I am posting several blogs that I have written over the last few days. The gestapo at my work would not allow me access to the internet to post them
Does anyone really like going to the dentist? I understand that a person could possibly argue "Your teeth never feel cleaner," but to me, that is certainly not worth the agony and torture of visiting that hell hole known as the dentist's office. Now, you must know that I have horrible teeth. My dentist always said that I had really weak enamel, and when I was a child, I used to have to take extra trips to the dentist, just to get fluoride. Truth be told, I take better care of my teeth than most of the people I know. I floss, I waterpik (occasionally) and I brush twice a day, but the cavities still come, the root canals have happened and I am stuck with crowns that have no correlation to royalty. I typically dread the hell hole for several reasons. 1. The metal scraping against my teeth is not a warm and fuzzy feeling, in fact, its like a cold prickly (who remembers project Charlie?) 2. I hate the endless lectures and demos about proper flossing and brushing – I am not wanting to pay hundreds of dollars to get a guilt trip. I know how to brush . . . I learned it when I was 5 . . .3. The never give me enough Novocain. I always tell them that I am highly resistant, but they could care less. They think I am just some sort of drug junkie that gets off on a 6 hour numbness that causes perpetual drooling.
Why do I mention all of this? I am due for the dentist. I would ask for prayer, but lets face it, Jesus may have saved us from lots of things, but even he cannot stop the dentist.
Corporate Accounts Payable, Nina speaking. Just a moment.
I once did a list of the top 9 worst movies, but I did them in haste and off the cuff. I cannot believe I forgot one of the worst – Cast Away. Outside of Forrest Gump, Tom Hanks has been playing the exact same actor in every movie for 20 years. Add to this Cast Away – a movie that simply tries to sell one thing, Tom Hanks. His acting is so non-existent that the movie falls flat on its face. Its indulgent in all the wrong ways, and when ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Wilson is your supporting character, you have problems. And spare me the responses about how I did not get the artistic expression of isolation in the film – I get that's what they are trying for, but sadly, I would rather be castaway than see that movie ever again.
Why does it take so long to process magazine subscriptions? In 6-8 weeks, my enthusiasm seriously wanes for what once seemed like a good subscription.
Corporate Accounts Payable, Nina speaking. Just a moment.
I know something about you. You want to be heard. Oh its true. It oozes out of everything you do. You want to count, you want people to think you have something to offer, you want people to know you really are different. I am the same way – so I will be pot and you kettle. This behavior is evidenced day in and day out in business meeting after business meeting. Business meetings could get done in about 5 minutes if people were not trying to be noticed. Typically, the reason is presented for why the meeting was called then you spend 2 hours having everyone re-phrase the problem and the solution. So I was thinking, why does this occur? Its simple – you are a crappy friend – and what makes you crappy is that you think you are a good friend. A good friend listens more than they talk, but you don't, and its not ok. See, we approach everything in our life wanting to be heard, so we may listen for a moment, but that's only to make space for ourselves to talk. This is evidenced daily in relationships all around me. Men, how often have you brought up an issue with your lady, to only find yourself apologizing at the end for something you have done? Ladies, this works for you too. We go to tell people are problems, and then they make it about them. I know what you are thinking – this is not me and I am the exception. But I know you, and I am talking to you. You are no exception. You talk too damn much and you listen too darn little. Guess what? Me too. Until we listen, and I mean really listen, this world will still starve for attention. We will have silly business meetings, and we will have wars, all because YOU think you are a good friend. So you are thinking, "well that's great Jered, but when will I get to say what's on my mind?" - - - exactly my point.
Corporate Accounts Payable, Nina speaking. Just a moment.
One thing that I need to learn is: people will never view my issues as urgently as I do. This may seem like a no-brainer, but this is a very good thing to realize. People have their own priorities, and yours will hardly ever be as important to them as theirs. I would save myself a lot of headache if I could truly internalize this thought.
Corporate Accounts Payable, Nina speaking. Just a moment.
Aquafina water tastes greasy.
Corporate Accounts Payable, Nina speaking. Just a moment.
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Always look on the bright side of life. . .
The grass is never greener on the other side.
Things are never as you left them.
These are things that I have been learning lately. It probably comes off as fatalistic, and at the moment, it feels that way. It probably helps to step back and take a long view.
I have always been a proponent of change – and why not? It keeps things exciting, fresh, clean . . . like a new car. But like a new car, the excitement wears off long before the payments do. There are consequences to every choice . . . so essentially we are choosing our consequences. We want the new car, but not the 72 months of payments. This is our disease. We like our new wheels but want it to turn and handle like our old car – we like the reaction our new ultra sweet detailing gets, but we miss those memories in the back seat of our tangerine dream. Thankfully, we never try to mash the old and new car together, but we certainly do this with our lives? And we all know what happens when 2 cars hit head on . . .
I take back the grass is never greener comment, or at the very least, I take back how it reads. There is a future for all of us . . . and I think things can get better in this world . . . its just that sometimes the choices you make will not yield the results you long to cherish. I don't know how we learn to embrace the adventure, but I think we need to.
Some confessions: (Written to humanity in general, never to 1 specific person)
Sometimes I look at people and get angry that they allow themselves to look so stupid.
