MitchtheFielder

I grew up in going to church every week (Sunday, Wednesday, special events, etc.). I also went to a Christian junior college and a Christian university. During which time I have realized that there is a subversion of Christianity in many churches today. There is also a spiritual sub-culture alive and well in the churches today. We have seemed to create a more “marketable and consumer friendly” Jesus, and as a church we have removed the real Jesus and replaced him with our versions that allow us to do what we choose.

"We (the church) have created a phenomenal subculture with  our own media, entertainment, educational system, and political hierarchy so that we have the sense that we're doing a lot. But what we've really done is create a ghetto that is easily dismissed by the rest of society."  Bob Briner, Roaring Lambs

My challenge to you is to do an image search on Jesus and see how many different versions pop up. Even a few years ago a new Jesus made it on the news, it was the “homeboy” Jesus. However in most churches we have a picture of an effeminate Jesus hanging in the “Sunday School” classrooms.

The most disturbing image that I came across was “The Republican Jesus.” What is sad is that this is the way most church goers view Jesus. In fact the Jesus pictured to the right seems to give a thumbs up for you to sit in the pew and judge.

This “Republican Jesus” tells you to focus on your needs and wants. Are you being fed? What is the church doing to serve you? Are there enough programs for you and your family? Is the music too old or too new? Do I like the way this pastor speaks, is he too liberal or conservative? WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

So now with this Jesus you can live quit comfortably in suburbia, and God forbid anyone make any changes to the worship service you like. You can live in suburbia, play church, go to the programs and never worry about the needs of those around you or around the world.

“Church Marketing” and our consumerist attitudes are killing the church from within. We took the real Jesus out a long time ago, and we keep replacing the real Jesus with the Jesus we can live with for the moment.

"It is my contention that the church is almost a nonentity when it comes to shaping culture." Bob Briner, Roaring Lambs

So I challenge you, since we are celebrating Christmas, what does your Jesus look like? Who’s birth are you celebrating this month?

There is a passage in Revelation that is almost always used out of context. It is Revelation 3:20. For those who do not have it memorized the passage says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. . .” If you read the entire passages he is talking to the church, specifically The Church in Laodicea. Most of the time we paint the picture of Jesus getting the attention of the unbeliever, but this is talking to the church. Read these words and tell me that you do not see a different picture painted.

¹⁴"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ¹⁵I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. ¹⁹Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. ²⁰Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. ²¹To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²²He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revalation 3:14-22

So the question remains, why is Jesus knocking on the door of the church? Is he knocking on the door of your church? Are you going to let him in or keep him locked out? How did you get him outside anyway?

So again, which Jesus’ birth are you celebrating this month?

The Jesus that I read about and know has a bleeding heart, he loves everyone, every race, every creed, everybody! The Jesus I read about is anti-establishment and anti-bureaucratic, he spent time with people that most of us would shun, he had radical and strange ideas. He lived in the culture and affected culture. He was everything that the church in Suburbia America hates, he would make most of us uncomfortable.

 

 

Whew! You made it through Thanksgiving and that busy first weekend of shopping. How was it? Looking ahead you now only have 3 weeks until Christmas. So how do we make it through this season and get the most out of it? Here are some random bits from my head, think of it as an early Christmas present.

