On Being A Small Group Leader

A bunch of Sick, Twisted Freaks

Two blogs in one day …

Well, I saw Glenn Beck last night at Heinz Hall. I really enjoy his radio show, and find him to be an excellent communicator. He also approaches life from a pretty conservative and moral point of view, which appeals to me as well.

Most of the show last night dealt with “Things I’ll know for certain right before I die”. There were some humorous things on that topic, and some serious topics as well. It was a fun night, and also a thought-provoking night.

However, I left thinking that the show was a little incomplete -- or that it missed the target for me.

Beck’s message last night seemed to be that it’s all about family. I can’t buy that message, although I’m sympathetic to it.

I’m all about family and relationships. I’ve tried to orient my life so I won’t have too many regrets about the type of father and husband I am. I’ve scaled back career goals so I can have more time with my kids and wife. I’ve really tried to live so that I can have fewer regrets.

However, I have to believe that life is all about God. Family is a close second, but if family is my life, I’ve missed the point. It is God who gives meaning to family. It is God who gives meaning to life. A sound family life, and a sound personal life, flows from God.

Kenny Crosswhite, a NASCAR chaplain, spoke about this at our church a couple of weeks ago. He said that life is mostly about God, and a little about us. However, most of us live our lives as if it’s mostly about us, and a little about God. Probably, if we followed that to its logical conclusion, we really believe that God is really about us. We live like God is expected to take responsibility for our happiness and comfort. I think he’s much more interested in our righteousness than our comfort.

I need to think about this one more, but I think I’m on the right track. I think Glenn Beck misses the point when he elevates family above, or equal to, (or never really mentions) God. I hope he believes that. I wish he had talked about it.

posted by Matt @ 12:19 PM