White Jesus Loves You
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Over the last 600 years, Jesus’s skin has grown fairer and fairer.
(I can’t be 100% certain, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that Michael Jackson thing)
Today it’s pretty rare to see anyone’s vision of Jesus that doesn’t look like he’s originally from Wisconsin.
I’ve always wanted to make a serious mock-umentary (is that an oxymoron?) about Jesus and his humanity.
I’m working on a client project now that has at it’s center a mission to create a dialogue around racism and its effects in order that the conversation (especially the listening) might lead to understanding for some and healing for others.
In the midst of it I’m wondering how “White Jesus” has affected those of non-Caucasian decent.
How has it affected you?
To Evangelicalism: “You need to get saved!”
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, politics
It seems that most the people I know (in real life, not Twitter or Facebook friends) are both evangelicals and Republicans.
So often so, that the lines between the two are typically blurred for the individual (like Health Care reform is somehow an issue of personal and corporate morality and may or may not be a sign of the end times.)
and (this is sad but really true) most evangelicals I know are better versed in The Gospel according to Rush than any of the ones that happen to be about Jesus.
John Mark McMillan: The Medicine
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
I used to work as the Media Director for a Christian non-profit organization. I created a lot of promotional and event videos and one of my most passionate responsibilities was finding appropriate soundtrack music to use… easy enough you’d think.
The one caveat is that the director required me to use “Christian” music.
You can imagine how hard that is.
For one thing it begs the question “what makes a song ‘Christian?’”
That’s a tough question and probably one that shouldn’t even be asked…
I believe that when humans create they are acting in the form of the Creator God in whose image we are made.
I believe that all truth belongs to God.
So when human beings create and those creations speak truth to me the listener/watcher/taster, then I am compelled to worship on some level.
Tags: Faith, john mark mcmillan, Music
Internet Monk
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
Michael Spencer (aka Internet Monk) paved the way for not only evangelical bloggers, but faith-based bloggers of all stripes.
When he started a decade ago, there was no such a thing as a “blog,” yet he had the guts to bear his soul and question the most sacred things using a medium previously reserved for baby pictures and diaries.
His platform gave voice to the saints and has allowed all the rest of us to ask the questions that preachers are afraid to touch on any given Sunday.
I don’t know if I can say this as a fact, but I imagine I would not be blogging if it were not for guys like this, and to anyone who has ever found comfort or inspiration or challenge in my writing… you must owe some debt of gratitude to Michael Spencer.
RIP Internet Monk.
Tags: inspiration, original illustration
The Prodigal’s Brother
Posted by Troy | Filed under Bible Study, Books
The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in [the celebration]. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, “look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!”
His father said, “Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!” —Luke 15:28-32 —The Message
Tags: Faith, Parable, Tim Keller
Theology from Green Day: Surrender
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
Surrender.
A theme predominant in the New Testament.
One of which I’ve been acutely aware for a long time—and equally aware of my own inability to do so.
Funny in a way that even the act of surrendering is something I attempt to do in my own strength.
Tags: Faith, green day, Music, original illustration, surrender
Jesus vs. the Democrats
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Faith, politics
I see it pretty regularly, but on mornings like today it becomes especially hard to bear.
When Scott Brown took over Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat last night, half the nation cheered (and half the nation grimaced).
I have no problem with that.
Tags: Faith, original illustration, politics
Prediction for 2010: More Crap
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Every time New Year’s Eve rolls around I think, “Phew… I’m happy that year is over…”
“Now on to the next… it’s gonna be great!”
Only to find a few weeks later the new year is just as tough as the last.
So what can you expect for 2010?
Tags: hope, original illustration, trials
Eternal Perspective
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Film
Luminous beings are we…
not this crude matter.
Tags: philosophy, spiritual
Thanks a lot, God
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
I’ve been praying lately.
I mean… I normally pray regularly but not really instinctively and not with real faith.
But lately I’ve been praying for real.
and not just that, but other areas of my spirituality have come more into focus and taken the forefront of my life.
Tends to happen when I face great trials.
Smaller trials I try to fix on my own… unemployment, relationships, fears… I believe I can fix those things
(I can’t)
but then when it becomes a matter of life or death… then I realize that I have no control.
and my focus turns back to God.
I’ve got to believe that God cares so deeply about me that he’ll do anything to keep me close.
Break my leg if You must
But keep me close to You
Here’s the sad thing…
Tags: Cancer, Faith, original illustration, trials
