en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1375036 Comments by rachebec http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/putting-bible-verses-on-weird-things/#IDComment108862691 That is probably why they only sell them here in Canada (and other nothern places). Colder hands. Tue, 9 Nov 2010 18:20:40 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/putting-bible-verses-on-weird-things/#IDComment108862691 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/putting-bible-verses-on-weird-things/#IDComment108862004 I too was very confused. The picture in no way matched what I was imagining (although I was having a hard time imagining a bible verse on a box of Smarties). But I now understand and am saddened that our neighbours to the south are deprived of such goodness in the form of candy-coated-chocolate. (And, of course, the catchy accompanying ad campaigns - Tell me honestly, when you eat your Smarties, do you eat the red ones last?) Tue, 9 Nov 2010 18:16:27 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/putting-bible-verses-on-weird-things/#IDComment108862004 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/leaving-church-before-its-over/#IDComment108577618 The only thing between our Church and the neighbouring place of worship (non-Christian) is a strip of grass. One Christmas, a young women had her parents visiting and invited them to attend church with her. The family found a seat in the back and got comfortable, but it wasn't long before they realized that something was not as expected... Sheepishly, the young women realized her mistake and they discreetly snuck out and across the two parking lots to join our service. The mother thought this hilarious, and the daughter was forced to confess she wasn't the regular attender she had led her mother to believe she was! Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:29:36 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/leaving-church-before-its-over/#IDComment108577618 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/leaving-church-before-its-over/#IDComment108575976 Once, a long time ago, after yet another move, my parents were visiting a new church. Apparently, my oldest sister (who was pre-school age at the time), had felt the sermon had gone on long enough so she stood up on the pew and at the top of her young lungs, declared 'AMEN'. My poor mother was mortified and my sister (more than 3 decades later), has yet to live it down. Mon, 8 Nov 2010 17:18:20 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/leaving-church-before-its-over/#IDComment108575976 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment107793669 Every church I have ever belonged to has had an organ (and almost always had an organist). We firmly hold with the belief that Old Hymns reach heaven best when played on an organ (in contrast, 'newer' worship songs played on an organ probably send the choirs of angels off in a gale of laughter). In college, our organist was in failing health and growing increasingly cantankerous and so when a friend of mine showed musical aptitude and a familiarity with a variety of keyboard instruments, she was promptly drafted into the role of organ-apprentice. She was really very good at it and it wasn't long until she graduated to The Organist. To this day she continues to play the organ and periodically has that same bewildered expression on her face that screams "Did I agree to this?!" Thu, 4 Nov 2010 15:22:23 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment107793669 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/finding-out-justin-bieber-is-a-christian/#IDComment107370702 Before Justin Bieber moved to the states and became JUSTIN BIEBER, he did an interview with his mom on 100 Huntley Street's Full Circle - a weekly Canadian Christian talk show. At the time I had no idea who this kid was and it took me awhile to make the connection between the cute kid from Ontario in that interview and phenom of the floppy hair and screaming hoards of preteen girls. Once I did make that connection, and everytime I come across something Bieber-ish since, I remember that interview, and am hopeful. Tue, 2 Nov 2010 16:05:49 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/finding-out-justin-bieber-is-a-christian/#IDComment107370702 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3908/#IDComment106601229 I have often come up with similar scenarios. Not so much because I was concerned about the pews being sucked into a spewing pool of lava (although that’s something to think about), but because I stayed up too late Saturday night playing Prince of Persia or some such thing, and suddenly walls aren’t just walls. They become pathways of opportunity. It’s like our church, with all its ledges and pillars and posts was custom made for ninja-like movement. I have it all mapped out and believe it is entirely possible to make it to the altar rail for communion and back without once setting foot on the floor… Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:37:12 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3908/#IDComment106601229 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3908/#IDComment106597325 We have skylights where the ceiling of our sanctuary meets in a peak and just below them are incessantly whirring fans. At about mid-way through the teaching (at least for right now, this does change with the seasons) the light shines down on the pews on the south-west side of the church and I become mesmerized by the blinding, flickering light caused by the whirling fans. I tend to lose the train of the message at this point as I wonder if the flickering is about to cause a seizure or two in the congregation. My attention is torn between the alternating beams of light and scanning the congregation for signs of distress. I inch to the edge of my pew, ready for action and, similar to the pre-flight exercise of finding the closest exits, I identify where the doctors in the congregation are located so I can get their attention quickly, should the need arise. My keen attention to my fellow parishioners and my recognition of the hazard brought on by the combination of old fans, the prairie sun and the skylights have not yet been put to the test. But I’ll be ready. Thu, 28 Oct 2010 16:09:53 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3908/#IDComment106597325 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3896/#IDComment106199782 Easy vs. spirited at an early age is no predictor of how the child will turn out. My now very calm and level-headed oldest sister was a little terror as a child - climbing to the top of the fridge almost as soon as she could walk, literally bouncing off the walls she had just made 'prettier', helping fellow customers 'shop' by filling their carts with unwanted items (one older gentleman in particular was extremely embarrassed to discover the feminine undergarments in his cart at the checkout!), scamming neighbourhood kids out of their allowance for a ride on her ‘special’ sled, shocking classmates with the electric fence while on field trips and driving our dad back to work in order to recover when he was home sick with pneumonia. It really was a wonder that our parents had any more kids after her. Luckily for them, the second child (not me) truly was an angel – but she was also the one that caused the most parental angst when she was a teenager… Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:28:48 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3896/#IDComment106199782 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/win-3-free-books-from-billy-coffey/#IDComment106031933 It most certainly does snow here! I had to brush about 2 inches of snow off my car before leaving for work this morning. It was the first notable snow fall of the season... and it is just beginning. Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:33:08 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/win-3-free-books-from-billy-coffey/#IDComment106031933 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3837/#IDComment104801250 I don't believe I have ever come across a fake-money tract. Or any other tract for that matter, so I kind of feel like I am in unknown waters here. People really litter these things about and use them in lieu of tips? That doesn't sound quite right. And swapping them in for Halloween candy is just plain mean. Definitely worse than the dentist down the street who used to hand out mint-flavoured floss (and raisins as a compromise to appease the kids). Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:54:01 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3837/#IDComment104801250 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/what-if/#IDComment104186404 What a lovely thing to do in honour of your daughters. I read your comment before I went to the SafeWorld site and was prompted to buy a net for each of my nieces and nephew. Thank you for the nudge. Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:28:45 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/what-if/#IDComment104186404 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/three-more-words/#IDComment103839676 Easily my favourite Serious Wednesday post. I look forward to reflecting on it thrughout the day and realizing anew its truth each time it comes to mind. Thank you. Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:18:44 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/three-more-words/#IDComment103839676 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3775/#IDComment102998651 I had a similiar experience at college, but after the second move they obviuously didn't make any effort to track me down (a fact I do appreciate). That being said, I think I may actually admire the persistence and sleuthing ability of that church from your college days. Is that wrong? 3 moves and a name change and they were still tracking you down? Those are some serious skills that could no doubt be put to much better use than stalking a one-time-attender. Fri, 8 Oct 2010 15:55:20 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3775/#IDComment102998651 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/the-guy-who-tries-to-fix-your-problems-when-you-make-a-prayer-request/#IDComment102839740 Absolutely. I'm drinking mine right now and expect great things from today. :) Thu, 7 Oct 2010 15:38:24 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/the-guy-who-tries-to-fix-your-problems-when-you-make-a-prayer-request/#IDComment102839740 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101828725 Hmm. Prayer as punishment. What could possibly be bad about that as a message... :S Fri, 1 Oct 2010 17:28:02 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101828725 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101825407 I am all for praying before a meal and will do this happily when dining with family, friends or on my own. What makes me uncomfortable is the public prayer in restaurants... well actually, not so much the prayer itself as all of the conversations that then follow the prayer in an equally public setting. Having declared ourselves as Christians in a particularly non-Christian setting in which we may or may not be observed critically, I get a little paranoid and analyze the conversation for anything that could come across as uncharitable or heresy. Generally, I think most of the post-prayer meal-time conversations are perfectly acceptable, but we are still human and the occasionally catty comment does surface… Obviously this is something I’ve got to work on. It’s similar to my reluctance to put a fish on my car. I’d be lying if I said I never speed or am occasionally less than gracious when others are merging and I would hate for Christians as a whole and Jesus in particular to take the rap for my poor behaviour. The obvious solution is to not behave badly, but I’m not there yet… Fri, 1 Oct 2010 17:15:29 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101825407 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101818344 I don't know that he did it every time, and making it a legalistic duty does not really fit with his M.O., but I do know that he did it more than once - feeding the five thousand and the last supper are the two that come to mind - suggesting he thought it was a good practice to have. My theory (and I can definitely be corrected on this), is that it is something we should probably do if we can do it with good motivation and not offend or cause others to stumble. If it turns into a matter of pride, a competition or a mindless duty (like Kristin's #2 above), then it would probably be best to say a blessing quietly to yourself or not at all. Good luck with finding your answers about this and thank you for bringing up the ‘why’ – I am glad to have to deliberately think about my motivation for stuff like this. Fri, 1 Oct 2010 16:45:33 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101818344 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101808543 I'm not sure about the more general reasons for prayer before meals or why some Christians are rigid about it, but I know why my family always did it (and still does) - 1) To cultivate a greatful heart. In particular, mealtime prayer for us always focused on the people in our lives, the food we are fortunate to have and appreciation for those that prepared it. 2) It acted as a 'family bonding' moment where we collectively turned to God and then had our meal together (as opposed to shoveling the food into our mouths and running off in our different directions - although that happened too). 3) Jesus did ('And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it'), and following his example always seems like a good idea. That was our 'in-house' teaching which has stuck with all of us as we've grown up and moved away, but I can't recall if I ever heard an 'official, from the pulpit' teaching of why we are to say a blessing at meals. Fri, 1 Oct 2010 16:10:35 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101808543 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101805093 Perhaps for that very reason, fast food (in all its chemical-laden & processed glory) needs praying over. Fri, 1 Oct 2010 15:56:26 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/passing-the-prayer-at-dinner/#IDComment101805093