Christian Bookstores

[magnolia]

It seems the merchandise they carry in my area try very hard to find the good in the apostate.

For example:
The book, The Gospel According to Tony Soprano is a book for sale in Christian Bookstores. This book is about HBO's hit "The Sopranos". The book's description reads, "The plot lines and characters raise spiritual issues that leave us questioning our own beliefs." I've seen this show, and the only thing it left me questioning was why I was watching it.
"The Gospel According to Tony Soprano is essential reading for every fan of the television show, and for anyone who wants to examine the larger questions of right and wrong."
What? Don't join a Mob family and slaughter fellow men. This is not a soul searching conclusion. What's next, The Dispensations according to South Park?
Why is The Gospel According to Tony Soprano selling in Christian Bookstores? Has anyone read this?

The band "Evanescence" are "opposed to promoting or supporting any religious agenda". But their CD sells at my local Christian Bookstore.
Why do Christian bookstores promote products by those who seem deny Christ?

I also saw a Feng Shui(sp?) book with snakes and insense on the cover. I guess that's no so bad..... I don't know what feng shui is, but it looked rather cultic and New Age.

[Bewl Dawg]

sounds like your local bookstore is turning secular

my local bookstore ... well i dont stay long enough to notice anything there except the bibles are in the back wall well technically its side wall.. well there close to front considering its a small 20x10ft store

[pilgrimian]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm....I'd be talking to management.:sigh

Godspeed,
Matthew

[Lurkinguy]

"The plot lines and characters raise spiritual issues that leave us questioning our own beliefs."
I can honestly say that there would be nothing in that book to make me question my beliefs.

It makes you wonder what their beliefs are that might be questioned.

I wonder, do Christian bookstores order anything that is requested as long as it raises "spiritual" issues?

Chris??

[SapphireGrl]

Mag, I have long wondered why so many Christian bookstores carry books, etc. that teach and preach heresy and even contradict scripture. It seems that all you have to do is write a book and throw the word "Christian" or "gospel" on it, and they'll put it on the shelf. It is very frustrating and disgusting.

You have to be discerning when wading through the crap that you will find on the shelves of many Christian bookstores. :sigh

[ssimon2000]

SapphureGrl, you have hit the nail on the head! I determined long ago that "Christian" bookstores are businesses just like WaldenBooks or Barnes and Noble, and are in it to make money. There are a few locally-owned bookstores that are better at placing Christian items on their shelves, but even still, you have to be very discerning.:confused

Magnolia, the record company that promotes Evanesence has given the stores until June 28 to return the CDs to the company, since that band doesn't want to have anything to do with the Christian "culture." I think this came about as a result of some band members leaving, and new ones being added. I have never heard their music, and judging from the cover of their CD, I don't think I would care for it anyway. This reminds me of Sixpence None the Richer; they said the same thing about 5 years ago.:puke

[janh7]

As a side note....I bought a Mercy Me Cd last weekend at Wal-Mart for 12.99. The same Cd was 17.99 at my local Christian bookstore.:( I don't think I can afford the Christian bookstore anymore.

[KrispyKritter]

Folks... wonder no more! I have the answer to all of the concerns posted on this thread... the answer is: MONEY

Money money money... thats all it's about. The Christian bookstores, especially the chains, are the modern day money changers... profitting off of God.

I know there are many sincere believers who work in Christian retail... but the bottom line is money. It's NOT a ministry.

I buy Christian CD's at Walmart... to buy them at a bookstore is not being a good steward.

I especially get annoyed with Christian bookstore chains that offer their own credit cards... and then sell books counseling Christians about not going into debt...

I wonder what Jesus would do if He walked into one of these stores as He did the temple... hmmm....

And what does it say about the church... if these folks werent making money off the church... they wouldnt exist!

Most of what they sell is what I call "Jesus Junk".

[magnolia]

I hear ya janh7. I go to Best Buy or a used CD store for anything music related. Best Buy has just about any CD you can think of and they are usually 12.99 and under.


I know there are many sincere believers who work in Christian retail... but the bottom line is money. It's NOT a ministry.
You want to hear something disgusting that made me pay attention to my bookstore in the first place?
A good friend of mine works at said Christian bookstore. She saw her boss put a $39 price tag on many glass doves that were selling like hotcakes.
Her boss told her she got several of these doves at a store down the street for $4!!!! Talk about making a profit! :eek
Magnolia, the record company that promotes Evanesence has given the stores until June 28 to return the CDs to the company, since that band doesn't want to have anything to do with the Christian "culture."
Well that's good to know!
I think I'll really start to complain when they put a Christian Science reading room in the back.

