Anger is a horrible motivator.  Well, horrible in a moral sense.  As far as producing results it’s a great motivator.  Because it works.  At least for a while.

Motivating people with anger works for a while, and then it wears off.  Then the person, group, company, church, network or boss who was using anger as a motivator has to step it up and use even more anger or strike up fear again in you to re-motivate.  They have to provoke you even more to make you even angrier, even more shocked, more fearful, and even more outraged.

It’s a cheap trick.  And in doing it sometimes the truth gets bent.

So we hear a story, a stat or a threat and it makes us upset and we are ready to move into action!

Then things calm down and go back to normal.  So those who are trying to motivate us with fear have to find an even worse story or a more appalling stat.  This happens over and over as we go through cycles of being provoked to anger again and again.  Eventually the things others are using to provoke our anger are not even the complete truth.  These bosses, preachers, parents, or media outlets realize that by putting a slight bend to the information or leaving certain parts out, the information presented has more ‘zing’ to it and will cause the general public to become angry and rush into action for the cause of those giving the information.  By not telling the whole truth they make a better case for what they want, and they count on you being too angry to rationally challenge the information you are receiving.

I feel like this happens quite often in homes, churches, politics, businesses, and through media.  Our society tries to tap into our extreme emotions in order to utilize our efforts for their cause.

Feeling these emotions on a regular basis is not healthy.  I caught myself feeling this way on a repeated basis and had to examine several of the sources I felt was causing this.  As a result there are some news networks I no longer allow myself to watch because of how angry they were making me.  There are preachers I no longer listen to because their continual use of shock effect was wearing on me.

All churches, politicians and businesses are biased.  So the temptation to tell the story with a bend toward their position is always a lure for those with power or influence.  Sometimes doing this gets a positive response so the process is repeated.  This is how we got to the place where we have church members, news-watchers, and employees who use extreme words like “burdened,” “passionate,” or “disgusted” to describe how they feel as a reaction to the information they are constantly being fed, all the while that information is only partially correct.

Churches, bosses, politicians, and television programs that do this are not actually concerned with presenting the full truth as much as they are with getting you on their side.  They want you to agree with them, vote for them, work for them, donate to them, etc.  Being a part of these groups or environments tend to cause us to live at a constant state of excitement.  It causes us to have the urge to riot on a more than occasional basis.

Again, having these emotions stirred within us on a regular basis is not healthy.  I have been learning to judge the outside influences I am allowing into my life and determine whether they are healthy or not.  I encourage you to do the same.

3. Fox News, Jon Stewart, And The Poor – I try my best to write about intelligent, spiritually deep things, yet my highest ratings come anytime I mention politics.  This is my first video posts which includes a six and a half minute clip from Jon Stewart addressing income inequality in our country and showing clips from Fox News I happen to disagree with.  This post was simply to introduce the subject as a spiritual issue.

2. Jesus, The Poor And Me – This was my follow-up post to the one above in which I gave my opinion about the poor in this country.  Though many disagreed with me, I see this as more of a moral issue than a political one.  I would love your thoughts on this post.

1. Who’s Got A Hot Wife? – By far my most popular post of the year, this blog addresses something I find unhealthy that many contemporary pastors do.  I end the post by admitting I may be nit-picking but I apparently hit a nerve as I got a lot of feedback about this post, plenty of which came from small church pastors.  I would love your thoughts on this topic.

I believing addressing the poor of our culture and speaking of them the way Fox News did crosses moral boundaries and is more than just a political issue.  I often hear conservatives and Christian politicians get fired up about the issues of abortion and homosexuality, claiming they are a spiritual issue and not a political one.   If they want to claim that abortion (a term not in the Bible) is a spiritual issue rather than a political one, then clearly caring for the poor is also a spiritual issue.  And one where we are failing.

Jesus never spoke to the issue of abortion and great links have to be made between his words and Old Testament passages to claim he opposed homosexuality.  While these issues may be moral ones, even more clear is the truth that Jesus had a lot to say about the poor and what our obligation is toward them.  Jesus spoke more about the poor than any other “political” issue.  He talked about the poor when teaching about time, when teaching about money, when teaching about serving, and when teaching about the kingdom of God.

Labeling today’s lower class as those looking for hand-outs is a form of arrogance.  The truth is that removing all forms of government handouts would create uproar from both the rich and the poor.  The upper class actually enjoys forms of a higher level of government benefits.  To see one person abusing the system or using food stamps in a way you find inappropriate and claiming this to be true of all those in the lower class is poor logic and shows you are out of touch with the poor in your community.  It also means you believe people should be assisted, given to, or blessed with conditions when this is not taught in Scripture.

