Starting early Tuesday morning, I had the privilege of participating in a rally on the steps of the United States Supreme Court. That was the day when oral arguments began in the case of Jack Phillips, the owner of the Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado. It is my contention that every Christian in America should watch this case closely, as its implications will be loud and clear in regard to religious freedom – and freedom of speech in general – for all Americans.

Last month I was part of a conference call in which I was able to hear personally from Mr. Phillips. Mr. Phillips seems warm and humble, and he seems to love everybody. Literally, everybody. He told us tearfully some of his story.

The saga began in 2012 when Jack refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding. Though many in the media would have you believe that his actions were bigoted and cruel, I would strongly disagree. Mr. Phillips regularly serves people in the LGBTQ community; several gay persons and proponents of same-sex marriage have risen to his defense, thankfully. What Jack could not do – as an artist – was to create a themed cake which violated his personal and deeply-held religious convictions. He was happy to sell any product which was needed for the planned reception, but he could not create something which violated his conscience. Just for the record, Jack does not create Halloween cakes, and he has refused to bake cakes celebrating divorce, for example. Celebrating those things is simply not who he is as a follower of Jesus Christ. I am reminded of Daniel, and of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Though same-sex marriage was not yet legal in the state and the traditional definition of marriage was enshrined in the state constitution, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission charged Mr. Phillips with discrimination, and the net result of the financial fallout has been the near-destruction of Jack’s business and livelihood – not to mention personal attacks and even death threats.

Let me be clear: if this were a case of refusal to serve someone in a public business, I would agree with Colorado. But let’s look at this from a different political perspective. Would we force an African American painter of outdoor murals – the kind like we have in downtown Paducah – to create paintings celebrating the legacy of the Ku Klux Klan? Not only would that be horribly offensive to the artist, but it would violate the painter’s freedom of speech. For an artist, artwork is speech.

As I was standing there in Washington, D.C., taking it all in, there was something beautiful about not just the “Justice for Jack” rally, but also the lively and passionate rally for the opposition in this case. This is America! This is the land where women and men can vehemently disagree with one another, and where everyone can express their personal convictions without fear of punishment.

Does this case have complications? Of course it does. Could someone claim to be an “artist” but only hide behind that title in order to discriminate? Yes. That is a danger. Fake art for sinister purposes, I suppose that’s a possibility. But, in my opinion, we must make every effort to uphold our Constitution’s First Amendment for every American. Jack is most certainly an artist; his cake designs were featured on advertisements for Season 2 of TLC’s Cake Boss.

If the First Amendment is not strongly protected in the Phillips case, I fear the implications for Christian schools, and even for churches, particularly in the areas of employment and facilities usage. I say it’s high time for tolerance in America, but not the kind of “tolerance” which ends up silencing people who disagree with a particular position on the part of the government. That priceless freedom is the unique contribution of these United States to the world.

Pray with me for God’s justice to prevail in the highest court of our land. My take on things is that the justices have already signaled that this will be a difficult decision. As you pray, remember that there is a higher court before which each one of us will one day stand.

On a related note, I’ve been asked to serve on the Leadership Council of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention for 2018. I’m excited to think about how the Lord might use me and shape me in the process – Christ is the ultimate Artist, you know – as so many of these issues are close to my heart.

Pastor Charles

Not too long ago I took up this topic in a blog posting, but I have to revisit it in light of even more recent developments in our contemporary culture.

Today and NBC News have said goodbye to Matt Lauer. For two decades a consistent presence and even wider influence in American homes and businesses, Lauer was the boy next door. Even if you didn’t agree with all of his politics, he was likeable, humorous, and even a bit self-deprecating. At least on screen. Most of us can hang out over morning coffee with someone willing to be a goof-off from time to time, and that was the secret to the show’s success. And what’s more red, white, and blue than the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade co-hosted by Matt?

What appears to have transpired, though you and I will never know all of the details, is that for years Lauer has been sexually harassing multiple female employees. When the patriarch behaves like this, even if he’s the patriarch of a television show, people are disappointed, disillusioned, and – in the cases of these women – damaged. The damage is physical, emotional, and spiritual.

America seems to be drowning in a sea of systematic sexual sin. I plan to take up this subject, at least briefly, Sunday morning. Yes, I know it’s the Christmas season, but didn’t Christ come to set us free from the sins which imprison all of us? If that’s true – and it is – then every season is gospel season.

