SCRIPTURE READING AND INTERPRETATION
PSALM 16:1-11

I have been listening to Rush for quite some time. In small doses, mind you, because a little goes a long way. I first became familiar with him in my mid-20's, while living in Kansas City. My home was about an hour from Seminary, and I determined that talk radio would be a bit more beneficial than country music. It was upsetting when our local host was replaced by a syndicated guy from Sacramento, California. But after a few shows, he became acceptable and even enjoyable.

I give Rush Limbaugh credit for bringing political conservatism "out of the closet". Popular media had pretty much succeeded in selling the message that true social intelligence and correct political thought was the exclusive property of liberalism. Nixon tapped into the "silent majority" of the conservative heart of America. But it was Limbaugh and Reagan who brought such to the forefront, daring the conservative to step up and look the high-brow liberal in the eye. And it became a winning formula. In my opinion, the recent resurgence of liberal politicians is not a judgment of true conservatism, but a willingness on the part of Americans to repudiate the conservatives-in-name-onl y that have wrecked our economy with record spending and bumbled us along in a protracted war. But, back to Rush Limbaugh....

What makes him so popular? I know he is lampooned as a fat buffoon by the media. But, let's be honest, about 25 million people per week tune in to his radio show. And, contrary to the opinion of liberal elitism, they're not all stupid. Limbaugh is a compelling spokesperson for conservatism. He says well what conservatives think. He treat his callers with respect. He makes a convincing argument, and he does so with passion. If you listen to the guy, you are liable to start agreeing with him.

Now I am a public speaker, yet I recognize there can be a profound weakness with communicating about great truths with the spoken word. Some matters are just too complicated, too nuanced to be summarized and concluded through a few spoken sentences. Yet an accomplished orator will sometimes try to do exactly that. Thus we give a five minute spiel, and ask people to turn over their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. It seems to me the matter of eternal life and soul commitment is worth a bit more consideration. It is true that Jesus confronted his disciples, like Peter and Matthew, with the demand, "Follow Me." and they immediately left all to become His disciples. But I believe with much conviction that such a final calling was preceeded with many lessons and discussions. Jesus had too much respect for the freedom of personal choice to manipulate others into conversion through the power of a few words. Yet, I have to admit, a preacher can choose to be unethical by using oratory skills to play upon hearts and emotions and predispositions.

Limbaugh readily admits that he is foremost an entertainer and businessman. His goal is to make money by building and keeping a large audience. There is nothing wrong with that. But it does give cause to wonder. Why did he say that? Does he really believe it? Is it as important to him as he leads me to believe? I think he is simply putting on a good show. He is not trying to change the world or preach a gospel. He's trying to make a lot of money, and I am the customer.

Yesterday I heard him waxing eloquently about the needlessness of aerobic exercise. He was quoting a new book. As I listened to the five minute blurb, it all sounded good and made perfect sense. And after I turned off the radio, I began to consider. For 100 days now, I have been faithfully committed to a regimen of aerobic exercise, healthy eating, and weight lifting. It has proven to be successful. Am I to allow a five-minute presentation by a radio entertainer to persuade me otherwise? His words were confident, convincing, with absolute authority. He basically was trying to convert me with a five minute presentation of his gospel. So, I went home and spent some time studying the matter. I'll not go into the details. But, after some time in research and consideration, I've determined that Rush Limbaugh is absolutely wrong in this matter. Cardio exercise is an essential ingredient to maintaining good health. And, besides, who is this guy to proclaim himself an authority on matters of health and exercise?

Life impact issues of religion, politics, and health cannot be finalized by a five-minute blurb on the radio. Even if the spokesperson proclaims self to be the Almighty. And now I have a three-mile powerwalk to take. What's the likelihood of me listening to Rush along the way?

I watched The Pursuit of Happyness tonight and will pass along some impressions.

It is one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time. No doubt many viewers will lose interest because it is admittedly a slow film and it is not action packed. There are no sexual escapades or violence and very little profanity. It is a simple story about a man's love for his son and determination to achieve a dream. And, my what a dreamer! He sells bone-density readers that no one wants to buy. He pursues a career as a stock broker with a prestigious firm, even without adequate background or training. Along the way his wife leaves, and he and his son become homeless. Yet he perseveres. And, against all odds, he wins. I'd say, "What a fanciful story". But I understand it is true. Thus it moves beyond entertainment to inspiration.

