| #1121: Dare To Share |
[02 May 2008|11:18am] |
American Chicken Idol
Question -
What show still has kazillions of viewers after eight years - even though it is predictable as getting gas after eating Taco Bell?
Exactly! American Idol 8! Yep - it's back and its baaaaader than ever - though some might use the word ‘bad' in a very different way (as in this is, well, bad).
So what's predictable? Well, where shall we begin?
Maybe the possibility that Randy will utter the surprising phrase, “Yo Dawg - check it out” and “That didn't work for me dawg; it was kinda pitchy.”
Or could we guess that Paula might articulate some odd and semi-freaky comment like this:
"I want to squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rearview mirror."
Ohhhh Kaaaay Paula, that's an image of David Archuleta that I didn't need.
Or would you ever guess that Simon might be grouchy and critical of something that he asked the artist to do the WEEK BEFORE?
Yet despite all these facts, I'm not going to lie to ya - I still watch American Idol religiously. Each week, I get excited about seeing the performers but most of all, I love the whole ‘Idol Gives Back' deal. It is simply mind boggling to me (which doesn't take that much) to see one TV show raise $65 million dollars in one shot to help children across the planet.
So imagine my excitement then when the closing song of ‘Idol Gives Back' was actually a popular worship song by Darlene Czech called ‘Shout to the Lord.'
You know - as in the ‘Lord' being ‘Jesus.' But apparently no one told the singers about that small detail, because when the verse that proclaims ‘My Jesus, My Savior' came up, what came out was ‘My Shepherd, My Savior.'
Huh? Actually, it's not really that surprising, because what is also predictable is the fear on the part of American Idol to actually say the name ‘Jesus,' because it might actually offend someone.
Oh no! You should never offend anyone! Jesus never did…did He?
Well, yes. As it turns out, that's why He was crucified. And people are still offended today, because He claims to be the one and only singular narrow path to a relationship with God.
But we don't like to offend, do we? No. Sometimes though it's just unavoidable - especially if you call yourself a Christian. To be a Christian means you not only claim the name of Christ…you proclaim the name of Christ. And if you do, you will sometimes offend.
So how often are we like the American Idols? We're on the stage of life, trying to praise God with our lives - but when it comes down to the moment of truth - which is telling people the truth about Jesus - we quickly change the words and lose our opportunity.
And to do this, we need to go beyond the t-shirts and bracelets and engage people in a conversation about Jesus. Not about how He's your ‘homeboy' or how He was cool because He was a hippie with long hair and sandals. What people need to hear is that He claimed to be the only hope of salvation and eternal life in the universe. They need to be aware of the fact that all roads actually do lead to God - most to His judgment. One leads to His forgiveness - the one that goes like this:
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)."
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:18).
The cool thing is that the next night, the Idols came back and sang the song right. They proclaimed the name of Jesus before the world whether or not it offended anyone.
How about you?
Head: What you need to know about this truth
As Christians, we need to be bold in proclaiming the name and claims of Christ even at the risk of offending people.
Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
Read these words of Jesus carefully and let its message soak into your heart:
Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:37-38).
Hands: What you need to do about this truth
Take some time this week and ask your friends what words they would use to describe their perception of Jesus. Pray that God will use that to open up a conversation about His claim of being the only way to heaven.
|
|
| #1122: Dare to Share |
[02 May 2008|11:20am] |
The Evolution of a Conspiracy Theory
Are you a fan of conspiracy theories? You know - those seemingly crazy but intriguing ideas about what ' they ' never told you about ' this ' and ' that '. The secret and deceptive groups that keep the real story under wraps and buried like a single black bean in a Chipotle burrito.
Here are some of the more famous conspiracy theories I've come across:
* The assassinations of Lincoln and Kennedy were set up by the government.
* The Apollo Moon landing was a hoax.
* George Bush blew up the towers on 9/11.
* Area 51 is hiding the alien ships (and I think Elvis and Tupac as well).
Then we have men in black, shadow governments, and dozens of other things going on that could potentially keep you up all night in an official state of freaked-out-ness.
Ah - but have you heard about the latest conspiracy theory which is really no theory at all? It's a suppression of information and free speech scheme that exists in virtually every part of the country and the mainstream media.
What is the horrible and terrifying secret that places like the Smithsonian Institution and major universities can't have you finding out?
Get ready - here it is:
(in whispered tones) - There. Just. Might. Be. An...
Intelligent Designer!!!
Dum Dum Dummmmm!!!!
Noooooooooo! You mean there might be solid evidence that there's an intelligent mind behind the incredibly complex universe and design of human beings?
Well, yes. But there are many, many folks who are trying dang awful hard to keep this evidence as buried as the missing fossil record.
That's the whole point of the new movie by Ben Stein called Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.
I must admit - before I saw this film at a pre-screening, I knew there was some free speech muzzling going on here and there. But this film blows the lid off the conspiracy and reveals the systematic, and sometimes sinister, suppression of intelligent design theory by the Neo-Darwinist regime that is here-there-and-everywhere.
I won't give much else away - but I give this film two very big opposable thumbs up.
Of course Christians are the fortunate ones, because we've been given a Name for the Intelligent Designer. He told us who He is in the first verse of the Bible:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
The Hebrew name for God in this verse is Elohim - which essentially means 'God of all gods'. It's a name that stresses God's power and majesty - so you could insert the idea that Elohim is the 'designer of designers'.
So how do we know that God is the ultimate intelligence behind creation?
Check this truth out:
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him (John 1:1-3).
The 'Word' this verse is talking about is Jesus - and we discover that 'nothing was created except through Him' .
