A pastor loved a certain brand of extremely hot Tabasco sauce.  He put it on everything he ate.  When he traveled, he carried a small bottle of this sauce in a bag.  One Thanksgiving week the pastor stopped in a small restaurant, ordered a steak for lunch, pulled out his hot sauce, poured it on the steak, said grace, and began eating.
A salesman at the next table noticed how much the pastor was enjoying his meal.
“Say, preacher,” said the salesman, “you seem to be really enjoying that steak.”
            “Why, yes, this is a very good steak,” replied the minister, “but only because I added this special sauce on top.”
“Could I give it a try?” asked the salesman.  “Of course,” replied the minister, passing him the bottle.  The salesman immediately applied a generous amount to his meal and took a bite.
 “Sorry to bother you again, pastor, but I have a question,” said the salesman.  “In your pulpit do you often preach about hell?”
 “Yes, I do,” replied the pastor.  “Why do you ask?”  The salesman replied, “Well, you’re the first pastor I’ve ever met who carried samples of it with him.” 

 

Veterans Day
November 11

This nation will remain the land of the free so long as it is the home of the brave.

-Elmer Davis-

I’ve been to many conservative conferences over the years, and I’ve heard many politicians speak at those meetings, but not long ago, there was a first.

Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota, was addressing the annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., and near the conclusion of his speech, he recited a very familiar portion of Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14.  It says, “…if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I don’t think Gov. Pawlenty realized it, but as he recited that verse, the audience of nearly 2,000 began to quote it with him, until, by the end, a full chorus was under way.  It was so spontaneous that I believe the people themselves were surprised.

That moment was a metaphor for the state of mind among conservatives at this point in time.  They are hungry for leadership, so edge-of-the-chair eager to join the campaign to restore righteous leadership to our nation that, given a chance, they’ll even help a speaker with his speech.

By:  Tom Minnery. Focus on the Family & Alliance Defense Fund