Fast Food Religion

I’m sure I’ve heard that term before. And it seems to stand true. We live in a fast food culture that allows us many different choices and options for daily living. That being said…I see this pattern in the church all to often.

Have you ever been to a church and then maybe visited a year or two later and was like “where did everyone go?” You didn’t recognize a single face. I’m not saying it’s always any fault of the church. It just seems people tend to migrate to the latest and greatest thing. I know it’s not true in every case. I’m sure it just comes with the territory. I mean lets face it…people are people (profound statement, I know) Scripture does talk about people wanted their ears tickled. Basically…tell me what I want to hear.

I know there are many different styles in the church culture. And I can appreciate that fact. I think dynamics play a part in shifting trends. You’ve got communities where there is an overwhelming majority of traditional churches. Many of them may be lifeless and stale. Then you have a few exceptions of more relevant and trend setting churches within that same sphere. Many people are looking for the truth. They are looking for something that is real. Some are just looking for religion. I’m not convinced that relevant and trendy will win out at the end of the day.

I’m not sure why people drive in and out of churches. I’ve talked to a number of friends who are wandering in the wilderness. They love the Lord and the body of Christ. They just feel like they haven’t found what they’re looking for in a church. So it raises two questions 1. Do we have unrealistic expectations of the church? 2. Do we need better churches? I won’t lose any sleep over it. Just something to ponder.

Adam Bender

Something to give you hope…

Slow To Speak…Quick To Stutter

Those of you that know me know that I have a speech impediment. Actually…I stutter. Some people that I know might not be able to pick up on it. That’s because I don’t do it much anymore. I think it started when I was 5 although I can’t be sure. My wife swears it’s because my mom made me switch from my left hand to my right…whatever. The point is…I stuttered. Honestly, I think it had a lot to do with talking way to fast and getting ahead of my self. It was also anxiety. I still struggle with talking on the phone and other social scenarios. My wife would tease me that I would always order 4 hamburgers at a drive-thru…”Yes I’d like a ham …ham …ham …hamburger” she thought she was so funny.

I was teased pretty heavy in my middle school years. There always the toughest. It taught me humility early on and I’m glad for it. It didn’t, however, shut me up. I started taking speech therapy in elementary school. I was paired up with a girl who couldn’t pronounce the letter “r” very well. I thought “man, at least she can get the letter out!” My speech teacher told me something that I almost forgot about until the other day. She told me that I would probably want to chose a profession that required little to no talking and one that didn’t put me with a bunch of people. Basically…marry someone rich so you never have go out in public!! Little did she know that God had plans of his own for my life.

So I made it to high school and didn’t need therapy anymore. It seemed my stutter began to improve as I grew up. I felt confident to begin doing things I would never have done years before. I acted in the school play. I sang in the choir.

Looking back it’s kinda funny that I was encouraged to live my live around my impediment. The Lord, however, in His infinite wisdom and good sense of humor, would call me to a ministry of speaking and singing publicly. Currently I work in Christian radio hosting a mid-day show. All from someone who should “avoid” any job that would require him to speak. I’m so glad we serve a God who sees what others might never see. He gives grace to the weak and uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

So what’s your excuse for not using the gifts God has given you? Know that what society perceives as weakness…God sees as a strength. I may still stutter on occasion, but that won’t stop me from opening my big mouth for the Lord!

Sunday Morning Worship

This morning I had the pleasure of leading worship. It was a small church making a big difference. In a mega church culture, it was so refreshing to be apart of something that was loose and user friendly. People were sharing their hearts and what they were thankful for. It was great to hear people just say how much they are thankful for Jesus and his saving power. It seems that we can be so cynical and we think we have to come up with deep things to say. Just a simple “Thank you Jesus for saving me” can still have a profound effect. These are just ordinary people with real issues. I was so blessed to be apart of it. I just love the diversity within the body of Christ.

Day 7 -Daniel Fast

I can honestly say that I never expected this fast to so profoundly change my outlook. Now I understand when Jesus said that there are only some things that can be dealt with using prayer and fasting. It’s only day seven and I already feel as if I’ve gotten victory over certain things in my life. I’m excited to see what the Lord continues to do.

I need to get creative during meal times. I’m a pretty picky eater to begin with so I knew it would be difficult to find things I would like. Brown rice and mushrooms have been a real life saver (literally). I’ll keep snooping around online and I’m sure I’ll discover something new.

Here’s a few things I’ve discovered online this week.

Some more on Ted Haggard

Worst worship ever?? Please…no more secular music converted to worship…thank u.

Great blog for all interested in the Daniel Fast .

That’s it for now. Have a great week.

Quick Update

Sorry that I haven’t updated sooner. It’s day 4 of my Daniel fast and things are looking up. Day 2 was tough. I found myself wanting to justify everything as a “fruit or vegetable”. Then I realized that my attitude needed to change. I’m not doing this fast to see what I “can” eat. But I realize that this needs to be a sacrifice. I shouldn’t always be full. The Lord has already done some pretty cool things that I’ll share later. I’ll have a new video blog up soon as well.

Daniel Fast V-Blog

Ok…so I’ve started a v-blog for the Daniel Fast. Call it cheesy…but here it is.

Say Goodbye To Hollywood

Billy Joel has a song called “Say Goodbye To Hollywood”. It talks about leaving behind and letting go of what defines you and what you determine to be success. With that being said…I am starting a fast for the next 15 days. I’m saying goodbye to the things that have a hold on most people…food!! Not that food is bad, just certain foods I’d like to steer clear from. I’m eating only fruits and vegetables. I’m hoping to get direction from the Lord and feel better too. Fasting can be very difficult. It calls for a surrender to the spirit and a parting of the flesh. Fasting with the right attitude can produce humility and brokenness. It’s amazing the control that food has over people. It can literally change a persons moods and emotions. I believe food is linked to other weaknesses in our lives.

This isn’t a “Daniel Fast” per say. The Daniel fast is 21 days and comes from Daniel in the Bible who only ate fruit and vegetables for a season and turned out healthier then all the Kings men who ate the meat, etc… I’m not against this approach. In essence I’m really following those guidelines minus the 21 days. I’m just keeping it simple so I call it a plain ol’ “fast”.

I’ll be journaling my progress and any insights I get. This isn’t going to be easy, but with prayer and determination I’ll get through it and hopefully be better on the other side. So here’s “goodbye to Hollywood.”

Update

Sorry it’s been a while since our last update. It’s been a busy season.

We’re currently looking for a date in January to meet. We’ll keep you posted on all the details. We’re going to change the format up a bit. Keep checking back for updates and meeting times.

I pray all is well and that the grace of our Lord will be made evident in 2009!!

Wii Mania

Our church recently had a Wii bowling tournament to raise support for a missions trip .  It was so funny seeing people pf all ages competing for the top prize.  Myself along with all three of my children competed.  My wife was there for moral support.  There were 64 people in the tournament and it was double elimination.

A few of the highlights were someone who had bowled 11 straight strikes only to leave one pin standing on the final frame.  A 299 isn’t to shabby!!  My six year old son played my twelve year old daughter for chance at the semi-finals.  My daughter won.  She’s highly competitive! My other daughter Alaina and I finished respectively in the middle of the pack.  I think I was to gun shy from the start.  I lost the opening round and I never recovered.

The winner of the tournament was a five year old!!  It was a great night of fellowship for the church.  I recommended that we do it again.  I’ll be ready next time.