No You See Him - Or Maybe He Wasn't There In The First Place
Just in time for Christmas, Slate posted an article titled, "A Matter of Belief - Can Atheists Prove That God Doesn’t Exist?" The focus of the article is: "Being an atheist is a philosophical stance. It is not enough simply to declare yourself one: That is mere dogmatism-like announcing, without further argument, that you don’t believe in free will or objective values. If you wish to be an intellectually interesting atheist, you are obliged to give some evidence for your position." Interesting stuff . . .
Monday, December 23, 2002
Lowest Common Denominator
Do you ever wonder if you're attending the right church? Well, check out the Christian Denomination Selector! As they put it: "This is the place where you can figure out where your Christian beliefs match up with. This is the simple, clear, and accurate way to examine your beliefs and figure out which Christian denomination would be most appropriate for you." (And, apparently I should be a Presbyterian . . .)
Do you ever wonder if you're attending the right church? Well, check out the Christian Denomination Selector! As they put it: "This is the place where you can figure out where your Christian beliefs match up with. This is the simple, clear, and accurate way to examine your beliefs and figure out which Christian denomination would be most appropriate for you." (And, apparently I should be a Presbyterian . . .)
Entertaining Angels
Here is a great story by Althea Prescod that I ran across at Relevant Magazine. With Christmas just around the corner, this one is perfect . . .
Here is a great story by Althea Prescod that I ran across at Relevant Magazine. With Christmas just around the corner, this one is perfect . . .
Wednesday, December 18, 2002
Messy Spirituality
One of the best books I read this year was Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality." Yaconelli has a gift for putting things in perspective. Like a lot of us, he loves the lord but screws up more often than he'd like to. Recently Eric Hurtgen at Relevant Magazine interviewed Mike about the book an his life. You can check it out here. And if you'd like to snag a copy of the book, the cheapest price online is at Buy.com - according to the fine folks at Best Book Buys. You should definitely pick this one up and read it soon!
One of the best books I read this year was Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality." Yaconelli has a gift for putting things in perspective. Like a lot of us, he loves the lord but screws up more often than he'd like to. Recently Eric Hurtgen at Relevant Magazine interviewed Mike about the book an his life. You can check it out here. And if you'd like to snag a copy of the book, the cheapest price online is at Buy.com - according to the fine folks at Best Book Buys. You should definitely pick this one up and read it soon!
Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Battle of the Bulge
This just in from the Jerusalem Post: "A group of Jordanian engineers are due to arrive in Jerusalem next week to repair a large bulge in the Temple Mount's southern wall, which experts believe is in danger of collapsing, a senior Jordanian official said Monday. A year-long dispute between Israel and the Wakf, the Islamic trust which oversees day-to-day maintenance at the site, over who will fix the bulge was circumvented in October with a decision to involve the Jordanian engineers, who inspected and took a sampling of the protruding wall. A report they subsequently issued recommended replacing some of the eroding stones in the 2,000-year-old wall to prevent it from future collapse." (Free subscription required.)
This just in from the Jerusalem Post: "A group of Jordanian engineers are due to arrive in Jerusalem next week to repair a large bulge in the Temple Mount's southern wall, which experts believe is in danger of collapsing, a senior Jordanian official said Monday. A year-long dispute between Israel and the Wakf, the Islamic trust which oversees day-to-day maintenance at the site, over who will fix the bulge was circumvented in October with a decision to involve the Jordanian engineers, who inspected and took a sampling of the protruding wall. A report they subsequently issued recommended replacing some of the eroding stones in the 2,000-year-old wall to prevent it from future collapse." (Free subscription required.)
Monday, December 16, 2002
Didn't He Used To Be On Starsky and Hutch?
Still haven't found that perfect gift for your kids for Christmas? How about a Huggy Jesus doll? It's soft, cuddly and hypoallergenic! And if you feel like you need some additional perspective on this, check out the article, "The First Advent of Huggy Jesus" by Joel Miller at Razormouth.com. (And I wonder how long it will be before the WWHJD bracelets come out?)
