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This had to be the longest short week I’ve experienced in a long time. But it was a good week too.
And I’ll share some experiences relating to this week, as I begin this edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen.
Let’s get to it!
Falls Creek follow-up
I had the best time last weekend. Two awesome days celebrating the 100th year of Falls Creek. The weather was warm at times, but both Saturday and Sunday were filled with great experiences and awesome services of worship and reflection. You can read my stories of the evening events here and here, or wait next week for the print edition of the Baptist Messenger.
Karen and her mom were able to come to the Sunday night Homecoming Service. That made me happy they could be a part of it. Homecoming would be a great description because Sunday night featured many songs over the years enjoyed by many Oklahoma Baptists who span many generations.
DVDs will be available for $5. Information on ordering can be found at www.fallsceek.org/DVD.
Fanning the Flames of Victory
During the Night of Praise at Falls Creek on Saturday, I’m sitting up in my favorite spot in the corner of the sound booth, as Charlie Hall was on stage, and I get a text message from my friend Curt Gathright. He shares with me the score of the Liberty-Baylor football game. With 12 minutes left, LU was leading 41-31.
It was a serious moment of the program, as I read the text and get caught up in the news and abruptly yell “Holy Cow!” As an LU alum and former employee of the Flames athletic department, I was totally floored when hearing about Liberty pulling off the upset in Waco, 48-45.
I was also happy to find out my high school friend Stu Jones’ son Spencer caught the final touchdown pass, which solidified the Flames victory. Stu’s wife Denise is a member of Point of Grace, well-known Christian vocal group.
I read a good article this morning, explaining the progress of Liberty’s football program to compete at the FBS in 2018 as an independent. The Flames were turned down by regional mid-major conferences, Conference USA and Sun Belt, even though Liberty made a lucrative offer to join. This isn’t new to Liberty, as they have been snubbed by other leagues in the past.
With the way things are progressing, though, in Lynchburg, Va., don’t be surprised if in the next five years Liberty football is on a competitive level similar to Brigham Young University.
Scanning surveys
A couple of interesting surveys were brought to my attention this week. The first one was in an article on The Gospel Coalition website by Justin Taylor who pointed out some interesting conclusions from a survey done by the Public Religion Research Institute. Here’s a few deductions from the article that stood out to me:
White Christians now account for fewer than half of the public (43 percent).
America’s youngest religious groups are all non-Christians. Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists have larger representations among Americans under 30 than Christians do.
There are 20 states in which religiously unaffiliated is the largest represented category.
Mississippi is the least religiously diverse state in the country with 60 percent of the Mississippi’s Protestants recognized as Baptist. New York is the greatest religiously diverse state.
White Christians make up 20 percent of the Democratic Party, while 73 percent of Republicans belong to a white Christian group.
The next survey was shared by Andy Harrison, camp program director at Falls Creek, who conducted a survey among approximately 2,800 students at camp this summer about biblical values and life issues. Here’s some conclusions Harrison shared:
When asked, “Is there an absolute moral truth based on the word of God?” 91% of respondents said, yes. Furthermore, 93% of students said they believed the Bible was accurate in all it teaches.
However, when asked, “Do you read your bible daily?” only 18% percent answered yes. Fifty-eight percent said they read their bible at least once a month, and only 26% indicated they memorized scripture once a month. When asked to choose what helps them most in their walk with God, students ranked “reading the Bible” fifth out of six choices.
It is evident that students say they have a high regard for the scripture, but practically speaking, they do not read, study, or memorize it with any consistency.
Youth pastors and parents must model and mentor students in the area of personal bible study!
Harrison also asked students the question “Is homosexuality a sin?” with three possible responses: Yes, No, Not Sure. The “No and Not Sure” group over the past three years looks like this:
2015 – 27%
2016 – 30%
2017 – 35%
An increase of 8% in two years. Harrison concludes:
This indicates an opportunity. Past generations have known the truth of scripture in this regard, but have been found lacking in how to love those dealing with sins they once knew as culturally unacceptable. This generation will not lack in a loving approach, they will need help with truth. This is an opportunity for us all to learn and to teach God’s word with clarity, humility, and gentleness (Gal. 6:1).
Abortion issues
National Pro-Life leaders sent a letter to U.S. Congress Republicans stressing it is “well past time to deliver” on their promise to defund Planned Parenthood.
“Planned Parenthood is not and has never been a ‘health care’ organization… It is well past time for Congress to hold Planned Parenthood accountable,” Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptists’ Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, told Baptist Press. You can read BP’s full story here.