Truly the Bible teaches that a man should eat after he has worked, but the word work does not necessarily mean possessing a job.  To claim the poor are poor because they are lazy is a huge generalization and no more true than that every working person is a hard worker and rich.

What the Bible teaches is stewardship.  Those of us who have been blessed have been blessed to be a blessing.  Along with all we have, we have been given the responsibility to care for those who have not.  This is true materially, emotionally and spiritually.

When considering the poor, allow me to ask a question:  Is it easier to be generous, perhaps even careless, with something that we earned or something that was given to us?

The argument we are taught as young children is ‘if you earn it you will appreciate it more.’  I think this same reasoning is behind political conservatives who suggest poor people are looking for hand-outs and abuse their government assistance.  However, the idea that we earn or deserve what we have is a complete farce.  The Bible says we are to recognize every good thing we have as a gift from the Father.

It is true that we are much more likely to hold loosely and give away things that are given to us and that we don’t actually see as our own.  However, this is not a reason to blame some poor people for being irresponsible, but to be free with our own possessions when it comes to meeting the needs of others.

You and I are much more likely to hold what is “ours” with open hands when we realize it’s all simply a gift from God.  The money and possessions we have, we have because God allowed it.  Even our talents and skills that we think created our wealth are in reality blessings God chose to give us.  A simple reading of the book of Acts will show that our possessions, resources, and abilities are meant to be leveraged for those in need through the context of ministry.

If there are people in our communities in need, it is our own fault.  And if it’s our fault, it is also our responsibility.

Since watching the August 18th episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart I have been unable to get the following video clip out of my mind. To be honest, the way Fox News deals with the subject of national debt and America’s poor makes me sick. To me, this topic is more than a political issue up for debate.

I know Fox News watchers (aka Republicans) will defend the network by saying those clips are taken out of context. However, I don’t really know of a context where demonizing the poor is appropriate. The newscasters are also obviously distancing themselves from the underprivileged while at the same time painting them as the bad guys.

The stats Stewart gives are amazing. The bottom 50% of economic earners in our country represent only 2.5% of our nation’s wealth. That is not capitalism at its finest. That is a system problem. The widening gap between the upper and lower class is alarming and anyone who would defend such a system that allows this is not in tune with the heart of God.

When we react to this clip with political reasoning and arguments we are putting our politics before our religion. We should not interpret our religion through our politics but our politics through our religion. I believe this video addresses something that is more than a political opinion.

What are your thoughts about the clip?

I will be sharing mine next week.

I have a recurring dream that my alarm does not go off and I am late for work. this is a big fear of mine so I am loosing a lot of sleep.

If they made a movie about this year’s super bowl Ben Roethlistberger should be played by Seth Rogen. Anyone else see the resemblance?

I hate commercials that show every word the over voice says. don’t insult my intelligence. that’s like churches that tell me to sit & stand.

You are no longer special if you know someone who was on american idol.

A good point is a good point no matter who makes it.

The wise man talks because he has something to say. the fool talks because he has to say something.

Cars should have two horns. a nice horn and a mean horn.

Just ate at the new Panda Express 3 out of the last four meals. may be time to add a new line item to the Marcelli family budget.

There are only two things you need to succeed in this life: ignorance and confidence.

I love down town settings. does not matter what city.

If we were honest all the time we would not need the words “really” and “literally”

When you are looking to be upset it’s amazing how many reasons you can find.

Its no longer cool to be a radio dj and call your self ‘kid…..’

I may have reached the point in life where I would rather have more time than more money.

There is no music artist I have more respect for than Matthew West

Sad that some will consider it a success just if their party “wins” rather than our nation moving forward.

Auto flush toilets are not environment friendly. they flush and waste water every time you move.

Last year Beyonce made 218 times what the US President made. Isn’t there something wrong here?!?!

There is something deep down inside of me that just wants to always be silly.

