Are you ready?

The phone rang at 10:24PM.

I looked up at Gail and she said, "It's kind of late for a phone call", knowing that when the phone rings that late in a pastor's house it isn't going to be a lunch invitation. She was right.

"He's been taken to the hospital and his wife has asked that you be there." The prognosis was not good.

We were simply acquaintances, although his wife and mother-in-law are family of close friends. In fact, he was my son's Little League coach 22 years ago. I had only seen him a couple of times at the most in those two-plus decades. But I was asked to come right away, and being a believer in Divine appointments, I put on my shoes, brushed my teeth, and headed down the road.

While I'm no physician, I've been around the block a time or two in the hospital and ER in my pastoral experience. As I stood just inside the curtain that separated the room from the doctors and nurses station, it only took a second to know this would likely be my last chance to see him.

He was conscious and alert, and through the mask that covered most of his face, giving him oxygen as he labored for every breath I could see his eyes widen as he saw me. I took it as a sign that he was glad to have me there. At least three medical professionals were tending to him, working on needles, bags and such. So I stayed near the foot of the bed and gave a simple wave.

This was not a good time to try and get close enough to talk, so I left for the waiting room.

My third trip back to see him found him hooked up to everything imaginable. Only one nurse was there, punching things into a computer. So I walked up to the side of his bed, took his hand and said what needed to be said. His wife stood beside me.

"I'm not going to tell you what you don't already know. You don't have a lot of time left on this earth." He was looking directly into my eyes as he continued to struggle for each shallow breath. A slight nod told me he knew it, too. "I need to ask you...are you ready? Do you know Jesus is your Savior?"

The next nod wasn't so slight. It was deliberate.

"Knowing that will give you the peace you'll need through this night, and it will bring great peace to your family."

I prayed with him that God would help him through the night; that he might get some rest; that the Lord would bring comfort and strength to his family.

He was transported by helicopter to a hospital 80 miles away where he could be in an ICU. Today, after his wife, children, mother and sister said theirs goodbyes, he was taken off the ventilator and in a few minutes slipped into eternity.

He was ready.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life."

One day all of us will have a similar experience. Perhaps it will be dragged out for days or weeks. Perhaps it will happen in an instant and be totally unexpected. But we will all face our mortality.

Ready or not.

What is John 3:16 all about?

Click here and find out.

Christ is offensive. Accept it and move on.

Every year at this time the news gives us examples of tension between those who believe Christ is central to Christmas and those who do not wish Christ to be mentioned. Civil governments are often the ropes in these tug-of-wars.

This year is no different. And so, the never ending debate continues. Here's a link to an example playing out right now in Pitman, NJ.

As our nation drifts further away from the Judeo-Christian values of our founding fathers (read their stuff...even those who weren't devout still held to the sovereignty of an Almighty God) and moves at a more rapid pace toward human secularism as the norm, the once accepted and at worst tolerated celebration of Christmas becomes less relevant. Once relevance is lost it becomes easy to launch attacks and legal proceedings against anything Christian. Crosses. Manger scenes. Ten Commandments (Jewish, but accepted by Christians), even the word "Christmas".

Is it a battle worth fighting? I'm not sure. Maybe I'm wrong, but except for a supernatural intervention I'm inclined to believe we're crossing the point of no return. And honestly, Jesus and his earliest followers knew that He would be a point of offense to the non-Christian culture. We were warned this would happen. So we shouldn't be surprised.

Of course, I'm praying for that supernatural intervention. Hoping it will be sooner than later.

And Merry Christmas! Free speech still protects what I can say here.

A Gracious Response to the "Disciples of Intolerance"

Once again, those who want everyone else to tolerate them demonstrate how intolerant they are. This time they put pressure on a leading business executive to not speak at Willow Creek's Leadership summit. And he bowed out.

In the video, Pastor Bill Hybels graciously explains the position of his church. I hope you'll watch and listen carefully. I've used the same explanation, that at Nags Head Church we don't ask anyone at the door their beliefs or about their sexual lives. Everyone here, as they are at Willow Creek, is welcome to attend and hear the Gospel.

