Quotes.4

How about this one:

It was such a lovely day I thought it a pity to get up. - W. Somerset Maugham

Ever feel like this? What is it about sleeping in on a Sarturday morning that feels so good?

Quotes.3

Here's one that really gets me pumped up:

Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. - Horace Mann

If you've been following my blogs this week, yesterday's may've seemed a little critical. I admit I after reading it the tone sure sounded critical to me. That wasn't my intention, however. I was trying to be motivational, and it came up a bit short of that aim (at least, I felt). Horace, on the other hand, hit a homerun with his statement.

I want The Church to take this quote to heart. Who's The Church? You and I. We are The Church. Lately, I've become discontent with my content. I'm too content - physically, spiritually, at work, and at home. I've been running, reading, praying, loving, serving, evaluating, eating better, and striving for excellence at work more than ever. I want Christ to be exalted in every way in my body, my words, my actions, my thoughts, and most importantly my life.

What about you? If you were to die today, what victory for humanity would you be "ashamed" you didn't achieve? What victories are you winning?

Quotes.2

Here's one from perhaps one of the smartest man in the 20th century.

Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. - Albert Einstein

For me, not to seem like Debbie Downer, but the modern Church seems more bent on success than values. How can I say that? For instance:

• The divorce rate amongst conservative Christians are higher than those outside the Church.
• 37% of born-again Christians believe if a person is good enough they can earn their way into Heaven.
• 26% of born-agains believe "that while Jesus lived on the earth He committed sins, like other people" compared to 41% of all adults.
• Nearly all born-again Christians say their religious faith is extrememly important to them, however only 9% of all born-agains tithe 10% of their income.

From these examples, it's easy to see why the world looks elsewhere besides Christ. From observing Christians, they see we don't value marraige, God's Word (i.e., Eph. 2:8-9), Christ's character, and Christians certainly don't put their money where their mouth is. Why? Because we are more interested in numbers, programs, buildings, etc....all the things that don't last. Instead, we should be focusing on the character of the Church, and instilling Christ-centered values in those who attend weekly.

What are your thoughts?

Quotes

Thought this week I'd use some quotes from "famous" people to stimulate some thoughts and discussions. Here's the first one:

"Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There's a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning." - Bill Gates

What I think what Mr. Gates is trying to say is "My time is valuable, and church takes up too much of it on Sunday mornings."

Do you agree? Are church services too long? Not long enough? How does your church demonstrate it values each attendee's time?