Random Bits From My Head to Yours

1. If you find yourself arguing with your spouse, you could be arguing about money. Most arguments in marriage seem to stem from finances. This is heightened during the holiday season. The reason is because a lot of us are spending money that we simple do not have, and the dreaded credit card bill will tell us that in January. A simple solution is only buy what you can afford and do not use credit cards. Make a budget for what you want to spend for Christmas. Need help starting a budget? Go to Dave Ramsey’s website where they are offering the Gazelle Budget Lite http://www.daveramsey.com/tools/budget-lite/
2. You are not responsible for the happiness of the other people around you. It may be time that you start letting your spouse, family, extended family, and friends take responsibility for their own happiness. You are responsible for you and they are responsible for them. Don’t get caught up on trying to do everything in the world to make others happy. You can never make 100% of the people in your life 100% happy 100% of the time.
3. That brings me to this: Do not confuse giving and pleasing. We too often associated giving with physical presents this time of year. However, there are many more opportunities to give this time of the year and during the rest of the year. You give out of the kindness of your heart, you give your time, money, resources or other gifts. It feels good because you did it and it was yours to give, something that you had been blessed with that you are sharing. When you try to please others (see Random bit #2) you begin chasing what will make that other person happy. That can be quite elusive. In the process you lose a piece of yourself and some of your time. You become resentful and you do not feel the same way as you do when you truly give. When we are attempting to please someone it usually has to do with our personal self-esteem. We think if we can please someone it will make us loveable.
4. Spend more time with friends and family, because those experiences can’t be bought and they will last. I can remember a few gifts here and there, but I can’t say that that was a great Christmas because I got this gift. In fact, Christmas day is the icing on the cake for the season. The experiences that you have with friends and family will last a lifetime (unless your memory gets wiped or you become senile, but I digress) and you will think back to those times and remember, the gifts will become secondary and fuzzy.
5. During the season you need to plan special experiences and events. On Thanksgiving this year I got to take my wife to see the lighting of Macy*s Great Tree in Atlanta. It was her first time to see it in person and it will be a memory that we’ll have forever. You need to see what is going on around you and plan special experiences. It can be as simple as filling a mug with hot cider or cocoa, bundling up, and walking through the neighborhood to look at the lights.
6. Don’t have money to buy the latest electronic gift? Make a sentimental gift instead. Make something special that will mean something more than the universal remote that controls the lights, TV, DVD, Apple TV, etc. Get creative, make a picture calendar of the family. It will last longer and mean more in the long run.
7. A personal favorite of mine is to cook more. For some people this just adds more stress, for others it’s fun and relieves stress. This also can create an experience that will last forever. Make candy cane cookies, make an apple pie, make chocolates, and do it with someone you love. You will create something together and you will make a memory.
8. Be more giving. We all should be as generous all year round, but the season is the best time of year to learn how to be a cheerful giver. Give of your time, give more of yourself, if you have the resources give to someone in need. You will begin to learn that you can never out give God.
9. Smile more, give out more hugs, tell those you love that you love them. Again, no better time to get into a new habit.  Hugs, smiles and I love yous relieve stress as well.
10. Begin practicing random acts of kindness, generosity, and pay it forward. Let that person have that parking spot even though they put your name on that spot. Give the server at the restaurant an extra big tip. Pay for the person’s latte behind you at Starbucks. You know that sort of thing. You will never know this side of life what impact you may have had.

So my approach to the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year?” Don’t shop as much. Don’t give into the hustle and bustle that is created at the malls every weekend. Stop shopping all the time and start giving more. You will be surprised at what happens, you will have the merriest and happiest Christmas of all. “You can never out give God.”

Ah yes, it’s Christmas time again.

“Oh no, here you go again! Mitch, it’s Christmas, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! What could possibly be wrong with buying presents? I know we are in debt and stuff, but it’s Christmas and. . .”

You’re an idiot. Nuff said.

Ok, yes you can go buy the latest and greatest iPhone for your kid for $199, but let me remind you that you are giving more than and iPhone, you’re giving the gift that goes on and on. Debt, stress, credit card payments, foolishness, selfishness. But it’s all ok because you have a live Christmas tree that smells really nice, Christmas cookies, Christmas lights. Ah, the memories that will be made. Memories that those credit card bills will not soon let you forget.

I will give it to you. It is not like Apple advertises gifts under $50. Target and Wal*Mart really don’t advertise gifts under $30 either. They are single handedly raising the expectation levels for Christmas, so you have to give in don’t you? However, I believe you still have a brain and a free will. This means you do not have to be an idiot and stand in line to get the latest and greatest on Black Friday (or trample other idiots to get it).

I know, I know. Generations before you way overspent on Christmas gifts. I know that when you grew up there were always tons of gifts under the tree. It was so pretty, so great, so exciting and you think that is the way Christmas is supposed to be.

You know what? So what? Is it worth it?

