby could if you tried. (How do I know this? Duh! 'Cause that's what I did.) So, this is our opportunity. It takes 3 weeks to make a habit. You're already starting your new routines, whether you know it or not, so I encourage you to pick 2 of your resolutions and tackle them! Start with 2. It may seem like that's too small, but 2 resolutions finished is better than 5 attempted but not finished...

So what are your resolutions? Think about them, and plan for a way to start them in practical ways. I'm pretty bad at not following through with resolutions, but I want to change this year. So here is some of my "to do" for now:

Resolution #1 - Read more books in 2010.

Plan? One night a week is designated as a NO TV night. Not for my roommate, not for the whole house, just for me. And that's not "night to hang out with friends" night either. It's one night, after work, where I can go home, do things I need to do, and spend an hour or two (maybe?) in my room (NOT guilting my roommate for her watching TV, being whiny that I can't) and reading a good book. Not too overwhelming, not hardcare. Just something simple that I can implement into my busy schedule.

Resolution #2 - Shed some pounds in 2010.

Plan? This one is much easier written than performed. Because it is so hard for me, my first step (remember you can 'add to' and modify your resolution plans) will be fairly simple. It is to start a food diary. Write down every thing I eat throughout the day, including calories, protein, and fiber.

So not bad, huh? So pick a resolution, map out a (simple!) plan, and start step 1 of it today!

Happy January, everyone!

Please pray for Joel Dawson!

I received an e-mail this morning to pray for a little 7-year old boy. It said he had cancer, and after two years of fighting it the doctors say there is nothing they can do.

In an age where so many e-mail forwards are passed all around - some real, some hoax, I confess have gotten a bit cynical. I wondered if this was one of many e-mails that caused people to panic, or simply pass on false e-mails for "pennies per e-mail", even though this one looked pretty genuine. Sure it is from a "friend" of my friend. But isn't that how hoaxes start?

So I went to trusty Snopes.com to verify the rumor... I can't explain how much my heart sank when I didn't find anything. It's not a hoax, it is true, this cute little guy is only 7 - my NEPHEW is 7- and doctor's are giving him no hope.

Please lift him up in prayer.

The original e-mail I received said this:

"Joel Dawson has terminal cancer. Two-years of treatments at the best hospitals have not helped. He has been sent home for nature to take its course. The prayer request comes from my friend who know I believe in the power of prayer. Here is the quote that my friend forwarded from Joe's grandmother....

"I thought the words thing I ever heard was my grandson had cancer. I was wrong. The worst thing I ever heard is there is nothing more that can be done for him."

Please keep Joel in your prayers. God is a HEALING God! There is nothing impossible for Him!

iPhones, HDtv, new laptops-- Oh my!

This is a short article from Walk Thru the Bible, that I wanted to share. It is written by Gabe Knapp of Microsoft, and published in 2006 by Regal Books.

"Be still and know that I am God.." Psalm 46:10

http://www.walkthru.org/site/PageServer?pagename=LGW_1001_Article1