What’s that up on the church roof? A pastor (and his wife) in bed …
Ed Young Jr., a Dallas-area pastor and his wife Lisa are trying to raise awareness about the intimacy of the marriage bed. 
To do that, Young (pictured) and his spouse are staging a 24-hour “bed-in” on the roof of his Grapevine, Texas, church, Fellowship Church, right now.
People can tune-in for Young’s commentary and to see the bed-in, which started at 6 a.m. today at “Bed-in.”
Young said the event is a tie-in to a new book written by him and his wife “Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy With Your Spouse.” Actually, the bed-in is being streamed live on a website about the new book. “Sexperiment” was released on Tuesday.
I often watch Young’s TV show and enjoy his preaching on a variety of topics. He’s not afraid to tackle some heavy-hitting topics so I”m not surprised at his latest adventure.
I once saw him preach a sermon series about sex with a bed on the stage area of the church. He’s upped the ante with the bed on the roof, for sure.
For a story about the bed-in, read on: “Pastor-wife to spend 24 hours in bed on church roof to teach sex lessons”
Incidentally, according to the Christian Post’s story on the bed-in, Craig Groeschel, pastor of Edmond-based LifeChurch.tv, and his wife Amy, are among pastors who have endorsed the Youngs’ new book.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Marriage and divorce lessons
Hey, I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs and happened to see this guest post on the Washington Post’s On Faith blog. 
It’s about Kim Kardashian’s “mini-marriage” — at least that’s how some are describing Kardashian’s apparently short-lived marriage to NBA star Kris Humphries.
Anyway, I thought people of faith might want to read this particular posting. I think it has something relevant to say.
Washington Post’s On Faith blog: “What Kim Kardashian’s Divorce Can Teach Us About Marriage”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Royal wedding sermon
OK, I wasn’t the only one interested in the Bishop of London’s wedding sermon for Prince William and his new bride.
A reader noticed that the link to the entire sermon text that I posted did not work.
I’ve posted a new link there that should work.
Also, I’m posting the link here: Bishop of London’s royal wedding homily
Royal Wedding tidbits
I got up this morning to watch the royal wedding, partly because I had watched Prince William’s parents tie the knot years ago. 
I have to admit, my first impressions were whimsical: I loved all the hats the women wore and I thought both Prince William and his brother Prince Harry looked handsome in their uniforms.
Of course, I thought Kate looked lovely and her wedding dress was beautiful.
Then I was curious about the wedding ceremony itself and I was touched by it.
I was struck by the regal voice of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. I’ve seen quite a few pictures of the man but never heard him speak.
Most inspiring was the homily delivered by the Bishop of London Richard Chartres.
What’s interesting is the great quote that he used to begin his sermon: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
Chartres said it is a quote by St. Catherine of Siena whose feast day is today.
That caught my attention because I happened to do a story recently about Sister Nancy Murray who portrays St. Catherine of Siena in a one-woman play. Murray, who is the sister of comedian Bill Murray, presented the play as a fund-raiser earlier this month for Sacred Heart Catholic School in El Reno.
Anyway, hearing the quote by St. Catherine was a pleasant surprise this morning and very apropos for the wedding homily.
In fact, the entire sermon was inspired.
If you are interested in what the Bishop of London had to say, I’ve included a link to the text below.
Royal wedding: Bishop of London’s homily
(AP PHOTO/Clara Molden, Pool) : Britain’s Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge surrounded by Archbishop Rowan Williams, right, Prince Harry, second from right, and Michael Middleton, left, in Westminster Abbey, London during their wedding ceremony today.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
The Chelsea Clinton wedding: The religion factor
News of Chelsea Clinton’s upcoming nuptials in upstate New York is everywhere.
Here’s something to think about: Clinton, daughter of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton, is a Christian, while her fiance Marc Mezvinsky is Jewish.
The Washington Post’s religion blog On Faith recently included postings on the issue of interfaith marriage. The blog’s diverse group of panelists answered the question “Should religions intermarry?”
Read their comments here: “Should religions intermarry?”
(AP Photo: Chelsea Clinton talks with University of Oklahoma students after a speech given
by her father, former President Bill Clinton, in 2008 on OU’s Norman campus.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Why did Ted Haggard’s wife stay?
