Which Jesus?

A children's minister friend of mine and I were chatting online recently and we decided to make a t-shirt with this on the front...

"I don't know the poopy Jesus."

We got to that rather goofy point after talking about how some folks I was at a prayer meeting with seemed to feel that the really cool experience of knowing the unfathomable creator of all things is best displayed with a face that resembles that of a polite and proper socialite experiencing constipation.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really not trying to be critical. I know that every one of those folks loves Jesus as much as I. However, I think it is valuable to reflect on how we carry ourselves and how that effects people's perception of what God has done in us.

What Jesus do people think you know?

Amazing Faith

This week I'm preaching to adults. That means I can't crow like a chicken, throw stuff, or act like a monkey to drive a point home. This leaves me a bit short for illustrative material. However, I've come across a nice thought, so I might survive yet: if we have amazing love, amazing grace, and all that, why can't we have amazing faith?

Sure, the love and grace thing are from Jesus. Faith is our deal. But if you stop and think about it Biblically, we all get a "measure of faith" from God. So faith is a gift from God just as much as His grace and love. Just like grace and love, we can use it or leave it be. Since it's up to us to tap into the faith we've been given, why not go for broke?

So I challenge y'all to attempt to "ramp up" your faith in God's promises and see if something amazing results.

Jesus, please come back soon...

This is the world our kids will grow up in. They will be assailed with temptations from... you got it... it's not a joke (or at least it isn't meant to be)... http://www.flirtomatic.com/

Dear God help us! ;)

Respectobigle

So I'm sitting here in Starbucks with my trusty(ish) Dell laptop, and I see a few folks sitting a few tables away. It's a grandmother and a granddaughter by the looks of things. The granddaughter, stylish and trendy is texting away on her phone while the grandma, well into her seventies, tries to act like what she is saying is being heard.

It reminded me of my now departed grandparents, and how I didn't ever think they would be gone while I had them, and how I wanted them when they were gone.

So go get some coffee with your grandma... with the cell phone turned off.

New Baby

What a great thing babies are. They are just so cute. My new niece is no exception! She is just a princes waiting to happen. If you don't have a niece yet, I'd recommend getting one.