James' Journal on the Web

As some of you already know, my neice, Stephanie Adcox, is being treated for severe eating disorders. You can read more about her at http://www.supportsteph.com/

Please keep Stephanie in your prayers, and please also pass this along to your churches and any prayer chains you are involved in.

Thanks,
James

Every other Thursday, I look forward to picking up a copy of USA Today and reading the “Common Ground” column co-written by Bob Beckel , a veteran liberal Democratic activist, and Cal Thomas, a noted conservative columnist. The column’s descriptive blurb tells us that in spite of their political differences, the two are longtime friends and can often find agreement where politicians cannot. In today’s cutthroat political environment, I find this approach to be not only refreshing, but absolutely vital to our nation’s future.

The scenario is all too familiar: A conservative politician will announce a new terrorist threat or a liberal will promote new research on global warming. In either case, the actual substance of the issue is largely ignored. Instead, the opposition party will immediately begin a campaign to discredit the other side. After all, we can’t let one of “them” take credit for doing something positive for our country. All the while, the people’s safety and best interest are sacrificed at the bloody altar of “gotcha” politics. Does that disturb you? It should.

I am a conservative on most issues. Yet I want to see an end to war, poverty and racism just as much as my liberal friends do. While we may disagree on some of the means to these noble ends, we can be civil and charitable in our discussion of them. Furthermore, I recognize that apart from those on the left, these vital issues might not even be discussed.

Please don’t misunderstand: I am not advocating a superficial, “warm-and-fuzzy” type of unity. I recognize that the differences are there, and that they are often quite significant. Nor should civility be used as a front for lack of passion or conviction. There are times when a non-compromising attitude is both commendable and necessary. But compromise is not always a bad thing. In fact, it would be impossible to accomplish anything worthwhile without it. For example, if our only available options are helping some poor people or helping none, reducing some greenhouse gasses or reducing none, preventing some abortions or preventing none, aren’t the choices pretty obvious?

As a former professor of mine pointed out, it is possible to be opponents without being enemies. Examples would include Republican President Eisenhower and Democratic House Speaker Sam Rayburn. Another would be President Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill. More recently, we have been seeing former Vice President Al Gore’s innovative TV ads addressing global warming and climate change. Did you ever think you would see the Reverends Pat Robertson and Al Sharpton on the same platform? What about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her predecessor, Newt Gingrich? While I am no fan of Gore’s politics, I commend him for seeking to heal the partisan divide in this manner.

I realize that I walk a thin line here, as I write primarily about religiously themed issues. As a self-professed “theology geek” (and recently ordained minister), that is simply “what I do.” I feel that this is an important contribution, as practically every major issue we face can be traced back to what one believes about God and ultimate reality. However, as one who does believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth (and that truth, by nature, is a divisive thing), there are challenges involved in making the point in a way that avoids creating unnecessary division. In biblical terminology, that is called being a “repairer of the breach.”

In our current Presidential race, I was initially a supporter of Gov. Mike Huckabee. I saw him as a man of integrity who shared many of my political convictions, yet was willing to think “outside the box” on other issues. Now that the nominees have been decided, I must admit that Sen. McCain has showed many of the same qualities I admired in Huckabee. Despite the rantings of the pseudo-messiahs on talk radio, I see McCain’s independent streak as a positive thing.

Our two most recent presidential administrations have been among the most contentious and divisive in history. The next president, whomever that may be, will have a real opportunity to act as a healer. Let us hope that opportunity will not be squandered.

Seriously, though, this is one of the greatest honors of my life, and one that I take very, very seriously. I have felt the calling on my life for a long time, but when I tried to pursue it before, the door closed. In hindsight, it was just as well because I wasn't ready. If I had managed to go into ministry back then, I would have fallen flat on my face. After a great deal of struggle, I put it to rest, deciding that I would be content to serve God as a layman. I told Him that if He wanted me in the ministry, He would have to be the One who brought it up. For several years, that was how things went. But then...

