You Want a High Maintenance God. You Really Do.

I wonder if many adults have an imaginary friend. Would they ever admit it if they did? 

I suppose an imaginary friend could help comfort you, encourage you, and keep you company. An imaginary friend, with the right imagining, could be the most low maintenance companion you ever had--there when you need them and won't care when you ignore them. 

Your imaginary friend could tell you how good you are, agree with your ideas when no one else will, and fawn over you like you were a famous celebrity.

It gets even better, though. Don't you hate to be criticized? You imaginary friend could tell you all those critiques are lies. Don't you hate the idea of bad news from a doctor? Your friend can talk you out of even going to one. And don't you hate being wrong in an argument with your spouse or with a real friend? Your imaginary friend can assure you that your are right, always. 

A real friend is almost the complete opposite of this low maintenance imaginary friend. A real friend will care about you enough to tell you your idea will bankrupt you, that the spot on your face looks cancerous, and that you need to say you're sorry.

In other words, real friends will judge you, try to help you do what's right, and seek what's best for you, even if it means having to turn away from you until you come to your senses. 

Okay, maybe an imaginary friend isn't such a good idea.

I wonder if many adults have an imaginary God. Would they ever admit it if they did?

I suppose an imaginary God...

Overheard at Five Oaks - January 10, 2017

Things overheard at The Weekly (our weekly all staff meeting), by lurking around corners and hiding in cleaning closets, and with some help from the NSA. 

"That's not a simple question. That requires discussion." Jeremy on our upcoming icebreaker question, 'shovel or snow blower?'

"No one should have to sit in the front row." Executive Pastor Brian Burquest commenting on how claustrophobic it was to sit on the front row once people came up to celebrate Communion. The place was full. I suggested he and his family take those seats every week so that no guests are forced to. 

"It was a joy to watch how you guys love on the kids here." New born's dad walking the hall to keep his child from crying and watching what takes place in the nursery and Children's Ministry.

"Remember what your mother always said." The last point of our new social media policy for staff.

"I'm so excited and terrified at the same time." Cindy Yarington reflecting on the 9 kids' baptisms she will do this weekend in the service. 

"Jeff's coming out of hibernation to train our teachers on how to handle difficult classroom situations this weekend." Someone referring to educator, member, and Elder Jeff Jorgensen who recently donated a kidney to Mark Visness. 

"I was wondering why Henry would be using a South Park video in his sermon." Rhiannon (Children's Ministry Co-Director) on looking from the far hallway and seeing the children's video on screen during the sermon, not knowing we were using that day's Gospel Project video.

"We served 200 people lunch at Dorothy Day last Saturday." Way to go! And, thank you Tim and Cindy for your leadership of this ministry for so many years.

"That's not a simple question. That requires discussion." Jeremy on our upcoming icebreaker question, 'shovel or snow blower?'