Faith

Update: ‘Smokin’ Hot Wife’ Pastor Defends His Unconventional NASCAR Prayer

Pastor Joe Nelms Responds to NASCAR Prayer Thanks Smokin Hot Wife

Pastor Joe Nelms and his family

Yesterday, The Blaze brought you Pastor Joe Nelms’ unforgettable NASCAR prayer. The spiritual leader of Family Baptist Church in Gladeville, Tennessee drew media attention after thanking God for Dodges, Toyotas and, of course, for his “smokin’ hot wife.”

On Monday, Nelms appeared on Sirius Satellite Radio’s “Tradin’ Paint’’ to defend his invocation, claiming that it was an opportunity to offer listeners something heartfelt and lighthearted.

While some may have been taken aback by the references in his prayer, it seems the pastor has no regrets. In the interview, he explains that he wanted his invocation to be different — something that people would pay attention to and not simply gloss over. He hopes his statements may have even inspired some who wouldn’t normally do so to head to church:

“I always said if I get a chance after God told me to preach … to pray at one of the events of the track, I don’t want to do the cookie-cutter prayer, not that we don’t need to thank God for our military men and women, absolutely, we wouldn’t be here without them, not that we don’t desire safety for all of the of the officials, workers and drivers, we certainly don’t want anything to happen to anybody out there. We need a safe race. But it’s the same prayer week in and week out and I’m not sure anybody is even listening to it anymore.

“So I said, I want to get somebody’s attention, so that’s been our desire every time we’ve been up there, to try to make an impact on the fans and give them something they’ll remember and maybe they’ll go home on a Friday night or a Saturday night and say, ‘Maybe I ought to get up and go to church in the morning’.’’

Nelms also says that he wanted to use the prayer as an opportunity to reach out to non-Christians. He claims, “I wanted to put the fun in fundamental.” While he admits that some people thought the prayer was irreverent and he acknowledges getting some flack for it, he isn’t taking the negativity to heart. He quips:

“I had one guy, believe it or not, showing his IQ I guess that said, ‘you arrogant SOB, you know God’s  a Chevy fan and you didn’t mention them.’ I thought, he doesn’t understand what GM Performance cars and technology is.’’

In directly addressing his family’s take on the “smokin’ hot wife” line, Nelms says they thought it was funny. Both his wife and daughter were watching the prayer on television while packing for vacation. After hearing the complimentary line about his wife, he says, “…my daughter laid on the floor laughing.”

While not everyone is giggling, many people found the invocation entertaining to say the least.

Comments (208)

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  • romadave
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:40am

    All rednecks have gun racks in their truck because they are gonna use them on the ATF when they come to take them away. All Christians hate gays and blacks (?!) and just pray to a white anglo saxon Jesus. They see Jesus on their walmart receipts. Conservatives hate the poor and don’t want to provide a saftey net. All coal miners hate the environment and want to destroy mother earth by choking her with dirty black smoke. And those who live in the land of low sloping foreheads have fat wifes and fat kids who can’t pass their math exams and will lose all high tech jobs to the Japanese, who are much thinner and invent robots and stuff.

    When this guy goes against the narrative and calls attention to a prayer in a fun, uplifting way, all of a sudden people are defending God’s hurt feelings. They are concerned for this pastor‘s soul because he isn’t worshipping God in the proper fashion. All you haters are amazing.

    Just put us in a cookie cutter and give us a marriage amendment and we’ll vote for our side. You guys get to keep funding for NPR and ‘Piss Christ’ artwork and you vote for your side. Then both sides can have the keys to the treasury and rob us all blind.

    tea

    Report Post »  
    • UlyssesP
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:49am

      Pathetic. You complainers should hear me talk to God. You people would flip out. But I forgive you. You can’t see into my heart like He can. He Knows. You don’t.

      Report Post » UlyssesP  
    • Faith_Grace
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 1:26pm

      God has a sense of humor I am sure of it. I am sure he was laughing along with everyone else? I share everything with my GOD!!!! The good and the bad, the funny and the sad……He is not only my Savior but my Best Friend. So why not?

      Report Post »  
    • politicaljules
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 2:38pm

      Why does romadave’s comment come up as the first comment every time?

      Even when we change the comments from “newest to oldest” only his comment comes up first.

      Is there some kind of nefarious code that romadave is embedding in their comments to make this happen?

      Is there a way to prevent this from happening? Anyone?

