The best way to get on in Britain is very much the same as the best way to get on in America.  The same sort of courtesy and decency and friendliness that go over big in America will go over big in Britain.  The British have seen a good many Americans and they like Americans.  The will like your frankness as long as it is friendly.  The will expect you to be generous.  They are not given to back-slapping and they are shy about showing their affections.  But once they get to like you they make the best friends in the world.

The above comes from a little book my sister loaned me entitled, “Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain 1942.”    The forward states:  The original pamphlet…was issued by the United States War Department in 1942 and distributed to American servicemen who were going to Britain to prepare for the invasion of occupied Europe.  Many of them had never been abroad before, and this pamphlet’s avowed aim was to prepare these young American GIs for life in a very different country and to try and prevent any friction between them and the local populace.

It is interesting reading and includes such topics as sports, women, how and when to joke, weights and currency differences and much more.  One bold heading warns, KEEP OUT OF ARGUMENTS.  This section concludes with “Once again, look, listen and learn before you start telling the British how much better we do things.”

Seems like we who call ourselves followers of Jesus could benefit from a book that prepares us for life in a very different country in order to prevent friction between us and the local populace.  Oh wait…we do have such a book.  I think it’s called the Bible.  And in it getting along with those different from ourselves is actually modeled by the main character, Jesus.

Here’s how I would summarize the Bible’s guide for pilgrims living in a strange land:

Keep your politics to yourself.  Politics alienate.  So you’re a flaming liberal.  So you’re a staunch conservative.  Just as surely as you please some people with your stance on political issues, you will most certainly create distance between you and others.  So, keep your political positions secret. 

Avoid bumper stickers.  “Tigers for Christ” might get your car keyed in Louisville.  “God Created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve” will elicit a giggle from your church friends, but you can be sure it will put you at odds with a growing number of fellow citizens.  Is that what you want?

Don’t wear your religion on your sleeve.  Landon Saunders used to say the fastest way through a throng of travelers at the airport is to hold a Bible out in front of you…the masses will part like the Red Sea.  People in New England look at you funny when you pray in their restaurants.  About half of the U.S. population believe in the freedom of a woman to choose abortion, so one who vocalizes his/her anti-abortion position will never have the credibility to discuss eternal issues with half the nation.  You don’t drink, dance, swim with the opposite sex?  You’re one of the few who don’t.  Saying so will cut you off from most people in America.  Is that what you want?

If you want to arouse suspicion, be considered a kook, be written off by a certain segment of society, make sure others know where you stand no matter what, exercise you first amendment rights…then ignore the above.

But, if you truly want to find in-roads into another person’s life, connect with those not like yourself, create meaningful life-related dialogue, show Jesus to a world who desperately needs a model, then here’s how:

Anchor your life with the most underprivileged in your city.  You’ll not only gain the trust and respect of the poor, but even city leaders and the rich will wonder about you and at least give you the benefit of the doubt. 

Become an advocate and friend of minorities.  When your friends make jokes about Hispanics, make it clear you don’t share those sentiments.  Learn a foreign language and advocate immigrants’ freedom to maintain their own languages and cultures.

Make your neighborhood, not the church building, the center of your focus.  Count up the number of hours church-building related activities take you away from the ones who most need your friendship—too many!  Want to socialize with good people?  Have your neighbors and work associates over for a card party, pool night, cookout, or movie marathon.  Organize a neighborhood clean-up with brunch at IHOP following.  Keep up with health related issues of neighbors and volunteer to take them to doctor’s appointments or visit them in the hospital.  Go play cards with some residents in the local nursing home.  Use the extra half-acre in your yard as a community garden.  Transport some inner-city kids and parents out to maintain the garden and consume its bounty.

Live simply.  Move down.  Go green.  Give away more than you purchase.  Fix it yourself.  Shop thrift shops.  Buy local.  Eat right.  Give carelessly.  Visit the local bar occasionally.  Avoid debt.  Turn off T.V.  Walk.  Smile.  Laugh.  Get a dog.   

L’chai-im!

Dr. Leonard Allen stated the following during lectures at ACU in 2003 in his three-part presentation, Living in Light of Last(ing) Things.  You can find expanded thoughts in his book, co-authored with Danny Swick, Participating in God’s Life, New Leaf Books. 

