DHD: Thom Rainer, PP Discriminates, Non-Christian non-drinkers, Foust’s reviews, The Briefing

by Chris Doyle | Dec 21, 2018

Greetings!

I’m definitely in the Christmas spirit, as I sit in my usual chair, Olive laying by my side and with Christmas music playing on my cable TV (Currently it’s Elvis singing “Blue Christmas”).

If you have been reading DHD regularly, thank you! I appreciate your faithful perusals, and I hope you are able to celebrate Christmas with loved ones and close friends. And may you truly find comfort in understanding the powerful message “God and sinners reconciled,” as it’s sung frequently this time of year.

Lots to cover this week in my six timely topics. Here we go!

1. Rainer’s retiring

Thom Rainer is fairly known in Southern Baptist circles. He heads up the national resource center known as LifeWay Christian Resources. This is the group that offers literature for Sunday Schools and Bible Study groups, as well as other material goods needed for church work, which can be a whole gamut of supplies – from Lord’s Supper cups to sheet music for church choirs. They also offer workshops and conferences for various church ministries.

It’s hard to fully explain LifeWay to non-Southern Baptists. Consider it like explaining Braum’s to a non-Oklahoman.

I’ve met Thom Rainer and consider him a down-to-earth guy, but I heard he’s quite the savvy business man, plus intelligent evangelical scholar who has a heart to help the local church reach people for Christ.

Rainer announced a few months ago that he will be retiring. At 63, he’s at the point to consider such a life decision.

I recommend a fantastic article by Sarah Zylstra titled “Thom Rainer’s LifeWay Legacy.” It’s lengthy, but worth taking a few minutes of your Christmas break to find out more about Rainer, his leading of LifeWay, as well as some background history about LifeWay, which has been a significant part of Southern Baptist history.

2. Planned Parenthood does not help pregnant employees

National Review writer Alexandra DeSanctis gave commentary on the New York Times reporting Planned Parenthood discriminates against its employees who are pregnant.

“Is it any wonder that a group that profits from ‘terminating pregnancies’ and offers little to no pregnancy care would neglect to have policies in place preventing managers from overworking or discriminating against pregnant mothers on their own staffs?” DeSanctis asked.

Personally, I’m just impressed that the Times would give such a report against the world’s largest abortion provider.

3. A secular view for non-drinkers

Drinking alcohol is a regular debate issue among Christians. Have you ever discussed the issue with a non-Christian teetotaler?

Check out the article “Why people don’t drink: it’s none of your business,” and you might find some new aspects for supporting alcohol avoidance. It’s in a major Canadian news source, The Globe and Mail, and it definitely doesn’t use the same vernacular you would find in most Christian circles.

I don’t share to get anybody riled up on the drinking issue. I just found the article interesting.

4. Great movie reviews

This morning, I posted two movie reviews by Michael Foust, WordSlingers’ entertainment writer. He’s got two good ones on Mary Poppins Returns and Aquaman, both debut this weekend.

I always enjoy Michael’s viewpoints on movies. He has encouraged me to go to the theater a few times. But I took special note on what he had to say on the Mary Poppins sequel. From a family-friendly critique, he gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5, which I believe has to be his highest ranking yet.

I admit that I had mixed feelings, but now my curiosity is up on Mary Poppins Returns.

As far as Aquaman, I’m not surprised at all with what Michael said, especially with his report that the movie is too long. I am an anti-DC Comics movie guy. I’ve been disappointed with most of these Justice League-affiliated flicks. I thought the first Superman movie was too long, and with Michael saying Aquaman ends with a way-too-long fight, it sounds similar to Superman.

Though I’m not surprised, I am disappointed because I agree with many how OKC Thunder center Steven Adams resembles the actor playing Aquaman.

5. One of the best ‘Briefings’

Are you tired yet of me raving about Al Mohler’s daily podcast The Briefing? Well, I’m at it again.

Mohler gives a great perspective about Defense Secretary Jim Mattis submitting his resignation and about the potential government shutdown.

Mohler does not give regular criticisms of President Trump. He has been fair in his commentary of our nation’s leader, even demonstrating support at times. But I pay attention when Mohler speaks about Mattis stepping down.

“No one observing the administration up close would be surprised in the least of this development,” Mohler said. “The timing itself might be surprising, but not the fact that Jim Mattis and Donald Trump have come to the end of their working relationship. But the big question that now looms over Washington is who will be the next United States secretary of defense. That’s an extremely important question, but here’s where Christians understand this is not just the question of one person following another person, of one personality replacing another personality. The question is going to be front and center. What is the picture of the world, and what is the worldview of the individual that President Trump will now nominate to be the secretary of defense.”

