Quick Hits (9/2/08)

After an enjoyable holiday, here’s some blog stew that includes some politics, our building project, some sports, and a little reading.

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What do I think of McCain’s pick of Palin?

I think it’s shrewd. Sure, she’ll be questioned about preparedness, especially regarding international affairs. But the upside of having her on the ticket is great:

1. She’s attractive, and not just physically. She’s a “rock star” already; people love her. And McCain (who was at risk of being as boring as Dole, another old war hero candidate) needed something to capture people’s attention. He found her.

2. She gives a great face to the pro-life movement. It’s one thing for a Dobson to argue against abortion. He can be dismissed as out of touch and unsympathetic. But Palin? She stands against abortion both as a mother of a Down Syndrome child and as the mother of a pregnant teenager. She brings conviction backed up by real life decisions. She bolsters the pro-life cause, and she does so at a great time.

3. She has energized the Republican base (and especially conservatives) in a big way. My friends at TCBC don’t talk politics much at all, but there was genuine enthusiasm about her candidacy over the weekend, and I’ve seen it in other venues, as well. People who were “ho-hum” about the Republican ticket are now pumped.

4. She will pull some Hillary supporters over to McCain, though probably not many. Even so, it’s a coup to have a woman on the Republican ticket for the first time in history, especially after Hillary’s candidacy and after Obama’s passing on her.

5. She made the entire country forget about Obama’s big speech last week.

6. In additional to welcoming conservatives back to the table, she appeals to moms, to middle class Americans, to blue-collar workers, to union members, to those concerned about gas prices, etc. In other words, she appeals to just about everybody.

I’m impressed. You?

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Michael Moore and Gustav

Michael Moore is just giddy about Hurricane Gustav. He says it’s timing (during the RNC) is proof that there is a God. So much for liberal compassion, eh? Ridiculous. Can you imagine if a Christian made such a statement? (Of course you can. Oops. Scratch that.) Anyway, I’m not impressed…but also not really surprised.

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TCBC Building Update

TCBC will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October of this year. During the last decade, we’ve met in a high school auditorium on Sunday mornings and a variety of locations (including park pavilions, the YMCA, and two community centers) for other services. Yet, the Lord has faithfully built a healthy, gospel centered church in spite of those challenges. Finally, by God’s grace, we voted last week to get the structure of our building up, and we hope to have it in the dry by the end of the year. All systems are go, including finances, permits, and site prep. We should begin the foundation as early as this week. Please pray with us that the project will go well!

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Terrelle Pyror Watch

Anybody see Terrelle Pryor’s debut at OSU? Mercy. He’s gonna be fun to watch, starting right now. Go Buckeyes!

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Speaking of Ohio Sports…

Have you been following Cliff Lee’s stellar season? 20-2. Mercy, again.

The Tribe started the season with the 2007 Cy Young winner in CC Sabathia (who’s just  been lights out for the Brewers, and should be rewarded with a no hitter for last night’s effort), another 2007 Cy Young candidate in Fausto Carmona, and the guy who should be the 2008 Cy Young winner. Yet, it’s been a lousy season. Go figure.

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Mark Twain’s Roughing It

I’m reading Mark Twain’s Roughing It. It’s mostly forgettable, but it occasionally has me laughing out loud. He reminds me of Patrick McManus before there was a Patrick McManus—-which probably means McManus reminds me of Twain.

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Denominations & Divisiveness

I’ve been encouraged during the last decade to see less focus on denominational tags as a basis for fellowship and gospel cooperation. Whereas for years Baptists refused to support Non-Denoms—and Non-Denoms returned the favor—many on both sides of the issue have begun to determine cooperative relationships on the basis of doctrine and philosophy rather than names. What a welcome change! But alas, old habits die hard. Please, friends, be part of the solution, not the problem. Stop making the name on a church’s sign mean more than that church’s doctrinal statement.

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Coming Soon to a Blog Near You…

Three months ago yesterday I was privileged to begin a study tour in Turkey, a trip which built upon a 2006 trip to Greece. By God’s grace, I’ve been able to visit most of the cities where Paul ministered in the New Testament. I’m planning to start making some blog posts on those sites soon—probably one per week on Mondays, starting next week.