Friday, January 08, 2010

“What the…?” Department


This little post is inspired by a great blogger and by my pastor. They’re both kinda weird...in a fun sort of way.


There are two sets of words that drive me nuts. One is “What if…” and the other is “Yeah, but…”

“What if…” sets up all kinds of scenarios that will never come to pass, nor have they ever. Yet, we will fight and argue tooth and nail to be King of the Hill when someone asks that ever-present hypothetical question, “What if …?

Example: “What if God had not given us a free will; the ability to make choices, right or wrong?”

Then there’s “Yeah, but…” Guilty people use this a lot. A lot! I know I sure did.
Example: “I gave you two weeks to clean up the back yard, young man, and it's worse than when you started!
“Yeah, but Mom said I had to practice the piano before I did anything else.”

I promise you: “Yeah, but…” won’t get you anything less than a big butt chewin’.

Now about that “What if…” Our pastor is beginning a series of seven sermons that begin with the phrase, “What if…” What’s he trying to do to me? Does he want me to argue with him? Does he want me to change my ways?  What if he knows something about me? Oh, oh, oh, oh…!
  • What if People Mattered More Than Possessions?
  • What if Everyone Served Selflessly?
  • What if Everyone Tithed?
  • What if Everyone Were Totally Surrendered to Christ?
  • What if You Meant What You Said?
  • What if Today Were the Last Day of Your Life?
Then April posted some exceptional New Years “What if’s…” and I encourage you to take a look. Great stuff that makes you think. Between her and our pastor what if we all get real humble and perfect?

“Yeah, but what if I don’t live in Kansas?”


Oh, by the way, what if you visit My Hats Blog to see the first two pictures of the year? You won't be sorry.

11 comments:

Janell said...

April is as good a writer as her dad. Just finished Seven Bloscks. Excellent, Paul. Absolutely brilliant.

What if... I could move to Douglas, Arizona?

Janell said...

PS I put my "What if" here because April already had 65 comments.

Jennie said...

My dad always said, "No yebbutts!"

j said...

This was SUCH an awesome post. There is a lot to think about here. Your pastor must be pretty great to have inspired this kind of writing!

Have a great weekend Paul.

April said...

Hi Dad! ;)

I think I would like your pastor.

Cliff said...

What if we got what we deserve from God?

What if you had all of our snow?

What if I go to bed and come back tomorrow after a good night sleep....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzgaspoopsiforgottoturnmycpapmachineonzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

Ileana said...

What if I lived closer to Nebraska? I'd make it to the next blogger reunion! :)

Seriously, I need to get back in with a good church. I like the way your Pastor teaches.

Rachel said...

Well, I went over to April's blog and spent some time there! What a fun blog! I really liked her "What If" post.

Sounds like a good group of sermons your pastor has in mind.

Amy said...

Ahhhhh......so you are Aprils dad. You commented on my comment on Aprils blog.Thanks for the words of wisdom when taking out the trash.Okay so maybe that would be a better way to do it, but seriously they should know better!

Sarah said...

Great exercise to do...what if I was held accountable for every single thing I ever said, good or bad?
Makes you think!

Joy Des Jardins said...

Loved April's post...I guess she takes after her Dad, huh? Are we proudly blushing?...We should be. Hugs, Joy