Most of us get along well with one another, but inevitably, in an office this size, there is bound to be that person who rubs you the wrong way. It’s easy to roll your eyes behind their back and say, “I can’t stand that guy!” within hearing range of others. I know it’s easy because I can roll some eyes with the best of you.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The “therefore” refers to the fact that Jesus suffered for all of us so that we could find peace. Because of that, Paul urges us to do more than tolerate one another – but to go so far as to actively encourage one another.

We must not be tempted to pat ourselves on the back when we read the last part: “just as in fact you are doing” – because “encouraging” is what we need to be doing for all people – not just the ones we like.

In His grip,

Pastor Herb

Luckily, on many occasions, I’ve been privileged to see God use me to glorify Him in my “secular” arena. But, I still sometimes struggle with this season of ministry.

Yesterday, while preaching about the Garden of Eden (you can listen if you want), God spoke to me strongly about my struggle. Just as God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, to work it and care for it (Genesis 2:5) – even though he didn’t really need a gardener – he placed me in the “garden” of my secular work. And just like for Adam, the work is not really the important thing, although it must be done. The important thing is the opportunity God has given me, through the work, to be a part of what he is doing to rescue the word – one garden at a time.

So, I’ll get my knees dirty, doing the work, because I want to be right where God wants me, being a part of His thing.

Are you struggling with the “garden” where God put you?

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And here’s the first video in the series in case you missed it.

But seriously, I’ve been asking myself, “When is ‘it’ over the line?”

I love a good laugh, even if it means introducing a little potty humor (thanks Mo!) – I am a male after all.

My team at Thrive Church has at times skirted “the line” – often without realizing we were close to “it.” The only way I know is when someone says something like, “Wow, we could never do that our previous church” or “Be careful, don’t let the district office see that!”

I guess I don’t understand when people are afraid to laugh at beer commercials (admit it, they are the funniest), or when they blush at marriage humor (married folks – you know what I mean), or hide their giggles at the sound of broken wind. I guess, I don’t get the big deal. The human condition is often funny.

I suppose that there is a line of appropriateness somewhere, and I have found myself at times deciding something was too much for Sunday morning (anyone see that squirrel fart video?). But where is the line, and who draws it?

For Easter, we’ve been preparing a series of spoofs of the Dos-Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials. We showed the first one at church this past Sunday. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised that while our folks thought it was great, many a few of them were concerned that their Christian friends outside of our tribe would be offended by it.

I don’t know – I just feel a little squirmy by that idea – feels like false piety to me…

What do you think… when is something “over the line?”