HIATUS

Faithful C2 readers: I will be back soon. The tail end of 2009 has been full of ups and downs (I was sick with pneumonia, had several ministry challenges, commitments and more). With the Christmas season here and my increased level of commitments (family and church) I have decided to take a small break from blogging and plan to return in January 2010 (3 weeks away). Thank you for your understanding.

Merry Christmas to you all. Happy New Year.

Let us never forget to thank God for His Grace and to live lives dedicated to loving God with all of our thoughts, actions, desires and more. And when we fall short of doing that, let us turn back to Him who has already given us life and Grace in abundance!
Philippians 3:1-14

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Bud-Bucks? Caribou Cannabis? Green Mountain Hemp? Dunkin Dope? Java Janes? Daily Chronic?

So it turns out that Amsterdam is coming to America. Legalizing marijuana (for "medicinal purposes" - though it is still banned federally) all but ensured this would happen eventually... well that time is now.

In a sort of "don't ask, don't tell" kind of way, the Cannabis Cafe is distributing medical marijuana and providing a room that is out of public sight for users to get toked, er treat their ailments together... over a cup of coffee, a snack and whatever else they need to cure their munchies... er, deal with the effects of their medical treatment. One day in the not too distant future the cafe plans to offer Cannabis Community College (too many jokes, I'll refrain) to educate their "medicated" constituents on the environmental benefits of hemp and how they can grow it themselves.

Seriously, for those that genuinely see the medical benefits of Pot, how does this benefit your cause? Why not have a Pharmacist on site to handout antibiotics, too? This way you can treat sinus infection and glaucoma AND treat your "case of the munchies" all at the same time.

I'm sorry, but for all the "benefits" medical marijuana may (or may not) have, this goes to show that it is nothing short of a step in the wrong direction. People are not as concerned with the science of Pot as they are the High. To guise a harmful drug as helpful (even if it is for certain symptoms or illnesses, it still presents users with other major health issues - not to mention it impairs their judgment) is dangerous and highly irresponsible.

LEGALIZE POT
Regarding the "people are going to do it anyway, why not legalize it?" argument (which is the real reason this cafe exists - the hobby of smoking weed), I will not waste much time on this other than to say - "really? That is your argument?" Let's see how that "people are gonna do it and it's fun" logic has worked out for the sexual revolution...

• Marriages are crumbling at record rates
• Pornography is everywhere now (and "sex addiction" is actually a real issue)
• STD's and unplanned pregnancies continue to climb (even with all those helpful "safe sex" school talks)
• Sexual appetites are such now that healthy, thriving monogamous marriage relationships are boring and inadequate (so they think) to meet their needs
• Fetishes are now the norm and the only things really out-of-bounds (for now at least) are things that will land you on the news and in jail (which is still not enough to deter most)

So yes, please - let's go ahead and make a harmful drug the next new norm, too and fight those conservative, disconnected, ignorant nut jobs who only want to suppress "natural desires and pleasures." They have no idea what they are talking about.

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The (In)Tolerance of the Movie "2012"

The movie "2012" opens this week and goes to great lengths to show the end of the world. Based on the idea that the Mayan calendar supposedly predicts the end of the world on December 21, 2012 (or December 23, depending on who you talk with), director Roland Emmerich and writer Harald Kloser bring Kennedy back to the White House (that would be the USS John F Kennedy aircraft carrier as it lands on top of the White House in a massive tsunami), crush people praying for salvation with the Vatican in Rome (irony anyone), and otherwise destroy the world as mankind fights for their survival. In terms of film making and carnage it appears to be a brilliant piece of work. In the preview, however, there is a curious theme that struck me (and was recently confirmed in an interview with director Roland Emmerich): it appears that Emmerich is not much of a fan of faith or religion, evidenced by the religious relics or institutions destroyed in the preview (most notably Christian ones).

One might argue "it's an end of the world movie - churches and statues and such are going to be destroyed." I agree and have no issue with that, however, I do have an issue with the fact that, once again, Christianity is the primary target and one faith group in particular is spared (on screen, at least) - Muslims. The Kaaba in Mecca (the most sacred site in Islam) is intentionally spared by the director (and his co-writer) so as to avoid any death threats similar to those received by the cartoonist in the Danish newspaper for portraying a caricature of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. It is not that he did not want to destroy the site, but fear for his life led him to consider otherwise. From his interview...