      Report Post »  
    • MDSBigPaPa
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:11pm

      @Faith_Grace: God sure does have a sense of humor and, He has proven it to me. We were camping with friends one Memorial Day weekend and, of course we had rain. We were watching the Indy 500 in our friend’s motor home and I had to go back to our camper to get something. I ran to the camper then back to the motor home and didn’t get wet at all so I stuck my head out from under the awning, looked to the Heavens and said, “Nah, nah, you missed me.” About that time there was a gust of wind and about 2 gallons of water from the awning was dumped down my neck. True story. So, you see, He has a great sense of humor.

      Report Post » MDSBigPaPa  
    • the hawk
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:46pm

      ADAM ASK GOD for a SMOLIN HOT WIFE And he got LYLTH !

      Report Post »  
    • richard the lion-hearted
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 4:11pm

      This pastor I’m sure is a good-hearted, warm fellow, however he errors greatly on things sacred. Though the Father invites you to pray to Him often there must be a solemn, reverent demeanor in one’s actions, words, and thoughts when touching on things of the Lord, to do so with the upmost respect, honor due, and humbleness before Him, the creator of not only you but all mankind from Adam, creator of the universe and all within it’s confines. That’s the way I see it, that’s how I feel about it, the Spirit testifies as much to me in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

      Report Post » richard the lion-hearted  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 4:48pm

      This was his way of expressing thanks for his blessings. Nothing irrevrent about it at all. Who got glorified? God did. That’s what matters.

      Report Post »  
    • cyntro
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:54pm

      that’s quite a beginning to a….manifesto? Please contact your local mental health clinic or law enforcement. I‘m sure they’d like to speak with you.

      Report Post »  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 3:09am

      There is a large difference between God having a sense of humor, and being inappropriate. While yes, it is OK to joke whilst praying, it is not OK to be inappropriate. This pastor did it, not because he thought God would appreciate it, but because he was hoping for his 15 minutes of fame, and to draw a reaction.

      Report Post »  
    • Barbara Swindall
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 5:35pm

      This MAN does not even deserve to be called a pastor. He has degraded Christianity and the pastoral position. A REAL PASTOR does not take Christianity so lightly. Lighten Up?? Folks I am sorry, but MY LORD can see into every person that was there that day and He knows their innermost thoughts and sins and their destinations in life. Therefore, you can see why US CHRISTIANS (not the so-called, but true, born-again Christians!) find it hard to see any humor in his statements! May God forgive him. God is not a comedian!

      Report Post » Barbara Swindall  
    • others
      Posted on July 28, 2011 at 9:15am

      I think you have all missed the point. Here is an email I sent to Mr Nelms

      Mr. Nelms,

      My grandfather and four generations of my family before him dedicated their lives to the service of spreading God’s word and the message of his Son, our Savior. He has since gone on to meet the Lord. I certainly hope and pray that he did not see your ‘prayer’ from heaven.

      In a time where Christianity in America and around the world is under attack from all sides, you have had to impudence to offer such an awful excuse for the Holy communication with our Father and Savior in front of the entire world.

      The ‘smoking hot wife’ comment is not all that bad in my opinion. Interestingly, I tell my wife this in joking as well. I do believe also that the Lord expects us to have a sense of humor.

      What I found terribly offensive was the obvious marketing plugs in a ‘PRAYER’! If this was not money changers in the house of God I do not know what is. I found your performance as a professed man of God, not only appalling but blatant sacrilege.

      You do not need to justify your actions to me as I am too a sinner who must ask daily for forgiveness for my transgression. I simply ask that in the future you use better judgment when representing our Lord and Savior and his Holy Christian Church.

      Report Post »  
    • Sguiggs
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 12:49am

      People should not make blanket judgements about other people. Only God can judge & only God knows our hearts. Everything you said is probably true of SOME people but certainly not ALL “whites & Christians” are bigots. I love everyone including you! God bless you & keep you. Oh, and we don’t hate the earth. God said “worship the creator not the creation”
      …

      Report Post »  
  • Unbelievable
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:18am

    I loved it! It’s good to have a sense of humor occassionally and I believe God would agree :~}

    Report Post »  
    • URKiddinMee
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:22pm

      God obviously has a sense of humor, or he wouldn’t allow the democrat party to exist.

      Report Post » URKiddinMee  
    • Pegi
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:15pm

      I agree 100%! Folks need to lean back and stop being so darn serious about everything. We gave the pastor a standing “10” at our house!

