The Death of the Doggy Paddle

I recently had a conversation with one of the wisest women I know. We are starting a Bible study with what has become the most diverse group of women you will probably ever find gathered in one room, which is exciting.

But as we have been searching for a study, we have been more than frustrated.

The words that keep coming up are surfacey, shallow, fake, fluff, polished.

These are words that should never be found regarding anything referencing my Christ, and it's ticking me off a little.

And it's not just in the Christian literature. It is an overall theme within our culture. Why is there so much striving to make Christianity seem easy, comfortable, clean and safe?

In a nation full of Christians doing the doggy paddle in the shallow end, I want to do more than simply stay afloat.

I want to go deeper.

Immersion.

More of Him and less of me.

I don't want to live the easy way or the clean way.

Gritty. Grimy. Dirty. Bold. Uncomfortable. Untamed. Wild. Radical. Crazy.

And I sure as heck don't want to be safe.

I want to lay hands on lepers and dine with outcasts. I want to live outside the camp.

Because my Savior died for my freedom. And freedom means more than a comfy pew and air conditioning in my Sunday best.

In a church culture that tells us to be careful, let us pray for reckless abandon.
 

"Woe to the person who smoothly, flirtatiously, commandingly, convincingly preaches some soft, sweet something which is supposed to be Christianity." - Soren Kierkegaard

A little Pho for ya.

One thing I love about Fresno is the diversity. There is so much color and vibrance and beauty. A few weeks ago we did communion at my church family style, meaning we gathered around a table and took communion with 7 other people. Among the 8 people at my table there were 5 fluenty spoken languages. I just love being around different people and learning different cultures. One of my favorite parts, I must admit, is also getting to experience different foods. One of my favorite treats that we have in abundance here is Pho. It is a Vietnamese hot bowl of rice noodles, beef, tripe, tendons, scallions, and a little hot sauce to taste. It is oh so yummy.



In Fresno you can find Pho in many places; here are just a few. On Mckinley and First there is Pho #1, Pho 75#2, and Pho 99. Also, just a couple blocks away, Pho Paradise is located on First between Mckinley and Clinton.

So, I encourage you try try something new. Next week I hope to check out a new Ethiopian restaurant called Lucy's Lair. If you want to come with, let me know!

-Rebecca