I’m starting to think Katy Perry is not as christian as she used to be.

making homemade vegetarian quesadillas with the wife tonight. Great meal! Working together, ‘build your own’ style, and cost about $2 each

There is nothing wrong with distancing ourselves with others who are still part of our “group”

I like quality music videos that turn songs into stories

when we got home from church we found a water leak in our front yard. or should I say in our own little gulf

As many people & opinions as there are somebody’s always gonna be right. so don’t be too proud about being right, you may be right on accident

Just watched a horrible movie, “City Island” but cried because I love seeing people getting their lives worked out

I like movies where the main character goes through deep pain. makes the victory that much sweeter. that’s a story I want for my life.

My college friend, Dr. Stephen Scheer, taught me a principle I will never forget: “I don’t have time for that crap.”

Something I wish I heard more people say: “I don’t know both sides of that issue so I can’t give my opinion yet.”

So I guess America is a land of freedom as long as you are not gay or muslim. used to be women and black. same persecution different victims

The less you give your opinion the fewer people you will turn off from listening to what you have to say.

Goes to show what money can do – Katy Perry was NOT attractive when she began singing

This can be hard at time because if you choose to make yourself aware of the needs in our world you can easily become overwhelmed.  There are so many good and noble causes.  Countless organizations are in desperate need of finances and manpower.  Even narrowing it down to a category or two can be difficult when we realize all the poverty, abuse, sickness, injustice, spiritual darkness, environmental weaknesses, and animal cruelty needs that exist (just to name a few).

That being said, being overwhelmed is no excuse to do nothing.  Whether it is local, personal needs or global financial contributions, I want to be someone who gets involved.  Either as an activist or simply as a contributor we all have a responsibility to give back.  Paying taxes and tithes are simply the requirements and doing them makes you obedient.  Being generous though is one step further and involves letting go of the hoarding, security based tendencies that exist in all of us.

Again, this is an area where if I’m going to expect this from others, I must lead the way.  Because much has been given to me, I am responsible to do something about the needs of others that burden me.

In short, the answer is yes!  As a matter of fact, before I ever finished writing Repentance and Recovery I realized that I thoroughly enjoyed the writing process and began files for ideas on about five different books.  Since then I have continued to gather resources for those ideas and arrange them in order of which I would like to write them.  Obviously with being a newly-wed and working toward becoming a full time church planter, who knows when I will actually sit down to outline and begin writing the project that is next on my book list.  But the idea is there.

I have yet to determine the title, but the idea for my next book is to compare the things I find unattractive and dysfunctional about the church to those I dislike in American culture.  I know, I know, it’s almost a fad today to write a book, song, or lecture where you criticize and “call out” the church.  But this idea came to me almost two years ago and my hypothesis, I believe, still stands.  I hope to take a different approach by pointing out the trends of American culture and how the church pretty much follows suit and then takes heat for being so secluded from the culture when actually they are mirroring it.

For example, Christians act like a minority.  I am in no way racist or prejudice.  I believe in equal rights for all minorities.  But many minorities in our culture seem to complain that they are treated differently while at the same time refusing to break away from their minority culture and be fully assimilated into public society.  Christians mimic minority culture in many ways, such as having their own language and terms, being easily offended, and being quick to criticize any of their own who break away from accepted minority culture.

I also plan to involve others in the writing process.  My idea is to have a cookout, get-together, etc. with 8-12 people who I know have had bad experiences with the church and brainstorm ideas on not only how to express our disappointment with how some American churches are functioning, but also provide simple advice or solutions.  Way too many who criticize the church do just that, providing no positive direction and leaving their audience to believe there is no hope for the church.  I want to do just the opposite.  I also want to be sure it does not seem like I am only speaking against a certain kind of church, such as “Traditional,” “Contemporary,” “Emerging,” etc.

I have considered titles such as My case against American Church or America, quit killing my church but think both of those sound more political than the book will actually be.  I’m more than open to your suggestions and thoughts regarding the title, content, or just a story you have that may be helpful.  Please share those with me either as a comment or through an email.  I’m really excited to begin writing again soon but also look forward to involving as many voices and different views as I can.

Ever since the November, 2008 election this phrase has become cliché in political arguments.  And unfortunately, most of the times I have heard it used, the arguers seems to have a very limited understanding of racism.

Calling someone a racist is an easy out.  You automatically win when you say this to someone, but it’s a cheap win.  This phrase is most used because the talker has no logical or factual argument, so they revert to this cheap slur.

This new pop phrase is also one sided.  I have never heard anyone other than white people be accused of being racist (though I’m sure others have and are).  Let me be clear – I believe racism is shallow and a sin.  Also, I voted for President Obama.  And because of that am even more disappointed with those who use this cop-out as mirage logic when there are such better arguments to be made.

