Giving Like God

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This is probably the most familiar verse in all of the Bible.  We are reminded by this verse, especially at Christmas time, of wonderful giving nature of God.  The Bible also says in Romans 8:29 that God wants to conform us to the image of His Son.  We are to pattern our lives after Christ as much as possible.  One of the ways we can follow the example of Christ is to be a giver like He was.

I believe this verse shows us five characteristics of God-like giving.  These are attributes that should characterize our giving as well.

Give with the Right Motive – “For God so loved…”

The ultimate motivation for God’s gift to mankind was His love.  Love means to be pleased with something/someone or to regard something/someone with affection.  Love should always be the primary motivation for our giving.  Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them…”  There were those in His day who did what they did strictly to be seen of men.  People like that certainly exist today and, if we’re not careful, we can fall prey to that trap as well.

Give with a Specific Target in Mind – “…the world…”

Let’s face it.  God can have a bigger target than we can.  He had the ability to give a gift that could impact the entire world.  Nonetheless, He had a target.  There should always be a target of our giving as well.  We can give time, energy or resources to God, people or causes.  Make sure you have a specified target when you give.

Give Something of Value – “…he gave his only begotten Son…”

God gave the most precious thing He could give.  He gave Himself.  Our giving is God-like when we give something of value.  The more you love something/someone, the more valuable your gifts for that thing/person will be.  You can literally measure your love for God be measuring the value of what you give to Him.  You can do the same for people or causes – like your church.

Give with No Strings Attached – “…that whosoever believeth…”

Aren’t you glad John 3:16 doesn’t say, “…that whosoever reads their Bible every day should not perish, but have everlasting life?”  Or prays for five hours a day…never misses a church service…never misses a tithe…etc.  Surely the gift of God will transform a life and cause someone to do things they’d never do in and of themselves (ie, serve God with a pure heart).  But I’m glad God gave with no strings attached.  God didn’t give with the goal of getting something in return and neither should we.  Love produces giving, not bartering.

Give for the Benefit of Others – “…should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The benefit of a gift is directly related to it’s value.  God’s gift could impact the world and provide salvation for a soul because of its tremendous value.  Again, we have to pare down our expectations, but the principle remains.  Does your giving benefit God, people or a cause?

Take inventory of your giving.  Do these principles characterize your giving?  If you’re a Christian, you should desire your giving to be God-like.  The example is laid out for us in the most famous verse in all the Bible.

No Cell Phone?

I've been thinking lately about a major change. I would like to go back to the good old days. Back when people couldn't get a hold of you whenever they wanted. I'm all for being accessible, I just don't want to be on a leash.

I remember when I was a kid and people had to call you at your house and leave a message on your answering machine. You could then respond to people at your leisure. People in today's culture couldn't imagine life without a cell phone. How could you possibly survive?! Keep in mind that the vast majority of the world survived just fine without a cell phone for all of human history up until the last 10-15 years. Not only would it free me from the digital leash, it would also save me $75-$100 a month. I'm also thinking about getting an iPod Touch to replace the calendar, tasks, email, etc. functions of my current Blackberry. The drawback is that I'd only be "connected" when I was within range of an open Wi-Fi network. In the end, I don't think that would be a big deal. Being "dis-connected" would be the point of getting rid of the cell phone.

Do you think you could function without a cell phone? Do you think I should give it a shot?

Creation According to the History Channel

I just finished watching an episode of “The Universe” on the History Channel. I understand that the people who create these shows are surely people who discount the Bible. They consider my faith in that Book hilarity and can’t comprehend why I would believe such an outlandish idea as Creation. According to them, Genesis 1 is a fairytale that should be relegated to the dust pile of history. They mock my beliefs. I’m keeled over laughing at theirs.

I apologize in advance for the length of this post. I just wanted to show you the idiocy of modern “science.” The pictures are ones that I took of my TV while watching the show. Sorry for the flash reflected on some of them. I’ll put their corresponding statements in quotes. They may not be word for word, but they are very close. I’ll give my thoughts along the way. Get ready for the ride of your life…

First of all, this show should be rated “R.” Sorry, had to throw that one in there. Here’s what they had to say: “A billionth of a second after big bang, a bubble much smaller than a fraction of an atom forms.” What they’re asking you to believe is that all the material that makes up the universe today is contained inside a bubble much smaller than a fraction of an atom. No problem.

“This is the universe. It is unimaginably small and unimaginably hot.” Yet, somehow, they’ve imagined it. (Romans 1:21)

“The forces of nature (gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear forces) combine to create a super force. Gravity splits off as the universe expands. As the universe expands, it cools, which somehow sets off a burst of energy that fuels hyper-inflation.” Somehow?

