Why I am no longer the elephant in the room

Yes, these guys are heroes, but...
It is official. Or it will be when I send in my registration change form in next week.
I am no longer a "Republican."
Do not worry, those that will come across this. I am not becoming a democrat. I am not so infatuated with the "messiah" that I have converted my ways. I am still conservative to the core. I still believe that right is right, wrong is wrong, and that Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of the 20th century.
The problem lies in the fact that the leaders and spokespeople of the Republican party do not believe that. They believe that we must win elections first, and that to win elections, we must not offend anyone that might vote for us, make nice with our enemies, and try to be friends with the media.
This line of thinking, espoused by John McCain, Colin Powell, and John Cornyn, are sending the Republican party the way of the Whigs. How many Whigs are in the house?
(I'm listening for a response. Strangely, all I hear are some of these guys...)
So I am not looking for a new party to call home. Libertarian party recruiters, please stay away. I toyed voting for Bob Barr last year, but instead voted for Sarah Palin.
I have entered this summer missing the fact that I am not in class this semester, but searching for thought. But the only thought the Republican party is having is not offending anyone and getting elected. They don't seem to realize that's how they lost elections for about 40 years, save Presidential elections. There must be principles. There must be values. People will align with someone that takes a stand. That's what drew us to Reagan. That's why Palin got a big response from conservatives last year, and why the culture tried to trash her! That's why Bobby Jindal was attacked this year. That's why "republican" strategists are brought onto CNN & MSNBC each day to try to refute what Rush Limbaugh said. They fear TRUTH.
The truth is, the Republican party is not for me. I think. Therefore, I am on my own. But yet I feel, no, I think, no, I BELIEVE I an not alone.

This will anger many race fans

I am not a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to NASCAR racing. I guess my earliest memories are from 1985, when Bill Elliott blew everyone away in that red T-Bird. That said, I went to my second live race on Sunday (and Monday). I went to the Coca-Cola 600, which this year was the Coca-Cola 340. People ask me who my favorite driver is. I have been a fan of Tony Stewart, but have really latched on to Kyle Busch. It’s easier to say who I’m not a fan of. That would be Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
I almost feel for Dale. He had to become the face of the sport. He has to live up to the name of his father. I did not cheer for or like his father when he was racing, but grew to respect him. People call him the greatest driver of all time, which I must disagree with. I believe that falls on Richard Petty. The difference between the two is that Dale unfortunately did not get to race past his prime. Richard raced eight years after winning his last race, and thirteen after his last championship. To some, that tarnished his image. Earnhardt had gone six seasons after his last title, and was showing signs of slacking, but was still fierce to the end.
Back to Junior. People believe that he will be great because he has his father’s name. It’s time to be blunt and anger some people: his father’s name is all he has. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is not the next Dale Earnhardt, Sr. If anything, he’s the next Kyle Petty. No offense to Kyle. He’s a good driver, won some races, done great things with Victory Junction. But the point is it is almost impossible for the son to eclipse the father. The only notable exceptions I know of are, well, Richard Petty, Ken Griffey, Jr., Cal Ripken, Jr., and for a wrestling reference, Randy Orton.
It’s natural to want the apple to fall close to the tree. But the evidence is out there. Look at the last person to drive the 8 car part-time: Mark Martin. He has already won two races. Johnson and Gordon have won one. Each has done well this season except one: Earnhardt. Is Hendrick Motorsports giving him worse equipment? I don’t believe Hendrick has bad equipment. Is it Tony Eury, Jr., the crew chief? He will probably be the next thing to change, but they seemed to work well together. In Monday’s race, they changed everything but the driver. He could do no right.
But Earnhardt, Sr.’s fans want a legacy. They want an heir to his throne. I believe they are booing him. Kyle Busch has the most natural talent I have seen in a driver since Jeff Gordon, and I dare say, Dale Sr. Plus, he is as brash as Dale Sr., is forceful on the track, and is not intimidated by other racers. He finds a home out front, and tends to stay close at all times. These are not popular statements I am making, but look at the results: Kyle has them, and is continuing to accrue them. That means gather, for you Junior fans. So take an honest look: the heir apparent is not from North Carolina. He is from Las Vegas.

I’ve had all I can take.

