This shaggy Jewish guy, Jay, who hangs out at the local coffeehouse tells some great stories, and a lot of people like to listen to him. People seem attracted to Jay, but not because he’s good looking or in with the shop owners. Smelly homeless guys, hookers, meth-addicts, weirdos, gang bangers, and lesbians are some of his best friends, much to the dismay of the local business owners who like hipsters with disposable income, and chic, classy professionals to patronize their businesses.
Would you believe his guy doesn’t even have his own phone? A “groupie” gave him a Tracfone once to help him out. When it ran out of minutes, he never got it refilled. He gave it to his friend Mary, who was down on her luck, along with a 20 he said he found near the river. Truthfully, he didn’t call on it most of the time. Plenty of people called him though, about all kinds of problems, and so his minutes drained pretty quickly. He doesn’t seem to get bothered by not having a phone. (Honestly, I don’t get that.)
There’s one story about the coffeehouse being super crowded one day. Everybody was hot, and there was no AC running. Maybe it broke. Everybody wanted iced coffee like crazy, and nothing in the shop was working right.
So, out of nowhere Jay says he’ll take care of it. He tells his friends to dole out pitchers of the stuff. It’s like it comes out of nowhere. Iced Coffee for everybody. Plus, muffins, and cookies, and organic quiche. There were actually so many leftovers that they had 12 trays piled high afterwards. Talk about weird.
Here’s another odd thing. Jay doesn’t have his own blog either. However, four of his friends write about him a lot at their blogs. Well, I think others do too, but those four have the most visitor traffic…I’ll put it that way.
His one friend Luke–who’s kind of OCD–tweets stuff he says. I think there might even be a category on Luke’s blog that is a collection of Jay’s tweets. It’s called something like…Sermon on the Sofa…or something like that. It’s full of this subtle subversive stuff, that if you co-opt with it, it could change everything. Everything.
Another tweet of Jay’s thoughts really stuck with me. It read:
“What’s the point if a person gains the whole blogosphere and loses her own soul?”
You know when you hear something, and it sounds like it’s just for you? That’s kind of how it felt when I heard it. I favorited that one.
If I were to caption this photo for the project at hand, it would say,
“Sweater cubicle? or are bloggers too isolated for their own spiritual good?”
As I promised on Timothy Dalrymple‘s blog a bit ago, I am covering the topic of spiritual guidance for bloggers (as a series). Thankfully, some talent bloggers are joining us, too.
In plenty of ways technology has outpaced our spiritual reflection. The needed inner gaze at the practice (spiritual or otherwise) of blogging itself has not been encountered effectively. Bloggers have specific spiritual needs and encounter spiritual pitfalls that are under-addressed…even on blogs themselves, where you’d expect them to be handled. Well, no more.
In the next few weeks, I’ll lay this topic out and do just that, with the help of some talented bloggers as featured guest contributors.
For me, it’s an EPIC mashup of blogging experience (since 2006), and three scores of credit hours with my seminary education (M.A. in Religion, Spiritual Formation concentration) cross-fertilizing at the perfect juncture to rock this thing out. Boom. Pow!
For example: Pitfall #1. Bloggers can be grandiose when introducing a new series.
If you are a blogger, this is especially for you. You and I both need this.
If you know someone who blogs, please send them over. Encourage him or her to read and participate in this series. If they seem reluctant, or just too busy, just say, “See, that’s exactly the whole point!”
A peek at some of the upcoming themes:
Seductions Specific to Christian Bloggers and What to do About it
Overcoming the Spiritual Pitfalls of Blogging
A Writer’s Mistress is a Blog (humor)
The Best Spiritual Disciplines for Bloggers
Blogging and Community: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I submitted the following article as a guest post for Stuff Christians Like over the summer. I haven’t heard from Jon Acuff, so I’m going rogue and posting it here, in an edited form. (I’ve had a humor post there -on prayer- so, no, I’m not crushed or anything.)
Kick back, relax, and have a laugh.