I hate confrontation and I lie to avoid conflict. I am afraid if you knew what I was really thinking you could not handle it. But I am seriously trying to get better – I work at it every day.
I am terribly controlling, and sadly, I don't want to change because I believe I am smarter than you.
I hate to apologize first because I believe you are just apologizing to follow the trend, and then I cannot take your apology seriously.
I cannot live with myself when I am following trends, and I have been following them all of my life.
Forgive me.
Things are never as you left them.
These are things that I have been learning lately. It probably comes off as fatalistic, and at the moment, it feels that way. It probably helps to step back and take a long view.
I have always been a proponent of change – and why not? It keeps things exciting, fresh, clean . . . like a new car. But like a new car, the excitement wears off long before the payments do. There are consequences to every choice . . . so essentially we are choosing our consequences. We want the new car, but not the 72 months of payments. This is our disease. We like our new wheels but want it to turn and handle like our old car – we like the reaction our new ultra sweet detailing gets, but we miss those memories in the back seat of our tangerine dream. Thankfully, we never try to mash the old and new car together, but we certainly do this with our lives? And we all know what happens when 2 cars hit head on . . .
I take back the grass is never greener comment, or at the very least, I take back how it reads. There is a future for all of us . . . and I think things can get better in this world . . . its just that sometimes the choices you make will not yield the results you long to cherish. I don't know how we learn to embrace the adventure, but I think we need to.
Some confessions: (Written to humanity in general, never to 1 specific person)
Sometimes I look at people and get angry that they allow themselves to look so stupid.
I hate confrontation and I lie to avoid conflict. I am afraid if you knew what I was really thinking you could not handle it. But I am seriously trying to get better – I work at it every day.
I am terribly controlling, and sadly, I don't want to change because I believe I am smarter than you.
I hate to apologize first because I believe you are just apologizing to follow the trend, and then I cannot take your apology seriously.
I cannot live with myself when I am following trends, and I have been following them all of my life.
Forgive me.
Friday, April 25, 2008
If I had the time to sing another, I'd sing the types of songs you'd like to hear. . .
Why are people without jobs still glad its friday?
Even though they are probably considered the best band of all time, I still don't think the Beatles get enough credit for their song writing abilities.
Confession: I once went to a Friday's with my good friend Ken and we ordered Swirl Margaritas (Check that: I actually ordered them saying "We will each have a raspberry swirl margarita") and I am pretty sure everyone at the bar thought we were gay - and I am pretty sure we deserved that. (PS. I am not actually gay). This moment might only be eclipsed by the time my friends and I got a little tipsy in Montreal (maybe I mean drunk) and got in a circle under the guise that we were trying to impress 2 chicks, and sang "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias at the tops of our lungs. Because I want to incriminate, the culprits were me, Brian, John, Eric, Ken and Pat. Why do I mention all of this? All men have less than masculine moments. Sorry to burst your bubble. I had to get this out. I have no shame in it (well maybe a little, but thats mostly because its pathetic I knew the words to an Enrique Iglesias tune, one of the many things I will need to account myself to God for).
I went to see Derek Webb in concert last night. It took place in an old church building - the setting was beautiful. There were only about 150 people there, and the concert was so intimate. For those of you that don't know, Derek Webb is a singer/songwriter whose lyrics irritate a lot of people. He is frank, and he calls people change our world. He sings about God (and his struggle with belief) but he would scoff if you compared him to a christian. Nothing about this concert felt "christian:" No altar calls, hand raising or amens (THANK GOD!). He was witty, poignant, and he sounded great. Acoustic guitar and a voice. It doesn't get much better, and yet, only 150 people showed up. People would not know good music if it smacked them in the face. When we live in a world where Chingy sells more albums then Derek Webb, something is TERRIBLY wrong. Check him out. Noteworthy Tracks: A New Law, Nothing is Ever Enough, Wedding Dress, Mockingbird, Better than wine . . .
There are 27 million people living in SLAVERY around the world, more than during the Civil War - and YOU don't care enough - nor do I, but I am trying. But we are the problem. What we buy, how we respond, and our greed - thats what is causing it.
If you live in Cincinnati, are you with me on this one: The only thing that really makes Chad Johnson impressive now, is that he got a whole city to turn on him in less than a year - that simply outweighs his amazing talent on the field.
My job is ludicrous. Who schedules a 2 hour meeting starting at 3 on a Friday? I am feeling like one of the 27 million, but thats a whole different kind of slavery.
www.mentalfloss.com One of my favorite blogs
http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/ Another amazing blog
Any feedback? Hit me up
Even though they are probably considered the best band of all time, I still don't think the Beatles get enough credit for their song writing abilities.
Confession: I once went to a Friday's with my good friend Ken and we ordered Swirl Margaritas (Check that: I actually ordered them saying "We will each have a raspberry swirl margarita") and I am pretty sure everyone at the bar thought we were gay - and I am pretty sure we deserved that. (PS. I am not actually gay). This moment might only be eclipsed by the time my friends and I got a little tipsy in Montreal (maybe I mean drunk) and got in a circle under the guise that we were trying to impress 2 chicks, and sang "Hero" by Enrique Iglesias at the tops of our lungs. Because I want to incriminate, the culprits were me, Brian, John, Eric, Ken and Pat. Why do I mention all of this? All men have less than masculine moments. Sorry to burst your bubble. I had to get this out. I have no shame in it (well maybe a little, but thats mostly because its pathetic I knew the words to an Enrique Iglesias tune, one of the many things I will need to account myself to God for).