We have been asked lately to find “common ground” on many issues. As this country is asked daily to compromise, to change its ways, to give ground to enemies, to give up freedoms and independence, we are told it is for the good of all. It is utilitarian in its basis, and authoritarian in its practice. People that have long been respected are now being attacked. People who thought protests and rallies were for the most radical of our society are now hitting the streets with those of like minds, wondering if there is anyone that will listen to them.
We are told to respect the views and opinions of others. We are told to accept and give credence to all views, and that anything less is bigoted and intolerant. However, the people telling us this have no intention of changing their views. Yes, Jesus told us to love our enemies. He didn’t tell us we had to get along with them! What did he do those that changed money in the temple? Did he pat them on the back, say “ I don’t agree with what you are doing, but you are welcome in my Father’s house?” NO! He drove them out! [ Time for a sidebar: I think about this scene when I went to Greenville, SC with my wife to hear a famous reality TV couple at a church. After the event, you got to meet them…if you paid $20 for a picture to autograph.]
Ecclesiastes 3 mentions that there is a time to kill and a time to heal. There is a time for war, and a time for peace. It is said and used on bumper stickers: “War is not the answer.” Well, according to the Bible, it sometimes is. Why do you think there is so much record of war in the Old Testament? Do you think God hated the Phillistines? Did he hate Goliath or Delilah? I believe God loved Goliath and Delilah. But they did not serve Him, nor worship Him as God. They came against God and His people, and had to face their end. Read the end of 2 Timothy. Did Jesus die for Demas, and for Alexander the coppersmith? Yes, He did. Did Jesus die for Larry Flynt, Rosie O’Donnell, and Ray Boltz? Yes, He did! But does that mean that we accept their lifestyles, tolerate their work, and give them full fellowship in the church? NO. We are not to be unequally yoked together with them. We are to be separate from them (2 Cor. 6: 14-17).
You may say “But Jesus ate with the low people of His time,” and so He did. Did they stay the way they were? Was Matthew a tax collector after he met Jesus? Was Mary Magdelene still demon-possessed after she met Jesus? Did He respect and tolerate the views of the Pharisees? Go back to His first message after His tempting period. What was His first word? REPENT! In other words, turn your life around! Change your ways!
Yes, we are to love our enemies, and bless those who curse us (Matthew 5:44). We are also supposed to do all things in love, or it will get us nowhere (1 Cor. 13). But tolerate is not listed in there. There is a time for war. This is that time. We are to go to war against today’s “tolerance.”

Church Me, Part 3: Music

It is true that the Pastor is the face of the church. He is God’s man, sent to deliver God’s message, eat fried chicken, visit the elderly, pray for the sick, appease the deacons, and raise a family, all for just barely over a living wage. After that, the next largest focus rests on the music in the church. Being a music director for seven years, I realize the vital importance music brings to the service. Churches in the Caldwell County, NC area, if you need an experienced music director for your church, contact me. We can end this series here and now. So, here are the questions for the music quiz.
1: Your music director goes by the title:
A: Music Director
B: Minister of Music
C: Worship Leader
D: Song Leader
E: We have a praise team- united to serve!
F: Mike
2: Your music director is comparable to:
A: Cliff Barrows
B: Bill Gaither
C: John Tesh
D: Darlene Zschech
E: Martha Munizzi
F: Sweet Little Eloise
G: A hyena in heat
3: Your church thinks Albert E. Brumley is/was:
A: A founding deacon of the church
B: A great songwriter whose songs are used frequently
C: A great writer of his time, but this is now!
D: That kid on the cover of Mad Magazine
4: A hymn is:
A: A pronoun describing a male human
B: Essential for each service
C: Nice every once in a while
D: The way they used to sing music; now obsolete
5: You keep your hymnals:
A: In the back of the pews
B: In the choir loft
C: In the storage closet
D: In the men’s Sunday school room; the herrals are in the women’s
6: You think worship music is:
A: Nice every once in a while
B: Any song, no matter how old or new, that draws us to God
C: Too new-fangled for our church
D: the only music that churches should use, man!
7: The number of people in your church that can read music is:
A: Fewer that 5
B: 5-10
C: 10 or more
D: Everyone can read it- they put the words on the screen!
8: The number that can read shaped notes is:
A: I told you, they put the words on screen!
B: What are shaped notes? Aren’t they all round?
C: There are people that can read shaped notes here
9: Your church’s music could be described as:
A: CD Quality. How do we contact Integrity Music?
B: CD Quality, because it’s on CD
C: We make a joyful noise. That’s all that matters!
D: Did you see the end of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure?
10: Our biggest concern musically is:
A: Keeping the old ladies from complaining
B: Keeping the youth interested
C: Trying to sound like we practiced
D: Bringing focus on Jesus and making the Pastor’s work easier
True confession time: I HATE praise bands. I think they’re a copout for not having a choir. I am a traditionalist. I like the songs in the 1951 Church Hymnal. I have a hymnal collection. My wife likes more contemporary & worship music. She and Levi love the new Israel Houghton CD, which drives me nuts.
So what I am looking for is this: a music service that isn’t afraid of mixing old & new. There is great substance in the old songs. There is merit to some of the new worship songs. A church that can put the two together will be a learning resource to the youth and a fountain of youth for the old. That’s what I look for in music.