Last Sunday, even before the Lauer story broke, The New York Times published “The Unexamined Brutality of the Male Libido” by Stephen Marche. I’d like to share a quote from that piece: “Through sheer bulk, the string of revelations about men from Bill Cosby to Roger Ailes to Harvey Weinstein to Louis C.K. to Al Franken and, this week, to Charlie Rose and John Lasseter, have forced men to confront what they hate to think about most: the nature of men in general.”

Isn’t that interesting? Mr. Marche has concluded that, at the heart of our current social conundrum lies “the often ugly and dangerous nature of the male libido” and “the implicit brutality of male sexuality.” We as Christians know that gender is not the real problem as much as humanness is. But it’s hard to deny that a string of powerful men has done more than enough, in terms of bad behavior, to validate the dark side of basic human nature – and to get people thinking about these issues like never before. Today’s revelations illustrate rather thoroughly what the Apostle Paul explained in First Corinthians 15:22 when he said that “in Adam all die.” That’s not a gender claim, but a universal claim.

Where are we, as God’s people, in all of this? For starters, I hope that we’re not pointing fingers. There’s plenty of blame to go around, and this era of American history should humble all of us – not swell us with pride. As I tweeted last night, “every one of us is inhabited by the depraved monster of self, and by the smug self-deception of a Pharisee.” This is a time for humility.

When Christ was born – when God took on flesh so that He could walk this earth and go all the way to the cross for us – the world was relentlessly wicked. In the Roman world, powerful men exploited everybody – sexually and otherwise. Women were deemed of little or no value. Freeborn men took wives in order to secure legal heirs, but everybody knew that they would find sexual pleasure anytime and anywhere – and with anyone – they desired: from prostitutes to their own slaves to helpless little boys. No sexual behavior was considered immoral or off-limits.

When the church was born – and when believers in Christ began to preach that all people are created in God’s image and in need of the good news of Jesus – it was globally revolutionary! It would be the church that would eventually stand up to slavery, much like the church today is actively opposing human trafficking in all its forms. It would be the church that would decry racism. It would be the church that would establish orphanages and hospitals. It would be the church that would honor the marriage relationship as God ordained it: a relationship of mutual love, submission, and gospel grace. I’m not claiming that the church has always responded as we should have, or as quickly as we should have, but I’m simply saying that gospel seeds eventually bear the fruit – as the angels announced in the Bethlehem skies – of “peace on earth, good will toward men.”

Being on “the right side of history” is way overrated. I’d rather change history. For God’s glory, let’s change things now. What say you?

Today may be done. Who knows? But I want to remind you of the rest of Paul’s amazing verse: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive!” There is hope for our rottenness, and that of both the male and female varieties. His name is Jesus. He is risen from the dead. He forgives sin. His grace is enough for this season of chaos and crisis. And His grace is enough for eternity.

Pastor Charles

Anybody’s mouth watering yet? Tomorrow’s the big day! So I checked out YouTube just to see what are the hottest trending “how-to” videos for 2017 when it comes to cooking.

The winners?

1. fried ice cream
2. okra
3. aquafaba
4. seaweed soup
5. jerky
6. poke
7. green papaya salad
8. crab boil
9. brussel sprouts
10. coconut cake

If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “aqua-what?” So I checked it out. It’s viscous canned chickpea liquid. It’s a translucent vegan egg substitute. Maybe you knew that already.

Not that I have anything against seaweed soup as anyone’s first course, but here’s what happens when you limit your search to the top trending 2017 Thanksgiving foods and their corresponding “how-to” videos:

1. turkey
2. stuffing
3. gravy
4. yams
5. apple pie
6. mashed potatoes
7. pumpkin pie
8. green bean casserole
9. cranberries
10. sweet potato pie

Now here’s my point. We are a diverse nation. This year has included a lot of cultural and political heat, and I’m not talking about the kitchen. Has anyone besides me longed for a simpler and gentler era? But when it comes to Thanksgiving, we all basically agree on the same stuff. And stuffing. (That food list would have been nearly identical in 1967.) Three cheers for green bean casserole! If you really want reconciliation, instead of opening a can of worms, open a can of Campbell’s.

As you enjoy your feast with family, friends, and even some folks with whom you might not agree on every point of dinner conversation, give thanks (First Thessalonians 5:18). Don’t be a crab. And, for heaven’s sake, don’t be a jerky.

Pastor Charles

Isn’t it spellbinding how much sexual bullying is coming into the public spotlight? Every day. Both sides of the political aisle. Entertainment. Government. Sports. Both coasts. Everywhere in between.

As a student of popular culture, I’m shocked that we’re shocked. Where sin rules, exploitation and deception follow. Lessons unlearned in the Garden. Fast forward: same song, second verse.