The Basic New Testament claim is: The triumph of God has been revealed.  The triumph of God has been uncovered.  In Jesus’ death and resurrection, all the hostile principalities and powers of this present age have been disarmed and, in fact, defeated.  God’s Kingdom has broken into history and—for the believer, those with faith—it has brought an end to all other kingdoms.  In this new Kingdom, the believer sees—knows by faith—the end of history, how history is going to turn out.  This triumph is not visible to the human eye, it’s not audible to the human ear, in fact, much of the evidence we see and we hear around us point to the contrary.  Just read the daily paper.  It is known not through any scientific search, nor statistical projection.  It is known only through faith.  The worldly powers keep on raging and threatening to overwhelm us to win, but the believer sees by faith that they (worldly powers) are already doomed, finished.  They are already writhing in their death struggle.  Therefore, the believer already knows something by faith that unbelievers do not know.  They know that Jesus Christ now reigns as Lord of all.  And further more, they know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Lordship.  Furthermore, believers not only know by faith how history will turn out (more than just knowing the end), they also presently participate in that end through the presence of God’s Spirit…as Paul states in 1 Cor. 10:11, “We are those upon whom the end of the ages has come.”  So, this means then, for the faithful, that knowing this truth (this revealed truth) and experiencing this apocalyptic presence or power by the Spirit, the believer can follow Jesus in all things, even in those things that may seem to worldly logic and to mere worldly eyes utterly impractical and utterly unworkable to those who do not know what Christians know and see, by faith, what Christians see.  And it is this basic New Testament outlook that can properly be called apocalyptic…  The Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus Christ has broken into history.  The end has come, and we are participants by the Spirit in that.

He went on to say that this vision (Paul’s vision) eventually faded as the church became more institutionalized and powerful. 

This is what Dr. Allen’s thoughts say to me: 

• The Kingdom is far bigger than “church.”  In fact, God’s greatest work on earth might be outside the realm of religion.
• Christians live for more than just the end—heaven.  We are active participants in what God is doing on earth now.  We are to fully participate with God in bringing about his will “on earth as it is in heaven.” 
• There is nothing that needs to ruffle a believer.  We can follow Jesus into any and every circumstance and be confident of the outcome.
• We need not fear Memphis’ high murder rate, economic catastrophes, or falling church attendance. 
• We need not shrink from being found in the “bad parts” of town. 
• We can invite anyone into our home and visit anyone in his.

What does this say to you?

(adapted from July 7, 2007)

Three days on the golf course this weekend.  It’s not what you think.  I didn’t play; I volunteered at the St. Jude Classic golf tournament.  It’s a great place to people-watch.  Here’ what I saw:

The Best Cause:  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital right here in Memphis is known the world over for the work they do finding out why children get sick and keeping sick children alive.

The Best Golfer:  Brian Gay took home the million-dollar first prize.  But Phil Michelson was clearly the crowd favorite.  Hundreds of Phil fans crowded each hole in hopes of glimpsing the second best golfer in the world.  (You-know-who is number one—rhymes with Tiger.)

Best Dressed:  Hands down…John Daley.  Gallery all weekend included dozens of Daly fans wearing outlandish pants like John’s.

Best Hospitality:  A family who live in a very nice house behind the 15^th green invites all volunteers to enjoy a lavish buffet of roast beef, turkey, ham, homemade rolls, salads and desserts at their place.  This is the second year I’ve enjoyed the generosity of two people who know how to treat people.

The Best Brother (or at least one of 4 Best Big Brothers):  My brother, Richard, from Lexington, KY, came down for the second year to volunteer.  We spent Friday on the 11th green watching more than one golfer find water on this par 3 island hole.  It was fun having him here.

And now the no- so-good…

Sorriest Attitudes:  Two well-heeled gentlemen sat near me and bad-mouthed nearly every person they knew and made fun of minorities, the overweight and everyone else not like themselves.

Worst Storm:  At exactly 5:00 PM Friday night, a thunderstorm nearly blew and washed away Memphis.  As soon as we heard the warning sirens, Richard and I headed for the vans that would take us to our cars.  We both got soaked trying to find our cars in the blinding rain.  On the way out as I sat in stalled traffic, a lightening bolt blew the top off a tree just a matter of feet away from my car.  Splinters from the explosion pelted our cars.  Close call!

