Pledge of Allegiance

Do we really mean this?
The whole thing?
I understand the under God thing, but whose god?
Do we mean liberty and justice for all? Or just those like us?
All, kind of means all doesn't it?
Or is it only Protestants? Or only native born? Or only anglo-saxon?
Or does it mean exactly what it says?
For ALL, period.

Stories and Lies, I know they are coming.

Reunion, have not seen some of these cousins in 20+ years. Lake Guntersville State Park in the hills of Northeast Alabama. I hope to reconnect with as many folks as possible.

Good Friday!

I have been distressed over the last few months. My faith has been challenged. I sometimes wonder how I can participate in a denomination where most of my fellow travelers are so obsessed with birth certificates, women's private parts, immigrants and flag worship.

I have nothing against my country, but part of the essence of the Constitution is freedom for all. Nowhere in this document is a reference to an allegiance pledge, much less one created by a socialist.

If we are to believe that the messiah is coming soon are we going to ask Him for his papers? My fellow Americans are so obsessed with people of different color. Why do they come here? They come seeking jobs to support their family. How is that different from anyone of us?

If most are willing to attempt coming to the USA to find work, work that most would not do. They deserve our admiration for wanting to share our American dream. A vast majority pay their taxes. The problem is not with them, but with the power barons that hire them and pay them under the table. The most vocal against immigrants are the ones providing jobs for them and paying them a less than living wage.

And that is my two cents.

Fifty Three Years

The waiting is finally over! National Champs 2010, WDE baby!

'via Blog this'

11-0

Two years into his tenure, Coach Chizik has the Tigers on the verge of a SEC Championship and a possible shot at a National Championship game.
As the coach says, "This ain't like just playing ball, this place was special before you got here. Let's continue to make it special."

Fourth of July Weekend

Indianola-B.B. King Festival and Barbecue Contest.
The King is going to be there for a concert. Maybe Morgan Freeman will show. Its not far back to Clarksdale.

Traveling, yeah, but distressful

As my wife and family moved around the South, the schism of the Baptist faith became obvious to us. Different approaches to membership, ministry to youth and ministry to single adults (with or without children) stand out as major stumbling blocks to acceptance of traditional outcasts.

I grew up in a somewhat conservative Southern Baptist church in North Alabama. Progressive socially, conservative spiritually. During my formative years, an instance probably similar to other moderate Baptists, truly stands out in my mind as a turning point in my faith. Missionaries from Africa were scheduled to speak at our church. One missionary, to Kenya, was a native of Uganda, yes black. It was always exciting to experience Christians from other cultures. I was sitting with my mom in the back of our church. As this man of God stepped to the pulpit, a female member of our congregation stood up and shouted that she would not worship with a ________ (fill in the blank). I was shocked, astounded and dismayed that a fellow Christian would become so upset about a person different than themselves would be allowed to speak. The individual that objected had taught Vacation Bible School, urging the children to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world" but, did not truly believe what she had us sing. I became skeptical and approached my faith differently. If it was not Biblical, I did not accept it as fact.

Some of my current fellow Christians still adhere to the attitude of this woman. This is still troubling. When the new President came into office, our prayer list at church omitted him from our prayers, yet the previous administration was prominently mentioned. If Christians have such little faith in the new president, should he not be at the head of the list.

Moving all over the South with my career, allowed my family to serve in many different churches. Each of these churches had a distinct personality. Some very conservative, some slightly conservative, some moderate and one was very liberal. We encountered a range of approaches to the Gospel. One telling aspect of the most Biblical churches whether conservative or liberal had to do with location more than anything else. The most conservative of our churches was located near a college. It was open in its acceptance of others. The most liberal was also very open in its acceptance of others, it was a very large church. The attitudes of separation are more prevalent in smaller, suburban or rural church settings.

Baptist tradition is ingrained in my family. My grandfather was a circuit riding minister in Texas. My mother was a firm believer in "the Priesthood of the Believer". She would be alarmed with the current nature of the denomination. Politics and Religion have no place in the same room, much less the same bed. Christians need to realize that politicians only want their vote. Republican or Democrat, it matters not. Currently republicans have played upon the faith's rejection of gays and abortion, while also courting those segments also.

I am appalled by the number of Christian Brothers and Sisters that regularly listen to the hate and lies of Limbaugh and Beck, while lambasting Oberman and Kennedy. Most liberal ideas fit more in line with Scripture, taking care of the poor, assisting the needy, rebuilding communities and reaching the lost. The only exceptions for liberals being gays and abortion. Current intolerance and death wishes by prominent churchmen have disgraced not only the denomination, but Christians as a whole. Wishing death on your enemies rather than praying for them first is not Biblical. 

While we must continue to strive to win the lost, we need to stop whining about losing an election to a black Christian. To insure that the lost are reached we must walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." , 2 Peter 3:1