There is no question that Easter perfection begins and ends wtih Reese's eggs. Peeps are the spawn of Satan. Cadbury's adds creep me out. I do enjoy a good jelly bean though and even a few of those malted malt ball eggs. But nothing compares to the wonders of peanut butter eggs... although I will say that the See's eggs with the mystery goo in the middle are wonderful too.
Nobody likes bossy candy... and they are kind of smarties too.
I can think of a few that might be traumatic as a cheery posters in different areas of the church...
Not so good for the children’s ministry:
“Happy shall he be that taketh and dashes thy little ones against the stones.” Psalm 137:9
Not so good for counseling offices or recovery group rooms:
“For everyone that curses his mother or father should surely be put to death.” Leviticus 20:9
Not so good for the youth room:
“If a man has a stubborn son... bring him to the elders of his city... And all of the men of his city shall stone him with stones, so that he will die; so that you put evil away from among you.” Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Well we know real art isn't Christian art unless there's a Bible verse. :)
Great idea for a book. I think it will be a great conversation starter and a way especially for younger readers to start takiing a look at their money before they get in trouble. I'm glad for the bonus book. :)
Like I said... I see the value in what the big churches are doing too. And I appreciate a nice building as much as the next person... but I know around here we are in the middle of a horrible recession... tons of people are out of work... and most of the large churches around here are spending millions on their buildings currently which are under construction and begging their people to give more and more. It seems out of step with what's going on and the needs of the community. Sorry for us to be so off topic but it is an interesting discussion. I just know in my own life, my goal is to live more simply to have more to be able to share with others. I totally agree with you that there is room for all. That's the great thing. :)
I think what different people consider those things are different... exciting dynamic and relevant to me doesn't mean a slick video package and a dynamic charismatic preacher talking at me for awhile with the killer worship team. For me what is all of those things is getting to know other believers, sharing a meal together... doing ministry together... feeding the homeless... visiting the elderly... getting to know non-believers well enough to be real with them and sharing the gospel with them... sitting at the hospital with someone who's getting ready to have surgery and is afraid. Being family and getting into the word together excites me... letting the word change me excites me. Having other people around when I'm broken and struggling moves me. Church isn't the big whop de do to me. I have a bunch of friends who love the big thing and get a lot out of it. It just makes me sad that so much money was spent on a big building and so much time and energy is spent with all that. Lady Tam is right.
I agree... I do think it takes a few trips to a church to get a real feel for the preaching , the church culutre, and how the people connect with each other. Now that I'm getting over and I have so little free time, if the pastor is just plain annoying I might not stick around. I normally sit in the back though when I'm visiting to make sure I don't cause a scene if I do leave.
You can also use that awful greet someone around time to make the exit.
I used to work for a pastor who was a great guy and great with the people, but he would go off on rabbit trails with his sermons and start going over. We worked out a system for when that happend... I would do the "land the plane" signal from the back of the sanctuary. It cut down on the people escaping out the back doors during the sermon and the narcaleptic worship guitarist falling asleep and snoring. :)
![[Avatar]](/images/avatar26.png){kind=avatar}
Thingamajig