Cell Phone Company Ethics

Cell phones are fast becoming a necessary part of our global lives. In fact, when I need to contact a student at WOLBI to whom I cannot send a text, I find myself frustrated by the strangeness of situation. With this developing dependency on technology comes the equally enslaving dependency on the companies that offer these services. Have you even been disgruntled through your interaction with a cell phone provider? I am sure I am not alone in my irritation with cell phone company ethics.

It should not surprise me that in our post-modern, no-morality-declaring culture that we have problems with ethics (our moral philosophy -the way we live out what we believe). The problem with moral relativity (a view that suggests there is no universal standard for right and wrong - this is oversimplified but will do for now. For further definition) is that everyone may have a different set of 'rules for life' or ethics.

This was obviously the case a couple weeks ago when a family cell was overcharged on a bill. "Not a big deal," I thought, "It happens to everyone." Until I phoned to get the charges reversed...
The company, which will remain nameless to protect their extreme guilty-ness, was apologetic but not overly willing to simply reverse the charges. Apparently this is a very difficult thing to do. Their response was, "We will credit the funds to your account." What!?

Does anyone else feel this logic is 'wrong-headed'? You take money from me that you are not authorized to take and then you want to 'hang on to it' until I may be indebted to you?!

Since when is taking someone's money without asking not stealing and thus, criminal? And if you steal and get caught, should you not repay what you took?! Call me crazy but is this kind of logic relative now too?

What amazed me the most was the complete lack of understanding that this is a morally wrong thing to do and very poor business ethics. Is it also normal for such a company to have no option for people to inform the company? I was told that their was no avenue for me to voice the concern other than the note flagged on the account. Thus I am resigned to simply inform and implore your readership to my cell phone fiasco plight.

Do you have any cell phone horror stories? I'd love to be an ear for your unanswered cry for justice. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

All that said, I guess their is always another solution...you could always read How to Recycle Your Cell Phone.

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Believe it or Not!

Image via Wikipedia

What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

As I mentioned in a previous post, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) 
reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I love to see people stepping out of the shadow of obscurity to the fame their incredible voices and talent deserve. However, I hate to see the severely deceived embarrass themselves on television.
Walking in with complete confidence, they have the look, the charismatic personality, a swagger that is incorrigible, boasting of talent and even victory...and then they open their mouths...Wow! Unbelievable! "Are these people even serious?" I think to myself. Sadly, they are serious. I am always floored by their persistence. As they sing, if you could call it that, the judges are trying to be gracious, trying to be kind but sometimes it is dreadful. At times a giggle slips out, even a laugh. The contestant finishes what seems to have been a comedy routine by the ensuing laughter and what do they do - despite the laughter? They start singing again!! Amazing! They beg for another chance to humiliate themselves - they honestly, wholeheartedly believe they can sing and not only sing but deserve their voice to be heard by the world! The shame is that the rest of the world painfully understands the truth.

The first lesson I take from this is that I can choose to believe whatever I want to believe. If I tell myself something often and long enough, I can alter what I perceive as reality. Proven every season as we agonizingly endure the American Idol auditions we clearly understand - what I believe does NOT alter reality!

Will I learn to believe what is really true?

I blame parents and friends. What do you tell a 4 year old that runs to you with a page of scribbles? "Wow, that is great! Keep it up buddy!"  If a 20 year old is still running to you with a page of scribbles it's not cute any more. if you are someone that keeps telling people it's great when it's not, you should be slapped. Seriously, there comes a time when reality has to be revealed. If they can't sing, tell them to stick to family and friend karaoke time, please! It's not rude, demeaning, or destructive to someone's self-esteem to gently encourage them to find a career in something other than what they are awful at! It saves people the crushing defeat and emotional scarring of making a fool of themselves before an internationally, televised audience!!

In all seriousness I believe everyone CAN sing. The Bible exhorts us to, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord," and sing our praise to God no matter how it sounds. I just don't believe everyone deserves a professional recording contract. I believe everyone can sing but I don't believe everyone should sing on National Television!

The second lesson I learn is that I need to hear the truth. Even when it may not make me 'feel' good. Truth is true whether I like it or not. Truth is still true whether I believe it or not. 

Gravity is true, electricity is true, morality is true whether I choose to believe them or not. However, when I choose to ignore the truth there are always consequences.

It really doesn't matter how much faith you have...

...When the faith is in the wrong thing.

I can choose to believe that inertia is not true or that I can fly but if I tie my pillow case around my neck and jump from the arm of the couch onto the couch, the couch will slide and destroy my Mom's favourite pole-lamp.

