Bishop Bickerton dropped the ceremonial puck at the Otter's game tonight. It gives me a warm feeling (much like Vodka does) to know that my Bishop lives among the people. He sat a few rows behind my family. He didn't get a special box seat, he didn't wear a full suit, and he didn't bring an entourage for the photo op. He's a real person ... living a real life for our Savior.

I surround myself with very real people. I'm tired of people who smile all the time to prove "the joy of Jesus." I have friends who sin boldly - not in the good sense of that, but in the horribly scewed version. I have friends who drink a little too much, who drop the F-bomb, and who occasionally make really big sexual mistakes. I know which of my friends know Jesus and which don't. I know. I know that when they say something they mean it. I don't have to wade through everything they say and try and figure out what's true. I know when they speak the truth.

My associate pastor, Andy, is a real person. His wife brought a lesbian couple with them to church. His wife doesn't like being around other Christians, she just likes telling people about Jesus. Andy is teaching a Bible Study on sharing your faith. He teaches it from a very real perspectives.

That Bible study group passed out hot chocolate during a parade. There were a few floats in the parade that were done by churches. All of the floats bemoaned the fact that we need to "put Christ back in Christmas." Angry Christians yelling about the heathens trying to steal "their" holiday. My church passed out hot chocolate and talked to people.

A lot of pastors would ask to give an invocation at a sporting event. Their lives prove the point that Christians only care about Christian things. Jesus came - not just for personal salvation - but to change the world. Bishop Bickerton didn't say a prayer to satiate the "spiritual aspect" of things. He dropped the puck and showed his humanity. He took a few hours and lived among the people ... I think it's something he does most of the time.