Jesus...On Sale, Aisle 6

Have you seen shirts that have the really clever phrases that speak of our "Christian" culture? I am sure you have. There are all kinds. Some look good, some look terrible. Some are clever, some are dumb. I have been ranting in my head lately over what seems like and increased volume of "Christian" marketing. It drives me nuts that there is a "Christian" music style. What is that anyway? Does that mean that it is a certain musical style? Does it mean it is because the lyrics are Christian? Does it mean that the person performing or writing the songs is Christian? (unfortunately, most CCM experts would say that last one does not define a Christian musician.) See my confusion/frustration. We (and I say this, because I support this industry by buying it's products) have successfully created a box in which we have placed the Gospel of Jesus and then have slapped a price tag on it. Has the marketing of Jesus truly spread the Gospel of Jesus? Has a t-shirt, claiming that "Jesus Is My Homeboy", led someone to the transforming Grace of God? Maybe? If none of these "products" were available, would the Gospel of Jesus still be heard and preached...Yes.

This is all something that is extremely confusing and also frustrating to me. I have bought into the Christian celebrity. If so-and-so has written it, it must be God breathed and valuable, especially cause it's the biggest and most expensive item here. I don't know how you guys feel about all this. Please hear me. There are amazing authors and songwriters and poets and teachers out there. we need to hear from these people. There is a ton of wisdom that can be gained by their experiences with God. In the same way, are we limited to this knowledge and wisdom by how much we can spend or what a publisher or record label or radio station thinks we should read, see or hear? It is a maddening circle.

I have been so encouraged lately to hear of churches like Life Church and New Spring and many others that have decided that there resources should be free and there should not be a price on getting the Gospel of Jesus into their community's hands. I respect this so much. I have been thinking about, what if, our church offered all the sermon CD's for free? Have we limited the spread of the Gospel by a price on a CD? I know the heart of our staff and they would be horrified if that were the case. I don't know if it is, but it is something that should be discussed.

So anyway, I don't know if I gotten anywhere with this besides taking on a good rant. I read this post today and it made me think more about what has been on my mind for the last week. I was referred to that post by this guy here. Take some time to read these articles and comments. I'd like to hear what you think.

Buy an iPhone...Kill a Kid

I've been reading an awful lot about the iPhone. Rightly so, it is big news and is a very cool little gadget for us techies. I've been reading about people who have one, people who want one and to my dismay...people who think the people I have previously mentioned should rethink there Christianity if they purchase one.

My wife and I were discussing this last night and frankly I wasn't nice to some people regarding their posts. I wanted to write this great post on whether or not it is right to own a $600 phone. I wanted to sound intelligent while at the same time speaking the truth...aggressively...in love. It started to remind me of the last election...Don't vote for something you agree with...just vote against everyone you don't agree with. I don't like that kind of attitude. I don't like the finger pointing in the Christian community and I don't like people telling me what Jesus would do when I try to order a Big Mac and fries. Frankly, the iPhone is not the issue and should not be used to sell, agree with or even disagree with a certain philosophy. It should not be used to guilt people into believing they just killed off 100 kids because they wasted the money elsewhere. And it should not be gloated over like some sort of "Columbus Conquering America" attitude.

I personally would love an iPhone. It will be my choice if and when I purchase one. It will not change the needs that others have or my responsibility to those needs. Yes, I said responsibility. The Bible is very clear to my responsibilities as a Christ Follower to those in need around me and abroad. I am doing my best to make decisions that allow me to be used by God correctly. I have and will make mistakes and I will choose correctly as well.

So, after I cooled down, I read this great post over at the SHLOG. I want to link to it so that you can hear his heart...that I believe is also my heart. It is well written.

This is silly!

Don't know if you've read this article, but I have to comment on it.

This is silly. First of all, how can anyone question someones "Christianity" based on a song or two. Do they even know this guy? This kid attended college in the late 90's there and they consider themselves the expert on where his faith is today, 10 years later? Based upon...a singing competition?!?! I don't mean to rant, but I'm pumped after a great morning at church, I'm excited about Easter coming up...and the Ducks lost. I am getting really tired of Christians raging on everything, especially themselves. Why is it that every time Christianity has a chance to be noticed, Christians destroy it? Some Christians are bent on attacking anything they don't consider "right". I go back to my thoughts on another post. I wish we could stand for more instead of fighting against everything. I have to say "we" even though I don't agree with anything this school has said, because we are on the same team. it just seems that most of the time, a lot of us our cleaning up after our brothers and sisters messes.

