Visit the Web site of
North Phoenix Baptist Church and you will get a welcoming message that is warm and gooey, like a taste of honey.
“Discover love and live a Christ-centered life,” we – the potential guests – are encouraged. “What Jesus did during his time on earth, his character, and his teachings provide a consistent reminder of what we should be about with our lives.”
Ok, good deal. It sounds good but any fair-minded person might wonder how they go about living a Christ-centered life and showing their love for their fellow man. This sounds like a gang that would be spreading cheer and joy throughout the community.
Just a minute! Isn’t this congregation home to Congressman Trent Franks, the Republican who is backtracking from his recent statement that President Barack Obama is an “enemy of humanity?”
Oh my. In case you missed the latest name-calling incident, Franks spoke at the Take Back America conference over the weekend where he said, “Obama’s first act as president of any consequence, in the middle of a financial meltdown, was to send taxpayers’ money overseas to pay for the killing of unborn children in other countries. Now, I got to tell you, if a president will do that, there’s almost nothing that you should be surprised at after that. We shouldn’t be shocked that he does all these other insane things. A president that has lost his way that badly, that has no ability to see the image of God in these little fellow human beings, if he can’t do that right, then he has no place in any station of government and we need to realize that he is an enemy of humanity.”
The Congressman’s spokesman later explained his boss meant to say “enemy of unborn humanity.” Still should someone who patterns his life after Christ be saying stuff like this?
I’d say this is a family matter – between the Congressman, his God and his church. Franks has some explaining to do – not to us – but to his own flock. The congressman promotes his membership in this church on his bio, so it is up to them to ask, “Where’s the love, Franks.” And then, of course, offer forgiveness.
I propose we write the church to assure them they have our love, support and trust during this difficult time.
Let the family take care of the family’s business. If you want to remind them we are looking forward to watching them put their faith into action, here’s the address:
5757 North Central Avenue | Phoenix, Arizona 85012 | 602-707-5701 | or leave a comment at
http://www.discoverandlive.com/ministry/home.php?_inc=ministry_info&category=5&ministry=6Linda S. Wallace is The Cultural Coach. Read her blog