Lots of people have been asking this question ever since evangelist Ted Haggard resigned as pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and as president of the National Association of Evangelicals after confessing to “sexual immorality” in 2006 : Why did his wife continue to stay with him?
Well, Gayle Haggard is about to give an answer to that query.
The Associated Press is reporting that Gayle Haggard is writing a book about how she dealt with the scandal surrounding her husband’s actions. Haggard’s public tumble from grace came after a male prostitute alleged that he had a sex-for-money arrangement with the outspoken evangelist.
Gayle Haggard’s memoir is to be titled “Why I Stayed” according to Tyndale House Publishers.
“This is my story of choosing to love my husband through some of the most difficult challenges any marriage could face,” Gayle Haggard said in a statement picked up by The Associated Press.
Haggard has since said that he has worked with counselors and no longer has sexual desire for men, the Associated Press reports.
The book is to be released in January.
(AP PHOTO AT RIGHT: Gayle Haggard is shown with her husband, Ted Haggard, right, in this 2006 photo taken in Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
More on Warren and Obama
Megachurch preacher Rick Warren’s role in the upcoming presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will likely be the topic of conversation for weeks to come.
Beliefnet.com and Wall Street Journal columnist Steven Waldman offered his views on the issue on huffingtonpost.com. Waldman just conducted a video interview with Warren last week in which he shared his views on some hot button issues including gay marriage.
Go to Beliefnet.com to view Waldman’s interview of Warren: Beliefnet.com Warren interviews.
To read Waldman’s commentary about Obama’s choice of Warren to deliver the inauguration invocation, click here: Defense of Obama’s choice.
Read Rabbi Brad Hirschfield’s commentary on the issue here: Rick Warren’s Selection is Great for Faith … Hirschfield has a column “Windows and Doors” on Beliefnet.com.
(AP PHOTO: In this Aug. 16 file photo, then Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill, joins Pastor Rick Warren at Warren’s Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., for a discussion on moral issues.)
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Love Dare” on bestsellers list
As the faith-themed movie “Fireproof” continues to hold its own as one of the Top 10 feature films since its September premiere, a book that started out as a central plot device in the storyline has soared to the top of a bestsellers list.
“The Love Dare” hit No. 1 on the New York Times Paperback Advice Bestsellers. It was written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick as part of “Fireproof.” When they wrote the script for the film they knew they would have to expand the six days of the book seen in the film into a book covering all 40 days.
The book is a 40-day challenge to put unconditional love into action.
“The Love Dare” is in paperback, but a leather-bound edition is set to be released in January 2009.
To link to an Oct. 4 story and podcast with “The Love Dare” co-author Stephen Kendrick, click here: “Love Dare Q&A.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Fireproof” goes beyond big screen
Sherwood Pictures, the creators of the new movie “Fireproof,” certainly wanted the film to impact couples’ lives long after they left the theaters.
If you saw the film on Friday, the day it premiered, perhaps you want to learn more about the movie’s faith-themed premise.
Go to www.fireproofthemovie.com to find out more about “The Love Dare,” the book that is central to the movie. It is available at many Christian bookstores or online.
Also on the site, you can purchase songs from the movie from such contemporary Christian recording artists as Third Day (They’re coming to Oklahoma on Oct. 5 by the way), Casting Crowns, Greg Holiday and John Waller.
Read about the distinct differences between men and women by visiting the site’s “His and Hers” link.
Theatergoers were introduced to the Web site www.fireproofmymarriage.com at the end of ”Fireproof.”
There are a host of resources for churches and couples available on that site.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
“Fireproof” on Dr. Phil
The much anticipated faith-themed movie “Fireproof” will be discussed on ABC’s “Dr. Phil” show on Friday.
The forthright Dr Phil often takes a licking from critics for some of the subjects of his show, but methinks he will get lots of members of the faith community tuning in to see “Fireproof” promoted.
The movie, if you haven’t yet heard, is a love story about a couple (portrayed by actors Erin Bethea and Kirk Cameron) facing challenges in their marriage. “Fireproof” premieres in theaters nationwide on Friday.
Some Oklahoma churches have really rallied behind the film and bought out blocks of theater tickets, coordinated child care and planned sermons and classes around its marriage theme.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
