Stupid Church People

Scientific Prayer?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:46:00 +0000

I wonder if Christian scientists pray to God for a specific outcome to occur from their experiments?

I LOVE David Letterman

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:57:00 +0000

David Letterman is my man crush, well, actually used to be my man crush. I mean for God sakes he's 62 years old now, so now it's not so much a crush as it is just deep admiration, respect and gratefulness for years of laughter. He is to me what Johnny Carson was for my parents. Plus, he's always been a class act and in my opinion he continues to be.

Last week he made some jokes about Sarah Palin, the super religious governor of Alaska, and her daughter. Now what does Palin being super religious part have to do with it?? Because, for the most part, stupid church people don't have a sense of humor about themselves. Second, stupid church people don't have a sense of what is truly funny. And third, stupid church people usually can't separate the joke from a personal attack and just simply "get it" (and most importantly leave it alone). No, instead stupid church people like Sarah Palin have to then draw attention to themselves, their irrational beliefs and skewed world views... and in the end make things worse and not better for themselves.

What follows from Letterman is the absolute best "apology" ever by anyone in the history of the world. Well, at least that I have seen. Great job Dave!

Stupid Church People on Twitter

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Follow the Twittering Twits of SCP...that is if you want.

Why are we doing this?? Why not?

If Tony Jones can post on Twitter every 23 seconds on average throughout the day, why can't we??

http://twitter.com/scpnation

Laid-off religious workers denied jobless benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Beware pastors and staff of churches: If you get laid off, the chances are you will NOT receive unemployment.

God may provide, but the state may not when it comes to unemployment benefits for employees laid off by churches, synagogues and other religious groups.
Carol Bronson discovered that a few months ago after she lost her secretarial job at Temple Emanuel synagogue in Virginia Beach. Bronson assumed she could draw unemployment benefits, but when she filed a claim, she was denied.
It was a hard way to learn that under Virginia law, as in many states, tax exemptions for religious organizations include freedom from paying unemployment taxes, though the IRS requires they pay Social Security and withholding taxes.
"I had no idea that there would not be any benefits for me after leaving my job," said Bronson, who worked at the synagogue for two years.

I discovered this about 10 years ago when a church let me go because of financial struggles they were facing, and when I went to collect unemployment I found out there was none for me. Churches are not required to pay into unemployment (although they can if they so choose) so pastors and staff in most churches are not covered. The kicker is most of them do not realize this because they are never told.

Churches choose to save money by not paying into unemployment and I think that's really lame. This is just a warning to any and all pastors and church staff out there. The church may be your "family" but when it comes to money... it's all business.

Basketball Theology

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 07:07:00 +0000

After a Chicago Bulls player makes free throws to ice the game against the Celtics, he does a post game interview.

Interviewer: So what goes through your mind when you shoot those free throws?

Player: I just step up to the line, say a little prayer to God and let him handle the rest.

Interviewer: But you still have to shoot it.

Exactly.

The MSFITS

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:52:00 +0000

It's not too late to contribute to the MS WALK which my son Bryson and I will be participating in tomorrow, April 19. As I said in a previous post, I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago.

Genny is one of my heroes!! Her positive, upbeat and incredible attitude towards life has inspired me so much. I can only imagine what it means to live daily with this disease, but Genny never seems to have a bad day.I am so proud to be associated with this event.

Genny's MS WALK team name is the MSFITS. The other day at work I was there watching her create the team shirts and snapped a photo of the logo that Genny designed. I thought I'd share it with you.

Each year I try to use this site to raise money for something I think is worthy. If this blog and our podcast has spoken to you over the years I hope you will consider the MS WALK as a way to show that appreciation.

The contribution site is open through May 22. Thank you.

MS WALK 2009 UPDATE: We had a great time and I think the foundation for some collaborative efforts to see the MSFIT NATION grow were born. Stay tuned. Thanks to each of you who participated through your financial gifts and well wishes. Here's some pics from the day!

Talking to Ourselves [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 06:50:00 +0000

Steve talks about control and coincidence - and what role God plays in our lives. Our view on that impacts our ideas about prayer - does it make a difference or our we just talking to ourselves? He kind of rambles on at times so hopefully it makes sense in the end. So what's new right?

