Generous? A Lesson from my Son.

Yesterday, my son (who's 5) and I took a quick trip to walmart. On our way out, he asked why they were ringing bells. I said "they ring the bell to let everyone know that they have a bucket to put money in because there are people who really need some, especially now at christmas."

He said, "well, we need to put something in there." I said, "Dad usually does, bud, but we don't have to put something in there everytime." (Dad felt stupid saying it, but it was the reasoning behind my justification).

Then he said, "but dad, they're still ringing, so someone still needs something."

Dad's a big fool. Preach about generosity? Got a long way to go. I cry on the inside to think how messed up it is that I can push the images of people in need out for the sake of what? for what!?! Me.

Thanks son.

Christmas Tree: Real Environmental Worry?

So as I was saying in an earlier post, I've been somewhat forced (thankfully) about thinking Christmas differently. And in another blog I read, someone mentioned knowing about Christian responsibility when it comes to the environment. And then I read that there are 32 million real christmas trees sold in the United States every year. It has me wondering.

Growing up I was used to a fake tree, but when I met my wife, we started going out and getting a real one because that's how she grew up. And it was fun and something that is exciting for the whole family. We've had a real one for the past 10 years. This year we ended up getting a fake one for $20.

I'm not judging anyone who gets a real one, but can we really complain about what other people, companies and places around the world do for the environment when americans cut down trees for a 4-5 week emotional connectedness?

Man versus Message

I recently heard someone make a comment that a successful business, organization or church is based 50% on the man and 50% on the message. I am curious if you think this is true?

What then makes the man? What makes a bad man that distracts from the message?

Does a good man make up for a bad message? What do you focus on?

Feeling in the Spirit: Worship

I think there's a lot to say about worship outside of music. I think it's sad that when people talk about worship, most of the time it's around music, versus the time they prayed or read their bible or listened to a message or taught their children about God or just appreciated the...silence...

Recently I've been thinking about music at church. I think there's reason why music so many times cannot be agreed upon. Music creates emotion. Either through word and music, but primarily through the music style and tone, especially initially. But why is it that some people "worship" only when the music style and tone is one way, and yet someone else may say "worship" stopped for them when that same music style and tone started?

I'll throw out a couple of things my brain is tossing and let you help think through these.

Is there a difference between worship and praise? Psalms in the bible refers to times we need to make a joyful noise to praise God. So why not be loud and funky? But is worship to be done the same way? If not, do we as the church convey what praise is and what worship is and what to focus on to achieve both?

And yet, someone once told me long ago that people listen to music loudly to cover up their pain inside. Is it an indication that there is un-dealt sin and pain in our lives when the only time we feel in the spirit of worship is in those loud and funky moments?

What's your thoughts? I would love to hear them.

Less is More: Christmas

We put up a christmas tree today.  I know it may seem a little early but my parents were in town this week because of my wife and I are adopting a boy we had through foster care since he was two weeks old and so we're having Christmas for the kids this week with them.

The thing about Christmas this year is that I've been working on this Project Generosity for our Family Ministries at Fellowship Church for December.  The idea is to promote more time relationally as a family, focus on what christmas is all about (Jesus) and try to raise money to help provide clean drinking water for those around the world who for some reason do not have access to it through the Living Water International. Check out this video.

The thing about Christmas in light of this video is that it's still hard not to want to spend money on those who love.  You want to be like a superdad or a superhusband and get something awesome during this time of excitement and presents and holiday cheer.  It's not like we won't get any gifts , but it is limited in a big way(we never really have).  In some way, you kind of feel like a loser for not having money to spend on them.  We even went out and spent as little money as possible when making the switch to a fake tree this year ($20).  To get one that actually looks like a tree is $200-$300!!

It is kind of noble to make a stance as a family to spend less on us and more on others.  And really, giving to others who really need it gives us the same or better feelings we get around this season anyways.  Sometimes I think the greatest need in our community is to realize how rich we are and stop being spoiled America brats (millions of dollars on ice cream, coffee, clothes, cars...oh no the market is in recession...someone pray to God for help!!).

But to start this, I need to check my motives even in these times.  Do I give to others because I feel good about myself as though I really have made a difference in the world?  Or Should I give to others because it's my God given directive to love people even if for some reason I don't feel good about it?  But really, is that even possible? Not to feel good about doing good? Does it matter what my motives are as long as I'm practicing caring more for others than myself?

Marriage Betterment Challenge

So I noticed a couple of friends on facebook signed up for some challenges as Christian wives or as Christian married couples.  These challenges are ways to put love into action or create opportunities to revolve issues that may have never been talked about without intentional and purposeful time set aside.

One of the challenges is particularly for women.  Found here, the challenge is for wives to encourage their husband for the next 30 days! (If you're not a wife, there are other challenges there as well).

Now I know you ladies may feel like it's always about the wife doing something and when does the man ever do anything.  So, men check this out for a 30 day challenge in encouraging your wife.

I found a 30 day challenge indeed a challenge. Almost anyone can do a challenge of good for a couple of days or even a week, but 30 days will take a miracle of God and deep intentionality.

And if you're really feeling in the spirit of the season, check out this 30 day challenge from the Relevant Church in Florida, that they did last Easter season.

If you don't think God is that good, try even this one from Fellowship Church in Texas.

Calling All Those Positive.

Sorry I haven't written anything in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking one of the reasons centers around the idea of confidence. And around the idea of confidence is fully thinking through things that gets us down. And around the idea of fully thinking through things that gets us down is the idea of positivity. But how do you get positivity?

Those of you who have the strength of positivity, what makes or made you that way? what do you commonly think about that seems to dismiss any negativity personally and those around you? what times are the hardest for you to be positive? when it is okay not to be positive?