When I say… “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”
I’m whispering “I was lost,
Now I’m found and forgiven.”

There was once a man who didn’t believe that Jesus was God, and he didn’t hesitate to let others know how he felt about religion and religious holidays. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also have faith in God and Jesus, despite his disparaging comments. One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a service in the farm community in which they lived. They were to talk about Jesus’ birth. She asked him to come, but he refused, as he had done many times in the past. “That story is nonsense!” he said. “Why would God lower Himself to come to Earth as a man? That’s ridiculous!” So she and the children left, and he stayed home.A while later, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window. He looked out, but couldn’t see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have crashed into his window. In the field across the street from his house he saw a flock of wild geese. Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn’t go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. That must have been what crashed into my window, he thought. The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay while the storm blew over. It’s warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn was open and go inside. But the geese just fluttered around aimlessly and didn’t seem to notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them.

Feeling a little full? A little heavier than you were a couple weeks ago? I know I am! I love the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years, not only because of the actual reasons for the celebrations, but because of several underlying themes which run throughout the season. God and His Son, family, love, giving, fresh beginnings, and of course food! This post really has nothing to do with spiritual growth or deep theological study, but I thought it would be fun to share.

Food is such a great communicator. It can say I love you, I feel your pain, I am celebrating with you, I mourn with you, etc. I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t love food. My mom may differ as I have been known to be a picky eater. I think I am mostly past that phase of my culinary life, but there are a few things I refuse to eat. Mushrooms top that list. I can’t stand mushrooms. I can appreciate the depth of flavor they give to a dish, but I just can’t put it in my mouth and chew. Ick! Any internal organ and beets round out the foods that I just can’t or won’t eat. I love to make complicated recipes with exotic ingredients, but I am also a sucker for down-home simple comfort food. Sometimes when I am sick, I want just a bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy, or pasta tossed with a little butter, lemon and herbs.

After all the parties and extravagant meals we eat during the holidays, sometimes in January I begin to long for just simple, fresh food. So, I thought I would share with you one of my own recipes for something simple and tasty. If you feel like something healthy to help meet that resolution, this will work for you too.

In the bottom of a medium size salad bowl, whisk together 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely minced, 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper. Slowly stream in 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil ( you can adjust the amount depending on how strong you like your dressing and how much dressing you need) while whisking vigorously. If you like a more sweet and sour balance, you can add 1-1 1/2 tsp. sugar, honey or sugar substitute.

Next, slice a small red onion into rings and add to salad bowl. If you don’t like red onion, a medium shallot will work nicely too and give a more mild onion component. Slice half a cucumber into 1/4 in. slices. Chop six to eight baby carrots or one large carrot into bite-size chunks, and chop one to two stalks of celery. I like using the leafy parts of the inside of the celery bundle as there is lots of flavor in those leaves as well. Pit and slice your favorite olive, using about 1/4 c. once they are sliced. I like Kalamata’s which are Greek, Nicoise’s or Picholine’s which are French. Add all the veggies to your salad bowl.

Wash thoroughly your choice of fresh, dark leafy greens. I usually prefer baby spinach and or arugula, but any green you like will work fine. You could use large leaf spinach, red leaf lettuce, butter lettuce or Romaine. Watercress would also be a nice add-in as it has a nice spicy bite to it. If you have a salad spinner, use that to remove any extra water or you can use a couple paper towels to gently blot away extra liquid. Add the greens to your salad bowl and toss all your ingredients gently with the dressing.

Once the salad is tossed, I like to add 1/4 – 1/3 c. of crumbled feta cheese and the same amount of dried cranberries. If you have some on hand, you could add some chicken which has been shredded or diced into bite-size pieces. I also like to slice up leftover steak and add that to the salad. One last addition which I like is toasted walnuts or pecans. This gives your salad another level of texture with their crunch and they add good nutrition with Amino Acids, Folate, Vitamin A, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium.

