Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rants. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

"Rightly Dividing the Truth"

OK, every church has those people who...shall we say 'think' they are spiritual, but are in all actuality some of the most nonspiritual Christians you could ever meet. It should be noted that they feel their way is the only way, their music is the only good music, their preference is the best, them, them, them etc.

Every now and then they feel 'lead by God' to be anonymous prophets - AKA, spineless critics. They send unsigned letters, notes etc to you. This week one of those precious people posted a religious news article on the bulletin board in the church hallway for people to read. The article which you can see below is critical of churches and "so called" pastors who adjust their service schedule or show the Super Bowl inside the "Sanctuary". Normally I just grin at this sort of thing and move on, but the title of this column is "Rightly Dividing the Truth." I take issue with article because it is pathetically Non-Biblical. I'm TOTALLY OK with someone having different preferences or traditions than me, but you better not try to distort God's Word in the process. The other reason I would like to draw attention to the article is because for the last month in our student ministry we have been discussing what the 'church' is and is not from a Biblical viewpoint.

So, I'm asking our students to comment on this post and point out the errors you can find based on the teaching we've been examining in the Bible during FUEL over the last month. Let's see how many you can catch.


- Brad.


Super Bowl Redux

Note: I intended to write this peace yesterday, but with Colts loss (I'm a huge fan) I needed a day to get over the loss to the Saints.

My 10 thoughts from Sunday's Big Game.

10.) 106 million people watched the Super Bowl. 1/3 of our population watched the Super Bowl! It was the largest TV audience ever, breaking the record of the last M*A*S*H episode. This is remarkable in this day of endless viewing options.

Now, if the NFL owners and players screw up what they have going in their CBA negotiations and have a lockout of any kind - they would be the biggest fools on earth. The money pie is huge...8 Billion dollars huge! You can figure out a way for everyone to get a nice slice.

9.) I hated the Colts losing. Hated it. But if they were going to lose to a team in the NFL - I'm cool with it being the Saints. Drew Brees is a good dude. Despite the disappointment I felt after the game, seeing Drew holding his cute little boy after the game while his eyes filled with tears...that was special.

8.) Seriously, how long will we have to pay for Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction"? I don't have anything against The Who, but we need a more relevant halftime experience. The only thing that held that act together was an amazing stage production. That was wow. Here are some safe, but relevant suggestions for next year: 1) a country collage of Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood. 2) Kings of Leon, Coldplay or Maroon 5. 3) U2. OR, put these guys on a 7 second delay: 1) Jay Z and Rihanna. 2) The Black Eyed Peas.

7.) The biggest play of the game form a football perspective was not the interception, the onside kick, but Pierre Garcon's drop in the second quarter. Manning hit Pierre in the hands around the 50 yard line, with about 25 more yards of running room. The Colts are almost guaranteed to score again, which would have eliminated one of the Saints possessions. Colts would have had a two possession lead, and I believe won the game.

6.) Peyton Manning is the most unjustly scrutinized player in sports. Maybe in sports history. He throws for 333 yds, and TD and a INT that people with real football knowledge know was on Reggie Wayne's unusual break to the ball - and somehow we are back to the Peyton can't win when the big game is on the line. I won't defend him long, because I'm admittedly partial, but give me a break.

5.) My Favorite Super Bowl Ads:
1.) The Doritos "Play Nice" (The little boy putting smack down on his mommas date.
2.) Lebron vs. Dwight vs. Larry Bird
3.) Betty White Snickers Bar
4.) Leno, Oprah, Letterman
5.) Jim Nance, FLOW TV Spineless man
6.) E-trade Jealous Baby Girlfriend
7.) Audi Green Police

4.) My Least Favorite Super Bowl Ads:
1.) Career Builder - Casual Day. Still have a little vomit in my mouth over that.
2.) Go Daddy Ads - How many miles of slutiness can they get out of these?
3.) Monster.com - Gopher/Beaver, Whatever it was it was weird and made no sense.
4.) Coke Sleep walking - Yawn.
5.) Charles Barkley/Taco Bell - yeah, Barkley needs a super size combo meal.
6.) Audi Green Police (Yeah, I know it's on both lists. If the Green Police weren't intended to be satirical, then I didn't like it.)

