Jonathots Daily Blog
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Yesterday my travels took me to “The Egg Church” in Driver, Virginia.
Thirty-seven years ago, this congregation began a yearly tradition of making the most delicious chocolate-covered cream-filled eggs you will ever put anywhere near your salivating taste buds.
They did so for two reasons: the church was languishing in a bit of the doldrums, threatening to implode financially. And also, thirty-seven years ago it sounded like a whole lot of fun. Of course, like most fun, it has turned out to be a lot of work.
Although these “Chocolatiers” are some of the most delightful people you’ll ever meet, they do lament that in their community, they are known for their confections instead of their convictions.
May I tell these enlightened souls that they have done something absolutely “Jesus like” through their efforts–they have born fruit.
Even better, their fruit is candy-coated.
They have made themselves accessible to their town. In other words, they are reaching out with a box of candy instead of an offering plate–and they have given a quality that far surpasses anything else I have ever eaten during the season of passion.
There are worse things than being known as the “Egg Church.” For instance, you could be known as:
The Prompt Church. (We’re very timely.)
The Prayer Church. (We ask God about everything.)
The Laughing Church. (Giggling in the Spirit.)
The Angry Church. (Somebody’s going to hell–and it sure ain’t me.)
The Pretty Church. (Our stained glass is the window to our soul.)
The Preaching Church. (We hate sin…and maybe you, too.)
The Music Church. (Our worship leader was once a roadie for the Red Hot Chili Peppers)
The Doctrine Church. (We are Biblically sure we would not like you.)
The Athletic Church. (Our gymnasium is the largest in the county.)
The Everybody Church. (We have changed the meaning of so many verses to include our congregation’s actions that we just don’t ever read the Good Book out loud.)
Do you see what I mean? The good news is that you are “The Egg Church,” and known for something positive.
The better news?
Beech Grove United Methodist Church, if you keep loving human beings, you’ll all end up looking like “good eggs.”
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this wonderful, inspirational opportunity
Jonathots Daily Blog 
G-Poppers … January 19th, 2018
Jonathots Daily Blog
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Smelled good, looked good. There was only one problem–she had taken it upon herself to move things around. Nothing was where G-Pop had left it. It took him a solid hour to find his materials and relocate them back to his favorite positions.
It was a bit aggravating.
This is the sensation G-Pop had this year as he began Tour 2018 of the United States. He spent 2017 traveling in Florida, writing a couple new novels and interacting with his Davie extended family.
So G-Pop didn’t really give much thought to going back on the road in 2018–because he has done this with Janet Clazzy for twenty years.
But something was different.
Nothing was where he left it. The road was tainted. Motels had increased in price. And without him knowing it, during his little hiatus in the Sunshine State, America left the Gold Standard–that being a deep respect, honor and reverence for the idea of “love your neighbor as yourself.”
During 365 days of turmoil, argument, resistance and a general bitchiness among the multitudes, the consensus became that “love your neighbor as yourself” was not a reasonable aspiration, but rather, an unrealistic pursuit.
Yes–Americans traveled from feeling repentant when they fell short of including their brothers and sisters to limiting the size of their appreciation down to family, color or culture.
It was ugly.
So G-Pop realized he could either take on this problem one town at a time as he journeyed across the States, or he could return home and try to handle it in bigger ways and littler ways.
Bigger–expanding his audience and outreach.
And littler, by applying the Gold Standard to all of his nearby neighbors.
America is not how G-Pop left it in 2016. It has changed. Things that were once considered obtuse or ridiculous now are accepted as normal–merely “human nature.”
G-Pop is going back to wage a conflict against conflict more efficiently. It’s a good time to do it.
Since America is not the way he left it, now is the season to find creative ways for G-Pop–and all of us–to pursue the Gold.
The producers of jonathots would humbly request a yearly subscription donation of $10 for this inspirational opportunity
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on January 19, 2018 at 2:44 pm Comments (4)Tags: 2018, continental breakfast, creative, culture, extended family, Florida, G-Pop, gold standard, human nature, Janet Clazzy, love your neighbor as yourself, maid, motel room, outreach, sipping coffee, Sunshine State, United States, unrealistic