Alright, I'm done. I do appreciate what Cheryl Greene had to say at the end of the article though. I say go for it Chris...have some fun. Besides, I like your sense of humor.

This subject has been covered heavily

I was fortunate to go with my kids to see Switchfoot last night. My kids adore them. We were able to take my son last year for his B-day to see them, so he was excited to have them here in his home town. We new the promoter for the event, so the kids were able to hang out later and meet the guys. They really enjoyed it!

Anyway...why is it that people are so excited about everything but God. Or, have we been placed into some mold that says we aren't allowed to be active in our worship of God? I know everyone has there opinions about this (God has His too in His Word), but I guess my thought is somewhat sad. I watch people go crazy at concerts. then I go to church on Sunday and I watch them stare at worship leaders like me as if they could care less. What do we want? Pleasure? An experience? Are we looking to get something out of it? I think that may have something to do with it. Worship isn't about us, it is about whatever we are idolizing. We can't go to church and expect some amazing dramatic experience or loud music or a "celebrity" standing on stage. Or can we? Have we placed so much emphasis on needing a human being to be our attention or focus, that we have forgotten the Creator is there for our Worship and Praise. I think if people worshiped God like they worshiped people and music, they would be surprised to find that an experience with Him is like no other!

I hate everything! What's for dinner...

Alright, when did it become ok to be so angry? Every time I turn on the TV, someone is pissed. I'm not sure what it is, maybe caffeine, traffic, bosses? I'm not sure. It's almost necessary to be angry to communicate, or should I say to be heard. We don't discuss, we argue. We don't protest, we lash out. It’s like some sick and twisted fad. We don't listen, we hate. There's a word...HATE. When did we stop standing for something? I look around in our media (I know...maybe not the most accurate), and I don't hear any ideas. I hear hate. I listen to people "discuss" and very seldom do I hear "let's try this..." I hear "you can't do that". I don't get it. I look at politics and all I see is, "I don't have any ideas, but I don't like yours...or you, so I will vote against it...or you. We no longer vote for something, we vote against something. I want to hear ideas. I want to hear discussion. I long for the day when we agree to disagree and then respect those that God has placed in authority. Please hear. I am far from being some sort of political activist. Politics drive me nuts. But, I am willing to listen to my leaders and hopefully encourage and pray for them to be or continue to be God believing leaders for our country and us. This isn't about politics. This is about an attitude that is taking over society. And guess what. It will overtake the church just as easy. I would say in a lot of ways its already here. Let's start standing for a relationship with God. Remember that Great commandment thing?

Christian Music?

I was looking around at some other blogs and saw a link to this...

Christian music vs. music by Christians

I guess letting you know how I responded to it, is the best way to start this thing going...

I am concerned about one overwhelming theme here. How are we classifying accomplishment? Why is it necessary for any Christian to have any sort of worldly approval? Why is it necessary for any Christian artist to have any sort of approval from any person period? Christian artists of any style should be striving to be the best at what they do. Not by the world’s (or any peoples...Christians included) view or standards but by God's. Look at our standard...THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE! Is there any higher standard than we know of?!

Let's face it. If you've heard of a band or their music and you don't know them personally, it's probably not because they are good, but because they have been marketed well or they are popular (is there good music out there that is popular...yes...that's not my point). Music that we see everyday is about business...yes even the Christian music. If it's good and sells the labels keep it. If it isn't, they only get one try.

My point?

Lets give God our best! If our efforts are chosen to become something that more than our creator gets to see, let's praise God for the opportunity. Our life is what's important, NOT WHAT WE SAY. If our life is glorifying to God, so our will our words be. Should we preach, yes! Should we share, yes! Is it up to a song to do all of this, No! It’s up to us. Let's stop putting so much importance of example or witness on a couple of songs someone sings and place the importance back on the life of the Christian where it belongs.

The art of a Christian person is never for man. Say what you want...don't say anything...let it all be to the Glory of God! If you are faithful to this, He will use it for His glory...not mans!