The 18 to 30 year old age group.....

is probably the least represented group in weekly church attendance. From what I know and read, if a young person is not firmly rooted in their faith by the time that they graduated high school, they will be prone to not attend church any longer and/or be open to other "spiritual things". Unfortunately, many churches do not have programs, classes, youth groups, etc. that equip young people to develop a Christian world view. Some churches that do have programs use methods that do not speak to the young person of today, so they are ineffective.

One minister, I will not tell you his denomination because some of you will close your mind just on that alone, is taking God's message to the young people since they are not coming to church. His program, "Theology on Tap" is designed to bring young adults in a social setting and allow them to connect about religious issues relative to their lives. Yes, friends they meet at a pub and discuss theology over beer and a sandwich. The target group is those who were brought up in the church but strayed away. The goal of the program, according to the coordinator, is to inspire people to want to know more about their faith, meet people and return to their church to find out more.

My church tradition and drinking do not go along so this program gives me concern. Then again, is it worse than having the conversation about Jesus before or after enjoying fried chicken, fried catfish, potato salad (full fat dressing), macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, Cole slaw (full fat dressing), greens cooked with fatty meat, white bread, corn bread washed down with Kool-Aid, and sweet potato pie and caramel cake for dessert, all the while knowing that fried food, white flour and sugar are very bad for "the temple"?

I said all of that to say, we need to think about what we are doing (or not doing)and why we are doing it (or not doing it). The shepherd left 99 sheep to find one lost one. Do we need to go to pub to find some sheep who have gone astray?

Tell me your thoughts.

Thoughts on MICHAEL JACKSON's Memorial Service

Yes, I watched the memorial service for Michael. Some people may have thought that it was long, 2 1/2 hours or so, but not me. It was about the same length as my father's funeral. I have attended a four hour funeral in my life so those funerals that are one hour are short to me.

I was pleasantly surprised that it was not over the top. It did give me pause that they brought his body in on the song "Soon and Very Soon We are Going to See the King" but I felt better when Lionel Richie sang a song with the name Jesus through out. I can not recall the name of the song at his moment but Richie recorded it quite a number of years ago.

Millions watched that service. I am glad that the organizers wanted/allowed/permitted a song with the name of Jesus to be sung. It is my prayer that some have heard that song and will want to know more about Christ.

I want to revisit the Spiritual Gifts discussion.

I will stick with the gifts listed in the Pauline epistles. On second thought, this one may be derived from Paul’s list. Paul lists helps and service as gifts and hospitality is a form of these gifts. The website Cyber Ministry lists hospitality as a gift as does the book I spoke of a few weeks ago, May 27 and June 4, Network.

The website Cyber Ministry defines the gift of hospitality as the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to provide open arms, open house and warm welcome for those in need of friendship, a warm welcome, food and lodging

Hubby and I don’t have this gift, but sometimes I wish I did. I know we should not covet others gifts but I am being honest. For those who I think have the gift, having people in their home is effortless, it comes naturally like breathing. It gives me stress. But I do like people and having meaningful conversation. In the last five years we have only had one person/family in our home for a meal who was not a blood relative.

The website Cyber Ministry defines the gift of service as the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to identify unmet needs involved in a task related to God’s work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired goals. I have a friend who I think has the gift of service.

His reputation preceded him. Three years ago, a friend called me, I could hear in her voice that she about to cry. She told me of what a great guy this football coach was and asked if younger loved one had told me about him. I told her “no”. Coach was an offensive coach and my boy played defense. By day three on my new job, I wondered if I was in over my head. His “duty post” was near my assignment. I approached him, introduced myself and told him that his reputation had preceded him and asked him to pray for me immediately. He did. My job has been easier ever since. He encourages me while at work and advises me. He has been around high schoolers a lot longer that I have. He willingly helped me when I asked for his guidance on the road to a size healthier. He is a P.E. teacher and has worked as a personal trainer. I was able to break plateaus that I previously had been unable to in decades. He reads my blogs and gives comments that are helpful. He used his truck to move a sofa for me and would not accept payment not even gas money. Last week he brought his family to my home to help with back breaking yard work in the heat and would not accept payment.

He and his family serve the body of believers because of their Christian love. They are the only non blood relatives who I spoke of above who have had dinner in our home in the last five years. My family loves this guy and his adorable family.