Blake Bouldin

Thoughts from an 18 year old

One of my favorite websites is a website by Todd Rhoades called Monday Morning Insight.  I would encourage you to go take a look at it if you are interested in the Religious world.  The URL is www.mondaymorninginsight.com  Anyway, today as I was perusing the site I came across a letter that was sent to the Executive Pastor of Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC.  The Pastor's name is Geoff Surratt and the letter was sent by an 18 year old teenager.  As I read it, it reminded me again of how concerned the "Church" at large should be about the next generation.  Read it and let me know what you think.  Here is the excerpt.

The 18 year old writes:

My last problem is my biggest problem. I have a great friend who is Muslim. He is an incredible man, he is very faithful to his religion and the God he knows. I just can not believe that a just God would send him to hell for picking the wrong religion. That is not just to me. I am quite aware of people saying that everyone has a opportunity to be exposed to Christianity and therefore if they do not choose it, it is there fault for not going to heaven. But I can not believe in that and I know you can not just pick which parts of Christianity you want to believe so I do not know how to continue being a Christian. If I grew up in another country with a different religion and culture, I am sure I would grow to believe in that religion just as I have grown to believe in Christianity. And as a Christian if somebody was to tell me that being Muslim is correct I would disagree and not change my ways. So why should people who were raised differently and taught to believe in something different just instantly hear about Christianity and convert. I do not feel that is even slightly reasonable. They think that the God they worship is correct and they live by their standards and try to serve the best they can...clearly there is only one God, so will that God tell those people too bad, you should have listened to the Christians, now go spend eternity in hell. Because under NO condition is that just in my mind. I feel a just God would judge your heart and my friend, who does not think Christianity is right, would not have to spend eternity in hell because he practiced what his culture taught him, and did the best to serve God the way he knew and THOUGHT was right. His intention is to get the same place, he just thinks there is a different way to get there. Does he really deserve to suffer for eternity for that?

Drive 08

Andy Stanley is one of my favorite leaders both in church and the secular realm.  Several years ago he, along with some other phenomenal leaders, began doing a leadership conference called "Drive".  I took our staff in 2006.  I just received the invite for Drive 08' today.  I am definitely going.  One of the things that interests me about this conference is that there are so many great speakers/leaders that share their thoughts on leadership.  Andy's dad, Charles, who pastors the First Baptist Church of Atlanta, gave some valuable insights on leadership that I thought were interesting several years back.  I grew up watching Dr. Stanley on TV every week, and even though I don't think he is near as good a communicator as his son, I value what he says about leading.  Here are some of his thoughts below.

• If you do not allow God to change the way people do church, you will miss out on what God wants to do.
• As I look around at a lot of churches, I think they should be bulldozed.
• In my own denomination, 7,000 churches did not baptize a single person. Another 3,000 only baptized one person.
• Every day pastors are walking away from the ministry. The primary reason? Conflict.
• If you are afraid, don't show it. Hide it. People will push against you if they see your fear.
• Don't run away from conflict...run toward it.
• Conflict divides your mind.
• Daniel didn't have his eyes on the lions. Don't look at the lions, keep your eyes on God.
• Don't ever fight your battles in public unless you are forced to. Then, don't defend yourself.
• There are worse things than being fired.
• Fight your battles on your knees. Keep your focus on God. And you'll win every single time.
• You can obey God, or you can go the other direction and wonder for the rest of your life what God would have done with you and for you if you had obeyed.
• Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.

Christianese

Growing up in and around the church, I have found that Christ followers say things many times that really mean something else. If my statement confuses you, below is an example.  What you are getting ready to read is a language referred to as Christianese. In other words, it's a language used by Christ followers for Christ followers. I guarantee you if you are a professional Christian like me, you'll find this list of phrases very funny and better yet accurate. I got this list from a pastor at Granger Community Church named Mark Waltz.  I thought it was so funny I thought I would share it with you. 

