"Are you a Cards or Cats Fan?"

In this part of the country when you ask that question (Are you a Cards or Cats Fan?) most people would think you are talking about the University of Louisville (Cards) or the University of Kentucky (Cats), but in that case it has nothing to do with either school. The question has to deal with your understanding of Christ and the role the church plays in your life. Of course both "Cards" and "Cats" are actually acronym words.

The acronym for Cards is Christ Always Redeems Dry Spirit! It is our faith in Jesus Christ that helps us get through the most difficult times in our lives. We all have times when Christ seems so far away from us, but in reality he is always with us. Everyday we need to take time out and pray...not some formal prayer, but more of a conversational prayer. It can be as little as, "Lord please be with me today" or "Lord I need your help." Both of those statements are prayers and it will help us feel his presence more readily.

The acronym for Cats is Churches Alter The Spirit and the can be a positive or negative experience. I pray that as pastor of Speed Memorial Church that the only altering effect I have on a person is that they come to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. But I realize that some ministers have a negative effect on their congregation and I believe that comes from their attitude that they are the most important person in the church...and nothing could be further from the truth! I wrote an article several years back for the International Council of Community Churches (I.C.C.C.) entitled, "I Am Only Temporary!" In the article I stated that "as a pastor I will either move on, die or retire and no man or woman is greater then the body of Christ." I also stated that the "body of Christ" (the church) will continue far after the pastor leaves because the "body is constant."

So is it Christ that moves you everyday or is it your experience in the church that leads you? If you want to continue to have your faith make sure it is Christ...in your life and in the church that moves you forward. Remember, no matter where you feel Christ in your life..."I (you) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (you)." Philippians 4:13

"Unbelievable!!!"

What took place on November 4th in this nation was unbelievable. Not because an African-American was elected president of the United States, but the voter turnout was incredible. I have not seen that much enthusiasm out of young people since John F. Kennedy ran for president of the United States.

Of course the election of Barack Obama as our next president was a milestone in the history of this nation. I remember as 10-year-old, traveling with my family to the deep South. I witnessed restrooms that had "Colored" or "White" over them. I saw water fountains with "Colored" on the rack that held the paper cups. I never thought in my lifetime that I would see a black man elected to our nation's highest office, but I can say now that it has happened I am overjoyed by it.

There is one fear that I have for the nation...it is that some people will not give President-elect Obama a chance. Christ came for all people, whether...yellow, black or white (as the old hymn goes) and we as a nation have the chance to demonstrate what it means to be a Christian to the world. Maybe...just maybe we have taken the first step in following what Christ asked us to do and that is to become one.

So whether you voted for Obama or voted for McCain it is time that we come together as a nation and work to make this once again "one nation under God!"