Inspired by Jeremy, I dug up an old Facebook tag. For those of you used to expecting distinguished and profound posts from me, you’ll be so disappointed… For those of you who know me, this will assure you that I am still not distinguished and profound. I intercepted a note in 5th or 6th grade [...]
Review of Osteen’s Your Best Life Now
Posted By Jeff on July 16th, 2007
Oh snap, Cavman has gotten aholdt of Osteen’s Your Best Life Now and is reviewing it…
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Copy this number: 6058013378446529, and then 
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July 17th, 2007 at 12:08 am
And he did a good job too…
July 19th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
I don’t have anything nice to say about this review, so I’m going to leave it at that.
Actually, no I’m not. I used to be a vocal critic of Osteen until I woke up one day and realized that I’m not so perfect that I can’t learn something from everyone. It repulses me to see Christian people ripping each other apart, like the Christian life is some kind of competition- a hockey game where you can throw down your gear and let the blood fly. I am so freakin sick of Christians acting like criticism is a spiritual gift.
I think we can all agree that there are worse problems in the world than Joel Osteen telling people to dream big and believe in themselves.
I hope that someday, the worst thing someone can say about me is that I’m too positive for my own good. I hope someone can say of me that I cause people to believe in themselves and be the best person they can be. I hope someone accuses me of inspiring others to be optimistic.
This blogger needs to play his own game and quit trying to tell other people how to play theirs.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Pam, I certainly agree that it’s better to rejoice than to nitpick. However, we are also instructed to “test the spirits” and to use discernment in the New Testament. We are warned that false teachers will arise. We are told to make sure that leaders in the church adhere to sound doctrine. In doing so, one must use judgement without becoming judgemental.
Osteen is what I have called a Diet Preacher in another entry. Sure, he makes you feel good about yourself, but sometimes that’s not such a good, or true path, particularly if you’re encouraged to feel good rather than be holy.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Jeff, I appreciate your tact, as always. But I want to respectfully contest what you said about his admonition to feel good vs. being holy.
I think feeling good is a precursor (did I use that word right?) to making the right decisions.It’s when people feel bad that they start to make unhealthy decisions.
I think people who are already content and feel good, don’t feel a need to drink and use drugs until they can no longer feel anything. Feeling good negates the desire to cheat others, steal, and destroy. People have been known to do desperate things to feed their insecurities, lonliness and discontent.
What do you think?
July 20th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Again, I would appeal to truth in this. It matters not what we feel. Even though I may feel like killing someone, it’s important to not do so. For one, it’s illegal, but mainly because it’s sinful.
An objective, absolute truth exists outside of our feelings. So we don’t feel our way into behaving. Rather, it’s important to learn to believe our way into behaving (and even in some case, to behave our way into believing). Right beliefs precede right behavior.
When you acknowledge truth and deeply orient your life around it, you will choose to do what is right – even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about self-discipline and selflessness and submission. We are not our own gods, to decide what is true or right based on how we feel at any given moment.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Idon’t understand, but I’ll agree to disagree to disagree with you on this one.
So, how bout them yankees?
July 20th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
oops!! typo-
“agree to disagree”
July 20th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Sounds dandy to me! ;) I don’t watch baseball, but how bout Daunte Culpepper being released by the Dolphins?
July 20th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
LOL, I don’t watch sports at all! I had to ask what sports season this is. I thought the dolphins were at sea world…
With me, it’s more like,”So, how bout that 08 election? Are you registered?”
hehe, I love being a dork
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I agree that Christians need to be charitable, but that doesn’t extend (IMO) to winking at any newly-hatched heresy. Those who teach are held to a higher standard. Osteen is a motivational speaker. Fine. But he’s not a pastor. Pastors preach Jesus Christ and him crucified; Osteen preaches BMW’s and McMansions.