Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church gets $4.4 million in Covid relief

Churches in the United States are not looked upon as businesses. You could make a case that Lakewood Church is. Even though megachurches should be treated as a business, they will always be listed as a charity. Therefore, they are exempt in paying taxes.

If you looked at the financials of this church, you would see they are making money. Considering his church can house over 50,000 people on any given Sunday.

Hypothetical situation with 2020 being a normal year with no pandemic.. If Osteen was pulling in 52,000 people each Sunday and at least half of the people put in one dollar for the "collection," obviously the church is taking in $26,000 per Sunday. With 2020 having 52 Sundays, the church would take in $1.3 million in a year. That would never be taxed.

So why is Lakewood Church getting $4.4 million in relief when it's pulling in over a million easy? There are small businesses struggling that need it more than said church.

I went to Bible college in 2006-2007. It was a small privatized Christian college that is now closed. My year in Canada is when everything ceased operations. The final location was in Strathmore, Alberta.

Now, we had a thing called a "worship blitz." Basically, we went to various churches from Saturday-Monday in Calgary. I didn't like the idea. But a couple of churches we went to weren't so bad.

On the Sunday, we went to a service at a megachurch in Calgary at Centre Street church. I hated it. It was a megachurch (a joke was there was a Footlocker in it). The church felt so impersonal. I fell asleep during the service.

Centre Street has a bookstore and a coffee shop. It had theatre seating, big screens, and a big stage. The music and talent of the people playing in worship is one thing. But it seemed overdone.

My point is that it showed me that I don't like megachurches. With Osteen's church being one of the biggest churches in the world and obviously the biggest in the United States, it further cements my dislike.

I bet all the members of this church are just numbers to Osteen. You realistically can't know every single member of the this church.

You might be thinking 52,000 people as week? Yes; 52.000. The building that Lakewood Church is in was a sports and events venue. It used to be the home of the Houston Rockets and other sports teams. The last concert was ZZ Top in 2003 when everything moved to the Toyota Center which opened that year.

Osteen entered into a 30-year lease with the City of Houston. Seven-years later in 2010, Osteen bought the property for a mere $7.5 million. There have been varying reports around that time about how much it would cost and did cost to renovate the p[ace. I seen $29 million amd $75 million. The point is they church had the funds to renovate and purchase the building.

In this New York Post article, a quote from another publication quoted Osteen saying him and his wife don't take salaries. I find that hard to believe. He has published many books that has raked in millions most likely. He achieved his goal of his broadcasts being seen all over the world.

Even if they don't take salaries, they don't need to.  The Osteens are multi-millionaires with a $10.5 million mansion.  Joel himself is worth $100 million.  They have all sorts of money coming in.

There are 368 full and part-time staff. The money went to salaries, medical insurance, etc.   Burger chain Shake Shack is going to payback the loan they got. I have my doubts that Lakewood Church is going to do that.

I don't know if they did it for free, but Lakewood Church had an Easter service which had Mariah Carey perform and Tyler Perry speak. Kanye West pulled out because of COVID. If they can get big names in music and entertainment and they did pay them (hypothetically), they surely don't need this PPP loan.

I understand that donations maybe down and they want to sustain their staff, but one can presume they are still taking in enough to sustain themselves.  There are small businesses and small churches that need the money more than they do.

Christmas Decorations before Remebrance Day

Every year it's the same thing.  People on social media tell people they can't put up decorations or anything Christmas related before Remembrance Day.  One argument I seen recently is it's disrespectful.  That's a subjective opinion and argument.  It's not disrespectful at all.

People don't realize that the soldiers fought and died for the freedom to put up Christmas decorations before Remembrance Day.  Just like they fought and died for a lot of the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted. It's not disrespectful to them and it doesn't effect you or anybody else if someone decides to decorate for Christmas before Remembrance Day.

There are lots of other days and weeks that honour veterans, peacekeepers, etc.. There is National Peacekeepers Day in August, Veterans Week leading up to Remembrance Day, D-Day, etc..

The next time you do something, just remember that veterans died for the freedom to do that and that there are soldiers that are also fighting and serving to uphold those freedoms.

 
It brings joy to someone.  Are you going to shit on that because it's before Remembrance Day?  Don't be that person.  2020 has been a tough year for many reasons such as the pandemic, elections, etc.  Getting into the holiday spirit early isn't a bad thing at all.

There are more important things to focus on than decorating before Remembrance Day.  Don't be one of those people that needs to find anything to bitch about.  We could use more positivity in our lives.  If Christmas brings positivity and joy in someone's life, you are not position to say you can't decorate before Remembrance Day.  Just remember that because the tables could one day be turned.

