What if church is a little messed up? What if church as we know it has a few flaws? What if, in a real practical sense, you focus more on me than Jesus? Isn't that a little messed up? What if Jesus would have some of the same harsh words to speak to us as He did to the pharisees? Are you willing to ask those kinds of questions? Are you willing to make the changes when you find the answers? I think I'm ready.
Below is a funny video I found. As you watch, wonder about the homeless guy three blocks from this building, or the single mom in the neighborhood across the street who struggles to feed her kids, or all the other needs within blocks of buildings just like this, and then ask yourself, "what if this church thing is supposed to look different?"
Have you seen the forwarded emails? Have you heard the debates? ...killing god...the anti C.S. Lewis...protect your kids...boycott the theaters... Click "read more" to watch the trailer, and read some of my thoughts.
I laugh at the forwarded emails only because of how heated they are. In general, it seems that "Christian" parents get so offended, and so worked up about their kids watching an hour and a half movie that may or may not have any impact on their lives, yet care very little about their kids watching them "kill God" everyday by the way they live their own lives. I'll be a parent in a few months, so I'm really new at it, but I know that my words, and actions will ultimately have the single most significant impact on the lives of my kids. I guess I’m not too surprised that parents who let TV raise their kids are offended when stuff like this comes around, but maybe it’s just a reminder that they need to be the ones raising their kids…not the media.
Will I see it? Will I let my kids see it? Maybe, maybe not, but the focus of my attention, and the energy I put into protecting my kids will not be put into creating or passing on forwards. Instead, I will get heated and offended about my own actions; about my own words; about the picture of God I give to my kids in the way I care for them, in the way I love their mom, in the way I talk to the waitress at Applebee’s; in the way I spend money; in the way I cook pancakes, or drink beer, or treat the dog…and I could go on and on and on…because I know that some of my own most insignificant actions or words will have much more weight in the lives of my kids than this movie.
Here’s a quote from Philip Pullman, the author of the Golden Compass: “I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away. Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them.”
I think kids have a much more believable, tangible, picture of what it looks like to kill God in the real life movie they experience everyday than a vague fairy tale about armored polar bears and golden compasses and dying gods.
Amy had her first baby shower this weekend! It was awesome. Amy's mom and aunt were in charge of recording video...and I guess they made a side trip to the zoo... Click "read more" to watch the video. Here it is:
Well, we are home now. Everything is going well. Amy’s on bed rest until the babies are born, which will hopefully be 8 or 9 weeks. (Jan. 2-9) I’ve got some pictures and a few funny video clips that I’ll post a little later. Thanks for all the ways everyone has helped out and prayed for us.
Here's the scoop. (I can't give too many of the details because there is a line for the internet at the hospital) Wed. @ 6:00pm, arrived at hospital. Amy called with questions about the braxton hicks, and they said we should come in and get checked out. By 8:00 Amy was dialated(sp?) to 1 centimeter and having contractions every 3 mins. They put her on an IV drip Magnesium sulfate to slow her contractions down and gave her steroids to help develop the babies' lungs. Magnesuim sulfate runs for 48 hours and then they moniter her contractions for 24 hours after they take her off the Mag. It's Friday now, they took her off the Mag a little early because she is doing well. They anticipate us leaving Sat. Morning with the potiential of going to our expected C-section date (early Jan.) That's it for now, but I'll post more when we get home. Thanks so much for everyone who has helped out!
Do you ever wonder what the bong looking thing is that I carry around all the time? Click "read more" to watch Samantha Brown from the travel channel explore Uruguay and experience Yerba Mate.
