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Is There Anything Truly Unique About Christianity?

wondering

Phillip Yancey, in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace, tells a story about C.S. Lewis and grace.  During a British conference on comparative religions, experts were discussing whether there was any belief that was truly unique to Christianity.  Creation, incarnation, and resurrection were quickly eliminated because of similar examples in other religions.  C.S. Lewis wandered into the room and enquired as to the topic of conversation.  When told about the debate, without hesitation, Lewis replied, “Oh, that’s easy.  It’s grace.”

Grace is so simple that it baffles the experts.  Grace is what makes Christianity unique.  Because of it, we have the opportunity to know Jesus as Savior and Friend.  Grace helps us understand the difference between happiness and joy.  It allows us to conquer all of our fears.  There is nothing we can do to earn grace and there is no way that we can destroy it.  In Ephesian 1:5-6, the Apostle Paul wrote:  He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.  

 

Grace is free and yet it is also priceless.  It truly is amazing.

 

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Unusual Easter Traditions


I live in New Orleans.  Recently, I heard about the annual Easter “Keg” Hunt sponsored by a local bar.  (No, I didn’t attend)  Even though I’m not a drinker and don’t encourage alcohol consumption, I have to admit that I was impressed with the creativity.  It got me wondering about other Easter traditions around the world.  Here are just a few that you might find interesting.

In Finland, children often decorate themselves with scarves and sooty faces and go begging in the streets with broomsticks and willow twigs.

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Many years ago in Bermuda, a local teacher attempted to explain the ascension of Jesus to his students by making a cross shaped kite and flying it with his students.  Ever since, families in Bermuda celebrate Good Friday by flying handmade kites.

Bermuda-Good-Friday-Kite-Fest

In 966 AD, Polish Prince Miesko was baptized on Easter Monday.  In honor of that event, Polish boys drench people with cool buckets of water.  It is believed by some that young unwed ladies who are drenched will marry within the next year.

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In Colombia, people lay off the chocolates on Easter Sunday.  Instead, they enjoy a traditional dinner of iguana, turtle, and large rodents.

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On the Greek island of Corfu, people throw clay pots out of their windows on Holy Saturday.  Some say the tradition comes from the Venetians, who used to throw out old pots on New Year’s day.

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In some areas of Portugal, Spain, and Mexico, a stuffed character representing Judas receives a fake trial, is hung by the neck, and then is burned on or around Easter.  Often, the Judas “dummy” is stuffed with fireworks so he blows up.  Effigies of unpopular politicians are sometimes hung next to Judas.

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The more that I think some of these traditions are unusual, the more I wonder if what I do to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus is found unusual by others around the world.

Happy Easter!

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The Stitch – Why I Wanted To Quit Couch To 5k

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Last night, C25k (Couch to 5k) Week 5 Day 3 got the best of me.  It was my first time in the program where I was supposed to jog for 20 minutes without stopping, so I was somewhat apprehensive before beginning my time of exercise.  However, two days earlier, I surpassed the 8 minute mark without stopping, then walked for 5 minutes before running another 8 minutes without stopping, so I believed that I could probably pull it off.

I was wrong.

After 9.5 minutes of running, I felt a terrible stitch in my side so I slowed to a walk.  A stitch is sometimes called a side cramp. It’s an intense stabbing pain under the lower edge of the ribcage that occurs during exercise.  After 4 minutes of walking, I ran for another 8.5 minutes.  I finished the workout, but felt terrible because I didn’t meet my goal of running 20 minutes without stopping.

I wanted to just give up and resign myself to being an out of shape fat guy.  That’s not such a bad thing, is it?

