Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

I get lots of junk e-mail at church and with my personal e-mail addresses.   Some are for prescription discount drugs, some are because I’ve “won” the lottery in about every country in the world, some are because I’ve inherited money from relatives I didn’t know I had and then x-rated emails.  I also have anti-spam on my blog that picks up every nasty post that tries to get you and me to click on porn sites.

I don’t get it.  What do the porn sites get?  They are offering free “peeks” if you click on their trash.  Am I missing something?   What kind of profit do they get?   I have come to the conclusion that there is just evil out there trying to destroy believers.  Porn has destroyed lives, shattered marriages, caused people to lose jobs, drives people to violence and makes our faith in Jesus worthless.  Who in the world has that much time to send emails and trash blogs to get people to become addicted to pornography?   I think I know the answer but it still bothers me.  We live in an evil world.  If you need help click on XXX Church, these guys are serious about helping people get out of porn.

What do you think?

[From KUTV]

United Methodist clergy in Baltimore are asking for the denomination’s highest legal authority to review a bishop’s decision to reappoint a transgender pastor to lead a city congregation. Bishop John R. Schol decided last week to continue the appointment of the Rev. Drew Phoenix as pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church.

Phoenix, 48, has led St. John’s for nearly five years. In the past year, he changed his name from Ann Gordon and received medical treatment to become a man. The Methodist church bans sexually active gay clergy but does not have any rules about transgender pastors.

Read about it here.

[From me]

Just because they don’t have rules, does that make it right?   The reason they probably don’t have rules is who would have thought about this?  I know Denise has been posting on here the last week.  What is done is done.  But I don’t believe anyone who has had this operation should be a leader in a church-especially clergy.

What do you think?

[From Joe Klamar, Getty Images]

[From CNN]

Rosie O’Donnell has fought her last fight at “The View.” ABC said Friday she won’t be back on the show following her angry confrontation with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Wednesday. O’Donnell asked for, and received, an early exit from her contract. She was due to leave “The View” in mid-June.  Watch the video here.

Read about it here.

[From me]

Oh please!  Rosie is the bully that was stood up to.  Elisabeth Hasselbeck is a sweet woman who is a follower of Jesus.  Rosie just can’t stand the fact that Elisabeth “schooled” her.  Rosie is the coward for quitting!

ABC, I said I was available!

What do you think?

Above is a picture of the group who came to New Orleans this week. We brought 10 men and 7 of us went last May and 2 of us have been all three times. These men paid their own way and took vacation time to minister to people they didn’t know. Why? Because God has changed their lives and blessed them. Many of the Edgewater members were thanking us for the work we have done but we have been more blessed by being here.

When you are working for God and to serve others it brings a lot of joy to your life. We had a blast telling jokes, quoting from movies and just ragging each other. Here are a few of the lines we heard this week:

• “220-221 whatever it takes”
• “Get in the truck boy”
• “whatever”
• “I’ll cut you”
• “Yes I’m serious and don’t call me Shirley”
• “I just realized you’re bad luck”
• “Are we there yet?”
• “He’s a Jeff Gordon fan”
• “I think it is just around the corner”
• “That’s what she said’
• “Don’t trust Lola” (GPS)

Last night we went back to the lower 9th ward which was one of the hardest hit areas by the flooding. It was sobering almost 2 years later. Tonight we went back to the Riverwalk and ate at Cafe Maspero again. You get a lot of good food for the money. Then I went to Starbucks and it was closed.

So I stopped at Cafe Du Monde and had a Frozen Cafe Au Lait. It was delicious. Since I was there I went ahead and bought the following.

I wonder if the Judge or Dr. P will sign my mug?

We will be leaving in the morning. I am glad we came again. The people of New Orleans are still suffering. There are many people who need the touch from followers of Jesus to give them something to drink and eat. They need a helping hand and when we do they will be open to the Good News of Jesus. I know there are a lot of good churches that are really reaching their communities. But the people of Edgewater have a special place in my heart. The Gentilly area has been abandoned by most people yet Edgewater is a beacon in a dark area. Please pray for them as they minister to their community. Also consider bringing a group down here. I know Paul Littleton is bringing a group next month. My friend Joe Kennedy is a member there and came by to see me today. He said they just learn to deal with all of the pain and suffering. If you would consider coming contact Jay at Edgewater Baptist Church. Thanks for all of your prayers.