Biggest Hypocrite:  I overheard one of my coworkers telling another about the effects of the storm in his neighborhood.  He said he planned to help his neighbors clear the debris when he got home Saturday afternoon.  Later in the day, as we worked in the ShotLINK tower overlooking the 7^th green, he kept saying he couldn’t wait to get home, grab a beer and soak in his pool.   And this same guy used the laser’s telescopic feature to check out and verbally assess every woman who walked by.

Most Clueless Parents:  Can you believe a parent would bring a 9-month old out to a golf tournament in 90-degree temperatures and expect the child not to act like a 9-month old?  When the baby began to get fussy in the heat, I heard the daddy say, “If you don’t be quiet, I’m going to spank you!”  Can you say clueless?

Former vice president Dick Cheney surprised the press and shocked his Republican party recently by saying the following about the marriage of gay couples:

I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone.  I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish.

Sounds like the former veep supports same-sex marriage, doesn’t it?  The issue of homosexual marriage runs hot among Republicans who, as a party, are vehemently against the concept. 

No doubt, the fact that Cheney has a gay daughter conditions his perspective on the issue.

So, the questions are:  Does knowing a person change doctrine or party policy?  Does being intimately familiar with a person affect how you view their behavior?  Evidently, to some, it does.

But here’s the thing about homosexuality (or greed, adultery, murder or anything else) that you might consider “sin.”  It’s not the BIG issue!  That’s the beauty of the Kingdom.  What the person standing in front of you is dealing with is never the issue in the long run.  How do I know?

Take Jesus’ run-in with the woman at the well.  Her “problems” were 1) she was female; 2) she was probably a loose woman; 3) she had five husbands; 4) she was living with a man not her husband and 5) God knows what else.  But to Jesus, none of those problems were the issue.  Her biggest problem was not knowing the one who could supply her with living water.  Or Zaccheaus…his biggest problem was not that he was a cheat.  His problem was he had not yet met Jesus.  Would either of these people have been drawn to Jesus if he had focused on their sin?

What if Jesus had focused on the individual sins of the men he would call to be his disciples?  Would Peter have been inclined to follow if Jesus had gone off on him right from the start about his arrogance and impulsiveness?  Or if he had confronted Judas about his conniving, traitorous ways?  Or is he called Thomas out about his lack of faith?  To Jesus, the obvious failings were not the problems.  Same with us…our failings are not our main problems. 

Our particular “sin” or failure is not the issue.  Since every person ever born is a sinner, this issue is never sin…it’s restoration.  Whether you’re a liar, gossiper, murderer, glutton, alcoholic, in debt over your head or whatever, you need restoration.  Whether you’re a Sunday school teacher, preacher, doctor or Mother Teresa, you need restoration.  You need relationship with Jesus, the one who can cover the truth about you.  What’s the point of even knowing what sins besiege a person?  That person and every other person is in need of relationship, in need of restoration, in need of encouragement, in need of a hand-up, in need of a Savior.

And so, focusing on homosexuality or abortion or looks or income level or religion or anything else about another person is simply wrong.  None of those things are ever the issue.  The issue is something separate an apart from behavior, attitude, status, power.  The issue is whether a person knows Jesus.  And Christians will never be in a position to help another person know Jesus if we focus on anything else about that person.  The key is to keep lines of communication open.  And the quickest way to close the door to relationship is to focus on another person’s faults. 

Dick Cheney knows this.  He loves his daughter, no matter what.  And the only way to maintain that relationship is to accept her as she is.

Jesus loves us as we are and wants to keep the lines between us open.  That’s our only hope.

Since we began our house church nearly three years ago, we cringe at the question, “Where do you go to church?”  It’s kind of odd that so many ask “where” when “going to church” is a concept foreign to scripture.  We’re pretty straightforward and simply say we have a house church.  I’d like to say more, like “church is what we do no matter where we are.”  Or, “church is not where, but who.”  I ran across this article this week.  I’d like to know what you think of it.  Does it hold water?

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By Jack Helser (as reprinted from House2House on-line newsletter; www.story.house2house.com/2009/05/20/where-do-you-go-to-church)

 

When Christians meet for the first time, the question most often asked is “where do you go to church?” I dread that question more than any other because the people who ask are usually shocked by my unusual answer. I hope by the end of this column, to show the reader just how silly the question really is.

