Squinty and Sweet

For the past 2 years we have taken pictures on Easter. The weather was great again. And very sunny. (Notice the squinty eyes). Plus, we all look different from last year. My head shrunk....a little. And Cessie lost at least 20lbs since then (sexy!) Of course all the kids are getting BIGGER!

Men and Church

Why don't Men go to church?

Send me your comments.

We just completed yet another round of Christmas and Easter Holidays where the 'once a year' Christians make plans in their "busy" (insert sarcasm) schedules to make a cameo appearance at their local place of worship.

I love to people watch on these Sundays, especially the men. There are obvious signs that certain men have been 'hamstrung' into getting a dress shirt on and for the sake of their marriage they had to show-up to this house of hypocrites. You know the guy, he walks slower than the rest of his family with a Lurch style limp (b/c of the dress shoes). He has a long somber face on, a mix between a pouty kid and a defiant teen. His spiritual walls are well established, evidenced by his crossed arms the entire service. He is uncomfortable and does not want to be there. He would rather be at the dentist, or in marriage counseling than at church. Then with little more than a half smile, he shakes the pastor's hand at the end of the service. An awkward pause at the door, as if silently saying to each other 'see ya next year!'

I am having some fun with this, and have been a little dramatic with my language, but the real issue is, what is it about Church that men are so, opposed too? What are we communicating that causes such opposition?

Is it their Spiritual condition? No, because women are also sinners and they seem to flock to churches. They are the ones who "make" these men show-up, for their own good. So what do the females get that the men don't?

What about Personality? One might argue, that men are more cerebral, analytical, reasonable...etc. Women are more emotional, relational...etc. But these are the same men who yell and scream at their sports venues and get emotional at the mushy parts of a chick flick. They are humbled by the birth of their children, and when the lights are out, they have the most transparent conversations with their wives.

So why the wall at church? Why the Lurch? Why don't men go to church?

Post a comment. How do you see it?

Kingdom Effort

We are really being challenged by God to make our house available for his purposes. We are not really sure what that means. God might have a specific family in mind or even a ministry who needs a house. We are not sure, but we know that it will be clear when he moves. Our house is God's and he can do what he wants with it.

Close But No Cigar

I dont know how close I was to getting it. All I know is that I did NOT get the Fatherhood Grant. Check out the link for the list of those who did. Congratulations to the winners. I'll shoot for it next year.

www.fatherhood.org/grant/

It is kind of a blessing, because it allows me to go my own direction and not feel pressured by $25,000 over my head....did I just write that?...who am I kidding I would love $25,000. The most encouraging part is that 25 more ministries and non-profits are promoting good fatherhood principles in America.

Join me in prayer, to reclaim fatherhood in America and that men would embrace God's Fatherhood over them.

Welcome to Earth

.......Breaking News.........
Aron Rice has not fallen from the face of the earth!

It really is not breaking news b/c the only person that reads this blog is my wife, and she always unpacks my suitcase, when I return from Uranus. (Oooooh that reads worse that it did in my head , but I am keeping it.)

But really, a week away from blog world, me and Jesus had a "Come to Je....um...Him party". I got my heart restored back to a better place. I was in a funk since the first of the year, but now I have a fresh perspective. Why? you might ask. I heard from my Father God, and he gave me a swift kick in the pants....And that is a BIG FOOT!

It is too late to get into it now but maybe tomorrow, I will give you the juicy details.

Someone is coming!

I got a meeting and Cessie has a meeting so....McCayla is coming over with her Mommy (Cassie)! The boys cant wait! Watch out it is a jungle over here!

5 Rock Ranch Video

As promised the 5 Rock Ranch Video is here.

Check it out!

If you have no idea what I am talking about scroll down and read my 5 Rock Ranch post.

Very touching and they do great work.

Working on my paper

Some of you may know that I am just inches away from getting my diploma. Some of you may have though I already got it. Well I am almost there. I have but 5 or so more pages to write of my FINAL research paper. It has only taken 3 1/2 years to complete...and it is not done yet!

In my defense ....ok...anything I say to defend why it has take almost 4 years to type a 30 page paper would sound very silly right now ( I should know, because I just erased it and replaced it with this text). The great thing is that my diploma was already printed out in 04 and this is the LAST, LAST thing....PBJ! (Praise Be to Jesus!)

Men Who Do Housework May Get More Sex

Now this is not a full proof study. Believe me I know..wink, wink. But hey anything is worth a shot. Men get to work around the house and you may...just may, get lucky ;)

Read the full article HERE

Beowulf

Remember this story from middle school? I was intrigued by it but I didnt understand it back then. Well apparently the writers of this animated feature didn't get the poem either, but they where able to close the gaps in the story and made a very good animated feature.

The Story...It reminds me of a man's struggle with sin and the curse of the flesh plaguing men from the time of Adam. A hero comes to vanquish evil, and is successful for a time but a greater evil attacks from a different angle, not in gross violence but it wants to make a deal. All power is at the hero's disposal but at great cost to his spirit. When the day for reckoning comes, those close to the hero witness the agreement for what it really is and are devastated by the results of his bargain.

The Technology...This animated feature used real actors for the movements on the screen. The real movements were shot in an infrared studio and the actors wore these suits with dots on them, kind of like those EA sports commercials when they simulate the athletes' slam dunks and signature moves for a video game. Really cool.

Overall I liked the storyline the best. The animation was the best I have ever seen but it was still animation and would have loved to see this with real actors. There are some good quotes and scenes dealing with Christian themes like sin, temptation, and thirst for glory. Very usable in my ministry with men. I liked it but did not love it.

Rating *** out of 5 stars Parental Advisory: one seductive scene, no nudity but close enough to be warned about.

Church is Gay

Church is gay...well...it used to be.

I just had a great experience on Saturday night and it was great thanks to a man who used to be a homosexual. His name is Sy Rogers and he was the key speaker at the Crossing Church this weekend. He spent and hour talking about his story; which included assault, abandonment, sexual addiction, potential sex-change operations and cross dressing.

Some where surprised to hear that a man with that past (gay), would be given an audience of over 3000 people plus live web casting. Sy was awesome and has been delivered from that lifestyle for 30 years and in full time ministry for 20. He used a blend of humor and a compelling story to cut me to the quick. The funny part is that he still has some of the mannerisms and theatrical style of his homosexual past and he did not apologize for it but he used it to break through stereotypes and really minister to others.

Here are some of my notes from the session
"God looks beyond the sin, to the need"

We do not come to God for his power, strength, or might but we come to him for his mercy, and compassion.

We were created with a need for intimacy. You will satisfy that intimacy need rightly or wrongly. If you don't get your heart needs met by going to God, you will find it somewhere. Why? Because, your heart will not stop craving satisfaction.

People doubt the character of God.

When you are hungry you are easily misdirected.

'I was made this way by mother nature' argument-
It does not matter how or where you were born....GET BORN AGAIN!
Mother nature also produces deformities, cancer, and chemical imbalances. While we have empathy for struggle with these things we don't feed the weakness that they cause.

God will take away your guilt but not your humanity.

God's pleasure is my loyalty. Think about that the next time you are tempted on the computer.

You dont have to experience sex to experience love.

Great stuff!

Visit his site: www.syrogers.com/