Away for a while

Yes, I've been away for a while, (in case I still have any readers left!) partly because of Holy Week and Easter, partly because of Emily's rapidly-progressing pregnancy, and partly because I've just been too busy with other projects to post anything new.

The most significant of these projects is the new Diocesan Youth Site, E:\mmaus. The URL is http://www.emmausyouth.org and I think it's actually pretty swish. I'm really impressed with what WordPress can do with a blog. Yes, we had to pay for a domain name and hosting, instead of using the free service that comes from Blogger, but the customization is incredible! If you're interested in starting blogging, go check them out at www.wordpress.org (to download your own copy) or at www.wordpress.com (for a free blog that's less customizable, but easier to set up).

My New Hero

This is someone I found over on the Mayberry-Driven Church, and immediately thought 'Why haven't I heard of this guy before?' Drew Marshall is someone whose particular brand of Christianity is so much more rough and tumble -- so much more real -- than almost anything else in the vast evangelical-industrial complex. He hosts 'Canada's most-listened-to spiritual talkback show,' and he's really not approaching it as a "Ministry" per se. He just wants to get people talking about all the things that the church has done such a miserable job talking about.

Past shows have included discussions on:

• Is there anybody out there who thinks that HIV/AIDS is God's wrath on the gays?
• Why is it that MOST people who claim to have the gift of prophecy are weird and pushy?
• Sure, homosexuals are apparently welcome in the church, but what are they allowed to do?
• Are some professions off limits if you claim to be a Christian?
  
• Should churches be kicking people out more often these days?
• Is the 'n-word' really that offensive?
• Should spanking be outlawed in Canada?
• Legalism… In your opinion, what are some dumb church rules?
• Interviews with folks like Steve Baldwin, Pat Boone, Kirk Cameron, the Gaithers, Nicky Gumbel, Amy Grant, and other folks like:
• James Brown, Chuck Norris, Don Cherry, Stephen Harper, Ted DiBiase (Wrestling's 'Million Dollar Man'), and Richard James (High Priest of the Wiccan Church of Canada)

So with lineups like that, you know it's gonna be good listening! Plus the guy is an absolute kick. Check out his first (and last) appearance on 100 Huntley Street:

Part 1

Part 2

Jesus Camp

Last night we watched the Academy Award-Nominated movie 'Jesus Camp.' When all was said and done, I still agree that 'An Inconvenient Truth' deserved the Best Documentary Oscar more, but 'Jesus Camp' shed some light on an almost-as-disturbing trend.

All the cry in the Anglican Church these days is to 'get the children involved,' or 'to something to entertain the children.' This movie demonstrates that there is such a thing as going too far, and that we have to pay attention to the message we give our kids, as well as the means we use.

What do you think? Should Evangelical Christians be indoctrinating their children with extreme religious mania? Would this question be any different if it were Catholics brainwashing their children? Secular Humanists? Very scary stuff...

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Our Local Beauty Queen

Congratulations to Danielle Seward, the Head Server at St. Matthew's, Heart's Delight-Islington! Danielle was recently crowned Miss Teen Newfoundland and Labrador. When she got home, she was driven through town in a triumphant motorcade. We're all real proud of you!