• I would agree with the idea that religion comes in all shapes, sizes and temperaments. It is quite obvious that sanity is not a prerequisite of religion. If it were, most religions would go out of business within the 30-day money back guarantee period.
• Every religion has some sort of litmus test for faith. It is in this area of religion that smacks so loudly of insanity. Superstition, regardless of the basis, is one great common denominator of all religion. It is not that I mind superstition; I just do not want it associated with my religion.
• I read in the newspaper headlines just this week a pastor was killed by a rattlesnake bite. I had almost forgotten this sort of thing went on in our sophisticated, "enlightened" world.
• As a young preacher, I was visiting a congregation in Kentucky as the guest speaker for that Sunday. Never mind the town or the church that is beside the point.
• I got to the church a little early and was escorted around the church looking at the facilities. Then they took me into the sanctuary where I could look at the pulpit and the sanctuary where I would be preaching.
• Being the observant person that I am, I noticed a basket next to the pulpit. I had never seen such a basket before him all my life. I really did not know too much about the church and now I cannot remember exactly why I was invited to preach there. Be that as it may, I was greatly curious about the basket next to the pulpit. I did not know if it was a wastebasket or if perhaps it was the offering basket and the congregation would fill it up before the service was over.

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