Maybe this should be a continuation of the "What is a Christian?" blog entry from a while back.  Maybe this is the beginning of a "what is" series of blogs.  Who knows…but I feel compelled to speak about the pastor's wife as of late.  To those of you in my immediate circle of friends and family, please don't feel that this blog is directed at any of you as individuals.  I'm actually jotting down thoughts on this subject that I've had germinating in my brain for years.  So don't hate me and please don't email me accusing me of singling you out

Had to post of pic of my family!  Now if only my wife would approve a bike for me....someday.    Er...Joker, does your Schwinn count as a bike?  LOL    Don't Frank and Mary look cute?  Can't wait to eventually get myself into this pic. 

Hi Everyone -

One of the things that we didn't touch on today at Urban is ARK projects this winter. 

Several of you have already helped out with a very random ARK project, helping someone repair/restore a roof and ceiling in their mobile home, and now it's time to swing into high gear this winter to show God's love in practical ways! 

What I find very interesting are the various responses when this question is asked of church people.  Whether we realize it or not, we ask that question in one way or another all the time of each other, we just don't realize it.  For instance, whenever we pass judgment on another person with the subtext "I thought they were Christian", we are actually asking the question of each other.  And sadly, our responses usually focus on things that have absoultely nothing to do with what makes up a "true Christian".  Ok, confused yet?

The temperature is dropping... the heat bill is going up. 

Christmas lights are going up... so are gas bills...

Bank accounts will be emptied... if they ever were full to begin with...

At Urban, we're committed to spreading Christmas cheer, and showing God's love in practical ways to people this Christmas season.  And this year, we're not just going to be about God's business one afternoon, or Christmas Eve only.  We're creating opportunities for you to get involved all through the rest of the Christmas season!

This Sunday will be Kid Focus' first Shop Day. For the last 3 months, the kids have been accumulating points for showing up to Kid Focus, memorizing a bible book name or a bible verse, bringing a friend and not getting any strikes. These points are redeemed for tickets on Shop Days and they can purchase various items. Some examples are Pez Dispensers, coloring books, Christian-themed temporary tattoos and whoopie cushions (yes whoopie cushions!).

One thing I like to think about myself is that I'm a fairly optimistic guy.  So take the following comments in that light.  The question Du Jour (for me) is: "Is there hope for this thing called The Church?"  Here's what makes me ask the question.  In The Church (speaking of the church everywhere) I have run into some of the most troubling people I've ever met.  Some quick words that come to mind are: Judgmental, hypocritical, hyper-sensitive, and above all: LEGALISTIC. 

It's time to continue the vision God laid on Pastor Tom's heart.  We need to keep making a difference in the lives of the people in our community. 

Tomorrow... from 10am on at Roger's Bulk Candy Shop on 9 Mile & Hayes in Eastpointe, The Urban Church and Roger's will be giving away 400 free scoops of Ice Cream!  In return, we ask that you donate to the cause of BROKEN.  If you already have donated... consider inviting friends, family, others to come and to donate! 

Urban is kicking off some new women's get-togethers starting in December and will happen on the first Monday of every month.  Now, I know what you're thinking..."it's just gonna be a bunch of old ladies sitting around and chatting over a 7am breakfast".  But trust us, this will be a lot of fun and anything but that.