I for one one have problem with decorating before Remembrance.  If you don't want to, that's okay too.  We have that right.  But you don't have the right bitch and complain about something trivial just because you don't like it.  That's too bad for you.  Go hard and decorate till your heart's content.  There is nothing wrong that at all.

Song of the Day #66 - Spock's Beard

As I sometimes do, I let Spotify randomly play songs and Spock's Beard came up.  I have never delved deep into their discography before this.  I have heard the odd song.  But when "Submerged" randomly came up, it blew me away.  It is so good.  It's like "The Calling" by Yes.  It gets one pumped up and in a great mood.  Give it a listen.  I can't stop listening to it.

"Submerged" by Spock's Beard
YouTube link

Need to Pay More Attention to What's Happening in Canada

There are many issues and problems in Canada that needs to be talked about and addressed.  There is one particular issue I noticed in myself.  Many are probably in the same boat.  It essentially is that we need to pay more attention to what's happening in Canada.  With what's happening in other parts of the world, more specifically the United States, dominating headlines, it's easy to focus on that.  The death of George Floyd is a prime example is dominating headlines (as it should) and we are focused on that.  But that doesn't mean we should focus solely on that.

I recognize that I know more about what's going on in the United States than Canada.  I need to change that.  Social media is a way to find out news and to see what's trending.  That's how I find out about stuff.  I don't always go out of my way to find out about what's going locally, provincially, and nationally.  It's one thing to say one should do more of that.  It's another to actually do it.

Am I out of touch?  Am I not informed.  Not necessarily.  It's easier to focus on things dominating the headlines.  Such things as COVID-19, George Floyd, and the rioting for instance.  That's what currently dominating headlines.  Lots of things are in the news, but they don't get even half as much attention as other stuff.  I get why.  But that doesn't mean we should just stick to what is dominating headlines.

You might think it's easy to say that.  I have already acknowledged that in a round about way. Again, that's why it's good to look at all news and not just what is in front of our faces.  Hopefully I'll try to make more of a conscious effort in this regard.  Saying and doing are two different things.  I don't keep ear close enough to the ground when it comes to Canadian news in terms of a wide range of news.  COVID-19 in Canada is one of the few things I hear about most times which proves my point.  We could use some positivity in this world right now.  I know it will be hard, but it's out there somewhere.


That's enough news for today.  I know I won't be able to avoid it, but it can burn one out.  Now to do something else.  Movie, video games, continue binging "Seinfeld?"  Not matter what, I need to take my mind off the dominating headlines for now.  Be well and stay safe.  See you on the flipside.

Song of the Day #65 - "My Number" - Tegan and Sara

Have always liked this song, but have been loving it more lately.  Interesting to find out in the description of the audio (read it for the first time) that Hawksley Workman produced it and the rest of The Business of Art.  It's interesting what you find out.

If I gave you my number
Would it still be the same
If I, if I saved you from drowning
Promise me you'll never go away
Promise me you'll always stay

"My Number" by Tegan and Sara
YouTube link

Song of the Day #64 - Zachary Lucky

Recently, as I sometimes do, after listening a discography playlist I let Spotify randomly play songs.  An artist by the name of Zachary Lucky came up.  Went on to listen to the rest of his music.  As I was listening to his music I noticed he mentioned Saskatchewan a bunch.  I came to realize that he is Saskatchewan's answer to Del Barber.  If any of you know who Del Barber is, you'll get it.  Honestly though, he does that style of songwriting like many artists like Del Barber.  I discovered Lucky is from Saskatoon.

Here is the song that randomly came up thanks to Spotify.  It caught my ear.  It's the title track off his 2016 record Everywhere a Man Should Be.

"Everywhere a Man Should Be" by Zachary Lucky
YouTube link

Cyber Bullying Needs to Stop

The other day I heard about and read the story about the death of Japanese pro wrestler Hana Kimura.  She committed suicide.  It stems from cyber bullying.  She was on a reality show on Netflix Japan.  From what I've read on Facebook, there was an incident on the show where Kimura slapped a guy for accidentally ruining her gear.  This is what lead to the cyber bullying, harassment, and abuse. The article doesn't say what happened on the show that lead to this.  Apparently the abuse was so bad that people went as far as to kill herself.  That's what she ended up doing. We don't want it to be real, but it is all too real.  It is a problem on major social media platforms.

