Because You're Different

You're the curious type seeking like-minded Apostolics.

You're always wondering about the less publicized young leaders in Pentecost.

You're having problems thinking of who else you can forward this to because you don't fit the typical Pentecostal mold, yet you're proud to be Pentecostal.

You're looking for The Forum.

Go ahead and tell this to your friends. Just in case they're like you.

Now Why Would They Think Christians Are Kooks?

From a staffer at Focus on the Family. Just how believers want to be represented. ARGH!

I Really Dig This Stuff! (Get It?)

I know you probably get sick of hearing archaeology updates, but I think they're really cool.  And since I have a forum to share them with the rest of the world here you go:

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls are going digital !!  Finally!!  Web access to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century!  Not only have the scrolls provided a glimpse into the minds of a unique Jewish sect, but they have also supplied an abundance of material for understanding the Bible better.

 

 

Using simple photography doesn't do a wonderful job of showing the text (see image), and it also exposes the delicate fragments to too much harmful light.  However, using NASA infrared imaging technology, scientists have been able to get easily readable digital images.  These images are to be posted on the web so that any and all can access them.  Now all you need is a good working knowledge of 1st century Hebrew !

 

Josh R

Blue Like... A Democrat State

Evangelical author Donald Miller was invited to give the benediction at the Democratic National Convention last night.  Although the term "Religious Right" is often used to describe evangelicals, many have rejected this label and seek to move beyond party affiliations in serving the Kingdom of God.  Symbolically, Donald Miller did this by praying at the convention for both Democrats and Republicans, and for a united America.  But he is not just some liberal fluke of the evangelical movement.

 

In fact, Cameron Strang, editor of Relevant Magazine was first invited to give the benediction.  He accepted as an opportunity "to show that this generation of values voters doesn't necessarily need to draw political battle lines the way previous generations have."  Then he found out that he would be front and center on television--very prominent in the coverage of the convention.  As the editor of a bi-partisan magazine, he didn't want to be seen as endorsing either candidate so he declined the invitation.  Instead, he offered to find someone else and put in a call to Donald Miller.

 

With young evagelicals appearing so close to the Democratic camp (without fully endorsing), and older evangelicals refusing to support McCain, the "Religious Right" may just be a thing of the past.  Personally, I'm glad.  "Political battle lines" have never been helpful in propagating the Gospel.

 

Josh R.

The American Reformation?

Just like in the days of Martin Luther, a handful of brave souls are standing up for truth and righteousness!  ...or at least proper grammar.  Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson were in court recently over their uninvited correction of a sign posted in a state park.  It appears a conspiracy is afoot with collaboration between the federal government and British college professors to destroy proper spelling and grammar.  Is this anything less than an attempt to undermine the very foundations of civilized society?  Anarchy will reign!! People will go around spelling "apple" "orange" just because they can!!! Something must be done to stop them.  These two are heroes, and the first casualties in the coming war.  The conspiracy must be brought to light! 

 

But seriously, I do have two questions.  1) If you make something better is it still destruction of property?  2) Could the federal government maybe spend a little less on ugly art and a little more on spell checking state park signs and historical markers?

 

Anyway...

Josh R

Are You A Phelps Phan???

Millions of viewers (myself included) stayed up well past their bedtimes this past week to watch Michael Phelps make Olympic history by winning an unprecedented 8 gold medals. Of course now swimming is over and most of us won't see another meet until 2012 when the games move on to London. Olympian value (and money making for the athlete) is largely tied up in advertising so the question now is how to capitalize on Phelp's "phame" before the world loses interest.

Mr. Carlisle, Phelp's agent, has received a huge array of offers for Michael over the last week.

A man in Omaha, Neb., offered to sculpt a statue of the chiseled swimmer. As strange as that sounded, a similar offer came from China. Several book and movie deals were suddenly on the table. A dog-food idea was pitched, given Mr. Phelps's well-known love for his British bulldog, Herman.

And still more: bobblehead dolls, acrylic paintings, commemorative coins, car rims and tuxedos. Some just wanted to give him things, like all the pizza he could eat for a year, or free dental work. And certain female celebrities and athletes wanted an introduction from Mr. Carlisle.

Phelps already does advertising (is endorsed by) Speedo, Visa, Omega and Hilton Hotels among others. Now the bidding wars will begin to see who can keep him and can best ride his wave of popularity.

"Michael Phelps would be worth $40 or $50 million to Nike," Mr. Bloom said. "He could literally allow them to launch a massive swimwear company, and I think you are going to see an incredible bidding war for him."

That means that current sponsor, Speedo, will have a huge gap to fill to improve the $1 million they offered him for these games.

Phelps may never make as much money in endorsements as Tiger Woods who makes $100 million a year in advertising alone playing year round but it is estimated that he could be worth $100 million over his life time. Not bad for a gangly, ADHD kid from Baltimore.

Do You Trust In God?

Some don't .  But NBC is currently running a poll on whether we should keep this motto on our other god... er, money.  Don't know how long this poll is going to be up so go ahead and vote.

 

Josh R

Kid Drops Out Of School To Guarantee Place Among Ignominous Dropouts

Alert reader, Steve, sent me this article, one that describes a 16 year-old's cunning plan: one that involves inattention to one's basic educational bedrock and explores the glories of . . . Guitar Hero:

In fact, young Mr. Peebles is dropping out of high school... in order to focus on Guitar Hero full time. Peebles hopes to join the small but growing crew of players looking to make gaming a job. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include "gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches," Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn actual money in the process. As the story notes, top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year (though $25,000 is more common). Peebles, of course, can count his 52 Chick-fil-A combo meals toward that total.

