All I Need

Interesting video by Radiohead:



Everything you buy comes from somewhere.

Hat tip: Breeze Debris

Don't Spend So Much....Says Credit Card Company

Interesting ad coming from a credit card company:



Do you think it's sort of like Philip Morris doing ads against teen
smoking? It's more public relations than a sincere call to their
customers to change their ways. Maybe I'm just cynical?

Also, if a credit card company is saying Americans spend too much
and we need to save more. Um, maybe it's time to listen.

Presidential Candidates Get into the Christmas Ad Spirit

There's no better way to celebrate massive American consumerism,
I mean Christmas- Jesus' birthday, then heart warming political
advertisements. Here's the Obama family wishing voters a Merry
Christmas:



Here's Rudy Giuliani and more of his promises:



A holiday greeting from Mike Huckabee:



Hillary brings gifts that taxpayers paid for:



And please get your rest during the holidays presidential candidates because
you all are in for a big fight in Iowa and New Hampshire next month.
Oh yeah, and a Merry Christmas to you too!

The Church of Consume

Click here for picture source

We live in a society where everything is sold to us. Businesses
do extensive market research and develop highly detailed marketing
plans to sell us their products. Over the pass years there has been
much talk about how consumerism has seeped into American
churches. Some of the religious leaders have taken a business approach
to church by selling Jesus like you would a new car is the way to bring
people into doors.

There is now a term being thrown around called "megachurches."
Sounds monstrous, doesn't it? When you step into the enormous building
of a "megachurch" don't be surprised if see in the church lobby if you see
books, DVD's of sermon messages, t-shirts, etc. being sold.

I have mixed feelings about this trend. I do feel that this consumerism
encourages people 'buy' into Christianity instead of an authentic belief in
Jesus Christ and being a Christ follower. Also, church is suppose to be sacred
place. We are constantly being sold something in this country and I don't
want church to be just another place to consume but actually give back.
Another negative is that these churches have thousands of people attending
their services so they feel they need to entertain the crowd. That's why you'll
see a full fledged production while the worship band performs and that includes
a smog machine, dramatic lightening, and perhaps even a video accompanying
the music on the projection screen .

However, I do believe this contemporary movement towards consumerism
in the Church does have some positive effects. First, the megachurches are
very good at packaging things in a way that is inviting for everyone not just
Mr. or Mrs. Jesus-freak. Really I don't know anyone who finds Pastor Joel
Osteen offensive? We are so bombarded by commercialism it is simply
part of our society. Therefore, some would argue that is just modern day
Church trying to adjusting their message to fit today's culture. If they didn't
they will appear antiquated and irrelevant.

There are really never any answers when dealing with these issues. I don't
like church being another place to consume. Being a Christian is more than
just displaying a bumper sticker on your car or buying the latest popular
book written by a megachurch pastor. Oftentimes being a Christian is being
disciplined and not indulging in material things even when the whole world
is telling you to.

Jazzy and Blue

A couple of years ago I read this great book
called Blue Like Jazz and subtitled Non-religious
Thoughts on Christian Spirituality and written by
Donald Miller. I really enjoyed his honesty throughout
the book. Here is an excerpt:

But the trouble with deep belief is that it costs
something. And there is something inside me, some
selfish beast of a subtle thing that doesn't like the
truth at all because it carries responsibilities, and
if I actually believe these things I have to do something
about them. It is so, so cumbersome to believe anything.
And it isn't cool.

Miller writes the book in a Generation X voice. Where it
is at times unfocused and choppy but still manages to get
his point across. I loved it!

A running theme in the book is being authentic as a
Christian. I believe the number one thing that young
people are looking for today is authenticity. In the book
Miller admits he is sometimes skeptical about his Christian
beliefs. I believe it is alright to say you have doubts. Doubts
shouldn't be viewed as weak faith but as a critical and
reflective look at one's faith. There are many ills facing
contemporary American Christianity (consumerism...cough)
but this opening up to deeper questioning and not just
accepting traditions at face value is one of the positive
things I'm seeing.