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'Heavy topics with a light touch'






May 26, 2007: Blog, e-zine or whatever it is I do . . .
'heavy topics with a light touch'

Top topic: Seven things dad really wants for Father's Day (6.11)
FATHER'S DAY ARTICLES, HUMOR
Class notes from "Write to Publish" seminars (6.4)

Did you really live in a girl's dorm? Spend time in prison? (5.29)

Hamas v. Fatah v. Israel; Shi'ites v. Sunnis (6.13)
HAMAS, FATAH, SHIITES, SUNNIS
New, snazzy, simple, clean design? (5.26)

Not wild about Wild at Heart (6.12)
JOHN ELDRIDGE'S WILD AT HEART
Our code of conduct
OUR CODE OF CONDUCT
Postcard to Paris (6.11)
PARIS HILTON'S MAILING ADDRESS
Ruth Graham, wonderful example of grace, charm (6.14)
RUTH GRAHAM IN COMA, CLOSE TO DEATH
What's with angry atheist authors? (5.28)
ANGRY ATHEISTS
Wildmon's wild claim: crime to speak against homosexuality
ANGRY ATHEISTS



You can't "Bete" Tim's humor (5.30)


With sixtty kabillion sites you could visit, thanks for stopping by here! I hope you'll come back regularly for constantly updated humor and commentary on sex, society, the supernatural and, of course, my plot to overthrow society as we know it. (Please save it as a favorite, then tell a friend.)





Friday, June 15, 2007
wildmon's wild claim: crime to speak against homosexuality

Donald E. Wildmon, of the American Family Association, recently sent out an email headed “A bill in Congress makes it a crime for pastors and churches to speak against homosexuality."

He writes


If pastors and other Christians don’t aggressively oppose a bill now in Congress, in the near future they will be subject to huge fines and prison terms if they say anything negative about homosexuality. The proposed law would make it a crime to preach on Romans Chapter 1 or I Corinthians Chapter 6. Or even to discuss them in a Sunday School class. If churches and individuals want to keep the government from telling them what they can and cannot preach and teach about homosexuality, they better get involved now!

House bill H.R. 1592 and Senate bill S. 1105 would make negative statements concerning homosexuality, such as calling the practice of homosexuality a sin from the pulpit, a “hate crime” punishable by law. This dangerous legislation would take away your freedom of speech and your freedom of religion.

Maybe I’m missing some legal language that implies this, but here's how
the actual bill on the government’s Web site defines the crime:


. . . willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person . . . (6.A).

In a prosecution for an offense under this section, evidence of expression or associations of the defendant may not be introduced as substantive evidence at trial, unless the evidence specifically relates to that offense. (6.D)

I’m no lawyer (and please correct me if I'm wrong), but I don’t see language that supports Wildmon’s claims? It seems that the “crime” is one that “willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device.” And that mere “expression” and “associations” with hate groups are specifically protected from prosecution unless one uses language to incite “bodily injury. . . . ”

Like I said, I’m no lawyer, but I don’t see the threat.

And if there is no threat, then this is—at best—uninformed and—at worst—irresponsible as all those “Madalyn Murray O'Hare petitioning the FCC to remove all religious broadcasting from airwaves” urban legends that clog our "in" boxes.

So, what do you think?
Here's what I think about homosexuality in general
Here's what I think about "hate crimes" specifically



Thursday, June 14, 2007
ruth graham, wonderful example of grace, charm

Ruth Graham, wife of the Reverend—and revered—evangelist Billy Graham is in a coma and "close to death" a family spokesperson announced.

Ruth's grace and charm provided a wonderful example of what a minister's spouse—or any Christian—should be.
ABC News story
Women in ministry resources

7:00 pm Ruth Graham dies at 87
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's tribute to Ruth Bell Graham
Dealing with death and grief



Wednesday, June 13, 2007
hamas v. fatah v. israel; shi'ites v. sunnis

Fighting, once again, has broken out between Fatah and Hamas factions in Gaza, and Sunnis (supported by al Qaeda) have attacked—for the second time—the Shi’ite’s Golden Mosque in Baghdad in an apparent attempt to escalate the fighting between those rival groups. If, like me, you can't tell the players without a program, here's the roster for Middle East factions:
Fatah v. Hamas v. Israel
Shi'ites v. Sunnis



Tuesday, June 12, 2007
not wild about wild at heart

John Eldridge's Wild at Heart has always bothered me with it's testosterone-twisted view of the New Testament's teachings. Lee Cook, a Princeton grad and director of spiritual formation at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church in L.A., has finally articulated why I'm not "wild" about the questionable theology behind the best-selling book.
"The Tamed Heart" by Lee Cook
"Jim Shorts" on the new macho man
Why do guys do what guys do?



