A SECULAR OUTRAGE

Preview

Yes, I know, Christians are suppose to watch the anger thing.  However, there comes a time where a little righteous anger is called for.  Mayor Bloomberg of New York City has crossed the line in two of the most absurd and irresponsible decisions ever made by a public official.  Here we are approaching the ceremony for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and not only has he not allowed first responders to participate but all clergy have been barred as well.  This is the same mayor who is sanctioning the building of a mosque next to ground zero.  The outrage can't even be explained by his secular viewpoint.

GOD MUST BE SAD

SHOULD GOD BE USED TO GET VOTES?
The disgusting season of political pandering has begun.  Candidates are practicing their spin (PC for lies) to convince voters that they have the solutions for solving all our problems, both real and imagined.  I keep thinking this whole process must make God sad indeed.

SECULAR LONELINESS

OK, you think Christians are whacked out zealots who live in fantasy land.  You can't see God or, in your mind, the things Christians say he has done.  You think Jesus probably was a nice well meaning prophet.  You only believe in what is here and what you can see.  The thought of an afterlife, is just another fantasy to you. When you die that's it, you just become worm food.  You consider yourself among the fact based thinkers of today  who's lives revolve around social networking.  Well, good luck with that. So where do you go when your world starts to fall apart?

PLAYING PASTOR WHACK-A-MOLE

Let's look a the pastor shuffle.  It's kind of a pastor whack-a-mole game played by some denominations.  A church has a problem with a pastor or the powers that be think a pastor has been at a church long enough.  Whack! That pastor is shuffled to another congregation and a new one pops up on the doorstep of your church. Has a problem been solved or just passed on to another congregation?  Have you lost a pastor that seemed like family just because the hierarchy feels the need to solve a problem someplace else by moving your pastor to solve another churches problems? Should pastors be uprooted and moved just because they have served a congregation a specific number of years?

SHUT UP AND PRAY!

Shut up and pray, it's important!  Prayer is our most important link to God so don't take it lightly.  But, for a change, stop jabbering at God with all your wants, sorrows and thanks, and let him get A word in now and then.  Chill out a little and just relax and let God speak to you.  You might be surprised at the inner peace contemplative prayer can bring to you.

THE TERRIFYING "T" WORD

It's one of those words pastors sometimes are reluctant to use in front of their congregation.  The casual dropping of the dreaded T-Bomb during a sermon can result in an audible gasp.  Most likely, you will observe many all of a sudden looking down at their feet and squirming a bit in their seats, wishing they were someplace else.  Yes, when the word TITHING is whipped on a congregation there is a degree of visible discomfort observed. Some brave pastor has touched the third rail of Christianity by dropping the equivalent of a verbal stink bomb in the sanctuary.  I guess it triggers our inborn fight or flight reaction to some degree.

DEATH BY "HOT DISH" or POT LUCK ROULETTE

It's the end of a good Sunday service and I'm feeling like my spiritual batteries have been recharged.  The pastor extends the invitation for all to join in the fellowship hall for the monthly,"Pot Luck" lunch.  Ah! Time to play indigestion roulette again.  I start the journey down the hall, knowing "IT" will be in there.  You know what I'm talking about.  It's the dreaded "HOT DISH"!