Sunday, November 22, 2009

We Have Moved


Never say never...but this is probably my last post at this blog. There will be Voyage Ministries updates and other posts made at my new blog http://davidbmclaughlin.com/. I am trying to consolidate all of my activities in one place.

Please come over to my new place, bookmark the site, get your rss feed and join the crew. You can also follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/davidbmc.

Love & Mercy,
David McLaughlin

What I Learned During My Sabbatical


Posted What I Learned During My Sabbatical at my new blog.

dm

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Team Griffis

Please pray for John Griffis, a teacher and coach from Bethany schools who fell off of his roof Saturday and is in a coma. Prayers are desparately needed.

You can track his progress here:

http://teamgriffis.blogspot.com

dm

Friday, October 09, 2009

I Dont Think You'll Like It


I have been mentally configuring a post that I will be writing in about a month or so titled, "What I Learned During My Year Long Teaching Sabbatical At Church" or something like that.

It will be brutally honest. I don't think you'll like it.

Stay tuned.

dm

Saturday, September 26, 2009

BeBe & CeCe New Video: Close To You

BeBe & CeCe Reunite


I could not possibly be more excited about a new album and tour from BeBe & CeCe Winans. The first in 15 years. Out of the top ten concerts I have seen in my life, two of those were BeBe & CeCe shows.

They really need a web presence though. The only thing I can find worth anything is cecewinans.com and bebewinans.net.

---------------
B&C Records Proudly Announces the Release of 'Still,' the Eagerly Awaited New Album from the Best-Selling Grammy Award-Winning Gospel Duo Bebe & Cece Winans

--First BeBe & CeCe Album in Fifteen Years Available Online & In Stores on Tuesday,
October 6

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug 31, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- B&C Records in conjunction with Malaco Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of Still, the highly anticipated and eagerly awaited new studio album from the platinum-selling chart-topping award-winning gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans. Still will be available online and in stores on Tuesday, October 6.

Still is BeBe & CeCe's first album in more than 15 years and is the reunion that has been on the lips of fans around the world since it was announced earlier this year. Since the their self-titled debut album in 1987, this chart-topping brother and sister duo topped the R&B and inspirational charts with their debut single, "I.O.U. Me," and generated Grammy nominations, Dove and Stellar Gospel Awards. BeBe & CeCe were the first African-American artists to receive significant airplay on CCM radio stations and the second African American artists to receive the Dove Award in the Group of the Year category.

Premiering 12 new BeBe & CeCe classics, Still includes the album's recently released lead single, "Close to You" which has received critical acclaim and success for its soul-stirring, smooth sound and pristine vocals. The video for the single was recently launched on Yahoo and can be viewed by logging onto http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos. Other tracks on Still include the heart wrenching "Grace," "Things" (featuring brother Marvin Winans), "Let It Be" (featuring Mary Mary) and "I Found Love" (Cindy's Song) which is destined to be the wedding song of the year.

With assistance from longtime producer and collaborator Keith Thomas, along with Warryn Campbell, Percy Bady, Peter Zizzo, Merv Warren and Mario Winans, BeBe & CeCe weave their love for God in a faith-fueled gospel sound that combines a tuneful blend of R&B, pop, soul, jazz and more.

Growing up in Detroit, MI, Benjamin "BeBe" Winans and Priscilla "CeCe" Winans were born into a home that birthed the first family of Gospel music. The Winans Family was led by a mother and father who taught their ten children the foundations of a Godly life and admonished them to use their voices for the glory of God. The success of their four brothers, The Winans, blazed a trail for BeBe & CeCe to create their own path of writing and performing music that would attract a legion of fans and change the face of Gospel music forever.

After the success of their debut album, BeBe & CeCe became the first Gospel pair to see their second album, Heaven, reach #1 on the Billboard sales charts in 1988 and also be certified Gold. The title track reached #12 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and also spawned two more hit singles with "Lost Without You" and "Celebrate New Life."

In 1991, the dynamic duo released Different Lifestyles featuring the single "Addictive Love" and a cover of the Staples Singers classic, "I'll Take You There." Both singles topped the R&B charts. From there, BeBe & CeCe released two more albums and after an amazing run of smash hits and albums, BeBe & CeCe went on to pursue incredibly successful solo careers.

