My Political Endorsement for President and Why

My name is Rick. There has never been a Rick in the White House before and I think it's time we Rick's got represented. I really don't know much about his positions, his party or qualifications, but that doesn't matter. He's Rick and he's got my vote!

I'm sorry for all you people with other first names. But, that's all I'm going to say about that. So, don't try to confuse me.

What's Geography Got to Do With It?

This morning I enjoyed 3 games of racquetball. Played doubles with 3 guys I've played with before. It was a good workout.

One of the guys has been careful in the past to curtail his language when we've played. It's not been something I've requested. But I think he has just tried to be "respectful". Until today!

After a while I said (with a smile), "Man, if words beginning with the letters "S" and "F" were removed from your vocabulary you'd be a mute!"

His response? "I can't help it. I'm from Jersey." I have to add, I've heard that same line before from others.

I happen to know some folks from New Jersey who aren't potty mouthed and rude. So someone help me understand why your home state gives you license to be offensive.

Maybe it's too much time on the Turnpike?

Presidential Dictionary

It seems American Presidents speak a different language than the people they serve. Or maybe they just have their own dictionary. Have you noticed that?

For example, (and let's be fair and balanced here) we can go back in my recent memory to Richard "I am not a crook" Nixon. How do you define "crook"? Wasn't Watergate a break in and didn't segments of incriminating Oval Office audio tape vanish?

Bill Clinton's struggles, too, with American English are well documented. He was unsure of the words "is" and "sexual relations". Wonder how he would fare on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader"? I'll bet they know what "sexual relations" are.

George W. Bush had a different understanding of the word "accomplished" (as in "mission accomplished") than the populace. We still don't have a clue as to where Osama Bin Ladin is hiding or how to get him. We do have modifiers in our language that could have helped such as, "somewhat" or "partially".

Our current President is confused over a word that we hope he would know well: "tax".

What is it about living in the White House that renders men with above average intelligence suddenly ignorant of simple words?

The Race Card

(I'm thinking like Jimmy Carter here, so bear with me.)

If you stop and ponder it, our nation was founded on racism. After all, at the original Tea Party a bunch of white guys dressed up like Indians when they turned Boston Harbor into Earl Grey soup. Wonder what Jimmy C. thinks about them?

Where's Billy when you need some sage wisdom? Would you please pass me a piece of that peanut butter pie? Forget the politics. Let's get a softball game going here.

Just don't leave the speling up to them!

Shopping with the wife

You know, they don't have these chairs outside the men's dressing rooms. Have you ever thought why not? It's because while the men are inside trying on clothes, the women are searching for more clothes to hand them to try on.

We still need mommy to dress us, I guess.

What? No Bible in the Map Room?

At our president's re-do of his oath of office/swearing in, the Chief Justice of the SCOTUS remembered to bring his robe. A photographer was present and an audio recording was made. But no one thought to bring a Bible, and there wasn't one in the Map Room.

Now, I can understand that schedules are tight, and to send VP Biden searching for a Bible wouldn't have been the prudent thing to do. In addition, I'm told that while the wording of the oath is specific and in the Constitution, there is no requirement to place your hand on the Bible while being sworn in to the office.

We're led to believe by the spin meisters that had there been a Bible in the Map Room it would have been used.

Watch now as hundreds, maybe thousands of donated Bibles come flooding into the White House post office labeled "For the Map Room". I wonder if they'll be given a tax credit for those donations?

Don't leave home without it.

But let's not make a big deal out of it. The Bible has been left out of our government for the past 45 years or so. And didn't Jesus say something about not swearing?

I guess up in DC they're not familiar with that great bluegrass tune, "I'm Using My Bible as a Road Map".

Guest Blogger: Prodigal Jon

Trying To Look Cool at Church.

The blog is called "Stuff Christians Like" and is always tongue in cheek and funny, but also consistently strikes a nerve. The blogger is a young guy in advertising who is a member of one of America's great churches.

Hope you enjoy it. But don't read it if you can't stand someone poking fun at us.

Church Sign "Evangelism"

I'm tagging off of Nathan's worship blog post.

The subject has been a peeve of mine for a long time. Fortunately I haven't been part of a church that felt compelled to put out "cute" sayings on their sign as a way of attracting the community into their doors.

But I've read some doozies. You probably have, too. Here are a couple of my "favorites" from local churches.

"Sinners welcome here". (I'll bet the cars were lined up to get in on Sunday morning...)