I went to see Derek Webb in concert last night. It took place in an old church building - the setting was beautiful. There were only about 150 people there, and the concert was so intimate. For those of you that don't know, Derek Webb is a singer/songwriter whose lyrics irritate a lot of people. He is frank, and he calls people change our world. He sings about God (and his struggle with belief) but he would scoff if you compared him to a christian. Nothing about this concert felt "christian:" No altar calls, hand raising or amens (THANK GOD!). He was witty, poignant, and he sounded great. Acoustic guitar and a voice. It doesn't get much better, and yet, only 150 people showed up. People would not know good music if it smacked them in the face. When we live in a world where Chingy sells more albums then Derek Webb, something is TERRIBLY wrong. Check him out. Noteworthy Tracks: A New Law, Nothing is Ever Enough, Wedding Dress, Mockingbird, Better than wine . . .
There are 27 million people living in SLAVERY around the world, more than during the Civil War - and YOU don't care enough - nor do I, but I am trying. But we are the problem. What we buy, how we respond, and our greed - thats what is causing it.
If you live in Cincinnati, are you with me on this one: The only thing that really makes Chad Johnson impressive now, is that he got a whole city to turn on him in less than a year - that simply outweighs his amazing talent on the field.
My job is ludicrous. Who schedules a 2 hour meeting starting at 3 on a Friday? I am feeling like one of the 27 million, but thats a whole different kind of slavery.
www.mentalfloss.com One of my favorite blogs
http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/ Another amazing blog
Any feedback? Hit me up
Thursday, March 27, 2008
War, what is it good for?
the war and the suffering go on. On Easter Sunday, four U.S. soldiers were killed in Baghdad, bringing the total to 4,000. Around the country of Iraq, more than 60 people were killed in attacks. The Iraq Body Count database has now documented 90,000 civilian deaths – other estimates go into the hundreds of thousands. And this week, new fighting is raging in several Iraqi cities, causing additional casualties.
How does this sit with you?
How does this sit with you?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
American Idle?
How many of you heard that this was the best talent that American Idol has supposedly had?
Is it me, or was everyone awful? Maybe the dude with dreads was ok, and I can almost admit that the 17 year old boy that laughed uncontrollably was alright, but if you ask me, the whole evening was sub-par.
And, I may be imagining this, but I think American Idol has this new pedophelia thing going on. Not only is there a great deal of young boys, but many of them have somewhat effeminate qualities, whether it be mannerisms or hairstyles or whatever. I understand that this is the way style is going but I kind of almost felt guilty watching the show, as if it was slightly naughty to be watching so many young effeminate men. Or is it just me?
Either way, the show last night sucked. Period.
Is it me, or was everyone awful? Maybe the dude with dreads was ok, and I can almost admit that the 17 year old boy that laughed uncontrollably was alright, but if you ask me, the whole evening was sub-par.
And, I may be imagining this, but I think American Idol has this new pedophelia thing going on. Not only is there a great deal of young boys, but many of them have somewhat effeminate qualities, whether it be mannerisms or hairstyles or whatever. I understand that this is the way style is going but I kind of almost felt guilty watching the show, as if it was slightly naughty to be watching so many young effeminate men. Or is it just me?
Either way, the show last night sucked. Period.
Monday, February 18, 2008
A Daily Prayer from jesusforpresident.org
Jesus For President Litany of Resistance
Created with the help of our friends Jim Loney (CPT Reservist) and Brian Walsh (activist theologian)
--------------------------
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Have mercy on us
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Free us from the bondage of sin and death
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Hear our prayer. Grant us peace.
One: For the victims of war
All: Have mercy
One: Women, men and children
All: Have mercy
One: The maimed and the crippled
All: Have mercy
One: The abandoned and the homeless
All: Have mercy
One: the imprisoned and the tortured
All: Have mercy
One: The widowed and the orphaned
All: Have mercy
One: The bleeding and the dying
All: Have mercy
One: The weary and the desperate
All: Have mercy
One: The lost and the forsaken
All: Have mercy
One: O God -- Have mercy on us sinners
All: Forgive us for we know not what we do
One: For our scorched and blackened earth
All: Forgive us
One: For the scandal of billions wasted in war
All: Forgive us
One: For our arms makers and arms dealers
All: Forgive us
One: For our Caesars and Herods
All: Forgive us
One: For the violence that is rooted in our hearts
All: Forgive us
One: For the times we turn others into enemies
All: Forgive us
One: Deliver us, O God
All: Guide our feet into the way of peace
One: Hear our prayer.
All: Grant us peace.
