On the way down to South Carolina, we stopped in Knoxville, TN. There we found a fantastic Christian bookstore. As I was browsing the shelves, I saw the book, Same Kind of Different As Me, a book I've wanted to read for some time. Lynn Vincent, the collaborater, is a good friend of mine. 

I've read this book throughout our vacation and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Its one of those books that has the capacity preconceived notions you might have about certain people or groups. This book definitely challenged my view of homeless people. 

The book is unique in that it contains to seemingly incongruent stories.One of a wealth and successful Fort Worth art dealer, the other a vagrant from the backwaters of Lousiana, now a resident of the streets of downtown Forth Worth.

A perfect storm of events, that can only be described as an act of God brought these two men together in a remarkable partnership. A crisis in Ron Hall's marriage brought he and his wife Deborah to their knees. The revitalization of Forth Worth brought the homeless together at one mission. A blurb in the local newspaper and the call of God upon Deborah's heart brought the Halls to Union Gospel Mission in downtown Forth Worth. 

I came away powerfuly impacted and impressed. First, the history of sharecropping and racisim in Lousiana opened my eyes to the struggles of black people in the South. Secondly, the vivid description of life on the streets gave me a newfound compassion for the homeless, and the simple authenticity of Deborah Hall toward these homeless showed me that simple love can bring joy to the hearts of those who are less fortunate. 

A final note. Lynn Vincent did the collaborating/ghostwriting of this book. She did an incredible job weaving these two stories together. This is tough work and in allowing the voices of the authors to come through, she became invisible. 

I highly recommend this book, it is a powerful read. 

 So the Darling Family is going to be headed to South Carolina for a couple weeks of R&R. Its a little wierd having a couple weeks of not preaching. Since I began in June, I've really looked forward to preaching. There is a certain "holy adrenalin rush" that comes when you're sharing the Word of God. But the rest will be good for all of us, especially as we gear up for a very busy summer. 

The guest speakers I've lined up will bless your heart. Pastor Bill Swanger has many decades of experience as a preacher. He successfully pastored two churches and then has served as interim at several more. He's a real man of God whom I admire greatly. He's been a mentor and friend to me. You will thoroughly enjoy his preaching. He'll do next week's Sunday AM and PM. Terry Barker, one of our elders, will do the Sunday School. He's got a great message to share on condemnation versus reconciliation.

On the 31st, one of my best friends, Eddie Schultz, will fill the pulpit. Eddie is a graduate of Dayspring Bible College and is working on his Master's degree in theology. He's very active at Quentin Road and is looking to pastor a church one day. He'll do the SS, Sunday AM, and Sunday PM. 

Lastly, be praying for our safety on vacation and that we truly get rest. Be praying for GLBC. We believe God has his hand of blessing on the church. Pray for continued growth and that this year's programs (soccer camp, vbs, fall fest) will bring many souls to the Savior. 

It was Mother's Day last year that God brought me to Gages Lake Bible Church. I preached my candidating message and was blessed to have my mother and my mother-in-law (all the way from Texas--she refuses to miss a single big moment of our lives). I shared a message from the life of Hannah, whose struggle with infertility and faith in God is one of the most poignant stories in all the Bible.

Its been a year and I'm profoundly grateful on many fronts. 

First of all, I've been blessed with an incredible mother. Now that I'm a father, I'm more keenly aware of the sacrifices and hardships a mother makes. God gave me a great mother. Not only did she give me life, she led me to faith in Christ, she raised me to love the Lord, she provided for every need, she was always there when we were sick and when we were down. There is a certain intagible gift God gives a mother, to be able to give so much of themselves to their families.

I"m also profoundly grateful for my own wife, who is a wonderful mother to my children. When I married Angela, I knew she'd make a great mother, but in the years we've had our children, I've seen up close and personal just how gifted and full of life and love she is. I don't know anyone in the world who can juggle so many different responsibilities and do them all well. Whenever I have to watch the kids while she's gone, I'm a total mess. If I have to take them anywhere, I'm discombulated and confused. But Angela does it every day with skill and grace. I love her and am glad God put her in my life. She makes it richer.

I'm also privileged to have a wonderful friend in my mother-in-law. Most guys complain about their mothers-in-law, but mine is one of the best. She's a friend, a cheerleader, an inspiring woman of faith. She's been dealt a lot of blows in life and yet she manages to keep her faith and her smile. She's given her life to a lot of people. 