"Keep Christ in Christmas....Xmas Eve Service 7PM" (I'm not kidding.)

How about you? Got a real church sign zinger that made you just shake your head?

I now pronounce you...

In August I'll have the joy of officiating the wedding of a couple in California. Just so there's no confusion, they're a traditional couple - man and woman.

Today in California same sex weddings became legal. In preparation for this monumental change the state changed their wedding license wording from using the traditional "bride/groom" or "husband/wife" to "Party A/Party B".

So when I announce that Laura and Mario are wed, do I pronounce them husband and wife or Party A and Party B? I mean, I want it to be legal, you know. What's the official California pronouncement? Somebody help me.

Job insecurity

For all my Baptist pastor friends.

A first for me

I got a call earlier this week from the local "Obama for President" office asking if they could come by and drop off campaign literature at the church to be distributed.

This is the 5th presidential campaign to occur during my years at this church. I've never been approached by any political campaign with such a request. I thought it was a rather bold move. But then Tuesday is our primary here in NC and he and Hillary are at war.

My response? "No, thanks. We don't accept political literature to distribute from any party or candidate."

Maybe since Mr. Obama has disowned his "former" pastor he's looking for a new one? How'd he hear about me?

The Woman who would be President and Sniper Fire

Just wondering what it means to "misspeak"? If it's not a lie, what is it? And is that a trait we want in the most powerful person in the world? I mean, imagine the ramifications of misspeaking while on that hotline phone on the Oval Office desk.

But then, she's learned her political saavy from "I did not have sex with that woman, Miss Lewinsky" husband Bill. (Or did he learn from her...Hillary, that is.)

We're quite the forgiving nation, though. Heck, we'll elect a president who can't define "is" or one who doesn't have a clue that I'm soon going to be pumping $4 a gallon gas into my truck.

Let's see. Now it's McCain's turn to say something then deny it. But then, he's been in politics long enough that I'm sure he's already done that.

I wish baseball would hurry up and get started.

Grin and bear it!

You gotta just shake your head and wonder about people who consistently show up at church a minute or two before a service begins and have this puzzled look as to why all the seats in the back are taken! Especially on a day like Easter!!

Hey, if you want to sit in the back in a Baptist church, you better get there early!
Hey, get out of bed ten minutes earlier! (We open the doors to our auditorium ten minutes before the gathering begins and at that time all the seats are available.)
Hey, by showing up when the gathering begins and by leaving out the door with the last "Amen" you're missing the point. (Here's a clue: It's not about YOU!)
Hey, if you want to sit together as a family, see the above points! But in a growing church, we're not going to apologize for being full! (If you want a church where there are plenty of empty seats I'm sure they can be found.)

Seriously, though, being consistently "late" is a matter of personal discipline and priority. Too many people in our church show up on Sunday morning an hour, even an hour and a half early to serve others, and that tells me that they "get it". Heck, we have families driving an hour or more one way to be in church on Sunday and somehow they get there in time to grab a cup of coffee, say "Hi" to friends and find seats.

Hey, get a clue!

(I'm laughing as I write this. If I can't find humor in such things I'll go insane!!)

Blogger Friend Quote of the Day

"I’ve been in tons of places where if the 60’s ever come back, they’re all ready for them - we call them churches but they’re really museums."
- Roger Blackmore

Orange Panthers

Richard and I just got back from watching a couple of simultaneous baseball games on the fields at Orange (CA) High School.

We both used to play there.

37 years ago.

Now that's depressing. I feel like Ty Cobb.

New Singles Ministry?

At our recent Ministry Fair our Fellowship Team introduced what must be a new ministry to singles promoting "True Love Waits". Very creative!

But shouldn't it have been spelled "celibate"?

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

(Bump) White Boy Baptist Preachers Can Dance

More answers to prayer today bring this post back to the top

Tricia's awake!

(Please don't let this dancing thing leak out. But if you want to see a bunch of us Baptists dancing, look here.

NOTIFICATION OF ANTICIPATED CELEBRATION

(I confess stealing this from a blogging friend. But it was too good to pass up. My guess is that he stole it, too!)

To All My Liberal Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To All My Other Friends:

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If you thought Spock had it wrong..

Britney and Jamie Lynn Spears' mom, Lynn has a contract with Christian publisher Thomas Nelson to write a book on parenting.

The next best seller.

Oh wait, it's been put on hold for some reason.

In the mean time maybe we can see what the Bible might say about raising kids.