Preaching and the Supremes

"When I first began preaching, I wanted each sermon to be a powerful and transformative experience. I wanted it to be exegetically and theologically sound, even while it was painting new pictures and inspiring new metaphors. I wanted people's lives to be changed and the reign of God to come.
"Now, after almost 20 years of ministry, I just want to have it done by Friday. It's apparent to me that God is at work in the preaching event in a way I can't anticipate or create. I can simply put my best work forward, and the Spirit will craft the gospel with what I've put on the page."
Interview with Bradley Schmeling in The Christian Century, dated Dec 11, 2007.

In other news, the Supremes ruled yesterday that appellate courts should not second guess lower court judges on sentences. This is a decision I want to read. It goes completely against all my preconceptions about this court. I would have guessed a 5-4 one way or the other. The fact that the majority was seven justices is interesting. I would also like to know the race of the appellee. The appellee was a veteran who sold a little bit of crack. Selling crack has carried heavier sentences than selling powered cocaine. This has racial implications because crack is more often used by African Americans and powered cocaine by European Americans.