Laughter is a gift from God. When we refuse to accept it, it makes Him want to take it back. Like the unicorns.

1385. Internet Filters.

Guest Posts January 25, 2013 • Comments

(It’s guest post Friday! Here is a new one from John Crist. John is a standup comedian from Colorado. If you want to guest post, here’s how!)

According to every piece of advice I’ve ever received from any pastor in the last five years, internet filters solve all problems.

Struggling with porn? Get an internet filter.

Want to protect your kids? Get an internet filter.

Have a gluten intolerance? Get an internet filter. (Or, watch this clip of my standup) Link: http://youtu.be/JgSoQj9K0gg

Here’s how it works: A guy (or maybe a girl?) installs software on his computer that tracks his internet browsing behavior, and then it sends an detailed report to a friend who can help keep him accountable. Seems logical right? Well, I have a filter, and I receive reports from a few buddies who have filters too.

Here are the top five awkward conversations that I’ve had as a result of internet filters

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1384. The Christian Password

Misc January 24, 2013 • Comments

I saw this sign at a business recently and it made me wonder: Is this something a lot of Christians do?

I know we do this with our email addresses and Twitter names. How many times have you seen someone with the email “DaughteroftheKing@Gmail.com?”

But a WiFi password? That’s next-level technology theology.

So, without saying what your password is, please answer this question in the comments:

“Are any of your passwords in life holy?”

 

1382. Quit asking fear for permission.

Misc January 23, 2013 • Comments

Lately, I’ve had a lot of fun finding images that folks have created with ideas I’ve shared online. It feels like a fun collaboration whenever that happens.

I found one I really loved, and it reminded me of something I often need to be reminded of.

We tend to spend too much time conversing with fear.

We give it too many votes at the table of life, too much power in our decisions, too many words in our decisions.

But as I wrote before and, as Libby visually interpreted, we need to quit asking fear for permission.

 

 

1381. Why are you so unhappy?

Misc January 22, 2013 • Comments

Because you’ve never written to a missionary.

Why are missionaries unhappy? Because they are required by congregational law to wear that hat/shorts combo with one quitter sock.

1380. New.

Misc January 21, 2013 • Comments

A note I wrote myself for days that I get stuck trying to force better instead of receiving new.

1377. Lance Armstrong Sermon Illustrations.

Misc January 18, 2013 • Comments

I wish I could buy stock in ideas like this, because I would make 14 bajillionity dollars this weekend.

Can we estimate how many pastors will use a Lance Armstrong sermon illustration?

I’m even willing to bet some go the alliteration angle and title the sermon, “Lessons from the Lies of Lance.”

Me?

I’d use Lance as the relevance maker and then dovetail into a David killing Uriah sermon.

I just wrote that one for you. It’s free.

Do you think your pastor will reference Lance this weekend?

1376. Stuff Christians Like – The Movie

Guest Posts/ Misc January 18, 2013 • Comments

(It’s guest post Friday! Here’s one from Stephen Pepper. You can check out his blog here.  You can also follow him on Twitter @youthworkinit. If you want to write a guest post for SCL, here’s how!)

Stuff Christians Like – The Movie

Jon’s already released a book based on Stuff Christians Like, but Rob Bell’s now teamed up with the producer of Lost to create a new TV show. I therefore think it’s time for Jon to take Stuff Christians Like to the next level and turn it into a TV series or movie.

What would it be about though? Here are some pitches to get the ball rolling:

The Jukes of Hazzard – Two cousins drive around, foiling the schemes of Boss Hogg. At the end of each episode, they tell him that if only he dedicated as much effort to doing the work of Jesus as he does to his shady dealings, the world would be a better place.

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