3.) Speaking of commercials. The Pam/Tim Tebow commercial. You know the one that got the NOW (National Organization of you better think like we do or you’re not a real Woman group) and other feminist groups all stirred up into a tizzy? Here is what I think: The groups that were crying that this ad was offensive and demeaning to women. The groups calling for CBS to pull the ad - These groups should be embarrassed of themselves. I don't mean a little flush in the cheeks embarrassed, I mean head in the sand, go on vacation for a month, profusely apologetic type of embarrassed at themselves for creating a firestorm over this ad. I emphasized should for a reason.

Terry O'Neil, the president of NOW, responded to the commercial by saying, "I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it," she said. "That’s what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don’t find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself."

So let me get this straight...Tim Tebow and Focus on the Family are "celebrating violence against women"? I'm sorry, but these assertions can only be described as idiocy, absurd, madness and lunacy.

2.) I think Jim Nance may be one of the best sports broadcasters of all time. He is so underrated.

1.) I feel a little pit in my stomach because it has just occurred to me that football is on hiatus until September...ah well, we have March Madness soon.

- Brad

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Time for a mind dump...

Let me begin by saying the following thoughts are my opinions, lest the comments and e-mails get too wild.

Here are some news items of late that I find ridiculous:

5.) The Mark McGwire 'confession'. In his interview with Bob Costas, which I watched live on MLB network, McGwire tried to make the case that the 'performance enhancing drugs' that he took did not help his performance. He tried to sell us on the fact that he used them only to recover from injury.

Students all over this country have a new excuse when their teacher catches them cheating. "Mrs. Teacher, you don't understand...these answers I have written under my sleeve didn't help me make a good grade on the test - they only they helped me remember the answers. It's not cheating."

Dear Mark,

I am not the smartest person in the world, but I'm not stupid. So quit insulting my intelligence with this PR nonsense.

4.) This "Jersey Shore" craze. I watched 3 minutes of it and said to myself, "My 11 month old's Baby Einstein videos are more entertaining than this."

Plus, Michelle Obama said she wouldn't let her kids watch it - let's follow the First Lady's advice.

3) Receiving a letter to let you know that your baby will be taken off life support. Forget the moral and ethical issues at stake in this story. It sounds like the parents were given the news by means of a letter. I would prefer a face to face meeting, no matter the discomfort or chance for it to become volatile.

My liberal friends keep telling me of the wonderful health care system to our north in Canada. No thanks.

2) Liberals over thinking. Read an article in Newsweek yesterday where a self professed moderate was criticizing President Obama for leading with his head, not his heart. In the same article he was critical of President Bush for doing what he wants Obama to do.

I know it is required that liberal Journalists take a shot at George W. Bush or Sarah Palin in each report they make - regardless of the topic, but when they do I just wish they would do so with a little more logic.

I expect http://www.salon.com/ or The Huffington Post to be irrational and sensationalist, but come on Newsweek...you can do better.

And the #1 most insanely ridiculous item of the day:

1) The National organization for Women and other feminist extremist groups calling for Pam and Tim Tebow's commercial celebrating life to be cut from the Super Bowl. The story can be read HERE.

Let me make several points:
a) The headlines keep referring to the ad as an "Anti-Abortion" commercial. This journalistic manipulation began a few years ago when some genius discovered that it was easier to ridicule groups like Focus on the Family, and the American Family Association by referring to them as "Anti-Abortion" instead of "Pro-Life". These same slime balls who have convinced themselves that they simply report and do not push ideologies would never refer to "Pro-Choice" groups as "Pro-Abortion".

My honest feeling is that the ideological tide may be turning on the Abortion issue, and groups like Planned Parenthood and the NOW are scared to death.

