The Chicken and the Pig

My post yesterday talked about Anna's thoughts on being Fit or Fat. My friend (and pastor) Scott discussed the same post here, adding his take on being a Consumer or Contributor.

This is a common illustration in the software industry. In fact, we call it the "The Chicken and the Pig go to Breakfast".

The story goes something like:

A chicken and a pig went to breakfast one morning and talked:

Chicken:
Let's start a restaurant!

Pig:
What would we call it?

Chicken:
Ham and Eggs!

Pig:
No thanks. I'd be committed, but you'd only be involved!

(from Implementing Scrum)

Fit or Fat?

On one of the blogs I read (see it here), a woman told about loosing 60 pounds and how it changed her perspective.

She then goes on to talk about the difference between "Fit" or "Fat" Christianity.

Whatever happened to Country Music?

I've often said that the only types of music I don't like are Opera and Country. The odd thing is I do like Classical and Bluegrass.

Tonight, however, a Country Music Association program was on and I listened to a couple of the songs and decided that the new face of Country Music is more like Rock 'N Roll. Yes, the vocals are a little different but the words really are not. The instrumental backing sounds very similar.

I may have to change my tune about Country. Now if they could just do something about Opera...

Roof Tile Syndrome

I was introduced to this phrase coined by Mark Buchanan. You can read his article here. It refers to the story of Jesus healing the paralized man in Mark 2:1-12. Unfortunately, I am somewhat familiar with this syndrome. Buchanan defines it as:

Roof-tile Syndrome is when we are so caught up in the preaching of Jesus, we turn our backs to the needs of those still outside the building. We become barriers and not gateways. It's when we care more about keeping things intact than about restoring lives that are shattered. It's when we're more upset when stuff gets broken than excited when the broken are mended. It's when church gets reduced to the preaching of Jesus so that we fail to notice that we're seeing very little of the forgiveness and healing of Jesus. It is when we are so fearful about upsetting the religious folk (or homeowners) in our midst that we stop taking risks to get people to Jesus.

I have attended churches with this syndrome. And, of course, if you expand the definition a little, you not only see it in churches but in business, familes -- life in general.

Why is this? Because we always seem to forget that God is BIG and I am not. It is not about me.

Over the last 20 years, I have seen Roof Tile Syndrome:

• In a church that had people unwilling to go one Sunday because there was no message, just music.
• In a company that was trying to change the culture (in my opinion, for the better) but people would need to learn new job skills.
• In families who are unwilling to accept the childrens new husbands or wives.

The funny thing is, as much as change sometimes hurts and the process of ripping apart the roof-tiles is uncomfortable, I want to be a part of a family and church willing to do that for the Kingdom of God.

God's Pie

A couple of days ago, I ran across this video from Central Christian Church in Las Vegas called "God's Pie". This video won the Best in Show Award at the Buzz Conference.

Jabez was a whiner!

A few years ago, a great debate raged in the Frederick household. It started when Marj brought home "The Prayer of Jabez". In my really abbreviated version of the book, the author talked about this guy mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:9-11 who asked God for a better life and God granted his request. In a discussion with my allergist, he gave me an immediate dislike for the book before I ever read it, an opinion he shared with me.

The book sold many copies. Without knowing the author, I can only suggest that if he didn't mean to preach a "Health and Wealth" gospel, people were misinterpreting him.

Why do I say Jabez was a whiner? Listen to how the verses read in the New International Readers Version:

Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez. She had said, "I was in a lot of pain when he was born." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel. He said, "I wish you would bless me. I wish you would give me more territory. Let your powerful hand be with me. Keep me from harm. Then I won't have any pain." God gave him what he asked for.

Why people think that because Jabez did this, it will work for me, I don't know. Somehow I must have missed the prayer that Jesus prayed to do the same.

I do remember the story of the widow who complained to the judge and here request was granted. I remember more, the commands to feed the poor, care for the widow, give water to the thirsty and cloth the naked.

I may be way off base but... This is a discussion that still pops up in our house from time to time but I don't think Jabez's prayer is as favored as the author would like it to be.

More small things

Some time ago, I posted this. Here is another one.

Two weeks ago, we were given a new band schedule through the end of the year. Dan, our worship leader, sent a different schedule out, adjusting dates and a few things.

Yesterday at work, I was given a pager schedule (when I need to carry that dreaded pager). I put both of those schedules into my calendar and discovered I do not ever carry the pager when I am playing. I was amazed.