Studies like this one, from the American Psychological Association, indicate a link between religious faith and spirituality, and mental health. In this study, “higher religious faith and spirituality are associated with increased coping, greater resilience to stress, an optimistic life orientation, greater perceived social support and lower levels of anxiety.” In other words, those who have higher religious faith worry less? 

Richard Dawkins couldn’t possibly be wrong again?! Yes, I am afraid he could. Check this out and draw your own conclusions.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB1mi5mWIvA&hl=en&fs=1]

Had a great time at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. Went to some sessions and introduced the DVD series to a new group of friends. I had a booth at the end of the aisle in a huge exhibit hall, right behind a gigantic screen that blocked everything from sight. Yet, I had no problem meeting people because I had fresh, hot, popcorn (thanks for the idea, Buzz!) and I had snakeman, my new buddy Chad from youthbytes.org. He had a big, live boa constrictor that you could

nice snakey...

put around your neck or run from, depending on who you are. So, you were either attracted or repelled to come pay a visit. It was great!

One of the things I learned this weekend is you meet a lot of new friends who are introducing their ministries, schools, and such. It is like a bunch of carnies without the grease from the Ferris Wheel. Since I have always thought carnies are kind of cool, and I now know how to pop corn at lightening speed…well, who knows? You might see me a the popcorn stand at a carnival near you.

How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk will be featured at the National Youth Workers Convention, sponsored by Youth Specialties. The event runs October 9-12 in Sacramento CA. We will be at booth 427 in the Exhibit Hall. Hope you will stop by!

Now there are 1500 viewings of my video response to Donald Miller’s prayer last week. Also 44 comments, so far! This is an excellent opportunity to see how you can actually wade into the public square and make a few observations without being considered a “jerk.” Almost every single response disagrees with me on the post. Here is what I have learned so far in my first venture into YouTube video commenting.

1. A 3 minute, off the cuff, amateur,  “straight-from-the-Macbook” recording, got me almost 1000 more looks than any other single piece I have written or podcasted, audio or video.
2. If you are connecting people to your other clips and website promoting “How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk!” you had better be careful in the comment section: Not ridiculing, remarking sarcastically, blatantly pointing out logical fallacies, getting too clever, and such. No heat and as much light as you can shed. I will use this experience as a model.
3. Most of those who respond don’t read the other comments when there are more than a few.
4. Some of the commenters may not have actually watched the video!
5. I need to post on the logical fallacy called, “Genetic fallacy.”
6. I need to post on how to be a missionary leader in America today in the public square.
7. You can post an e mail privately if you want to make a ministry connection with someone without pointing them out to everyone. Just know your e mail is not necessarily private.
8. I am going to do this again!

I have just received shipment of all the DVD’s for the new series. I am linking to Filmbaby.com, the nations leading independent film distributor, for sales and distribution. As soon as they accept the product (within a week or so), I will be ready to go. I will also be selling the DVD set locally at a few different locations. Logistics are being ironed out. Of course, if you absolutely have to have a copy immediately and you live in the Valley, call 818-885-6861 to make arrangements.

How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk! is ideal for a fall kickoff or anytime for senior high youth, young adult, college, adult education, as well as small groups or personal study. The content and format are very flexible with 10-30 minute sessions on 3 discs, including downloadable discussion starters. There is also a bonus Q&A session.

I will soon have a downloadable announcement film clip available here online. Here is a sample invitation for groups, classes, etc, in the meantime:

If you don’t have all the answers, but have heard a lot of great questions, and you have a few of your own, these sessions are for you. When you talk with people who have a different point of view when it comes to Jesus, do you want to be right or do you want to be helpful? If “helpful” is your answer, these sessions are for you.

Can you gain confidence in Jesus by using the mind that God has given you? Is the Christian faith reasonable? If not, how can you really follow someone who doesn’t at some level make sense?

In “How to Be a Christian Without Being a Jerk,” we will gain helpful insights into some of the toughest questions potential Christians are asking- without being cocky, judgmental, sarcastic (well, maybe a little sarcastic), or angry. Can we build bridges before they put up walls? We can and we will.