You can adjust all the amounts of the ingredients to suit your taste or how much you need for the number of people you are serving.

Bon Appétit! Marissa

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

I had something totally different planned for my post this morning, but when the news of the death of Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams broke, it didn’t seem very important.  Not that this event impacts me firsthand, but it got me to thinking about what really matters.  As cliche as that may sound.  I didn’t know Darrent Williams personally.  I had never seen him in person and couldn’t rattle off his stats if you were to ask me.  I do remember seeing the back of his jersey during a game for the first time and laughing to myself that his entire name was sprawled across his uniform.  He had several outrageous hairstyles during his tenure with the Broncos, and a smile you could see from the other endzone. 

I am sure the last thing on his mind at the end of the Broncos game last night was how soon he would step into eternity.  At twenty-four years of age you don’t often have to face thoughts on your own mortality.  I am sure he was disappointed his team’s season had come to an end, but was probably looking forward to going out with his friends and enjoying the celebrations which await a high-profile member of society.  He probably wanted to let off a little steam.  He had no idea he would only see 2007 for a few precious hours.  I wondered how much of 2007 I will see.  Will I live the entire year?  Will I be reflecting on this post on January 1, 2008?

Psalm 90 is a passage which teaches us several different things.  God is eternal.  Time is irrelevant to God.  He doesn’t mark things in hours, days or years as we do.  Our sin angers God.  Our lives are very short in the great span of things.  We are to apply our hearts to wisdom because our time here is so short.  We should be daily seeking God’s mercy and rejoicing in Who God is.  We are to, as verse 12 instructs, “…number our days…”  What does that mean?  We need to look at God and His character, His plan for this world, the number of people which God has created, how He orders events and what our responsibility within all of this is.  It is first and foremost to glorify Him.  Secondly, it is to spread His gospel to all the corners of the globe and thirdly, it is to obey His instructions in every step we take.  Not hard, right?  Right.  It would be easy to get discouraged when taking stock of how insignificant each of us really is, but what I also noticed in this passage is What we have the opportunity to abide in, to reside in, to take advantage of during our vaporous existence.  Yahweh.  The name used in verse one for LORD is Yahweh which means “I am that I am, self-existent.”  God Himself.  What could provide us with more security, with more joy than knowing we have the Almighty as our dwelling place like it states in verse one.  He has been faithful for generation upon generation.  He was faithful before the world was created and will continue to be faithful long after this world  ceases to exist.  That gives me great comfort and peace.

“And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us…”  So, as this new year begins and we see from the very beginning how fragile our existence is, look to the Author of life.  Look to the One who supplies your every breath and glorify Him for all He does for you.  Commit  this year to Him and if you make only one resolution, resolve to live every moment as though you will see the face of Christ in your next breath.  It will put everything into perspective and help you tune out the unnecessary static.  You may live to see January 1, 2008, or you may pass away during this coming year.  Whichever it may be, number your days, apply your heart to the wisdom of the Most High and be joyous that your path is written in the unerasable ink of the Almighty Who can be trusted beyond all measure.

Happy New Year!

Marissa

Good Christmas Morning Pathfinders! I am sitting in front of my family’s Christmas tree just enjoying the morning sun. I am trying to drink in the beauty in each of the elements displayed around me. Small white lights glowing against a deep green tree. Beautiful, sparkly ornaments which reflect the lights like little jewels. A beautiful Poinsettia plant, full of blooms, sits on the table in front of me next to an ornate Bible someone gave our family a few years ago. There are animals curled up around the house snoozing away the morning. I smell eggs cooking in the kitchen and Christmas carols are flowing in from another room in the house. As I look around there lots more touches signifying the Season we are experiencing. Bows, packages, candles, a fire in the fireplace, evergreen boughs, a second smaller tree which was from my grandfather’s apartment while he was still with us and snow outside the window. I have a glass of eggnog and a cup of hot coffee at my side. What more could signify Christmas?

