Jonathan is still looking for a job...as any of you who know someone who is out of work or you yourself is out of work...it is really hard to find one these days. We have decided to put the house on the market. Jonathan's parents actually own our house and they have been helping with the house payments, but we are now at a place were we really just need to sell it. We are selling it in a "short sale" which means we will take any offer and the bank is who has to accept it. It is basically "one step" up from going to foreclosure and it doesn't quit effect your credit the same way as a foreclosure might. (Besides EVERYONE is doing it, so we just decided to give into peer-pressure! ) :o) We have had a few showings on the house so far and it has been on the market for about three weeks. We actually have another one today. At this point you might ask me, "Where will you go when the house sells?". My answer would be something like this, "I guess we will 'cross the bridge when we get to it'!" I would say that because I have no idea what the "next step" is.
For those of you who read my previous posts about the garage project. I believe it is safe to say that we have entered the next phase. We were FORCED to finish up the boxes that were still in house when we put our house on the market and we gave away a lot of the furniture that was sitting in the garage to a family that needed it. I haven't taken any recent pictures of the garage, but I will have to do that and let you see. It still has much work to be done in there, but there is more space. Our goal is to be able to fit one vehicle in there, probably about the same time we accomplish that the house will sell. :o)
Okay now onto the book review. I just finished reading this book. A friend of mine recommended it to us and it was a really easy and good read. The back of the book cover says this...."In 2006, Jim Henderson, veteran Christian and director of Off The Map, hired Casper to join him in visiting twelve of America's best-and-least-known churches, including Rick Warren's Saddleback and Joel Osteen's Lakewood. Week and week, this spiritual odd couple attended services at churches all over the country and documented their experiences at and reactions to each one. Along the way, they found the real value of their journey in the open and authentic friendship that developed as they talked, questioned, joked, and....most importantly...listened.
Following along with Jim and Casper on their visits, and eavesdrop as they discuss what they found. Jim and Casper's articulate, sometimes humorous, and always insightful dialogue offers Christians a new view of an environment in which we've become overly comfortable, the church. And it models an important transition from 'defending the faith' to 'defending the space'...relational space for authentic, respectful dialogue and friendship with nonbelievers."
I will only say this about the book because I don't want to say too much for those of you that might read it, but it was amazing for me to read the book and think that an Atheist (oh did I mention Casper is an Atheist!) could have a stronger understanding of who Jesus was and the mission that He called us to. Believe it or not...that mission wasn't to do church the best...the biggest...or anything like that....Jesus called us to love others with the love of Christ. How many of us REALLY do that...really reach out of our "Christian bubble" and love those around us regardless of their beliefs...love them the same way that Christ loves them...unconditionally?!!
Alright...time to go cook breakfast...I am thinking biscuits and gravy!! MMMMM....I can taste it already!!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!!