Download it here or subscribe via

Stupid Hits Home [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Steve's all alone... again... so you know what that means. He's gonna talk and you're gonna listen. This one is going to be about how Steve's world's are colliding, how his home church is like a centerfold, and how he's so glad Jesus didn't die in an Electric chair.

Download it here or subscribe via

MS WALK | Walking for Genny

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:00:00 +0000

I am going to appeal to you, my friends here at SCP and ask you to support me as I participate in the MS WALK in LA on April 19. I am walking for my good friend and co-worker Genny who was diagnosed with MS about 1 year ago. She's a young, artistic and positive girl who's life was forever changed with her diagnosis. Here's her story:

I was diagnosed with MS exactly a year ago. I remember those first few months... I will never forget them, nor would I want to. My body and my abilities to do things we would consider normal changed everyday. I woke up every morning wondering what was next. There was a period of time when I couldn't walk straight, or keep my balance. A lot has changed since then, I still wake up everyday unsure of what might come my way, but I embrace every moment and every breath.

I am proud to be who I am, a young adult living with MS. The NMSS helped me on my way to understanding my disease and I want to do what I can to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease.

Genny is still very active, but I know everyday is a struggle. I ask her often how she is doing and she is honest about how difficult it can be and how uncertain she feels about her future, but I have never seen her down and rarely without a smile on her face. Genny is one of my heroes and I admire her for her inner strength that I can only hope to have in the face of such a daily struggle.

I know times are tough and finances are tight but I hope you will join with me and support me as I walk on April 19. It would mean a great deal to me if you were able to participate and support the cause. Any dollar amount you can contribute would mean a great deal to me and I know to Genny. My goal is $500 total and I will be putting in $50 myself to get things going, so I hope you can assist me in reaching my goal.

If you would like to give, please click this link to go to my page.

My 14 year old son and I will be walking together in this event. He is raising money for his Uncle Stan who also has MS. This disease touches so many lives, so please support us if you can. We are very humbled and excited to be a part of this. Thank you.

Stupid Hits Home

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:45:00 +0000

This one hurts a little. This is from Sagemont Church in Houston, which is the church where I grew up. My mother still attends this church. The pastor, John Morgan is someone I greatly respect and have spoke of highly on this site, but for the life of me I can't figure out what he was thinking on this one.

I just can't wrap my brain around the fact that this 170 foot cross sits less than a mile from my Mom's house. I'm speechless. Seeing this today was like a kick in the gut.

I'll have more to say later, because I just don't know what to say really. For now, let me just share the article from the local newspaper. It speaks for itself.

Last week, Sagemont Church constructed a massive cross on its property near Beltway 8.

In the works since 2007, the completed structure stands 170 feet tall with a span of 60 feet at the horizontal beam. It is made of painted steel and weighs 90 tons and took three days to erect.

The purpose of the cross is to positively inspire passing drivers, according the Sagemont Church' senior pastor, Dr. John D. Morgan.

"We hope everyone who drives by will be reminded how much God loves them," he said.

Like all other Sagemont projects, the cross was being built debt-free. Morgan noted that the church has not borrowed money since 1975, allowing Sagemont to do other things with money that many churches spend on interest each year.

This past year, the church spent approximately $1.5 million on local and global mission efforts. The church also gave a large sum to aid the community after Hurricane Ike, just as it did after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Morgan declined to put a monetary price tage on the structure, but humbly said, "It cost God his son and Jesus his life."

Due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, the cross will be lit at night, allowing it to be seen for several miles in any direction.

The base of the structure features a 2,500 square-foot platform designed to accommodate weddings, Bible study classes, and other special events throughout the year. The platform hovers over a small lake that includes an area for baptisms. The bank of the lake features an amphitheater designed to seat approximately 250 people. Two walkways connect the amphitheater to the platform...

...The cross structure is complete, but final details on the project will be finished over the next few weeks. Upon completion, the cross area will be open to the public at all times for people to come pray, picnic, or just look.

Here's some other links on this I found:

• Another article and video news story on the cross.
• A Sagemont Church blog detailing the construction with more pictures.
• Pictures of the cross at night from the freeway.

Wow!!

Fanatical Believing Humans [Podcast]

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000

Steve is back sans Josh... but there's a good reason. Steve talks about belief, basketball and his boy. In the end, we are all just Stupid Church People.

Download it here or subscribe via

This will be a new weekly podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss anything. Don't forget to go to Josh's Blog for more info for his weekly call-in show "SCP|Talk".

