Creative Marketing

Prologue - I don't normally like to do this because it could appear as if I'm trying to create barriers but in today's entry I use 'we' and 'they' a lot. If you're a part of the 'they' group then I hope you're not offended and can appreciate what I'm trying to say. If you're a part of the 'we' group I kinda don't care if you get offended.

This is the age of advertising.

Every day marketing shouts louder, comes faster, bellows more belligerent, paints brighter, grows glitzier, raging relentless on its path toward utter ubiquity. Advertising is everywhere.

So how can Christianity compete? We can’t. And it’s arrogant to think we can. Why arrogant? Because we would have to spend so much money, and shout so loud, and be so obnoxious in order to drown out the other voices that we would come across arrogant. (which we already do in many cases) Which, of course, means we’ve won the battle but lost the war. (which we already have in many cases)

Seriously, what non-Christian do you know wants a 'loud’ version of Christianity?

They’re sick of all the loud, neon-spam just as much as you. They want something different. Now that’s what Christianity can give… something different. What would that be? How about…

Peace
Inner strength
Conviction
Humility
Truth
Grace

Sounds like a babe in a manger to me.

That’s creative marketing.

One of my favorite quotes

The author, Oscar Wilde, said, “By age 40, everyone deserves the face they have.”
What do you think Wilde was saying? Do you agree or disagree?

Happy Thanksgiving!
J

If you like the quote you might like my thanksgiving riff from last year... or not... but you can check it out at this link
thanksgiving



Add to Technorati Favorites

My StumbleUpon Page

Being Thankful

I find it easy to compartmentalize my life… Too often I look at things from a physical perspective, or purely a spiritual perspective. But life is not like that. Its integrated. For example, I’ll be thinking about being thankful all this coming week. Now, I might not think of the theme of thanksgiving but only once throughout the year. Which is kind of funny. Because if I am only really thinking about it one week out of the year aren’t I kind of missing the point? I mean, honestly, who am I kidding? I cant just be thankful this coming Thursday and then when the day is over not think about growing a grateful heart anymore until next year’s holiday and really say I am a grateful person. But that’s what I do sometimes. I tend to compartmentalize. Implications in other areas in my life…
• I don’t have to study except right before my test at school.
• I don’t have to be smart except when I am trying to pass the exam.
• I don’t have to be loving except when I’m on a date.
• I don’t need to be holy except on Sundays. When its Friday night and I am out, there is no reason to be thinking about Jesus. That comes on Sundays.

Do you see some problems with this kind of thinking?

Something I find in Christianity as much or more than any other religion is a willingness to embrace all areas of our life. It’s not just about escaping the physical world as some religions emphasize. It’s not just about improving your physical conditions as some focus on. It’s a combination. Jesus came to heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have evidence of all three in the NT.

Something else I find… God wants to be involved in all areas, all the time. He’s not someone who sits somewhere out there in the cosmos. He’s Emmanuel which is, God with us. He cares about getting involved and He’s jealous of our attention. Yes He’s jealous. Why? Because He knows what’s best for us. Let’s put it this way… Let’s say you’re 20,000 feet up on a plane where the pilot has passed out and the plane is taking a nosedive. If there were another pilot on board somewhere wouldn’t you want him/her to speak up? Wouldn’t you want to know that person was there and capable of landing your plane and saving your life? And wouldn’t that person want to save your life? At that moment wouldn’t he/she want the recognition of being the one who could save you? Absolutely. And that’s the way it is with God. Because the reality is, your plane is going down sooner or later. You really do need to know the pilot. Furthermore, He knows your plane is going down and He wants to save you. That’s why He’s jealous of your attention… because He knows what’s best for you.

So, living a thankful life is not one that just tries to be thankful around the holiday. It’s one that allows God free reign in all areas, all the time. Go ahead. Practice it.


Be thankful.
Jonathan


Add to Technorati Favorites

My StumbleUpon Page

That Further Step

What matters, what Heaven desires and Hell fears, is precisely that further step, out of our depth, out of our own control. C.S. Lewis

Taking that step out of our control is the whole point, I think. I’m, of course, not saying throw all caution to the wind and live like a maniac. I’m talking about living right in that area where faith is required to take that one further step. You know that step, right? It takes a million different forms...

• Saying, “I’m sorry.” (And actually meaning it).
• Walking away.
• Letting go.
• Staying.
• Choosing to not to listen to the voices in your head clamoring for control.
• Owning up to an issue.
• Saying, “I forgive you.”
• Deciding not to play ‘the victim’ anymore.
• Most of all when in those quite times God whispers, “Will you trust me?”

Luke 9:57-62(The Message)
57On the road someone asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said.
58Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know."
Jesus said to another, "Follow me."
59He said, "Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral."
60Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom!"
61Then another said, "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home."
62Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day."

Watchman Nee described the question of the universe being, “Who will have control?”

Add to Technorati Favorites

My StumbleUpon Page