I can honestly and unequivocally say that there isn't a person on this planet that I hate. Many rub me the wrong way, but I usually write them off as misdirected or uninformed!

I suppose there are a few folks that hate me. I get emails every time I write a commentary. Many call me hateful. But I really can't control the emotions of another person. As teenagers like to say--it's on them.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Do you consider work a bad thing? Isn't it something we all do to "earn a living"? If you were recruited and trained by a CEO wouldn't you be expected to do something to earn your reward?

Why then, is work such a bad word in relationship to our faith? Can you imagine telling your boss that you don't have to produce anything because you have been hired "by grace"? Grace got you hired alright, but you have to work if you want to be paid.

Spiritual welfare, living off of the efforts of others. That is how most Christians live out their faith. Church is the one place you can be a member and never have to do anything. It is sort of like a Greyhound bus. Get your ticket to Heaven, and "leave the driving to us."

I saw a clip on the TV the other night that really got me thinking. That's dangerous, you know, me thinking. My wife often tells me that I spend too much time talking to myself. I tell her that I am the only one who understands me.

But I digress.

The TV clip was of a man outside of his burning home. Having just returned from his son's ballgame, he was shocked to discover flames shooting out of the top of his roof. In a panic he sprinted towards the garage and emerged dragging a yellow water hose over his shoulder. As he desperately connected the end of the hose to the outdoor spigot, one of his well-meaning neighbors cried out to him.

I continue to be astounded by the breakneck speed at which the agenda of anti-God activists is being expanded.

Just in the past week the following stories have caught my eye.

Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

I picked up the paper today and read about another city that was attempting to outlaw smoking. It is amazing to me to see how much time and attention we spend on the issue. In fact, the amount of money spent on the body and care-of-the-body issues is astounding. Now don’t get me wrong, I care about my physical condition and believe that we should take care of ourselves, but doesn’t it, in the long run, seem so futile? Aren’t we all, at some point, going to die? Won’t we all return to dust?

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Better warn you up-front. This is not for the easily offended. If you are looking to "feel good" you'd be better off reading something from Rick Warren or Joel Osteen. And please don't send me any emails telling me how mean-spirited I am, that I need more love, or that I need to meet Jesus.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion... - 1st amendment US Constitution

I see signs of life. Southern Baptists leaders are once again calling for the development of an exit strategy from government schools. You should read Albert Mohler’s powerful commentary on the need to remove our kids from government schools.

Everything is great, they tell us.

The economy is booming, unemployment is down, home ownership is up, and the Dow is sky-rocketing. Everywhere you look building projects are flourishing, and, of course, we are winning the war on terror.

Did you ever play the game “telephone”? You know how it goes. Sit around in a circle and one person whispers in the ear of the person sitting beside him a phrase. That person then whispers the phrase to the person sitting next in the circle. The third person does likewise until everyone in the circle has had the phrase repeated to him. Finally, the last person in the circle repeats aloud what it was the original phrase was supposed to have been. It is amazing how twisted the message becomes after it passes through the mouth and ears of those who are carrying the gossip.

Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?

I had never been to Connecticut, The Constitution State, until I was invited there to speak last November. I hopped on a plane, flew into Hartford, and took a one hour drive south to the small town of Bethel.