If Citizenship in the Land Called Sonshine is accepted.........

WARNING:  This post contains adult content, adult language, and a little psychological nudity!

This post is about the disconnect between.... ideas and reality.  This post may be hard to follow as I jump between the dimensions of ideas and the Land Called Gospel/Sonshine.  

This week's sermon constantly reminded me of interviews and the process in which one becomes a citizen of Sonshine.  I interview on average (this year Lara is driving that average down) about 1-2 people a week leading up to summer.  The majority of them fail the citizenship test and never experience Sonshine's  "land of the Ski and the home of the Shave".  The criteria required to be a citizen in Land Called Sonshine is "too much" for them.  They simply cannot pledge allegiance to the staff culture of self-giving-sacrificial-servant-love!          

When I explain what this land looks, sounds, and feels like, I have yet to have a potential citizen say, "NO THANKS!".  My speech sounds something like this......

As a Citizen of Sonshine you will be a part of a very unique population within a very unique Polis. Citizens reside in 4 different Polis'. Team Barnabas, Trainee, Driver, and Admin. Each Polis plays a unique and decisive role each week to make the Land of Sonshine come alive!!!  The common ground between each Polis is found in Philippians 2:3-5.  "Do nothing from selfishness or empty self-importance, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus."  This attitude of self-giving-sacrificial-servant-love is experienced as a citizen of Sonshine through serving youth leaders, campers, and fellow Sonshine Citizens. 

If Citizenship in the Land Called Sonshine is accepted;

a.) Do we have your permission to encourage you to embrace the discomfort of humbly serving others?  Desirable Response:  YES

What does that mean to you to embrace the discomfort of humbly serving others?

b.) Do we have your permission to train you in the attitude of self-giving-sacrificial-servant-love?
Desirable Response:  YES

What does it mean to you to have an attitude of self-giving-sacrificial-servant-love ?

c.) Do we have your permission to correct behavior that is inconsistent with the humility of Christ?
Desirable Response:  YES -

What does it mean to you to have behavior that is inconsistent with the humility of Christ?


The idea of a such a land existing in this time and space tempts them/us to apply for citizenship. Then the brass-tacks of the Land Called Sonshine mule kicks them/us in the splankna leaving a decision to be made.

I look forward to reading the names on week 1's citizenship roster...aka Travel plans!