If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you’ll know the tension I feel between how much “business” should be incorporated in our church organization structure. I was reading over on my buddy Los’ blog, and he has this great quote:

Mark Dever, in A Display of God’s Glory, quotes the interaction of a Japanese businessman with a visiting Australian…

“…Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager…” (originally from reformissionary)

Please do not read this as a cynical jab at gifted administrators and managers. Biblically, people with those gifts are integral to the Church’s survival. But obviously, the outside world often perceives the church as a machine.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…

3. Are we too busy worrying about leadership and in doing so, neglecting our call to follow?

Sleeping in is quite wonderful. For the 2.5 years I was on staff at Westside, my schedule varied which meant I slept in quite a bit, except for the weekends. Now that I’m on staff at Lake Pointe, I usually arrive in the office around 8:30. Really, it’s not too terrible.

Around 10 am or so, Chris & I were still lounging around when we got into a conversation about appearances. In the three years we’ve been married, we’ve both gone up a size. I know this isn’t because of my great cooking skills, since I cook about twice a year.

Something I have always battled is comparing myself to other women. It’s almost natural for me to see someone and think, “If I were that skinny…that tall…that confident…if my teeth were that white…my skin that clear…” but on the flip side, I also think, “I’m glad I’m not that fat…that short…that gangly…that wrinkled…”

Thinking those thoughts are awful. They’re harmful to me, and unfair to others. And for some reason, I’ve been doing it a lot more frequently.

There is so much pressure for women to be perfect. Everybody we see on TV is flawless. It’s difficult not to feel like a disappointment when I’m carrying an extra 10 or 15 pounds, my hair needs a good deep conditioning and haven’t shaved my legs in four days.

Is this comparision thing something other women do and just don’t talk about?

We are close to purchasing our airfare for our mission trip to Scotland, and partially due to the increase in gas prices, our tickets have gotten a little more expensive. Basically, we have $1350 collected for Scotland, and our tickets are $1500. So, if you feel led to pray for us, please pray we’d be able to come across this money quickly. If you feel led to give, please email me or donate via PayPal.

Happy Friday!

Now Up – Link to Scary Movie 4 Review

Sorry – I don’t know what I was thinking. Week before Easter, working in a church, trying to finish finance details for the car…and a couple of great surprises! I haven’t had much time to think about anything.

Yesterday, I received an email from Relevant Magazine and will be sending them an article in the next couple of weeks. Please pray for me to discern what God wants me to write, and that I’ll be able to communicate clearly.

Also beginning, well, yesterday, I’ve started reviewing movies for The Mungles on Movies so Chris & I went to the Scary Movie 4 Premiere last night. When the review is up, I’ll link to it.

I hope you’re having a great holy week. We sure are!

There appears to be a trend catching on in this postmodern clique of Gen Y’ers: Swearing.

I remember the first time I read a four-letter word on another “clog” (church blog). I thought it was so amazing and remember thinking,

“That is what it’s all about! If I only had the cajones to be that authentic – that real with people…fearlessly staring down our legalistic forefathers. And, if Donald Miller can say bastard in his book, well, heck – no – well, hell, I can say whatever I want to! Yeah! – no – Hell, yeah!”

Many of my real life friends and virtual cohorts have taken the liberty in their verbiage. After all, it’s not about rules. It’s about Jesus. And love. And relationships. Whether or not we use soft swear words isn’t life or death. Nobody’s losing their salvation. Those who are more “conservative” just need to let it go…

Right?

Maybe not…

I was reflecting back on the summer a couple years back when I got my eyebrow pierced. It was my seventh piercing. If you’re not familiar with the culture in Kansas, piercings aren’t exactly acceptable. In the back of my mind, I knew this – but I wanted to be different. I was working full time in student ministries, and I wanted to relate to some of the skater kids I worked with. And I wanted to present a non-conformist attitude to the Banana Republic wearing culture I lived in.

Ironically, more and more people were getting facial piercings and jumping on the same rebellious, body modification bandwagon I was on. It may have been nonconforming in intent, but the truth of the matter was I was just as guilty as conforming to that particular culture as the Johnson County soccer moms were to theirs.

In the same vein, there are those of us who intend to be authentic. To be real. To show the mess, the dirt, the rawness of our imperfect lives and need for grace. But I really have to wonder – how much of it is necessary? Do we really have to cuss or brag about our liberties to drink in moderation while expecting those with different viewpoints to get over it and realize we are “just being real?” Are we being real – or are we just being…edgy?

We walk around donning our “It’s about loving people” halos but seem to neglect – whether we like it or not – fundamental truths about living like Christ in all aspects, in addition to the clear command to love.

Are we really being honest when we do these things, or are we just conforming to an edgier fad of Christian living? More importantly, are we accurately representing Christ?