Things seemed to happen one after the other to show me that God was taking my life in a new direction. He opened up many new relationships, especially with my pastors, Larry and Diane Keith, and new opportunities, such as teaching classes for the Bible Training Center at church. Over time, I would hear things through prophetic words, as well as personal conversations that confirmed things verbatim that I had prayed about for years. When Pastor Keith made the offer for me to be ordained, I had peace in my heart that the time was right.

The initial service took place at Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, Michigan (http://www.woficc.com/). That place is amazing! It says a lot for the church when you can walk into a place filled with people you've never met, and to immediately feel you are with family. The worship was awesome! It was their annual convention and they had a number of prominant speakers including John Hagee, Joyce Meyer and the Copelands. The ordination was on Thurday night, presided over by Bishop Keith Butler, the church's senior pastor and overseeing bishop over the network of churches which my home church is affiliated with. There must have been 50-100 people ordained from churches all over the world. In last Sunday morning's service, Pastor Keith performed a "miniature" version of the ordination for our home church as well. It was a remarkable experience.

I'm so excited to be serving in this capacity, but I know full well that I have accepted an enormous responsibility. To step into ministry is to step onto very holy ground. Prayers are greatly appreciated, and I'll keep you posted!

She looks like me, don't you think? I guess it IS the hair!

Esme - French - Loved



Davan - Irish, David, Feminine - Beloved



Chaela -Hebrew - Who is like God



Caitlin - Irish - Pure



Giselle - German - A Pledge



Kendra - Anglo-Saxon - understanding, knowledge



Kirsten - Greek - Christian



Gianna - Hebrew - God's Grace

Gabrielle - Hebrew - God is my Strength


Miriam - Hebrew - longed for child


Sofia/Sophia - greek - wisdom

Caleb - Hebrew - Faithful, bold


Ethan - Hebrew - Strong, Firm


Galen - Gaelic - Calm


Ian - Scottish - God is gracious


Karsten - Greek - Christian


Liam - Irish - Unwavering Protector


Riley - Valient


Tobey - hebrew - God is good

Last week, we went for the baby's Nuchal Fold test, which screens for chromasome-related defects. This was the test that first revealed that there were problems with Bella. Going into that lab was a really surreal experience, as the last time I was there was the time they told us that Bella had no heartbeat.

The good news is that this time, everything was exacty as it was supposed to be! The fluid sac on the back of the neck (which is the focus of the test) was around 1.4 cm (Bella's was over 4). The baby is currently about two inches long, and the heartbeat is around 166 beats per minute, all well within the normal range.

On a lighter note, the tech asked us which one of us the baby looked like, and Sandi replied "It doesnt have any hair, so it looks like him" :-)

For those of you who are so inclined, continued prayers are greatly appreciated. I'll keep you posted!

But my support for Gov. Huckabee goes beyond the stereotypical moral/religious issues (although he certainly gets high marks in that department). I respect his down-to-earth style, his common-sense approach and his willingness to think outside the box. While some on the far right criticize him on issues such as health care and immigration, I see that as a positive. It shows me that he is willing to think for himself, instead of simply being a partisan "lemming."

So for my two cents worth, I'll simply say that "I Like Mike."

What is eve more remarkable is that, after our most recent unsuccessful attempt, she had stopped taking her fertility medicine. Her doctors had said that conception would be next to impossible without them, especially at her age. Of course, God obviously has other plans! Plus, it was exactly a year to the date that we found out that she was pregnant with Bella.

Thanks so much to all who prayed, and please keep it up!

So what do I think about it? Not much.

Don't misunderstand me: I am as outraged as anyone whenever I see Jesus defamed, and I believe the outcry from the Christian community stems from very noble motives. But I also recognize that it is giving her exactly what she wants: publicity.

We shouldn't be so surprised when sinners act like sinners. A child of the devil will do the lusts of his/her father (John 8:44). By drawing unwarranted attention to Ms. Griffin's actions, we are playing right into her hands.

Ms. Griffin, in the most minuscule chance that you might someday read this, the Jesus you mock still loves you. What not lay aside your prejudices and examine His claims for yourself? You might be surprised!

Those who knew Falwell personally, both friends and enemies, describe him as a thoughtful, generous man with a disarming sense of humor. Even arch pornographer Larry Flynt, who crossed swords with Falwell many times, said that “My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, (he) and I became good friends.”