Happy 4th Birthday SCP!!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

SCP TALK - Starts APRIL 1

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:00:00 +0000

There are a couple ways to listen to and participate with the SCP LIVE show:

1) Just follow this link: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/43797. Press the "Join In" button and a chat window with streaming audio will pop up. You can listen and chat. If you want to participate (call in), you would follow the directions at the bottom of the chat window.

2) Go to www.talkshoe.com and download the TalkShoe Live software. After you download the app, follow this link: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/43797. Press the TalkShoe Live button. Connect headphones and a mic. Participate.

3) Or if you are not in front of a computer, simply call (724)444-7444 and use call ID: 43797.

SCP TALK begins April 1. Wednesdays, 7pm PST..

Stupid Church People™ Defined

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:19:00 +0000

In case you are wondering how I define what it means to be Stupid Church People™, here it is.

You are a stupid church person if....

1) You go to church now.

2) You've gone to church anytime in your past.

3) You no longer go to church, but instead talk about the (C)hurch being more important than the (c)hurch as justification.

4) You go to an Emergent style church (this makes you a church person with arrogance feigned as humility).

5) You are a pastor, pastor's spouse, work at a church (unless you are the janitor), or have EVER been one of the above. (This is a guaranteed lifetime membership).

6) Have a book on your nightstand or shelves by Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Tony Jones or any other pastor pretending to be an author for that matter.

7) Visit Stupid Church People™, or SCP Nation, or have listened to our podcasts, or are named Steve Chastain.

Guilt Free Living

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:17:00 +0000

The number one benefit I have experienced in leaving the church and letting go of my idea of God is a loss of the "guilt trip". I no longer feel guilty (or bad) for things I haven't done wrong or might do wrong.

I was raised in the church with a fear that God was watching everything I do and if I stepped out of line, whether or not anyone else saw me, God saw me. While this fear probably kept me out of a lot of trouble growing up, it also led to this push-pull relationship that I had with others and my idea of God. Since I also believed in God's grace and forgiveness, even if I did something wrong I knew God would forgive me. More importantly, God HAD to forgive me.

So beginning when I was a child and ending just about a year and a half ago, I was on a carousel that looked like this: I would "sin" (either against God or others), I would feel really bad or guilty afterwards, and I would then pray and ask God to forgive me and would immediately feel a sense of peace knowing that I was once again clean in God's sight. But internally I never felt clean. I still felt guilty, dirty and shameful.

One of the primary guilt laden areas of my life revolved around sex. It was all very confusing about what was and wasn't a sexual sin in God's eyes. For example, in our church youth group we were taught that masturbation was a normal part of growing up. It wasn't a sin in and of itself, but if it involved sexual thoughts and lust then it was. Also, we were certainly told that premarital sex was a sin, but even more than that our youth pastor would say that "sex begins with holding hands". He would say that since everyone that has had sex usually holds hands first, we have to be very careful of the slippery slope that could lead us to having sex. This involved holding hands, kissing, hugging, super-kissing, super-hugging and so on and so forth. Needless to say, I spent much of my young adult life feeling guilty and praying for forgiveness.

I thought that once I got married this would all be in my past, but it wasn't. Especially early on in our marriage after we made love, I would lay there in coital bliss telling her I was sorry. "Sorry for what?" she would ask. "I don't know," I would say, "I just feel guilty". I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, yet I felt bad about the act. I knew I didn't need to pray for forgiveness in this instance because I hadn't done anything wrong, however I often felt "bad". I did pray for God to take those bad feelings I had, but they would regularly return.

But it wasn't just sex that I would feel guilt over, it was many things. It seems like I lived my life looking over my shoulder, wondering if this was a sin or that was a sin. And sins weren't only the things I did wrong, I would feel guilty for things I thought I should be doing to please God (or others). Nothing I did or was doing was ever enough to get rid of the thought that I just wasn't measuring up. I sincerely believed in a God that loved me in spite of my failures (I preached grace more than any other message), but I just never felt I was worthy of it.

Now, I have such a sense of relief about the guilt trip I have experienced for most of my life. It simply no longer exists. When I let go of my skewed ideas of God, I let go of the guilt trip I had been living. Good riddance.

Do Churches Still Sing Hymns?