One: From the arrogance of power
All: Deliver us
One: From the myth of redemptive violence
All: Deliver us
One: From the tyranny of greed
All: Deliver us
One: From the ugliness of racism
All: Deliver us
One: From the cancer of hatred
All: Deliver us
One: From the seduction of wealth
All: Deliver us
One: From the addiction of control
All: Deliver us
One: From the idolatry of nationalism
All: Deliver us
One: From the paralysis of cynicism
All: Deliver us
One: From the violence of apathy
All: Deliver us
One: From the ghettos of poverty
All: Deliver us
One: From the ghettos of wealth
All: Deliver us
One: From a lack of imagination
All: Deliver us
One: Deliver us, O God
All: Guide our feet into the way of peace
One: We will not conform to the patterns of this world
All: Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds
One: With the help of God’s grace
All: Let us resist evil wherever we find it
One: With the waging of war
All: We will not comply
One: With the legalization of murder
All: We will not comply
One: With the slaughter of innocents
All: We will not comply
One: With laws that betray human life
All: We will not comply
One: With the destruction of community
All: We will not comply
One: With the pointing finger and malicious talk
All: We will not comply
One: With the idea that happiness must be purchased
All: We will not comply
One: With the ravaging of the earth
All: We will not comply
One: With principalities and powers that oppress
All: We will not comply
One: With the destruction of peoples
All: We will not comply
One: With the raping of women
All: We will not comply
One: With governments that kill
All: We will not comply
One: With the theology of empire
All: We will not comply
One: With the business of militarism
All: We will not comply
One: With the hoarding of riches
All: We will not comply
One: With the dissemination of fear
All: We will not comply
One: Today we pledge our ultimate allegiance… to the Kingdom of God
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a peace that is not like Rome’s
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Gospel of enemy love
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Kingdom of the poor and broken
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a King that loves his enemies so much he died for them
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the least of these, with whom Christ dwells
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the transnational Church that transcends the artificial borders of nations
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the refugee of Nazareth
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the homeless rabbi who had no place to lay his head
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the cross rather than the sword
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the banner of love above any flag
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rules with a towel rather than an iron fist
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rides a donkey rather than a war-horse
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the revolution that sets both oppressed and oppressors free
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Way that leads to life
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Slaughtered Lamb
All: We pledge allegiance
One: And together we proclaim his praises, from the margins of the empire to the centers of wealth and power
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
One: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
Created with the help of our friends Jim Loney (CPT Reservist) and Brian Walsh (activist theologian)
--------------------------
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Have mercy on us
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Free us from the bondage of sin and death
One: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
All: Hear our prayer. Grant us peace.
One: For the victims of war
All: Have mercy
One: Women, men and children
All: Have mercy
One: The maimed and the crippled
All: Have mercy
One: The abandoned and the homeless
All: Have mercy
One: the imprisoned and the tortured
All: Have mercy
One: The widowed and the orphaned
All: Have mercy
One: The bleeding and the dying
All: Have mercy
One: The weary and the desperate
All: Have mercy
One: The lost and the forsaken
All: Have mercy
One: O God -- Have mercy on us sinners
All: Forgive us for we know not what we do
One: For our scorched and blackened earth
All: Forgive us
One: For the scandal of billions wasted in war
All: Forgive us
One: For our arms makers and arms dealers
All: Forgive us
One: For our Caesars and Herods
All: Forgive us
One: For the violence that is rooted in our hearts
All: Forgive us
One: For the times we turn others into enemies
All: Forgive us
One: Deliver us, O God
All: Guide our feet into the way of peace
One: Hear our prayer.
All: Grant us peace.
One: From the arrogance of power
All: Deliver us
One: From the myth of redemptive violence
All: Deliver us
One: From the tyranny of greed
All: Deliver us
One: From the ugliness of racism
All: Deliver us
One: From the cancer of hatred
All: Deliver us
One: From the seduction of wealth
All: Deliver us
One: From the addiction of control
All: Deliver us
One: From the idolatry of nationalism
All: Deliver us
One: From the paralysis of cynicism
All: Deliver us
One: From the violence of apathy
All: Deliver us
One: From the ghettos of poverty
All: Deliver us
One: From the ghettos of wealth
All: Deliver us
One: From a lack of imagination
All: Deliver us
One: Deliver us, O God
All: Guide our feet into the way of peace
One: We will not conform to the patterns of this world
All: Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds
One: With the help of God’s grace
All: Let us resist evil wherever we find it
One: With the waging of war
All: We will not comply
One: With the legalization of murder
All: We will not comply
One: With the slaughter of innocents
All: We will not comply
One: With laws that betray human life
All: We will not comply
One: With the destruction of community
All: We will not comply
One: With the pointing finger and malicious talk
All: We will not comply
One: With the idea that happiness must be purchased
All: We will not comply
One: With the ravaging of the earth
All: We will not comply
One: With principalities and powers that oppress
All: We will not comply
One: With the destruction of peoples
All: We will not comply
One: With the raping of women
All: We will not comply
One: With governments that kill
All: We will not comply
One: With the theology of empire
All: We will not comply
One: With the business of militarism
All: We will not comply
One: With the hoarding of riches
All: We will not comply
One: With the dissemination of fear
All: We will not comply
One: Today we pledge our ultimate allegiance… to the Kingdom of God
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a peace that is not like Rome’s
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Gospel of enemy love
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Kingdom of the poor and broken
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To a King that loves his enemies so much he died for them
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the least of these, with whom Christ dwells
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the transnational Church that transcends the artificial borders of nations
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the refugee of Nazareth
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the homeless rabbi who had no place to lay his head
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the cross rather than the sword
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the banner of love above any flag
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rules with a towel rather than an iron fist
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the one who rides a donkey rather than a war-horse
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the revolution that sets both oppressed and oppressors free
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Way that leads to life
All: We pledge allegiance
One: To the Slaughtered Lamb
All: We pledge allegiance
One: And together we proclaim his praises, from the margins of the empire to the centers of wealth and power
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
One: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
All: Long Live the Slaughtered Lamb
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
If Burgess Meredith and Britney Spears had a love child . . . .
