You said:

tell me a joke

I say:

So there’s these two muffins in an oven. 

They’re both sitting, just chilling and getting baked. 

And the other muffin replies “Holy Crap, a talking muffin!

Thank you. Thank you. I’ll be here all night. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.

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My friend Jeremy (Skeptigator) interviewed me at FreeThought Fort Wayne.

Skeptigator: Personally, I think “Atheism” has a P.R. problem within the Christian community (perhaps the U.S. in general)? Do you agree? And, if so, what can atheists and freethinkers do to improve on that image, at least open doors to a greater understanding within the Christian community?

Bill: I agree that the word “atheist” has very negative connotations. The word “Christian” also has many negative connotations. My advice to anyone is that you can be the difference. Fight the stereotype. Who knows, maybe it’ll catch on.

Read the entire interview here.

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In the midst of trying to figure our where that “spark” had gone, last week Tiffany told me something that I’ll never forget:

I’m not very attracted to you anymore because you don’t have that passion that you had when we first started dating.

Ouch?

See, when Tiff and I first started dating, I was riding the wave of the ‘new Christian’ euphoria. Pick any of the seven nine (oops) fruits of the spirit: that was my middle name! I wouldn’t miss ANY church event for the world. I was organizing group outings, picnics, and bible studies. I would send her text messages quoting scripture. I led a passion-filled life that pursued Christ with energy and enthusiasm.

Eventually the wave died down and the euphoria faded away. Exit my passion.

In attempt to find my passion, I’ve spent the past six months or so flirting with the idea that I could have possibly chased it away with negativity (This Just In: You Suck). Books, bible studies, self-reflection, sermons, and advice from friends: although extremely helpful, none could deliver the same punch in the gut as your girlfriend telling you that she’s “lost that lovin’ feeling,” ya know?

This weekend while Tiffany was at a Beth Moore woman’s conference in Atlanta, I had plenty of time to think and meditate. What has become of me? Where is that passion that once was the very pulse of me?

What’s Wrong With Me?

I believe that my critical attitude and negative spirit have consumed me and stolen my passion for, well, life! In her book “Battlefield of the mind,” Joyce Meyer writes:

Positive minds produce positive lives. Negative minds produce negative lives. Positive thoughts are always full of faith and hope. Negative thoughts are always full of fear and doubt.

Some people are afraid of hope because they have been hurt so much in life. They have had so many disappointments, they don’t think they can face the pain of another one. Therefore, they refuse to hope so they won’t be disappointed.

Yep, that about sums me up.

So What Now?

1. I admit, I have become a negative and critical person who has lost his passion.
2. I want to change.
3. I cannot change myself (I’ve dug the hole WAY too deep). I will rely on God.
4. I know this is NOT an overnight process.
5. I will NOT become discouraged during this ‘healing’ process.

Am I mad at Tiffany for calling me out? Absolutely not. She did exactly what she was supposed to do:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

I am honored to be dating a woman who is strong enough, bold enough, and loves me enough to have such a tough conversation with me.

I refuse to let negativity and a critical spirit define me any more. It’s time to drop the negativity and criticality, locate my passion, pick it up, and live an abundant life! Tiff, watch out cuz I’m about to be drop dead sexy!

Timberlake, you think you’re “bringing sexy back?” Heh, move over and let this friendly Christian show you how it’s done!

Side note: As usual, this post is personal, however, I bet it’s not unique to me. I’d encourage you to face your issues head-on and prayerfully seek repentance and redemption.

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You said:

godhatesfredphelps

I say:

I said the same thing in a comment I left on another blog. I admit, I feel a bit guilty having said it, but it is pretty darn funny, ya gotta admit.

 

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I wonder if you’d vote real quick:

For the record, I’m voting ‘no.’

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

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When I was in the military, I was stationed with Chuck Norris.

Not really, but almost.

Ya see, there was this guy, “The insane Christian guy” as we called him, who had ninja skills similar to those of our favorite Walker, Texas Ranger star. His mission was simple: recruit people for his church. His techniques, however, were anything but simple.

