Sorry for the delay in the wildly anticipated “Ask A Bad Christian” feature. Yesterday on a business trip I got to circle Nashville for an hour or so and then fly to Huntsville, Alabama to wait out a thunderstorm in the Music City. So that put a dent in the writing schedule. However, the questions are pouring (okay, dribbling) in and we start with a question from Cheryl. Hi there. I have begun to wonder about my political affiliation. Always I have considered myself a conservative politically and a Republican but I wonder now if I should be a Democrat or Independent. I have changed so much recently. I am bothered by the conduct of many Christian conservatives and do not wish to be grouped with them. I do not see myself voting for any of the present front-runners, especially considering that the Republican in the lead stood beside Pat Robertson and proudly accepted his endorsement. Dave, what is your advice
Continue reading...

One of the wildly popular features (more than one person responded) in the history of these humble ramblings was the “Ask A Bad Christian” column. We are opening up the electronic mailbox again for your questions. I am posting an earlier edition of Ask a Bad Christian to give you an idea of how it works. Or doesn’t work. Dear Bad Christian, Question for you: Today in church the pastor said both he and his wife were asked this week if they are ever down. He said they both replied negatively since they have the Wonderful Counselor on their side they are never down or negative. I felt as if I should throw a BS flag or something. Or is there a level of communion with Christ where you never feel down? He didn’t mean it like this, but I twisted his words in my brain that if you are ever down you aren’t a real Christian. Bridgette Dear Bridgette,
Continue reading...

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my friend John Weber. If you have read the last two posts you will not be surprised to learn that it was amazing. All five of the Weber children shared remembrances about their Dad. One particular saying that John favored made its way into several of their recollections. “Don’t strive for spectacular. Strive for faithfulness.” Today’s post will be mercifully short. Meditate on that simple thought. God isn’t impressed with spectacular skills and talents. Paul wrote some words to the Philippian church that seem like they could have come from John Weber as final thoughts before his homecoming. Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything
Continue reading...

I used to seriously resent the actual students at my high school who studied and messed up the curve for our slacker contingent. A similar phenomenon happens in my Christian walk. Occasionally a follower of Jesus will “mess up the curve” for the rest of us by actually demonstrating what it looks like to live for Christ. My friend Bob showed me what it looked like to love your wife like Christ loves the church. I must clarify that I didn’t resent Bob for living his life like that but it did leave me without excuse in my own marriage. And by simply living his life authentically he made me a better husband and follower of Jesus. He never said a word of rebuke nor offered any suggestions on how I should be a better husband. He showed me. Now my friend John Weber has showed me through his death what it looks like when a man or woman simply lives their life
Continue reading...

Yesterday I posted an article about Homecoming at Baylor University. I wrote about an eternal homecoming someday with family and friends. Just hours after I posted that piece one of our long time and dear friends died after finishing a workout at the YMCA. Now I can add the name of my friend John Weber to those I look forward to seeing at my heavenly homecoming. The media will report that John Weber was the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys. That is what impressed a lot of people who knew John. That is not what impressed me. What impressed me about John Weber was how consistently he represented Jesus over the years. I have known John since we were young and starving staff members of Athletes in Action back in the late ‘70’s. I have watched his ministry from up close and from afar. I have never heard a single negative word spoken about John Weber. Here are the words from veteran sportswriter Mickey Spagnola
Continue reading...

I have established a couple of traditions in the short history of the humble ramblings. One of them is revisiting this post (with a couple of updates) every homecoming weekend at Baylor University. It is that time again. It is Homecoming this weekend at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Thousands of alumni will make their way to Central Texas for the event. It seems odd to me that I am looking forward so much to this homecoming. The celebration is at a college that I did not attend. I’m not even Baptist, dadgummit (that is Baptist cursing). But my heart has become a part of the Baylor tradition. Why? I am the very proud father of two Baylor grads and the youngest is a senior-light at the school. He will graduate in December of 2008. I have invested time and more treasure than I care to think about in Baylor University. It is a very special place for me. Each son has made relationships that have become my
Continue reading...

A trip to the store around Halloween guarantees a couple of things. The Thanksgiving displays are already getting dusty and the Christmas items are being placed or are already on the shelves. We are only four weeks away from the ridiculous excess that we call Thanksgiving.  I will probably complain that I ate too much as if that is anyone’s fault other than my own. I will be genuinely thankful for having my family together. That will be extra special again this year because Joni’s cancer is a reminder that such gatherings are not guaranteed. I will thank God for the bounty of food that will be before us. But I don’t think I will really comprehend how blessed I am to live in this country. A story that I read in the Miami Herald last year gave me a big helping of perspective. Streaks of grime cover the boys’ bodies and insects crawl on their heads as they scour through heaps of trash alongside buzzards that seem
Continue reading...