Greetings!
I’ve got a great weekend planned, so this week’s DHD will be short – at least it should be because I’ve got a lot to do in the next couple hours.
Let’s get to it!
- Yanni or Laurel
So what do you hear? I’m strongly in the Laurel camp, but I understand how others can hear Yanni because I hear something in the background that sounds like the electronic voice is saying Yanni.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the hottest social media topic this week was about an audio clip, reportedly designed for vocabulary.com, that caused debate on whether or not the clip is saying Yanni or Laurel.
Baptist Press reported on the craze, asking if there’s “any spiritual relevance?” At first, I thought this is a silly notion, but guidance offered in the BP story is realizing many people can be strongly biased by suggestions or by first impressions. This is the effect social media can have, and Christian should be aware of its influence.
- Two Carter columns
At first I was planning to discuss Joe Carter’s piece “9 Things You Should Know About Jerusalem,” but when I went to retrieve it this morning, his latest article caught my eye – “Why the Decline of Protestantism May Be Good News for Christians.”
The Jerusalem article is an excellent refresher, especially since the Holy City was in the news this week. The U.S. Embassy, after 23 years, finally moved its location to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Carter gives a list of fascinating facts on Jerusalem and helped me appreciate the city’s significance.
On the Protestantism decline article, Carter helps readers understand what many Americans for years have misunderstood about Christianity. He quotes Russell Moore: “It may be that this land is filled with people who, though often Christ-haunted, have never known the power of the Gospel, yet.”
I think the key that Christians should use as a focal point is the Gospel. Though it has been consistently presented over the years, it seems the Gospel has not been consistently pondered or correctly perceived by many who claim to be Christians (Matt. 7:21-23).
- George steps down
In my May 5, 2017 DHD, I present a topic titled “Samford and stunned.” Samford University, a Southern Baptist university in Alabama, made the decision to approve an LGBT student club.
This week, Timothy George, the founding dean of the Beeson Divinity School at Samford, announced he is stepping down next year, as reported by Baptist Press. George does plan to continue teaching at Beeson.
Make your own conclusions, but a common assessment could be that George is relinquishing administrative duties in order to distance himself from questionable decisions that are being made at Samford. I do appreciate Dr. George’s willingness to stay at Beeson and continue having a godly influence on campus.
- Pondering Pentecost
I read a great commentary by Trevor Laurence called “Pentecost of First of the Last Days” I always enjoy new perspectives on Bible passages (or at least new to me), and Laurence pointing out Peter preaching at Pentecost in Acts 2 had the opposite occurrence that happened at the Tower of Babel in Gen. 11.
Laurence writes: “At Babel, God judged and restrained rebellion by confusing languages and dividing the people (Gen. 11:1–9).
“At Pentecost, God forgives rebellion, using various world languages to bring people together in Jesus. The effects of sin are being undone as the Spirit goes forth with the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ.”
Always be open to a fresh approach to God’s Word, especially in a popular passage to see how the Gospel is revealed.
- The Royal Wedding
Harry and Megan are tying the knot this weekend. I don’t have a major interest in the wedding, but I know the world will be watching, as it has been reported 3 billion people all over the world plan to tune in.
I appreciate both Prince Harry and Megan Markle. Both of them experienced hardship in their lives, especially at a young age, and Megan has been under recent scrutiny, especially with the British press.
Even in all the secular commentary, be mindful that this is a wedding, and whether the world wants to acknowledge it or not, marriage is a biblical institution, ordained by God, and is the original blueprint God gave for mankind to fill the earth and govern it (Gen. 1:28).
- 11 years of marriage
Speaking of marital bliss, Karen and I are celebrating our 11th anniversary on the same day as the Royal Wedding (good decision Harry and Megan!). As I pointed out in the opening, we have an exciting weekend planned down in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma. Therefore I need to wrap this up, so I can finish getting ready to head that way.
Enjoy your weekend!