Character...

I'm not talkin the Easter Bunny or Elmo on this one, I'm talking straight up character. You know, who you are when no one is looking type of stuff... the integrity part of character. It's easy to be a character, you strap on a costume and for a few moments/ hours you get to be someone different, that actually seems like a great idea... escaping reality for a little (but thats a blog for another time). Do others need to question your motives? Do they have to try to figure out if you're being genuine? Is there something that you have said or done that may offend someone, if so how do you deal with that? Did you accuse someone of something that wasn't even close to true and then gossip to others about it? Or do you do your best to live a life that is respectable and ask for forgiveness when you mess up? Character is the willingness to say, I was wrong. It's the humility that say although I was hurt I should not have said or did what I ended up saying or doing. Its the ability to say, I'm sorry. Weak character throws other people's character and integrity into question. Rather than dealing with their own flaws those of weak character attack others to draw the attention away from themselves. Those of weak character don't want or ask others to challenge them to grow, they are comfortable in their ways and do not wantto have to change. So would it be easier to throw on a character costume than to actually work to build character, yeah obviously... but hey just so you know it gets pretty hot in those suit... and if you're hiding in a costume behind a mask no one will ever get a chance to know the real you. (just sayin)

A Sea of Purple...

So it's Wednesday and I am sitting at our Babylon campus in the basement. There is purple EVERYWHERE. Now I am not purple's biggest fan to begin with but this is like a purple overload... and it's 2 different shades of purple. Anyway.. after my instal annoyance at the color and a really really weird picture on the back wall I am seeing it for more then just the sea of purple that it is. Now that most of the garbage has been cleared out and we're planning and brainstorming it's a whole new sea.... not just a sea of purple... it's a sea of potential. I don't just see four walls that need some TLC or a room that's been just so let go and unloved. I see a room full of potential. I see kids learning motions to songs, opening up bibles, and learning and growing together. I see kids laughing and playing as they grow in their knowledge of who God is. I see teachers and parents with happy tears in their eyes as they watch kids change. I see 9 people who have watched this church slowly fall apart be ignited with passion because once more this will become a place where a community is impacted and loved. I see people coming in off the streets just because they want to know what is going on in this once almost abandoned looking building. I see a situation that looked so impossible being redeemed for an even greater purpose. I see this sea of purple being used to bring in a sea of FULL REDEMPTIVE POTENTIAL.

Looking forward to what God is going to do here!!!! It's gonna be AWESOME!!!!