Here’s what I’m presently observing: America betrays herself. We’re not so liberated after all. Moral relativism? Hardly! It didn’t work. We tried. No God. No objective standard. No archaic restrictions.

Freedom, right? Wrong. Not even close. The modern West unraveling by means of an unworkable system of valueless values. Now our gospel silence screams.

Sexual independence without restraint? I’m totally into it. Until you touch my daughter.

That’s because moral Jell-O doesn’t work. Never has. Too jiggly.

Maybe we’re human after all.

“What is truth?” he quipped (John 18:38). The serpent’s subterranean snobbery reincarnated and rolling off the lips of Pontius Pilate. Hoist with his own petard.

Truth was right there. Right in front of him. He missed it. What followed was public scandal.

Sooner or later the piercing light of day exposes the balderdash which has been whispered in the night.

Truth. Don’t miss it.

Pastor Charles

I know you’re busy. In fact we’re about to enter one of the busiest seasons of the year. So I thought I’d take the time to stop at a few spots around town and snap a few pics with my phone – just in case you’ve been so busy that you’ve missed (at least thus far) fall in Paducah. It’s been a spectacular autumn week in my opinion.

Do you like the bold yellows, the bright reds, or the burnt oranges? All are part of God’s glorious display on His Kentucky canvass backdrop. Even when we understand some of the science of the  chlorophyll, we’re still stunned by the reality of God’s grandeur hanging from the nearest tree. Our Lord is shouting in the crisp air, as all of these crayon-like paper-thin solar cells do their thing. God just won’t stop creating. Aren’t you glad?

Our American culture values youthful vigor. I don’t have to tell you that. But fall reminds us that there is a later-life magnificence as well. Don’t miss it, friends. As hair turns silver, there may be an increasing slowness to the daily rhythm, but there’s also a sparkling treasure chest of wisdom and grace. Summer’s styles are perky-bright green and wonderful, but the autumn of life can represent the pinnacle of our Creator’s artistry. There is glory, Beloved, even after summer.

And, of course, that means that winter is on our horizon. The colors will be muted, and every leaf will fall. So it goes for the children of Adam. But even winter you and I need not fear. Our God has already made a Way to an even better and enduring springtime. His name is Jesus.

So enjoy the now. It is here, and it is splendiferous!

I’ll also include a photo of Pastor Julio and Sharon’s sweet kids – just perfect for the season. Everybody say, “Awwwwwww.”

Pastor Charles

Dolly Parton and Kid Rock. Who’s next?

Charges of sexual harassment seem to be making the rounds like some contagious virus. What’s up? Randy Travis just joined other country music stars in severing ties with Nashville power publicist Kirt Webster. The allegations against Webster are gross, and I won’t repeat them here. So Dolly Parton and Kid Rock fired Webster, Parton’s longtime ambassador. Dolly tweeted late yesterday: “I’ve worked with Kirt Webster for many years and he has done a wonderful job. I am hoping that the accusations are not true.”

You’ve likely read about the West Coast problems too. We’re just a few weeks into the stories about media mogul Harvey Weinstein. Every day brings new allegations against other powerful men in related industries. #MeToo has flooded social media. Hollywood A-listers are dropping like flies. Serious charges loom against Oscar-winning Kevin Spacey, and the Emmy-nominated House of Cards will be no more.

When we lived in SoCal, Eileen, Joshua, and I flew regularly back and forth between Los Angeles and Nashville. We were always a bit surprised by how popular that route is, and by how many of the “up and coming” were on board. The cities have lots of glittery things in common as meccas of entertainment, and apparently both urban centers are experiencing a tidal wave of sexual abuse allegations.

I think what’s going on is that we’re seeing in the public arena the idols of our private lives. Hollywood and Nashville are simply localized illustrations of a national disgrace. What’s the disgrace? It’s an idolatry which I will summarize with this all-too-prevalent sentiment: “you were put on this Earth for my pleasure.”

Friends, the church is not immune to this twisted thinking, which ends up sexually objectifying women (and men, for that matter). We’re quick to point out the evils of pornography or salacious advertising, but we can be blind to other ways in which we treat people like objects instead of images of God.

At least one in four women and one in six men will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. About 80% of victims are assaulted by someone they know (and, to some degree, trust). Child sexual abuse is far too common. The offenders are usually people both the parents and children know – not strangers. One in five children is sexually abused before their 18^th birthday. I don’t need to tell you that this can happen in evangelical churches, and I don’t need to tell you of all of the pain and suffering caused by this kind of horrific abuse. Many victims never tell, anyone. Can you imagine carrying such a burden alone? Others are blamed for their post-traumatic symptoms and behaviors. And many blame themselves. Often silence and shame set in, and last a lifetime.