If Burgess Meredith and Britney Spears had a love child . . .
So I went to a "mega-church" this weekend, for the first time in quite a while and its got me thinking about all kinds of things. Having been way more involved in church politics than I would like to admit, I am still trying to repent of some of the awful things that I have done in my past when handling church business. With that said, I am always trying to chew over things more so I no longer make the same mistakes and sometimes I think pointing out positives and negatives can really create some good dialogue. So here it is – A review, or a good chewing over if you will. Feel free to chime in
The church was in Cincinnati – that's the only info that's relevant - some of you that know me might know which church it is, but for the purpose of this discussion, its not necessary
The good:
1.The music was excellent – as I would expect it to be when you can pull from such a big talent pool
2.The service featured creative sketches that were both funny and entertaining – Its great to keep people laughing and to not always be serious. I think this helps people stay focused. If the church needs anything, it needs to remember how to laugh
3.Multitude of programs and small groups – If you are willing to call someone or speak out, it would be easy to get involved. There is something for everyone – and for any focus you may want
4.The atmosphere – It was electric. It was Super Bowl Sunday. People were tailgating in the church parking lot. Free Hot Dogs, Free Coffee. A lot of young, good-looking professionals. Hipsters volunteering everywhere. People that look like me, or at least, look as hip as I want to feel (this truly is a compliment)
Rather than saying bad, or the bad, I am just going to ask questions. Questions I would ask of any church, for the most part, and questions that I believe should be asked. *No church is perfect – sorry to break that to ya, but considering its full of ruffians like me and you, what could we possibly expect?
Questions:
At one point should a church spend its money on itself rather than on the needs of its community, city, nation and world?
Are custom football jerseys at $300 a pop necessary for one Sunday?
Is it important to buy 10,000 people who come to your church a hot dog (presumably mostly from an affluent neighborhood) rather than buying 10,000 hotdogs for people who wouldn't otherwise eat today?
Could we set a better example in spending money on others than spending money on ourselves?
Are too many churches hiding behind the idea "that we are doing this to save souls" to justify spending money on themselves and their congregants?
Does the parable of the rich man and the widow have something to say about this (Mark 12:41-43), or does the multitude of deeds a large church can do put them in God's positive column, even if they are still spending lots on themselves?
Can we preach about the difference about knowing God's will and doing God's will and mention tithing to the church in the same message?
Can the cornerstone of a message's gimmick/theme revolve around the identity of a head pastor – or more simply stated, should we make a big deal about who the head pastor is at all times (or even more simply, can you lead a mega-church and not come off as arrogant)?
What is more important, the amount of money you take in, or the amount of people that attend? Or, how do we measure success?
Just because someone attends the "god-show" are we to assume they took anything from it?
Does spectacle equal experience?
Is it a mega-churches responsibility to lead the way in recycling by Serving God and Saving the Planet?
Does a large church have the responsibility to serve fair trade coffee so they can look the attendees in the eye and say "this cup of coffee did not oppress anybody" even if it means they have to spend a little more? Or is coffee unnecessary anyway?
Are gadgets God-approved spending, since after all, it gives people a better experience?
Do people attend because its God, or because its cool?
Is a mega-church a gateway, and can they only take you so far?
When you focus on toys and gadgets and gimmicks is it still possible to focus equally, or even more so, on God?
Is a mega-church like a Wal-mart to your local mom and pop shop?
I honestly don't have a lot of answers to these questions. I have heard stock answers to many of them and have spoken passionately about others, but either way, I think they are worth asking. I cannot condemn any church. I have my thoughts and opinions.
So I went to a "mega-church" this weekend, for the first time in quite a while and its got me thinking about all kinds of things. Having been way more involved in church politics than I would like to admit, I am still trying to repent of some of the awful things that I have done in my past when handling church business. With that said, I am always trying to chew over things more so I no longer make the same mistakes and sometimes I think pointing out positives and negatives can really create some good dialogue. So here it is – A review, or a good chewing over if you will. Feel free to chime in
The church was in Cincinnati – that's the only info that's relevant - some of you that know me might know which church it is, but for the purpose of this discussion, its not necessary
The good:
1.The music was excellent – as I would expect it to be when you can pull from such a big talent pool
2.The service featured creative sketches that were both funny and entertaining – Its great to keep people laughing and to not always be serious. I think this helps people stay focused. If the church needs anything, it needs to remember how to laugh
3.Multitude of programs and small groups – If you are willing to call someone or speak out, it would be easy to get involved. There is something for everyone – and for any focus you may want
4.The atmosphere – It was electric. It was Super Bowl Sunday. People were tailgating in the church parking lot. Free Hot Dogs, Free Coffee. A lot of young, good-looking professionals. Hipsters volunteering everywhere. People that look like me, or at least, look as hip as I want to feel (this truly is a compliment)
Rather than saying bad, or the bad, I am just going to ask questions. Questions I would ask of any church, for the most part, and questions that I believe should be asked. *No church is perfect – sorry to break that to ya, but considering its full of ruffians like me and you, what could we possibly expect?