Christmas is not supposed to be about you going out and buying stuff you can’t afford. I am very sorry, but it just isn’t. I know that you may be a parent and you may feel guilty for not spending hundreds on your kids. You may feel guilty because you can’t buy expensive gifts for everyone. So what? Get over it and grow up! Tell them you don’t have the money for it, they’ll understand, and you will still have a great Christmas.

And what, you’re in debt? Well how did that happen? Do we need to call Haratio Caine to investigate?

I bet I know what happened, you bought a bunch of stuff you couldn’t afford and had no business buying. Maybe you should stop it, maybe you and the rest of America should stop buying crap you can’t afford. It’s you that have cheapened the holiday, it’s you that has turned it into a spending frenzy. So maybe Christmas just really isn’t that special anymore. We have just made it into an excuse to overspend, go further in debt (which we yell at our Congressmen/women for). It’s become another retail holiday and you get to swipe that plastic card.

“Okay Mitch, I get it, but everyone at my kid’s school gets great gifts and shows them off. They get iPhones and stuff.” Question for you, are you in debt? “yes, but. . .”

No buts, sorry lame excuse.

“Mitch, it is just not fair and it is just not reasonable to spend only $25 per person for Christmas.” Why is it not fair and reasonable. "”It’s just not! Come on Mitch!”

Stop acting like a baby, stop pitching a fit like a 2 year old in a candy store.

If you don’t have the money for something, it’s simple, you don’t buy it. Don’t go acting like you’re kid needs a DREX Interactive Dinosaur either. It has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you! In your head you have this perfect Christmas where your kid gets the perfect toy (when he/she may rather play with the box it came in). You have to have this perfect day because you will feel guilty if you don’t. You have some type of insecurity like your kid won’t love you anymore, you and Target helped set expectations, and well it’s just about you.

“But Mitch, didn’t the 3 kings, wise men, the little drummer boy bring fancy stuff to Jesus. They gave  Jesus gifts and that’s why. . .” Excuse me, these guys were royalty (the Drummer Boy is a nice story and song), they were wealthy and I don’t believe that they used a MasterCard to purchase a “priceless” memory.

"Mitch, Christmas is in the Bible and everything. . .”

Actually the holiday is not in the Bible, we picked the 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ.

I am all for presents. And of course I LOVE getting presents. I love buying people presents. I love finding something that I think will fit them perfectly, or getting them something I know they wanted, but couldn’t afford (of course it all deals with ME again, because it feels good). But is it worth it?

Christmas is not about the presents and you racking up huge amounts of debt, but that is what it has become.

I personally believe that if we are going to celebrate Christmas, then we need to celebrate what it’s about. It’s about Jesus coming to the world at just the right moment in history and giving us a gift we didn’t deserve.  Christmas is about that and it’s about love, family, togetherness. It’s enjoying being with your loved one, your family, your friends, enjoying the life and freedom that was given because of Jesus’ life.

Christmas is also about tradition. It’s about playing Christmas music, putting up a tree, hanging Christmas lights, it’s about stealing a kiss underneath the mistletoe. It’s about making Christmas goodies with loved ones and having one too many eggnogs at a Fog Nog party. It is about the nativity scenes. It’s about putting out cookies and milk for Santa. It’s about lighting Christmas candles and caroling. It’s about trying to get the little kids to sleep, but they are just to excited to close their eyes.

It’s about Jesus, it’s about spending time with loved ones, it’s finding peace and finding rest, it’s a time to be thankful for having what none of us deserve. But you know what? You don’t have to go in debt over it, that’s not what it’s about.

Stop buying crap you can’t afford and blaming it on Christmas! Nuff said!

It’s Thanksgiving again. However I think it has become a day to feast and watch football. So I am going to do my best in this post to talk about what I am most thankful for. No, I am not going to get all sentimental and cheesy. Stay with me and you may like this post.

What I am most thankful for in my life is my marriage. My marriage means so much and teaches me truths I would not have known unless I was married.

What I love most about my marriage is how simple it is. Stay with me and I will explain.

So Mitch, how is marriage simple?

