Re-Considering Rick Warren

Expecting the worst (in terms of the popular trend of evangelical pandering to the political left out of embarrassment for being seen as part of the religious right) from the Saddleback forum a couple of weeks ago, I was actually quite impressed with Warren's questions for the candidates and his post-show comments here and there.

Here is a WSJ interview with more encouragement for my cautiously growing respect. Sample:

In our interview, he recalls that tolerance used to be the idea that you "treat others with respect." Now, he laments, it has come to mean that "all ideas are equally valid." And so you can begin to understand why some people today are not happy with the idea of tolerance. But Mr. Warren aims to return Americans to that old view. Despite his calm demeanor, his easy laugh and his casual dress, there doesn't seem to be a relativist bone in Mr. Warren's body.

Lakeland "Outpouring" Analysis from Charisma
We have been watching with fascination and at times horror for several months the satellite TV (GodTV) coverage of the Todd Bentley thing in Florida. What did it mean? Is this Christianity? Is there something wrong with me for finding it appalling? Now that it has imploded, Charisma editor J. Lee Grady offers a post mortem, asks the right questions, and pretty much says what needs to be said. God bless him, good stuff.

Happy Birthday Mrs. D!

You are an amazing person, wife, mother, grandma, teacher, leader, friend, blogger, book-keeper, Bible student, hostess, party-thrower, googler, fearless spokesperson, writer, story-teller, trend analyst, maker of clam chowder, food expert, trip-planner, weeper-with-those-who-weep, smeller of rats, rejoicer-with-those-who rejoice, speed-related card games player, political junkie, expert on all things MWSmith, gift giver, and the list goes on...

This is your day!
Love,
Mr. D

P.S. Say Happy Birthday to her here.