Monday, June 11, 2007
postcard to paris

Paris Hilton #9818783
Century Regional Detention Facility
11705 S Alameda Street
Lynwood CA 90262

Hey Paris,

First, I want to commend you for your comments to Barbara Walters. You told her, "I used to act dumb. That act is no longer cute. Now, I would like to make a difference. God has given me this new chance." That's great! I also want to compliment you on your plea to the media to stop focusing on you and cover more important issues such as the war in Iraq.

Second, I'm praying that God will continue to use this experience to draw you closer to Him. Unfortunately, for most of us, it takes something tragic—or humiliating—to get our attention off ourselves and onto Him.

Third, if you think the paparazzi only want to exploit you, beware of so-called "Christian" ministries that will want to use you if they think you've had a spiritual conversion in jail. I do pray that you come to know God in a real, personal way through this experience, but don't go public! Get in a small group of Christians and grow in your faith until you're spiritually ready for the media's exploitation and scrutiny.

You're in my prayers.

How to have a personal relationship with God
How to use life's tragedies to be a better person

Later Monday
seven things dad really wants for father's day

Guys want more than ties, after-shave, or even gift certificates to Lowes.
Seven things your guy wishes you knew about him—but doesn't know how to tell you
A look at Dad's 'real' job
You may be a parent if you've ever said . . .
Aren't godly parents guaranteed godly kids? Not necessarily!
What's a father to think? (from my wife's "Thursday Thoughts" column)

Even later Monday . . .
speaking in pennsylvania, kentucky

I have a week to finish two huge editing projects, then off to two writers conferences, so probably not a lot of blogging this week.
St. Davids Christian Writers Conference
Kentucky Christian Writers Conference



Monday, June 4, 2007
class notes from 'write to publish' seminars

This week, I'm teaching five classes and rep'ing Wesleyan Publishing House on the campus of Wheaton College. I hope to meet many of you there. If you can't be there, here are the notes from four of my classes, plus the link to WPH's "editorial needs at this time" and a ream of other writing resources.
From Stage to Page: Turning Messages into Manuscripts
How to Market Your Message (a self-editing sheet)
The Wired Writer: Planning, designing and promoting your Web site
Writing for Goldfish: How to communicate with today's online users
Wesleyan Publishing House's editorial needs
Writing resources



Wednesday, May 30, 2007
while I'm busy editing, you can't 'bete' tim's humor

It's "feast or famine" in Freelance Land, and right now I have four editing projects needing my attention, plus preparing for my classes on designing and writing for Web sites at the Write to Publish Christian Writers' Conference. I'm working hard, but eating well!

So, my friend Tim Bete (pronounced "beet"), will be subbing for me over the next several days. I expect you to be on your



best behavior for Mr. Bete! (And, if I hear of any nonsense while I'm gone, I will deal with you when I get back.)

Tim is a former newspaper columnist and author of two books, In The Beginning
. . . There Were No Diapers
(2005, Sorin Books) and Guide to Pirate Parenting (2007, Cold Tree Press). Tim's parenting advice has been published in dozens of newspapers, magazines and Web sites.

Tim's site



Tuesday, May 29, 2007
did you really live in a girl's dorm? spend time in prison?

One of the joys of the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers’ Conference was meeting one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. Loyd (yes, one L) Boldman is a musician and video producer with the funniest site I’ve ever visited:
DevotionMedia.com. One of his best pages is his Infrequently Asked Questions. So, I promptly stole the idea—but created my own questions.