“This inflation locks in the uniformity of the universe.” See, you have to understand that the even temperatures of the universe could not be explained otherwise. Of course, the Creation account in the Bible would explain this uniformity, but that would be ludicrous.

“The universe is still less than a second old when the super force decays into the four separate forces of nature.”

“Less than 3 minutes after the big bang, the temperature of the universe has dropped to a mere 1 billion degrees Fahrenheit…cool enough for atomic nuclei to form.” (Hydrogen and Helium)

I love this one! “380,000 years later…light travels through the universe. The burst of radiation that Penzias and Wilson found happens now.”

“1 billion years after Big Bang, stars take shape, producing heavier elements like Nitrogen, Oxygen and Carbon as Hoyle had predicted.”

“Roughly 9 billion years later, matter and gravity combine to create a perfectly typical star. A circumstellar disc of dust remains that eventually accrete into an entourage of planets and moons.”

“One of these lumps of star dust has temperatures warm enough to allow water to form in the atmosphere. Liquid water gathers on the surface. Underwater, mysterious chemical reactions ultimately form life.” Mysterious?

“13.7 billion years after the Big Bang our universe is now 156 billion light years across.” Keep in mind that nothing travels faster than light. How did the universe spread 78 billion light years in every direction in only 13.7 billion years? I don’t know, but that’s why they had to come up with “hyper-inflation” that was mentioned earlier.

“The third planet from the sun is covered in carbon based life forms. Some are discovering what infinitely small specks they are in the grand scheme of things.”

I didn’t really need the History Channel to tell me that I’m an infinitely small speck in the grand scheme of things. God told me that. I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll stick with an idea that takes a little less faith. Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth…”

I Love Being an American!

The USS New York - 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center towers were used in the construction of this brand new warship.

Jesus - The New Testament

Matthew 26:38, "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Jesus is the New Testament insomuch that He is the fulfillment of the Old.  He fulfilled the Law when we never could.  He was sinless when we were sinful.  He paid the penalty of death for sin so we wouldn't have to.

Do You Mockingly Crown Jesus?

John 19 is arguably the most sobering chapter in all of the Bible. A couple months ago, I read this chapter to the church while leading the Lord's Table. This portion of Scripture is a powerful reminder of God's love and judgment. I've been reading the book of John for my personal devotions that last several weeks. The Lord challenged me with a new thought as I read chapter 19 again the other day.

Verses 2 and 5 describe the items Christ's antagonizers put on Him. The first item was the crown of thorns. The other was the purple robe. Both of these items were specifically designed to mock His "kingship." As I read those verses, I got to thinking: Do we mockingly crown Jesus Christ?

I believe this is something that lost and saved people are capable of. Lost people do it more overtly. Saved people who aren't walking in the Spirit do it more subtly. Lost people openly blaspheme the name of Jesus. Carnal Christians say that Jesus is Lord, but don't truly live like it.

As I read the first part of John 19 a few times over, I began to see some distinct characteristics of one who mockingly crowns Jesus Christ.

People who mockingly crown Jesus...

• cause Him pain. (vs. 1)
• worship falsely and cheaply. (vs. 2)
• think less of Him than He really is. (vs. 5)
• are Pharisaical. (vs. 6-7)
• lack real faith and confidence. (vs. 8-9)
• think they're in charge. (vs. 10)

If one or more of these characteristics describes you, you might need to take inventory as to whether or not Jesus is truly the Lord of your life.

Social Networking

Cary Schmidt is one of the assistant pastors at Lancaster Baptist Church.  He is a tremendously spiritual and wise man.  He has special wisdom when it comes to modern issues and technology.  He has a great philosophy about life and ministry.  He has written a couple of articles on his blog about social networking I think every blogging, facebooking, tweeting, RSS reading Christian needs to read. 

You can find them here and here. 

I agree wholeheartedly with a statement he made in the second post: “You might say these reasons apply to everything we do online—whether a blog, a website, or a twitter feed.”

I am still debating whether or not to jump in the Twitter bandwagon.  I might do it to publish a verse I read that day or a praise or prayer request.  Simply telling people what I’m doing sounds ridiculous.  I’ll let you know if I start tweeting.  By the time I do, that fad will be over.

Immature Christians

“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

- 1 Peter 2:1-3

Peter is addressing Christians in his epistles to the “strangers scattered” (1 Peter 1:1) throughout Asia Minor.  It would be easy to think that he is referring to unsaved people when listing the characteristics found in 1 Peter 2:1.  He’s actually talking about attributes that can belong to immature Christians.  He calls them “newborn babes” in vs. 2.