The Toughest Lesson

I’m no psychologist. But I did take enough psych classes in college to remember Freud’s concept of id, ego and super-ego. Not that I find Freud the “go-to” guy in matters of the “heart”, but there is something to be said about our innate desire to elevate our own desires above others. His “ego” helps explain human self-centeredness and selfishness.

Of course, it wasn’t a 19^th century Austrian neurologist who came up with the notion that we are basically driven by our own desire to be king (or queen) of the mountain. It harkens all the way back to the very first of our species to inhabit earth. When Satan, in the form of a snake tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit, his enticement that broke down her resistance was the lie that she would be like God once she ate.

So, seeking our own way is really part of our heritage. It’s in our DNA, so to speak. We can’t help it! It’s who we are. It’s what we do…naturally. The craze in our culture for “reality” TV has brought selfishness to the forefront, hasn’t it? Have you seen those bridezilla shows? Wow! But then, don’t we feed that kind of thing? “It’s your wedding day, sweetheart. It’s all about you.”

Now maybe you’re one of those people who learned early in life that you weren’t the center of the universe. Whether that was because of incredibly effective parenting or you chalk it up to your “personality”, you are amazing and rare. My hunch is that most of us truly battle with wanting the world to revolve around “me”. My observation is that most of us see self-centeredness for what it is, but that some go through life blinded by their own need to be affirmed and catered to by everyone else.

Something in me nauseates my soul when I realize I want it all my way.

It must be that when you take a look at our Savior you find the direct opposite of someone who lived for self. His mission was not to be served, He said, but to serve. When He was challenged about His agenda He said He had come not to do His own will but the will of His father. When His closest friends totally missed the lessons He was trying to get through to them He didn’t give up on them.

Once, when an opportunity was given Him to exercise legal authority that was His and condemn a guilty lawbreaker to death, He instead chose to gently and compassionately extend grace. Faced with impending arrest, torture and death, His request in prayer was for His own will to be submissive to His Father’s. Later that night, as those closest to Him betrayed, then abandoned and denied Him, He completed His mission on their behalves.

There was not a self-centered cell in His body. Not a bad example to follow.

Someone noted for following Christ was a former egomaniac with a self-appointed calling to destroy the movement Jesus began. But once He came to know the very one he had hated, his life was changed in a radical way. To the Galatian churches he penned these words that so well describe a better way to live than for self.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

When I see myself as dead to self because of the new life given to me by Christ then and only then can I abandon self-centeredness. It may be the toughest lesson in life to learn: “It’s not about me”. But once it is embraced life becomes a smile instead of a pout.

Post-resurrection transformations

Imagine the reaction.

It’s still early in the day. Already at least four of your closest friends have seen with your own eyes proof that you are alive. After seeing it for themselves they went back to the rest of their friends, who were hiding in fear, and told them what they saw and heard.

“I saw an angel roll the stone away. He said He was not there and I peeked in to see for myself. And it was true!”

“When I arrived the tomb was opened, just like Mary had said. I was too scared to look inside, but then Peter got there and went inside. He was gone!”

“When the earth quaked and the angel rolled away the stone the Roman soldiers guarding the tomb passed out with fear!”

“I went inside to see for myself. There was the burial cloth still lying there. And, get this – the cloth that had covered His head was neatly folded and in another place!”

“I lingered after the men left. While I wept, believing His body had been stolen, He spoke my name. I turned and it was Him!”

The first eyewitnesses of Jesus’ resurrection did not initially believe, even though Jesus had predicted exactly what would happen. "Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles, and they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him, and He will rise after three days." - Mark 10:33-34

You do just exactly what you said you would do. It’s proven to eyewitnesses who are also your friends. They say they believe you are who you say you are. But when it comes to actually believing? They hide in fear and doubt.

As the disciples were in seclusion, fearful they would be next on the most wanted list for crucifixion, Jesus met with them post-resurrection for the first time. There He was, standing in the same room – a room they had secured by locking the doors. Yet locked doors, like tombstones, were no match for the supernatural. Still, some doubted.

You know his story. Poor Thomas. He’s infamous for one blunder. He doubted and expressed his disbelief. Likely more were thinking, “Yeah. What Thomas said”. Then Jesus held out his hands and challenged him to touch the crucifixion wounds in His hands, feet and side. That challenge changed Thomas from doubter to worshipper. “My Lord and my God”, he said.

