tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post114857169043292618..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: The Golden Fleece [2 of 2]Phil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148663669604223292006-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:002006-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:00A reminder to all: This blog is not a tavern. As I...A reminder to all: This blog is not a tavern. As I've said before, we're more like a virtual pancake-house—a family-friendly place where homeschool moms are welcome and made comfortable.<BR/><BR/>For the record, while we're not prudes and wouldn't automatically consider a stogie or a beer "sinful," neither do we consider such things fitting emblems of Christian liberty.<BR/><BR/>Let's not allow the comment threads to devolve into that kind of banter. Lighthearted joking of that nature fits under the rubric of things that offend my wife and my mom, and therefore such comments aren't really appropriate for this blog.<BR/><BR/>By the way, the Pyro-stein is not anyone's attempt to make a statement about Christians and alcohol consumption. I use mine for double lattes. They make perfect pencil-holders, too.<BR/><BR/>OK?<BR/><BR/>(I deleted the comment in question because 1) it was technically off-topic, and 2) it had a link to a retail/wholesale website.)<BR/><BR/>I'm also taking the unprecedented measure of closing this comment thread before it disintegrates further.<BR/><BR/><B>Daniel...James...Frank</B>—<I>anyone</I>: post something edifying soon. I'm bogged down with other duties at the moment.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148662039877493292006-05-26T09:47:00.000-07:002006-05-26T09:47:00.000-07:00responding to the post that was published on the b...responding to the post that was published on the blog this morning, whatever happened to not letting your right know what your left hand is doing? How self righteous to have a T-Shirt that shows you are giving money to missionaries, why don't you where camel hair and say "I have fasted, what have you done lately you fat boy" I am tired of people wanting to be seen for what they do, why don't you give to the Lord in secret so your works aren't burnt up (1 Cor 3)Seth McBeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08765679934165890595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148661876717597662006-05-26T09:44:00.000-07:002006-05-26T09:44:00.000-07:00I can see Edwards in a TeamPyro muscle shirt.I lik...<I>I can see Edwards in a TeamPyro muscle shirt.</I><BR/><BR/>I like that picture. And be honest, if you saw him in one would you hesitate to say, "Lookin' sharp, Bro. Johnnie!"<BR/><BR/>?Momohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292177473341691525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148659603591867782006-05-26T09:06:00.000-07:002006-05-26T09:06:00.000-07:00Just out of curiosity...how much did Challies ever...Just out of curiosity...how much did Challies ever get for the pyro sticker he put up for sale at Ebay??candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088593538648596769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148658164047555182006-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:002006-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00Frank, et. al.,I understand the point of the note ...Frank, et. al.,<BR/><BR/>I understand the point of the note and was a little caught off guard when I saw the T-shirt post too. But I got over it. In general, I would prefer a little more to the shirt. I actually kind of like the iTune one. It's catchy and looks like you get more graphics for your buck. But that's as far as I would go with it. I'm not too in to wearing such a T-shirt with a message, no matter where the proceeds go.<BR/><BR/>The closest exception I've made to this general rule is I once received and wore a T-shirt that simply had the following text on it:<BR/><BR/>rm -rf /bin/laden<BR/><BR/>This was right after 9/11 and you have to understand a little Unix semantics to appreciate the political and patriotic message. But then I only wore it twice because most people didn't understand it and it never really became a conversation piece.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I don't particularly care if there's merchandise. In the future, I'd like some consideration made for things I might use more, like COOKIES or PIZZA. Perhaps a Pyro-log'd pizza would be a great thing. I don't know how you'd do it or even get it to me. But I would exceeed Phil's 40%. Perhaps not. But it would be a close race.<BR/><BR/>Again, I like what goes on at the site and I don't mind the commercials either. The rapid succession of posts on top of posts may be another story. Sometimes I feel like I'm at Triablogue and can't keep up.