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THE TWELVE SITES OF CHRISTMAS






November 23, 2007:
ho! ho! ho! have a meaningful christmas!

• Top topic: Our Annual Twelve Sites of Christmas

• "A Christian bozo is still a bozo"

• American Muslims silent on "Teddy bear" sentence

Charisma editor supports investigation of Hinn, others

• "He ain't no baby no more"

• "Ho! Ho! Ho!" political "No! No! No!"

• Mitt to take off gloves on Mormon faith

• More Americans believe in devil than in Darwin

• Religious freedom for one—and all

• Richard Roberts receives vote of no confidence at ORU

• Top ten sites

• World Hope: hope on "World AIDS Day"





With a kabillion sites you could visit, thanks for stopping by here! I hope you'll come back regularly for constantly updated humor; 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.)





Top topic: Friday, November 23, 2007
our annual twelve sites of christmas

Okay, I may not be your "true love," but I do have some cool Christmas sites for you. Besides, you really don't want livestock and leaping lords under your Christmas tree, do you?! I didn't think so.

Christmas comedy-drama
Christmas gifts
Christmas humor
Christmas movies
Christmas poetry, essays
Christmas quotations
Christmas story
Christmas trees
Christmas trivia
More

Have a meaningful Christmas!



Saturday, December 8, 2007
'he ain't no baby no more'

After a traditional Christmas pagent with shepherds in bathrooms, magi with decorative Avon bottles and "Cabbage Patch" Jesus, one of the "saints" in the church quipped, "He ain't no baby no more." Terrible grammar, but terrific theology! That prompted this song:

Born to earth in a manger bed
Borrowed straw to pillow His head
A helpless little baby
Emptied of His power and glory we’ve read
While crowds couldn’t grasp the truth that He said
All they could say is “maybe”

But next time, He’s coming back in power
Next time, He’s coming back in power
Shining like fresh snow on the ground
Proclaimed the King at the trumpet’s sound

He grew to be despised with a price on His head
The mob wasn’t happy till His blood was shed
They crucified their Savior
But death would be the victor only three days He said
And so on Easter morning He rose from the dead
No grave can hold our Savior

But next time, He’s coming back in power
Next time, He’s coming back in power
To judge the world of right and wrong
Coming again, it won’t be long

© Copyright 1974 James N. Watkins

More Christmas poety
More original music



Thursday, December 6, 2007
'a christian bozo is still a bozo'

One of my denomination's leaders likes to quip, "A Christian bozo is still a bozo." His point is that simply claiming the name of Christ doesn't make one competent to be a brain surgeon, nuclear power operator, plumber, or any of a thousand other skilled professions. And it certainly is not the sole qualification for national leadership. Some of the most outspoken Christians, unfortunately, have turned out to be political "bozos."

So, I actually found myself agreeing with many of Mitt Romney's points in today's "Faith in America" speech:
    It is important to recognize that while differences in theology exist between the churches in America, we share a common creed of moral convictions. And where the affairs of our nation are concerned, it's usually a sound rule to focus on the latter—on the great moral principles that urge us all on a common course. Whether it was the cause of abolition, or civil rights, or the right to life itself, no movement of conscience can succeed in America that cannot speak to the convictions of religious people.

    We separate church and state affairs in this country, and for good reason. No religion should dictate to the state nor should the state interfere with the free practice of religion. But in recent years, the notion of the separation of church and state has been taken by some well beyond its original meaning. They seek to remove from the public domain any acknowledgment of God. Religion is seen as merely a private affair with no place in public life. It is as if they are intent on establishing a new religion in America—the religion of secularism. They are wrong.
As important as the causes of freedom of religion, abolition, civil rights, and the right to life, the person Americans elect next November, must be qualified and competent to effectively work for those causes to be implemented. Like brain surgery and plumbing, one can have all the right religious and moral convictions, but can he or she work effectively to stop bleeding in the brain or a leak under the sink?

