I will tell you from the start - I love the Babylon Bee. It's brilliant, biting wit is unmatched. While I've found a few of the posts a touch mean-spirited and a few have bothered me a little, but the Bee has given me more than a few chuckles and "oh my goodnesses." My question today is not whether the Bee is funny or whether it is "spot-on" in its analysis. The question is whether there is a place in the Christian social media world for satire. Is There a Problem with "Christian" Satire? I recently copied this Babylon Bee gem to my site and had an interesting response. One of my … [Read more...] about The Ethics of Christian Satire: An Examination
Archives for August 2016
College football TOP TEN!
Here's the Top Ten in college football. Not my ranking but that found here. (1) Colorado (2) Georgia Notre Dame (4) Kentucky (5) Chattanooga (6) Alabama Florida (8) Hawai'i (9) Kansas Youngstown State _______________ Any questions? Four teams from the mighty SEC. This is the parody award, Fulmer Cup, that tracks the criminal achievements of various college football programs during the offseason and declares a "winner." Unfair? Perhaps. I think a swallow of bitter realism on life in America is good for perspective. College football is super … [Read more...] about College football TOP TEN!
Managing a Messy Church Like Yours and Mine
I remember when I could blame my mistakes on youth and inexperience. Those were the good old days. Now, I think I make fewer errors, but coming up with acceptable excuses is so much harder. When worse comes to worst I can always revert to the tried and tested Garden of Eden Hall of Fame excuse Adam used, “The woman you gave me…” He blamed both the woman and God in one short phrase. Brilliant. I have spent a lot of time in recent months trying to get my life in order. I’m talking here more about my stuff than about my spirit, though I’ve been working on both. I’ve been going through boxes … [Read more...] about Managing a Messy Church Like Yours and Mine
Anticipating Eternity
“For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ~Jesus, Luke 22:18 In Luke 22, Jesus was spending his final hours with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. During this time, he shared with them a Passover meal and took from it the bread and wine and gave them something new: a memorial supper. Some call this The Lord’s Supper others Communion—whatever our term, ever since in the church we have taken the bread and the cup and remembered what Jesus did for us in offering up his body and pouring out his blood on the … [Read more...] about Anticipating Eternity
Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem, Racism, and America
You can see him there between the Gatorade coolers, seated, while everyone else is standing to honor America. The National Anthem is playing and Colin Kaepernick, the (likely 2nd string) quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, is seated. It wasn't an accident. He was doing it as a protest. When asked, he said, I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and … [Read more...] about Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem, Racism, and America
You can’t spell “Cooperative Program” without “opera”
...so how about a little more "opera" in our Cooperative Program supporting and sustaining churches? Great composers have found the Holy Bible to be prime source material for that most outstanding of all art forms: the opera. Singers and musicians combining in a theatrical performance that tells a compelling story. My twenty and thirtysomething ministerial colleagues seem to be searching for the cutting edge in ecclesiastical life. Try working some of these in your contemporary worship concert/performance and climb to the top of the hip/hop church heap. Nabucco, Guiseppe … [Read more...] about You can’t spell “Cooperative Program” without “opera”
“Sex and the Single Christian”—a response
Cards on the table, here we go: I write this as a 36-year-old virgin. Believe me, I understand that a lot of people in this world think that idea is weird (and they probably think that I’m weird, too). But, you know what, that’s okay. I recently was engaged to be married in a couple of months and I am happy to be able to share that most physically intimate part of myself with just one beautiful lady. Why write about this? Because under the guise of the Christian faith, the Washington Post published an article recently by Bromleigh McCleneghan entitled: Sex and the single Christian: Why … [Read more...] about “Sex and the Single Christian”—a response
Why “All Lives Matter” Is Not a Helpful Response to “Black Lives Matter”
I am woefully behind my time on this post, but perhaps that is a good thing. I've been mulling this since the height of the Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter/All Lives Matter battle that erupted a couple of months ago. It has died down, at least to the extent that it is no longer on the front pages of the news, but the controversy still simmers. As soon as another situation occurs it will be back to the forefront and we will be discussing it again. So maybe now, when it is not leading the news cycle, is the time to discuss the issue with a little more calm. My premise, as the title makes … [Read more...] about Why “All Lives Matter” Is Not a Helpful Response to “Black Lives Matter”
Seriously. It is time to help Louisiana Flood Victims. This is Ridiculous.
I spent the weekend traveling across South Louisiana from Livingston Parish where 100,000 of the 130,000 people's homes were affected, to Baton Rouge, to Ascension Parish where there are still towns and neighborhoods cut off and under water. Everywhere I went, the devastation was plain to see - and overwhelming. This is a different kind of disaster. The outside of buildings are okay, but the insides of homes, churches, and businesses are ruined. And, the destruction goes on for miles and miles and miles. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost everything. The vast majority had no … [Read more...] about Seriously. It is time to help Louisiana Flood Victims. This is Ridiculous.
Southern Baptists: Time to Help Louisiana Flood Victims
HOW TO HELP: LOUISIANA BAPTISTS HAVE A CONTACT PAGE Tens of thousands of people displaced. Whole towns submerged under water. Livingston Parish has seen most of its homes destroyed. The town of Denham Springs was 90% under water. The Louisiana Floods caused by a low pressure system dumped over SIX TRILLION gallons of water on Louisiana. 2 feet of rain. Homes flooded. People have lost all of their possessions. Shelters have filled up with thousands of people. The Red Cross and FEMA are saying that this is the worst natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast. The cost of damage … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists: Time to Help Louisiana Flood Victims