With a phenomenal career that has spanned more than 20 years, BeBe & CeCe have become one of the most commercially successful gospel artists in the business. As a duo their accolades include five Grammy Awards, eight Dove Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, one Soul Train Award and over a dozen Stellar Awards. They have also racked up 12 chart topping R&B singles, as well as numerous #1 singles on Christian AC and CHR radio, three gold albums and one platinum album.

In conjunction with the release of Still, the BeBe & CeCe Reunion Tour will criss-cross the country later this year.

SOURCE B&C Records

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

So What's Up With David?


If you really want to know you need to be following me on twitter. That's where the action is.

http://twitter.com/davidbmc

The new blog will be fully functioning January of 2010 but is sparodic for now. Definitely not much happening here though.

dm

Monday, August 17, 2009

Entering The Ministry


When people ask me about entering the ministry I usually advise them to do something else. I figure if I can talk them out of it they didn't need to be in the ministry in the first place.

C. Michael Patton has written a stellar list about things to consider for the ministry. Must reading for those thinking about it.

I will only add a couple thoughts.

1. He emphasizes seminary education. The older I get the more important I think this is. It's harder than you think to "rightly divide the word of truth."

2. You must realize that ministry is about being a servant. If you are doing this to serve your ego or gain notoriety stop now.

Read Patton's list now.

dm

Sunday, August 02, 2009

If You Really Want To Know


My interest in this blog is fading fast. However, I'm not quite prepared to go fullblast at the new one.

But if you really want to know what's going on in my world you need to be paying attention over there:
http://davidbmclaughlin.blogspot.com/

I'm also on twitter now. Come follow along:
http://twitter.com/davidbmc


Btw,Hurt Locker was a really good movie.

dm

Saturday, July 25, 2009

iMonk Blasts Paula White in Tampa Bay Online


From an article in Tampa Bay Online about Paula White returning to pastor her ex-husband's church:

Some critics are concerned about Paula's message, not her gender or marital status. They say Paula's return is about money, not restoring spiritual order.

"In the end, it's an audience retention operation," said Michael Spencer, a Baptist pastor in the ministry for 30 years who wrote a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor about what he sees as evangelicals' coming implosion. "The Christian mission has been traded in for a financial scam."

Spencer doesn't consider the Whites to be evangelicals. "These are motivational speakers and financially motivated quacks playing on the materialistic desires of Americans and their worship of greed over God."

For those reasons, Without Walls will fail and serve as a cautionary tale to others, Spencer said.


Full article here.

Amen brother, preach it!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Rule of Thumb


"A good rule of thumb is if you spend more time hearing someone else tell you what the Bible says than you do actually reading the Bible yourself, you’re out of whack."

- Jared Wilson, via iMonk interview

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New Look

I've been working on a look for the new blog. Tell me what you think!

http://davidbmclaughlin.blogspot.com

dm

iMonk Wins


I just realized that I reference iMonk more than anyone else on this blog...thus he must be my favorite blogger.

He killed it again today.

You MUST read his post about The Gospel. Fantastic. Just fantastic.

dm

Friday, July 17, 2009

Newchurch Joins This Decade!


Thanks to the techno skills of Chris Gray, my church, Newchurch, has moved into the year 2000 by starting a blog so they can communicate announcements to their parishioners. They still dont have an email announcement list like every other church in the world but this is even better as far as i'm concerned.

I can't wait until 2034 when they start Twittering!

In all seriousness-THANKS CHRIS!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Credo House Now Open

[From the Daily Oklahoman]

There is a place to enjoy a Calvin Cappuccino or a Luther Latte while getting a fuller understanding of Biblical theology.

The Credo House of Theology opened last week, offering a place for theological training, conversation with Biblical scholars or just to hang out.

The Rev. Michael Patton, president of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries, calls the Credo House of Theology “an evangelical theological hub.”

“We want people engaged in the church history, understanding the lineage of the Christian faith, understanding a defense of the faith and reclaiming the intellectual element that has historically characterized our faith,” he said.

