You Can Know God

Saving Water

We're in a drought here in Georgia, and I hear reports that there are only about 110 days of drinking water left in the metro Atlanta area. Virtually all outdoor water use has been banned. What's amazing to me is the grief that people are giving the government over these restrictions. Apparently, there are many people that think washing their cars or reseeding their yards is more important than people having water to drink.

Some of the lack of concern is due to the alarmist nature of the weather people and news people, who play up so many potential catastrophes that it's hard to tell when it's really serious. But from this looks of things, this water thing may be the real deal.

So when landscapers applaud the city of Alpharetta for allowing the watering of new plants, I think they (the landscapers and the city) have some priorities out of whack. When school systems wonder publically if they can really cut water usage by 10%, it doesn't seem like they are that committed. 10%...are you kidding me. How hard is that really? When people down the river from us start complaining about the fish or clams, then that's a problem.  Here are some of the suggestions that I've heard, and I think we should all jump in.

1. Don't wash your car. Really, a dirty car isn't going to hurt anyone.


2. Abide by the water restrictions. Seriously, if all the grass in Atlanta dies, big deal. In the grand scheme of things, maybe we become like Arizona and grow Cacti. It's a circle of life, Lion King kind of thing.


3. Stop wasting water. Some people take two showers a day. You know, we could probably go with two showers a week. Maybe husbands and wives should shower together more often. Hey, it's for the environment.


4. Use paper plates instead of washing dishes every night.  I'm personally for this as it means less work for me.


5. Put a brick in your toilet.


6. Get rid of your Kramer-style, jet propelled shower head.  Low flow is the way to go.

If they were serious about getting people to save water, they should just make it really expensive. That would probably do the trick.

Friday Five

I've got a few top five lists to bring you in the coming months. Today, here's the top five things that Cartersville needs.

1. A bookstore. Like a Barnes and Noble. Or Borders. Or a decent local shop. I think if we had a bookstore, that would contribute to more reading. And then fewer people would get mad at our postcards and fliers.

2. A bagel shop or bakery like Panera. Or Atlanta Bread. Either of these will do. We need some places to eat breakfast...places that don't just serve grits and sausage biscuits.

3. A Best Buy or Circuit City. Technology is a good thing. I think this town has enough people in it to support a big box electronic store and we wouldn't have to drive down to Barrett Parkway with 329,239 other people on Saturday.

4. An Olive Garden. Or an Outback. Or any number of other restaurants. I think this would also help Chili's not take an hour to bring out a hamburger. Anybody that opens up a decent restaurant or a chain would do well.

5. Roads. Seriously...anytime a road is built, it should be four lanes. Say no to two lane roads, because they are just going to have to come back later and build them bigger.

What do you think Cartersville people? What do we need in our town?

The Problem with Christian Schools

Let me stir the pot a little bit today.

I just read an article about a movement in Baptist circles to put a renewed emphasis on starting private, Christian schools. Before I give my opinion, let me say that I attended a public and a private school growing up, and that I taught a year in public school and a year in a Christian school. I do not think any one form of schooling is the solution to the problems of our day.

Apparently, Southeastern Seminary, where I attended, is leading the charge. Here's a quote from the article. "In the public schools, you don't just have neutrality, you have hostility toward organized religion," said Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest. "A lot of parents are fed up."

Here's the problem I have with this. Of course there is hostility towards organized religion. It's called the world. There's hostility towards God in countries all over the world, yet we send missionaries there. In fact, it's that where we SHOULD be sending missionaries. It seems like there was hostility towards Jesus and the disciples. Jesus told them to expect it and Paul said to consider it an honor. He didn't tell his disciples to remove themselves from an area that was hostile towards religion.

I know that Baptists aren't calling for a mass exodus from public schools (though that does seem like a silly resolution that they would try to pass at a convention), but this is a step in that direction. I don't have any problem with someone who homeschools their children (we have MANY of those parents at OLC) or parents who choose to send their children to Christian school (we did that with Lauren for 2 years). But I do have a problem with refusing to be in the world.

I think pulling children out of public school can be like pulling light out of the darkness. Remember, you're removing yourself from relationships with those parents too. If the salt doesn't encounter the world, it's not much good. Schools are where people that don't know Jesus congregate. If your faith is solid, and you're teaching your child about Jesus at home (where it's far more important for them to learn), can't they serve, invite, share, and be a missionary in the school system.

What if we launched a movement to send Christians INTO the schools, instead of pulling them out and creating our own bubble-like institutions? What if we really viewed public schools like the mission fields they are, instead of complaining that they are too worldly?

I just dropped my 5 year old at school this morning and took in snacks for the class.  Her teacher took a moment to tell me how glad she had Lauren in her class, that she was sweet, and she had invited the whole class to Oak Leaf Church.  When I drop her off in the morning, we pull over in a parking spot and say a prayer.  She prays for her friends and teachers, and I pray that she would think of school as an opportunity to let people know about God.

I'm not saying that Christian school is bad, or that homeschooling is evil.  There are valid reasons and circumstances where those things might be best.  I'm just saying that we shouldn't be so quick to pull our kids (and ourselves) out of environments that are anti-God.

