I've had a revelation. I think that the reason you are not allowed to anonymously donate to a political campaign has very little to do with keeping dirty money from coming in. Obviously that doesn't work too well, right Hillary?

I think that the reason we are not allowed to give anonymously is so that if you EVER give to a party or candidate, they want to know exactly who you are. This way they can call you every other day for the rest of your life and ask for more.

Yesterday I got a call from what looked like a cell phone. Since Bible study was beginning and there were some people coming who have never been here before, I answered it. It was Friends of Fred with a "special message" for me.

Now, I had been planning on making a political contribution to the campaign of Fred Thompson, so I stayed on the line, figuring this was as good a time as any to do it. The girl on the line sounded so young and innocent, I didn't have the heart to tell her to skip to the part where she asks for a donation, so I let her ask me all of her silly little questions designed to manipulate me into wanting to give money.

When she finally got to the end, I said, "Here's the deal. I've been planning on giving money to Fred because I do support him in this run. But I do NOT want you to call me every week asking for more money, nor do I want to get a letter a day asking the same." She just kind of sat there in stunned silence. She asked, "So, would you like to be put on our no mail or limited mail list?" I said, "Yes, absolutely!"

As I am writing this, my caller ID is showing a call from Washington, D.C. They've been calling for months, at least once a day. Wonder who that could be?

I have such a love/hate relationship with politics. I love the thrill of the game. I detest most of the players. It's quite a conundrum I'm in.

Anyway, at least I'm getting a lapel pin for my trouble.
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Yesterday I saw something that blew my mind. It's still weighing on my heart.

I went to my church to drop off a friend's child at Mother's Day Out for her. In the parking lot was a Lexus SUV. Now, I go to church in a very affluent area. This is not an uncommon sight in this ZIP Code. But what caught my eye was the magnet on the back. It said, "Like what you see? Dial 1-800-YOU-WISH!"

Now, there is a very good chance that this person doesn't go to my church. There are people from all over the area that send their kids to our preschool program. But what if they do? What if this person claims to follow Christ and yet lives their life with such an attitude of superiority?

Jesus was all about being poor. Over and over he talked about how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of Heaven. I'm not saying that there aren't believers out there with a lot of money. I know a lot of them, and they are incredibly genuine people who give, give, give. That is using the gifts they have been given wisely. Driving around with a "bite me" bumper sticker? Not so much.

My heart is hurting for the owner of that vehicle this morning. What kind of void must you feel in your soul in order to find it so necessary to flaunt your wealth? I'm thinking it's not done much to make her happy so far.

"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 5:1-10