May your hearts be full of the joy of Christ today. May your walk with Christ be full of His mercy and love and may you truly know the joy of the season in all you experience.

Merry Christmas to you and all of your family from all of us here at Pathfinders!

Marissa

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy-Age 4

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”   (Luke 2:11)

An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds.  And were it not for a God who loves to hook an “extra” on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnoticed.  The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.

But God dances amidst the common.  And that night He did a waltz.

The black sky exploded with brightness.  Trees that had been shadows jumped into clarity.  Sheep that had been silent became a chorus of curiosity.  One minute the shepherd was dead asleep, the next he was rubbing his eyes and staring into the face of an alien.

The night was ordinary no more.

The angel came in the night because that is when lights are best seen and that is when they are most needed.  God comes into the common for the same reason.  His most powerful tools are the simplest.

(Taken from The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado.)

Christmas is the season

To remember Who we should be pleasin’

Not ourselves for selfish reason

The One who offered the ultimate gift

Between God and us to heal the rift

The gift of eternal salvation

Let us shout to Heaven with our soul’s elation

In His presence we will not stand

‘Nor call Heaven our own homeland

Til’ by faith we believe

And by His blood salvation receive

Sinners no more

Forgiven we can be

When we accept the gift

He gave upon the tree

Look not just to the Babe

Who was born meek and mild

But to the Christ

Who rose again to make us reconciled

-Faythe Quinn

A few weeks ago there was a seminar held at Red Rocks by David Gibbs III a Christian attorney who was the lawyer for Terry Schiavo’s family during the battle to save their daughter from euthanasia.  Unfortunately in this day and age, there is an ever-increasing need for faith-based organizations and individuals to have legal resources at their fingertips to protect their religious rights in this country.  Not that this should surprise us.  Christ never promised us open and welcome arms to His person and message everywhere we go.  If we live as He teaches, we are to expect opposition and persecution.  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12)  “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” (Matt. 5:11) When we face these battles, He goes even futher in teaching us that they are not rejecting us, but Himself.  “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:20a)  “And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee:  for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me…” (1 Sam. 8:7 a-b) Our pride and vanity are hurt and we take it personally.  We begin to shy away from being public with our faith and beliefs.  This feeds the cycle of intimidation because when the anti-religion, anti-faith groups see this retreat, it boosts their desire and fuels their drive to become more and more outspoken and forward.  “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of who thou hast learned them.”  (2 Tim. 3:13-14)

David Gibbs Jr. & III have written a book entitled Keeping Christ in Christmas.  I wanted to share with you some of the passages contained within which might give you some courage during this season which can try our patience and endurance. 

Attempts to Eradicate Jesus Began With Herod–And They Continue Today – Angels, shepherds, and wise men celebrated Jesus’ miraculous birth more than two thousand years ago.  They sang, rejoiced, brought gifts, and worshipped Him.  But the Bible tells us not everyone was rejoicing at Jesus’ birth.  Some were not ready to fall on their knees.  Herod the king was troubled by news of Christ’s birth and did everything in his power to find and destroy the young Child.

Two thousand years ago wise men from the east came to Jerusalem looking for Jesus.  They asked King Herod, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matt. 2:2)  Herod was not willing to lose his crown to anyone, so he demanded that the chief priests and scribes tell him where this new King would be born.  When Herod learned about the prophecy of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judaea, he sent the wise men there, and told them, “Go and search diligently for the young child and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”  (Matt. 2:8)  The wise men found Jesus but never returned to Herod.  God warned them in a dream not to go back so “they departed into their own country another way.” (Matt. 2:12b)  Herod never wanted to worship Jesus.  He wanted to get rid of Him.  This earthly King saw Jesus as a threat who needed to be eradicated.

