we've had a great year...

Topic #12 - New Year's Resolutions

I love the idea of New Year's Resolutions. A fresh start. A new beginning. A chance to try something new. A motivation to acccomplish something difficult. An opportunity to mold your life in a new and better direction.

I just don't really like coming up with them, writing them down, and then following through.

However, they have become almost as necessary in our society as washing your underwear and engaging in small talk with other humans - things which many men only began doing in the last couple of decades.

So, with the suffocating pressure of society upon me, here are my resolutions:

1. Hike a trail in the Smoky Mountains that I've never hiked before...minimum 2 miles.
2. Throw darts at Spicy's on Emory road at least twice a month
3. Reduce my "soda" consumption to no more than one beverage each day
4. Begin walking/jogging 2 miles at least twice a week
5. Commit to the previous two resolutions, or commit to actually buying a larger size of pants
6. Floss my teeth...um, at least once...each month?
7. Try my best to make the most smart-assed comments on all the blogs I read. As of now, sometimes I only have the 2nd or 3rd most smart-assed comments. And that blows.
8. Stop eating anything by Chef Boyardee. Period. For some reason, about twice a year Spaghetti-O's sound really good to me. Then I eat them. Then I barf.
9. Listen to more worship music and less rap music. This has been a long time struggle.
10. Pray less while laying on my back half asleep in bed...and pray more when I'm fully awake, on my knees, and actually focused on having a conversation with God.

They're not extraordinary, I know. But they're real. And they're attainable. And that's what counts.

Have you made resolutions? Are they real and attainable? Are they important enough to follow through on? Feel free to share them. I've been told it helps to have accountability in these types of things. And if you'll take time to comment, I'll be sure to put forth my best effort in regards to my 7th resolution.

Happy New Year!

Topic #11 - The Prosperity Gospel

Sheerly by chance, I caught most of a Joel Osteen interview on 60 Minutes last night while at a family Christmas gathering. I think it originally aired in October but was aired again.

I want to direct you to the CBS website recapping this interview. It's a 3 page report, and this link will take you straight to page 3. You may or may not want to read the enitre recap. It is pretty interesting. What's more interesting to me are the reader comments. 86 of them at the time I looked a few minutes ago. And mostly mean, seething, evil, sarcastic, cynical comments at that.

I'm not sure if I can think of a human being in my lifetime who has been so loved and so despised by the Christian community. Even among television evangelists. Millions love his "Prosperity Gospel", tens of thousands attend his church, and millions watch it on tv each week. In fact, his church collects roughly $30,000,000.00 each year through the mail from tv viewers - and they don't even solicit money on the television program!

However, many have grown up in the "Turn or Burn Gospel", and believe it to be the correct way salvation is preached. In addition, many others (myself included) are very focused on a more "balanced" Gospel message. Teaching the good with the bad. The love and the rebuke. The rewards and the punishments. And understanding all of it in the light of God as a LOVING God whose ultimate desire is for His people to love Him, honor Him, live peaceful and fruitful lives, and spend eternity with Him.

In our society today, is the Prosperity Gospel necessarily bad? Is it better or worse than the Turn or Burn Gospel? I'd love to know what else happens at Osteen's church. Small groups, classes, Sunday School, specialized ministries. What do their people study in those environments? Do they dig deeper? Do they wrestle with tougher questions? Do they truly believe that by living the right way, God will provide you with a better life and financial stability? I don't really know. And I'm certainly in no position to judge.

I simply hope and pray that if we believe in the saving grace of Christ, that no matter what lens we see it through - prosperity, turn and burn, catholic, methodist, lutheran, king james only, traditional, modern, missional, attractional, etc - we'll all be able to talk about it someday in Heaven together.

Topic #10 - Giving vs Helping

"Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he'll eat forever."

Matthew 19:21 - Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

I think a lot about my lack of giving or service or help to those in need (aka - "the poor"). Anytime in my life where I've given or served freely, I've always been blessed and so thankful for the opportunity to help. Yet I do so little. I'm serious...SO little. I'm so concerned with my own life, my own time, my own needs, and my own happiness that I simply block out the needs of others. It's sad.