Today, however, I decided not to let it get the best of me, so I googled stitches during exercise.  According to my online friends, here are three causes:

1.  Running too soon after eating.  (Waiting two to three hours after eating is best)

2.  Drinking high sugar beverages right before or during exercise.

3.  Shallow or Irregular breathing during exercise.

I also looked for ways to prevent a stitch during exercise.  Here are three options:

1.  Stop running (or at least slow down)

2.  Raise your right arm over your head.  (The stretching sometimes helps relieve the stitch)

3.  Try to exhale as your left foot is moving forward. (This basically helps to set a pattern for your breathing, extremely important in all exercise)

I started running to Michael Jackson’s Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.  Before the song was over, a stitch was already forming in my side.  I started slowing down and considered quitting before I even reached 5 minutes.  However, slowing down helped, so I continued.  Around the 10 minute mark, the stitch returned, so I started watching my breathing, ensuring that I was exhaling as my left leg moved forward.  That seemed to help, so once I continued.  Finally, it returned around the 14 minute mark and I wanted to quit, but since I had already come so far I pressed on.  I slowed my running, focused once again on my breathing, and raised my right arm over my head.  The three items together helped and before I knew it, I had run for 20 minutes without stopping.

As I reached the 20 minute mark, Michael Jackson was singing Bad.  That’s exactly how I felt.

 

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10 Best Valentines Day Quotes

Valentines-Day

1. Today is Valentine’s Day – or, as men like to call it, Extortion Day – Jay Leno

2.  I wanted to make it really special on Valentine’s Day, so I tied my boyfriend up. And for three solid hours I watched whatever I wanted on TV. – Tracy Smith

3.  Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes. There’s too much fraternizing with the enemy. – Henry Kissinger

4.  I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon. – Unknown

5. Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. – By Rose Franken

6. Valentine’s Day money-saving tip: Break up on February 13th, get back together on the 15th. – David Lettermen

7. Oh here’s an idea: let’s make pictures of our internal organs and give them to other people we love on Valentine’s Day. That’s not weird at all. – Jimmy Fallon

8. Today, folks, should be all about love. Unless you’re old. – Stephen Colbert

9. I want a man who’s kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire? – Zsa Zsa Gabor

Here’s my favorite:

10. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

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One of the Worst elections in History

It was one of the most controversial elections in American history.  Negative campaigning had reached an all time high.  The Incumbent, having grown increasingly unpopular in his previous four years as President, had been labeled as a fool, a hypocrite, a criminal, and a tyrant.  His opponent, who had tried to work in the President’s administration, was accused of being a weakling, an atheist, a libertine, and a coward.

The entourage of the opposing candidate accused the President of having a “hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.”  Hardly flattering.  As a rebuttal, the President’s representatives released statements that his opponent was a “mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a mulatto father.”  This infuriated the President’s opponent so much that he hired a hatchet man named to spread damaging information about the President.  This employee’s information about the Commander in Chief spread so quickly and was considered so insidious that the man later served jailed time for slander.

In the end, Thomas Jefferson defeated President John Adams in the election of 1800.  Thomas Jefferson served two terms as president.  He and John Adams eventually put their differences behind them, and wrote a series of friendly letters for the last decade of their lives. They both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.’

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Building a Testimony

What should we say then?  Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?  Absolutely not!  How can we who died to sin still live in it?  Romans 6:1-2

I had a friend in college named Billy.  He was a friendly guy who was studying to be a pastor.  He was the type of guy that everyone wanted to be around.  Even as a young man, I could see the hand of God on him, guiding him toward an awesome future.  However, Billy had some sinful habits that were keeping him from having a stronger relationship with the Lord.

Late one night, I heard a loud noise in the dorm hallway and ran out to see what had happened.  There was Billy, intoxicated, lying on the floor next to the large trashcan he had just knocked over.  I reached down to help, but he waved me off.  After a moment, he finally managed to get to his feet.  Glancing my way, he said, “Don’t judge me, man!  God will always forgive all my sins.  I’m just building a testimony.”

Lord, help us to never take Your grace for granted.  Help us to always strive to live holy lives, totally dedicated to You.