So, I'm not going to vote for someone simply because they claim the name of Christ or not vote for someone simply because he is a Mormon (see
Tuesday's post). If a candidate seems to be the most qualified to champion moral and Christian issues I believe in, I'll vote for him or her whether or not the "Christian" card is played. (At this point, however, I'm decidedly "undecided"!)

So, what do you think?



Wednesday, December 5, 2007
charisma editor supports investigation of hinn, others

Charisma magazine editor Lee Grady has come out in support of a Senate probe into six “prosperity gospel” preachers.

Senator Charles Grassley, ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Finances, has questioned the extravagant lifestyles of leaders and whether they are abusing their nonprofit status. Targeted in the investigation are Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Eddie Long and Paula White.

“Questions need to be asked," Grady wrote in a recent column. "That's why I refuse to demonize Grassley for launching this probe.” Grady did express disappointment that the Christian public should have made these ministries financially accountable long ago.

"In Defense of the Good Senator" by J. Lee Grady
Last Monday's post on accountability



Monday, December 3, 2007
mitt to take off gloves on mormon faith

Throughout the primary campaign, Republican Mitt Romney has dodged questions about his Mormon faith. Now, trailing in Iowa caucus polls to conservative Christian Mike Huckabee, Mitt is taking off the gloves. He’ll address his faith in a news conference scheduled for Thursday.

I suspect he will echo President John Kennedy, who argued, "I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic." I also suspect Romney will continue to dodge specific questions about the Mormon faith.

Here are some resources for understanding the Mormon faith:

Mormon beliefs (official LDS site) [off site]
Mormonism vs. Traditional Christianity (a helpful chart from Belief.net) [off site]
Mormonism: A Survey and Biblical Critique (from ChristianAnswers.net) [off site]



Later Monday
more americans believe in devil than in darwin

Yep, according to a new Harris poll, 62 percent of U.S. residents believe in a literal hell and the devil compared to only 42 percent who believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution. (I’ve always argued that it requires much more faith to believe incredibly complex life simply evolved than to believe in a Creator.)

The poll of 2,455 U.S. adults, also reported that 82 percent believe in God, 79 percent believe in miracles, 75 percent in heaven, and 72 percent believe that Jesus Christ is God or the Son of God.

It's an interesting poll, but prompts the apostle James' warning, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." What we do with our beliefs is as important as what we believe. At least that's what these two James believe.

Does DNA disprove evolution?
Do those who believe in God obey Him?
Which Jesus do you believe in?



Saturday, December 1, 2007
world hope: bringing hope on 'world aids day'

The numbers are staggering:
• Over 22 million people have died from AIDS
• Over 42 million people are living with HIV/AIDS
• Nearly 6,000 people will die of AIDS today
• There are 14,000 new infections every day (95 percent in developing countries)
• Half of the 5 million new infections each year occur among ages 15 to 24
• The UN estimates that, currently, there are 14 million AIDS orphans

Lois and I had the opportunity to put faces on those facts during our two-week visit to Zambia with World Hope. Rather than warehousing AIDS patients and children orphaned by AIDS in hospitals and orphanages, World Hope is empowering communities to care for their own in their own homes through economic development programs. World Hope is also working to stop HIV/AIDS at the source with effective abstinence programs in schools and villages. While the numbers are staggering, there is hope.

• Reflections on our time in Zambia
• Reality check: condoms don't stop AIDS
• World Hope's work with HIV/AIDS
• World Hope's work in preventing HIV/AIDS



Friday, November 30, 2007
american muslims silent on 'teddy bear' sentence

Muslims brandishing weapons in Sudan are demanding the execution of British teacher, Gillian Gibbons, for allowing her elementary grade class to name a Teddy bear "Mohammed." She is currently serving 15 days in prison and deportation. (She could have faced 40 lashes and six months in prison.) She was arrested last Sunday, and I've been waiting for American Muslims to comment on this draconian demand for "justice." Let's see what these official groups have commented the past five days:
• American Muslim Conference: Nothing.
• Council for the Advancement of Mulim Professionals: Nothing.
• Islamic Society of North America: Nothing.
• Muslim American Society: Nothing.
• Muslim Public Affairs Council: Nothing.

