The last few nights I've watched snippets of the Democratic Convention. These conventions are always interesting, much more scripted and coming out party for the candidate than the political theatre the conventions used to be. (Remember Chicago, 1968?

I'm not sure your political leanings, but regardless, I think we can learn somethings by watching history. Here are a few of my reflections:

• I heard Joe Klein of Time Magazine say this profound statement about Hillary Clinton: "She has become a better politican after going thru the 18 months of campaigning. Politicans grow more from losing campaigns." Did you get that last part? Losing helps politicians grow. I think there is a spiritual lesson to be learned here. We grow from our failures. Whether its a failed relationship, a failed business venture. A failed ministry endeavor. They season us. They humble us. They shape our perspective. If you want to read a fantastic book on failure, check out Beyond Failure by Dr. James Scudder. He drills down into Peter's life and his failures.
• As I watched the politicans give their speeches and promise the moon to cheering crowds, it brought me back to my current study in the book of John. People haven't changed. It will be the same with the Republican Convention. What they want is not what they need. What they need is not what they want. When Jesus came, people started to get excited. He does miracles. He heals the sick. He is a revolutionary. Or so they thought. But when he began to say to them, "No what you need is to be born again. You need transformation. Your heart is sinful." Ah, they hated that. They wanted a Messiah, a King who would throw off Rome and set up a lovely utopian kingdom. They wanted bread on the table and gas in their cars. Same thing today, folks. What does America really need? Do we really need another government program? Do we really need "The One" politician who can deliver the goods? No, America needs spiritual revival. Not as a nation, but as individuals. We don't even need more Ten Commandment monuments. We need individuals to come to faith in Christ. People need to be rescued from the clutches of their own sin.
• The world is ripe for the coming of the Antichrist. I think its petty and foolish to point to people and say, "they're the antichrist." We don't know who the antichrist is or where he will come from. But our world is gradually setting up for that One Leader who will come and whisper sweet nothings into people's ears and promise them a bright future. Look at the cult of celebrity. Look at how people swoon over their politicians. I don't know about you, but this gives me hope. Hope because I've "read the last page of the Book--and we win."

The sports pages are not usually the place to find discussion of morality, but I was delighted to find a great column in the Sunday Chicago Tribune Sports section. Its an article by Rick Morrissey, criticizing female Olympic athletes who find "liberation" in posing for men's magazines. I'm not sure if Rick is a Christian, but his article certainly draws on Biblical principles. Here is a link.

Gages Lake is pleased to have Laurence Tisdall speaking at our 6PM service, Sept 14th.

In January, for my 30th Birthday, my family bought me an iPod Nano. I had always used an mp3 player, but to have an iPod is awesome. And in the months since, I have realized the value of it.  Wow, I love it. I love it because I podcast and download sermons. Today I was on a plane headed to Tulsa, OK for an engagment with my book, Teen People of the Bible. I heard a fantastic sermon on Jesus dialogue with Nicodemus in John 3. Wow, I learned so much and really felt the Lord speaking to me thru that sermon. I listen to sermons all the time, in the car, working out, etc. Its a worthwhile investment if you don't have one.

Today we took the Teen Explosion Youth Group to Independence Grove. We had a great time--what a great place this is. One thing I really enjoy about living in Lake County is the forest preserves. My friend, Bonnie Thompson Carter and the rest of the Lake County Board do a great job with keeping and protecting these areas so we can enjoy them.

I don't tan well, so tomorrow at church, I may be the red-faced pastor or the sunburned pastor. Nevertheless, I can't wait to preach. We're talking about Jesus' first disciples at the end of John 1. Its the beginning of his public ministry and he purposely called these men. When Jesus says, "Follow ME," he means it.

I was particularly convicted by Jesus words to the Andrew and John, "What are you seeking?" Many follow Christ for the wrong reasons. They want a nice family. They want blessings. They want the good life. All of these are good, but these disciples had it right. They said, in effect, "We want you to be our teacher, our master, our Lord. We want to abide with you and know you."