Saying how simple my marriage is sounds strange and may even be kind of an oxymoron. Our marriage did not start simple and it has never lacked complexity. However we get better at marriage every year that we are together. We have simply realized that we only have so much time and energy in each day. We have only been trusted with a certain amount of money as well. It is important to us how we budget and spend the resources that God has trusted us with. That was a simple reality that has changed the way we live our lives together and in the real world.

But life is so hectic sometimes and it’s hard to find balance.

Life can be hectic and can quickly find its way out of balance. You have to work to get things back into balance. During our first year or so of marriage we worked hard and did not have as much time together as we would have liked. My wife and I work outside of the home and both of our jobs can sometimes cause us to work longer hours than normal. However we’ve learned to make it a point to spend time together and put it on our calendars.

We also have different personalities, but a lot of the same interests which make spending time together so enjoyable. We both love cooking together, music, travel, sports, great food, and we love talking about things that matter to each of us. Our values also align, which is so important, and we still make each other laugh and smile.

What’s so important about marriage that your are writing a whole post on it?

What is important about a marriage is it is the only relationship in the world that can show the love between God and His bride. We all can look at marriages and learn. We have the ability to explore the mysteries of God in marriage.

One thing that I have learned in marriage, that I hope other people can learn, is that marriage is not always equal (you give 50%, I give 50%). Sometimes one partner will be carrying a heavier load than the other. Sometime you will carry a heavier load. The point is to be a support for your spouse and to sometimes make sacrifices for your spouse. Sometimes you will have to give 90% of yourself. But you know what? You bring out the best in each other, and your support and giving  love is the way to do that.

If you are giving of yourself and your spouse is giving of themselves, you will begin to model a “how-to” do this thing called marriage and not a “how-not-to” to your kids and grandkids.

All that to say this:

As we enter the Holiday Season, be thankful for your loved ones and your marriages. Even if you are not in a marriage, every relationship gives you chance to be thankful and a chance to give of yourself to them.

It’s important to realize that your life does not belong to you. It belongs to the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and you are here to give of yourself and leave your mark. You were given gifts and talents to give of yourself.

It is important to give of yourself. It is important to have relationships and to give selflessly to those relationships. It is not possible to have a fulfilling life without having open arms to give to others. If you close up and decide not to give of yourself (which is pretty selfish), and you decide to go it alone, you will find anything that you get from life will be meaningless.

You and I were made for relationships. We were made for God and for each other. We need each other. So remember what you should be truly thankful for this Holiday Season, the relationships with your husband/wife, your children, your family, your friends.

All this because when you give, you will have so much more to be thankful for. That’s how simple it really is!

I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in America. I have a wife that is just as dumbfounded by the Twilight hysteria as I am, and believes “The Dark Knight” is a far better movie. However it seems that there are millions of other women out there that have differing opinions.

So “New Moon” did it, it broke the pre-sale record and crushed “The Dark Knight” on opening day ($72 million compared to $67 million). However “The Dark Knight” still remains supreme for opening weekends, and had more staying power that “New Moon” will have.

So what we have now is “The Dark Knight” in between Star Wars prequels and a Twilight sequel for best opening days. What this says is that women go to the movies, and they go in droves together. Unfortunately the top grossing films that appeal to women is “Sex and the City” and the Twilight films. I don’t believe that all women love these films, but I believe a majority of women that are going to watch these films are lonely or hungry for love. They can escape into a fantasy with Edward on the big screen.

I have talked this obsession over with my wife and we both believe that the obsession over Twilight and Edward is quite ridiculous. The other fact that I find ridiculous is married women’s obsession with Edward. They are going to the Twilight films because, let’s face it, they “love” Edward. I think it’s hypocritical. I asked my wife if I was to go to a movie just because Sandra Bullock was in it, and I was completely infatuated with her, would it be ok. Of course the answer was no, but it seems to be ok in the case of Edward in the Twilight series.