1. I'll pray about it = NO!
2. We need to pray for so and so = Guess what I just heard?!
3. I'm waiting for God to open some doors = I'm living in my parent's basement.
4. God gave me a word for you = I have advice to help you with your disaster of a life.
5. I'm going to have my quiet time = Leave me the heck alone!
6. God is good = My life sucks.
7. Bless his/her heart = What an idiot.
8. I have the gift of discernment = I can judge people without even talking to them.
9. I was having fellowship with them = We had beer and pizza and watched the game instead of going to church.
10. I'm saved by grace, not works = I can do whatever the heck I want.
11. Let's get together soon and pray = I am ready to end this conversation right now.
12. I kissed dating goodbye = I couldn't get a blind date, literally.
13. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth = I can't believe you said the real curse word!
14. I don't mean to judge but... = I'm going to judge.
15. I'm dating Jesus right now = Are you kidding? I'm way out of your league.
16. God wants me to take some time off from this relationship = I met someone else and I'm too coward to break up with you.
17. I'll pray about marrying you = NO!
18. God told me that we are supposed to get married = Maybe you'll say yes if God is behind this.
19. I'm fasting = Your spiritual life is miniscule compared to mine. Try to keep up.
20. God has called me to minister to her = She's really hot.
21. I think you should pray about it = You'll see that I'm right.
22. We've decided to court, not date = My parents have a death grip on my life.
23. Courting = Homeschool dating.
24. Lord willing = My plans are His plans.
25. Take this with a grain of salt = I'm about to really offend you.
26. I'm feeling convicted about this = One day my actions might change too!
27. Have I offended you? = Why are you treating my like garbage?
28. Who wants to pray? = I don't want to pray right now.
29. Jesus turned water into wine = Jesus turned water into grape juice. (Southern Baptist Dialect)

30. Jesus turned water into wine = I can drink whatever I want. (Presbyterian Dialect)

If you have any other troubling Christianese phrases, please post them and I will try to translate them and add them to this list.

Oh and I am interested in knowing if anybody that reads this blog knows what the Chinese symbol at the top means.  Comment if you know.

Growing up in and around the church, I have found that Christ followers say things many times that really mean something else. If my statement confuses you, below is an example.  What you are getting ready to read is a language referred to as Christianese. In other words, it's a language used by Christ followers for Christ followers. I guarantee you if you are a professional Christian like me, you'll find this list of phrases very funny and better yet accurate. I got this list from a pastor at Granger Community Church named Mark Waltz.  I thought it was so funny I thought I would share it with you. 

1. I'll pray about it = NO!
2. We need to pray for so and so = Guess what I just heard?!
3. I'm waiting for God to open some doors = I'm living in my parent's basement.
4. God gave me a word for you = I have advice to help you with your disaster of a life.
5. I'm going to have my quiet time = Leave me the heck alone!
6. God is good = My life sucks.
7. Bless his/her heart = What an idiot.
8. I have the gift of discernment = I can judge people without even talking to them.
9. I was having fellowship with them = We had beer and pizza and watched the game instead of going to church.
10. I'm saved by grace, not works = I can do whatever the heck I want.
11. Let's get together soon and pray = I am ready to end this conversation right now.
12. I kissed dating goodbye = I couldn't get a blind date, literally.
13. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth = I can't believe you said the real curse word!
14. I don't mean to judge but... = I'm going to judge.
15. I'm dating Jesus right now = Are you kidding? I'm way out of your league.
16. God wants me to take some time off from this relationship = I met someone else and I'm too coward to break up with you.
17. I'll pray about marrying you = NO!
18. God told me that we are supposed to get married = Maybe you'll say yes if God is behind this.
19. I'm fasting = Your spiritual life is miniscule compared to mine. Try to keep up.
20. God has called me to minister to her = She's really hot.
21. I think you should pray about it = You'll see that I'm right.
22. We've decided to court, not date = My parents have a death grip on my life.
23. Courting = Homeschool dating.
24. Lord willing = My plans are His plans.
25. Take this with a grain of salt = I'm about to really offend you.
26. I'm feeling convicted about this = One day my actions might change too!
27. Have I offended you? = Why are you treating my like garbage?
28. Who wants to pray? = I don't want to pray right now.
29. Jesus turned water into wine = Jesus turned water into grape juice. (Southern Baptist Dialect)

30. Jesus turned water into wine = I can drink whatever I want. (Presbyterian Dialect)

If you have any other troubling Christianese phrases, please post them and I will try to translate them and add them to this list.

Oh and I am interested in knowing if anybody that reads this blog knows what the Chinese symbol at the top means.  Comment if you know.

The Journey Part 2 : Are we there yet?

Yesterday we talked about “The journey”, WCC’s new family ministry….launching this weekend. We are pretty excited about it because a journey is always an adventure….at least with my family in the mix. The adventure starts before we even leave the house…it ‘s usually in the form of scrambling children dragging their suitcases down the stairs, dropping various things along the way and yelling for “dibs” on whichever seat in the car is most desirable at the time. The adventure continues as we try to fit everything in the car and still have room for the people. It almost never works. But my favorite part is perhaps an hour down the road when from the back seat we hear the dreaded words…”are we there yet?” They are the most dreaded because we know that they are the first of what will be many of the exact same question repeated over and over until we actually arrive at our destination.