<BR/><BR/>Best regards,<BR/><BR/>MikeMike Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14897602903962464086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148628924095398602006-05-26T00:35:00.000-07:002006-05-26T00:35:00.000-07:00But you can't take the link to the gear off. The b...But you can't take the link to the gear off. The baby is too darn adorable, I'd miss her. :(<BR/><BR/>I have to admit though my favorite blog gear is at Geoffrey Chaucer's. Some of them made me laugh out loud. They use zazzle, I don't know if that's better or worse than cafepress.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00590850703882621173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148616215136329092006-05-25T21:03:00.000-07:002006-05-25T21:03:00.000-07:00Frank,I appreciate your comments and motivation. ...Frank,<BR/>I appreciate your comments and motivation. I, however, would like to sell some stuff from my blog and make lots of money and not give it to the poor. Can you help me set that up? I want to begin fleecing as soon as possible.marchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158311614104904363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148601779112717582006-05-25T17:02:00.000-07:002006-05-25T17:02:00.000-07:00Frank's got competition.Not to belabor the point, ...Frank's got <A HREF="http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/05/monergismcom_reformation_tshir_1.php" REL="nofollow">competition.</A><BR/><BR/>Not to belabor the point, but what makes me smile about the t-shirt-and-baby-clothes business is that it fits so well with the longest-running gag at the Pyroblog—viz., my penchant for putting the Pyro logo on <I>everything</I> (including Jonathan Edwards and Charles Spurgeon).<BR/><BR/>The t-shirts actually put the logo on our readers in the real world. Something about that makes me smile.<BR/><BR/>Besides, the little onesies make great baby gifts. Have a baby in my vicinity, and that's what you'll get as a gift.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148601116378037022006-05-25T16:51:00.000-07:002006-05-25T16:51:00.000-07:00I rather like the Pyro merchandise. I always under...I rather like the Pyro merchandise. I always understood it to be an ironic statement on consumerism, rather than PJ trying to get rich.Craig Schwarzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156017639962303656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148593661735759752006-05-25T14:47:00.000-07:002006-05-25T14:47:00.000-07:00Did someone say there's a Pyromaniac fleece availa...Did someone say there's a Pyromaniac fleece available? Sign me up for one of those...it will keep me warm in the high andes!<BR/><BR/>Loving the blog and reading it daily!Family Blogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18139302128402850028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148588087723755172006-05-25T13:14:00.000-07:002006-05-25T13:14:00.000-07:00Hey, I didn't know you guys had a Pyromaniacs beer...Hey, I didn't know you guys had a Pyromaniacs beer stein for sale! I want one, and I'll drink some wonderful Yuengling Lager from it. Cheers!Mister Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06359700695541339747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148587879475104652006-05-25T13:11:00.000-07:002006-05-25T13:11:00.000-07:00Please don't get rid of the Pyro Gear until mine c...Please don't get rid of the Pyro Gear until mine comes in the mail.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02288648996304246570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148587469867190942006-05-25T13:04:00.000-07:002006-05-25T13:04:00.000-07:00A good measuring stick to know you've gone too far...A good measuring stick to know you've gone too far in your merchandizing is if your gear shows up on Purgatorio. :)candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088593538648596769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148586696013864302006-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:002006-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:00It's always good to analyze things and I appreciat...It's always good to analyze things and I appreciate pressingon's heart, but where and when do these type of questions end? I ate at McDonald's yesterday - could I have had peanut butter and jelly instead and given the $5 to a mission agency? Certainly, and could I shop at Walmart for clothes instead of Kohl's and give more to the church - yep. Where does this end, and how guilty do we really have to feel about all of this in a biblical framework? I'm not sure I have the