Falwell’s rise to power is a fascinating study in the shifting paradigms of twentieth century politics. The year was 1980, and the administration of incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter was coming apart at the seams. A horrendous economy, soaring gas prices and American hostages in Iran left Americans loudly crying out for change. In addition, many conservative Christian voters who actively supported Carter (a devout Southern Baptist) felt very betrayed when the President’s liberal leanings began to show. Enter Jerry Falwell.

On the Republican side, Ronald Reagan was preaching a revival of Barry Goldwater inspired conservativism. Although Goldwater’s far-right crusade had failed miserably sixteen years earlier, Reagan mixed it with a warm optimism and a Christian-based social conscience on issues such as abortion and school prayer. With Falwell’s help, Reagan rallied the disenfranchised faithful, crushed Carter and became one of the most influential presidents of modern times. For better or worse, the new alliance between Evangelical Christians and the Republican Party was set.

Obviously, we cannot view these sort of events uncritically. Did the Republican Party suddenly undergo a religious revival in 1980? We may hope so, but remember, we are talking about politicians here. It is also noteworthy that Barry Goldwater himself was never comfortable with this new partnership, famously stating that “Every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the a**”.

Consequentially, some have questioned the validity of Falwell’s activism on legal grounds. Did the Reverend promote an illegitimate union between Church and State? I would answer a qualified no. Contrary to what some may claim, being a member of the clergy does not take away a person’s free speech rights. The law only prohibits ministers from endorsing candidates from the pulpit or from using church funds to support political campaigns. On their “own time,” they are perfectly free to speak at rallies, knock on doors and support their candidates of choice in whatever way the see fit.

At the same time, while Falwell’s right-wing crusades may have been legal, the question remains, were they wise? Although people of faith certainly have vital roles to play in the public arena, was all of the “Wrap the Flag Around the Cross” bravado really the best way to get the point across? The fruits of these efforts, at best, were mixed. Conservative pundit Cal Thomas, a former associate of Falwell’s, rightly points out that:

“The flaw in the movement was the perception that the church had become an appendage to the Republican Party and one more special interest group to be pampered. If one examines the results of the Moral Majority's agenda, little was accomplished in the political arena and much was lost in the spiritual realm, as many came to believe that to be a Christian meant you also must be ‘converted’ to the Republican Party and adopt the GOP agenda and its tactics.”

Nonetheless, the many positives of Falwell’s legacy will live on through his family, through the great church and university he founded, and through the lives of the countless faithful whom he inspired to make a difference in a dark world. Whether we agree with all of his methods or not, those are achievements that can all respect and learn from.

Furthermore, we should have some baby related news very soon. Sandi is scheduled to take a pregnancy test on September 10, so for those of you who are so inclined, prayers are greatly appreciated. We are also planning to meet with an attorney this week to discuss my officially adopting the girls. Even though they have known me as "Daddy" from the very beginning, it will be nice to make it official. The idea of them legally bearing my name is very exciting.

Along those lines, I have a funny story to pass along. This morning in church, I found the worship to be especially moving. During the offertory, they were singing a beautiful song while I sat cuddling little Zoe in my lap. I had my eyes closed, thanking God for all His wonderful blessings and how wonderful it was to have our family in church together. All of a sudden, she said "Daddy, your breath stinks!" and slid out of my lap. After my laughter subsided, I did remind myself that I HAD brushed my teeth before we left home!

Speaking of church, it looks like I will be teaching a Bible class starting this fall. I am really pumped about it, as this is something I have dreamed of doing for years. I am meeting with Pastor Keith this week to discuss the details. Again, prayers are appreciated and I'll keep you posted!

On a slightly downer note, I won't be continuing my newspaper column this fall after all. Sure I was disappointed, but life goes on and as you can see, I have plenty of other things on my plate as it is. Plus, I can always try again in the spring. In the meantime, I have a couple of columns that I was planning to use that I will try to post here later in the week. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a great holiday!

