Eclectic Christian

Move over Dear Abby, and make way for Brother Jepthah, the Internet’s answer to the the traditional advice columnist. He’s quirky, funny, a traditional ordained minister with a bit of a twist, who hangs his hat in the little village of Waterdownshire. I had the pleasure of meeting Brother Jepthah several years ago and have been a fan of his very British humour ever since.

Here is his first video on why making fun of people is a particularly bad idea.

If you liked the first episode, this next video contains an index to all of season one. Episode six, six solutions to being bored in church might be particularly relevant to some of the Eclectic Christian readers.

You can look him up on facebook too!

By the way, did I mention he rides a mean skateboard?

Eclectic Christian Christmas Disco

For those who missed it, we are very likely to make this a yearly event, perhaps easing up a little on the entrance requirements!

Eclectic Christian Christmas Disco

By Michael Bell
Some of you may be wondering what has happened to the Eclectic Christian Christmas giveaway contest. Well, I put the new header graphic up early because I liked it so much.   Here is the link to the original contest along with contest rules.

If you still want to enter the contest (there are still lots of prizes still to be won), here is the original header that was used for the basis for the contest.

By Michael Bell

Update: I have come to realize that my shrine picture may be misleading, so I am removing it as a requirement for the contest. Just need the metropolitan area in which it occurs. The rest of the images are pretty easy.
It’s Christmas time, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the authors and commentators of the various blogs that I read.  You have all made a meaningful contribution to my spiritual growth over the last number of months.

Here is what I am doing as a special thank you.   If you are an author or reader of one of the blogs listed below (these are the ones that I have benefited from the most) then you can win up to $20.00 off any purchase at www.bookling.com.  (All contestants will win something!)

Here is what you have to do.  Go to eclecticchristian.com.   Look at the five images that make up the header of the site.  Each image represents one of the contributors to Eclectic Christian.  Figure out what what each image is a picture of.  I am looking for exact answers here.  (Five city names + waterfall name + shrine name) Most of the information is found in articles within Eclectic Christian with a little help from Google. The first reader from each blog that submits the following will receive an email with a $20.00 off promotion code from www.bookling.com.  All other submissions will receive a $2.00 off promotion code.

All contestants will need to email mike[at]eclecticchristian[dot]com with the following information:

1. First Name
2. Last Name
3. Email (We will not use the email for any other purpose other than sending you a promotion code.)
4. What you like about the blog where you found information about the giveaway.
5. What you like about the Eclectic Christian blog.
6. The five cities (in order) plus the name of the waterfall and shrine.

(If you can’t figure out all the answers then submit a partial list.  If no one has a full set of responses by the end of the contest (January 26th) then the person with the best set of responses will win from each blog.

If you are an author or reader of one of these blogs you qualify.  If not, no time like the present to start reading.

www.internetmonk.com / jesusshaped.wordpress.com
www.pursiful.com (Dr. Platypus)
www.parchmentandpen.com (reclaiming the mind.org)
irreligiouslife.wordpress.com
www.nigelbarham.com
eclecticchristian.com
sacrosanctgospel.wordpress.com
baptistbard.blogspot.com (Telling the stories that matter)
theologicalscribbles.blogspot.com

Why Bookling.com?

Nigel Barham, the owner of Bookling, uses the proceeds of bookling to support his ongoing speaking ministry around the world.  He is an enthusiastic follower of Jesus Christ, and is someone who helps others catch that enthusiasm.  Nigel has discovered a way to sell books online that allows him to do it cheaper than just about anyone else.  $20.00  may not sound like much, but when you take a look at the prices of books on bookling.com, you will realize that $20.00 will go a long way.

Don’t delay, remember the first complete set of entries from each blog wins.

P.S. If you like what you read, consider subscribing by reader or by email.

A few months ago I was introduced to the very funny Stuff White People Like, just now released as a book.

Last week I was introduced to the also very funny, and unashamedly copycat, Stuff Christians Like. Written by a very talented advertising copywriter with the nom de plume of “Prodigal John”, his description of the Christian subculture is sure to hit your funny bone.

Here is an extract from one of his recent gems:

#332. That dude with the guitar at camp.

Put it down dude. Seriously, you know who you are. I went to camp with you. I went on a lot of church retreats with you. And some how, you even ended up living on the same floor as me freshman year of college.

I get it, you own an acoustic guitar. You put stickers of bands I have never heard on the outside of your guitar case. You have an interesting guitar strap. You are moody and introspective and somehow when you combine that guitar with the three songs you know and a campfire, every girl on the planet wants to sit near you. Are you kidding me?…

Your instrument isn’t even in tune but that doesn’t matter does it dude with the guitar? Because it’s more about the image, not the music. And what really gets me is that you’re going to play a song at youth Sunday this year and people are going to tell you that you should be a worship leader. Hearing that is going to make you start wearing product in your hair and rocking a white belt and when I walk to class at college you’ll be sitting on the steps of our dorm with a girl that is way too pretty to talk to me singing, “How great is our God.” And when she asks you, “Where did you learn to play like that?” You’ll respond by saying, “I just listen to my heart.” You are my archenemy dude with the guitar at camp.

I am going to steal your guitar and replace it with those big hand bells and the white gloves that handbellers (or is it just ‘bellers’) wear. Let’s see how easy it is to get girls to go on dates to Outback Steakhouse when all you have to play is a gigantic bell.

Check him out. You won’t regret it.