As the senior pastor, I particularly want to call upon all the men of our congregation to regard women with utmost respect. This is our high calling in Christ Jesus. If your doctrine of male headship is such that you’re the boss, you answer to no one, and your maleness dominates her femaleness, I can assure you that you have misunderstood the Bible (starting with Genesis 1:27) – and you need to repent. (Just for the record, “you were put on this Earth for my pleasure” is Islam, not Christianity.)

Perhaps the best thing we as God’s people can do for those who have been sexually violated is to listen to them, and to listen well. We all need to learn about this epidemic. As a community of faith, we the faithful – together – can take proactive steps to help people find healing in the gospel of Christ. He is able! And we can do our part to prevent further abuse, harassment, trauma, and sorrow.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the church could show the world something more gracious and truthful – and in fact infinitely more durable and glorious – than a house of cards?

Pastor Charles

In 1995 Eileen and I traveled to Europe for what we still remember as one of our best vacations ever. Before the official “vacation” started, we spent a week in Berlin. Eileen was an Assistant United States Attorney at the time, and she received an official military escort so that she could take several depositions related to one of her cases in Germany. While Eileen practiced law, I took advantage of my train pass and visited many of the church history sites within reach.

Of course I went to Wittenberg. This Sunday I’ll show you a photo of me at the famous “door” where Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses in 1517. In fact, at First Baptist Paducah, we’re going to celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation! Don’t miss it.

After Eileen finished all of her responsibilities, we headed out for the international city of Geneva, Switzerland. In the old city, there’s a beautiful park adjacent to the University of Geneva. It’s close to the church where John Calvin preached and taught every day. In the park is an impressive wall-like memorial to the Reformers of the 16^th century: Calvin, John Knox, Huldrych Zwingli, Theodore Beza, and others. And, chiseled into the stone, are the Latin words Post Tenebras Lux. “After darkness, light!”

And that’s exactly why I want our church family to recapture the spirit of the Reformation. During the Middle Ages, the gospel of Christ was nearly lost. The light of Christ was eclipsed, and – as a result – many people lived in spiritual darkness. What we now know of as the doctrine of justification by faith alone was on the brink of extinction. Friends, I fear that we live in such a time today. Many “churches” no longer preach the gospel, and many others have wandered so far from Scriptural truth that the gospel is barely recognizable. We need another Reformation.

The Reformation was a firestorm – a firestorm in the form of a recovery of what the Bible had said all along. But it was far from easy. There is always tremendous opposition to the truth. The most volatile issue ever debated in church history surfaced: how are sinful people reconciled to a holy God? The church had faced severe crises in the past, but this topped them all.

What God did then – and what I pray He’ll do now – was raise up powerful voices to expose the darkness for what it was. Not the darkness in the culture, mind you, as much as the darkness in the church. That’s where the good news of Christ’s gospel is recovered, really. Not in the White House, or in the Senate chamber, but in the pulpit.

What I’m saying is this, friends: we still need Reformation! I would contend that Reformation always precedes revival.

Why don’t we pray for both?

I’ll see you Sunday. #reformation500

Pastor Charles

Last night Eileen and I were literally belly laughing as we watched an old episode of Newhart. It’s the 80’s television series set at the Stafford Inn in Vermont. In the sitcom, Bob Newhart played the part of Dick Loudon, and Mary Frann his wife Joanna. Former New Yorkers having to adjust to rural life. Just enough oddball characters to make the series hilarious.

In last night’s episode, upon Joanna’s urging, Dick reluctantly agrees to direct a play for the local community theater. Not really thinking about the personal consequences, instead of casting Joanna in the play’s lead role, Dick selects the younger Stephanie (Julia Duffy). That leaves the part of “the mother” for Joanna. Needless to say, Joanna is not amused, and the hilarity between Joanna and Dick begins.

A couple of weeks into rehearsals, Dick comes up with a plan to rewrite the script to please his wife. To make a long story short, and as you might imagine, disaster ensues on stage. You just can’t rewrite the script without destroying it.

This morning we’re off to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where Eileen will receive a pain injection, or maybe several of them. Fun Friday? Not. No belly laughs today. But good Friday? Yes. Because God is good, and He never changes. James 1:17. Stay tuned for Sunday!

