Do What I Say, Not What I Do

Almost six months ago a group of people started opening the church doors to feed the community, for free, every Friday night.

It's name became Upper Room Suppers, or URS. The hope to name this outreach something "Christian-y" was so people not aware of the Christian faith might ask what the name means, and thus opening the door to speak freely about our faith.

The Upper Room of course was used on Maundy Thursday, the day before Jesus' death - what we now refer to as the Last Supper between Jesus and His disciples.

Now, I don't participate every Friday with this mission but I attend at least once a month, speaking to the regulars, and welcoming the first time guests.

Needless to say I have never been approached by anyone regarding the name. But, I still hold out hope.

When the ministry started, there was huge debate among the church keepers of what this ministry, of cooking one meal a week, would do to our church facility usage fees. (Actually, another great concern was that "gangsters" would come eat a free meal and then go around the church campus and break all the windows.)

This debate was so great, that the ministry was put under a probation period by the church keepers, and six or  eight months down the line from the first meal served, the Upper Room volunteers would have to "report" to the church keepers over its progress, how many people attend each week, and oh, yeah, the increased usage of the facility.

What I find interesting, is that each Friday, Upper Room requests at least ten volunteers to help run the show - and that's EVERY Friday night, which has been going on for six months now. I am sure you will agree with me that this is a lot of people that come to help and ensure that the ministry runs smoothly.

Wanna guess how many times the so-called "church keepers" have been to help volunteer during the past six months?

Well, you think, lots. Right? Because they were the ones who expressed so much concern over the new ministry.

But, you would be surprised to learn, not one of the keeps have shown up once to volunteer.

And, moreover, not one of the keepers have shown up once to even see what it is all about.

Does this remind you of any other organization? The government maybe? - Implementing so many limits and rules and constraints on a program, but not ever responsible enough to come and witness firsthand what these limits, rules, and constraints have on the actual program itself.

Jesus' Upper Room was also met with limits, rules, and constraints from outside governing Roman forces.

The parody of its name stake food ministry in today's time, is well, just coincidence, I am sure.

The Unmarriage Bed

Moving in with your girlfriend without being married, and even without even being engaged - seems to be all the rage these days, well besides planking...

But, really, is this a big deal to me?

No, not really. Doesn't really affect my day-to-day. It's your life.

But, is this a big deal, to God?

The Bible is splashed with scripture that calls for people to abstain from sexual immorality. My man Paul speaks to it at length in his letters to the Church in Corinth. So, ya, I guess it is a big deal to God.

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4)

Here for instance, Hebrews teaches us that living together, unmarried, is dishonorable.

That's not very good, not very good at all...

So why are so many people doing it then? Is it easier then getting married and then living together? Is it less stressful? Is the passion more present?

And what about those couples who are living together and are not married and continue to practice their Christian faith, and attend church together?

Are they forgiven?

Well, yes, of course they are forgiven. But, yet another example of a Christian who gives Christianity a bad name.

To be forgiven of sins, to repent, means that you are 1) aware of the wrongdoing and 2) giving your word to try not to keep doing the sin over and over again.

So, to me, couples who are living together, and are not blessed in the Holy Spirit of union, but still continue to live in sin, need to really take a hard look at things and ask themselves, "is it worth it?"

I mean, say it with me, IS IT WORTH IT?

Is living with your girlfriend worth dishonoring God?

Is living with your girlfriend worth mocking your faith since you live in constant sin?

Is living with your girlfriend worth tampering with your future marriage vow to this girl, or another one?

Ugh. These questions make for a pretty rotten unmarriage bed, filled with nasty bed bugs, don't you think?

Living together should always = being married to each. (Did you notice the PERIOD?!)

Anything other than that is just a slap in God's face, and poop on yours.

When Pigs Fly

I recently have been introduced to a beautiful family from Mexico, fresh from Mexico, like three-month old Americans.

They are so sweet, and so kind, and have such great manners.

They ask for nothing and are embarrassed when you even offer to pass them the salt at a community dinner table.

This is the time that I wish I were a millionaire. I could buy them a house. Give them money for food. Pay for the children's college. I would go out of my way to ensure that they were not only safe, but were very happy too.

I am glad that God has put this family in my life.

I recently have been introduced to a woman who has recently moved into town from Trona.

She is not so sweet, not so kind, and doesn't have such great manners.

She asks for everything, and when she gets it, she asks for even more.

This is the time that I wish I were a millionaire. I would buy myself a bigger house. I would eat lobster every night. I would get a PHD and pay for it with cash. I would go out of my way to ensure that I used my money for only myself.

But, I am still glad that God has put this woman in my life.

Because I know that God loves her just the same as he loves me, and that sweet Mexican family. And I need to continue to work on myself so that I too love her, and wish to use my gain for her gain, just like the family who I feel "deserves" it.

My Parental Unit

Have you ever heard someone say that "family is number one to me?"

