Love Takes Balls – You Got ‘Em?
As I continue to develop my man crush of Mike Foster, he makes it more and more difficult not to move him to the top of my list.
Mike and Jud are ALWAYS trying something fresh that will change the way Christians love the downcast, each other, and our Savior.
I am completely and overwhelmingly a huge supporter of what theye came up with a few months back.
The People of the Second Chance…
This is a community that champions lost causes and thinks that a second chance is a human right.
I belong to this group because I have been given second chances and keep getting them everyday.
Well a new initiative coming from the People of the Second Chance community is a real gem.
LOVE TAKES BALLS
It’s about redefining love using God’s example – boundless, with no quid-pro-quos. Expecting–and sometimes getting–nothing back in return. It takes courage, strength, and total commitment to love like this.
What if right now, everything we knew, felt, believed about love was suddenly turned “upside down.” Challenged. Tested. No limits. What if we came to realize that everything we thought and believed about love, grace, forgiveness, each other and ourselves was wrong. We discover that radical grace is real and we can experience it in our own lives and freely give it to others.
Well take a look at that upside down heart and you get a view as to what you need in order to pull this type of love off.
That is just one of the amazing desktop wallpapers and iPhone wallpapers that are available to you here.
So RagamuffinSoul…
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
Love it, bro – True love doesn’t leave you feeling “pimped.”
love this!!!
downloaded a desktop too…
http://www.exchangedlife.wordpress.com
Crass! I love it!!
j
That’s all pretty hard core stuff when you think about it.. how many second chances we have.. How many we give..
Humbling
i shared a blanket with a homeless man in the park last night, and I was humbled by his words “You never get any second chances in life, especially with those Christians. they judge ya at every turn”. I wept, and I apologized on behalf of all of us who have done just that. He got a meal and a blanket out of it; I got transformed!
los, thanks so much for the kind words. youre amazing. im also deeply moved by hollybird’s story…wow…powerful stuff…one thing i love about the ragamuffin community is that all of us understand our need for second chances and huge amounts of grace are hanging out here. we are also giving second chances, grace, and forgiveness. that rocks. love to all of you. m.
I do agree that real love takes effort and the courage to look beyond what the eye sees. I am truely sad that we as Christians need to use a vulgar analogy to get this concept across. I guess that part I don’t get. Sorry.
I’m sorry, Los, but I’m getting hung up on the vulgar part of it, too, and I appreciate Irene speaking up about it. It embarrasses me as a woman and I wish it would embarrass more of the Christian community than apparently it does. I think we can be courageous in this world without using worldy vernacular.
Great idea to the “love turned upside down”. But balls? Seriously? That’s gross…and a bit immature.
Deadly Viper speaks to issues that I relate to as a guy, leader, and such. I understand that DV is not just for fellas. Not every post do I agree with … but it usually makes me think.
Ever read “Made to Stick”? Well done … we are talking about it and will remember it!
Some like their soda diet, I don’t.
Yea. If you have been here longer than…um…a day, you won’t agree with everything that goes up here. I actually hope you won’t. If you did, I’d be doing something wrong.
All I know is that everyone I showed this to today, and that was like 50 people, all related. I know there are some people that don’t talk like me, walk like me, and think like me. I never aim to outright offend someone…but at the same time, like Mike Foster and Jud, if it makes someone realize that radical grace is not a part of their lives…I’ll scream it.
And the last time I checked…”RADICAL GRACE IS NOT A PART OF YOUR LIVES!!!”…has not changed the church much.
Los
Los
i love this. im with you.. whatever it takes to get people to stop and hear this message … if it changes one person its worth it.
so so so so so important. nothing makes Jesus look more beautiful than when His people truly begin to understand and practice grace.
“Love takes balls” I know it can be seen as rude perhaps but here’s the thing I have learned. Love, true Christ like love, is not pretty all the time. It is not always delicate and easy. It’s not like “Love takes freshed squeezed orange juice” no love takes everything that makes you who you are. It takes a willingness to sacrifice everything. It takes guts or balls to love like Christ and give people second chances when the world around you screams No Stone Him. So ya, maybe it would be more polite to say Love takes guts. But when it comes to naming conventions, pr people would tell you that’s way overused and has lost effectiveness in grabbing and keeping the attention of the publics.