[Ajani]

I cannot imagine. We have 2 Christian book stores in town, and the one that I frequent is fabulous (the other is good too, but I prefer the smaller, family run one). The materials are bang on. I can't imagine walking in and finding Feng Shui books on the shelves. I would be stunned.

I agree... talk to the management, calmly. Gently show the ways in which some of the things being sold don't line up with Jesus. If it is indeed about money over ministry, stop shopping there. If you wanted to buy Christian stuff in a secular setting, you could go to Walmart, where it's often cheaper.

[joint heir]

I have not had a problem either....they carry many things like Bible studies and references that wal mart does not..

I still look for the best prices..but I appreciate a store where I do not have to guard what my daugher sees....I can let her go in the veggie tale section

[Truthseeker4]

Originally posted by magnolia


The band "Evanescence" are "opposed to promoting or supporting any religious agenda". But their CD sells at my local Christian Bookstore.
Why do Christian bookstores promote products by those who seem deny Christ?

I also saw a Feng Shui(sp?) book with snakes and insense on the cover. I guess that's no so bad..... I don't know what feng shui is, but it looked rather cultic and New Age.

Evansescence Christian music.... :eek not when they are going to be in concert with Three Doors Down.

Feng Shui is a part of Chinese beliefs. Earth, wind, fire, metal, and water. Ever hear of year of the dragon? Yes they are trying to promote it as new agy stuff. Horoscopes and among other things.

:) Melissa

[Marcia]

http://www.christianbook.com

They have a wonderful selection! I order from them all the time!

[Warrior Prophet]

Mags,
It's not just that Christian bookstores will carry any music that is labeled 'Christian' (including a Touched by an Angel soundtrack*) or 'Christian artists' who simply want to entertain. Someone mentioned Sixpence and we've chatted about Mxpx and the slew of Tooth and Nail bands that Christian bookstores sell. Like someone said, it goes down to money.

What really concerns me is the lack of discernment in what books they sell. Word of Faith books are sold right along books that teach sound doctrine. Legit prophecy books are sold right by sensationalistic prophecy books. I won't name names :sly . It's a problem widespead in our 'doctrine is divisive' Christian culture, and that has affected 'Christian' bookstores.

That's all I can say on the subject right now. God bless and good day.

In His Service,
Mark Murphy

[KrispyKritter]

Fact is if a Christian bookstore wants to stay in business they have to compromise because otherwise they will lose business to someone else who IS willing to compromise. Any business that is in existence to make money is NOT a ministry... it's a business. And it will be run accordingly. Which brings to question the legitimacy of Christian bookstores.

There are some that do not compromise and will not peddle books that are way off base doctrinally, and are selective about what bands/musicians they sell ... and these stores seem to always be little hole-in-the-wall places that are struggling to survive.

Then just down the street you see the huge Christian chain-store peddling anything and everything that is labeled Christian... and raking in the dough for their high-priced items. They offer Christians their store's own credit card... and then try to sell them books about how to get out of debt. (I got called TWICE just yesterday for a credit card offer from one of these big Christian chain stores! ... the woman on the phone said "But sir... they have scripture verses on them" ... I said "Is it the verse that mentiones something about owing no man nothing??") These stores offer CD's by people who really have no interest in walking with the Lord... like P.O.D. I'm a musician, and I keep up with whats going on in Christian music... and I'm always amazed at whats happening in Christian music. For instance: Last week on the Dove Awards Amy Grant and her new hubby Vince Gill sang "Friends" as a tribute to Micheal W. Smith. She ignored the vows that she made to Gary Chapman (granted, I'm sure Gary contributed to the failed marriage) and then married a man whom she had a well known friendship w/ while she was married... and then appeared on a Christian music program to sing. And whats up with an Awards show for Christian music anyway? "I say to you, surely they have their reward!"

Oooops! I got off track there... or did I?

All of this is peddled by Christian bookstores... and I believe they have done more harm then they have good. Most peddle heresy and false doctrine... and make money selling music by many artists who call what they do "ministry" ... yet Christian music is full of adultry, divorce & remarriage, ecumenism, etc etc.

Sure there are a lot of good authors being sold in these stores... I'm not saying everything they do is wrong... but too much of it is!

