Our Take

A church planter in Pompano Beach, Florida, attends the local Chamber of Commerce meeting to expand his outreach. None of these folks have gotten involved with the church, but they have shared personal stuff with him. It's been pastoral. Well if Larry can do it, so can Conner! Or so I thought. --------Scene 1---------- I wander into the meeting. A guy with a cap that has the bank's logo pulls up a chair for me. I remind myself to just be natural, be curious, ask the questions that come to mind. First question: "So how long is this going to take, anyway?" Smooth. But I met some people. And I volunteered to help hang Christmas lights on the town tree. More good than bad. ---------Scene 2--------- The discussion turned to some Christmas event they're hosting. Pictures with Santa, that kind of thing. "It would be nice if we could get someone to dress up as an elf," someone said. Every single person there looked at me. How am I supposed to...

Conversation with Rory and Darby... Rory: Mama, can you go wash the clothes now? Me: I did wash them. I just have to fold them. And put them away. Rory: Can you put them away now? Me: No. I'm going to eat lunch first. Rory: But, please? Because I want to look for a ring pop. Me: Oh, so you want me to leave so you can do something sneaky. Rory: Not sneaky... Me: You want me to leave the room so you can do something I told you not to do. Rory: Oh, yeah. Darby: Mama, how delicious is this ring pop? Me: Pretty delicious. Rory: It's my favorite. Me: Delicious like every other candy because it's full of sugar. It's not any better than any other candy, Rory. Rory: But it's my favorite. Me: I don't think you've ever even had one. Rory: No...but it's my favorite. Me: I know, Rory. It's pretty and looks like a ring. I knew you would be sad as soon as you saw what Darby had. Sorry, buddy. I know it's hard.

We believe in the communion of the saints, per the Apostles' Creed. A funny line in the basic statement of Christianity. Do you know what it means? The communion of the saints means that being united to Jesus isn't about when or where you live. It's about how neither death nor devils can separate us from our Lord. It's about how there is one body, one loaf, one faith, one baptism. It means that all Christians, of all times and places, worship at the same throne; in Hebrews 13, it actually says we enter that throne room in Heaven by the Holy Spirit. We are with Christ, and we are with the others who are with Christ. That includes Christians who have died. The hymn "For All the Saints" puts it this way: O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.  Alleluia, Alleluia!  My grandfather (pictured above) died in March. We celebrate him on All Saints Day. Let me tell you...