More Than Just A Rolling Stone

Our world is mobile... very much so.

Mobility drives our commuting patterns (or lack thereof) - flex time, telecommuting, swing shifts, etc.

Mobility quickens our expectations of the service industry - mobile car washing, mobile windshield repair, mobile dog grooming, etc.

Mobility opens our world up - more people moving, staying put shorter periods of time, video chat, etc.

Mobility has a charm to it - for me, its a katana that cuts both ways - mobility robs us like a ninja pick-pocketing a pirate, savvy?

Mobility can be the proverbial "loose gravel n the road" that makes our commute treacherous, the "flying rock" that collides with us and obscures our vision, the "rough dry stone wall" between us and our neighbors (and subsequently, our neighborhood).

Is our mobility detaching us from life? Are we "stoned" by our "mobility"? 

How about relationships - is it REALLY our desire to foster and participate in such a mobile environment serving as a distraction to building each other up, to being there for other people, to being honest, open and transparent with like-minded folks? Yes, I'm talking about the body of Christ, the Church - not the building.

So, we know "sticks and stones" don't make a church - the people of GOD serve as parts of the overall body of Christ, fulfilling (prayerfully) His purpose on Earth. We need all the "body parts" - eyes, ears, noses, fingers, feet, hands, elbows... doing what they were gifted and designed to do.

But why even gather - after all, we don't have to gather every time the doors (somewhere) are open, right? Right.

We don't HAVE to gather - most of us WANT to, out of gratitude, out of love, out of a desire for genuine fellowship - to worship, to study, to edify (lift up) like-minded (Christians), to minister both in and outside the body of Christ...

It may be counter-intuitive to say so, but, "mobility" has us out gathering stones together and building up walls at the same time we should be "casting away stones" and tilling the soil for the sake of others.

Do we need to BE the church (body of Christ, Christians) by being AT the church (building)? Are we in love with the literal interpretation of building (literally) upon the chief cornerstone (Christ)?

When I said, earlier, that its a katana that cuts both ways - I meant it. And now, I mean it again - but in this light: Perhaps BEING the church (body of Christ) is more about being "mobile" than it is about being "set in stone" (static, unmoving, behind a wall)?

Perhaps BEING the church is more about unsettling your foundations, getting up and going out into the streets, homes and just "rolling with it"?

Perhaps BEING the church is more about the relating to other residents of our communities instead of residing with our regular relatives?

Moss may not grow on a "rolling stone" - but its impact on anything in its path can result in a growth within and outside of us. MMLIA

I'm Voting Against the Process

Ah, the first Tuesday of November - regardless of its numeric value - turns stomachs and (at the same time) excites the masses. (Nope, I'm not Catholic - big "C".)

Since I cast my first ballot back in 19-ah-ha-hem (excuse me), I've noticed the political tongue wagging and war-waging has been elevated to an insane new level.

We all (if honest with ourselves) know that "running for office" involves misrepresentations made by (and against) our preferred candidates. And, for the most-part, many of us who think for ourselves know how to tune out the static.

But, what about the rest of our country? What do those who apply (only) a litmus test for a singular issue and/or continue voting based solely on party affiliation, a particular shared religious belief or (perish the thought) skin color?

If someone WANTS to be helped, they'll ask for help.

My advice this election day? Vote and tell others you voted... or don't vote and keep your mouth shut about it. (Oh, he's rude - yes, I am rather blunt about this.)

No one wants to endure someone waxing rhapsodic about a particular candidate, only to discover that they did not vote and simply wanted your attention (to what end, I do not know.)


My advice this election day? Stay off the streets the night of and the day after the election.

Since the Bush-Gore presidential election (that's the year 2000 for my 12 year old followers), I've noticed escalating violence (some reported, most not) typified by both the victor's and loser's respective followers.

We, as self-centered, comfortable and opinionated Americans do not like losing.
I predict - no, I don't have tonight's winning Power Ball numbers - that regardless of who wins, there will be civil unrest... so, don't be out in it (read: guilty by association). So, celebrate (or cry) in the comfort of your own homes.

My advice this election day? Stock up. On what? Well, that depends on who wins.

Now, I won't get into who wants big government and who doesn't; or, even, which candidate wants to print more money and which wants to balance the budget. None of that matters, right? (Insert facetious voice HERE)

My advice can be taken, left alone or forgotten. These are merely my opinions - which are like belly-buttons... everyone has one, but you want to make sure you clean it up before you share it with anyone. MMLIA

Transparency, But to What End?

How much is too much? Hmm.

We've often heard someone say, "Whoa, TMI, TMI!" (Read: Too Much Information).  Yes, we often devour - intentionally or unintentionally - shovel-fulls of information in our daily living.

Is "keeping it real" the same as "being transparent"? Well, that depends (or pampers) - do you have a moral compass and do you know how to use one?

Are we more interested in "coming out of the closet" than "cleaning it up"? Don't know - are YOU the one that'll be cleaning it up, or are you going to ask for help?

I know - seems to go down through the entire process in our brain buckets is going to exacerbate migraines, as the thought process has a tendency to generate more questions than it answers. And that's okay, if we're not asking the questions, we won't even begin addressing the problem(s).

So, what's the problem? Glad I asked myself this under the pretense that you (the reader) thought to think the question (now MY head hurts).

I cannot speak as to a third world tribesman in the darkest reaches of Africa. I cannot speak to you as if I was a noted politician in Parliament; nor, can I speak from the perspective of an over-educated elitist submerged in academia (see blog).

I can (however) speak to you as a Christian - and to that end, what the Church (sum total of all true believers in Christ) should be doing to BE transparent to those around us... not what the 21st century American church typically does (or chooses NOT to do).

We should...

1) Consider that our brothers and sisters in Christ are opportunities to honor and reflect Christ...

     And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [fn] you did it to me.' ~ Jesus (Mat.25.40.esv)

2) Do for others - not just because we (ourselves) are blessed (by GOD) - but because we love Him...

     And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." ~ Jesus (Luk.3.11.esv)

3) Humble ourselves to receive any blessing (from GOD) - no matter how odd it may appear, getting over our "dignified reserve"...

     Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." ~ Peter and Jesus (Jhn.13.8.esv)

4) Make it a point to "lower the shields", show up and be available to participate in the blessings of others...

     And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Act.2.44-47.esv)

5) Find others and share our own needs within the body of Christ, so that GOD receives His glory...

     There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act.4.34-35.esv)

6) Make it a point to get involved in the lives of our brothers and sisters...

     Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.12.13)

7) Realize that what's already been provided for us (Gentiles) didn't happen for us to merely write songs and authoritative books on - it was provided as a model of living...

     For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.15.27.esv)

8) Take the lumps with others and celebrate with them as well...

     For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.1.5.esv)

9) Be thankful - whether you were there, receiving a blessing from the ministry of servants in the Church, or providing them yourselves...

     For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.9.12.esv)

10) Be mindful of the responsibility of the Word, in all matters spiritual and material...

     One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. ~ Apostle Paul (Gal.6.6.esv)

11) Remember, that were it not for GOD's grace, we would still be wretched and fixated on ourselves...

     Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ~ Apostle Paul (Eph.4.28.esv)

12) Exercise your works, in Christ - lest your faith be meaningless...

     If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good [fn] is that? ~ James (Jam.2.15.esv)

Being transparent isn't about folks seeing you - warts and all - but more so, being who you desire to be, in Christ, for those in the fellowship who may be at different points along the very same road you all travel. MMLIA