Jesus was a democrat…… via supersimbo..........
"Jesus Christ was a left wing radical JewMurdered by people like you" sings Art Alexakis on the new Everclear track. Its free to download at that link by the way. What usually happens right about now is that we slam Art for his tattoo's and occasional swearing but does that detract from the truth in these words? Iv argued this point in relation to Bono on several occasions and i usually come out of those discussions looking like a liberal lunatic and having acquired some more people praying for my salvation. Whilst having a dig at the Republican Party for sure, Everclear's larger blow here is at 'Religion' which is surely the curse of our planet's history. Really, you say? Watch this clip! or perhaps this one! So, whether Jesus was or would be a democrat or not is one of those questions...
Who is Brody Harper? via supersimbo..........
I first discovered Brody when he was on the road with Shaun and cuz we had worked with Shaun in Ireland i reckoned he must be a good guy to be hanging out with Sir Groves. Anyway, he is a super connected and very smart good guy who is going to end up one of the best known and most useful guys in 'Christian' music, he might just change the whole industry for the good, so for me to 'cyber' know him is an immense pleasure. Last week i spun together a new banner for his blog and he has said some very nice words about me. If only he knew im really in prison and its all a lie, ok im kidding about prison!! Anyway, check out what the dude said here. Oh, and if you have stopped by here on Brody's recommendation, please, lets share some link love, now that would be cool, don't you...
Originality….. via supersimbo..........
Ok so some would tell you there is no such thing as an original idea and thats fair enough. I have read a few recent criticisms of the 'christian' music industry that suggest it persistently copies ideas and styles from the so-called 'secular' industry. Whether it is the music or the artwork, its not cool when we see any product that blatantly rips off another. So, what of this kind of thing?Is this smart? Is it 'cutting edge' to wear a t-shirt like this? You are wearing your faith on your sleeve as such, so is that cool? I used to wear a WWJD bracelet, i once subscribed to the thinking behind these products. I just wonder if, to the average person who may see this on your chest, it means anything? Faith Book? A reference to the lambs book of life i assume, and Jesus wants to put you in...
Isn’t it a Pity………….. via supersimbo..........
Anointed? via supersimbo..........
Lord i’m discouraged……… via supersimbo..........
Rob Bell : The Gods Aren’t Angry via supersimbo..........
Usually it makes more sense to blog about a book/cd/dvd after investigating said product! Usually is not how i ever do things and as i said to someone just the other day, 'I like to do things arse about face.' This morning the latest Rob Bell dvd came up in conversation and i am keen to get watching it sometime soon. I really enjoyed Everything is Spiritual despite not agreeing with every single thing Rob says in it. If you type the title of either of these dvd's or Rob's name into Google you will get enough search results to make your head spin. The net is rife with equal amounts of praise and criticism directed at Rob but one thing that is hard to deny is his amazing ability as a communicator. That is enough of a reason for me to want to watch this, whether i will agree with...
Big shout out Sunday no 10……….. via supersimbo..........
Tall Skinny Kiwi aka Andrew Jones is the man behind one of the very first blogs i found online. I have been reading him ever since, occasionally commenting but always intrigued. The 6.5in blogger is a constant source of interesting thoughts on 'social enterprise, mission, spirituality, new media and the global emerging culture.' He is without a doubt one of the most important blog voices online. Check him out herehttp://www.text-link-ads.com/xml_blogger.php?inventory_key=PH203EOCDRY2ZAL1H02V...
FUEL08, the aftermath……. via supersimbo..........
We just got home from FUEL08! The whole day was almost ruined by the terrible weather we have had all week. It rained non-stop all day today and early this morning the health & safety people shut down FUEL! Plan B was created as best as it could be and one outdoor venue changed to two indoor venues. The main stage acts all played this evening at Ballymena Leisure Center in a big echo chamber of a room but the sound guys did a great great job with a poor location. When we arrived The Psalm Drummers were playing some pretty neat grooves. The [crave]: boys followed with a storming and deafening set, they rocked! Johnny Parks followed and then ONEHUNDREDHOURS rocked the room big time. Tre and his gang are the real deal, you have to check them out. Starfield closed the evening with a great set...
HOw NOT to pray………… via supersimbo..........
Death by Love via supersimbo..........
How would Jesus Blog………….. via supersimbo..........
They Like Jesus BUT…………… via supersimbo..........
This book has been out for over a year and i have meant to pick it up so many times. I guess i have been slightly scared to read another book that may make me want to stop going to Church but today i bought a copy and will brave it! I feel like i need to read the book, i really like Dan, despite not being in complete agreement with every single thing he has put in print. On his web page at the time of the book's release he said this "there is great hope, if we only realize that we have not been too Jesus-like in many situations or realize how we hide in the Christian bubble and get so entrenched in the strange sub-culture that most people don't get to meet us and build trust in us."http://www.text-link-ads.com/xml_blogger.php?inventory_key=PH203EOCDRY2ZAL1H02V...