But I've also been thinking a lot about the difference between "giving" and "helping". It's so easy to give. Take donations to Goodwill. Put in a little extra offering. Support a local charity with a monthly check. Even serving food in a shelter to the homeless. All good things, but all pretty easy and non-invested types of things.

I came across this story recently. I don't know if it's wholly true or not, but I think it probably is. It really brings to light the vast difference between "giving" and "helping" people in need.

It's easy to give someone money....but how do we HELP that person learn better work skills, earn more money and manage it more wisely? It's easy to donate food to a pantry. But how do we connect with families in need of food and HELP them get off their feet and provide for themselves? It's easy to see someone on Sunday at church who is struggling with finances, marriage, their job, sin, or a broken down car and to be nice to them and tell them we're praying for them, but how do we HELP this person work through the situation and come out better on the other side?

Again, as usual, I don't have much in the way of answers. Just a continued struggle. It's just frustrating to see Christians and the church miss the mark so often when it comes to helping those who need it most. We all work more, do more, drive more, commit to more, have a hundred responsibilities a week, and are left with almost no time leftover to truly invest ourselves in the lives of others. We like the concept of serving, but don't understand the application of it.

I'm praying that God might give me clarity and opportunity in this area. I'm tired of being stressed and busy and all about me. Life is not very fruitful or satisfying without serving others in need. And I don't want to be 68 years old and "retired" before I realize it. Please pray about how we all might serve/help others daily. Jesus lived it. He taught it. He commanded it. It's ultimately what our lives on earth are all about once we've been saved.

1 John 3:17-19 (The Message) This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

Topic #9 - Church Saturation

I've sort of been a long time fan of the "megachurch" - typically defined as a church with 2000 or more attenders in a typical week. There are many who disagree, saying you lose that close knit family feeling, it's too impersonal, you don't know anyone. I've been a part of more than enough churches of 50-150 to say with confidence that I still never knew everyone - at least not by more than name. And, really, what is a megachurch? It's a bunch of smaller groups of people who, when gathered together, make up a really large group of people.

However, this is not really the point of this post.

I'm simply wondering if there are too many churches in our nation, our region, our state, or even our city.

Here's what my searching has uncovered. In the "Bible Belt", it is estimated that there are typically about 15 churches for every 10,000 residents. This would be about 667 persons per church, if EVERY person went to church. But they don't.

Various studies and research show that, on average, about 40-45% of Americans attend church regularly. However, most of these studies also qualify that 40-45% of Americans SAY they attend church regularly. So the true figures may be lower.

But, since we're talking about the Bible Belt, let's offer the benefit of the doubt, and say that 50% of the people actually do attend church. This would mean that there is a church for every 333 people who attend church. So, for the sake of balance, for every church with 50-100 attenders (of which there are many), there would be a church of 500-600. Or, which is more likely, for every 4-5 churches of 50-100, you've got one church of 1200-1500.

Now, are big churches better than small churches? No. Are small ones better than big ones? No. But this over-saturation of churches concerns me. It seems to speak to a greater & deeper division among Christians who, rather than coming together, pooling their gifts and resources, experiencing in the unifying power of large corporate worship, and living in dynamic faith communities, would rather build their own church with their own people who like to do things their own way.

And - at least to me - this just doesn't seem healthy.


PS - Did I mention that most STATES in the Bible Belt each have over 100 different divisions/denominations of churches to choose from throughout the state? That's amazing, but a totally different discussion for another day.

Topic #8 - "The Christmas Season"

Disclaimer...my opinions in this post have nothing to do with the fact that Christmas truly exists to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, of which I am extremely grateful. It deals with Christmas as a "holiday season", celebrated by the masses, many of whom may not have a speck of faith in Christ, but enjoy the holiday nonetheless.