Patton received a master of theology degree in New Testament studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and served on the staff at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, for six years. He returned to Oklahoma to open the Credo House of Theology.

“God wants us to be holistic in our thinking,” he said. “So there is a very strong emotional element tied to what we believe but it’s not merely an emotion, it is also a conviction.”

The hub of the ministry is the Theology Program, which includes lessons on DVD and online meetings with teachers and students worldwide.

“It’s a seminary for lay people,” Patton said. “It’s taking all of the theology classes that we get in seminary, not dumbing them down in any sense, but the content is the same.”

The Credo House of Theology also offers courses and events for children, teens and pastors. “We want this to be a safe place where people can come and get answers,” Patton said.

His sister, Lindsey Price, head of development said, “If you don’t ask you might lose your belief because you have no basis for it. So that’s why this place is so important.”

Credo House of Theology is north of Memorial Road and east of Santa Fe Avenue at 109 NW 142, Suite B.

Visit the Credo House site.

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Average Church


iMonk has posted an article by Michael Bell which is an excellent analysis of "average" church size. Is it 75 or 184? Which result do you believe?

It all depends on mean or median (for your stat folks).

Highlights of the analysis:

- Imagine you are looking down a very, very long street, and all the churches of U.S. are lined up along the left side of the street from smallest to largest. In behind each church are all their Sunday morning attenders.

If you counted the grand total of everyone standing behind each church and then divided this number by the total number of churches that you see on this very long street, you would come up with a “mean” or “average” size of 184. “Mean” is usually what we mean of when we think of “average”.

- It isn’t until you reach a church of size 400 that you will have the same number of people behind you as in front of you. This means that half of church attenders in the U.S. go to churches larger than 400. If we were to use the word “average” again, we would see that the “average” or “median” churchgoer was in a church of 400. Not only that, but this means that half of all those who attend church are in less that 10% of the churches!


Be sure to check out the entire article. The chart alone is worth the price of admission.

dm

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Paula White Takes Over Ex-Husbands Church


Ok...Paula White is stepping in to be the new pastor of the church she used to pastor along with her husband who is now her ex-husband because since they divorced for "drifting apart" the church is now millions of dollars behind and the pastor (ex-husband) now has health problems related to stress that are causing him to step aside and she agreed to step in and be the new pastor to rescue it financially.

Yeah...I know that was the longest run on sentence ever. I did it intentionally. This is the kinda stuff I used to talk about on this blog and I just dont give a crap anymore. Looking forward to the new blog.

Story here.

Sample Post


Wanna know what the new blog will be like at http://davidbmclaughlin.blogspot.com/ in 2010?

There is a sample there today.

Check it out.

dm

Saturday, July 11, 2009

3.0 on the Way!!!!!

copied from Voyage Radio 2.0
--------

I have really enjoyed doing Voyage Radio 2.0, especially the interviews. When we finished the Original Voyage Radio I knew I didnt want to quit but wanted to continue doing the podcast in some way thus came 2.0.

I have been taking a teaching sabbatical at church this year and have been re-thinking my future. I do not have everything figured out but it is halfway over and I have figured out a few things.

Part of it is that I am going to be doing a new blog and podcast starting in January 2010 with a whole new look and vibe. It will be centered around my new mission statement.

Everything will be found at http://davidbmclaughlin.blogspot.com/

Be sure to go bookmark it now so you won't forget to get on board. More announcements coming soon!

dm

The Problem With..Well, I'm Not Sure Who


Newsweek has an article entitled, Why Barack Obama Represents American Catholics Better Than The Pope Does.

Geez.

Nothing against the president in my gripe here. He didn't write the article.

I'm not sure who I'm ticked off against here. The media? Seems too easy but also seems fair.

Parishioners? Yeah...I think them too.

So what's my gripe?

It's this. Who says that clergy are supposed to "represent" the people?

Regular readers of this blog know I spend a good portion of my time knocking the errors of professional clergy so I think I'm on solid ground there. But we also have to recognize what the real job of the clergy is.

What is it?

Well, for starters:
- to accurately understand and teach scripture, and
- to love, care for and protect their congregations.