Secretly Wanting to Have a Signature Fragrance
Now, before you say, “This is not really a Christian struggle. I, for one, have never wanted my own fragrance,” just hear me out. Because, before you finish reading this, the thought will take root, and even intrigue you. You’ll see that smells have always mattered somehow to your Christian life. And believe me, you’ll make a kind of internal agreement with yourself to sign a fragrance deal, if the opportunity ever arises.
Let’s face it: smell does matter. No one wants to be the “stinky kid”. Do you remember “the stinky kid”? In childhood, my brother spilled his vat of Drakkar Noir in his bedroom, and ruined that once-delightful fragrance for me…forever. No one hopes for that. So, be assured, no one in their right mind turns down a fragrance contract. You wouldn’t either. Let me explain:
Back when meteoric pop star Katy Perry was just pastor’s kid Katy Hudson belting out gospel songs to Christian audiences, a fragrance deal was an impossibility. But, now? Well, now she’s a big hit. The next obvious professional move is marketing a smell. A signature smell. And she has. Her (first) fragrance is called Purr sells for $45 for 1.7 oz. Her eau de parfum begins with the aroma of peach nectar and forbidden apple, then evolves with a distinct floral bouquet of jasmine blossom, Bulgarian rose and vanilla orchid, and slowly reveals accents of creamy sandalwood and musk. Plus it comes in a purple, cat shaped bottle, complete with rhinestone cat eyes, collar, and heart shaped id tag. Apparently, Katy has gotten some recognition for her naming her cat Kitty Purry; and from the looks of the Purr marketing posters, Katy likes being associated with felines, especially if they have a shinny, form-fitting coat.
But celerities aside…Being associated with a positive scent just seems to make sense with God’s message. As a Christian, you know, at some gut level, that you really should have a godly fragrance about you. Yes. In literal terms. It’s practically an evangelistic tool. Cinnamon for example. Imagine if every Christian, at the very least, smelled like cinnamon. You have to agree that the world would be a better place. Am I right?
So, now you might be thinking, “Hum. Girl, you’re not as crazy as I thought at first…” But, listen. I know this: If you’re worth your weight in salt as a good Evangelical, you’ll say to me, “But, Lisa, can you prove your point using Scripture?” To that I say, “Check, and….wait for it. Wait. For. It. …Mate.” I say “Check Mate” in Christian love.
You bet I can prove it. God is super cool about us smelling awesome. For instance, in Exodus 30:22-33, God has Moses go into 11 verses about making special perfume to anoint his priests, and all the things of the Tent of Meeting. We’re talking about God’s abode! Plus, after that, they made incense too, as an added touch. Since God doesn’t have a nose, I’m pretty sure that this was something for his people to enjoy. The fragrant oil was made with five sweet and delightful aromas: Liquid myrrh, sweet cinnamon oil, sweet smelling cane, or calamus ; and cassia. I actually bought a sample of this online right after I canceled my order for an old ossuary box (I made that last part up). For the record, prophets and kings got anointed with fragrant oil too. Boom!
Of course, there’s way more Biblical proof. I won’t include the actual wording of King Solomon’s thoughts on scents and sensuality, because it’s rated M for Mature. But, let’s just say the wise king found many smells very, very sexy. His palace and massage parlor probably smelled amazing.
Even though Jesus had a beard, some lady in the village of Bethany gave him this really expensive aftershave cologne called spikenard that they used back in olden Bible times. (Mark 14:3) I’m actually wearing some spikenard right now, because I love the earthy, mossy, dark oriental qualities that seem perfect for any occasion…from feasting to, well, execution.
But, wait, there’s more. Paul specifically instructs Christians, and the church to be a sweet smelling fragrance of Christ in 2 Corinthians 14-17. Yes. Those are his actual words. (He was REALLY ahead of the curve in marketing and public relations…well, sort of.) He also mentions that though we’ll smell like life to some, we will stink like death to those who reject God. This is an obvious downside; and I can imagine Katy Perry’s perfume could have a dead furball smell, in a manner of speaking.