And I havent even started on the "Jesus junk"! Testa-"mints", Jesus pencils, Jesus erasers, Jesus magnets, Jesus stickers... whats next? Jesus Underoos?

I would rather spend my money at Wal-Mart... at least they are not ashamed to admit they are in existence to make money. There is more honesty in that.

Those two credit card offers yesterday really fired me up... just had to vent. Thank you!

[magnolia]

There are some that do not compromise and will not peddle books that are way off base doctrinally
Around here, it's the Christian Science Reading Room... they seem rather consistent (don't ask why I was in there).
I'm going to write a letter to the CBS and tell them to keep consistent with their stock and rename themselves "The One World Religion Bookstore". :rolleyes

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by magnolia

Around here, it's the Christian Science Reading Room... they seem rather consistent (don't ask why I was in there).
I'm going to write a letter to the CBS and tell them to keep consistent with their stock and rename themselves "The One World Religion Bookstore". :rolleyes

Good luck... but remember... a man can not have two masters. He must serve one or the other... man can not love God AND money. He will love one and hate the other.

[ChristineMarie]

Oh Boy! could I run wild in this thread. But fortunately for ya'll I wont.

This is why I just quit working for a Christian Bookstore, major chain at that.

I would rather be unemployeed and broke then selling out like that.


Ok, I will come up with a better post just as soon as I get my emotions in check.

[Warrior Prophet]

KK,
Wow, I can't say that I totally disagree with you, but I do want to say a few things to maybe hash out.

You remarked that P.O.D. had no desire to walk with the Lord. I don't think you or I can comment on that. I have my view on them, to be sure, but I don't know their spiritual condition. I can tell from their early work that they did have good strong beliefs. They even had a line 'Abortion in Murder' which I would like to see them sing for the liberal MTV crowd. So far I also haven't seen them deny Christ in any interview, so take what you will from them.

As far as the Amy Grant thing... I don't really care about the divorce she had. I'm not going to throw stones at her. I just think that her music (at least her pop stuff) is so cliche and sugarcoated it's hard to swallow. But that's just my opinion. And I think her 'coming home' to Christian music shows that she couldn't make it big in the secular market.

Agree with you on the 'Jesus Junk'. Aside from what you mentioned.. have you seen those shirts what knock off famous logos and put like a scripture on them? How lame. I would be ashamed to wear those. They just are tacky to the max.

A question: what Christian artists push ecumanism? I honestly don't know who you are speaking of.

God bless and good day.

In His Service,
Mark Murphy

[Crescendo]

As a co-owner of a Christian bookstore, I have a few thoughts on this subject.

First, pricing. Everything we get in, we price at or below the manufacturers suggested retail price. We've only been open since September but we have yet, except December, had a month where our profit exceeded expenses. My wife, father-in-law and myself work about sixty-five hours per week here. This doesn't include another 50 or so outside working on accounting, ordering, searching for new products, etc.

Yes, Wal-Mart and other chain stores can sell items less expensively than we can but that's because they buy by the truckload or container load directly from China. I suppose if I had a 4000 store buying power, I would cut costs too. My 1100 square foot store and limited dollars doesn't allow me to do that. However, we do ensure a convenient parking place, product to be in top condition, superior service, a support of our community, etc. Our selection is also much broader. Fortunately, we have many faithful Christians that shop here that understand that if a couple extra dollars aren't spent on the common items, the store won't be here when something harder to find is needed.

The churches are supportive also although our margin of profit is greatly limited by church supply distributors. They understand that if we don't exist (local Christian stores) then their congregations cannot be 'fed' between Sundays. We offer an extensive selection of good reads (nothing about the Sopranos here) that help folks expand their understanding and self-study.

As far as "it's all about money. It's not a ministry." I beg to differ. Again, we lose four figures most months. That's not all about making money from where I'm sitting! Furthermore, when we have customers sit on the floor and cry, have us pray with them, etc. I'd challenge anyone to say we're not in a ministry. That's not only false but greatly disturbing that its an accepted belief among believers. Sure, I'd like to break even someday and have more to offer in the way of donations (averaging about one request a week since we opened).

I am appalled that any business owner, let alone a Christian store, would buy something and mark it up that dramatically. I guess there are limits to where I'd even support such a business. But, please don't generalize and think we're all pulling such scams.

Its so difficult to operate a small business, especially one that has a relatively limited audience/customer base.

I could go on and on. I don't expect to change your opinions but please consider your outlook of small businesses. We could live in a nation of big-box stores and look out only for ourselves. That wouldn't offer much choice or option though.

