Caribou Community

So, I'm sitting in Caribou Coffee waiting to start a meeting, and none of the other guys are here yet.  For those of you who hate big chain stores, sorry, I didn't choose the place!  I've never been to this particular place, and it's very nice.  I remember coming here when it was a Burger King a long time ago. . .

I'm sitting here, kinda people watching, and I notice that in a room full of people, some are completely isolated, and some are completely engrossed in what I would call authentic community.  There are the people obsessed with their computers (apparently I'm part of that at the moment!), and there are friends talking over coffee and breakfast food.  Of course, there is also that annoying lady who talks way too loud and everyone wishes would leave!  There are nice comfortable chairs, and then there are the wooden chairs around too small tables.  It has a very earthy feel, and it makes me think of a family on vacation in a lodge in the Colorado Rockies.

I can't help but think this is like our families, and even like our simple church communities filled with different personalities, some loud some quiet, some social and some private.  I'm pretty sure I'm the one who talks too much (and sometimes too loudly).  In the end, though, we fit together.  We work.  We live in a beautiful blend of mess and differences and it feels like community.  I sure hope you have a community to be part of.  If you don't, feel free to check out this website, it's part of a group of simple churches that I am part of.  It feels so great to be part of something that matters, and I pray that you have that too.

Should a Christian Live in the Dark and Disorder?

I've been reading a book called, "I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt", and it's great.  There are a couple thoughts in the book that lead me to this post.

1.  "If all a Christian has to do is stay on the straight and narrow path of obedience by doing right and not doing wrong, does it really matter if Jesus is out in front or not?"  This quote from the book has really triggered a lot of thoughts for me.  How many people are doing exactly what they are "supposed" to do, yet aren't following Jesus at all?  So much of what I see in the church today is about following the rules, fitting in, and being good.  Basically, all about behavior modification.  But where's Jesus in that?  What about the person who knows they hear Jesus telling them to go into a strip club and they end up ministering to a girl (it has really happened)?  We all know you shouldn't do that, but I'm sure glad they did.  

Jesus came to the dark and disordered part of society to do His work, so why would his "prophets" today be telling us to avoid those places?  Jesus didn't go to those places to leave them dark and disordered, he brought light and order and beauty to where there was none.  Isn't this our job, too?

I also read a thought in this book that basically translates that Jesus's primary concern isn't getting you to stop sinning, it's to get you to experience His love.  The sin will probably fall away, but it isn't His focus.  I agree with this.  How many fathers' primary concern is when their kids mess up vs. making sure they know they are loved?  How much more from our heavenly Father?

I hope we are listening to Jesus, and I hope we aren't afraid to follow Him to the dark and disordered places in this world.  It's where He would have been (read that as where He is), and it's where He wants us to bring His love.

Quick and General Thoughts on Politics

Okay, so I've been talking to some different people about the political race lately, and I keep saying the same things over and over, so I thought I'd get it off my chest here, and then I can be done with it. . .like that will happen!

Anyway, here's my thoughts on the two political parties, cuz let's face it, there really are only two. Anyway, my heart's desire for how I believe things should work probably lies with the actual platform of the Republican party. I say their actual platform because I don't see any Republicans actually standing for what they are supposed to stand for any more. I do think less govornment is better, I do think less taxes is better, I do believe we have a right to bear arms, I do believe life begins at conception (actually I think it begins before that, but that's another post! Anyway, I love their basic beliefs, yet I strongly oppose how I see this party acting or not acting on those beliefs.

The Democrats hold a closer place to my heart in their desire to see social justice. This fact alone is their sole redeeming tenet of belief in my opinion. I also really appreciate people who will not just speak about something, but will get out there and do something about it. I often times don't agree with how they do things, and I rarely agree with the fact that they use the govt. to do it. However, I think they have a better mindset of everyone working together for the betterment of all. Again, though, I rarely see this portrayed accurately by our current crop of legislators (read the legislators as big fat whiny blood suckers who hold their hands out to any special interest group they can).

Okay, here's my real thoughts on it all. I really don't like any of our choices politically. My opinion is that as a person seeking the kingdom of God, that means someone trying to bring about on earth what God intended for us in the beginning, we should be taking care of the social ills of society. If the true followers of God would stand up and care for the wounded and afflicted, we would not need the horrific social programs that drain our economy and provide hand-outs instead of true help. Every true follower of Jesus should be looking around their own city, state, and country to find the problems that need to be addressed. After that, since we live in such an overly blessed nation, we should also be finding ways to care for the poor and afflicted around the world.

If we were to do this, there would not be a need for large govt. and legislators trying to pass laws and institute programs that don't really help us move forward. The govt's. job would then be to organize the army, defend us, and maintain basic infrastructure. No more, that's it. Keep your crazy politically devious minds and fingers out of our lives. Of course, they way I see it, this can only happen when people realize who God created them to be, and then actually live that out. Unfortunately, I will agree with anyone who would say that the church as a whole has not been doing that lately. . .a lot of great people doing good things, but somewhat too little, too late as I see it. We need a revolution in our thinking and our living. We need to actually turn to the historical Jesus, and earnestly seek Him, and then truly live as we were made to do. . .

Of course these are just my thoughts, what do you think? Please reply and let me know.

Phatkat ><>

What am I Searching For?

Okay, so I'm on this journey, trying to figure out exactly what I think God intended and I ran across this quote. It's by Rob Bell, whom I absolutely feel a kindred spirit with:

“Church is when you are sitting around in your living room with people who would give their lives for each other. So I don’t have any time or tolerance for nice services where we feel good about ourselves and give a little bit of our money to some people over here or there. To me, church is the people whom you are journeying with. . .”

How beautiful is that?!?!? I love how he cuts thru the crap and comes up with something that really matters. Of course, I only believe it really matters because he happens to be saying something that I already believe. I am very concerned with how the church is supposed to be represented here on earth. I don't want to confuse anyone, either, so let me make sure and clarify that I believe there is only one church and we are all part of it. Denominations and styles matter none to me. I'm more concerned with living as we were meant to live, representing who Jesus is accurately, not tainted by so much religion and laziness.

So, it brings me to a question. Do you have anyone you could say you would give your life for? Are you truly journeying with others or just traveling a road alone? Do you share the joys and pains of life, or when someone asks you how you are doing do you just say fine? We live in such a plastic and surface level world. . .I want more!

I think we were meant for something more and I want to pursue it. I believe life is worth living, and that trying to live it just for my own gratification would be pointless and a waste. I want to connect with people that want to change the world, dream big, and also just sit around and laugh a lot. I want close enough connections that we all feel free to drop in on each other any time we want. I want to truly live my life in such a way that I think about you and your needs above my own. I want to see what's wrong with the world and be heartbroken enough to want to change it, not just walk on by and ignore yet another fault in this world.

So, there's a start of what I'm looking for. What about you? What is it you really want to see happen? What do you really think is worth living for?