In Defense of Fluffy Wiping

Recently, the Washington Post reported that environmentalists have taken up a new cause. It seems fluffy toilet paper is the latest threat to the planet. And, of course, it is we spoiled Americans who are to blame.

Apparently our bottoms are too tender for the scratchy, single-ply toilet papers and various plant leaves used by the rest of the world. We’re devastating old growth forests all in the name of tushy comfort. Its obscene!

A while back it was reported that singer, Sheryl Crow was suggesting that we only use a single sheet of toilet paper per movement. She too was concerned about the disastrous possibility of our wiping habits wiping out the forests.

It is one thing to conserve energy and recycle bottles. I might even be convinced to trade in my gas guzzling, environment destroying, carbon footprint expanding SUV. But when you go after my butt, you’ve gone too far. I don’t know what Sheryl Crow and her ilk are eating, but I’ve never had a trip to the bathroom where one sheet would suffice. Ever…

So if the forests disappear, so be it. Long live Quilted Norther Ultra Plush!

Let the little children…

I was in Colorado Springs the other day for some meetings with the amazing folks at Compassion International. As I waited in the lobby, I noticed a group of children who were waiting for a tour, ably led by my friend McNair Wilson.

As the children waited, they started climbing on the bronze statue of Jesus. Its a proper statue of Jesus (although I think he looks a little Irish). He’s holding a child in one arm and reaching out to some other children who are spaced out appropriately in the immediate vicinity. I took this picture.

I’m pretty sure that what Jesus really said was, “Let the little children climb on my head.”

What would you say?

Anne Jackson, the author of the book Mad Church Disease posted a question on her blog that got an amazing number of responses. The question is, “What is something you feel you can’t say in church, or around other Christians?”

The responses from her readers were heartbreaking, depressing, sarcastic, angry; almost none were encouraging. Wow! If her readers are at all representative of the church-going public in America (and I don’t know that they are, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are), then apparently, I’m not alone in feeling that I’ve never quite fit in. Some of the saddest were from Pastors or people in full-time “ministry.”

Shouldn’t it be safe to say anything? Shouldn’t the body of Christ be able to embrace any question, respond to any doubt? Shouldn’t church be a place where we can express our deepest fears and struggles without being added immediately to the prayer chain?

Here are just a few of the ones I wrestle with: Why do we go to church anyway? Does God really want me to tithe so the church can get a new (insert item)? Why can’t women be pastors or elders? What is the point of prayer really? Has anyone ever actually witnessed the church loving the sinner but hating the sin?

If it was totally safe, what would you say?