With that in mind, here are the things that I truly ENJOY about "The Christmas Season":

1. The weather. For some reason, in the last 3-4 years, I've grown from hating cold weather to actually really really enjoying it. Weird.
2. Days off. If you include Thanksgiving and New Year's as a part of the entire season, you normally get to enjoy quite a few days off from work. Nice.
3. Rudolph, Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and any other classic Christmas cartoons.
4. Christmas services at church. No matter what denomination you are, what church you attend, or what type of services they do, you know at Christmas time you'll be talking about Jesus and singing familiar Christmas worship songs.
5. Eli's anticipation of Santa Clause. How fun is it to be young enough to still believe in Santa? I love hearing him talk about Santa, what Santa's going to bring, seeing Santa at every mall, etc.
6. Christmas lights. I've always enjoyed driving through neighborhoods looking at the wide variety of decorations, lights, yard displays, and more.

Here are the things I truly DO NOT LIKE about "The Christmas Season":

1. Gift buying. I know this sounds harsh. But I'm really tired of buying gifts, getting gifts, expecting to buy gifts for people I don't think I should be buying them for, getting pressured to participate in gift exchanges at work. I think Christmas would be so much nicer if it were more like Thanksgiving...just a time to relax, eat good meals, be with family and friends, and remember Jesus.
2. Sale prices. Some people see the $20.00 pair of shoes that are normally $60.00 and think it's awesome. I see it and often think, "man, they are really ripping people off throughout the rest of the year when they sell those for $60.00." Really, when you see how low stores will mark things down, it almost makes you wonder why we would buy anything the rest of the year?
3. Political correctness. Happy holidays. Enjoy the season. We wish you a happy holiday season. Crap, crap, crap. It's especially disheartening when 90% of the "Christmas" cards don't really say anything about Christmas or Jesus. Which leads me to...
4. Christmas cards. This has been a pet peeve of mine for a looong time. I truly do not like to receive Christmas cards that simply say, "from the ____ family". If you can't take time to write a personal note, include a family picture, or put together a more creative card, please don't send out Christmas cards. Just my opinion. =)
5. Christmas falling on the 25th. The 25th is the day we celebrate Christ's birth. But any research will tell you that Jesus probably wasn't actually born on December 25th. I wish Christmas would always be on a Friday or Monday. That way - like Thanksgiving - you could always have a long weekend off of work and really fully enjoy the holiday. Doesn't it stink when Christmas falls on a Wednesday or a Saturday, and you end up not getting any extra days off?
6. Increased stress. Isn't this the opposite effect Christmas should have on us? Shouldn't we be happier, more reflective, and slow down? Instead we have 7 different gatherings to go to, 20 gifts to buy, increased traffic everywhere we go, and a personal budget crisis. It's just not right.

Well, those are my thoughts. I'd love to hear yours. And I want to wish everyone a very happy and joyful holiday season and may you and family enjoy each other's love and company as you rip off the wrapping paper and think about which things you're going to keep and which you're going to take back for exchange. No really...Merry Christmas. And thank you God for sending Jesus.

yes, i keep changing the way this thing looks...sorry....just trying to make it easier to read, harmony of colors, contrasts, all that good stuff. i promise i won't keep changing it.

again, the randomness of life.

Topic #7 - The Randomness Of Life

I've always been a person to notice the randomness of things in life. I often say things that cause the people around me to say, "that was kind of random." But life IS, in many ways, totally random. And I sort of think it's by God's design. Just think about a few things:

A person who has always been healthy, works out, and eats right can contract cancer....while a person down the street who never exercises and has smoked their whole life can live to be 82.

Some people live in the midwest and have never once seen a tornado....others may live only a couple of counties away and have seen many, and possibly had homes destroyed.

A person can grow up in a wonderful Christian home with awesome God loving parents, and rebel against God and never truly believe...another person can grow up in a terrible environment, have no positive influences, and end up becoming a devout follower of Christ.

You can plant 100 trees in an open field. Some will never grow. Some will grow and die. Some will grow and grow and flourish for decades.

I can buy a fictional Elmore Leonard book at McKay's bookstore for $2.50, take it home to read it, and when I open it, an airplane ticket from Boise to Denver, and a one-day ski lift ticket from Sun Valley, Idaho from 02/25/2007 can fall out of the middle of the book. Oh yes, this is true. It just happened this week. I would absolutely love to know the history is this paperback book. It was copyrighted in 1989, but when was it actually printed? Who bought it first? Where? How many people have owned it and read it? How in the world did it get from either Idaho or Colorado to McKay's bookstore in Knoxville, then into my own home?

