What that racist hating preacher and big pal of Obama, Rev. Michael Pfleger, really meant when he said he was apologizing the Mrs. Clinton:

“I apologize for the words that I chose (since someone taped my serman). I apologize for my dramatization that was, for many people who do not know me, simply typical dramatics I often use in sermons (to spew my hatred of America and the white heterosexual man). . . . I apologize (with my fingers crossed behind my back) for anyone who was offended (or made ill) and who thought it to be mockery (while it was really what I meant), that was neither my intent, nor my heart (which you really saw when I said that I hate America except for my gay priest friends).”

Ri-i-i-i-ght.

Jesus states, "Be wise like serpents and gentle like doves." Trinity is neither and they have reaped what they have sown. They are prejorative in the language. Their words are not gracious nor seasoned with salt like Paul states. I'm sure they have done many good things. But preachers (of which I am one) should stick to preaching the gospel and not to commenting on individuals motives and intentions. This doesn't mean we can't call society to repentance, but it should always be done firmly but gently and with kindness. Obama did the right thing, but he should have done it far sooner.

From the Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards:
"8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God."

Let every sin we see in others cause us to examine our own hearts. Let us not destroy others with the plank that is in our own eyes in order to call attention to the speck in others. It is only by the grace of God that we have any different understanding. Let repentance begin in our own hearts.

For those who doubt Father Michael Pfleger's sincerity how can you communicate disconnected doubt?

Have you every been to Chicago's West Englewood community he has served for nearly 30 years? I have, it has been transformed by the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the faith community of St. Sabina and the sincere pastoral vision of Rev. Pfleger.

Have you ever attended a Sunday Mass at 11:15 AM and experienced the presence and power of God through the dynamic sincere worship of the people of St. Sabina? I have, and the ethos and sincerity of the congregation's worship in Spirit and Truth is a result of the Christlike example of Michael Pfleger.

Have you ever sat in the midst of that great congregation and heard an anointed sermon preached by Pastor Pfleger and at the conclusion seen dozens of people come forward to receive Jesus Christ as their only Savior and Lord? I have and wept as Father Pfleger called those coming to embrace Christ to go beyond merely believing and become disciples of Christ.

As followers of Christ we are to accept the request for forgiveness a brother or sister in Christ asks to receive.

I too was dissapointed at Father Pfleger's words, but I forgive him at his request and rejoice in how he and the Faith Community of St. Sabina is furthering the Kingdom of God in the heart of the Southside of Chicago.

At 58 years of age, and a committed Christian since 19, and even as an ordained minister, I am dismayed, and sometimes shocked, to see the hatred and vitriol in the comments posted in this particular blog, and at many other times as well. And the quick rush to judgment. I hope I am wrong in assuming all who comment on these pages are Christian. You make me want to weep.

Anyone who has spoken in public for any length of time (especially a minister of the Gospel) has "misspoke" on occassion. A call to repent is appropriate and should be given in love. I question the "media" use of almost any example as it may be taken out of context. A sermon may contain an illustration that, if used out of context, may sound quite different than intended. However, inflamitory remarks that are contrary to the scriptures are not an error in speaking they are an error in judgement. "He who is without sin" has been very misused; Saul (Paul) before his conversion thought himself without sin. Prayer for those who have erred is an appropriate response. The scripture does teach to go to someone who is in a fault; have a spirit of meekness to restore him/her. If someone will not receive restoration then much stronger action is needed. Love one to another as Jeaus gave it, is not an emotion it is an action. A call to repent must be accompanied by such love. If I truly love people, I am compelled to make them aware that sin is not acceptable to God. That love does not condone or accept what is wrong but rather keeps the door open for restoration.

Obama’s own offensive language

I can't help but feel that Pfleger and Wright purposely gave those speeches/sermons recently. I think they're still supporting Obama to win but figured he'd have a better chance if Obama cuts loose from them. But then there's Rev. James Meeks, another of Obama's spiritual advisors, using the term "house n------."

Wasn't it these radicals whose “guidance” and screeds gave Obama the audacity to write in his book "Dreams From My Father" that someone might be an "Uncle Tom. Collaborator. A house n-----."? Obama also used the curse word “g---d------“ a half dozen times, including to describe his own take on things. The “Dreams” book was published in 1995, 8 years after he says he accepted Christ.

Obama has written in his “Dreams” book that he selected his friends with the idea the more radical the better.

Obama calls himself “a committed Christian” yet his version of Christianity isn’t Biblically based. In a newspaper interview, he said he doesn’t believe Jesus’ words in John 14:6. He doesn’t believe in eternal judgment (if there were no eternal judgment for sin, Jesus Christ wouldn’t have had to come down to earth), and he doesn’t know if he’s going to heaven.

The esteemed Rev. D. James Kennedy closed his sermon on John 14:6 with this last year: “And let me add this. If you go out of here saying you don’t like that text (John 14:6), that is your privilege. But do not call yourself a Christian. You are calling Christ a liar.”

I think that people too often forget that it is not his ministers but rather Christ himself who is perfect. Sometimes we say and do things that accord with the flesh rather than the Spirit.Forgive us. Don't let our human errors keep you from seeing his divine beauty or accepting his divine grace.

Preach it Dr Mark!

Faith is clearly more than works, but clearly our faith should be expressed through our works. If you look at the works of both Trinity and St Sabina, they are the works that I wish more churches in the United States exhibited. Are there mistakes, sure. Do they emphasis some things beyond the point where they are helpful sure. But what church is so perfect that their leader has never said anything inappropriate or as a church done anything that might be misconstrued by people looking very closely as not the best.

YOOOO-HOOOO!!! There IS no Christianity apart from John 14:6, which reads: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." That IS the crux of the gospel. Without the centrality of the crucified, resurrected Jesus Christ you have just another in a long line of dead religions.