Writers Block

Tags

Education, Faith, Obama, Politics, Religion, Writers Block

Today I sit and wonder, what do I write.

My friends will tell you that I am not usually short of words, but today, nothing.

Nothing about politics, the war, other friends blogs or my kid.

Nothing about Hockey, although a great win last night, Titans or BCS Championship.

Nothing about church, faith, or a whine about what I like to call bad Christians.

Why is it that sometimes we are just at a loss for words?  We are always thinking and moving even in our sleep.  We always have opinions about politics, religion, schools and friends.  We are really always wanting to share something.

So how can it be that with all of this, nothing to write about today.

Ideas?  Throw them my way….but please do not get me started on the BONE HEADED appointment Obama has made with Secretary of Education….and they say he is not part of a good ole boy system?????

Seriously- Why?

Tags

Bush, Christian, Congress, Democrat, Education, hate groups, media, Obama, recycling, Religion, republican, senate, terrorists

Some random thoughts on a strange day in my world.

Why do we keep electing people to Congress and Senate who currently carry a 9% approval rating?  Does this mean that only 9% of us are voting?

Why do we throw a huge fit when there are Stimulus packages a year ago but now that there is getting ready to be one for up to 1 trillion dollars no one is saying a word?

Why do we see fault in an outgoing Republican President for things that a Democratic Congress controls?

On the flip side, why do we see fault in an incoming Democratic President who has yet to lead?

Why do we blame everyone but ourselves for not living within our means?

Why are we stunned that a politician who has never held a real job in their lives cannot relate to what we are going through?

Why is it politically correct to bash Christians over their beliefs but not any other religion or lifestyle?

Why are we so consumed in having crap we do not need?

Why do we believe everything an agenda driven media says or publishes?

Why do some people never use a turn signal?

Why is it so hard for people to see that the school systems are not indoctrinating our kids and that it is us that have stop being parents?

Why do some people feel “entitled” to things that are not “entitlements” like a college education?

Why do people with the brattiest children think they are soooo cute?

Why do some people keep making stupid decision after stupid decision and never see it?

Why do we live in a place that does not mandate recycling?

Why do people join hate organizations or become terrorists?

Why did I just spend the last 15 minutes writing this?  I guess that is a question that is all mine to answer.

Just one of those days when I felt like jumping on the soap box and throwing it out there.  Want to answer some or all…please do so.

It All Began With A Mouse

Tags

Disney, Happy, Life, Religion

Walt Disney once said, “I am in the business of making people happy”.

I find that amazing….a job that focuses solely on making people happy.  Who does that?  Or a better question might be, Why don’t more of us do that?

How does life change when we focus our careers on making people happy?  How much happier would we all be?

About five years ago I worked for an woman who was an absolute ***(fill in the blank with your own choice word).  Her job was to make sure that none of us were happy and could never get promoted.

When I left the company, I promised myself that I would never work in an environment like that again or for people like her.  I also promised myself I would look at every day as a great day.  A day that was to be celebrated.  No matter what the circumstance, I was in a better place than others.

As I just finished up my Disney Cruise (yes, it was awesome), I realized that I am not much different than Walt.  No I do not have a theme park, millions of dollars, or a fleet of cruise ships.  But I think I have figured out what Walt did.  If I am happy, others around me will be happy.  If I make others happy, in turn I will be as well.

I do not think Walt did not literally meant “business” when he coined that famous phrase.  He used business in leiu of the words “this life”. 

“I am in this life to make people happy”.

Amazing how this philosophy continued on generation after generation and is still as strong as ever.

I challenge you to this….Do you go out each day and focus on making people happy?

Cool Churches- No…Really!

Tags

Bellevue Community Church, church, Crosspoint Church, David Perez, Pete Wilson, Religion

I heard something distrurbing today that just, well, drives me crazy.

A local church had a teen member who decided to attend a concert at another church and invited some friends.  The pastor of the church (non concert) confronted the teen and told her she had to choose and that if she went to church B for the concert to not come back.

I vaildated this story and I think the reason it drives me crazy is because for non believers it provides fuel that churches are exclusionary.  Exclusionary?  In this case it might appear so.  But people who think this is the norm have never stepped into a “Cool Church”. 

 

What is a Cool Church?  A Cool Church is a place of worship that all ages come and celebrate with rockin music, lively worship, coffee bars and community festivities.  They don’t exclude and are inviting to everyone even non believers.  Non believers are not treated as outcasts, but guests, that are allowed to explore faith on their terms and come to their own decisions without pressure.  Freinds from other churches are always welcome, in fact invited.  The community is the focus and improving the community is the goal.  Real People and Real World are the underscore of the church.

If, like me, you live in the West Nashville Area, these Cool Churches are Bellevue Community Church and Crosspoint Church.  I am sure there are others but these are the two I have visited and find “Cool”.  Both Pastors Pete Wilson from Crosspoint and David Perez from Bellevue, GET IT.  They understand what community and church is all about.  You want to see what a welcoming environment and safe place to worship is all about….well here you go.

Check out a Cool Church and see for yourself……you might be surprised.

Pete has a cool blog as well….it is under Blogs I Read.

Thanks for David and Pete….you got Cool Churches.

How Do You Make A Difference?

Tags

Bellevue Community Church, Philanthropy, Religion, Shoes, Soles For Souls

Today at BCC (Bellevue Community Church) we were lucky to once again be part of 1000 shoe weekend. This is when we wear a pair of slightly worn shoes to church, and at the end of the service, we leave them on stage, walk out barefoot, and the shoes are donated to Soles for Souls.
If you are not aware of Sole for Souls the brief overview is that it is an organization that gathers and/or purchases shoes which it then delivers to the needy all over the world. The shoes go to the homeless, abuse victims in shelters, third world countries etc. If I heard it correctly, a pair is placed on someones foot every 20 seconds.
What is cool about this story to me is that the fellow who started the organization is not only a member of our church, but is also a former CEO who had the idea after watching a shoe wash up during a broadcast of the tsunami in Sri Lanka. He used his background in the shoe industry to help out victims from that, then Katrina and realized that people needed help all year long. Hence, Soles for Souls.

I see how he has made an absolute difference but now I am wondering how can I?

I also pose the question to you…How do you make a difference?

I think it can be as simple as buying someone a cup of coffee or opening the door but let me know…what are we doing as people and a community to change the world?

After walking out barefoot today, in the rain, I also wonder..Am I doing enough?

Please let me hear from you.

Also, check out http://www.soles4souls.org/

Another Loss For Our Friends

Tags

Life, Religion

I just found out that the sister of one of our friends lost their 3 month old Luke last night. They went in to check on him and he was not breathing.
This is even more accentuated by the fact that these are friends who too lost their own child just 7 weeks ago.
I have a hard time understanding why this happens to good people. Not that it should happen to anyone but it always seams to hit those who are the most caring, loving and trusting of all. Why?
Please do me a favor and click on the “Bring The Rain” link in Blogs I Read. Read the story and pass along your prayers.

Can A Video Change Our Life?

Tags

Life, Religion

Can a video change our life? A simple question but probably not a simple answer for many.

Our lives are defined by key events. These events mold our personalities, how we treat others, or how we might even view someone or something else.

A couple of videos that have changed my life over the recent few months. Below I share them.

One is an act of pure sportsmanship. I can only wish I would have thought to do the same.

The other, a video about pure faith. A journey that most could not bear to handle but that one set of dear friends turned into an amazing message.

Watch these and answer the question; Could a video change your life?

Please note: The second video is in three parts.