Midnight Cafe Discussions: Interesting Video

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Interesting Video

Go to Jeremy Walden's site to check out this video. I am not sure whether I am disturbed, amused, or offended. Maybe it's good. Never seen anything quite like it. Decide for yourselves. I am still trying to decide what I think. Here's their commercial, too.

14 comments:

lilsip said...: Erm... It looks like this is more about entertainment than worship. I, personally, am disturbed. It's coming from a good place (I knew Jeremy as my youth minister growing up), but somewhere along the line "change" became more important than what God has said He wants.; 7/26/2005 03:04:00 PM
JS said...: Disturbing to me... at least on the sites FAQ I found this "We baptize by full immersion." But most of the rest of it was out there...
It reminds me of something I saw today that has bothered me all day. I was at a friends office and saw a flyer on his desk advertising some website whenre you can find a local church in your area... the catch phrase was "Find a local church that suits YOU!"
Maybe it meant one that suits your location, but I couldnt help but feel disturbed by that...; 7/26/2005 03:15:00 PM
bigsip said...: Yeah, worship and living the Christian life has become more about man than God with some folks, I'm afraid. They are pointing toward people pleasing themselves instead of focussing on following the Great Shepherd. Finding a church that "suits YOU". Capital YOU...; 7/27/2005 06:17:00 AM
bigsip said...: YYOU...just irks me...what about GOD?; 7/27/2005 06:17:00 AM
mullinz8 said...: I'm out on this one. I think if you can find that the Biblical principles are correct and real and continue to stay that way then I don't have any problem with a "loose" church. Working in a VERY secular environment (ask Chuck about our work conversations in Asheville) a lot of folks here think church is about collecting money, being in a clique, being right and being wrong, and being very closed minded. There is a reason why “Christian” churches are growing (i.e. the interview I posted the other day) people want to feel like someone else cares about them. I know that if Jules checks this today she’ll jump me so the rest of you can too, but even if the name doesn’t say “Christ” if the people inside are filling them selves with the RIGHT, CORRECT and PROPER information, is it so wrong?
I also thought the video was good and that the commercial is going to speak to a lot of people. If they don’t criticize anyone’s lifestyle and tell people they are saved despite themselves they will have a membership of 20,000 in ten years. More real estate for the rest of us in Heaven.; 7/27/2005 08:09:00 AM
bigsip said...: "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me." Gal 2:20...We aren't ours anymore. We're here to please God. Church, life, worship, everything is about God. I just see the trend that continues to say, "everything is about ME ME ME!!!" That's garbage. I'm not railing on you, Mullins. I am stating a very nebulous and difficult sin I see encroaching on the church. Pride. Pride is why Satan fell. We have to be careful and live for God, setting aside ourselves and our desire to be entertained and force-fed the "I'm OK, you're OK" lie. I believe in enjoying life, worship, etc., but I also believe that you have to be content with what God has provided and not try to constantly make yourself happy. That's a path to pride and destruction.; 7/27/2005 08:46:00 AM
JS said...: yeah, ive always thought that church is not for us at all... we go to worship God. Activities WITH the church or with church members are good, but arent worship.

This makes some uncomfortable, but ive always thought that Sunday worship isn't for visitors or for people who just want to "feel good". We are there to give glory to God. If there is a visitor there, hopefully he will be edified and want to know more about this shin dig of course...