As far as being on the receiving end though, there is nothing you can do.  This is an argument you cannot win.  It’s cheap.  It’s below the belt.  And if it’s untrue, it is a very mean thing to say, yet you cannot win.  All I can advise is be careful to engage in discussion with anyone who would stoop so low as to use this line as reasonable banter.

This is an area where I certainly need work as I have been faced with the reality that a lot of my assumptions are wrong and that to even come to them so quickly is many times unfair.  When we are so immediate to build that wall of assumption, we turn ourselves off from a lesson, experience, or blessing that may have been about to come from an unlikely source.  So among the many that exist, here are some assumptions and generalizations I have made that have hurt me.

“All old people are Republicans”

Oddly enough, my stereotype here used to be the exact opposite.  My dad had me convinced that the democrats had scared all the senior citizens in the state of Ohio into being in their party.  This caused me to grunt and walk away anytime politics came up if there was a “more experienced” person in the room (even though I knew less about politics then than the little I know now).

Because I now live in the Bible belt, perhaps my conclusion is somewhat based on reason but I know I’m still painting with way too broad a brush.  I understand that my political outlook has changed in the past years and that few of the people I work, socialize, or worship with share my views or opinions on such things, so I do try and remain somewhat reserved when these issues arise.  Still though, in my mind I will judge what I believe are probably a person’s values and in my mind play what I expect to be their comments on the president, health care, global worming, etc.

I have been shocked not only to find out that my labeling is not always correct and there are many well-aged democrats, but also that a lot of the republicans of age I have met are more open-minded and willing to discuss the issues than I had given them credit for.  Don’t get me wrong, I do not hold adamantly to the label of either major party, and there are just as many close minded and uninformed people on one side as the other, but until recently I had been pre-determining that anyone I ran into above a certain age must be right wing.  I’m glad I have had some experiences and conversations show me that I was wrong.  And even in the times I may not have been “wrong” about their political lean, I was wrong in my assumptions of what traits and attitudes may come with that view.

“All Baptists are dogmatic”

Again, I have had experiences that have caused me to come to this assumption.  It’s not that I had anything initially against Baptists or that I stubbornly oppose all of them now, after all, I did grow up as one.  In Bible College though I was exposed to the reality that they cannot even get along with each other.  Forget the fact that there are numerous denominations that label themselves as a sect of Baptists (American, Southern, Independent, Missionary, Free Will…….); my experience had taught me that it is the norm for these believers of supposedly alike beliefs and practices to fight and split among themselves.

After years of this and the reoccurring incident of Baptists from my past still approaching me about “concerns” they have about my beliefs, my neglect to finish my master’s, or my engaging in “the appearance of evil” I developed an almost bitter attitude against them.  They seemed to be such unhappy, unthankful, boring, people who went to church because they felt they had to and were opposed to anything new, loud, or modern.  Certainly, some of this is true and turns many people away from any church with the “B” word on its sign, but such traits are not the standard.

Many Baptists have been a blessing, encouragement, and example to me.  It was wrong of me to ever allow a few extreme cases to cloud my view of the whole group.  I believe I have settled into a happy medium now where I still see little point in denominations but realize the reason denominations are so messed up is because they contain messed up people, like me.  I owe a lot to Baptists, like a solid education and some great believing friends.

“Foreigners are not as smart as Americans”

It is nowhere in me to be racist and I would probably never have even thought to say the above phrase out loud, but I have thought it before.  The two main reasons I ever assumed this of those different than myself are 1.) a lack of global perspective and understanding, and 2.) confusing language barriers with intellectual differences.

If a foreign student would have problems understanding me, I would blame it on their ability to reason rather than their undeveloped English vocabulary.  One time I took a 50 year old African man named Kirby to Wal-Mart during my days in college.  On the way he told me how he never told his son that he loved him in fear the information would be abused by the son to get whatever he wanted from his love-vulnerable father.  My thought did not go to the concept that we have different cultures and values in our countries, but rather that he was wrong because they just have not come around to the right way of doing things over there.

It’s been hard for me to get off of this subconscious assumption of mine and I have even had to be called out when speaking down to others who were not American.  My desire though is not to build any walls of separation or come off as acting superior and certainly not for reasons as shallow as race or ethnicity.  Along with the other two exaggerated assumptions above, I have had to change in this area of thinking as I become more involved in my community and allow a passion and love for people override my preferences or preconceived ideas.