None of them emerged those post-resurrection days the same. The fears and doubts were erased by the fact that Christ had risen from the dead. How can that not fill you with confidence? They walked and talked with Him – even ate with Him – again as they had done before His death.
Then He commissioned them to not only be changed themselves, but to tell everyone they met that they, too, could be changed forever.

I wonder how many who gave something up for Lent in preparation for the resurrection were glad to see those forty days finally pass so they could go back to whatever it was they had temporarily surrendered.

Easter isn’t just a once a year reason to go to church then be free to go back to life the same as you were before. It’s about celebrating new life, not a return to the old. Don’t let another just come and go with nothing to show for it but some Peeps to eat.

Toys-R-Us Christians

My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. - 1 Corinthians 14:20 (CEV)

Remember the old Toys-R-Us jingle? "I don't wanna grow up. I wanna be a Toys-R-Us kid".

With 2 toddler grandchildren I'm constantly reminded of the wants and needs of little ones.

• You don't dare leave them alone for fear of their safety. They don't have the wisdom or discernment about potential dangers yet.
• They want what they want, they want it now and nothing else in their world or yours matters until they get it. Little children are driven by their own wants (not so much their needs) and have no clue of priorities.
  
• If someone else has it, they want it. Their world revolves around them.
  
• They expect to be served. The concept of serving others comes with maturity.
• They don't always get it right or finish what they start. My youngest (22 months) will start counting to ten and decide to skip "7,8,9" and jump from 6 to 10. Then with excitement she applauds herself.
  
• Attention span? Forget about it.

None of those are abnormal for little ones. But eventually, if their growth is normal, they will mature beyond those characteristics. With nurturing and discipline and love they get to the place where they learn to eat with a fork, share a toy, say "Please" and "Thank you" and see a project through to completion. That's normal.

When we begin as children of God with a new birth we are babes. Paul writes about it. So do Peter and John in their letters. But they make it very clear that for a Christian to remain in spiritual immaturity is abnormal. God's plan for each believer is to grow up. What does that look like? Here are a few signs of growing up:

• An attitude of gratitude toward God and those who have helped them mature.
• Finding ways to serve His body in ministry.
• Becoming a contributor not a consumer in the church.
• Looking out for ways to meet others needs and not demanding their own wants be met.
• Faithfulness at things like communion, giving, sharing their faith, time in the Word, worship and serving.
• Putting away old habits and practices and adopting new ones that reflect Christ's work in his/her life.
• Not quitting or walking away because you don't get your way.
  
• Being able to search the Scriptures independently rather than demanding to be fed.
  
• Seeking the truth rather than accepting gossip or making assumptions that are unfounded.
• Adopting an "It's not about me" lifestyle.

I've found it's fun to watch little ones who are little ones act like little ones. Sure, it is often messy, but it's just a stage. However, it is no fun to watch someone who should be advancing cling to their security blanket or pacifier and throw temper tantrums when they should be past all that.

God wants us to grow and mature spiritually. It's part of the salvation process we know as "sanctification". His desire is to complete in us what He started, taking us from infancy to responsible adult. Paul's words in Philippians 2:1-16 say it so well. (Click on the link to read it now.)

Today is never too late to start putting the toys away.

What's Luck Got to Do, Got to Do With It?

(You have to hum that title to the tune of Tina Turner's 1984 hit song "What's Love Got to Do With It?")

I hear Christians say and communicate to others a phrase that perplexes me: "Good luck."

If God is sovereign is there really any such thing as luck, whether good or bad? Isn't believing in luck believing in chance, which implies an uninvolved God, if there's a God at all?

And if we don't believe in luck, why do we say it? Shouldn't we be pointing people to a God who is more than an icon? Aren't there better ways to say, "I wish you [well]"?

Just wondering. (I know what I believe about this, btw.)

An Unforgettable New Years Day (from 2008)

(I originally posted this on New Years Day 2008 after a long day. Little did we know then how miraculously God would answer our prayers. But we did believe. This is my third year to repost it.)

Usually I'm doing as little as possible on January 1; trying to avoid taking down Christmas decorations while channel surfing between bowl games. Not today.