"We have to all...in the Western world... think about this," Emmerich says at one point, regarding his choice to destroy Catholic symbols rather than Muslim ones. "You can actually...let..Christian symbols fall apart"-- actually, the director destroys them, but that's a quibble -- "but if you would do this with [a Muslim] symbol, you would have...a fatwa, and that sounds a little bit like what the state of this world is. So it's just something which I kind of didn't [think] was [an] important element, anyway, in the film, so I kind of left it out."

I'm sorry, but this is plain cowardice. If the director is so bold so as to mock God, His people, and their faith then it would only seem logical that he follow through and finish his product. It was important to destroy Christian symbols, Christian worshippers and mock them for praying, why not extend that same courtesy to our Muslim neighbors, too?

As I've said before - this is the new tolerance: tolerate all, but Christianity. Mock them, loathe them, and destroy them cinematically... there are no problems. Talk bad about a Muslim, mock a Buddhist, loathe a spiritualist and you are nothing but a bigot. See my blog post on the Playstation 3 game "Little Big Planet" and this topic of "tolerance": Offensively Offensive.

Note: Outside of one Tibetan Buddhist monk being annihilated by a giant wave in the preview, I have no idea if Emmerich demonstrates his disdain for religion with any other faiths other than Christianity. The interview does not shed any light on this either as it speaks extensively about Christianity and Islam. One thing is clear, though - he has no problem slamming Christianity and some level of worry or issue with misrepresenting Islam.

PARENTS: This is another example of a director wrapping his personal thoughts, philosophies and beliefs of the world into a nice, tidy blockbuster package. The message this time: "even your faith can't save you" (or "your God is a sham and a stupid crutch"). The major problem we face as parents, however, is not the message but the subtlety (or not so subtletly) in which it is portrayed. As I've said before, the world's loudest philosophers today are movie directors and musicians and they sell a pretty tempting message to the novice listener - namely our children and teens. Use this movie as a way of talking about the communication of worldview. Take your teen (if they're capable of handling the mature subject matter and content) and following the film ask: "What do you think the director thought about religion?" or "How do you think this movies' portrayal of the end of the world compares to the Biblical account?"

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Still Out (Hopefully Back Soon)

As you can probably tell, I am still out. It turns out the chest congestion is actually pneumonia. I am up and about, but still coughing quite a bit and lethargic. I pray I will be back by Monday with regular updates and posts. There has been some crazy stuff happening in the world of "pop culture" that I have tons of thoughts on (some of which may not get their own blog post, depending on other cultural developments):

- Devout, Mormon moms making sexy calendars
- The movie 2012 and religious discrimination, er tolerance
- Education's (Mis)education
- Inmates rescuing a prison guard
- The New/Old Mickey Mouse
- ABC's FlashForward and Predestination

My mind has been racing, but due to health limitations have had no outlet! I look forward to returning soon. Until then...

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Blog Readers

I am sorry for the delay in posts. I have been battling severe congestion in my chest for the last week and half or more. I'm hoping to be back regularly soon, but until I'm at full health, my posts are going to be a little less "regular". Sorry for the delay in posts... gonna try to post something by tomorrow regarding the Mormon faith, families, culture and morality.

Blessings...
Christian the Christian

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Don't Be Revolted Just Yet - You May Have More in Common with the "Balloon-Boy" Parents Than You Think

By now most people in the nation (the world?) know of the Heenes, though most probably still only know them as "Balloon-Boy's Parents". Like many across the nation, I was mesmerized by the footage and unfolding story of Falcon, the 6 year old boy who was rumored to have been stuck in his father's weather balloon. I prayed hard for the young man and his parents, who I assumed were worried sick. Then came the reports and images revealing he was not in the balloon, but had possibly been in the basket under the balloon, which pictures showed plummeting back to the earth; I was devistated. I could not fathom what those parents were going through. Fast forward a bit later - the boy is safe in his attic and the parents "relieved" while secretly beginning to listen to the cash registers in their minds go "KA-CHING!"

It was a hoax. A story made up to gain notoriety and hopefully a reality show for their family. The emotional agony once held by the nation has now become a feeling of anger and disbelief: "How in the world could parents consider it in the best interest of their child/children to exploit them and make light of their safety for their own personal gain?"

