I love vacations.

Last month, we took a week and drove up to Graeagle, California. Absolutely beautiful part of the country, nestled up in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Northern California between Truckee and Quincy at around 5,000 feet above sea level. 

We hiked, we played games, we ate lots of food. And we slept in every day. 

I loved it because I didn't pay too much attention to the news. That was because it was too hard to get a wireless connection to the Internet. I literally had to walk around with my laptop like it was some sort of metal detector, looking for some indication that I had some type of connection.

That's too much work to stay "informed." So I went through the week relatively ignorant about what was happening in the rest of the world. And I loved it.

I suspect that's what most folks do when they go on vacation. They give their minds a chance to refresh itself by tuning out the outside world, for the most part.

Is it any wonder, then, that Washington is frantically busy trying to pass so much stuff that will dramatically alter the national landscape? Just consider this laundry list of issues that could become reality by the end of this summer:

• A cap and tax scheme that will do precious little of what it promises to do (reduce carbon gas emissions) while at the same time taxing small businesses into oblivion? (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090626/ap_on_go_co/us_climate_bill)
• An attempt by the federal government to take over the health care industry, insuring everyone, taxing millionaires and small businesses, while turning the world's greatest health care system into something resembling what Great Britain now suffers (http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20090715/pl_bloomberg/a6fujb5nwlde_1)
• A judge who describes Roe v. Wade as "settled law," who believes that the appellate court is where policy is made, and who believes ethnicity and gender play a role in making judicial decisions is about to receive a lifetime appointment to the highest court in the land (http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE56B0TA20090715?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=22&sp=true)
• A veiled attempt to pass a "hate crimes" bill by sticking it into a Defense Authorization Act as an amendment--a bill that adds "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to a growing list of groups that are protected from "hate crimes." (Now, I always thought a crime against a person is an act of hatred in and of itself; shows you how little I know).

This last bill hits a little too close to home. Well, they all do, but this last one is particularly insidious. Let me explain how this would work:

Let's say that one Sunday morning, I or some other pastor preach from the Bible and we mention that the Bible clearly states that marriage is between one man and one woman, that any other relationship that tries to call itself marriage is wrong, and that any other sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong. If someone who is listening to that sermon goes out and commits a violent act against someone caught up in same-sex attractions or activity, not only is that act a hate crime, but I would be guilty of a hate crime as well.

What's more, the bill does not state what is a violent crime in this case. What if someone who heard a sermon decided to go and try to talk to a friend caught up in same-sex attractions, and decided to show them what the Bible says about God's forgiveness? Since the bill is targeting the thought and intentions rather than the action, that action could be interpreted as a violent act by the "victim."

Now, let's take it another direction...

Suppose I or some other pastor are led to preach against crimes against children, that those crimes are so damaging to society because of what it does to children, or something like that. Since pedophilia is not specifically excluded in this "hate crimes" bill, it can be included as a "sexual orientation." Therefore, the case can be made that pedophilia can be classified as being protected from "hate crimes." 

All of this could be completed before the summer is over; in fact, much of this could be completed before this month is over. Talk about an extreme makeover; the stuff that's going on in Washington right now could cause severe damage to our country, right down to its very core.

If you've never been active in this stuff because you're not the "political type," you might want to re-think your position. Because if you think none of this is going to affect you, just wait until you see your electric bill if the cap-n-tax bill passes. Or how "free health care" is really going to work for you. Or when the law changes to make pastors potential "hate crime" criminals.

Honestly, Congress was the one that should have taken the vacation. For about three months.

Musings on the Southern Baptist Convention

Don't know if you keep up with the latest news and controversies rumbling through the largest non-Catholic denomination. With all of the local, national, and world events that dominate our news input, it's likely that you haven't been keeping up with the stuff that Southern Baptists are rasslin' with lately.

