Revitalize Your Church

From Wesley's journal:  October 3, 1774:  I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and  advised them:  1) To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most  worthy.  2) To speak no evil of the person they voted against.  3) To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on  the other side.

"  "Let us not then trouble and embroil ourselves and our neighbors with unprofitable disputations, but all agree to spread, to the uttermost of our power, the quiet and peaceable gospel of Christ."

Every year at election time, I'm handed stacks of "voter's guides" for my parishioners. I don't distribute them, because they are always slanted to one party, and feel like propaganda. Instead, I'm referring my church to the two best voter's guides available: 1) Holy Bible : This is, by far, the best voter's guide available.  Bring your Bible to the ballot booth!  Christians should cast their ballots for the candidates they believe best reflect biblical values and worldview. If you don't know what biblical values and worldview are, your problem isn't political. 2) Project Vote Smart : This is an excellent resource created by people from both sides of the aisle to provide an unbiased resource for voters. It provides background information, position statements, campaign finances, and interest group ratings. If you know where you stand, biblically, on the issues. . . then then next step is to research the candidates and see where they stand...

This is just plain wrong

I was under the assumption that PC stood for Presbyterian Church (i.e. John Knox, Heidelberg Catechism.) Now, I understand it means Politically Correct.

Some profound insights from John Piper making a connection between the inauguration of President Obama and the flight that went down in the Hudson last week. (Thanks to Bud Wesche for sending this to me)

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand, True to our God, True to our native land. James Weldon Johnson (Quoted in benediction prayer at the inauguration by Joseph Lowrey)

Pastors are invited to join in a personal conversation via webcast with Pastor Rick Warren from our Nation's Capitol, today at 2:00 p.m. Eastern (1:00 p.m. Central.) Rick will connect with pastors from around the world about his experiences and insights following the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration on Monday and the Inauguration of President Barrack Obama on Tuesday. .

Almighty God, our Father: Everything we see, and everything we can’t see, exists because of you alone. It all comes from you, it all belongs to you, it all exists for your glory. History is your story. The Scripture tells us, "Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is one." And you are the compassionate and merciful one. And you are loving to everyone you have made. Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 44th time, we celebrate a hinge point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven. Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosit...

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of obedience, and to entertain a Brotherly affection and love for one another as fellow citizens. May we be pleased to do justice, to love mercy, and to conduct ourselves in charity, humility and gentle temper of mind, which were the charactistics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion , and without whose humble example we can never hope to be a happy nation. God grant us our supplication through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bishop Robinson would be HORRIFIED!

Let's Blame It On the Baptists!

America's pastor, Rick Warren, has been invited to give the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration. Just think -- a few years ago Rick was having tacos with me. Now, he's hobnobbing with presidents.

The Republican party must stop "shouting at the world" . . . if it is to win elections in the 21st century, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday. The same applies to churches who desire to impact their communities.

See how good you are at remembering all the presidents: Click Here

How Obama Helped Ban Gay Marriage in California.

"I urge you then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings (Presidents) and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior,. . . I Timothy 2:1-2a

The winner of last night's presidential debate? Drum roll please. . . . Joe the Plumber!! I'll bet no plumber in history has ever received such acclaim and advertisement.

The Left mocks the Right. The Right knows it's right. Two ugly traits. How far should we go to try to understand each other's point of view? Maybe the distance grace covered on the cross is a clue. -- Bono

McCain picks country girl Palin as his running mate -- and the snooty city pundits mock her experience as a "small town mayor." Seems to me, if she can successfully navigate the curious politics that happen in a small community, she certainly can handle the big city stuff. (Note -- this is not an endorsement -- just an obervation about small town politics.)

Did you notice that Hillary referred to the Wesleyans last night in her speech at the Democratic National Convention? Well, she didn't say "Wesleyan" specifically -- but she did mention the "Women's Right to Vote" Convention held in Seneca Falls in 1848 at the Wesleyan Methodist Church! As I've said many times -- everything in America is connected somehow to Wesley.