Monday Morning Quarterback

ok.  i know this is two weeks in a row.  it’s tuesday and you’re getting my quarterbacking.  it’s the best i can do…i couldn’t do anything yesterday but sit in my chair and experience my head spinning from the effects of sickness combined with lethal doses of nyquil.  much better today, so here go my thoughts from this past weekend:

• i’ll start with holiday at the hall.  it has been really cool to see so many new people get involved.  there is no question that we are at our best when we are working and serving together.
• i loved seeing all the black “simple service” t-shirts all over the place.  a t-shirt, alone, will not make a difference in people’s lives, but the heart behind the shirt will.  there’ll be many other places we will bet to wear them and serve people.
• the float was awesome!  it really communicated purpose.  it might not have won the trophy, but it had the greatest message.  the reindeer were great…can’t wait to see what we come up with for next year.
• glad to have “crash” pullen join the i’ve-got-a-north-point-story crowd.  hitting a car with the float is stewart-esque!  welcome to the club, crash.
• the band rocked!  buzzy has some amazing pipes.  we need to hear more of that on sunday mornings, if you ask me.
• one of my holiday at the hall highlights came during the band’s set.  i was standing in the back, when i noticed a pastor from a church in our neighborhood come up and start to listen.  (yeah, i actually know who some of those guys are…).  he listened for about 15 seconds, shook his head in disbelief (or judgement…i couldn’t really tell), and walked off with a smirk.  if i wanted a confirmation that a church like north point is needed, that was it.
• can’t believe there was a group of us that went out to dinner after we cleaned up all the holiday at the hall mess.  no wonder i didn’t want to get up on sunday morning…
• as bad as i felt, i was still pretty pumped for our services.  i got up, took a shower, poured in some chemicals, and gave it my best shot.  
• i felt like i was preaching from inside an enclosed container.  everything echoed.  kind of a cool experience, but not something i want to do every week.
• met some new folks on sunday morning.  i love it that we have new people every week.  i always wonder if we are friendly enough…or too friendly…or if we come off as fake or churchy.  i’m grateful that we have the holy spirit to run interference.
• looking forward to christmas next year!  we will join the advent conspiracy.  until then, it’s time to practice a simpler christmas this year.  give presence.

a thought about sundays

i hate what i’m about to say.

honestly, if i heard someone else say it, i’d probably call them a whiney-butt and then tell them to grow up.  but i’m going to say it anyway.

i might even sound hypocritical.  i know its hard to believe…

here goes.

attending church services will not save you.  attending church services won’t even get you inside the pearly gates.  attending church services doesn’t make you better.  attending church services won’t improve your relationship with god.  attending church services will not make you love more, give more, serve more, know more, feel more or do more.

jesus didn’t die on the cross so you would go to church services.

with that said, i really hope to see you on sundays at north point.  i want you there every week.  i miss you when you are not there.  so do others.  your presence makes a difference.  a huge difference.  just thought i’d tell you that.

does anyone else feel the same as i do?

“Sunday Best” – two

i find it really interesting that when we say “put on our sunday best”, our thinking stops at clothing.  looking good is important.  first impressions are often lasting impressions.  that way a person looks is often a hindrance to starting (and building) a healthy relationship.  i wish it weren’t that way, but it’s reality.

style of hair.  color of skin.  designer suit.  sagging jeans.  tattoos.  heavy makeup.  bling.  overweight.  an eyebrow piercing.  a logo on a t-shirt.  $150 cross trainers. a bow tie.  a baseball hat.  it all shouts image.  it all communicates something.  all of it.  ”sunday best” is certainly a matter of perspective.  its all important.

but here’s another take.  what if “sunday best” meant more than just the external.  what if it meant the inside?  

• what if “sunday best” meant coming home early and getting a good night’s sleep on saturday night so that you would be at your best on sunday morning?
• what if “sunday best” meant getting up early and spending some time in god’s word to prepare yourself for worship?
• what if “sunday best” meant praying for the service on your ride to the church building?
• what if “sunday best” meant getting out of your comfort zone and inviting a friend to join you?
• what if “sunday best” meant giving words of encouragement to your circle, instead of the unending stream of sarcasm and joking?
• what if “sunday best” meant not sleeping through the sermon?
• what if “sunday best” meant singing…loud…passionately…with reckless abandon?
• what if “sunday best” meant bringing your bible to worship?
• what if “sunday best” meant more than a casual “good morning” or “sup” in your interactions with people?
• what if “sunday best” meant pulling off in a corner of the building and praying with a friend who tells you that they are struggling?
• what if “sunday best” meant forgiving people who have hurt you…before you take communion?
• what if “sunday best” meant looking for a way you could serve on sunday mornings…in the nursery…in kids church…greeting new people?
• what if “sunday best” meant leaving a critical spirit in the car before you come in?
• what if “sunday best” meant anticipating a life-changing experience with the presence of god every time you walk in the door on sunday mornings?

what if “sunday best” really meant giving god your best?

any thoughts?  any additions to the list?