answer.Pastor Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11064672747243307518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148586183105472922006-05-25T12:43:00.000-07:002006-05-25T12:43:00.000-07:00Allow me to interject this..and mind, I am not try...Allow me to interject this..and mind, I am not trying to make any serious Scriptural application here. Just offering it for thought. <BR/><BR/>I agree with the disapproval expressed toward hucksterism..making a buck off of anything spiritual for sheer mercenary gain. We've all seen it. However, let's not paint with a broad brush. <BR/><BR/>When we're talking about Christian gear, this issue has other facets other than the amount of money made by the producers of it. Some have rather rudely called it "Jesus Junk." These sincere critics don't think it is appropriate to produce or wear such gear. I don't agree with them. <BR/><BR/>Most of us who wear t-shirts like this, have coffee mugs, keychains etc..like them because they witness about our faith as well as look great (and I don't mean feeding one's vanity). If there is a legitimate market for such material, I see no harm or evil in producing it unless what is being produced is unscriptural, blasphemous or would detract from an effective, compelling witness. For example, I think Christian thong bikinis are an oxymoron (and anyone who would wear such a thing and think they are glorifying God IS a moron. <BR/><BR/>Think about this, too. The Bible tells us that those who proclaim the Gospel should get their living from the Gospel. In context, this is certainly talking about supporting those who devote their full time to preaching, teaching and evangelizing. While this verse does not pertain to the idea of manufacturing and selling Christian gear, I believe a parellel can be drawn to this extent. Not all of us are preachers or teachers. If clothing and gear production is the chosen vocation of a believer i.e. producing gear that glorifies the Lord and is a blessing to other brothers and sisters, I see nothing sinful or sacreligious in it. <BR/><BR/>The Supreme Court once said that they would know obscenity when they saw it. I think all of us are mature enough to discern hucksterism and fleecing when we see it. <BR/><BR/>Pyromaniacs material does not fall under that banner.Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148585668568358862006-05-25T12:34:00.000-07:002006-05-25T12:34:00.000-07:00Frank: "Well, I think it’s fun. If you readers thi...<B>Frank:</B> <I>"Well, I think it’s fun. If you readers think it’s chintzy, I’ll call off the hounds. No sense being the only guy in the room laughing."</I><BR/><BR/>Yeah, just to be clear: Frank made the gear out of the blue one day, and I linked to it more or less as a lark, intending to leave it there for a few days at most (after I ordered a lot of gifts for people and some really cool black Pyro t-shirts.) I ended up leaving the link, because the picture of my friend Madeline is so cute.<BR/><BR/>If Frank ever really made any actual money selling this paraphernalia, I'd remove the link immediately, because PyroManiacs is technically a non-commercial site. We won't sell ads for any price, and we're not trying to make money off the blog.<BR/><BR/>All joking aside.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148584732262695322006-05-25T12:18:00.000-07:002006-05-25T12:18:00.000-07:00If you bought one, I promise you you'd understand ...If you bought one, I promise you you'd understand how to justify a $19.99 immediately.<BR/><BR/>Ask Phil.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148581036548831022006-05-25T11:17:00.000-07:002006-05-25T11:17:00.000-07:00Pressingon said "So, you do it because it's fun? O...Pressingon said <I>"So, you do it because it's fun? Okay. Fun has its place. I guess I just think you could have fun in a lot more rewarding and productive ways."</I><BR/><BR/>Like Frank, I also have a cafepress store. Mine's been open for about 16 months, but we sold our gear via paypal & direct purchase for several years before that. We made the move because it's more convenient.<BR/><BR/>Like Frank, I do what I do for fun, and because I enjoy it a great deal. In fact, just last night I spent several hours creating two new designs (I can't let Frank introduce a new design and NOT introduce one myself!). Just kidding these are actually Father's Day shirts.<BR/><BR/>My gear with Scripture on it has it there because it's my passion to combine scenery (God's creation) with God's word. People like it, and people buy it because they like it. (And I'm grateful they like it and grateful for every sale).