Even though most people have been sending their condolences to her family, friends, and fans; there are still some people saying disgusting and vile things in regards to her death.  Former WWF superstar and one of the early divas Tammy Sytch aka Sunny made a post on her personal Facebook.  She said some pretty shitty things.  Here is the screenshot of her post which I saw on Twitter.

This is a garbage take from a garbage person.  Her reputation proceeds her.  This post just adds to it.  She used Hana's death to make herself look like the bigger person because she rose above the cyberbullying, abuse, harassment, etc..  Really?  So she has never thought about killing herself.  Does she want a cookie ?  You would think since she has gone through the same thing that she would be empathetic.  Considering who we are talking about, why would she?  Seems like she wanted an ego boost hence this post.  Does she want people to kiss her ass or something?   That last bit makes no sense at all.  It took bullies for her to make money.  Right...  Getting people to pay to see her naked and do things on Skype isn't something to brag about.  She really doesn't want to ruin her trashy reputation.  Trashy is putting it nicely.

I checked her personal Facebook and the post is gone.  It's no surprise that it is gone.  I had to rant.  It's just enraging when people who have experienced the same thing are like this.  Oh and it's convenient she said this considering Hana's recent death.  Ugh.

Some platforms are doing much better in trying to combat this than others.  But the platform with the most criticism for it's long history of cyberbullying, abuse, harassment, etc. is Twitter.  Even though they've said in the past they are going to do something about it.  In the past they've announced and rolled out tools to combat this, but they do nothing to address the core issue.  Those tools just sweep it under the rug so you can't see it unless you actively search for the abusive tweets

Twitter needs a major overhaul. Those tools they've rolled out over the years are not doing anything to reduce the abuse on its platform.  But they won't admit it.  Social media as a whole needs to keep doing more.  The cyberbullying, harassment, abuse, etc. will always be around in some form or another.  The point, it's needs to be curbed.  Even though Twitter is one of the worst, there is always more social media platforms can and should do.


Posting, tweeting, uploading. and snapping videos, pictures, and other things are can be seen as the the modern suicide note.  All of Hana's tweets and pictures before her death were that or so one could say.  The world can see them at a moment's notice.  It's something you don't want to see.  You never want to see someone in pain.  It's unfortunate that it had to end the way it did.

I read on article on Forbes (it has good points about the topic it covered regardless of what I think about Forbes) and one quote is not just in relation to child abuse and Snapchat that the article was addressing.  It works for all forms of abuse online.

"We cannot wait for the next tragedy before tech companies are made to act."

It's true.  We can't wait for the next tragedy before social media platforms do something or do more.  But tragedies are occurring and these platforms are still not doing enough.  Again, it's not going to stop and the abuse will be around in some form online.  It shouldn't be.  I cannot emphasize enough tech companies and social media need to do more.

Hana Kimura was only 22-year-old.  Sure you might think she was too young.  In reality, age is can be seen as irrelevant.  Suicide at any age is terrible.  She has a bright in wrestler.  Now we'll never know how far should could have gone in her career.

The sentiment of being nicer to each is being echoed all over the world.  It's true, we need to be nicer to each other and not just online.  But the reality is it's easier to be negative and hateful.  You can't say you've never been hateful.  If you say you haven't, you're a liar.  It's something we need to work on.  Sure it will be hard, but in the end you will be better for it.  I will be better for it.

Hopefully the people who said all those things that drove Hana to suicide feel some sort of guilt and remorse.  The old adage is "it's not what you say but how you say it."  There are times where that is true.  But when you are going as far as to tell someone to kill themselves, the intent is clear.  I don't understand how someone can tell someone online to kill themselves.  What's worse is they would never say that to someone's face.  They hide behind keyboards thinking they are bulletproof and they don't have to be held accountable for their words.  That couldn't be further from the truth.

This debate and conversation about abuse online in it's many forms will rage on.  It's touchy subject that will always need addressing.  For now, that's all I am going to say about this.

Rest in peace, Hana.   I hope you are now resting easy.  Condolences to her family and friends.  Peace be with them.  Godspeed.

Song of the Day #63 - Jason Mraz

Sometimes after finishing a discography or whatever on Spotify, I just let random songs come up.  They are usually similar to the artist I just binged listened to.  I finished listening to John Mayer yesterday and I let Spotify do its thing.  "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" by Jason Mraz came up.  I haven't heard it in a long time.  I got in the groove.  Catchy song.  So good.

"The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" by Jason Mraz
YouTube link

Song of the Day #62 - "Star a War" - The National

"Start a War" by The National is a song that I've recently discovered.  It's off their 2007 album Boxer.  I like it.

