South Lakeshore Christian Church
Connect with us:
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Mission Statement
  • Contact Us
  • Directions
  • Media
    • Newsletter
    • Pastor's Blog
    • Sermons
  • Ministry
    • Life Groups
    • Family Ministry
  • Giving

asking questions

9/2/2021

 
Different marriages arrive at certain milestones at different points in their marriage.  For many couples, such a milestone is purchasing their first home.  Pam and I hit that milestone in July of 2014. We reached our 36th wedding anniversary the following December.  Since purchasing our home, we have been involved in one renovation project after another. I recently shared with a friend, who has lived similar experiences, that when I see my bride looking around with her hands on her hips and her head tilted just so, I know that she is coming up with a new house renovation project for me to tackle.  In all fairness to her, she has rolled up her sleeves and been in the thick of the work with me as much as she is able.  In addition, there is the hill that makes up the majority of the area behind our home.  When someone said, “buy a house on a hill”, I heard, “buy a house with a hill”. That hill is wonderful to look at and makes a great barrier between us and others but it can be a bear-load of work.  Often, I have joked with my son in the middle of a project, or yard work, with the words, “buy a house they said….it will be fun they said”. Those level of sarcasm in those words vary depending on the project at the moment. When I said them as we were replacing the subfloor in our bathroom, the words were laced with heavy sarcasm.  Such things are part of chasing the American dream.
Chasing the American dream is a cultural phrase that alludes to things such as purchasing a home, having a rewarding job, and securing a sound financial retirement.  There are other things that are added depending on different value factors.  I have always thought of chasing the American dream as being synonymous with being an American citizen. I saw it as something in conjunction with striving to be a good disciple of Christ.  I then read a question in a book I am reading that made me take stock. The author asked, “Are you chasing the American dream or God’s dream?”  The question itself can be understood differently depending on our experience living in this country.  For me it forced me to look in the mirror and ask myself if I have sought to have the church reflect what I understood to be our American Christian culture or has my desire been to have the church reflect the design of the church that I read in the New Testament?  I assure you that those two are not always aligned. At this point, I am pondering, asking, reflecting, and challenging thoughts I have had to date.   I invite you to ponder, ask, and challenge along with me.

Have a blessed week, Vic

    Author

    Victor DeLeon

    Archives

    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    July 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

1740 South 84th Street, Tacoma, WA 98444    Phone: 253-535-3811    Email: southlakeshore@comcast.net