They could call it McChurch. Or Church King. I call it ridiculous. You can’t get out of your car and walk in the building? That poor pastor!
What do you think of this drive-in church?
HT: Out of Ur
Paper Bridges
just another Jesus freak, homeschooling mom with a blog
Posts tagged ‘culture’
Understanding the choices of Nadya Suleman
My first reaction to hearing about Nadya Suleman and her eight babies: America is great! This is a country where if you have the cash, then there is a doctor waiting to make it happen. (No, I’m not particularly proud I tend to lean toward sarcasm; I’m working on improving in that area.)
So why did Nadya Suleman, reportedly an unemployed, disabled, mother of six, living with her parents, decide to add to her baby collection family?
I’m thinking-
Greed. As in: Why stop at six when I can have more?
Loneliness. As in: I want someone to love me. My babies will always love me, if I have lots of babies, I’ll have more love in my life.
And this last one I haven’t seen anyone suggest yet-
Because she loves kids.
Nah, that can’t be it. Nobody in their right mind would want to have more than six children or risk having another set of large multiples.
Don’t read me wrong, friends. I’m not saying she should’ve aborted any of those babies. I just wish she hadn’t succumbed to the I-want-it-now American way of thinking. There are so many ways for a single woman to enjoy the blessings of children without having to undergo medical treatments or attempt to raise such a large brood without a daddy, money or job.
Volunteering. Helping at church. Girl Scouts. Big Sister program. You get the idea.
As for the doctor who made all these babies possible, shame on him if all he cared about was the money he would make from this.
Nadya, motherhood is a fantastic adventure, but it’s not going to ultimately satisfy. My kitchen is always open to you. I’d put the coffee pot on and we could swap stories of spit up and exploding diapers. Nadya, I’d love to introduce you to the One who can satisfy the longing in your heart, the One who can fulfill your quest for love. Jesus Christ is the One you need.
Oprah Winfrey and the Christian
Should Christians watch Oprah?
Friends, I’m having a hard time with a definite answer with this, and you know me, I’m always ready with a Yes or No. I thought I had my answer, wrote up my post to publish yesterday, then I started thinking of the people, the Christians, who may take what they read here and run with it, rather than google God*.
Whoa. That’s a sobering thought, A weighty responsibility for a mommyblogger.
So what to do? How to answer the question? Here’s what I’m thinking regarding Oprah and the Christian. We can discuss in the comments. Please understand: I’m not a theologian. I’m just a Christ follower with high speed Internet, so take this free advice for what it is – my best attempt to answer the question and to help the seeker.
Opinion 1: Christians have no business watching The Oprah Winfrey Show because she doesn’t promote the Bible as Truth.
Based on what I know about her program, I think it’s fair to say she’s not a follower of Christ. So why would a believer want to learn anything from her or expose herself to false teachings? Even watching the episodes about harmless topics like beauty and fashion is not okay because it raises the show’s ratings.
Christian, don’t watch The Oprah Winfrey Show; it will only lead you away from God.
Opinion 2: Christians can watch The Oprah Winfrey Show as long as they don’t depend on it for their spiritual guidance.
This is what I did years ago, before I had young ears in the house, and I needed a distraction while folding laundry. Today, I’d want to watch Oprah to see what she’s talking about, who the guests are, or what she’s into just for the purpose of knowing what she’s preaching. For example, I’d like to see the show with Elizabeth Gilbert as a guest, because I frequently write about her book, Eat, Pray, Love.
My regular readers know the way I think. I like to talk when I’m in a chatty mood (read: everyday!), I’ll talk to anyone, anywhere. I’m not shy. So when I say watching Oprah is okay, these are the situations I’m imaging taking place. Oprah as a cultural point of reference between two strangers.
Read this next part twice, it’s important
I admit – Opinion 2 is tricky territory, especially for the newbie Christian. Oprah is slick. She’s a good talker and even has a measure of truth mixed in with all the nonsense, so to watch Oprah means you better know your Bible well. I can understand why some Christians can be deceived.
Of course, if the Lord tells you otherwise, then you better heed His will. A check in your spirit that screams “NO!” when you tune in to her show might be a big clue that the Lord disapproves.
