Back to Basics

I think that every staff member or volunteer at a larger church should take a few times a year to serve or attend a weekend (or something similar) at a younger, smaller church in their neighborhood. It was refreshing in a way when I was at band practice at River Valley on Tuesday night. It was definitely a smaller venue. However, it was a very educational experience too. Things are done on a much more smaller, simpler scale. Not a lot of the bells and whistles that we sometimes think we "need" at larger churches. Don't get me wrong here, those things definitely can help in communicating God's Word. But, are they can't-live-without-it necessities? No, I think not. You can go to a smaller location and still see everyone worshipping; you can still go to a smaller location and hear a great God-inspired message; you can still go to a smaller venue and meet and talk to people who know and love Jesus. It can be simple yet still effective. It is something to take with me as I continue to serve at CCC. If the projector blows up - God will still show up; if the sound system blows up - God will still show up; if the guitar player breaks a string in the middle of a prominent solo during a Christmas Eve service (ahem) - God will still show up. Our hearts just need to remain in the right place. Our priorities still need to be in the right order. People need to be more valued than gadgets and the almighty dollar. Let God do His work and let us get our junk out of the way. So yeah, we all need to go sometimes to see how it is done at the grass roots level. Get back to basics. Kind of like how it is playing guitar: I can learn all the wackiest, hardest solos over the past 30 years of my playing. However, if I forget the basics, none of that will hold up. My teaching has helped me remember those simpler things and it has made me better.

And now for something completely different...an infomercial:

Speaking of back to basics, on a completely different note, I am really happy about something that I am taking for my allergy to tree pollen. Through the years, for a couple weeks during this season, I get this nasty thing of itchy eyes. Anyone who knows me well enough, for the last few years we have pretty much discarded all medications in the house (except for a very occasional ibuprofen). A lot of the natural healing stuff works well and has made me a believer. Mary got this stuff called Eyebright from Dr. Schultze's (they have all kinds of natural herbs, etc. for treating just about anything). I started using it this season and it has been nothing short of amazing. Taking one dose in the morning (and sometimes at night) and I am fine all day! Imagine that, letting God and his creations (herbs) do the healing!

...and now we return to our regularly scheduled blogging...

Job search update: there are many pieces on the chess board moving now. I have a feeling that something will be decided within a week to a week and a half (+ or - a couple days). With whom you say? There are actually several places in the church and secular worlds. No offers yet but stay tuned...

And American Idol is still on? Apparently Paula isn't from what I hear. Does she know where she is? I'd rather watch the Cubs maul the Brewers 19-5.