Sometimes, especially when things get tough, we’re tempted to long for a rewrite. But we’re learning, slowly but surely, that the Writer of our life script knew (and knows) exactly what He’s doing.

And, dear friends, He is oh so very, very good.

Pastor Charles

You can learn a lot from a baseball game.

Almost five hours after the start of Game 5 of the National League Division Series, the Chicago Cubs made good on manager Joe Maddon’s summer declaration to “Bring on the Dodgers!” Aided by some eighth-inning help from the Washington Nationals, the Cubbies held on tight for a 9-8 victory. They now advance to their third straight NL Championship Series against the Dodgers which begins this Saturday night in Los Angeles.

This morning some are calling last night’s game a wacky one. Indeed. The excitement surfaced in the second when the usually dependable Kyle Hendricks allowed a game-tying home run to Cubs playoff villain Daniel Murphy, and it continued when Michael Taylor cranked a three-run homer on an 0-2 pitch. But the Cubs pressed on. They chipped away at inconsistent left-handed starter Gio Gonzalez, who escaped with allowing only one run during a 26-pitch first but allowed the Cubs to cut their deficit to one after three innings. That set the stage for last night’s remarkable breakthrough. By now you probably know the rest of the story.

Maybe you need a breakthrough today. Now that Josh has his heart and plans set on a military career (we had no idea when we named him after General Joshua), I’m thinking in those categories more than ever. Only when an army is able to weaken its enemy to the point of collapse is a breakthrough a reality. Then, and only then, can enemy territory be invaded and taken.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

This much I can assure you: wherever you are right now – and no matter how weakened you may feel – you’re in the most strategic location possible when it comes to a breakthrough. That’s because you’re exactly where the Lord has placed you for this moment in time! And if you’re there, sister or brother, there’s a strong army stationed all around you. There may be plenty of enemy forces to frighten you, but I can tell you that there are more formidable forces being dispatched to defend you. The army of an excellent general most ferociously protects that which the general most highly prizes. We have such a General. His name is Jesus.

Do you and I face intense opposition today? You bet we do. And increasingly intense fighting nearly always precedes strategic breakthroughs. The ground which we’re seeking to gain is not given up easily. But Christ has won! By faith we’re now watching His glory triumph “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Christ’s Church is on the march! This is not the time, either personally or collectively, for us to circle the wagons. We’ve been commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations, not to hold up in a holy huddle here at home. Our enemy may be a roaring lion, but we’re in the King’s army! There’s no place I’d rather be. I’ll take even a wacky victory if God is in it. How about you?

Joe Maddon began his coaching career in Major League Baseball with the California Angels in 1993. He’ll be making at least one more visit to the Golden State in 2017. Even lovable losers can be winners.

Breakthrough, friends. What’s yours? Pray for it! Wait for it! Go for it!

Pastor Charles

It’s almost midnight.

Eileen and I are with Joshua for his first overnight college visit. We’re at the University of North Georgia: the Military College of Georgia. The campus is situated in the center of the picturesque mountain town of Dahlonega. Josh is in the barracks tonight. We are not.

Josh has been accepted into the university and the corps of cadets for the fall of 2018. Studying at one of the nation’s senior military colleges has been one of our son’s lifelong dreams, and here we are on the edge of the promised land. You would think that I would be excited, and I am, but I must tell you that I’m experiencing many other emotions at the same time.

Is Josh ready for college? Of course not. But neither was I when my senior year of high school raced by. It seems like only yesterday we were picking out our boy’s school clothes. Now we’re talking military apparel, foreign language study (Farsi and Russian, mind you), and specific degree requirements. How did we get here, and why did we have to get here so quickly?

As I write these words, I have no idea what Josh is doing tonight. Is he making new friends? Is he feeling comfortable? Anxious? Lonely? Energized? Is he having any second thoughts? I sure am.

It just hit me. I’m sad. Really sad. I’m not sad because I don’t want my son to have all of these new (and wonderful) experiences. I’m sad because of this: from this point on, many of the most significant moments in Josh’s life won’t include me. That’s as it should be, but I can still be sad about it.

I like the nightly tuck-you-into-bed. I like the daily review of “this was cool, Dad, and this was not.” I like the family giggles that no one else would even understand. I like to be needed, and I don’t even mind hero status, at least on occasion. Can I turn back the clock, please? Can I just turn back the clock?

I think I’ll cry tonight, at least for a few minutes.

12:06 a.m. I just got a text from Josh: “Love you, goodnight. See you tomorrow.” I can sleep better now. Not great, but better.

Pastor Charles