Open Door Church | Suffolk, VA

He Deserved It.

February 16, 2012 in Life Stuff, Uncategorized with 1 Comment

Thanks to Yahoo! News, I get to read the most random stories about things which I would otherwise have no interest in.

Hockey, for instance.

Today I read a story about how fans of the Montreal Canadiens cheered when a player on the opposing team was injured when a puck hit him in the face. According to Yahoo!, the Canadiens’ fans are known for their “inappropriate booing of anthems and cheering of injuries.”

But why is this permissible? Competitiveness? All’s fair in love and war? Good ol’ fashioned team rivalry? The author of the story doesn’t completely object to cheering at a rival team’s misfortunes (including injuries). He chalks it up to just being part of the game, the culture, of his ”fandom.”

And so I thought (outside of sports), what are some of the statements I’ve heard people make when they hear of other’s misfortunes?

A new mom returns to work after maternity leave and is greeted with a pink slip (well, I guess that’s what happens when you take advantage of the government’s FMLA leave).
A neighbor’s house is in foreclosure (well, I guess that’s what happens when you waste money and don’t pay your bills).
A suicide bomber kills dozens that have gathered for prayer in a Mosque (well, I guess that’s what happens when you worship the wrong god).
A famous singer dies alone in a hotel room (well, I guess that’s what happens when you won’t stop using drugs).

Translation: they deserved it.

When really bad things happen to me, I usually don’t think “I deserved that.” Why be so quick to label other’s misfortunes as being “deserved?”

Now, thanks to the fans of a hockey team I’ll probably never see play, I am humbled – to respond with love in a way that Christ would.

And to leave the culture of competition behind.

Love.

February 14, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

“The Change Decision” by Jon Acuff

February 10, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

I have a prediction for 2012. Ready?

“Things are going to change.”

Profound, right?

Jobs are going to change. Relationships are going to change. Companies are going to change. People are going to change.

Change is inevitable. The question is will it happen to you or through you?

Right now, a relationship you’re in is changing. Will you recognize that and be part of the change? Will the change happen through you? Will you work hard to actively make the relationship better? Or will you ignore the change, let the relationship change in all the wrong ways until eventually the change happens to you?

Right now, the industry your company is in is changing. New markets are being born. Old ones are dying. It’s the wild wild west out there. Things are changing. Will the change happen through you? Will this be a moment you step up and help steer your company into the next decade? Or will you ignore the change and wait for the marketplace to pass your company by until eventually the change happens to you?

Some change is going to catch you off guard. This is going to come as a surprise to you, but you’re not God. There will be changes that hit you out of nowhere like a rogue wave.

But for the rest of them, the changes you see coming, the ones we all see coming, there is a choice.

Change can happen to you or through you. (And trust me, through is significantly more fun!)

from Jon Acuff’s blog on January 25, 2012

Valentine’s Day Tips

February 8, 2012 in Life Stuff with 0 Comments

Things Are Changing Here at odc…

February 7, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

Walking around here, you might smell a fresh coat of paint or hear the sounds of plywood being pulled apart. Exciting changes are taking place here at odc!