Since the time of Christ, the question has been asked in many ways. There was the woman at the well who asked Jesus about worship on Jacob’s mountain or in Jerusalem. Jesus’ reply made it clear that where we worship is no longer relevant, but who and how we worship (John 4:21-23). On another occasion, the disciples stopped a man from working miracles because he was not a member of their church. Clearly angered, Jesus said “don’t stop him – if he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally” (Mark 9:38-40).

If where is not important, and there are only 2 sides in the conflict between light and darkness, can there be more than one church (Mark 3:25)? The answer depends on perspective. Since we are a people called to “deny ourselves” and follow Christ (Luke 9:23), only His perspective matters.

What has impressed me the most is our Father’s heart for unity, as expressed in Jesus’ prayer for all believers to be one with each other in the same way that He and the Father are one (John 17:20-23). In keeping with His Father’s desire for unity, Jesus commanded us to love each other (John 13:34-35) and when we have disputes to resolve them quickly (Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15-17). Our oneness and love for each other lets the world see Jesus in us and shows them we are His disciples (John 17:20-23, John 13:34-35).

Sadly, division and opposition began cropping up in the church even before the New Testament was complete. To the church in Corinth Paul wrote that their gatherings did more harm than good because of disagreements between opposing groups (1 Corinthians 11:17-18). He also corrected them for boasting about whom they followed, whether Paul, Apollos, or Peter. Paul wrote that such boasts were carnal and sinful, and he refocused them on God (1 Corinthians 1:12 and 3:4-7). Today, divisions are known by the sanitized name “denominations” where people profess religious brand-name loyalty to Calvin, Luther, Wesley, et al, and opposition has turned to competition between churches. Are division and opposition any less carnal and sinful today than they were then?

From God’s perspective, there is one church, and it is not a building that we “go to” (Acts 7:48 and 17:24). Rather, the church is the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) which is people, what Peter calls “living stones”, and God is assembling us into a spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:11, 12:18 and 1 Peter 2:5). Instead of asking “which church do you go to”, we ought to recognize one another as temples of God in which His Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19), and wherever God brings any 2 or more of us together, church happens (Matthew 18:20).

The Biblical example for the church is cities and regions living for Christ in relational fellowship, hence the 9 letters of Paul and the 7 letters from Jesus in Revelation, which are addressed to all believers in a city or region. If Jesus were to write a letter to us, He would likely address it “to the Church in Princeton” or “to My People in Bureau County.” His message is clear; wherever we live, we are God’s children and we are brothers and sisters. Imagine the kind of relational community described in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35 here! What would it take from each of us to become a city united in Christ?

As for the original question “where do you go to church”, the answer is everywhere! Church happens in the aisles of a grocery store, in a café over pie and coffee, in the Laundromat, in homes, outdoors, and even in church buildings, because it is Christ who makes us the church, not where we meet.

I was at a gathering of people not long ago that discussed the following ideas for increasing its membership:

• One person suggested that while we we’re out walking in our neighborhood, we should stop and get to know the people we meet and ask them how they like the neighborhood, is there anything they need, what they see as the main problems in the area, etc.
• Another person suggested that we host a get-together in a nearby restaurant and invite the neighborhood so that we can get to know each other better.
• Another suggestion was to form regular clean-up groups and focus on areas of the neighborhood that need cleaning up or other types of attention.
• One last idea was to ask an elderly or incapacitated neighbor if we can help them fix something in their home.

Now, can you guess what kind of meeting this was?  Was it a church outreach committee?  Was it a special lectureship class on “Spreading the Word”?  Was it an elder’s meeting to discuss increasing church membership?

Truth is, it was a meeting of our local neighborhood association. (We meet quarterly for meetings and about every six weeks for social events.) This particular meeting was to brainstorm ideas for getting more of the people who live in our vicinity to join us in our common desire improve our neighborhood. 

But as I sat there listening to this discussion (and offering ideas of my own), it took me back to the hundreds of meetings I’ve sat in to consider ways to get people into my church. The only ideas missing this night were door knocking and gospel meeting.

