Restart Virtual Accountability?

I am considering restarting or reviving the virtual accountability group on this blog.  I found it an important tool for growing in faith and discipline during the season it was active.  So….if there is anyone out there who would be interested in becoming an accountability partner please comment on this post.  All that is required is checking in each day with a post or comment detailing your struggles for the last day.  Look through the archives and you will get the idea.

 

grace, peace, and awareness,

bart

I am thinking of quitting the meat packing plant

I have worked at a meat packing plant all my life. Lately I was promoted to the sausage department. I used to love sausage, but after a few years in that department I have negative associations with the plant. The problem is now that I know the ingredients and process that goes into producing sausage all meat is somehow different.

My problem with the ingredients lies not in the quality of the meat, but in the other stuff that is added so it will be edible after the processing. The man made stuff that goes into sausage is pretty gross. Preservatives, flavors, and dyes are not what I want when I eat meat. The process of grinding, mixing, and stuffing the sausages take what is a really decent cut of meat and really screw it up in order to achieve the look and texture we desire.

I am thinking of becoming a vegetarian. The idea of planting a seed, waiting for it to grow, harvesting, and finally enjoying is very appealing. I must be willing to give up the control I had with sausage, but I trust the end product will be both healthier and better tasting.

You probably guessed I am not really talking about food, but it describes how I feel about what we have done to Jesus.

Lord please have mercy on us.

Friday, 09 May 2008

I need your help.  Saturday we will begin seeking a family of peace in Manchester.  This concept comes from the sending of the 72 in Luke 10 and is detailed in Organic Church  by Neil Cole.  Neil talks about the 102b virus.

 The Ten2b Prayer Virus 

 

 

 

 We all know “the prayer the Lord taught us” known commonly as “The Lord’s Prayer.” But this was not the only prayer Jesus taught us to pray. In Luke 10:2b, Jesus instructs his disciples to “beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” That word, “beseech” is a very strong word. The man with leprosy ‘beseeched’ Jesus to heal him.

 

“Lord of the harvest, we see that the harvest is plentiful but that the workers are few. Lord of the harvest, would you send forth workers into your harvest field, here in _______ [your city], across North America, and to the ends of the earth.”

Please pray this for Manchester, TN.

If you have not read the book, order it now and while you are at it get Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  These books are both scripture based and will rock your world.

 

 

 

 

Thursday, 27 Mar 2008

Today I read Psalms 93-94 aloud.  I have just started the book Organic Church by Niel Cole.

I am excited to spend the day thinking about “love being the key” and how to put legs on that thought.  I love when Rich Mullins says “faith without works is like a screen door on a submarine”.  I have faith in God, but that does not always translate into loving my neighbor.  Cole had a good line in his introduction when he told a kid with a broken bike chain yelling at a passing preacher, asking if he had enough time to stop being a preacher and help him.  I think christian could easily be substituted for christian, “Hey Bart can you stop being a christian long enough to help me?”.

Jim, Congratulations on seven days!  You got any extra bracelets?????

Again, I pray you all will have grace and peace in your days.