myopic pilgrim

Consuming Worship posted the first half of a question/answer interview with me this week. One of the questions they asked was, What is one thing you wished every worship leader knew?

I answered with something specific to to worship leaders, but it’s not the most important thing a Christ-follower should know. And that takes precedence over what your vocation is. I put to the question to you folks.

What is one thing a new Christian should know?

In case you end up playing that game this Thanksgiving where you’re asked to share something you’re thankful for, here are the top 5 things I, as a good Christian, am thankful for.

I am thankful:

1. That we live in a Christian nation.
2. That our President is a Christian defending Christian values (not the value of taking care of widows, orphans, and foreigners in our land, the other ones. The good ones).
3. That God wants to give me the desires of my heart. (Dear Santa God, I desire a 13 inch, 2 gigabyte MacBook).
4. That I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
5. That Halloween and its pagan traditions are behind us and we can look forward to the pure Christian holiday of Christmas.

I am, however, truly thankful for my smoking hot wife.

Many churches will throw a Harvest Party instead of a Halloween Party. What this means in practical terms is instead of having costumes and candy like the world Christians have—well, costumes and candy. Really, the difference you might see is in the costumes good Christians will choose. No wizards, ghouls, or vampires here. But don’t think you’d be safe dressing up as any biblical figure you might fancy. There are limits.

1. Dancing King David - Grab your underwear and dance around in celebration. This might go over better with the Elders if you have an Ark of the Covenant handy. (2 Sam. 6:16-22)
2. Salome - Daughter of King Herod. You need some scarves, a silver platter with a decapitated head. Watch a few hours worth of Shakira and you’re set. (Mark 6:21-29)
3. Balaam’s Ass - Join Christians everywhere who enjoy getting the chance to use ass as a pun. This may need two people to pull off. Cast lots for who gets to be the head. (Num. 22:21-31)
4. Adam or Eve - Two words. Fig leaf. (Gen. 3:6-7)
5. Jesus - I just can’t see it happening.

What are the other worst Christian costumes?

edit - No else seems to want to play. So I just added my top 5 to the original post.

via jonny baker:
In an interview, He Qi answers a question about how Chinese believers receive Christian art work with Chinese characteristics. He answers:

Recently some pastors visited me and wanted me to produce some works of art for their churches. I was happy to do this. But, when they asked me to do some copies of classical works by Leonardo DaVinci, then I refused. I wanted to do some of my own works with Chinese characteristics and showed them some examples. When they saw Jesus with a Chinese face they became nervous and feared their congregations would not accept such an image.

I was shocked to read this, but he later explains Read the rest of this entry »