So, really! Why don’t Christians get with it and get their own fragrance lines? Especially celebrity Christians. Rick Warren should have one for sure! I think it would have a breezy sandalwood odor with a light musk and juniper scent about it. Don’t you?
Francis Chan’s scent would be slightly more exotic. I would have woody, amber, and oriental overtones, with hints of mandarin, clove, and a marine finish of Gorse Flowers, obviously.
But, wait. Want about more controversial folks? Would it still work? How about Mark Driscoll? Simple. His would have leathery, resin of Myrrh undertones, Tonka bean, and a hint of grapefruit. A mannish hint, mind you.
I can imagine John Piper as a velvety spearmint, black tea, Oliban Wood, and just a smidgen of nutmeg.
Rob Bell: Lavender, Vetiver, Sage, Cardamom, Iris, Cocoa Bean, Amber, Vetiver, Rosemary, with a hint of German Leather.
I would be remiss if I left out the ladies. Nancy Leigh DeMoss? I’m thinking Jasmine, creamy Amyris Woods, with accents of fruity basil.
Joyce Myers is a trickier one. Probably Gardenia, musk, and pine needles with just an edgy hint of frankincense.
So there you have it: Plenty of reasons to smell fantastic. And God is okay with it.
What would your signature fragrance smell like?
Can you imagine any famous Christians and the scent that would be associated with them? Give it a whirl!
Tamara Lunardo has only been blogging for a couple of years, but thanks to her openness on some touchy (and important) topics, her audience has grown rapidly. Sometimes Tamara uses salty language or speaks about the realities of life…and sex, and it turns out Christians have a huge fascination with that sort of thing. Go figure!
Enjoy a snapshot of our time together, were we discuss her community project through Civitas Press called What a Woman is Worth. Through a collection of essays, this book (due out in a few months) confronts disparaging views of women and affirms the female gender to do whatever God has uniquely gifted them to do. You go, girl! Be assured this video is all very PG, honest.
16 other videos interviews are at the YouTube channel (you can subscribe to the channel and never miss out on the latest enlightening chat).
Amish being arraigned for hair and beard cutting attacks. A sticky situation.
Have you heard about the Amish-on-Amish hair and beard cutting violence? (You will if you read this.)
And, like me, have you ever wondered if the Amish read Amish romance books?
Watch and listen to writer Shawn Smucker‘s unique take on these topics in a limited-time release of epic bonus video material. This video will not be available as usual on the NiNJA interviews youtube channel. It will not be shown here, or released to the general public. To view this bonus video, click here.
If you enjoy it, remember there’s more to come. You won’t want to miss it. To get unfettered access on all future bonus videos use the contact form on the right. (It’s your ticket to FREE Savvy! Boo–yah!)
SO — Who’s Shawn, exactly, and is he related to the SMUCKERS JELLY people…you know…the “With a name like Smuckers, it’s gotta be good” folks?
Shawn Smucker has Amish roots, and can trace his ancestry back almost 400 years to 1620 German farmers. He’s written several books on the Amish, including Think No Evil on the tragic Nickel Mines Schoolhouse shooting and forgiveness in Amish culture. His latest book My Amish Roots details the culture, traditions, stories of this intriguing Christian subculture that shun modern conveniences, and live a slow-paced agrarian lifestyle rich in community, Christian values, and tight generational family bonds.
Shawn Smucker
January 23, I’ll post Shawn’s Ninja Interview video in 2 parts (viewable here and on youtube). We chat about the Amish culture, forgiveness, his not yet widely known upcoming book project, and more.
(It’s so good, I couldn’t limit it to the typical 5-6 minutes.) Tune in and you’ll find out if Shawn also has Jelly roots, too.
(pppsst. The best way to see it right away is to subscribe here, or on the youtube channel.)
Current “FREE SAVVY” members, your access is already in place. Enjoy.