Isn’t She Lovely

Tomorrow, we are kicking off a new four-part series called "Isn't She Lovely?" We're decorateing the place like a wedding and it's going to be a lot of fun.

On August 19, we'll celebrate our one year anniversary as a church. We'll have a big old wedding cake/birthday cake and a photographer will be there to take pictures. And since you are supposed go to a wedding and a birthday party with presents, we're asking everyone to bring a gift card to your favorite store or restaurant. You choose the amount and the you choose the place. We're going to give all these gift cards to local public school teachers.

After this series, we're doing the scariest series we've ever done...something called "Issues." I'm going to be talking about the big issues of abortion, divorce, homosexuality and drinking. And we'll join with hundreds of other churches for Porn Sunday on September 23. I think this series will raise some eyebrows and cause a stir, and we're praying that God would use it for His glory.

Starbucks Coming to Town

So the local coffee shop where I go and sometimes work might be in a little trouble now that Starbucks is coming to town.  Not only can they not compete with a Grande 2% Cinnamon Dolce latte with light whip (I know it's a girly drink but it's good), but I just ordered a Vanilla latte here, and the girl picking up the ticket and making drinks asked what a latte was.  That's not really something you want to hear from a coffee shop employee.  You think someone would cover that in some training.  In light of this, you probably don't want to hear the following, most of which I have actually heard:

1.  "Wow, I've never seen that before," from your doctor.
2.  "What does this part do exactly?" from the mechanic working on your car to the other mechanic.
3.  "How much do stamps cost again?" from the post office.
4.  "Honey, have you seen the kids recently," from your spouse.
5.  "Did you order a pizza," from the pizza delivery guy standing at your door.
6.  "We're out of hamburgers," from the Burger King drive thru worker.

Google Zeitgeist

Google makes data from its searches available, and it's a fantastic way to see what people in the world are searching for. What do people talk about? What do people want to know? Check out the 2006 Year in Review to see compiled data from 2006 searches on Google.

I'm thinking we should do a series called "Google" and talk about some of the things that people in the US are searching on Google.

Sex in Middle School

I've heard of several parents that are making sure their middle school kids are in church next week as I begin a four-week series on sex. Parents want their kids to hear the message, and I can relate.  I want every single person I can find to teach my kids the same things we teach them at home.  And when they get to middle school, you better believe I want their small group leaders and other people in the church to teach them about sex. The more times they hear God's message, the better.  If I had a middle school or a high school student, I would do everything I can to get them to church this week.

Parents, don't be afraid of this difficult subject.  Your child already knows more than you think they know.  Even if they are home schooled. You'd rather have the conversation too early than too late. Seriously, I don't know many kids whose lives are ruined because they found out about God-honoring sex too early.  This series might even be a great way to bring up the subject. 

We have some middle schoolers that volunteer on Sunday.  One middle schooler told our Kidventure director that his mom said that he could volunteer in February, and start back in April, but that he had to go to the service in March.  Trust me dude, you won't be disappointed. We're going to have fun.

Banning Harry Potter

I saw that the Atlanta woman who is fighting Harry Potter and costing taxpayers millions was voted the idiot of the year by the Washington Post.  I'm sure there are many people who think Harry Potter is a pawn of Satan, but I find them enjoyable books and movies.  I've read the books and seen the movies.  I don't think that Star Wars or Harry Potter are causing the downfall of our society.  If they aren't for you or your kids...that's cool.  If you want to stand up for what you believe, that's cool too.  And you certainly have the right to sue people.  As does the Washington Post to name you idiot of the year. 

What is foolish to me is that this Mallery woman is making such a huge stink about Harry Potter and she admits that she has never read one of the books. She wants them banned, but she can't intelligently comment on them because she hasn't read them. 

It reminds me of the woman who bashed our church and our whole way of doing things even though she's never attended a service or won't listen to a message.  After all, she's been to "churches like ours."

Presidential Exchange

This comes from a Fox News story detailing a conversation between a senator elect and the President.

"How's your boy?" Webb, in an interview Wednesday, recalled Bush asking during the reception two weeks ago.

 

"I told him I'd like to get them out of Iraq," Webb said.

 

"That's not what I asked. How's your boy?" the president replied, according to Webb.

Politics aside, I think this is a pretty interesting exchange.  It shows how easy it is to impose our own beliefs on a simple conversation.  What seems like a pretty simple conversation starter turns into something of an agenda.

Halloween: Angels and Demons

Okay, just one more thought on Halloween, and then it's officially on to November.

What is so offensive to some Christians about dressing up in scary costumes or dressing like demons or the grim reaper, etc?  Is it because it makes light of something that is serious and real (demonic activity).  Is it the celebration of a devil's holiday?

Anyway, if those things are true, does it offend these seem people to have girls dressing up like angels?  Isn't that making light of a serious thing in Scripture?  (There are no female angels in Scripture by the way). 

I think we've gotten to the point in this country and as Christians where we are too easily offended.  But maybe I'll post more on that subject tomorrow.  Now that the Fall Festival time is behind us and we can move on to Christmas, er, the Holidays.