Getting a Church Rash

We got a call yesterday afternoon from the grandmother of a 6th grade boy who has been coming to our church for about the past two years.  He was one of Isaac’s classmates at Communit* Baptis* Schoo*.  The 6th grader likes our church and wants to keep coming.  I think he has developed relationships with other kids, has adults who love on him here (which he really needs in his life), and has become increasingly involved in our youth group.

But…grandma called to let us know that he wouldn’t be able to come back to church anymore.  She apologized and said it wasn’t because he doesn’t want to.

Turns out the Principal of Isaac’s Old School – Com*unity Bap*ist Sch*ol pulled the grandmother aside and told her if her grandson wanted to return in the 7th grade to this school he needed to go to a “like-minded” baptist church and recommended one close to their home.  So, he can’t come back anymore…

That church gives me a rash.

Harmonica for the Poor

So I’m talking to people in our (crowded) little lobby after church and someone comes up to me and says, “Ummm…do you know what your middle son is doing?“  Of course I’m thinking, “Uh oh, it could be anything knowing Caleb!”  They continued, “your son is playing the harmonica down the hallway for money with a cup in front of him for change…”  I could only picture all too well Caleb’s latest exploit.

So, I walk down the hallway and sure enough….there’s Caleb playing his harmonica with a tip cup in front of him and our worship leader’s son dancing right alongside accepting change from adults walking by.

When I asked Caleb what he was doing he said, “I’m playing the harmonica for the poor.  I’m giving this money to the poor.”  So, I did what any dad would do…I donated to the cause.  He already has an individual in mind who he want to receive the (just over) $3 he got playing the harmonica for the poor this morning!

I wonder what would happen if we had him play during our tithes and offerings (which by the way…was best of the year today! )?

What Pastors Are Really Thinking on Sunday Mornings

I’m sitting in my office staring at a sermon I wrote this week.

I’m supposed to stand in front of the Living Stones Church in about four hours and deliver it.

I’m supposed to speak a word about/and on behalf of God.  THEE GOD. 

God…The Holy One of Israel…The Ancient of Days…the great I AM…Adonai…the Alpha and Omega…

Not some fantasy-land god or some ethereal concept of god…THEE GOD!!!

The same God who with the power of His voice created the entirety of the universe with a word!  The same God who called Abraham and made him a promise that would impact the whole world.  The same God who affirmed that promise to Isaac.  The same God who wrestled with Jacob and gave him the name Israel.  The same God who confronted Moses with a burning bush.  The same God who parted the Red Sea; brought ten devastating plagues on Egypt; made the sun stand still.  Etc.  That God.  Same God.  Not a different God.  Same God.

This God who I get to take my next breath because he permits it.  This God who has the power to snuff me out in a second if he so desires.  This God who is infinite in every way…who can fathom such a thing? God.

I’m going to get up and speak a word about and / on behalf of this God.

Who the crap do I think I am?!?!

What Pastors are really thinking on Sunday mornings.