I'll allow myself to become gripped emotionally by a good film. But it is not easy. Last night I came home to find my wife watching this movie. It was near the end, and there were tears in her eyes. I said nothing, lest I incur the flip-side of her tender heart. And now tonight I viewed the same movie. I watched as the hero, a dad with a stubborn dream, continued to persevere through impossible odds. He and his little boy slept on the street and stayed at homeless shelters. Life was so very tough- nothing was easy, or quick. But the two never became embittered. And the dad kept believing in himself, even when no one else did. And, in the end....Well, you will have to watch the movie. It's worth every minute of your time. You will probably find yourself crying like my wife, and like myself. And if you have a problem with this guy crying over a silly movie, just send me your address and I'll show up tomorrow morning to break your kneecap (in a Christian kind of way, of course).

It's one of the best.

I've been on a health kick since January 2nd, when I found myself fifty years old and fifty pounds overweight. It started with a diet and evolved from there. A few weeks later, healthy eating became a resolve. There was a marked reduction of processed sugar, between meal snacks, and going out to eat. And of course there first seemed an accompanying reduction in the "fun factor" of life, but that's the price one pays to live another year. About a month into the process I began to exercise. It started with exercise items easily and economically obtained. First was a set of resistance tubes which seemed to work quite well. I also got one of these huge inflatable balls and accompanying exercise video. But I felt kind of stupid trying to follow along with all of these skinny and beautiful women, and the male ego in me decided this must be a "chick thing", so the ball has been deflated and will soon find its way to e-bay. I settled upon exercise with a Total Gym, figuring if it was good enough for Christy Brinkley and Chuck Norris, then it would work for me. I bought mine locally from craigslist, and it has worked well. I do the weight training in the mornings and a brisk power-walk in the evenings, and I want to emphasize with all sincerity that the last three months have been really good for me both physically and emotionally. Energy and strength has increased, and I feel my mind has sharpened- Lord knows such was needed. And there is a more positive outlook- maybe it's the endorphins, or perhaps the compliments from others, or just feeling good about taking action to meet a personal need. But I encourage you to join me with a renewed commitment to personal health- life is short, it should be experienced to fullest possible, and we really should take care of ourselves.

And, so I come to the subject of colon cleansing.

Somewhere I heard the average person has five pounds of undigested red meat in his colon. (The "expert" source was, much later, found to be Detective Rosewood of Beverly Hills Cop) That's pretty sick. And I know for a fact, since an ongoing part of my job is to connect with those who are struggling with health problems, that a lot of Americans have digestive and colon problems which most likely are related to personal lifestyle choices. So, turning fifty years of age and awakened to the need for good health, this supposed factoid about red meat popped into my mind. Five pounds of junk, just hanging around in my body? That can't be good. So I got to checking around for an internal cleansing product that would be healthy to use. And I will tell you that the internet is full of ads for products of a dubious nature. I would say to be very careful about digesting stuff that you order from the internet; I don't want to put into my body something Joe Blow manufactures in his basement.

My wife, Deb, sells supplements and vitamins for a living. She expects me to pop about twenty "natural pills" per day. At one time I protested such regimin, but now it is simply part of the routine. She was excited when I asked her to find me a safe product for my newest venture in health. She came home with Total Body Rapid Cleanse, "A Complete 7 Day Internal Cleansing". It is interesting stuff, purporting to detoxify liver and organs, provide natural fiber, and bring about a deep colon cleansing. This is my fifth day. It is certainly providing more exercise, inducing frequent trips to the "meditation room" at assorted hours of the day and night. One thing I find interesting about the product is the accompanying video by Dr. Brenda Watson, founder and president of the company. It is certainly inspirational to watch someone speak with such energy, sparkly eyes, and a wide smile about intestinal elimination. Truly this woman could sell anything.

Well, if you have read this far- highly unlikely- then I might as well throw in another thought. What would Jesus think about colon cleansing? I'll bet you have never heard a sermon on the subject. It is probably blasphemous to many for me to make the point, but Jesus had a natural body. He probably had a diet that was a bit more healthy than we ingest today, and did not deal with as many of the digestive complications that we face. As far as I know no one in the Bible ever did a colon cleansing, although I will defer to the scholars of the SBC for the final word on the subject. But Jesus did fast, which is no doubt a wonderful cleansing experience for the body. And we are instructed that our body is to be turned over to God as "a living sacrifice". "You are not your own; you are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body..." So, we should take care of our bodies. Doing all we can, to facilitate good personal health, is a matter of spiritual as well as physical exertion. It is a crude, but I think true, philosophy that I have heard many times: "We do not have a whole lot to say about the hand that we are dealt in life. But what we choose to do with it is our personal responsibility." Makes sense to me. Let's take care of ourselves.

This will not be the subject of Sunday's sermon.