Sadly, though - if we stop long enough to think about it, parents using (or "helping") their children for personal gain is all too common a story. Too often today parents willingly (though maybe unintentionally) position their children to be their meal ticket one day. The only difference between those parents and the Heenes is that the Heene's plan was intentionally played out on live television (not to mention they lied and violated several local and federal laws). Here are but a few examples of how some parents willingly capitalize on their children's interests/talents:

• One of America's biggest examples: Sports! Practice 4-6 days a week, games, hired "specialist" coaches, sports camps, trainers, gym memberships, etc. Sure, the kids like the sports, but at the heart of most of the kids, the desire to succeed is from the dreams and wishes of the parents - in other words, they want to make mom and dad proud.

• Beauty pageants. Fake eyelashes, fake hair (extensions or what-have-you), tanning, makeup, posture classes, personal trainers, personal beauty coaches, "healthy diets," constant pageants, talent classes (music, dance, singing, twirling, gymnastics or whatever), etc.

• Acting. Acting camps/classes, theater groups, constant auditions, "studying" (obsessing) about current Hollywood culture, dance classes, music classes, personal acting coaches, personal trainers, etc.

• Academic achievements. Personal tutors, excessive standards for grades ("nothing less than an 'A'"), special academic clubs, extra long homework sessions, extra trips to the library, additional assignments not given in school, pressure to apply to the Ivy League schools, etc.

The list could go on, but you get the idea. Unfortunately, this is too common a story in the lives of many parents. They consider themselves good parents for investing so much time and money in their child, but motivationally one must wonder who all the work and accolades are really for. This is not to say the parents are bad parents, either... just misguided. Instead of nurturing and guiding a child's desires or interests, they go overboard with ridiculous standards and push their own agendas, dreams or desires (maybe well-intentioned dreams for their children) on to their children.

I have no doubt that for the bulk of the parents who become part of this world that their chief desire is to provide the best life and future for their children. I believe they sincerely love their children, the Heenes included, and only want to provide the best for their present and future. However, I think ALL parents would be wise to reevaluate the future they desire for their children: what does that future look like? Is it what is really best for my children? What must we sacrifice to achieve that? Do we sacrifice too much and lose who we are as a family in the process?

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds." (Matthew 16:26-27)

Sports, acting, studying/learning, etc. are not evil endeavors. Matter of fact there is great value in many of those pursuits; however, there is a line we must draw. When they become so important that they become the top priority of our lives (evidenced by how we spend our time, money or resources) we must stop and reconsider our priorities. Have these endeavors replaced God in our lives or worship? Have we redefined who we are (or lead our children to define themselves) based on these achievements? Have these endeavors become idols? Checkout my post on this very common issue (in all of our lives!): "Turns Out Our Hearts Are Idol Factories".

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Image credit: REUTERS/KUSA
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Time to Audition a New Pastor?

Typically when people learn that I am a youth pastor they have one of three reactions...

(1) they immediately begin to confess sin as if I might offer them atonement for those sins ("I haven't been to church in a while... I've just been so busy," "I've been struggling with ------- sin, but hey - no one's perfect, right?", etc.), or

(2) they have an "Oh" reaction ("oh - you are?" as they withdraw as if I'm going to investigate their spiritual lives, or "oh... ok?" as in "who cares", or "oh, ok!" as in that's great that there is one of you somewhere), or

(3) they react like a 70 year old gentleman did the other day at the mall and ask "have you heard so-and-so preach before? He is a DYNAMIC speaker! He can preach that Gospel in a way I've never heard before!"

Matter of fact, his statement was actually: "Have you ever heard pastor so-and-so preach? (I said no and that I had never heard of him) Oh, boy he is dynamic! He presents the Gospel in such an amazing way!" I asked how long the pastor had been at his church and he said "oh, he's not our pastor - he was a guest speaker one day. I tell you what - I had no problem staying awake that Sunday! I'm 70 years old, I can fall asleep anywhere, but not when that man preaches because he yells and claps and sings and really gets you excited!" I spoke to him about whether or not he ever serves or encourages the pastor of his church with such kind words and he said "awwww, no. He can't deliver the Word like [Guest] Pastor so-and-so." I tried a couple of times to encourage him to seek more than a song and dance, and to see the value of his faithful Pastor, but he wouldn't hear it and eventually walked away.