Timing of this accountability action is needed as BP also reported Texas abortion clinics were offering “free abortions” for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. BP’s article calls these offers “heinous” and “callous.”
DR delivers in Houston
On a positive note about serving the Houston area in the hurricane aftermath. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief is open for business in The Woodlands, Spring and anywhere in North Houston. Volunteers are headquartered at Spring Baptist Church and filling mud-out requests for homes. If you know anybody who could benefit from this great ministry for free call 281-271-7099. Visit www.okdisasterhelp.org for more information or to make a tax-deductible gift.
Wax on a roll
I got to interview Trevin Wax, my favorite blogger, this week for a Messenger Insight podcast. We discussed his editing efforts with the new Christian Standard Bible, his new book This Is Our Time and about his great blogging talents.
Wax had quite a few good posts this week. Go to this link to his blog page and check out “Trevin’s Seven,” “Churchgoing is Beautiful” and “When Should a Church Address a Current Event?”
This is a special weekend. Thousands are expected to make the trek to Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center, near Davis, Okla., to celebrate 100 years of this special place.
Falls Creek is my happy place. So many memories, the rich tradition and heritage and the impact this place has made on so many in their spiritual journeys make the lengthy list of reasons that make this such an incredible setting where God has moved among a multitude of people since 1917.
In honor of Falls Creek’s Centennial Celebration, this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen features six reasons why I love Falls Creek.
Personal memories
My first experience of Falls Creek happened when I was in the 3rd grade. Young Musicians’ Camp was the occasion. I remember staying at McAlester, First’s cabin, which is still in the same location at Falls Creek and has a similar structure.
I went every summer after that, until my sophomore year in college, which means from 1978-1988. I also worked at Falls Creek for three summers. I was an umpire on the rec crew for my first summer job (’85), and then the last two years I worked on the sound crew, working the spotlights in the former open-air Tabernacle, up in the “crow’s nest.” I’ll share more about this experience, but when I look back on my impressionable stage of life, Falls Creek was a major part of those wonder years.
Music
Let me stop here and offer a shameless plug. If you haven’t purchased 100 Years of Falls Creek: A Legacy of Faith, this is a great keepsake for anybody who values Oklahoma history, Southern Baptist history or, like me, has fond memories of the place.
On page 69 of 100 Years of Falls Creek, author Dana Williamson shares “…Film crews were at the camp as part of a CBS telecast about Southern Baptists. When producer Judy Crichton was asked why the crew came to Falls Creek, she explained she did about eight weeks of homework on Southern Baptists, and when she asked where the best Southern Baptist music could be found, Falls Creek got four stars.”
Many great songs were first sung at Falls Creek. Legendary hymns have Falls Creek connections. Victory in Jesus was written by E.M. Bartlett, the father of Gene Bartlett, longtime Falls Creek music leader. Glorious is Thy Name and Wherever He Leads I’ll Go were two of many hymns written by B.B. McKinney, another legendary song leader at Falls Creek.
Many who went to Falls Creek in the late ‘60s to the early ‘80s should recall singing Here is My Life, People to People, Pass It On, He’s Everything to Me, Holy Ground, People Need the Lord and other great hymns and praise songs.
And it’s not just the great songs of faith, but also the great singing that could be heard in the Tabernacle. When I worked the spotlights above the 5,000 people who filled the evening services every night, listening to that many voices sing praises to God was a powerful and unique experience I will always cherish.
Legendary personalities
There are many great leaders who came to Falls Creek. Governors, Southern Baptist national leaders, well-known preachers – there are so many to mention, but either they were impacted when they were younger by time spent at Falls Creek, or they impacted many lives while at Falls Creek.
One of my favorite Falls Creek speakers is John Bisagno, former pastor of Del City, First Southern as well as Houston, Texas, First. His testimony includes making a profession of faith AND surrendering to ministry the same week he first went to Falls Creek. He made multiple appearances, and every time he spoke, God used him to challenge and stir the hearts of many young people.
Fun and funny experiences
I could share quite a few funny Falls Creek stories. I remember running into a pack of skunks during one week at Falls Creek with my former sound crew boss, Joe Bill Johnson. Fortunately, they didn’t make themselves known to us, but I assure you, we weren’t there long enough to give them the opportunity.
One memorable experience my church youth group would do is fill a cup full of water and place it in the middle of a major walking strip outside our cabin. I know this may not sound all that exciting, but it was actually was a thrill to see how long it would take for the cup to spill in the middle of a multitude of evening strollers.