For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.                          Jesus, as recorded in John 16:8

The question common to both a neighborhood association and religious folk is how do you “win” converts to your cause? For centuries, religious people have relied on programs, signs, tracts, great music and preaching, elaborate and full-service facilities, or a number of other things to attract people to their cause. And such attractions do work, for some. But if you look at the vast majority of churches, you see members who all look pretty much the same. There are white churches; there are black churches. There are wealthy churches; there are churches of mostly poor people.  (Rarely do you see “addicted” churches where most of the members are recovering or not-yet-recovering addicts. Or churches that have a high percentage of people who struggle—at least openly—with some of the vices churches look down on.)

The refreshing thing about our neighborhood association—and something that many churches still need to learn—is that we really don’t care who is in our “club.” We’ll take anyone. And we welcome people to join us for the benefit of all who live in the area, not just for the good of the association (institution) itself. The association’s techniques for getting members are non-threatening and built on common needs, i.e. safety, pride in our neighborhood, help from time to time and more. We direct our “campaign” toward those with whom we have cast our lots—the people who live right around us, the people who are within walking distance of our front door. These are the people we see everyday, not just on Sundays. We see each other in a variety of settings: social, service projects, civic marches and more. And there is not one string attached to membership (not even the $5/year fee, which is often overlooked). I don’t know of one religious organization that offers no-strings-attached membership.

The people in our neighborhood association are decent people. They care about our city and each other. They are eager to help one another and spend many hours in service. Some drink beer and occasionally utter a curse word. But they are also free with praise and encouragement. For most, religion is an important part of their lives.  They just haven’t let their religion get in the way of fully living each day for the benefit of others.

This past week was a mess. Here’s how it went…

Monday:  Noon…left for Lafayette, LA…pouring rain.  8:00 PM…went to bed in my truck…pouring rain.  Tuesday:  7:30 AM…left for Memphis…pouring rain.  Wednesday: 3:30 AM…left for South Carolina…pouring rain.  10:00 AM…drove through Atlanta…pouring rain.  2:00 PM…arrive Greenville…pouring rain.  5:00 PM…to bed in truck…pouring rain.  Thursday: 1:00 AM…leave Greenville for Atlanta…blinding rain. 4:30 AM…arrive to pick up Clorox…blinding rain.  9:00 AM…in Birmingham…Quit raining!  2:00 PM…arrive back in Memphis…cloudy skies, no rain! 

There were occasions during the above when I had to be out of the truck coupling/uncoupling a trailer, checking a seal, kicking tires, all the usual. It was a mess. Then, the drive! Dark, dank, slippery, hazy, alone. It’s no place for the weak. But… I was thinking this morning about what keeps me going in such conditions. I came up with three essentials:

1 – Home – I talk with Lynn daily.  She helps me make it.

2 – I know where I’m going.  I know the way.  I’m familiar with the dock.  I know the people there.

3 – On-the-road support.  If something happens with to the truck and I break down, help is just a phone call away…no matter where I am or what time it is.  That’s the luxury of working for a large, well connected company.

I didn’t mean to make this blog into a sermon, but the same three essentials that get me through tough times on the road are necessary for life.  If you want to get through what life throws at you, here’s what will see you through:

1 – Build a stable home.  Loving wife and kids can get you through most anything.  So, kids: Marry well!  Get premarriage counseling.  Work at building the relationship after the wedding is over.

2 – Know where you’re going.  I don’t just mean heaven, but find out why you are on this earth and develop a plan to fulfill your calling.  Every person is uniquely equipped to do something unique and specific.  We are happiest when we are doing what we have been put on earth to do, and I’m not talking about vocation.  Hint: It has something to do with care and keeping of fellow mankind.

3 – Claim your “on the road support.”  God is so close, but longs to be closer.  Tough times can and should draw us closer to the Father.   Jesus desires a personal relationship with you, daily interaction and intimate involvement in your life.   He doesn’t want to be called on just in tough times.

I leave tomorrow for another week on the road.  This week, I’m ready!

I have lots of time to think…while I drive, while I wait for my truck to be unloaded.  In fact, driving a truck probably allows me more thinking time than any job I’ve had.  At least, I’m taking greater advantage of the time to do more thinking.

What do I think about?  Well, there are the usual things of family, sports, weather, etc.  But I also spend a lot of time thinking about God, my purpose, the best use of my talents, and the like.  Several things have dawned on me during these thinking spells.