Thanks for letting me vent. :confused

[KrispyKritter]

WP ... thanx for your post.

Amy Grant: While I can not judge her heart, I do believe that for her to stand up in front of the world and claim to represent Christ is embarrassing. What she did was very public, and therefore is subject to public scrutiny. I agree w/you about her music... never been a fan, but thats neither here nor there. I pray she has repented... but she also needs to repent publicly, which so far she has refused to do. Vince Gill also left his wife around the same time Amy left Gary... so two families have been torn apart, with a handful of children caught in the middle.

Christian music and ecumenism:

A When Pope John Paul II visited the States in January 1999, well-known Contemporary Christian musicians joined hands with hundreds of thousands of Catholics to welcome him. Featured at a Catholic youth rally connected with the Pope’s visit, were dc Talk, Audio Adrenaline, O.C. Supertones, Rebecca St. James, and Jars of Clay.

B KATHY TROCCOLI has been nominated five times as the Gospel Music Association female vocalist of the year. Her 1995 album, Sounds of Heaven, spawned five No. 1 singles. She is a national spokesperson for Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship. In an interview with CCM Magazine in 1997 she said: “But I’d been very judgmental toward the Catholic church for years, and I’ve recently been able to go back to it without having a chip on my shoulder. I now have a much greater capacity for--as the album says--Love and Mercy.” Troccoli preaches an ecumenical, non-judgmental philosophy.

C Troccoli’s 1997 album, Love One Another, has an ecumenical theme: “Christians from all denominations demonstrating their common love for Christ and each other” (Dave Urbanski, “Chatty Kathy,” CCM Magazine, June 1997). The recording of the title song involved 40 CCM artists: Amy Grant, Gary Chapman, Clay Crosse, Sandi Patty, Michael W. Smith, Carman, Tony Vincent, Jonathan Pierce, Mark Lowry, Phillips, Craig and Dean, Aaron and Jeoffrey, Jaci Velasquez, Lisa Bevill, Scott Krippayne, Sarah Masen, Babbie Mason, Sara Jahn, Carolyn Arends, Vestal Goodman, Paul Vann, Billy and Sarah Gaines, Tim Taber, Sarah Hart, Peter Penrose, Janet Paschal, Beverly Crawford, Phil Joel of the Newsboys, Kevin Smith of dc Talk, Tai Anderson of Third Day, plus the members of Out of the Grey, Beyond the Blue, 4 HIM, Christafari, and Audio Adrenaline. Like most CCM songs, this one is owned by a secular corporation. It is copyrighted 1996 by Sony/ATV Songs, Tree Publishing, Pants Down Music, and Radioquest Music Publishing. The song talks about tearing down the walls of denominational division. While it's true that among Bible believing denominations there should be unity... Triccoli's intent is obviously a tear down between Bible believing denominations AND the CATHOLIC CHURCH... since she is a Catholic!

Thats just about everybody!

D PHIL KEAGGY made a commitment to Christ in an Assemblies of God church in 1970, but he has not rejected Roman Catholicism. This is documented in a 1995 interview (Phil Keaggy, cited by Tom Loredo, “Phil Keaggy in His Own Words,” Way Back Home, December 1995).

E MICHAEL W. SMITH performed at the Catholic-sponsored World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado, in 1993. Smith and guitarist-songwriter BILLY SPRAGUE performed with Catholic Kathy Troccoli at a concert in November 1985 in Tampa, Florida. The concert was sponsored by Youth for Christ and the First Assembly of God of Clearwater, Florida (St. Petersburg Times, Florida, Religious Section, Nov. 9, 1985, p. 3).

F Smith and AMY GRANT are among the CCM artists who have had interviews published in the Roman Catholic youth magazine YOU (The Fundamentalist Digest, May-June 1992). Kathy Troccoli was the backup singer for Amy Grant before she began her own recording career in 1982. In 1994 the Catholic St. John’s University gave its highest award, the Pax Christi, to Grant (Houston Chronicle, May 7, 1994). Pax Christi is the radical International Catholic Peace Movement.

