Bad Idea

What was a bad idea you ask?

Opening the beef jerky that has mysteriously been on the floor of my room for over a week. It hadn't been opened and I think it was Sara's (who's room is across the hall). I'm guessing something random her mom gave her. I noticed it and thought about how much I loved John's beef jerky growing up (neighbor). I'm not sure I've ever told him that. I've only probably had it twice but it stuck in my head regardless and made me open this package tonight. It was mistake, as tonight's beef jerky was kind of slimy and too sweet. I will always be suspicious of beef jerky (as any sane person would be) from here forward.

That made me think of so many other things that I have limited exposure or experience with (like the beef jerky) but they leave a memory or a mark or something significant that matters. The first 2 things that come to mind are 2 different statements made to me, one in the 9th grade and 1 last year that both dramatically affected my perception of myself. Neither scenario was ever repeated or consistent in my life and neither was intended to do the damage that it did. Both were 1 time, 1 shot, and done....enemy grabs it, and I believe a lie which takes years to unravel and rewire....or perhaps is still being rewired.

It makes me think that memories are such fickle things and that the enemy is real but will always be found out. Memories can be so glorious, sometimes too glorious, and they can be comforting and even refreshing. But they can be so brutal; beating us up over and over and over for no good reason it seems.

On another note, I led a discussion at church on the components of missional DNA this morning for almost 2 hours with my pants unzipped. All the girls were sitting in each side of me and they would've told me, so if anyone noticed it would've been the guys, none of which I know well enough that I would expect them to tell me. But, if they really understood missional DNA they would've told me. Ok, maybe unzipped pants has nothing to do with missional movements but it should, dang it, it should.

Here's how it should go:
1. Jesus is Lord
2. Disciple Making
3. Missional-Incarnational Impulse
4. Apostolic Enivronments
5. Organic Systems
6. Communitas not Communities
7. No One Left Unzipped

If anyone who was there this morning reads this, it could actually have some meaning in the context of Will's analogy of the Apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelistic gifts working with the Pastoral, Teaching gift being like a zipper. But for me, it just means you should always find someway to tell someone their pants are unzipped if you notice it.