Archive for the ‘culture’ Category

#Halloween #Rant

Posted: October 31, 2012 in culture
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OK…I just have to get this off my chest.

HEADS UP:

In about 4-5 weeks Christians are going to begin complaining that America has abandoned God and forgotten the “true meaning” of Christmas. They’ll quickly point out that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and they’ll fight to defend their “right” to put a Nativity Scene in their front yard or town square. They’ll tell you that exchanging Christmas presents and putting up a Christmas tree are completely meaningless if you don’t acknowledge the birth of Christ (God’s “gift” to us…who “hung on a tree”). In other words, THERE’S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AND WORSHIPING JESUS (“Christ Mass”).

They are correct.

For an increasingly large percentage of America, celebrating Christmas is a CULTURAL EVENT — NOT a religious holiday. It has no spiritual or religious significance to it whatsoever & is simply a fun thing that people do with their family and friends. Many people LOVE Christmas, but don’t know CHRIST.

Very true.

The funny thing is, the VERY SAME PEOPLE who will complain about “the secular celebration of Christmas” will browbeat people for “celebrating Halloween” because it is a pagan religious holiday.

ATTENTION PHARISEES:

If it’s possible to celebrate Christmas without worshiping Jesus, then it is also possible to celebrate Halloween without worshiping the devil. Why? Because it is a CULTURAL EVENT.

Now CHILL OUT and love people like Jesus. (And PLEASE don’t give Chick Tracts to the kids who come knocking on your door tonight. A piece of candy and a “God bless you” will do just fine.)

That is all. -Kraig

Where is the Love?

Posted: June 5, 2012 in Christianity, culture
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Christianity is founded on the concept that “God is love.” The greatest commandments are to “love God” and “love people.” Our mottos include things like “love never fails,” and “God so loved the world…” but the world is asking the church, “WHERE IS THE LOVE?” What happened??

If you haven’t seen the intro, watch this first.

Sermon Intro: “Where is the love?”

Posted: June 4, 2012 in Christianity, culture
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Here’s the intro from my sermon yesterday. We’ll try to get the full video uploaded in the next day or two. I want to say thank you to everyone who stopped me after service, texted or sent emails about yesterday’s message. Much LOVE to all of you. ~Kraig

The F*Bomb

Posted: July 26, 2011 in church, community, culture
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The F*Bomb has been repeatedly dropped on me.

You know what I’m talking about.

“F*mily”

And not ordinary f*mily, either — out-of-town f*mily – the kind that’s on vacation while you toil away in the daily grind known as your life.

The first wave hit about 6 weeks ago (it was great seeing you Karen, Jack, Kyle & Chris!); the second hit two weeks after that (we loved having you Andrea, Maddie & Megan!); and the third f*bomb hit the ground eleven days later (and is still here — we love you Chrissy!).

Each bombardment lasts about a week and is a focal point of corporate energy — leaving a giant crater where discretionary time used to be.

These visits reminded me about the importance of f*mily, and a few things that make f*mily relationships different from other relationships:

1. You make time for f*mily. It doesn’t matter how full your schedule is; everyone is busy — get over it. When f*mily is around you adjust your priorities and you spend time together. That means you stop doing some things you normally do and you make time for f*mily.

2. You love f*mily unconditionally. There’s a love for f*mily members that exists independent of external factors. You don’t need a personality profile to tell you whether or not you’re compatible. No matter what happens, good or bad, you love f*mily unconditionally and you want to see them succeed.

3. You are there for f*mily. The little idiosyncrasies that get on your nerves are irrelevant when a f*mily member is going through a crisis. You are there for them — not because they deserve it & not because you expect something in return. You are there for them because they are f*mily and they need you. Period.

With these things in mind, I’ve been thinking about how flippantly people drop the f*bomb in churches. In fact, people are constantly dropping the f*bomb in my church — it’s even part of our mission statement: “We are a f*mily-oriented community of faith…”

“We’re all f*amily here.”

“You’re like f*mily to me.”

It’s always: ”F* this,” and “F* that.”

Really?

Is that true??

If so, what you mean is: “I’ll make time for you…I’ll love you unconditionally…and I’ll be there for you when you need me.”

Of course, then you have to actually do it.

Otherwise you’re a hypocrite.

And a liar.

And I’m pretty sure that doesn’t honor Christ.

So…

Maybe you ought to pause and think about what you’re about to say, before you drop your next f*bomb.

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