Wise Men Still Seek Him – Wise men still seek the Christ child today, more than two thousand years later.  Others still seek to destroy Him–even in America.  Today, in 21st century America, if wise men from the east came to your hometown looking for evidence of Jesus at Christmastime, would they find it?  Or have your local government officials succumbed to legal threats and intimidation by those advocating a complete “separation of church and state” that is not required by our Constitution?  Does your local city council, mayor, or school board mistakenly believe it would be unconstitutional to exhibit religious symbols of Jesus during the Christmas holidays?

Some communities and public schools have unnecessarily stopped all mention of Christmas and now celebrate a completely secular “Winter Holiday,” mistakenly promoting a complete “separation of church and state.”  A five-year old boy in America today might warn any wise men who came seeking that talking about Jesus could get them into trouble.  He might tell them he had gotten in trouble himself talking about Jesus at school.  He might add that he had been required to get the help of a Christian lawyer to defend his right to use a pencil inscribed with the words “Jesus loves the little children” in his classroom and to draw a picture of the manger during his class “holiday” party.

Honoring Jesus at Christmastime – For centuries under our Constitution, Americans have recognized national religious holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Such observances are part of our cultural as well as our religious heritage.  They are part of the tradition of America.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt said on December 24, 1944, during a national wartime address:

“Here at home, we will celebrate this Christmas Day in our traditional American way–because of its deep spiritual meaning to us; because the teachings of Christ are fundamental in our lives; and because we want our youngest generation to grow up knowing the significance of this tradition and the story of the coming of the immortal Prince of Peace and Good Will.” 

To honor Christ at Christmas, true Christians should consider the following recommendations:

• Spread the message to as many people as possible that Christ’s birth made possible our salvation–the only hope of mankind–and that it continues to be constitutional to honor Christ at Christmas in America.
• Stand for Christ in the community.  Church members should write letters to newspaper editors to make sure their citizens understand that it is still legal to celebrate December 25 as a religious, as well as a secular or cultural holiday–even in the public square.  Letters to the editor are particularly useful when they are polite, positive, and well-reasoned.
• Encourage your church and church members to place religious holiday decorations both outside and inside their homes, private businesses, and churches.  Sometimes Christians are concerened about the government removing Christ from Christmas, while their own holiday decorations are devoid of any religious symbols for passersby to see.
• Actively support Christians in public office and school personnel, including city council and school board members, by letting these public servants know that you appreciate when they keep the religious aspects of Christmas in seasonal programs and displays.
• Commend those who do well.  Support businesses, stores, and schools that continue to display religious symbols of Christmas and to greet customers with “Merry Christmas.”  Often it is only those opposed to the religious aspects of Christmas who complain when others do not eliminate references to Jesus.
• Refuse to be intimidated.  Christians who are government officials should not be misled or intimidated by threats from those who misrepresent the law.  Christian government officials should make it easy for Christians to continue to actively practice their faith in public.

Along with a foreign war against terrorism, America is now engaged in a culture war that is no less dangerous to our nation’s well being than it was in President Roosevelt’s era.  Now is not the time to lay down our spiritual arms and surrender to the very small percentage of Americans who are hostile toward Christianity and who want to eliminate Christmas and all things religious from our national life.  As followers of Jesus Christ, it is imperative that we properly honor and defend the day that has been set aside to celebrate His miraculous birth.

Expressing Our Joy Amid Growing Hatred  “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy:  for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:  for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” (Luke 6:22, 23)  Sadly, we live in a society and in a world today that is filled with fear and hatred, often directed against our Lord Jesus.  Americans are becoming more conscious of open hostility toward Christians who publicly express their faith in Jesus Christ.  Carolers are not as universally welcomed in neighborhoods as they once were.

This hostility has existed for some time in America.  A few years ago a pastor contacted CLA (Christian LawAssociation-for which the Gibbs work) when he was actually arrested for singing carols in a public parade.  Every year public school children and music directors call CLA when they are told they may not sing Christmas carols in their public school concerts, even though the United States Supreme Court has never prohibited this activity.

