Sunday Reflections 01-25-09

After way too many weeks of having sick people in my house, I am finally able to resume some weekly thoughts, so here they are

• I love speaking on how baptism fits into salvation and I hate speaking on how baptism fits into salvation.  I don't see how someone can honestly look at scripture for what it says and not say that baptism is one of the requirements, so I am passionate about that truth.  On the other hand I know that not everyone is as excited as I am, so I strive to be considerate without watering down the truth.  Hopefully I succeeded because it looks as though we will have three to four baptisms soon.
• Jeff has been working a lot on the sound coming out of our speakers and I believe that this Sunday was the best yet.  Derek, Bob and the band really did a great job.
• I took a few moments and listened to the teen band at the beginning of the 10:30 service and was blown away.  Those guys sounded awesome.
• Next Sunday is going to be great.  I love the opportunity to talk to people about becoming a Christian and that is what I will be doing in both the 9:00 and 10:30 service.
• God has been doing some amazing things around here lately, and this weekend He brought almost as many people to FCC as He brought on Easter last year.  I am constantly praying that we don't let Him down by not giving these people the truth and a way to connect with His family here.
  

Oprah, eat your heart out

I believe that this past Sunday was the first time in my 10+ years of ministry that I was too sick to make it to church.  I do remember showing up once about 3 minutes before I had to speak, preaching, saying "Amen" and then going home while they were singing the final song.  It was very odd to be there in bed while my wife and daughter were at church.  (My son was at home sick with me).

I basically spent the better part of 6 days lying in bed and I have learned a lot.  Last week Oprah did a series of shows on how to have your best year in a variety of topics from spirituality to sex to finances. (Funny that the name of her company is called Harpo which is a lot like harpoon. Coincidence? I think not.)

First let me assure you that I did not watch any of these shows.  But in my high-fevered state I now have found the "silver bullet" solution for how you can have your best year ever.  Here it is.  Get really, really sick with a high fever that won't break and a small but noticeable case of pneumonia.  It really will solve all of your issues categorically.  Look below for proof.

• Financially - the reason most people are in so much trouble is not just because they have way too many bills, but it is also that they spend the money that they have available in frivilous ways.  If you are too sick to leave the house, then it becomes increasingly challenging to spend your cash.  Outside of QVC and Pay-per-View movies, there is not much to purchase.  I ended the week with the same amount of cash that I had in my wallet at the beginning of the week.  I had even forgot that some of that money was in there, so it was like finding new money which gave me more to put into my savings account than I had originally planned.  Financial peace through illness.  This will be my best year ever.
• Physically - Now I realize that many would argue against an illness being a key to physical health, but I disagree.  I lost 6 pounds in 6 days.  That statement right there is enough to get a late night info-mercial.  But wait, if you call within the next 15 minutes we will through in a lingering sore throat and dead taste buds to go with that loss of appetite.  This way, all of your favorite foods will taste like chewy piles of salt and they will go done as though they are covered in sandpaper.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.  No some might ask, "but where is the cardio?"  I'm glad you asked.  I woke up every night and had to change shirts at least once because the shirt I was wearing was soked.  Here I am today and I am still occasionally sweating.  I sweat more at night than I usually do during my 3 mile runs.  So now you really can lose weight in your sleep with my new program.  You are just one illness away from your best year ever.
• Spiritually - They say communication is the key to a great relationship, and that holds true in your relationship with God as well.  An really high qualtiy illness will help your communication lines be open and clear.  When you are awake you pray for healing, you pray for sleep, you pray to breath, you pray for God to come take you now.  But that is just the beginning.  As your fever begins to approach the 104 mark you start to think that you can actually see God face to face.  True it might just be a fever induced hallucination, but when I see a picture of my grandfather I feel close to him even if it is just a picture.  I figure if it is true for my grandfather, it my be true for my heavenly father as well.  So, when you start to feel like God is just too far away, try one really high fever and you are on your way to your best spiritual year ever.

Oprah, eat your heart out.