Questions:
At one point should a church spend its money on itself rather than on the needs of its community, city, nation and world?
Are custom football jerseys at $300 a pop necessary for one Sunday?
Is it important to buy 10,000 people who come to your church a hot dog (presumably mostly from an affluent neighborhood) rather than buying 10,000 hotdogs for people who wouldn't otherwise eat today?
Could we set a better example in spending money on others than spending money on ourselves?
Are too many churches hiding behind the idea "that we are doing this to save souls" to justify spending money on themselves and their congregants?
Does the parable of the rich man and the widow have something to say about this (Mark 12:41-43), or does the multitude of deeds a large church can do put them in God's positive column, even if they are still spending lots on themselves?
Can we preach about the difference about knowing God's will and doing God's will and mention tithing to the church in the same message?
Can the cornerstone of a message's gimmick/theme revolve around the identity of a head pastor – or more simply stated, should we make a big deal about who the head pastor is at all times (or even more simply, can you lead a mega-church and not come off as arrogant)?
What is more important, the amount of money you take in, or the amount of people that attend? Or, how do we measure success?
Just because someone attends the "god-show" are we to assume they took anything from it?
Does spectacle equal experience?
Is it a mega-churches responsibility to lead the way in recycling by Serving God and Saving the Planet?
Does a large church have the responsibility to serve fair trade coffee so they can look the attendees in the eye and say "this cup of coffee did not oppress anybody" even if it means they have to spend a little more? Or is coffee unnecessary anyway?
Are gadgets God-approved spending, since after all, it gives people a better experience?
Do people attend because its God, or because its cool?
Is a mega-church a gateway, and can they only take you so far?
When you focus on toys and gadgets and gimmicks is it still possible to focus equally, or even more so, on God?
Is a mega-church like a Wal-mart to your local mom and pop shop?
I honestly don't have a lot of answers to these questions. I have heard stock answers to many of them and have spoken passionately about others, but either way, I think they are worth asking. I cannot condemn any church. I have my thoughts and opinions.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Just some thoughts
How can anyone say men and women aren't different? Other than the obvious genitalia issues, there are several proofs we are so different. What's the first one I can think of? Funnel Cake. Sure I like funnel cake, but would never stop and by one. On the other hand, women are genetically predisposed to buy funnel cake. When walking by a booth, or once the smell hits their nostrilsm its all over. She needs to have one. Period. If there was ever a true civil war between men and women. Men would not need to fight. We would just bake funnel cakes and poison them. The whole female race would be done in about 3 minutes.
Want to know how trapped by the consumer culture I am? I always buy the two-disc special edition of DVD's but I never ever watch the special features. But somehow, I feel I need to have them, you know, "just in case."
There is nothing you could say to convince me that Neil Diamond is not one of the best musical artists of our time. Sure he was not a great singer, and almost talks as much as he sings, but there is something about his music that just makes you happy. He is kind of like a white Bob Marley.
Want to know how trapped by the consumer culture I am? I always buy the two-disc special edition of DVD's but I never ever watch the special features. But somehow, I feel I need to have them, you know, "just in case."
There is nothing you could say to convince me that Neil Diamond is not one of the best musical artists of our time. Sure he was not a great singer, and almost talks as much as he sings, but there is something about his music that just makes you happy. He is kind of like a white Bob Marley.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Chuck Palahniuk
Chuck Palahniuk Quotes - But they are worth reading, and plus I made a few comments - Please indulge me and read. Or maybe even comment.
Rant quotes
My life may be little and boring, but at least its mine--not some assembly line, secondhanded,hand-me-down life. I think this captures the fear of my generation. We strive to be original, but that thought has already been taken, so we are not sure what to do
The future you have tomorrow won't be the future you had yesterday.
Fight Club quotes
It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything. Or as also said in the movie "the things you own, end up owning you" which is very true of so many people I know, mainly me. We are so consumer driven. How many times do I need to say it before I get it? What do I need to give up to better understand?
If you could be God's worst enemy or nothing, which would you choose? I just don't think this question is that simple or that easily broken down. Philosophical questions should have a great deal more than 2 options, but maybe thats who we have become, a bunch of people who think and wish life could be that simple, and then are left empty when we realize its not. Our lives have a lot more than 2 options.
This is why I loved the support groups so much. If people thought you were dying, they gave you their full attention. If this might be the last time they saw you, they really saw you… People listened instead of just waiting for their turn to speak. And when they spoke, they weren’t telling you a story. When the two of you talked, you were building something, and afterward you were both different than before. I have said it before, and I will say it again, most of this worlds problems, and most of your problems would be fixed if we just shut the hell up and took time to listen to people. Sure this could seem like a paradox, but we just need to take turns, and make sure its not your turn first. You listen, then talk. Maybe if we lead with the listening example then people we know we learn to hear us. But then again, here I sit giving advice instead of listening. I am the problem.
A minute of perfection was worth the effort. A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection.
Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. Singing a praise tune, or owning a Bible, or memorizing a scripture or having a bake sale does not make you a follower of Jesus, but it probably does make you a "christian"
Our fathers were our models for God. If our fathers failed, what does that tell you about God? There is a lot of truth to this. You view God like you view your father. Think about it. Is your father distant? than to you, so is God. Is your father mean, or unjust? So is God to you. Lets be thankful for good fathers (and mothers) and hope in a lot of cases we can do better.
Look up at the stars and you're gone. Not your luggage. Nothing matters. Not your bad breath. The windows are dark outside and the horns are blaring around you. The headlights are flashing high and low and high in your face, and you will never have to work again. You will never have to get another haircut. This is why I shaved my head. A haircut was just too stressful. Thank goodness modern marketing has told me to "Relax, Your at Great Clips"
This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time. SO why in the hell aren't you doing anything? But I guess I should talk
I just don't want to die without a few scars.
You know that saying about how you always kill the one you love? It works both ways.
If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person? How little redemption have I truly offered the world by the way I have lived?
You just had a near life experience.
We are selling women their fat asses back to them. I love the topic of consumerism. I could talk about it all day. Maybe I should put up a billboard about it to raise awareness. . .
Invisible Monsters quotes
If I can't be beautiful I want to be invisible. It was bad enough we made women feel this way, but now "metro" men are feeling this way too. This happened in Rome too, they started to value beauty over everything else. That went well.
When did the future switch from being a promise to a threat? When did I start waking up wishing I could go back to sleep? That stupid choral arrangement in the eighth grade told me that everyday was a promise. We have marketed a terrible life, which has sold a great deal of products. Most recently, I decided I needed an apoxy putty. I am not even handy
Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I've ever known. I copy quotes from other authors and feed off their ideas . . . as evidenced here.
When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves. Too bad the next logical statement wouldn't be "When we don't know who to love, we love ourselves" It more likely goes "When we don't know who to love, we hate ourselves" Of course if we keep relying on someone to love us to validate our own self worth then we are going to go no where, but. . . maybe if the Creator of matter tells us we matter, than maybe we are going somewhere
Beauty is power like money is power like a gun is power.
Given the choice between grabbing a strange tongue and watching a monster poop into a giant snail shell, the face retreats and slams the door behind it. This is too deep for me, but I just had to include it
The one you love and the one who loves you are never, ever the same person. This comes across as cynical and terrible and awful, but may be more true than it should be
As soon as we become boring we die. Never ever become boring. Here's to creativity. But we will just keep taking the arts out of schools and keep mass-producing hip-hop albums until nothing is left. The average life expectancy may decline to 34
Survivor quotes
Today is the kind of day where the sun only comes up to humilate you. I think of that one anti-depressant commercial with the little blob thats walking around depressed. Have you seen that one? I heard on TV that 10% of adult women are on anti-depressants. What have we done to ourselves?
Reality means you live until you die...the real truth is nobody wants reality
The only difference between martyrdom and suicide really is press coverage.
It's only in drugs or death that we experience anything new and death is just too controling I am not condoning drugs, but isn't it strange how true that quote sounded to you for a second? And I have never even done a drug . . . .
Everybody thinks their whole life should be at least as much fun as masturbation Sorry to include this, but I think its poignant. I think of Kevin Spacey in American Beauty when he says masturbating is the highlight of his day. What should be the highlight of your day? And I am not going for a generic answer cause I don't have it, but if you even thought something cliched like, spending time with God, you are farther along than me.
The cultures that don't castrate you to make you a slave, they castrate your mind.
The joke is, we all have the same punch line.
Choke quotes
Art never comes from happiness. So please die Thomas Kinkade . . .I meant that metaphorically, or figuratively or whatever that was. It was not a death threat
'We don't live in the real world anymore,' she said. 'We live in a world of symbols.'
Until you find something to fight for, you settle for something to fight against. I fight people at Bengals games, and the ones I love, while people are dying in Africa and starving on the streets of Cincinnati. I have my priorities in line.
Lullaby quotes
Maybe we don't go to hell for the things we do, maybe we go to hell for the things we don't do. He may be on to something, and I am not talking about the Sinner's Prayer
The only biodeversity we're going to have left is Coke versus Pepsi.
Diary quotes
Just for the record, she still loves you. She wouldn't bother to torture you if she didn't.
We have no scar to show from happiness. We learn so little from peace.
That's the American Dream: to make your life into something you can sell.
Some stories, you use up. Others use you up.
Rant quotes
My life may be little and boring, but at least its mine--not some assembly line, secondhanded,hand-me-down life. I think this captures the fear of my generation. We strive to be original, but that thought has already been taken, so we are not sure what to do
The future you have tomorrow won't be the future you had yesterday.
Fight Club quotes
It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything. Or as also said in the movie "the things you own, end up owning you" which is very true of so many people I know, mainly me. We are so consumer driven. How many times do I need to say it before I get it? What do I need to give up to better understand?
If you could be God's worst enemy or nothing, which would you choose? I just don't think this question is that simple or that easily broken down. Philosophical questions should have a great deal more than 2 options, but maybe thats who we have become, a bunch of people who think and wish life could be that simple, and then are left empty when we realize its not. Our lives have a lot more than 2 options.
