How Big Is Your Box?

Do you have to fit into my box or I into yours?

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. - Genesis 1:27

God made us all so different - all so unique - yet ALL in His image.

So, I ask the question again: Do you have to fit into my box or I into yours?

I submit to you that Church, the place where Christians gather to learn, encourage, grow, and worship in corporate harmony, is nothing more than a box. It's a location, typically with doors and windows (but not required), where people gather.

Some of those boxes have extensive rules, including a dress code and restrictions on acceptable behavior. The people who worship there tend to be wired by God to need such things.

Other boxes have little or no rules. Freedom of expression and exploration are openly encouraged. This box might not even have any walls, just wide open spaces.

While the people in these two examples might not be comfortable exchanging boxes, they can still be united in purpose - God's purpose.

The recognition and acknowledgment that God did not create us all the same and yet all in his image is vital to finding the common ground we all share: Jesus Christ.

I'm a Wiener!!

I'm a Wiener!!

Woo Hoo!!! I won two LUXURY box tickets to a regular season Raiders game!! Yes, I'm gloating. Yes, I know it's wrong. But it feels so good!! Check it out above. This will be my climate controlled view of the game as I stuff myself (gluttony?) on free food! Oh, and did I mention the VIP parking? Now...the only question is...who should I take? I wonder....

Is It A Possible Sign?

I had to do it. I just had to. Couldn't help it.

Doing a little research, I found the following for the Laurelwood House on Websters.com:

laurelwood (noun) : tropical American tree; valued for its hard durable wood

When you think about it, that really fits where I'm at. I'm hard headed and just won't go away (durable). And, I'm American and I like the tropics. Wow, could be a sign, don't ya think?

Okay...okay...it's just a little tongue-in-cheek. Havin' some fun witcha. But...it could have some significance...maybe?

Wow! It seems like only yesterday I stormed into the factory where you worked, picked you up in my arms, and carried you off while everyone else cheered. Okay, that's not exactly how it happened... but... still, ya got to admit we have an amazing story of our own.

Who would have thought that when I ventured off to Spain with the Air Force I would meet the love of my life...my soul mate...the one who completes me? We grew up literally a world apart, yet God brought us together and made us one. That's incredible. That's only something God could work out.

I love you, Begoña! More today than ever! Happy almost-sorta-kinda anniversary (she knows what that means)! Seventeen years! Man, I can't believe you haven't traded me in for a newer model yet.

Te quiero para siempre mi preciosita. Te quiero. Te quiero.

You Are Superman

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.And pretty cute too. No wonder you're the most popular superhero ever!

What Superhero Are You?

I'm Superman?!?! It must be rigged! Always figured myself for a Wolverine ('cause I don't like shaving).

A Conversation…

Opposing views? Or…ineffective communication? How much can you really communicate through a blog posting anyway?

I had a great conversation with a well-respected and much loved friend yesterday. We hadn’t had the opportunity to speak for a while. It’s funny how two people can be so much on the same page and not even know it.

I don’t want to guard my personal views to the point of closing myself off to different ideas. But it’s hard…especially when God has given me clear direction. Defensiveness is a character trait I’m trying hard to suppress. I want to be the loud one in the room. “Hey, everyone! Listen to me!”

All this follows a minor epiphany in my life. In the book of James, the first chapter and fifth verse, it reads:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

So, here’s the deal. When we see the word wisdom in the New Testament, it means knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. It doesn’t mean street smarts, it doesn’t have anything to do with what they’re selling in the universities; it means knowing the Bible and how to apply it to life.

Where’s the epiphany in that? When this verse was written, there was no Bible. People relied on other people (priests and prophets), discernment, and prayer to get wisdom. But, God has now given us the Bible – His Holy Word. And that means He’s already delivered on His promise to give wisdom to all who ask for it. That’s the epiphany.

So, I turn to the Word to find answers. In the Word, I find unity and not division. In the Word, I find God opposing division in His church.

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10

For sure, God has given some people a different vision for what church should look like. How do we make church relevant to the world we live in? That seems to be the question of the day.

Could it be that God doesn’t want a model church…a one-size-fits-all church? Could it be that God wants some to move from traditional church to something completely different? And could it be that God wants us all to support the idea that there is no model church?

In the end, He will be glorified. And that truly is the point.

So, I will continue to defend the traditional church - because I see the relevance. I will also continue to lead towards change - to foster an environment that supports all God's work. Through Christ, the body of Christ unified and moving on one accord - to glorify Him and reach the lost for Him.

Thank you, my brother, for sharing your heart and opening the dialogue. It was long overdue.