I feel it's necessary for biblical Christians to speak out when sincere or so-called Christians do or say something that is completely contrary to Scripture (for example, the "God Hates Fags" picketers). Why are American Muslim groups not speaking out if this is contrary to their beliefs?
• My comments on Muslim reactions



Monday, November 26, 2007
richard roberts receives vote of no confidence at oru

A follow up to my
October 8 posting that things were not OK at ORU:

ChristianPost.com is reporting that Richard Roberts has resigned as president of Oral Roberts University amid allegations that he and his wife, Lindsay, "lavishly misspent donors’ money of personal expenses," "jeopardized the university’s nonprofit status by becoming illegally involved in a local political campaign," and that Lindsay was involved in “improper behavior” with underage males.

Richard Roberts received a vote of no confidence from the university’s tenured faculty, and provost, Mark Lewandowski, had threatened to resign if Roberts remained in office. The, now, former president still faces a lawsuit that he "wrongfully" fired three ORU professors who complained of the Roberts’ misspending. (Roberts will continue to preside over Oral Roberts Ministries, calling the ORU allegations "intimidation, blackmail and extortion.")

While this news is certainly not good for the ORU community, it is encouraging for the Church of Christ at large, that accountability and independent boards can put a stop to unethical and illegal activities within the church when its leaders are under the authority of someone other than themselves.

• Importance of accountability
• Danger of lack of accountability
• Need to address scandal honestly
• ChristianPost.com report [off site]



Friday, November 23, 2007
'ho! ho! ho!' political 'no! no! no!'

In Sydney, Australia, Jolly old St. Nicholas will have to bellow "Ha! Ha! Ha!" rather than "Ho! Ho! Ho!" this holiday season. The traditional greeting is considered politically incorrect since it has become slang for girls on Santa's "naughty" list. What's next? "Ha! Ha! Ha! Merry Non-Sectarian Gift-Buying Winter Solstice!"
We wish you a P.C. Christmas
Top Ten politically-correct Christmas songs



Later Friday
religious freedom for one—and all

A Utah city will have to allow a non-traditional religion to erect its seven tenets beside the Ten Commandments or to take down all such monuments. So, the American Center for Law and Justice has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to overturn the lower court's desicion and allow only the Ten Commandments.

Summum, which believes its Seven Aphormisms were also brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses, is arguing its first amendment rights are being violated.

I’ve got to side with the Summums on this one. Not that I believe their blend of New Age and Scientology, but if this group loses it’s first amendment rights, Christianity can easily lose its rights as well! In a free, democratic society, the majority must to allow the minority its expressions of beliefs—no matter how strange or offensive—or one day it too may be in the minority. (And biblical Christianity is quickly becoming a minority in the U.S. of A, like many other countries!)

A more effective "monument" for the Ten Commandments
Summum's Seven Aphormisms [off site]
Old "New" Age tenets
Your thoughts



Friday, November 23, 2007
last issue's 'heavy topics with a light touch'

• Top topic: Thanks for nothin'

• Beyond conservative Christian litmus tests

• The blog is dead! Long live the blog!

• Celebrate "World Toilet Day" November 19

• "Last Candidate Standing" game show proposed

Holiday Christmas litmus test? Humbug!

• If you're traveling by air this thanksgiving holiday . . .

• International day of prayer for persecuted church

• New source of stem cells doesn’t destroy human embryos

• Speaking in Indy, Kansas City, Fort Wayne

• Top ten signs office staff stressed out

• "Trick or treat" chocolate actually good for you




Saturday, December 1, 2007
november's top ten sites

November ranking (October ranking)

   1. Home page / blog (1)

   2. The nativity story (—)

   3. God hates www.godhatesfags.com (9)

   4. 'Jim Shorts' on holidays (—)

   5. Top ten reasons I'm not divorcing my wife (3)

   6. Is it a life or a choice? (10)

   7. Women in ministry issues (6)

   8. Quips and quotes of encouragement (8)

   9. One nation under the Supreme Being of your choice (5)

  10. "Jim Shorts" on sex (7)




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 policy (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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