The Journey

It's a Golden Ticket Morning

Yep.  After weeks of disappointing shows, last night's Golden Ticket episode was just what my funny bone needed.  Here's a Snippet

Dwight Writes About Religion

You might noticed this guy from the Office!!  He's the infamous, Dwight, the paper salesmen that is full of one liners each week.

Well, on the daily news cruise this morning, I found an article written by Rein Wilson, a.k.a. Dwight Schrute, and thought you might want to see some ideas coming out of Hollywood.

Often we seek to analyze what people believe, but here's a guy with some interesting religious ideas.  What do you think?

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When in Doubt...Dwight is Right...

Oprah and the NEW AGE??

Well, Since we're on the subject of television, I've recently been getting all these e-mails from people who are incredibly surprised that Oprah Winfrey believes in something different than fundamental evangelical thought.  It's been a firestorm of right wing religious fear mongering.  In fact...check this out. 

And I wonder...

When did anyone care about what Oprah thinks of religious ideals?

In American circles, doesn't Oprah have the same right as everyone else to believe what she wants?

I mean this narrator makes it sound like the end of the world is at stake if Oprah won't stand up and declare Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.  He even has that little portion at the end of the video with a title that reads...Oprah, Obama, and the Occult.

Please don't buy into this fear!  Christians are so gullible to hear a scary voice, and stop thinking when they see something like this. 

In fact, this is a perfect opportunity for you to read the book with a friend on your street, and ask them good questions about belief systems.   I can see it now...the writer of this supposed new age book starts Bible Studies inadvertently throughout the world.  Isn't that awesome!!!  We have a wonderful response to these claims that belief doesn't matter.  We have the privilege to take our faith to the doubters and unbelievers of the world.  It is an honor to be served up such a softball of faith to talk with through all the neighborhoods and communities in the country.  Thank you Oprah.  Thank you for finally detailing your belief system.  Isn't it crazy!

For sure, everyone has a system they believe by.  Even Oprah.  She has a belief system that outlines her view of God, and it would be a delight to sit with her and dissect the reasons how she came to those conclusions, and why she thinks the way she does. 

Don't be Afraid.

God is still on the throne of heaven, even when Oprah declares there might be many ways to Him.  Now it's your job to figure out how to communicate the Love of God, so that; people can see the unbelievable story of Grace throughout the Bible. 

What a privilege it is to have the greatest opportunity in the world, mainly to share the hope of a resurrected Son of God, who came to begin reconciling all things to Himself.

Paul said, all things were made by Him and for Him, and I'm telling you, He's in the business of uniting the Kingdom of this earth, with the kingdom of this world.  He gives us hope in this life and hope in the next.  It's a wonderful time to be alive in the world and be a believer. 

Don't worry.  Don't be Afraid.  Don't run and start screaming "wolf" at the top of your lungs.  That's not the right battle to fight.  In fact, Just because Oprah said something, doesn't mean it's truth!! Use the opportunity.  Capitalize on the conversations.  Build community with people so they can see those who believe in Jesus aren't afraid. 

Doesn't it say, "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world?"  Come on, now is a great time to believe it and stand up with people in search of hard honest truth.  You can do it!!  I believe in you!

How Crazy is This

Not only did I see a giving spirit last night, but as I was typing the last entry on the blog, all of the sudden a familiar tune came on.  Someone at the Idol production meetings decided they would end the show with a wonderful song many of you might have heard...SHOUT TO THE LORD!

I'm not advocating the Christian religious impact of this television show.  Nor am I implying that the motives behind Idol gives back had anything to do with a life reconciled to Jesus.  But, take a step back and ask yourself...mere coincidence?

Why does a show with a star studded line up, raise millions of dollars to help the poorest of the poor, and then end with a pseudo worship service?

I believe in the heart of mankind.  We must have something etched on the halls of our souls that scream out right from wrong.  How else can a group who owes nothing to the light of Faith begin to give homage to the place where this "giving back spirit" comes from? 

I'm not an idol maniac, but for now, I supposed, I'm more puzzled than ever. 

SHOUT TO THE LORD??? For the Finale??  Something's going on here!

Ask a silly question....

I know today I asked the hard question..."who's waving the flag for those oppressed in today's world?"  And, it only took a few short hours to find a group of people who were willing to put it on the line.  That's right...American Idol.

It was an amazing thing to watch all the celebrities with all the ego and pomp, put together a show willing to give away.  They gave to AIDS in Africa, Education and Health care here in the States, and victims of Katrina down in New Orleans.

I know it's a Cheesy way for PR, but much like Paul argued the fact, no matter how the gospel goes forward, it goes forward you know? 

I found myself wondering...

If a few celebrities could make a million dollar difference, why?

Why take the time to hug orphans in Africa? 

Why spend time worrying about AIDS in Africa?

 

Why care about the issues we deal with the most?

I believe it's a longing to be with community.  It's a desire to be one with each other.  These people realize that the meaning in life can't be wrapped up in fast cars and big houses, and so they dedicate their time and energy to raise money to help the poorest of the poor. 

I watched a clip of Annie Lennox, as she visited 4 brothers, orphans

 

of the AIDS crisis in Africa.  The emotion on the screen as she walked away from the community was real, it was the most natural heart wrenching thing to watch someone searching for help in the natural world, and knowing there must be more.

Well, there is more. 

It's not just about the reconciliation of food and disease, it's about giving people hope that others can be loved and cared for by others all in the name of the God who loved them first.

 

The banner was waving high last night, but isn't it incredible to know that the oppression of poverty and disease is only the beginning of the resurrection of the earth Jesus came to begin.   

 

Let's keep praying for a broken world to be made right.

 

 

The revolution is growing, and people all over the world are continuing the conversation. 
Let's don't let it die. 
Keep the conversations going. 
Give credit to thosewho are at least trying to make a difference. 

But don't forget...as the banner waves over the oppressed...there's even more in store for those who experience the spiritual healing and resurrection in conjunction with their own healings. 

It's a GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE!!