The Dark Knight……….. via supersimbo..........
We saw this film last friday night here. I have been hesitant to blog about it as it seems everyone is doing so and i am not a great film reviewer at the best of times. I was reading this review just now though and thought i would pick up on a couple of the points they make over at 'Hollywood Jesus.' The Dark Knight is "a very dark, very bleak, very violent film" and they quite rightly ask the question "Why would so many people find that appealing?" Is the Heath Ledger performance and his tragic death enough of a reason for the initial success of the film? The review asks this important question: "This is far from an uplifting film, and especially considering the dark times we're living in ourselves, why would so many people want to repeatedly go and indulge in a film that takes that...
more on Todd Bentley……… via supersimbo..........
So i had something else in mind to blog until i read this post about Todd Bentley. I blogged about him a couple of weeks ago here, where i indirectly called him a "wingnut" and subsequently got told off in an email for doing so. I admit that i have been judgmental about Bentley's 'ministry' and have managed to offend at least a few people with my thoughts on it. The criticisms are rife all over the internet but thats not why i am posting this, i do not want to be one of those guys who likes to keep banging the same negative skeptical fundamentalist drum over and over. Thats what i hope this blog is not! If i thought supersimbo was that kind of place i would hang up my html & pull out the phone line! Anyway, i am grateful for this account and others like it that offer a first hand...
Who is God? via supersimbo..........
The Reason For God……. via supersimbo..........
So this book landed today! Lots and lots has been said about the book and loads of people have been asking me for it since way back in January. Until recently i had not heard of Keller or his ministry in Manhattan. As well as being asked for his book i also heard Mark Driscoll mention him a few times, and not in a sarcastic manner!! You can find a great list of Resources on the guy here. So whats going on with the guy and his book and his Church? I like this description of Redeemer Church that appeared in Newsweek: "There's nothing sexy here. There's no rock band, no drop-down theater-size video screen, no 100-member gospel choir—just a few chamber musicians and a couple of prayer leaders to help the congregation along in its hymns. The crowd at Redeemer Presbyterian is...
Healer…………. via supersimbo..........
Pizza & ‘Prophets’………… via supersimbo..........
Jesus wants to save Christians….. via supersimbo..........
I am not sure if you agree with Rob Bell on everything but thats not the point of this post. The point of this post is to say that i think his products are the best looking stuff the 'christian' market has seen over the last few years. The Nooma dvd's are packaged brilliantly, as was his first 2 books and the Everything is Spiritual dvd. I have to applaud the guys who come up with this stuff, they rock. I know, you may want to say that we should never judge a book by its cover, and that is quite correct but i am JUST talking about packaging here! I should add i do like the synopsis for the new book (pictured). It says: "There is a church not too far from us that recently added a $25 million addition to their building. Our local newspaper ran a front-page story not too long ago about a...
God & The Rolling Stones….. via supersimbo..........
The Shack…. via supersimbo..........
"This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” did for his. It’s that good!” Eugene Peterson said that about this book, i like Peterson, i like his books and yes i kind of like The Message but on this occasion i think he is wrong. One thing i should state is that i do not read "Christian fiction," ever! This is "theological fiction" though so I have made an exception for the book that is causing quite a stir and has caused many "high profile" people to applaud it. I am aware that God is portrayed as an African-American woman in the story. Jesus is a young to middle-aged man of Middle-Eastern descent with a big nose and rather plain looks while the Holy Spirit is played by Sarayu, a small, delicate and eclectic woman of Asian...
Jesus is senior Pastor via supersimbo..........
the Pope ‘could’ have a blog……… via supersimbo..........
I was about to go to bed BUT had to post this! The site this was posted on said this "I have no idea if the pope has a blog, but it is always interesting to me how organized religion can embrace modern ideas and technology, while keeping one foot so firmly planted in the dark ages." H/T Jake Boumahttp://www.text-link-ads.com/xml_blogger.php?inventory_key=PH203EOCDRY2ZAL1H02V...
Prosperity Gospel……… via supersimbo..........
Driscoll & Doctrine……… via supersimbo..........
Doctrine is a word that scares a lot of "Christians" and i have to say there have been times when i have heard it and switched off. When Mark Driscoll (left) started a sermon series on Doctrine he received several phone calls from pastors who lead large flocks asking if anyone is still coming out to listen. "The rule is, if you have a big church you're supposed to not talk about certain things that are controversial [or] divisive," Driscoll is 8 weeks into the 13 week series and so far i have been really hooked in on this one. In the past i have dipped in and out of his sermon series without ever taking in a full set. The entire "Doctrine" sermon series at Mars Hill will be published as part of a book series and small group curriculum will also be developed to accompany the book to help...