Separation of Stupid and State

Can I be Thomas Jefferson and add a catchphrase to our national dialogue... I am calling for "Separation of STUPID and State."

This morning, I was watching CNN and they were talking about President Obama's flop on homosexual marriage. The guest was Dr. Tony Evans, a pastor from the Dallas area. Dr. Evans was appealing to Christians to respect the authority of the Scriptures when a voice comes into the discussion with the penultimate argument for those who have no argument. It was Dee Snyder from Twisted Sister yelling, "what about separation of church and state?"

OK, I actually know what Thomas Jefferson was saying when he wrote to the BAPTISTS about "separation of church and state," and agree with his stance that the government should not be run by the church. But what he was not intending was that any time there was a moral debate, for those who have no real argument to yell a slogan that they use to reject any moral authority in their lives.

Dee, We're Not Gonna Take It. So, when I hear that phrase any more, my natural response is going to be to request "SEPARATION OF STUPID AND STATE!"

Rant over...

There are serious issues to be decided in our culture. We should have real debate about issues, intentions, affects, and what authority God and the Scriptures have in the process. I don't want to skip the process on my side, but could the other side please stop being stop being stupid and actually debate real issues instead of throwing out platitudes anytime they disagree.

On May 6, 2012 Harvest Ridge Church celebrated 20 years. At the beginning of the service, I read several comments about how people's lives have been changed attending HRC. I wanted to post these somewhere, because the people who gave these testimonies are the reason we "do church."

- The love acceptance, and couragement has brought healing to our hearts.
- God has brought healing and renewal.
- Since coming to HRC, God has renewed my walk... Jesus has never been so real.
- God redeemed me from an anger issue.
- Brought my wife and I to rededication to our Lord; baptism and a new hope for our future.
- I feel whole and loved again.
- Two of the enemies lies were broken once I started here.
- Harvest Ridge has given me a place to belong. I have family and friends again.
- Saved my marriage 17 years ago... my church family and Life group family have made me a better person.
- I really felt like a wave tossed in the sea; I now belong.
- After visting HR, I was filled with the overflowing of the Holy Spirit which led me to rededicate my life to Christ.
- The truth saved our family. (Long Story, Short Answer)
- Our son was injured playing football and the Dr. said, "He should be in a coma." Instead, he is in full time ministry.
- God's power saved my marriage, my family and used His timing to provide me with a job.
- It was through HRC that I learned to have a personal relationship wiht Jesus.
- I was not condemned. This has been a safe place to heal and be restored.

In the past 20 years, over 1300 people have made a profession to follow Christ at HRC and 331 have been baptized in water. And, HRC has given over $1.2 million to world ministries.

This post reveals why I love HRC. I can't wait to see what God does in the next 20 years.