Awkward Questions about Jesus: Video

photo © 2010 SMJJP | more info (via: Wylio)
As a pastor I have definitely had people ask me some interesting questions about Jesus. The video below though will make you laugh and possibly even make you think about the awkward questions given by the cute English kids...

I came across this video through a blog that I read and thought I would share here at Bathos. The video has gone viral it's been seen over half a million times.

Thanks again to Todd Rhoades for posting first on his blog.




So what awkward question about Jesus do you have?

Javi

Buy From A Christian: The Christian e-bay?

Many churches are always trying to find ways to raise funds for different projects and missions. Of course since the inception of e-bay in the mid 90's many forgo having a yard sale for simply putting items on line in order to do the same without the hassle of setting everything up and then taking back what doesn't sell.
photo © 2007 Ryan Fanshaw | more info (via: Wylio)


With that in mind  here's a website bfac.com that essentially does the same thing e-bay does but with a purpose as the website states. In looking through the site, it essentially has the same basic idea as e-bay but it definitely looks more appealing to raise funds. Here are some points that I found in reading through the site that really seem beneficial for a church as is the purpose of the site.

1. To list an item that is not an automobile, real estate, motor, or marine it's only $1.
2. You can list the item until it sells for just that $1. Though after three months they will notify you that the item will be removed unless you let them now that you still want it listed. There is no extra charge.
3. bfac.com will GIVE 10% of it's collected fees from the item you list to the church of your choice!
4. Listing real-estate is $20 and an automobile, motor, or marine is $10 to list. (they will give 10% of those fees to the church you list also)
5. Garage sales: This feature seems like something many churches would be interested in trying. One that our church might try. bfac.com will let you host a garage sale for your church, listing whatever items you want and they will NOT charge ANY fees! 100% of what is sold goes back to the church.

The one down fall that I see at this time if you list an item yourself it obviously won't get the web traffic that e-bay has thus the item may take longer to sell, if it sells. Though the 'garage sale' feature is one that again seems really helpful for any church even if it doesn't have the traffic e-bay has. E-bay also obviously has a lot more fees. Also there is no bidding on the site, you set the price and that's what it is, unless you change it.

Some though have questioned the websites name: 'Buy From A Christian' in the video below, that is also found on the website, the creator of the site gives an explanation and a history on how the site got started. The site obviously doesn't hide that it's Christian, it's intended purpose and at the same time makes clear that anyone of any faith or no faith can sell on the site.



I've listed an item to see how it goes and plan on having a 'garage sale' with my church on the site.

So what do you think? Will you talk to your church about doing a 'garage sale' on bfac.com? Would you post an item or buy something you may want?

Javi

Catholics Come Home

Recently as I was writing a post I came across this website called, 'Catholics Come Home' I had heard about this campaign some time ago, perhaps a year ago (give or take) honestly though it wasn't until now that I actually checked out the website. I must say that Tom Peterson the founder and president of the campaign has done an excellent job on the site and for that matter its initiative.
photo © 2009 budget travel accommodation | more info (via: Wylio)


As I mentioned the campaign has been going on for some time, here's an article written by Christianity Today (it's actually an opinion article) you may want to read regarding this Catholic evangelization campaign.

In looking through the website I found interesting their top 10 reasons Catholics come back (or should come back) particularly numbers 5 & 1 here's is what each says as taken from the website:

5. Many of us who leave the Catholic Church are blessed by the experience of worshiping for awhile in various Christian denominations. But some people come back when they realize that Catholicism has the fullness of truth and grace. The Catholic Church was not founded by a single reformer or historical movement. It is not fragmented by individual interpretations of Scripture. There are thousands of Christian denominations, but only one Catholic Church. This Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit and protected from teaching error on issues of faith and morals from generation to generation for some two thousand years, as Our Lord Jesus promised: (foretold Isaiah 22:15-25) Matt 16:13-20; Matthew 18:15-18 (in this verse the word is church, not community); 1 Tim 3:15.


In their evangelization it's interesting to note that nothing is held back. The comments above clearly state the position of the Catholic church which claims to have the 'fullness of truth and grace', it's not 'fragmented', and 'protected from teaching error on issues of faith and morals from generation to generation...' really? Again, it's interesting to see that they are straight forward with their claims. I found personally interesting the aspect of having the 'fullness of truth and grace.' 


Here's their stated number 1 reason:


1. Many people come back to the Catholic Church because they feel an intense longing for the Eucharist...They describe it as a deep hunger for the spiritual nourishment that comes when they receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

The number one reason given is that former Catholics long for transubstantiation, the belief that in taking the bread and wine it changes into the substance of the blood and body of Jesus in the Eucharist. 


The site goes on to even talk about the sexual abuse issues the church has and is facing, stating that it shouldn't be an excuse for anyone not to rejoin. Here's what the site says:

We do have problems, but using the crisis in the Church as an excuse for not being a practicing Catholic or, for non-Catholic Christians, not becoming a Catholic, is no excuse. 

I don't know about you but that's pretty bold (go to the site and read the rest!) they are really trying to bring them back into the church. 


The message, mission, and intention of the website is certainly to be respected. They are doing it seems everything they can to either bring former Catholics back 'home' or to evangelize new Catholics into the fold.


For some who read this, it may not be 'new' news, perhaps you had heard about this initiative but with this post you've become more aware of what it actually is. Either way it should spark something in all of us who are a product of the Reformation.


What it should spark (maybe you're already lit up:-) is a continued desire to evangelize all those around with the truth, grace, and fullness of scripture. We should always remain respectful and loving to all to whom we disagree, and as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian I obviously disagree with a lot of the beliefs of the Catholic church, nonetheless as I stated above I respect their evangelization efforts.


So I will conclude this post by saying that, we who call ourselves Christian need to know what we stand on, being ready in season and out of season, to spread the truth as it is in Jesus. Isn't this what Jesus called us to do first and foremost? Go ye therefore...


What do you think of this ongoing Catholic Come Home campaign? What are you doing to evangelize those around you? 




Javi