Hello World! Again.
Just Keep Editing.
Paths change. With them, purpose may also pivot. Sometimes, the purpose causes the pivot. Each step is a new step never taken before. Let’s see what’s around the bend.
Here we go …
How Does the Back of Your Baseball Card Read?
Sometimes, during introductions at a church meeting, we trade data. History, job title, family size. Stats not spirituals. Like the back of a baseball card.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit churches all across the United States. On weeknights and weekends. In church house, school house, and under tents. Different denominations, worship music, and dress codes.
One thing seems to be similar across the board. Unfortunately, it’s not Jesus Christ. It’s human beings.
I hold to a belief that every church gathering is perfect … until I arrive. At that point, I’m showing my own human frailties – and I notice ’em in other folks, too. They wouldn’t have seen mine and I would’ve never known theirs if I hadn’t gone. Perfect, until I get there.
At some level and for the sake of understanding the world and people around us, we tend to meet new folks at church and judge, compare, and label (JCL). Not so much for bad reasons, but to organize our brain.
One way we begin the JCL process is to ask secular questions such as:
- What kind of work do you do?
- Where are you from?
- Family?
- Just visiting?
It’s like an examination of the back of my baseball card. The data. The history. The stats.
Look at the front of the card, or at least deeper into one’s life. Like what is God doing with my life (a testimony), what kind of Kingdom work am I doing or looking for (a ministry), or how would I like to use my gifts (a talent).
It’s different than what we’re used to doing. It’s deeper, spiritually. How many times do you go deep? (Wait, that’s a back of the card number).
Photo on Pixabay by ruthclark
Kick ‘Em: America’s Funniest Failings and Foul-ups
Maybe it started in the in the early 90’s with America’s Funniest Home Videos. The hit television series has run for 26 years, and became a hit before Reality TV and crowdsourced voting became popular.
We watch others falling down, getting hurt, and making errors. Since then, our society has become quick to kick people when they fall and foul-up. Laughing out loud while they roll on the floor in pain.
I don’t get it.
We can’t blame AFV, really. They simply recognized something popular with the people and presented it for all to see. Though I don’t watch the show, I’m sure they share empathy after the laughter subsides.
In this generation of failure as a spectator sport, what would the priest, the Levite, or the Good Samaratin (Luke 10:30-37) do today?
Human failings can lead to human successes. Instead of mocking and kicking, shouldn’t we practice and speak with encouragement and edification (Eph 4:29)?
Funeral for a Friendly Neighbor
Maybe you’ve seen a game of tag among the neighborhood squirrels. I think it’s a game they play. Sometimes, there is much noise and it seems at times some tempers flare when things get a little rough. When the birds join in, it can get kind of ugly.
As I was driving home recently, I saw one of our furry friends in the road, run over. I paused on the quiet road. I watched as other squirrels came over to the one that passed. Birds landed and watched from the sidewalk as other squirrels gathered on the street.
It was like a service for the one that passed. Those that played and fought stopped for a moment. Something to behold. A funeral for a friendly neighbor. It’s as if the birds supported the squirrels with Rom 12:15 in heart.
I looked up from my teary eyes and saw a lady standing still along the sidewalk, her dog sitting at her side.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
If the animal kingdom can do this (squirrels and birds and dogs together), can’t we too, we people?
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