Wasted Days, Wasted Time

I'm someone who wants to understand. For some time I've been trying to figure out what people don't like about church. I know why I lost interest as a young adult. But what about those who are now empty nester's and unchurched. Is it church itself, the people who make up church, or God?

Unchurched adults are defined as those who have not attended church services, other than perhaps for a holiday or special occasion such as a wedding or funeral, at any time in the past six months. A Barna survey reported that unchurched adults have risen from 21 percent in 1991 to 34 percent in 2004. The adult population in the United States during that same period rose about 15 percent. And the number of adults who do not attend church has nearly doubled, rising from 39 million to 75 million.

What's the reason? I know several people who simply find church a waste of time. And most people understand that time lost is time gone. Wasted money can be made back. Wasted food can be replaced. But waste time and it's gone for good.

God stirs the hearts of people. They feel a yearning, often for something they can't identify. In trying to satisfy that desire they delve into a variety of experiences.

I want to know what it would take to make exploring God part of that process. What would it take to make God worth someone's time.

Are we home yet?

Four months ago today we left Ohio. Soon after arriving in Payson we made the decision to live here. Actually Wes wanted to live here and I agreed to give it a try. Now I'm thinking this is actually where God wants us!

Settling in hasn't been easy. We decided to rent since we're in this "give it a try" phase and we have a nice 3 bedroom / 2 bath home. Pretty much meets our needs. Wes has been working since June 25 and I started to work the first of July. Finding this part-time job went a long way toward my choice to give Payson a try.

Searching for a church became one of our highest priorities. We have been to several, some more than once and one church six times. It's not happening. And you can about guess where that leaves me - lost and wondering and simply feeling like a fish out of water. I'm just not settled without a church home and none on the horizon.

This is a real challenge. Not having a church home is simply not an option. Being part of church where God is not calling us doesn't work. How many times have I said, "I'm not a church planter."?

As one friend put it, either we will be leaving Payson or we will start a new work. Which do you think we'll do?

Payson, AZ

We left Ohio for Arizona on June 15. Our intention was to live in the Valley - at least mine was. Somehow in the process of getting here and staying with friends in Payson - we now live in Payson! And it seems as if it will be okay. Maybe even a good thing. We found a house to rent and are going about the process of getting settled. Wes started his job a week after we arrived and I started to work too, in July. My part-time position is the Family Advocate for the Gila Family Advocacy Center here in Payson. A new agency, my job entails assisting victims with their rights and through the legal process.

With the rest of my time my desire is to start a small group for people wanting to know and become like Jesus. I can run but I cannot hide - the "call" is still there. I don't know quite how to go about this or how it will turn out but I'm am looking forward to it.

I'm Back!

It's been a while and much has happened since my last post. Stay tuned for details!

Thanks to the Many

Wes had his surgery Monday and all is going well. Dr. Selman said we will get on with our lives and soon "have this behind us and the pain will be forgotten!" Yeah!

We couldn't have made it through without all of our friends and family praying for us -- I came across the following in my reading last week:

"...we were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Thanks to the many of you for your prayers!

The Waiting Room

April 25, 2005
The day Wes was diagnosed with bladder cancer. First you think - well, you don't know what to think.

When we made plans in the past it has been with the attitude of "if this is God's will". One of Wes' favorite passages of scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

Waiting is the hardest part. Waiting for the results of a biopsy. Waiting for the doctor's recommendation. Waiting for the day of surgery. Waiting to see how well you recover. Waiting to stop thinking about it at least every minute of every day.

The outlook is good. Surgery is scheduled - the tumor will be removed - he will have future monitoring but it is realistic that this will take care of it. Of course, to know that we have to wait.

Reinvent Myself

A few days ago I had a rude awakening...I stepped on the scale at the health club. Bad. Worse than ever - and I've been on a string of worse than ever for about a year. All of which makes me say 'enough' - but will this time be different? Will I say 'enough' and mean it long enough to make a difference. And what is it anyway that causes me not to do what I intend to do?

The Apostle Paul puts it this way: "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me..." Romans 7:21

I was talking with a friend last night about this self-sabotage thing -- I even came up with a book idea -- "Self Sabatage- How to Screw Up a Good Thing Today & Every Day!" -- thing is most of us already know how to do that! What I want is to stop it.

Thus -- the need to reinvent myself. And when I get that figured out, I'll let you know.