The Blazing Center

Introducing Pastoral Trading Cards

26 August 2010

522217 CommentsIntroducing+Pastoral+Trading+Cards2010-08-26+20%3A11%3A32Stephen+Altrogge

In the age of megachurch pastors, there’s only one thing missing: pastoral trading cards. Which is why it gives me great pleasure to introduce the first ever pastoral trading card set. In addition to having cards of their favorite athletes, kids can now have cards of their favorite pastor. I’ve included some samples to whet [...]

If Acts Was Written Today

25 August 2010

51838 CommentsIf+Acts+Was+Written+Today2010-08-25+22%3A00%3A25Stephen+Altrogge

Original: And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising [...]

Caption Needed!!!

9 August 2010

508112 CommentsCaption+Needed%21%21%212010-08-09+13%3A14%3A07Stephen+Altrogge

A picture this bizarre requires a caption just as bizarre…

Don’t Eat The Chocolate Ones

28 July 2010

498133 CommentsDon%27t+Eat+The+Chocolate+Ones2010-07-29+00%3A11%3A26Mark+Altrogge

Ok, maybe the fake M-80 was not such a good idea illustration for Children’s Ministry. How could I know the kids would take me so seriously? I thought they might get a little nervous, but how could I anticipate some would run out of the building, terrified, as if being chased by an enraged rhinoceros? [...]

And The Children Were Running And Screaming

25 July 2010

495321 Comments2010-07-25+21%3A30%3A30Mark+Altrogge

I’m looking forward to this week, for I get to do a few messages at the Youth Camp of our sister church in Knoxville, TN. Last week when I put in some requests for props to use during my messages – a large rock with a face painted on it, the arm of a mannequin, [...]

What Makes You Laugh?

15 July 2010

488510 CommentsWhat+Makes+You+Laugh%3F2010-07-15+04%3A19%3A03Stephen+Altrogge

Laughter is a gift from God, and I love to take advantage of that gift. Laughter helps me temporarily forget the struggles of this life. Laughter injects joy into an otherwise gloomy day. Laughter lifts me out of the pit of introspection. Laughter refreshes me and rejuvenates me. Nothing is better than a night spent [...]

If the Church Was Like the World Cup

28 June 2010

47909 CommentsIf+the+Church+Was+Like+the+World+Cup2010-06-28+19%3A06%3A50Stephen+Altrogge

I walked into church this past Sunday. That’s strange, I thought. The place is packed. There must be thousands of new people here. I walked up to one guy who was wearing a gold cross, a “Got Jesus?” t-shirt, a WWJD bracelet, and a hat with a fish on it. I asked him if this [...]

Why Men Like Grilling

10 May 2010

452127 CommentsWhy+Men+Like+Grilling2010-05-10+10%3A00%3A21Mark+Altrogge

I love spring. The hard winter is past; birds are singing, carpenter bees are building fresh hives in every orifice of my home, trees are dumping billions of helicopter seeds in my yard, and my neighbors are all manicuring their lawns to look like carpet while mine looks like a prairie dog city. But best [...]

What’s Your Manliness Quotient?

16 March 2010

425529 CommentsWhat%27s+Your+Manliness+Quotient%3F2010-03-16+10%3A00%3A57Stephen+Altrogge

As you probably know, I am somewhat of an expert in the field of “manpoints”, having written several extensive and well researched articles (see here and here). However, in an effort to further the field of manpoints and help men everywhere, I’ve compiled a manpoints scorecard. With this scorecard, you can easily determine your Manliness [...]

The Olympics Would Be Awesome If…

19 February 2010

411636 CommentsThe+Olympics+Would+Be+Awesome+If...2010-02-19+10%3A00%3A28Stephen+Altrogge

I’m all for the Olympics. I think it’s great that every two years, the world joins together to celebrate what matters most: Visa. But, in all honesty, I think the Olympics could be improved a bit. Here are just a few suggestions: Incorporate an aging classic rock band into the opening ceremony. I watched the [...]