23.11.05
How NOT to love people of other faiths.
Dear Christians,
The link attached to this post will take you to a video clip which I hope you will watch. While one naturally desires to elevate positive examples of how to relate with respect, tolerance and love to the broader culture and people of other faiths, occasionally there comes along a negative example so perfect, that we must drag it into the light and gawk at it.
This is an example of how NOT to be a Christian. Please familiarize yourselves with it. Laugh if you can, cry if you must, but please try to remain calm.
Thank you,
FP
_______________________________________
Dear Persons of Other Faiths,
As you watch this film clip please accept our apologies on behalf of Christians everywhere. For too long we have allowed wrong headed and un-Christian thinking to exist in our churches, classrooms and homes. This clip displays one very extreme instance of what happens when Christians are less than loving, tolerant and thoughtful in their application of Christ's example to their lives. (Plus this woman seems to have other "issues" as well).
I believe I am speaking for the vast majority of Christians when I say that we truly love our non-Christian friends, families, and neighbors very deeply and yet we often struggle to find appropriate ways to express that love in light of our deeply held religious convictions. In may ways we have been very poorly equipped to treat others with tolerance, while holding to our faith with confidence. Fortunately, the record of Christ's life still stands in the New Testament. For a better picture of what most Christians strive to embody, consider reading the Gospel of John and note Jesus' interaction with non-religious, or non-Judaic people.
While it may seem that the most appropriate action for us to take as Christians with regard to people with these quite un-Christian tendancies would be to disown them and to distance ourselves from them. To be honest, this is our temptation. Ironically this would be exactly the opposite of what ought to be done. We don't condemn her or people like her, though we strongly assert our confident belief that she is way, way off base in her conduct and attitude towards people of other faiths. Those who seek to be truly tolerant and truly loving, must tolerate and love even those who fail miserably at tolerance and love. And so, we Christians must show this woman (and others like her) patience, tolerance and love. We'll pray for her and hold out hope that God will bring people into her life to correct her misconceptions and inexcusable behavior.
We also hope that the next time a Christian in your life attempts to speak with you about religous issues, that you will extend to them the same grace and tolerance that you desire.
Thank you for your patience with us.
Peace,
FP
The link attached to this post will take you to a video clip which I hope you will watch. While one naturally desires to elevate positive examples of how to relate with respect, tolerance and love to the broader culture and people of other faiths, occasionally there comes along a negative example so perfect, that we must drag it into the light and gawk at it.
This is an example of how NOT to be a Christian. Please familiarize yourselves with it. Laugh if you can, cry if you must, but please try to remain calm.
Thank you,
FP
_______________________________________
Dear Persons of Other Faiths,
As you watch this film clip please accept our apologies on behalf of Christians everywhere. For too long we have allowed wrong headed and un-Christian thinking to exist in our churches, classrooms and homes. This clip displays one very extreme instance of what happens when Christians are less than loving, tolerant and thoughtful in their application of Christ's example to their lives. (Plus this woman seems to have other "issues" as well).
I believe I am speaking for the vast majority of Christians when I say that we truly love our non-Christian friends, families, and neighbors very deeply and yet we often struggle to find appropriate ways to express that love in light of our deeply held religious convictions. In may ways we have been very poorly equipped to treat others with tolerance, while holding to our faith with confidence. Fortunately, the record of Christ's life still stands in the New Testament. For a better picture of what most Christians strive to embody, consider reading the Gospel of John and note Jesus' interaction with non-religious, or non-Judaic people.
While it may seem that the most appropriate action for us to take as Christians with regard to people with these quite un-Christian tendancies would be to disown them and to distance ourselves from them. To be honest, this is our temptation. Ironically this would be exactly the opposite of what ought to be done. We don't condemn her or people like her, though we strongly assert our confident belief that she is way, way off base in her conduct and attitude towards people of other faiths. Those who seek to be truly tolerant and truly loving, must tolerate and love even those who fail miserably at tolerance and love. And so, we Christians must show this woman (and others like her) patience, tolerance and love. We'll pray for her and hold out hope that God will bring people into her life to correct her misconceptions and inexcusable behavior.
We also hope that the next time a Christian in your life attempts to speak with you about religous issues, that you will extend to them the same grace and tolerance that you desire.
Thank you for your patience with us.
Peace,
FP
22.11.05
What are you thankful for?
I want to hear from the silent majority who read this blog but never comment. What are you thankful for?
U2 Live in Las Vegas: Concert Review
Click on over to a friend of the Funky Presbyterian's Blog and read his review of the latest U2 show in Las Vegas.
Strawberry Milkshake & A Bag of Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
Tonight's late night pregnancy craving. Both were purchased at the all-night UDF. (Does everyone have UDF?) Anyway, the place gets knocked over about once a month. I could've taken bullets for my wife's craving. Husbandry is not for the weak.
The Rosebuds- Birds Make Good Neighbors
I've been really getting into this album this week. Very good stuff. It's got this retro 80's vibe kinda like the Killers, but with less of ts80 Tube Screamer and more of the jangly jangly chorus pedals.