Men you are just as guilty. Let’s be honest, you didn’t go to see Transformers II because it was a great movie. (There was a certain actress that all the men wanted to see)

Let’s admit it. We American’s can be pretty stupid at times. I will go as far to say that the phrase “#1 Film in America” should never be used again. With Transformers II, Sex and The City, Twilight, etc. claiming those titles it really has undervalued that phrase. We are all a bunch of American idiots sometimes. That is the only reason you can explain that “New Moon” has the best opening day and “Two and a Half Men” get 18 million viewers every Monday.

**MitchTheFielder’s disclaimer*** (This post is not directed to anyone in particular. I am not sure why you would be offended in the first place, but anyways, just in case.)

Guess what? You don’t need a new car. Nope you don’t ever need a new car. Never ever.

“But my car is getting up there in miles, and I really need. . .”

Nope, you think you need it, but you don’t. What will that new car do? It will add stress to your family, it will add stress to your marriage and will create problems that were not there to begin with.

“But I drive a lot of miles. And what about driving the family around town, it is cheaper than maintaining an old car and it’s safer for my family to be a new car. They have “Cash for Clunkers,” and there is like 0% financing.”

Keep selling yourself on the new car and you might actually start believing yourself. Who needs a car salesman when you can pitch it yourself.

It is not cheaper than saving $3,000 and buying an older Honda. It’s not. You don’t have to have a car payment. For some reason we have been conditioned to believe that paying $464/month for a car that is continuously dropping in value is part of life. You choose to have a car payment, no one is making you do it.

“You are just jealous because you don’t have a new car and you’re being resentful that I have one. There is nothing wrong with me having a new car.”

Stupid argument. MitchTheFielder never said it was wrong to have a new car. Heck, there are people out there that can pay cash for a new car, but it’s because they saved and did not have car payments to begin with. They can afford it. You don’t need a new car, you want a new car and you are choosing to put your family further in debt because you are choosing that route.

Of course I would love to have a brand new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro with a convertible. I can just see me and the wife driving through the hills of Middle Tennessee with the top down and cool sunglasses on. We would look great impressing people we do not even know. But you know what, I don’t need the new car. You don’t need it either. So if you made the choice to have a new car, but are complaining because you and your wife have to work so much, just know that you chose that.

So let’s get realistic. You could afford that brand new 4 Runner and your family would have more room and your family would look pretty good pulling up to the soccer field in that SUV. You know what that would mean though. . .more stress on the family. Why would you want to put more stress on your family? Why are you going to deplete another $464 a month from your budget just to have a new car? Looking good in that SUV will have a price bigger than the $464.

How cool are you? How great are you? Look at that new SUV, you should be so proud of yourself. You are now a proud owner of a $464 car payment. But how childish, how selfish, how vain are you? You are so concerned about what the community thinks, you have to look good at that traffic light and impress that person sitting next to you in traffic that you will never see again. You did all of this at the expense of your wife and children?

“You don’t know me or my family. My wife wants and deserves a new car. We deserve a new car.”

Shut up! You don’t deserve anything! So you will go out, make a stupid decision because your wife wants a new car or you deserve a new car. What leadership, way to step up to the plate. Way to put your family in debt. I am sure you couldn’t use that extra $464 anyway (for some with two car payments take that figure up to $928).

Guess what? You Can Drive an Old Car! You don’t have to have a car payment! Think about a life with no car payments. Think about what you could do with that extra cash every month. I know that an ‘02 Honda may not be good enough for you, but I say GROW UP!

You can change your family for the good right now. If you change things you can start living like no one else. Just watch the video below. . .sheesh!

Here I go trying to predict the awards show. Here goes nothing, we will know in a few hours how my predictions stack up.

2009 CMA Awards Predictions:

Entertainer of the Year- Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist of the Year- Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year- Brad Paisley

New Artist of the Year- Darius Rucker

Vocal Group of the Year- Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of the Year- Brooks & Dunn

Single of the Year- “People Are Crazy,” Billy Currington

Album of the Year- Fearless, Taylor Swift

Song of the Year- “I Told You So,” Randy Travis

Musical Event of the Year- “I Told You So,” Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis

Music Video of the Year- “Love Story,” Taylor Swift

Musician of the Year- Mac McAnally

 

Feel free to comment, disagree or give your own predictions below.