Rusty Kennedy
Labels...
"Heard you weren't going to be 'Southern Baptist' anymore?"
"Are you going to start one of those 'emergent' churches?
"Are you a person of 'grace' or 'legalism'?"
"I'm not 'unemployed'."
"Do they 'get it'?"
Business meetings...
Do you know why churches have business meetings? Because of the IRS. To be "legally" (according to US government) designated a church or nonprofit organization, you must have at least one business meeting a year with specific results (i.e. budget, ministry plan, etc.) I sat in 5 business meetings at camp last week. We actually had fun and got a lot accomplished (without Robert there).
Bagel Holes...
I heard it is to ensure the bagel bakes and boils evenly.
Sunday Bests...
Where did that come from? Who are we dressing up for? This one is a real doosey! How does one square up this thought pattern? That is like asking, "What's a Hoosier?". You'll get some real educated responses and some quick answers... but the truth is... no one knows for sure! If you said, "We need to look our best for God.", does that mean God only sees you on Sunday Mornings?...
It is at this point in my posting of this blog that a gentleman at Panera approaches me and asks me if I am from Northside. I do not recognize him at all. We reintroduced ourselves again. I'm going through my mental Rolodex of names and faces and coming up totally blank. Then he said, "You baptized me!". Mentally, I am doing everything I can to process this name and face through the small talk.
Finally, I let him know that I was no longer a staff member at Northside and the conversation turned from casual to personal. It was if I had popped the cork and this man went on to say what all God had done in his life since that baptism. The change was done outside of the traditional church routine. He explained that his salvation was very real to him and that God is doing amazing things through his life and family. He knows the Spirit has restored his life.
As I am sitting there, processing all I am able to, I still did not know this man. But he absolutely was speaking to me very specifically about my recent decisions and even mentioned the issues I started rambling about in this very blog entry. The man was speaking to my soul with all sincerity.
The very thought crossed my mind, "This man was sent to me directly today to encourage me. This is another unexplainable event. Thank you Jesus."
We shook hands and said "Goodbye". I got up and collected my stuff and he was literally gone. I know exactly what happened today... I got the point!
Rusty
"Heard you weren't going to be 'Southern Baptist' anymore?"
"Are you going to start one of those 'emergent' churches?
"Are you a person of 'grace' or 'legalism'?"
"I'm not 'unemployed'."
"Do they 'get it'?"
Business meetings...
Do you know why churches have business meetings? Because of the IRS. To be "legally" (according to US government) designated a church or nonprofit organization, you must have at least one business meeting a year with specific results (i.e. budget, ministry plan, etc.) I sat in 5 business meetings at camp last week. We actually had fun and got a lot accomplished (without Robert there).
Bagel Holes...
I heard it is to ensure the bagel bakes and boils evenly.
Sunday Bests...
Where did that come from? Who are we dressing up for? This one is a real doosey! How does one square up this thought pattern? That is like asking, "What's a Hoosier?". You'll get some real educated responses and some quick answers... but the truth is... no one knows for sure! If you said, "We need to look our best for God.", does that mean God only sees you on Sunday Mornings?...
It is at this point in my posting of this blog that a gentleman at Panera approaches me and asks me if I am from Northside. I do not recognize him at all. We reintroduced ourselves again. I'm going through my mental Rolodex of names and faces and coming up totally blank. Then he said, "You baptized me!". Mentally, I am doing everything I can to process this name and face through the small talk.
Finally, I let him know that I was no longer a staff member at Northside and the conversation turned from casual to personal. It was if I had popped the cork and this man went on to say what all God had done in his life since that baptism. The change was done outside of the traditional church routine. He explained that his salvation was very real to him and that God is doing amazing things through his life and family. He knows the Spirit has restored his life.
As I am sitting there, processing all I am able to, I still did not know this man. But he absolutely was speaking to me very specifically about my recent decisions and even mentioned the issues I started rambling about in this very blog entry. The man was speaking to my soul with all sincerity.
The very thought crossed my mind, "This man was sent to me directly today to encourage me. This is another unexplainable event. Thank you Jesus."
We shook hands and said "Goodbye". I got up and collected my stuff and he was literally gone. I know exactly what happened today... I got the point!
Rusty
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