Put Your Hands on the Television and for $19.95 your prayers will be heard!

I am a Christian. I am proud of it and I will never back down from it. I am willing to die for my faith. I am also tolerant of other religions. I do not think my God is better than yours. My beliefs are rock solid and yours are yours. There is plenty of room for us all.

The fact that man tries to define God and his universe, how or what HE is, and how HE wants things to be is where the problems lie. I am fairly certain that living peaceably with each other, tolerance and respect for each other and providing a decent standard of living for all humanity is what any creator would want.

I have had my problems with Christianity along the way to today. I have found a church that I am very comfortable with. It is simple and Gospel based. All monies collected by the members are open for review to any member and all of it goes to help the needy around Chicago and the world. The Pastor, Dr. Tim Harlow, delivers his message in jeans and welcomes people "as they are." It is not a fashion show or "Who's Who of member importance." All are welcome to take part in communion, a loving God and the sacrifice of his SON for US is the focus.

Strictly as a spectator I see why many people are "troubled" by religion and "Church." They are the creations of men. Spirituality is between the CREATOR and the man. It hurts me to see some of the apples spoil the bunch for those who really might get a lot from the fellowship and service to the community that comes with belonging to a church. A church is not a building, it is the people who are in it.

Today, after an audition for a part in a teen Christian TV Series "The In Crowd," I was drawn to the sounds of beautiful gospel music floating down Chicago's Oakwood Drive in the Boulevards neighborhood. The sounds of laughter and southern cooking filled my nose as I made my way west down the 600 block. I found my self at Holy Angels Church Stone Soul Picnic for St. Clotilde. As Chicago's oldest African American Catholic Church, Sister Stephanie and Renatta greeted me lickety split. They didn't care how I looked. I wasn't a member of the church. I was a child of God and they took me right in offering me wonderful food, fellowship, music and laughter. That is a church!

How can the skeptic not be driven farther from the doors of a church when they see the Pope talk about the plight of the poor while he shuffles along corridors adorned with gold and multimillion dollar paintings covering every inch of the walls in the comfort of his Prada shoes? TV evangelists speak of humility and convincing the less fortunate they can have all the riches they want while asking them to send in their last dollar. The camera lights go out and they slip into the back of their Bentleys and review the financial statements for the day.

I am not saying that these men are wicked or should live in caves. I do think it is hard to discern for those caught between wanting to believe and fearing the greed of men and the corruption power brings. When I was in California last week there was a guy baptizing people in the river just outside Old Sacramento. It really got me. He was doing it for nothing but the desire to serve GOD and help the willing to be reborn. He was right out of a movie. He was dirty, driven and happy to be right where he was at. He had a cardboard sign with John 3:16 written on it and was soaking wet when he walked by. Business must have been okay.

In addiction I have always felt most comfortable talking about my problems with other addicts. I certainly wouldn't go to a dentist with crooked teeth. I think that's where things get sticky for folks in TV religion. I would like to point out that I do think there are some exceptions to the rule. Naming them would be pointless and irrelevant. It's hard for me to have compassion for a chubby guy complaining that he doesn't have enough to eat. Whoever said money isn't everything was right but probably was rich. A guy in a Versace suit stepping from a Benz just doesn't know the same day to day problems I have.

If a guy is on TV in a $5000 dollar suit and tells me that I need to send in $19.95 for my prayers to be answered and his ministry to continue, the first thing I think of is why don't you shop at Walmart or Sears? That would save you about $4900 right there. Multiply that by all the shows you do a year and you won't have to ask any old ladies for a dime! God takes you as you are. He doesn't have "a list" and guys outside looking for the "right folks" to get on the prayer list. Everyone is welcome.

I'm sure there are those that will take the side of the well dressed evangelist. I see nothing wrong with dressing your best for God. I also know some of these people raise millions for the less fortunate. There is a thick line between humility and overindulgence. I also know the best dressed, worst dressed, filthiest dressed, torn dressed are all welcome in God's kingdom. You don't need $19.95 for God to hear your prayers. All you need is a simple statement. "Hello God. It's me and I need you." The rest is free.

Have A Day!

People who know me well have heard me mutter,"Have a Day!" many, many times. It says it all. "Have a great day," or "Have a nice day," are the norm, and quite pleasant to hear from friends, shopkeepers and passersby, particularly from the ones who actually mean it.  "Have a blessed day," is my favorite response to people who cross my path, but it can be a little too brand specific for some of those whom I encounter.

To an Atheist, "have a blessed day," is stinging. If you don't believe in the blesser, a kind "bless you" in passing conversation, or following a hearty sneeze, must leave them feeling unfulfilled. It must be confusing that no one is wishing them good health or undeserved gifts. For all Atheists I want to offer you a permanent Grandfather clause of "May MY God Bless you!" This is to cover all present and future sneezes and positive wishes for your life. Since it's MY God, you have nothing to worry about when it comes to your non-belief and you can take comfort in the fact that the Atheist  philosophy has not been violated. I'll take all the heat!

The unconvincing, "Have a nice day!" from a rude check out girl or Walmart employee who just smashed my cookies into the revolving bagger is not "nice."  Even more unnerving to me is when they put one tiny item into the huge, non-biodegradable bag. I somehow walk out with 5 items in 6 bags. Visions of turtles and porpoises choking at sea on my bag that held my box of Rice-a-Roni troubles me. It is not a "Nice day!" moment.

"Have a good day!" is quite cheeky and cheerful when the kids are smiling and my wife is beaming at me on a bright sunny day. However, if I have been the dumping station for all of the crap my fellow man can pitch out into my tiny universe that day, I feel the urge to reach across the counter and slug the well wisher and reply, "Have a good Dentist!" In the middle of a rotten day, those words might as well be "hope your day continues to be a living hell!" It would make me feel less frustration.

That is why I have come up with the perfect solution. When you want to end a conversation on a pleasant note, tell the person in your midst to, "Have a Day!" It's ideal. It is an innocuous, non-feeling proposition to just exist for the rest of that 24 hours. It is a wish for a continued life until the clock strikes midnight. It doesn't take religion or moods into account. It is an acceptable reply to digest when your trudging through the crap that occasionally rains on your precise coordinates for that day.

In a world where terms are sanitized into ambiguous catch phrases it fits right in. It offends no one, except the dead! Most people welcome having a day. It keeps expectations and ambitions for achieving great feats at bay. It is a call to just populate the universe for the next 24 hours. It isn't far reaching or filled with pressure. It is quite calming and not too far reaching.

To an addict like me, having another "day" of sobriety is amazing. To the couple in marital distress on the verge of separation, having a day may be the one that starts them on the road to reconciliation. To the person at the end of their rope, having a day may be the one that moves them towards hope. To a sick or dying loved one, having an extra day with them is a gift.

What a perfect thing to wish upon someone. Try it tomorrow when the moment is right. Tell a stranger to "have a day!" Wait for their reaction. It may be a laugh. They may think you're nuts. But this simple statement guarantees a response. Give it a shot and until I talk to you again I hope you "have a day."