Women in ministry has made news recently. A woman professor at Southwestern Seminary was denied tenure at the school because of her gender. Did somebody go back on their word? Did someone say one thing and do another? Is President Paige Patterson accurately applying 1 Timothy 2:12 in this instance?

Private prayer languages are another issue. The International Mission Board trustees adopted a policy last year that forbids IMB missionaries to openly practice private prayer language. Did the trustees overstep their bounds? Where do Baptists really stand on private prayer languages? Is Dwight McKissic right when he says the historical position was that Baptists ultimately came to embrace it, or he all wet?

I have opinions on both issues. You may have opinions on both issues. But I think there's a more urgent matter to bring up and begin to discuss.

Does the Southern Baptist Convention need to make a bigger deal out of praying together than it has in the past?

History would tend to agree. Each major spiritual awakening began with a simple prayer meeting. Not one where everyone spent 20 minutes sharing with each other what they need to pray over (like Aunt Bessie's ingrown toenail) and then 5 minutes actually praying such deep prayers as, "Please be with Aunt Bessie, Lord." Is it any wonder that the best word to describe Southern Baptist life is "plateaued" after years of giving this kind of lip service to prayer?

Southern Baptists believe the Bible; that's why Southern Baptists . Southern Baptists believe in evangelism and discipleship; that's why Southern Baptists devise all kinds of ways to lead people to Christ and then to get them growing spiritually.

Do Southern Baptists really believe in prayer?

I think a growing number of them really do. That's why I think we're seeing a greater emphasis on actually praying together throughout the convention. That's why President Frank Page explains that at this year's convention in San Antonio, a greater part of the program will be devoted to actually praying.

That's all for now. I need to get ready to go pray.

Tsk, Tsk?

I know, it's been some time since I last posted a blog. Lots of stuff has come and gone since I last blogged. The Democrats have control of Congress. The President has sent more troops to Iraq to put down the insurgency. The Florida Gators and Indianapolis Colts are the reigning champions in their respective areas of football.

Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan dominated the news services worldwide.

Huh? With all of the stuff going on in our world, why are we so fixated on these two?

Lindsay parties with Paris and embarrasses herself. Britney parties with Paris and embarrasses herself. Britney and Lindsay party with Paris and they all embarrass themselves together. Lindsay checks into rehab. Britney checks into rehab, then leaves a day later, then checks back in a few days later. But not before she goes in and shaves her head.

And all of this leads the news items regularly.

The easy thing would be to bash both of these young ladies, say they embody all that is wrong with our society. The next-easiest thing would be to blast the media for over-exposing the escapades of these two (or three, if you count Paris Hilton).

But I can't help it...my heart breaks when I read about these two young ladies. Broken families, broken promises, empty lives that scream out for some type of fulfillment. Money, fame, sex disguised as love...none of it delivered. So both have taken to medicating themselves with alcohol or some other type of drug in order to find that fulfillment that has eluded them all of their lives.

Am I the only one who sees it?

Both of these girls need a relationship. A relationship with Jesus Christ. He would be the One who would give them both everything they have searched for.

Next time you read about them, pray that they would come to know Jesus Christ as Savior, would you?

Thanks for Setting Us Straight, Senator Kerry

With one week left until Americans go to the polls to determine the direction our country will head, many were all atwitter at the prospect of seeing a Democrat-controlled House and/or Senate. The prospect of a Democrat-controlled anything in Washington kind of does that on its own. But with so much at stake, with boots on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the prospect of making some tax cuts permanent, a horse change now seemed, well, monumental.

And then along comes that scholar of scholars, that master communicator, Senator John Kerry.

In case you didn't catch it, Senator Kerry was speaking to students this week at Pasadena City College while campaigning for California gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides. Speaking about the importance of an education, Kerry told students, "you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. And if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."

Wow. That really blessed me.

I didn't serve in the military; I went straight through to college and seminary for eight years. I studied hard. I did my homework. I made an effort to be smart. I don't know how well I'm doing, and I don't know how smart I really am; but Senator Kerry really made me feel good. I'm doing well. Yippee!