G MARGARET BECKER claims to have had a religious experience which has made her more appreciative of her Roman Catholicism. In a 1994 interview she said she began mixing faith with her music and gained a greater appreciation for her own faith, Catholicism. “Now, I’m taking that knowledge with me back to the church of my youth.” Becker declared: “The familiar prayers and practices are very rich and touch me in a different, more intimate way”

H When Pope John Paul II visited the United States in January 1999, many well-known Contemporary Christian musicians joined hands with hundreds of thousands of Catholics to welcome him. Featured at a Catholic youth rally connected with the Pope’s visit, were DC TALK, AUDIO ADRENALINE, REBECCA ST. JAMES, JENNIFER KNAPP, THE WS, AND THE SUPERTONES (CCM Magazine, April 1999, p. 12). According to Music and Entertainment News, JARS OF CLAY was also scheduled to appear, though other reports did not mention them (Music and Entertainment News) Knapp said she was excited about joining the Pope to “build on the unity of faith” (CCM Magazine, op. cit.). dc Talk’s Kevin Max praised the Catholic youth for coming out to hear the Pope, describing John Paul II as “someone with something of substance to say” (Ibid.). A large group of nuns and Dominican priests “danced with abandon” at the Supertones rock music. Each attendee received a rosary with instructions about how to pray to Mary.

Is this enough, or do you need more?

[Crescendo]

Originally posted by magnolia
The band "Evanescence" are "opposed to promoting or supporting any religious agenda". But their CD sells at my local Christian Bookstore.
Why do Christian bookstores promote products by those who seem deny Christ?


The band Evanescence should not be on the shelf at your local Christian bookstore!

They were somehow included on a 'Top 10' list from the music distributors earlier in April, or maybe late March, but its was quickly removed.

The band themselves did an interview and more or less said 'what the **** are we doing on the Christian charts? We don't have anything Christian at all in our music?' The music companies have offered stores complete return priveleges of this item. That's been a couple weeks ago so they should have pulled it by now I would think. Of course when you're out shopping at Best Buy and Wal-Mart they'll be happy to sell it to you. :b

P.O.D. has been another subject of some controversy. Unnecessary, I think, but people still talk. A rumor was afoot several months ago that they were no longer a Christian band or some such. Their lyrics wouldn't suggest that (I've had teens interpret it for me!) and their website, last time I looked, still gave a Christian message. This is probably just left-over rumors that weren't set straight back around Christmas. Again, perhaps the Wal-Mart or Best Buy clerk could give further information on these bands you are looking for information from! :b

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by Crescendo
I could go on and on. I don't expect to change your opinions but please consider your outlook of small businesses. We could live in a nation of big-box stores and look out only for ourselves. That wouldn't offer much choice or option though.

Thanks for letting me vent. :confused

Hey brother... let me assure you that altho the tone of this thread probably sounds as tho we (especially me) are against Christian bookstores as a whole... but I think if you read the entire thread you will see that it has been mentioned several times that the smaller family run Christian bookstores have NOT been railed against on here. I think it needs to be clarified that what I have been speaking about are the super chain-store Christian stores.

I, for one, respect what you're doing... and quite obviously it is a ministry. Forgive me if what I have been saying has not been clear enough. I am not speaking against you or any others who are doing what you are doing.

Blessings!

[KrispyKritter]

As for POD... one of their members left the band recently, and part of his explanation was that he was not a Christian and was tired of pretending that he was. He then stated that the rest of the band was living a double life as well. Granted he may be disgruntled, but I have read interviews, and heard interviews where they cussed and generally did not talk like Christians. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. By their fruit you shall know them.

[Crescendo]

I appreciate your follow-up note. Its not an easy business and I get defensive if we 'independents' are thought of as money-grubbing! Its just not so!

I haven't seen anything recently about POD. I hope if I slip up on occassion with my language, etc., my salvation isn't questioned. Of course, if you do it with a microphone, its tougher to overlook. :)

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by Crescendo
I hope if I slip up on occassion with my language, etc., my salvation isn't questioned. Of course, if you do it with a microphone, its tougher to overlook. :)

I dont judge their salvation.... It's not my place. But there is a difference between cussing in anger or over a broken bone, and using vulgarity in a interview where you know everyone is going to be reading it. Christians who claim to be presenting the gospel to the masses are held to higher standard... by God... because they represent Him to the world.

[Crescendo]

Originally posted by KrispyKritter


I dont judge their salvation.... It's not my place. But there is a difference between cussing in anger or over a broken bone, and using vulgarity in a interview where you know everyone is going to be reading it. Christians who claim to be presenting the gospel to the masses are held to higher standard... by God... because they represent Him to the world.

Well said. I completely agree. I wish we could all be held to that standard - or perhaps I wish we could all present the gospel to the masses.

