Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[AP]

Gov. Sarah Palin’s church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.

“You’ll be encouraged by the power of God’s love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,” according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed for about six years.

Palin’s conservative Christian views have energized that part of the GOP electorate, which was lukewarm to John McCain’s candidacy before he named her as his vice presidential choice. She is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions for rape and incest, and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples.

Focus on the Family, a national Christian fundamentalist organization, is conducting the “Love Won Out” Conference in Anchorage, about 30 miles from Wasilla.

Read more here.

[From me]

So what! I agree with her church.  God can change anyone through the power of prayer. I make no apologies for telling people about Jesus and what He can do for their life.  It is who I am.  I think it is who Palin is too. The media just doesn’t like Palin.  They are looking for anything to trash her.  If Sen. Obama’s former pastor’s views didn’t matter then neither should Palin’s church.  Give me a break!

What do you think?

[TBO]

Back in the day, looking for talent to book for Universal Orlando’s Rock the Universe was easy for Jim Timon.

“It used to be just a small pond of people,” said Timon, senior vice president of entertainment.

Now it has turned into a virtual Great Lake. Christian rock is hot, hot, hot. More solo artists and groups are proclaiming their faith in edgy, hip music that rivals their secular counterparts in every way. It comes in all styles: hip-hop, punk, hard rock, ska, alternative, pop, soft and contemporary.

The challenge Timon faces these days is picking the best of the bunch. And he’s got competition: Rock the Universe, scheduled for Friday and Sept. 6, goes head-to-head with Walt Disney World’s Night of Joy on the same two days.

Why two mega Christian rock festivals on the same days, just down the street from each other?

“It’s something to do with how youth pastors schedule their weekends,” Timon said. “It’s a friendly competition. We may have the edge on keeping it purely rock, and we bring in speakers as well.”

Read more here.

[From me]

Why in the world would you have 2 Christian festivals on the same days in the same city?  Seems to me if they did them separate weekends it would benefit both parks.  

What do you think?

Yesterday I posted a story about some groups in Christian circles that deny the deity of Jesus.  It brought about some interesting questions. Ask an Atheist and the book I’m reading by Eric Michael Bryant called Peppermint-filled Pinatas made me think about what truly distinguishes someone as a follower of Jesus.  Also, some of our discussions over the last few weeks about Grace vs. Law have been spinning in my head.

As I began thinking about it, I think one word would some up the mark of a true follower of Jesus–”LOVE.”  

I Thessalonians 3:12 

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

I think doctrine is important, but someone can have a relationship with Jesus and have flawed doctrine. Think about areas in which believers disagree:  Calvinist vs. Arminian, Tongues vs. cessationists, baptism by immersion vs. sprinkling, suits vs. jeans, contemporary music vs. hymns (organ), Sunday School vs. Small groups in homes, King James only vs. NIV, NLT, NASV or Message,  etc…. I could go on and on.  None of those doctrines or styles are going to bring someone or keep them from a relationship with Jesus.  Many people are very dogmatic about their stances.  

But there is only one stance that matters:  That Jesus is the Son of God, God himself who died for our sins. There is nothing we can do to earn His favor it is all a gift.  Those are some of the Non-negotiables for me. I have friends who are Calvinists (my dad is) and others who are pentecostal.  I don’t agree with their points of view but I consider them fellow believers.  I believe we are serving the same God and working together to fulfill the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.

So, I have become convicted in my own life that I must show more love.  Eric Michael Bryant points out in his book that the 1st Century believers didn’t talk about Love, they displayed it extravegantly. Eric says that many of our programs, ministries and churches operate like the world is wanting to become Christians but don’t know how.  We need to become more interested in people and loving them. Eric also said that the early church was winning people and then influencing friends. That is deep.

To me, we can have differences of opinion and debate various theologies and world views.  But Love must be displayed.  If someone claims to be a believer and has the most perfect theology but they don’t show love, I would wonder about their salvation.  I have been corrected (rightly so) by people who comment here that I have been judgmental at times.  I was wrong and ask for forgiveness.  I will start to look less for what is wrong and focus on what is right.  I’m not promising perfection.

The song says they will know we are Christians by our Love but unfortunately the world sees that we are Christians by our “demanding to be right!”

What do you think?

[Washington Post]

[WBAL & WND]

Public schools in Somerset County, MD will no longer allow the Gideons on school grounds to distribute Bibles.

For years, The Gideons, an international Christian organization, has been passing out Bibles to interested fifth-graders. But Stephanie Kayhan says when she moved to the county three years ago, she was shocked by the Bible distribution.

Kayhan says she is a practicing Christian, but she is against Bibles being passed out on school grounds because it blurs the line between church and state. She contacted the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU then wrote a letter to the school board, stating that the distribution was unconstitutional.

About the Bibles, she said: “I don’t have a problem with them, I have a problem with them being in the schools.

Supporters of the Bible giveaways say no child was ever forced to take one.

Read more here and here.

[From me]

I remember getting my Gideon Bible when I was in 5th grade.  No one forced me to take it.  I don’t get why a Christian woman would go to this extreme.  

What do you think?