Crass Christianity
One of my readers recently responded to my post about Salvador’s remake of Los Lonely Boys' hit "Heaven." According to what he wrote, it isn't so much that Christian artists remake a popular hit in order to prevent Christian radio listeners picking up a questionable album, it's more about capitalizing on the success of others.
My reader wrote, "The [Christian music] industry is not about doing what makes sense. It's about doing what makes 'cents.' This way people will like the secular artists' work but ask at their local Christian bookstore and find the 'safe' version of the song. What usually happens is that the Christian consumer will never know that a 'secular' artist was the one who wrote the original song that was searching out for things that are spiritual. What a concept, huh?"
Apparently it's business as usual, even for an industry whose motives we'd like to believe are purer than most. Bottom line? I can deal with it. I mean, it’s not like I’m looking towards the Christian music industry for salvation. Just give me good music, and I'll consider it a fair trade for my fifteen bucks.
Elsewhere in Commercialized Christianity . . .
Nicholas Kristoff wonders about the apparent paradox of the Left Behind authors enjoying millions of dollars in a world rapidly approaching its destruction. Mr. Kristoff obviously doesn’t understand some of the more complicated tenets of Christianity, but he does make a good point.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
I meant to post this on Thanksgiving, but you see the posting time; I am just now returning home. (That night owl syndrome struck again!) So here's a little thanksgiving for you after the fact; you can read it while enjoying that leftover turkey and pumpkin pie!
This year, I’m feeling thankful for something a little unusual: I’m thankful for heroes. I’m not talking about sports figures or celebrities. I’m not talking about policemen, firemen, or emergency workers, though I am appreciative of the risks they take daily to serve others. I’m not talking about our troops in the Middle East nor even Biblical heroes, although I thank God for all of them. The type of hero I’m thinking of today isn't what people normally think of when they think of the word hero.
I’m thinking of the quiet lady who rarely speaks to anyone after the church service yet shows up faithfully, day in and day out. I’m thinking of the bent old man who walks only with assistance and yet always has a smile and a cheery word for everyone. I’m thinking of women who have lived their lives in such a way as to become role models for myself and my peers, especially for those who have done it alone. I’m thinking of women who bake pies, make phone calls, or send cards to the ailing, the suffering and the depressed. I’m thankful for the man who picks up the youngest son of a single mother and takes him fishing. I'm thankful for all men who make God and their families top priority in this world that tends to trivialize the importance of such masculine contributions. I’m thinking of Sunday School teachers, ushers, choir leaders and others who serve day in and day out with little compensation and few tangible results or expressed thanks. I’m thankful for girls who take the time to befriend the lonely new kid at church, and the boys who are quick to hold open the doors for little old ladies and men. I’m thankful for those little old ladies and men as well; their years of quiet service and faithfulness have made my world, my church and my heritage possible. I’m thankful for the people who think they don’t do much more than show up at church; they do more than they know.
Sometimes these people have lots of wrinkles and gray hair. Some of them have funny hairdos or wear outdated clothing. Most of them are not glamorous according to society’s definition. They may drive dilapidated cars and live in small, drafty houses. Others may have a large portion of intelligence, talent and resources that they regularly share for the benefit of others. In this world, most of these people are overlooked and easily forgotten. The majority of them use words like normal and ordinary or nothing much to describe themselves, and yet they are really anything but. Such are the people that my Bible calls kings, princes, sons and daughters of God. For that, these people are my heroes, and this thanksgiving I am thanking God for them.
I hope all my readers had a safe, happy and blessed Thanksgiving; I am thankful for all of you too!
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
I’m Back! (And Better Than Ever?)
Did you miss me? It’s been some time since I’ve posted and whew! What a time I’ve had had! The Mack Attack and I descended in a whirlwind of toys and clothes on Shirley McDonald in Denham Springs, LA. We have only recently returned, leaving behind little but the sound of a great sigh of relief, I’m sure, as “Mimi Shirley” and her husband “Pawpaw Bobby” return to their normal lives. Now they can walk through the living room without tripping over blocks, go to bed before the crack of dawn and arrive at church on time because no one took just a little too long fixing her hair.
