On friday, I received a call from a staff writer at the Washington Post asking how John McCain's VP pick, Sarah Palin, might influence evangelical women voters. Not being an evangelical woman, I felt it best to refer her to one or two people that I believe could give her a better answer. The first name that came to my mind was Margaret Feinberg.

Recently, Margaret posted a blog article reflecting on the Palin pick that I think deserves a read. It touches on the hutzpah of McCain's move as well as what this means for American progress. As Margaret writes, "I think McCain couldn't have made a better decision. As a woman, I'm excited that we're seeing progress on the ballot on both the Republican and Democratic tickets."

Check out her article, and then let me know what you think of the Palin pick and Margaret's assessment.

Lauren Winner, Jonathan Merritt and Jill Phillips

I am so excited to speak October 19th at the Savannah College Retreat hosted by The Well in Tallahassee, FL. Also speaking will be Lauren Winner, best-selling author of Girl Meets God and Real Sex. Musical guest will be Nashville recording artist, Jill Phillips.

Kudos to The Well for putting together such a wonderful event for college students and for inviting a nobody like me! I was flattered to be considered, and I will be in prayer that students will be revitalized as a result of this event.

I am proud to announce the launch of a creative, semester-long Bible study for college guys, Alert! On Campus. I had the privilege of writing these studies, which are being released by The Mission Education Team of NAMB through BCMs at colleges across America.

There are three sets of devotions that are 4 weeks long each. The subjects are:

• Acts 1:8 On Campus
• Purity vs. Pornography
• Social Justice

I have recorded weekly podcasts for iTunes and there is a Facebook group. This was my first attempt at podcasting, so the first couple start a little slow. Cut me some slack.

If you are a college guy or know a college guy who might need a good devotional track this semester, pass it along.

Free Phil Wickham

In my opinion, Phil Wickham is one of the best musical artists and lyricist out there. His genre is technically Christian, but it is really too good to be considered "Christian." (Those of you who have been introduced to Christian music at some point know exactly what I mean by that.)

My buddy Leif Oines, X-box Live 5-star champion and co-author of How to Be a Grown Up, pointed out something that combines Phil's music with one of my other faves...FREE STUFF. Phil is offering a FREE download of his new album, Singalong, to anyone who signs up for his newsletter. This is a great offer. Check it out.

Brian McLaren and Richard Land

Check out this interesting clip of Brian McLaren and Richard Land being "chummy." If they weren't so far away in distance, they would probably be holding hands.

A special "thanks" to Ed Stetzer for posting this on his blog and providing me with 43 minutes and 36 seconds of enjoyment.

I have respect for both men, but I am going to reserve my comments. What do you think?

My reaction to Rick Warren's recent faith forum at Saddleback has published on RelevantMagazine.com. Both sides of the political fence were dissatisfied, but I doubt that surprises any of my regular readers. Angering everyone is becoming my M.O.

What do you think of my reaction? Slanted or centered? Agree or disagree?

(Guest Writer - Michelle Barrera, NJ) As I reflect after a mere 25 years of age, I am still trying to find my place. I am still trying to figure out who God wants me to be, where He'd like me to go, what He needs me to do with my life. With the help of life experience, I know who I have become. I am woman.

Christian. Human. Loving. Open.

Anyone would think that with all of this and an open heart I would have found my place or my calling. But here I am, on this train bound for New York City, reflecting on who I would like to become in His eyes.

I have found church after church seeking perfection. Seeking to accept what I cannot be. Seeking to completely change myself and not be who I am. I've tried to fit, to make myself something else and like an organ that's being rejected from its new body, I too, have been spit out.

My heart knows, however, that God does not do cookie-cutter. How could He? He's amazing in all the ways I can't understand or imagine. He is creative. He only paints originals; he only sculpts one-of-a-kinds. I have seen His wonders, experienced them for myself. I am convinced He covers much more ground than the cookie-cutter factory that wants to change what He has made.

We all play a unique role in the body of Christ. I have seen pieces of who and what I long to be. Pieces that represent love, peace and acceptance in a world filled with hate, judgment and people at war with each other. There are those few that shine and bring life to the heart of God. They spread life, love and joy to the rest of His body. I want to be from that place. I want to shine like the heart of God.

Yes, I know I have a long way to go just as we all do. My goal is to find the heart of God and attach myself to it. I want to be the heart of God. I want to love like the heart of God. I want to understand like the heart of God. I want to be filled with awe in knowing the heart of God.

That is what I want for my wandering soul. That’s the only thing I ask for. I beg to be where His heart is. I beg to a part of the Heart of the always amazing, always loving, ever-knowing God.

Update: Washington Post Article

**Here is the article: GOP Loyalty Not a Given for Young Evangelicals**

Leave comments and tell me what you think.

Tomorrow, Krissah Williams of the Washington Post will be publishing a story on me and my political views, especially as they pertain to the upcoming election. She is an outstanding and disarming journalist. I have no doubt she'll do a fine job on this piece.

I am convinced, however, that no matter what Krissah says there will be those who will flood me with angry emails. I expect no less from the ironclad partisan types. Those on the left will castigate me for being a close minded fundamentalist who can't let go of the sanctity of human life and traditional marriage. Those on the right will flog me over my more progressive opinions regarding poverty, the war, and the environment. These emails will no doubt provide me with moments of anger and minutes of laughter. As Will Rogers put it, "People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing."

Being attacked from both sides is a good sign you are a centrist. In fact, followers of Christ should expect such treatment. On the one hand, we are told that secularists will always harbor disdain for us (John 15:18-21). On the other hand, we know that the Pharisees...well, let's just say that they were not members of the "Jesus Christ Rocks" Facebook group. Somehow religious aristocrats are always angered by genuine, Gospel-centered living. If you live like Jesus, you will get it from all sides.

So being a hodgepodge, Bible-loving, Gospel-spreading, pro-life, pro-marriage, non-partisan environmentalist with a heart for the poor is fine with me. Jesus didn't fit nicely into any man-made boxes. If I truly try to mirror Him, I should expect no different.

These days, Christianity carries so much baggage. Perhaps the worst piece of luggage is a little word we call "guilt." Nasty little thing, isn't it? As much as guilt has a place in the Christian life--after all, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is one of the marks of genuine conversion--it shouldn't overshadow the real gifts of salvation. I sense that a lot of people today want to put down the rigid, leather suitcase of guilt and pick up the broken-in, lightweight sling of the Gospel. This bag is packed with passion and freedom.

Recently, one of my seminary heroes--Dr. Alvin Reid--wrote a brilliant blog post about shedding the baggage of Christianity and rediscovering "the great idea of the Gospel." Upon my request, Dr. Reid was gracious enough to let me pirate his work and publish it with Relevant Magazine.

As the article states:

"We must rediscover the great commission and great commandment. We must pursue a passion-driven Christianity. If our faith is to become a transformative, redemptive power within the culture, we need to flee guilt-driven, duty-centered puppetry and call down a passion for the great idea of the Gospel. "

Wanna make an even exchange--your guilt for His grace? Wanna reclaim the big idea of the Gospel? Then, give "Saying Goodbye to Guilt-Driven Christianity" a read, and tell me what you think.