Love Life, Embrace Risks, and Live for Eternity

Today marks Mickey Mouse's 80th Birthday! This sweet little mouse has become one of the most identifiable symbols in the world.

In honor of Mickey Mouse, I have decided to talk like him for the whole day. Or maybe I should say Minnie Mouse? O.k., I admit it. It is not by choice. My voice went away after standing out in the freezing cold in the middle of I-75 last helping out with a car accident. Not good!

"Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily becaome a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized-whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ-but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead thosee I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!" 1 Corinthians 9

This past week, I had the Monday night coffee shop group swing over to my place to celebrate Tony's birthday. 

That evening, I learned that I literally stink at Dominos. But, I can surely talk some trash during the game. That is all that counts, right?

Several times, my brother Jon has made it in the newspaper and on the news representing the Southfield Fire Department in some type of capacity over the past few years. He is all about saving lives.

I am one proud sister!

A few days ago, an editor did a large half page write up of my mother and her mission. She is all about helping Senior Citizens out.

I am such a proud daughter!

On election night, I was sitting at a bar in between a man who follows Jesus Christ and a man who holds onto atheistic beliefs. Talk about opposites!

I had a chance to connect with both individuals that night. After we had a casual connection with the atheist, we asked him questions and listened to his story on how he came to that particular belief system.

That evening, we had great conversations at the bar! It was not about being narrow-minded or judgmental. It was not about having a cookie-cutter mentality when it comes to christianity.  Instead, it was about being real. It was about engaging in conversations that can spark spiritual interest in others. It was about being relational and dishing out love!

On the way home, I was reminded of the importance for Christ-followers to be in the community. Just think about it. Jesus didn't stand behind an podium all the time. Instead, He went to the people. He made Himself available and lives were changed. He dined with "sinners" and tax collectors. He walked into a graveyard to encounter a demon possessed man. He spent time in town where the crowds were. Wow!

We need to do the same. We need to go where the people are which will take time and energy. We need to listen to their stories and ask God to lead the conversation. We need to dine with them and meet with them knowing that it may need to be on their turf.

Conversations in a bar! Crazy, isn't it?

Walking into a church for the first time can be quite nerve recking for both introverts and extroverts.  Just recently, I have been helping out a local large church with their guest connections. We have been thinking through the procedures and coming up with some best practices.

It is our goal is to think like a newcomer while developing the guest connections area.  Doing this has raised many questions.