Shirley: Living Proof That It’s Possible to Grow Wiser and Better Rather than Just Older
Shirley, as you may or may not be aware, is the world’s best copy editor who just so happens to work for 90&9. I'm still amazed that a woman who is so involved in her family, her job, her Sunday School class at church, and pursuing a doctorate degree would take the time to host a lowly blogger and her daughter. Not only that, she actually looked forward to it and treated Mack and I like queens and princesses. Shirley and I discovered that we are both night owls, so I spent many of the wee morning hours plumbing the depths of her brain. Unfortunately, I barely scratched the surface, so we both agreed that I’m just gonna have to go back and visit again.
My Mack Attack: Living Proof of How a Child Can Immediately Wrap You Around Her Pinkie
Maybe it’s the cloud of blond curls or the big brown eyes. Maybe it’s the dimple you see when she smiles or the chorus angels sing when she giggles. Whatever charms she employs to ensnare a heart, you can almost see Mack’s victims melt before your very eyes. (Of course, Shirley’s own grandson seems to affect a similar response, and he has beautiful brown eyes too. Hmmm.) Mack can detect a sympathetic grandparent spirit a mile away, and it wasn’t long before she had Pawpaw Bobby swinging her every spare minute he had or Mimi Shirley cooking her special breakfasts. (However, Mimi Shirley was very firm when we discovered her cavorting au naturel with the goldfish and promptly removed her to the bathtub.) The feeling was mutual, of course, as it normally is with those who adore Mack; she is still talking about them, and that only happens with those who make a big impression on her.
90&9 Writers: Living Proof That High Quality Lives Lie Behind all Those Articles
It was so neat to meet the faces behind some of the names that regularly dot the pages of 90&9. David Bunch doesn’t look bookwormy at all; instead he seems to have this amazing ability to establish immediate rapport with anyone he meets. He and his lovely wife (Shirley’s youngest) are dedicated to their church and the youth team. Lee Ann Alexander, the latest addition to 90&9 as a book review columnist, is as warm and friendly as she is intelligent and as beautiful and fun as she is insightful. She certainly gave me some healthy competition at Balderdash even when her brain was fried by the late hour. I only wished mine worked as well! Bradley McDonald, a fellow blogger, is just what you’d expect from a sports enthusiast: a little bit crazy, a whole lot of fun, and the kind of guy everyone likes to hang around with. While I was there, he bought his girlfriend roses for no reason (something she says he does every now and then), leaving the rest of the single female population to wish Bobby and Shirley would’ve had a few more just like him.
Wendy: Living Proof That Bloggers Can Go on and On and On
Of course there’s a more lot I could say about all the wonderful people I met or speculate about who had more fun at the Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge – Mack or me? I could go on and on about how impressed I was by the spirit of God in the services and the spirit of service in the College and Career Class. Then there was the scrumptious gumbo cooked for us by the perenially sweet Gwen Spell, and after that, I’d still have a lot to say about all the fingerprints on my soul Shirley left in a short amount of time but . . . perhaps all that’s blogfodder for another day.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Just in Case Anyone Was Wondering If I Only Think Deep Thoughts All the Time . . .
Today, for some odd reason, I am thinking about gaps. Well actually, just one in particular: the gap between my two upper teeth. My dentist wants to fix it with a little fake tooth enamel on either side, but I'm reluctant. I kind of like my gap. Not only does it make me unique, but no longer having a gap would exclude me from being part of the Gap Sisters, a circle of female friends and acquaintances united by no other identifying factor than the fact that we all have gappy teeth. There's no membership card, special handshake or secret meetings in the dead of the night, but it does give you the right, when you meet another gappy girl on the street, to high-five her and say, "Another Gap Sister! Awright!"
