WOW, what a turnaround!! I had just about given up on the Sox. But tonight they did it against all odds. "The seven-run deficit was the largest overcome in a postseason game since Game 4 of 1929 World Series, according to the Elias Sports Bureau." Maybe they won't make it, but at least they will have gone down fighting. And perhaps they have awakened and will run with it....wouldn't be the first time.

So here is a link to an article on MSNBC talking about the "surprisingly" strong attendance at the Creation Museum that Ken Ham opened up. The interesting thing is the worry of some that this will mess up a good science education. The assumption is still that evolution is the only true science and any science that doesn't back or follow evolution is not science and is anti-intellectual. This despite the fact that there are scientists who are not creationists, but are not evolutionist either. Creation Museum draws big crowds.

Suddenly they start to look like the Sox of yesteryear. Falling apart in the 11th inning the other night seems to have unnerved them. Several hitters haven't had any hits in this series. Both Lester and Beckett didn't shut down the oppo. Hopefully tonight will be different. We won't even talk about the latest Patriot game.

It is a fact that we evangelicals have tended to support the Republican party in large measure. One of the main reasons for this has been the important issue of abortion. However, I know of dear Christian people who love God and have Christ as their savior who are democrats. We must be careful that we don't confuse our faith with our politics and even more important that we don't abandon our faith and oneness over politics. I think it is safe to say that neither party represents God. There are numerous "Christian/Biblical" issues that one party or the other get wrong. Caring for the poor, a Biblical imperative, loving your brother, valuing life. I am not trying to make a political argument, but rather a Biblical perspective. What is my point? I am increasingly uncomfortable by the tenor of the rallies of McCain/Palin. Lately, some have seemed to revolve, not around policy, but around innuendo, hatred, and bigotry. As a Christian, I CANNOT approve of this. If you want to vote against the democratic ticket because of its stands, that is one thing. To do so out of hatred or bigotry...I just have a hard time squaring that with our Biblical call. Here is a great quote from Maine legend, Margaret Chase Smith. She was referring to the work of Joseph McCarthy who accused people of being communists. I think this is a great quote and I have emailed it to the McCain campaign.

"The nation sorely needs a Republican victory. But I don't want to see the Republican Party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny -- Fear, Ignorance, Bigotry and Smear. I doubt if the Republican Party could -- simply because I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest".

Again, I am not making ANY political endorsement here. I am NOT discussing my own choice in this election. As a pastor, I am staying out of that. I DO feel that whatever our political persuasions and reasons, that they, and the way we pursue our political beliefs, should be rooted strongly and centrally in our faith and identity in Christ. **NEW** This article represents some progress.

I recently did a radio show on confession. In the Peacemaking Church series, the topic for Sunday after next is confession. Here is a link to a story about a man who sought the freedom of confession for a very small crime after a very long time. STORY