There is much being said about Ted Haggard today. Haggard is the elected leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. He is a pastor, and he is in trouble. Accusations have been made that Haggard was sexually involved with another man and used crystal meth. It's like so many other incidents of accusations. There's nothing to prove the claim, but there also seems to be very little motive to falsely accuse.
Haggard, for his part, has denied the story in increasingly less believable ways. In a recent interview, Haggard admits to buying meth but says that he threw it away when he realized that it was wrong. I didn't believe Bill Clinton (in fact, I never believed him). Unfortunately, I can't believe Haggard, either.
In all of this, Evangelicalism will take a huge hit. This situation will be used to show Evangelicals as hypocrital, phony, and power-hungry. The sad part is that we deserve it. We have enjoyed access to the political system, to Congress, and to the White House far too much. We have looked for help from men and chariots. And we have grown prideful with haughty eyes and lying tongues. Haggard's sad situation is only a symptom of a larger issue.
As a self-professed Evangelical, I am calling for repentance, not just from Haggard but from all Evangelicals. Our focus has changed from giving glory to God and transforming the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have left our first love. I am truly sorry for this. We have tarnished our witness by abusing power and wealth. Now, we should humble ourselves in order that God might show us grace.
I truly believe that God can and will redeem the worst of situations. Perhaps from this experience, the focus of the Evangelical world will change from worrying about what will happen on November 7 to transforming lives and the world through the gospel, power, and grace of Jesus Christ.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
James Messes with Us Again
If you didn't know, James isn't just the long name for Jim (why is that anyway? It doesn't take long to say, "James.")
James is also a book in the Bible. It is a difficult book for us to read, challenging and straightforward. In fact, there were some who suggested that it be left out of the Bible. Yet, in the wisdom of the ages, we have kept James as a part of the Canon, and it is extremely valuable today.
Recently, I was convicted by James 5:1-4. Read it and weep. We are all so rich! If you don't believe me, stop using your computer to read this blog! There are two things that stood out as I read this passage.
1.) In America, we are blind to our wealth. This is shown through our constant appeal to comparative wealth. Television shows like "The Fabulous Life of ..." helps us to not see our own wealth and comfort. That's bad enough. But our blindness goes deeper. We apparently can't see the suffering and death of the poor. We aren't rich? Don't we have clean water? Cures for disease? Access to basic healthcare?
2.) When James talks about the field worker, many feel let off the hook. "For listen, hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you." My first response to this was, "Get 'em James. Those wealthy companies should pay their workers better. We should raise minimum wage to a living wage. Down with big business! I don't have anyone working for me. I have no harvesters in the field."
Then, I was convicted. See, we live in a consumer-driven economy. In fact, one of the most stated business mantras is still, "The customer is always right." If that is true, then I (as a consumer) am empowered to be an employer. Every time I buy something at the grocery store, I am "employing" a long line of folks from the person who harvested the crop to the person who packaged the product to the person who delivered the goods to the person who stocked the shelves to the person who scanned the barcode. In a real sense, I am to act as a responsible employer of each one of those individuals. It is empowering and a bit scary.
Read James. Be empowered. Be scared.
James is also a book in the Bible. It is a difficult book for us to read, challenging and straightforward. In fact, there were some who suggested that it be left out of the Bible. Yet, in the wisdom of the ages, we have kept James as a part of the Canon, and it is extremely valuable today.
Recently, I was convicted by James 5:1-4. Read it and weep. We are all so rich! If you don't believe me, stop using your computer to read this blog! There are two things that stood out as I read this passage.
1.) In America, we are blind to our wealth. This is shown through our constant appeal to comparative wealth. Television shows like "The Fabulous Life of ..." helps us to not see our own wealth and comfort. That's bad enough. But our blindness goes deeper. We apparently can't see the suffering and death of the poor. We aren't rich? Don't we have clean water? Cures for disease? Access to basic healthcare?
