http://disqus.com/people/08153eb102d7658fbb3fdf279b65d69c/enWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:24:47 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/false_god_2_comfort_and_personal_happiness/#comment-1287548I dig where you're going with this, Mark...I think that you have a prophetic message for our culture in these last two posts. And even though I think I agree with you, let me 'push back' on something that you haven't said--in the true tradition of 'pushing back.'<br><br>We must be careful that we don't simply embrace the opposites of your named gods--these would be sacrifice and suffering. While sacrifice and suffering are hardly 'American Idols' they can become idols for those who are searching for spiritual meaning and worth. They are not a necessary motif by which to see all of life in the same manner that it is not necessarily bad to be comfortable, happy or reduce personal suffering.<br><br>So the remaining question is what do we focus on? We often judge others on whether or not they are too focused on being happy or too comfortable or even too focused on suffering (like some monastics)...so what remains to focus on that is not in danger of becoming an idol?b-nutThu, 01 Jun 2006 14:25:29 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_114/#comment-5288768I dig where you're going with this, Mark...I think that you have a prophetic message for our culture in these last two posts. And even though I think I agree with you, let me 'push back' on something that you haven't said--in the true tradition of 'pushing back.'<br><br>We must be careful that we don't simply embrace the opposites of your named gods--these would be sacrifice and suffering. While sacrifice and suffering are hardly 'American Idols' they can become idols for those who are searching for spiritual meaning and worth. They are not a necessary motif by which to see all of life in the same manner that it is not necessarily bad to be comfortable, happy or reduce personal suffering.<br><br>So the remaining question is what do we focus on? We often judge others on whether or not they are too focused on being happy or too comfortable or even too focused on suffering (like some monastics)...so what remains to focus on that is not in danger of becoming an idol?b-nutThu, 01 Jun 2006 14:25:29 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_114/#comment-5288770I dig where you're going with this, Mark...I think that you have a prophetic message for our culture in these last two posts. And even though I think I agree with you, let me 'push back' on something that you haven't said--in the true tradition of 'pushing back.'<br></br><br>We must be careful that we don't simply embrace the opposites of your named gods--these would be sacrifice and suffering. While sacrifice and suffering are hardly 'American Idols' they can become idols for those who are searching for spiritual meaning and worth. They are not a necessary motif by which to see all of life in the same manner that it is not necessarily bad to be comfortable, happy or reduce personal suffering.</br><br></br><br>So the remaining question is what do we focus on? We often judge others on whether or not they are too focused on being happy or too comfortable or even too focused on suffering (like some monastics)...so what remains to focus on that is not in danger of becoming an idol?</br>b-nutThu, 01 Jun 2006 14:25:29 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/aka_8220lost8221/#comment-1289506Do you think that it is worth saving the concept of evangelism? Wouldn't the concepts of reconciliation and redemption offer a more holistic approach to union with the Divine and the roles of Christians in human relationships? Maybe 'evangelism' is too far abused or tainted to be of much worth.b-nutThu, 26 Oct 2006 19:59:13 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_725/#comment-5289232Do you think that it is worth saving the concept of evangelism? Wouldn't the concepts of reconciliation and redemption offer a more holistic approach to union with the Divine and the roles of Christians in human relationships? Maybe 'evangelism' is too far abused or tainted to be of much worth.b-nutThu, 26 Oct 2006 19:59:13 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_725/#comment-5289234Do you think that it is worth saving the concept of evangelism? Wouldn't the concepts of reconciliation and redemption offer a more holistic approach to union with the Divine and the roles of Christians in human relationships? Maybe 'evangelism' is too far abused or tainted to be of much worth.b-nutThu, 26 Oct 2006 19:59:13 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_0613/#comment-5289372I am interested. Wish we could talk more. probably my fault. I may have a connection for your 'commune' in the WB.b-nutThu, 09 Nov 2006 11:54:24 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/missio_dei8230a_2_year_retrospective/#comment-1289906I am interested. Wish we could talk more. probably my fault. I may have a connection for your 'commune' in the WB.b-nutThu, 09 Nov 2006 12:54:24 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_0613/#comment-5289365I am interested. Wish we could talk more. probably my fault. I may have a connection for your 'commune' in the WB.b-nutThu, 09 Nov 2006 12:54:24 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/palm_sunday/#comment-1299460When is Easter anyway? I have been trying to figure it out by watching the news. There seems to be a growing amount of stories on chocolate dishes and Easter flower arrangements... I suppose I could look at a calender. I think my old childhood church rents out the food court of a large mall and has a huge choir perform with all sorts of 'testimonies'... Be it good or bad, I find very little to relate to in those 'celebrations' that contributes much to my faith journey. But then again, I have some issues...b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 13:33:25 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_561/#comment-5290903When is Easter anyway? I have been trying to figure it out by watching