Whatever reproach we might receive for Jesus’ sake, it is important that we always respond in love and maintain a good testimony as we sing the carols that celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.  Just as Christians in the early church regularly thwarted Satan’s attempts to stifle the Gospel message, it is possible for us to thwart Satan’s plans today.  If we understand our legal rights we will not be deceived into believing it is against the law for us to praise Jesus with our Christmas carols.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

In Herod’s day thousands of children were killed because the king wanted to eradicate Jesus.  Today this same attempt to eradicate Jesus creates suffering in other ways.  Historic monuments and memorials are torn down, access to Biblical information is threatened, the impartation of important cultural knowledge ceases, Christian employees lose their jobs, and churches often have difficulty getting their message out beyond their walls.

But just as Herod’s carnage failed to kill the Christ Child, today’s attacks against Christianity will never succeed in eradicating the name of Jesus.  Just as God warned the wise men not to return to Herod and told Joseph to take Mary and the Christ Child to Egypt, today God also provides the wisdom needed for many legal victories.  CLA can rejoice this year and thoughout the last 35 years of its existence over many triumphs that keep the name of Jesus before our nation.

At Christmas, we encourage you to remember that we serve a living God.  None of the threats and attacks against Christmas take Him by surprise.  He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” (Luke 2:14)  As a Christmas gift back to God, make the decision to boldly declare His name and His message during the season of Jesus’ birth.

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:  knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom. 5:3-5)

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  These words from Christ should give us hope.  They should give us the encouragement to keep on keeping on.  Don’t be ashamed of the hope that rests within you due to the salvation Christ paid so dearly for. 

Merry Christmas, Marissa

(For more information on CLA, visit www.christianlaw.org.  At their website, there are tips for keeping Christ in Christmas, legal rights for believers, etc.  You can also purchase copies of the books published by the Gibbs men and the book I have taken portions from for todays’ post.)

Jesus Junk

by Jason Janz

I’ve come full circle.

Back in 1999, I was working with a family who had lost a daughter in the Columbine massacre here in Littleton, Colorado. We were working to put a small-cast play in publication so youth groups could use the story in their local churches to make a positive impact. While in production, a Christian retailing chain came out with a line of merchandise with the martyred girl’s final words of faith spelled out in motto form. In the front page of the catalog, quotes were given from the parents that appeared to be an endorsement. The family couldn’t
have been more irate. I saw their anger and picked up the phone. I talked to the WWJD guy, and within a few weeks we formed a line of stuff that the family approved of and had control over.

I would do things differently today. While I believe that some Christian products serve a good purpose, most Christian merchandising, or Jesus Junk, cheapens the very faith we seek to proclaim. I’m not against all use of Scripture or Christian lingo on products. I just think I’m against most of them.

How much I have changed over the years was brought to light when I attended the recent Christian Bookseller’s Association (CBA) convention in Denver, where I did my book signing. Retailers put on their best face, displaying their wares in hundreds of booths on the convention floor. It made me ask a lot of questions, the primary one being “Why?” Why do we, as Christians, feel compelled to plaster our “faith” over anything and everything? I have come to the conclusion that we usually do so for three reasons.

First, many people trust that wearing Jesus Junk will result in conversions.

Since the Great Commission has been issued, why not witness 24/7 by putting Jesus imagery and lingo over everything including license plate holders, SUV bumpers, and T-shirts? A Los Angeles Times writer, Stephanie Simon, also at the CBA, brought to light how absurd this has become (”Christian Retailers Put Their Print on Products, July 21, http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-retail21jul21,1,1938782.story?track=rss). She described a new product at CBA.

Virtuous Woman perfume comes packaged with a passage from Proverbs. But what makes the floral fragrance distinctly Christian, Hobbs [the Virtuous Woman retailer] said, is that it’s supposed to be a tool for evangelism. “It should be enticing enough to provoke questions: ‘What’s that you’re wearing?’ ” Hobbs said. “Then you take that opportunity to speak of your faith. They’ve opened the door, and now they’re going to get it.”