I often laugh at this, because people's ideas of "family" are so all over the place these days. Are they talking about their wife and kids? Their parents and siblings? Their grandparents? In-laws? Friends? Neighbors? Pets?

I like to think that my family is very important to me, too.

And, to answer your question, I consider my "family" as my husband, brother, parents, in-laws, grandparents, aunts, cousins, and beyond.

That's a lot of people to keep track of!

Last weekend I took my sister-in-law to my parents house out-of-state, and during the visit we did our normal visit things, like family dinner with my parents and grandparents, and games after dinner. When we got back home from our trip, my sister-in-law made a comment to my husband on how much she "loves my family." That really touched my heart, because she was referring to my family, as hers. She went on to say how inviting my parents and grandparents are to her and how she loved having family dinners together and playing "chicken foot" after dinner and having fun together. She even said, "That's how a family should be."

She and my husband did not grow up like I did, and hearing her say that, and knowing that I grew up like that and she and my husband didn't made me appreciate my "family" even more.

But, "family" would not be possible to me without my parents. They are the ones who brought me into this crazy family to begin with.

I am one of the lucky ones who actually really truly loves her parents. I always have. I may not have always liked them from time to time, but I have always truly loved them.

I really miss having my parents live in the same town as me. And I have found it hard since they moved to keep feeling close to them via email and text and occasional visits.

This is just a wrap around way of saying that I really love you, mom and dad.

I know I have put you through lots of troubles and I have caused a lot of hurt growing up, but I didn't mean it. You two loving me the way you do is something I will always cherish and try my best to show to my future children.

Others may think they have the title, but mom and dad, you really are the world's best parents!

He loves me, He loves me not

I am often in awe over how much I love Christ Jesus. He is the reason why I am married. He is the reason why I serve him in his church. He is the reason I wake up each day.

And how lucky I am that he loves me even more.

The past seven weeks my boss and I have been teaching 12 pre-teens about the church and God and the Bible through a United Methodist confirmation class. After the seven weeks, the youth will be confirmed into the church and also become members.

Teaching pre-teens, which I usually don't do, because I teach teenagers and beyond, is a real test of faith for me.

Pre-teens are just a little too young for my teaching style. They are up and out of their seats. They don't listen. They whine. They are always hungry and thirsty. And they always say, "this is boring."

I just want to shake them because to me, this isn't boring! Learning about your faith is the most important thing that you can devote your time too.

But, teaching this confirmation class has reminded me of a lot. It reminds me that God wants us to have childlike faith (Mark 10:13). And you can't get more in practice with that scripture than by teaching faith in a child(like) setting.

I guess religion and doctrine and old time scrolls are not too childlike anyway.

Jesus' love is the most authentic, the most childlike understanding of our faith. Nothing is more simple than love. Children, babies in fact, understand the concept of love. Whereas they don't necessarily understand the concept of religious prophecy and ancient texts.

We need to let love shine. And we need to keep that love authentic and sincere (Romans 12:9). No matter the age.

New mission bring new troubles

Over the past year I have been involved in starting a new mission at my church that feeds the hungry for free in our community once-a-week.

This mission is finally underway and tomorrow will be the fourth time we have offered a free meal.

I think the mission is already proving fruitful as we have seen numbers over 50 coming and eating and fellowshipping together.

One thing I have learned over the years of being on staff at a church is that people are strange. People act in all different ways. The church is more about relationships sometimes, than God. And that makes me sad.

What I believe the purpose of this new mission is, is to bring food to the hungry, and open our church doors to people who otherwise would not step foot in a church.

The very first night that we were opened for business, we had 11 guests. Not the number we were expecting, much lower actually, but still, we had 11. And from that 11 came some very inspirational stories. One mom who has two very small children, was walking by our church on her way to the market which is four blocks down from us, and she came in. We learned that she only has $40 to spend on food every other week, and with no car, she and her children walk to the market every other week with that $40 to purchase food. She and her children have come back to the dinners each Friday there after.

This mother and her story is what I think of when I think of this mission. People who are needing comfort and shelter and nourishment.

But today my eyes were opened to that what I believe to be in the forefront is not, and instead people are getting in the way of this mission's success. Leaders are back stabbing each other.

It's not about egos. Or who is the "main" leader. Or who should take the credit for the success of this new mission.

It's about God.

God made this mission possible. God made our lives possible. And it was our choice to follow Jesus, nameless in the eyes of our neighbors, because we wish to put Jesus' name above our own.

Times Flies

Wow, poor little blog, been neglected for almost three months!


It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun, or not having fun. Haha


You know, I wanted to get a certificate last year for a side job I was considering and I wanted to get it done in three months. Well, I looked today at the last time I logged into the system for that, and it was November 1, 2010. Almost a year ago! How sad is that? I have been looking at the material in my hall closet for almost a year, and have not touched it.


It is crazy to me how the days go by so slow, but the years go by so fast.


When I was younger I never understood how I would ever love being in heaven for "eternity." That's too long.


But, now I can see that eternity is just not long enough.