Confessions From Mars Hill

NEVER...

Never trust a man who has not had a head-snapping, bone-crushing collision with his own depravity. - Nate Larkin

TIm Keller Awesomeness of the Day

From "The Reason For God"

In the real world of relationships it is impossible to love people with a problem or a need without in some sense sharing or even changing places with them.

It requires very little of you to love a person who is pulled together and happy.

There is no way to listen and love people (with problems or needs) and stay completely emotionally intact yourself.  It may be that they may feel stronger or and more affirmed as you talk, but that won't happen without you being quite emotionally drained yourself.  It's them or you.  To bring them up emotionally you must be willing to be drained emotionally.

Willing to jump in anyone?

Babies, Nausea and Homemade Pizza

Well, by now, most of our friends know that we are having a baby.  It's my first go-round with this, so I'm sure that I will have some odd things to talk about and yes, you can indulge me for the next 9.

We had a couple of friends over last night at the request that I cook chicken fingers.  It sounded good until Mandi called with a bad case of nausea and fear that the 2 day lingering smell of deep fried chicken would make her hurl.

So, I had to think on the fly while at Publix.  Here is what I came up with.

4 bags of fresh pizza dough, onions, peppers, Boars Head pepperoni...

Big hit and great pizza.  Highly recommended.

Southern Baptist Knives

Yesterday, I got a call from a guy wanting to drop by some literature for the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary.  As we spoke in my office, he kept pulling out different types of fliers, brochures, book markers and business cards. 

Then he handed me a little box with a wry smile and said, "this is for you." A little gift I assume for the outside chance that I am going to be pointing students toward seminary in America's Hat.

It was a multi-use (think Swiss Army) knife.

Couple of questions:
1. Did he get this through security on his carry-on luggage?
2. Why do Canadian Southern Baptist knives have corkscrews?

Presbyterian For A Day

We have been on vacation for a couple of weeks over Christmas and the New Year.  Needless to say, we had an overload of family fun time and put many miles on the car to see friends from all over (sorry if we missed you).  I was tired for most of it and as always, I developed a head cold.

But Sunday...Sunday was a day of rest for me.  We went to Community Presbyterian Church with my cousin and her family.  It was a simple church that focused much on Christ.  The sermon portion of the gathering was not referred to as a "sermon" but was listed as the time when we "preach the Gospel to our hearts" and the singing and giving were times of responding to the Gospel. 

Then there was a time of repentance, faith and taking part in communion. 

It was the first time that I had ever heard that taking part in the Lord's body and blood was to take part in revival (the pastor even poked fun at pre-planned, week long "revival" services).

I was revived.  I was renewed.  I was offered the invitation of repentance and faith.  All were offered by Christ himself.  Our fellowship could learn something about revival from these Presbyterians.