Another consideration to think about is the very unmarketable talent I have that allows me to stick my upper lip in between my teeth and say, "Hey, eweybahee, ook a is!" It doesn't get me a lot of boyfriends -- what would I do with more than one at a time anyway? -- but people find it mildy amusing for about two seconds. So I'm torn between having pretty teeth and looking stupid for the amusement of others. Decisions, decisions!
Oh well, I suppose there are worse problems, like having your hot rollers not heat up two hours before a hot date. The panic! Or having it start raining just as you walk out of the salon after having a tan sprayed on. Oh, the splotches! Or -- and this gives me shivers -- snagging your brand new tweed skirt the first day you wear it! Yeah, it could be a lot worse, I suppose. Still, a gap or no gap? I'm so torn . . .
Elsewhere in the News
On an unrelated note, rumor has it that I will be in the great state of LA this weekend (Louisiana State Motto: We may not be Texas, but at least we're not Mississippi!). And ocassionally rumors are true, so if you see a new face in church this weekend, go over and say hi. It might just be me.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Random Readings
Today, I just thought I’d pass along some links to articles I’ve read recently and found interesting . . .
This guy is the precise reason I nicknamed my daughter Mackie instead of Kenzie. I had hoped that the movie about his life would provoke some serious backlash and expose him for the disturbed pervert he was, but I’m very disappointed. The media seems to have trivialized all knowledge of his unorthodox methods and outright lies in order to glorify him as the Father of the Sexual Revolution.
So, unorthodox methodology and fraudulent information are insignificant when concerning sex in America, but bring up a study of prayer, and the media will be going over it with a fine toothed comb and raising cain when it’s found to be wrong. Hey, wrong is wrong whether you like or dislike the subject matter, but you can bet no one’s gonna make a movie out of this.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Destructo and Her Daughter
The best way to bond with your child is to get down on her level and just play with her, right? Well, that's what I was thinking when I sat down next to Ecclesiastes the Stuffed Cat and helped my Mack Attack build a baby bed out of alphabet blocks. After awhile, that proved boring, I guess, because soon she was standing on top of her white chest and jumping off, stretching her arms high in an attempt to reach Sylvester and Tweety, who chase each other continually in the air from the pull cords on the fan.
Eying the distance from the chest to Sylvester the pull cord decoration, I decided to impress her with my incredible athletic ability. "Bet I could hit 'im, Mack!"
She sized me up. "You're way too big. You'll break my chest."
"No I won't." To prove it, I hopped up the chest, nearly dislodging a nearby shelf. "See?"
Mack grinned with expectation. Then I launched myself off, aiming for Sylvester.
I got him, all right. Then there was a horrific crash, something flashed blue, and the lights in Mack's room went off.
"Hey!" Mack ran over to the door and yanked on the kiddie cord that turns her light switch on and off. "Where'd the light go?"
I looked up and assessed the damage. Sylvester and his accompanying light cord were lost somewhere up in the fan blades. One of the light globes was shattered.
I made Mack stay out of her room and grabbed the nearest chair. Gingerly I unwound and unwound and unwound Sylvester from around one of the light globes. A few pulls on Tweety's tail proved the lights were gone for good.
I brought Mack to my mother, who was just getting out of the shower. "Keep Mack out of her room with these bare feet," I ordered. "And where's Dad's flashlight?"
"What's going on?" she asked.
"It doesn't matter!"
"What did you do?"
"It doesn't matter!"
After procuring a flashlight, my mother followed me into Mack's room. She wisely asked no questions, showing considerable restraint for a mother with insatiable curiosity. Only Ecclesiastes the Stuffed Cat knew what really happened, and he wasn't talking.
After shoeing up Mack, we put her in charge of holding the flashlight while my mother, my brother's girlfriend, and I picked through the room, trying to find the missing pieces of glass. Mack will make a great supervisor one day. "That's my bookshelf, see?" she said, waving the flashlight in its general direction. "That's where we put my books."
Do you have any idea of all the cracks and crevices in a little girl's room into which shattered pieces of glass can fall? Well, I do. Let's just say that I've never been so grateful for vacuum cleaners in all my life.
