In these interesting economic times, there is a reported return to the library. Seinfeld once described the library as that pathetic chilhood friend you had that will let you borrow his toys if you’ll just be his friend.

I was meeting with my boss the other day and he suggested a book. And wouldn’t you know it? The good ‘ol library came through for me. And not only did I score a free copy (for a month) of the book I was looking for, but I got more than that too. (Have you ever gone to the library and walked to the check out counter with so much stuff in your arms that you wonder if they’re actually going to let you check out this much stuff?) I also found a documentary dvd on Bruce Lee. Did you know that Bruce Lee’s punches were so fast that filmmakers had to actually slow the film down in order to see them? When I heard that I wondered, “what else don’t I know about Bruce Lee?”

Another book I picked up is titled “The Big Moo”. Sounds like a Dr. Seuss, but it was actually in the leadership/business section. Which, ironically enough is right next to the “religion” section. Coincidence? I’ll be sure to ask Mr. Dewey next time I run into him.

So, I’ve got my books and a couple dvds and before even leaving the library I crack open The Big Moo and begin to read. Instantly enjoyable, my mind is engaged and I think to myself, “Wow, I can’t wait to get some time to read more of this.” If I had a nickel for every time I’ve thought that and yet never finished the book…well….I’d probably have at least a dollar. And in today’s economy, that’s nothing to sneeze at.

Case in point: When I was at the library last week I picked up “UnChristian”. I’ve gotten a ways into that one, but not even half way yet. It’s been days since I’ve picked it up. In fact, I’m not entirely sure where it is. You see? Starting a book is fun and exciting. Finishing a book? Well, that takes some doing. And then to finish a book with the same fervor with which you started it? That’s just downright rare.

I’ll try and remember to follow this post up with my opinion on the book I finish. Which book? Good question. Stay tuned to find out who held my attention for the long haul.

If you happen to be a “Fiddler on the Roof” fan, then the title of this post might mean something to you. If not…well, sorry.

Traditions are powerful things. Much of our society and daily life is based on traditions. Take clapping for example. When we’re in a crowd and that crowd sees something it likes or appreciates, they applaud. What I’d like to know is: when did clapping start? I mean, who first had the thought, “When I like something, I’m going to bang these two extremities together to show my joy.” Anyone know where clapping originated? It’s a funny tradition if you think about it.

One tradition in my family that we participated in this morning was cake for breakfast. Whenever anybody in our family has a birthday, we all eat cake for breakfast and have a party to start off the day. It’s a tradition that we all love and is there any better way to begin a day? And whoever’s birthday it is gets to pick where we go out to dinner. No surprise here…we’re going to Chuck E. Cheese tonight for some sub-standard pizza and mind-numbing games. And who decided that the tunnels and ballpits should be shrunk down to a corner of the restaurant and replaced with a sea of video games?!? I mean, c’mon! Chuck has lost his roots! But I digress.

Tradition is even a big part of most (if not all) religious practices. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not a “religious” person; at least not the way the average person would define “religious”. But I do see that as followers of Christ there are “traditions” that we hold very dear, and rightfully so. Things like celebrating Jesus’ birth, revelling in His resurrection, and celebrating the Day of Pentecost, to name just a few.

All these traditions are great things, and ought to be observed to their fullest!

However, tradition can sometimes have a “down” side. But honestly when tradition turns to “rut”, it ceases to be tradition. Traditions help us keep close those things that we hold dear. Ruts are nothing more than repeating what has become meaningless.

Are there “ruts” in your life, and specifically spiritual ruts? Has going to “The Mixx” become a “rut” that you’re in? Are there habits that aren’t what God wants for you, but you feel stuck in them like a rut? Use the comment section below to share your thoughts!

Thanks for digging deep!

I’m not sure if you’re up on your current events, but there’s a lot of fear-mongering going on; what I’d call “alarmism” is rampant in the media these days.

And I don’t think its totally unwarranted, but I’m beginning to believe that just as the tried-and-true advertising adage goes, “Sex sells”, the world of mass media just might be coming on strong with their own mantra: “Fear sells”. Pirates, pandemics, and policy. Not too much to get warm and cozy with there. And these are the things that are the flavors of the day lately.

And fear doesn’t lead anywhere good. But unless you choose to go underground, you’re susceptible to those sinking thoughts and a sinking stomach when you give too much heed to the loud, blasting siren of our society’s alarmist blare.

Its been said that fear is the most primal of human emotions. I’d disagree. I think its more frequent, but not most primal. And as a follower of Jesus, how do I take my surroundings in stride and not lose my mind to the crippling power of fear? Here are just a few quick thoughts:

1. Remember that fear and good judgment aren’t friends.
Now this one has nothing to do with spiritual matters. This one is just basic human behavior. When we’re scared, we typically don’t act rationally.