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:05:00 +0000

I grew up in a Baptist Church in the late 60's and early 70's. Did I just type that out loud?? The 60's and 70's??? Damn, that's a long time ago. No wonder my teenager thinks I am weird. But anyway... where was I? Oh yeah, church.

Growing up in church one thing I definitely had a love/hate relationship with was the music. Back in those days, our church sang hymns. Pure and simple hymns. No praise music. No contemporary worship service for the younger people and traditional style for the older people. We sang hymns on Sunday morning and that was that.

Now in our youth group we were able to sing praise music. But not in "big church" as we called it. I think a little later, around the late 70's maybe a little praise music crept into our services, but usually not. When it did it was in the form of the "special music" or choir performances.

I was thinking about these hymns this morning. Don't ask me why I just was. I looked a few up and I was amazed that every time I saw the title of a hymn, I could almost always recall the tune and the chorus. It's been nearly 30 years since I regularly sang any of these songs but here they were, rattling around in the back of my brain.

Have Thine Own Way Lord
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Be The Name
Just A Closer Walk With Thee
All Hail The Power of Jesus' Name
Christ Our Lord Has Risen Today
Faith Is The Victory
To God Be The Glory
I Love To Tell The Story
He Lifted Me
O, How I Love Jesus
Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
'Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus
The Old Rugged Cross
I Surrender All
Standing On The Promises
Nothing But The Blood
Love Lifted Me
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Amazing! I can sing at least a good portion of each of those songs and many more. I didn't even mention the ones I take for granted like "Just As I Am", "Amazing Grace" and of course "How Great Thou Art".

For some reason, I love these old hymns. Most of my youth was spent loathing hearing these "dumb old songs" each and every Sunday, but no doubt there is something very comforting about hearing the tunes and remembering the melodies now. For centuries these hymns have been sung in churches of all denominations, but I would like to think us Southern Baptist sang them with just a little more conviction than most.

Remembering all of these songs says something for repetition and longevity. Do something often enough and long enough and you will never forget it, even if you didn't like it at the time.

Would I go back? No way. Not now, not ever. Do I miss it? Yeah, sometimes.

The Guesswork Christian

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 09:02:00 +0000

Most Christians I know have a problem.

Their life experiences and interactions with people do not match up with the Bible. This new knowledge and understanding lends itself to a life of grays... and the Bible does not tend to lend itself to a life lived in the grays.

Biblical truth often becomes subjective and left to the complete and total interpretation of the reader. You can find almost any biblical scholar to back you up on any point or perspective. And if that doesn't work, then you just move forward and have faith that God is big enough to figure it all out in the end. Faith is the ultimate answer for any question offered...and how can one argue with that.

This was first evident to me when I discovered as a teenager that my father, a deacon in the church, was previously divorced prior to marrying my mother. It was a shocking discovery for me, one that shattered the image I had of my father for a period of time. As I heard the story, my dad fought in World War II and shortly after he entered the service, he met a woman whom he rushed to marry. Apparently, after realizing it was a mistake, he ended it a short time thereafter.

When I found this out, I had questions. If divorce was a sin and didn't qualify a person to be a deacon in the church, why was my dad allowed to be a deacon? I asked my mom and she said that the church realized that the first marriage was a mistake, didn't mean anything and looked over it. I finally talked to my pastor, the one who ordained my dad and he pretty much said the same thing. My father was a good man, had asked forgiveness from God and there was no reason that he shouldn't serve God as a deacon regardless of his previous mistake.

But still, the way I read the Bible, divorce was a sin. Although I was only a teenager, I knew there were clear rules about divorce and to not abide by those rules meant you could go to hell. Actually, the way I read it, my father was still married to the first woman and that he and my mother had committed adultery. In other words, now my mother was in danger of hell.

It was all very confusing for my youthful, literal brain. My pastor, who believed in Biblical inerrancy, was saying that everything was fine and that I shouldn't worry, but I just didn't get it. Either the Bible was true on these points or it wasn't right?

Eventually, I came to read more and understand more. Just as importantly, ultimately I became dulled to my strict interpretation of the Bible. Over the years, as a pastor, I spoke less of sin and more of grace.

Most Christians I know still have this problem. They are constantly seeking to justify and explain away the parts of the Bible that do not fit with their life experience. Most of my Christian friends still speak more of grace than sin, believing that God will figure it out in the end. Faith again becomes the ultimate answer. They talk about faith and their beliefs as truth, but to me, it just seems like a lot of guesswork.