Mackie took the flashlight down the hall and into the kitchen, shining it on the chocolate cookies to make sure they were safe. Now that's a kid with her priorities in the right place. I was so proud.
It's times like these that my brother is not thrilled to be the family electrician. My mother, on the other hand, is happy. At Goodwill today, she saw some globes just like the one I broke, so she'll have an excuse to visit her favorite store again tomorrow. And me, well, it'll be a long time before I gripe at Mack for all the messes she makes. She may use my toothbrush to brush her doll's hair, empty her bookshelf of every single book, and paint the kitchen table with potato salad, but at least she has yet to put the lights out.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Way of the Master: An Update
One my readers wrote to inform me that the website, www.wayofthemaster.com, (although not an Apostolic site) has many great tools and resources to equip anyone to effectively share your faith: "My assistant pastor has been teaching leadership classes every Sunday morning for about a year. Just this past month he started an evangelism series. He got all of his material from the website. It is actually a really great way to try to witness, and it's easy to adapt to the Apostolic belief (adding more than the sinner's prayer). The website is really informative."
I checked this site out and was very impressed by its ease of use and quality products. Special thanks to my reader for the heads-up!
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Christians Have Reality Shows Too!
According to this WorldNetDaily article, a Christian reality show called Way of the Master is about to enter its second season.
Oops. I didn’t know there was a first season.
Way of the Master is co-hosted by actor Kirk Cameron (of Left Behind fame) and Ray Comfort, author of What Hollywood Believes.
And I’m wondering if that’s a book or a pamphlet.
Anyway, according to the article, the show’s main premise is to "blend informal teaching with on-the-street interviews to train Christians how to share their faith 'simply, effectively, and biblically … the way Jesus did.'" In describing the show, Comfort tells of one episode where a Satanist warlock is interviewed, another that features a visit to Ozzfest, and yet another where homosexuals reveal their shocking beliefs about God. Other exotic locales include Alcatraz, a boxing ring and a Las Vegas casino.
One of the more controversial topics discussed includes evolution. "We covered the subject from a completely different perspective," Comfort said, "by letting evolutionists hang themselves with their own words. We also rented an orangutan and took him to lunch. That was a unique experience."
Wait a minute. Did he just say they rented an orangutan? Well, I suppose monkeys need Jesus too.
Oh, wait! No they don’t! So why an orangutan? "We called eight airlines (on camera) and asked if they would let us bring a 'relative' on the plane. We said that he needed a wheelchair because he had problems with his feet, and after getting approval we told them the 'relative' was an orangutan."
And just when you thought this show was starting to sound pretty good, it gets even better. "We were approached by one of the world's largest board game manufacturers and are working with them to develop an exciting, fast-paced 'Way of the Master' board game that equips Christians to share their faith – while having fun.”
Oh goody! My Veggie Tales Get Rid of the Fib card game was starting to get a little boring.
If anyone happens to catch this show, let me know what you thought. And when the season is over, go get yourself the board game and invite the neighbors over. You never know; maybe there’s nothing like an exciting, fast-paced board game to win people to Jesus.
For Your Benefit: One of my sources tells me that the Wall Street Journal Online, which normally requires a yearly subscription to view, is free today. So if you'd like to find out what's the big deal about the world's most popular newspaper, go check it out at www.wsj.com
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Same Words. Same Music. Different Message?
Update: One of my thoughtful readers wrote me the other day wondering about the outcome of my court case. I promise I will let everyone know the verdict as soon as the judge delivers it. It is taking longer than we anticipated, but I am confident we will eventually get what we want. Now, on to today's blog.
I was listening to the Christian music station today during my lunch break when I heard a remake of Los Lonely Boys' smash hit "Heaven." Now, if someone would like to enlighten me on the mechanics of Christian radio, please do so because I’m confused. If the radio station wanted to play the song, why didn’t they do so back when it first became popular? Can they not play a popular, religious-themed song unless it’s been "Christianized" (much like Selah’s remake of Josh Groban’s "You Raise Me Up" or the 1001 remakes of "Lean on Me")? Is the message in the song somehow tainted until it's been given the official Christian stamp of approval? Maybe the Christian radio station just couldn’t allow itself to be associated with a non-Christian group like Los Lonely Boys.
