• You don't keep score.


• You never get put out.


• Strikes don't count.


• At the end, you always win.

That pretty much makes T-ball perfect, just like heaven. You never got put out, your strikes didn't count against you and you leave the game a winner.

In this old world I've decided to put my faith and life in Jesus' hands. I've given him my life because I need him as my Savior. And when I did this: He put me on his team (I don't get put out), he didn't count my strikes (sins) anymore, and best yet, when the end of the game comes (life), I leave here a winner.

Yep, Cooper's theology was right on target, T-ball IS pretty much like heaven. Jesus is an awesome coach. And I'm so thankful he invites me to be on his team.

1. You hang your head on the day of judgement with no one to pay your debt. That debt costing you an eternity away from God.


2. Or you stand there with Jesus as your Savior and say, "I've charged my moral indebtedness to Jesus."

"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become his righteousness" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

Want to know how that can happen? This weeks sermon is: "Who Will Pay Your Moral Charge Card?"

See you tomorrow for Top 10 Tuesday!

• First thought: That is a fair question. It’s okay to ask that question. Somewhere we've been given the idea that if we ask why the innocent suffer, it is a sign of unbelief or a challenge to God. Not so. The Bible asks the question often. Even Jesus quoted the 22nd Psalm, as he hung on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" It’s a fair question. Not a question of unbelief or a challenge to God.

• Second thought: I don’t know. The Bible never gives an answer. I don't know why the innocent suffer, but I do know that sandwiched up against the blackness of evil is the brightness of good. Ultimately I do know that God will not leave evil unanswered. I think there is a day coming when all of the crooked things will be made straight, all of the dark things will be made bright, and all of the innocent will be vindicated. I think that is what the cross of Christ is all about, and the resurrection is God's declaration that eventually things will go right.

• Third thought: Good is God’s character and no matter what happens in this world, that can’t change. What I’m saying is you can focus on the good in God or the evil in the world. I hope you have found enough goodness in the world to choose to keep lighting candles instead of cursing the darkness.

• "Are you going to wear THAT?"


• "How's it going, big momma?"


• "I make the money, I can do with it what I want."


• "Honey, I bought you a surprise today... it's a broom."


• "Have you put on a little weight lately?"


• "That's not how my mom did it."


• "I like the way those pants make your tummy pooch out."


• "Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something?"


• "You're acting like you mother."


• "Can we eat our anniversary dinner you made in front of the television and watch Sports Center?


• (looking at supper) "What's this stuff?"


• "I wish you dressed nice like Eddie's wife."


• "I wish you could cook more like my mom does."

You have to agree, they are all "stupid" thing to say to your wife. So, can you think of any more "stupid" things? Things you've said or you've heard said? And, any guesses on which dumb statement above got me in trouble? I'll give you the full story later.

----------------------------------------

Answer:

A few years ago we were living in a house that had a really big kitchen with linoleum floors. It was such a pain to sweep with the “little” broom that we had. On my way to work one day I saw a truck parked along side the road with mops, brooms and other household cleaning items for sale. I thought to myself, “A considerate husband would buy a better broom for his wife to use so she didn’t have to use that little one.” I stopped and paid $25 for a nice dust mop (broom). I remembered how well they worked in my high school shop class.

When I got to work I called her to tell her I had bought her a nice prize that cost $25 and would bring it to her when I got home from work that day. I told her she could guess all she wanted but she’d never figure out what it was. I really thought I was doing something really nice. And now (hindsight is 20/20), I can see that a broom wasn’t one of those things she was guessing I would be bringing.

After a few hours of her trying to figure out what it was, I finally came home from work and handed her the broom. “Surprise,” I said, “I bought you a broom today.”

I probably don’t have to tell you the rest of the story, but I will tell you that she has never used that broom even once. It remains in the garage to this day.

Lesson learned!

1. Healthy churches talk about Jesus all the time. Their main focus isn't their building, their budget or their bottom line, it's Jesus. They don't have gimmicks, they have Jesus. He's at the center of everything they do and teach.
   


2. Healthy churches communicate clearly. The key to success in real estate is location, location, location. The key to success in most all the areas of the church is communication, communication, communication. Use bulletins, newsletters, handouts, email and websites to communicate. You cannot over communicate your visions, goals and plans.
   


3. Healthy churches involve people. Healthy churches don't have 10% of the people doing 90% of the work. You've got to incorporate and involve people. Let them know they are needed.
   


4. Healthy churches use the Bible. It's the best book ever. It's full of answers for people's lives. To use something other than the bible is stupid. Don't tell me that if you teach from the bible, people won't come - nothing is further from the truth.
   


5. Healthy churches put a BIG focus on children. Children are the future. You cannot put to much emphasis on the youth and children. VBS, bible classes, youth functions and youth ministers are all valuable assets in reaching, teaching and raising youth.
   


6. Healthy churches teach the Bible in a way people can understand. A lesson taught or preached without any application is a great mistake. People must be challenged. People need practical lessons that will help in their daily lives. God didn't make the bible difficult, so you don't need to either.
   


7. Healthy churches open their arms and lives to others. Healthy churches know that there are times when physical needs are more important than spiritual needs. As they old saying goes, "People don't care about what you know, till they know how much you care." The church not just about learning Christianity it's about LIVING Christianity.
   


8. Healthy churches are actively involved in outreach. One of the traits of a healthy church is they are always looking for ways to reach out to the lost around them. Their mission is to share the good news. And they remind themselves regularly, "To keep the main thing, the main thing."
   


9. Healthy churches have leaders who lead. Churches will take on the personality of the leadership. If the leadership is passive and unwilling to set an example the above mentioned things ... the church will follow. But when a leadership stands up and goes to work, you watch, so will the church.
   


10. Healthy churches have an atmosphere where people will want to bring their unchurched friends. I don't know how many times I've heard in the past, "The last place I wanted to bring my friend was to church, because I knew the preacher would say something to embarrass them or me." How sad. The church needs to be a safe environment where people know I can bring my family or friend without them getting their "hides nailed to the wall."

Here's 10 traits of a healthy church ... What can you think of that I missed?