I have to admit a slight convulsive reflex that makes me want to to live-heckle anybody that employs the word "chops" in the same sentence with descriptive braggadocio and hubris that seems to follow these lords of the Stylized Simon genre. But I won't. Unemployment will do it for them.

On a larger note, the ratios of fantasy to reality, and the seemingly non-existent line that separates them is really bothersome. The kind of isolated pathology that had Bela Lugosi wearing his Dracula suit to the grave has metastasized--to the point that a whole legion of non-guitarists think they are guitarists--along with an applauding and abetting world.

Next thing you know, Martin Sheen will think he's actually President.

-R

Do You Want To Fly the Friendly Skies???

Southwest Airlines is currently holding a contest, "Nuts About Southwest", looking for a video blogger that they will fly around the country to blog for the airlines.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal. All you have to do is upload a short audition video to YouTube and then let (have, encourage, demand ????) people vote for you. Look for the rest of the details here.

If you decide to do this let us know here on Collideoscope and we'll make sure to let everyone know to vote for you!!

Keeping Up With the Jones

If you're the kind of person who loves your $600 sunglasses and your $2000 Louis bag, and you just can't wait for people to ask how much they cost, this fantastic new product may be just for you.  I know, I know, you're feeling a little down right now.  That fancy new I Phone you bought to impress your friends when it first came out has been reduced in price and reduced again.  Now even the middle class can afford it.  But there is a way to spruce yours up and make it shine once more!

 

The new "I'm Rich" ap!  It is just a little button on your phone that reminds you, and anyone else, just how well-off you are.  If you have it, it means you were able to spend $1,000 on nothing.  That's right, the button does absolutely nothing!  Well, not nothing.  It does give you that little tingly feeling every time you see it.  The perfect electronic accessory for rich rulers young and old!

 

Josh R

Pop Culture Politics

John McCain and Barack Obama have revealed their pop culture favorites. Batman, Indiana Jones, Shrek, Sinatra and Dylan all make the presidential lists along with some surprises. As a self-proclaimed student of pop culture I have to say...

What does this have to do with a presidential election!? I sure hope nobody uses this list to choose who they vote for!

Josh R

Segregated Sundays

In his day, Martin Luther King, Jr. lamented the fact that Sundays are the most segregated day of the week.  In our day... things aren't much better.  According to this article only about 5% of American churches are racially integrated, and about half of those are in the process of becoming all black or all white. Forty years after the Civil Rights movement why are american churches not more integrated?

 

As with any complicated issue, there are number of reasons.  Racial tensions still exist even inside the walls of the church, and many members just aren't willing to deal with those tensions on the weekend.  Cultural differences lead to conflicts over worship and preaching styles.  Also, issues and perceptions of power can disrupt congregations working toward integration.  For example, a black pastor in an integrated church is statistically likely to cause many of the whites in the church to leave.  And as segregated churches become more integrated, the formerly predominant race is likely to become uncomfortable with changing demographics, even to the point of expressing fear of a "takeover" by another race.

 

It seems that, while racism has suffered great blows in America, it has not been utterly defeated.  I have seen this most clearly displayed in romantic relationships between blacks and whites.  Inter-racial marriage finds little acceptance in many churches.  Sometimes this is more an issue for parents, however.  As their children get to be old enough to date, many parents in integrated churches will simply leave.

 

But what makes integrated churches work is a shift in attitude from seeing "they" or "them" to seeing "us" and "we."  Many integrated churches recognize that there is a difference in cultures and backgrounds, but seek to transcend those differences.  It's not about making all the blacks act white or all the whites act black, it's about people from various backgrounds coming together and acting like Christians.  This article is definitely worth reading (and sharing) if you are in trying to make your church more integrated.  If you are seeking to rid yourself of racism on a personal level there is also an extremely well-written article ;-) on 90&9 this week dealing with that.

 

Josh R

Living God's Love

America is, in general, a very self-centered, consumeristic country.  As Christians this is something we should mourn and fight against, but how?  Perhaps the best way is to begin by examining ourselves.  Where am I spending too much money on me?  Where am I passing up opportunities to help other people because it would inconvenience me?  Where could I make a sacrifice to help someone else who cannot return the favor?  One apostolic couple chose the occasion of their honeymoon to practice self-sacrificing love.

 

Brian and Lauren Elrod (son-in-law and daughter of the presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World) sponsored a child in Zambia, but weren't satisfied simply sending money.  For their honeymoon they decided to go there themselves and visit some of the sites that have been supported by their church.  Along the way, they also had the opportunity to meet the child they had been sponsoring.  Perhaps in the most self-sacrificing part of the journey, Brian even allowed the in-laws to join them. 

 

Thanks to Brian and Lauren Elrod for providing both inspiration and a challenge to give a little more of ourselves in sacrifice to God .

 

Josh R

THE FORUM - September 26-27, 2008

Tired of conferences all being the same? Then you aren't going to want to miss this!

THE FORUM in St Louis, Missouri

Featured Speakers - Wayne and Claudene Francis

For more information: www.iqforum.net