Monday, January 28, 2008

No Such Thing as a Coincidence

Last month I wrote a little article about about a local radio station here in Portland.  You can read it below.  

The response to this article, and the e-mail campaign that followed was very supportive.  Sure, there are those few who are afraid of the truth.  This is no surprise.

Today as I was re-reading the article I decided to click on the link to the advertisers' page.  To my surprise, the link was broken.  Hmmm.  I then went to the station's website.  It had been re-vamped and the advertisers' page updated.  The advertiser in question had been removed.

For those who differ with my take on things, I want to make two points perfectly clear:

1) I did indeed hear Pete and Brenda's comments firsthand.  Both days.  It is not a coincidence that they had these two actors' voices on the day before, and the day of, the release of the film.  An accident?  Hardly.  This is promoting the film.  I heard them.  

2) The Programming Director did invite me to come and speak with him, but only after I had threatened the boycott, and after NOT admitting to any wrongdoing.  I think the removal of the advertiser shows that indeed he saw the error.  However, I know that the station will not institute a policy which states that advertisers must meet strict ethical and moral guidelines.  
This would be too difficult.

It's not easy being a Christian.  Never has been.  Never will be.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Which Team Do You Want To Play For?

This past weekend, my beloved San Diego Chargers lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.  I've been a fan since I was a kid.

These days I root for a new team.  It's call Team Eternal Life.  Our arch-rival is Team Eternal Damnation.  We play on the Field of Society for the "Souls Cup" on a daily basis.

I remember a number of years ago there was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan who proudly wore his black and gold to an L.A. Raiders game in Los Angeles.  For his enthusiasm and team spirit he was nearly stabbed to death.  That's dedication, right?

We will literally lay down our lives for our favorite sports teams, but not for our Faith.  Why is this?  Could there be a more twisted and misdirected sense of loyalty?

One of my favorite verses in Scripture comes from Acts 5:40-41. 

"... and when they (the Sanhedrin) had called the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.  So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for the sake of the Name."

Praise God!  Why don't we feel this way about our Faith and our Lord?  Why don't we put on the jersey of Team Eternal Life as we go out into the world?  After all, the world we live in is a hostile environment to our team.  We should show our colors proudly.  Unapologetic about where we stand.

Where are your loyalties?  What team do you want to play for?  I know which one has the better locker rooms.  It's the one where our Lord, Jesus Christ, gives us pep talks every day.  His sweet voice calling to us.

The game is on.  You'd better be in shape.