So, how do we answer that question as we set out on “The Journey” this weekend ….how will we know when we get there? How will we know when we have arrived? I’ll tell you what I tell my kids…..just keep watching for signs along the way…and you’ll know. Here are some signs we want you to be watching for as we launch out this weekend. Along the way, be looking for kids who want to know more about God. They will be asking questions like “will my dog go to heaven?” and “can you pray for my hamster?”  You may see classes starting to get larger and preschoolers needing a little extra TLC as they get dropped off for the first time. Kids of all ages and with all kinds of special needs may appear along the way….needing an extra touch or a listening ear, or just someone to tell them how they are wonderfully made. When you see these signs along the way….be warned you are getting close…very close. So, upon your arrival…you won’t want to stay in the car…or go quietly off to your hotel room….you’ll want to burst out of your car and run out on the beach and plunge into the water. Are we there yet? Come on in the water‘s warm!

The Journey Part 1:Packing and Preparation

As you know we are launching “The Journey” this weekend as we begin our ministry to elementary children K-5^th grade. I like the name because it really is a journey for all of us as we dream about what God can do in the lives of the kids at WCC. If your family is like mine, we have taken many journeys together, some good and some not so good.  In our house the journey begins with lots of preparation. The excitement of where you are going and what you are looking forward to makes all the packing, arrangements, and many details worth the wait. I believe that we are in the preparation stage right now for what “the journey” will become. We are preparing our small group leaders, our worship leaders and our storytellers to help the Bible come alive for children. We are preparing for kids to understand perhaps for the first time, what worship is all about, or how to pray and listen to God on a daily basis, or what it means to bring an offering to meet the needs of children on the other side of the world. We are also preparing for them to respond to God in whatever way they want….maybe they’ll take big steps like asking Jesus into their life or obeying Him through baptism. Or maybe they’ll take baby steps by obeying their parents more or reading scripture on their own or inviting a friend to church….whatever that step is for them is the beginning of their journey. Won’t you join “the journey” team as we prepare for a great adventure at WCC? Pick up an information packet this week, fill it out, and let’s get started!

Stay tuned for “The Journey” part 2  Are we there Yet?

Guest Blogger

One of the best things that has happened at WCC in a long time is the hiring of two women, Mary Padgett and Marty Montague.  Not only are these two women knowledgeable about how to create a "family" ministry that will enhance the opportunity for families to grow together spiritually, they are also just fun to work with. 

This Sunday, Mary and Marty will launch our elementary age K-5 ministry.  A ton of work has gone into this venture in a very short amount of time. I can assure you though that they are ready to reach our kids with a dynamic new approach.  I have asked Mary to be a guest blogger the next two days to give us an idea of what to expect.  Mary the floor is yours...or should I say the blog is yours?  I am so excited about what God is doing!  Thanks to you and Marty for being the catalyst.

Persistent Prayer

I was having lunch with a friend on Wednesday when the topic of prayer came up.  As it turned out, not only am I this guys friend, I am also his pastor and so, of course, when the topic of prayer was raised it would seem like I would be the one to ask the penetrating questions.  Not this time.  As we talked, he asked me how often and how boldly I went to God in prayer?  Not sure of where he was going with the questioning I asked why?  His answer was so convicting.  He said, "Blake God wants us to come to Him again and again and again and ask for what we want.  He isn't looking for pleasant sounding, anemic prayers that we think God wants us to pray, but rather He is looking for the truth about how we feel and what we desire.  Those are the kind of prayers He answers."  I thought for a moment and said, "You're right!"

Now that I have been convicted, let me ask you.  What prayers are you taking to God again and again and again?  What is the desire of your heart?  What victory do you need God to give?  What mountain do you want Him to help you climb?  What problem do you need Him to help you solve?  Have you asked?  If not, my suggestion is ASK!  Check out this passage from Luke 18 that demonstrates the principle of persistence that I was reminded about this week.

The Story of the Persistent Widow

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: My rights are being violated. Protect me!'

"He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"

Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?

Are You Angry?

I mentioned yesterday that over the last 7 years it's not been unusual for people to ask me from time to time if I was angry after they heard me preach.  In fact, I can remember a child actually saying to me one Sunday after she had heard me preach, "It would be better (referring to the message) if you weren't so mad."  I hate that that is how the message came across.

The truth is, sometimes I have been angry. Anger is a very prominent emotion in many peoples lives.  Pastors are no exception.  One of my favorite leaders Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv, in fact, wrote a blog about angry pastors.  Here is an excerpt.

Even though we are called to show the love of Christ, after being bitten by enough “sheep,” some spiritual shepherds become angry pastors.