2.) When James talks about the field worker, many feel let off the hook. "For listen, hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you." My first response to this was, "Get 'em James. Those wealthy companies should pay their workers better. We should raise minimum wage to a living wage. Down with big business! I don't have anyone working for me. I have no harvesters in the field."
Then, I was convicted. See, we live in a consumer-driven economy. In fact, one of the most stated business mantras is still, "The customer is always right." If that is true, then I (as a consumer) am empowered to be an employer. Every time I buy something at the grocery store, I am "employing" a long line of folks from the person who harvested the crop to the person who packaged the product to the person who delivered the goods to the person who stocked the shelves to the person who scanned the barcode. In a real sense, I am to act as a responsible employer of each one of those individuals. It is empowering and a bit scary.
Read James. Be empowered. Be scared.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Wiggles Pics!
Here are some Wiggles pics!
Patiently waiting with roses for Dorothy the Dinosaur
Phoebe channeled the Bangles and began to "Walk Like an Egyptian"
This is Murray receiving drawings that Brasher made just for the Wiggles.
Murray again. This time shaking Brasher's hand.
Check out Brasher and Phoebe's moves!
As you can see, we all had a blast!
Patiently waiting with roses for Dorothy the Dinosaur
Phoebe channeled the Bangles and began to "Walk Like an Egyptian"
This is Murray receiving drawings that Brasher made just for the Wiggles.
Murray again. This time shaking Brasher's hand.
Check out Brasher and Phoebe's moves!
As you can see, we all had a blast!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
The Wiggles LIVE
We have just returned from the most exciting experience we have had as a family since the birth of William and Wesley. Brasher, Phoebe, Christina, and I saw the Wiggles in Mobile tonight. It was amazing! Really, it was.
Here are some of the highlights (pics on the way):
1. Shaking hands with Murray and handing him pictures that Brasher drew for them.
2. Having Anthony wave at Phoebe as he was playing the drums.
3. Captain Feathersword ran through the crowd right beside us.
What amazed me was how absolutely personal the Wiggles were. There were thousands of kids there. But, by running through the arena, chatting with folks in between numbers, and being informal enough to laugh at one another during skits, they made each person seem like they were there just for them.
Can this tell us something about corporate worship?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Auburn's Academic Scandal
Scandal has hit Auburn University, my alma mater "on the rolling plains of Dixie, 'neath the sun kissed sky."
It seems that a sociology professor has been overseeing many students' independent studies and requiring little or no effort. This would not be such big news if not for the fact that 25 percent of the students were football players. The requirements of the independent study were to 1) read a book (presumably more involved than "Horton Hears a Who"), 2) have several face-to-face meetings with the professor, and 3) write a five (5) page paper.
Wait till you hear this: This was first reported on the FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES! Hello! There are several wars happening in the middle east, and the front page of the NYT is about the bad decisions of a sociology professor at public university? Beyond the question of whether this is truly a problem I have a couple of thoughts.
1. I took several classes at Auburn that didn't require much more than what these independent study students were required. I know, admitting that doesn't look good for my alma mater. But, really, it isn't Harvard. It isn't Duke. It isn't Vandy.
2. We've still beaten Alabama four times in a row.
It seems that a sociology professor has been overseeing many students' independent studies and requiring little or no effort. This would not be such big news if not for the fact that 25 percent of the students were football players. The requirements of the independent study were to 1) read a book (presumably more involved than "Horton Hears a Who"), 2) have several face-to-face meetings with the professor, and 3) write a five (5) page paper.
Wait till you hear this: This was first reported on the FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES! Hello! There are several wars happening in the middle east, and the front page of the NYT is about the bad decisions of a sociology professor at public university? Beyond the question of whether this is truly a problem I have a couple of thoughts.
1. I took several classes at Auburn that didn't require much more than what these independent study students were required. I know, admitting that doesn't look good for my alma mater. But, really, it isn't Harvard. It isn't Duke. It isn't Vandy.