Most people I know don’t spend much time thinking about the real important things in life.  Most people let life happen to them rather than actively planning what their life will be.  Most people don’t critically think about the dire consequences of following the patterns of this world.  I wonder if people who drive gas guzzlers, for example, really know or care about the problems their vehicles create for our world.  I wonder if those who spend tens of thousands of dollars for home entertainment centers are aware of the people in their city who have barely enough money for only one sparse meal a day.  I wonder if those with lots of friends and family know the loneliness that so many people experience.

To be honest, most of my choices are prompted by my likes, dislikes, pleasure, comfort, etc. and not by what God might want from me.

One thing I have been thinking about a lot lately is retirement (not that I’m anywhere near old enough!).  But I have been thinking about where I might want to live when that time comes.  Several options appeal to me.  We could move back to New England where we spent nearly 20 wonderful years of our lives, near one of our children and among people we know and love.  Or we could pick a part of the country known for its cheaper cost of living.  Maybe central Kentucky near fishing lakes and family.  I’d really like to buy a little place up in the Colorado Rockies away from the hustle of city life.  Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with any of the choices we have for retirement.  But then again, maybe there is.

Perhaps it’s really not our choice as to where we live out our lives; maybe it’s the Father’s choice.  Could it be that he might have a say in where we live our lives?  Maybe it’s God’s will for us to live and die in Midtown Memphis (or some other part of this city) around people who need whatever degree of Godly influence we might offer.  And maybe this principle applies to other areas of life…like how we spend our money, how we treat our bodies (can I really serve him best if I’m out of shape?), who we befriend or who we don’t.

I know this:  I have lots of time to think, and frankly, sometimes I don’t like it!  It makes me uncomfortable at times.  But I believe God speaks in silence, and that requires I turn off XM,  t.v., get alone and listen to the One who wants to direct my life.

Your thoughts?

(Reprinted from June 2007)

I passed by Talladega (AL) Superspeedway this week on the way to South Carolina, and I can tell there is something about to happen there.  I have never seen more campers and motor homes in one place…acres of them!  Each campsite has a few things in common with all the others, it seems:  barbecue grill, nearby porta-potty, an American flag and a Confederate flag.  I noticed one flag that combined the checkered finish flag with a Confederate flag.  What’s up with that?  Must be a NASCAR thang.

 

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More than a few times this week from different sources I have read that life is not a rehearsal.  You get one chance, so make it count.

 

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A friend was telling me about a young man who lives in inner city Memphis, just a mile or so from our Pyramid.  The young man had never ventured outside his own neighborhood until he was taken on field trip of some kind.  When he passed the Pyramid, he was astonished and asked, “What’s that?”  When told, he exclaimed, “You mean we have one of those?!”  It’s hard to believe that there are people in this modern city who have never been outside their own immediate block.

 

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You should check out my friend Terry Bell’s blog at http://terrybell.wordpress.com.  I love his story about the golden Buddha in “Loving Self.”  Terry and I worked together at White Station church back in the 70s.  (I was only two!)  He and Jan have remained steadfast seekers of God through the years, and I am happy to be reunited with Terry through Facebook.

 

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Speaking of which…Facebook is amazing.  I have found high school friends, former work associates, old girlfriends (doh, didn’t mean to put that.  Just kidding, Lynn), old neighbors, and many others.  I get to see their current faces, children, grandchildren and pets.  Of course, some of their pets look better than their current faces.  You could say the same about me, if I had a pet.  Some post their poetry, others write inspiring notes.  And others just tell us that they’re going to the grocery.  Then there are those who provide TMI (way too much information), like the guy who described his dental flossing and mirror cleaning practices.  If you’re not on Facebook, give it a try.  Look me up and be my friend.  I can use all I can get!

A dear friend sent me this:  http://www.biblicalrecorder.org:80/post/2009/03/25/Saying-no-to-Sundays.aspx. 

I’d like to know your thoughts on it. 

Also, you may be interested in this article about our son, Steve Jr. and Chrissy, and their desire to live the life of Jesus among the people in their community.  Here’s the link for that: http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158749~Couple_in_Boston_redefines_%27church_planting%27

You know, it’s really as simple as that…living the life of Jesus among the people you are with every day…family, friends, co-workers, strangers, everyone.  (It’s the principle that’s simple; living like Jesus is excruciatingly difficult, though the pursuit is exciting beyond imagination.)  And to know that if you fail, you’re still OK…how can you lose? 

What are you doing in that regard where you live, play and work?  How’s it going? 

L’ chai-im!