      Report Post »  
  • stogieguy7
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:17am

    Surely the good Pastor was referring to his second wife. Right? Anyone?

    Report Post » stogieguy7  
    • Attention2Detail
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:38am

      Smokin’ Hotness is in the eye of the beholder. I think it‘s great that sees his wife in a way that you don’t. Now if he was just using a line from Ricky Bobby, shame on him. God appreciates a joke, but not a lie.

      Report Post » Attention2Detail  
    • Neo Con John
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:45am

      Stogmiester,Your killing me,lol
      I see no harm in him appreciating his BEAUTIFUL WIFE.

      Report Post »  
    • dinadp
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:04am

      LOL! I saw the picture & wondered where the smokin’ hot wife was!

      Report Post » dinadp  
    • SimpleTruths
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:52am

      I’m with Dina on that one.

      Report Post » SimpleTruths  
    • URKiddinMee
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:20pm

      “Smokin’ Hot” is in the eye of the beholder.

      Report Post » URKiddinMee  
    • steve-in-pa
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 5:49am

      He must have a pair of those special obama “rose colored glasses”. I use to just call them beer goggles.

      Report Post » steve-in-pa  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:12am

    What a disgusting display. People will think this irreverent prayer is just fine, but wonder at the how we let our country decay. If this Pastor wanted a career in stand up comedy, he should give up his congregation.

    Report Post »  
    • Gideon300
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:07am

      Look at some of the replies on here, some here do think it was fine. I don’t. If this prayer makes you want to go to church, then, you are most likely going for the wrong reasons. My Lord and Saviour doesn’t have to be dressed up, snazzy, and be part of this world. Jesus is not of this world, and should not be made out to be some cool worldly religion.

      You go to church for salvation and to learn and live by God’s word. If you want cool lines and flash, go see a movie…

      Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. -1st John 2:15-17

      Report Post »  
    • brknhrt
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:29am

      Prayers for his personal life should be done in private. This was not an honorable testimony and was not God-honoring.

      Report Post » brknhrt  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 12:17pm

      The part about thanking God for all things is a good thing to remember. Also true that prayers should not be rote recitations. The tone was clearly aimed at being a standup comic, though.

      Report Post »  
    • jspugh
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 1:40pm

      Ted, I say this to you as brother in Christ, but you are dead wrong. God wants us thanking Him for EVERYTHING in our lives, as He is the source for all of it. That includes cool cars and beautiful wives. This prayer was not irreverent at all.

      Report Post »  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:22pm

      Love not the world…sounds like the way pharisees took the Torah out of context in order to justify n (easier) haughtier, self-righteous lifestyle.

      First of all, do some background check out the word love used there, not even going to help you out with tenses, and some actual real contextual reading instead of twisting scripture to fit what you want. There are certain loves reserved for God, and God should be put in a place of pre-eminence in the world, it does not mean isolate yourself from the world. There is far more scripture about being the salt in the world than separating. Just like those who decry alcohol as blatantly sinful, so focused on those things they regard to be “social” sins, that you forget everything else about judging, about Paul saying all is good, about legalism and its traps. The prideful arrogant, self-righteous, Judging Critical Christian telling the loving “backslidden” christian how evil they are because they don’t conform to their brand of religion.

      Religion is the biggest killer in the world. The biggest destroyer of family and hopes and dreams. Christianity is not. Keep your manufactured religion, I will keep Christ and his word. The Christian life may not be about solely “fun”, but it certainly is about joy. That’s something those of you with so much religion are quite adept at removing from life. You keep living your lives in boxes you have created, I’ll live mine in the joy and freedom of Christ.

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    • Gideon300
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 5:33pm

      DB,

      This is Bible related not religion related. Are you really going to defend this?? Seriously? Please show me in the Bible where Jesus added humor in prayers to our Heavenly Father to WOW a crowd. Show me where Jesus used gimmicks to get people to go to hear His word. No, Jesus told only the truth.

      When we pray we are to come to God humbly, not use humor like boogity boogity boogity to make a crowd laugh. This is worldly behavior and not Christ-like.

      This is the same mindset that has invaded so many churches. The lib emergent view is all too prevalent today, which is what you sound like, a liberal Christian.

      Are some of us critical as you say? Yes, we use discernment and judge using righteous judgment as John 7:24 tells us to. We are to test all things. This prayer doesn’t pass the Biblical test.

