An average Joe exploring what it means to be a Christian in today's world.

The Perfect Formula

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:30:41 -0700

I've been wondering what I could do to make myself more perfect. If I wrote more on this blog, would people think I was more perfect? If I gave more to charity or helped more needy people, would that make me more perfect. I'm loosing some of my hair and my teeth aren't the straightest. If I had those fixed, would that make me more perfect? I though I would start working on a formula that can make me more perfect. I figure if I can come up with the "Perfect Formula" I could write a book telling other people how to become perfect. I think that would be a popular book. A book like that could make me a lot of money and that might make me more perfect. So I started by looking at the only perfect person I know, Jesus. And I realized two things. One, that's a tough act to follow. I mean I have a hard enough time loving everyone around me all the time, not to mention I don't know if I could do the whole cross thing. Second, some people already wrote a book about him. I was right about it being a popular book. I don't think they made a lot of money writing it, however. So I suppose I'm aiming a little high trying to be so perfect. But since Jesus loves me anyway, I'm not going to stop trying to be like him.

But that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe "less than perfect" Christian.

Mr. Joe Christian's Opus

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 20:28:45 -0700

I haven't been blogging for a while. There was something I have been wanting to do in my life for a long time. I finally decided to do it. The funny thing is, after I started doing it I decided I really didn't want to do it anymore. It took up a lot of my time, it cost a lot of money, and it gave me a lot of stress. Have you ever seen the movie Mr. Holland's Opus? Mr. Holland wants to be a successful composer, but in order to provide for his family he becomes a high school music teacher. His whole life he tries to write his famous opus, but lives challenges keep him from being famous. In the end he discovers how much of a difference he did make to hundreds of people. Often times it is the simple things we do that change other peoples lives. Spending time with your family, writing to a friend, helping someone else. A couple of days ago someone said they read my Blog and really enjoyed what I had to say. You never know who may read what you have to say and who may be affected by the things you do. I don't know what God's purpose is for Joe Christian, but I think maybe this is my Opus.

So Joe is back blogging again. Maybe I'll even give the site a new look. I encourage you to comment on what I have to say. Send me ideas to write about. Mostly I want you to remember no matter who you are or what you do you will always be special. You are made by God and God doesn't make junk.

Remember "Life is what happens when you're making other plans" --John Lennon

But that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe Christian.

What if there was no God?

Wed, 8 Aug 2007 20:59:55 -0700

When I was younger I used to read comic books. Okay, maybe I still read one now and then. Some of the comics I really liked were called “What if?” books. You know, what if Spiderman had six arms. What if the Hulk were orange. Maybe those weren’t the exact titles, but you get the idea. Basically the comics were about super-heroes and “What if” something were different about them or events in their lives were different. So it got me thinking about what if there was no God.

I know many Christians would be saying you can’t even think that. That’s blaspheme. I also know that there are many people that believe there is no God. At least until they need something or their lives are in turmoil and they cry out for him. I think most of the time they are crying out just to cover all the bases. That’s when they think, “What if” there is a God.

In the movie The Last Temptation of Christ Jesus is shown on the cross and then we flashback to what I like to call the “What if” sequence. It shows what would have happened if Jesus would have denied he was the messiah and married Mary Magdalene. Many Christians were upset by this scene in the movie. They boycotted and picketed. Most of them had not even seen the film, but their efforts sent thousands more people to see what all the uproar was about. The “What if” scene ends and we see Jesus still on the cross and he says, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) The event didn’t happen, but we get to see what our lives might have been without the greatest sacrifice.

Much can be learned by thinking of our lives without God. I’m not talking about thinking back to a time when God wasn’t in my life, but thinking about a world without God at all. It’s not about missing the Sunday inspirational and uplifting message or not seeing friends at the weekly bible study. It’s a lot more then just those simple things. But I can’t tell you what it is. It’s going to be different for each one of us.

Without God, how can you have faith? Without God how can you know about true love? Without God where is the hope? “What if” seems to be two very powerful words. Two words that could change a life and change a world. But what if these words told the message the other way. “What if there is a God?” How much richer would some peoples lives be then?

Everyone should take a look at the “What if”. Some to see how blessed their lives are and others to see how blessed their lives can be.

But that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe Christian.

Find a Penny pick it up ...

Wed, 16 May 2007 21:06:40 -0700

Today I saw a penny shining on the floor in the hallway at work. I remember when I was a kid I would search for pennies and pick them up. Each one was a piece of candy, a Jolly Rancher, a Tootsie Roll, or a Zot. But now it seems that a penny is not even worth the effort it takes to bend over and pick it up. I will tell my son if I see a penny however. He will get excited and run to snatch it into his hand. But now he has to save his pennies just to get the same candy I got for that one penny years ago. Maybe that's good, because it teaches him a little bit about finances.