Signs of anger:

• Blasting the whole church during your sermon because you’re mad at a few people.
• Losing intimacy in key relationships.
• Finding fault in other ministers and ministries.
• Taking out your frustration on those you love most.
• Rationalizing certain sins in your own life.
• Blaming those around you for your lack of ministry success.
• Speaking harshly to staff, friends, or family.
• Resenting what you see as “God’s lack of involvement” in your life or ministry.
• Disliking your church.
• Disliking yourself.

Question: So why do people live frustrated and angry many times?  And better yet, how does this correlate with what God wants for our lives?  This week I am going to start a 4 week series dealing with anger and anxiety, two emotions that dominate many people's lives.  I hope you will begin now to invite your friends and make plans yourself to come here what God has put on my heart.  I am serious don't miss this...or I'll be mad!  Just kidding.

 

One final note. We had a great day yesterday at WCC.  Things are as exciting as they have ever been.  February 10th we will kick off our K-5 Ministry by studying the life of Joseph.  I hope those of you who have children and know of children that do not attend a church will make having your kids at WCC Sunday a priority.  It will be the best hour they spend all week.  That is my promise to you.

Quiz Time

I gave a little quiz to all my WCC peeps today just to see how biblically literate they were.  My point centered around the fact that many of us claim that we "believe" the Bible is the inspired word of God and the ultimate source of authority for our life and yet we don't really know what it says.  Here are some questions that I asked them about the Bible.  They are pretty general in nature.  See how you fare.

1. Who was Noah's wife?

2. Name 1 of the 4 canonical gospels.

3. Who preached the Sermon on the Mount?

4. True of False: Is the passage, "God helps those who help themselves." in the Bible?  If not, who said it?

5. Who was the most "humble man on earth?"

Answers:

1. Noah's wife is not named in scripture.  Many Jewish scholars say her name is Naamah.

2. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

3. Jesus Christ

4. False.  This quote can be attributed to Ben Franklin.

5. Moses (Numbers 12:3)

This one is for Angie!

I probably don't do this enough, but today I want to blog about my wife Angie.  Angie and I will be married 20 years this year.  Some of you already know this but back when I was in the 5th grade I had my eyes on Angie and told my dad one day after church I would marry her.  I am a goal setter and have accomplished some pretty big things in my life, but none compare to marrying the most beautiful girl I had ever set eyes on.

August 6th, 1988 is a day that will go down in history for me as one of the best days of my life.  That is the day the journey for Angie and me began.  I never would have imagined that the ride would have been this sweet.  I mean it is one thing to marry someone who is beautiful when you are just average.  But when that person is your best friend, that is icing on the cake.  There really isn't ever a day that goes by that I don't thank God for blessing me with a women as wonderful as Angie.

This morning I was on my way to work out and it just so happened I was in her car.  We share a lot of "favorite things" but one in particular is our love of "Sweet Baby" James Taylor.  I can still remember driving to Chapel Hill in 1987 with Angie to watch our first JT concert.  It was electric.  I will never forget him singing "Going To Carolina In My Mind" and the crowd going crazy!  They loved him and Angie and I love him.  Anyway, this morning when I got in her car she had a James Taylor Live CD in her CD player and the song that came on was "Something In The Way She Moves."  Maybe I am a pansy or maybe it's just the sentimental side of me....maybe it's the eternal love I feel for her, but as I listened I couldn't help but think that the words JT was singing were words that describe how I feel about the love of my life.  Angie doesn't even read this blog...she thinks blogs are stupid.  Ha...but if she did read this or if she ever does read this, she'll know that I am getting soft in my old age.  To be this honest with people, many of which I don't even know, is demonstrative of just how crazy I am for her. 

Angie I love you!  These words from "Sweet Baby James" are for you.  You already know them very well.

There's something in the way she moves,
Or looks my way, or calls my name,
That seems to leave this troubled world behind.
If I'm feeling down and blue,
Or troubled by some foolish game,
She always seems to make me change my mind.

And I feel fine anytime she's around me now,
She's around me now
Almost all the time.
And If I'm well you can tell that she's been with me now,
And she's been with me now
Quite a long, long time
And I feel fine.

Every now and then the things I lean on lose their meaning,
And I find myself convening
In places where I should not let me go.
She has the power to go where no one else can find me,
Yes, and to silently remind me
Of the happiness and good times that I know
But I said I just got to know them

It isn't what she's got to say
Or how she thinks or where she's been.
To me, the words are nice, the way they sound.
I like to hear them best that way
It doesn't much matter what they mean,
Well she says them mostly just to calm me down.