Church Me, part 2: The unofficial online guide for finding the right Church

As I mentioned in part one, I believe at this point all churches should have a website. I guess I am spoiled because in the late 90s to early years of this decade, I attended Westview Baptist in Boone as well as my Dad’s church, and they had a website then. They were a little ahead of the curve.
As I digress, this is my idea for the finding the right church guide. Churchgoers submit their opinions in a survey. Based on the answers given, the guide will recommend a church in the searcher’s geographic area. Along with that are two options: “Get directions” and “I’ve been burned by this church. Please tell the next match.” The aim is, ultimately, to match person with compatible church with the least amount of hurt feelings as possible, because, in today’s society, feelings matter more than getting your toes stepped on. Someone say amen to my spiritual sarcasm!
This section is the question churchgoers would submit about Pastors. They are the face of the church, as scary as that can be! The questions would be as follows:
1: Choose your denomination. (A scrolling list of 47 or so denominations rolls out.)
2: My Pastor preaches in the style of:
A: T. D. Jakes. Let’s shout, get all excited, and DANCE!
B: Chuck Swindoll. Teaching the people with insight.
C: Rick Warren. Teach me my purpose.
D: Joel Osteen. Make me smile. Just make me smile.
E: Rob Bell. Lots of questions, but few answers.
F: Barack Obama. Great with the teleprompter, but without it…
G: Oprah Winfrey. Do I need to say more?
3: The Pastor preaches about tithing:
A: Occasionally
B: Seldom
C: Never
D: If his mouth is open, he’s talking about it
4: The pastor’s most annoying habit is that he (check all that apply):
A: Spits as he speaks
B. Shouts or takes those loud breaths
C: Is too quiet
D: THINKS THE MICROPHONE IS ALWAYS BROKEN!
E: Constantly refers to himself as “we”
5: There is not a Sunday that goes by that the Pastor does not (check all that apply):
A: Seek to shake everyone’s hand
B: Present an invitation
C: Present four invitations to get someone to come
D: Step on my toes
E: Quote Oprah
F: Quote Rick Warren
G: Quote Joel Osteen
6: My Pastor has done the following to appear “cool” (check all that apply):
A: Stop wearing ties
B: Stop wearing dress clothes to service
C: Stop wearing shoes (hey, man, Jesus wore sandals!)
D: Began using a headset microphone
E: Began sitting down to give his sermons
7: Our Pastor preaches from the:
A: King James Version, because that’s what Jesus used
B: KJV, because he likes the language of it
C: New King James Version, to not totally offend older members
D: New International Version, because times have changed, man!
E: New Living Translation, to appeal to younger members
F: I had no idea there were different versions of the Bible
G: What is a Bible, and why would my Pastor use it?
8: My Pastor believes the Bible is:
A: Again, what is a Bible?
B: Obsolete
C: Full of questionable material
D: A nice book to help with his sermon
E: The infallible, unchangeable Word of God
9: My Pastor was recently seen (check all that apply):
A: at Wal-Mart
B: at the Christian bookstore
C: at the buffet
D: at the sports bar
E: at the video store (and I don’t mean Blockbuster!)
F: in the police blotter
G: on his knees before God
This concludes the Pastor section of the survey. Sadly enough, this became a commentary of where many of today’s churches are! Like politics, many Pastors have gone away from the Word of God in favor of focus groups, the latest book on how to be a Pastor, and cowing to popular sentiment. They are afraid to teach the true Word of God because it might cost them a member, upset a deacon, or offend someone. Guess what-the Gospel IS offensive! It has to wound us before it can heal us! Many more fail to live the life that they set before us to live, and it turns many away. I will continue this series looking at music, but I hope you see where I’m going. I want the real thing!