That's Probably It
I can just imagine it: a hundred mothers calling the station to complain. "My son heard that song on your radio station and liked it so much he ran out and bought the CD and there are some questionable lyrics on this album. I mean, just look at the words! 'Te quiero'? Who knows what kind of cuss words those are! Why don’t you guys just get Salvador or somebody to do that song instead? I mean, sheesh, what's wrong with supporting our nice Christian bands? Why are you promoting some godless band on a Christian station?"
Never Mind . . .
No one needs to enlighten me on the mechanics of Christian radio. I think I’ve just answered my own question. I suppose it makes sense, in an odd sort of way. I mean, if I were to tune in and hear Britney Spears singing "Amazing Grace," I'd get a little out of sorts too. Funny thing, though. Back when all the secular music stations played Mercy Me's smash hit "I Can Only Imagine" they didn’t get The Backstreet Boys to remake it in order to "secularize" it. Makes you wonder who’s more accepting of whom.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Blog to Say: Wendy Goofed
After yesterday's awkward and insensitive entry (which I removed after further thought), I am sitting here trying to come up with a post that will portray me as gracious, classy, sober-minded, ladylike and all those other words people never use to describe me. (With good reason, obviously.) A redeeming post is failing me right now because I'm still beating myself up. I think anyone who read the post will agree that it was in very poor taste, and for that I apologize. How right Kent was when he told me at the very beginning, "You will mess up, and when you do, you'll mess up in front of a lot of people!"
A Unique Experience
One of the advantages (for you, the reader, but a definite disadvantage for me) that you don't find anywhere else in heavily edited periodicals is that blogs are written by very real people, especially this one. It's a chance for you to peer into the life of a fellow Christian almost as it's happening, and when you do, you wind up witnessing my triumphs as well as my failures. In return, I get to make my voice heard and perhaps, somewhere along the way, encourage a person or two, which is the real reason I write. For that reason, I consider the exchange well worth it. The blog, or at least this one, it seems, often works as a two way street. God uses it sometimes as a blessing to others -- my wonderful readers tell me sometimes how timely I am -- but sometimes the lesson learned is for me.
Which Still Doesn't Let Me Off the Hook
The lessons I learn do not excuse nor justify my making mistakes to the detriment of my readers, so I will not, in the future, allow myself to forget that I am ultimately blogging for the glory of God (isn't that a weird statement!), rather than for my own personal promotion. After all, if I do allow Wendy to take center stage (admittedly not much of a show), then how can I continue to be scornful of televangelists? Not to mention it robs God of His rightful place.
So, for those of you who witnessed Monday's mistake, please forgive me. For those of you who didn't and are now dying of curiosity, be assured you didn't miss much. We will return to your regularly scheduled blog tomorrow.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
This Just In
I hope all my faithful readers aren't tired of the subject of romance because I couldn't resist posting at least one more entry about it. I just received another e-mail from a reader that is just too good not to share. I am going to turn the rest of this entry over to that reader, and I hope you enjoy what he has to say.
"Having read all your blogs, I feel like I am qualified to comment on only one of the columns. Hold on to your Gucci handbag - yes, it's the romance column."
(Editor's note: Wendy's handbag is from Payless, not Gucci.)
"As I no doubt have stated in the past, I have a bit of experience in this arena. Maybe I wasn't all that good, because I gave away a lot of jewelry (diamonds especially) to ladies before I found one who would actually marry me. To me, romance is not dead, just dormant. Popular culture, and yes, feminism, have, for the most part, put romance to sleep. But if one remembers the little things when dealing with other people, especially of the opposite gender, then romance will have a reawakening.