Their job is not the same as a member of Congress. They do not listen to their constituents and take the congregations grievances to God.

"Hey God, we no longer like this 'love your neighbor' thing so we would like an amendment to the rule."

It doesn't work like that.

So it really doesn't matter if Obama represents the views of American Catholics more than the Pope. All that means is American Catholics are not in line with the teachings of their own church. If they get too far in disagreement, why even bother being a member?

When it comes to religious views, the religion sets the views and you decide whether or not to be a part. Styles may change but the doctrine is what it is.

dm

Sunday, July 05, 2009

Steve McNair Killed By Girlfriend


NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot to death by his girlfriend.

Story here.

My condolences to his wife and children.

Similar to the Jackson coverage, we are hearing what a great man he was because he was an athlete.

I believe anybody can make mistakes. But McNair had been with this woman for months. This wasn't a slip up. This was deliberate and ongoing betrayal of his wife and kids.

Can we not say anyone is a jerk anymore just because they are dead?

Moral of the story? Don't cheat on your wife.

dm

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Happy 4th!


Rocking my flag on Independence Day. Just noticed I need to paint my flagpole.

Enjoyed the parade in Bethany and some Swadley's bbq. Gonna fire off some fireworks at the in-laws tonight.

Enjoy your freedom today and always.

dm

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Executive Decision


Executive decision about my life posted here:



dm

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

We're #5!


Oklahoma is the #5 fattest state in the nation. Come on team! We can make it all the way to #1 if we really try. Go get a pizza tonight and get some ice cream on the way home.

Here are the stats.

dm

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Failure

Monday, June 29, 2009

Dropping Like Flies: R.I.P. Fred Travalena


Fred Travalena, comedian and impressionist, has succumbed to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Sunday, June 28, 2009, after a courageous seven-year battle with the disease.

dm

Sunday, June 28, 2009

A Real Tragedy: Billy Mays Dead at 50


According to an AP story, Billy Mays died at his home Sunday morning. His wife says he was not feeling well the night before.

Full story here.

dm

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Let's Not Forget-Jackson Was A Pedophile


The world is in a complete meltdown over the sudden death of pop star Michael Jackson. He is now being talked about in terms fit for a patron saint on television 24 hours a day and his music is at the top of all the charts again.

But let's not forget that just a few days ago his career was in a complete tailspin because this same public had largely rejected him because most believed he was a pedophile who had molested children.

Yes-he was found "not guilty." But that was a jury in LA (if I remember correctly) that most people at the time and since believed had come to the wrong conclusion.

But now the king of pop is dead. So I guess all is forgiven.

As Christians we are to ask God to forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. But nowhere in scripture does it tell us to celebrate those who violate children. Rather, we are repeatedly commended to look after children and to condemn sin.

The only slack I will give Jackson is that I do not know for sure whether or not he is a pedophile. I will admit it. But I certainly believe in my heart, as did most of the public the day before he died that he was guilty. So I will not glorify the man as a saint.

I will be the first to admit that he was an incredibly talented person. He was an amazing dancer, a great singer, songwriter, producer and one of the greatest performers ever. I have several MJ albums and listen to some of them about once a year. Yes, even after his trial.

But I will not celebrate the man as a hero just because he is dead.

dm

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

New Bride Album Coming Soon! Tsar Bomba


Check out bridepub.com to learn more about the new and likely final album Christian metal legends, Bride....coming soon!


dm

Friday, June 19, 2009

Book Review: If Jesus Were A Parent


My friend, Joy, gave me a copy of If Jesus Were A Parent, by Hal Perkins and asked me to review it. I told her I would but I would be honest. (I did tell her that if I hated it I just wouldn't say anything.)

Since I'm saying something you know I didn't hate it. In fact, I loved it.

I do have two gripes, however.

Gripe one: I wasn't initially knocked out with the title. I thought it was kinda cheesy. It makes sense once you read it but my initial reaction was, "Ewww.."

Gripe two: I have read tons of parenting books and have always been able to tell folks they only need one: Parenting With Love & Logic. Now, my response is more complicated because they need two. Throw this one in the mix.

