Greetings!
I got some hearty topics this week. I hope you’ll check them out.
By the way, here’s a random suggestion for you. If you know somebody who may be discouraged, had a rough week, going through a difficult trial in life, consider sending them a text of encouragement, even now. Without going through details, somebody close to me said they were having a discouraging moment this week, but once they received a text from a friend, it lightened the load significantly. Perhaps you could have the same impact.
Let’s get to it!
- Be a Boaz, not a Weinstein
The big mess involving Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein is growing. Years of sexual harassment and abuse of young actresses and other women in show business are being reported, and the list of those affected, as well as the list of those who enabled or willingly overlooked Weinstein’s behavior, continue to grow.
I’m not sure what will become of all this. But I hope God will make Himself known to those who are paying attention, who are asking “Why?” or “Who can be trusted?” and even those who are concerned about the behavior of men of the next generation.
Mayim Bialik, formerly of Blossom fame and currently in Big Bang Theory, created a video in response to the Weinstein mess. I applaud her efforts, but there were some concerning remarks.
For one, she interpreted her upbringing by her father as being taught not to trust men. Maybe I’m wrong, but she appeared to believe it was a bad thing that she was taught to be a virgin before marriage and be faithful to one spouse in a lifetime. Watch for yourself, and see what you think.
Secondly, Bialik said this: “I have yet to meet a man, even the nicest ones, who said they were not motivated by their desire to have sex with a woman.”
My initial thought was, “Don’t you think your show encourages this motivation?”
Bialik goes on to give great suggestions on how to raise boys to not become women harassers, but I believe this guidance, as great as it is, falls short because of the lack of biblical instruction.
For two days, I’ve been planning to address this topic in this week’s DHD. However, I couldn’t come up with a resource or instruction directly responding to the Weinstein debacle that would be biblically-based. That changed this morning when I read a blog by Rachel Starke.
Starke wrote “Be a Boaz in Your Business.” I love that title! This is a fantastic read. Boaz in the Book of Ruth is an excellent model for men on how to treat women, and Starke lists three great qualities that Boaz displayed – attentiveness and action; protection and provision; policy and personal example.
“Boaz’s leadership style was hardly the norm in his day. Boaz was living in the end of the era of the Judges, when sexual violence was rampant (Judg. 19) and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Judg. 21:25). And yet Boaz’s words and actions clearly communicate his commitment to following God’s law (Exod. 23:9), and to help others follow it also.”
- The Last Boy Scout
The ‘90s Bruce Willis movie title is becoming prophetic. An announcement was made this week of Boy Scouts of America now permitting girls to be involve in BSA’s Cub Scout program.
Of all the declining actions involving Boy Scouts in recent years, this is the least surprising. What’s interesting is Girl Scouts isn’t happy with the decision. Here’s a quote from the Baptist Press story:
“The Boy Scouts house is on fire,” GSUSA told ABC News. “Instead of addressing systemic issues of continuing sexual assault, financial mismanagement and deficient programming, BSA’s senior management wants to add an accelerant to the house fire by recruiting girls.”
Both scouting organizations seem to be falling into decline and are a significant reflection of society.
- Reactions to the 20-week abortion ban bill
I read two articles that came out after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act last week.
One article gives a list of 20 reasons (clever) why this House bill, which prohibits abortion after the unborn child reaches 20 weeks, is “not good.” You can read the article for yourself and come to your own conclusions.
My thought is this is progress but not the final battle. The ultimate goal should be to make abortion unthinkable in the mindset of all Americans and beyond. To help grow this mindset, it is important to show compassion to women who face unwanted pregnancies and encourage and support them in making alternative decisions to abortion.
What Congress approved last week is not a compromise; this bill is a continuation toward ending abortion practices.
The other article I read gives credence to a major point supporting the bill which is the U.S. is one of seven countries that performs abortions after 20 weeks. Considering it’s an article in the Washington Post, that’s an impressive favorable factor.
- Wax welcoming but not affirming
Check out Trevin Wax’s blog “Welcome Everyone, Affirm No One.”
Once again, my favorite blogger gives substance and clarity to how the church should operate in a Christ-like manner.
His presentation of applying grace is excellent. Grace shouldn’t be “accepting someone else’s definition of their own righteousness.” The church also shouldn’t “close the doors” to certain kinds of sinners, because then it is full of self-righteous people. Therefore, the proper application is welcome all and affirm none.
“Self-affirmation is the gospel of the American culture; we are idolaters when we make it the gospel of the Christian church. The church exists not to affirm ourselves, but to adore the King who loved us and gave himself for us when there was nothing good in us to affirm. The more we affirm ourselves, the less we adore the King for his grace.”
- Thunder culture
The last two DHD topics relate to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s beginning to look a lot like the start of the NBA season! Next week, as a matter of fact, the Thunder opens up at home against the New York Knicks, Oct. 19.
Check out this great article by Tim Cato of SB Nation. The piece further elaborates on the great bond between OKC and the Thunder organization. One fascinating underlying comment in the story is “the Thunder were first in community appearances last season, according to an NBA tracking system.”
There’s great quotes by Thunder center and comic relief Steven Adams – “…my neighbor was just making me loaves of bread. So I didn’t know what to do. I mean, obviously, you eat it, but I just like kept it, I had all these loaves of bread…” There’s also continued praise of Thunder G.M. Sam Presti. Cato gives a good assessment of how uniquely impressive the Thunder are able to remain relevant after Kevin Durant’s departure, and he points out that “(Russell) Westbrook was as much a therapist to grieving Thunder fans as he was an MVP last season.”
- A bold prediction
Paul Pierce was called “The Truth” when he played for the Boston Celtics. Check out this prediction from The Truth.