To the Christian Oprah fan
Friend and fellow believer, I pray what I have written here was of help to you. I know it’s helped me to formulate my answer as to what I believe regarding one of America’s most popular television personalities. There is a lot about Oprah I disagree with, but even so, we are called to love her. I do not hate Oprah. I wish her well. How wonderful it would be if she were to give her life to Christ! What a tremendous testimony she would have!
I’ve given a lot of thought to your question, “Should Christians watch Oprah?” I answered it because you asked via a Google search engine, leading you to this blog. Believer, in all honestly, I, nor the Internet, has the answer that will satisfy. Only submitting yourself to the Lord and His Word will give you peace. Please, go to Him in prayer. Read his Word.
Digging deeper into the question regarding Oprah and the Christian, it’s logical to ask, “Is watching Oprah a sin?” I think that’s the true spirit behind your question.
“Is watching the Oprah Winfrey Show a sin?”
He Who Loves Us replies -
… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthly – think about such things.
In love and humility,
Monica
____
* Google God. I like that – search the Scriptures and pray for an answer. Clever me.
The Oprah question
Should Christians watch Oprah?
According to my Sitemeter stats, someone googled that question the other day, bringing them here. As my regular readers know, I’ve written about Oprah before. You can find that post here if you have yet to read it.
Oprah, my dear, you are a quandary to many Christians. This is not the first time a believer has asked this question about you.
Before I offer my opinion, I’ll let you answer first. I’ll post my thoughts tomorrow.
I am a Survivor
Survivor, the CBS reality TV show where folks starve themselves in an attempt for a million dollars, is my secret desire. For years, I’ve wanted a chance to out wit, out last, out play money hungry strangers in harsh living conditions. Because it would be fun!
Survivor couldn’t be much different than what I do now here in rural New Jersey. Every day as a home schooling mom it’s survival. Getting the kids to do a math lesson without complaint, climbing the laundry mountain, cooking dinner that picky eaters will consume and still keeping the grown ups content.
Wow. I’m really fond of the letter C tonight.
I’d take the cash (of course!) if I won, but I’m more interested in bragging rights. How cool would it be for this almost-40 mom to take on the wilderness and scheming of the other players? It’s the ultimate camping adventure.
Do you like reality TV?
Feeding the beast: my take on the Miley Cyrus photo
Let’s talk about Miley.
Miley is a pretty and talented girl. A pretty, talented under age girl who is now some guy’s fantasy.
Ever hear the expression “sex sells?” Of course you have, because it’s true. Every time you turn on the TV, listen to the radio or flip open a magazine, you are exposed to a plethora of sexual images used to sell us a product. Now Miley is one image of millions, perhaps billions.
And this mommy-blogger always thought kiddie porn was illegal. With that in mind, I will not be linking to the now infamous picture.
The way I see it, Annie Liebovitz knew what she was doing when she took that picture of Miley half naked. In the picture, Miley looks a bit bedraggled, doesn’t she? Poor girl seems a bit lost, confused, maybe a little scared?
Don’t be too surprised. I’m sure that’s the way Liebovitz coached her. You know Liebovitz didn’t snap that picture with young Hannah Montana wannabees in mind or the women that usually buy Vanity Fair.
The publisher, editors and advertisers of Vanity Fair could care less who buys the magazine; as Mr. Crabs of Spongebob Squarepants would say, “Me loves me money.”
Sex sells. Annie Liebovitz knows it, the magazine people know it, Disney knows it and Miley is going to figure it out soon if she hasn’t already. At 15, Miley is still too young to be expected to stand up to the demands of a famous photographer, so if Miley felt any reservations over the pose, I can’t expect her to stick up for herself.
From what I’ve read, her parents left the shoot early, and were not there for the controversial pose. I can only imagine the conversation between the girl’s parents and those unfortunate to have approved of the photos after they left. Maybe the grandmother and teacher were too trusting?
I want to blame Liebovitz for taking advantage of the girl, but I can’t really fault her either. I guess you could argue her job is to take lovely portraits, but I would have to disagree. Ultimately her job is to sell magazines for Vanity Fair. When she told Miley to pose half covered in a bed sheet, she was just doing her job.
So who to blame? I accuse our society’s burning consumption that craves all-things sexual. Even the sexual image of a teen girl wrapped in a bed sheet.