      Report Post »  
    • Pegi
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:21pm

      Having a hard time connecting the dots in your reply. Where does this country‘s decay and this pastor’s prayer cross roads? Don’t see it!

      Report Post »  
    • Pegi
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:27pm

      This prayer worked just find at our house. A little levitity can be good for the soul. Besides when was the last time anybody had anything to say about the prayer before a NASCAR race? This so called “irreverant prayer” has more folks talking about God than any others I’ve heard recently. If God created everything, surely he created humor too!

      Report Post »  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 8:18am

      What you have is religion related, not bible related. The legalistic poise of such hearts accompanied by an arrogant loftiness and derision towards others not fitting your brand of religion is a dangerous thing in our age. Emptying churches and driving people from Christ rather than to

      I don’t even have enough time to list all of the sarcasm, wordplays, double entendres, puns, and humor in the Bible. From conversation with Job to Moses, all throughout. It is not my fault you sap the humor out of the Bible even though it is a vital component of God. Rob yourself of joy if you must, do not rob others. I do not have the audacity to believe that I can judge this man’s heart. There is nowhere in the Bible that tells us to do that. There are places that speak of using discernment sure, you should definately take John 7:24 more to heart and stop judging by mere appearances. Other places you stated how the man was not humble and did not approach God humbly. You have no idea, you are no better than the man praying to God saying thank you for not making me like this poor person over here.

      Emergent, emergent..you can call me what you want. I believe the Bible is absolute, and true, and I believe in one God in three persons, with the bridge of Christ that carries us from our imperfection and washes us into the perfection of God’s bosom. I have no problem with using the Bible as a basis, I have a problem with people making their interpretation the Bible itself.

      Report Post »  
    • Gideon300
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 10:21am

      DB,

      Please go through my posts and point to where this is religion, and not Biblical. You can say that as much as you want, but fact remains my point is Biblical and the prayer was not. Nowhere in my posts did I mention a denomination, which I could care less about. I’m a Biblical based Christian not a sectarian. Your failure to point to examples in the Bible where humor for personal gain is acceptable is proof positive that your debate is baseless.

      I would disagree that you are using the Bible as a basis, it is you that are using your human view and not reading the Jesus’ words literally. Again, Jesus thought prayer was so very important that he taught us how to pray the our Creator, the creator of all things.

      You tell me to get off the “street preaching”…. According to you people preaching in the street is wrong? Peter and Paul would fit in that category you created…

      You either admit to being a follower of the emergent church or you have no idea what I am talking about. If you adhere to the teaching of Rob Bell and Brian McLaren, then, yes you are an emergent and have fallen into apastasy due to these two and their followers fusing new agism/humanism with Christianity. Not Biblically based…. It is no different than Liberation Theology, just a new name and shiny new package.

      Paul warned us that in the latter days, which is now, men will turn away from sound teaching and listen to what their itching ear wants to hear (2 Tim 4). Pra

      Report Post »  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 4:38pm

      Your posts are rank with religion. Condemnation and judging. Judging other’s hearts, their humility, their pride, their arrogance, their motivations, their heart coming before God, all without being God yourself. I said nothing of a denomination, your words show how you follow your religion to a t, but they do not show any fruit of the spirit, they show criticism, harshness, and judging. Then you twist words, I never said for personal gain, I said humor is all throughout the Bible. Not to mention that is a non-sequitur. Your omniscience, gratefully, has let us know this pastor’s arrogant and unworthy heart condition. Not much left for God to judge.
      You would disagree that I am using the Bible as a basis, because I don’t agree with your religion. I am not one to judge their conviction or their heart, I do do not possess such arrogance currently. This pastor, for all I know as I am not sitting under his sermons, may well be leading people in droves to the well of Christ.
      Wow, I was referencing your own biblical reference which specifically speaks of people speaking out on the street loudly in prayer for their own glory. I have no illusions of condemning any person on the street preaching, his word will not return void.

