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Advent, blog

The Big Daddy of Patience

Academy Award-winning American actor, writer and folk music singer Burl Ives was made famous by playing the role of “Big Daddy” in the play turned movie Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Big Daddy is portrayed as an impatient, selfish, and harsh father to his son Brick, played by Paul Newman.  Big Daddy epitomizes impatience: agitated, red, sweaty, shaky, and hot.  All signs of high level stress.

In a comedic exchange in the play/movie, Big Daddy and his wife have a conversation:

Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: Let’s go home.

Ida ‘Big Momma’ Pollitt: Don’t you want to ride with the children, honey?

Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: No!

Ida ‘Big Momma’ Pollitt: [laughing] He’s his sassy old self again, all right!

Harvey ‘Big Daddy’ Pollitt: Be quiet, woman!

Throughout the play/movie, Big Daddy does not have much patience for Big Momma or for that matter his entire family in general.

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Advent, blog

It’s Black Friday! But, Christmas is Coming!

Well, today is Black Friday!  The craziest shopping day of the year!  Did you go and brave the crowds for all those insane deals?  I could never get up at 4 a.m. and wait in line just to get a better price on a Christmas gift.  Just of thought of the crowds, the lack of order, and crazy moms fighting over the newest toy (this year its some robotic hamster).  Just check out all these people waiting in the cold:

Did you notice the throngs of store employees standing there to keep order?  We have all heard the stories of people getting injured, trampled, and even killed by mobs of angry shoppers.  Crazy!  From the looks of this video, it is an orderly procession of people waiting for that great deal on that perfect gift for Christmas.  From the shouts of joy in the video, I can only imagine the excitement, adrenaline, and hope that people experienced.  They are excited about the deals.  Their adrenaline is pumping because they know they have to run to be the first.  And, they hope that their Xbox or Wii will be there for them to buy.

Why is it so exciting to wait and line at 4 a.m. to get the “best” deal?  Why all the excitement?

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blog, christians

Jon Gosselin, Please Stop!

As I mentioned before, I was very hopeful that Jon and Kate Gosselin would patch things up, but things have certainly gotten worse since Jon and Kate have split.  The media circus has heighten the tension of the conflict between Jon and Kate.  Despite Jon’s disclosure of seeking a “higher power” the relationship between him and his family is almost at a point of no return.  The girlfriends of Jon, other “reality celebrities”, and the media have virtually wrecked any chance of reconciliation.  I cringe every time Jon says, “I’m just here for my kids… I love them.”  If he truly loved his kids then he would not engage in activities or conflicts that bring the worst out of the couple.  Kate has admitted to her own issues, but Jon’s are more public.

In a strange development, Jon was planning a show with “Octo Mom”:

There were terrible, terrible rumors going around that Jon Gosselin and Octomom Nadya Suleman were going to have their own reality show entitled, Jon – Kate = Jon + Octomom. However, Jon has had time to have a long, hard think about this career decision and has come up with the surprising decision to opt against famewhoring.

You got to be kidding me. I think it is a little late for cashing in on his family’s publicity.  However, one silver-lining could be the fact that Jon now has “spiritual advisers”:

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blog, prayer

Adopt a Liberal

The Liberty Council, a nonprofit organization that defends religious liberties, is encouraging people to “Adopt a Liberal” and to “pray earnestly and intensely for them.”  The Liberty Council is affiliated with Liberty University (Jerry Falwell founded the school) and has championed the idea of “praying” rather than politically criticizing “liberal” politicians.

The website that the Liberty Council created, has codified and has even named these liberals.  Notable figures include:

  • President Barack Obama
  • Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
  • Mayor Michael Bloomberg
  • Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
  • Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Senator Olympia Snowe

Surprisingly, this list is made of both Democrats and Republicans.  Liberty University has long been associated with the “Christian Right” movement of the 1980’s and 1990’s through Jerry Fallwell’s involvement.  This certainly changes the the idea that the “Christian Right” has always been closely connected to the Republican party.

Is this what Jesus meant by, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” in Matthew 5?  What is the motive behind such an organization?

The Liberty Counsel makes their intent clear:

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blog

Blogging @ the Times Union Newspaper

First, I would like thank all of my readers and friends for keeping up with On the Bema.  Your support and interaction with the blog has been fantastic!  Keep it up.  Second, I would like to thank all of my fellow bloggers for their support.

With that said, I will now be blogging for the Times Union Newspaper (Albany, NY) as their protestant religion blogger.  The Times Union has a vast blog section on their website that you should check out.

Thank you again for your readership and see you over at the Times Union Newspaper protestant blog.

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blog

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! I’m taking a break from blogging today. Instead, check out the origins of Labor Day: link.

blog, Culture

Why I am Going to Watch Jon and Kate Plus 8

UPDATE: Jon and Kate filled for divorce.  I wonder if they tried counseling.  From the looks of the editing in the episode, Jon and Kate cannot come to an agreement.  It seems that ” trying to do the best thing for their kids” does not include trying to save their marriage.

I have resisted blogging about “Jon and Kate Plus 8“, which is the show about Jon and Kate Gosselin and their 8 children, because it has been the “hot” celebrity news item.  I try not to give any attention to “celebrity news” because it is not real news.   The Jon and Kate story is news worthy on this blog because they are professed Christians and their situation is putting Christianity to the test in the eyes of secular viewers.   Part of the show contains scenes of the family going to church, memorizing scripture, and reading Bible stories.    Recently, the couple has gone through a dark time in their relationship, which has made news in just about every news outlet.  Allegations of infidelity have plagued the show since the start of season 5.  Questions have been raised regarding  the couple  staying together.

Tonight’s episode is billed as TLC’s most shocking show announcement, which many think will include the couple divorcing or ending the show.   Many of my friends who are Christians have found themselves in conversation about Jon and Kate and wondering, “What would I do if I were in the situation.”   News outlets have also been talking about how America is watching this train wreck but cannot look away.  There have been reports that Jon has been looking for an apartment in NYC. This show has gone from entertainment to the guilty pleasure of watching a family being torn away from each other.  This family does not need to go through anymore drama, but that is what you sign up for when you do a reality show in your kitchen.  Their children will no doubt watch the show when they are older and be changed for it.

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