Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Not Sure I Will Ever Find It Again

I grew up in Houston.

That should say enough, for those of you who have been there or lived there. Yes, there are huge mesquitoes, you sweat just checking the mail during the summer, and the place stinks thanks to all of the oil, gas and chemical plants located there.

But Houston has its good things too. The beach is a few miles away, the sports teams are pretty good, there is NASA to visit and it's a great place to learn freeway driving! But for me, one thing stands out more than any other during the 12 childhood years I spent in the big city and I am just not sure I will ever find it again.

I am not referring to the Astros, the Oilers, the Rockets, the space center, PipeOrgan Pizza, the Galleria, Baybrook Mall, the beach a quick drive away, the marinas, Kemah, or the former Astroworld. Certainly I have incredible memories and experiences attached to all of those.

No, I am talking about a small place of worship in the middle of it all called Heritage Park Baptist Church. Or, as I have called it for years "Heritage Park". Words simply cannot express well enough the impact this small group of people had on me, my family and many others.

My mom and dad decided our family would join this small group of believers in the early 80s. It was closer to home than our current church and it just felt right. It was where God wanted us to be. The years that followed provided us some of the greatest times we will ever know with God, our family and His people.

The church was the center of everyone's life. Not school, not sports, not jobs, and not other things. The church was where we were on Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, and usually a few times on the weekend too. It was our life and each family was committed to the same. It wasn't out of tradition or some lame religious obligation either. It was because we wanted to. We loved each other, loved God, and loved doing His work. There was simply no other place we wanted to be.

We experienced everything about life together as a church family too. Potluck dinners, football games, softball teams, making stupid movies, goofy adult class parties, youth events galore, choir events, camping trips, family vacations, vacation Bible school, youth camps, retreats, beach trips, service projects, building projects and much, much more. Heck, we even took rounds mowing the church grass!

My parents friends were my "other parents" and many still feel like they are. The McMahons, the Mills, the Hamiltons, the Holloways, the Thompsons, the Kipps, and the Rices to name a few. They all had kids that became my friends. We went to school together, ran the streets of Houston and Galveston together, and drove our parents crazy together. Some I dated. Some we all dated. There was even one I thought I would marry when I was 16!

In 1986 my dad informed us that our family was being relocated to the DFW area. The time came for us to load up and drive away and it was the saddest day of our lives. I'll never forget that weekend. The church family threw a going away party for us. They sang "Friends Are Friends Forever" to us and even put it on tape and I still cannot listen to that song to this day without getting emotional about that weekend. They gave us parting gifts and parting hugs. Tears were flowing everywhere.

The morning we left town our driveway and street was full of people crying and waving by. I choke up writing this and remembering it all. We had two packed cars. I was 16 and had to drive one of them because mom was a wreck. My sister and I rode together and balled our eyes out as we pulled away and said by to a place, a people and a way of living that I have never found since.

That was 21 years ago and I have rarely missed going to church on a Sunday since. But times have changed and people aren't the same. Today Christians attend church when it is convenient and other things like sports, business, jobs and school have become what life evolves around. The world of SELF seems to be the center of it all for many. Few give their time much less their money, many are too busy to remember to pray for you, most don't miss you when you are gone and few truly love His people or His church like Christ calls us to. It's sad, but you know it's true for many of today's believers. And, I hate to admit, have fallen prey to this new way of thinking a few times myself.

Regardless, God has been good and since those days I have made many great Christian friends, have had fellowship with other great groups of believers and attended some good churches. My family attends and serves at a great church now. But, there is still just something missing...

Recently, we made the trip to Houston for the churchs' 30th anniversary reunion. It was a time to remember all that God had done yesterday and help the church prepare for tomorrow. I made fresh contact with many of those people and even a few surprises, like my piano teacher from 30 years ago! I got to hug Brother Jud, the pastor that has most affected my entire life and theology. I got to hear John Turner sing one more song. I got to have a few more hugs from people I feel like I will be connected to for eternity. The same smiles, affection and love filled the new, much larger church facilities that day. It was a warmth I could soak in for days!

Heritage Park is still alive and well and it's certainly much larger. Most of the faces I knew have moved on and some have even taken the final step and joined the Lord, yet some people from then remain. The preaching is good, the music is great and the people still love the Lord. Lives are still being changed and foundations are being laid, just like they were 30 years ago

It's not often you can find a group outside of your own family that you know would lay down their lives for yours. People that you call "family" and truly know and feel they are. People you can count on to shout when life is good or cry when things go wrong. People that really do pray for you when you ask. People that give when you need. People that miss you when you are gone. People that listen when you can't shut up. People that forgive when you cause pain. People that love when you don't love back. People that remember you when you come back.

These were real people of God. His people, who did things His way. A real church. Making a real difference in the lives of those around them and setting the stage for His return.

Why do I love God? Because of what we found He can do through a small group of people in a tiny church I still call Heritage Park.

And, I'm just not sure I will ever find it again.

"...They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. " Acts 2:42-47.

(c) 2007, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it!"

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

We Hate Hiring Christians

My business partner and I have been employers now for nearly 10 years and one of the keys to owning a successful company is having good, loyal, trustworthy employees. That is not an easy task and after years of experience I can honestly say that for the most part we...

hate hiring Christians.