Still haven't found that perfect gift for your kids for Christmas? How about a Huggy Jesus doll? It's soft, cuddly and hypoallergenic! And if you feel like you need some additional perspective on this, check out the article, "The First Advent of Huggy Jesus" by Joel Miller at Razormouth.com. (And I wonder how long it will be before the WWHJD bracelets come out?)
Google Zeitgeist
Sounds like something you should say "bless you" after hearing, doesn't it? Well the fine folks at Google think that taking a look at this year's "search patterns, trends and surprises" tells us something about ourselves. Take a look at the "2002 Year-End Google Zeitgeist." It'll tell you stuff you don't even wanna know. (And if you wanna know what "zeitgeist" means, they'll tell ya that too!)
Sounds like something you should say "bless you" after hearing, doesn't it? Well the fine folks at Google think that taking a look at this year's "search patterns, trends and surprises" tells us something about ourselves. Take a look at the "2002 Year-End Google Zeitgeist." It'll tell you stuff you don't even wanna know. (And if you wanna know what "zeitgeist" means, they'll tell ya that too!)
Thursday, December 12, 2002
Good Ad-itude
The Churches Advertising Network in the UK has developed a series of clever advertisements for Scottish churches, several of which are Christmas related. It's worth a look!
The Churches Advertising Network in the UK has developed a series of clever advertisements for Scottish churches, several of which are Christmas related. It's worth a look!
Tuesday, December 10, 2002
Maybe He's Not Just Blowin' In The Wind
One of my all time favorite songs is Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody." That song, from the album Slow Train Coming, and a slug of others have prompted speculation that Dylan may be - or may have been - a Christian. This article by Jayson Whitehead at the Rutherford Institute, gives some good insight into Bob and his faith.
One of my all time favorite songs is Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody." That song, from the album Slow Train Coming, and a slug of others have prompted speculation that Dylan may be - or may have been - a Christian. This article by Jayson Whitehead at the Rutherford Institute, gives some good insight into Bob and his faith.
Jesus - The Action Figure
Nah, I don't think so. But if you just can't help yourself, take a look at this advertisement.
Nah, I don't think so. But if you just can't help yourself, take a look at this advertisement.
Sunday, December 8, 2002
Taking Aim
(Author Unknown)
One Sunday, Sally walked into her Sunday School class and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Pastor Josh told the kids to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry. He said, “You’re going to have a chance to release some of your frustrations by throwing darts at that person's picture.
Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing zits on the face. Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn but was disappointed when Pastor Josh, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.
As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Pastor Josh began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . .
A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.
Pastor Josh didn’t say anything for a moment but then quoted Matthew 25:40: "In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto Me."
No other words were necessary; as the stunned and, for some, tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.
(Author Unknown)
One Sunday, Sally walked into her Sunday School class and knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Pastor Josh told the kids to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry. He said, “You’re going to have a chance to release some of your frustrations by throwing darts at that person's picture.
Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing zits on the face. Sally was pleased at the overall effect she had achieved.
The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn but was disappointed when Pastor Josh, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats.
As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Pastor Josh began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . . .
A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.
Pastor Josh didn’t say anything for a moment but then quoted Matthew 25:40: "In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto Me."
No other words were necessary; as the stunned and, for some, tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.
Saturday, December 7, 2002
Top Ten Signs You've Joined The Wrong Church
10. The church bus has gun racks in the rear window
9. Sunday's sermon is titled, "If God Had Wanted Me To Be Poor, He Wouldn't Have Made You So Gullible."
8. They translation of the Bible they use is the "Dr. Seuss Version."
7. There's an ATM in the lobby.
6. The fall sermon series is, "God, Your Pastor and Other Benign Dictators."
5. You regularly hear the pastor say, "I don't think this is in the Bible, but . . ."
4. There's no cover charge, but communion is a two-drink minimum.
3. Next Sunday's sermon is titled, "If Rush Limbaugh Were An Apostle."
2. The Women's Quartet are all married to the pastor.
AND, the number one sign you've joined the wrong church . . .
The ushers ask, "Smoking or Non-smoking?"