The truth is: she's still never forgiven me for that one.

Will I listen to the Voice of Truth?

Read Part 1 - American Idol and Absolute Truth!

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.

A Spiritual Lesson from American Idol - Truth

Image via Wikipedia

What in the world does American Idol have to do with one's spiritual journey?

Well, you can learn a lot  about life (not just about our culture) reflecting on this cultural phenomenon. I rarely get through a whole season, to be honest, but I have a love-hate relationship with the audition shows.

I am absolutely amazed at the masses that try-out for this show. I find myself in awe as a lowly, backward, and sometimes slightly awkward, contestant steps up and delivers the vocals of a pop megastar. I am also absolutely intrigued by the other extreme of the equation. I find myself watching people who seem to have all the confidence, looks, charisma, and everything it will take to be the next American Idol and then it happens...they open their mouth...and what comes out isn't pretty. In fact, it is downright painful! It becomes instantly and abundantly clear to the judges and the entire watching world that this person CANNOT sing! They sing, and sing, and sing. Will it ever stop? In front of the TV, I'm curled up in the fetal position, rocking back and forth, my ears are bleeding, I'm crying out, "Make it stop, make it stop, Mommy, please!" and there is simply no relief until they decide to be done. 

But I keep watching, why? 

Because I am spellbound watching these people who believe they can sing.

Then the most fascinating of realizations dawns on me - American Idol has shown me, that despite the post-modern anti-absolutes campaign, there is absolute truth in our world. There is a real right and a real wrong.

Even those watching the show who have no sense of rhythm, pitch, or as is said "Can't carry a tune in a bucket" understand something "just ain't right" with what is coming out of the mouths of the most terrible of contestants. 

Why? Simply put, it's because A=440.

What in the world does that mean? Well, the more specific equation is A4 = 440 Hz (Hertz - basically, for our discussion, is the unit of measurement given to sound vibration. It's also the musical note of North American telephone dial tones.) and the truth is, whether your voice can reproduce this proper note or not, your ear and mind can understand that anything that is supposed to be the musical note A and is anything but 440Hz just sounds bad! (See Wikipedia for a more detailed discussion of Music and Mathematics.)

All that to illustrate this - There is absolute truth in music and just like 2+2 is always 4 mathematically, there is absolute truth in our world today.

Cover of C.S. LewisA great Christian philosopher of the past relates the same truth this way, "Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him he will be complaining "It's not fair" ... It seems, then, we are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong... they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table." 

~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Also author of "Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

 So I would suggest, whether we choose to believe it or not, there is absolute moral truth in the world today. 

Read Part 2 - American Idol and Absolute Truth - Believe it or Not! 

These illustrations were used as a part of the message "The Game of Life" at Recharge 2011 on the campus of the Word of Life Bible Institute, Owen Sound campus. Check out the rough notes blog post.

Everyone Lives Their Faith

From Jon in Real Life

In a recent Deans' Chapel at the Word of Life Bible Institute I challenged students with a presentation I call "No Christians Allowed." I don't know about you but I am tired of being a hypocritical professing Christians. My personal testimony haunts my memory of times near and far when I spoke with my lips and denied with my life. I want to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, one who seeks to live according to the standards set out in God's Word - the Bible. I don't want to simply be a Canadian "Cultural" Christian.
Now the reality is (if we are truly honest with ourselves) - we are all hypocrites. Christians or anyone with any spirituality at all (which includes everyone) consistently and perfectly lives up to their professed faith. A part of the human condition is that we are all hypocrites at times and to some degree. The challenge is not fueling the flame of our natural hypocritical bent.

 “For neither man nor angel can discern hypocrisy, the only evil that walks invisible.” 

– John Milton -

I heard a quote a number of years ago that has greatly impacted my life (blessings to Casey at E3 Resources, the creators of the Evangecube, for sharing it with me):

"What I say I believe is NOT what I believe. What I believe is defined by my actions and my integrity."

Just as the Apostle James tells us in the second chapter of his epistle, "Faith without works is dead." Faith without works is not 'in progress', 'on hold' or 'good enough.' Said another way, if I do not have faith, I do not have works and if I do not have works, I do not have faith. I am not saying that we work for our faith but that works are a natural and necessary by-product of genuine faith.

That being said, to live is to express faith. All of the things we do, say and think reflect what we truly believe.

So here is the bottom line and our greatest test:

What faith are we living?!

Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays Rant part 2

I know the whole Nick & Jessica thing is so "2000's" but Ben Stein makes a good point about the "Merry Christmas" debate.

Herewith at this happy time of year, a few confessions from my beating heart:

I have no ...clue who Nick and Jessica are. I see them on the cover of People and Us constantly when I am buying my dog biscuits and kitty litter. I often ask the checkers at the grocery stores. They never know who Nick and Jessica are either. Who are they? Will it change my life if I know who they are and why they have broken up? Why are they so important? I don't know who Lindsay Lohan is, either, and I do not care at all about Tom Cruise's wife.

Am I going to be called before a Senate committee and asked if I am a subversive? Maybe, but I just have no clue who Nick and Jessica are. Is this what it means to be no longer young. It's not so bad.

Next confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?

 I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.

posted from http://www.benstein.com/121805xmas.html

Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays Rant

The views expressed herein are the author's own. Please do not hold said content against his employer, wife, kids, extended family, friends, or past acquaintances.

Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays...people are offended by the well-wishing of this time of year. Is anyone else sick of the debate?
Should we really care about how people greet us in December?

People are offended by "Merry Christmas" because they are not Christian. Christians are up in arms when they hear "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings," believing that others are trying to take a Christ (that they don't believe in) out of Christmas! Really?!
As Christians, why should we expect people who do not share our faith to greet us in the way we desire?
As non-Christians, why should we expect people to not greet others according to their beliefs?

What annoys me about this whole offensive debate (because I am offended by everyone being offended!) are Christians going overboard and being un-Christian over the whole issue. Christ has called us to love, respect, speak the truth in love, and give an answer for the hope in us. Christians are called to share Christ, not force our culture to call itself Christian by demanding the world say "Merry Christmas." I am offended by Christians demanding to be greeted in their way of worship. Come on! Let's extend a little grace and not be offended by something so inconsequential. I am sure that God is not nearly as offended by people not saying "Merry Christmas" as by Christians who unlovingly demand others to conform to their desires for particular personal greetings. Are we so naive as to believe that the world is really going to be a better place if everyone just says, "Merry Christmas?" Wouldn't it be better for more believers in Christ to live like Christ and seek to share His message of love and hope? Does forcing the "Merry Christmas" issue really show people who Christ is and what He has done to save or does it drive unbelievers away from a fanatical, ungracious expression of Christianity?

On the other side of the issue, why are non-Christians so offended by someone saying "Merry Christmas?" I am totally open to some responses here but I've got to say that I have never felt intimidated, offended, or overly perturbed by others insisting on saying "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings," or even "Happy Hanuka" to me. Is it really a big deal? Can't we all just get along in the way we salute each other?

I'd say the bottom line of the issue is the very 'intolerance' that we are not supposed to tolerate in our mosaic Canadian and North American culture.
Seriously Christians, we need to relax and just live in obedience to God's commands and not make a commandment out of 'Thou shalt say, "Merry Christmas."'
Non-Christians, please be patient with me if I greet you with a "Merry Christmas." I'd be happy for you to let me know that you do not worship Christ and hear about what this season means to you.

May the best of the season be to each of you! 

Cultural Contradiction Rant

Open Air Week with WOLBI is always a bit of a culture shock. Each year we pack up the entire student body and some of our staff and head to the streets of Toronto and Hamilton for a week to talk to people about faith and life. Often we have great opportunities to share our faith and once again our students did an incredible job initiating conversations and boldly sharing God's truth. I am always amazed as I leave the Christian "Bubble" where I work and live for this extended period of time. One of the things that struck me this year as I wandered the streets watching out for students was a very obvious contradiction in our North American culture.

As I was walking down past crowds of people waiting for buses, I saw two guys talking. Something caught my eye and as I focused on the distraction, I discovered a pair of gloves decorated in spiderweb with a very prominent spider on the top of each hand. "That's interesting," I thought to myself, "Never seen anything like that..." In the seconds it took to discover all this I realized that the guys were looking at me with a weirded-out-are-you-some-kind-of-creeper type of glare. Somewhat offended by their expression of offense I probably blushed slightly as I quickened my pace to get away.

A constant media barrage communicates messages of, "Be your own person," and, "Stand up and stand out." There is nothing wrong with being a unique individual but c'mon, if you are trying to stand out, don't be surprised if you stand out! I personally like wearing a hat that is unique or different but I understand that when I do, people will notice, look (sometimes stare), and even comment. If you are seeking to 'stand out' then please be prepared for the attention you receive.