Over the past few weeks, rioting in Europe and the Middle East has been spawned by cartoons depicting Muhammad in an unpleasant, though possibly accurate, manner. Muslim extremists are outraged by this so-called blasphemous "idolatry" of others through caricatures, even though versions of the cartoons were published in Islamic media as well as those that appeared in the Danish press and in other European newspapers. A few questions immediately come to mind, however. If non-Muslims are "infidels", how can these extremists expect the rest of the world to act as if we were Muslim? How can the non-Muslim world be expected to have in-depth knowledge about every obscure tenet of Islam? And given the violent and vicious actions of these countless Muslim extremists, how can they ever expect to receive any respect of their beliefs if these beliefs produce nothing but hatred and brutality?

Sadly, their fanatical legalism is often politically motivated. Increasing evidence demonstrates that these recent flames of mayhem have been fanned by self-serving political hacks posing as religious leaders in the Middle East and in Europe. Muslim extremists should consider trading in their fanatical legalism for a dose of personal responsibility, which has been historically nonexistent and is still absent. They would serve themselves and the rest of the world well by exchanging their complete self-righteousness for a measure of humility and grace.

Yet again, these thugs and murderers wreak havoc on their own countrymen and innocent victims, all in the name of "Allah". Yet again, their practice of ungodly politics is only thinly veiled under an obvious and unfortunate façade of counterfeit spiritualism. Their inconsistency of action and depravity of spirit contradict their endless claims of godliness.

However, these riots are the latest evidence of a much more serious idolatry that should, in fact, have the undivided attention of these Muslim extremists. They themselves are showing their own true idolatry: their seething hatred, their propensity for utter lack of any culpability, and their inclination toward threats, violence, destruction, and murder. Despite what they claim about "Allah", these are the things that are their true god.

Without meaning any disrespect, I suspect that Muhammad himself would agree that this underlying idolatry of self-centeredness and self-righteousness spawned from the pits of hell is much more critical than anything caused by potentially disrespectful cartoons. Furthermore, I believe "Allah" would be appalled by this pattern of hatred, destruction, and death and would be ashamed that it is perpetually attributed to him.

My Western sensibilities are angered by the violence and inconsistency of these heinous riots. But my Christian heart and mind are saddened and grieved as I witness the grip that Satan has on these people. And I must apply to myself the question I previously asked about Islam’s view of "infidels": I cannot expect unsaved humanity to act any differently than it does.

"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

Muslims, like every other human, have the problem of a heart contaminated by sin, which will ultimately result in death. Muslims, like every other human, need God’s forgiveness and grace. However, His forgiveness and grace cannot be found through following the words of the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad. There is only one Way...only one Door...to having peace with the one true God. God’s forgiveness and grace are only available through the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6

Earlier today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Samuel Alito as the 110th Supreme Court Justice with a vote of 58 to 42. He will be sworn in later today.

I am thankful that this occurred in spite of threats of partisanship and filibuster. I join many Christians and conservatives in rejoicing at this news for what it potentially provides for our country and the correction of the judicial misdirection

According to a FOXNews story, Kanye West has the audacity to pose as Jesus Christ, with a crown of thorns on his head, on the cover of the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone magazine.

The young and outspoken rapper apparently makes remarks about his greatness (no surprise there) and even admits to being addicted to pornography in the interview.

Given the vile torrent of his lyrics undermining anything even slightly resembling morality, and given his utter lack of humility and his truly pitiful addiction to pornography, I am left with only one thing to say.

Mr. West, I know Jesus Christ and have known Him intimately for over 30 years. You are no Jesus Christ!

Growing up as a preacher's kid, I often remember hearing my father use the term "under-shepherd" to describe one of the aspects of being a pastor. As part of my thought process during Pastor Appreciation month, I asked my father about the basis for this term since it doesn’t seem to appear explicitly in Scripture, while the concept certainly exists.

The clearest reference appears in 1 Peter, at a point where Peter is speaking to elders, in general, about their service and about serving God willingly:

...shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2-4

Based on the verb and noun forms of the word translated "shepherd", here we see that elders are to feed and pastor the "flock of God" under the guidance and authority of Jesus Christ as the "Chief Shepherd."

Clear and sobering guidance is given to us as the congregation concerning our relationship with our leadership in Hebrews 13:17 in the context of God-pleasing sacrifices:

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

Furthermore, as a simple matter of Christian conduct, we as the body of Christ are told to

...appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

And finally, from the Gospel of John,

There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. John 1:6-8

In the context of this subject, there are 3 key aspects of these last verses. First of all, John the Baptist was a man; nothing more, nothing less. But he was a man "sent from God"...a clear reference to the Source of his calling, his work, and his ministry. And thirdly, he was a "witness, to testify about the Light" of Jesus Christ.

Every church should ask itself if their pastor and his ministry are consistent with the constraints, expectations, and requirements of these Scripture references as the under-shepherd of the local congregation under the authority of the Chief Shepherd. If so, then "pastor appreciation" should not be something we are reminded to do one month per year. That appreciation should be a natural ongoing expression flowing from the local body of Christ, not for the glory of the pastor or for the congregation, but rather to the glory of the Head of the body, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

When documents related to Harriet Miers' views on abortion 16 years ago were included with her Supreme Court questionnaire, Senator Dianne Feinstein of California said, "This raises very serious concerns about her ability to fairly apply the law without bias in this regard."

Shouldn't this same concern apply to judicial nominees who support abortion, Senator Feinstein? Can they be trusted to fairly apply the law, or should they be viewed as only being able to adjudicate within the confines of their own agenda?

The liberal double standard never ceases to amaze and amuse me!

by Nathan Tabor

"Daddy was a veteran, a Southern Democrat; They oughta get a rich man to vote like that." Those lines from "Song of the South," a legendary hit by the country-rock band Alabama, express the historical sentiment of many in the South. For many years, all right-thinking Southerners were Democrats. After all, the Republicans were the party of Abraham Lincoln and the War of Northern Aggression. Folks down South had neither forgotten nor forgiven Sherman's March to the Sea, or the occupying troops and carpetbaggers who came during Reconstruction.