Would Donald Sterling be welcomed in your church?

First of all, I am outraged by the racial statements made by Donald Sterling and believe that he should be called to repentance, but it seems to me that we are missing a big issue here.  Why are we not concerned about the fact that Donald Sterling's mistress copied a private conversation and gave it to an organization that makes a living off of celebrity gossip, i.e. TMZ.  Shouldn't TMZ be held accountable for participating in private intrusion, regardless of the comments being made?  If Donald Sterling made comments about doing physical harm to African Americans and Hispanics, wouldn't they be held responsible for not acting and notifying the authorities?  Also, shouldn't we be outraged by the fact that a married man has a girlfriend that he publicly parades around.  What about Donald's wife?  Shouldn't she be outraged that her husband's mistress is now seen as a hero for releasing a private conversation?  

I do believe in freedom of speech, but at the same time, I believe in the legal due process.  The tape released by TMZ should never have been published.  Americans have expressed their displeasure with the NSA and the U.S. government spying on people without their knowledge.  Why are we not demanding the same standard for TMZ?  Of course, I completely disagree with Sterling's comments, but he has made comments like these before and no one has expressed any public outrage.  In fact, the NAACP was going to give Sterling a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to their organization.  I don't understand that!  Where was the NAACP when Sterling was sued twice by the federal government for refusing to rent apartments to African-Americans and Latinos?  In my opinion, the NAACP is no longer a relevant institution.  

Maybe the larger gospel-centered question is, would Donald Sterling be welcome in your church after such a tragic fallout?  Are we as Christians ready to put racial reconciliation into action?  Honestly, I don't think any church would want the media attention that would ensue if Sterling would attend a church service.  But the question still stands.  

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

If we are honest, we have all been guilty of racism or discrimination at some level, but because of Christ, we are a new creation (1 Corinthians 5:17).  Donald Sterling is not too racist that Christ cannot transform him.  The NBA is not the church, and so I don't expect them to act in such a manner.  However, the Sterling situation, presents a perfect opportunity for the church to share the gospel of reconciliation.  Sterling is not a lost cause.  He needs the gospel just as much as I do.  

The Power of the Father Wound

Will you join me in praying for children in the foster care system?

My wife never ceases to amaze me.  She is so loving and kind and tender-hearted.  Seeing her heart for children in the foster system has affected me greatly.  I never thought about adopting, until I saw my wife's heart for foster children.  She wrote a recent blog about the story of two kids, one of them ours and the other a picture of a child who is in the foster care system.  I invite you to read her blog "A Tale of Two Kiddies", and join me in prayer for those children waiting to be adopted, and also for those children who are one abuse away from Child Protections Services taken them away from all they've ever known.  Join me in also praying for families who neglect and abuse their children.  Pray that mothers and fathers would love their children so much that CPS would never have to take them away in the first place.

There are no categorical differences between men and women: Agree or Disagree

We live in a culture that blurs the line between men and women.  Late 19th and early 20th century depictions of men and women are antiquated.  Should we listen to our grandparents' description of differences between men and women?  How do we honor our parents and grandparents as Christians in understanding what it means to be a man or women?  Should we differentiate between men and women?  How do we deal with someone's presupposition about gender roles, functions, and inherent sexuality?  How do we raise a child who is a boy or a girl?

It seems to me that in our day and age calling out any differences between men and women are controversial.  I mean other than the obvious physiological differences, are we we the same?  Should physiological differences dictate the way we perceive each other and communicate? I know that I have asked more questions than answers.  So please give me your two cents, and do keep in mind that whatever you do in word and deed should be to the honor and glory of God who created both men and women as image-bearers full of His beauty.

Does the birth control pill cause abortions?

Many Christians, including myself, are against all forms of abortion.  Christians have been historically pro-life, and rightly so.  However, when it comes to birth control, it seems like this is a gray area for many believers.  What do you think?  Is there a difference between a mother going to the doctor for an abortion during the early stages of pregnancy or taking a pill that prevents an embryo from being fertilized?  What should the churches stance on birth control be?  I would love to hear your responses before giving my opinion on the matter.  Also if you have some free time, then skim through this book on the matter of birth control written by Randy Alcorn (click name to read).

What is "good" music?

This past weekend, Dr. John Hodges challenged my Introduction To Worship class to think about what constitutes "good" music.  If you hear a band, orchestra, choir, solo artist, or group; or if you hear a great album, cd, or single, then what makes you chase down your friend, family member, or significant other and tell them, "You have to listen to _____!  This is good music!"  What makes music "good"?  Why do we feel compelled to share with someone when we experience "good" music?  I would love to hear your responses.

When Jesus is Worship Leader ( Video Sermon ) - Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson

Sermon points:
1. Jesus gathers us together and brings us to God the Father as His own family
2. Jesus leads us in our praises
3. Jesus preaches to us from God's Word
4. Jesus Christ is present in worship to meet us in all of our needs.

What a powerful sermon about the centrality of Christ in the worship service!  This is a message not only for "worship leaders/song leaders" but also for the average man or woman seeking genuine God-centered worship in your worship services.  As the Contemporary Worship Leader at Grace Bible Church in Dallas, TX, I am profoundly convicted by this sermon; I want to change my title to The Contemporary Worship Follower at Grace Bible Church, where Christ is the Worship Leader.  Please post any thoughts about this sermon, and let's rethink how we do worship services.