Now you can share your faith with Scripture mints and golf balls. The golf company wants you to know that you no longer have to feel bad about losing your golf ball—“Lose the golf ball, share the Gospel.”

When the LA Times writer interviewed the director of a new “camo-Christian” line, David Lingner, the sales rep. said, “I know where you’re coming from if you think it looks like we’re merchandising or trivializing Christ, but this is a way to connect.” Lingner developed the Christian Outdoorsman line, including a camouflage-print Bible cover.

Stephanie interviewed Alan Wolfe, Director of The Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College, about this phenomena of Jesus Junk. She wrote,

Wolfe views such products with bemusement. Waiting for someone to remark on your golf ball or perfume, he said, is hardly a forceful way to fulfill the Great Commission, the Biblical command for Christians to spread their faith and anoint disciples. “I think they’re fooling themselves,” he said.

I couldn’t agree more.

Second, many Christians seem to believe Jesus Junk promotes Christian community.

It is somewhat natural to feel this way. After all, the Christian culture warriors raise millions of dollars with a steady drumbeat: “We are besieged. We are marginalized. We are going to lose the culture war if you don’t send in your money.” And people don’t like feeling un-cool, out-of-step, or weird. Therefore, Christian gear comes to the rescue by helping us feel like a mighty, Christian band. I don’t know about you, but nothing makes me feel more powerful than seeing someone with “This Blood’s For You” emblazoned across their chest pass by me on the sidewalk. Now, I know that there are 7,000 who haven’t bowed their knee to Baal!

This is a false and shallow idea of community. Acts 2:42-47 describes community in terms of sharing in doctrinal teaching, meeting one another’s needs, and breaking bread. When we advertise our faith for purposes of identity, we are truly cheapening how the Gospel plays out in our lives. And it can also be very misleading. Just because the “outside of the cup” wears a Jesus Junk shirt means nothing about the condition of the heart. Parents, who are perhaps the largest demographic of Jesus Junk purchasers, can be easily deceived here.

Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary and the Director of the Carl Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement, sat in for Al Mohler on his broadcast and weighed in on the debate over Jesus Junk. Dr. Moore interviewed Wolfe as well. Wolfe said the whole genre is a cop-out. He talked about how Christians have false hopes that this stuff will change the culture, but “the culture shapes you more than you shape the culture.” He blasted Christian rock when he said, “Is that the best you can offer?”

One lady who called in differed, saying that it was better to buy something with a Christian message on it than something with a secular one. “After all, if you have the choice, choose Christ,” she said. We are now guilty in a consumeristic society of weakening the choice between Christ and the world to a point-of-purchase display at kiosks.

Third, many people seem to be in the business because of pure commercialism.

If there’s a buck to be made, who cares how you have to do it? Of course, nobody will ever say that, but you could smell it as you walked through Vanity Fair in Denver. “What Would Jesus Do?” He’d be flipping tables and whipping costumed pirates. Christ has been moved off the cross and onto sandals. He’s not transcendent. He’s cute, cool, and chic. After all, as one backpack boasts, “He Rocks!”

The LA Times interviewed sociologist Charles M. Brown about this very point.

In recent years, Brown has interviewed dozens of Christian vendors and retailers; he’s concluded that many are motivated not by profit but by a genuine sense of calling. “They really do see what they’re doing as a form of ministry,” he said.” Is this what pastors are to equip the saints to do?

Well, I hope to persuade many of you who read this and who are consumers of Jesus Junk to stop it. I hope you throw away the shirts. Remove the fish symbols. Buy normal jewelry. Be satisfied with Nike, Wrigley, and Top-Flite. So in order to help people up the discernment value, let me give you five questions to ask before you purchase more Junk.

