That sounds like a Patrick Mead quote. Were you journaling at Tulsa?

I LOVE that last quote: "And understand, our job is not to try and make people look like us. Our job is to share the Good News with them and let Jesus fix them on the inside." Let Him make them (and US) look more like Him? I like it! but it hurts sometimes.

I really do appreciate your posts.

Glenn … thanks for sharing your thoughts.

There are plenty of 'white middle class folk' that far worse problems than those that are uninhibited in the way they choose to appear externally. On the other hand, I'm _deeply_ saddened if people in this day and age who still have hang ups about green hair, tattoos, and piercings. 30 years ago, I could understand, but seriously, maybe we need to get out once in a while.

Another thing that bugs me is constantly referring to how 'the church' accepts these 'weirdos'. Isn't it about how _I_ love or choose not to love people? Sure, I represent the church. I do, but I'd really just rather think about it in terms of how I represent Jesus. And, you know what, there's a lot of people out there that show the love of Jesus that never associate themselves with a church, many times much better than those that are part of the church.

Maybe this bugs me because I've been apart of a group of believers in the past, who like myself, were primarily upper, middle-class suburbanites, who looked a lot alike. But, they supported and sponsored a Celebrate Recovery group. The people that came to the CR gatherings didn't look too much like us. And, we really didn't mix all that well with them, except for some light conversation before and after worship. We generally didn't do much with them outside of those official church gatherings. I kinda got the feeling we didn't want to deal with the baggage many of them brought with them. It seemed to give everyone a sense of pride though to know that we were reaching these people that didn't look like us. And, this apparent pride and yet, lack of regular engagement bothered me.

This post bugs me because it reeks of a viewing people as projects.

How about we learn to overlook outward appearances in everyone we encounter? …simply because we love them the same way that my Savior loves us? …no strings attached. How about we love them and witness to them whether or not they ever step in a building where a church meets? …just for the sake of loving them like Jesus loved us?

Great post.

On Sundays, I have taken measures to make sure my tattoos do not show through my dress shirts by making sure my undershirt sleeves are long enough.
I do not like doing it, but I figure I am not being considerate of others' sensititvities by having them covered.

Now that it is 2010, is it wise to go out of my way to make sure they are not seen through the sleeves of my dress shirts? Would it be better for people to get accustomed to them so newcomers may not be as shocking if they attend?

here's the link if you want to look.

http://shallowfrozenwater.blogspot.com/2010/01/year-of-lords-favour.html

Have you read the book "Eats with Sinners" by Arron Chambers. It came out last fall. I'm not very far into it, but like it so far.

Blessings,

Trey

I'm actually one of the 'weirdoes' you speak of, and contrary to what some may conclude by my immediate impression, God is the central focus of my life.
He's helped me through some terribly hard times and He's blessed me with many amazing things. I'm not the only 'weirdo' who is like this, either!

The time-tested wisdom that "appearances can be deceiving" is still sadly overlooked. I will admit that stereotypes often do have a solid basis for forming, but no one fits the bill to a T. We have no right to judge others based on looks alone.
(On that note– Di, I like your idea!)

Not much else I can say without repeating myself or others, so I will simply thank you again for posting this.

-J

Now I teach science and not much grosses me out. Since the ant eating episode, and with Stephen really celebrating his “weirdness” I take opportunities whenever they arrive to exclaim, “I like weird!”.

But then sometimes weird scares me too. I don’t exactly run up to someone with green hair and introduce myself. I think next time I will ask them what it means. I wear my hair the easiest way and the cheapest way I can. That is who I am, practical. If someone takes the time to dye their hair green then what does it mean about them? It must mean something. I doubt they are so into nature that they hope to begin photosynthesis any time soon. So, now I am curious.

I’ll let you know when I try this out.

Di

-Paula

Bob – I’m so glad you’ve kicked in your 2 cents worth. Great thoughts on the potluck, but especially on the preaching and teaching. I wish all churches would figure out was to look “open” to sinners. I’ve heard it said many times, once you leave the church … it’s so hard to come back.”

John Dobbs – put that hammer down and rest for a little while. I know you’ve been doing a lot of that heavy labor lately

AW – Glad you kicked in. You always challenge us with your thinking. I guess to some I consider weird … they probably look at me and think I’m weird looking.

White folks who go after people of ‘color’. Old who purposely try to fit in with the young. Rich that slum for the sake of evangelism.

I think real weirdos just see sheep and don’t TRY to be different just to be different.

AW

‘Wierdo’ is in the eye of the beholder. Let’s face it Jesus was also weird because He looked like just another Jewish zealot to the Romans and like just another Pharisee to the woman taken in adultery & the woman at the well.

I guess what I’m saying is becoming all things to all people is being your self AND being like Jesus. That’s what Jesus did. Jesus always looked like Jesus but He also always acted like God.

AW