2. We've still beaten Alabama four times in a row.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Cosmo's Story
Cosmo has been a part of our lives for over 10 years. When Christina and I were dating, we found a litter of kittens under the "shack" that I was living in. The mother cat had moved the litter and left two scrawny kittens behind. So, my roommates (including this guy) and I took care of the little kittens. The kittens were named Eugene and Cosmo. We fed the kittens through syringes and tiny bottles. We gave them shots and nustled them close to us to keep them warm.
Eugene and Cosmo got stronger and stronger until it came time for us to split them up. Christina and I were getting married, and Cosmo came with us. Rob and Crystal became the caregivers for Eugene. We really wanted to call Cosmo "Slim" (for his chances of living), but he grew into a healthy cat. After our second child (Phoebe) was born, we realized that space in our home was at a premium. We now had two adults, two babies, and two cats! Thankfully, this guy, who had a lifetime hatred of cats (not to mention his allergies), had said that if he were to own any cat, Cosmo would be the one. A week later, I took Nolan to Wal-Mart and bought him a Cosmo start up kit complete with food and litter box with litter.
Now, two years later, Nolan is getting married to this girl and they are going to this school which doesn't allow cats in the student housing. Cosmo needed a place to live for nine months! With two more babies, taking Cosmo back would have been very difficult. I told Nolan that if we took Cosmo back, our household would be so chaotic that something would have to die (and it wasn't going to be my wife, my children, or me). So, the search was on for a hero.
And I think we have a winner.
THANK YOU DREW AND LESLIE!
Eugene and Cosmo got stronger and stronger until it came time for us to split them up. Christina and I were getting married, and Cosmo came with us. Rob and Crystal became the caregivers for Eugene. We really wanted to call Cosmo "Slim" (for his chances of living), but he grew into a healthy cat. After our second child (Phoebe) was born, we realized that space in our home was at a premium. We now had two adults, two babies, and two cats! Thankfully, this guy, who had a lifetime hatred of cats (not to mention his allergies), had said that if he were to own any cat, Cosmo would be the one. A week later, I took Nolan to Wal-Mart and bought him a Cosmo start up kit complete with food and litter box with litter.
Now, two years later, Nolan is getting married to this girl and they are going to this school which doesn't allow cats in the student housing. Cosmo needed a place to live for nine months! With two more babies, taking Cosmo back would have been very difficult. I told Nolan that if we took Cosmo back, our household would be so chaotic that something would have to die (and it wasn't going to be my wife, my children, or me). So, the search was on for a hero.
And I think we have a winner.
THANK YOU DREW AND LESLIE!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
You're So Right, Carl.
Carl Stephens has been a fixture in Auburn athletics for 43 years. Stephens has announced that he is retiring. Most recently, he has had one of my dream jobs, stadium public address at Auburn football and basketball games.
"For the fans outside the stadium..." Nothing is more exciting to a young Tiger fan than to hear that booming voice count down to kickoff.
Prior to his PA work, Stephens was the host of the Auburn Football Review television show with Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan.
"You're so right, Carl."
Interestingly, the man taking over his PA duties will be Ric Smith, who was my teacher in a Radio Management class at Auburn. Smith's first gig will be A-Day this Saturday. Good luck. Big shoes to fill.
In a statement, atheltic director Jay Jacobs said, "Carl Stephens has been an outstanding ambassador for Auburn athletics and this University."
You're so right, Jay.
"For the fans outside the stadium..." Nothing is more exciting to a young Tiger fan than to hear that booming voice count down to kickoff.
Prior to his PA work, Stephens was the host of the Auburn Football Review television show with Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan.
"You're so right, Carl."
Interestingly, the man taking over his PA duties will be Ric Smith, who was my teacher in a Radio Management class at Auburn. Smith's first gig will be A-Day this Saturday. Good luck. Big shoes to fill.
In a statement, atheltic director Jay Jacobs said, "Carl Stephens has been an outstanding ambassador for Auburn athletics and this University."
You're so right, Jay.
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