Mohler’s thoughts about the possible shutdown is intriguing as he broke down the ways Americans are affected when a government shutdown occurs. But then he offered a heightened warning.

“When it comes to this kind of shutdown,” Mohler said, “there is also incredible political pressure inside the beltway, as it said, inside Washington DC. It’s because just about everyone in the continuing government enterprise of Washington DC finds some level of pain in this kind of partial government shutdown, and when Washington is in pain, given the concentration of media and cultural attention in Washington, eventually it’s as if the whole nation shares that pain.”

6. Mohler’s Christmas address

I conclude this week’s DHD with the closing of today’s edition of The Briefing. Mohler gives an unusual Christmas presentation by speaking from the Gospel of John, and I think it’s fascinating how he weaves the two verses John 1:14 and John 3:16 together.

Mohler said, “One interesting way to understand what John is telling us in his gospel is to go immediately from chapter one, verse 14, to chapter three, verse 16. Just hear the words as they run together. ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen his glory. Glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son. That who so ever believes in him should not parish, but have eternal life.’ So the glory that was beheld in Christ was not just the glory of the incarnate Son of God. It was not merely the glory of the preexistent Word. It was the glory of the Son sent by the Father to save sinners because the Father so loved the world that he gave his only Son that who so ever believes in him might not parish, but have everlasting life.”

Do yourself a favor and listen to Mohler share “We really do believe” Scroll down to that final segment that’s a little more than five minutes and hear this powerful presentation that is an excellent explanation of the Christmas story.

DHD: Murray & Heisman, Mohler’s thoughts, Messenger changes, Christmas blessings

by Chris Doyle | Dec 14, 2018

Greetings!

I spent way too much time looking for my glasses today. Nothing can change your daily priorities quicker than searching for something you deem vital to your wellbeing.

After hours of retracing, searching, fretting and praying (yes, in that order, and I know I’m wrong for doing so), I found them under the side table next to my chair.

Thank you, Lord, for your provisions and allowing me to find my glasses at the time You wanted me to find them. I am weak, but You are strong.

Here are my thoughts on six timely topics. Thank you for reading!

1. Kyler’s criticism

Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy last Saturday. I’m happy for the speedy quarterback who definitely is the reason the Oklahoma Sooners have been successful this year.

On Sunday, news broke about Murray tweeting derogatory words that were described as “anti-gay.” Murray was 14 or 15 when he jokingly sent these tweets to his friends. Murray is now 21.

I had no idea junior high kids had Twitter accounts six years ago. I still don’t have a Twitter account. I don’t even know exactly what Murray said, but I don’t need to know.

There’s a couple of reasons I bring this topic up. First, words apparently mean more now than they ever do. You can be held under the court of public opinion for words you said years ago, even if you are a minor.

Second, nothing is private anymore. Of course, with God, nothing ever was private, so perhaps this microscopic fish bowl life can help us realize that our words and actions always matter, regardless of where we are or the stage of life we are experiencing.

Two articles to consider are “America Is Intolerably Intolerant” by David French and “Woke Reporter Tries to Sack Heisman Winner Kyler Murray” by Michelle Malkin.

These both appear on the National Review website, but I like both articles for different reasons. French always gives a great perspective:

“Human beings need forgiveness like we need oxygen. The thing that is so shattering about the shame storm is that it is usually grounded in something a person did wrong — even if it’s a minor transgression. Even if it’s just momentary thoughtlessness. Even if it’s just a tweet.”

Malkin stresses the importance of ethics in journalism. She calls out USA Today sports writer Scott Gleeson, who broke the Murray story, saying, “Gleeson’s hit piece reeks of deceptive vigilantism, not journalism.”

I agree with Malkin that Gleeson did not even give Murray a chance to respond before breaking his story, and he appears to have held Murray’s six-year-old tweets for just such an occasion.

2. Heisman hullabaloo

Oklahoman sports columnist Berry Tramel gave his thoughts about the story on Murray’s “anti-gay” tweets: “I wonder what kind of society we have become when a 14-year-old’s statements are held against him when he’s 22.”