Lastly, I'm profoundly grateful to the people of Gages Lake Bible Church. Pastoring them is  a wonderful gift God has given me. Tomorrow as we join hands on Mother's Day, it will hard to believe it has only been a year. I feel like this is where I belong and this is where we've always been. 

 There are a few stories swirling around in the culture, especially the Christian culture that raise a whole host of issues about who and how we as as evangelicals choose to represent our values. The stories about Sarah Palin's family and the ever-shifting tempest over Miss California raise a whole host of issues. A few thoughts I've had: 

• Sometimes Christians are so intent on scoring political points that we lose sight of what we believe. When I first heard about Carrie Pragean, Miss California, who made a bold declaration for traditional marriage and lost the contest, I was very proud of her. But the more I thought about it and as more news trickled out, I realized that on the one hand she upheld the Bible's definition of marriage and on the other hand she didn't help marriage by parading rather immodestly (to say the very least) on stage. I think the immodestly really undermines her message. But it seems the evangelical world is ready to make her some kind of spokesman for traditional values. It smack of hypocrisy and I wonder how this fits with the message of modesty and Biblical self-worth that these same organizations believe. I think we are often so eager to score a point against "the other side" of the debate that we forget what we believe. 
• That being said, no role model or spokesman or woman is perfect. Every public figure has areas of inconsistency in their lives. I would hope that most wouldn't be so balatan. I also hope this. I would like to see Miss C. alifornia, who seems to be sincere, come out and say publicly that she made a mistake by appearing so immodestly. The truth is this. The Church if full of fallen men and women. Every sinner saved by grace is a sinner with a past. And so forgiveness and grace are in order. But I do believe we should be careful about lifting up leaders too soon.
• I'm also saddedened by the continuing back-and-forth in the Sarah Palin famly. it think it does demonstrate that perhaps Governor Palin wasn't quite ready to lead as vice-President. (though I voted for her and thought her very capable). As Christians we should pray for that family as they deal with what is a very tough situation. Pray that God gives them grace and forgiveness. 
• You have to know that if you stand up for biblical values in this culture, you're going to be scrutinized and attacked. Every conceivable inconsistency will be revealed. So we as leaders should try to live lives that are "blameless" as Peter encourages in his epistle. Not perfect. Not legalistic. Not holier-than-thou, but just consistent. Because if we step up to the platform, we'd better be ready to back it up with action. Its a sobering thought for anyone who wants to make a mark for Christ. Paul encouraged believers to let their lives "adorn" the gospel message. 
• Lastly, all of this demonstrates that nobody who speaks for Christ is going to be a perfect representation. We all fall way short. And yet, in God's soveriegn plan, he has entrusted us with the Gospel message. 
  

Okay, if you hate watching sports like my wife does, then you don't have to keep reading. But I had to talk about the incredible first-round NBA series between the defending champion Boston Celtics and my hometown Chicago Bulls. 

Now I have to say that the last time I enjoyed an NBA game this much, Jordan was still in the league, Clinton was president, wierd-colored ties were still considered cool and my waist size was around 33. You know that was a long time ago.

But I have to tell you that this Chicago Bulls teams is incredibly exciting to watch and this series is so riveting I have been glued to almost every minute of it. After three games that went into overtime and two games that I thought the Bulls were going to win, but then didn't, I didn't think anything could top those. But holy cow, Game 6 was the most incredible game I've ever watched. Wow! 

• First Ray Allen is the best shooter I've ever seen. This guy has the best form and is the most clutch guy. And every single game it seems that the Bulls allow the Celtics like 4 seconds at the end of the game. I always worry because if Ray Allen gets the ball, he will make a three-pointer. Last night he was absolutely unconscious from three-point range.
  
• Second, wierd things keep happning. Like Brad Miller, a 7ft center, made three clutch three-pointers last nite. Kirk Heinrich missed a wide-open layup. Ray Allen hit a game-tying three, only his foot was on the line and it only counted for two. Then the wierdest of them all, Joaquin Noah, whose spelling I had to Google, steals the ball from Paul Pierce and runs the length of the floor, dunks the ball, and gets Pierce's sixth foul.
  
• Third, there is such intensity in this series. I mean its only the first round, but is like one of those games that nobody wants to lose. There is such a determination and will to win. Its almost like watching a Final Four college game. 

Those of us who like sports, this is why we watch. We put up with a lot of really bad games that disappoint, because we hope there will be a few games like we've had in this series. 

I'm not sure what the spiritual angle is here, i don't have one readily available. If you think of one, comment or email me.