iPopCulture.NET

First off, if you haven’t seen my previous post on Mocha Club, check it out below.

Next, made props and kudos to Travis Penn (www.sweetestframe.org) for sending me this video.

Like EVERYONE in the world, I love finding hilarious and horrible YouTube videos. Well, thanks to a suggestion from Travis, I think I found one of the best/worst EVER.

Btw, if you have a video you think is absolutely hilarious, post the link on here so we all can enjoy (I will moderate your post before others see it…so no trick stuff! Deal?)

So without further ado, sit back, relax, laugh, enjoy, and realize this is the stuff your parents were listening to:

To be completely honest, this probably the most important post I have made on my blog. For the last year or so, I have had a strong desire to make a difference in the world. I’ve really wanted to do something about social injustice in the world, but I had no idea how to start. 

A few months ago, I read Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris, and it really motivated me to find a way to get involved. 

Just yesterday, I discovered Mocha Club. The “club” has nothing to do with coffee, but actually the lack of.

Through Mocha Club, for only $7/month (or the price of 2 mochas), you can make a difference in Africa. There are to twists, catches, if’s, and’s, or but’s. You simply pay $7/month and make a major impact on a nation that needs help!

The organization has several projects you can take part in, but the project I have chosen to take part in concerns building clean water wells in Sudan. Many of you are familiar with the tragedy that is taking place in Darfur. By donating $7, you help provide clean water to Darfur refugees and also help build orphanages for children who have had to flee the country.

In other words, when you give up $7 a month – the cost of 2 mochas – you are supporting a project in Africa. In Africa, $7 gives clean water to 7 Africans for a year, or will put 2 kids in school! 

I honestly want to encourage you to take part in this effort! I have started a team through MC and you can join my team and we can do this together! Pray about it if you need to, but seriously give this some thought! You are not just donating money to a cause, you are serving the kingdom of God!

Jesus told us that whatever we do for the least, we do for Him. 

I know this isn’t a primary motivator for doing this, but if you sign up to donate $7 a month, you will receive a free download of Matt Wertz’s brand new album, and a free download of his EP.

This is something I am very passionate about and I hope you will share this passion!

To join or just check it out, simply follow this link: Mocha Club- Make a Difference or go to this website: http://mochaclub.org/joinme/iPopEditor/12

$7 a month isn’t a big sacrifice. For our American society, it isn’t a sacrifice at all.

Take action. Serve others. Serve the world. Serve Christ!

Lately I’ve been struggling with the idea of who God truly is. I feel I have a pretty good grasp on this doctrinally, but I’ve been struggling with other aspects of it. 

As a kid, I used to hear people in their 60s and 70s talk about their God and how He saved their soul when they were a little kid and He had been faithful ever since. Then they would talk about how they can’t wait to get to heaven so they can finally be at peace and finally relax.

To me, that didn’t sound too desirable. I liked hearing the “saved my soul” part, but their description of heaven sounded kind of bland. I imagined sitting in the old west, rocking in a rocking chair for hours and hours, watching tumbleweed fly across the plains.

I’ve also heard many people “praise” God in the most depressing way. Read more…

So I made a big mistake today that started 2 days ago. Lately, I’ve been trying to eat healthy, so I usually bring a “Lean Pocket” and eat it for lunch. When I go home for dinner, yes, it’s usually another “Lean Pocket.” What can I say? I’m 23 and live alone!

If you don’t know what a “Lean Pocket” is, it’s basically the weird cousin of the “Hot Pocket.” It comes in the same flavors: Pepperoni Pizza, Chicken Parmesan, Meatballs and Marinara, etc. but is supposed to be healthier (aka fewer calories and fewer fat grams). In exchange, it loses some taste.

Now, if you’ve ever had a “Hot Pocket,” you know there’s not a whole lot of taste there anyway! But yes, it still loses some when it becomes “Lean.” 

So anyway, 2 nights ago I was fixing a Chicken Parmesan “Lean Pocket” and I accidentally left the box outside of the freezer overnight. Since I’m an idiot cheap, I put the box back in the freezer and figured it would be okay if it would freeze again. My justification: “I don’t want to waste the $0.75 this cost me and there’s probably not even real chicken in it anyway.”

Today, I brought that “Lean Pocket” for lunch and ate it. I should have noticed something was up when it came out of the microwave very soggy and feeling about as solid as a bucket of spaghetti. But…I ate it anyway! So now, about 2 hours later, my throat and stomach have this awful feeling like I just tried to eat an aluminum can. Not good! I really hope I don’t die. I don’t want anyone to have to tell my parents I died from eating a “Lean Pocket.” It wasn’t even Pepperoni Pizza!!! (aka fried beef jerky and processed cheese).

So, that’s my “Lean Pocket” story for the day. While I’ve been feeling the effects, I have been reminded of a great comedy bit on “Hot Pockets.” Check it out below. He definitely speaks the truth! Enjoy this laugh as a kickoff to the weekend. If you don’t laugh, I’ll buy you a “Lean Pocket!” (or not).  

If you attend or have ever attended a church, you know the debate over music can be very touchy. It’s not just a Christian vs Secular debate, but it goes deeper. Many people have tried to definite what “Christian” music is and what it isn’t. Do lyrics make something “Christian?” Is it the beat? Does “Christian” music even exist?

I started reading a book called Pop Goes Religion by Terry Mattingly. The book is a collection of articles Mattingly has written concerning the influence of faith in pop culture. In the first chapter, Mattingly has an article called “God and Popular Music.” In the article, Mattingly says “there are at least 6 or 7 competing definitions of ‘Christian music’ being used these days in a marketplace ruled by preachers and lawyers:”

1. “Christian music” consists of hymns

2. If music can be played or sung in worship services, then it’s “Christian.” Read more…

I’m sure we can all sing along with the theme: “…take a look, it’s in a book, Reading Rainbow!”

We also remember LeVar Burton encouraging us to read and check out our local library.

Since most of us are not kids anymore (at least in age), I am wondering what books have been the most influential or life-changing for you.

Is there a book that changed your entire worldview? Did a piece of literature completely change the way you live?

I have asked several of my former college professors that very same question. In the next week or so, I will post the responses they gave me concerning the 5-10 books/authors that influenced them most in life.

So here’s the question one more time…short, sweet, and simple:

What book or books have been the most influential in your life?

(Btw…if the Reading Rainbow theme song was a food, it would be a major pixifood! See 2 blogs down for explanation)

So football season is here…and that means Fantasy Football is in full swing. In honor of the new FF season, I thought I would offer up some signs you’re addicted to fantasy football–some of which I am guilty of (feel free to add your own):

- The word rotisserie makes your mouth water…not for chicken…but for Brian Westbrook’s stats.

- You tried to trade your grandma for a rookie running back

- You had to take a second mortgage out on your house to pay for NFL Sunday Ticket.

- When asked about dinner plans you’ve told your girlfriend/wife, “I can’t…I have a draft.” Read more…