Tramel also was critical of the people responsible for the Heisman Trophy presentation last Saturday. In his opinion piece titled, “Heisman butchering of Tua Tagovailoa’s name inexcusable,” Tramel made the same conclusion I made when I was watching announcement. I knew before Murray’s name was called that the OU quarterback had won because the presenter, Vasili Krishnamurti, botched Tagovailoa’s name when he was addressing the nominees.

Krishnamurti is a Heisman trustee, as Tramel said, and it was apparent that after a long program Saturday night, he did not pay much attention to how the prominent Alabama quarterback pronounced his last name.

“You had one job,” Tramel wrote. “You had one year to learn. You’re in a city of 10 million people, some of which are more than qualified to teach you how to pronounce a name.”

Thanks to Tramel, I learned that the Downtown Athletic Club, which sponsored the Heisman Trophy, went bankrupt years ago. Now it appears the people responsible for one of the most prestigious athletic awards in the country doesn’t seem to care about whom they are honoring.

3. Compromising religious liberty

I’m pointing out two talking points made this week by Albert Mohler on his daily podcast The Briefing.

On Thursday, Mohler addressed the announcement of two evangelical organizations, Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the National Organization of Evangelicals (NOE), attempting to compromise the issue of religious liberty with what has been presented as LGBT rights.

“They’re trying to find a way to encourage the federal government,” Mohler said about CCCU and NOE, “to adopt sexual orientation and gender identity protections that would not come at the violation of religious liberty. Now that sounds like the perfect deal politically, if it were possible. That sounds like a way through this cultural impasse.”

I encourage you to listen to Mohler’s comments or at least read the transcript. I agree that this is not a good move and would hinder religious liberty and those with deep convictions based on biblical teachings.

“So what is this compromise?” Mohler asked. “Is it tenable? Is it possible? The bottom line is I believe it is neither. It is not tenable, it is not possible. You can state, as many will, that it is well intended. But a well-intended mistake is still a mistake. A well-intended wound to religious liberty is still a wound. And that’s what we’re looking at here.”

4. Saluting Solzhenitsyn

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is not well-known in today’s society, but as Mohler mentioned in today’s Briefing, Solzhenitsyn was very instrumental in the fall of the Soviet Union. Mohler’s talk is excellent, addressing the Russian native who would have turned 100 this week.

“You can understand why Solzhenitsyn came to understand atheism as inherently deadly,” Mohler said. “Christians know that all human beings are complex, but Russian history seems to produce some of the most complex characters of all.”

5. Messenger printing change

We went to press this week for the final Baptist Messenger of the year. I hope you have a chance to check it out next week. We share 10 of the Messenger’s memorable moments of 2018.

Also, starting in January, the Messenger will have a different print schedule. No longer will it be printed weekly, but instead, it will be printed twice a month.

This has caused quite a stir among our readership, but we plan to keep providing the same content that we always have published. And we hope, with the changes we have made, more people will be reading it because it will be no cost to any churches affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.

Also, please get the word out that anyone who has received the Messenger through their church membership WILL CONTINUE to receive the Messenger. No need to call the Messenger office. It will continue to be mailed as always.

For more information on Messenger changes in 2019 click here.

6. Christmas blessings

I conclude this week’s DHD sharing the Christmas blessings I shared in 2016. They are still relevant today.

DHD: Christmas stuff, Remembering Bush 41, Avoid-Deny-Defend

by Chris Doyle | Dec 7, 2018

Greetings!

I’m sitting in the midst of a faux snowmagedon. All week it was said there would be a major snowstorm hitting this weekend. Alas, false alarm.

So I’ll keep doing what I normally do on a Friday – offer thoughts on six timely topics in my weekly edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen. Thank you for reading!

1. Christmas traditions revisited

I started last week revisiting a list of Christmas versions of DHD that I did in 2016. This week, I feature my list of six Christmas traditions. You can read it here.

I still get a kick out of Martin Luther decorating his Christmas tree with candles.

2. A new Christmas song

Are you familiar with Matt Mahar? He’s a Christian artist who sings many popular songs. You should get to know him if you are not.

He has a Christmas album that I discovered this morning, and I love this song he sings. Check it out:

3. Reflections of President Bush 41

It was a momentous week for the Bush family, as President George H.W. Bush passed away last week, and the country experienced a week of memorials and observances.

I love the photo of his service dog, Sully, laying by the President’s casket. I admire what Sen. Bob Dole did, getting out of his wheelchair to stand and salute the President’s casket at the Capitol Rotunda. And I appreciate hearing Michael W. Smith singing “Friends” during the President’s funeral. I still remember every word to that song.

