Good Christian Garbage

Well, well.  What's the saying, life imitates art or art imitates life?  This might not be art anyway, thus I need a new lead.  However, I had to share and would love your thoughts.  Bold or Ridiculous?  Offensive or Silly?

This is a full blog exceprt from the Houston Chronicl--Poted by Kate Shellnutt at March 17, 2011

Two-faced Texas Christians portrayed in new ABC pilot are based on a Dallas author's novel entitled GoodChristian Bitches

It's a bold move to put the word "bitches" in the title of a network TV show. It's an even bolder move to put it right after the word "Christian."

But it's this juxtaposition that so perfectly describes the characters they're going for: perfect-looking women who wear sweet smiles and strings of pearls to church, but spend more time on gossip and vanity than the Bible.

"For Heaven's sake, don't let God get in the way of a good story!," says the show's tagline.


And where are these talkative, two-faced Christian ladies from? Texas, of course.

The show, like the book, is set in a rich Dallas suburb, filled with stereotypically big, bleached-blonde hair. Producer Darren Star, of Sex and the City and 90210 has cast Kristin Chenoweth as the GCB's queen bee.

Now, the biggest news about the show for now has been the name itself, which has elicited some criticism:


American Family Association: Disney-owned ABC has no reservations about creating hate speech against Christians, but you can be sure they would never consider a show called "Good Muslim B-tches" or "Good Jewish B-tches." With a title like "Good Christian B-tches," you can imagine what kind of show it will be. Even if they change the title, the content will still mock people of faith.


Christian Anti-Defamation Commission: The mainstream media continues to push the boundaries of public morality and engage in anti-Christian bigotry.... This twisted mischaracterization of the Christian faith should not be allowed to defame an entire religion. There is no such thing as a good, Christian b****.


Parents Television Council: ABC's decision is not only an affront to women, it blatantly attacks the world's largest faith. The 'B-word' is toxic and is used to degrade, abuse, harass, bully and humiliate women. And the 'Christian' element only adds insult to injury.... "Unfortunately, this show is just one example of a larger trend. ABC already pounced on another pilot titled 'Don't Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23.' From Investigation Discovery's 'Who the [Bleep] Did I Marry?' to CBS' '$#*! My Dad Says,' it's clear the pattern will continue unless Americans speak out and advertisers come to their senses.


At Religion Dispatches, Sarah Brubaker, a Christian and professor of theology, argued that another show about women who seem to talk only about women is "both incredibly unoriginal and arguably a lot more damaging to women than the presence or absence of a PG-13 word."


"It's rich women being catty in their expensively-decorated homes and also in church. That's the basic idea. I gather we're meant to find the addition of 'church' enough to make this a fresh concept," she wrote. "I submit that maybe there's a real need for Good Christian Bitches. Not rich women soaking in Dead Sea mineral baths and schadenfreude, but a group of rude ladyfriends who--inspired by Jesus--roll their eyes at sanctimony and trumped-up moral panic."

My thoughts:  First, the best way to silence bad speech is with good speech.  It's garbage, ignore it (unlike my blog feature, ahem) and have a nice professional haul it away.


Alas finally, "we" need to avoid hypocrisy in our inevitable outrage or offense.  Any of us who are honest or secret fans of Sex in the City or Desperate Housewives or any variation of The Bachelor(etts)...it is all fruit from the same tree, it just drops the same characters in the same plot line inside a church.  If the former type shows entertain, this one will too if that is what we choose for amusement.  We really can't protest this and FB about "who Brad chose"-- lest we fall into a very deep pious pit.

Someone will undoubtly say, well there is some truth to this kind of thing.  Others will say its an attack on the church.  I say it's worldly, and the world generally has not treated Christ (see Good Friday) with respect, why are we shocked?  Time to take out the trash.

Major in the Minors, post 1

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruct ion of the Lord.

It’s been a frustrating morning. I have persisted in encouraging, nagging, pointing out, the need for the girls to take care of their things—pick up the rooms. An age old battle, but it brought to mind a question. How do I get them to value what I value—or at least associate more value on the caretaking of their space?

My initial thought was to tie it to something they value, like an i-pod or cell phone, or, this morning-- both. There is a practical, logical feel to that solution.

Then, I thought is there a faith component to this, my immediate answer was yes, and I happily (full of pride) pulled out the scriptures above to back me up.

Yet, I wonder if I am training correctly—what is the way a child should go? My oldest, a high schooler, yesterday applied for a job. The circumstances behind this act required her to manage through some disappointment, some hurt pride and humbly take initiative in spite of it. She sailed through that important task and test beautifully. Really, it was an impressive real world step of maturity. However, the workout clothes were still stuffed in the corner of the closet. What’s a mama to do?

She also navigated through the sorrow and shock of a class mate’s suicide last week, comforting her friends, asking the right questions, attending the funeral service, praying for the family who lost their son. However, her makeup is sitting exposed like Japan’s nuclear rods next to the makeup case on the floor of her room. What’s a mama to care about?

After thinking this through and finishing their laundry, I wonder how to find a faithful perspective. They do need to learn to be responsible for their stuff and also aware that mismanagement of their stuff affects those (mamas) around them. However, I wonder what part of my heart, mind, thoughts, words are dedicated to the clutter and what are dedicated to relationships, work, ministry.

I need to take care not to train the girls up to be tidy, but faithful (and yes, responsible). I need to give thanks, praise and notice when they walk in obedience to God first and foremost.

Any thoughts on the tension of not just avoid majoring in the minors but also remember to major in the majors.

You Can't Take That, It's Really Important To Me. Really It Is.

I was watching Clean House last night (much more fun than actually cleaning my house).  Hubby JR glances over and says, "I wonder if God thinks we are hoarders?"

"Us?  Why no honey, I am almost gifted in the area of the household purge." 

He smiled, and reached for more clarity.  "You are sitting there rooting for this poor woman to let go of possessions that really have no value so she can free herself from them and take on something much better, much more healthy.  God looks at us the same way--clinging to the tacky, worthless, dirty thing, claiming that we can't let it go, its too important.  We are just like these people, from God's view."

A good Monday thought from my favorite insurance claims manager.

It's Lent--my church/family does not formally embrace the tradition of giving things up for Lent, instead encourages a more intentional, intense focus on study, prayer and devotion during this powerful season.  But I think both actions go hand in hand.  Give up my hold on what really does not have value--stop clinging to the worthless and then use the new found freedom to embrace truth, grace, sacrifice, mercy and love. 

So first question before this Ash Wednesday:  what dated, dusty, misplaced items are cluttering my heart and mind am I clinging to because I think they have some value when in fact they are just crowding out space for really great (abundant life) things God is wanting to hand to me?