[Warrior Prophet]

KK,
I agree with you and your points on Amy Grant's divorce. I see where you are coming from. I do not think she put a good example to the world with her actions. I have not heard her address such concerns either. She basically has the attitude 'It's between me and God'. Well, yes, but the world judged Christians by our actions and if they don't think our faith is real, by logic the faith must not be real. I think why she was on the Doves is the Dove group wanted a 'big name'. That's all. They had Kathy Lee... I think it was a few years ago. While most people thought it was a joke, it just shows you how they want attention (the CCM types I mean). There was even chatter of having Bono as a present. That's just silly talk. Bono... that's a whole other rant.

Well, can't say I totally agree with you on the RCC connections. I think those artists may just not consider or be ignorant of the RCC's unbiblical teachings. How many times have you heard how undiscerning the evangelical church is? This is just one way it manifests itself. The tolerance of RCC influence in the evangelical church just shows how much of the Bible we don't know. I do not however judge the artists by those qoutes or those concerts for the Pope. All the artists you mentioned teach the pure gospel in their music. While I object to them putting the RCC as 'one of us', I do not object to their music. I think all (at least a majority of the bands you listed) of them do want to spread the Word and bring Christians closer to Him. It may just be an ignorance thing.

The P.O.D. thing.... I'll be blunt: I think you are listening to a lot of heresay. There are many rumors going around why Marcos left, and like you said he may just be talking from a bitter position. Consider that P.O.D. replaced him with the guitarist from Living Sacrifice, a Christian band. Why would they replace a non-Christian with a Christian if they weren't a Christian band? I personally haven't heard them use foul language in any interview. If you could site any specific examples that would be good.

God bless and good day.

In His Service,
Mark Murphy

[magnolia]

Originally posted by Crescendo
[B]The band themselves did an interview and more or less said 'what the **** are we doing on the Christian charts? We don't have anything Christian at all in our music?' The music companies have offered stores complete return priveleges of this item. That's been a couple weeks ago so they should have pulled it by now I would think. Of course when you're out shopping at Best Buy and Wal-Mart they'll be happy to sell it to you.
Hi Crescendo (I like your name by the way),
I think this may be why Evanscense is/were carried in Christian Bookstores.
Here is an interview excerpt from 2000:

"What does Evanescence hope to convey, spiritually or otherwise, through music and lyrics?

As far as spiritually - the message we as a band want to convey more than anything is simple - God is Love. He is a just God, but a gracious God. All anyone seems to want to do these days is judge other people for things that they themselves are doing. It's so easy to feel completely and hopelessly alone..... All of our songs are not about rainbows and sunshine. Sometimes it rains. "

[Warrior Prophet]

Dear All,
For all who have a question of P.O.D.'s faith, just go to this link:

P.O.D. lyrics
(http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/singerAllSongs/68CD4D75109BC3574825699D002A5093)

I hope that clears everything up.

In His Service,
Mark Murphy

[magnolia]

Psalm 150



Praise God in his heavenly dwelling;
praise him in his mighty heaven!
Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness!
Praise him with a blast of the trumpet;
praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
praise him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that lives sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!!




:eek

[FunkyHulaGirl]

April 30, 2003
Ex-Sex Shop Faces Woes As Christian Store

PUTNEY, Ky. (AP) -- A man who converted his sex toy shop to a Christian bookstore said sales are so slow he was able to stock his shelves only after receiving $80,000 worth of donated religious goods.

Michael Braithwaite said he had considered closing his fledgling store when unexpected help arrived from an Ohio couple who decided to help after reading about his religious conversion.
Ron and Phyllis Branstetter arrived last week with a van and rental truck filled with Bibles, books and other religious items.

``Praise the Lord. It´s just heaven-sent,´´ Braithwaite said as he carried boxes into the nearly empty store.
In October, Braithwaite said God persuaded him to close the shop, burn $10,000 worth of sex toys and open the bookstore. He dropped the old name, Love World, and now calls his store Mike's Place.

Braithwaite said he hopes business will pick up now that he is fully stocked.

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by Warrior Prophet
Well, can't say I totally agree with you on the RCC connections. I think those artists may just not consider or be ignorant of the RCC's unbiblical teachings. How many times have you heard how undiscerning the evangelical church is? This is just one way it manifests itself. The tolerance of RCC influence in the evangelical church just shows how much of the Bible we don't know. I do not however judge the artists by those qoutes or those concerts for the Pope. All the artists you mentioned teach the pure gospel in their music. While I object to them putting the RCC as 'one of us', I do not object to their music. I think all (at least a majority of the bands you listed) of them do want to spread the Word and bring Christians closer to Him. It may just be an ignorance thing.

