Lap Dances for Jesus?

Through another blog I found out about this site where some former strippers have found Jesus and are doing what they can to witness to other women about Him. I poked around their site a little bit and think that their approach may be a bit soft for men to really find lasting freedom, but anything to increase awareness and to get these women to hear the gospel is a good thing.

To me, this is where real life change happens. It's not that hard to stand outside a strip club and picket. There was a site hosted by some people in Oregon who hung out near a strip club and posted photos of patrons and license plates. This of course was met with much derision by most patrons, but the point was that they were doing what they thought was best.

I don't think shame is the best way to lead people to Jesus. They know that they're doing something wrong. This is obvious based on their reactions to the photos. What people need to hear is that there is another way. They know that they only get filled for a minute, but end up empty. These girls are looking for something and haven't found it. The three women at that site have found the answer and I rejoice that they want to share the Good News with others. I'm particularly interested in this quote from an AP story about this:

But Veitch doesn't think the women should have to quit their jobs before entering a church.

"What we say to that is, 'Do we ask gluttons to stop eating too much before they come to church?' " Veitch said. "Sin is sin."

Amen, sister!

Where Do I Scan?

My company installed some new security doors going into and out of the cafeteria. This is a good thing because anyone could wander into the cafeteria from the reception area and then innocently "piggy-back" their way into the general building. They set up these doors that only let one person through at a time. If more than one person tries to go through they make an extremely unpleasant squeal and they slam shut.

Unfortunately, this photo shows the problem with leaving a small table too close to the badge reader.

I realize that I work with computers for a living. My litmus test for technology is typically the "mom" test. My mom is not particularly savvy with computers, but she usually can follow clear instructions as long as no steps get ommitted from those instructions. I don't think my mom would try to swipe her card over the table.

Compassion Jason...compassion...

How Much Does It Matter?

I just read yet another great blog entry from the Internet Monk. I probably would call myself a "Young Earth" believer. However, I have a friend who sees the 7 days of Genesis as being like ages and would therefore jive with carbon dating, etc.

The point is, does it matter? Is my good friend any less a Christian? I don't think so. These things are interesting to discuss over some gourmet stimulant or deppressant, but I don't think they are essential truths.

Oh, how I long for a time when, as a church, we would all just want to see Christ glorified and not worry so much about whether or not we're right all the time! I spend far too much of my time worrying about being right, looking good, or just not looking stupid. Of course, I need to do what's right, but why fight battles over things that I know to be true? Why do I care if someone doesn't believe something that I know to be true? It doesn't make it any less true.

One of my pastors has a great way to put all this. Yes, we're found. But suppose we're driving around and get lost. We ask someone to show us how to get where we need to go and they graciously offer to drive to the place and let you follow. You're not any less lost, but you have someone to follow. I need to remember that's how I am in Christ.

Disaster!

I'm in Philadelphia this week participating in my company's disaster recovery exercise. It fascinates me to see the blend of the political and the practical in these. Some systems absolutely must come up and so we got ready for that ahead of time just to be sure.

I have somewhat enjoyed the time I got to spend with my coworkers. I don't think I would choose to spend much time with very many of them, but when compelled to spend time it hasn't been bad. We enjoyed a feast at Maggiano's on the night before the exercise started. Also, that day I walked all over Philly with someone else and we saw the Liberty Bell as well as Independence Hall. It was strange that you practically get strip-searched to see the Liberty Bell. But I digress...

Last night as we walked back to our hotel we passed some homeless people sleeping on the grates over the subway. On the same street we saw some people in a limo giggling about something. I wondered how you could get into a limo in front of homeless people sleeping on grates.

But then it struck me as I walked by in my warm jacket with my laptop bag slung over my shoulder that I have it awfully good too. And, frankly, how much do I do to fulfill the command of James 1:27? How many orphans and widows do I help in their distress? Probably not as many as I could.

What it all comes down to is that I should probably complain less about my job. I am glad for the warm place to sleep each night. God is very gracious to us. I'd better not waste that gift.

Desiring More

We were blessed to help our friends Mark and Laura move to Budapest, Hungary to become missionaries there. Please do take a minute to check out their site.

I read the hardcopy of their newsletter this evening and somehow it all began to truly resonate with me. I tried to imagine picking up stakes and moving my family to an Eastern European country like that. I can't get my mind around it! Amanda and I visited Italy last May and that was great. But it was not that hard because just about everyone spoke English and Amanda and I both took Romance languages back in high school. Hungarian is supposedly one of the most difficult languages to learn and yet Mark and Laura decided to immerse themselves in it! Not to mention their 3 boys!

Seeing this kind of faith and courage makes me want more. Here I am doing what I do every day. I don't want to diminsh what I do in my ministry because I believe it is important. I hope that every now and again I make some positive impact in a friend's or coworker's life. But seeing this kind of faith just makes me want to do so much more for the kingdom of God.

Would you please join me in praying for Mark and Laura? Their specific requests are:

- Pray that God would give them a supernatural ability to learn the language
- Pray that their friend Kristof would be open to spiritual things
- Pray that they could connect with their friend Szabolcs
- Pray that they would have wisdom as they prepare for the summer camp programs
- Pray for their 4 year-old Seth as he adjusts to language and culture in his preschool