Today, along with 3 of our church's pastors, my wife, another pastor's wife, our youngest daughter and her husband, my daughter-in-law's parents, my sister and a friend, we visited our very ill daughter-in-law at Duke University Hospital.

It's a 4 hour ride for us to get there. Yesterday she requested our elders (synonymous with pastors in our church) come to anoint her with oil, lay hands on her and pray (see James 5 in the New Testament). Word got out via the net and word of mouth and who knows how many joined us in prayer between noon and 1PM.

Tricia has posted some prayer needs on Nathan's blog site. If you want to meet some incredibly courageous young people, give it a read.

And here's my granddaughter's latest photo. She's 24 weeks in the oven and weighing about 1 lb 4oz. And she's got her mom's nose.

The Advent Conspiracy

Adventconspiracy.org

Check it out and see if you and yours can't spend less, give more and truly celebrate the birth of Christ this year more than ever before.

Bewitched Believers

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3 KJV

(First off, this isn't a "Halloween" post. If you want to read something about the evils of trick or treating you'll have to go somewhere else. And there are a gazillion places on the web to do that.)

Often I've shared while teaching a tidbit of my personal background and church heritage. While my childhood pastors proclaimed salvation by grace there was always the sense in those churches that behind every corner lurked an evil temptation. So there was always a level of distrust when the church ventured beyond the walls of "the church". Be careful out there...if they don't dot their "i's" or cross there "t's" just like us, chances are there's something bad in the mix.

So, we couldn't participate in certain things at school or in entertainment. Square dancing in PE class required us to have a letter from our parents exempting us. Walt Disney movies (while Walt was still in charge) that were always innocent and tasteful were taboo because the price of admission went to foster the "Hollywood lifestyle" of people like Liz Taylor, etc. At least that's what I heard.

It's taken me forty-plus years to recover from legalistic leanings. Yet I have to confess, buried somewhere deep in my soul are the tendencies to revert to a self-righteous position of condemning things not really addressed in the Scriptures. I fight it regularly, and only by God's grace do I not go back. Such a thought sends chills up my spiritual spine.

One thing I've learned in my years of pastoral ministry is that certain personalities (mine included) are drawn by Phariseeism. You know - the Pharisees were the religious fundamentalists of Jesus' day who said, "We're right and everyone else (including you, Jesus) are wrong." They claimed to be the anointed keepers of the Law.

Within every church, going back to the 1st Century are personalities who either were saved out of legalism or who because of their upbringing are drawn to the idea that the stricter the rules, the holier the life. And inevitably that belief leads to tightening the turniquet around the life of the Spirit in the hearts of believers.

Paul called those in the Galatian churches who had reverted back to grace plus law "bewitched". It's as though they were under a spell. Following Paul's departure from their region, Judaizers - Jews who taught Gentiles that before you could become a Christian you had to first become a Jew by circumcision (ouch) - came into these fledgling churches, pulling out their credentials as teachers, and brought the confusion that legalism brings, especially to those of us with a bent toward that kind of thing.

Here's where I see the Judaizers today. Sure, they're in local churches. Always will be. They've always had their publications. My mom used to subscribe to one and I read it as a kid every week. But with the free soap box (that I am currently using) of the internet, they are just a Google away from anyone's computer. And from the computer their interpretations go directly where? Into our minds.

Graciously the Holy Spirit has been teaching me for 44 years that Christianity brings liberty, not bondage to standards we create that the Creator never intended. Straining at gnats and fixating on the speck in someone else's eye only breeds a negativism that stifles what matters most: loving men and women into the Kingdom of Christ.

"So, be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little ears what you hear." That was a good lesson from my childhood. At NHC we've determined not to allow Phariseeism in any form to take a foothold among us. And that includes in me as well. Our elders are committed to that. We won't permit ourselves to major on the minors, which is the hallmark of a legalistic spirit.

So, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 KJV

(You'll note that for this post I've chosen to use the Authorized Version of the Bible. Sorry, I must have been leaning that direction.)

Real Christianity

A few weeks ago a medical team was brutally murdered in Afghanistan by Taliban. One of those killed was the young son of a long-time friend. Below is taken from an email he sent to friends telling about the memorial service that followed.