So, I’ve addressed such questions as: Did you really live in a girl's dorm? Have you ever spent time in prison? How can I become rich and famous like you? Is sex good for your health? Is dark chocolate good for your health? What medications are you currently taking? Why is the sky blue? Why do fools fall in love? Why do good things happen to bad people? and many more.

Infrequently asked questions



Monday, May 28, 2007
what's with angry atheist authors?

Yikes! Take a look at book sales and you'll notice that Pastor Rick Warren's The Purpose-Drive Life has been driven off the best-seller lists by angry atheists: Christopher Hitchens' God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Sam Harris' The End of Faith and its follow-up Letter to a Christian Nation, Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion, Daniel Dennett's Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon. Whew!

A couple thoughts: First, all the craziness done in the name of "God" (ie. bombings, beheadings, brutality), certainly makes one question His morality, let alone His existence. But the anger, then, should be directed at those godless people who blame their actions on their allegience to their so-called God.

But second—and more important—if God doesn't exist, why all the anger? Nobody's writing vehement tomes against aliens, Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, or fairies. Could it be that deep inside, they know there is a God and are rebelling against His demands to live a holy life? (Believing in Big Foot doesn't demand a change in lifestyle.) Just a thought.

All the craziness done in the name of "God"
The character of the true God
Complete story from Christian Post



Saturday, May 26, 2007
new, snazzy, simple, clean design?

I've had the design on the right for a year and a half now, so it's probably time to get a new "look." Besides, I'm teaching a class on Web site design at the Write to Publish Christian Writers' Conference next week, so I need something new and snazzy as an example of a simple, clean and easy to navigate site.

So, be honest, is it snazzy, simple, clean and easy to navigate? Use the email link in the right column to send me your thoughts.






May 7, 2007
last issue's 'heavy topics with a light touch'

We, of course, covered Mothers' Day with lots of humor and helps, plus resources for those having an unhappy un-mother day. Plus, Jerry Falwell's death brought mixed reactions, and the Pope took heat for his comments on abortion.
Click here to go back in time



May 2007
last month's top ten sites

• 1
Home page / blog
• 2 Quips and quotes of encouragement
• 3 "Jim Shorts" on sex
• 4 Is it a life or a choice?
• 5 Women in ministry issues
• 6 Top ten reasons I'm not divorcing my wife
• 7 "Jim Shorts" on spirituality
• 8 "I just want to die" (suicide)
• 9 "Adult site" for adults
• 10 "Jim Shorts" on media



But wait, there's more . . .
code, copyrights, comments . . .

We subscribe to proposed 'blogger's code of conduct' I'm glad to see the online community developing a set of guidelines to bring civility and credibility to the blogsphere. I've adapted the proposed tenants (printed in red) to create my own code of conduct.


1. Responsibility for our own words First, I believe that, as a follower of Christ, I am responsible to "speak the truth in love" and to "let all [my] conversation be full of grace." Jesus never backed away from controversial subjects, but He was "full of truth and grace." Second, I believe plagiarism is stealing and thus a violation of the eighth commandment. All material on my site is original with me unless credited to someone else. And third, as a journalist, I must be objective, accurate (I will verify all facts with at least two reliable sources) and fair (I will quote people in context and strive to present their position accurately).

2. Nothing we wouldn't say in person We must be as responsible and civil we are in the real world. I believe that personal attacks, name-calling, profane or vulgar language, and racist, sexist and ethnic humor have no place in the real or virtual worlds.

3. Encouragement of responses (That's currently not in the code, but it should be!) I include guest's comments at the end of articles and columns as well as encouraging comments on my host's online discussion board.

4. No anonymous comments Commenters must supply a valid email address before they can post, though I allow commenters to identify themselves with an alias, rather than their real name for sensitive issues.

5. Discretion to delete comments I refuse to post comments that do not conform to my own code in point 2.

6. Vigorous enforcement of blog hosts' terms of service

7. Nothing harmful We will not engage in any activity that would cause physical, mental, social or spiritual harm or encourage anyone to do the same.

I'll probably be tweaking this as I go along, but for now, those are the promises I'm making to you as a guest on my site.

Blogger's Code of Conduct [off site]
Legal Guide for Bloggers (also very good!) [off site]
Some thoughts on blogging and responsibility



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