I was on my way to a meeting last month and I drove by this bench billboard advertisement. I thought it was clever, edgy, effective and it caught my attention. I decided to take a pic and now I’m sharing it with you.
Share your thoughts on this advertisements or other clever advertisements that have caught your attention.
I enjoy writing, reading, thinking, dreaming, believing and being challenged. Sometimes the most thought provoking writing and discussions are not facilitated by a statement, but rather by the asking of a simple question. Life is all about questions and answers.
In the grand scheme of things, often times people spend the most time trying to please the people that matter the least.
Question: “Who are you trying to please?” Better Question: “Why?”
I have always been amazed by the hatred that Tim Tebow has received over the life of his public athletic career. When he was at the University of Florida many people couldn’t stand him and the fact that he proudly represented John 3:16 on his eye black, his famous speech “The Promise” the incident with blood running down his face and the list goes on and on. I always liked Tebow in college, simply because of how he represented himself, although I didn’t particularly like his coach or the Florida Gators.
Now that Tim Tebow is in the NFL this Love/Hate condition is even larger and on a more national level. In the City of Denver Tebow gets ripped by Anti-Christian groups on a regular basis. Yet, he gets cheered on by thousands of fans that have made his Jersey one of the most purchased Jersey’s in the NFL. Tim Tebow is more than a quarterback for the Denver Broncos, he’s an iconic figure that’s represents Christian, good and wholesome.
Tebow appears to have gotten used to the criticism and has never once backed down from outwardly sharing his faith, as matter of fact he boldly ends every interview with “God Bless!” People in the media and NFL analysts are publicly concluding that the hatred of Tebow is primarily based upon his outward showing of his faith and religious beliefs. Inside the NFL host “JB” James Brown asked his co-host Cris Collinsworth a question regarding how Time Tebow is treated and Collinsworth was straightforward about his thoughts. Collinsworth said, “It’s unbelievable JB, that one of the best kids – pure kids that’s ever come into the NFL, is hated because of his faith, because of his mission work, because of the fact that he wears it on his sleeve…”
In Matthew 10 in the Bible, Jesus talks about people hating you because of Him. I think Tebow not only understands that but lives with the understanding of Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
I recently experienced a similar Love/Hate relationship in regards to Chick-fil-A. I was doing some consulting with one of my clients and I was using an analogy of Chick-fil-a with this room full of department leaders. We had even discussed having lunch at Chick-fil-A, in order to observe and learn. One of the leaders in the room was adamant about the fact that he didn’t want to go to Chick-fil-A and that he didn’t like them, their leadership, their Christian views and what they stand for. It’s one thing to disagree with someone because of their views, however this hatred and dislike that comes from the Anti-Christian is superfluous.
No matter how much people hate on Tebow or Chick-fil-A for that matter, the bottom line is they win. After weeks of “Tebow” chanting fans in Denver, the 3rd string QB finally got his start yesterday against the Miami Dolphins. He was back in Florida, somewhat of a homecoming and had both Miami and Denver fans cheering him on and his college coach Urban Meyer on the Miami sidelines. Tebow started slow; however in the 4th quarter he led a very improbable comeback that only puts more fuel on the Love/Hate Tebow fire. In his first start this year, Tebow rallied the Denver Broncos with two touchdown passes in the final 2:44 of the fourth quarter to force overtime, and Matt Prater ‘s 52-yard field goal gave them an 18-15 win Sunday over the stunned Miami Dolphins
For the Anti-Christian’s and those who hate Tebow exclusively because of his faith, I say get a grip. Instead of always focusing on what you are against, take a play out of Tim Tebow’s playbook and focus on what you are for. I’ll end this with a little wisdom and life perspective from a young NFL QB by the name of Tim Tebow who happens to be a man of faith, “If someone asks, I’ll always be willing to share His will because I also know that there are a lot more important things than football and that is one of them. That ultimately overrides football any day of the week.”
What do you think about the Love/Hate relationship with Tim Tebow and the Anti-Christian? Why are so many people willing to loudly share what they are against and not so willing to do the same about what they are for?
Over the last 5 years of serving as a Pastor at LifeChurch.tv, which has a cool, hip, relevant denim type dress code; I found that I wore denim 90% of the time and the other 10% consisted of weekend athletic apparel and an occasional suit for a wedding or funeral. The 5 years prior to that consisted of 90% suits as I spent most of my time in business meetings, walking around the State Capitol and other environments where suits were the dress code.
Over the years style has really changed and evolved to a more overall casual look. I attribute it to the era of the $200 designer jeans. Men and ladies alike can dress up a nice pair of denim and they can dress down a nice pair of denim.
My wife and I recently went to an event in which the dress code was “Business Casual.” I’ll be honest, I googled business casual just to double check, because style is ever evolving and changes my the month. One thing I know about business casual, is there are different definitions.
My old school definition is, Slacks or Khakis with a polo or collared shirt at the least for Men and slacks, skirts, blouses at the least for women. You can dress any of these up; however denim and shorts are not considered part of the business casual attire.
There was one guy at this particular event that had on shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. He actually jokingly shared with the group that he had a more casual view of business casual.
Business Casual is kind of tricky… How would you define or describe Business Casual?
