Are you familiar with FailBlog.org? If not, you should be. Go there now, look around, enjoy yourself, then come back here.
On my way to work a couple days ago, I ended up behind this vehicle at a stoplight. My first thought was “Fail!” So I took a grainy photo with my handy camera phone.
Happy Saturday.
To those of you who are now arriving here thanks to my apocalyptic guest post today on Stuff Christians Like, welcome. Pull up a vintage yellow 1960s chair and look around.
Before you look around, though, please tell me who you are.
You might also be interested in these posts, which are some of my favorites:
• iPhone Apps I’d Like to See
• Dogs + Airbrushing = Awesome
• A Rant: Noah’s Ark and Scary Bibles
• A Rant: Christian Parody Shirts
• Nine Thousand Fifty-Three
• Watch Me Decode the Past!
And you might also want to read “The Prodigal Fun,” an article I wrote for the December issue of Collide. It features a mini-profile of Jon and SCL.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog and you’re bored already, then you can head over to Stuff Christians Like and read my guest post on why Christians get so happy about the potential demise of civilization, and how that happiness tends to express itself.
That’s all. Thanks, Mr. Acuff.
I can’t believe I’ve never posted about this before. I’m a writer, for Grisham’s sake. I write books! Shouldn’t there be a blog post where I give an overview of all those books?
Yes, there should. Preferably in the form of a list.
Should it be post #271 in the history of this blog? Apparently so. Silly, silly stupid Jason.
Books I Have Written (In Order of Appearance)
1. Cheap Ways to… (2003) This was my first real book. Not long after I began writing for Relevant Magazine (still in its 850 Words-only and dot-com phase), Editor Cara asked me to consider joining a few other writers to co-author a fun little book on how to do things cheaply. As I recall, we each were asked to come up with ideas of things to do. Then we compiled our ideas, separated them into categories, and chose from that list. Each author wrote about 7 chapters or so. The co-authors were Josh Hatcher (with whom I’ve pretty much lost touch except for Facebook), Katie Meier (who became and remains a good friend during the process), and Margaret Feinberg (yes, that Margaret Feinberg).
2. Things You Should Know by Now (2003): My first book with just my name on it! In the process of writing Cheap Ways to…, Relevant asked me if I had any other book ideas. Yes! I said. Then they asked me what those ideas might be. Fifteen minutes later, I’d come up with a list of five or so. They liked this one: an advice manual for people in their twenties. About all kinds of random stuff. This was not long after Alexandra Robbins’ and Abby Wilner’s Quarterlife Crisis came out, and at the time there wasn’t much in bookstores talking about that transition period between college and adulthood. TYSKBN did. It had chapters about not getting into credit card debt, using proper grammar, making smoothies, and cooking eggs. And lots of other things. Very random. And definitely a first book. Not a career-maker by any means.
3. Spiritual Journeys: How Faith Has Influenced 12 Musical Icons (2003): Another collaborative effort. Along with several other Relevant writers, I was assigned a couple of chapters (plus the Introduction) in this book exploring spirituality as it related to some current music-world heavies, including Bono, T-Bone Burnett, Johnny Cash, and Lauren Hill. My assignment? Moby and Sean Combs. That’s right: Puff Daddy (as he was known back then, prior to the P. Diddy/Diddy phase). Ten years ago, had you asked me if I would ever contribute a book chapter about the religious leanings of a big-time rapper/producer, I would have responded “That’s right I will!” and given you a fist-bump. Because: obviously.
4. A Guy’s Guide to Life: How to Become a Man in 208 Pages or Less (2004): When Katie Meier published A Girl’s Guide to Life in early 2004, I pitched Transit/W Publishing on a companion book directed at teenage guys. On the strength (?) of my experience as an advice-giver for TYSKBN, I got the job, and this book resulted. It was a fun book, because I was able to write very casually (it’s for teens) and very frankly about s-e-x (again, it’s for teens). This book has been my most consistent seller, year-to-year.
5. Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse (2005): This is the book where I began to discover my wheelhouse — the place where religion, history, and snark come together for an awkward tango of educational fun. It was actually one of my original five book ideas for Relevant (see #2 above), and we decided to do it while the Left Behind series was still a publishing behemoth. The overall success of the book probably wasn’t due to either the popular subject matter or the writing, but to two other things: 1) Jerry Jenkins, of Left Behind co-authorship, graciously gave me a killer endorsement (“This guy is gonna be SO left behind.”), and 2) Wal-Mart decided to stock it in their stores nationwide. God bless the Wal-Mart book buyer. To date, my biggest seller, and the initial reason I ended up on some TV shows.
6. Pocket Guide to Adulthood (2005): Because Apocalypse was suddenly popular, Relevant wanted to put out another Pocket Guide book as soon as possible, hoping to ride those coattails and have an answer when Wal-Mart said “What other Pocket Guide books do you have?”. So we repackaged TYSKBN and turned it into this book. Over three weeks’ time in the spring of 2005, I condensed several Things chapters, removed a few, and added several more. Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled about wrapping this book in the Pocket Guide brand. Even back then I envisioned it becoming a religious/historical series, and I thought this advice-y approach would confuse the brand. Relevant and I argued about it, but eventually I gave in. Because it was a chance to find new readers of TYSKBN, and to be honest, a chance to make a little more money. How often do writers like me get a chance for a reboot? Rarely, I guess, but in retrospect, probably not the best decision.
7. The Relevant Nation (2006): Another collaborative effort. This was a compilation of profiles of people under the age of 40 (activists, artists, celebrities) who were doing cool faith-related things. I was one of at least a dozen other contributors, so I rarely count this as “one of my books.” But anyway, it makes the list. I profiled Aaron Walling of Healing Waters International, Scott Hancock of the Glue Network, and someone else I can’t remember. (I don’t have the book with me right now. Sheesh, my memory must be failing.) Special tidbit: I came up with the title for this book.
8. Postmodern Bible Stories (2006): This was a really cool Relevant book of tear-out postcards. Each one was a graphic-design interpretation of a specific Bible story by an up-and-coming artist. I wrote all the text for this book, but my contribution somehow went uncredited in the publication process. I was very disappointed about this, because 1) I worked hard on the text and had to read and summarize a whole lot of Bible stories for it; and 2) It was pretty cool, stylized stuff and I’m proud of it. But I’m trying not to be bitter, because I got paid for it and it was fun. Outside the Relevant staff at the time, I’m pretty sure no one knows my contribution to this book. Until now, I guess.
9. Pocket Guide to the Bible (2006): In my mind, the first real follow-up to Apocalypse and the Pocket Guide brand. I’ve talked a lot about this one so I won’t bore you with much description, except to say this wasn’t my first choice for the 2nd Pocket Guide book in the series I envisioned. I wanted to do Pocket Guide to Sainthood, but Relevant thought that title/subject would be “too Catholic.” I disagreed. Regardless, I now own the rights to PGTTB and am selling it out of my trunk (see sidebar) until it’s republished this summer by Jossey-Bass…along with two more brand-new Pocket Guides, one of which is, yes, “too Catholic.”
Coming in 2009:
• Pocket Guide to the Bible (reissue by Jossey-Bass)
• Pocket Guide to Sainthood (Jossey-Bass)
• Pocket Guide to the Afterlife (Jossey-Bass)
• O Me of Little Faith (A book about my personal struggles with doubt and spiritual uncertainty and how they inform — and even strengthen — my faith. To be published this fall by Zondervan.)
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And that, friends, is the brief history of my publishing career. It looks like I haven’t been doing much since 2006, book-wise. That’s not exactly true, because I started writing the Sainthood book in 2007. We just wanted to release all the Pocket Guides at once, to kick-start the series.
Which of my books have you read? Will anyone admit to having read all of them? If so, I will give you the entirely lame distinction of being my Biggest Fan Ever and give you a special prize. Unless there are, like, 30 of you. I don’t have that many prizes. But we could start a club.
Introducing a new occasional series here. It’s called “Did You Know?” It’s a brain-dump of things I know which you may not know. My dream is for it to be educational, fun, and entertaining all at the same time. My dream is also to be able to start a sentence with “My dream is…” and not start rolling my eyes and laughing at myself before I even get to the end of the sentence. Unless you’re an iconic civil rights leader, it’s hard to take a person seriously when they start talking about their “dream.” I always expect something about rainbows and unicorns to follow.