Current Location: Watching "Mars Attacks" with my daughter, Neely
Current Mood: hopeful

August is a bittersweet month for Sandi and me. On the positive side: We celebrated our one year anniversary on August 12! It has certainly gone by quickly, but it has been a real blessing. She is a wonderful wife and I am so thankful to have her and the girls in my life.

At the same time, there is sadness as August 21 was to be the day Bella arrived. She has been on my mind a lot lately (of course, she always is). Her gravestone also arrived recently. Every time I look at her pictures, I see more and more of myself, if that makes sense. I guess the closer it gets to the day, the more I think of what it would have been like once she joined us, cuddling her and bouncing her on my knee. However, with Sandi's doctor's approval, we are once again in the process of trying to conceive. Prayers are much appreciated, and I'll keep you posted.

Along those lines, we recently received a powerful Prophetic Word from our good friend, Pastor Larry Keith. He prophesied that God would return what had been stolen from us 100 fold (hopefully that means quality, not necessarily quantity :-), that there was a special seal on us as a couple and that God was going to use me in ministry. At any rate, it sounds exciting!

On a lighter note, I turned 40 last June 20. I wasn't nearly as dramatic for me as it some people describe. I guess I've always been a late bloomer. But I do have happiness now that always seemed to elude me when I was younger. As I mentioned, I have a great wife, two beautiful girls and planning on at least one more. Sure there have been difficulties, but God is still good, and in Him, our future is secure.

The famed culinary writer Brillat-Savarin observed that “The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.” For those of us in the “Chile Head” community, these discoveries are a regular part of our lives. Chile peppers and hot sauces are a real passion of mine. I eat them almost every day in some form or another. A touch of heat will add an entirely new dimension to meats, vegetables or even desserts!

After dealing with some pretty intense subjects these past few months, I thought this might be a fun way to round out the semester. For those of you who are “uninitiated” and want to learn more about the subject of fiery foods, a good place to begin is to simply recommend a few of my favorite sauces. If, once you have sampled some of them, you decide to pursue the hobby further; you are in for a fun ride! Whatever your food preferences, hopefully you will find at least one you like. So fasten your seat belts, put a roll of bath tissue in the freezer (you’ll need it later, trust me) and give some of these a try!

1. Melinda's XXXX Special Reserve- A simple, but delicious habanero sauce, this is great on burgers or tacos. Melinda’s is a good starting point for those who are new to the hot sauce world. If you want to sample the flavor of the mighty habanero in a more “controlled” setting, this one is for you.

2. Busha Brown's Pukka Sauce –This is a Jamaican sauce made from the fiery Scotch Bonnet pepper, which is a relative of the habanero.

3. Blair's Original Death Sauce- Blair Gardner invented this legendary sauce to rid his Jersey Shore restaurant of annoying late night drunks. It has an excellent habanero flavor with smoky chipotle undertones. Although there are hotter variations available (i.e. “Sudden Death,” “Mega Death” and “New Jersey Death”), none of them come near to the original in terms of quality and taste. It makes a great dipping sauce for chicken tenders or seafood.

4. San-J Schezuan Sauce- Oriental foods, especially Thai and Schezuan Chinese, are well known for their fiery potency. In my experience, San-J is the best sauce of its kind. It adds an excellent fiery flavor to any Asian dish.

5. Krakatoa! by CaJohn- Pure Red Savina habanero mash. Need I say more? Legendary sauce maker John “CaJohn” Hard does a great job of capturing the intense heat and wonderful, fruity flavor of one of the world's hottest peppers. It goes great in a bowl of chili on a cold day!

6. Tabasco-An American icon for over 130 years, I would be remiss if I didn't pay tribute to the sauce that started it all. Sure it’s not overly hot, but its sunny flavor compliments most any dish, plus you are tasting history every time you use it!

7. Dave's Original Insanity Sauce-No collection is complete without this legendary creation. Made with pepper extract (the key ingredient in pepper spray) this sauce was actually banned from a fiery foods competition, and is responsible for a whole new category. It is probably the most influential hot sauce since Tabasco.

