Big Is The New Small

I remember having a conversation with a pastor friend of mine who happens to be a female.  She was sharing the various unique things that women in the church struggle with and things they have confided in her.  One of the things that she shared made me have one of those “hmm” moments.  She stated that women that she’s talked w/ in various churches struggle with the fact that They Think Their Pastor’s Sexy!  Not to be confused with the popular country music song “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” Not only do they think their Pastor’s Sexy, but they struggle with their mind and eyes wandering into inappropriate places.  It becomes a challenge because they will have these lustful thoughts as their pastor is speaking. The same can be true for men with a female pastors or lust in general.

Many pastors teach the concept out of the book Every Mans Battle called “Bouncing Your Eyes.” In other words, don’t keep your eyes focused on someone of the opposite sex for too long.   Keeping your eyes moving can keep you out of trouble.  This is something that is stereotypically geared towards guys… but what about the ladies?  There is a book called Every Womans Battle, although I have not heard anything about the content.

After my conversation with my female pastor friend, it’s probably fair for me to make the assumption that there are women sitting in pews and seats of churches all around the country that may be struggling with the inability to “Bounce Their Eyes;”  especially as their eyes are having to be fixated on their “Sexy Pastor,” who happens to be in front of them for relatively lengthy periods of time each and every week.  The fact that their pastor is a man of God, tells great stories and seems to be rather put together only increases the the sexiness factor.

The thoughts running through their head might be something like this: He’s Hot, I like that suit, Are those True Religion Jeans, He’s so spiritual, I wish my husband treated me like that, He’s so Handsome, Nice Hair, He dresses so fly, I can tell he’s been working out, He’s so considerate, I know he’s married but, I would, I wonder if I can share that with him, I bet he… After thinking these thoughts, their mind wanders for a moment or two or three or four and unfortunately, this cycle can repeat itself on a weekly basis.  The Bible says this: ”But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28  Ladies this passage applies to you as well, so please Stop Lusting After Your Pastor!

God created us with a unique ability to train and control our eyes, actions and mind.  Exercise your ability and gain control.

Do women get a pass? Is this a problem? How does play into the overall adultery scheme of things? Share your thoughts.

I was at a conference a couple of years ago.

Seth Godin was speaking.

I like Seth Godin.

Seth Godin asked the following question below:

Is your agenda about mediocre obedience or relentless curiosity?

I still think about this question.

Sometimes a great question is better than a great answer.

This question helps to define our current reality and our inevitable future.

What is your agenda?

What’s in between where you are and where you want to be. These are my morning thoughts in my journal from the #OKC airport, posted from my iPhone. What do you find in between where you are and where you want to be?

Simple Question: What did you learn this weekend? At church, vacationing, from your kids, reading, working, hanging with friends…

I’ll Go First!

I learned that “A little poop goes a long way.”  Be sensitive to the things that you consume and watch your toxic influences.

Now it’s your turn…  What did you learn?

Marcco Belluci

GUEST BLOGGER: Today’s guest post is from Jen Johns (@goingbyfaith) who writes and edits GoingByFaith.com. If you would like to submit a Guest Blog Post for BigIsTheNewSmall.com, click here.

Are You a Doubting Thomas?

Most of us know the story of Thomas the Apostle and how he refused to believe the resurrection story without personal evidence. We can shake our heads or raise our eyebrows at his lack of faith, but how many of us turn skeptic when it comes to putting our complete and total trust in God on a daily basis?

Sure we believe, but sometimes that belief is restricted to certain areas of our life – areas we think God is more likely to work. Church is in; career is out. Family life is in; social life is out. We go on and on with these lists in our mind. But we mature in faith when we let God into the areas we resist most … or where we doubt his existence at all.

Confronting Doubt

Which areas of your personal life are you still keeping in the dark? And … why? If you doubt that God can work in those areas – they’re too worldly, out of control, shameful, etc. – then it’s time to confront those thoughts in His presence. It’s time to admit there is doubt and stay open to how He can work it out or turn it around. We know that what is sometimes meant for evil, God can use for good.

