And the marquee says...

This is not "my" church, which I would like to keep anonymous to protect the indoctrinated and the innocent.

Who'd have ever guessed that I'd be getting tidbits of wisdom from a church?

Yep, a bona fide church, and a Baptist one at that (on their website, they even have a tab next to "Directions to the Church" called "Directions to Heaven").

I'm not religious, can count the number of times I've been in a church (including weddings), and I only learned why no one ever names their kid Judas last year from Rooster on the way home from the grocery store. (And I even had to just ask him, "Who's the bad guy at Easter? Judas?" because I couldn't remember his name.)

However, there's a neighborhood church along a long and winding road to my house that recently set up a marquee. Once a week or so some guy goes out there and rearranges the letters into messages and news posts. The side leaving my house usually contains updates and church goings on, the side going towards my house are full of pithy religious one-liners and thought provoking messages (you know, to take home to your kingdom and all.)

I've learned such gems as:

You’re on this planet for a purpose. Find it.

There has to be more to life . . .

Be a fountain, not a drain.

A parent's life is a child's guidebook.

Do you have any idea where you're going?

Doing right is never wrong.

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

And I think my favorite ever is today's:

Forbidden fruit make many jams.

Sit on that for a sec...


Ok.


I know it sounds like I'm being insincere when I say these are "gems," but I'm not. Religion, and the Baptist faith aside, I really think these notes have every day meaning for any every day bloke.

Much like religion in general, there are some incredibly positive messages buried inside all the riffraff and hullabaloo. And, just like everything in life, it's how you look at it.  Rooster tends to bristle at the religious undertones, I just choose to ignore them entirely and think of them as strictly the message they're imparting: Don't be a dick. Think about shit.

So, as I pass this big, ugly, beige, aluminum and limestone building I find myself scratching my head and thinking, "Hmm, that is true. I shouldn't take this or that for granted, or I should be kinder to people, or I should rely on myself more and share the love." And for that I'm grateful for this little church in Austin, TX.

Anyway, since I'm always surprisingly provoked by these messages, I've decided to add a little sidebar on my blog called: And the marquee says... I'll update it as frequently as the church people update theirs and we can all contemplate our heathen, pagan, atheist, or heavenly navels together.

Messages since this post:

8/6/09 :: Eternity is a long time to think about what you should have done.
8/12/09 :: A coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
8/28/09 :: God is our wireless provider.
9/4/09 :: Home improvement: Take your family to church.
9/12/09 :: Everyone you meet will live forever. The question is where?
9/22/09 :: My way is the high way - God.
10/5/09 :: A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.
10/20/09 :: The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.
11/2/09 :: The ten commandments are not multiple choice.
12/28/09 :: If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
1/25/10 :: Judging others leaves no time to love them.
(There were tons of Uber-religious, church biz notes for weeks and weeks!)
4/27/10 :: Worry is the darkroom where negatives are developed.
5/11/10 :: Sometimes a helping hand comes as a push.
6/17/10 :: Opportunity may only knock once, but temptation bangs on the door forever.
6/20/10 :: What your heart possesses, your life expresses. 
7/10/10 :: Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.