Perhaps there is another reason, now that I am a Christian, that I don't pick that penny up. Remember the saying, find a penny pick it up and all day you'll have good luck? I suppose now I know life is not about luck, it's about faith. I don't think when I'm praying to God I'm asking for luck.

Anyway, It's kind of hard to tithe on one penny. So I will leave it on the ground for some kid to get excited about.

But, that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe.

Does it make a difference?

Wed, 16 May 2007 21:05:02 -0700

I gave something very important to me away today. A number of years ago before I became Joe Christian, I suppose I was Joe non-Christian, I was encouraged to go to a Christian retreat. This encouragement came about from a number of events going on in my life at the time. Far to many to talk about at this reading. At this retreat many of my friends and family wrote letters that were given to me. One came from a past teacher, mentor, and good friend. Inside was a piece of the Berlin Wall. He had received this piece of the wall from a friend who was there when it came down. He kept it on his desk and it was special to him. It meant a great deal that he would give it to me as an act of friendship. It meant so much to me that I had it framed with his letter and it's hangs next to my desk now.

But that piece of the wall is not what I gave away. At the end of the retreat I was given a crucifix that was handmade by the people serving at the retreat. This crucifix was made from nails soldered together and had a lot of love put into it. It became a cherished possession because it reminded me of the friendships I made and the beginning of a wonderful journey. I didn't want to give it away, but I did.

I was asked to write a letter this week for a friend that was attending a Christian retreat. I wasn't his teacher, or a mentor, and we haven't even been friends that long. So why would I give him something so important to me? I suppose it's because once someone gave me something very special and it made a difference in my life. Do you remember the people who have affected you in your life? That made a difference in your life? What did they do to make that impact? What are you doing to make that same impact on other peoples lives?

Will my gift make a difference? It already has to my life.

But, that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe.

Where have all the Crazy people gone?

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:03:08 -0700

Have you ever been some place and see a street person, a bum, or whatever the politically correct term is today and they are walking down the street talking to themselves? I use to see people talking to themselves in the airports or on streets and I would think to myself they are a little crazy. When you are a kid your parents would tell you to avoid those people. Well I don't know who's crazy anymore. I was walking down the hall at work and I thought someone was talking to me, but when I turned they were just on the phone. I saw a guy on the street waving his arms and having a conversation with what looked like nobody, but I think he was on the phone. Now with the latest technology it looks like people are talking to Scotty on the Starship Enterprise. Maybe the technology has made us a little more crazy. Could the radio waves be effecting our brains? Maybe it's a government plot to take control of how we vote.

But I suppose what I'm really wondering is, if I'm walking along by myself talking to God will people think I'm crazy. I suppose if they do all I need to say is, "Beam me up Jesus".

But, that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe.

Joe's Ark

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 20:08:05 -0800

I’m still fasting. Now in the third week. It seems like there are more food commercials on TV now and food ads in the newspaper. I’ve also noticed the pizza delivery guy seems to be in my neighborhood a little more than usual. I’m starting to suspect a conspiracy. Perhaps to make me break by eating a twinkie or dare I say some vegetables. I’m keeping a covert eye out for additional signs. I’ll come back to this subject when I have more intelligence.

What I’ve been thinking about today is the whole 40 day thing. Jesus went into the desert to fast for 40 days and this reminded me of Noah. You know, the guy with the boat. God had him floating around for 40 days. Is there some parallel to these two events? Could there be a secret code or combination that unlocks the answers to why we are here? I’m in my 40’s now, age wise, so do I need to find these answers now? I know there are Theologians out there that might have the answers to all these questions. But frankly, I don’t really care. What I was really thinking about with Noah is what the animals were eating.

The tiger, lion, and even a snake aren’t known for eating wheat and grains for dinner. The story goes that only two of each animal were on the Ark. So the tiger eating one of the gazelles would have been a problem. Not only would you have stopped the breading of more gazelles, but I’m sure that some of the other animals would have been a little nervous for the rest of the trip. Think about and Anteater. If there were only two ants on the boat, that would be a quick snack. Although I think ants bread really fast, because no matter how many times I kill them in my house, there always seems to be hundreds more.

I know we are always thinking about how God was working outside with the whole flood thing. But let’s remember inside there were a lot of animals not eating their regular diet. God really had to suppress that killer instinct. Here is another thing to think about. When the 40 day cruise was over, then what? It’s not like the gazelles could walk off the boat and the tiger could say, “all beats are off now, you better run.” They had to make babies to populate the earth. That had to take some time. Maybe that’s why rabbits breed so fast.

I went on a cruise with my wife once. Lots of couples. Not a lot of God on the ship though. Maybe that’s why they provide all the food you can eat 24 hours a day.

But that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe, is this boat rocking, Christian.

