It’s been a while since I posted a Bizarro comic. (This week there is a guest artist, Francesco Marciuliano.)
I dedicate this to my argumentative friends…
Archive - July, 2008
To Those In The Know
Dear Person Whose Children Have Moved Away From Home Years Ago,
You know who you are. You go to my church. I’m the children’s pastor, remember me? You are the person that always tells me that if I ever need help on a temporary basis, or if I ever need a substitute that you will be more than glad to step in and help. You never sign up for special events, because you want a personal invite. You’ve broadcast that you once ran a Vacation Bible School in 1983, and it was talked about all over town. You’ve worked in the children’s areas in the past, but since your kids all grew up you have stepped away. You’re never short of opinions, no matter how invaluable they may be. Yes, I’m talking to you.
Now that we’ve confirmed your identity, let’s get something straight.
When you tell me that you’ll help me in a pinch, please help me. I’ve asked you 4 separate times to fill in, but you’re never feeling ‘up to it.’ Please stop waiting for a personal invite to assist me with a special event; in fact consider this your longstanding personal invite. I’m so glad that you experienced success at your previous VBS, but that doesn’t mean we have to use Elmer’s glue and craft sticks at this VBS. I really wish you would consider giving yourself to the parents of today and to their children. I know that your kids are out of the house, but your responsibility to the next generation isn’t over yet. And finally, I mean this in all sincerity… your opinion is only as valuable as your willingness to help. I’m NOT short on opinions, I’m short on those that will work along side me.
Please know that I love you, and think that all the work you’ve done in the past is infinitely valuable to the kingdom. I’d just like you to rejoin the team!
Sincerely,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Children’s Pastor
To Do or Not To Do
I can remember in college there were times after that first class that I would think, “What have I gotten myself into?” I would consider dropping the class and picking up another course, but mostly I just got temporarily depressed about how hard it would be. Over time I learned to appreciate these classes the most. I learned that it was when I felt challenged, or up against a wall, that I came out learning the most about myself. So by the time my Senior year in college rolled around and I learned that I would have to submit two 100+ page research papers for my Business Policy class; I actually looked forward to the challenge. It wasn’t easy, but I was better for it when it was all said and done.
Now I’m 10 years removed from that time of my life, but I still seek out challenges. I personally define a challenge as something that I need to do, but I will have to learn how to do it during the process. A true challenge is something that I’m not fully qualified to complete before starting, but when I’m done I’ll be there. Make sense?
So as a leader, pastor, father, and boss I’m in the position of bringing some challenge to those around me. It’s a fanstatically scary role to play in people’s lives. Putting people into positions they may have never volunteered for, but I see potential for growth in that area. Here are some questions I’ve been asking myself:
- How many challenges can each person take?
- Is it my job to put people in certain positions that they need to be in, but may not feel comfortable doing?
- How do I find that place where I want someone to be uncomfortable, but not wanting them to be miserable?
- How much of their ‘personality’ keeps them from being who God needs them to be?
- How many more conversations do I need to have before putting someone into a new leadership area?
- Do I really see potential in this person, or am I just wanting them to be this for me?
Would You Be Mine, Could You Be Mine
I always see blog postings asking questions like, “Who would you dine with if you could dine with anyone from history?”, or maybe “Which leader do you most look to for inspiration?” There are great answers like, Abraham Lincoln or Napoleon or any other great historical figure.
Well call me strange but I’d love to have known Mr. Rogers. Ask my parents, there was no other man on television that could gain my toddler attention. If everyone lived like Mr. Rogers told us to live this would definitely be a wonderful world to exist in. Am I wrong? Seriously, am I wrong?
In the spirit of this great neighbor read these 15 reasons Mr. Rogers was the best neighbor.
I Got Nothing
I apologize for having a big fat Bag of Nothing this week. I thought that my faithful subscribers and readers might want to know what’s been rattling around in this empty head of mine.
- I’m really in iPhone envy right now. I’m locked into a Sprint contract with my church (and thankful they pay for it); but it is the only thing keeping me from dropping $199 for an iPhone. And then I read THIS. This has got to be the first of many cool running gadgets to come along for the iPhone.
- I work with my share of farmers here at the church. I’m aware of their need for rain, and how much it dictates the success of their lives and families. Since I’ve laid new sod 4 days ago at the new house, I feel I can somewhat relate. With an investment this big, I’m really not digging the dry stretch. Rain Baby, Rain!
- This is a MUST-READ for parents, siblings, and friends of the prodigal. It’s an excellent introduction to reaching out to the separated loved one in a relevant way.
- I got this new song for free at Starbucks yesterday, and I’m really thinking I need to get this entire album.
- VBS starts next Sunday Night. I’m not a big fan of Vacation Bible School. Really, I’m not… I am however a big fan of having 300+ kids show up at my church! Say a prayer that it doesn’t rain. (and yes I get the irony…)
- I’m loving the long-distance email support with my friends in the blogosphere; Kenny, Matt, and Sam.
- I’m not running a marathon. I’ve decided to scale back the running schedule, and just try to run for fun. Maybe get in a local 5k or 10k. It’s hard to explain, but my excuse is the time commitment required to continue was seriously cutting out the important stuff…and…I…wasn’t having any fun. It sucked! I had fun running less than 8 mile distances, but anything over that just wasn’t enjoyable in anyway to me. You can still follow my progress through the site, but you’ll notice the distances going down and down for a few weeks as I recover.
- I blew up and formatted my laptop this week. Totally erased everything, and started over with a fresh install. It’s so liberating!
- I’m embarrassed with how little I’ve been reading. Life has gotten faster, and my reading has gotten much, much, much slower.
- And finally I need to give credit to my friend Keith for the Bag of Nothing image above. If you don’t daily read his bag of nothing, then you’re missing out.
