My friend Rudy shared this link on Facebook (FB) and I laughed when I read the article. I laughed because just a few days ago I updated my FB status to alert “my friends” that not everyone that asks you to be a “friend” should be “friended” unless of course you are just seeking to do what many myspacers did, i.e. get your friend count up. Why did I do that? Well, because a person who shall remain nameless suddenly surfaced back into the real world after a MAJOR offense against me. For those of you who attended my seminar in NYC 11/1 this was one of the major lemons of my life. I don’t wish any harm to the person (ok, well not all the time ), but I don’t necessarily feel the warm fuzzies when I see the face or read the name. When she was friended I said wow people actually like this person?. Keeping it real as always

But I digress, I have unfriended one person since joining FB when I first joined but now I just don’t say yes to everyone who wants to be a friend. What about you? Have you unfriended, do you friend everyone? What’s your take?

I posted the other day about how I feel that Rick Warren should not back out of Obama’s invitation. The Latino Leadership Circle has a good post on just what Obama is signaling to the world with his choice of Warren. Read it here.

HT: Jeremy Del Rio

My husband reminded me that I haven’t blogged in a while. I’ve been crazy busy but as is the case with most bloggers, its not that I don’t want to blog, have a lack of opinion on a myriad of issues its just sitting down and doing it. Thus, at this very moment, since I have the time, I am about to do a buffet of blog posts…

Rick Warren Don’t Back Down - so now that Obama wants him to do the prayer in his inauguration the Gay and Lesbian community and all the “politically correct” back bone less folks are calling for Warren to do Obama a favor and withdraw from the invitation. Don’t Pastor Rick! They wouldn’t if they had the opportunity. People its only a prayer! He won’t be giving a discourse on the morality of sexual deviancy or the myth of a “gay” gene for goodness sakes! Let the man say a prayer. Read more here

Ted Haggard says He’s a Loser and has a documentary coming out to prove it - Come on Mr. Haggard why a documentary claiming that you didn’t tell the church world about your struggle because you would be “rejected, abandoned and kicked out”? Ok, folks…for most of us Christians, homosexuality is sin right?! Period. But so are a number of other things we can go on and on about. (here is one article as well on how we are rebranding sin) Now I agree with Mr. Haggard on one thing…most churches sucketh at helping people who struggle with sexual sins. But that is not a reason to not deal with it. Hell to the No Ted. Why didn’t you step down so you can deal with this issue? Why did you feel you had to keep publically decrying something you were enjoying on the backside (no pun intended)? I think this is the problem with most Christians. I don’t think many are above hiding things. It is a constant struggle in this world to walk our talk. More leaders need to sit their butts down when they are struggling with sin and get with God as well as a person they trust to get them the help and accountability they need. But we also must become the people who people who struggle with such things can come too. We have to point fingers both ways because we as ministers of the gospel as receipients of grace constantly forget that it is by HIS GRACE that we are not in similar situations. We are not above anything and the moment you think you are…you my friend are in trouble.  Todd Rhoades at Monday Morning Insight hits it on the head when discussing this story you have to go read it yourself here

Tragedy during a Christmas performance - Imagine you are in your church excited about your church’s Christmas play and suddenly something goes awfully wrong. That’s the case here

A church tells anadulterous woman to repent or be shouted out in church - she leaves and calls media. What say you about this? Read all about it here

Calling (and not so perfect) over Efficiency - This church feels that we are called to develop people even if giving them an opportunity doesn’t produce efficient systems in the church. Hmm, I am still pondering that one. While I agree that the churches “mission” is not to have efficient programs but purposeful disciples, I do come from the school of thought that we should “strive” for excellence versus perfection. I am definitely not a person who likes to “wing it” nor do I like others who do so. I know the intent of the pastor whom the article mentions but I think it is certainly harder to apply in reality than most people think because it also creates a culture where  “average” is good enough and uh, I don’t think so.

Finally, I wish you a very merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year. This year I don’t even have a tree up, bought very little presents for people and am trying to be creative about our celebration without the hoopla. I want to enjoy my family and this year is extra special because one of my best friends moved to Florida! Although funds have been tighter than ever and life has not turned out as I would have wanted, I am still blessed. I am very grateful that my youngest son is NOT in the hospital (I did spend a few holidays in the hospital in NY), my older son is becoming an all around musician with piano, guitar and bass (this year’s present for him). So celebrate the arrival of Jesus and the gift He was/is to the world. 