The idea of the book is that Jesus discipled people. So what would Jesus do if he were a parent? He would disciple his children. We can learn how to do that by looking at how he discipled his followers. (Saying it here doesn't work nearly as well as Perkins lays it out in the book, trust me.)

Perkins points out that some of us spend time trying to disciple others while neglecting spending time discipling those closest to us, when in fact our children should be our top priority on our discipleship list.

I also love the way he brings in the fact that Jesus was full of grace and truth. (Something I have preached on often.) But he applies this to parenting. We should parent with grace and truth. The grace should always come first so they will be receptive to the truth.

Great stuff.

This book is a must have for all parents.

Get yours at halperkins.com.

dm

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Dog The Bounty Hunter Gets Two Thumbs Up


Last New Years Eve I was killing time waiting for Chris Daughtry to come on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' eve (or some AI artist on some NYE show) and I found a Dog The Bounty Hunter Marathon on A&E.

I had heard of the guy but had never seen the show. We watched a few episodes and I have been hooked ever since.

Why?

First, it taps into my inner redneck.

Second, it is mildly interesting to watch the team track down the bad guys who are hooked on ice and jumping bail.

Third, love the scenery of Hawaii and Colorado.

Fourth, love the interaction of the Chapman family.

But mostly it is the grace that the Chapman's show the people they capture. Five minutes ago they were saying "Freeze mutherf****r" (and I know that offends a lot of people). But now they are in the back seat of the Suburban giving them a water and a cigarette trying to help them turn their life around.

The Chapman's are not the nice and shiny kind of Christians who show up on Sunday in a pretty suit and tie, say all the right words and then go back to their safe home life and judge evverybody else.

No, they get down and dirty with the crackheads and prostitutes, cuss a little while doing a take down and then show them the love of Jesus all the way to jail.

They are my kind of Christians.

You will see more grace and gospel on DTBH in the last five minutes of most episodes than you will see in 24 hours of Christian television on most days.

I give Dog the Bounty Hunter two thumbs up. Sorry if that offends you.

dm

Monday, June 08, 2009

Patrick Morley Interview at Voyage Radio 2.0


Be sure to check out my interview with Patrick Morley at Voyage Radio 2.0 as we talk about his new book, How To Survive the Economic Meltdown which you can download for free.
dm

Monday, June 01, 2009

Check out The Theology Program


I have been reading this guys blog for a while now and I can heartily recommend this program.

dm
--------------
1. The Entire Theology Program for $359
This is a continuation of our biggest special ever. The entire Theology Program for $359!

That is over 50% savings when sold separately.

NOTE TO HOMESCOOLERS: The Theology Program is the perfect addition to your curriculum. Get your kids solidified in Christian theology early.

Seminary level theological training from your own home. For everyone!
Included:
Introduction to Theology: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
Bibliology and Hermeneutics: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
Trinitarianism: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
Humanity and Sin: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
Soteriology: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
Ecclesiology and Eschatology: Ten 1.2 hour DVDs and Student Workbook.
That is more than 70 hours of high quality theological education.

Get what J.P. Moreland calls, "The Theology Program is the best thing I have seen to date."

Chuck Swindoll says, "If it is your desire to understand what you believe and why you believe it, then The Theology Program is for you. Here you will learn the basic principles of how to think biblically. TTP takes theology from the top shelf and places it where it belongs--where everyone can reach it."

Bob (a student) says, “I grew up in a Christian home, attended college on a Christian campus, have attended church all of my life, and have been a subscriber and reader of Christianity Today and Christian History for a decade and an half and no where have I been exposed to the level of teaching that we are experiencing in the TTP. It is unique. I have been blessed."

Check it out here.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Ida Not Peer Reviewed

From Stand To Reason:

The paper on Ida hasn't even been presented yet so has not yet met with peer review, an important step in the scholarly chain of establishing scientific evidence for any kind of claim. Yesterday's headlines were based on press releases promoting the paper, not evidence from the paper itself since it hasn't been peer reviewed. This is the beginning of the process, not the end so no time to hail Ida as final proof of evolution, which The Guardian points out is missing more than one link in the fossil evidence. We'll see what comes of that process.