Of course videos like this don't help their cause: http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy-weeks-1-to-9_10302602.bc

b) The commercial is designed to celebrate life through the story of Pam Tebow choosing to go ahead with a risky pregnancy against her doctor's advice. The result: the birth of Tim Tebow, whom Peter King, acclaimed sportswriter, refers to as "too good to be true". King is not referencing his stellar career in college football, but his exemplary life off the field.

Terry O'Neill, the president of the National Organization for Women, said she had respect for the private choices made by women such as Pam Tebow but condemned the planned ad as "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning."

So Terry, let me get this straight: A 30 second clip encouraging people to celebrate life and consider other options than abortion is "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning"???

Are you serious? Or, do you just have a Rolodex of responses to any other ideology than your own?

Then again, one of America's greatest thinkers - Jemhu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center, said that the Super Bowl was an event "designed to bring Americans together."

I don't know about you miss Greene, but as a Colts fan I don't give a rip about coming together with Saints fans next week. Furthermore miss Greene, Roger Goodell would like you to know that the Super Bowl has been a global event for quite some time now. Even the half time show will be performed by some of our musical friends from the U.K.

c) Where is the outrage from women's groups against companies like GoDaddy who will use the sexual exploitation of women to sell their products? Where ya at?

d) Isn't it interesting that a group that promotes itself as "pro-choice", vehemently opposed to CBS choosing what commercials it wants to air?

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is America. If you are offended by Pam Tebow's story and Tim Tebow's convictions then you can purchase for less than $10 at your neighborhood Walmart a brand new piece of technology called the remote control, and change the channel.

- Brad

Friday, December 18, 2009

Friday, October 30, 2009

Before there was Twitter...

There was the pithy public bathroom stall inscriptions usually tallying 140 characters or less. Not to totally disgust you right now, but I had to visit a Walmart public restroom this week and found myself starring at this little work of graffiti. As you can see it reads, "Jesus died for you...What can you do for Him?...John 3:16."



















The answer that initially came to my mind was, "We can quit vandalizing other people's property!" After all at some point there will be a man or woman who has to clean or repair this door because of some one's really poor attempt at spreading the gospel message - what will their thoughts be?

Maybe the problem in the church today isn't a lack of spreading the message that Jesus saves, but how we do it.

- Brad

Monday, May 04, 2009

OK, who is in charge of this?



Remember when this wasn't next to the crackers you wanted in the vending machine?

I miss this being in the bathroom.



Good Grief!

- Brad

Sunday, March 01, 2009

5 things i'm tired of hearing

5. "Slept like a baby." What does that mean? You sleep 2 hours then wake up to eat...sleep 2 hours, then wake up to eat...sleep 30 minutes, wake up to just cry a little??????????

I have a new baby, I don't want to sleep like one!

4. New Local Radio shows instead of syndicated ones. It started here in Knoxville with losing Jim Rome, now they are taking away the last part of Mike and Mike in the Morning - the best sports show in the USA for some more discussion on Jonathon Crompton and the Vols spring practice?

I love the Vols, but our local talent is killing me. Please I'm tired of hearing it!

3. "Let's meet about it." Discussion and idea exchange is important, but I go to way to many meetings. How about: Let's 'Do it'.

2. "We want to keep everybody happy" Since when did our mission in life become pleasing men. What about God? I wander how many times we kept God unhappy because we kept 'everybody' happy?

1. Contemporary and Old Fashioned.
I am so exhausted at the contemporary vs. traditional debate. I don't want the 'Old Time' Religion. I want an up-to-date, relevant, "can help me where I am at" relationship with Jesus Christ. There is nothing Old Fashioned about God. He is I AM, not I WAS.

I'm tired of God being put in any box - whether it be the box the organist sits on, or the box you store your electric guitar. Worship, Spirituality, and Righteousness have been defined by styles of music and ministry for too long.

If you think God only likes the music you like, whether it be Martin Luther or Mercy Me, get over yourself.