Anyway.
Did You Know?
• According to the King James Version of Leviticus 11:29-30, these things are unclean to you: weasels, mice, tortoises, ferrets, chameleons, lizards, snails, and moles.
• According to the New International Version of Leviticus 11:29-30, these things are unclean to you: weasels, rats, any kind of great lizard, geckos, monitor lizards, wall lizards, skinks, and chameleons. I think it’s clear that the NIV translators had some sort of crazy lizard-phobia.
• An Englishman named John Wroe unsuccessfully predicted the end of the world in 1863. He also fancied himself something of a Messianic figure. He made two attempts (also unsuccessful) to walk on water, and once invited the public to no less than his own circumcision. Right. Ew. Even better? He was a hunchback.
• A duck’s quack does not echo. The reason for this remains a mystery to scientists.
• Speaking of ducks…In 1809, a fortuneteller named Mary Bateman in Yorkshire, England, started advertising the fact that she owned a magic chicken. The bird’s superpower included the ability to lay prophetic eggs — the chicken would grunt, squawk, and pop out eggs with prophetic writing on them. One of them seemed to indicate that the return of Jesus Christ was imminent. Mary spills the news, and suddenly the entire community shows up at her doorstep to get a gander at the Chicken of Doom. Unfortunately, someone peeks into the henhouse before Mary and the chicken are ready, and sees Mary furtively stuffing an egg up the chicken’s, um, egg-laying orifice. The apocalyptic poultry show is forced to close.
• That last one had nothing to do with ducks at all. Sorry about that.
• Butterflies taste with their feet. Ducks taste with their mouth and tongues, just like you and me.
• Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible. Unless you count guys like Ezekiel and Jeremiah.
• Human beings are physically unable to touch their lips to their elbow.
• You just tried to kiss your elbow.
• In the 14th century, Saint Catherine of Siena had a famous vision in which Jesus placed his amputated foreskin on her finger as a wedding ring. And apparently this was considered a good dream.
• Elephants’ feet are entirely flat on the bottom. This comes from jumping out of trees.
• Not really. That last one was entirely untrue. Sorry.
• You probably can’t think of an English word that rhymes with “month.”
• That’s because there isn’t one.
• You can type the word “stewardess” using only your left hand on the keyboard. And the word “typewriter” is the longest word you can type using only a single row on a keyboard.
• I happen to be wearing black jeans, black socks, black shoes, and a black shirt today. But I am not depressed. I am not Steve Jobs either. I am, however, a mime. And I am freaking tired of being trapped in this glass box.
• This list of random facts is now over. Have a nice day.
I was gently mocked yesterday on Twitter for pushing a bunch of products yesterday — some of which are sorta pricey — during a recession. Of course, they’re products that have made my life better and brought me a little joy, so I don’t really feel the need to apologize for yesterday’s post. But I do see the impropriety of the timing.
(Fake Band Shirts would really complement almost everything else you wear. They are specially designed to enhance musculature and improve skin tone. NOTE: The Fake Band Shirts store is currently changing to a new distributor and is not currently online. Soon, though.)
That said, I’m also a big advocate on trying to live beneath your means. Living simply. Not buying stuff just because you can, or because it makes you feel good, or because you want to be like someone else. That’s why I’m a proud member of the Junky Car Club. As of this year, my wife and I drive vehicles are at least 10 years old and paid for (1997 Honda Civic Hatchback, 109K miles; 1999 Honda CR-V, 79K miles). It’s not always convenient — there are times we would like a larger, newer car — but I think simplicity is a virtue more of us should pursue.
(If you haven’t purchased your own signed copy of Pocket Guide to the Bible for $6.99, I seriously don’t know what you’re waiting for. It will make your life better. I promise. Click the buttons in the sidebar to buy yours today!)
Brad Abare, the founder of Church Marketing Sucks and the Center for Church Communication, is a marketing guy I respect, and he’s begun seeing an increase in stuff coming from the mainstream press about simplicity.
In Newsweek, Johnnie L. Roberts writes about “luxury shame,” describing how rich people have become less willing to flaunt their crazy-wealthy lifestyle, and how the luxury goods market is suffering as a result.