Each Sunday morning, while wiping the sleep out of your eyes as you walked to the community restroom, the “Holy freakin’ crap!” factor never seemed to decrease. Our evangelistic friend would hide in a hallway, an empty room, or any available crevice as the unsuspecting victim approached. When you were within speaking distance, this guy would jump out literally right in front of you and deliver his speech. It went something like this:

Evangelistic Guy (EG): Hey….[dude/man/bro/buddy anything to cover up the fact that he had forgotten your name]. How’s it going (acting like he cares)? 
Me: Good. It was a long night. I didn’t get home till….
EG:  [interrupting] ..cool! So hey, you wanna come to church with me? It’s gonna be great!
Me: Nah, dude. I was tryin to tell ya how tired I am before you interrupted me.
EG: Ah, don’t worry about that. You can take a nap sometime this afternoon. Grab your shoes!
Me: Not this time, bud. Sorry.
EG: Ok, well how about next Sunday? 
Me: Yeah, uh, sure, whatever. I’ll go with ya next Sunday (lying through my teeth).

Next Sunday:

*POUND, POUND, POUND* Wait 30 seconds. *POUND, POUND, POUND*

In my head: Dude….go FREAKIN AWAY!!!!!

One time, on my way home from church (the one time I went while stationed in Japan), I had just parked my car and was on my way up to my room. As I rounded the corner and passed by the big bushes:

EG: HEY…..dude….do you want to come to church with me?
Me: (looking down at my hands) Um, I just came back. See? I’m still holding my bible
EG: Oh. Well do you want to go again?
Me: I’m done with you, dude. 

It was then that I realized..um…I’m not the smartest, but did a Navy Seal just try to recruit me into his church? If my eyes aren’t failing me, I could have sworn that some guy just jumped out of a bush and tried to bring me to his church. 

Needless to say, these evangelistic techniques, if that’s what you want to call them, did not work on me. If anything, they turned me away from the church, Christianity, and God. In my opinion, the most effective form of evangelization is accomplished by building relationships, loving, serving, and sharing.

But hey, maybe the hiding in the bathroom/jumping out of the bushes ninja method works on some people.

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You said:

Will gas drop to $2 in 2008

I say:

Will Satan win the snowball fight in hell in 2008?

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Seriously, you guys make this site what it is. Every now and then I want to take a swing at ya, but in the end I wouldn’t want FriendlyChristian.com to be any other way. 

• You provide honesty
• You provide intelligence
• You challenge me
• You provide arguments (or “conversation” as we so kindly like to put it)
• You provide spice!

I might be a little crazy in the head (take your cheap shot here) - I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ who enjoys spending time with unbelievers just as much as spending time with believers. I believe that encouragement and reassurance are helpful and critical in growth, but I grew tired of nothing but “amen brother!” and “I agree” comments long ago. Now that I’m surrounded by atheists, the encouraging comments and emails mean just that much more
Atheists, thank you for helping me learn so much about you guys, myself, and everything in between. I love you guys and I’m so glad that you are along for this crazy Christian ride.

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New blog category: Your Searches

You typed it in Google and ended up at FriendlyChristian.com. I’m gonna try to respond to one search question/comment each day Monday-Friday.

The format is simple: you ask/say, I respond.

You said:

god doesnt like me

I say:

You’re right, he loves you.

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Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.  

This promise is made in Malachi 3:10. I don’t know how much I believe it.

I recently heard a pastor say that if God isn’t in charge of our finances then there’s no way we can say that we’re fully committed to him.

I want to be fully committed to God. As it stands, I do not tithe like I know I should. I have a million excuses. Here are a few:

• 10% is way too much to be giving (when I made a good bit of money).
• 10% is way too much. I won’t be able to pay my bills (now that I don’t make jack squat).
• I’ll double up next week. This week I have too much to take care of.
• I can’t afford 10%, so I’ll just give a 20 dollar bill.
• I’m doing just fine. I don’t need God to “open up the floodgates.”

I am going to test God, just as he says I can. I am going to begin tithing, documenting my financial status, struggles, challenges, losses and gains. Eventually I will share my information with FriendlyChristian.com.

I’m excited to see what happens. If properly executed, I’ll find out if this promise is true, of if God’s word is just a load of crap. In case you’re wondering, no, I’m not trying to “pimp” God. My goal isn’t to become a millionaire.

Edit: I should add that I’m scared out of my freakin’ mind. I don’t make a whole lot of money, so I don’t have much to be “playing around with.” I’m not tryin’ to go broke!

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