That didnt take long.

dm

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Scientists Say Missing Link Found



I stopped arguing about evolution a while back. I'm not a scientist.

I know micro-evolution happens. I'm bald. Macro-evolution, I don't know.

Today, it was announced that the "missing link" has finally been found which should officially close the pie-holes of everyone who has ever doubted evolution. Right?

I doubt it.

There are many who have placed their faith in anti-evolution instead of God. For them they will have to spend every waking moment trying to prove that this missing link is a hoax as past missing links have been. Maybe it is maybe it isnt, I have no idea. I'm not a scientist.

What I do know is it doesn't matter to me. My faith is in the resurrection, not whether creation took seven days or seven million years.

Full story here.

The discovery of the 95%-complete 'lemur monkey' - dubbed Ida - is described by experts as the "eighth wonder of the world".

dm

Thursday, May 14, 2009

iMonk Answers...and How

A few posts back I asked the question of how you might reconfigure church if you were to attempt to do so.

Today the blogger known as iMonk answered me. Well, he wasn't really responding to me per se. But he wrote a great post that answered my question in large part.

It is titled "What Did Jesus' Version of Community Look Like?" and you should go read it. The comment stream is very good as well.

dm

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Naked Pastor Maps My Brain



Used by permission of the Naked Pastor.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

American Idol Is Dead To Me


First I'll explain why I used to like it... then why it has jumped the shark for me.

Why I Like(d) It

1. I'm a musician in a former life. I actually have been Simon Cowell and have enjoyed judging vocal competitions and even done a little bit of producing and engineering on a very small scale so I actually know what Randy is talking about when he says something is pitchy. So I like to give my own little critique on the contestants. I enjoy it.

2. It is usually a pretty family friendly safe show in a world there are very few shows we can watch as a family. Since the wife and kids both like it, it's something we can enjoy and talk about together. Something we are all pulling for the same person (David Cook) sometimes not.

3. The early weeks where the contestants are horrible (most, intentionally) are pretty funny.

Why Idol Is Dead To Me

1. This season the judges have been blatantly pulling for Adam Lambert. I can deal with that because he has really good vocal chops except for one thing. The cheese factor on this guy is out of the park. I will be the first to admit that when he does slower songs and just stands there and sings he is fantastic (channeling Sam Harris and not as good). But when he does upbeat tunes (ie: Play That Funky Music & Satisfaction) it is unbearable to watch.

2. He crucified Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire. I almost cut the show off then except Simon kept it real by admitting there were some people who would hate it. Yes Simon. We did.

3. The final straw was tonight. This man blasphemed the good name of Led Zeppelin by desecrating Whole Lotta Love. I could never forgive him, but AI itself could have called him out for it.

But no. They had to go on and on about how great it was and even had the audacity to claim it was "better than Zeppelin." After vomiting I listened to see if Simon would bring them all back to Earth as usual. Nope. He was given his membership card in the Adam Lambert fan club and turned in my AI card.

I'm done.

The final thing I will say about the show...ever...is that I have told people over and over not to do Aerosmith songs. Danny, don't say you weren't warned.

And Allison...great job. You don't stand a chance but I hope you win.


I'm sure I will continue to see the show as my family watches it but I will never comment onthe show again, on this blog or privately.
Seacrest Out.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Don't Forget Mother's Day

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Sneering at Christianity


A.N. Wilson wrote an interesting article about his journey from young believer to atheist to believer.

Here is a part:

Like most educated people in Britain and Northern Europe (I was born in 1950), I have grown up in a culture that is overwhelmingly secular and anti-religious. The universities, broadcasters and media generally are not merely non-religious, they are positively anti.

To my shame, I believe it was this that made me lose faith and heart in my youth. It felt so uncool to be religious. With the mentality of a child in the playground, I felt at some visceral level that being religious was unsexy, like having spots or wearing specs.

This playground attitude accounts for much of the attitude towards Christianity that you pick up, say, from the alternative comedians, and the casual light blasphemy of jokes on TV or radio.

It also lends weight to the fervour of the anti-God fanatics, such as the writer Christopher Hitchens and the geneticist Richard Dawkins, who think all the evil in the world is actually caused by religion.