Pray for wisdom and openness in the hardest areas. Pray that He will help you live more by faith and less by limitation. Pray that He gets in your face, that He shows Himself, and helps you to see that it’s not by the work of man but through His grace that anything good gets accomplished. It may sound like a small prayer, but the results could change your life in big ways.

Confirming Faith

We don’t know where the road will lead, but God does. Having faith that He’s in charge, and that He knows what’s best for us even when we can’t see it, is the first step to facing our doubts. It also confirms our faith and supports our spiritual growth.

Once Thomas saw the wounds, he professed his faith. In John 20:29, we’re told that Jesus said to him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”  We can all change doubt to belief, but it doesn’t always come by our own works. Sometimes we need to cultivate a deeper faith by asking for God’s help to diminish doubt, trusting completely that He will deliver. We do the best work of our lives when we grow in faith, and like Thomas, who was later called “Thomas the Believer,” realize that there is something much greater happening than can be seen.

What do you think?  Share your thoughts!

Simple Question: What is “One Thing” that you learned at church this weekend?

Please Share and remember what you learned may be just the thing that others need to hear.

Ready, Set, Go!

First of all I want to say welcome, to all of my new BlogFriends who have recently started reading BigIsTheNewSmall.com and thanks to all the loyal readers who have been around for quite some time.  I wanna know just a little bit about “Who Are You?”  I know that’s improper grammar but it goes along with the title of this post. 

If you would answer these 5 short questions below, it would be greatly appreciated.  Everyone join in, even those of you who are reading through an RSS feed.  Here we go:

1. Name? 
2. Age/Gender?
3. City/State?
4. How did you find BigIsTheNewSmall.com?
5. Do you Twitter?  If so share your Twitter @name or blog address.

Thanks again for answering these ?’s and thanks even more for reading!  Make it memorable weekend!

Today, as we are wrapping up this week’s series of somewhat controversial questions, I want to say thanks for joining the discussions… many times your perspectives are enlightening and eye-opening to others.  In 2007 I had posted a blog entitled “Success vs. Excess” that examined the then controversial U.S. Senate investigation of Mega-Church Pastors, their salaries, homes, riches…  There were a lot of great responses on that post; if you want a blast from the past you can check it out here.  Today’s question was inspired by similar questions that were e-mailed to me by several people… so here we go:

Should Pastors Drive Expensive Cars or Live In Expensive Homes?

Last year I had blogged a post that asked a question very similar to the one I’m asking today; the post was entitled “Secular Music In The Church” which provided for some lively discussion.  Today’s question is simply:

Should Christians listen to secular music?  Do you listen to secular music?  Why/Why Not… Discuss!

On another note, I have been receiving e-mails, DM’s, recommendations… suggesting questions to ask during this weeks blog series.  Those recommendations have included a wide range of topics, such as: Women showing their clevage, low rise jeans, women showing their thongs, tithe 10% of gross or net, should pastors drive nice cars, how much money should pastors make…   I have decided to allow you guys/gals to pick tomorrows question.  In adition to answering todays question you can recommend what question you would like to see answered tomorrow.  Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

Today’s question does not only apply to pastors or church staff; but rather to anyone who is married or single… in other-words everyone can chime in. 

Should a married person be alone with someone of the opposite sex?  Should they travel, have lunch, 1:1 meetings, ride in the car…

At LifeChurch.tv we have a policy that a married person is not allowed to be alone, ride in the car with, go on a business trip with or have a secluded meeting alone with someone of the opposite sex.  If other people are in the area, you are OK… but not alone.  So here is the question one more time; everyone has an opinion, should churches or businesses have policies like this… join the discussion:

Should a married person be alone with someone of the opposite sex?  Should they travel, have lunch, 1:1 meetings, ride in the car…