The Destiny Of Death

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)

The destiny of death provokes emotions, fears, thoughts, and questions. Such as the why, where, when, and what if. However, this handful quickly fades and slips from within our grip. No matter the perseverance or strength. Only fading and slipping with the passing second, minute, hour, and day. So, all fairly irrelevant. Right? But, let's not underestimate the what if. This one only drops and falls. Dropping and falling. Breaking and shattering. Why? Because we simply let go!

What if I continually run from God's calling and leading?
What if I never healed or mended the relationship?
What if I never said I love you or I'm sorry?
What if I was wrong?

My wife's aunt passed away this past Saturday. Wrestling, struggling, and losing to cancer. The why, where, and when fading and slipping from within her grip. But, the what if firmly within her grip. She had the what if nailed. You see...she never let go. She trusted Christ with her life.

Perhaps you're thinking...so what? You're not alone. I know some family thinking the same. This thinking does not change the reality of Hebrews 9:27. Your destiny of death. Your judgment. Your reality. So...forget the why, where, or when. But, let's never let go. Let's nail the what if. Not tomorrow or even later today. Rather, right now! Before the sun sets and the what if becomes a has been.

Eternal Or Tacky

What grabs attention? Perhaps something shocking? Do you slow to peek, peep, or peer at whatever debacle sits roadside...usually encompassing someone's misfortune. Yes, this misfortune is shocking at times. But, is shocking always better?

More than shocking...I love to preach engaging. Engaging grabs attention! An engaging conversation, culture, painting, people, picture, piece, etc. Engaging will accomplish just that. It engages people, which cracks the doors for true conversations...for soul conversations. These cracks are the significance of life. These cracks are what thrusts doors open for eternity. These cracks are an engaging concept.

To risk some silliness...this engaging concept is why Mickey Mouse poses within my watch. Sure, I love Disney. But, this watch is also a great conversation provoker and starter. Provoking and starting and hopefully leading to the significance of life...these cracks. Sounds silly, right? But, conversation tends to flow and grow quickly beyond a cartoon mouse. I recently applied this philosophy to my iPhone. A picture of my new case is below...my wife hates it. I tried to explain my engaging concept. But, we seem to lack a kindred spirit. Instead, she goes straight to...what was it again...oh ya, tacky. Your thoughts?

That Mystery Key

Sitting in my driveway…my friend managed to lock himself within his trunk. Keys within his pocket and no other way in or out. Don’t ask. Stupid high school stuff. In the end, his sister came to the rescue. A spare was left behind…just in case history repeated itself. Fortunately, it was never needed.

Just yesterday I went though our keys. Keys for anything and everything. Cars, churches, clubs, halls, homes, and offices. Kind of a mess. I still ended up with a pile of mystery keys. Holding on as if someday I’ll remember. Ya right.

Keys gain access…even through the hardest and toughest of doors. A simple twist and there you go. Boldly walking across the threshold.

People so often lug and tug the baggage and luggage of life. Searching and seeking for the mystery key. The key that will open, unlock, and free. Perhaps a counselor or doctor. Perhaps our friend Google. That key is out there somewhere. But…these people still lug and tug. Lugging and tugging past you and your church. Looking up and neglecting or even scoffing. At least never thinking. The church? Do they make keys?

Not the church…but, Jesus Christ who is embodied and represented through the church. Through us. We have that key. That mystery key. Do your relatives know? How about your colleagues or friends? Better yet…how about you?

People lugging and tugging past you and your church. Please stop, pause, and consider. But how? Relationships! After all…we were once lugging and tugging. But, we’re free (John 8:32). Not perfect or even all together. Simply freed and united through the blood of Jesus Christ. Related with the beliefs, experiences, and thoughts of fellow brothers and sisters.

Relationships. Or should I say…transparent relationships will get those luggers and tuggers to stop, pause, and consider. And when they do…we'll be there with the Key! Opening, unlocking, and freeing. Boldly walking across the threshold. Until next time. Jed.

Church Marketing Sucks...Huh

Yesterday…I looked down and noticed a goof. My socks! I was wearing one gray and one tan. Oh well…who hasn’t been there? That moment. Keeping one eye open and wondering what to do next. Is anyone looking? Did anyone see?

How about your church? Do visitors feel out of place…as if wearing different socks? Or, is the opposite true? Let’s resurrect the same guy from an earlier post. Same jeans. Same shirt. We should give this guy a name. After all…he may want to make a future appearance within this blog. I like Abe.

Abe is curious. His friend has talked of Jesus. But, who is this Jesus and why should Abe care? Figuring he has nothing to lose…he walks through the doors of your church (if only it were that easy). Now what?

We so often get immersed in church culture that we seldom slow down. Slow down and think about people such as Abe. Sure…it’s easy for you and me. Through the door. Shake a few hands. Laugh a few laughs. Take our token seat. Rattle through the service. Sip some coffee. Talk the lingo. And…off to Sunday School we go for a repeat of the above. No doubts, fears, or worries. What about Abe? He is unsure about the shakes, laughs, takes, rattles, sips, and talks. Is anyone looking? Did anyone see?

My dad walked into the emergency room about a decade ago. Throwing his wallet at the desk…he announced he was having a heart attack. The response was impressive! My dad survived this heart attack due to this response and the hand of God. He didn’t have to ponder or wonder. He was welcomed. The shakes, laughs, takes, rattles, sips, and talks were not a big deal. Our church should mimic this emergency room. Welcoming those with heart conditions…washing away doubts, fears, or worries.

Take a hard look at your church. What will Abe see? Will he be welcomed? Will he know what to do or where to go? Will he ponder or wonder? Worse yet…will he sit in our token seat (just kidding)? Don’t ignore these questions. Take action! Implement change where needed. Nothing to change? If so…please let me know and I’ll pray for your ego. :)

Dan Kimball recently posted about this topic. Click here for this post. Also, I stumbled upon a blog named Church Marketing Sucks. An interesting name. And…there’s some interesting reads within this blog. Take a look here. Until next time. Jed.

Invite Your Friend To Church

More thoughts to follow...but, let's start with the lighter side