      Report Post »  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 4:39pm

      I didn’t admit to any such thing. I have been called such many times, because of my “liberal” views. I certainly do not follow Rob Bell or Brian McLaren, though I have read them quite a bit in order to be knowledgeable of the heresy and twisting they do with the word of God especially in relation to the Kingdom. Personally I would sway more to liking Mark Driscoll, many of his sermons and books have spoke to me deeply, and though he is attacked by many fundamentals, he preaches the truth, just like in this situation, he just doesn’t preach their religion.
      Paul did warn us, it is important to remember that all should keep Christ at the center, not the kingdom, or any man. Sound doctrine is very important. Religion and judging like that which I have seen here is detrimental, and in my mind could very well fall into the likes of those men whom Paul warned us of. You keep your religion and push people away with it, I will pursue Christ, and hope to draw them near as I pray for the strength to display the fruits of the Spirit in my life to all of those around me, and though I often fail, it is not I, but Christ whom will prevail.

      Report Post »  
  • SaleenDriver
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:05am

    I looked up “hot wife” on the Internet. That one in the picture? Not even in the same universe as a hot wife. Kathy Ireland would be a hot wife. Kyle Busch’s wife is a hot wife. What you have here in this pic is the complete opposite. Not a pretty site.

    Report Post »  
    • Unbelievable
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:15am

      Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. She is hot to her husband and that is all that matters. Who are we to judge others!

      Report Post »  
    • SaleenDriver
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 12:53pm

      @Unbelievable: I’m not judging. I’m expressing an opinion. That ain’t a “hot wife”. Not to me. And I’ll wager that if you asked 10 guys, or 100 guys, 9 out of 10 would agree.

      Love must indeed be blind…………..

      Report Post »  
    • SaleenDriver
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 12:55pm

      And for the record, I thought the invocation was funny, and I had no problem with it. In addition to being Jewish, I am also a great believe in the idea that God created Man in his image, including a sense of humor. Nothing wrong with putting humor and prayer together.

      And if you don’t think God has a sense of humor, then explain the existance of liberals to me……

      Report Post »  
  • Mustangdave
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:58am

    We do it right in Tennessee….

    Report Post » Mustangdave  
    • BocaBaby
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:28am

      Amen to that!!!!! And to all the hatrers……maybe YOU don’t know Jesus so well after all….I heard that prayer and both my husband and I found it powerful and refreshing. Don’t get me wrong…had it not been anointed, then it could have been as dead and dry as your religious, legalistic form of whatever you want to call YOUR version of Christianity.

      Than God there are men like this that are unashamed of the gospel, and vocal about praising their wives…………and shame on all of you critical judgmental ones.

      Report Post » BocaBaby  
    • Gideon300
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 10:22am

      Boca,

      I don’t think you know your Bible or the gospels. Please go read Matthew chapter 6. You are to come to our Heavenly Father, the creator of all things, humbly. This prayer was in no way, shape, or form, humble.

      Report Post »  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:27pm

      “I don’t think you know your Bible or the gospels. Please go read Matthew chapter 6. You are to come to our Heavenly Father, the creator of all things, humbly. This prayer was in no way, shape, or form, humble”

      You would do good to heed your own advice. Perhaps instead of babbling on a street corner(the internet) and lifting yourself up through your constrained ideas of your “relgion” while putting others down twisting scripture. You have no idea how humble this man is or how humble he came before God. He was asked to pray, you have no idea if this is his norm of wanting people to look at him as he prays in pride. You don’t know his heart, despite what you may think of yourself. You are not God.

      Report Post »  
  • h20sue
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:56am

    Having to deal with the stress of the economy, the Obama administration, lack of money, taxes, and suffering small business, I found the Nascar prayer delightful. Unfortunately, I had to give up cable several years ago because I was too busy working to watch and it was “wasteful spending”. Therefore, I was unable to watch race. I heard about this on the news, and thought this was not only a minister with a sense of humor, but he also agrees with most folks…”God has a sense of humor too, and he would want us to smile, and try to focus on something besides Obama and politics.
    I just hope Boehner holds true and doesn’t give Obama further credit on spending! The spending needs to stop NOW! AND…. we do not need more taxes!!!!!! We’re taxed out of our gourds.
    I can only hope more ministers use a sense of humor in their sermons, reach out to folks who need their support, and Obama listens to the conservatives before it’s too late!

    Report Post »  
  • poster
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:49am

    Now that’s funny… and memorable! AMEN.

    Report Post »  
  • nilo
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:45am

    Stupid, stupid, stupid! He is no more reverant toward God than the mike he is screaming into.

    Report Post » nilo  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:52am

      God is our Father, and we should be able to talk to him any way we want. I knew someone who said Daddy God. What, do we have to pray with thee‘s and thou’s? I like his non-cookie cutter prayer.

