The verdict is in and I am a “bad Christian”. That is not who I am theologically or in God’s eyes but that is who I should remain for my tens of readers. The majority of you who responded prefer the old moniker. So the new name turned out to be every bit as popular as the New Coke. At least I took the risk. The demented minds at despair.com have this to say about risk. “If you never try anything new, you’ll miss out on many of life’s great disappointments.” To be fair there were some who liked the new name but the trend was clear and one fact is obvious. “Bad Christians” are more vocal. Reader Don understood the concept but offered a frightening prospect. I think you will lose some readership, and turn away some potential readers with the phrase “…Saint Who Sometimes Sins.” That scared me. What would be a smaller increment than tens of readers? Don also made this point.
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In a major shift, a group of Southern Baptist leaders said their denomination has been “too timid” on environmental issues and has a biblical duty to stop global warming. The Washington Times reported the announcement. The declaration, signed by the president of the Southern Baptist Convention among others and released today, shows a growing urgency about climate change even within groups that once dismissed claims of an overheating planet as a liberal ruse. The conservative denomination has 16.3 million members and is the largest Protestant group in the United States. The signers of “A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change” acknowledged that not all Christians accept the science behind global warming. They said they do not expect fellow believers to back any proposed solutions that would violate Scripture, such as advocating population control through abortion. My first reaction to the news was to start brainstorming ideas to help. For example, if Christian television preachers and hosts/hostesses voluntarily switched from hairspray
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Today is an important announcement for my tens of readers as we unveil a new name for the humble ramblings. There is no need to be concerned. My ministry of making judgemental Christians feel superior will continue intact. The reason for the new name was a gentle challenge from dear friend Angie. She has joined her hubby in going through the TrueFaced DVD with the charming Mrs. Burchett and me. My walk with Jesus has been transformed by this book and study. I have learned to really trust and believe who I am in Christ. One key lesson from the study is simple yet profound. When I put my trust and faith in Jesus that transaction changed who I am. I am no longer a sinner trying to be a saint. I am a saint who occasionally sins. That truth prompted Angie to ask this question. “If that is your identity can you  really call yourself a bad Christian?” Hmmmm. After some debate I have
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(This is an update of an earlier post) Today I voted in the Texas primary. At least for awhile we Texans should get a break from political ads. You would think with so many candidates possessing integrity that we should be in good shape for the future. Most of the candidates promised change. It has been well documented that Barak Obama has been riding the hope train right into the lead in the Democrat race. His rallies look like the Beatles performing at Shea Stadium. I was thinking that God must have a real sense of déjà vu as He watches the people clamor for a human leader to give them hope and change. Then I got sidetracked as I wondered if an omnipotent God can even experience déjà vu? That gave me tired head. Would God look at these rallies and think of another group who had hope at their disposal but then chose to reject it? God wanted to bless His nation
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I recently wrote an article challenging the idea that some Christians might choose to sit out the upcoming Presidential election.   Several of you offered your thoughts. Over the weekend I received a message from a man who deserves to be heard. I give my space proudly and humbly to one of our heroes protecting me and you. I recently read Dr. Dobson’s comments about sitting this election out. While I have always appreciated his leadership in matters of family, I beg him to recant his statement. If people who look up to him are to follow suit, I fear we may end up with the worse of two evils in charge of the executive branch. I risk my life daily in the skies of Iraq so you all may have the privilege of voting. Please don’t throw that away. I am not a fan of any of the candidates either, but I will vote and my vote will go to the one whose values are
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I continue to have my comfortable “bad” Christian apple cart overturned by a group of troublemakers from Phoenix. I have mentioned several times that my faith world is being rocked by the book TrueFaced and the TrueFaced Romans Bible study. A recent romp through the high definition television channels triggered today’s grace episode. I stumbled on a concert by an artist named Lee Ann Womack. She was beginning a new tune so I lingered. The song made me laugh and then made me think. A bit of set up for the lyrics. Apparently Lee Ann’s ex-boyfriend has met another and the upcoming wedding announcement is in the paper. A picture of the new love triggers a wave of jealous, immature and childish behavior. She thinks the new woman doesn’t take a very good picture and blacks out a couple of teeth for good measure. Yep, she responds like most of us have at one time or another. Here is the chorus. It may be my
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Everyone at Casa Burchett has been ill recently. Joni brought home the first cold bug. Then dog friend Hannah had a little stomach virus and that was not pretty. I will spare you the details. Now it is my turn to be sick. I thought of how really crappy I have felt this week. And then I realized how much I take for granted the fifty weeks or so out of every year when I feel good or even great. Sure I have the usual little aches and pains that a 50 year old plus body will accumulate. But for five decades I have been blessed with the ability to run slowly, jump barely, dance awkwardly and laugh often. I am so blessed. I thought about how I never got sick once during Joni’s chemotherapy when her immune system was so fragile. Praise God for that. I thought about people who feel far worse than I have felt this week every single day
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