This is not an isolated incident. I'm afraid this way of thinking is a major issue in the church! Unfortunately, it plagues almost everyone in and out of the church:

• Those who don't go because they find the TV preachers all the spiritual food they need
• Those who don't go because church is "too boring"
  
• Those who only go "when Pastor so-and-so is preaching because I understand him better"
• Church leaders who still go, but secretly wish their pastor were someone else
• Those who frequently change churches until they find one that has a dynamic and exciting pastor
• Those who have a new pastor
• Those who have a pastor who has been faithfully leading their church for a while
• Anyone else I have not mentioned

We live in a world where superstars no longer exist because they have now become idols. Even the church is not immune to this and people attend regularly hoping to be entertained. If the pastor lacks the skills to keep the congregation's attention, the people either leave, zone out, fall asleep, or stagger their appearances.

NEWSFLASH: God did call on Pastor's to be entertaining or dynamic! He called them to be faithful and capable of "rightly dividing the Word" (teaching the whole of Scripture)...

"Do your best to present yourself to God as an approved worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (1 Timothy 2:15)

You can also read the qualifications for a pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1-7.

NEWSFLASH: God's Word is so holy, relevant, true and sharp that it cuts to the real heart of the matter. No person is capable of bringing it to life more than it already does itself!

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." (Hebrews 4:12-13)

NEWSFLASH: God is not a fan of entertaining the masses! As a matter of fact, it is despicable to Him. (NOTE: Few churches actually claim to be entertainment factories; today entertainment is hidden behind the guise of being "relevant" or "engaging")

"Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths." (2 Timothy 4:2-4)

It is time we stop auditioning our pastors as if to find our next Church Idol winner. Instead of grading a pastor on "how exciting is he when he preaches?", we ought to be asking deeper questions such as:

• Is he a faithful man?
• Does he rightly teach the Word of God? (Does he challenge us to dive deeper?)
  
• Is he the same outside the walls of the church as he is inside?
• Is he beloved within the community and does he truly care about it?
• Does he lead his family well?
• Does he minister to his wife and children first and make them top priority?

PARENTS: We are often times the worst offenders! We not only want an exciting pastor to listen to, but a dynamic children's minister and ministry and a youthful, exciting and relevant Youth Pastor and youth ministry for our kids and teens. We so desperately want our kids to like being in church that we demonstrate to them our true priority is making sure they have fun versus worshipping God in a real way that transforms the whole of their lives (or ours, for that matter). Getting kids to show up in church is not the standard we ought to be shooting for! What should be our standard is showing them what a life transformed by God and commited to honoring and loving Him looks like.

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Image borrowed from sam.weiss.
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Real Church: A Message for the Skeptic, the Latte-Drinking Christian, the Seeker, the Zealot and Everyone Else

Here is an amazing article about the church that all should read. It speaks about the REAL church and it's got something in it for everyone:

• The skeptic
• The seeker (one looking for answers)
• The Latte-Drinking Christian/Spiritualist
• The Social-Club Christian
• The imperfect perfect person
• The Religious Zealot
• The every Sunday Christian
• The Tolerant
• The Intolerant

Here are two excerpts from this great article (written by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck), which was featured in the Washington Post:

"Here's what Bono, Oprah, and the guru speakers on PBS won't tell you: Jesus believed in organized religion and he founded an institution. Of course, Jesus had no patience for religious hacks and self-righteous wannabes, but he was still Jewish. And as Jew, he read the Holy Book, worshiped in the synagogue, and kept Torah. He did not start a movement of latte-drinking disciples who excelled in spiritual conversations. He founded the church (Matt. 16:18) and commissioned the apostles to proclaim the good news that Israel's Messiah had come and the sins of the world could be forgiven through his death on the cross (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:14-36)."

"We've been in the church our whole lives and are not blind to its failings. Churches can be boring, hypocritical, hurtful, and inept. The church is full of sinners. Which is kind of the point. Christians are worse than you think. Our Savior is better than you imagine."

Read the rest of the article here: "Church: Love It, Don't Leave It"

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