I first saw this on Jon Acuff’s blog, Stuff Christian’s Like, and I could help but post it.  I crack up every time these two guys release a video.  If you’ve never heard of them, you can thank me later.

I have noticed something a lot lately.  Everywhere you go, you can always hear people complaining about something.  And if for some reason you don’t, it’s probably because you’re the one doing it.

“I can’t believe what they said!”
“How can they do this to me?”
“If I were in charge, I would….”
“The church is full of hypocrites.”
“We’re in this crappy situation because of Bush.”
“Obama is driving the country into the ground.”

The list can go on and on.  Being a critic by nature, I know that I’ve griped a lot about things.

What if we traded our complaining and b*t&^# about things and focused on being the solution?

I think that some real change would take place.  At the very least, our attitudes will change.

Don’t let your physical voice be your instrument for change.  Let your actions be your voice.

What is something that you can stop b*t&^# about and affect for change?

I’m sure we’ve all heard or said those words at some point in our lives.
And…let’s face it.  It’s a cover-up.
We usually don’t think that the problem is us.  THEY are the reason it’s not working.
We just like to wear our false humility.  And we all like a good excuse.

How often do Christian’s have an “it’s not you…it’s me” mentality with God?
Stay with me for a second.
We say that things aren’t going well in our spiritual life because “it’s me.”
But do we really believe that?
Do we really think that the problem is us?
Or could it be that…a lot of times…we truly feel like God’s the problem?

Why didn’t He answer my prayer?
Why didn’t He give me what I wanted?
How could He let that happen?
Why don’t I feel like God even cares?

Let’s face it.  We really don’t have faith in Him most of the time.
We feel like God’s not fulfilling MY needs or MY desires.
We don’t really think that we’re the problem.
Because if we did….we would change.

I wish we truly meant it.
It’s not You…It’s me.

I’m convinced that some foods are going to have to be in heaven.  They’re just too incredibly tasty not to be.  And…I’m sure they won’t make us fat in heaven either.

Here are 10 foods, in no particular order, that I expect to eat in heaven.  What would you add to this list?

1. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.  Few things can make my mouth water more than when I see that “Hot Now” sign on.
2. S’mores Chocolate Fondue from The Melting Pot.  Milk chocolate, melted marshmallows, and graham crackers…ready to to be enjoyed with strawberries, cheesecake, Rice Krispie treats, brownies, pound cake, bananas, and more marshmallows.
3. Ovaltine (Not the malt kind, though…although the malt variety may be offered in hell)
4. Malai Chicken that they had at Foliage (that’s for all of you Lawrenceburg peeps)
5. Mom’s Meatloaf.  I don’t even like Meatloaf typically, but my mom must have borrowed her recipe from Jesus.
6. The cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster. (Which, by the way, is the most searched for clone recipe on the internet)
7. Sweet Potato Souffle from Wade’s.
8. Fresh crab legs.
9. Homemade crepes.  All they need is some butter & powdered sugar.
10. A steak from Ruth’s Chris. Sure it’s expensive…but it will melt in your mouth.

There are so many opinions out there about churches, both good or bad.  Out of curiosity, in an ideal setting what do you think church should look like?  What characteristics, ministry, etc…do you dream of seeing in a church?

Tell me what you think works or would work below in the comments.  (Leave out the things you wouldn’t do).

Here are some links for you to check out from this week:

1. Amazing.  That’s how I would describe the analogy in this video by Francis Chan. (via Catalyst)
2. In case you missed it, we made this video and song this week for a contest for the Melting Pot.  And….WE WON!!!  Free fondue for a year!
3. Intriguing post asking the question, “Is SEO the future of evangelism.” I’m thinking that this is an incredible idea.
4. Mountain Lake Church is throwing a FREE mass wedding.  What do you think about it?  I think I like it.
5. I pray that the church that we plant can be a dream factory like Mark Batterson talks about in this post.

Is there something inside of you that you’ve always dreamed to do?  Maybe even something that makes you say, “there’s no way that will ever happen?”

I have some dreams that make me shudder.  Dreams bigger than I could ever accomplish on my own.
But…I’m still going to attempt at making them happen.  I cannot truly live without putting my best attempt at it.

2010 is my dream year.  Heck…I’ve even got a dream coach to help inspire and prod me towards making them happen.

I think that great things happen when audacious dreams become reality.  What are your audacious dreams?  What’s stopping you?  Take the risk.

I’m going to be sharing my dreams with you this year on this blog.  Perhaps you can even join me in making it happen.

A couple of days ago, I saw that the Melting Pot was having a contest in honor of National Chocolate Fondue Day.  They wanted users to submit a 30 second video & explain which type of chocolate fondue best represents you: dark, milk, or white.  The winner will receive free fondue for a year ($1,200 worth).

SO…we decided to enter.  Here’s my family’s entry for the contest.  We’ll find out if we win on Thursday.  Everything in the video (footage, music, singing, etc…) is completely original and is me, my wife, and my little boy, so hopefully they’ll think it’s creative!

We’re calling it Like Milk Chocolate.  We’d love to hear your thoughts about it!

Here are links to five things that caught my eye this week:

1. This video cracks me up.  I would have probably joined in the cheering as well. (Disclaimer for those that are ultra-sensitive: there is one cuss word)
2. If you’re like me, life is way too busy most of the time.  Here are 43 simple ways to simplify your life.
3. For all of the Christians out there that struggle with things not feeling spiritual all the time, this post by Brad Ruggles is right on.
4. I love the Melting Pot.  I’m definitely making a video for this contest.
5. “What if we through the Buts out?” is an awesome post about radical grace.  We all need to give and receive more of it

I always joke that I’m going to run for president in 2016.  It would be the first election that I would be old enough to run.

So…I have officially taken my first step.  I have officially been named a Mayor!  Well…Foursquare says so.  I am the mayor of Starbucks in NE Columbia!

I don’t know what my platform will be during this term.  Coffee I guess.  I may even expand my role to other locations soon.  Next thing you know I will be winning the Nobel Prize.

Brickey- 2016