There aren't too many

There are very few movies that we all can sit down and watch from start to finish. Our ages span from 40 to 3...and there are 7 of us...add to that a teenage friend and the odds get wider...

But, last night we all watched "High School Musical". Some for the umpteenth time. But it still holds everyones attention.

What other movies appeal to masses like this?

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but for family movies, this may be a classic.

Still Struggling With Balance

Where do you stand?

When do you take a stand?

This guy in Missouri has gone too far.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070421/NEWS/704210394/1021/LIFE05

But, then again, I think Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, goes too far too.

So, where do you draw the line (or should you even consider a line)?

If a church asks its youth workers to hold to Biblical standards of conduct in an effort to set a positive yet REAL example for its young people, is that too far? Is it far enough? What if they ask their workers not to attend rated R movies? Or go to the local casino? Or drink an adult beverage with dinner while out in town? or in their home? Or purchase/read an adult magazine while filling up at the gas station?

You see, some of these are way over the edge and would never be addressed Biblically, because the temptation wasn't there. Albeit the sin took place in the mind, there just weren't as many places for it to fester or manifest itself into reality back in Bible times. So now we have all these options...choices. And we have GRACE and Freedom in Christ...not liscence, but freedom. But I'm not talking about me...that's easy.

The real question is...How does one who is responsible for choosing leaders...a board member, a youth pastor, a deacon...set standards for choosing leaders.

The disciples were not permitted to go out from Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit entered into them...they were told to stay put (pretty legalistic if you ask me - read sarcasm). This was done for the overall benefit of the program. So, when we choose leaders in church...or teachers at a Christian School...or Nursery workers...how do you set standards without coming across as a legalist?

Maybe God never intended Christian organizations to get this large. If it's so big that you just don't know, or can't TELL, then maybe it's too big (just thinking while I write).

You see, I've been great with following rules as set by organizations. If there's no gum chewing, then I'm not terribly rebellious...I don't chew gum. But the problem now is...

I'm in authority. I, with the help of others, am being asked to help set the rules...the standard of conduct...for those who work with children...

...and I'm struggling.

The Comfort Room

Kid 3 represented his class at the Regional Spelling Bee yesterday. I've never been before (Kid 1 was a regular), and it's held in the nearby big city, so I block out my calendar two months ago to ensure I can attend.

What I didn't realize, until the day before, is that I would be the head judge for the other grade. This turned out to be a coup...a real blessing...because I don't know what I'd do if I had to sit around the gym waiting for things to happen up in the individual classrooms.

Anyway, being a judge gave me an inside look at the process...of which, the most bazaar step was THE COMFORT ROOM.

Each grade is in a classroom (about 50 kids). The judges are up front at a table. No parents or teachers allowed inside. Kids get up and spell. If they are wrong, a high school volunteer escorts them to the comfort room where there is cookies, juice, and a very compassionate administrator there to console if necessary.

As an employer, its the comfort rooms of the world that create the most problems for me when I have to deal with these people as adults.

It's been said many different ways, but I'll say it again:

Everyone shouldn't get a trophy, not everyone is a winner, losing builds character...and,

We DON'T need comfort rooms.

How much does it matter?

My friend Brent is reviewing this book about an unchurched man becoming a "mystery shopper" for the church. On the surface, I think it's a great idea...actually an idea I was sharing with my pastor, as I have the perfect unchurched friend, who I work with, who has a critical eye, that might be very effective for our church.

But the more I think about it, does it really matter how much our church appeals to the lost world? I mean really, it kind of boils down to the purpose of the church...are we called to placate the pagans...or are we called to build up the body of Christ? Will the lost world ever really understand us...I mean if they're not saved?

Isn't evangelism done on an individual basis through personal relationships? Not necessarily through worship and praise?

Check this out...

http://aboulet.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/hello-my-name-is-christian/#more-198

I'd like to add this to top of mind for my daily prayer life.