I saw this for the first time yesterday and it was both strikingly accurate, and telling of the kinds of films that win critical acclaim in the most ‘official’ sense.

Last night was Conan’s final appearance on the Tonight Show. Which is unfortunate because in that one episode, I laughed more than I did throughout all of the Leno watching I’ve ever done. Leno is simply not funny.

But, in the last 10 minutes of the show, Conan shared his final and serious feelings about the debacle, the show, the network and the future. His attitude was admirable and even worth emulating. And for that reason, I’ve decided to share it here. Just in case you missed it.

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube.)

Conan was always my favorite late night host and I’m certain that he’s going to find a home elsewhere. So, Conan, in seven months I’ll see you on Fox. Or ABC. Or CBS. I could really care less, as long as it’s on the airways.

“They will know we are Christians by our love”… for each other (John 13:34-35).

We hear a lot about loving people. We hear about it as a means of spreading the Gospel. True. We ought to love everyone and lay our lives down for their ultimate good. But, when it comes to loving ‘investments’ (so to speak), it seems to me that the biblical command is that we love each other. And by that act of love, the world will know who we are.

Mars Hill and others are in Haiti now on relief efforts. Specifically, churches helping churches. Church loving churches. I think it’s right on the money.

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube!)

Video was originally posted to the Resurgence Blog this afternoon. Aside from this, it’s also very much worth checking out.

With the new year just around the corner, the internet is abuzz with all the year-in-review thoughts (and mine are coming as well). But, being that we’re also at the end of a decade, there’s some really interesting looks back at the last ten years.

This video, which I saw for the first time tonight, was funny and insightful. I found it especially interesting to see all the things that debuted in the 00’s but really feel much older. Check out the video, The Decade in 7 Minutes:

(Can’t see the video? watch it on YouTube.)

A friend sent me this video via Facebook today. It’s a bible disclaimer intended to be funny. And, I suppose in it’s accuracy, it is. Although, from inside the church, it’s also a bit embarrassing and sad.

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube)

The disclaimer warns that taking the bible as anything beyond metaphorical lessons could lead to all kinds of bad things—such as bigotry, sexual guilt, homophobia and suppressed ‘gayness’. The list goes on and eventually includes a whole slew of the worst of Christian stereotypes.

It’s asserted that these things come from taking the bible too literally. But, the reality is that we see these issues in the church for precisely the opposite reason. The bible isn’t taken literally enough.

Sections of the church love to take literally the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and they should, but somehow do not take literally Jesus’ words that he came for the sick, not the healthy. And so they end up as bigoted homophobes. Many take literally the creation story, including the fall (again, perhaps we should), but somehow fail to take literally the redemption and propitiation brought about by Christ on his cross which frees us from all guilt and liberates us to actually do something.

The ironic thing is, statistically, Christian groups are still responsible for most private humanitarian work. Significantly more than atheist or agnostic groups. Unfortunately, Christians are also responsible for some the the most reprehensible behavior—at least in the West, I don’t know about elsewhere. But that problem isn’t rooted in believing the bible, it’s rooted in failing to believe the bible.

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube!)

I know, two videos back to back, seems kind of lazy. Well, the reason I’m posting this one is because, as ridiculous as it may seem, it reminded me of the way Tim Keller described our spirit when God takes an idol from us.

The cat has set its sights on the pigeon and pursues it carefully. But when his chances are lost, he just collapses. I feel the illustration is apt. And funny.

Romans 1:16 says:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Most of the time, I feel confident saying that I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I don’t usually have the inclination to shrink back from talking about it or its power.

However, I am ashamed—very ashamed—to be associated with this:

(Can’t see the video? Watch it on YouTube)

Just for the record, a ‘rough rider’ (which this group of youth pastors from ‘The Father’s House’ in California repeatedly calls themselves in this song) is a type of condom designed to enhance sexual pleasure. It’s also a (gross) sexual technique. Painfully lame and uninformed.

What the hell? Wake up people! Seriously, there is absolutely no part of this that’s okay.