In Adweek, Noreen O’Leary sees this recession as a “global realignment” in which our generation’s hectic rate of consumption and product acquisition will be forced to slow down.
(Have I mentioned that I’m a painter? I paint really big paintings that would look awesome on your wall. It might be more expensive than buying a big framed print at Kirkland’s, but your painting would be custom and original and a real conversation-starter. It would also make you happy. Can you really put a price on happiness? I think you can. Then you can hang that happiness above your couch.)
And in the LA Times, Reed Johnson writes about the “scarcity culture,” about how every season of consumption and prosperity in U.S. history seems to be followed by a season of hardship. Guess what just ended? Guess where we are now?
I’m a writer and an artist and a marketing professional, which means I’m a purveyor of goods and services people don’t always need. My work is rarely considered a necessity — you can’t eat a Pocket Guide book, though a few thousand of them might make a nice bonfire — which means my commitment to simple living and modestly non-consumeristic bent is at odds with my skills and career goals. I live in a weird kind of tension between passion and promotion, between belief and doubt, between a rock and a hard place.
Anyhow, don’t cry for me, Argentina. I’m dealing with it.
What about you? Are you having to make some deliberate, simplicity-focused choices during this current economic downturn?
If not, can I interest you in some t-shirts?
I’ve been thinking recently about consumerism and simplicity and the economy and my spending habits (as have, probably, a whole lot of people). I’m not much of a brand-conscious kind of guy — if anything, my loyalty is more often to price than to label. But there are a few specific products that I really like. And just because I think it might bring up some interesting discussion — and because I like lists — I thought I’d list them for you.
Nine Products I Really, Really Like:
1. Clip-on iPod Shuffle: I have the first generation of the Shuffle with the clip. Love it. You can’t find a better player for jogging, bike riding, or whatever. Confession: I rarely listen to music on it. Mostly my playlist is a selection of podcasts. Lots of NPR. I’m a nerd.
2. Starbucks Sumatra Extra Bold coffee blend (bought at Target, brewed at home): Oh, rich, earthy Sumatra. I can’t quit you. I don’t really want to quit you, either.
3. Nikon D40: Nikon’s entry-level digital SLR camera, usually combined with a Speedlight SB-400 and the 55-200 VR lens. Perfect for family pics and just about anything else I need.
4. Worm Factory 5-Tray Worm Bin: Read about my foray into worm composting here. We’re having fun feeding our table scraps to our worms. You know what they really love? Day-old Sumatra Extra Bold coffee grounds.
5. Nike Free 5.0 running shoes: Scientifically speaking, barefoot runners have always had stronger feet. Nike came up with some weird waffley bottom-of-the-shoe technology that simulates running barefoot. So these running/cross-training shoes are extra light and, due to the design, are lots easier on the knees. I did all the roadwork for last year’s triathlons wearing these. And I can tell a difference in the way my back and knees feel when I wear these as opposed to other shoes.
6. GoLite Jam ultralight backpack: Backpacking light is the way to go, and this pack is perfect for a three-day weekend trip. My backpacking buddies roll their eyes at me when I wear it, but they’re jealous because they’re carrying twice as much weight as I am. Suckers.
7. Heated Mattress Pad: Honestly, I don’t know what brand this is and I’m too lazy to pull the sheets back to look. But my cold-natured wife will tell you this is the best thing I ever bought for her, and it turns out I really like it, too. Getting into a warm, preheated bed is a luxury, I know. But man, is it good.
8. Old Navy Canvas Slip-On Shoes: I have a brown pair and a black pair, both bought on clearance for less than $10 each. I wear these almost every day. It has made me insufferably lazy because I now see the act of tying shoes as an inconvenience.
9. ClubSwim Compression Jammer swim trunks: Just like Speedo compression swimsuits, but cheaper. When I first started swimming, I wore floppy board shorts like you’d wear to the pool in the summer. After several weeks of this — as I began to get more serious — I ordered these tight-but-not-too-revealing compression shorts for “real swimmers.” When I first dove in and began swimming in these babies? I was grinning underwater. Way less drag than the old board shorts. I felt like a seal. Yes, I am a nerd.
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So those are nine of the products I love. What about you? What specific products can you not live without?