We did things a little differently in that we had Brian's burial before the memorial service. The idea was to show that we, as followers of Christ, go from death to life. Our pastor gave a 10 minute devotional followed by my family releasing 7 white doves (pigeons actually, but who cares) as a symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit of God, and issued a statement of heartfelt forgiveness to the men who killed these 10 aid workers. I can understand just a little bit how Stephen could say, "Lord, do not hold these sins against them". They are men who are lost and have acted only on the sin nature that we all possess. Yes, they are guilty of murder and if caught, they will be dealt with. Without Christ, they are already condemned!! They were mere pawns in the hand of the Almighty to wake up thousands of sleeping Christians and challenge unbelievers as to why a young man would knowingly and willing risk his life serving the ungodly.

Talk is cheap

Saturday morning I was having breakfast at the counter of my #1 breakfast place. This time of year Saturday mornings are slammed at local restaurants with vacationers on their way home grabbing one last meal before hitting the road. I was alone and there was one seat at the counter; so I gladly took it.

At the seats to my right were a mom and her teenage son, having some "mother-son time" as she put it. But she added, "The conversation was all her". What mom of a teenage boy doesn't relate to that?

I had a poster about our July 4 Block Party, which invites the commmunity to use our church parking lot for the fireworks show across the sound. Along with free parking we had free hot dogs, inflatable games for the kids, slushees and live music. She saw the poster and asked about it.

They were, she said, scheduled to leave for home on Sunday morning, but might just stay for the fireworks. "Which church is this?", she asked. "Nags Head Church, right next to Jockey's Ridge." "What kind of church is it?", and I told her our affiliation. "That's what we are, too. Maybe we'll come to church in the morning."

They didn't show - at least I didn't see them - but that's not a big deal. They were on vacation and headed home. I really didn't expect to see them.

But before church on Sundays I often get breakfast there. My waitress asked me, "Do you remember that woman who sat beside you yesterday? She wanted to pay with an American Express card, which posed a problem since we don't honor American Express and said she'd be back later with cash."

Bet you know what she said next.

I said that if I saw her at church (which I seriously doubted) I would remind her to stop by the restaurant. (These people are my friends). "How much was her tab?" It was over $35. For breakfast?!

"Well, she had a couple of mixed drinks, too."

Anybody can say, "I'm a Christ-follower". But following Christ is not about saying the words. Jesus warned that many would look at Him on judgment day and say, "Lord, Lord", but His response will be, "I don't know you."

Faith is more accurately expressed in our actions, which include integrity and honest character; not in empty words meant to try and impress somebody.

I wasn't impressed. Nor was I surprised that she said she belonged to a similar flavored church as mine, because talk is cheap.

Zac Smith's Story

Here's a powerful testimony to the grace of a good God when there is nothing else humanly to be done.

Zac is the brother of our friend, Stacey. I hope you'll watch him tell his story. He died Sunday.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

It's Friday, But Sunday's Coming

Narration is by the late Pastor S. M. Lockridge of San Diego, CA. Video is from the film "The Passion of the Christ".

Note: I was privileged to hear Lockridge preach in person while a college student.

One's death gives others life

I find it almost eerily coincidental that today, April 2, is Good Friday. This is the day that the Christian world recognizes as the day Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was nailed to a cross and executed for crimes He had not committed. It is perhaps...no it is the most intriguingly wonderful tragedy of history.

His sacrificial death was His mission. It was not mission suddenly aborted, but mission accomplished. At 33 years old this Jewish carpenter turned teacher died in His prime, not as a failure but as the victor. Three days after being entombed His comeback from death would stand as the ultimate evidence that He was Who He claimed to be.

The heart of the Christian faith is that Jesus' death was necessary to give life to any and all who will believe in Him as their Savior. As He had predicted, the seed must fall into the ground and die in order to bear fruit. It was His dying role as our substitute - taking our sin upon Himself and bearing God's judgment for our sin -that made it possible for sinners (like me) to have God's forgiveness and possess His everlasting life. He died that we might live.

But I said today's history changing event of 2 millenium ago was "coincidental". So if you've been hanging with me this far you might wonder, "With what?".

Two years ago today someone unknown to me died. Likely it was a tragic death. At the least it was untimely. But of those details I have no information. It seems I heard that the one who died was male. However, I'm not sure of that.

But his death on 4/2/08 was not in vain.