Click the title link for a free download of a song that is simply beautiful. It's called "Bluebird". It's legal, it's free, it's for you. Like God's mercy. Be sure to save it to your hard drive.
Click the title link for a free download of a song that is simply beautiful. It's called "Bluebird". It's legal, it's free, it's for you. Like God's mercy. Be sure to save it to your hard drive.
21.11.05
Taking the week off
I'm taking this week off. Last week I worked six evenings in a row (that includes after working all day as well). I'll be spending some much needed time with the boys and Charity and reading a Martin Luther Biography I've been meaning to get to for some time. Charity thinks I should read something not "church related". But I actually enjoy reading like this.
Also I will be having dinner Wednesday with an old friend. A good friend. A secret asian man. If history is any indicator, we will talk about music and life and new names for body functions. There may be beer involved as well.
Anyway, click the link for an article related to the Luther bio I'm reading.
Also I will be having dinner Wednesday with an old friend. A good friend. A secret asian man. If history is any indicator, we will talk about music and life and new names for body functions. There may be beer involved as well.
Anyway, click the link for an article related to the Luther bio I'm reading.
If systematic theology were a drug...
John Frame would be my dealer.
And I guess Vern Poythress would be like his partner who watches out for the fuzz while the deals are goin' down. Or something.
And I guess Vern Poythress would be like his partner who watches out for the fuzz while the deals are goin' down. Or something.
If music were a drug...
Emusic would be my dealer.
Check it out. Cheap, legal, and the artists get paid.
Check it out. Cheap, legal, and the artists get paid.
20.11.05
Best Songs for Listening While Under the Influence of Nyquil
Song: Brothers on a Hotel Bed
Album: Plans
Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Song: I Love You
Album: Shine
Artist: Daniel Lanois
Song: Svefn-g-englar
Album: Agaetis Byrjun
Artist: Sigur Ros
Album: Plans
Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
Song: I Love You
Album: Shine
Artist: Daniel Lanois
Song: Svefn-g-englar
Album: Agaetis Byrjun
Artist: Sigur Ros
Guest Blogger Joshua Rollins on Johnny Cash
I've always loved Johnny Cash.
As a little boy, I remember diggin' through my granddad's tape box, and coming across "Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues" and falling in love. I'd play it over and over again. My love for this man began at a young age.
As I grew older, I remember hearing songs like "Hey Porter" and "Luther Played the Boogie" and realizing they weren't like anything I'd ever heard. The first riff I ever learned on guitar was the beginning to "I Walk the Line".
Needless to say, when Johnny Cash died 2 years ago, I wept.
Not with a tear of sadness, but a tear like that when finishing an epic novel. Going through the tough times and the slow starts, to seeing the high points and even lower depths of the main characters soul, only to see it in the end fade away.
Today, Johnny Cash is beloved by my peers not neccesarly for his groundbreaking work in his prime, but for his last IV American Recordings. While Good, and haunting at time, they're not Johnny in his prime. They're not Johnny how I will remember Johnny.
Tomorrow night, Johnny Cash will be honored once again my music legends like U2, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. It's a part of my life that's reminding me once again why I loved Johnny, because he transcended genres and went straight to the souls of those who wanted to be touched. A new generation of fans is emerging and they will continue to emerge as long as Johnny is remembered. I just pray someone, 20 years from now, will get the same chill I did 15 years ago, when I first heard the stone cold "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."
_________________________________________________________
Thanks, Joshua. More of Joshua's writings can be found at rollinsville.net or you can click the title of this post for a link. -FP
As a little boy, I remember diggin' through my granddad's tape box, and coming across "Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues" and falling in love. I'd play it over and over again. My love for this man began at a young age.
As I grew older, I remember hearing songs like "Hey Porter" and "Luther Played the Boogie" and realizing they weren't like anything I'd ever heard. The first riff I ever learned on guitar was the beginning to "I Walk the Line".
Needless to say, when Johnny Cash died 2 years ago, I wept.
Not with a tear of sadness, but a tear like that when finishing an epic novel. Going through the tough times and the slow starts, to seeing the high points and even lower depths of the main characters soul, only to see it in the end fade away.
Today, Johnny Cash is beloved by my peers not neccesarly for his groundbreaking work in his prime, but for his last IV American Recordings. While Good, and haunting at time, they're not Johnny in his prime. They're not Johnny how I will remember Johnny.
Tomorrow night, Johnny Cash will be honored once again my music legends like U2, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. It's a part of my life that's reminding me once again why I loved Johnny, because he transcended genres and went straight to the souls of those who wanted to be touched. A new generation of fans is emerging and they will continue to emerge as long as Johnny is remembered. I just pray someone, 20 years from now, will get the same chill I did 15 years ago, when I first heard the stone cold "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."
_________________________________________________________
Thanks, Joshua. More of Joshua's writings can be found at rollinsville.net or you can click the title of this post for a link. -FP
18.11.05
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