Eat at Joe's

Thu, 1 Feb 2007 20:20:40 -0800

I’m fasting for 40 days. I’ve never fasted before, unless you count fasting fasting itself. I know the whole story about Jesus going into the desert for 40 days and fasting. He was in the desert, where was he going to get food and water anyway? Let’s not forget satan was out there tempting him with a lot of different things. I don’t know about you, but that would have taken my mind off of food. It has been a little over a week since I started fasting. I’m not really that hungry. I do want a “bugle” though. Not the musical instrument. One of those salty corn chips that is shaped like a bugle.

So why am I fasting? My church decided to do a 40 day fast up to the current political election. It’s not the first fast my church has done. It’s not even the first fast before a political election it has done. So why have I decided to make this my first fast? Not only my first fast, but I’ve decided to fast solid foods. Under the guidelines of “full disclosure”, I will state that my church made available information on fasting and it indicated that “first-time” fasters may want to start slow. So, what I learned from reading that information is, I should have read it before I started fasting. Then I might have just decided to fast the Xbox, or Salami, or even bad TV shows. That sure would have made my 40 days of fasting a lot easier. Although giving up Salami is pretty hard. That being said, giving up solid foods is a challenge. Satan challenged Jesus in the desert and that turned out pretty good. Jesus didn’t look for easy challenges, he was given one of the most difficult ones of anyones life.

Truthfully, I don’t know why I decided to fast now. I care about who is going to get elected, but I don’t think me not eating is going to make much difference to how people vote. I think I decided to fast, because God wanted me to. How do I know God wanted me to? I don’t know. He didn’t send me an email. And we all know that is the easiest form of communication. I suppose it was time for me to discover something new about myself. And maybe it’s time to recommit myself to my family, my life, my destiny, and my God. Maybe I just need to loose a few pounds. It doesn’t really matter what the reason is. What matters is I know it is going to be difficult and I also know I can’t do it alone. That’s why I have my wife helping me. Okay, I admit it. My wife is pretty great, but I’m not going to get through this fast with just her. I need to believe God is going to sustain me and his “Bugles” are the greatest encouragement I can ever receive.

What have I learned from fasting so far? First, giving up something that doesn’t mean anything to you, is just like not giving up anything at all. Second, the best and most rememberable achievements in life are not obtained easily. Third, chicken broth just tastes like flavored colored water.

But that's just what I think. I'm still trying to figure it all out. I'm just your average Joe, a salad actually sounds good now, Christian.

P.S. The photo is from “Eat at Joe’s” in New Orleans next to the lake. I was there after hurricane Katrina. Even through life's disasters God is there to rebuild our lives. One day I hope to go back and Eat at Joe’s.

I am a Dragon

Mon, 1 Jan 2007 20:37:14 -0800

The "Holiday" season is coming to an end and I suppose the whole Christmas/Holiday greeting controversy will go away also. What surprises me is there seems to be no controversy with saying Happy New Year. What about offending Chinese people. They have a different calendar and have their own New Year. You even get a cool animal as part of your birth year. I'm a Dragon. Of course my son, "Little Joe" Christian, is a Rat and I don't know how cool that is. Aren't those same people who were offended by someone saying Merry Christmas to them, concerned Chinese people will be offended by someone saying Happy New Year to them. And how do we know which part of Asia somebody is from. Can I say Happy New Year to someone from Korea or Thailand? I know people from Japan can tell the difference between Japanese and Chinese, but I can't. What am I suppose to say instead of Happy New Year, Happy January. Martin Luther King's Birthday is coming up, am I going to offend white people. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President, will I offend Democrats if I celebrate that day. And then there is Valentines Day; the people who aren't in love with someone have to be upset if someone says Happy Valentines Day to them. And, don't even get me started about Groundhog Day. Wow, now I understand why holidays can be really stressful. Of course I choose to not worry or get upset at what greeting people say to me. I'm just happy that I have friends, colleagues, and other people that give any king of joyful greeting. So Happy New Year to all.

But that’s just what I think. I’m still trying to figure it all out. I’m just your average Joe "The Dragon" Christian.

Where has all the music gone?

Sun, 31 Dec 2006 20:40:10 -0800

It's been a while since my last post. I've been enjoying the "Holidays" with the family. It seems to me that the "Holidays" are still going on. I mean it's New Years Eve and Kwanzaa is still going on, I think. So where has all the music gone? I was listening to the radio and there is no more "Holiday" music. If we are wishing people Happy Holidays and it's the Holiday Season shouldn't the music still be playing on the radio and in people's homes? But it's not. It stopped on December 26th. The day after Christmas. So did everyone stop playing it because the recognized holiday, Christmas, is over? That would mean it was Christmas music that was being played and not "Holiday" music.

Here's another thing to think about. If a department store, like Macys or JC Pennys, has a sale on December 26th do they call it the after holiday sale. That would be false advertising because the holidays aren't over yet. So it would be an after Christmas sale. They probably can't say that because they would have to have a after Hanukkah sale, after Kwanzaa sale, and a after Santa ornaments sale.

But that's just what I think. I'’m still trying to figure it all out. I'’m just your average Joe Christian.