Getting God out of the Sunday Box

Goooood Morning.

My Sunday message today was inspired by something Joel Osteen said this morning on his televised Sunday sermon, about getting God out of the Sunday box and bringing God into everyday living, I like that and have often preached that myself.
Then I realized --that is exactly what I am doing. Away from a physical pulpit and using the internet, I have taken God out of the box on Sunday (and most of the other days, too) in a unique way by using the Internet to connect.

I am blogging from Bakersfield, California before I have the privilege of guest speaking at their church today. I have spent a most interesting morning--starting with the truckers who left very early this morning in their very loud semi.

I had planned to get up early anyway. So I put on my slippers and jacket and turned on my GPS--those of you who know me, know that stands for God Provides Starbucks and I headed out to find the drive-thru Starbucks I saw last night driving to the motel. My hosts from here, Jim and Marie are also Starbuckies and they drove me past the closest one. They said it was off Chester. So I dutifully turned on Chester Lane this morning and knew within a few moments, I was off-course. Hmmmm.
I quickly shifted my thoughts (OH MY GAWD, how will I get any food or tea before service???) to that of my knowingness that Henry Honda and I can find any Starbucks in any city. So I remembered that, followed my intuition and lo and behold, I ended up on Chester Avenue and there it was shining brightly before me. The cutest little drive through only Starbucks. No bigger than a wink but serving up a soy latte just as if we were in the big city. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
And on the muffin wrapper bag was an affirmation that I might have written for Starbucks:
"Flavors my senses, sweetens my disposition, stirs my imagination, nourishes my dreams."

Came back to my room and turned on the TV and landed on some very interesting evangelical ministry programs. Having been an active pulpit minister, I am usually a little pre-occupied on a Sunday morning and don't watch these shows unless I am travellling.

One fundamentalist ministry, Dr. Creflo and Taffy Dollar have a logo that says "Change Your Thinking -- Your Life." I had mixed emotions about that. Hey, that is OUR moto and the premise for Science of Mind. Dr. Ernest Holmes created that phrase. It belongs to us. Nyah. And then, a higher order prevails and I am glad that somewhere that is getting airtime and into race consciousness. And yet, I want Religious Science to be that widespread, high-profile and using our own motto to reach thousands of un-churched. Here is a blurb from their website so you can sense what I mean:

"The Laws That Govern Life:

Nothing just happens! Things occur in your life because of the laws that you put into motion. In the series Laws That Govern Life, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar teaches you how the law of faith works and shows you how to successfully use the Word of God to release it in your life. Everything you do requires a choice. Discover the laws that will provide you with the keys to an abundant life....."


And then there is the Ed Young ministries. This evangelist appealed to me. Young and irreverent and this month he is focusing on Sex. A spiritual, sexual revolution. A handsome man in a blazer and torn jeans speaking truth and quoting the Bible bringing the bed back into the church. Interesting.

It was a treat to be at the Bakersfield CRS. Their minister of ten years, Rev. Carole Price retired this summer and they are without a Senior Minister, so they are using guest speakers while they candidate. What a lovely community and church. Their church building is a wonderful, two-story place with a sanctuary and stained glass. Having been at the Las Vegas church this week, too, I so craved having a church-- a space sanctified and dedicated to sharing God. Call me old-fashioned but I would love to be in an actual church again. Till and if that happens, I shall speak from my cyber pulpit.

Blessings.