Thinking in Progress is the online journal of Jason Salamun.
A guy who loves Jesus but hates religion. A man who loves his wife and married way out of his league. A dad who's got the coolest kids on the planet but is himself, a goofball. A church planter with a bit of a maverick streak but never without good reason.
Sincerely,
Jason Salamun
“Destiny’s powerful hand has made the bed of my future, and it’s up to me to lie in it...And you don’t fight destiny. No sir. And, you don’t eat crackers in the bed of your future, or you get all… scratchy.”
~ The Tick
As I read about the cyclone that devastated Myanmar, I was floored when I saw that over 100,000 people may have died as a result.
Let that sink in.
100,000 human beings.
And yet, my biggest complaint today is the gas prices.
On CNN.com, Bishop T.D. Jakes gives his take on the issue of politics, church, and race.
This is a very timely piece considering the effect Barack Obama’s pastor has had on his campaign. In the midst of Jakes words, I thought there were some insightful takeaways related to church.
“It is a breathing, living testament to God’s love and grace. It serves its community where it is located and is aware of the needs and nuances of that community. However, its relevance and vision must go beyond its community and reach the world for which Christ died.”
“I personally wish the distinctions of the church by ethnicity would one day become an antiquated idea.”
“I am afraid that once again our churches will be victimized by stereotypical ideas and opinions that are based in whole or in part by the extreme and not the norm.”
“…the core message is not one that enrages, but one that encourages people to change and grow, and any other depiction is distorted and inaccurate.”
“Let’s get back to listening for leadership strategies from our best and brightest before there is no country left to lead. My hope is that the church remains a vibrant part of our process, sounding the alarm that warns: America, please wake up out of our sleep!“
I read a story titled, “Jesus Made Me Puke” on RollingStone.com that disturbs me on so many levels.
The premise of the story is the reporter, Matt Taibbi, wanted to get an inside look at the “Christian right.” Rather than going to a mainline church, he decides to go to the fringe by attending a hyper-charismatic “weekend encounter” in Texas. This retreat was designed to “set people free” in some sort of tongues-a-thon where supposedly demons are cast out and people are healed from whatever is ailing them. The reporter masquerades as Matt Collins, a guy who’s dad was a drunken, abusive circus clown (chuckle) and plays the role all weekend. He then recounted his adventure in this Rolling Stone piece.
I will say that this “weekend encounter” sounds like a bunch of malarkey and it does not represent the majority of Christians. But to pass it off as representative is just cheap reporting. I’ve been known to poke fun at the yo-yo’s on TBN who slap foreheads, sit on thrones, and constantly ask for money. But Taiabbi clearly has an agenda and he found the right target to support it.
The story is not surprising. It is, however, embarrassing and reinforces the perceptions many people have about Christians. That we’re politically-driven, anti-everything, unintelligent nut jobs that barely resemble Christ. Regardless of whether it’s true for you and I- it’s a real perception that we need to acknowledge.
If we are truly following Jesus, then we should be known for love. And there are many great Christ Followers who bring a little bit of heaven on earth that never get reported in Rolling Stone. Which is too bad because that would be a great story and would, if nothing else, represent who we’re trying to be like- Jesus.
In the midst of this slanted piece, there was some humorous, outrageous, and some sad-but-true observations.
Here are a handful:
“The more you shout out praising the Lord, singing along to those awful acoustic tunes, telling people how blessed you feel and so on, the more a sort of mechanical Christian skin starts to grow all over your real self.”
“When most Americans think of the Christian right, they think of scenes from television — great halls full of perfectly groomed people in pale suits and light-colored dresses, smiling and happy and full of the Holy Spirit, robotically singing hymns at the behest of some squeaky-clean pastor with a baritone voice and impossible hair.”
“Fortenberry [the preacher] then started in on a rant against science and against scientific explanations for cycles of sin. ‘Take homosexuals,’ he said. ‘Every single homosexual is a sexual-abuse victim. They are not born. They are created — by pedophiles.’ The crowd swallowed that one whole. One thing about this world: Once a preacher says it, it’s true.”
“I told my nephew to look around the house,” Fortenberry continued. “I said, ‘Do you have a copy of Harry Potter?’ And he said yes. And I said, ‘That’s your problem.’ So I told him to go get that copy of that book, tear it in half and throw it out the window. So he does it, and guess what? Both of those kids stood up completely recovered, just like that.”
“In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, I cast out the demon of the intellect!” Fortenberry continued. “In the name of Jesus, I cast out the demon of anal fissures!”
“The whole thing — the demonic expulsions, the trading of miraculous wives’ tales, the crazy End Times theology based on dire predictions that come and go uneventfully once a year or so — it’s all a con that is done with the consent of the conned. Which is what gives it strength. If everybody agrees to believe, it is real.”
Read the story and let me know what you think.
I also recommend the book “unChristian” which deals with these perceptions and how we can go about changing them.
Genuine - [gen·u·ine] adj
Definition: Presidential candidates reciting lines to appeal to the cynical 18-34 year-old male demographic called professional wrestling fans. 
First of all, Idol Gives Back, is incredible. It really is. No child- anywhere- should be without food and even more- without hope. It’s great to see such a huge platform being used for good.
If that wasn’t enough, the show concluded with the contestants singing “Shout to the Lord.” Are you freakin’ kidding me? That blew me away. Didn’t they get the memo that you’re not supposed to do stuff like that on national television?
What Idol has done is what the church should be doing. Being “recklessly compassionate” (thanks Josh) and inspiring others to do the same.
I would have loved to see some churches as major sponsors and partners along with all of the companies listed. Maybe next year. If nothing else, churches can begin to impact the cities where they are. One life at a time. And it starts with you and me.
Awesome! Kudos American Idol.
It’s funny because it’s real.
Thanks to my friend Kris for passing it on.
Here are some picks as we head into the weekend:
Sports- Patriots will win the Super Bowl. No me gusta NY Giants. (I’m a Philly fan)
Movies- Let’s see? U2 in 3D or Hannah Montana in 3D? Hmmm.
Politics- As things stand right now, my bet’s on Barack Obama becoming our next president.
Podcasts- The “Ask Anything” series by Mark Driscoll (pastor @ Mars Hill Church), is off the hook. But then again, I have the proclivity to dig most everything from Driscoll.
Books- Reading “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath. Vision is so important in church planting. So far, this book is dynamite!
I ran across this excellent work from the blog of the design company- Ministry Growers.
It was in response to the news that the “Westboro Baptist Church” will protest Heath Ledger’s funeral. These are the same bozos that go around protesting funerals of U.S. soldiers- even in my hometown. For the record, I don’t know of any Christians or churches who endorse what these bozos are doing. Their message is one of hate. Which doesn’t align with Jesus’ life and teachings.
If there’s one thing Christ Followers should be known for is love. I think this design reminds us and challenges us to love everyone. You can grab a poster of this design here. Thanks to the gang at Ministry Growers for putting their talent to good use.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day reminds me…
…to see beyond what is and dream of what could be.
…that true love is backed up with action.
…that hope can ignite a movement.
…that words have power and should be used with great care.
…that the inside of a cup matters more than the outside.
…that what we live for should be worth dying for.
…that we’re not there yet.
…to not conform to the pattern of this world.
…that God uses unlikely people for remarkable purposes.
…that “the end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.”
“I still believe that standing up for the truth of God is the greatest thing in the world. This is the end of life. The end of life is not to be happy. The end of life is not to achieve pleasure and avoid pain. The end of life is to do the will of God, come what may.”
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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