Our first employee was a Christian college student. She was one of the few "Christian" employees we have ever had we could trust. She was loyal and genuine in how she worked and what she did for us. I wish we could clone her!

Today we have hired hundreds of people over the years and have about 40 that work for us currently. The people that make their faith known to those around them by being outlandish, loud and overbearing are the one's we fear. They usually cover up their lack of character with their obnoxious church-chatter. God this and God that.....church this and church that....believing for this and believing for that. It's really easy to see.

It's a sad truth but my business partner and I would rather have a non-Christian or at least a non-Bible toting believer work for us. It seems the more they profess to be a Christian the worse the behavior they bring to our company.

When it comes to good employees we look for these qualities:
1. Dependable
2. Responsible
3. Good positive attitude (no drama)
4. Does not stir up trouble or gossip
5. Trustworthy
6. Strong work ethic (works 8 hours a day or more and is not late every day)
7. Does not have to be micro-managed
8. Teachable, coachable, flexible attitude
9. Honest and has integrity
10. Goal oriented

Now, one would think these are obvious attributes for a Christian employee to demonstrate. Yet, time after time we see the opposite. Many are tardy daily, many lie and are deceptive, many have stolen from us, many lie and cheat the company work time and materials, most gossip and have poor attitudes, they stir up drama and trouble, and they are only as loyal as their next paycheck. The next time the company makes a mistake they are worse than non-Christians at trying to destroy company reputations and those of the owners.

Funny thing is that these same people expect the company, since it is owned by two Christians, to demonstrate the same qualities they fail to every day! They won't behave that way themselves buy heaven forbid the company makes a mistake. It makes no sense.

We had one "Christian" customer service manager hide work (customer letters and information) in her drawers and made up false reports to make herself look good. (A year later she sent me an email asking for us to donate to her newly formed ministry! lol) We recently had another that had a medical condition she used to take advantage of the company by getting extra time off work so in reality she could sleep in or spend time with her boyfriend that she was also sleeping with. She also used the company apartment to have sleepovers. We have had numerous "Christian" employees that have totally lied to the TWC in order to get illegal unemployment benefits after they quit or were terminated for lack of performance. One just never showed back up to work again (job abandonment) and yet said she was fired. And we have had many "Christians" show no character at all by spreading gossip about the company and giving company materials to competitors after they no longer worked for us. We never expect "Christian" employees to give us a real "two week notice" - those days are long behind us.

Of course, these same "Christian" employees are the ones running to various churches in the area to praise God on Sundays. One used to go to my church! I would expect such actions from those who do not know Christ but not fellow believers. Makes me sick. Really.

Bottom line to me is these people do not really know the Lord. Honest mistakes and failures are the name of game for the normal, true Christian. But habitual actions that show a lack of character or integrity, only to deny so later when confronted, shows me these people never really knew Jesus anyway.

If you are a Christian and you have a job remember these two simple things.

1. You are working for an audience of ONE - Christ Himself. Work as if He was your boss, because in reality He does control your Company, your earthly boss and your paycheck! Give it your all, day after consistent day.

2. Set an example for the others around you. Certainly if you are a believer you should be among the best employees your boss has. Ask yourself, "How would Christ be seen by His fellow workers and His boss if He worked here?" and practice the answers you come up with!

You spend most of time each week at work. If you can't be like Christ at work, what are you saving it for?

Step up to the plate or just make sure you don't apply to work for me.

"Servants (employees), do what you're told by your earthly masters (boss). And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work." Colossians 3:22-25

(c) 2007, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and make no bones about it!"

Friday, October 05, 2007

Are You Y2K Compliant?

(2000) Just less than 330 days ago, everyone wondered if the world was going to end. Doomsayers were saying it was all but over, many technical gurus had us fall for the “Y2K Compliant” retailing heist, and world leaders did their best to proclaim this as a time of unification and opportunity of renewal.

Isn’t it funny how it all really happened? After the fireworks, glamour balls, dances, parties, prayer vigils and much more were over, the world returned to it’s ever spinning state. Here we are once again faced with another Christmas/New Year’s season; with full electricity and all PCs a blazin’!

Yep, the malls are a buz. Money’s being spent like it’s being printed in garages across the county. Scooters are the craze. The Cowboys are having another pitiful holiday season. There’s not enough Play Station2’s to go around, and kids are impatiently staring at the sky for Santa, and adults are the like!

Then again, that’s what makes Christmas the fun that it is. The music, the laughter, the lights and the smells, all bring back those hopes of what’s under the tree! I’m glad to see another come on around.

So, as the year 2000 leaves us for eternity, my challenge to you this Christmas is simple. Just enjoy it.

For once a year, the world really does come to a stop. Once a year, we think about the other person before ourselves. Once a year, we care to reach out to the cold and lonely. Once a year, we promise to make the next one better, more pure, more right.

Just once a year. So, let’s make this one count, because just a few months ago, we all wondered if God would grant us the grace to enjoy another. Thankfully the millennium came and went and we’re still here!

Knowing I’ll see you on the other side! Merry Christmas my friend.

“Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34


© 2000, J. Brady

"I say it how I see it and I make no bones about it."