10. The church bus has gun racks in the rear window
9. Sunday's sermon is titled, "If God Had Wanted Me To Be Poor, He Wouldn't Have Made You So Gullible."
8. They translation of the Bible they use is the "Dr. Seuss Version."
7. There's an ATM in the lobby.
6. The fall sermon series is, "God, Your Pastor and Other Benign Dictators."
5. You regularly hear the pastor say, "I don't think this is in the Bible, but . . ."
4. There's no cover charge, but communion is a two-drink minimum.
3. Next Sunday's sermon is titled, "If Rush Limbaugh Were An Apostle."
2. The Women's Quartet are all married to the pastor.
AND, the number one sign you've joined the wrong church . . .
The ushers ask, "Smoking or Non-smoking?"
Ticket To Ride
"For $15, plus a $4.95 shipping and handling fee, Ticket to Heaven Incorporated will send you a ticket with your name on it, along with a "certificate of authenticity" and a wallet-sized testimonial card." No really. Check out this article from television station WKMG in Florida.
"For $15, plus a $4.95 shipping and handling fee, Ticket to Heaven Incorporated will send you a ticket with your name on it, along with a "certificate of authenticity" and a wallet-sized testimonial card." No really. Check out this article from television station WKMG in Florida.
Friday, December 6, 2002
I Am A Servant Of The Secret Fire!
"Christians have been good at appropriating pagan traditions for their own ends - scheduling Christmas and Easter on pagan holidays, for instance. Tolkien moves in the reverse direction, taking Christian values and pouring them into a pagan world." That's one of the interesting tidbits in this article in today's Wall Street Journal by John J. Miller.
"Christians have been good at appropriating pagan traditions for their own ends - scheduling Christmas and Easter on pagan holidays, for instance. Tolkien moves in the reverse direction, taking Christian values and pouring them into a pagan world." That's one of the interesting tidbits in this article in today's Wall Street Journal by John J. Miller.
Just In Time For Christmas!
Still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone - or maybe for a pastor with a good sense of humor? The fine folks at Ship of Fools have come to the rescue with their fine 12 Days of Kitschmas - a wonderful and weird collection of great "gadgets for God." From the Jesus Teething Ring to the Cross Boxers to the Bouncy Church. You don't wanna miss this one!
Still looking for the perfect gift for that special someone - or maybe for a pastor with a good sense of humor? The fine folks at Ship of Fools have come to the rescue with their fine 12 Days of Kitschmas - a wonderful and weird collection of great "gadgets for God." From the Jesus Teething Ring to the Cross Boxers to the Bouncy Church. You don't wanna miss this one!
Theology On Tap: Evangelism By The Pint
A group of Christians in Indianapolis started a ministry called "Theology on Tap" last June. Since then, more than 100 young adults have been meeting every other Wednesday for an evening of faith, friends, conversation, music and, yes, beer. According the organizers, this is reflects "the theological trend of trying to connect with young people in social settings far removed from a church." And, "the fact that alcohol is a part of the Theology on Tap name and setting has created only a minimal measure of controversy."
A group of Christians in Indianapolis started a ministry called "Theology on Tap" last June. Since then, more than 100 young adults have been meeting every other Wednesday for an evening of faith, friends, conversation, music and, yes, beer. According the organizers, this is reflects "the theological trend of trying to connect with young people in social settings far removed from a church." And, "the fact that alcohol is a part of the Theology on Tap name and setting has created only a minimal measure of controversy."
Sunday, December 1, 2002
Big Deal! Nothing A Little Pepcid AC Couldn't Fix!
God finally got some credit for preventing - rather than causing - a natural disaster. A ten story high river of lava pouring out of Mt. Etna in Sicily changed course after a local archbishop, Mgr Salvatore Gristina, prayed that a group of buildings would be spared. This story in the London Daily Telegraph gives the details.
God finally got some credit for preventing - rather than causing - a natural disaster. A ten story high river of lava pouring out of Mt. Etna in Sicily changed course after a local archbishop, Mgr Salvatore Gristina, prayed that a group of buildings would be spared. This story in the London Daily Telegraph gives the details.
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