The other night, while I was working on important things, Farmville.  Someone rang our bell.  No one rings our bell.  Does this not clearly indicate that we could care less?

We have at least 47 kids based on the number of bikes abandoned at our door, and their may be a body buried somewhere.  We don’t have any money to buy meat, or candles, or make-up.

It must have been important.

It was Jesus.

Or more precisely, someone to tell us about him.

Before I could indicate that Jesus was already here, Boog came racing around the corner.

JESUS?

So, I left them to chat.

That is one of the benefits of having many small children, they are useful at ridding us of telemarketers and bell ringers.

Boog is one of the reasons Jesus likes kids.  He’s standing there, in his Sponge Bob undies, which are on backwards, telling total strangers about how cool Jesus is.

I’m worried about doctrine and perception and getting it right.  Making sure not to mention anything controversial like judging those who kick kitties, lest I offend a kitty kicker.

While I’m sure that some of the message would be lost if I were to stand around in my undies, I could certainly learn a lesson from one who did.

I don’t know if you know this or not.  The “Ten Commandments” are old school.

I’ll let you in on another secret.

God only gave us his top ten list, because we (as humans) need a measuring stick.   We figure as long as we don’t make the top ten, we’re good.   It’s also a nice way to distance ourselves from undesirables.

So, we needed a list of do’s and don’ts and we got the law.  And we obsessed over it for thousands of years.  Every detail of life was spelled out.  Everything from what day to circumcise the boys to what fork to use when eating a salad.  What fork we use isn’t in there?  Oh yeah?  Prove me wrong.

Anyway, (yes it still applies, get yourself a drink)

The law was burdensome, and complicated, and can I still get an epidural on a Sunday?  But God did not intend for us to live under the law.  He was only proving his point, in a way that only God can.

We did not need rules, and regulations.  We needed love and grace.  Which he provided through his son.

And when Jesus was asked which were the greatest commandments he said this

³⁶“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38}This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^{[b] 40}All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

I have known this for years.  “I love God.  He’s great.  I love people (not so much), they’re super.”  Although tonight I was busted with that one word.

All

Oh sure, he could have ALL of my Sunday.  Or ALL of my something.  But I decided which ALL’s they were.

Ten years ago it was ALL of my leftovers.  I faithfully gave him all of my leftover time and all of my leftover money.

I slowly added things over the years.

ALL of my money.

ALL of my marriage.

Guess what areas in my life are strong right now?

He got some of the rest of it.  Some of the time. Some of the  kids.  Some of my dreams.  And in return I got equal portion to what I had given.

In reality.  He was still getting a lot of nothing.

Because without me giving my ALL in every area of my life, I am not giving it my ALL.

And as much as I think I know what is best in my life, I have been proven wrong.

“I cannot possibly live with someone, TIL DEATH DO US PART,  that has a membership to NPR.”

“I cannot possibly give up my credit cards.  What if…?”

“Oh and if you think you are getting my sex life mister, well, you better rethink that.”

ALL is ALL.  ALL of it.

Including the orphans.

I can say “Thy will be done” but mean “they will take these kids when they pry them from my cold dead hands.”

And I have said it, and I have thought I meant it.   There was always the clause, anything but taking them from our home.

As much as I DO NOT want to say “Thy will be done”

Thy will be done.

And if I stand let me stand on the promise, that you will pull me through, and if I can’t let me fall on the grace that first brought me to you. Rich Mullins

So, here’s the deal.  It’s Sunday.

Why aren’t you in church?

Really, I want to know.

Don’t worry about offending me.

I’m just researching.

Hate God?

I won’t take it personally.

Hate his employees?

Not a problem.

You’ll notice I did not read you your Miranda rights.  There is no need.  I will not use anything you say against you in trying to convert you.  Pinky swear.

My only interest in this is why.