 My oldest son, Ryan, and I were recently discussing a sermon he heard about. It is a famous, or infamous sermon, preached regularly by Tony Campolo. The message begins like this: "I have three things I'd like to say today. First, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. Second, most of you don't give a s---. What's worse is that you're more upset with the fact that I said s--- than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night." Right now I am picturing several of my readers choking on their morning bagel. Now you know why I suggested YOU write the title for this one! Mine would have landed this blog post in everyone's "Hormel canned meat" file.A recent Christianity Today article calls Tony Campolo, "The Positive Prophet." I have to admit, he positively got my attention with that quote! Ryan told me that one of his fellow students at the seminary used this quote in preaching class and everyone liked his sermon. The problem is, the seminary can't post it on their website because of that word. The point Rev. Campolo was making, and I think makes well, is that we may need to rethink what we find offensive. Have you ever noticed that a joke can seem funny in one context and offensive in another? Should the location a joke is told make that difference? Goodness knows, the lines for "appropriate" are blurred, if not erased, in our world today. We had wars in my home over what the boys should wear to church on Sunday morning. Those of you who see them in church already know this, but I lost that war. Interestingly, if I had to do it over again, I would not have gone to battle. Both of my boys know God, worship God, serve God and others...and they don't feel the need to dress up to do that. I also know that if God wants them in a coat and tie, He will tell them, and my sons will follow God's command. (Will you join their mother in prayer about this....Just teasing!) What should offend us today? The same things that offend God. Warning: For those who still have a small piece of bagel lodged in your throat, you might want to tuck your toes in as well. God's word is about to stomp. What offends the Creator?
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Fat Tuesday and the peace of God
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"Mardi Gras" is French for "Fat Tuesday." The latter is the most popular search term on Google this morning. Its name comes from the practice of feasting before the fasting of Lent begins. Before the days of refrigeration, people would[…]
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Written by Janet Denison
Thursday, 26 January 2012 06:45
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As a side note, when my family war broke out with my oldest child over church attire, a wise older friend told me to pick my battles. Let the little things go so my voice would be heard when the bigger issues came. I'm glad I took her advice, it worked!
Loved your blog!
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