I don't know who you are, John Murphy, but I hope you're flight went well, and that you enjoyed the book. I'm only 2 chapters in, but I like it so far.

Topic #6 - Going to the Doctor

I've been sick the last two days. So has Eli. On Monday afternoon, we both went to the doctor. He had thrown up a couple of times but she said just to monitor him and be careful what he eats for a couple of days. I had a horribly sore throat, no strep, and was given an anti-biotic prescription.

I also went to the doctor last Friday. I wasn't sick, but I've had a dry cough now for about 4-6 weeks that hasn't gone away, and am getting tired of it. My wife works for an ear, nose, and throat group, so I was able to visit with no co-pay out of pocket.

The two doctor visits, and a prescription for my cough and one for my sore throat cost a total of $85.00. To be honest, there's hardly ever a time when we can afford a sudden loss of $85.00. So not only have I been sick, but very frustrated as well. Not to mention the doctor on Friday ran a flexible scope up my nose, down my naval passage, and into my chest. Not enjoyable.

I've been to the doctor a total of 3 times this year. Before April, it had been probably almost 3 years since my last doctor visit. I hate going. Not because I don't trust them. But because I hate getting a cold, paying $20.00 to see the doctor, then paying another $20.00-$40.00 for some medicine, only for the cold or flu to take as long to go away as it normally would. I can understand going when you're REALLY sick or injured in a way that you can't possibly care for yourself. But how many people go at the drop of a dime? Everytime they feel something? Everytime they get a cold? Everytime they have nausea? It's been said that this is part of the extremely high cost of healthcare....the fact that people who have free or low cost healthcare grossly overuse it.

Sorry, I guess I'm just venting a little. Feeling mostly better now, both physically and emotionally. Throat still a little sore, and the cough is not gone. I'm very grateful for doctors. It's hard to understand how hard they work to get to where they are. They do incredibly important things daily to help people stay alive and healthy. And although I DO believe that God can heal people even today, I'm not really one who shuns doctors as a way to fortify my faith in the healing power of God.

I just don't like going to see them....could just be that I really hate needles?

Topic #5 - Chuck Norris

I don't know much about Chuck Norris. I'm not sure if I've ever watched any of his movies from beginning to end. "Walker, Texas Ranger" was a pretty boring show. And his workout, product promo tv stuff if terribly lame.

But I freaking LOVE Chuck Norris facts. I laugh everytime I hear them, read them, or make them up in my head.

I especially like this one: "If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever."

Check out a bunch of good ones here.

Topic #4 - Fuel Economy

I've always been a junkie for compact cars. I currently drive a 2002 Mazda Protege LX, which looks very much like the one picture to the left. I bought it new. It now has about 85,000 miles. I've always gotten about 29-30 mpg from it.

I'm now pretty totally enamoured with the Honda Fit. Awesome car. 35 mpg, tons of room, sporty, great standard features, air bags all the way around, and really fun to drive.

In my vehicle history, I've owned a 1987 Ford Escort, a 1994 Mazda Protege, a 1998 Mazda Protege, and a couple of compact pickups for a short time. So, for most of my driving life, I've gotten about 30 mpg....and I really like it.

What's very frustrating is to know that fuel economy is the USA could be much better.

Get this.....in 2007, only TWO cars in the US got an average of at least 40 mpg...the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybid. In Europe in 2007, 113 cars got at least an average of 40 mpg. That's right. 113 different cars.

