On Friday, I spoke of my concerns about Rick Warren's presidential forum at Saddleback Church between Obama and McCain. My fears mostly rested in the forum's alliances and wide publicity coverage. Both the format and the questions threatened to compromise the Christian message.

Such was not the case, however, and I would like to commend Rick Warren and others who pulled off this event. I heard two experts describe it as the most effective "debate" format they'd ever seen. While Warren did not use his pulpit as a bully pulpit or the Bible as a club to hit people over the head, he made our Christian positions clear. Warren asked pointed questions that forced the two candidates to reveal their hearts in an unrehearsed way. We watched, and then we compared. Those of us who strive to preserve our Judeo-Christian standards in the United States were able to line up the candidates' answers to what the Bible teaches and then decide who we preferred.

I've been reading much lately about marketplace ministry and how God has called His people today to assume places of prominence in the seven areas that make up culture: education, government, economy, family, religion, media, and arts/entertainment. This presidential forum did just that. It put godly people and our issues (which have been largely silent lately) front and center in a loving and understandable way.

Saturday night, I watched our country's Michael Phelps become the 2008 Olympic hero as the person to win the most-ever gold medals. I'm proud of Michael. But I'm even more proud of those who on Saturday night brought some of the issues Christians hold most dear to the public forum. Jesus told us in John 12:32, "If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peopls to Myself." We do the lifting, and He does the drawing.

I'm thankful to report that l for one saw Jesus lifted up on Saturday night in southern California. Now through it, Lord, draw all peoples to Yourself.