<BR/><BR/>Like Frank, I do this because I like to. For me, it is indeed rewarding and very productive. Short story here but a few years ago one of my Psalms calendars was purchased as a gift for an unbeliever. She loved it so much, she bought a Bible (she wanted to find those verses). She began to study her Bible, and the last I heard, she was still studying her Bible and asking questions about this life, and the life to come.<BR/><BR/>If that was the only sale I ever made, I'd be pretty blessed to know that my overpriced cafepress junk was most productive in motivating an unbeliever to go buy a Bible & actually read it.<BR/><BR/>SDG... <BR/>CarlaCarla Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395062089776262435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148580024563108102006-05-25T11:00:00.000-07:002006-05-25T11:00:00.000-07:00Frank almost thou presuaded me to purchase a T-shi...Frank almost thou presuaded me to purchase a T-shirt. <BR/><BR/>I think fleece was inappropriate, because of the motivation intended behind someone fleecing. Also sell your shirts if you want. I get a kick out of seeing what new design you will come up with.Scott Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11141352576274672374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148578742845133322006-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:002006-05-25T10:39:00.000-07:00James --There wasn't enough interest. We couldn't...James --<BR/><BR/>There wasn't enough interest. We couldn't get enough people to have the right spirit to buy a silver-plated trinket. For $30.<BR/><BR/>Not even "for the kids".FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148577679508401082006-05-25T10:21:00.000-07:002006-05-25T10:21:00.000-07:00I just want to know whatever happened with that wh...I just want to know whatever happened with that whole zippo lighter thing.Momohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292177473341691525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148577431908611192006-05-25T10:17:00.000-07:002006-05-25T10:17:00.000-07:00Frank - if you really want to actually make some m...Frank - if you really want to actually make some money (for the glory of God of course) I stumbled upon this blog http://christianbusinessdevotion.blogspot.com<BR/>Looks pretty legit to me =)amesfamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16106179197447337690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148577013969290952006-05-25T10:10:00.000-07:002006-05-25T10:10:00.000-07:00Steve --I am eventually going to blog CBA in a pre...Steve --<BR/><BR/>I am eventually going to blog CBA in a pretty significant way, but first I want to make sure their "boys" can't find me or my family.<BR/><BR/>I was thinking of starting a blog called "Christian Retail Confidential" to post gripes and insights on CBA and how not to be like them, but I can't keep up with the blogs I already have.<BR/><BR/>There is also the prickly point that I actually work for a CBA/ECPA publishing company, and I don't want to lose my job because I said something about CBA which they do not agree with.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148575848330710322006-05-25T09:50:00.000-07:002006-05-25T09:50:00.000-07:00Libbie --e-mail me.Pressingon --Everyone gets thei...Libbie --<BR/><BR/>e-mail me.<BR/><BR/>Pressingon --<BR/><BR/>Everyone gets their 15 minutes of fame. make sure you use it in a rewarding and productive way, and not just to sell t-shirts.<BR/><BR/>All jokes aside, here are the answers to your questions:<BR/><BR/>-- I use CafePress because there aren't really a lot of choices. If I had a better option, I'd use it. Do you have a suggestion?<BR/><BR/>-- Proceeds don't go to any charities because <I>there are no proceeds</I>. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I have never received a dime from the CP store and that the fees swallow almost all of the gross profts of the operation.<BR/><BR/>gross - expenses = net<BR/><BR/>In this case, gross = expenses + 5%. You do the math. Net is less than or equal to zero -- and I don't hide behind the "but it's a ministry" dodge. If I ever get a check worth cashing from the pawn shop, I'll blog about it and then you can bring it before the elders of my church.<BR/>__________________________________<BR/><BR/>Before I go to lunch, did anyone ever tell you you look like Kirstie Alley before she got fat? Like on Cheers or that one Star Trek movie.<BR/><BR/>Just curious. :-)FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1148572636507083452006-05-25T08:57:00.000-07:002006-05-25T08:57:00.000-07:00Might want to close that colour thing.. I'm laugh...Might want to close that colour thing.. <BR/><BR/> I'm laughing, Mr Turk. I'm also looking for someone to buy one of my kidneys so I can kit my girls out as pyrobabies.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873728356115837593noreply@blogger.com