"Along with flowers and little gifts, just plain good, old fashioned politeness goes along way. I still race to open the door for my wife, whether it is to my truck, our house, wherever. I have always done this, even when dating the most "liberated" woman. And believe me, the ladies appreciate this.
(Editor's note: Yes, we do!)
"Helping out whenever possible is another way of romancing a lady. One girl I dated years ago was on an extended trip, due to arrive home late on a Friday evening. I got to her place before she did and made a wonderful meal for her (enough food so that she wouldn't have to cook for a few days). If I recall, I made french onion soup (yes, from scratch) and a seafood salad of steamed broccoli, shrimp, crab, and scallops. I lit candles on the dining room table. She loved it. And, just last weekend, as an example, while my wife was in Vidor visiting her granddaughters, I cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, including cleaning the mirrors and the clock, washing the floor, etc.
"If you think that romance is a one way street though, think again. Both parties need to be active participants. My wife is a pro at this. She usually has my coffee sitting on the bedside when I wake up in the morning - just a thoughtful little gesture. I'm sure it's almost like a chore some mornings, but it's a special thing to let me know that she is thinking of me. She has made, and will in the future I'm sure, great sacrifices so that I can participate in my favorite activity, namely fishing. This is a form of romance that goes straight to the heart, especially when it involves great sacrifice both in time and money to allow me my interests. Wining and dining that special someone is great fun, make no mistake. Being able to take her to a fancy restaurant and tell her to order to her heart's content, or taking her to the mall and letting her run rampant through the clothing aisles makes a body feel good. But the little things mean more and will be remembered longer.
"Like you said, watching the stars from the beach. Or in our case, watching them from our front yard, looking across the pastures of our neighbors, listening to the whip-or-wills and the crickets at night. Or holding hands as we drive to the grocery store. Or even being quiet during each others' favorite show on television and waiting for the commercial before speaking. These are the little ways one can tell the other that you love them and care for them. No, romance isn't dead. It just needs someone to bring it a cup of coffee now and then."
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Witnessing at Work
This week Christianity Today is featuring several articles about witnessing. If you're interested, go check them out:
"The Legal Implications of Witnessing at Work"
The teaser line reads, "Just how much can you talk about Jesus Christ on the job?"
"10 Objections to Christianity and How to Respond"
Teaser line: "Recently someone approached me with the following problem: 'Nobody can talk me out of being a Christian, but I can't talk anyone else into it. Can you help me?'"
"Witnessing to Neighbors"
Teaser line: "Being a good neighbor is a natural and effective way to share your faith."
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Readers Respond
A big mmm-wah! to all my readers who wrote in with a response to my hooking up vs. romance entries. Readers who write me are my favorites!
Everyone who wrote had nothing but praise and agreement, which disappointed me a little. I was sort of hoping for a spicy debate, but that didn't happen; maybe next time. I promised to post your comments, so following are the ones I felt were the most noteworthy:
From a male reader:
"I never heard much opinion about romance in the Apostolic ranks that was as informative as yours. Basically I'm writing to say that I feel romance is a lost art really. I believe that dating should be for those who are considering marrying the person they're seeing. I don't think going from one person to the next is what God intended. (Just my humble opinion.) Overall I think Apostolic young (including myself since I'm barely 21) people need more training and instruction about the whole process before we think about pursuing personal relationships with the opposite sex."
From a female reader:
"I agree with you that if keeping a relationship alive is going to fall all on me, I'd rather be single."
From a male reader, who happens to be a good friend of mine:
" . . . I don't risk rejection; you should know this by now. Ha, ha! It was great; thanks, I learned a lot."
From a female reader:
"Yes, yes, yes! We want romance. We want to be cherished, loved and respected. We want to be the most important person in the world to only one man. We want to be the only woman [he wishes] to spend [his] life with. Yes, it is normal for a man to 'want' a woman. That is the way God created us. But we are more than only natural; we are spiritual beings as well. We should wait until we find someone that will love us as Christ loves the church (if they exist). In return, we must give of ourselves in the exact same way."
