I'm back....And I have a lot to say...

So just bear with me...

First, let me start by saying that 2 weeks away from my computer was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. Man I am addicted to my mac. Anyway I am back, energized and ready to take on the world. Starting with touchdown Jesus....

If you haven't been blessed by the roadside circus act that sits in front of an infamous church on Interstate 75, then you don't know what you are missing. Check out this site for info about this monolithic monstrosity. I really have nothing to say about it, what I do have to say is regarding the sign that blinks catchy sayings in front of the church. Most churches have them. You know the glowing sign that has that cheesy cliche that makes you wanna hurt someone. (maybe that's just me) anyway. I was driving to school last week and saw the sign. There it was as I came over the hill. A glowing sign that explained the unexplainable...."YOU ARE TOO BLESSED TO BE DEPRESSED."

ummhmmm.....

now I see these signs all the time. For example..."The best vitamin for a Christian is B-one...." or "This house is prayer-conditioned." But this one struck a chord. You see. I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. This affliction sometimes strikes me so horribly that I can barely face my daily tasks. I will be very transparent here. So for those of you who are uncomfortable with honesty, you might want to look away. I see a psychiatrist, I take medication, In short, I have a mental illness. But now, all of a sudden, this church sign tells me in so many words, that I shouldn't have a neurochemical imbalance, because I am just too blessed. Well.....Needless to say, that has not sat well with me. Christianity is not the end of our problems here on earth. Sometimes it is actually the beginning. For a church to advocate that Christians should not have depression not only marginalizes those of us fighting this illness, but also allows other Christians to assume that what the sign says is the truth.

How many times in the Bible does a central figure experience sadness so overwhelming that it consumes them? David, Jesus, Paul.

I know that the people putting the sign up probably did not intend for it to be a slap in my face, but we have to be cautious about the kind of message we are sending. Really, if it all boils down, I am blessed AND depressed.


More to come.....

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2 weeks vacation

I am writing this post 40 minutes late. I had made a commitment to start a fast at midnight tonight. I am fasting from my computer. I know that doesn't seem all that spiritual, but here is the deal...when i wake up, the first thing i do is check my email, when i come home from work - email...when i leave the house for any amount of time - email....i am always online with a chat program....i am always downloading the newest podcast, webcast, or streaming video from around the world. I am more connected to my mac than my wife or my pets, or God. So, i have prayed about this and have chosen to fast from the computer for two weeks. I am not checking email, signing online with a chat program, or mindlessly surfing the web for two weeks. I do have some obligations that cannot be neglected though: i can use the computer for school or ministry (small group) purposes only. So if you need to get ahold of me, please feel free to call. or if it can wait i will be back online as of midnight on the 28th. please pray for me during this time, i know that the temptation will be there to check my email (i am OCD about it). thanks and i will talk to all of you soon.

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Pat Robertson does not represent me.

I am sick of this guy. He is the type of religious nut that I keep apologizing for. He makes claims that really make Christians appear to be crazy ultra-religious and judgmental jerks...This is a great reason why people do not go to church. Read this

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. - Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson warned residents of a rural Pennsylvania town Thursday that disaster may strike there because they "voted God out of your city" by ousting school board members who favored teaching intelligent design.

All eight Dover, Pa., school board members up for re-election were defeated Tuesday after trying to introduce "intelligent design" the belief that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power as an alternative to the theory of evolution.

"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city," Robertson said on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club."

Eight families had sued the district, claiming the policy violates the constitutional separation of church and state. The federal trial concluded days before Tuesday's election, but no ruling has been issued.

Later Thursday, Robertson issued a statement saying he was simply trying to point out that "our spiritual actions have consequences."

"God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in his eye forever," Robertson said. "If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them."

Robertson made headlines this summer when he called on his daily show for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

In October 2003, he suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. He has also said that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."


Seriously, between him and Jerry Falwell I am really getting fed up with people calling themselves Christians, assuming roles as political bureaucrats, and then trying to impose their own personal agenda by calling it the "Christian thing to do."

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Have you ever noticed...

that some people seem to be incapable of happiness? They think that it is the people around them, but really, deep down, it is something inside of them, that keeps them from being happy. Maybe it is guilt, self-doubt, bitterness. Whatever it is, it tears at them. They resent those who are happy.

I have been studying personality types lately. It has been part of my class at CCU. What is interesting is the number of ways that we interact with others based really on what we think and feel. For example, I am an introvert. Because of my personality, I may not be as apt to walk up to someone and start a conversation. This has nothing to do with that person, it is all about me. But I can justify my action (or lack thereof) by simply redirecting the attention to the other person. "well, they looked busy," or "they wouldn't want to talk to me anyway." the point is that my personality is what holds me back. To blame others is really unfair.

back to the happy and unhappy person. Happiness is not something that another person give you. It is something we choose. The same goes for anger. I can choose to get angry or choose not to. Some people, maybe it is based on their personality, are naturally inclined to react with hostility (anger, judgment, bitterness.) while others are more naturally peaceful (happy, care-free, accepting). It is hard when you are one type and the people around you are another.

This is where the compromise lies. We must find a way to identify our own personalities, and how we can effectively bridge the gap with others, without changing who we are. Let me know your thoughts. I am interested in what others have to say.

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Tough week

Well, one of my best friends and a vital part of 3rd Place is leaving. Adam and Jessica Clarke have been a part of the group since we started almost a year ago. It was definitely a small group back then, only 6 or 7 of us each week. Now, almost a year later, we have had as many as 15 or 16 on Monday nights.
Adam and Jess haven't just been a huge part of the group, but also in the lives of Michelle and myself.

My friendship with Adam started almost 3 years ago when I started working at Mary Haven Rehabilitation Center. Adam was a part-time staff member and we worked almost every weekend together. He and I connected pretty quickly and soon I was asking about his church background. Eventually I invited Adam to visit my church. Actually I think I invited him quite a few times. He finally visited about 3 or 4 months later and he and Jess instantly connected. They became members and both became part of the small group that would become 3rd Place.

Since then, we have celebrated, shared, cried, prayed, grown, and encouraged each other in many ways. Michelle and I were proud to spend time with Jess and Adam when Jess was about to give birth to Rowan(the most beautiful baby in the world.)

Adam had a great opportunity to advance in his career. He was offered a job as the head of loss prevention for two stores in malls in the suburbs of Detroit. Although I am extatic for him and the opportunity he has, I am very sad to see him, Jess, and Rowan leave. I don't cry often but this morning I had a hard time holding back tears as I thought of Adam saying goodbye.

I hope to stay close to them and see his daughter grow up. Adam has been more than a great friend to me, he really has been a brother. I love him and Jess very much and hope the best for them.

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