Rock of desperation

JP: As reported on CNN
‘Hand of God’ rock being sold on eBay
Excerpt:
Paul Grayhek, 52, listed the rock formation he dubbed the “Hand of God Rock Wall” on the online auction Web site eBay. The highest bid was $250 early Sunday, with three days left to go in the auction.
The hand-like formation, approximately 9 feet tall [...]

The five points of the MTD God

JP: MTD = “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”. Although the book cites teenagers, it seems to apply to most Americans!
Death By Deism
Excerpts:
… sociologists [Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton] discovered a newly dominant creed that they dubbed Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD). Rather than transformative revelation from God, religion has become a utility for enhancing a teenager’s life. [...]

Clueless about Satan

JP: Another sad commentary on the shallowness of American Christianity:
Most U.S. Christians Don’t Believe Satan, Holy Spirit Exist
Excerpts:
Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil,” the survey found.
…
“Most Americans, even those who [...]

Lego ‘Christus’

JP: The original is on the left. More below.
Swedish Church Unveils Lego Jesus
Excerpt:
Congregants at Oensta Gryta Church in Vaesteras donated almost 30,000 Lego pieces to construct the 5.8-foot high statue of Jesus, the exterior of which appears completely white, though other colors were used underneath.
Per Wilder, pastor of the church, said work on [...]

Preaching ‘cotton candy’ Christianity

JP: From the Wall Street Journal. See my additional comments below.
Is Joel Osteen’s Message Recession Proof?
Excerpts:
Joel Osteen has become one of the most popular preachers in America, filling a basketball arena each Sunday in part with a message that God will reward an optimistic approach. “God wants to increase you financially, by giving you promotions, [...]

Ten Lessons from Great Christian Minds

Augustine (5th century): Remember that you are a citizen of another kingdom.
Martin Luther (16th century): Expect politicians to be corrupt.
Thomas Aquinas (13th century): God has made himself known in nature.
John Calvin (16th century): God is sovereign over all, including our suffering.
Jonathan Edwards (18th century): God is beautiful, and all beauty is divine.
Thomas a’Kempis (15th century): [...]

Coffee w Pastor Morrell

What: Coffee with Pastor Matt Morrell
When: Wednesday June 3rd, 2009
Where: Caribou Coffee, 9420 36th Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55427 (Hwy 169 and 36th Street)
(763) 546-1818
What time: After our regular Wednesday night Bible study – basically 8:10 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
How much: Jim buys

UK: 400,000 Jedi

JP: Needs no comment.
390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales
Excerpt:
About 390,000 people listed their religion as Jedi in the 2001 Census for England and Wales. In Scotland the figure was a reported 14,000.
The Office for National Statistics did not recognise it as a separate category, and incorporated [...]

Failed Gospel Tract

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole [...]

Unity Amid Differences

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3)
JP: John Piper with some practical teaching on Ephesians 4:3. See additional thoughts by Bob Bixby below. See my final comments at the bottom.
What I Said to the Pastoral Staff About Unity Amid Differences
Excerpts:
Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid [...]