As someone who has started, closed, and have become part of a church plant again all within four years, I relate to much of what a friend, Jose Humphreys shares in his journey as a church planter. Read his interview here and his blog post here. 

I know my experience in church planting is like a roller coaster ride and getting married. You are a little afraid of getting on the ride, the highs feel great but you know the lows are coming and try to prepare yourself but you still get that yuk feeling in your stomach but you know you are married to the call yet you don’t know how the married life is going to turn out until you experience it and its never like any one else’s experience. It’s all different yet strangely similar. Church planting is like itself a daring adventure.

I wish there were more support networks for women involved in church planting teams as pastors but like I see with everything, most networks are lead by white Anglo males. NOTHING against my brothers ok! It just is what it is. I guess my people of color who are doing this are just trying to survive in whatever it is that they are doing and can’t start something because of the time and MONEY it takes to gather people.

Anyway, bottomline, I have learned that nothing is more important than your connection with God, developing that relationship and keeping it fresh and alive because church planting kicks your butt in every which way you can think of and even in the ways you never imagined. But knowing you are where you are supposed to be is the greatest feeling and we have to have as my former boss would say, live with the creative tension of both those realities.

I can across this post while reading some blogs this a.m. and it got me thinking, what keeps MY passion alive for Jesus? 

I would have to say the following:

1. Putting things into perspective. I need to remind myself that this is not all there is, that God is bigger than any economic situation in America, etc. Sorry but I do! It’s easy to get swallowed up in the day to day grind of surviving so putting my life (that is but a midst/vapor according to James) helps me put my life and my God into perspective. For ex: I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan and that has helped me to remember how BIG my God is, how as Creator He holds the world together.
2. Praying. Just spending time with him puts me in a different zone and I feel different afterwards. I feel like I just spent time with my beloved. I feel stronger.
3. Sharing Stories: I love to hear stories of how others have seen God work in their lives. I also love to share mine. In the sharing of stories there is a power to connect to God because you are hearing first hand experiences with an invisible but yet very present God.
4. Reading: The Word, books about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit not just leadership.

That’ s all I can think of without coffee but what about you? What keeps your passion alive?

So says Obama about the economy as he makes his steps to transition to the highest office. I didn’t expect any different, although of course many of us are hoping for the best. Barna Research Groups Enewsletter said that “Two out of every three families - 68% - have been noticeably affected by the financial setbacks in America. Nearly one out of every four (22%) said they have been impacted in a “major way,” almost four out of ten have been affected “only somewhat” and about one out of every twelve (8%) say they have not been affected too much.”

My friend Rudy posted on other stats on how this economy is affecting the church. As our church plans for the future I wonder about how we’ll be affected even more since its already touched our tithes and offerings. This church planter Devin Hudson, I just found out about recently ministering in Vegas has something to say about this issue as well here.  

It has to be scary for people but isn’t it in tough times like these that we have to put God’s word to the test and believe?  My heart is heavy for those without jobs, for those struggling to make ends meet, for those who wonder just how much they can afford to “gift” this Christmas. I wonder if this is the situation that will put the focus back on CHRIST in Christmas.

It is times like these that I thank God for what I do have and try not to focus on what I don’t.

God: Hello! Did you call me?
Me: Called you? No… who is this?

God: This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat with you.
Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something…

God: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Me: Don’t know. But I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic. It’s rush hour all the time.

God: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Me: I understand. But I still can’t figure it out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
God: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: Why are we then constantly unhappy?
God: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
God: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.
God: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
God: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life becomes better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?
God: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?
God: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading.
God: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
God: Success is a measure as decided by others.. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
God: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?
God: when they suffer they ask, “Why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?” Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.
God: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?
God: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
God: There are no unanswered prayers.. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start this day with a new sense of inspiration.
God: Well. Keep the faith and confidence and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.

“Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be.”

Thanks to my friend Nancy for this!

This is a great story. Found it on Jeremy’s site. Now that is something to celebrate and document!

What do you think about this video? I mean there is alot to comment on don’t you think?