The Doctor Is In(sensitive)

Let me say from the onset, I have only heard Dr. Laura's show a couple of times. I actually share many of her conservative convictions. From what I understand, she usually has very practical, many times even biblical advise for her listeners. Yesterday, she got it dead wrong!

If you missed the coverage of what happened, here's a brief explanation: An African American woman called into the show to complain about her Caucasian husband whose friends and family often make racial comments that make the woman really uncomfortable. The doctor immediately suggested that the lady might just be over-sensitive then proceeded to demonstrate some of the greatest insensitivity a person could muster. When the woman (very politely) informed Dr. Laura that they even use the 'N' word sometimes, the radio host pointed out that many in the black community call each other that word all the time and that it bothers her because it seems to be a double standard. She went on to point out that we now have an African American president, implying that people should just get over it and move on.

To her credit, Dr. Laura issued an apology today, but the damage is done. You just can't simply unsay the things she said. The interesting thing is, I think I understand where she's coming from, to a degree. No one should use the 'N' word and if someone is truly against racism, they should never justify the use of it under any circumstances. I also agree that it seems like the election of our first black president should have leveled the playing field a little bit and yet the opposite seems to have actually happened. Now if one doesn't agree with the policies of the president, they're accused of being a racist. There is a frustration rising among whites these days, but it does not give anyone a license to do and say the things Dr. Laura did yesterday. There are deep wounds in the African American community from years of bigoted mistreatment, but that doesn't give anyone the right to slap the 'racist' label on people who aren't.

I suppose racism may be more deeply rooted than ever before in some segments of both the black and white communities, but there are many of us that want it to go away once and for all and never rear it's ugly head again! It's true that some may be over-sensitive, but in my opinion the greater sin would be insensitivity! So instead of peddling bad advice to unsuspecting listeners, I would admonish Dr. Laura, Physician - Heal thyself!

A King Meets His King

R.S. King, a beloved pastor for over forty years here in Acadiana, went home to be with the Lord Monday at 91 years old. What an incredible legacy he leaves behind. This is one of a hand full of men who came into south Louisiana in the early 20th Century and paved the way for Evangelical Pentecostalism in this area. Without guys like Pastor King, Crossroads Church would not exist today and we thank God for this wonderful man and the ministry God gave him. He was a pastor's pastor.  When I first arrived in Lafayette in the mid 80's I rarely visited a hospital without running into the man. He was always there, reaching out to the sick and the needy. The Bible talks about those of whom this fallen world is not worthy and R.S. King would certainly fit in that category. He wore his name well. He was a king among men and now this king has finally met his King at his heavenly home! 

His funeral will be held at First Assembly of God in Youngsville Saturday, August 14 at 1:00 p.m. 

Celebrate Our Progress

Well, the day has finally arrived! After almost three years our plans are drawn, our financing is secured, our contractor is hired and this week, we break ground on our new Fifteen Hundred-seat Worship Center. Our contract states that it will be completed by October of 2011, just fourteen months from now! The expansion will include a large gathering area, a nice cafe and bookstore and a new office area for all of our staff except our Youth and Master's Commission personnel whose offices will be housed in our existing facility. That facility will be renovated and completely turned over to Youth and Children's Ministry, providing enough room for those departments to literally triple in size.

With our new auditorium we will be able to go to two weekend services and accommodate Three Thousand adults. Our Children's Ministry typically runs 1/3 of our adult numbers, so with just two services we could accommodate Four Thousand people and with three services we could accommodate Six Thousand people! That's more than twice what we're currently averaging each weekend!

I have no doubt that it won't take that long for us to need to go to three services! I can see this expansion taking the lid off our growth and allowing us to explode! We will draw up plans for a third phase the minute we need to go to a third service so we don't repeat the mistakes of the past.

I know the construction will provide plenty of inconveniences for those who attend our services week to week, but our people are so excited about making room for increase they will be thrilled to patiently endure the next fourteen months. The truth is, Crossroads Church has never been that convenient to attend as it is! People attend a church located in a very difficult location to get to (we're the church everyone can see and few people can find), endure difficulty parking and finding a seat, select from multiple services and bring their children up and down stairs to their classes because God is present in our services and lives are being changed!

Normally, when a store or a place of business has construction work going on, they'll post a sign that says "Pardon our progress." I think our sign will say "Celebrate our progress!"

Let the celebration begin!

Louisiana Laziness

Wow. This one hurt! A recent article in Business Weekly declared Louisiana the laziest state in America. Considering how lazy Americans are in general, it's a pretty insulting concept. The study states that a lack of access to fitness areas contributes to the laziness title.

I know I'm just one Louisianian, but I've decided to accept the challenge this article presents and get a little retrospective. I wouldn't say I'm real lazy, but I guess if I were comparing myself to my dad and the work ethic he had at my age, I'd probably pretty much fit the bill! He was a hard working dude! 

My Uncle Vernon, my dad's brother, preached for me a few weeks ago here at Crossroads and told about a time he and my dad dug a water well at my grandfather's house BY HAND! I can't even imagine it! I remember digging a grave for one of our dogs that died a few years ago and it almost killed me! I seriously wondered if I had dug the grave big enough because I was afraid they might have to burry me in it too! 

When it comes to my job/ministry, I'm not lazy at all. I'm very dedicated and diligent about what God has called me to. I refuse to grow 'comfortable' with where we are in ministry and I'm always working towards doing more and accomplishing more to the glory of God. However - at home - I really need to get off my behind! I have a farm with lots of demands in regards to fix-it-up and keep-it-up work that I often find even the thought of completely OVERWHELMING! Yet, I know if I would just commit myself to the disciplines my father had, my efforts would be so worthwhile. It would ultimately be so good for me and would leave a much smaller pile of wood, hay and stumble when I stand before my maker to answer to Him about how I lived my life in the laziest state in the union!