Rules without Relationship

"Rules without relationship always leads to rebellion. The only thing that tethers us is Love."

Coincidentally, I heard this on the radio right after I left a story about a church closing. I spoke with a young man who works with a group called Dirty Vagabond Ministries, and he said he focuses on teen outreach by visiting teens where they are, developing a relationship and" earning the right" to minister to them. For example, he goes to sporting events and to bus stops to bring the kids snacks before school and try to build rapport.
It's better than just bringing them in the church and preaching at them, he said, and that's not what Jesus did. He didn't have Bible studies and seminars, He went to people where they were.

Those words really resonated with me - his idea of building a relationship and letting ministry develop naturally. I think he's right. Ultimately, people just want to feel loved.

I've been really reflecting upon what draws people to a church and what keeps people in a church. We're in a trendy, superficial society that needs bells and whistles to catch people's attention. Ur church needs to have a Web site, and a text message sermon and a live Web stream and needs to be televised. You need to have lyrics posted on projectors and announcements via video and a ministry for every single population - the ski club ministry and the pet ministry and the married with kids ministry and the married without kids ministry, etc etc etc.

What if you have a smaller church that can't compete? (Because let's face it, times are tough, we got bills to pay so we need butts in seats, and it is a competition.) OK, to be more accurate, what if you have a smaller church that is simply fighting to sustain itself? I've been to big churches. It turned me off one day when I had to sit in the "overflow room" and watch church on TV.  I could've done that at home - without having to pay an offering.

I guess you just have to wait for people to mature to a point where they realize that flashing lights are less important than finding a place where you feel the Love of God.

And all you need for that is...well, somewhere that teaches the full gospel of Christ. Doesn't matter the size of the sanctuary or the amenities they offer.

"The only thing that tethers us is Love."

The FAMUAN

Jesus has been telling me to do this.

I just wanted to say to everyone on the staff of The Famuan, roughly between the years of 2004-2008, that it was a stressful (yet rewarding) place, and we all handle that stress differently. So I apologize if I was rude or b*tchy or snappy or whatever.
I didn't mean it.
I love you all.

Sorry.

Better late than never. Never late is better. (Just because those two statements should always accompany each other now.)

I Miss You

Last weekend was ....different. Saturday night a friend invited me to a get-together at her apartment. Many of the young ladies there attended the same church, and I honestly can't think of much else that we talked about that night beyond the Lord.
I'm not used to young people talking about Him when we hang out. Some may call it weird, others could label it "refreshing."

The next day for work I was sent to cover a church's 100th anniversary. Now, celebrations like anniversaries (and pastor's birthday, and First Lady's birthday, etc) can make one feel like an outsider because it's really like a family reflecting on its history and what they enjoy about each other. At the same time, because it is such a joyous occasion, you feel a lot of love.

I say this to say that by the time my weekend ended, I concluded one thing: I miss Him. We all have to have that moment when we realize how much closer to God we can really stand to be. You may go to church every week - doesn't matter. Oddly enough, finding how much I miss His presence gave me a sense of peace - glad that I remember what His presence feels like, and glad that He'd like me to come back!

Fantasia For Real

I half-watched the first season of Fantasia's show, and I'll be honest, I'm only watching this one for two reasons: Fantasia's hairdos and her crazy-a** brother, Teeny.

That man is a damn fool. One minute he's crying like a baby, talking about, "You ain't been the same towards me since you won 'The Idol!' " The next he's in somebody's house talkin bout, "Ooh yea, I can do something real sexy in here," while the homeowner looks on in horror and charging $5 for folk to go to his "Bossquerade" so he can pay his rent.

Really, he's embarrassing.I'm sure the cameramen and producers be in there having a field day with his crazy footage.
When I see stuff like him auditioning girls for a butt-naked car wash, I think, thank God that man is not related to me!
But I have to keep watching to see what he's going to do and say next.

It's DJ Kane, Stupid!

Check out my friend, DJ Kane, mixin and scratchin on Ustream. (so yall can see he aint one of those mix CD DJs) The boy is bad y'all! Been rockin to him since....04(?) Dang.

I found it funny that a sign at the Applebee's to go lot said 10 min max, but the waitress said there 'd be a 15 min wait.