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Is a Camera Click the Answer?

I read this article tonight and immediately a couple thoughts came to mind.

The “Camera Phone Predator Alert Act” had been introduced to Congress. Essentially the writers of this law are in hopes that Congress would require all phone cameras to have an audible sound while taking pictures. So as to reduce the risk of “voyeur’ style photos.

From a technical standpoint, I don’t know how this is possible to regulate. Why wouldn’t someone just mute the phone? Would phone manufacturers be required to keep camera tones unaffected from the mute button? I just don’t know how this would happen.

From a political standpoint, this makes me sick. We are now going to waste time, money and resources trying to make this law, and then trying to enforce the law. You’ve got to be kidding me! Don’t get me wrong. I understand why the lawmakers want to do this, I just think they are missing the point.

Which brings me too…

From a spiritual standpoint, I am saddened. I don’t believe the answer is to create another law to try and legislate morality. We continue, as a people, to go after the effects of an issue and we do not tackle the issue itself. How are we as a church reaching out to our communities? Is there an impact going on, that is showing a reduction in crime, divorce, suicide? Can we even hope for this kind of change?

I am optimistic that change can happen. Not because I am capable, but because I know God is capable of changing anyone’s life. Change doesn’t come by adding a sound to sin. Change comes when God challenges sin head on and exposes it Himself. But that only takes place when we, as the church, are willing to get face to face with those struggling and show them the God that has that power. Because He has demonstrated in power in each of us.

So, if we ever have a chance to vote on a law like this. I’ll pass. I’m not interested in masking the sin. I am interested in dealing with it. Face to face.

Brilliant!

ht:Brewster, Alex

Quote…

When Christians react to elections with despair and panic, they [demonstrate] that their faith is in the wrong place…Salvation is not something that Caesar holds in his hand, whether to give or withhold.
Douglas Wilson

ht:Joshua Blankenship

The Best and Worst of Halloween

Today, I look around the blog world and I see lots of thoughts, arguments and pictures.

Halloween…

What is it to you? I am not interested in whether or not this is a day Christians should or should not celebrate. I am pretty convinced for myself that I will be celebrating it.

But, what are you doing today? What are your favorite or worst memories of halloween?

For me, it’s all the great horror movies. I’ve grown up with them and love them. I watch them all month long. October is fun :)

So…now you…

Finished.

When do we know we have done enough? Do you ever feel done?

I’ve felt this way in my position as a Worship Pastor. On one hand, ministry never ends. It’s never complete. It’s a journey. On the other hand, there are tasks I handle that have a deadline or a finished product.

I am a person that like to accomplish something. I loke to have a finished product. Yesterday and today I have been painting and moving into a new office. It feels good to near the end of this task. Although this task is quite insignificant.

Here’s where I have to balance. Ministry, is about the journey. It is about people. It is not about process. Sure, process and procedure is great, but only 1 part in loving God and loving people.

I need to continue, in every aspect of what I do, to evaluate. Am I only focused on getting the job done? Or am I enjoying the journey?

What do you think? Can you go through life without placing an expected accomplishment on your relationship with Christ?

Road Trip…Leadership Summit

Tomorrow I leave town for 3 days. Two other Pastors and I are headed up to Portland to attend a simulcast of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. I am looking forward to a couple of days out of town with friends as well as the opportunity to catch up with Tyler and others in Portland. The conference is set to be an incredibly challenging time as well.

I have some posts set up to go up on Thursday and Friday. I will do my best to follow up on comments, but if I don’t, feel free to hijack the blog and enjoy yourself :)

Are any of you attending the conference? If you are in the northwest and are headed to the Portland simulcast, drop me an email. I’d love to say hey. We are meeting Thursday evening at McMenamins.

You can follow me on Twitter as well and enjoy the trip with me. I’ll be posting updates and pics.

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