Would be funny if it weren't so true.

I've always thought this song by the band Cake would be funny if it weren't so apropos. I know of several churches like this; or, if they're not like this, they want to be. Well, it's actually the part about "and he's calling you DUDE!" that reminds of me of these churches. I've thought of this song twice in the last two days.

The first one was last night at small group; we were talking about prayer and someone mentioned that he appreciated the reverence at our church. We don't say "Mornin' God." We approach him as He is awesome in glory and holiness.

The second was this afternoon when somebody said that his children had started calling people "dude." Now, "dude" is a dumb word anyway, in my book; this particular person took issue with the fact that the son had called his mother "dude."

Come to think of it, we don't call God "dude" for the same reason we don't (shouldn't) call our parents "dude." There's a combination of filial affection and respect when we approach either an earthly parent or our gracious heavenly Father; we don't call them "dude."

(I'm not your parent, but please don't call me "dude" either.)
*****************

If you click on this link, you can listen to a good clip of the song at Amazon

and avoid reading the whole song.

"We are building a religion:"
We are building a religion,
We are building it bigger
We are widening the corridors and adding more lanes
We are building a religion.
A limited edition
We are now accepting callers for these pendant keychains

To resist it is useless,
It is useless to resist it
His cigerratte is burning but it never seems to ash
He is grooming his poodle
He is living comfort eagle
You can meet at his location but you'd better come with cash

Now his hat is on backwards.
He can show you his tattoos
He is in the music buisness he is calling you "DUDE!"
Now today is tomorrow and tomorrow's today
And yesterday is weaving in and outA
nd the fluffy white lines that the airplane leaves behind
Are drifting right in front of the waning of the moon

He is handling the money.
He's serving the food
He knows about your party. He is calling you "DUDE!"

Now, do you believe in the one big sign?
The double wide shine on the boot hills of your prime
Doesn't matter if you're skinny.
Doesn't matter if you're fat.
You can dress up like a sultan in your onion-head hat

We are bulding a religion.
We are making a brand
We're the only ones to turn to when your castles turn to sand
Take a bit of this apple, Mr. Corporate Events
Take a walk through the jungle of cardboard shedies and tents
Some people drink pepsi.
Some people drink coke. (coke)
The wacky morning d.j. says democracy's a joke.

He says now, "Do you believe in the one big song?"
He's now accepting callers who would like to sing along
He says, "Do you believe in the one true edge?"
By fastening your saftey belts and stepping towards the ledge
He is handling the money.
He is serving the food.
He is now accepting callers.
He is calling me "DUDE!"

Do you believe in the one big sign?
The double wide shine on the boot hills of your prime.
There's no need to ask directions if you ever lose your mind

We're behind you.
We're behind you.
And let us please remind you
We can send a car to find you
If you ever lose your way
We are bulding a religion...
We are bulding it bigger...
We are building............... a religion.......
A limited edition
We are now accepting callers for these beautiful pendant keychains