8. Marie Sharp’s Fiery Hot Habanero Sauce-Although not quite as “fiery” as the name suggests, this unique, carrot based sauce still has a nice flavor which will compliment a wide variety of foods. It is a little too salty for my taste, but its versatility will make it a worthwhile addition to your collection.

9. Vicious Viper- In the tradition of Dave’s Insanity, CaJohn offers this brutal, extract based creation. Yes, it is incredibly hot, but it also has a tropical fruitiness which will quickly prove to be addictive!

Unfortunately, some of these might be a bit hard to find in store shelves. Here in the East Tennessee area, by far the best source is the Pepper Palace in Gatlinburg (www.pepperpalace.com). In Knoxville, the best selection I have found is at the Gourmet Market in Bearden. Regardless, you should easily be able to find all of them on the internet. Happy hunting, and have a great summer!

"While the other side is out bombing clinics, we'll be electing candidates!" This quote, from the late California senator Alan Cranston, reflects a very destructive trend in the abortion wars. All too frequently, the attempt is made to generalize the entire pro life movement as being a group of far-right fanatics bent on using violence and coercion to enforce their agenda. Of course, such fallacious logic ignores two important facts:

1. These tactics are thoroughly denounced by 99.9% of the pro life community, and

2. Violence and extremism occur on the pro choice side as well.

Between 1994 and 1998, when abortion related violence was at its peak, there were seven reported murders performed by self styled anti-abortion militants (I will not call these criminals "pro life"). While this is certainly seven too many, there have been far fewer abortion providers killed on the job than in many other professions. It is also noteworthy that when pro life President George W. Bush was elected, the numbers dropped even more dramatically. Nonetheless, in every case, the true pro life movement forcefully and universally condemned these heinous acts. In the words of pro life liberal Jim Trageser:

“I have vehemently condemned these attacks for the exact same reason I condemn abortion -- we do not have the right to take another's life…To suggest I am guilty or share the blame for these abominable attacks is to stretch the meaning of personal responsibility beyond all reasonable recognition. By this logic, Martin Luther King Jr. was responsible for the Black Panthers because both sought equality for blacks. Extend this argument to its logical conclusion, and Abraham Lincoln shares the guilt for John Brown's terrorism because both opposed slavery…Any effort to stigmatize the entire pro-life movement because of what a few terrorists claim as their motive is nothing more than emotional blackmail.”

Furthermore, pro lifers are often the very ones involved in bringing the perpetrators to justice. When a Birmingham, Alabama abortion clinic was bombed, it was a chapter of Feminists for Life who offered a reward for the guilty person’s arrest. Similarly, Priests for Life, under the leadership of Fr. Frank Pavone, has also offered substantial rewards for fugitives in clinic violence cases.

We must also note that violent extremism is certainly not exclusive to the pro life side. There have also been many criminal acts performed by pro choice radicals. In fact, Human Life International (www.hli.org) has documented over 7000 incidents of criminal activity by pro choice extremists. They include 880 homicides and other killings, 86 attempted murders, 23 arsons and bombings, 787 assaults, 1,798 sex crimes (including 169 rapes), 59 kidnappings, 420 cases of vandalism, 270 drug-related crimes and .1,577 medical crimes. Some examples:

In 1993, pro choice activist Eileen Ornstein Janezik shot and killed Jerry Simon, who was a minister, radio host and pro life activist. Janezik then continued to hold police at bay for six more hours.

In 1994, abortion provider Alicia Ruiz Hanna was convicted of murdering her patient, Angela Sanchez after Sanchez died at her clinic. Hanna then attempted to stuff Sanchez's body into the trunk of her car, as Sanchez's four children looked on.

in 1998, pro choice activist Alfred E. Smith was convicted of murdering his ex girlfriend, Deena Moody, specifically because she refused to have an abortion.

Regardless of which side of the abortion debate you happen to be on, we should all be horrified by these sort of tactics. How we view the abortion issue largely reflects how we view life, sex, religion and many other "hot button" topics. While meaningful dialog and debate are to be encouraged, we should all find common ground in denouncing violence and extremism wherever it is found. No matter how noble one may perceive their cause to be, violence is never a justifiable way to promote it. To do so is the very definition of terrorism.