Obama's Pastor & The Frog

Steve Brown March 20th, 2008

It’s not an uncommon problem. In fact, I have a degree of sympathy for Barack Obama.

What do you do when your pastor says really stupid things?

It’s not that I have to apologize for my pastor. I’m thankful that I don’t; but, frankly, I suspect that a lot of friends have had to apologize for me.

If you ever visit the Key Life building, you should note a cartoon that hangs on the wall in the lobby. It’s a picture of a pastor standing in front of a shocked congregation…their eyes wide, their hair standing on end and incredulity all over their faces.

The caption reads, “Now Steve didn’t really mean what you thought he meant.”

When Obama vigorously disavows the comments of his pastor, I think of the “eat the frog syndrome.” That’s when someone seems sane, balanced and rational, and just when you are about to join the club…a frog hops across the floor and the formerly sane, balanced and rational man or woman picks it up and eats it.

Rev. Wright ate a big, juicy frog and Obama has to explain it.

Obama said that his pastor told him about Jesus and taught him about his obligation to love others, to care for the sick, to feed the hungry and to help the poor. I’m sure that all of Rev. Wright’s sermons weren’t as divisive, hate-filled and wrong-headed as the ones we’ve seen and heard in the media. I know that black anger isn’t totally without reason and that preachers get caught up in the excitement of the moment and…well…uh…say stuff that might cause them to wince when they have an attack of sanity.

Okay. But there’s still the frog.

As you know, I wasn’t going to vote for Obama anyway, so I don’t have a horse in this race. But I do like Obama and wish him well in trying to explain the unexplainable and defend the indefensible. That’s a hard place to be…especially with a beloved friend or pastor.

And then, I do feel constrained to say something about Rev. Wright. If I knew Rev. Wright, I would say this to him and not about him:

I know, I know. I’m a preacher and have said some really stupid things in my day and probably will again. But good heavens, man! What were you thinking? Are you out of your mind? You’re a pastor and you’re supposed to help this love thing along…not bury it in a pile of hateful manure.

I know about justified anger and I think I somewhat understand the black/white thing…but you’re about Jesus. Okay? He did the cross in the face of this stuff. You made an obscene gesture.

I’m not your mother. But if I were you, I’d repent.

If you don’t repent, Jesus will still love you.

I’ll try too.

But a bunch of Democrats and Republicans might not.

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My Vote

Steve Brown March 5th, 2008

I haven’t decided how I’m going to vote.

Wait!

That’s a lie!

It’s generally said by people who either 1) don’t have political opinions or convictions, 2) don’t want to offend and/or 3) suffer from the malady of perfectionism. I’m opinionated, offensive and, given my proclivity to screw things up, it would be insane for me to be a perfectionist.

So, I’m going to vote Republican. Okay? I’m going to pull the lever for McCain. I may have to hold my nose, ask God’s forgivenes … (Read More)

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Tears for Brittney

Steve Brown February 28th, 2008

I cried for Brittney Spears the other day.

I was glad that nobody was around to see it. I’m a guy, okay? Guys only cry at football games and funerals…and certainly not over a rich, spoiled, celebrity brat.

As a mother, Brittney Spears makes Joan Crawford look like Olivia Walton. She represents the worst of America’s celebrity fixation and is the answer to why one shouldn’t give a bottle of whiskey and the car keys to a teenager. She is incredibly shallow and narcissistic, without h … (Read More)

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Still Truckin'

Steve Brown February 18th, 2008

Well, I’m going to be around for awhile.

I just finished my regular physical. I have one every ten years whether I need it or not. I went through all the tests…including a colonoscopy. (I would rather go to the dentist. He only sticks things in my mouth.)

My doctor checked my blood pressure and it was very good.

His went up.

Greg, my doctor and friend, loves me and wants to save my life, but he can’t find anything wrong. I smoke a pipe, eat what I like and exercise only sporadicall … (Read More)

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Disturbed & Concerned (Part 2)

Steve Brown February 7th, 2008

Maybe it’s an unusual amount of critical emails and letters, maybe it’s the book Erik and I are working on (Three Free Sins) or maybe it’s that my parents potty trained me wrong.

If you were “listening” the last time I wrote here, you know that I was going through my normal, self-centered, anal questions about me.

We all know it’s about me.

I told you that God laughed at me…and that, in his laughter, I felt released from my obsessiveness and started laughing at myself.

Then I tol … (Read More)

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Disturbed & Concerned (Part 1)

Steve Brown February 5th, 2008

A number of years ago, I realized that God had given me a “platform” and it was insane that I should have it. I wasn't good enough and I didn't know enough.

Nevertheless, there it was. I didn't ask for it, I didn't want it, and it scares the spit out of me.

This morning I spent considerable time defending what I do to a dear friend who is “disturbed” and “concerned” about me, the directions in which I'm going in ministry, and the things I'm saying and … (Read More)

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