Recently AOL featured some “Bushisms” — humorous statements by President George Bush -- on their home page. I like this one: “We cannot let terrorists and rogue nations hold this nation hostile or hold our allies hostile.”

By George, it is a funny thing, but that statement made some sense to me. As human beings it seems that we are often held hostile. Somebody says or does something unkind to us and we get so angry that we can be held hostile for years. Every time we see or hear about that person we are suddenly in a hostile mental state.

A man in the rehab where I work recently told me that he had "killed his ex-wife in his mind every way possible". He said he used to lay awake at night and picture various ways to kill her. Why? Because he was being held hostile.

Nations also can be held hostile. They can see enemies everywhere. They can promote violence and war in their media. They can create a culture of hostility. (For example, road rage.")

Being held hostile is no fun. It is a type of bondage. The man in the rehab is now free. He forgave his ex-wife. Being held hostile is painful. Why not give up your anger and hostility today?

"How happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for right living!" Living right is not popular. Being popular is popular -- fitting in -- being cool.

People are hungry to be accepted; hungry to break the rules; hungry to make money; hungry to get high on chemicals; hungry to have fun; hungry for power; hungry for cheapo sex; hungry to impress others; hungry for hyped up media (sickovision); hungry for more stuff; hungry to talk on cell phones; hungry to look younger than they are. But is anyone hungry to live right?

I want to live right! I want my life to be as finely tuned as possible to the principles of morality, truth, and justice. I don't want to limp through life on one cylinder of my V-8 engine -- just getting by and stuffing my pain. I want to be all I can be -- as good as I can be.

Life is a challenge to live right and I want to rise to meet it. Living right is hard, very hard. But I am convinced that there is no more exciting and fulfilling way to live than by hungering and striving to live right. Why not try it and see for yourself?

Last week four men from Men of Valor spoke in the rehab where I work as chaplain. These guys were awesome. All four of them had served time in prison and had also had major problems with drug addiction.

Now all four are out of prison, living drug free, and holding down jobs. They all gave the credit to Jesus Christ and His working in their lives.

Men of Valor is a Nashville, Tennessee based organization that sends Christian men into prison to meet with an inmate once each week for an hour. The mentor teaches the inmate practical principles for living a wholesome life. He counsels, prays, and becomes personal friends with the man in prison.

When the inmate is released he has someone who genuinely cares about him to help him adjust. And the influence on the men’s lives is amazing.

I wish you could have heard those four men last week. The next best thing for you would be to visit the Men of Valor website at: men-of-valor.org

Should pastors clean commodes? Yes, indeed! Especially if they believe the red-letter words in the New Testament.

Jesus said (in red): “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

I once read a story in a book by Watchman Nee, a Chinese Christian who died in a communist prison, that went something like this. He was visiting a Christian community in China and asked his host if he could meet the pastor. The host said he would be glad to take him to the pastor and asked Watchman Nee to follow him.

The host led him across a field to a small building and told Watchman Nee: “The pastor is in there cleaning that out.” The building was an outhouse.

Do we really believe the Bible?

Have you ever heard someone in a pulpit refer to the church building as "God's house"? I've heard things like: "It's great to be in God's house today," or "Welcome to the house of the Lord on this fine Sunday morning."

Are those statements Biblical? Well, in the Old Testament God did have a house. It was called the Temple. And the awesome Presence of God, Himself, resided in the Holy of Holies.

That Temple however was destroyed in 70 AD by the Romans and was never rebuilt. When Jesus died around 33 AD the veil that protected the Holy of Holies was miraculously torn from top to bottom.

Since that time God hasn't lived in a house made by hands. The New Testament says: "You are the temple of the Holy Spirit." And "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

God no longer resides in physical buildings. He lives in the people who allow Him to rule in their lives and behavior. Buildings are fine for holding meetings, but God, Himself, wants to live in you. Will you let Him?