Can you picture this? Jesus Christ hurling out into nothingness, the very fabric of space. Then He grasps a handful of a few billion stars and flings them to their appointed places. After that, He grabs His brush, paints all the landscapes of the earth and speaks the plant and animal kingdom into existence.
But here's the best part. Saving the best for last, He scoops up lifeless clay and delicately forms a man named Adam - then breathes a breath of life into his lifeless form.
Isn't it cool that we can look around and not have to guess about where everything came from and who or what is behind this marvelous and mind blowing thing called life?
Isn't it also cool that even though some folks try and mute the voice of truth to protect a belief system which justifies about any sin possible, the voice of Truth will eventually win out?
So, if you're feeling a bit ordinary and useless because someone has downloaded a view of life that has boiled you down to random chance mutations in a meaningless and cold universe, expel that file immediately - because now you have a different view to choose from -
Handcrafted by Jesus Christ - the ultimate Intelligent Designer.
I think I like that view a whole lot better...don't you?
Head: What you need to know about this truth
God has revealed himself as the Intelligent Designer of the universe, which assures us that we are not a result of random chance and mutations. We are handcrafted by Jesus Christ!
Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
If you've ever struggled with self-image issues and self-confidence, this truth can be life changing. I'm not sure how anyone who views him/herself as a meaningless collection of chemical reactions can ever develop a solid self-image. On the other hand, what an amazing thought to know we are the result of the design of the God of the universe.
|
|
| #1123: Dare to Share |
[02 May 2008|11:24am] |
Somebody Hit the Cruise Control!
OK it's not like I haven't ever done anything strange or occasionally acted out in what might be considered quasi-psychotic ways, but the latest leak of the Cruise-ology video shows a side of Tommy that I really didn't expect. Of course, Oprah couch leaping is one thing, but an 8 minute lecture on how Scientologists are the 'only ones who can help' and they can 'create new realities' goes waaaaay past nationally televised furniture games.
And then there was the fallout. Lawsuits and threats and takedowns - oh my! Comments and discussions and blogs - oh my again! I definitely got a feeling I wasn't in Kansas anymore after being mentally chained to the surreal Scientology sermon that came chock full of turtlenecks and a seemingly endless loop of Limp Bizkit.
The thing that definitely caught my attention was the occasional comment posting that parallels the Cruise rant with Christianity - or at least some people's perception of it. Here's one sample:
To me he sounds exactly like one of those shiny-haired folks on the Trinity Network, talking about how their relationship with Jesus is so darned exciting and they just don't understand why more folks don't want to board that train. Which, I guess, raises the question of who would be more damaging to the populace at large, Crazy Scientologist Tom or Crazy Christian Tom.
Wow. And just how does one respond to that? Evidently this person has serious doubts and obvious misperceptions about the Christian faith. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I disagree with the parallels between Tom's performance and the wild-eyed televangelists who come off as 'the only ones who can help' and can help you 'create new realities' (if...the price is right!) - I guess my issue is a sadness that many folks haven't gotten a clear picture of what a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is truly like.
And whose fault is that? Yep, it's mine...and it might be yours as well, and it just might be time to 'leak' our own videos, only this time they contain a true and accurate representation of Christ followers. The great part is that Jesus laid it out in understandable and vivid terms in one of His most famous sermons. So jump off the internet for a few minutes and recline in the grass of ancient Israel. Look up and see Jesus on top of a mount and hear the words that should describe anyone who dares to call himself or herself a Christian:
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way."
Kind of a different picture than a shiny haired TV preacher man trying to get you to send money so God will 'bless you' - wouldn't you say? Jesus boldly proclaims that His followers are poor, mournful over their sin and the state of the world, humble, passionate about justice and mercy, pure in heart and mind, and set their sights on peace and righteous living. We realize that we are not the ones who can help, we can't 'create new realities' or 'unite cultures'...but we know Someone who can.
So if you are a follower of Jesus, think hard about how you come across to people when you are sharing the good news of the gospel. Obviously avoid semi-senseless verbiage and crazy-eyed maniacal laughter, but more than that, remember that you are simply one spiritual beggar showing another where to find the Bread of life.
Bottom line, be like Christ, and others will be drawn to Him through you. That's a message that should be spread faster than any leaked video in history!
Head: What you need to know about this truth
If we want people to be drawn to Jesus, we need to act more like Him.
Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
If Tom Cruise is *that* motivated by a faith we know to be a lie, how much more should Christians be excited about telling people about the truth???
Hands: What you need to do about this truth
Ask your friends about their perception of Christians and Christianity and see if there are any similarities with the way people are responding to this video. Then ask yourself if you are doing anything to contribute to any negative opinions.
|
|
| #1124: It feels like the egalitarian's are missing something.. whatever that means. |
[02 May 2008|11:30am] |
A while ago Harlequin and I were browsing the uni bookstore, and we found a copy of "The First Egalitarian Bible"... or something like that... which is, once again, a group of people trying to reinvent the bible and make it more exciting (which really isn't that neccessary)
So we flipped through it, no big deal, just another translation.. That while claiming to remove the male perspective of God, still called Him Father.... (What's up with that?)
Until Harlequin said, "Hey, turn to the Lord's prayer.."
Which said, not, "Lead us not into temptation.." but said... "Do not test us.."
And that was a bit like, woooooah, slow down. You can't just throw testing and temptation into the same bucket like that... they are not the same thing. They come from different sources. They have different outcomes. They are not the same.
I'm thinking these egalitarians are missing something. They just wanna lead happy comfortable lives where everything is easy.
Guess what.
Jesus didn't.
Trials will only make us stronger, and passing through the fire will only purify us. If the egalitarians want to rollick in their sin, in the comfortable way that things are.. well, I just hope that they're not being too complacent.
|
|