If they are going to be in a public ministry then they should be a little less ignorant of the Word. I'm not against any of these performers... but you asked me to cite proof of ecumenism in Christian music, and so I did. Ecumenism is dangerous, and if these performers are merely "ignorant" then they are leading others down a pathway of ignorance. However, I dont believe they can all claim ignorance. The members of dcTalk and Micheal W. Smith have all been Christians long enough to know the difference between a false religion and the real McCoy. It's the old politically correct "doctrine doesnt matter... lets all just get along" junk... and it sells more CD's. The larger the audience, the more people you can sell to.

Originally posted by Warrior Prophet
The P.O.D. thing.... I'll be blunt: I think you are listening to a lot of heresay. There are many rumors going around why Marcos left, and like you said he may just be talking from a bitter position. Consider that P.O.D. replaced him with the guitarist from Living Sacrifice, a Christian band. Why would they replace a non-Christian with a Christian if they weren't a Christian band? I personally haven't heard them use foul language in any interview. If you could site any specific examples that would be good.

Figures you would ask me that... I'll try to find it, but it will take some digging. In the meantime, I will do the appropriate thing and not mention it anymore until I have the documentation.

[magnolia]

:eek !!
Sex shop turned into Christian Store? That is so awesome! And burn?? He didn't want to make a dime off of the rest of the sex paraphernalia...good that is dirty money!
Perhaps his newfound notoriety will help business as well as prayers. God Bless that gentleman.

[chris_h]

Okay, KK, about dc Talk, you just had to say that.

I highly doubt that Kevin Max would sing this song, and not be a Christian:


Kevin Max - "Just an Illusion"
From the compilation album "Songs for a Purpose Filled Life" - 2002

Ahh....Ahhh
From the beginning
We were made to be like the Son
With no thought of sinning
In the Father's eyes we are one
The greatest deception
Was convincing us we should break
The rules of relation
Heaven's creation
All alone, led astray by the snake

It's just an illusion
Pulls you outta
Your places of grace
Where's the confusion
You can't lose, if you choose
To obey

The trails and troubles
(Trails and troubles)
Hidden treasures that shape our lives
Building our character
In the holy image of Christ
Living the good life
(The good life)
Won't produce your heaven on earth
The fatal seduction
The assumption
You can live without God in your life

Yeah, yeah, yeah
It's just an illusion
(Just an illusion)
Pulls you outta
Your place of grace
Where's the confusion
(Where's the confusion)
You can't lose, if you choose
To obey

And go higher
I want to go
Higher
I want to go
Higher
And let the Spirit take you higher
Take you
Higher
Take you
Higher
Ahhh
Ohhh...Ahhh
Ahhh
Too far from the deception (?)

It's just an illusion
(It's just an illusion)
To pull you outta
Your place of grace
(Open your eyes)
Where's the confusion
(Turn your heart to Christ)
You can't lose, if you choose
To obey

And let the Spirit take you higher
Take you there
Higher
Let it take you there
Higher
Let the Spirit take you higher
Higher
Let it take you there
Higher
Ohhhh
Higher
Let the Spirit take you
Higher
Higher
Higher
I said, high, high, high, high

Open up to the Spirit


And that's the one that's supposed to be the "least Christian!"
[P.S.: Listen to it—not only is it Biblical and Christian, it rocks!]

dc Talk not being real Christians? Why then, would they make songs like these?

Heavenbound (http://www.ardent-enthusiast.com/discs/1989.html#Heavenbound) - from the album DC Talk
The Hardway (http://www.ardent-enthusiast.com/discs/1992.html#The%20Hardway) - from the album Free at Last
Day by Day (http://www.ardent-enthusiast.com/discs/1995.html#Day%20By%20Day) - from the album Jesus Freak
Into Jesus (http://www.ardent-enthusiast.com/discs/1998.html#Into%20Jesus) - from the album Supernatural
The Truth (http://www.ardent-enthusiast.com/discs/1998.html#The%20Truth) - from the album Supernatural

[seeker42]

Feng Shui is a part of Chinese beliefs.

Feng Shui is the practice of setting up or constructing a building based on the philosophy of not offending Demonic Powers and ancestral spirits (who are also demonic spirits).