He lists five characteristics:

Malice – evil or wickedness

Guile – deceit or subtlety

Hypocrisies – acting a feigned part

Envies – jealousy

Evil Speakings – defamation or backbiting

Now, read the following five passages of Scripture:

Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  (Wickedness)

John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”  (Deceit)

2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”  (Acting a feigned part)

Isaiah 14:14, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”  (Jealousy)

Revelation 12:10, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”  (Defamation)

These five passages are speaking of the devil and the characteristics they describe match exactly the characteristics Peter attributes to immature Christians.

Immature Christians can act just like the devil!

God wants us to grow and our churches need us to grow.

You Are Not Alone

I’ve been teaching a series through Psalm 25 in my adult Bible class the last several weeks.  The theme of the lesson is taken from verse 1 where David says, “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.”  The main point of the series is that it is vital for victorious Christian living to offer our lives to God on a daily basis.  We’ve been looking at the rest of the Psalm to learn some of the results of lifting up our soul to God.

The result I taught on last week is found in vs. 4-5 where David writes, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me…”  The result of offering our life to God I see in these verses is a desire for God’s will.  David was a man who sincerely desired to fulfill God’s plan for his life.  Like the rest of us, he faltered from time to time, but it was a true desire of his heart nonetheless.

A study of some of the key words in this passage offered some very encouraging thoughts.  The Hebrew word for the word “ways” in vs. 4 is derek.  It literally means a road.  It figuratively means a course of life.  Of all the roads this life has to offer, the desire of the Christian ought to be to get and stay on the road God has for them.  There is a path God wants us to travel in this life and we should desire to walk it.

The Hebrew word for “paths” in vs. 4 is orach which means a well trodden road or caravan.  It caught my attention that David used two different English words in this verse that, on the surface, appear to have virtually the same meaning.  A quick look at the Hebrew definitions reveal the difference.  Every time a Christian takes the first step down the road God wants them to walk in this life, it is a giant step of faith.  The encouraging truth I see in this verse is that when you start down that road, you will quickly find that you are not alone.  The path of God’s will is a path that many have been on in the past and many are on now.  It’s a well trodden road.  You’re part of a caravan on that road.

There are certainly times when surrendering to God’s will is a nerve racking thing.  Just encourage yourself with the thought that when you step on that road, you’ll be marching along side an army of people striving to serve God themselves.

T U "L" I P

Calvinists and "Five-Pointers" who believe in God's arbitrary election regarding those who could possibly be saved are big on His Sovereignty. They don't want to limit God in any way...except for the saving power of the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

If there was one area I wouldn't limit God, that would be it.

1 John 2:2, "And he is the propitation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

The Constitution

Article XIV Section 3(3): “At the option expressed in writing by the parents and guardians, religion shall be allowed to be taught to their children in public elementary and high schools within regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by religious authorization…”

 

 

That excerpt is found in the Philippine Constitution.  Why is there nothing like that in ours?

I Think This is Funny...

I like golf and I love basketball. This is a funny video.

Why Does God Judge Right?

In my last post, I pointed out that every decision God makes is right.  God never makes a wrong decision.  That’s a pretty amazing concept.  Why does God judge right?

Answer this question: What is Solomon known for asking God for?

If you said wisdom, you’re wrong.  God gave him wisdom, but that’s not what he asked for.

1 Kings 3:9, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?”

Solomon asked for understanding.  He asked for understanding because he’d have the difficult task of judging.  He knew he’d have to make some tough decisions as the new king of Israel.

Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are all things the Bible tells us we should strive for.  Knowledge is the what, wisdom is the how and understanding is the why.  The reason God always judges right is because He is perfect in these three areas.  God knows what to do in every situation.  He knows how to do it.  He also knows why it should be done.

The main reason we have trouble with some of the decisions God makes is because we are not perfect in those three areas.  There are many times when we don’t know what to do or how to do it.  Even if we do know those things, we don’t always know why.  We must come to the place where we recognize that God is on the throne.  He is in charge.  He always makes right decisions.

We may not know why He does certain things, but we can be sure that He does.

God Judges Right

“For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.” – Psalm 9:4

I’ve been reading through Psalms lately and this verse caught my attention the other night.  It’s one thing to acknowledge that God is King (sitting on His throne) and Judge.  It’s another thing to acknowledge that He judges right…always.