Haggard - Back from the Wilderness

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:19:00 +0000

I'm glad I read this story today. Just from the sound bites in the article you can tell Ted Haggard has faced some harsh realities in the past couple of years. It will be interesting to see the documentary that is coming to HBO. Here's my thoughts on parts of the article.

"I think sexuality is confusing and complex," Haggard said. "I am totally completely satisfied with the relationship with my wife now, but I went through a wandering in the wilderness time, and I just thank God I'm on the other side of that."

Asked whether he could define his sexual identity, Haggard said: "The stereotypical boxes don't work for me. My story's got some gray areas in it. And, of course, I'm sad about that but it's the reality."

I agree with him and I think it's an important perspective for many people to take. Stereotypical boxes don't always work for all people. Sexual identity and attraction can be a very gray area for people and labels only make it that much more difficult for some. I admire his resolve to work through the relationship with his wife while also not denying his sexual attractions to men. That sounds very honest and healthy.

Asked to expand on his attitude toward homosexuality, Haggard said, "I believe all human beings fall short of the standards they believe in."

He added, "I would say the biggest change is I now know about hatred than I ever dreamed, and I know it doesn't help. And I know more about judgment and I know it doesn't help. Since my experience, I know more about the power of love and forgiveness. I know a lot more about the necessity of people not judging one another."

That's the words of a man who has hit bottom and lived to tell about it. It's a very painful lesson he's learned if I am reading between the lines.

In the documentary premiering Jan. 29, Haggard is shown shuffling from motel to motel, driving a moving truck, enrolling in a college psychology course, struggling as a door-to-door salesman and pondering his fate while laying in a motel bed in a white undershirt.

"At this stage in my life, I'm a loser — a first-class loser," he says.

Now back living in Colorado Springs, Haggard said Friday he hopes to build his business selling insurance and debt-reduction software and is considering marketing himself through a speakers bureau to share his story — "if the terms were right. I have to earn a living."

Yes, I hope he can make a living and I hope he does so speaking and encouraging others... especially if he's going to talk about not hating and not judging. I also hope he doesn't end up losing himself in the process of speaking and sharing his story. It's very hard to have been in the spotlight and not lust after it, but maybe his fall was so big and so difficult he can remain humble. I also love to read all of the jobs he has tried. I think all full-time pastors should try to go make a living for about 3 or 4 months and see how easy they have it...maybe it will cause more of them to keep their dicks in their pants.

The nature of Haggard's return — and his harsh words in the film for his former church — is drawing criticism.

"If you're going to come out and begin a new life, why would you choose an HBO documentary, then meet with the liberal Hollywood press?" said H.B. London, a former counselor to Haggard and an executive at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs. "The fact that he's attacking the church or New Life Church, when they did so much to help him and his family, is below the belt."

Shut the hell up H.B. London. You self-focused self-righteous baby. Yes the church gave him severance (from what I read it was very fair but not completely out of line considering his years of service). However, they also cut him off socially and forced him to move against his will or not receive the severance. They banished him from people in the community where he had lived for so many years and held money over his head to keep him in line. His new life involves not towing the stupid church party line and I am sure he feels a sense of great freedom in finally saying what he wants. He owes the church absolutely zero.

In the AP interview, Haggard credited his therapists, whom he described as Christian believers who used secular therapy methods.

"I just thought a spiritual solution would be the solution to everything that's internal," Haggard said. "That turned out not to be the case."

What a great insight said by a man that probably thought he'd never feel that way. That's the most refreshing quote in the whole article. If most Christians, including H.B. "Big Baby" London, believed that way, the church and world would be a better place.

Oh and one more thing Ted... you aren't a loser now. At this point, you are someone that has gained my admiration. Sure, I think you still have some ways to go, but don't we all. The difference is before this happened you thought you were a gift from God to the world, now you just might be!

A New Year List

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:33:00 +0000

I just watched the movie "The Bucket List". It's a good little flick that reminds us that we should really live life to the fullest. The movie reminded me how precious life is and how quickly times passes. No day like today.

Well I'm not writing a Bucket List, but I would like to jot down off the top of my head some things I'd like to focus on this year. These aren't resolutions just things I want to experience and learn... and I know this will come by doing them.

