Just Don't Wear It..

It’s easy to wear the bracelet; t-shirt even put the letters up to make a very corny church sign but living it out well that’s a totally different matter indeed. Last year I heard a pastor telling a story about how his friend was going on and on how "we" (referring to his favorite football team) won the game. And he asked his friend what position does he play? And he went to say much of us have a fan mentality in our lifestyle. And this is true in that if we wear a "Christian item", listens to the "right" music and even attends church and/or do the tithing and this supposedly puts us on The Team. It’s our Jersey. We wear it and that’s more than enough for most of we don’t have to even play a position (live it out) or even sit on the bench for that matter we can cheerlead and "wear the jersey". God knows there’s plenty to cheerlead in the likes of the Grahams, Francis Chan, Compassion International, World Vision, Greg Laurie,James Robison,Charles Swindoll, Mission work, and the list goes on and on. But nowhere does God call us to be a cheerleader or even for that matter to stay on the bench. He says Go ...and in Greek and Hebrew that word still means GO. Get involve and be a team player. Missions start in your home but it must carry on to next door, your neighborhood, From Keyser to Kenya. So many of us wrapped ourselves in being a fan of teams, which it carries out in the way we live. I find myself being a fan more than a follower much of the time in many areas of my life.  Picture Jesus and His disciples wearing it well. Jesus with His "WWID" bracelet on and there’s Matthew with His "Hooked on Jesus"(fish hook shaped into a cross to make it official) shirt and John with his "Jesus went into Sky and all I got was this Shirt" Shirt. Obviously You don’t have to wear a jersey or a bracelet even a cross necklace to be on the team. But you do have to be a follower and Not a fan to actually be a Believer (team). In 2009 over 75% of Americans claim they were Christians. Ah I believe the majority of that makes us the fan base. Fans from wearing the “right stuff” to still getting cold chills when Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless The USA” (Not slamming Mr. Greenwood just his music :)). We need to stop living as if our life’s goal is to be a paratrooper but being completely satisfy in walking around forever with a mint condition parachute. Or course it’s much easier to be a fan (and at times perhaps more fun) but the cost in being a follower is worth it, worth it all simply because Jesus said Follow Me.

PS For those wondering no I haven’t read “Not a Fan”, Yet.

Who Let The Dogs Out (& other love songs)

Maybe I didn't treat you
Quite as good as I should have
Maybe I didn't love you
Quite as often as I could have
Little things I should have said and done
I just never took the time
You were always on my mind
You were always on my mind

For years I thought this was a love song that is based on a relationship between a man and a woman. But once again TV has proved me wrong. For within the last year the only time I hear this song is during a ASPCA commercial. Never knew pets were Willie Nelson fans but thats for another time. Look I have nothing against pets matter of facts I really like dogs for a pet. I mean what could be better for a pet than a dog, well besides the talking hamster from Bolt. BUT come on can we cut down on comparing dogs to humans. Im sure mr Nelson wasnt thinking of a pet and for those who are when you sing or hear that song Well you are long overdue for some help. This commercial even tells me if I agree to give monthly support they will send me a photograph of the dog I am supporting. WHAT? You mean the dog cant do it on his own. Hearing the love song, seeing the pain they are in and now I get One photo of "my own personal dog". You would think the least he/she could do would be to write me personally. My own "petpal", maybe with a certain money amount they could offer pawprints from his days as a puppy.

This past summer my wife and I are in Kenya and on the tv is an old show of Oprah which was a tribute to dogs. And as they told stories of abuse (yes abuse to any pet is wrong, agree!) Oprah said yes you know its been said "we will be judge as people by the way we treat the least of these"-No Oprah that hasnt been said concerning a animal that barks or meows and drinks out of a toliet bowl. Obviously lets not do any harm at all to pets (we wont refer to football players at this time, too easy) but lets realize their is a difference in a needy pet and a needy child. So can we please just stop with the love songs for rover and mittens, and "confusing" pets with children. Thats right take the dog out of the stroller. And if you are one of the thousands giving monthly support for those "homeless pets" make sure the photo isnt stockphoto. And let me know when you get that letter signed with a paw print.