1. Does the joining of the holy with the common compromise the message of the cross? We can knock out about half of all Jesus Junk if we just decide not to purchase anything that blends two worlds. Budweiser beer and gambling have never been a friend to grace and to endeavor to meld them into cutesy clichés harms the credibility of the Gospel. You can now purchase poker chips with John 3:16 on one side that says “Don’t Gamble With Eternity.” Then you flip it over, and it quotes Mark 8:36 with the phrase, “Accept Jesus Before You Cash In Your Chips.” This is compromise.

A lady called in to Dr. Moore, expressing her belief that purchasing Jesus Junk was wholesome. After all, buying your child a Bible with the colors of his favorite sports teams on the cover could make him like it more. I have problems with that thinking. Why not buy your child a Bible with the University of Tennessee colors on it? Easy. You’re blending two worlds that are at war with each other. You’re blending two loves.

The blending of Christianity and naked commerce can be seen in how the church has become the new marketing niche. The Passion movie changed how secular people viewed the church. We became more than a voting bloc or cultural crusaders; we became a marketing niche. A big one at that. Now our kids can get free Fazoli’s sandwiches for going to Sunday school four weeks in a row. Pastors get free movie passes to any film that can pass as “wholesome” in hopes that they will tell their congregations to turn out in droves. Avon carts in shopping malls want to “network” with us. Why not go all the way? Why shouldn’t we just stand up in the pulpit with a suit coat plastered with as many patches as a NASCAR race car?

The lost world is a lot more nice to us now. They see that we have deep pockets. This is vividly seen in the book and music markets. Multnomah just sold out to Random House. Another evangelical publisher is owned by a godless company.

Jesus would be irate. Not that the world is attempting to manipulate us for their benefit. That’s a given. He’d be irate that we let them.

This is perhaps where I should insert why I’m not against all Christian T-shirts and memorabilia. If a T-shirt displays John 3:16 fully written out, that is, the Gospel unencumbered with logos and clichés. If it’s not mingled with some graphic that makes Jesus out to be just as weighty as Jimminy Cricket.

2. Does this smack of using the name of Jesus for the sake of profit? Getting this one right will deal a deathblow to another 20% of Jesus Junk. The proliferation of Junk has revealed how low Christians will go to make a buck. Why do we need a product that turns Paul’s journeys into a board game? Why do we need a video game that allows you to:

• Conduct physical and spiritual warfare: using the power of prayer to strengthen your troops in combat and to wield modern military weaponry throughout the game world.
• Recover ancient Scriptures and witness spectacular angelic and demonic activity as a direct consequence of your choices.
• Command your forces through intense battles across a breathtaking, authentic depiction of New York City.
• Control more than 30 units types—from Prayer Warrior and Hellraiser to Spies, Special Forces, and Battle Tanks! (I won’t tell you where to buy this product because I’d hate to be responsible for someone wasting God’s money.)

When did Monopoly cease to be enough? I was recently given a video game in which you could be Jonah and ride on top of the whale’s spout and collect points by jumping through hoops in the sky. After you get puked up on shore, you stand there smiling, waiting to go on your evangelistic journey. Do I need to go much further?

You may ask, “What is the difference between this and Christian books? After all, there are junk books, junk book companies, etc.” This is a valid question. I would recommend that people be discerning in all purchases, especially those that give shape to their faith. Buy books that:

• Move people from the common to the holy, rather than the other way around.
• Articulate the message of the Gospel with accuracy and credibility.
• Are published by companies that are credible when it comes to Christian commerce.