As I’m sitting here in my hotel room in the middle of Times Square in #NYC, I’m thinking about this theme and these shirts about people people loving or (hearting) NY. As a matter of fact it was one of the more requested souvenir items from my friends and family back in #OKC.
We have been to NYC many times and every time I find myself leaving saying the exact same thing. That is a great city to visit, but there is no way that I could live there. This time my wife and I are actually here with another couple, who happen to be long time great friends. It has been great to take a bite out of the Big Apple together. We walked the streets of #NYC last night and let me tell you this place doesn’t sleep, it doesn’t stop and many people seem to love NY.
It was around midnight last night (Sunday) that we stopped by Starbucks in Times Square and the place was hopping. We asked the barista what time they close and her response was, “We Don’t.” NY doesn’t sleep or at least the persona is that it’s always moving, always happening and it’s the epicenter for those making things happen and those wanting to make things happen.
As I was standing in the middle of this make things happen city, I was reminded of the lyrics of rapper, entrepreneur and mogul Jay-Z’s song “Empire State Of Mind.” A small sampling of the song, the chorus sang by Alicia Keys is below:
“In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh
There’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you, let’s hear it for New York
New York, New York…”
I do agree with Jay-Z in the fact that the BIG lights can inspire you. They can inspire you to dream BIG. think BIGGER. This is truly a city of dreams a city of potential.
I love BIG DREAMS!
I love POTENTIAL!
You know what, I might just love NY.
Share your thoughts on the Big City Of Dreams… Who knows you may win an I <3 NY t-shirt.
Every once and awhile you will run across a nugget of information that makes you go “hmm!” That’s what happened when I ran across these passages of scripture that confirm Twitter Is In The Bible:
Check out the screenshots above from my YouVersion Bible App on my iPhone.
That’s what you call taking “Twitter” to a whole nutha’ level and confirms my 5 Reasons To Twitter During Church.
Did you know the word “Twitter” was in the Bible? Have you seen Twitter anywhere else in the Bible? Feel free to share any random useful/non-useful information that you may have come across.
Fake – to conceal the defects of or make appear more attractive, interesting, valuable, etc., usually in order to deceive or pretend; anything made to appear otherwise than it actually is; counterfeit.
The one thing that consistently gets people into trouble is when they’re Fake. Couples find their marriage in shambles because one of them has been completely Fake — lying, cheating and faking it. Fake will ruin you.
Leaders walk around wearing their fake leadership mask that their followers see right through. At some point in time the lack of authenticity will come back to bite them. People don’t genuinely follow Fake. Fake will ruin you.
The only way we can grow through our weaknesses and learn from our mistakes is to be real and authentic. Fake never gets you anywhere for an extended period of time, it always comes back to haunt you. Fake will haunt your thoughts and haunt your life. Fake will ruin you.
Do you remember the 80′s/90′s pop group by the name of Milli Vanilli? Whether you remember them or not, it’s probably for the same reason, they were a Fake. They were found to be lip syncing and the lead vocals on the album were Fake. Fake will ruin you.
To fake it is to stand guard over emptiness.
Fake Will Ruin You!
Many of you clicked on this post because you found yourself intrigued by the title and others of you clicked asking yourself the question, “I wonder if I suffer from Paranoia?” Read through the simple definition of Paranoia below:
Paranoia 1.baseless or excessive suspicion of the motives of others. 2. a tendency on the part of an individual toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others.
Often times people become so consumed with what people think and trying to please people that they truly suffer from paranoia. All of their thoughts are from the lens of wondering how others will receive or perceive what they’re doing. What do my boss, co-workers, neighbors, friends or people that I don’t even know, think about me? The reality is that people really don’t spend much time worrying about you, because they’re too busy worrying about themselves.
Nobody cares, so drop the baseless suspicion and worrying about what others think.
Someone is monitoring your computer right now. You shouldn’t leave a comment stating how you really feel, because people reading this blog that you don’t even know, might think that you’re weird or that You Suffer From Paranoia.
If you want to be successful, you must learn to create resistance. Not only do you need to learn to create resistance, but you must develop thick enough skin to weather the storms of resistance.
If you want to be great — challenge the status quo. If you want to make things happen, you must create some resistance somewhere along the way. Tomorrow’s successes are planted in today’s soil of resisting, opposing, and withstanding.
If you are not experiencing resistance, chances are you’re playing life too safe.
Learning To Create Resistance
This is one of those questions that keeps popping up and popping up — so I thought I would just take the discussion to the people. I was able to listen to, engage in and play devils advocate a recent Harry Potter Debate amongst some ministry staff.
According to an on-line Bible ministry that answers questions through a Biblical framework, they said this about Harry Potter and the debate: “Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.”
I’m not sure exactly what all of that means from a contextual perspective, because I have not seen the movie or read the book. I have not made the choice “to see or not to see” because of any specific reason, thought or belief… I simply have never watched it. I used to watch this cartoon called Hip Hop Harry with my youngest son, but I think that may be a different show. 
The scripture that those arguing against indulging in Potter is Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”
Those on the other side of the argument, say “Why stop there the list could go on and on about the types of movies you should and should not watch.”
What do you think?
Should Christians Watch or Read Harry Potter? Is it different for adults and children? Share your reasons for or against. Ready, Set, Go!
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