Two Cheesedogs, No Onions, Light Chili (With a Sundrop)

William liked this anecdote...

From George Will's column entitled, "Identity Justice."

Responding to early 19th-century rumors that they drank excessively, the Supreme Court justices decided to drink nothing on conference days -- unless it was raining. At the next conference, Chief Justice John Marshall asked Joseph Story to scan the sky for signs of rain. When Story said he saw none, Marshall said: "Our jurisdiction extends over so large a territory that the doctrine of chances makes it certain that it must be raining somewhere -- let us refresh ourselves."

Tiny cucumber

Are You a Good Christ?

This article is lengthy but worth reading...

Are You a Good Christ?
By Francis Chan

I think it's time we stop asking ourselves the question: "Am I a good Christian?" We live in a time when the term "Christian" has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves "good Christians." We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly. Others will label you a good Christian even though your life has no semblance to the way Christ spent His days on earth. Perhaps we should start asking the question: "Am I a good Christ?" In other words, do I look anything like Jesus? This question never even entered my mind until a friend of mine made a passing comment to me one day.

Dan is a long time friend of mine. In fact, he's the pastor who performed my wedding. He was talking to me about a pastor named Von. Von has been working with youth in the San Diego area for decades. Many of his students have gone on to become amazing missionaries and powerful servants of God. Dan described a trip to Tijuana, Mexico with Pastor Von. (Von has been ministering to the poor in the dumps of Tijuana for years). Dan didn't speak of the awful living conditions of those who made their homes amidst the rubbish. What impacted Dan the most was the relationship he saw between Von and the people of this community. He spoke of the compassion, sacrifice, and love that he witnessed in Von's words and actions as he held these malnourished and un-bathed children. Then he made the statement that sent me reeling:

"The day I spent with Von was the closest thing I've ever experienced to walking with Jesus."

Dan explained that the whole experience was so eerie because he kept thinking to himself: "If Jesus were still walking on earth in the flesh, this is what it would feel like to walk alongside of Him!" After that discussion, I kept wondering if anyone had ever said that about me-"The day I spent with Francis was the closest thing I've ever experienced to walking with Jesus." The answer was an obvious "no." Would any honest person say that about you?

What bothered me was not that I hadn't "arrived," but that I wasn't even heading in the right direction. I hadn't made it my goal to resemble Christ. I wasn't striving to become the kind of person who could be mistaken for Jesus Christ. Isn't it ironic that a man can be known as a successful pastor, speaker, and CHRISTian even if his life doesn't resemble Christ's?

1 John 2:6 "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

When John made that statement, he wasn't speaking about how to be a church leader or even how to be a "good" Christian. He merely stated that anyone who calls himself Christian must live like Jesus did. So how did Jesus live? You could make a list of character traits to compare yourself to, but it would be far more beneficial to simply read through one of the Gospels. After you get a bird's-eye view of the life of Christ, do the same with your own. Are you comfortable with the similarities and differences?

It's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of "success" as American church-goers define it. The thought of being well-known and respected is alluring. There have been times when I've been caught up in the fun of popularity. I've even mistaken it for success. Biblically, however, success is when our lives parallel Christ's. Truth is, there are many good Christs that you'll never read about in a magazine. They are walking as Jesus walked, but they are too focused and humble to pursue their own recognition.

May we make it our goal to someday have someone say of us: "The day/hour/15 minutes I spent with ______ was the closest thing I've ever experienced to walking with Jesus."

As Christians in America, we often complain about how antagonistic people are toward Christ. Personally, I'm not sure that Americans are really rejecting Christ. Maybe they just haven't seen Him.

Try to be COMPLETELY honest with yourself right now. Is the following true of you?

You passionately love Jesus, but you don't really want to be like Him. You admire His humility, but you don't want to be THAT humble. You think it's beautiful that He washed the feet of the disciples, but that's not exactly the direction your life is headed. You're thankful He was spit upon and abused, but you would never let that happen to you. You praise Him for loving you enough to suffer during His whole time on earth, but you're going to do everything within your power to make sure you enjoy your time down here.

In short: You think He's a great Savior, but not a great role model.

The American church has abandoned the most simple and obvious truth of what it means to follow Jesus: You actually follow His pattern of life. I pray for those who read this article- that we don't become cynical or negative toward the church. Instead, let's make a personal decision to stop talking so much and begin living like Jesus. Then we can say as the apostle Paul, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). My guess is that you've never had someone say that to you, and you've never said it to anyone else. Why Not?

From Catalyst

Stringing up Tomatoes & Pole Bean tee pees

Pole Bean tee pees
Originally uploaded by w2wkb

When I ran out of room in the Square Foot Garden, I just set these bamboo tee pees on the ground, dug shovel sized holes at the base of each pole and filled the holes with compost. The pole bean are doing great. (Saw the tee pees in a garden magazine.)

Stringing up Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by w2wkb

Most of my tomatoes overwhelmed their cages last year so when I saw this idea about "stringing up" the tomatoes I had to try it. The wood cost about half what large cages would have for this many plants, plus I can use it year after year. (And the ends will great for hanging a scarecrow.)

Stringing up Tomatoes
Originally uploaded by w2wkb

Thoughts on teaching your children and Children's and Youth Ministry

William is also a great (non-Calvinist) admirer of John Piper. A few weeks ago a friend or two shared some suggestions for kid-teaching resources so when William read these posts, he thought he'd link to them.

• Two Cautions for Teaching Kids
• A Book to Help You Teach Your Kids Theology
• 7 Ideas for Teaching Toddlers God's Word
• 5 Things That Are True About Every Child
• 5 Foundations of a Truth-drenched Youth Ministry
• Recommended Reading for Parents and Children's Ministers
• The (Non)Difference Between Youth and Adult Ministry

Thoughts on the "Relevant Church"

In the event anyone is paying attention, you may have noticed that William is rarely posting anymore. He is mostly posting pictures and life update stuff on Facebook so find him there if you wish. (One of the things he likes about Facebook is the ability to give his status updates in the "3rd person.")

William has become very impressed with Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch and wanted to share these two posts on the "Relevant Church" and how the "Relevance" pendulum may have swung too far in some cases.

• Suggestions for today's "Relevant" Church

• When Edgy Becomes Offensive
  

Thanks Aunt Amy!

First Fruit

Gabrielle Stylin' in her new dress from Aunt Amy.

Wrightsville Beach Sunset