Smart Cat. Cold Room. Warm Flames.

Oh, the joys of a Kerosene heater... It's almost, yet not quite, as good as a fireplace. I've been keeping the house around 60 degrees - which is a perfect temperature to sleep, at least for me. However, sitting around the house it's a tad chilly... especially when one's blogging and/or watching Law and Order:SVU or Heroes.

I was very happy to see a long time friend at church today... She's living and working in Nashville so we don't' see each other often - not that we saw each other often before she moved - college and all that. So now I've added her as a friend on facebook - sweet :)

I just purchased Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, haven't started it yet but I'm looking forward to it. I've also started lurking about theooze.com and begun reading some of the posts and articles there. It's interesting that
I've discovered a community of people who share the same thoughts. I highly recommend the book 'Out of The Ooze.' It's a collection of essays from the site and also a thought provoker.


While I'm thinking about it - a sleepy cat makes a great lap warmer.

One of the articles in 'Out of the Ooze' was entitled "10 Reasons Why Your Church Sucks" by John O'Keefe, I immediately liked it. Here's an excerpt....

“First” he said, “Your church is totally irrelevant to the community. You all talk a good game, but you do not see the dynamic of the community changing around you. Second, your church is filled with poor leaders and over bearing bullies who believe the best way to get anything done is to frighten people. All you have are people who will tell you what to do, and not lead us in doing it. Third, your church has no vision. You guys are just dead in the water. Fourth, your church is old. Your church is filled with old people who have no reason to move ahead. They have more life behind them then they do ahead of them. Fifth, your church is inbred. The people my age in your church are all related to the older people so change is impossible. People who are part of the outside don’t feel welcomed into the inside and voice an opinion; it’s filled with mama’s boys. Sixth, your church is more concerned about image them reality. You all seem to be more concerned with the condition with building then with building the condition of your people. The carpet looks great, because no food is allowed near it. The stain glass is wonderful; because you spend more money on cleaning and maintaining it then you do on mission work. Seventh, your church sees no need for change. You are all happy in your fortress and are not interested in opening your doors to the outside. Evangelism is a dead concept, and community is only those inside the building. Eighth, your church doesn’t share a relevant message for a relevant time. You’re so concerned with doctrine, you are not allowing me to explore the faith and question the unquestionable. Ninth, your church doesn’t care about me as a person, only as a checkbook. Over the time I was with the church I heard more sermons on how much I should be giving and not one on how much you were willing to give up. The only time I had anyone from your church visit me was when “pledge time” came around and you needed me to increase my giving. It got to the point were I felt no matter what I gave it would never be enough. Tenth, your church is all politics and infighting. Things only get done if you can muster enough political support form others to get your point to be heard, press your issues and lobby for approval. You have to wheel and deal to get anything done.”


Ouch...

Love you All!

M