Intro to Matthew 8:34-38

We have all heard of poor examples of what it looks like to follow Christ. I think it is fair game to run down pastors who are poor examples of what following Christ should look like. One day a couple of years ago I was at home sick and all I could do was lie on the couch and watch TV. I ran across a seminar that was one TV lead by an African American leader name Tavis Smiley. For some reason I really got into the discussions they were having. I took it as an opportunity for a generic white pastor to learn something about the African American community. You guys know me and you know that if I were not the pastor of GCC I would be what is called a “generic white business man.” With that said I found the show very helpful in understanding different issues within the African American community and the African American church.

Tavis Smiley coined a phrase that day that stuck with me. He called out the “Pimp Daddy Preacher” for taking advantage of his position and people. He talked about these pastors who drove Lexus’ and wore suits that cost a half of my year’s salary and installed ATM’s in their churches!

After the seminar that became a symbol in my mind of how I did not want to pastor a church. The “Pimp Daddy Preacher” is a terrible example of what following Christ looks like. Following Christ is not about prestige, or material wealth, or the comfortable life. Following Christ is about self-sacrifice, and losing your life, and proclaiming Christ instead of yourself.

I want to take a few posts and look at Matthew 8:34-38 which deals with that it means to follow Christ. I find it helpful to reread the gospels and let Jesus remind me what following Him is all about.

Cat Fight

I have to proudly announce to the world that on Thursday, March 22, 2007 my son Mason got into his first fight. He bravely battled a little cat that he simply wanted to pet.

We went over to some friends' house who were out of town in order to let their dog out to use the restroom. While there Mason cornered their cat so that he could pet her (and probably pull her tail or something). The cat was not going for it. I followed closely behind fearing the worst. The cornered cat hissed a Stephen King horror movie hiss and started jabbing her front two paws. My son is either very brave or very ignorant, but he kept coming at her with his arms reaching out for her. Dad-Da (as I am called by the dude) quickly broke it up by snatching up my sweet little baby. The cat creepily stared at us all the way down the stairs as my son waved and said, “bye-bye.” I was terrified but also proud of the little dude. He was steady as a rock, ice in his veins.

Just as a side note the overly protective suburban Dad-Da found out that the cat has had all her shots and was de-clawed. Oh yeah, Justin and Lauren, sorry about my little dude jacking with you cat.