Political Fatigue and the Separation of Church and State

Lifeway, a branch of the Southern Baptist Convention is out today with an opinion poll on how political pastors should be in view of the upcoming election.  According to the poll the vast majority of people do not think it is appropriate for pastors to endorse candidates for public office during a church service.  Therefore I have elected to take a post and address the upcoming election and to discuss what I believe to be one of the most important elections of our era on my blog.
First, I do not and will not endorse a candidate for presidential office.  Any candidate fitting my approval are long gone.  However, I believe firmly that as members of a free society, we not only have a right to vote, we have a responsibility.  How dare we complain about the moral collapse of our society without lifting a finger to do anything about it.  More important than electing officials to temporary office, this election season we have a state amendment that will define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.  I believe that this issues is critical to our state and to the ability of the church to continue to teach the Bible without fear of restriction and recourse.  Already in states who have adopted same-sex marriage, we see churches being taken to court and sued for preaching against homosexuality and other sexual sins.  When the State begins to legislate morality, the church will become an opponent of the state and suffer.  I want to be clear that, I do not want to suggest that by voting one way or another that we can enforce a morality on society,  God himself has chosen to give man free will to do what he desires, however every believer must accept his/her moral obligation to stand up on this matter.  I believe that due to the lack of a true conservative candidate on the ballot for president, that many Christians will see their trip to the polls as a waste of time, but the presidential election is not the sole issue on the table in spite of what the media may think.  In most elections, only 20% of the registered voters show up to vote.  The same percentage holds true regardless of involvement in church or not.  It is my prayer that every person I know will go to the polls to vote and that their vote will not be based on the economy or what Hollywood says, but on what they feel God would have them to do.  For more information or to get involved, please visit www.supportmarriage.org 

Kathy Griffin

I know many of you were angry about recent comments made by comedian Kathy Griffin, FOX News' Lauren Green's rebuttle is nothing short of amazing.

Jerry Falwell by Larry Flint

The Reverend Jerry Falwell exemplifies the essence of what we should be as believers living in this increasingly darkened world. Here is a statement about him that I found to be quite interesting:

"The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle ? the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor. My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling. The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in.” --Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler Magazine


The famous lawsuit came after the magazine used Jerry’s photo in an ad for a certain brand of liquor along with a parody (Fake interview) with him about his "first time." The story was particularly graphic and lewd, not to mention insulting. Falwell sued the magazine over character defamation, probably more in an attempt to stand against the whole of the porn industry than to save his own name. What I love about the quote from Larry Flint is that even though Jerry cost him millions in legal fees, and stood against everything he is, the Spirit of God still allowed Jerry to minister grace. We often talk about hating the sin and loving the sinner. This is what it looks like fleshed out. The difficulty that we face today is a growing trend towards either of two extremes. The fightin’ fundamentalist who spews venom on everyone or the bleeding heart liberal who approve those who practice the sin. I pray that I can always stay unspotted from the world and stand for right even when it is unpopular, but I also pray that on my passing, even my greatest enemy will write such a statement of me. That through my opposition to their sin, the grace and the love of God overcomes.

Prayer response to the VA Tech shooting

They just announced that there are over 32 fatalities in the shootings today at VA Tech University. My heart is broken for the families and friends of the victims. We as a church and Christian community must lift them up in prayer. In response to this I would like to give some people that we are praying for:

1. The families and friends of the victims.
2. The Christian student unions as they minister to their classmates.
3. The faculty and staff at VA Tech as they deal with the emotions and try to finish the year.
4. The family of the shooter, theirs is a terrible loss as well.
5. The area churches as they respond to the tragedy.

6. Tomorrow's Convocation

Father's Day Rolling Stones Style

Well Dads, we all want our kids to remember us and even to take a little bit of us into the future, but this is just nuts. Keith Richards, lead guitarist with the very handsome group of men known as "The Rolling Stones," admitted to a reporter the other day that me mixed his dad's ashes (yes, his dad was cremated, those ashes) with some cocaine and took it right up the old snout. And you thought there were no more role models for our kids these days. Oh well, this may start a new fad and who knows, Father's Day isn't far off.

Four Corners on Fox News

Polk County Sherriff Grady Judd used a short term rental home in Four Corners to set up a sting operation for online predators. I am thankful that we have a proactive sherriff who will take bold action to protect our families. Although the sting was carried out in Four Corners, none of the 28 who were arrested were local. You can find the story here, here and here.

The Life of a Christ-Follower on American Idol

Chris Sligh has a new comment about being a Christ-Follower on American Idol. One of the interesting things to me about his comment is the part about the local church. God has given us the local church for support and encouragement. This Sunday Chris will be back at his local gathering and is pumped. If you are a Christian and not connected to a local church, I hope Chris' comments will make you jealous and this Easter, you will get plugged into a local church! You can read his comments here.

Chris Sligh Opens Up

American Idol contestant Chris Sligh speaks about wanting to leave the show, Bob Jones University and his own future with the Greenville News.
Story HERE.

Sanjaya Malakar

If you don't Sanjaya, I understand. Master Malakar is the unfortunate contestant on American Idol, who in spite of his consistent, humiliating, performances, which shows that he is not divine or even angelic, but awful. However, every week he gets up in front of 30 million people to do his best when he knows he is the worst. How many of us, at 17 would repeatedly subjugate ourselves to public scrutiny, let alone mockery. I have moved past frustration and into respect for him as he is now the poster child for the anti-idol movement "vote for the worst." If you were wondering how he stays on, it is because there is a committed group of viewers who have begun a movement, to vote for the worst performer. I tried to pull up their website and it is down at this moment, but you may find it here. Is Sanjaya the worst? Absolutely. Will I vote for him? Not likely, but I will cheer for him to do well, and I will respect his character as he stands before the world and sings his best knowing that he is a pawn in a conspiracy that mocks the show, but unfortunately makes him the butt of the joke. As I see it, Sanjaya has three options, 1. Quit 2. keep doing things the same and continue the embarrasment, or 3. Embrace the VFTW crowd and play to them, making the best of a bad situation. After last night's hair doo it is obvious that he has chosen the latter. Choosing a song with the line "I'm diving into my own destruction." Good game Sanjaya, let's see if it works, if it does you take back control of your image. Whatever that may be.

4 Christian Idols

American Idol touts four professing believers. I have to say that this is a surprise to me, but it really should not have been. This season has offered some great contestants. According to the Christian Post, Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle, Chris Sligh, and Phil Stacey, are all Christians. As it turns out, Phil Stacey attended Liberty University, in Lynchburg VA, where our own Gabe Dunlap graduated. Now I will not know how to cast my vote, I guess I will have to base my vote on secondary issues such as the music. You can find the story here.