We suck.

Last Sunday morning at CREW, Ryan spoke about the mission of "the church." He talked about the fact that we focus on the church so much, instead of the mission...when it should really be the other way around. He's so right. Without the mission, there is no church, so why are we so worried about tightening up the church, and becoming a close body of believers? Granted, that's not harmful in most circumstances, it's when that takes priority over reaching out to the lost that it really screws things up.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1.8

When did we forget about that part of this thing we call Christianity? Why is it all about us?

Remember....it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick....why are we medicating those who don't need it? Our efforts could be put to much better use elsewhere.

In small group last week, we kind of did a follow up, and just went deeper into discussion about all of this. One of the questions we discussed is "Is there anyone that you would not want to bring to church?" and what most of us agreed on in regards to this is yes. It's not because we would be embarassed for said person we are bringing, but for how they might be treated. Honestly, I'm guilty of it too, maybe I'm not as upfront about it as some people are, but my first reaction, when I see someone in the church who may not look like they "belong," is to have judgemental thoughts about them.

So what do we do about this? We don't bring "these kinds" of people to the church for fear that they will feel out of place. They probably will because we have gotten so used to our little group of Christians who puts on their cute Sunday clothes and brushes their hair for church. We go through the motions.....it's all the same. We need to get the church used to people like this......there are people all around us who are not even close to looking like we do or acting like we act. Guess what, guys? THAT'S OK!!! *gasp* You mean people with facial piercings and mohawks can actually come to church? You mean a teenage girl who's pregnant is allowed in church?!

It's true, get used to it. Now, how can we bring these people in without other judgemental people ruining their first experience in a place that is supposed to be loving and accepting? I don't know, and that bothers me. Alot.

Gimme your thoughts.

Why are we so freaking lame?

Ice cream soup

He's the one I look up to, literally and figuratively...I'm pretty short.
He's the one that fights off testosterone filled boys for me in a room with cement walls and a single light bulb.
He's the one who twists my name until it's unrecognizable (Natalie>Natalus>Talus>Alus>Alice)
He's the one that is always willing to listen.
He's the one who will take part in the ridiculous language made up by my sisters and I.
He's the one who gets excited when his hair is long and he can feel it when he shakes his head.
He also gets upset when he washes it and it doesn't look as long.
He's the one that's unselfish with his time when it comes to friends.
He's the one who's laugh is explosive, and when he really gets going, his shoulders dance.
He's the one who will envelope you with his hugs.
He's the one who encourages and advises me in everything.
He's the one who keeps silly things like his "birthday" present (the glasses..."good for getting the girls")
He's the one who will have ice cream soup with you***
He's the one who will help you find good in bad.
He's the one I feel like I can call my big brother.


***I actually don't really remember exactly how this came to be, I think we agreed to get coffee when you came home from school, but you told my mom you would take me for ice cream (??) so we put the two together....