"Start a War" by The National
YouTube link

Song of the #61 - Dream Theater

This is the story of my first time listening to Dream Theater.  This is before Mark gave a proper introduction to them at Covenant Bible College (CBC).  I was told about Dream Theater by Mark, but I never listened to them prior to what happens in this story.

Living at the farm with my dad, we had a computer with Windows 98se on it.  This was in the mid-200s or so.  At this time, Windows Media Player had a search function and it would bring up search results like a browser.  I never had anything to download music.  Even if LimeWire was compatible with Windows 98se, I never heard until I was at CBC.  Anyways, the interesting thing was you could download or listen to music you found in that search.  Thanks to Mark, I searched Dream Theater and I came across today's song of the day, "Octavarium."  I listened to it and it blew my mind.  24 minutes of mind blowing amazing music.  Something I'll never forget.  I even told Mark that this song blew my mind.  So good.

I owe it all to Mark for not just telling me about Dream Theater, but also getting me to dive head first into Dream Theater at CBC thus becoming a fan.  Very glad I did.  Thank you.

"Octavarium" by Dream Theater
YouTube link

Thought It Wasn't Going to Happen...

Getting certain phone calls are never easy.  The one I got Tuesday (March 31st) wasn't easy.  It wasn't easy for my boss to make and it wasn't easy for me to hear.  Mark and I have been talking lots about the Coronavirus and COVID-19.  It's effecting most of the world.  Less than two dozen countries and overseas territories have no confirmed cases.  Not only that, but we talk about businesses being effected and people losing their jobs.

He even said that my hours could get cut or worse, get laid off.  I assured him that neither of that was happening for a couple of reasons.  Even though demos (what I do in Costco for another company) have been suspended until further notice, we have had all this extra work thanks to Costco.  Recently we were told we are going to have the opportunity to work full eight hour days.  This is good for me because doing demos doesn't give me a lot of hours and doesn't leave me with a lot on my paycheques.  I always worry about whether I can pay can rent thus being able to afford other necessities is hard.

I've heard get another job.  I've heard get a second job.  Don't bother saying that to me.  It's not helpful.  It's not just me that is in the same situation these days.  I might as well just say that the company I work for is laying off all the staff that demos in Costco all over the world.  It's not just my boss, supervisors, my co-workers, and myself.  It's my boss's boss that is getting laid off as well.  I get why they are doing it.  But at the same time, I don't know why they are doing it now.  I don't know when we will be operational and doing demos again.

When I found out that we were getting laid off, I felt the anxiety.  I am not the only one who probably feels this way.  Just thinking about it while writing this post and it gets to me.  I told Mark, that I just can't do this anymore based on what I said above.  Plus it leaves me with nothing to save.  If you have never been in this situation, even when the world has been going through something like this in the past, consider yourself lucky.  Consider yourself fortunate to not have to through a layoff and not know when you will go back to work.  I made a post on Facebook (now deleted) that was talking about maybe I should stop working to collect that $2000 from the Government of Canada.  I also said that they should be helping people are who are working and still struggling.  Someone commented saying I should be thankful that  I was still working.  Welp, look at me now.

I don't wish this on anyone.  It's one thing to be thankful.  Don't get me wrong, I certainly am thankful for these extra 30 days that I got to work.  The problem is it can be hard at times to be thankful if you are thinking about the possibility of being laid off.  There are people out there like that like that.  I wasn't one of those people.  I didn't think it was would happen to me.  I was going along just working doing what we usually do.

Again, when Mark brought up possibility of reduced hours and even lay off,  I wasn't even thinking about that in regards to myself.  After I was told I was being laid off, I told him I was in denial after we talked about the chance of me being laid off.  Those reasons I gave Mark was me trying to assure him that it wasn't going happen to me.

Those reasons don't matter now.  You can get laid off at the blink of an eye.  It just adds to the stress and the uncertainty.  I told Mark that I can't do this no more.  Yes, I am good at what I do, but I just just can't.  So I have to find another direction in life and find something else.  The why has already been answered throughout what you've read.  It's necessary for me to not have worry about things that are necessities and even pay off debt.

I don't know what the future holds after the last day which is April 5th.  We were told that Costco might hire some of us temporarily.  It would be nice to get a job with Costco, but it needs to be more than temporarily.  As you can see, I need more than something temporary.  Here is to the future and the unknown that comes along with it.

Stay safe and see you on the inside (a little humor during this time).