In 2007, the average mpg of ALL cars/light trucks on the road in the US ranged from 21-24 mpg. In Europe, 2007, the average mpg of ALL cars/light trucks on the road ranged from 40-43 mpg. That's right...about 70% better than our vehicles. That's ludicrous. Again, Capitalism bites us in the rear end. Not only that, but have you seen many pictures of the compact cars and trucks in Europe? They look way cooler, more stylish, and more sporty than their counterparts here do! And I'm not just talking about the 2 seater Smart cars. The best resource I can find to look at a sampling of different European cars is this page from Wiklipedia listing the Top 3 finishers the last several years in the European Car of the Year voting. Also, the Toyota Yaris has been gaining in popularity in the US over the last year. This car was released in Europe all the way back in 2000. This is a pretty normal trend, actually. Cool cars are released in Europe, gain popularity, then are released in "modified" versions here in the US...modified in the sense that they are rarely as good looking and get worse gas mileage. I truly cringe when I see the vast number of Hummers, Envoys, Expeditions, Suburbans, Sequoias, Armadas, Range Rovers, Durangos, and other gas guzzlers that rove our roads. And I don't think people that drive these vehicles are bad people. It's just that I'm a fuel economy kind of guy. And I hope I'll have the sense and frugality to remain that way.

Topic #3 - Cats

I do not like cats. They sneaky, arrogant, they shed, and even the cutest nicest ones have a little evil streak in them just waiting to be released. I hope that I shall never be forced to own a cat. The purring thing is kinda cool, but it doesn't make up for everything else.

To reiterate....just to provide clarity....I do not like cats.

Topic #2 - Racism

Let me say two things to start. 1) I do not consider myself racist. A person is a person. A bad person is a bad person, regardless of color or culture. A good person is a good person, regardless of color or culture. 2) I do not believe racism will ever be eliminated - or for that matter, really even "reduced" - in our nation in my lifetime. It's an attitude that has simmered and boiled for many decades, and I believe will be invariably impossible to overcome.

I almost think racism needs a new name. When I say the word, I immediately think "whites who are prejudice against blacks, or vice versa." But it's much more than that. Racism involved whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, middle easterners, and anyone else in between. I believe whites can have racist attitudes toward other whites. If a button-uped, upper class white sees a 20 year old in public with baggy pants, a vulgar oversized shirt, and a backwards cap, and thinks "what a punk", does he really care if the 20 year old guy is white or black?

Our nation is polarizing itself in many ways - political affiliation, christians/non christian, rich/poor, city/urban, and definitely by race/culture. We've become intolerant of almost anything or anyone who is not like us, does not believe like we do, or think like we do. It's been reported that more than ever, Democrats are moving to democratic areas and Republicans are moving to republican areas. Most of us in the church have heard the stat that within a few years of becoming a saved Christian, you have basically no more friends who are NOT believers. City people believe rural dwellers are all red-necked, slack jawed, dumb, calloused, ignorant nobodies who drive 20 year old trucks and can't speak right. Country folks think city people are high fallutin', liberal, egotistical, arrogant jerks who will never understand the meaning of a hard day's work nor the enjoyment of a quiet life.

Is this not all, in some way, racism? Hence the reason I think the term needs revisiting. And I realize that in many cases, I'm as guilty as the next person as "judging a book by its cover", and I do not like that I do it. There's so much to be learned from others, regardless of their social status, color, or position in life. I've been friends with blacks and hispanics. I spent several months a few years ago working with a group of Korean men who were unbelievably hard working, kind, humble, frugal, persistant, and often very funny. I've experienced friendship with white people who were a few economic levels above me, and I've had a long time friendship with a guy so country I can barely understand what he's saying when we talk on the phone. (If by some chance he's reading this, I meant that in the most complimentary way!)

The point is, ultimately, people are people. I have no answers or suggestions on this topic. It's just something I think about regularly. Having the mind of Christ involves seeing a person for who they can be, in addition to who they are. His involvement with Samaritans was not much different than if I became poker-playing-buddies with a bunch of drug dealing hoodlems from downtown Knoxville. At least it wouldn't be looked upon much differently. Yet He did it, and I can hardly see myself doing it. Which is just one reason why Jesus is so incredible. In His heart, He never experienced racism. He never judged by color or position. He never avoided someone because of how they looked, walked, dressed, or even smelled. He knew that people were simply people in need of something greater than themselves. He knew that I was someone in need of something bigger than myself. He knew that you were someone in need of something bigger than yourself. God, open our eyes, help us see people the way you did.