Hell vs. Omnipresence

So I was sitting in church last weekend and the pastor was talking about hell. He made the comment that God is not present in hell which totally threw me for a loop. Isn't God everywhere? Isn't this the idea behind God being 'omni-present'? If God is everywhere how can there be a place where He is not?

I have asked a few friends what their opinions on the issue are, so I'd like to see what you think about this? How do we deal with the conflict between a God that is everywhere, and hell as a place where God is not?

Please leave a comment.

Creativity in the Church

How is it that some places are ultra creative and some places are not? How is it that we have smart thinkers in business who are doign amazing things with their businesses and then we have people like the CEO's of GM, Ford, and Crysler who shouldn't be running a McDonalds. My answer is creativity. Creativity is a powerful force that once harnessed it can be a powerful force in innovation and growth.

The problem is that financial departments like to find a blue print and cannonize it; this is a safe investment. Creativity is risky as it is an unsure, but to lose ones creative edge is to die. Taking the safe route - as the Big 3 have shown us - eventually leads to death. Survival depends on continually taking a risk.

I think this is an issue in the church. We've done a really good job at preserving our structures, but we've done really poorly at changing and adapting to the world around us. Sadly, this has led to worship wars, church splits, and those on the outside rejecting the church.

The church must

I think part of the problem is in the education and preparation of our ministers. To often pastors are trained to be cogs in a system, not leaders and innovators. Leaders being those who have the ability to have a vision of the future and then the ability to bring people along in fulfillment of that vision. Innovators being pastors who creatively look to develop the church.

Let me illustrate an issue. Pastors are taught the techniques of how to preach, but not taught what it means to preach or why we preach. Pastors are taught how to teach a class, but not taught about what it means to teach a class or why we teach classes. This leads to uninspired, uncreative churches. In order to be creative with something, one must understand its nature.

things to do when you're bored:

Things to do when you’re bored:

1. Read a good book
2. Search for a hobby
3. Start a Facebook page for your wife’s cat.

That’s right I started a Facebook page for Chocolate, Stephanie’s 15 year old cat. (Only in a moment of either brilliance or sheer stupidity, I spelled her name Choclate.) I tried my hardest to detail the finer points of the life of a calico housecat, and think I did a good job. I even created a photo album entitled “My Life” in an attempt to catalogue the difference facets of Chocolate’s existence.

You may ask why would you a college graduate waste the 5 minutes it takes to create a Facebook page for a cat. Well, on Christmas Stephanie and I were at her mom’s house opening presents, and Stephanie pulled out the camera. Stephanie took 15 pictures of her cat, and two pictures of Ann and me. I decided that in response to this, I would create a Facebook page.

If you’re bored add her as a friend - Choclate Riggs

I'm Married!!!!

I would like to say that I have a great excuse for going almost 3 months without a post. On November 3rd, I got marrried!!!! I am now the proud husband of Stephanie Bellinger (Riggs).

The wedding happened in Fort Wayne, Indiana at her grandma's church, First Wayne Street UMC. It was a perfect fall day. The church was amazing, the weather was great, and it was awsome to be surrouned by so many friends and family members.

All in all it was a day for the ages! I think that the wedding, and I know I am horribly biased was the most beautiful wedding ever!

For your viewing pleasure, here are some pics that you might like!