And finally, a heartfelt cry from another female reader:
I just hate being a woman sometimes. What kills me is that people in my church criticize you if all you talk about is how you want a guy. They tell you how you need to be content with yourself and find a work in God's kingdom and when you forget about it, God will send you someone. So then when you finally become content with yourself and bodly state that you don't want or need a man in your life, you are wrong again. They jump on you because you are not accepting the role God intended you to play as a woman, wife, and mother. In the meantime of all this back and forth, your poor heart and emotions are being torn apart. And we wonder why Apostolic young people are becoming involved in pre-marital sex and bad relationships. As girls we are so confused as to what we are suppose to feel that we end up making dumb mistake after dumb mistake."
Links you should definitely check out for more info:
I highly recommend taking a look at 90&9's Apostolic Romance Survey 2000. Not only is it indicative of how Apostolics view dating and romance, but it's also interspersed with relevant commentary by some of the 90&9 staff. Very enlightening, very interesting.
When you're done, don't forget to check out Cara Baker Davis' Self Portrait: The Single Season series that launched the survey. It's full of meaty information that you shouldn't miss if you didn't catch it the first time around. Even if you did, it's so good it's worth a second read.
Then, here' s the Apostolic Romance Survey 2003, where the romance and dating data is more current.
Here's a great article on 90&9 by Hiro Nishi entitled "True Love Beyond Romance." A short but great read if you only have a few minutes.
Finally, here's a Crosswalk article by a single 40something that explores with finesse a few of the reasons why there's an increasing number of older Christian singles.
A Little Insider Knowledge for You
I also have it on good faith that 90&9's Executive Editor Kent d Curry would be very open to publishing any article submissions along the topic lines of romance, dating, and/or "hooking up." So if you have a strong opinion about the subject and an even stronger desire to make your voice heard, the time is ripe is to string about a thousand words together and e-mail it to editor@ninetyandnine.com.
Questions, comments, concerns?
E-mail them to wscoggins@ninetyandnine.com.
I reserve the right to quote you unless you ask otherwise.
Election 2004 - Enough Already!
Unless you're Phillip Hampton, aren't you getting tired of all the election hype? The mud slinging? The divided nation? The botoxed face of a grinning John Kerry? The pious lies of Bush & Co.? The only good about the whole thing is Laura. What a trooper! You just gotta love Laura. We haven't had a first lady so classy since Jackie.
Anyway, just like every other two-bit commentator and beyond, I thought I'd throw in my two cents for what it's worth. (Which is about two cents.)
My Election Predictions
I predict that this election will set new voting records for most votes cast in the history of U.S. elections. That's an easy prediction.
I also predict that the race will be very close. Another easy prediction.
Finally, I predict that the winner will be John Kerry. The reason why I'm predicting that is because of the scripture in this previous entry that states:
"I will make youths their leaders, and the unstable will govern them." Isaiah 3:4 HCSB
When Blonde Moment read that post, she exclaimed, "That means John Kerry will win!" I almost fell out of my chair. I felt as if I were witnessing a prophetic moment. So we shall see whether or not Blonde Moment is a prophetess on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2004.
The Dude Who Gets My Vote Is . . .
I quote Maury Meyers when I say, "On election day I will vote for George W. Bush and will do so with very little enthusiasm." Truth is, I'm not all that crazy about Dubya anymore. I think he inherited a pretty terrible economy from Slick Willie and didn't do much to improve it. Ironically, my stance on issues like education, finance, and health care align more closely with Kerry's. However, I just can't find it in my conscience to vote for a guy who's pro-choice and pro-civil unions, both huge issues for me. I really don't think anyone but God could put this country back together anyway, but He's not running. Heh, maybe I'll write Him in on the ballot. Wouldn't that be funny?
Just in Time for the Election
Remember this entry about the Republican administration actually increasing abortions? Well, here is a rebuttal to that argument, as well as the original author's reply. Interesting reading.
Update
Apparently the link to the rebuttal is no longer working. You may want to look here, here, or here instead.
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