Merridee’s Monday
(Starbucks this morning, for the umbrellas)
Franklin is such an anomaly. At any given day, at any time of day, you can walk into a Starbucks (the Christian bar) and find at least one person, usually more, reading their Bible. The guy that served me my decaf-Americano -w/ whip asked me how my weekend was and I told him it was good but I’m tired from four services at Church. He completely understood and we talked about his church for a while. The guy behind me is having his quiet time and the guy next to us is talking about his preaching.
Surely Nashville is the heart that pumps the “red” through the arteries of this very red state. It’s something to be proud of for sure. This is a great community to raise kids and with so many mission minded church here, millions are going to missions every week. But there’s also something to be weary of as well. It is so culturally correct to be a conservative evangelical here that we risk wielding a very dull sword when it comes to battle. Jennifer and I often envy Christians who live in parts of the country where following Jesus is not the norm because we know we would have to be much sharper and aware of our environment if we lived there. Franklin isn’t heaven, or utopia, but you do have to look to find non-Christians.
I’m not sure why exactly this is on my mind this morning but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts. I’ll be on my computer for a while if you want to chime in. At about eleven I have to head to church to help with kids camp. On my way there I’ll stop at Chik-fil-A, where they will be playing worship music on the in-store music system, and I’ll get a Christian Diet Coke.
Wow. I must be behind because I just read this. I live in Portland, Oregon, where it’s OK to do the most indecent things imaginable in the streets. That is, it’s legal, not OK. And it does make you more intense about a relationship with God. But at the same time it can make you very tired. Some days I’m ready to pack up everything and move to Franklin.
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Listening to “Undone” and realizing that you are right: very few people want to pay the asking price.
I am usually not a big music person, I leave that to my wife. My Worship in the car usually consists of sermons. However your music has really helpled bring back this type of worship for me, and I cannot listen to “Undone” enough….Now that being said, we live in the state with the least amount of Christians and sometimes we long for a haven, so thank you for your post it helps put it into perspective. Even out here our blades get dull sometimes, but we are reminded that God is using us here and you there.
On a side note please stop by Salt Lake we rarely get incredible music like yours, especially Christian Music in this town.
Grace and Peace,
Jeromy,
I can honestly say, I have had the experience of living in a community surrounded Christians only once, during college. It was a private Christain college, and I was blessed God allowed me to go there. But as what seems like the only Christian in my family, school, and military; I felel the persecutions of others all the time. And yes, it does sharpen the senses and I think it even gives more a desire and drive to know the word. As Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, “Jesus tells us to go out into the world like doves, full of innocence. Additionally, he tells us to be as shrewd as snakes.”
When I got married, my wife and I pledged to raise our children in a Christain environment and teach and encourage them to follow Christ and be His child. I am thankful there are many other Christain out there to lean on learn from.
Jeromy,
You ask great questions! We spent Sunday in Acts, and it helps me answer your question from my prospective in a strong way. In Revelations Christ talks about the 7 churches. Your community is one of them,(Philadelphia)(Not all people but many) and that is the power of God. We see Jesus in others, and we follow. It is obvious I think that Christ our King clearly said that you will see these kind of followers Wherever you go, and to Whatever denomination you choose.(That is within the true Christian community) But your relationship is up to you,and you only. That is the power granted by God for many parts of this great country. In CA people can be different because they see the world differently.(But not all people). That is a problem. People worry too much about the world. This convicts the truth that whether in CA,TN,or WA we all have to choose. Colossians 3:1-3 alone will change you from one church to another IME. Like our King said “You are either for me or against me”. If you meditate on that for a while you will have ongoing transformation. So I think you kind of really live in Philadelphia….Not Nashville…. Love those Chicken Salad Sandwiches at the Chik:) When I was In OK. that was running through my brain(scarry). The only reason I would leave CA for OK is God, Family and Chik-fil-A.
Jeromy,
First off–can I just say how very thankful I am for you and your wife’s music ministry??
So many times I’ve heard a song that God has used to speak to me or draw me closer to Him, and I’ve searched for the artist & sure enough, it’s been one of your songs. God has truly blessed you both with such wonderful gifts–thanks for sharing them with us! So thankful for your new album, although you can tell, it was birthed out of a lot of pain…
We live in Chicago–maybe the farthest city from being “red”, however, my husband is a worship pastor for a large-ish church, we home school our kids, they’re involved in Community Bible Study, a Christian co-op, church activities, etc. so I know what you mean about being surrounded by Christians–not necessarily a bad thing! But early on when our kids were little, I did feel a little guilty (??), or something, about our non-involvement in the world. So I just felt like we needed to be more intentional about our days, realizing that we’re in the world constantly–and we interact with people throughout our days–at the library, the store, with the mail lady, our neighbors, at the bank, the bookmobile people, etc. and I also became more aware of the fact that my kids are watching every move I make & every (bad) attitude I display (especially apparent when I’m driving. Yikes).
Anyway, so I started trying to set more of an example for them in how I interacted with the many people who intersect our day: being alert and aware of people who might be grouchy/sad, being kind, being patient, reaching out to others, holding the door, making sure I thank people who serve me, etc. and God has opened many doors and lots of various conversations w/the kids. It’s been amazing to see how God has opened our eyes to the darkness around us (probably more so here than where you live…) and given us little opportunities to make a difference in people’s lives for Christ.
So–nothing too profound, but I thought I’d share
Have a great day!