With the start of the New Year, I sometimes consider doing a new thing. This year an idea came to me a bit early. You may be surprised when you hear what it is. I was surprised that I would think of such a thing, but I did and it is not a joke, it is something I am serious about.

It involves Howard Stern. I can imagine a lot of people saying, "you've got to be kidding" about now. I'm not. I already said that this is no joke.

I've been reading some things about Howard Stern in Christian publications. There is a group that is trying to get his show off the air. People watch the show to see which companies sponsor the show with their advertising, and then boycott the products of those companies. They write letters to the company executives and use the threat of boycott to convince them not to sponsor that particular program.

There is no question that the program is offensive. I have a satellite dish, and the Howard Stern show appears on one of the stations. I am fortunate because there is a delay built into the system. When I channel surf, the name of the program appears on the screen for a few moments before the program appears. I have plenty of time to read the name of the program and switch to the next channel before the actual program comes on. I never have to pollute my television viewing by allowing the Howard Stern show, Roseanne, Married with Children, the Simpsons, or any shows I find offensive to actually appear on my screen even for a moment.

I don't know who sponsors Howard Stern's show because I don't watch it and I haven't taken enough interest to boycott the sponsors. I don't do much of the shopping at our house, and when I do, I usually buy only the things written on a list prepared by Kathie. I'm probably never going to keep track of companies well enough to participate in a boycott. The skeptic in me even has to wonder about whether or not some of the boycott organizers use keeping track of sponsors as an excuse to watch the show.

The boycotts are somewhat successful. I was reading in a Focus on the Family publication that the show's producers have had to find new sponsors on more than one occasion.

The organizers of the boycotts see themselves as fighting evil. There is nothing wrong with fighting evil, but there is a chance that those who fight evil will become evil. I'll give you some examples of what I mean.

If an over zealous person were to send Howard Stern a letter bomb, or a package containing anthrax, or hijack a plan and fly it into his studio, then that person would have crossed a line. That person would have become evil and could no longer claim to be fighting evil.

I don't oppose those who boycott, but I would choose a different approach for myself. I want Howard Stern to have a conversion. I want him to become a follower of Jesus Christ, and I want him to focus his energy on things that would please God. I am going to pray that this will happen, and I want you to join me in my prayer.

I'm going to send my friends an email on this subject, and I'm going to ask those who are interested to join us in our prayer and to ask others to join us in our prayer. I believe that Jesus Christ could do for Howard Stern what he did for the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. If you don't know that story please read the ninth chapter of Acts.

I'm even considering sending Howard a letter. The envelope would simply contain a letter. There would be no bomb and no anthrax. The letter would simply be an invitation. It would be an invitation for Howard to devote his life to Jesus Christ. I would ask him this question: If God could choose what you would do with your life from this day forward, what do you think God would choose? Then I would invite him to live out that choice.

I believe that with God all things are possible. Please join me in my belief and in my prayer. May the God of peace shower blessings upon you today and every day of the New Year.

Sincerely,

Pastor Birk