The last word of that verse could be translated rightly or righteously.  Every judgment of God is right.

There is never a time where God makes a wrong judgment.  Whenever God decides to do anything, it is always right.  It’s right by default because He’s God.  Next time you’re dealing with a tough circumstance or being chastised for disobedience, keep in mind that God always does things right.  Next time God leads you and you have questions and doubts, don’t forget that God always does things right.

Happy Birthday to Kim!

I just want to wish a happy 25th birthday to my awesome wife. You're the love of my life Kim!

5 Years!

I just wanted to say “I LOVE YOU” to my wife!  Today is our 5 year wedding anniversary.  So much has happened over those years, yet it seems like the time has flown by.

I remember we wanted to wait 4-5 years after we got married to have children.  Somehow, we already have two! 

Free Speech*

I just can’t get enough of the fact that Liberals are all about free speech and expression of thought…unless the speech or the thought contradicts their beliefs. Such is the case with the Miss USA flap that is all over the news right now. Miss California simply stated that she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. The backlash has been out of this world.

I have never been interested at all in the Miss America contest, but this twist has caught my attention. It’s really an example of a bigger issue.

I have read a few statements made by Miss CA’s attackers. By the way, be careful about going to the articles about this story on the web. Some of the pictures aren’t very modest, to say the least. Anyway, here are some of my favorite quotes:

(Before we get to the quotes…things like this are one of the main reasons my blog is entitled Thinking Preacher. I really wish people would think before they speak. Moving on…)

Shanna Moakler (former Miss USA and current Miss California director) said: “This is why we have judges at Miss USA, so we find the girl to rep us ALL.” This would be an impossibility. ALL the people in CA or the USA don’t see things the way Moakler does.

Moakler continued: “I don’t know how you can call a gay man or woman your friend and not want them [to] have the same joys as yourself. In my family we believe in equal rights for all…” Click here for a thoughtful explanation regarding the thoughtlessness of this statement.

A source close to Moakler’s team said: “People in California, more so than most states, are particularly passionate about overturning Prop 8 --especially those in the pageant/beauty world.” The last seven words of this quote are undoubtedly true. The first fifteen words are idiotic at worst and pathetic at best. If people in CA are so passionate about overturning Prop 8, why did it pass?

Kudos to Miss CA, Carrie Prejean, for saying what she believes.

Don’t Get Drawn Away

Colossians 2:4, “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.”

I’ve been teaching a series through the book of Colossians in my adult Bible class for the last few weeks.  That epistle is packed with great and challenging truths.  One of the main purposes Paul wrote this book was to make sure the Christians at Colosse were not drawn away from the sufficiency of Christ by worldly philosophers and deceivers.  The theme of the book is: Christ is All.  Paul reveals some of the desires he had for these believers in the first few verses of chapter 2 as he warns them about being drawn away from the faith.

Vs. 1-2, “For I would that he knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ…”

Paul expresses two desires for these believers.  The first desire is that they would be comforted.  He wanted them to be strengthened and encouraged as they faced not a physical battle, but a mental one.  The threat was not bodily injury, it was enticing words.  Discouraged Christians are easily drawn away.  If you are discouraged, be careful.  You are in dangerous territory.

The second desire Paul had for these Christians is that they would be knit together.  He wanted them knit together in three ways: in love, unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, and to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God.  A tremendous lesson can be learned from each of these statements.

Paul wanted them knit together in love.  Unity among the brethren is a subject that Paul brings up to every church he wrote to.  Divided Christians are easily drawn away.  Division in the church provides fertile ground for people to be enticed.

Paul desired that they be knit together unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding.  Disoriented (for the lack of a better word that starts with “D”) Christians are easily drawn away.  Understanding what Christ has done for you in salvation brings assurance.  A believer who is assured of their position in Christ is almost impossible to entice.

The Apostle wanted them knit together to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God.  The mystery was “Christ in (them), the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).  The Laodicean Christians had a tremendous problem in this area.  In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  Jesus was standing at the door knocking, but they didn’t acknowledge Him.  Distracted Christians are easily drawn away.  If your focus is on something other than Jesus Christ, you have already taken the first step towards being drawn away.

These desires of the Apostle Paul challenged me and I believe they could be a great reminder and challenge to others.  Don’t be drawn away!

The Touch of a Father

A lady in our church wrote me a very kind email this week.  You’d have to know her story to understand the true depth of what she said, but I believe the note will touch your heart either way.  It read:

“Thank you for the little things I see you do for your kids.  Holding your daughter is such a precious sight to me.  I hope you never get "too busy" to hold her, stroke her hair or give her hugs as she grows up.  Never stop holding her.  Trust me, your touch gives love and security, strength and acceptance to Kim, Jacquelynn and any future little girls in your family.  Receive this as from one who was very seldom touched by her father in an affirming way.  HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!”

