Thursday, November 17, 2011

A powerful prayer for Penn State

I do have to admit that the opening of last weeks Penn State game caught me by surprise, humbled me and gave me good reason to repent of my cynicism. Based on the students reaction to Paterno being fired I thought the game would attract even more negative acting out. But the students bounced back from their initial reaction and recognized the real travesty was the kids who were victimized in all of this. The candle light vigil and the spontaneous events that happened before game time humbled me. I should have been hopeful that something good would come out of all of this instead of letting cynicism get the best of me. May God bring healing, restoration and justice to this whole situation. Check out this link and allow it to give you hope for the next generation.

Check it out here: A powerful prayer for Penn State

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Beware the evils of Star Wars and Smurfs!

I really, really like the inclusion of the soundtrack that goes with this video, and the random shofar.  Wait for the ending also. It is subtle yet sweet!  Once again, other religions have extremists that act out as terrorists, we Christians on the other hand just have crazies.  Enjoy!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

John Stewart on the Penn State mess


John Stewart does a great analysis here of the Penn State mess.  Riots over who is being fired and not about the concern for the victims is shocking. I am glad to see that the Penn State students bounced back and had a candle-light vigil for the victims.  Let's let all of the investigation reveal the truth of what all was going on before we react, or else you may be very embarrassed by your initial reaction once all the truth is revealed.
 



The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Penn State Riots
www.thedailyshow.com
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The Word - Bully Pulpit - The Colbert Report - 2011-09-11 - Video Clip | Comedy Central

Colbert brings an interesting (humorous and sobering) report on bullying and Christianity. It is sad to see Christians try to make an exemption for the law instead of leading the way in anti-bullying whether or not they agree or disagree with a person's beliefs, lifestyles, or choices. Keep in mind that Colbert is not attacking Christianity per say. He himself is a practicing Catholic. He is speaking out towards those who fear that the anti-bullying law is prohibiting their expression of their religious beliefs. But whatever a person may believe when it comes to the hot topics of our culture, Paul is very clear in 1 Corinthians 13 that if we do not act, think, or respond with love above all else, everything else falls short. This was a very bad move to make a religious exemption in an anti-bullying law.


The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
The Word - Bully Pulpit
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RELEVANT Magazine - The Redemption of Horror?

Here is a great article on the topic of horror as a genre. I myself am a closet-fan of horror films. I love them. I agree that there are a lot of dumb, pointless movies in this genre (as with every other one) but there are also some real gems that speak to about our culture of materialism, greed, power, narcissism, in contrast to our human desires for forgiveness, redemption and salvation. And some are just so much fun to watch!

RELEVANT Magazine - The Redemption of Horror?

RELEVANT Magazine - It's OK to Say Jesus Is the Only Way

Here is a link to a great article on understanding the problem with religious pluralism. If all you have is a very surface view of religions (including your own) it is very easy to assume a pluralistic view. But a careful study of religions logically shows that they can not all be right. There are some good comments below also. I am very much in the Kierkegaard camp with the possibility of a middle way. I believe that Scripture does make an exception without stripping away the exclusive claims of Christ.

RELEVANT Magazine - It's OK to Say Jesus Is the Only Way

RELEVANT Magazine - Spiritual Warfare is Real

This is excellent. I have seen the topic of spiritual warfare used in a way to instill fear in people. I think this article gives a good sense of what it is and how we can best defend ourselves from evil.

RELEVANT Magazine - Spiritual Warfare is Real

RELEVANT Magazine - What's the Big Deal About Waiting for Marriage?

Excellent reflection here on asking the right questions and seeking out answers that make sense.

RELEVANT Magazine - What's the Big Deal About Waiting for Marriage?

Hippo Butt Explosion!! ' Wheres the Beef!??'

Oh my gosh! That was a spicy meatball!!! This is just about as funny as Jim Carry exiting the robot rhino in Ace Ventura 2.

Oscar... My Very Weird, Handstand Peeing Dog

Another reason why dogs are just awesome!

An Experiment (Stuff Fundies Like)

For any of you who have grown up in a conservative fundamentalist church this is a good test to take. I was able to stay seated. But the urge to run and kneel was there. My years of therapy have paid off!

An Experiment (Stuff Fundies Like)

My Take: Reactions to Cain, Paterno point to a not-so-Christian nation – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

I would have to agree with Prothero here. It is disturbing if we are honest with ourselves where our hearts go in situations like this. And it just may reveal more about our corrupt nature rather than our "Christian values". It is so important to be careful in our initial reactions to these stories which at the moment are just based on very limited information and emotion. The darkness must be revealed fully by the light. If there is nothing hiding in the dark then show your support. But if there is a world of evil lurking in the darkness and you spoke up to defend someone prior to that process completing itself, not only will you look foolish, but you may have a very serious crisis of conscience having to determine the nature of God's Spirit impacting you as opposed to your sin nature actually controlling you.

My Take: Reactions to Cain, Paterno point to a not-so-Christian nation – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Christian Zombie Killers (a book for teens) | Jesus Needs New PR

Someone came up with a book that combines the two things I love the most: Christianity and Zombies. I will now have to come up with a different aspect of culture to make a cheap Christian copy of it. Any ideas? Christian Jersey Shore? Christian Hoarders? Christian Zombie Killer is so much cooler.

Christian Zombie Killers (a book for teens) | Jesus Needs New PR

This is Discipling

Wow! Some great thoughts, critiques and reminders of what discipling others is and is not. I think this may find it's way into a sermon.

Friday, November 11, 2011

The Weirdest Christian music Video (God's Backhand)


I wanted to laugh at the cheesy lyrics and 80's synth music at first but the images chosen in this video to "support" this song are quite disturbing. Especially considering the violence toward women and the images of war and domestic violence. I am at a loss for words in how someone can think they are speaking for God in this. This has to be a joke.

Tebowing

Now this is funny. Maybe Jesus was onto something when he told us to pray in secret. (Matthew 6). But then again, this website makes me want to go out and do some serious Tebowing. Pictures will follow soon.

Tebowing

My Take: Paterno's unfulfilled ethical obligations – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Another really good article reflecting on the Penn State Debacle on understanding the difference between doing only what is legally required as opposed to taking a stand for what is ethically and morally right.

My Take: Paterno's unfulfilled ethical obligations – CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

Say It Ain't So, David | Sojourners: Celebrating 40 Years of Faith in Action for Social Justice

Here is a good article analyzing the mess that is Penn State right now.

Say It Ain't So, David | Sojourners: Celebrating 40 Years of Faith in Action for Social Justice

Thursday, November 03, 2011

So How are the Gen-Xer's doing these days?

For all of the negative stereotypes that have been attached to Generation X throughout our teens and 20's, this is a refreshing, and I believe true, assessment of where the majority of us are at in our lives right now.
www.sampler.isr.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/GenX_Report_Fall2011.pdf

Emptyage — Generation X Doesn't Want to Hear It

If you are a passionate Gen-Xer then this is CLASSIC! If not, don't bother.
Emptyage — Generation X Doesn't Want to Hear It:

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City's childhood poverty third worst in nation | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com

This has me speechless. We can not allow this in Cincinnati. I am shocked that we rank 3rd worst in the nation behind Detroit and Cleveland. This is a wake up call for all churches and community organizations.

City's childhood poverty third worst in nation | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com:

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