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The Strangest Poem I Ever Wrote (A Tribute to My High School English Teachers)

I’m feeling nostalgic this morning, which is very unlike me.  I can’t seem to get my high school English classes out of my mind.  Here’s a poem I wrote when I was a Junior for a class assignment that I still have memorized after all of these years.  Enjoy!
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I’ve got a little story and yes, of course, it’s true.

And if you do believe me, I’ve got a bridge to sell to you.

It happened just the other day, no, it was night, oh yes. 

Bigfoot came and captured me and wanted to play chess.

He took me to his spaceship.  There were many people there.

Fred, Barney, and Wilma, Prince Charles, Sonny, and Cher.

He took me to a little room and there was Elvis Presley alive,

He shot me with a laser gun, then his leg began to jive.

What happened then, I can’t remember, but I really know,

That Elvis had my baby while on a U.F.O.

Now, you may think my story leaves a lot to be desired,

But I’ll have you know I sold it to the National Enquirer.

 

Weird, huh?  I still remember that word for word after 25-26 years.

Sorry for the lame content.

See you next time.

John

 

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10 funny business signs

Many of you know that I am a collector of funny images, especially signs.  Here are 10 funny business signs taken by myself or by one of my friends.  Please forgive me if this is your business.  Just accept it as free promotion:

Sir, would you like more salsa on your Crab Rangoon?

However, a more narrow form of panic is scheduled for May.

The unseen vending machine behind me sells fishing rods.

There weren’t many kids hanging around this canoe rental business.  Wonder why?

Yes, Doctor, I need a lobotomy and while you’re at it, there’s a sofa I need moved.

Yes, I’d like to buy it, but before I do I need to phone home…

Yeah, give me 4 steel belted radials and Scofield Reference Bible.

It’s so nice of the fine Christian folks at Hooters to consider that I might be fasting.

I wasn’t planning on buying any slugs today, but if I get to pick them, well, that’s another story.

Finally, we found a good supplier for Carlos Wang’s Mexican Chinese Restaurant.

Stay tuned for next week’s funny picture feature:  Funny Church Signs

 

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7 Things Wives Should Never Say to Their Husbands

A few days ago, I posted about 7 Things Husbands Should Never Say To Their Wives. To be fair, I thought it only fair to post the following 7 Things Wives Should Never Say To Their Husbands.

  1. Does this make me look fat?
  2. Are you using your Rogaine?
  3. I’m going to call a repairman.
  4. Do you think she’s pretty?
  5. Get out of the way.  I’ll fix it.
  6. My mother warned me that you’d do that.
  7. You’re wearing that?

Nuff said…

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7 Things You Should Never Say To Your Wife

Over my 21 years of marriage, I’ve learned a lot about what husbands should NOT say to their wives.  More importantly, I’ve learned a few of the whys behind those things.  As a disclaimer, I didn’t make all of the mistakes below, only most of them.

  1. Are you going to wear Spanx with that?  Worry about your own muffin top and leave hers alone.
  2. There’s just more of you to love.  Never, ever, say anything that’s going to make her think that you think she is fat, even if she broaches the subject.  She wants you to think that she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.
  3. Don’t worry.  Your hair will grow back.  Instead of pointing out a bad haircut, find something that you like about her new doo.
  4. I like it better the way my mom makes it.  Never compare her cooking to your mom’s cooking, even if, well, never mind.
  5. Yes, Honey, I do think she’s pretty.  Even if she asks you, don’t tell her.  She is the only woman that she ever wants you to notice.
  6. Did you forget to shave your legs?  Unless she’s European, she will certainly find this insulting.  She wants you to love every part of her.
  7. I see you’re drinking 1%.  Is that because you think you’re fat?  Because you’re not.  You could be drinking whole if you wanted to.  (Napoleon Dynamite)  Ok, I couldn’t resist.  But seriously, never, ever use the word fat, even in jest, when speaking of your wife.
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