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Ahh, sometimes just venting on my keyboard is cathartic. If you get offended by what you have just read, that's OK. Just start playing the song "Why can't we be friends"

- Brad

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A Cultural Defect

There are several things I love about our American Culture these days:
- Art: Some of the traditionalists will disagree, but i think we're a pretty creative people.
- Generosity: We more charitable than the materialism preacher thinks.
- Sports: I love the capitalistic competitive nature that burns within us.
- High Definition: We're always making 'things' better.

However, there are some defects in the America way.

Today, I want to single one of them out: A Deficiency in National Pride.

Just about everyone on planet Earth has scene the video footage of an Arab Journalist throwing his shoes at President Bush. Since there was no physical harm done to the President - it has become somewhat comical. Everyone in the comedy realm is having some fun with it. That doesn't bother me too much.

What, however, is disturbing to me is the empathy that many Americans are showing for the man who displayed such remarkable disrespect OUR President.

Here is my issue: I don't care if you are in the 85% or whatever number that CNN says hates George W. Bush, or if you are a supporter of his - He is OUR American President, and applauding an Iraqi journalist for dissing OUR President to me is simply idiotic. You can disagree fundamentally with the War in Iraq, or whatever other Bush policy is out there, but have enough pride in your country, and that means expecting recently liberated Iraqi journalists to show your President some decency and respect.

So to you Mr.Blogger, Facebook Headliner, News Editor, and other fellow Americans: Have some pride...you know the kind you have for your favorite sports team...have it for you country.


- Brad

Friday, October 24, 2008

It's really no secret while many girls are struggling with self image...

I'm not much of a celebrity story reader, but I've seen two stories in the last month regarding the 'weight gain' of Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars.

This second one being from her co-stars. If these girls 'need' to lose weight, then we are in serious trouble.

Thanks Media, TV, Movies, Magazines and Dancing with the Stars, for being freak'in idiots, and creating self-image crises with women all over this country.

- Brad

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ray Boltz and I Kissed a Girl

It seems that the church handles homosexuality in one of two extremes. One the one hand you have the vehement gay bashing screamers. This church sign below is typical of their message.

There are a couple of churches in my community who seem to rotate the "Righteousness Exalteth a Nation" sign with their "Whoremongers and Sodomites shall burn in hell" sign every week.

The Katie Perry song is all the rage right now, and this church communicated it's feelings pretty strongly about it for about 24 hours.

On the other hand you have the really nebulous, "what's the big deal, God made us this way response"

If you haven't heard yet, Ray Boltz, a famous Christian song writer has announced that he is gay. Boltz known for his trademark hits, Thank You, Watch the Lamb, and The Alter came out of the closet recently in this magazine article. In the article Boltz says,

"If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself."

Now, to me that is about as a ridiculous of a rationalization as you can have. How about this: "God made me lustful, so I'm going to live a life filled with lust", or what about "God made me with a tendency to steal, so I am going to be a thief...I even feel closer to God when I am stealing", or better yet "God made me a pedophile, so I am going to abuse children because this is the way God made me"

If Boltz would have said, "I just don't take the Bible to be literal in it's teaching on homosexuality" or "I feel that the moral rules of the Bible were limited to that culture", then I would not have agreed with him, but his rationalization for his gay lifestyle would not be so hideously weak and ignorant.

The truth is this: The issue of homosexuality is not going away, and the church is going to have to deal with it head on, but in the right way. What is the right way? I'm not totally sure, but the two extremes I've outlined here are definitely not viable options.

- Brad

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Some of the most misused Bible verses

I am a preacher. I am a student of preaching. My mind is trained to not only glean spiritual nourishment from the sermons and teachings I hear, but also to filter out bad theology.

Every now and them I hear seemingly 'innocent' messages where a pastor/teacher will misuse a verse of scripture to justify a principle (usually a good one) he or she is teaching.

Occasionally it happens out of ignorance because the speaker simply didn't properly understand the meaning of a passage. But, most often I hear these verses misused by seasoned veterans who should know better.
What's the big deal? Well, first off - God's word should never be prostituted or misused for any reason. Second, It's Hypocritical. In the circles that I grew up in (Biblical Fundamentalists) there was a fierce cry against Liberal theologians and church leaders who misused scripture for their agenda - what makes the fundamentalist above the rules?
So, what are some of the most "Used out of context" verses in the Bible? Here is a short list and a more accurate interpretation. (IMHO of course)

5.) Proverbs 22:28
"Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

This is a favorite verse of very conservative fundamentalists. They use it to preach a theology of not changing. Use the old music, the old KJV Bible, wear the dresses ladies etc.

