Pastor Mike's Corner

Our very own Dr. Scott updated the invite.

I've picked my guy for president. Forget Obama and McCain. I promise you, I'm writing in Joe the Plumber for president. He's my guy.

Let me update you all real quick. I’ve been real busy the last couple of weeks. I’ve got midterms this week, meetings galore, and a ministry that’s just expanding beyond my wildest dreams. It’s just amazing to watch what so many good Christians will do for our God when they are empowered to do so!

In addition to the ministry, school, family, blog following, politics watching (may I say ship sinking watching), and griping about wealthfare, I’ve got a little book study going on (to fill all my dead time). My friend Nate bought me “Martin Luther King Jr. ‘I have a Dream’ Writings and Speeches” for my birthday last January and I’ve just got to it. I love it. Let me give you another quote to end the night on:

“True nonviolent resistance is not unrealistic submission to evil power. It is rather a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love, in the faith that it is better to be the recipient of violence than the inflictor of it, since the latter only multiplies the existence of violence and bitterness in the universe, while the former may develop a sense of shame in the opponent, and thereby bring about a transformation and change of heart.”

How often I struggled with Jesus’ commands to offer the other cheek or give that extra mile to those that are evil. In my early Christian years, I admit I thought it was truly an act of cowardice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrates how very brave and courageous it is to stab at evil with love in the hopes of winning a brother over.

As you struggle to pay your gas bill this week, here’s a little insight on where your taxes are going in this bailout bill. A week after our government gave $85billion dollars to AIG, the top geniuses of this company went on a little week long retreat costing us $440,000 (link). Top CEOs were rewarded with massages, $1000 a night rooms, and some golf. I hope this helps them sleep as they figure out how to spend all this money that just might trickle down to the little 6year old girl down the street whose parents are begging for 5 bucks so that they can buy some lice treatment.

I'm all for not punishing buis. with crushing taxes...but as I help another member create a plan to help feed some of the kids in this community, it makes me a little sick to think that we are throwing every one's money at the wealthy so that they can have a little retreat.

1957 Facing the Challenge of a New Age

"True peace is not merely the absence of some negative force--tension, confusion, or war; it is the presence of some positive force--justice, good will and brotherhood."

Dr. M.L King Jr.