(Full disclosure: Rather than linking these products to the websites of their respective makers, you’ll notice I’ve linked most of these to Amazon, using links created through their Associates program. Which means if you really get inspired about, say, a mattress heater, then you can head to Amazon from here and buy the product…and I’ll get a tiny commission. Yes, I am a shameless product shill. But I only thought of the shillage after writing this post. For real. I’m one savvy businessman, I tell you.)
Last night, new U.S. President Barack Obama retook the oath of office after he and Chief Justice Roberts botched it at the inauguration. Their reason for doing so? According to a written statement from White House Counsel Greg Craig, it was simply the result of “an abundance of caution.”
Which apparently is new-administration code for “so the crazy Obama-haters don’t have any reason to start protesting that I’m not really the president.” Everyone knows that Obama became president Tuesday with or without the oath, and that the oath was administered effectively despite the garbled beginning. But they wanted to be safe.
Anyway, I love the “abundance of caution” reasoning.
In fact, I’m thinking “abundance of caution” will become a nationwide meme. Need to repeat something for no good reason? Now you have an excuse! For your edification and instruction, here are some practical uses of the phrase, divided into helpful categories.
Relationships:
Out of an abundance of caution, I’ve asked the minister to lead us once more in our wedding vows, just to make sure we’re really married. As you know, baby, that means this week is our honeymoon.
Entertainment:
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m going to need to watch last night’s episode of Lost again, honey. I may have missed something important.
Diet:
Out of an abundance of caution, I’d better eat another cookie. It’s too early to tell, but the first one may not end up being as satisfying as I’d hoped.
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m going to need another cup of double-chocolate mocha, in case the caffeine content wasn’t high-octane enough.
Childraising:
Out of an abundance of caution, Junior, I want you to get back in bed and go to sleep. It’s Saturday morning, after all, and who knows if you got enough rest last night?
Career:
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m going to ask my boss to hire me again. If that results in an accidentally doubled salary, I will not complain.
Religion:
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m inviting Jesus into my heart a second time. Better safe than sorry, especially when eternal damnation is concerned. (Evangelical)
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m getting baptized a second time. Better safe than sorry, especially when eternal damnation is concerned. (Liturgical)
Out of an abundance of caution, I’m attending mass a second time. Better safe than sorry, especially when eternal damnation is concerned. (Catholic)
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Your turn. What other experiences or decisions could be improved with an abundance of caution?
A couple of days ago I linked to an article I wrote for Collide Magazine, an excellent and growing publication about the collision of religion and media. I think Collide is doing a lot of things right. It’s well-designed, it’s thoughtful, it’s aiming at a solid demographic, and — this is important to me but probably seems selfish to some — it treats its writers very well.
To put succinctly, I like Collide a lot and am impressed with the magazine. That’s why I’m happy to announce that they’ve just introduced a new promotion involving Pocket Guide to the Bible. For a limited time, if you subscribe now, you’ll receive a free, signed copy of my last book. A one-year print subscription is $14.95, which is a very reasonable price considering you’ll get six issues of the magazine and an fun, entertaining book (if I do say so myself…and I do) signed with scrawling penmanship by yours truly. Also you’ll get to read occasional stuff I write for the magazine.
So that’s my pitch. If you haven’t bought my book yet from me, get it from Collide with your paid subscription. Here’s where you can sign up.
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Now, for other some thoughts:
1. Battlestar Galactica returned last weekend for its final half-season. Do any of you nerds watch it? Because I do. I wear the BSG Nerd label proudly.
2. Lost returns tonight. With BSG and yesterday’s Inauguration and now Lost, this week is like a perfect storm for pop culture nerds. What do you expect this season? Any clues?
3. Have you heard about Australia’s “Best Job In the World” promotion? It involves, apparently, lots of hanging out at the beach and blogging. And a real, live salary to do so. Anyone planning to apply? I seriously thought about it, and definitely would have were I single. Not so sure it would work with a family, though. If you haven’t yet applied, get after it. Applications close in a month.
That’s it for today. Happy Wednesday.
I didn’t plan to, but I ended up live-tweeting the inauguration. Thought I’d post the feed here because I didn’t really plan anything else for today, blog-wise. Anything I have to say would be no different from most other people — historic, inspiring, etc.