Since I am doing well by Senator Kerry's standards, and I am smart by virtue of the fact that I am educated, let me tell you who I really admire and respect.

That would be every man and woman that is serving in our military.

I have yet to meet a dumb Marine. Anywhere. Anytime. Period. Including those who have done a tour or two in Iraq.

I have known men in the Navy who work on nuclear submarines. The things they have to know, the stuff they have to memorize and understand, go right over my head. They're smart, too. Not only that, but anyone who has served on a United States Naval ship has to be more than a little familiar with a number of sciences. That counts me out.

I have known a number of guys who have served and are serving in the Air Force. Uh, I don't want to get into any academic competition with them.

I have known men who have served in the Army who have forgotten more than I'll know. I don't want to get into any battle, much less a battle of wits, with any of these guys.

But since Senator Kerry's definition of smart makes me that way, let me say with all of the intelligence I can muster: Our United States military personnel are among the brightest, the bravest, the most dedicated and faithful our country has to offer.

There. You can take that to the bank. Because it comes from someone who is smart, by John Kerry's standards.

Peace

Let's See...Do I Vote to Pay More Taxes?

Do I want to give more of my money to the state of California? Do I want to play in traffic?

If I'm not right upstairs, the answer to both questions would be yes.

Yet that is what the voters of California will decide come November. Four--count 'em, four propositions--are on the November ballot. Each one of them proposes to take more money out of my pocket and into the hands of the California legislators.

You've probably heard the saying about giving money to legislators. It's like giving whiskey and car keys to teenagers: it's a disaster waiting to happen (no disrespect to teenagers intended).

What are the noble causes the California legislators want to fund by raising taxes? Let's take a look:

• Proposition 86--this one wants to slap an additional $2.60-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund such noble causes as hospitals, smoking prevention plans, and cigarette regulation. Now I don't smoke; never have, never will. But have you ever tried to trail where all the tax money collected on cigarettes over all these years have gone? It was supposed to have gone to hospitals, smoking prevention plans, and cigarette regulation. Last time I checked, emergency rooms were closing in San Diego county. Last time I checked, there are still plenty of people smoking. Last time I checked, cigarettes are still being sold (but not to minors). Yeah, that's fixing the problems caused by cigarette smoking. Something tells me that tax money hasn't really gone for smoking-related health issues. Why would I want to give the government more money from cigarettes?
• Proposition 87--This one's a beauty! An additional tax on producers of oil extracted in California to fund a $4 billion program to reduce petroleum consumption by 25 percent and to help produce "alternative fuels." Even though gas prices are "down" (I still think they're too high), don't you remember watching those numbers spin on the gas pump this summer when you filled up? Why are prices down? Simple economics: there's more gas available for sale now than there was this summer. More supply means lower prices. Do you think oil companies are going to keep producing gasoline and pay a higher tax to do so? Neither do I. That would mean less gasoline available for sale. When the supply is lower, guess what? Prices go higher. I for one do not want to pay more money for gas.
• Proposition 88--Every time our education system is mentioned, our heartstrings are pulled upon. We all want better schools. Yet California ranks at the top in money spent per student, but at the bottom in test scores. But that doesn't stop our legislature. They still think the answer is more money. So they want to slap an additional $50 on your property taxes. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But if this passes, where will the tax increases stop? What will all the money be used for? I can tell you what it won't be used for: improving the California public education system.
• Propositon 89--This one will slap a 2 percent income tax increase on corporations and financial institutions to fund political campaigns. Sounds good: tax those rich corporations. But those corporations also include the small business owners, the Mom and Pop businesses; they will have to pay an additional 2 percent tax on the money they make. How many businesses will leave the state if this tax passes? If you think the business climate in California is bad now, watch how bad it gets if this proposition passes.

The Bible tells me that I'm supposed to be a good steward of what God gives me. Taking money and giving it to people who waste more money in one year than I will ever make in my lifetime doesn't qualify as good stewardship. I'm voting "no."

