Words to Chew On...

"Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking your promise to him he will be complaining "It's not fair" before you can say Jack Robinson."
---C.S. Lewis

Words to Chew On...

"We give our lives to what we love."

The Gospel

In a few weeks at Merge we will be diving into a new series we are simply entitling "The Gospel". I can't really tell you how excited I am about digging into this topic and seeing what God will do through these weeks. One thing I have been thinking and talking about with some who are close to me is being more purposeful in giving people an opportunity to say yes to Jesus on Sunday mornings.

I grew up in a church environment where the pastor would give an altar call at the end of every sermon. It seemed very mechanical and forced, people standing around waiting for someone to move so we could all head to lunch. I didn't care much for guilt driving altar calls or even feeling as if we were coddling the pastors feelings by making a decision or not.

So in response to that I chose a different path but it could be much more damaging. I decided that I believed in what we call "relational evangelism". Over time you form a relationship with a person and eventually you earn the right to speak to them about the truth of Jesus.

The challenge with this type of evangelism for me at least is that I am never held accountable to pulling any trigger. I can hide behind the excuse that I am allowing the relationship to simmer waiting for the right time. Never really having to make a move.

All that to say, one of the things we are being more purposeful in doing on Sunday's is giving people a chance to begin a relationship with God through Jesus.

These next few months are going to be incredible!!!

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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A Friday Quote

"You should come to Merge on Sunday morning at 10:30 am.
It is super awesome and you will love it."
---quote from a good looking guy

But I Don't Want To Sleep Alone

Barak has been in a new phase of not wanting to go to sleep at night. He does whatever is possible to avoid actually closing his eyes and settling down. There is a routine we have been going through, Barak lies down, Barak gets up to use the restroom, Barak lies back down, Barak gets up for some water, Barak lies back down with Dad threatening his life if he doesn't stay alseep, Barak back up because he wanted to give dad and mom another kiss.

The other night Misty was getting him settled for the thousandth time and she asked him, "Why don't you want to go to sleep?" Barak replied, "I don't want to sleep alone, you don't have too." To which Misty came back in our room believing that our three year old son has just out reasoned both of his parents. He does have a point.

We are designed for relationships and community. God from the very beginning created a partner for Adam, Jesus included His disciples on almost every leg of His adventure on earth, Paul writes multiple times about people who he was doing life with.

We are designed to not do life alone. First with God and then with others. If you find yourself alone and feel the loneliness that comes with that territory then I encourage you to ask yourself about the people you are including on the adventure that is your life. The people who are walking the same road with you have been sent by God to do amazing things with you that you couldn't do with out them.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Genesis 18 Thought...

Abraham is sitting by the door of his tent when he sees three visitors approaching. Usually when I am looking out my front door and see visitors approaching I slam the door and put the deadbolt to work. But not Abe. He ran after them and was doing whatever was necessary to be humbly hospititable. Not only was he willing to give them water to drink but kneaded them bread and had a calf prepared for them. His hospitable attitude is something that should be noted.

When was the last time you went to such great lengths to make a person feel welcomed? Whether they are at your door, in your office, visiting your church, how hospitable of a person are you?

Abraham didn't know at the time that one of these visitors was God in His midst. I wonder how willingly I would be to treat people better if there was an outside chance they were the Living God?

Whose to say they aren't?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Too Much Information...

I am sitting at the Border's that I like to work at on Friday's as I prepare for Sunday morning. The girl that is working here is leading one of those uncomfortable kind of conversations with the other guy sitting in here. It's one of those scenes where you know this guy is just hoping for someone to buy some coffee so he can maybe slip out of here.

I have been here for about 15 minutes and already she has told him the locations of her tattoo's, the body piercings she has (none are visible by the way), her shower frequency, how she broke up with her boyfriend because he wanted to talk to her on the phone and how this guys girlfriend may be a gold digger.

I think she may be mistaking her place of employment as a therapy session. I would go order some coffee but this is to good to stop.

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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Words To Chew On...

"The leader must be one who, while welcoming the friendship and support of all who can offer it, has sufficient resources to stand alone, even in the face of fierce opposition, in the discharge of his responsibilities. He or she must be prepared to have 'no one but God'"
---- J. Oswald Sanders

A Random Thought...

I really have nothing of value to talk about today; but since I am trying to get back into blog shape I am committed to writing something tuesday-friday. So today you get a random thought:

What would happen if we introduced an elephant and an ostrich to each other. After the introductions a love bond is formed. Who would where the pants in that relationship?

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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5 Books I Enjoyed Reading...

Profiles in Audacity (Great Decsions and How They Were Made)---Alan Axelrod
Axiom (Powerful Leadership Proverbs)---Bill Hybels
Deadly Viper (Character Assassins)--- Mike Foster
Story--- Steven James
This Beautiful Mess--- Rick McKinley

Getting Back Into Blogging Shape

We have been hard at work on the new Merge space. Over the past month it has been an every night kind of project, Saturday's and Sunday's after Merge. I feel as if my whole world has revolved around this (no complaints, just facts). One thing I have realized over this past month is how much a creature of routine I truly am.

By changing my routine, I changed my priorities. I haven't been eating as healthy as I should, I have had way to many cokes, been a hit and run blogger and my quiet time with my Heavenly Father has been drive-by at best.

That will change. I am not making an excuses, I wasn't really aware of the situation until I settle back into the routine of life. I believe hindsight is a valuable tool to pay attention too.

So if you have been desperately searching for my random thoughts on the web, buckle up and get ready. I am like Rocky in Rocky IV, getting back into blogging shape (que the Eye of the Tiger music)

Heart and Soul,
BAG
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