Mii Jesus, I love thee, I know thou aren't mine

I was sitting around the other day, thinking, There just aren't enough video games where I can pretend to be Jesus. I see a church has solved my problem. They're blogging about it, too.

(HT: Brant Hansen)

Sunday on the wagon

I always like to peruse the newspaper websites of the cities where I used to live. I feel like I'm still connected if I keep myself informed of their local stories. A silly thing, I know, but it's nice to know what's happening.

I haven't lived in Chicago in 10 years. To be fair, I actually lived in Oak Park, one of the numerous suburbs around the city. We lived a mile from the Chicago city line. Of course, whenever someone asked if I actually lived in Chicago itself, I usually respond, "Oh, no - I lived just east of the city."

I found this interesting article in the Chicago Tribune - 10 Things You Might Not Know About Famous Evangelists. The article mentions current evengalists who are in hot water over their finances, Creflo Dollar and Joyce Meyer. One of the 10 things is a story about Billy Sunday:

Billy Sunday was a ballplayer for the Chicago White Stockings who became a well-known preacher. One of his most famous sermons was called "Get on the Water Wagon." A water wagon was a vehicle used to dampen dirt roads to keep the dust down. When a person gave up alcohol, it was said that he had gotten "on the water wagon" -- a slang term that was later shortened to "on the wagon."

Added: Speaking of Chicago, it's nice to see that the Bears beat the Broncos.

a Senate committee investigates several church "ministries"

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the ranking member of the Senate Finance committee, is investigating several major church-based ministries known for their leaders' lavish lifestyles and prosperity teachings.

"Recent articles and news reports regarding possible misuse of donations made to religious organizations have caused some concern for the Finance Committee," Grassley wrote to the ministries in letters asking for detailed financial records. (Source)

Let's look at the list of people and see how many have been affiliated with or seen on TBN, shall we?

• Kenneth Copeland
• Creflo Dollar
• Benny Hinn
• Eddie Long
• Joyce Meyer
• Randy and Paula White

the transgendered minister's delimma

I was reading this story, about the Reverend Drew Phoenix in the United Methodist church, and it got me thinking.

From the transgendered persons I've seen on television and read about in articles (I've never met any that I know of for sure), the majority - if not all - believe that they somehow were born in the wrong body, and they had to do something to change it. If Phoenix fits that profile, how could he worship a God Whom he believes made such a profound "mistake?"

the Internet Church

So, Christendom is taking advantage of the Internet age by developing this? No need to get out of bed, get dressed, gather your family together (if you have one), and go to church. All you need to do is log on, and you're at a "worship service."

Did Paul consider this when he said, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together?"

Brother, can you spare a dime?

More artwork from the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Or, perhaps you could spare $200,000:

proof that Christians have no creative "marketing" ideas

This shirt. Is it an "evangelistic tool?" Is it an insult, showing that Christianity is a religion "even a caveman/neanderthal can believe?" Who can say?

AND: This. Because not everyone can work at Dunder-Mifflin.

"Would you please find a seat? You must understand, distraction kills the anointing..."

... and I won't allow no one to distract me, so sit down now. I am not going to change."

So said Benny Hinn.

Bible action figures

It seems to me that these completely trivialize the Gospel, making the central figures of God's Word as nothing more than mere playthings. How are we to see them otherwise?

give 'til it hurts

So I was wandering around TV land the other day, punching random numbers on the remote control.

Cartoon Network.

Lifetime.

Bravo.

Weather Channel.

Suddenly, I found myself sucked into the vortex that is Trinity Broadcasting Network. Yes, it is the channel of the lady with the fake pink hair. It appears to be "Sharathon" time for TBN again, which means that you will be urged to call in (on an un-tollfree line) and "pledge" an amount that you will give to the network. I crossed paths with TBN in the evening hours, so I got to see some guy with perfect hair and gleaming white teeth talk about how God has to "bless" all the people who send in their "seed money." (Don't bother giving money to your local church - God wants you to send it directly to TBN). There were probably 30 people on the stage with him, all dressed impeccably. They all acted as if they believed what the man in the nice suit was saying: give your money to God (or TBN, which is the same thing), and He will give back to you - even more.

And I got to thinking: if all 3o of those people gave money to TBN, wouldn't God then give more money to them? And couldn't they in turn give all that money back to TBN, and then God would give them more? Why, these 30 people could fund TBN by themselves for years to come. What do they need my money for?

oh, my

If your church is doing a series on sexuality, make sure the ads for it aren't too sexy.

(HT: Challies)

bizarro Wiki

Wikipedia is a useful site with great info, but some of the listings in categories are downright bizarre. Check out the list of names under American Christians, and you will find Moby with D.L Moody just beneath him.

Anyone else find this a bit weird?