Peace.

Election California '06: Bonds are Bad

Twenty years ago, the average American spent 110 percent of his/her income. The primary culprit? Credit cards, plain and simple. Why wait until you can afford to buy something when you can have it now and pay it later, taking as much time to pay for it as you want?

Today, the average American now spends 120 percent of his/her income.

What's my point? That's pretty much how bonds work. The government sells bonds to investors who will buy them with a promise that the government will pay them back along with additional interest. Need money? Sell more bonds. That means cash on hand, and you can pay it back in smaller amounts over a period of time.

California government is worse than the average American. Much worse.

Between 2000 and 2004, California voters have approved bond initiatives totaling over $57 billion. That means the California government borrowed $57 billion over four years, and is paying that back to the bond buyers with interest. So when you have that state income tax withheld from your paycheck, a bigger part of that money is going to pay the interest for those bonds. Ouch.

Next month, California voters are going to be looking at a series of bond initiatives that promise to make our highways safer, our roads less crowded, our air cleaner, our ports more secure, homes cheaper to buy, our classrooms less crowded, our water systems rebuilt, and our waters cleaner. And we can have it now. All we need to do is sell an additional $42 billion in bonds, and all of that will be ours. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

I see two problems with this sale, and both of them are huge.

Problem one: there's no guarantee that the government will ever, ever do what they say they will do with the money they want. For example, do you know one reason why gasoline in California is so expensive? Gas tax. California pays the third highest tax per gallon of gasoline in the country. Where is that money supposed to go? Improving the state's highways. Yet despite the third highest gas tax in the nation, California ranks 43rd in per capita spending on highways.

Still trust the California government to use the money the way they say they will?

Problem two: the debt load on the California taxpayer will almost double because of the additional bond load. That means our children and grandchildren will be saddled with the load of paying off this bond debt.

See why bonds are bad?

That's why I will be voting "no" on any initiative that has the word "bond" in it.

Peace.

Political Pastors?

With the November elections registering on the respective radar of an increasing number of people, I observe many pastors avoid political issues, or what they think are political issues. Fears of losing tax-exempt status, of alienating church guests, of appearing to be "off message," of being the next target of 60 Minutes, and the list goes on. Some are good reasons; some are simple fears that need to be dismisses; still others are based on misinformation. Whatever the case, a great many pastors are completely disengaged from anything that appears to be political.

As a result, many pastors have no clue what the voters in their respective states will be deciding come November. What's really sad, though, is that many of those pastors don't care. They have too many other obligations and "important issues" that command their attention. As a pastor, I can understand that.

But at the same time those pastors are shrugging their shoulders and saying, "I don't care; the process is corrupt, and it doesn't really affect me," the people in their churches are adopting the same attitude. As a result, the "I-don't-care-because-the-whole-process-is-corrupt" attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The process stays corrupt because people who could change it won't get involved.

I think part of the problem lies with a definition of terms. There is a huge difference between an issue and politics.

The sanctity of human life is an issue. That involves when life begins, what defines life, and who should end life. As a result, abortion, embryonic stem-cell research (yes, there is a huge distinction), and euthanasia are all issues coming out of the main issue of whether or not human life is sacred and precious.

The family unit is an issue. That involves who makes up a family, what defines a marriage, and who should be the main caregiver for children. As a result, same-sex "marriages," same-sex civil unions, parental notification laws, government programs for child care are all issues coming out of the main issue of the makeup of the family unit.

Stewardship of resources is an issue. That involves making the best use of the resources made available to us. As a result, taxes, bonds, spending, cutting expenses are all issues coming out of the main issue of stewardship.

Does that sound like politics to you?

It doesn't to me.

As a pastor, all of that lines up with what I am trying to do: to help people to discover God's will and to do it. What does God have to say about these things?

In the next few blogs, I'll give you my take on issues we are facing in the state of California this November.

Peace.