Spiritual growth
I did not make a profession of faith or any major spiritual decision at Falls Creek, but I had the opportunity to council many who did. And God did use Falls Creek as a great retreat in my life and to do much spiritual renewal.
It also has been considered that more people have been called to serve in ministry and in mission work at Falls Creek than any other single location in the world. I have no difficulty believing that.
Growing impact
Falls Creek has made an impact on thousands upon thousands of people in the last 100 years, but it doesn’t stop with this century. With all the changes, additions, modifications and lasting appeal to this place in the Arbuckle Mountains, Falls Creek continues to see more lives changes for Christ.
And I’m just thrilled to see how God uses this special place. My happy place.
ESPN reassigned a game announcer who was previously scheduled to call a Univ. of Virginia football game, Sept. 2. The announcer’s name is Robert Lee. In last week’s DHD I talked about making rash decisions and offered alternative responses.
However you view ESPN’s decision, everybody can agree this was done under unfortunate circumstances. Some could say ESPN defeated its own purpose. By removing Lee, who is Asian-American and not related to the famous Civil War general, the sports network may have caused more fuss than if Lee did call the game in Charlottesville.
Considering the game was a regional broadcast, do you think more people in the West, Midwest and Southwest would be talking about Lee if he called the UVa game than the coverage this story is getting now?
Again, I am for racial reconciliation, and I would support any action that would be for such progress in America, but I am having a hard time believing this is a reasonable action toward the cause.
Evangelistic Eclipse Exchange
So the Eclipse came and went this week. The talk about it probably ended by Wednesday. But Stacy Neuschaefer may have found a way to make the Eclipse a topic with eternal value.
Check out her blog “I Missed the Eclipse,” and see how Stacy relates the astronomical event to the Gospel.
Falls Creek Frenzy
Next weekend, thousands are expected to gather in the Arbuckle Mountains in southern Oklahoma to celebrate 100 years of Falls Creek. Known by practically every Oklahoma-born child and beyond, the summer youth campground has turned into a monumental landscape for thousands upon thousands who made life-changing decisions in the past century.
Next week, I’ll share what Falls Creek means to me personally, but if you are able to make the trek down I-35 to Exit 51 toward Davis on Saturday, Sept. 2 or Sunday, Sept. 3, or come both days, I know you will enjoy this great weekend experience of Falls Creek’s Centennial Celebration.
I’m actually writing the DHD on Thursday night, Aug. 24, and I’m hearing the reports about the hurricane that is supposed to land Friday night, Aug. 25.
Don Williams, new Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief director, tweeted this message earlier today: “We are monitoring the storm situation in the gulf, and have volunteers on standby in the scenario we are called on to serve.”
A friend of mine on Facebook asked to pray for her dad and stepmom who live in San Antonio. Here’s the prayer I offered: Dear God, we acknowledge you as the blessed Controller and trust in your perfect will. Knowing that even the winds and the rain obey you, please protect Stephanie’s dad and stepmom right now. Give them a peace that can only come from you, Lord. Be with all who may be in harms way during this hurricane. Even in uncertain times, we know You are faithful. Thank you for loving us and hearing our prayers. In Jesus name, Amen.
Choosing to Offer Grace
Speaking of Facebook, another friend offered great wisdom that I needed today:
“People have forgotten that being offended is a choice. And so is offering grace.”
He covers Stephanie Gray’s pro-life talk at Google, which thrills me to no end, and I pray her talk not only provides encouraging points to change views toward Sanctity of Life, but also increases the possibility of making abortion unthinkable.
I am of the mindset that, if I am going to offer a criticism, I also should suggest an alternative with the criticism. For example, if I’m editing a story, I won’t just say “Change this sentence.” I would provide corrections that I think would help make it sound better or grammatically correct.
Along with this personal divulgence, I would like to point out that I’m not a fan of making rash decisions, especially if I know they would affect other people. Even in good intentions, I favor looking for the best possible result that would lead to the least amount of opposition. I understand opposition cannot always be avoided, but I desire to practice objectivity and humility and avoid being obstinate and arrogant.
What happened in Charlottesville last week is on everybody’s mind. Everybody has an opinion about that horrible display of hatred. It saddens me deeply.
I, too, am against any group that promotes white supremacy and divisive intentions based on race. I do not support anybody who marches along with Alt-Right groups, white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazi, Ku Klux Klan or any of these group that are identified as “extreme right.”