If you were preaching that verse with that interpretation 2,000 years ago people would look at you like you're an idiot. Why? Because the verse teaches you not to steal your neighbor's property. That's it. They didn't have a courthouse with drawings and property appraisers and records. They used landmarks. To steal land, you simply moved the landmarks - thus, "Remove not the ancient landmarks."

Funny thing: All the Landmark Baptist churches out there have a name that means: Don't steal land.

4.) Revelation 3:20
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

This verse is used often as a plea to unsaved people to ask Jesus into their hearts for salvation. Problem: The people it was written to were saved, believers. The verse is referring to the fellowship God wants to have with his children.

3.) Philippians 4:19
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Oh, we've all heard sermons on how God will meet all of our needs. But, that isn't taught in this verse. Paul says specifically to the Philippian congregation that God will meet their needs because they have met the needs of others, namely him on his missionary journeys. So, the actual Biblical principle is this: God meets the needs of those who meet the needs of others.

2.) Matthew 7:1
"Judge not, that ye be not judged."

This is quoted with the same frequency of John 3:16. It is does not teach us not to judge others, however. It is proclaimed to Pharisees who are being judgmental towards minor offences, while they are exceedingly wicked in their own right. In all actuality Jesus says in the same chapter (verse 15-20) to judge, or discern between the 'pearl' and the 'swine' - between true believers and false prophets.

AND, the # 1 most abused scripture:
Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

The verse is the classic campaign, building project, goal setting, mission launching verse of the Bible. BUT it has absolutely NOTHING to do with 'vision' as it refers to organizational leadership or goal setting. It has everything to do with Biblical Revelation (400 years ago English readers would have understood 'vision' to refer to Biblical visions - aka revelations). Read the verse in ANY other modern translation and you will know why it is ONLY quoted from the King James Version. I.E.: "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law."- NIV

I heard this one misused just this past weekend.

Well there you have it, feel free to debate.

- Brad

Monday, May 05, 2008

Horse Crap

The Kentucky Derby was filled with excitement and tragedy on the first Saturday in May this year. Eight Belles, a 3 year-old filly, racing and finishing second in this years derby tragically collapsed at the end of the race. She suffered severe injuries and was thus euthanized on spot at the race.

It was the first time in 134 years that anyone can remember a horse dying at the track. As a matter of fact, there are approximately 1.75 racing fatalities for every 1,000 starts in horse racing. It is rare.

In America our past time is certainly no longer Baseball - and I believe it isn't even a sport period these days. America's favorite past time is now simply over reaction.

While I find it very sad and tragic that Eight Belles lost her life Saturday, and I believe evaluation is necessary...WHO THE HECK DOES PETA THINK THEY ARE?

Today, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have decided that they are the authority on all things horse racing, and for that matter, they are omniscient and all knowing as well. God apparently has company now.

PETA has called for Gabriel Saez (the jockey) to be suspended, contending he should have noticed an injury and pulled the horse up rather than apply the whip. They faxed a letter Sunday to Kentucky's racing authority claiming the filly was "doubtlessly injured before the finish".

Doubtlessly? Are you serious PETA? Apparently they are Horse Whisperers, and just before her collapse Eight Belles called out to them with that message.

Furthermore, they want to revoke the $400,000 winnings and ban the use of the whip. While I will concede that agreement is not 100%, most horse racing experts believe the whip is necessary to control the horses and that if the whip was banned it would cause more chaos and increase the number on injuries.

The over reaction to events like these is ridiculous. Should there be evaluation, absolutely. Should drugs be prohibited? Probably. Should Race Day medications be banned? Sure.

