Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Don't Buy It Day
Today should be Don’t Buy It Day. Instead of giving in to the pressure and consumerism of Black Friday, I would suggest you choose to not buy all those things you do not need, and instead choose to give some of that extra money to help others.
Today, I was driving by City Hall in Santa Rosa and noticed that the Occupy Movement seemed to be taking a thanksgiving break. There are a lot less tents there than last week. Not long Occupy was rallalying the troops to participate in an international day of non-consumption. See, even non-Christians see where that road leads.
I think a Don’t Buy It Day can be an exciting and creative way to live out the message of Jesus. It is really an act of fasting and of saying “No!” to mammon (the Aramaic word for money, wealth and greed). Jesus invites his followers to both of these practices. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells us that “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Jesus’ words resonate a Don’t Buy It Day.
On the other hand, I am told that when Black Friday profits plummet, who takes the hit? The employees, not the CEOs. If seasonal sales are low, then companies are less likely to hire those extra holiday helpers. This is the Catch 22 of the economy. We are told that the only way out of debt is to spend more. The only way to economic recovery is to shop. Do you remember President George W. Bush’s advice after 9/11? He told America to go shopping!
So … what do we do? Here’s the conclusion I have come to…We need to be very careful how and on what we spend our money. Ask yourself, do I need it or can I go without it? Decide to focus on people and spending time building the relationships that mean most to you and you are most thankful for.
Happy Holidays!
Today, I was driving by City Hall in Santa Rosa and noticed that the Occupy Movement seemed to be taking a thanksgiving break. There are a lot less tents there than last week. Not long Occupy was rallalying the troops to participate in an international day of non-consumption. See, even non-Christians see where that road leads.
I think a Don’t Buy It Day can be an exciting and creative way to live out the message of Jesus. It is really an act of fasting and of saying “No!” to mammon (the Aramaic word for money, wealth and greed). Jesus invites his followers to both of these practices. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells us that “You cannot serve God and mammon.” Jesus’ words resonate a Don’t Buy It Day.
On the other hand, I am told that when Black Friday profits plummet, who takes the hit? The employees, not the CEOs. If seasonal sales are low, then companies are less likely to hire those extra holiday helpers. This is the Catch 22 of the economy. We are told that the only way out of debt is to spend more. The only way to economic recovery is to shop. Do you remember President George W. Bush’s advice after 9/11? He told America to go shopping!
So … what do we do? Here’s the conclusion I have come to…We need to be very careful how and on what we spend our money. Ask yourself, do I need it or can I go without it? Decide to focus on people and spending time building the relationships that mean most to you and you are most thankful for.
Happy Holidays!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Reflections
The Penn State scandal has been all over the news these last few days and has me shaking my head. How is it that we have gotten so deviant as a society? I guess it should be no surprise. In the post-Christian post-modern world there is no absolute right or wrong, there is no standard of truth or right way. Values are determined by how a person thinks or how he feels. So, I guess it should be no surprise that people do what they want to do.
Christianity says the Bible is God's Word and standard to live our lives by and something that can keep us civilized. It also points us to the truth, the way...to life.
Christianity says the Bible is God's Word and standard to live our lives by and something that can keep us civilized. It also points us to the truth, the way...to life.
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