Would you be willing to post your top blogs or websites that you visit frequently?

Ricky,

I don't do random questions on the blog. Sorry.

Search for "blogs" and you will find info.

Ed

I read the comments just to see the random questions people ask Ed, as if he is our personal consultant!

Ed,

I feel the fire in your gut for the gospel and I dig it. Continue to tend the flame, brother.

there are some things in the church world that certainly could use tearing out. however, ripping down anything in the church that is effectively pointing people to the cross & truly refocusing believers on the real mission of the church might actually be counter productive... might actually be another reason an unbelieving world has trouble believing.

I'm a little confused - your title makes it sound like you are against the Advent Conspiracy, but the text of the sermon seems to be in favor of all the things that the Advent Conspiracy is working for. What's up?

James,

This is an article about Christmas, not about a certain program, etc.

And, I didn't choose the title. ;-)

Ed

Ah, that's the sense that I got from reading the sermon. I'm a little disappointed that a title was selected that makes it seem as if you are against a good program. That seems to be misleading by the people over at Sermon Central.

Thanks for these thoughts - they are great.

If Sermon Central came up with the title, I would ask them to change it because it comes across as a pointless swipe at Advent Conspiracy.

You wrote: "The advent season needs no décor, conspiracy, or sales pitch. It needs simplicity. It needs a gospel simply proclaimed and the work of Jesus simply done." Its difficult for me to understand why you chose "conspiracy" if you didn't have a certain program, Advent Conspiracy, in mind. Like Mr. Wood, I am confused.

What caused you to choose "a season that is filled with more advent than conspiracy" if these statements have nothing to do with Advent Conspiracy?

Jeff,

The article is about the world's reactions and our tendency to get caught up in that whirlwind. We need a simpler approach of gospel proclamation and service.

Please don't read into it what is not there. It is not a swipe against anyone.

I am sure the Advent Conspiracy folks are doing good things but I do know know them well. But the fact that I use words like "conspiracy" and "advent" do not make for another conspiracy. ;-)

Seems to me that their concern and the concern expressed in my article are rather similar-- though I use the term "conspiracy" to mean something we should not get caught up in and they are using it to call for an alternative to consumerism. Either way, the point is we need a better way to live this Advent.

I have no "fight to pick" here other than with the loss of focus on what matters most in the Advent.

Thanks for the comment. I hope that clears up any confusion. I will ask them to change the title-- but that is not my call.

Ed

Alright, fair enough. I'd say that 99% of those who are familiar with Advent Conspiracy will be having similiar questions without necessarily attempting to read anything into the article. Especially since its unclear exactly what the conspiracy is that you are warning us to not get caught up in. As best I can tell its "the commercialization of our country's Christmas culture" but this doesn't seem very conspiratorial. But I'll move along since it seems this is much ago about nothing.

I agree with you that "our return to the simplicity of the gospel is a necessity this advent season." Good word, thanks.

Thanks, Jeff,

As I writer I think I was clear (that is the flesh in me standing up... grin). However, it appears that it is unclear to people who are involved in the Advent Conspiracy (which, ironically, is an advertiser on Sermon Central, so they were not in on any conspiracy with the title, I think).

But, I emailed the folks at Sermon Central (who were surprised at the concern but did not want any confusion) and all should be fixed moments from now.

The conspiracy should be over. ;-)

The point here is Jesus... and I don't want to get distracted from that point with a non-issue.

God bless,

Ed

I think that the text was very clear and after reading the full sermon at Sermon Central my only confusion was with the title.

Thanks for speaking an important message in a timely fashion. You do good stuff for the kingdom.

I get the sense that someone's not being honest here... to pick out those two little words and use them together (advent & conspiracy) is a weird co-incidence. Since you've explained yourself above, I'm having a hard time believing that Sermon Central was "surprised" about a reaction, especially since you mentioned that the Advent Conspiracy movement is advertising with them... hmmmm.

Great article Ed.
I'm also impressed with your infinite patience.