Laughing my butt off!!!!

I'm rolling. I just walked in the most hysterical thing I think I've ever seen. I've been in the office all morning and mommy has been getting Baylee ready for her 1 year pictures (a few months late) and so Hunter has kinda been on his own. Somehow he got Barney tuned in on our local PBS station. Barney is doing some questionable dance that the children are supposed to be learning along with him.

Here's where I start the laughing bit. Hunter is shakin' his money-maker. He's got moves that would make Richard Simmons hang up his silky little "stars and stripes shorts" for good. For the life of me, I dont know where he gets that. Dad isn't necessarily John Travolta and Mom is no Gloria Estafan. Not that we're against it, we just dont dance much. We're bright enough to know that while we perceive ourselves to be like Fred and Ginger in our own home, we're more like Shaggy and Velma to interested onlookers.

Lately, I've been in one of those typical "Pastor-Funky" moods. More discouraged than inspired, more disappointed than excited...you get the picture. Anyhow, in the dance of a 4 year old and a purple foam monster God seemed to take hold of the weight and burden within me, and discard it. I mean its gone. (Not gone enough that I got up and joined them---but I will next time.)

At any rate, I just wanted to praise God for that. I've been tucked away reading every book by all the spiritual giants that I can get my hands on, in order to help me to climb out of the funk; and God uses a purple, pagan people-eater of questionable sexuality to do the job. Go Figure. Thanks daddy.

Today I read a really interesting blog by Dr. Ben Witherington from Asbury Seminary. He was talking about Roman architecture, primarily the bridges built by the Romans. To read the blog, just click on his name on the right of this page and read the blog with today's date. (June 26)

The thing that struck me was that many of the bridges built by the Roman army are still perfectly safe and usable today, nearly 2000 years after being built. That's impressive. Here in our "world" we're getting a new bridge just down the road. It has taken forever, and my guess is that if it lasts for 25 years it will be miraculous. Witherington stated that the Romans built these bridges to last because they expected their rule to last. They fully intended their reign to last forever, and so they built to accommodate that time frame. That's awesome.

Now I click and drag that article into church work, even the Christian life in general, and I have to admit, I'm not very proud of myself or some of my projects as they compare to Roman Bridges. While my work ethic is pretty good, my vision is very seldom as distant as "forever." My perspective is usually more short term. And I'm certainly not alone in this. We do VBS and our vision is usually "to make it through the week." We do summer camp, and often we countdown the hot, sweaty, sleepless hours until we get to go home. As I prepare sermons or Bible Studies, I often lose sight of the "forever" I'm trying to get folks to grasp as they live in the here and now; and just get it "done." As I deal with people and am hurt by them, offended by them, rejected by them or disgusted by them, I lose sight of "forever" and let our momentary interaction determine the course for all future interactions or the lack thereof.

What is my point in all of this? Good question, I'm not sure. As I read Dr. Ben's blog my spirit made some connection that at that time caused everything to fit in place...for a minute. This life in Christ thing is really unique. On the one hand we are to live for today and let tomorrow take care of itself. On the other hand we are to live with eternity---forever---always embedded within us. And I don't always get it. In the process of building bridges that last forever its so darn easy to lose focus and only pay attention to the "rocks" I'm fitting into place right now.

It was the best of times...it was the WORST of times!

OK, hopefully this picture will explain my previous post. "Leona" is really a great friend. OK, used to be. She suckered me into a wager of sorts while I was trying to preach one Sunday Morning. It went something like this: If we get 100 kids involved in our Vacation Bible School I'd wear a Kentucky Wildcats shirt to preach. Well, the deal kept changing and the Math they used to tally up the children was questionable. And the picture you see before you is the result.

If you'll notice, the look on my face is one of anguish. I now know how SuperMan feels when nailed with a Kryptonite-Clod. I was weak. Barely able to speak. I'm guessing all the slop from Kentucky Basketball was transferred to me through the jersey. At any rate, I kept my word. Which is something I will die trying to do, even if it was conned out of me.

At any rate, it wasn't about the jersey. It was about kids meeting Jesus. And since I was put on this pedestal, I will seize the day and preach from here!!! What are you doing to encourage kids to know Jesus Christ? If I can wear UK apparel, what can you do? Better yet, what will you do? The enemy will spare no expense, but sometimes we can be pretty cheap.

Anyhow, that's Tammy Brunston below, preparing for "Joe Dirt Night" at a Southern Illinois Miner's Baseball game. It's just a costume, not her regular wardrobe; she usually looks like Redneck. Thanks Tammy. I win.

How Do You Share the Love of Jesus with THIS?

Anyone who's ever done any ministry in a country church will frequently find themselves presented with the opportunity to minister to those who are in desperate need of a relationship with Jesus. The Problem is, how do you make Jesus "real" enough that sinners like this one will want to know Him? Any suggestions for leading "Leona the Cable Girl" to the Lord?