President Bush was a gentleman, and he demonstrated respect to everyone. Not everyone will agree with his politics, or some may say he could have been stronger on some issues. But he lived an amazing life, and he served his country well.

4. Butterfield’s thoughts on witnessing to LGBTQ friends

I’ve mentioned before I am a fan of Rosaria Butterfield. She had an article featured this week on The Gospel Coalition’s website titled “How to Evangelize Friend Identifying as LGBTQ.”

People may not agree with her approach, but I know she believes in what she shares on witnessing to LBGTQ friends because it is how she became a Christian. A pastor invited her to his home to have meals with his family, and it was through this hospitality that Rosaria decided to make a profession of faith in Christ.

You will not regret getting to know Rosaria Butterfield.

5. The ridiculousness of AOC

If you are not familiar with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, consider it a good thing. She is an incoming U.S. congresswoman from New York, and she has some unorthodox thoughts about U.S. politics. Most of the time, when she speaks publicly, what she says is incorrect and considered nonsense. I would rather she not get as much attention as she does.

Read Jonah Goldberg’s article “Ocasio-Cortez takes a page from Trump’s playbook,” and you’ll understand what I mean:

“The more right-wing partisans attack her, the more left-wing partisans rally to her. The more left-wingers rally to her, the more justified the Right feels in paying attention to her.”

6. Avoid, Deny, Defend

I attended an active shooter response workshop this week with my wife who is a reserve deputy for Oklahoma County. And I made it on a local news story. You can see here. I was amazed how many people put their hands on their faces – including me!

After attending the workshop, I recommend it to everyone to attend one. There are ones catered to civilians in community meetings such as churches, schools, businesses. If there is one thing we have learned, no one is exempted from a potential active shooter crisis.

Also, I learned a great approach to such an incident – avoid, deny, defend. You can read more about it here.

DHD: NFL church planter, Past Christmas list, The Briefing, Stetzer on missionary death, Resolutions, District 5 changes

by Chris Doyle | Nov 30, 2018

Greetings!

I’m back covering a wide array of topics. Thank you for taking time to read this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen.

1. Former NFL player now a church planter

Eddie Miller played five years as a fullback for the Cleveland Browns. He now is a church planter in San Francisco. Check out “Why I left the NFL to plant a church.”

This is a great read. I was impressed with Eddie’s story, especially how he was involved in church plants wherever he was playing. And then to hear him describe his experience about overcoming comfort to plant a church was challenging and encouraging.

Church planting is growing. The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma is very much involved in training and supporting church planters. Check out the BGCO’s church planting page.

2. Recalling DHD’s Christmas lists

Two years ago I did a DHD series with a Christmas theme. For the next few week’s I’ve decided to reminisce about those lists. Check out “Six Underrated Characters of Popular Christmas Shows.”

3. Loving The Briefing

All of Al Mohler’s topics in today’s edition of The Briefing are excellent. I loved the analogy of celebrities politicking for candidates, concerns of current media consumption trends, lack of conservative late night hosts and the reporting on an odd new show “God Friended Me.”

It’s worth the 25 minutes of listening.

4. Stetzer on missionary’s death

News broke last week about the death of John Chau, a missionary who was killed by natives of an Indian island. The best perspective of this tragedy is offered by Ed Stetzer, and I encourage you to read his “story on his story” on the Christianity Today website.

I have no position to criticize, but I pray that God will intervene and make Himself known through the attempt Chau made to share the Gospel with these people.

5. ERLC lists State Southern Baptist Resolutions

I appreciate the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission featuring a list of resolutions that were presented at the annual meetings of different Southern Baptist state conventions. You can read the list here.

Resolutions don’t have any legal or binding power, but I find them interesting to read and to understand what we as Southern Baptists hold as important viewpoints with today’s society. One of the resolutions that passed at the recent BGCO annual meeting got major responses around the state. The resolution addressed recreational marijuana and drug abuse, encouraging Oklahomans to oppose legalizing recreational marijuana and to pray and support those dealing with drug abuse.

Many responded to this resolution that also reached national attention. Other state conventions also approved resolutions against marijuana.

6. District 5 take note

I watched a video put out by the New York Times about the Oklahoma City metro is turning blue – meaning becoming more favorable to the Democratic Party platform and electing Democrats in public office. This video has some “eye-opening” elements, but I want to be sure that I don’t come across as angry or disgusted. Rather, I consider it informative of the area in which I live.