So instead you get this:
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It’s a nice sigh of relief to finish a book. But I bet the president’s last hours in office are exponentially better. Bush: feelin’ good.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 8:54 AM
The youngest daughter is my Ellie’s age. Can’t help comparing… those girls’ lives are certainly about to change.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 10:27 AM
NPR commentators on Michelle’s outfit: Mustard…Buttery…Chartreuse. How about, um, yellow?
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 10:33 AM
Don’t they know not to cheer during the prayer?
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 10:50 AM
A giant bow is attempting to eat Aretha’s head! Where’s the secret service?
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 10:54 AM
online video failing. listening on NPR.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:07 AM
Sigh. Applause while wearing gloves is just not as effective as bare skin clapping.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:18 AM
“bitter swill”? That’s a weird phrase.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:21 AM
What? No shoutout to that hero pilot dude? I thought for sure he’d become the new Joe the Plumber.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:27 AM
Had to be hard for W, sitting there while his administration was ripped apart, eloquently but forcefully.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:27 AM
Oh, good. The poetry. I hope it rhymes. I’d give anything for a Dr. Seuss-like inauguration poem.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:28 AM
I salute you, new President Obama / in this beautiful Washington diorama / You’re President now / It’s a tough job, and how!
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:29 AM
boom box…lettuce…marital…grievance…those aren’t very poetic words.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:32 AM
Wow. What a voice Lowery has. And THIS prayer rhymes a little. More of him praying. Less poetry next time.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:34 AM
His two minutes is up, but I don’t mind.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:37 AM
yella = be “mella” / “red man” = “get ahead, man” Seriously? Whoa.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:38 AM
I’m glad Warren didn’t try to pull off the yella/red man stuff in his prayer. That would have been awkward.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:40 AM
How long until the crazy Obama-haters start saying he’s not officially President b/c they messed up the swearing-in part?
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:44 AM
@shaunking Totally agree with you. Both prayers were good, both were needed, both were symbolic.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:45 AM
It would have been cool if Obama’s aids found some guy with a picnic basket and asked the new Pres to bless it and feed the crowd.
Tue, Jan 20, 2009 11:46 AM
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Inauguration over. Enjoy the day.
Back in September, I mentioned spending a week doing interviews with various funny people for a Collide Magazine article.
Wait a second. “Funny people” is a weird way to describe a person. It makes me think of clowns and floppy shoes and red noses. Only I don’t really think clowns are funny. I don’t think they’re scary, either. In fact, I’m ambivalent about clowns. Which means most clowns aren’t doing their jobs very well.
Also, “funny people” makes me think of the kind of person who is funny but not in a ha-ha/laughter kind of way but in the kind of way that makes you want to get away from them as soon as possible, because they’re carrying a live weasel in their purse or they keep blinking so rapidly you wonder if maybe they’re trying to keep an eyeball from popping out or something.
Anyway, I just spent way too much time cartwheeling down a rabbit trail in an attempt to introduce this blog post. So…I didn’t interview “funny people.” Or clowns. I DID interview people who, in one way or another, use their talents to make people laugh.
These people included Jon Acuff of Stuff Christians Like, the author Matthew Paul Turner, Joel Kilpatrick of LarkNews.com, filmmaker Dan Merchant of the documentary “Lord, Save Us from Your Followers,” and Lenny Sisselman, who produces the Apostles of Comedy tour.
The piece is called “The Prodigal Fun” and it’s a look at the often conflicting worlds of comedy and church. I think you’ll like it. Within the first three paragraphs, it uses the word “yowsa,” makes fun of Carman, and name-drops Mitch Hedberg. Those three things make it worth reading right there.
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Happy Martin Luther King, Jr., Day / Inauguration Eve. Back in 2007, Church Marketing Sucks founder Brad Abare made a thought-provoking point about this day: that, for most churches, MLK Day should be a big celebration-type holiday, second only to Easter and Christmas. Why? Because the social justice aspect of it is so close to the heart of the Gospel. But in my experience, most churches don’t think twice about it. I even know a few Christians who complain about it and don’t think it’s worthy of being a federal holiday. But as Brad wrote, “This day is not just about racial equality. This day is about justice. And this world is full of people who need it.”
Something to think about today…
