Lessons from the Misfit Toys (12/21/08)

One of the things I’ve learned in recent years is how many people are struggling.  In the past, I think I was too self-absorbed (like many people). But when I opened my eyes and started to pay attention to other people, I’ve found so many people struggling with different issues. And, of course, it can be discouraging especially over the holidays. So I wanted to remind us all what the Scriptures say. Verses like Romans 8:28 or 8:37-39 contain great promises.

Did you know I could do a whole series on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Seriously, there are numerous lessons that can be applied to the Christian journey. Maybe next year, we’ll pick another one (I know, how can you possibly wait that long?)

Anyway, Have a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

The White Envelope (12/12/08)

Yes, it’s true that I lost my copy of the email when preparing for the video. Unbelievable. I’m actually losing a lot of things lately. Showing my age, I guess. 

And no, I don’t personally know Neil from The Santa Clause Seriously, I just threw on a Christmas looking sweater for this video…and then I had to rush out to make it to my son’s swimming lessons on time. Unfortunately, I still had the sweater on. When I came into the swim hall, my wife looked horrified. She whispered to me, “Don’t ever wear that sweater in public again.” LOL  We were watching the Tim Allen “Santa Clause” movies this past week, and if you’ve seen them, you know that Tim is always making fun of Neil’s sweaters…so Neil was on my mind.

Anyway, let’s talk about more important things. What did you think of this story? I could really relate….because I find myself increasingly disgusted with the crass commercialism and wastefulness of Christmas. Maybe it will be different this year due to economic realities. But either way, I’ve really tried to emphasize to my kids what Christmas is all about. And I love the idea of helping other people during the holiday season….and at other times during the year! Like Mike in the video, I’d much rather have money donated to a good cause than receive another present that takes up space or that I don’t want. The good (and bad) news is that they’re are a ton of ways to help people. I’m thinking that next year our entire family will plan and deliver some type of special gift to help people in need. That would be cool.

By the way, that’s my wife doing the narrating. I don’t think it really sounds like her…must be her “stage” voice.

Journey to Hell (12/1/08)

He’s Back! Professor Herbert Jenkins is passionate, loud and in-your-face. And that’s why he’s “America’s Favorite Theologian!” If you haven’t seen him before (and you want to see more!), he has appeared in two old videos that you can watch in the archives. “The Entire Old Testament in 6 Minutes or Less…Seriously” (3/14/08) and “Thanks Giving on Thanksgiving” (11/20/07). He’s so busy and in demand that, well, we’re just thrilled to have him make our videos occasionally. LOL.

Seriously, this video presents common Christian beliefs about hell. Did you know that many Christians think Hell is temporary? A lot of people don’t know this, but it’s true. And, yes, the people who believe this use Scripture to back up their views.

Personally, I agree with Herbert Jenkins. I don’t know if it’s permament or temporary, and I don’t really care. And I don’t know if there is fire or just some sort of separation from God. All that I know is that I don’t want to go there!

Now, I know some people will not appreciate the suggestion by some that the Bible is not literal. I know this is a sensitive topic. All I can tell you is that it seems most scholars who extensively study the Bible do not believe it’s literal. Not all, but most….and these are good Christian people. And while this idea is blasphemy to some Christians, it shouldn’t be viewed with such fear. Whether many stories in the Bible are literal or not has no bearing whatsoever in the Bible’s truth and sacredness, IMO.

That said, I personally tend to take much of the Bible literally. That’s how I was raised. My feeling is that despite scientific probabilities and stuff like that, God could make anything happen. At the same time, I’ve been exposed to the reality that certain stories may not be literal. Either way, it doesn’t really change the truth and sacredness contained in the Bible. And if some day it was proved that Moses didn’t really part the Red Sea (which this can’t be proved, by the way, but I give this example just to make a point), this wouldn’t bother me at all. Yet if you take the Scriptures literally, you’re in a bit of a bind.

Anyway, I respect both views….because I don’t know for sure who is right!