3. If it is used as a message for evangelism, will the message be taken seriously based on how it is delivered? Picture this. A man, dead in trespasses and sins, sits on Waikiki Beach as he gazes across the mostly naked bodies baking in the sun. He decides to take a stroll/strut down the water’s edge to “see what he can see.” Luckily, he glances down and sees an impression in the sand—right there in bold letters on the sand “Follow” and a little further “Jesus.” His eyes follow the footsteps and sure enough. About 15 feet further down the beach is a beautiful babe wearing just enough clothes to keep a squirrel warm on a windy day. Conviction overwhelms him as he gazes at her. He runs to her and grabs her hand and says, “Please, give me a reason for the hope that lies within you.” She says, “I’d love to. I’ve been waiting for this divine appointment.” He takes in her breath, recently made fresh by her Scripture Mint. And right there, she flips her hair over her shoulder, takes out her EvangeCube, kneels with him on the beach, and leads him in the sinner’s prayer. As they part, she encourages him to take her sandals and continue to spread the Word wherever he goes. After all, how beautiful are the feet of them . . .

Dr. Moore’s interview seems to focus on whether or not this type of evangelism actually works. I’m not nearly as concerned with the pragmatic argument as I am with the reductionist argument. This type of “evangelism” cheapens the Gospel and reduces it to easy-believism on its best day. Jesus hung on a cross and died to atone for our sins. To be saved, one must repent of his sin and self-righteousness and receive Christ. A bloody cross, a risen Christ, and a humbled sinner cannot be communicated in sandy footprints.

4. Do we need to make a “Christian” everything? Walking through CBA, I was accosted by jugglers, stilt-walkers, and clowns. The new “Christian” Cirque de Soleil was in town. It was too much for me. We have created a subculture. Our kids join Christian soccer leagues and Christian book clubs and go to Christian concerts. In Colorado, we even have a Christian rafting company, Noah’s Ark, which is derided by the secular rafting companies. It’s known for toting legions of home-schoolers down Class IV rapids in bright, yellow-padded helmets. It may just be me, but give me a pot-smoking, ski-bumming pagan to row me down the rapids. At least then there’s a clear distinction, and we can talk about worldviews in conflict. In my opinion, that’s better than a pot-smoking, Third-Day listening, religious-tattoo-splattered raft guide who goes on Saturday nights to his evangelical church, Grounded. We claim the same Jesus, we read the same Bible (although his is probably waterproof and divided into one-minute reading sections), but we have conflicting worldviews that bother me almost as much as the pagan’s.

We don’t need a “Christian” everything that creates a Christian subculture. We are not to cloister in safe communities, but rather to penetrate the culture with the light of the Gospel.

Let’s join the soccer leagues filled with unbelievers and share Christ. Let’s ride rafts with those who need a Christian witness. Let’s join book clubs and confront this culture enthralled with the theology of Dr. Phil.

5. Do you seriously desire to be associated with all of the other Christians who cover their bodies with Jesus Junk? A girl called in to Dr. Moore and explained why she quit wearing Jesus Junk. A guy came in late to class one day, drunk out of his mind, and wrapped around his wrist was a WWJD bracelet. If community is why you wear it, you better take a better look at the community.

I don’t want the symbols. The greatest apologetic to a lost world will not be stickers, pens, or tattoos, but rather a life that exemplifies Jesus. This ethic will change how I treat my neighbors, how much money I give away, whether I obey the speed limit or not, and how I act at the company party. A man I meet with for discipleship and accountability recently told me what took place at his job at the fire department. He has made it clear to his co-workers that because of his faith, he does not cuss and swear. He does not forbid them from doing it, but he will not. One of his friends, in a quiet moment, said to him, “Just say one word. Come on. Just once.” Nate smiled and turned down his request. His life is already beginning to speak. What speaks more? A Jesus tattoo or a Jesus life? Those who are serious about their faith need no props. Props and crutches are for weak and wounded people. The Gospel needs no credibility. Its messengers do.

This article was originally posted on SharperIron.org by Pastor Jay.  I felt it was a thought-provoking post and wanted to see how you feel about the subject.  If you want to see comments on it and an article by our own Jason Gardner and Josh Larsen about “Jesus Junk”, please visit www.sharperiron.org.

Marissa