HARVESTER AND HOOTERS HELPING THE HUNGRY
...considering all of the discussions, arguments, meetings, and frustrations that I've had at work about "image" or "perception," I find this recent situation beyond ironic and absolutely hysterical. Maybe you know someone like this, or you are a person like this, or you are in a church situation like this... Some Christians have this idea that there is a straight line that exists (many of them call this line "above reproach"). In a manner that (to me) seems very legalistic, they try to define this line (above reproach) by the things a Christian ought to or ought not to do. Try as hard as they may to be holy, these conservative, teetotaling, God-fearing people have trapped themselves into living by their imaginary line rather than the real Spirit of God.

This is what I face at work all the time. Here is a good example: in the event that a minister should go to a dining establishment, he or she should be careful to note the title of the restaurant. If it is a "grill and bar"...it is okay for the minister to commence in dining at such a place. If, however, it is a "bar and grill" (insinuating by the title that the main draw is alcohol) a minister ought to flee such immorality. I kid you not, this was a topic discussed at our last staff retreat.

Okay whatever. Who are these imaginary Christians who are ever watchful and will cause the church large ammounts of grief if the ministers have a beer, or go to a bar, or whatever? Or who are these non-Christians who care so much about the spotless image of the ministers (whom they don't know) of churches that they don't even attend? I don't know!

Let's put all that aside to get to the poetic justice...after all these discussions, meetings, arguments, whatever...I walk in our youth building yesterday to find 3 cases of Hooters potato chips. We aren't just stocking up on chips, but every tuesday, we have a wonderful food pantry that gives groceries to a lot of people. This week, in every sack, are three to four bags of hooters chips. Does this mean that we support hooters? Does this mean that we are saying its okay to eat at hooters? Oh my goodness!!! My head is going to explode!!! Our staff was concerned about giving out free coffee coupons b/c the particular coffee house has a psychic on tuesday nights for a few hours. We don't want people to think that we support that! (Oh and Kirk Bolen, staff member, plays there too) But we're okay with sending out Hooters chips?!?!?! Okay, I think this whole thing is rediculous, and I feel a slight smirk on my face as I imagine the embarassment of particular people (on our staff) who dilligently try so very hard to live "above reproach." Enjoy these photos, we had enjoyed taking them.