As many Christian leaders I respect have come out against these groups and actions promoting hate and racism, I feel inclined to offer six responses, complementing my respected leaders and veering away from rash, divisive actions.
For this week’s DHD, here are some focal points that I believe will encourage racial healing and reconciliation.
Study Jesus’ example and teachings
It is a horrible display to see racist groups carrying crosses or other symbols that are associated with Christianity. Their behavior is contrary to anything Jesus taught or demonstrated.
I offer two passages that prove my point. First, read John 4:1-30, 39-42. Jesus has a discussion with a Samaritan woman at a well, asking her for a drink of water.
I know it may be hard to believe, but Jewish-Samaritan racial hatred was much deeper than what we experience in America. Jesus speaking in public to this woman broke so many barriers, and what this woman did as a result of her encountering the Messiah impacted the whole village.
The second is the popular parable that Jesus taught, “The Good Samaritan.” And just to help make the story even more relevant, here’s a paraphrase of Luke 10:25-37 from the Cotton Patch Bible, which was written by a southern pastor in the late ‘60s-early ’70, providing Scripture with a Southern vernacular and a modern twist:
One day a teacher of an adult Bible class got up and tested him with this question: “Doctor, what does one do to be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What does the Bible say? How do you interpret it?”
The teacher answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your physical strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”
“That is correct,” answered Jesus. “Make a habit of this and you’ll be saved.”
But the Sunday school teacher, trying to save face, asked, “But … er … but … just who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus laid into him and said, “A man was going from Atlanta to Albany and some gangsters held him up. When they had robbed him of his wallet and brand-new suit, they beat him up and drove off in his car, leaving him unconscious on the shoulder of the highway.
“Now it just so happened that a white preacher was going down that same highway. ‘When he saw the fellow, he stepped on the gas and went scooting by.
“Shortly afterwards a white Gospel song leader came down the road, and when he saw what had happened, he too stepped on the gas.
“Then a black man traveling that way came upon the fellow, and what he saw moved him to tears. He stopped and bound up his wounds as best he could, drew some water from his water-jug to wipe away the blood and then laid him on the back seat.
He drove on into Albany and took him to the hospital and said to the nurse, ‘You all take good care of this white man I found on the highway. Here’s the only two dollars I got, but you all keep account of what he owes, and if he can’t pay it, I’ll settle up with you when I make a pay-day.’
“Now if you had been the man held up by the gangsters, which of these three-the white preacher, the white song leader, or the black man – would you consider to have been your neighbor?”
The teacher of the adult Bible class said, “Why, of course, the nig – I mean, er … well, er … the one who treated me kindly.”
Jesus said, “Well, then, you get going and start living like that!”
My friend Jimmy
I first met Jimmy Jackson in college my freshman year. He, his roommate Brian Scharp and I hung out together quite a bit, which was a big help for me getting adjusted to college life.
Jimmy has had a fond interest in American history, even Civil War history, and an admiration for General “Stonewall” Jackson. I suppose it could be because they both have the same last name.
Earlier this week, Jimmy shared on Facebook a confession, which came as a result from the national reaction to the Charlottesville ordeal. He gave me permission to share his Facebook comment:
I’ve had a small and unobtrusive framed picture of Stonewall Jackson on my wall at work for many years now . . . I’ve honestly always admired this confederate civil war general who was famously resolute and hugely determined (“there’s Jackson standing like a ‘stone wall'”), as some of the qualities he displayed in spades are some of the key qualities I’ve tried to cultivate and emulate. With that said, I’ve felt slightly squeamish over the years as friends and colleagues of color have entered my office and perhaps observed this portrait, very small and unassuming as it is. I took this picture off my wall today – I don’t think I had to (if you are in a similar situation, I don’t think you have to) but it seemed like I should. I don’t have any interest in trying to erase history – the lives and psyches of civil war soldiers, really all soldiers, are complicated and filled with paradoxes, contractions, nuances and their stories need to be remembered. Similarly, I don’t have any particular interest in telling people what they have to do. . . good people can disagree before God on issues related to how to navigate the lingering stain of racism. Still, for me, in this particular time and place, in this contentious culture we find ourselves in, I feel strongly that all of us who know Christ and who are in a majority culture should step out of our comfort zones, should look at ourselves and our biases with courage and boldness, should examine our hearts and our own behaviors with a focus on how they may impact our brothers and sisters of color and if we decide these behaviors inflict pain or reflect callous insensitivity, we should stop them, big or small. This is my prayer for me, this is my prayer for you.