      Report Post »  
    • jspugh
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 1:43pm

      How very legalistic of you.

      Report Post »  
  • windycitywoman
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:43am

    Hello Beck friends! I (original founder) have started a prayer group for Glenn and his endeavors on educating our youth and his mission in Israel. This group also posts news articles and videos on topics Glenn has covered on his show. Many others and I are members of GBTV and will be discussing his show daily and posting what he shares on the Internet. This is a great way to stay in the loop if you do not have GBTV!. If you are a “like minded” Christian, Conservative Glenn Beck fan please join us (without the TROLLS)! We did a wonderful fast and pray last week for Israel! Find me on Facebook under Sharon Grek Papucci and send me a friend request! Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers.” -Sidlow Baxter

    Report Post » windycitywoman  
  • LadyJustice
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:39am

    I’m as conservative as they come….AND…I truly believe that not only is my God a forgiving and loving One, I also believe He has an amazing sense of humor!!!

    Report Post » LadyJustice  
    • cessna152
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:47am

      I heard his prayer on F&F this am. I am a youth leader, Worship team member and a ultra Conservative. I found nothing wrong with this prayer and thought it awesome that he loves his wife so much. Move on…

      Report Post » cessna152  
    • Rapunzel
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:40am

      Of course He has a sense of humor…otherwise *we* would not. And just look at the duck-billed platypus if you need more evidence!

      Report Post » Rapunzel  
  • AB5r
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:36am

    Now if he really wanted to get some attention he would have thrown in a line like this “And protect us from the Muslims who follow Muhammad and want to destroy our freedoms and way of life, and may they find Christ and turn from their evil ways, and help those fighting to keep them from building their gigantic hideous mosques all over our sweet land…” Now that would have taken stones, and most of the people in attendance would have probably cheered out loud. Christian pastors need to start getting serious about this before it is too late. Eventually his smoking hot wife will be covered up with a burqa.

    Report Post » AB5r  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:44am

      I notice his “smokin hot wife” seems a wife reflecting the Biblical model as opposed to the New York Political model. And family ,and “marriage’ ought not be redefined for it is the most fundamental unit.
      I think he did well .Or at least did not harm.

      Report Post »  
  • itsmyfirstday
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:36am

    I was there! Pastor Joe ROCKED the house!!!

    Report Post » itsmyfirstday  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 2:51pm

      That speaks volumes about the morals of this country and why we are in such a state of decline.

      Report Post »  
  • cmsmik
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:33am

    This guy was quoting a movie with Will Ferell called Talladega Nights. It was a joke, why does no one get this?!

    Report Post »  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:38am

      Because people want to have someone to criticize even if they have to make up things about them.
      I can’t believe anyone would object to this. Lighten up people, God does.

      Report Post »  
    • Drives Like Jehu
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 4:51pm

      Maybe because prayer is not a joke. I watched Talladega Nights on TV once and found Hollywoods mocking of Christians disgusting. Eternal salvation and the cost to Christ providing it to his Elect is not fun house material. Shameful.

      Report Post » Drives Like Jehu  
    • guntotingmama
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 12:55pm

      Exactly! I cannot believe no one got that. And for those of you who felt the prayer was tacky… sorry you have no sense of humor! Kudos to the pastor for having one!

      Report Post » guntotingmama  
  • Doobin
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:28am

    This was taken from “Talladega Nights”, which I thought was apropos.

    I am a serious Christian, but I am serious with a smile.

    Report Post »  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:15am

    “I wanted to put the fun in fundamental.”

    Because that’s what Christianity is all about: FUN. Cost of discipleship? Don’t be such a downer.

    I wonder if the crowd he was reaching really had a problem incorporating having fun with believing in God. Could they perhaps be in danger of erring too much on the other side, only worshipping God because it’s fun?

    A pastor should challenge people beyond their worldliness, not tickle their ears. I recall a verse about just that thing.

    Of course what this pastor did fits into a larger pattern of the abuse of prayer where a prayer to God is really just a disguised message to the poeple. Lots of people preach during their communal prayers. It happens in church, in small groups, and in large public gatherings. Its hard to avoid it, because you have to say SOMETHING, which is one good reason for having set patterns for those prayers that have been thought out. When you deviate from them in order to “reach the people”, as this pastor did, you wind up only addressing the crowd and not really talking to God at all. God is used as a speaking platform. No one here who says, “God has a sesne of humor”, can seriously think that the pastor was trying to amuse God with his prayer. He was trying to amuse the crowd. So who really was being addressed in his prayer? Was not the essence of his action a lesson to the people saying, “You can have fun while praying to God”? As a teacher I can tell you that lessons are not prayers.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • oto1
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:00am

      But is God not a part of every one of us? So by bringing humor and joy to those people was he not bringing joy to God as well? And isn’t prayer itself an expression of joy to God?