The vast majority of media pundits and intelligentsia in Britain are unbelievers, many of them quite fervent in their hatred of religion itself.

The Polly Toynbees of this world ignore all the benign aspects of religion and see it purely as a sinister agent of control, especially over women.

One suspects this is how it is viewed in most liberal circles, in university common rooms, at the BBC and, perhaps above all, sadly, by the bishops of the Church of England, who despite their episcopal regalia, nourish few discernible beliefs that could be distinguished from the liberalism of the age.

For ten or 15 of my middle years, I, too, was one of the mockers. But, as time passed, I found myself going back to church, although at first only as a fellow traveller with the believers, not as one who shared the faith that Jesus had truly risen from the grave. Some time over the past five or six years - I could not tell you exactly when - I found that I had changed.

Full story here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Deconstructing Church


I had a discussion with a friend today about what we liked and didn't like about "church."

It got me thinking about deconstructing our preconceived notions of church. This is not the first time I've thought of this topic.

But it makes me wonder, if you were going to reinvent the concept of "church" what would it look like?

I dont mean the church universal. I'm talking about the local gathering together of believers. How would it look? What would a biblical model be? How would you reinvent it? Would you change anything?

What are your thoughts?

dm

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Failing Forward: Michael Oher


Michael Oher was drafted into the NFL today by the Baltimore Ravens. Best of luck to him.

Of course, I'm a Steelers fan. I hate the Ravens. But I digress.

According to the source of all truth, Wikipedia:

Oher's father was not involved in his upbringing (and was murdered when he was a junior in high school), and his mother was addicted to crack cocaine. As a result, he received little constructive attention during his formative years. He repeated both first grade and second grade, and attended eleven different schools during his first nine years as a student. He also alternated between time spent in various foster homes and periods with no fixed address until he was sixteen years old.

That year, Oher applied for admission to a private school, Briarcrest Christian School, at the instigation of acquaintance Tony Henderson, with whom he was staying temporarily.

A couple with a daughter at the school, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, allowed Oher to move in with them and began taking care of his needs after becoming familiar with his difficult personal circumstances. They also connected him with a tutor, who worked with him for twenty hours a week, eventually bringing his low-D performance up to a 2.05 grade point average.

Oher played football his freshman year at the Memphis public school, but didn't play football again until his junior year at Briarcrest Christian School. His senior year, he took over at left tackle. He was extremely well regarded as a prospect once he came to the attention of scouts, due to his size and athleticism.

After receiving scholarship offers from the University of Tennessee, Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama, and North Carolina State University, among others, Oher ultimately decided to attend the University of Mississippi, the Tuohys' alma mater.

Oher started in 10 games as a guard during his first season with Mississippi, becoming a first-team freshman All American. He shifted to his natural position of left tackle for the 2006 season, and was named to a variety of preseason All-Conference and All-American teams. He was named a second-team SEC offensive lineman after his sophomore season and a first-team SEC offensive lineman after his junior season. After the 2008-2009 college football season Michael Oher was selected to the AP All-American first team.

Oher is the subject of Michael Lewis's 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. A portion of the book was excerpted before publication in the New York Times Magazine as "The Ballad of Big Mike." The book has been adapted for film and will be directed by John Lee Hancock.





Friday, April 24, 2009

It Wasn't Me!


David "DJ" McLaughlin, 23, died after shooting himself during a siege at Ngunnawal last week. His stepfather Andy Hammond said he could have saved his son if police had let him talk to him. "They [the police] didn't give me a chance," he said.

Story here.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Church Has Gone To The Dogs


OK, am I nuts or has this stuff gone too far?

Now churches are allowing people to bring their pets to church in order to get them (the people) to attend.

About 20 to 50 dogs typically show up for the "Woof and Worship" service at 5 p.m. every Sunday at Pilgrim Congregational Church in the Boston suburb of Weymouth, Mass., says the Rev. Rachel Bickford. The services began in September, she adds. "I thought this would be a wonderful way to bring some joy back into the community," she says. "It's been terrific."

Full story here.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Colson on Domestic Violence


Chuck Colson wrote a great article today on the appalling problem of domestic violence in the church. Must read especially for ministry professionals.