So maybe loving like Christ is about stepping outside the safe and pretty and really doing it.
If it didn’t take sharp, offensive, and socially controversial and challenging words to communicate with the target audience, Jesus wouldn’t have used them either.
While I love the message (and even the design of the wallpaper) I would never download it and put it on my computer because it is too crass for me. Maybe it reaches some people and while that’s great all that comes to mind is Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
For me, the way it’s worded actually gets in the way of the message. “Love Takes Guts” works just as good. Again, that’s just me and my 2 cents.
Wait, you’re talking about athletic balls (ie: basketballs, footballs, etc.) right. JK, I know what you’re talking about. Love does take balls and a lot of other stuff. Love the blog Los.
Great thoughts.
I asked my wife what she thought…
Just like Jacinda said…
She said, “No. It takes big balls. They don’t know how big till they marry you”.
Again.
I love my wife.
Los
im all for it
…but seriously, i think its good to have these discussions..art/design/messages certainly should evoke something out of ya..deadly viper, people of the second chance, love takes balls, is all about radical grace, challenging our belief about love, and pushing us to rethink what a second chance means…and i must confess the path were taking might make all of us a little uncomfortable..whether it be the issues or the heart that looks like balls…i get uncomfortable myself…and ultimately, i think thats a good place to be…slightly uncomfortable and moderately challenged..it seems to be where some good can really happen in all of our lives..love to all of you…mike.
HOLY MOLY… did he just say balls? I freakin’ love it! Sometimes it takes “grabin’” people to get their attention. The more shocking the show the longer people look to see whats coming next. Get radical, get evasive, get attention that something has to be done!
Amen!
All these years, I’ve never turned a heart upside-down. Just look what I’ve been missing!
Ok… that didn’t sound good, did it?
actually i dont have ‘em
…maybe thats why this offended me, but it’s not the first time and probably wont be the last
We can’t miss the main issue in all this. It is not about the crassness of “love takes balls” it’s about the radical love and grace.
This is why Mike is a marketing guru that he is.
Mike didn’t you come up with “Jesus loves porn stars” too!
“Gold, Jerry, Gold” – Kenny Banya
Attention getting – yes.
Does it compel me any further? – not at all.
I am totally ambivalent to it. That – ultimately – is its failure.
I dig the message, though I am not sure how older people will handle it. Really it’s their problem and I see the point behind your message. =) God bless!
maybe the older people are ok, maybe they get it, maybe the ladies that are put-off are ok too, after all, the mainstream church in north america is largely still modelled after a 1950’s ladies social club…maybe this is what jesus was feelin’ when he said to the slightly-offended teacher of the law, “but go and learn what this means: i desire mercy, not sacrifice, i have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”…we need some Church stuff where the men with balls can plug in and serve and change the world…starting with their families at home…balls to the wall, im in…word, bro.
…also, the new testament was written in the vernacular…basically the equivalent of “street greek”…rock.
Loved it! The message, the design… everything!
At some point you have to ask, what’s the standard? I mean really, where in the Bible do you ever see Jesus ever using something crass to make a point. Sure he took the rules of the the religious order at the time and turned some things upside down, but that does not equate to using the vulgar vernacular of the day. Maybe I’m simple, but ask your self would you really stand before
God and say that?
I am a faithful reader and consider myself a part of this community, I visit Mike Fosters site regularly also but I think this graphic and concept shows a lack of real creativity. It’s like everyone has to have a sexual image of some kind to get a point, even a God point and that’s just playing to the lowest common denominator in our society, exactly what everyone does from music to TV and all forms of advertising. I mean come on, we are picturing genitalia here people.
yes.
and i love them.
I totally agree with the concept, and I may even say this in conversation with friends, but I wouldn’t get the wallpaper. It’s not the way I’d choose to broadcast such a deep topic to anyone with eyes.
