Religion in the News

Othercott
On May 19, The Da Vinci Code (film version) will be released in theaters. Many Christians, especially of the Catholic faith which takes a major hit by the novel and screenplay, are looking for a way to combat the fabrications of the story. The latest plan is to hit the box office where it hurts by turning out in droves to see any movie but The Da Vinci Code. Click here for full details.

I realize we have mixed opinions about movie watching which I will not explore. But regardless, this is certainly a clever, progressive way to retaliate against attempts to undermine Christianity.

The Intersection of Art, Religion, and Money
Artist or con-artist? Saint or swindler? The L.A. Times reveals allegations against renowned Christian-themed painter Thomas Kinkaid in ”Dark Portrait of a ‘Painter of Light’”.

Oops. I guess we use that age-old “let the art stand alone regardless of the artist’s personal life” argument, right?

2 by 2

What a researcher claims is a satellite image of Noah’s Ark is being studied as scholars attempt to determine details about the frozen object on Mount Ararat.

Why did I think this had already been done?

Left, Right, Left. Convert!
USAToday also has reported allegations that Air Force Recruiters are Using Religion as a Tool. Many non-believers feel that Christians in the Air Force get preferential treatment and that as non-Christians they are constantly pressured to convert.

After reading that I had to wonder how our [Christians in general] evangelism techniques come across. Where is the fine line between sharing and badgering?

Duct Tape Reports from the Field - Part II

Once again, readers have shared their duct tape stories and sightings from the field. Like last time, you are in for a treat.

Duct Tape Your Doggie Bag
Our very own Shirley McDonald writes in with a use for duct tape, learned from holiday feasts:

"After Christmas dinner, my husband and I were trying to find containers to send leftovers home with Bradley and Jaime. Since all of my plastic containers had been used by others with their leftovers, My husband filled up one of those divided styrofoam platters for them. He had a brilliant idea - cover it with another styrofoam platter and staple them together. Well, the staple wasn't thick enough - so out comes the duct tape! Instant success - all that food tucked safely inside with nary a spill!"

Duct Tape Fashion
Our pal (and this month's blogger) Wendy points out great new duct tape apparel:

"My pastor always wears these Christian t-shirts (apparently his wife gets them on sale and buys them for him), and one of them said:

'People use duct tape to fix things. Jesus used three nails.'

The picture of duct tape on this particular t-shirt was so realistic that from a distance, it looked like he had duct tape all over his stomach!"

My Most Recent Duct Tape Testimony
I am something of an ice cream connoisseur, I would like to think. With this appreciation for high quality cream comes an awful disdain for the crusty layer that forms over the top of ice cream in the freezer. My mission in life has become finding a way to rid the world forever of the horrible crust!

So allow me to introduce my newest invention: the Duct Tape Ice Cream Lid Reinforcer. Simply cut a 16" strip of your favorite color duct tape (pink, in my case). Then wrap that duct tape around the lid of your ice cream to lock out moisture, thus preserving the ice cream crust-free!

Behold the beauty below!

Should Working Parents Get Special Treatment?

I hate to get into more trouble over parents vs. non-parents topics, but I couldn’t resist pointing to this article: “Should Working Parents Get Special Treatment?” by Tory Johnson. The author picks up a touchy workplace subject.

Our Expert
That reminded me of some previous Ninetyandnine articles. If you haven’t been following Leann Guzman’s Family/Work Issues Series, you should check it out. Leann (G.) has come to peace with her decision to be a working parent. Lee Ann (me) has new respect for parents facing these tough decisions after reading the series.

Workin' 5 to 9
And so with respect to parents, I agree with Tory Johnson. Johnson says that if parents do choose to work, they have to stick to their work commitment. The fact that they have children does not entitle them to continually duck out of work and shrug it off on non-parent co-workers, especially in today's workplace where it's normal to put in extra time frequently. The article points out:

Men and women without children expressed resentment for being expected to pick up the slack when a parent comes in late or leaves early to tend to their families. They said they believe it shows a lack of respect for their personal time. They're tired of the assumption that no kids means no life outside of work.

Is there a way to win at balancing family and work? I don’t know, but I think involves just good old-fashioned respect. Hats off to the hard-working parents out there who hold up their end of the bargain at home and at work.

Straight Talk on American Idol

Before the interview, I tried to remain neutral and not offer my personal views on the subject of American Idol. But with the interview now live and with your requests for elaboration, I will speak freely about my take on an Apostolic on the show.

What I Meant…
By saying I’m the better for having interviewed Kaitlin Johnson, I mean that talking with her helped me stretch my mind and expectations. I, too, was at Youth Congress and heard Bro. Strawcutter talk about breaking out of our comfort zones and showing everyone around us who we are by a strong, public example. I am the better for seeing someone take that to heart and act on it rather than just stop at a “boy, that’s good preaching” comment like I did. Kaitlin Johnson reminded me that preaching does make a difference and that we’re supposed to apply the message and do something with it.

And that message is to be the salt and light, which we can’t very well fulfill locked in our homes and our churches. I will personally never try out for American Idol. But I am probably a lot more likely now to send a story out to a national, secular magazine. I still haven’t made a decision about writing a screenplay, but I’m probably a lot more likely now to write something of my own and get it out there because that’s my way to let my light shine. Yes, it is risky and controversial to step beyond our known world, but we work secular jobs with non-Christians everyday, so we are supposed to be able to handle it.

Something to Talk about
Does it raise contradictions to have an Apostolic on television when organizations within our fellowship have guidelines on the subject? I don’t know. Maybe that’s something that needs to be addressed just like other technology topics such as the good ol' World Wide Web. Ultimately, I hope that we use every experience to look long and hard at who we are, what we believe, and become stronger because of it. Our society is engulfed with technology and a mass media culutre. We can only pray that our organization leaders have the divine wisdom and forethought to direct our respective churches in such a way that we best remain a spotless bride.

My Two Cents
I do know that I am the better for talking with Kaitlin Johnson because I have been reminded to

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;” –Isaiah 54:2

I think the only limitations on our opportunities to serve God are those we impose ourselves. Maybe American Idol is not right for everyone. (Maybe having a web ministry amid the perverse filth online is not for everyone, but here we all are creating dialogue and growing from it.) I respect Kaitlin Johnson’s convictions, and after talking with her, I see a person who created an opportunity to let her light shine and made the most of it.

The Kaitlin Johnson Interview

The Interview is Live!
The moment is here, and the Kaitlin Johnson exclusive interview is up at Ninetyandnine.com. I hope you’ll enjoy the interview as much as I did.

The Story behind the Interview
As I mentioned in the interview, I didn’t know Kaitlin before American Idol, but fortunately my roommate knows the whole world. So through the beauty of Everyones Connected and only two degrees of separation, I got in touch with Kaitlin, who turn out to be a very awesome person.

Kaitlin was gracious enough to agree to an interview, and the entire interview was done online. Kaitlin was extremely patient and accommodating, so when I went back with third round follow-up questions, she still gave candid answers. I really appreciate Kaitlin being willing to talk about AI and giving us her true thoughts behind all that has happened.

In Retrospect
I am the better for having talked with Kaitlin and getting her unique perspective on "eating burritos in the lunchroom." I hope you've pondered her outlook as I have. What other questions do you wish I would have asked Kaitlin?