This is why I loved the support groups so much. If people thought you were dying, they gave you their full attention. If this might be the last time they saw you, they really saw you… People listened instead of just waiting for their turn to speak. And when they spoke, they weren’t telling you a story. When the two of you talked, you were building something, and afterward you were both different than before. I have said it before, and I will say it again, most of this worlds problems, and most of your problems would be fixed if we just shut the hell up and took time to listen to people. Sure this could seem like a paradox, but we just need to take turns, and make sure its not your turn first. You listen, then talk. Maybe if we lead with the listening example then people we know we learn to hear us. But then again, here I sit giving advice instead of listening. I am the problem.
A minute of perfection was worth the effort. A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection.
Sticking feathers up your butt does not make you a chicken. Singing a praise tune, or owning a Bible, or memorizing a scripture or having a bake sale does not make you a follower of Jesus, but it probably does make you a "christian"
Our fathers were our models for God. If our fathers failed, what does that tell you about God? There is a lot of truth to this. You view God like you view your father. Think about it. Is your father distant? than to you, so is God. Is your father mean, or unjust? So is God to you. Lets be thankful for good fathers (and mothers) and hope in a lot of cases we can do better.
Look up at the stars and you're gone. Not your luggage. Nothing matters. Not your bad breath. The windows are dark outside and the horns are blaring around you. The headlights are flashing high and low and high in your face, and you will never have to work again. You will never have to get another haircut. This is why I shaved my head. A haircut was just too stressful. Thank goodness modern marketing has told me to "Relax, Your at Great Clips"
This is your life and it's ending one minute at a time. SO why in the hell aren't you doing anything? But I guess I should talk
I just don't want to die without a few scars.
You know that saying about how you always kill the one you love? It works both ways.
If I could wake up in a different place, at a different time, could I wake up as a different person? How little redemption have I truly offered the world by the way I have lived?
You just had a near life experience.
We are selling women their fat asses back to them. I love the topic of consumerism. I could talk about it all day. Maybe I should put up a billboard about it to raise awareness. . .
Invisible Monsters quotes
If I can't be beautiful I want to be invisible. It was bad enough we made women feel this way, but now "metro" men are feeling this way too. This happened in Rome too, they started to value beauty over everything else. That went well.
When did the future switch from being a promise to a threat? When did I start waking up wishing I could go back to sleep? That stupid choral arrangement in the eighth grade told me that everyday was a promise. We have marketed a terrible life, which has sold a great deal of products. Most recently, I decided I needed an apoxy putty. I am not even handy
Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I've ever known. I copy quotes from other authors and feed off their ideas . . . as evidenced here.
When we don't know who to hate, we hate ourselves. Too bad the next logical statement wouldn't be "When we don't know who to love, we love ourselves" It more likely goes "When we don't know who to love, we hate ourselves" Of course if we keep relying on someone to love us to validate our own self worth then we are going to go no where, but. . . maybe if the Creator of matter tells us we matter, than maybe we are going somewhere
Beauty is power like money is power like a gun is power.
Given the choice between grabbing a strange tongue and watching a monster poop into a giant snail shell, the face retreats and slams the door behind it. This is too deep for me, but I just had to include it
The one you love and the one who loves you are never, ever the same person. This comes across as cynical and terrible and awful, but may be more true than it should be
As soon as we become boring we die. Never ever become boring. Here's to creativity. But we will just keep taking the arts out of schools and keep mass-producing hip-hop albums until nothing is left. The average life expectancy may decline to 34
Survivor quotes
Today is the kind of day where the sun only comes up to humilate you. I think of that one anti-depressant commercial with the little blob thats walking around depressed. Have you seen that one? I heard on TV that 10% of adult women are on anti-depressants. What have we done to ourselves?
Reality means you live until you die...the real truth is nobody wants reality
The only difference between martyrdom and suicide really is press coverage.
It's only in drugs or death that we experience anything new and death is just too controling I am not condoning drugs, but isn't it strange how true that quote sounded to you for a second? And I have never even done a drug . . . .
Everybody thinks their whole life should be at least as much fun as masturbation Sorry to include this, but I think its poignant. I think of Kevin Spacey in American Beauty when he says masturbating is the highlight of his day. What should be the highlight of your day? And I am not going for a generic answer cause I don't have it, but if you even thought something cliched like, spending time with God, you are farther along than me.
The cultures that don't castrate you to make you a slave, they castrate your mind.
The joke is, we all have the same punch line.
Choke quotes
Art never comes from happiness. So please die Thomas Kinkade . . .I meant that metaphorically, or figuratively or whatever that was. It was not a death threat
'We don't live in the real world anymore,' she said. 'We live in a world of symbols.'
Until you find something to fight for, you settle for something to fight against. I fight people at Bengals games, and the ones I love, while people are dying in Africa and starving on the streets of Cincinnati. I have my priorities in line.
Lullaby quotes
Maybe we don't go to hell for the things we do, maybe we go to hell for the things we don't do. He may be on to something, and I am not talking about the Sinner's Prayer
The only biodeversity we're going to have left is Coke versus Pepsi.
Diary quotes
Just for the record, she still loves you. She wouldn't bother to torture you if she didn't.
We have no scar to show from happiness. We learn so little from peace.
That's the American Dream: to make your life into something you can sell.
Some stories, you use up. Others use you up.
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