He’s been converted … now what?

Why do people leave the church?  And abandon the very thing they embraced with such enthusiasm?  Are we so busy trying to add conversions to our numbers that we forget about keeping the people we converted?  Do we put so much time and energy into evangelism that we neglect giving new Christians a foundation?  Is there a happy medium?

 I talked with two people this weekend who used to attend our church.  Is it more important to convert new Christians than it is to extend a “welcome back” to those who have left?  Why did they leave?  I don’t know.  Why do I stay?  I do know that.  It has to do with relationships.  A relationship with Christ and relationships with the people I love as my church family.  Why didn’t these two people feel the same love?  When my relationship with Christ wasn’t what it should be (and isn’t what it should be), I have the support of my church family.  And when my love for them isn’t what it should be, I have strength in a relationship with Christ. 

 While it seems everyone else is scrambling to increase numbers, is it OK that I feel I need to scramble to keep the people we have ?

Soccer Camp Notes

Chelsea has been in soccer camp all week.  She has a new coach this year and a few new teammates.  She is having a great time (her words) and I am so happy for her.  Last year was so tough and I’m proud of her for hanging in there even though she hated the entire experience.  All she wanted to do was play and she showed up and put in the time, but saw very little time on the field.  This year has already been night and day different!  She is practicing from 9-3 in the Louisiana heat and comes home happy everyday.  She is remembering why she loves the game.  She loves it so much that she is using tape and/or band-aids to cover the 19 blisters on her feet and ankles!  Yes, 19.  And she has not complained once.

Last night she was asked to play with a high school “super 7″ team that did not have enough players.  She and 3 of her teammates went out and ran circles around some high school girls.  It was fun to watch.  It was also fun to listen to parents on the sidelines talk about the 4 of them like they were superstars.  Because I think they are.  When the game was over I told the parent next to me that the 4 of them were going in to the 7th grade.  Great, proud moment for me.  The girls worked well together and I can’t wait to see what this season holds for them.

Double Dog Dare

1.  Write three notes of encouragement.

2.  Call someone to let them know you are thinking of them.

3.  Pray for someone who hurt you.

4.  Make up your mind before you leave the house not to let your morning drive stress you out. 

5.  Say a prayer of thankfulness.  Do not ask God for anything, but spend time sincerely thanking him for your blessings.

C’mon …. I double dog dare ya !  (let me know how you do) 

What Is That Sound ?

What is that sound, filling the air?  It’s the sound of open G.  That’s right ladies and gentlemen, the unmistakable sound of my little girl with a new clarinet.  “Teach me a song now, Mom,” she pleads.  “Not yet honey, just get comfortable with the instrument and making a sound,” I tell her.  And make sounds she does!  She is actually doing a great job considering she has only be “playing” for 2 days.  She has already asked me to explain how to make first chair in the band!    I hope the excitment continues.  I know I’m excited to have a working clarinet in the house.  I must confess that I put it together in my van right after leaving the music store and made an attempt at a chromatic scale.  Not too bad if I do say so myself. 

Ah, open G.  The beginning of so many possibilities …

Broken

Even if you don’t know me well, you probably know I love music from the 80s.  I know some of you may think that is crazy and some may think I’m old.  It doesn’t really matter.  I like it and I’m good with that.  One of my favorite groups is Bon Jovi (no surprise if you know me).  On Bon Jovi’s recent release, there is a song that made me think of church (no, it’s not a remake of Livin’ On A Prayer).  It’s called “Everybody’s Broken”.  I have included the words below.  Read them and tell me if you think we should welcome people into our body of Christ with this attitude.  Churches are not for perfect people and people who are hurting should know that they are not alone.  (I know this may be a stretch for some and I’m not suggesting we add this to worship on Sunday morning. )

 Everybody’s Broken – Bon Jovi

Welcome to the party,
Come on in and disappear,
You’re feeling like stranger,
But all your friends are here,
Little lines and cracks,
Around your eyes and mouth,
Something’s trying to get in,
Something’s trying to get out,

It’s ok, to be a little broken,
Everybody’s broken, in this life,
It’s ok, to feel a little broken,
Everybody’s broken, you’re alright,
It’s just life,

Step into the deep end,
Make yourself at home,
When you wonder why you’re breathing,
Know you’re not alone,
Its so hard to believe,
Its easier to doubt,
You’re trying to hold in,
But your dying to scream out,

It’s ok to be a little broken,
Everybody’s broken,
In this life,
It’s ok to feel a little broken,
Everybody’s broken, you’re alright,
It’s alright, its just life

Take a look around,
Tell me what you see,
Is who you think you are,
Who you want to be,

It’s ok, to be a little broken,
Everybody’s broken, in this life,
It’s ok, to feel a little broken,
Everybody’s broken, you’re alright,
Just keep on going,
Eyes wide open,
Everybody’s broken

Full Circle Moments

Some things are falling in to place for me now and I am having more and more “full circle moments”.   As these little moments happen, I realize I am an adult now.  Sometimes that hits me out of the blue.  I really don’t spend a lot of time thinking about my age or the age I was when my parents were the age I am now.  (follow that?)  But, when the full circle moments of life happen, I am reminded that I am defintely getting older.  And I like it.  I am in a good place now with memories of good things and good things to look forward to. 

The best full circle moment I have had lately was out at camp during our week.  (surprised?)  On Sunday morning, the staff comes together for worship and the purpose of entering the week with the right mind set.  This year, as the communion tray was passed and I looked around at the faces of the staff members that I was in the youth group with and the staff members I have known since they were campers (some even since they were born!), I was not prepared for the emotional impact I felt when I saw my daughter and Christi’s daughter sitting side by side sharing communion as Christi and I have done so many times.  Full Circle Moments – some are more joyous than others.

Where Do I Begin ?

Wow, it has been a long time since I sat down to write something.  So much has happened.  I will go with the Reader’s Digest version of the past month.

• Camp has come and gone (second session anyway).  We had 67 kids and I know they all had a good time.  Some of the adult staff had to pull double duty and we are all very tired, but seeing the kids give hugs and exchange addresses and immediately begin telling their parents good stories makes it all worth it.  As hard as it was from start to finish, I can honestly say that I am looking forward to next year!
• I had 4 boys in my Bible class on Sunday.  That’s it.  Four kids, all boys.  For an entire 45 minutes I was reminded that for 12 years I have been the Mother of a girl.  I must admit, I had fun Sunday morning learning a little about 4th grade boys.  The main thing I learned was even 2 Chorincles can be funny if you read the word “duty” enough.  Apparently “duty” is funny because it sounds like “doodie”.  Reading or saying the word duty makes little boys laugh like they have just been able to get away with something.  Another topic for Sunday morning was smelly feet.  We did manage to get through the lesson, but I ran out of time and that has not happened to me before.  I am looking forward to next Sunday.
• I am now running Windows Vista on our new computer.  On Tuesday, we were greeted with the blue screen of death.  I thought nothing could be worse than the BSOD, but I was wrong.  The BSOD was followed by a black screen with a simple statement in white letters : Operating system not found.  YIKES!  No computer?  So we took advantage of a 4th of July Sale and came home with a new computer.  I am not too sure about the whole Vista thing ….
• July 4, 1982, was the day I was baptized.  I thought about that all day yesterday.  Twenty five years of being a Christian that include some good times, some bad times, some easy days and some days when I failed miserably.  I am thankful that on each and every one of those days, I had a loving God.

I want to say a special ”thank you” (because it is my blog and I can say what I want) to the men and women who are serving and have served our country.  I know it is a blessing to live in a free country and I know I owe that to our military. 

That’s all for now folks ……