1) Stand up for myself more often.
2) Trust my instincts and not think too much.
3) Have more spontaneous fun... again not think too much.
4) Laugh more.
5) Open my heart to new friendships.
6) Give more time to develop my current friendships.
7) Paint, create, write - share these things with others.
8) Create memorable and joyous moments with my boys.
9) Organize my house.

And I stop at nine, because I always tend to do things in list of 3's or 10's or some number that I think sounds perfect. And that's just boring.

Have a great New Year everybody.

Steve

Merry SCP Holiday!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:17:00 +0000

We wish you and yours a very Merry Holiday Season!!

Steve and Josh

SCP NATION - The Next Step

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 02:05:00 +0000

SCP NATION is a collaborative blog made up of several authors who are long-time online friends that Josh and I have made since launching Stupid Church People. Each of these people discovered SCP early on and have been with us ever since.

The idea of SCP NATION is for each of these very unique individuals to continue chronicling their journey of life inside and outside the church. With the varying degree of personalities I think the site will oftentimes be hilarious and in the next moment insightful. I certainly expect (and hope) that once in a while we will continue to be irreverent. Everyone is so different that I think that this new site will have something for everyone.

Stupid Church People (this blog and site) will not be going anywhere and I will continue to write here as I have done for nearly the past four years. This is just the next step in blogging for me, to share and work with others in doing what we've always done... seek truth, bring light to the darkness, allow people to share their lives with one another, talk about our struggles without fear of judgment or repercussions and above all...a place to be honest about who we really are, with no pretense.

Currently, the roster of authors I have invited to join me are: Josh, NinjaNun, The Pete, Dorsey, Senor Jefe, Erik (from Ping Etc) and Zeke. My idea is to add authors to the roster from time to time to keep the content fresh and the perspectives challenging. Come check us out and I hope you enjoy the new site.

Get Shoes Give Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:05:00 +0000

Each year SCP tries to get behind a cause to assist an organization or group meet the real needs of people. TOM's Shoes is such an organization. Sure, they want to sell you their shoes, but for each pair you purchase they send a pair of shoes to children in need.

Even though this company's founder was affiliated recently with a promotion by Ed Young, I'll overlook it... this time!! I just get a sense from the surface of what I've seen that his heart is in the right place. I still think the idea and principles surrounding what they are trying to do is a pretty worthwhile cause.

I bought a pair of the shoes and the whole process was really easy. Their viral marketing approach is one of the best I have ever seen. The shoes came in a couple of days and after breaking them in for about an hour (initially they were a little tight) they fit perfect (as promised). And the more I wear them, the more I like them.

I hope you will check it out and make a purchase. Helping those less fortunate this Christmas while getting a very good product for yourself or loved one has never been easier.

God's Bailout Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:10:00 +0000

So a church in Detroit actually had a service where the focus of the meeting was praying for God to somehow intervene in saving America's automakers. I realize that they also were praying for the employees and families that might be affected if a bailout plan wasn't approved, but there is no doubt they were looking for a miracle.

“We have done all that we can do in this union, so I turn it over to the Lord,” General Holiefield, a U.A.W. vice president for Chrysler, told the crowd. A vice president for the parts suppliers, James Settles Jr., asked those present “to continue your prayers, so we can see a miracle next week.”

Ed Young is PO'd

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:33:00 +0000

I'd love to know what predicated Ed Young's recording of this video speaking to his staff about "church pirates". I watched it a few times and the more I did, the more nervous I became. Seriously, Ed seems really pissed off in this video but he's trying not to act pissed off. Either someone on his staff just left and started a new church and took a few people with them OR (and this would freak me out even more) he got wind of someone on his staff planning on starting a new church, so he's calling them out without naming names.

About the third time through, the whole video reminded me of a Soprano's episode where Tony is making veiled threats while smiling and joking with you, while you laugh a nervous kind of laugh. It kind of freaked me out.

What do you think??

Hahahahahahahahaha!

noreply@blogger.com (Steve) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:17:00 +0000

Stupid Church People doing what they do best... and that would be acting stupid while a whole bunch of other stupid church people clap and encourage them. This might be the funniest damn thing I've seen in awhile. (Don't miss the funniest part with about 1:00 left on the counter - you gotta see it!!)

Thanks to Jeff Marshall for sharing.