2. Fear and the anxiety it brings about is a broken, unproductive way to live.
Consider your emotions as employees in your company. Fear has been harassing all the other employees, throwing wrenches in the cogs, and slowing down healthy production for way too long. I’ve never seen anxiety work. I’ve never heard anyone ever say, “Man am I glad I got stressed out over that. That was well worth the energy I spent getting nowhere.”

3. Fear is offensive to God.
Imagine God’s perspective. How weak do you think He is? The amount of fear in your life is the answer to that question.

4. Fear saps power.
As a young boy, I remember laying in my bed at night afraid to go to sleep. I had been having a recurring dream that a witch was chasing me. Yep, a witch. Long pointy hat, long pointy nose, the whole nine yards. Silly to think about it now, but as a kid there was a short time when I didn’t want to sleep. Until one night before falling asleep, I decided that if I had that dream again, I was going to stand up to the witch and tell her to leave me alone. Imagine that, I had a plan for how to handle a witch before I even fell asleep. Crazy, huh? And you know what? I fell asleep, the witch came, and I stopped running, turned to her, and said loudly, “Leave me alone!” That witch turned and walked away and she hasn’t been heard from since.

What part does fear play in your life? In your walk with Jesus? In your workplace? In your marriage? In your friendships?

Comments on my blog are few and far between, but I’d like to know your thoughts (whoever you are) on fear and anxiety. All opinions welcome.

I can’t talk. My voice is just about gone. I think its a combination of allergies and just plain wearin’ it out this past weekend. So, with every conversation leading me to more frustration over not being heard, my keyboard is quite the solace. And thankfully, my lack of volume just led me into a funny situation.

Let me tell you about it.

Now, to my knowledge, this is only the second blog I’ve ever written based on an experience I had in a bathroom. Want to read the other one? Click here.

If bathroom-based blogs are not your thing, then feel free to stop here. But don’t.

Just a few minutes ago, I felt it time to pay a visit to the little boy’s room. Since I am in a church building, the bathroom is made for more than one person and so when I walked in a saw a boy who was undoubtedly elementary school aged. We stood side-by-side, taking care of business and I sensed he was a bit stand-offish. It was just the two of us, and he didn’t know me from Adam, so I suppose that’s natural. In a well-meaning effort to alleve his discomfort, as we were standing at the sinks washing our hands, I thought I’d say “How you doin’?” but remember, my voice is shot. So now I’ve got this poor kid standing next to a perfect stranger who seems to be growling at him. He looked at me in the mirror and didn’t say a word, though his eyes seemed to say, “AAHHHHHH!!!!” I felt bad for that, so I tried to be a bit clearer: “How’s your day goin’?” But to him, it was just another, slightly louder growl from the psycho bathroom man.

I quickly decided that trying to communicate with this kid was a lost cause that was doing more harm than good and I realized just how much I scared him when I was drying my hands at the air dryer and he left the room, hands dripping wet, skipping the air dryer all together.

Poor kid.

This past Friday I had most of the day to myself since my wife was working and my kids were in school. For a few weeks now, I’ve been wanting to go to the River and take a walk. The James River isn’t the prettiest river I’ve ever seen, but I do enjoy the sound of the water and the overall vibe of being in nature, albeit juxtaposed against the none-too-lovely backdrop of the city of Richmond.

And when I arrived I suppose I was most surprised by the sheer amount of people that were there. Runners, walkers, bikers, sitters, eaters–you name it, they were at the river it seemed. And thankfully I took my trusty camera with me and snapped a few shots, trying not to look TOO touristy (clicking each will enlarge it):

This one was over the canal, on a small footbridge.

Look under the bridge, and you can see the footbridge I was headed for.

I was talking with Steve the other day (like I do everyday, actually) and he had mentioned that at the Mixx on Sunday (he was at Courthouse campus), he had asked if anyone knew “The Great Commandment”. He broke the whole place into groups to discuss it. After a few minutes he asked everyone if anyone knew it.

One person did.
One person.
Just one.

Now, Steve had just been talking about the “Great Commission” which is found in Matt. 28:19. You can read that here if you don’t know it. Lots of people knew that one.

But sometimes what we don’t realize is that the “Great Commission” is best lived out through the “Great Commandment”. If you want to read the Great Commandment for yourself, then click here.

Jesus came to save the world. Not judge it, not condemn it, and not even fix it. He came to love and save every person. And ever since His ascension back to heaven, He has given His followers–you and I–the greatest responsibility and privilege: to be Him. We are His love poured out on the world, we are His mind, we are His hands, we are His feet, we are His words, we are His arms, we are His compassion, we are His grace; in that we carry all these things to every person we see. That’s our great commandment. Fulfilling this will fulfill the Great Commission.

It’s not the easiest life to live. It’s not the most popular. It’s not the most lucritive. It’s not the most comfortable. But you know what I’ve found? It’s often those who are most uncomfortable who do the most good.

In what ways does your faith make you uncomfortable in this world? Use the comment section to answer.