Joel Osteen | the ramblings

Archive for the “Joel Osteen” Category

Jan 02 2008

Let it Burn

Posted by: stuartdelony in 2008, Christianity, Church, Craig Gross, Jesus, Joel Osteen, quote, religion, resolution

“This whole religious rule book just needs to be burned,

and we need to reinvent the rules. Otherwise,

Christianity is going to fade away.”

-Craig Gross

I came across this recently and it’s really been making me think about lots of things. And the rule book he’s referring to here is not the Bible (so let’s clear that one up right away). I’m not sure if I completely agree with Mr. Gross, but I do believe that some things need to burn. I dont’ believe anything needs to be reinvented, but we do need to rediscover what it means to follow after Christ.

I’ve been thinking about the ways we, as a church, have created this false culture that nonbelievers don’t understand. Our lifestyle isn’t different because we’re holy, it’s because we’re faking it. Christian culture has become a game about seeming less sinful to those around us. We’re comfortable playing a part. We just go on Sundays, and try to stay awake. We are no longer a people seeking the Lord at all costs. There’s no openness or brokenness or community. It’s no longer about a journey.

Christianity in America is fading away. Churches may be growing and Joel Osteen is still selling books, but the church has forgotten it’s first love. It’s become a corporation afraid of risk and faith. It loves money, numbers and success. Somewhere along the line we missed the point, we lost the journey and forgot our calling.

My passion for 2008? Pursue vulnerability and community. Rediscover the journey. Seek the Lord at all costs.

What do you want to see happen or change in your life this year?

6 Comments »

Oct 31 2007

Great Advice From Fake People

Posted by: stuartdelony in 30 rock, Blogroll, Joel Osteen, fake people, ferris bueller, life, movie, people, quote, tv

Some of the best advice I’ve heard lately was:

“Live every week like it’s Shark Week.”

-Tracy Jordan (30 Rock)

And I was wondering the same thing. Why don’t we live every week like it’s Shark Week? Or like every day is Christmas? Sometimes we get so stuck in where we’re at that we lose all perspective. We get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to live because:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

-Ferris Bueller (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

Do we ever stop? I doesn’t seem that way. We’re always trying to get ahead in life. To make more for ourselves. And because of that we must remember:

“The first key to your own prosperity, is to make me prosperous first…”

-Joely Ostein (Joely Ostein’s Prosperity Plus)

How different would our lives be if we took more advice from fictitious people?

Any great fake advice you’ve received lately?

2 Comments »

Oct 28 2007

Osteen Round up

Posted by: stuartdelony in Blogroll, Jesus, Joel Osteen, Uncategorized, lakewood, life, mark driscoll, mars hill, prosperity, religion

There’s been so much buzz around Joel Osteen lately. Some love him, others hate him. While I don’t hate him, I think he’s seriously off course.

The Gospel of Joel Osteen comes down to this (read with his southern drawl for full effect): “Life is like an ice cream sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top…. if you have Jesus.” I’ve said this before, Jesus didn’t come to give us the American Dream, he came to kill it. It’s not about what God can do for us, it’s about what we can do for Him. And I believe that that statement is directly contrary to what Mr. Osteen preaches. Osteen’s Jesus is a vending machine, here to serve us to live a victorious (i.e. wealthy and prosperous) life. If you listen to Osteen, you begin to believe that Jesus is all about the bling!

I’ll leave you with this, Mark Driscoll’s opinion (to which I subscribe):

[youtube= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IuiUOapK1w]

10 Comments »

Dec 15 2006

Rahab Award Nominations

Posted by: stuartdelony in Adam LaRoche, Blogroll, Britney Spears, Christian Whore, Christian Whore Awards, Christianity, Jessica Simpson, Joel Osteen, Rant, Rick Warren, Southern Baptist, Uncategorized, Veggie Tales, Whore, a churchless faith, americanization, awards, christians, christiantity, church and money, nominations, spiritually dead

Well in ending 2006, I’m hosting the annual Rahab (Christian Whore) Awards. I think Craig Gross said it best when he said, “If Satan’s a Pimp, Don’t be his Hoe.”

This award goes toward the best public display by a prominent Christian to sell out/whore out to the world. By their actions they are saying, I love you God, but my integrity can be bought for a price.

The Nominations:

A. Joel Osteen for “Your Best Life Now” Board Game. Ummm wow. It almost speaks for itself. Reminds me of the Prayer of Jabez CD!

B. Me - As someone once said (in the comments below) “one mans sell out is another man’s angry rantings.”Touche’! Very true, so I’m placing myself, now, on this list between Osteen and the blonde. So I’m in good company! Bonus points for coming up with a critical awards nominations list in the first place.

C. Jessica Simpson- My Daddy was a youth pastor, but he likes flaunting what God gave me for cash! Bonus points for having a daddy pimp you out!

D. Veggie Tales- Big Idea productions gets bought (Phil Vicher, creator is out) and bye bye go the Christian morals for Saturday mornings on NBC.

E. Us- for fueling a christian marketing industry that uses our faith for making boat loads of money! It’s no different from the commercialized world, it just looks nicer. Bonus points: we killed Christmas. Jesus who? Forget that - where are my presents!

Please add any write in’s to the comment bar below.

Is this an angry rant? Well, blogging is my therapy.

Sphere: Related Content

8 Comments »