The note was a powerful reminder that I don’t ever want to do anything to hurt my kids.  If my love is that strong, imagine how deep the Father’s love for us.

Oxymoron of the Week

PCMag.com Article Title: Skype Comes to the iPhone
Article Subtitle: "Skype for the iPhone lets you easily and cheaply make free VoIP calls over Wi-Fi."

Are the calls cheap or free? I thought it was funny...

Matthew Henry on Matthew 12:31-32 and the Unpardonable Sin

"None are excepted (from salvation) by name, nor any by description, but those only that blaspheme the Holy Ghost. This blasphemy is excepted, not for any defect of the mercy in God, or merit in Christ, but because it inevitably leaves the sinner in infidelity and impenitency. Those who fear they have committed this sin, give a good sign that they have not. Those therefore who blaspheme this dispensation of the Spirit, cannot possibly be brought to believe in Christ. This is such a stronghold of infidelity as a man can never be beaten out of, and is therefore unpardonable, because hereby repentance is hid from the sinner’s eyes. There is no cure for a sin so directly against the remedy."

I wish I could write like those guys used to.

Oxymoron of the Week

"Faced with the reality that our system for imposing the death penalty can never be perfect, my conscience compels me to replace the death penalty with a solution that keeps society safe." -Governor Bill Richardson (NM)

Click here for more details on this story.

Catching Wild Pigs

A friend of mine sent me a great email.  It read as follows...

A chemistry professor in a large college had some exchange students in the class. One day while the class was in the lab the Professor noticed one young man (exchange student) who kept rubbing his back, and stretching as if his back hurt. 

The professor asked the young man what was the matter. The  student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a new communist government. 

In the midst of his story he looked at th e professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?' 

The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke. 'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence. They get used to

that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in The last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. 

Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity. 

The young man then told the professor that is exactly what he sees happening to America . The government keeps pushing us toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine, drugs, etc.. While we continually lose our freedoms -- just a little at a time. 

One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free lunch! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself. 
Also, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America , you might want to send this on to your friends. If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life then you will probably delete this email, but God help you when the gate slams shut! 

Keep your eyes on the newly elected politicians who are about to slam the gate on America . 

"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have"

Thomas Jefferson

Mayor, Mayor

Sam Adams, the new mayor of Portland, broke a major barrier when he took office.  He become the first openly gay mayor of  a major US city.

He recently held a press conference where he finally told the truth about a sexual relationship he had with a teenage ex-intern.  This was a relationship he blatantly lied about  a few months ago.  You can catch up on this story by clicking here.

The sexual orientation of Mayor Adams doesn't really interest me.  What bothers me about this situation is that anyone would even consider giving the mayor a pass on this issue.  He should resign immediately.  He shouldn't resign because he's gay.  He should resign because he had sex with an 18 year old and lied about it.

Consider this: What if a 40-something single male mayor of another major city had a sexual relationship with an 18 year old girl and lied about it.  If the truth about that relationship came out, people would be demanding his resignation...and rightly so.

Sam Adams has to go.

Liberals and Their Bumper Stickers

I live in the Portland area.  The picture of this car resonates with me.  In fact, I've probably seen this car.  If not, I've seen dozens like it.  The typical liberal who just has to get their point across.

As I was driving down the road today, I got behind a car that had two bumper stickers on it.  When I read them, I realized I had found the perfect example of someone who follows liberal logic and can't see the stupidity right before their eyes.  I'm just going to tell you what the stickers said.  You tell me if you see the oxymoron...and I can't emphasize "moron" enough.

One sticker said: "Respect humanity, vote progressive."

The sticker right above that said: "Keep abortion legal."

I'm speechless.

My Night as a Game Show Host

That's me.  As Jeff Unworthy...the host of Are You Smarter Than a Junior Church Kid.  I even worked the southern accent the entire time.  We played this Bible trivia game with our congregation in between preachers at our Watchnight Service.  The game went great and it was a ton of fun.

Here are the panel of Junior Church kids the contestants could choose as partners.  If you know the show, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, then you basically know how we ran the game.

Here I am pestering one of the contestants.  I also found some "You Might be a Baptist" jokes online that I used during the game.  The whole thing was way too much fun.

My favorite joke: If you think the presence of God is strongest on the back three pews...you might be a Baptist!