Does a Jockey and a Horse Trainer run a horse, that is worth so much money in future races and breeding, a horse they love, to death? "Doubtlessly, No!"

PETA should really be the ones considering changes. Starting with a name change: PWAIDFMA, People With And Incessant Desire For Media Attention.

- Brad

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Sexualization of American Teenagers

Isn't anything new in our culture, but it has been brought back to the forefront of the media this week with the very inappropriate Vanity Fair magazine pics of Miley Cyrus (AKA Hannah Montana). It doesn't matter what went on, whether Billy was on the set or not, the pictures and the innuendo intended was simply inexcusable and inappropriate. Miley, her parents, the photographer, the magazine are all to blame.

Having said that - here is the question I hate to pose, but seems very logical in this age of Sexualizing Adolescents (See Gossip Girl, Super Bad, Miley, American Pie and the list goes on and on all the way back to Brooke Shields):


Have we created a culture that produces Pedophiles?
Well, I think the answer to that question is most certainly Yes!

The very thought of this kind of debauchery is deplorable, but is less of a mystery to me than it once was. When news stories of abused children would come across my TV screen I used to think to myself: "I just do not understand how someone could fall into such sin."

However, it has recently occurred to me that our culture is provoking 14 and 15 year olds to be like 22 year olds. After all, one of the most popular graduation presents for wealthy teenage girls is breast enhancement. See MySpace, your local mall, and teen TV dramas for evidence.

I don't mean to say that pedophiles aren't to be held 100% accountable for their evil. What I mean to say is simply this: TV Networks, the next time you air a news story about some teacher having sex with a minor, don't look so bewildered and shocked - your primetime programing helped cause it. Take a good look in the mirror when you ask, "What causes this behavior?"

- Brad

Friday, April 11, 2008

A few things I think I think...

American Idol producers are wussies. They had the Top 8 sing Shout to the Lord, the modern day Amazing Grace, to close out the 'Idol Gives Back' charity show. However, they changed the first line of the song from "My Jesus, My Savior" to "My Shepherd, My Savior."

First, to avoid the name of Jesus in an attempt to be politically or religiously sensitive is simply idiotic. Jesus isn't some mythical figure created as an icon of worship by men - regardless of what your religious views are. He is a real historical figure people of the world!

Second, using Shepherd doesn't change the meaning of the song - it is still about JESUS, not Allah, Buddha, or any other religious figure!

Third, the I-tunes cut available for download uses the original lyric to the song. So people buy the name of Jesus, they just don't have to hear it on the network broadcast?
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I'm glad the cheerleaders who beat their fellow squad member will be tries as adults. Such premeditated violence (They set up lighting for a better camera picture) is disgusting and shocking. They could use 3-5 years to think about what they've done - then maybe they will show some remorse.
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It is slightly, just SLIGHTLY to0 early to begin talking about Tiger Woods winning the Grand Slam this year. Good grief, he needs to have at least won the Master's and the U.S. Open for that discussion to begin!
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The protests against the Chinese Government should come as no surprise. You give the Olympic bid to a communist country that controls it's people and it's media and you get chaos. Dear Olympic Committee, any well-minded person could see this coming.


- Brad

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

The Paradox that is Bobby Knight

If you've watched ESPN in the last 24 hours you've heard that 'The General' Robert Montgomery Knight has resigned/retires as the Basketball coach of Texas Tech. The sports radio and TV shows have been abuzz with various views and commentaries on Bobby Knight's career. What fascinates me, and has always frustrated my about Coach Knight, is his split persona - The Paradox of Bobby Knight:

He is the chief disciplinarian in the coaching ranks, yet demonstrates very little self control.

He demands that his players show him the ultimate respect, yet is infamous for his disrespect of authority.

He demands the absolute attention of his teams, but pays no attention to anyone.

He hates the media, yet it was his team in the reality show 'Knight School' for ESPN.

He is famous for doing things HIS WAY, but doesn't always allow for other people to do things THEIR WAY

He holds the virtue of Loyalty at the top, and this week leaves his seniors with just 10 games to go.