the news. There seems to be a growing amount of stories on chocolate dishes and Easter flower arrangements... I suppose I could look at a calender. I think my old childhood church rents out the food court of a large mall and has a huge choir perform with all sorts of 'testimonies'... Be it good or bad, I find very little to relate to in those 'celebrations' that contributes much to my faith journey. But then again, I have some issues...b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 13:33:25 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_561/#comment-5290921When is Easter anyway? I have been trying to figure it out by watching the news. There seems to be a growing amount of stories on chocolate dishes and Easter flower arrangements... I suppose I could look at a calender. I think my old childhood church rents out the food court of a large mall and has a huge choir perform with all sorts of 'testimonies'... Be it good or bad, I find very little to relate to in those 'celebrations' that contributes much to my faith journey. But then again, I have some issues...b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 13:33:25 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/palm_sunday/#comment-1299480Mark, I am not opposed to any of this...even the Easter celebrations I make fun of. I am opposed to religious clichés that have little depth of meaning left in them for sharing in with others. Any sort of calendar or lectionary that can be contextualized for a group of friends is less likely to succumb to the shallow abode of a cliché I think.... Additionally, being mindful of tradition in our contextualizations serves the case for depth and meaning...it lends gravity, foundation, and connection to common practices.b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 19:27:35 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_561/#comment-5290915Mark, I am not opposed to any of this...even the Easter celebrations I make fun of. I am opposed to religious clichés that have little depth of meaning left in them for sharing in with others. Any sort of calendar or lectionary that can be contextualized for a group of friends is less likely to succumb to the shallow abode of a cliché I think.... Additionally, being mindful of tradition in our contextualizations serves the case for depth and meaning...it lends gravity, foundation, and connection to common practices.b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 19:27:35 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_561/#comment-5290929Mark, I am not opposed to any of this...even the Easter celebrations I make fun of. I am opposed to religious clichés that have little depth of meaning left in them for sharing in with others. Any sort of calendar or lectionary that can be contextualized for a group of friends is less likely to succumb to the shallow abode of a cliché I think.... Additionally, being mindful of tradition in our contextualizations serves the case for depth and meaning...it lends gravity, foundation, and connection to common practices.b-nutSun, 01 Apr 2007 19:27:35 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/when_will_i_learn/#comment-1299547my brain hurts B*Db-nutMon, 02 Apr 2007 17:29:37 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_262/#comment-5290945my brain hurts B*Db-nutMon, 02 Apr 2007 17:29:37 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_262/#comment-5290951my brain hurts B*Db-nutMon, 02 Apr 2007 17:29:37 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_849/#comment-5296779I think you should create some banner ad space so that you can design ads from organizations you don't mind too much. That way, you can charge them a copywriting/design fee (usually around $100 per hour) and then charge them for using the space. It might take some time to sell the space, but it should pay much better than Google. In fact, it could eventually pay for a lot of stuff.<br></br><br>I don't get the selling out talk...but then again, I am a copywriter. Which brings me to another question...As a former soldier and current advertising writer, should I even be reading this blog?</br>b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 14:21:15 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_849/#comment-5296780:)b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 14:24:47 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/mammon_you_cruel_bastard/#comment-1313365I think you should create some banner ad space so that you can design ads from organizations you don't mind too much. That way, you can charge them a copywriting/design fee (usually around $100 per hour) and then charge them for using the space. It might take some time to sell the space, but it should pay much better than Google. In fact, it could eventually pay for a lot of stuff.<br><br>I don't get the selling out talk...but then again, I am a copywriter. Which brings me to another question...As a former soldier and current advertising writer, should I even be reading this blog?b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:21:15 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_849/#comment-5296763I think you should create some banner ad space so that you can design ads from organizations you don't mind too much. That way, you can charge them a copywriting/design fee (usually around $100 per hour) and then charge them for using the space. It might take some time to sell the space, but it should pay much better than Google. In fact, it could eventually pay for a lot of stuff.<br><br>I don't get the selling out talk...but then again, I am a copywriter. Which brings me to another question...As a former soldier and current advertising writer, should I even be reading this blog?b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:21:15 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/mammon_you_cruel_bastard/#comment-1313366:)b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:24:47 -0000http://jesusmanifesto.disqus.com/the_jesus_manifesto_raquo_maintenance_mode_849/#comment-5296764:)b-nutWed, 20 Feb 2008 15:24:47 -0000