It’s a toss-up, because I’m somewhat averted to the verbiage surrounding this whole deal…but I understand the impact of it, too. I go back and forth trying to decide if saying “love takes balls” cheapens the message by making it “vulgar,” or deepens the message by making it catchy and impactful to people who relate to this kind of language.
@Mike: if you’re still reading this thread…how long did you guys take to develop this idea? I’m interested in the process of how you arrived at it.
I too love the concept. The visual though??? Truly??? Ew.
I might need another dose of Hello Kitty.
I wonder what would happen if the vernacular were…”Love takes a bodacious set of ta-tas.” Would that kind of graphic be appropriate? Of course not. So what’s the difference here? I’m not trying to throw people’s minds into the gutter, and I’m sure the marketing guy that came up with this graphic isn’t either. But for some people, that’s where their minds may end up when they see this logo. Is that really the kind of message he wants to get across?
Pictures do say a thousand words. And apparently so have I. Sorry for the long comment.
that is why god made no two snow fakes the same, God know our hearts.(mind) the ***** have nothing to due with it. form a granny’s view. now for me i have used balls before in showing love! basket balls and peanutbutter balls, ect. s
“Daddy why is that heart upside down on that poster? What’s that supposed to look like?”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s supposed to look like a man’s ball sack. What did you learn in Sunday School today?”
This is awesome. I remember in grade one there was a girl who me and another guy both liked. One day, she drew a picture of a heart and gave it to the other guy. I was bummed. Then, she came over to me and told me it was actually a bum.
I think it’s awesome that this group has created something that no matter who you are, you understand the message. Very well done.
Sorry, but that’s kind of gross. Male genitalia. I don’t want to picture it. Have you looked at those things lately? They’re not cute, upside down hearts. I will concede that they are functional. But why do testicles represent strength and courage? What’s next, ovaries? Actually, that would be more appropriate in my world. Love is the Greatest of All, but I don’t want to picture some guys kahunas to get the point across. Love you.
OK, I just read Brody’s comment. Laughed out loud.
sorry, but just cannot get on-board with this title/branding. i get the heart behind it. simply am unable to align the visual and reference with Jesus’ example of speech/teaching.
thanks, los, for this forum; and, mike, for engaging in the discussion.
I’m sorry; gotta agree with Carole Turner on this one.
I know what you’re thinking; what a couple of uptight prudes, right?
Hardly.
Not to sound too defensive, but I DO defend Christian rap music and I DO love a jammin’ worship session and I DO play video games and I was in the military for 6 years, so it ain’t like I’ve never heard it (or said it, for that matter).
Truly, my complaint is not in the “trying to relate to the world” department; for those arguments could also be applied to modern Christian rock music and Christian rap and concerts, etc.
I have NO PROBLEM with using those venues to reach people who ordinarily might shun a “traditional” church setting.
The problem lies in the use of a sexual image to draw interest.
I mean, REALLY?
That’s ok with you?
Carole’s right; we are talking about GENITALIA here!
Is nothing sacred anymore?
What’s next? Will we someday have “Christian strip clubs” where we preach while men are being serviced? I mean, hey, talk about reaching a whole new audience! That’d be one way to do it!
I’m sorry to be crass, but Carole and I both participate in strip club outreach and prostitution outreach and I can’t imagine ANY circumstance where I will EVER think it’s ok to use female genitalia to get attention — no matter how casual or cliche it might become.
I agree that this is not acceptable. It’s offensive and it’s unnecessary.
Love DOES take guts — the guts to stand up (against the majority) and say, “I don’t agree with this.”
Sometimes having the balls and not the heart works, if you are willing to try something, even if it isn’t your passion but have the nuggets to try it anyway, that very thing can become your passion. Our Life Group (small group) did this a couple of years ago, just try it, you might like it, well, a community outreach ministry reaching out to the homeless, low income, and just lonely people of Temecula is growing each and every week.