Those close to Bobby praise him because they know him - the Knight we do not, and I appreciate that. However, it is simply too ironic that the man who wants his teams to be consistent, the so severely inconsistent.


- Brad

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Why is Super Bad, So Super Good among believers?

One of the worst parts about the MySpace and Facebook world I live in is simply that I know too much of what everyone is doing in their lives. This week I have received numerous 'bulletin posts' or blog entries telling me that Super Bad is Super Awesome, EVERYONE must go see SUPER BAD, Super Bad Rocks etc.

The point of intrigue for me is this: Most of the people who have made the above comments claim to be believers.

Now, I'm not legalistic - I love the movies and go often, but I try to do so with some Christian responsibility. Super Bad just doesn't seem to be in the realm of responsibility to me. Let's check out the stats from Plugged in Online:
  1. Porn Nudity, Check
  2. Over 200 uses of the 'F' word, Check
  3. Hundreds of other Profanity, Check
  4. Multiple uses of 'GD', Check
  5. Glorification of underage drinking and drug abuse, Check
  6. Extreme Sexual Content, Check

In 2005 studies showed that 40% of all traffic fatalities were due to drunk driving. Also, 50-72% of all rapes on college campus' are related to alcohol and drug abuse. Not nearly as funny as Super Bad.

So why are so many believers, watching this and having a good time? Furthermore, What the heck are parents doing out there????? Half the "Super Bad is Great" comments came from kids I know who are under 18. Come one Dad and Mom, STEP UP! The title kind of gave it away in this one. The lines are becoming too blurred between what is acceptable and unacceptable.

The positive - At least they aren't pretending to be Super good, while just enjoying the same flick in private. Hypocrisy is worse I guess.

- Brad

Monday, July 30, 2007

Vick

The alleged crimes of Michael Vick have caused me to think about a cultural and societal problem we face in America.

Everyone I know is up in arms over what the NFL football player has supposedly done to dogs. Documentaries are popping up all over cable TV about dogfighting. ESPN, as expected, is providing around the clock, non-stop coverage of the travesty.

There should be outrage. The torture and murder of these dogs is despicable, and if guilty, Michael and his posse should spend some more time around dogs...guard dogs at the state penitentiary.

However, I am concerned that the polarizing coverage given to the dogfighting scandal seems to outweigh the coverage of human abuse. Is it me, or has Ray Lewis resumed his spot of fan adulation? The man who plead guilty to obstruction to justice in a MURDER investigation! Athletes guilty of murder and spouse abuse have endured far less scrutiny and public outcry than what Vick has received over the dogfighting.

Is it possible, that in America, Human life is losing value?


- Just Brad's musing

Friday, July 20, 2007

Even liberals have to think this is funny...

Ok, John Edwards made Bushian gaffe when he opened his mouth to say the war on terror is "just a bumper sticker". The following cartoon was in World Magazine. I know most of you are Americans and only have a 36 hour memory, but remember two weeks ago there was a bombing scare in London...


Thursday, June 07, 2007

Here you go Gisele

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen stepped into the debate over birth control and sexual behavior in Brazil Tuesday. The Pope visiting Brazil spoke about the Catholic church's opposition to abortion and contraception and railed against sex outside of marriage. (2 of which I agree with him on)

The Brazilian Supermodel, one of the world's top models, told a newspaper in an interview that when the Church made its laws centuries ago, women were expected to be virgins. "Today no one is a virgin when they get married ... show me someone who's a virgin!" she said.

Well Here you go Gisele:

Smart, Beautiful and not sexually promiscuis before marriage. We wander why there is such an AIDS and STD epeidemic in the world today.
- Brad

School finally give out diplomas - are you kidding me?

Apparently you can give kids condoms at school. Tell them to Have Sex and Do Drugs. JUST as long as no one gives them applause at their graduation ceremonies.

Students were withheld their Diplomas at one High School because their family and friends applauded them. Ridiculous. You can read the outcome here: Top News - School Relents, Gives Out Diplomas - AOL News

Maybe we need Educator reform, more than Education Reform.

- Brad