Double Standards

I don't get it. With all the pub that "hate speech" gets, I can't believe what passes for acceptable. Why is it you can pick up a new newspaper or log on to your web news page and be warned not to criticize a certain religious groups or certain offensive behaviors because it is hateful, but flip to the entertainment section of the SAME newspaper and read the headline "Six Reasons to Hate Kate Gosselin".

That's exactly what I read today. Though I shouldn't be suprized by the hypocricy, nonetheless, I find myself bewildered by this blatant double standard. Is there an editor in the house!! Obviously, those who say we shouldn't hate anything, have a few intolerances of their own. But here's what makes this type of double standard so bizzare and dangerous. They are not criticizing an idea or philosohpy out of the desire that people not be hurt. They are malicously targeting one individual person to be the recipient of the animousity of complete strangers. Why? For no other reason than they hate her, so you should hate her too.

I don't know Kate, I never met her, I never even watched the show that made her a houshold name. All I know of her is that which I get a climps of at the grocery check out. Which is precisely why this is so outragous. We know of her, but we don't really know her personally. So why is it so acceptable for a news organization to encourage its readers to "hate" her. I guess it's okay if its in the Entertainment section.

This is the epitomy of the hate speech they so proudly chastise the rest of us for. As Christians we NEED to continue to speak out about how Christ is Truth. Warn about the false doctrines that bring destruction and human misery. What will the world be like if we don't?

Passion Week begins

Our tendency when we approach Christmas and Easter is to pass over it quickly since we've "been there, done that" every year for the past how many years. But if that's the case, maybe we are missing the point. God's word cannot be exhausted. There is always something more He is wanting to reveal to us through His Word. It's not like books written by men. The Bible, is God's living word.

As we begin passion week of 2010, the message for me so far has been this. Everything seemed so unfair and unessessary. But, Jesus endured the unfair accusations, trial, and punishment so that even centuries later, men could read the story and know for themselves He truly was the sinnless son of God.

Read and reread the Easter story. See how "unfair" God's love for us is.

Dog and Cat Diary

From the show, many people responded to how much they love the following bit about how different a dog's diary would look compared to that of a cat.

Excerpt from a Dog's Diary.........

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpt from a Cat's Diary...

Day 983 of my captivity....

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They

dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash

or

some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I

nevertheless

must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt

to

disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their

feet.

I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly

demonstrates what I am capable of.. However, they merely made

condescending

comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Jerks.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.

I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event..

However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.

I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.'

I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my

tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.

I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges.

He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return.

He is obviously brain damaged.

The bird has got to be an informant.

I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.

I am certain that he reports my every move.

My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated

cell, so

he is safe.... for now.

First Ever Tiebreaker

Today's Triple Play Madness ended in a tie. Straight up 7 o'clock Francesca Battistelli and David Crowder Band had exactly the same number of votes. Franny kept the lead most of the time, but Crowder fans came out of the woodwork late in the hour to put him up by six votes. Voting closed with a tie, so as a last minute tie breaker, we took one more call on air. Angie gave the win to David Crowder Band who will now move on to face Third Day on the 25th of March.

Every vote counts! Print out your bracket and play along.

Digging Deeper

We are reading Proverbs Chapter 8 for the next several days. Digging deeper into the passage to see what great and wonderful things we did not know. God's promise is found in the very first chapter. That is, if you read this book, it will give wisdom and discernment. Pretty good deal. A few minutes a day in exchange for the wisdom of the God of the universe.

Highly Organized?

Today is the BIG DAY. We are spending every waking minute today packing up the house. I love this stuff. Work that doesn't feel like work cuz you're so excited about the outcome. The fact we are moving out of a rental and into our own home is a blessing that is not lost on us.

This morning we were talking about how to be like those hyper-organized high-output people. Sharing some hints that will be able to apply to moving. Like: Never label anything "miscellanieous". As tempting as it is, the time you thought you would save packing all that unrelated stuff in one container, is totally lost when it comes time to UN-pack the "miscellaneous" box.

Others not so helpful. Like: Foresee and avoid problems. Duh! If I could foresee them, I would definitely avoid them. Another was "Create a Dump Zone". Okay, but what if your entire house has become one ginormous dump zone?

There is one helpful hint to becoming highly organized that will help us sail through this move with smiles on our faces. That is: Make Peace With Imperfection. I can embrace that one. So the house has unpacked boxes a month after we move. It is in our weakness He is made strong. As the next few days and weeks go by, will look back and be amazed at all that God has done in spite of us.

Wooo Hooo!

It's what you have to say when you play the Rush Our Riddle. But, we've been saying it over and over since Saturday Night. The Big Night Out went off as smoothly as any show or event we have done and it seems to have been recieved very well.

Thanks to everyone who came out to the show. Hope you had as good of time as we did. BIG BIG BIG thanks to everyone behind the scenes who went above and beyond the call in making it happen. Several people here at JQ, at Community Reformed Church and of course our good friend Daren Streblow - YOU ALL ROCK!

Big Night Out

Rehearsal is in full swing and we are PUMPED! Community Reformed Church will open it's doors tomorrow night for an evening of Laughing Louder - Digging Deeper - Living Larger!

There is something very special about getting face to face with JQ listeners. Can't explain it, but what's even better is going to a fun show that won't mock your faith or chip away at the Biblical World view.

Know someone who could use some laughter in life and encouragement in Christ? Reach out and invite them to come with you.

See you tomorrow! Get your tickets early at the JQ studios and save some $$

Digging Deeper

For the next several days we are reading the entire book of Philemon. Relax, the whole book is only one chapter. But for one chapter, these men live out the Gospel of Christ before your very eyes!

What Did You Learn on Sunday?

We have visited a good number of churches since coming to West MI and each has had some great teachings. Yesterday was not only another great one, it was one of those messages that really stood out for several different reasons. Can't recap the entire thing, but one point really made me think. Christ came to not only save us free from sin, but to set us free from fear. I began to see fear is a form of not believing. Anyway, the point: We live in one of the richest, most powerful countries in all of human history. Yet for all of our money and security and so on, we are some of the most fearful people on the planet.

Think about what makes the headlines, the economy, H1N1, terrorism, unemployment, the uninsured. It's on the minds of adults and children alike. But why? God has said, if I am for you, who can be against you? YOU. the individual. God is on your side. So much so, He sent His Son to save us.

When the world gets overwhelming, we need to remember just that - God is for us. Even in the worst case scenario or the pinnacle of confusion, we have a hope that is undeniable. That hope gives us so much to be thankful for.

If you, or someone you know, could use some encouragement and relief from the fears of life that wear us all down. Come out to The Big Night Out. This Saturday will be a opportunity for you to laugh louder, dig deeper, and live larger in the Lord, Jesus Christ.