I have an important statement to make this morning: I am not running for President. That fact apparently makes me a minority. Today's New York Times tells us that 12 candidates have declared so far. Yesterday, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Democrat of New York (as though you didn't know) held her first campaign event. Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico became the eighth member of his party to enter the race. Four Republicans have begun their campaigns. And the election cycle is still very early.

For the first time in half a century, the ballot will not include an incumbent president or vice-president or even a definitive front runner. President Bush's perceived weakness because of the unpopularity of the Iraq conflict has presumably contributed to the large field of candidates, as he has no apparent heir apparent. If anyone tells you that they know who will be our next president, they'll lie about the weather as well.

I am also announcing today that I am not going into the sports betting business. You see, I picked New Orleans and New England to win yesterday's conference championship games and go to the Super Bowl. The Saints were blown out, and my man Tom Brady threw a game-ending interception to send the Colts to play the Bears. I'm picking Indianapolis, which means that Chicago is a lock. Sports betting is probably not the best hobby for a Baptist preacher anyway (even though I'd tithe on all I won).

Name something you can guarantee will happen today. Death and taxes, they say. But if Jesus comes back this afternoon, neither will occur for us. You think you'll finish this essay? Maybe, maybe not. On June 4, 1971, Jerome Rodale told the New York Times Magazine, "I'm going to live to be 100, unless I'm run down by a sugar-crazed taxi driver." The next day, the vitamin and longevity guru was a guest on the Dick Cavett Show, where he died of a heart attack. The ancient philosopher Heraclitus claimed that the only constant in the universe is change. He was right, with One exception.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). James testified that "whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows" (James 1:17, NLT). Hard times can cause us to wonder if God still loves us. Apparently unpunished sin can cause us to think that his justice is fickle. But neither is true. He is holy (Isaiah 6:3) and he is love (1 John 4:8). So this would be a good time to repent of anything which displeases him, and to thank him for loving you anyway. You may get another chance, but then again, you may not. This is the warning, and the invitation, of God.

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