Is it because we're just LAZY??

Pastor Bill Young is an amazing guy. He has the courage and ability to reach out to a demographic that few people even want to think about. I have learned so much from him, and have no doubt that I will continue to learn for as long as I have the privilege of attending his sermons.
However, I’m a little worried by my friends’ apparent blind following of whoever is in the pulpit. I don’t doubt that Pastor Bill knows what he’s talking about and there are very few, if any issues that I really disagree with him about. But that’s not the point.
I don’t like seeing people believe a certain way or think a certain thing just because it came out of our pastor’s mouth. I do think that one of a pastor’s jobs is to help people on their spiritual journey. They can have amazing insight into God’s word. But I also think they need to be questioned from time to time. People should take what they learn in church, go home, and investigate it themselves. Find out if it’s really what the Bible says. Find out if it’s really what they believe.

People in positions of authority should WANT to be questioned. They should want to be held accountable for the things they’re telling the people they’re leading (this could apply in other areas too…politics, parent-child relationships, etc.). I think that’s one of the huge problems in this country. We’re taught not to question those who are “higher up”. They start doing crazy things because they’re not accountable to anyone. There’s a level of responsibility that comes with leading a group of people. I think everyone involved takes it WAY too lightly.

Let Your

grace

understanding
wisdom
strength
comfort
compassion
forgiveness
love

fall down on me
So that I can then show the world
the things you have given to me.

Gimme my Judy Garland drugs

Things I'm thinking...about him...that I'm not quite sure what to do with. In theory, especially considering my new found "open and honest" policy, I should just tell him.
I'm afraid that it might scare him. I'm afraid he might think it's too much. I'm afraid that it will imply that he has a responsibility that I don't necessarily want to burden him with.

Hearing from him keeps me from going completely insane.
He brightens my days.
A smile or a joke or a witty comment prevents me from going postal on everyone around me.

Maybe I should just suck it up and tell him. Maybe there is something to be said for putting it all out there.
But...maybe he already knows...

Strange

I generally have a severe dislike for coleslaw, and cabbage in general.
However...
I think KFC's coleslaw is one of nature's most perfect foods.

Fortune

Yesterday I opened my mailbox to find an issue of my favorite magazine: Fortune.
I scanned the cover. Here's what I read:

SPECIAL INVESTOR'S ISSUE

RETIRE RICH

Here's How

Save Smarter: Learn From the Pros

Build the Perfect Portfolio: 12 Great Funds

Find Your Personal Paradise: 5 Exotic Overseas Bargains

Sounded pretty boring. Then then I read it again. Something Pastor Bill said a few weeks ago came to mind.

People are so obsessed with building and maintaining their own little kingdom. We make sure the lawn is cut. Wash the car. Clean the boat. We spend so much time, effort, and money on things we don't really need. And while we're doing all this...here's the kicker...people are going to hell. Instead of building our own kingdom, we should be building God's kingdom. We shouldn't worry so much about THINGS that don't mater and won't last, and focus on PEOPLE'S SOULS, which are eternal.

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no theif comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:33-34

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings." Luke 16:9

I do think saving for retirement is important, especially considering the path that Social Security is taking in this country. So it becomes a question of where to draw the line.

My parents are at opposite ends of the financial spectrum. My dad is worried when there's less than $20,000 in his checking account. My mom gets worried when there's less than $200. It will be interesting to see where I end up.