Anytime a politician falls, it is a terrible and sad disgrace, not a time for gloating or "I-told-you-so's." The last two weeks have seen two promising conservative politicans, professing believers, who have admitted to extramarital affairs. As a guy who has been in and around politics, I have a few thoughts: 

• We evangelicals belief in the inherent sinfulness of man. Anyone can fall. Nobody is immune to moral failure. Nobody nowhere. That's why preachers and Christian leaders especially must set up boundaries and guidelines. From all accounts Mr. Sanford was a model husband and father. And yet the seemy culture of politics pulled him in and possibly destroyed a once-model family. Saddness. 
• Power is corrupting. It is so terribly corrupting. We all want to be in charge and when we get there, there is a temptation to isolate ourselves from reality and surround ourselves with sycophants who tell us we're pretty and perfect and can do no wrong. What a dangerous place to be. Apparently Mr. Sanford fooled himself into thinking his sin wouldn't find him out. 
  
• Be careful where you point fingers. Those who don't believe in the institution of marriage and the sanctity of life have said Governor Sanford is a hypocrite for so forcefully denouncing outher politicians when they fall and denouncing the homosexual movement, when his own life reflected sexual license. And in this case they are dead-on right. Here's a careful warning to conservative, family-values politicians (whose positions and platforms I support). Be careful at the shrillness of your speech. Those wagging fingers can come right back at you. Governor Sanford was a somewhat cocky conservative, who took delight in the fall of others and came off kind of shrill. Now all those words he spoke are coming back at him. As Christians, we should always lead with grace. Don't let the talk show guys be your guide. Let the Bible be your guide. Let Jesus be your guide.
  
• Be careful how you rise, because that may be how you fall. Governor Sanford owed some part of his political rise to his condemnations of the fall of others. He was a loud guy who denounced President Clinton. He outed another Republican and used that as a way to gain favor. In business, in life, in church and ministry life, if you make your moves by stepping on others, you're setting yourself up for a dangerous fall. Always, always lead with grace and let God do the promotion. 
• The conservative movement needs to look itself in the mirror. We made hay at the indescretions of President Clinton, but since then, many of those conservative guys have seen their own skeletons come leaping out of the closet. I laugh at how Sean Hannity will denounce Clinton and then interview Newt Gingrich in the same breath. I love Newt for his thoughtfulness and ideas, but don't you see the hypocrisy? I don't believe we should surrender on the moral issues one bit, but can we peper our politican action with grace? Do we have to send shrill press releases and bury the other guys like they are the devil incarnate? Do we as Christians have to send daily emails that stretch the truth about politicians we don't like while accepting half-truths about the guys we approve of?
  
• Above all, folks, we need to guard our families. Our own families. Love them, teach them the Word of God, and set up boundaries for our own protection. 

 Except for holidays, we've been going thru the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings. Its an incredibly wonderful study of Jesus' life and mission. John has some of the most profound theology in all the Scriptures. It answers the question: "Who is Jesus?" 

Last week we wrapped up chapter 6 and I was all ready to go with the first of a few messages in Chapter 7. But as this week progressed, I felt that God wanted me to go in a different direction. I must say that I rarely do this. I've never liked it when preachers say, "God told me to preach this or preach that." Usually its a good mask for a lack of preparation. But, there are times when the situation warrants a change. 

This next week, Gages Lake is about to embark on a big project for our little church. We're hosting our first ever soccer camp. We've got 48 kids signed up. I prayed that we'd get around 50, but didn't really think we'd get there. (Love my great faith?). But God is faithful, far more faithful than we are. And He's called us to something big this week. 

So we're going with a sermon, "When God Does Something Big and How to Be a Part of It." Its a challenge and praise from the book of Nehemiah. 

So I called an audible. It probably won't happen for another ten years. But this week should be very special. 

About a year ago, I went to an Awana training meeting to get more aquainted with the Awana leaders in our area. I also needed to brush up on basic Awana stuff, since it had been several years since I led an awana group. At the meeting the leader discussed a new ministry called, "High Power Soccer." It took me back and I went home thinking that we could do this at Gages Lake and reach kids in our area with the love of Christ.

I toyed with the idea for a couple of weeks. Then, one Sunday, we had a lady come to our church. Angela and I visited with her and her family and I found out that she was a soccer coach! Amazing how God works. Well, over the last year Terrie Ann and I have talked a lot and this summer, in less than two weeks, we're hosting a soccer camp at Gages Lake. 

I've been so amazed at how our church has pulled together. All volunteers, they are really giving themselves for this effort. I'm humbled at how God uses our different gifts for His kingdom.

Pray for Gages Lake next week. Pray for good weather. Pray for open hearts for the Gospel. Pray for a lot of fun and good sportsmanship by the kids.