consumerism, free market jesus, and donald miller

A lot probably could be said about consumerism within christianity.

A lot probably SHOULD be said about this. How do you go about doing this?

- Unfortunately right now the most popular way of communicating information is through the mass production and selling of books.

- I find it ironic how I saw an advertisement on bluefishtv.com for a $30 dvd by donald miller

- http://www.bluefishtv.com/ProductDetails.aspx?cid=1001&id=2211&f=&cc=&csc=&ldr=&s=

- Yeah that made me laugh. The mass production and selling of a dvd that probably "challenges our assumptions on the way we look at our Jesus." Unfortunately it is from the same vein as things the dvd is against.

- Oh yeah, personally I think the ciriculum is overpriced. One 60 minute session or two 30 minute sessions and a discussion guide for 30 bucks? Sounds like an easy way out for youth pastors/ college pastors who don't feel like putting the time into teaching.

- Just my thoughts.

ben

Manhood, weightlifting, and John Piper

- Went to a John Piper Conference in Minneapolis. it was the Desiring God Pastors Conference.

- The speakers were good. D.A. Carson is great to listen to. Crawford Lorrits was suprisingly awesome.

- Two main themes I walked away with: Biblical courage. Man up and teach the bible. Don't be ashamed of it. its a holy book. And its authoritative.

- The other theme is to raise the bar. Don't dumb down anything. And don't settle for mediocrity.

- Yes its true, us evangelicals are lame. I am not denying this. Nor am I going to say "Im not really an evangelical, I am a conservative post modern who is stealthily working within evangelicalism

- This may be true, (except for the post modern part, I will adamantly deny this. Even though the music, movies, art, creativity, approach to blogging, and my critical wonderings about life, god, and progress, scream otherwise).

- But I am still an evangelical. Im not in a house church, and I don't light candles.

- After this conference I am fired up. I don't want to say I was questioning my call to vocational ministry, I am just tired. Last school year (marriage + full-time school + working full time, and then all the events that transpired this summer.) Which I now admit that I need to suck it up, because life happens to everyone. Even pastors. Especially pastors, others peoples lives happen to them.

- I want to recommit my life (not in an alter call sorta way) to the Lords service. I commit my studies, my thoughts, my heart, and my passion. Shoot, I'll even commit my money (or lack there of).

- I want to be courageous. Be brave. Like martin luther tacking a thesis on a door. Like polycarp. Like Jonathan Edwards. Christianity isn't meant to be easy. The prosperity gospel is a huge letdown. I want to get to a point to where I can face social ostracism against my entire culture (Martin Luther), I want to be able to stand up to getting fired from an early american mega church because people wanted to be able to reap the benefits of christianity without being christians (Jonathan edwards). And I want to be able to be brave enough to make the ultimate sacrifice for my faith (polycarp).

- I also want to raise the bar. I am staying an evangelical because I believe that it can be fixed. The mainline denominations went liberal, so evangelicalism rose. Evangelicalism is becoming shallow and seeker sensitive. I believe that within our means we should challenge people. Teach the bible, demand that people take ownership of their faith, and are trained as lay leaders to proclaim the truths of scripture to their circle(s) of influence. I myself want to be an approved workmen, not ashamed, I want to correctly handle the word of Truth. Unfortunately in the age of seeker sensitivity, and administrative pastors, this is not something that always happens. I pray that this is not my future.


Ben

carrot eyes

- On wednesday I was diagnosed with Carrot Eyes. At least that is what I told the 6th grade kids at youth group.

- I actually have karatitis which is some sort of inflammation of the eyes.

- The contacts I spent a lot of money on last march don't work. They do but...

- I am actually allergic to them. I am allergic to the silicone material they are made out of.


in unrelated news...

- I am fat.

- This is true, this was revealed to me today while shopping with my wife.

- I tried on all the pants (at least most of the larger sized pairs) and none of them fit.

- I went running tonight.


Ben