Unknown to him and his family my daughter-in-law was living under a death sentence called cystic fibrosis. Her lungs were so hardened by the disease that without a double lung transplant, and soon, she would likely not live to see her nearly three month old daughter reach her first birthday.

In their grief, whoever they are - parents - spouse - family - those who were next of kin to that young adult who died graciously and selflessly agreed to allow his lungs to be "harvested". A team from Duke Medical Center flew to their location, retrieved those lungs that were free of CF, and on the evening of April 2 began the nine plus hour surgery on Tricia that would give her new life. It was a transaction none of us who know her will ever forget.

Sure, there are plenty of differences in the stories. What you or I gain from trading in our diseased souls for His life is eternal. Jesus chose to suffer and die.

But in both instances death provides life and the giver of that life "lives" within the recipient.

So today is a day of celebration doubled for our family. And for both we give thanks to God, the Giver of all good things.

Perhaps you're reading this and have never recieved the life Jesus freely offers. I hope you'll consider that God loves you with such an immeasurable love that He would allow His one and only Son to be your Substitute so that you could find freedom, forgiveness and a relationship with God that you were created to possess.

To receive that life requires one thing - faith (belief) that Jesus died for you. It's the kind of faith that must be exlusively in Him. By that I mean that you don't add Jesus to a list of gods. It's a faith that only He can give you eternal life.

It's not about a church or a ritual or saying a prayer. It's about simply believing. It costs you nothing. It cost Him everything. And He's willing to share.

Pro-choice Liberal Gets It! - Sally Jenkins, Washington Post

Sally Jenkins, a former Sports Illustrated writer, now writing for the Washington Post and a self-avowed pro-choice feminist has written a most excellent editorial on the Tim/Pam Tebow Super Bowl ad "controversy".

Finally someone who is pro-choice understands that one of the choices has to be to allow the unborn to live. Going against the flow of the river left, she calls out the abortion rights activists groups for their hypocrisy.

There are some superb quotes in this piece.

While she admits she disagrees with the Tebows' position, she at least argues his position is worth supporting.

Here's the link to the column.

And if you applaud her for having the courage to set herself up for criticism from her own side, send her an email and thank her for being a voice of reason and intelligence on a moral issue.

How Can It Be?

The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.

- Martin Luther

Ed and Edith are on the Pulpit Search Committee

In the Baptist tradition a "pulpit search committee" is given the task of finding suitable candidates for filling an open pastoral position in a church.

Below is a composite from real advertisements in a Baptist paper. I find them both amusing and typically sad. How did both Ed and Edith get elected to this committee?

First Baptist Church is seeking a full time pastor to lead and love our congregation. We are seeking an energetic and innovative minister who can recognize the untapped potential of influence in our community and restore our church to its vibrant past. The prospective minister should possess strong pulpit and leadership abilities and have a heart for the community. The prospective pastor should have excellent communication skills and work well with others.

We are looking for a strong leader who has passion for children’s ministries and missions and will show compassion for our elderly church members. Local residence requested. We are seeking a pastor with vision, leadership, and administrative ability to guide us to become the missional church we strive to be.

The successful candidate will have graduated from an accredited seminary. Preference will be given to candidates who have obtained a doctorate.

What I found so telling is that of the seven ads for pastors in this particular issue only one mentioned any sort of spiritual qualification, and that was "a spiritually mature, Christ-led pastor". Even more telling was that this was the only one of the seven that did not specify candidates possess at least a masters degree from an accredited seminary. How does education trump godliness? (FYI, I have no problem with being a seminary graduate. I are one.)

There's nothing wrong with seeking a pastor who can lead, communicate, is visionary, etc. But are those primary or secondary to having a growing spiritual life? And the comment about restoring the church to it's vibrant past...

How about "Looking for a pastor who's life models the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1"?

But nothing Ed and Edith do surprises me anymore.

Dancing Around the Constitution?

Thousands of religious leaders got a call from on high Wednesday as President Obama reached out to Jewish and Christian clergy, asking some to sermonize in favor of health care reform.

The 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads in part:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

It does say "Congress". So I guess the President is exempt and can suggest what could be this Sunday's sermon.

I didn't get the invitation to the meeting or pay attention to the call. I'll stick to preaching the Bible.