Greetings!
Let’s do this!
- Winter Olympics South Korean style
I do enjoy the Olympic Games. I’m not as much of an enthusiast as others are of the Winter Games. But they’re fun to watch in an every-four-years observance. The biggest challenge with this year’s games is the crazy time difference. South Korea is 15 hours ahead of Oklahoma, and with the explosion of social media and real time internet posts, watching events after the fact during primetime broadcasts doesn’t seem to hold interest like it used to. But I will pay attention and watch events here and there.
However, my favorite part of the Olympics is reading blog journals from Bill Hancock who is known for being a spokesman for college football playoffs and previously affiliated with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. He’s also a true Okie from Hobart and expresses his love for the Sooner State as often as he can.
Bill and his wife Nicki have been volunteering to work the Olympic Games since the 80s, working with media services. Oklahoman sports writer Berry Tramel shares Bill’s blogs, and the first blog entry was posted Thursday, Feb. 8, as Bill shares about his arrival. He also shares what he eats and describes people he meets, while adding some Okie flair in his daily memoirs. I’m curious to find out if Bill will try kimchi while in South Korea. If he’s like me, he will love eating bulgogi. But while the Olympics are going on, don’t be surprised if upcoming DHDs offer commentary about Bill’s Olympic adventures.
UPDATE: Bill DID try kimchi! Check out Friday’s blog entry. This was posted in the midst of me completing this DHD.
- Rose Day Ramblings
The 27th annual Rose Day Rally happened this week at the Oklahoma State Capitol. On Feb. 7, the first day of session for the state legislators in 2018, thousands of pro-life supporters visited the Capitol Building and passed out roses to their respective state senators, representatives, Lt. Governor and Governor, letting them know how important the sanctity of human life is and should be a priority focal point in state laws.
Many will say it is because of Rose Day that Oklahoma is a leading state in pro-life causes. I can assure you, there are many state politicians who are aware of the importance of Rose Day.
I had the privilege of chauffeuring the keynote speaker for the Rose Day Rally, Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. and a powerful voice, especially for the unborn.
I pray God will bless the results of Rose Day this year and will encourage our state legislators to make pro-life favorable decisions.
- UCO cancels Ken Ham’s lecture because of threats from LGBTQ group
Now for an unfavorable decision. Both Baptist Press and the Oklahoman reported this week that the University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Association cancelled its invitation to have Ken Ham, Christian apologist and creationist, speak on the UCO campus.
Ham was scheduled to speak March 6 on science and Darwinian ideas, but a local LGBTQ group influenced UCO’s student government leaders to rescind the invitation for Ham to offer his lecture. UCO student body president Stockton Duvall said he was bullied and personally maligned by the LBGTQ group stating the group “has little tolerance for opposing views.”
On Thursday night, Feb. 8, UCO President Don Betz issued a statement about Ham’s lecture invitation being cancelled. After reading the article, I found Betz’s written remarks to be vague and defensive with no definite resolve.
Betz said a diverse group “posed questions” about inviting Ham to speak at UCO, appearing to downplay Duvall’s initial description, and said the LGBTQ community preventing Ham from being invited is inaccurate. He concluded with saying Ham is welcome to UCO, as well as anybody who wishes to freely express ideas in a peaceful and civil manner.
If Betz wanted to do the right thing, he would encourage the process to re-invite Ham to speak on campus. Instead, he’s attempting to be political neutral, which never happens. Instead of trying to make peace with both sides, his vagueness and indecisiveness caused him to receive direct criticism. He may have thought his statement would douse the flames. Instead, he just stoked the fire all the more.
- Challies chides five Christian best sellers
Well-known Christian blogger Tim Challies took to video to discredit five Christian best seller books. The video is quite thought-provoking and worth the 10-plus minutes of viewing. Challies offers solid criticism.
- Spurgeon’s church membership requirements
I love reading historic pieces about Charles Spurgeon. A recent article gives the details of how to be a member of the church Spurgeon pastored.
Spurgeon valued accuracy in church membership rolls. “Keep your church real and effective, or make no report,” he wrote. And I think it’s fascinating that his church gave “communion cards” to its members to turn in when the Lord’s Supper was observed each month, demonstrating accountability.
I know churches who observe similar membership processes today, though may not be as rigorous in current standards. What I do appreciate is the article’s conclusion: “The goal is for every church and every pastor is to be faithful; faithful in doctrinal purity, faithful in guarding the membership, faithful in active gospel ministry.”
- Saul/Paul eye-opener
I remember singing in Young Musicians Choir at church about the Apostle Paul and his Damascus Road encounter. “Saul became Paul on that day…” so the song proclaims. However Greg Lanier believes differently. He said Saul/Paul were interchangeable throughout the Apostle’s ministry.
Check out “No, ‘Saul the Persecutor’ Did Not Become ‘Paul the Apostle’.”