A portion of the article states:

Denise George, a gifted writer and the wife of theologian Timothy George, has published a new book called What Women Wish Pastors Knew. “Spouse abuse shocks us,” George writes. “We just cannot believe that a church deacon or member goes home after worship . . . and beats his wife.” Tragically, however, George notes, some of these men justify their violence “by citing biblical passages.”

George sites a survey in which nearly 6,000 pastors were asked how they would counsel women who came to them for help with domestic violence. Twenty-six percent would counsel them the same way Marleen’s pastor did: to continue to “submit” to her husband, no matter what. Twenty-five percent told wives the abuse was their own fault—for failing to submit in the first place. Astonishingly, 50 percent said women should be willing to “tolerate some level of violence” because it is better than divorce.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Morley Offers Free Finance Book


Kudos to Dr. Patrick Morley, multi-million selling author, for offering a FREE pdf version of his new book on finances.
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Patrick Morley, a former Florida real estate developer whose company was one of Florida’s 100 largest privately held companies, spent years fighting off a multimillion dollar bankruptcy after the Tax Reform Act of 1986. He has since become a best-selling Christian author and head of an international ministry to men (Man in the Mirror).

Pat’s new book, How to Survive the Economic Meltdown features 35 hard earned spiritual, practical and financial survival strategies based on lessons learned during his own personal financial crisis. Every day for seven long years he woke up not knowing whether or not he would be forced into bankruptcy. By God’s grace, he was able to avoid bankruptcy and not only survive, but experience extraordinary spiritual growth. Ultimately, our prayer is that what Pat learned during a nightmarish season of his life will help others to get through their tough times today.

Pat’s passionate about getting a copy of this book into the hands of every person who wants one—even if it’s for free (click on the upper right to download a free PDF copy). We’re also making the book available at huge discounts (as low as $1.95) so leaders can distribute them through their churches, businesses, and ministries.

Leaders are sometimes at a loss about exactly how to serve the tens of millions of people trying to make sense of this meltdown. On this site you’ll find dozens of resources to help – including videos, message transcripts, message ideas, speaker notes, graphics, and promotional materials.

Get yours at survivethemeltdown.org.
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Good for him!

dm

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Pimp This Bum


I saw a news story on tv about this tonight.


This is a website where these guys pick a random homeless guy, feature him on the web and try to raise money to get him off the streets.

I have mixed emotions about it. I dont really like the name, "Pimp this bum" and I feel like there are probably better ways to help him.

But...I'm going to go ahead and give these guys running the website props for being creative and doing something to try and help the homeless.

Visit the website and watch the first video on the site (8 minutes). Very interesting.

Whether or not you donate is totally up to you (obviously).

Local angle-though this guy is in Houston, TX, he graduated from Midwest City (suburb of OKC) according to the news story on tv.

dm

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Idol Update


For both of you who care:

-Danny Gokey (Iron Man) is still my favorite-love his voice, but he is picking songs the last few weeks that are boring me to tears.

-Allison (red-head) is my second favorite. She is an amazing natural talent. The last three weeks she has not done as well though which worries me. (Would people stop trying to sing Steven Tyler songs! Nobody should do them but him.)

-Kris Allen is my third favorite.

Then it gets all jumbled up. I'm a jerk I guess but I dont think the blind guy should have even been in the competition and Lil Rounds has severely underperformed.

And then there's Adam Lambert. If he wins I will stop watching this show.

Yes, he can sing. And really really well. But he has cheese coming out of every part of his body. He is a poser. Puhleeze.

That said-Mad World and Tracks of My Tears were awesome.

Danny is blowing it though by song choice and that makes me sad.

dm

Monday, April 13, 2009

Wade Burleson now on Voyage Radio 2.0


Part 1 of my interview with Wade Burleson, author of Hardball Religion, is now online at Voyage Radio 2.0.

Don't miss it!

dm

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?


Did you know that William Paul Young, author of The Shack, was the biggest winner on Season One of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

Wade Burleson tells a great story about it today on the internet broadcast of Emmanuel Baptist's Easter service. You can watch it here.


dm