A METAPHOR ABOUT THE "CHURCH"...

I saw a great metaphor for the church tonight. You can check it out here.

The author of the blog writes:

Imagine an art collector who finds rare and beautiful paintings that have been soiled and apparently ruined. This art collector rescues them from the junk heap, then packages them up in boxes and stores them in a warehouse indefinitely—still dirty, just safe (not perfect, just forgiven?). Not a very inspiring story, but this is precisely the metaphor that many churches have been working under.

He then changes the metaphor a bit and adds:

"Imagine another art collector who not only rescues rare and beautiful paintings from the junk heap, but also cleans them up and restores them to their original beauty. Now imagine that, instead of warehousing the artwork, the art collector donates them to museums all around the world so they can be seen by everyone—showcases to inspire artists and poets and lovers all over the world."

This sounds a lot like the New Testament (Acts) church. Making disciples - creating other followers of Christ who go around displaying (through their lifestyle and acts of service) what Christ has done in their lives.

It's about being people of action - people who are not just claiming to be "Christ followers", but who are actually following the acts of Christ - loving, accepting, offering hope and peace and all the other things that the world cannot offer.

If the church is truly going to make a difference in this world it has to offer something that the world cannot get anywhere else. People can go a lot of places to hear good music, good public speaking and even watch a great drama. But the one thing that they cannot get anywhere else is HOPE. So we better make sure that is featured on our menu every week - every day - and at every moment.

So how do we offer hope? You tell me. Comment.

SOME THINGS TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT CHICAGO SPORTS FANS...

#1. No where in the world will you find more dedicated, loyal sports fans than in Chicago.

Go to any city in the US and beyond and find me sports fans who are more loyal than those in Chicago. You won't find them. That explains why you would see an elderly lady weeping in the stands after last night's game. She loved this team - probably like she loved her son or daughter. She probably grew up with her dad taking her to Cubs games as a child and maybe even remembers the very first time she sat down in Wrigley Field. She had lots of hope last night that this "was it".

#2. No one else can understand how this feels to a city unless a) you are from Chicago or b) you are currently living here and have caught the "spirit" of the fans.

It's as though it's a curse to talk about the game today. Even last night after the game, we didn't call each other. We didn't say a word. We just went to bed.

#3. We haven't lost our hope, joy, happiness, peace, or whatever you want to call it. We just want to grieve a bit.

#4. Since we are the best fans in the world, we will recover very quickly and continue to stand behind our teams. In my case - the Cubs, not the Sox. (Go ahead South Siders...hate me.)

So, to all of my bloggers and readers and whatever else you may be, today I immerse myself in sackloth and ashes and lay before the altar of my God. Ok, nevermind. I guess I won't go that far... But I will say a prayer for the old lady who I saw crying last night.

GOOD JOB ANYWAY GUYS...



Tonight, as I was driving north on the Stephenson Expressway towards my home, I caught a quick glimpse of the tip of the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building way off into the distance. As I saw the flashing light on top of the Sears Tower, I couldn't help but think about the millions of people all over Chicago who were at home or leaving tonight's game with their heads down and maybe a tear or two in their eyes.

To Chicagoans and many people even beyond this great city, tonight's loss was not just a "loss", it was a broken dream. Had the Cubs been this close the World Series five, four, or even two times in the past five, ten or twenty years, tonight's loss might have been a little bit easier to cope with for a lot of people. But this was history in the making. Which makes me realize that with the Cubs coming as far as they did tonight, history was still made. And for that, the Cubs deserve a "hat's off". And maybe even a parade...

So Cubs - I applaud you tonight for a great season and some memorable games. Don't buy this "Billy Goat Curse" thing. Next year we'll show 'em...

Goodnight.

DOUBLE-MINDED CUB FAN

Well in less than 2 hours the Cubs will face the Marlins in a "winner takes all" game for the World Series. Hopefully the fans will keep their hands to themselves tonight - unless of course, someone wants to help the Cubs by grabbing the ball from the Marlins. I know...double standard.

I actually feel a little bad about the guy who caught the ball last night. I still think it was a dumb move, but now they are publishing his name, work place, etc... on the Internet and I'm sure that it isn't going to help his "self-image" or his butt. I thought it was interesting how all of the sports announcers, team members, etc... were very quick to let everyone know that it was a "mistake" and that people shouldn't make a big deal out of it. Can you say "Quick PR recovery"? Or should I say, "Save this guy's butt comments"?

So anywho... I'm nervous, yet excited. I do think the Cubs will take the win tonight. But I still can't get over that "ocky" feeling in the pit of my stomach that tells me otherwise. I guess that makes me a "doubleminded" Cub fan. Maybe I should start a group...

CUB FAN = LUNATIC



What should be done with this guy? Should he be stoned? Perhaps severely beaten? I don't know... But I can tell you that he should never be allowed into a baseball stadium again.
In case you don't know what happened - It was the 8th inning with only five outs to go before heading to the World Series, Chicago was confidently playing the game with the World Series in their view. The score was 3-0 and a CHICAGO fan - yes, you read it right - CHICAGO fan, caught a foul ball that was just inches away from landing in Cub's left fielder, Moises Alou's glove. After that, everything came crashing down. The Marlins proceeded to load the bases and scored 8 - yes, 8 runs, leaving the Cubs grasping for air with a final score of 8-3.

It's very possible that the overly excited Cubs fan - or should I say Cubs "moronic fan" - cost the Cubs a chance at the World Series. I know that's debatable and even perhaps highly unlikely, but all I can say is that this dude better watch his back for the next couple of weeks around Chicago. I might have to sick my parent's miniature schnauzer on him.

INNOVATION QUOTE

"Innovation is not an event, a tool, or an application. It is an overall environment."
—Monte Ford, SVP Information Technology and CIO, American Airlines




p.s. GO CUBS TONIGHT!!

ANGRY HAY BAIL MAN



Today was the "enjoy fall day" for the Hodge family. The trees were beautiful, the weather was incredible (low 70's) and best of all, it was my day off. So we headed over to Kuiper's Farm in Maple Park to even further our fall "experience".

Besides the fact that this place is overpriced ($5.50 per person to basically walk around...), it was a nice time. Of course, we couldn't make it an official "Scott Hodge" event without stopping at the food barn where we picked up an apple cider slushie (MOVE OVER 7-11!) and a pulled pork sandwich - which reminded me of the pork they use at Chipotle Grill - (very, very good...). On our way out we stopped by the Kuipers store and picked up some apple cider donuts, some fresh honey, apple cider and caramel apples.

So, 60 minutes later, $50 poorer, lots of bugs in our hair, and with some good pictures in hand, we called it a day. By the way - the pic above is Elise posing with "Angry Hay Man" as I've come to call him. He's the demon possessed bail of hay. Watch out!