The Bible says about Demonic Forces that we should rebuke them in the name of Jesus and pray for those in the area, who might be affected by those forces ( & witness to them).

Feng Shui is the art of spiritual accomodation...Other variations of Feng Shui suggest that it is really only attempting to line up the buildings with the magnetic lines of the Earth. This is not an accurate statement, and one can instantly tell...because in Asia those who refuse to line up their buildings in this manner...are told that great personal misfortune will come to them by upsetting spirits.

==========

About the Christian bookstores, I agree that a major problem is the large chains...But too many Christian bookstores are in the buisiness of sales, and not in the business of Jesus.

Many of these stores are not interested in Christian Books that are serious and substantive. THey want the "Fast Food Jesus",
the 5 minutes with Jesus, or "How to be deep with God...in one minute or less".

Somehow, "diversity" in a Christian Bookstore means that they cater both to the truth and to false teachings. Many Christian bookstores carry the works of Ken Copeland or Charles Capps, as well as the works of Robert Schuller. I don't think that enough of these bookstores make it their business to care about the theology...that others are influenced by---> through the books that they sell.

-------

Somewhere around Judgement day ...for bookstore owners...the concept of having made many "little ones" stumble...is going to take on a whole new meaning.

[rs41]

I personally don't see a problem with some "Jesus junk" such as t shirts proclaiming a persons faith.

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by chris_h
Okay, KK, about dc Talk, you just had to say that.

I highly doubt that Kevin Max would sing this song, and not be a Christian:



And that's the one that's supposed to be the "least Christian!"
[P.S.: Listen to it—not only is it Biblical and Christian, it rocks!]

dc Talk not being real Christians? Why then, would they make songs like these?

Why are you wrongly accusing me of saying someone is not a Christian? I never said that. It's not my place to judge anyone's salvation... If you're going to quote me, do it right.

[Wileyzmuse]

Interesting thread. We have a big 'Christian' bookstore in my neighborhood that advertises itself on billboards as 'the most beautiful Christian bookstore in this area' or something close to that. It struck me that they would promote their outward appearance before the content they have. In addition, they have an entire section devoted to Mormon writings.

Granted I live in an area that is heavily populated by Community of Christ churches and believers (Community of Christ is a renamed branch of LDS I think).

We have a really good Lifeway bookstore in our area that must have recently changed management, because their people are very service oriented all of a sudden, and one person there prayed with me just because I off-handedly mentioned I'd been going through a difficult time. That is how it should be, imo...in the past, it was hard to even find a Christian bookstore that had friendly people working there.

YSIC,
Patricia

[Ajani]

Originally posted by rs41
I personally don't see a problem with some "Jesus junk" such as t shirts proclaiming a persons faith.

Yep, I like seeing the teens at our church wearing them. Some of them are so close to the original logo, that they can even wear them to school. These kids don't think it's junk. To them, it's a valid way of expressing their faith, just like any kid wearing any other shirt as an expression of thier lives.

[KrispyKritter]

Originally posted by Ajani
Yep, I like seeing the teens at our church wearing them. Some of them are so close to the original logo, that they can even wear them to school.

Uhmmm... why cant they wear a Christian t-shirt that is blatently Christian? I agree... I like some of the logo shirts. But does their school ban Christian t-shirts or something? Thats not legal. You dont park your first ammendment rights at the front door of the public school...

[seeker42]

I personally don't see a problem with some "Jesus junk" such as t shirts proclaiming a persons faith.

Neither do I. Having some of those things means that we have
"conversation starters" and reminders of the Lord, and some of those things are usefull. The Junk I have a problem with is that some of that stuff however, is used as a distraction from the Depth of the Christian faith, rather than as a means to achieving this.

But this is ultimately dependent on the motive of the person who decides to buy - I understand that. It sounds old fashioned, but i try and use something like the "1700 years" test.

If the Book that is being sold today in the Christian Bookstore is scriptural and Biblical, chances are good that it would have been accepted in the 1700s. If the book (like E.W. Kenyon) would have been rejected by spirituall strong believers in the 1700s, then I usually start asking a lot more questions.


:):

[chris_h]

Originally posted by KrispyKritter
Why are you wrongly accusing me of saying someone is not a Christian? I never said that. It's not my place to judge anyone's salvation... If you're going to quote me, do it right. I'm sorry, but sometimes people say that dc Talk is not a Christian group, or that they aren't Christians themselves, and the evidence to me seems to be to the contrary.