So, have the balls to take chances, they might grow into your passion
Here’s a link if you would like to see having the balls.
http://users.sunridgefamily.org/thebrook/index.php?mode=view
I get it. I really do get it — and I can appreciate being edgy and out there. It does bother me, though — specifically because it is what it is — the whole man’s package straight out. It makes me feel bad. I work with kids in the performing arts — we truly try to get out there with some edgy stuff and make sure their voices are heard clearly as a meaningful voice in the universal church — but I have to say that this is a phrase I wouldn’t want to use or hear them use. I do get what you’re doing and saying — it just doesn’t “help” me or encourage me or inspire me. That’s all — hope you can respectfully hear that.
had to LOL @ Brody’s comment!!!!
To me, it is vulgar. Totally makes me tune out— is that what it means to be the salt of the earth? I don’t think so.
But on the other hand—– maybe that would reach someone that isn’t from the same mold I am from— maybe this is the ONLY thing that would reach them. And if so, ….
I don’t mind it. That’s a pretty common slang word used by men. Not all men, obviously, but by plenty. And, if someone previously unreached sees this and it moves them, it’s done its job. It’s just simple marketing…and while some people might be turned off, it’s very possible that the stuff that reaches them isn’t up another person’s alley….but this is. The intended audience will likely get it, and that will make it a success.
I am just wondering if I am confused about the target audience of this campaigne. If it is Christians then this is not “…what you need in order to pull this type of love off.” There is only one place to go to find “…what you need in order to pull this type of love off.”
So as the intended audience I don’t get it. Sorry.
are we talking about metaphoric balls? or real balls?
mostly I think it takes balls to reproduce and be fruitful and multiply…
and it takes balls getting hit, kicked or nailed by a baseball to recieve that all to familiar pain in the stomach/side that makes one want to hit his knees in repentance.
I know adam was naked once upon a time, so im sure the balls were an accepted thing until he had to get a fig leaf, or a banana leaf depending on his “endowedness.”
If you go watch “america’s funniest home videos” you will inevitably see large amounts of poeple getting tanked in the BALLS…and everyone, children included laugh.
“daddy, why is everyone laughing cause that man got hit between the legs?”
“well daughter, men are made with testicles, 2 balls that are strategically placed between their legs for the purpose of reproduction, and when they get hit their it hurts them to the point of a near death experience, and so we laugh at them”
so why stop at balls
just saying
I get what the marketing attempt is trying to push but I think it’s in poor taste and it’s also kind of lame theologically.
We love because God loves us. Not because of anything we can muster up. It’s not about having the “balls” to love. It’s letting God love through us.
Nothing I could ever do is real LOVE. God’s heart is love. HE is love. Not my actions, not my efforts.
Love takes submissions and meekness. It means being others-oriented. Not mustering up some sort of fortitude from within.
so interesting to me that people are really offended by….. an upside down heart. i mean really, that’s what it is. it has a teeny tiny resemblance to actual balls, and it gets the point across– which is way more important than the graphic of….. an upside down heart. it reminds me of when people freaked out about tony campolo saying, “i have three things I’d like to say today. first, while you were sleeping last night, 30,000 kids died of starvation or diseases related to malnutrition. second, most of you don’t give a shit. what’s worse is that you’re more upset with the fact that I said shit than the fact that 30,000 kids died last night.” why do we (and i do include myself, we all have our hangups) take so much time caring about the parts that aren’t so important?
When you have been either the receiver or the giver of radical grace, you understand that love and courage are one.
One symbol. 1,000 sermons.
since we’re sharing opinions… i’m not offended. i just think it’s bad marketing/design. is this the type of discussion that was intended? i put it in the “jesus is my friend” category. looks like a spoof to me. someone making fun of how christians tend to try too hard to appear relevant.
Troubling is what this is. I’m all for being catchy and even shocking with your marketing catch phrases. But this is just cliche.
Know your audience. Clearly this audience is men. (And not all men.) Tostesterone full, macho, military Hooah saying Look at me. I’m a warrior. I’m ready. I am power, strength, virility, athleticism, and competitiveness.
It is a cliche and a stereotype. It’s very pop culture, which would be fine if it weren’t alienating women. Females. Those people beside you in the church that don’t-have-balls.