“2^nd Annual

‘Pie in the Face’ or

‘Pat on the Back Awards’”

It all started when I wrote about a company that for a modest fee would visit anyone you choose and cream him/her with a pie. What a great idea! Think of the possibilities!

·         Do insensitive jerks walk all over you? Let them have a fresh piece of your… pie!

·         Has your boss been a pain lately? Apply some first aid and enjoy the last laugh!

·         Do you know a preacher who's been a little stiff in the collar? (Forget I said that!)

Now, who else could benefit from a little "humble" pie? After all, this is the season of Lent. Confession and repentance is good for the soul. Right? So here is my second (maybe last?) annual pie in your face award for those notable individuals who refused to repent of their arrogance and pride and displayed a grave need for a "whip-cream-filled" dose of humility. But, this year to appease my sense of fairness and my innate desire to be positive, I am also giving a pat on the back to those notable individuals who accomplished great feats yet displayed humility.  

World Events & National Politics

L            For continued violence and outright cruelty against humanity: Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic richly deserve their pie in the face. (Stuffed with a missile?) 

U            For continuing to promote the causes of peace and freedom worldwide: Pope John Paul II and King Hussein of Jordan richly deserve a pat on the back and our gratitude.

L            For diverting our attention from critical issues and forcing us to dwell on your pursuit of cheap thrills and bald-faced lies: Bill Clinton deserves a cream pie between the eyes.

L            For wasting a much-needed opportunity to focus on our moral values and instead pursuing a political ‘get Bill’ agenda: Congressional Republicans equally earned a pie.

U            For offering a voice of reason in the midst of mud slinging and continuing to creatively serve and give to our country: Jimmy Carter and Bob Dole deserve a pat on the back.

Sports & Entertainment

L            For allowing us to see the Olympic games at their worst: The International Olympic committee needs to feel the splat of fresh cream pie.

U            For being positive role models and simply making baseball exciting again: Mark McGuire and Sammy Sousa deserve a pat on the back and our gracious thanks.

L            For lowering television standards to sewer level: “The Howard Stern Show.”

U            For raising television standards and offering a gracious view of God: “Touched By An Angel” deserves an extra pat on the back.

Church Issues

L            In less than two weeks you managed to insult the Jewish faith and a popular children’s television show: Jerry Falwell, what will you say next?

L            Was it to make a point or a publicity stunt? Either way, Rev. Don Fado deserves his pie for overseeing a “holy union” between two homosexuals and circumventing a carefully and prayerfully debated United Methodist policy approved by the national church body.

U            A pat on the back for Andrew Pearson, a youth delegate who stood before thousands of church delegates and persuaded us to take a stand against drinking alcohol at college.

U            A special pat on the back for Rev. Billy Graham who over the years has consistently spoken to us and modeled for us a wonderful message of salvation and hope.

You and I

L            For all the times when we had a golden opportunity to take a stand as Christians and lacked the courage. We too deserve the same creamed pie between the eyes.

U            For those times when you had a golden opportunity to take a stand as a Christian and found the courage you needed. Accept your pat on the back with grateful humility.

Maybe this is where Proverbs speaks with such authority:

·         Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.      (Proverbs 11:2-3)

·         Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.               (29:23)

Admittedly, we all could use a "creamed pie" occasionally to smash our pride. Remember how much God loves you and wants to enjoy an honest, intimate relationship with you, warts and all. Act now! Don't wait for a "pie in the eye" to be your wake-up call!