      Report Post »  
    • CPT_GCF
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 11:23am

      I agree with ISLESFORDIAN. The verse is 2 Timothy 4:1-5, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
      Sounds like a lot of people here would agree with the emergent church, and think that the church should exchange God’s Truth for “fun”.

      Report Post »  
  • TC
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:14am

    Loved it. Christians…and I am one, love to laugh also!

    Report Post » TC  
  • I_Hate_Libs
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:13am

    Ok I don’t know how to say this but “hot” might not be the word for it.

    The horror of the Democrat mind.

    Report Post »  
  • BigConserv
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:11am

    I think It was light hearted and really no harm done but think it shouldn’t be a
    new wave of prayer it’s not correct to inject such comedy into a special
    moment like this one
    But anyways it sure has made people interested in his words to GOD
    That shows they were listening

    Report Post »  
  • NO-GODS-NO-MASTERS
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:09am

    Looks like they kneel at the alter of the all you can eat buffet

    Report Post »  
  • Jasgent
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:06am

    I liked the prayer, god gave us the ability to laugh, and we are to pray in all things. Humor is a good thing. Irreverence, in my opinion, was not, in this prayer. Keep up the good work paster.

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:25am

      If there was no irreverence in the prayer then I suppose you found that there was reverence in it. You found the prayer treated the Lord with the proper respect, and taught the audience how to be reverent of God?

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • dbhokie
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 3:35pm

      I find your judgemental and critical spirit to be quite overwhelming. You don’t know his heart, perhaps you should let God be God instead of trying to be him yourself. Reverence is not all about words, it is about attitude and heart. I am joyful and having fun with something God has blessed me with the ability to enjoy. I will thank him for providing that and I can thank him in a “fun” way if I want, that has nothing to do with my heart or how I approach him or my relationship with him.

      It is people like you that I am ashamed to identify with and I would rather try not to. I’d rather be the tax collecting sinner following Jesus and loving him, displaying the fruits of the spirit, than the calloused critical pharisee who follows nothing but their own set of rules they use to make themselves feel superior. False teachers of our times are here in the same guises, those of the pharisees, those that seek to lessen the truth to sets of dos and don’ts and whatever they may so feel. Take the plank out of your own eye and look at the inner wretch that you are, before you condemn others so hastily. I am a wretch, and I have many issues internally, and I have pride and arrogance to deal with myself, but I have seen more friends and loved ones pushed from Christ by those with your spirit, than any other cause that I have ever known.

      The greatest enemy of Christ are many of those who profess him and use it to judge others, rather than remembering God is the Judge.

      Report Post »  
    • teddrunk
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:17pm

      God gave us the ability to laugh means we should make a joke of prayer? God gave us the ability to pull “Herman” but doing it while praying for a laugh or just to be different is kind of a stupid idea too.

      Report Post »  
  • IceCreamMan
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:02am

    I guess “hot” is in the eyes of the beholder…

    Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:59am

    I have no problem with that prayer–it is cars going round and round that I can’t get into.

    Report Post »  
    • PAPAROACH
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 8:09am

      Yeah not as exciting as watchin a bunch of bro’s chasing a basketball. jeez!!

      Report Post »  
    • Unbelievable
      Posted on July 26, 2011 at 9:20am

      Go to a race and you’ll be hooked for life!

      Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:58am

    Pastor,, Start your sermon. Boogety, Boogety, Boogety, Let’s go racing. No need to defend yourself.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Barbara Swindall
      Posted on July 27, 2011 at 5:40pm

      He may not need to defend himself to you or to the world, but one day he may try to defend himself to God, but he will have no defense. This man has degraded Christianity and the pastoral position. May God have mercy on him

      Report Post » Barbara Swindall  
  • jedi.kep
    Posted on July 26, 2011 at 7:57am

    Props to you Pastor Joe! Best prayer I’ve heard in a long long time. Keep putting that ‘fun’ in fundamental because Lord knows fundamentalist Christians need more fun!

    Report Post » jedi.kep  
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