Paul Potts, Jesus, and site maintenance…

**Our scheduled site maintenance went off without a hitch…incredible**

In response to my comments about the pastor who refused to read the “Christmas Story,” someone sent me a link to a post on the formykountry site. At first, I thought it odd to see the “kountry” spelling on an apparently conservative site. I still find it odd. Check it out for yourself, and let me know what you think.

Reading the formykountry post that I was directed to, though (post #52, entitled “This Jesus Thing”), I was reminded that not everyone shares the same view of Christianity. Writer Jim Pontillo says that “Jesus gives us a pretty good deal; try not to be too big a jackass here on earth, consider the almighty, and you get a ticket to the good place…”

That, supposedly “conservative,” statement hits right at the point of the most common error about Christianity. If leading a decent life and going to church was my ticket to heaven, then there would be no need for grace…or for Christ. We could just have “xmas” and leave the Christ part out. You see, I have a sneaking suspicion that I have often acted most like a “jackass” during the times when I really thought I had it all figured out.

What does this have to do with Paul Potts? Paul was a religion and philosophy major in college. He has pondered such things until his head hurts. I know, because my first three years of undergraduate work were heavy in those subjects, too. I keep wishing that Paul would step out of his purely secular focus and get deeper into the concepts of humility, grace, wisdom, and such. Rather, he talks about how many records he has sold and where the next tour will take him. I want him to be a philosopher as well as a musician. And maybe he is. Maybe I, like Jim, am just missing the point.

Wishing you all the best new year that ever rolled around. See you after the update……. don