Worship is heaven practice too... there is going to be alot of singing and worshipping og God up there. While off the subject this may be, I get a little tired of seeing people not singing in church... im like "Uhhh, if you dont like it here, you REALLY arent going to like it in heaven."; 7/27/2005 08:58:00 AM
bigsip said...: BTW, the video's not all that bad. It's more amusing than anything. But, having the archetypal Jesus following you around and doing miracles is a little Bugs Bunny and elementary. The commercial speaks to the arrogance and self-service we humans (especially Americans) are used to. It's all about ME ME ME!!! It makes me sad and angry, then sad to be angry...; 7/27/2005 09:02:00 AM
mullinz8 said...: What I'm saying is agreeing with you. I feel that as long as people are learning the RIGHT thing that they are subjects of Gods will, desire and grace and that they have put Christ on in baptism and placed them selves on the back burner to me I'm not as concerned with the name of their church or if they wear blue jeans.
I think the Joel Olsten’s and Rick Warren’s are going to systematically deconstruct the church as we know it by homogenizing the whole process into as you said into the "I'm ok, your ok" mindset. I don't go to a c.o.C because it's a laugh a minute, coffee guzzling, praise band singing, small group having, Hawaiian shirt wearing, once a quarter communion taking, fun house. I go because I think the collective belief closest fits mine and that which the Bible tells us about.
Perpetual seeking ones own desires over the will and instruction of God is not good. Finding a church that is (1) scripturally sounds and (2) doesn't "expect" patrons to wear a suit and tie and trying to include the whole family is also fine so long as "(1)" not marginalized in the process.
If God is first in all accounts and you’re going to confess, repent and be baptized and continue to live a Christian life filled with respect, humility, study and Christ centered activity and not water down the fact that Hell does exist and you will go there if you don’t listen and do what God wants I’m not going to cast the first stone over a commercial, music video or some more casual ideology.
What I do believe and we share is the knowledge that the church is about to hit a big ego trip. In the sci-fi book Stranger In A Strange Land there is “the” church and it’s a generic happy fest that includes all sorts of divination and humanistic junk. The mindset is that if you are going to sin you should do it at church. In that they have added food courts, bars, shops and everything else you could imagine to make the patrons feel more comfortable “praising” their non-specific, all inclusive god.
The only "You" in church should be the realization that Christ DIED for you and that you have the oppertunity to be endebted and thank and praiseful to him for eternity.; 7/27/2005 09:18:00 AM
bigsip said...: Amen...and I was a bit hard on the commercial. It wasn't so bad and I agree with being comfortable and accepted when I go to worship. We just have to be careful about Burger King religion, I think. We are in agreement. Like I said, I'm not coming down on you, Mullins. Just what you said made me think about more things that are pet peeves and irk me about the movements toward self-service. So, my brain took me on Mr. Sipper's Wild Ride, as usual.; 7/27/2005 09:23:00 AM
mullinz8 said...: Someday I foresee a drive through communion service. Sipper I think we're on the same page.
Jamison, I had this conversation with my brother this weekend from a slightly different perspective but I think the same argument applies. Some people just don't feel comfortable singing. I love to sing and I will sing a song on my guitar with little hesitation because it's just fun and doesn't mean anything to me. Singing in church for what ever reason is difficult to me (not just for C Van Meter's jibe). I don't have the confidence to sing what I want the way that I want to sing it. I've been told that when I don't think about it I have a decent voice but those songs means something to me, half the time I struggle to get through them because they are touching, other times I just don’t feel like I can do the song justice. Yes I understand that’s not the key but just the same it’s what’s in my head. Many times I would rather reveal in the beauty vicariously exposed to me by people who are more skilled than me at singing rather that feeling like I’m messing things up. It’s a confidence thing for me. God said “sing and make a joyful noise” not “sing and make a distracting noise” I’m following the classic c.o.C idea of not reading into the text and others eardrums are spared.
I’ll go to karaoke because it’s fun but don’t expect more than a ditty from me.; 7/27/2005 10:02:00 AM
bigsip said...: I hope you get to the point where you can feel good about worshipping God in song, soon, my friend. It's not just a command, it's a privilege. But, I understand not feeling up to the task. Just keep trying and you'll get there. Just remember, it's all for God. He hears your voice and loves it just like when you hear your sons speak or sing in your presence. I think that's probably the closest I can think of how God must see us when we innocently, lovingly, and whole-heartedly lift our voices in praise and song to Him. Just a bit of encouragement from a singer who knows a beautiful heart when he hears one.; 7/27/2005 10:16:00 AM
mullinz8 said...: Thanks pal. If my wife sucked at singing I might not feel this way but she has one of the most beautiful voice I've heard and when she really sings from deep down hearing her praise is more of a joy than singing myself. Understand that I DO sing I just can't sing.; 7/27/2005 10:21:00 AM
bigsip said...: I understand, my friend. I just want you to know how much I enjoy hearing someone sing who loves God. It's one of the most beautiful sounds in the world to me! Those are the folks who'll have the most beautiful voices in Heaven, I think!; 7/27/2005 10:26:00 AM