If you’re not familiar with the term, “church-hopping” refers to folks who bounce around from church-to-church looking for the latest and greatest that any given community has to offer.

At its worst, it represents the idea of God and the church serving the individual instead of the individual serving God and His Church.

• Jon Acuff wrote about it at his wildly popular ‘Stuff Christians Like” blog.
• Naked Pastor drew it perfectly in the picture displayed to the right.
• On a more serious note, both Josh Harris and the Kevin DeYoung—Ted Kluck tag team duo have tackled this subject as well.  For the former see the book, Stop Dating the Church.  And the latter, Why We Love the Church.

I’m not entirely sure why I was so amused by this…but I was. Maybe it was the song. Maybe it was the station-wagon. I hope you’re amused as well.

[If you're viewing this through an email or on Facebook you may need to view this post on my website to see the attached video.  Enjoy. ]

[HT: Today's Big Thing]

Back in June I wrote up a few tips on how to get out of the doghouse.  It was inspired by a JCPenney’s advertising campaign.  Here’s JCPenney’s latest installment in this series.  Funny.

(If you’re viewing this in an email or on Facebook the video may not be displayed below. If that’s the case, click-though here to watch it on my site)



[HT: Rev Kev]

I only wish I was kidding.  The game is called Mass: We Pray.  They have a website up.  This has almost certainly got to be a joke.  You can read more about the “game” here.

Watch the game’s trailer below.  (For those of you reading this through an email subscription or Facebook, you may have to click through to the actual post on my site to see the embedded YouTube clip.)

[HT: Forward Progress via Challies]

Approaching the halfway mark through Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck’s, Why We Love the Church.  Really liking this one.  Almost as a side note DeYoung addresses the subject of pastors handling criticism of their preaching.

He writes,

“Every preacher has to learn to handle criticism.  In addition to a lot of encouraging comments, I’ve been told my sermons are too long, too boring, too light, too heavy, too Reformed, not Reformed enough, too focused on application, and too light on application.” (p. 74-75)

Sound familiar?  I’ve definitely gotten the “Your-sermons-are-too-long” one before.  What’s your version?

DeYoung goes on to explain,

“I haven’t fully figured out how to handle criticism, but first I try to listen and understand  what my critics are saying.  Then I consider the source—their attitude, their track record, their motives.  Finally, I ask the Lord for wisdom to know if I should pay attention or forget about the conversation.” (p. 75)

That’s a good word.  Let’s take it to heart.

While I was looking for a picture to display in this post I came across these little gems from a religious cartoon blog, Indiscriminate Ink.  Funny stuff.  He’s got more.  Check ‘em out.

Martin Luther

While searching for some pithy quotes on justification in Martin Luther’s, Table Talk, I came across this little gem about productivity and righteous indignation:

I never work better than when I am inspired by anger.  When I am angry, I can write, pray, and preach well, for then my whole temperament is quickened, my understanding sharpened, and all mundane vexations and temptations depart.

I can’t say that I relate necessarily, but I am amused that things worked this way for him.

First, this is funny.  Second, it’s ironic.

Funny because it’s Conan O’Brien.  Ironic because I’m going to post it on my Twitter account.

[HT: Jill Stanek]

The Sacred Sandwich featured this rather compelling little piece of artwork today.  Ouch.

DISCLAIMER #1 — I am not currently in the doghouse.  If ever I have been, you must know that I probably deserved it (9.9876 out of 10 times, I do) and it didn’t last very long because my sweet, precious wife forgave me quickly and mercifully.

DISCLAIMER #2 — This post is intended for two distinct audiences: men and women.  To the men, be helped.  To the women, be amused.  To both, enjoy!

Gentlemen, we’ve all been there—the doghouse.  Sigh.

Some of us, fortunately, have not spent a great deal of time there.  For others, however, the doghouse has become a place of nearly permanent residence.  I don’t what you may have done to get there.  It’s not that important.  What’s important is that you get out—learn from your mistakes and get the heck out of there.

Here are ten simple words of wisdom for the man who finds himself in the doghouse.

1. Be Quiet—No, you don’t have to talk about it.  When she’s ready, she’ll talk and then you’re out.
2. Be Sweet—Never, ever, ever believe the lie that you can make your own doghouse and turn this thing around.  Just stay put and be sweet.
3. Be Helpful—Do stuff.  Wash, fold, and put away clothes.  Tidy up the kitchen.  Make the bed.  Even if it seems like its not working, it is.  You’ve just got to believe.
4. Be Holy—The doghouse is a great place to seek God.  Pray for your marriage.  Read the Bible.  Make sure to get your priorities straight.  “Seek first the kingdom…” (Matt. 6:33)
5. Be Smart—Don’t do anything stupid.  The doghouse can be a crazy place.  As such, it can cause you to do some crazy stuff. Don’t, though.  Be smart.  Resist.
6. Be Quick—to apologize and admit wrongdoing.  You are in the doghouse.  You probably did something wrong.  Even if you don’t know what it is, apologize!
7. Be Patient—It’ll happen.  You’ll get out of that place soon enough.  Your wife loves you, she’s just mad.  Patience is a virtue, right?  So be virtuous.
8. Be Ready—You’re wife will let out of the doghouse.  I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.  It really happens!  When it does, be ready.  Don’t let your hurt feelings and defensive nature keep you from getting out when she’s ready.
9. Be Sorry—If you did something wrong (and you probably did), don’t let the fact that you’re in the doghouse and mad about it keep you from being remorseful for what you did.  Apologize.  Seriously.
10. Be Open—Try and get outside of your own thoughts.  Don’t limit your perspective just because you’re upset.  Maybe when you see things from her perspective you’ll understand why you’re in the doghouse.

This was funny.  Seriously.

Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams and a tough old U.S. Marine sergeant were captured by terrorists in Iraq. The leader of the terrorists told them he’d grant each of them one last request before they were beheaded and dragged through the streets…

Read the rest here.

[HT: Tim Challies]

So what’s with all of the venn diagrams lately? I guess I’d forgotten how poignantly they can convey a stream of thought. Thanks for the reminder, Internet. Here are a few of my favorites of late.

1. This one seems like the perfect brainstorming gameplan for deciding what the ideal career choice is.
   




















2. This second one boasts of our culture’s affinity obssession with social networking. Guilty.
   



















3. Here’s one that tells of the irony that exists in between the worlds of blogging and the printed page.
   















4. And here’s my attempt to join the cool kids’ club of venn diagramming. Unfortunately it is indeed through personal experience that I’ve learned the lessons displayed in this graphic.

Funny. And sad.

TV's get smaller, we get larger; TV's get cooler, we get lamer.