I appreciate Jimmy’s objectiveness and humility. His response isn’t rash, yet it was personal and demonstrated a willingness to do what he could to be supportive. I believe his action is much stronger than any controversial public display.
Read Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
I’ve shared quite a bit in my first two points, so I will be much briefer in the remainder.
Two years ago, I did a DHD reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” You can read it here, and use my thoughts, as well as your own reading of this powerful letter, as an encouragement to do more in promoting healing and reconciliation.
Watch ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the greatest performances in modern film. Finch is considered the greatest movie hero, according to the American Film Institute.
To Kill a Mockingbird also speaks to the great challenges of racial divisions. If you haven’t seen it, you should do yourself a favor and watch it soon. I share this scene of Finch talking to his daughter Scout and ask you to pay attention to his words beginning at the 1:15 mark
Other movies to watch
There are many other movies to consider that would encourage racial reconciliation. I watched one last night, The Green Mile with Tom Hanks.
Since football is starting up, three movies that are powerful are Brian’s Song, Remember the Titansand Woodlawn. In fact, I wrote a movie review on Woodlawn. Read it here.
There are others: In the Heat of the Night, The Defiant Ones, Places in the Heart, 42, Driving Miss Daisy and many more. But the ones I would encourage to watch are those showing people of different race working together to overcome obstacles relating to racism.
Have a meal with someone of another race
I remember Sen. James Lankford suggested to have a meal with someone of another race about a year ago. As I was planning to make this one of my DHD topics, this morning Sen. Lankford shared this video on his Facebook page:
I’m loving this Friday! The weather is calm and cooler for an August day. I’m excited about this week’s DHD topics. I hope you enjoy reading them.
Let’s get to it!
Trevin talks on CT podcast
Trevin Wax did a recent interview on Christianity Today’s podcast The Calling. This is a good one, as the editor of The Gospel Project Bible study curriculum shares a lot about himself. I’ve said before, Trevin is a favorite blogger of mine, and I enjoy what he had to share.
I love his quote the podcast website pulled, “I can’t say I love the process of writing – I love what happens when I write.” It reflects my feelings about writing too, which you can read in my bio on the right.
Just a bit of a sneak preview, Trevin will be a guest on Messenger Insight in September, and Brian Hobbs is letting me guest host. I’m looking forward to letting him know his regular blog Trevin’s Seven inspired me to do Doyle’s Half Dozen.
Top 10 songs at Falls Creek
Earlier this week, it was shared on WordSlingers the most popular song during the youth weeks at Falls Creek this summer. You can read his intriguing blog here.
After he submitted his blog to me, he sent a follow-up email with the Top 10 songs, based on frequently sung, during the eight weeks of camp at Falls Creek. As the author shared, only the most popular was sung all eight weeks, but here’s his Top 10 that he researched, as Falls Creek’s multimedia coordinator (which means he was there for all 40 evening services, so he should know!):
The Lion And The Lamb
O Come To The Altar
Alive
How Great Thou Art
This Is Amazing Grace
Glorious Day
Good Good Father
In Christ Alone
What A Beautiful Name
Before The Brilliant Whiteness
I’m happy “In Christ Alone” made the list and not surprised “Good Good Father” and “What A Beautiful Name” are up there. You can’t go to too many modern worship services without hearing a Chris Tomlin tune or a Hillsong United current hit.
By the way, only a few worship bands do more than a week at Falls Creek, and all the bands did an excellent job connecting with campers in the services. One of my favorites was Mike Romero and his band. You can tell Mike enjoyed getting the campers to sing and worship. And I just read this week, according to Tim Challies, “The most successful worship leaders are the one who want to hear their congregations sing.”
Caleb Moore’s talk and more on transgenderism
“My main concern is that they know the Gospel because the Gospel will transform everything else.”
Caleb Moore, one of WordSlingers’ featured bloggers, gave a very in-depth talk that he titled “Jesus and the Transgender Teenager.” This week he met with Brian Hobbs to record an upcoming Messenger Insight podcast and discuss his talk on transgenderism. It should be online in the coming days.
Moore’s talk is an hour long, but it is the most informative piece I have heard on the growing worldview on the transgender lifestyle. Every Christian would benefit from hearing Moore speak on this. Please check out the video below.
As I’ve shared previously, the Baptist Messenger ran a cover story “From Transgender to Transformed” that Hobbs wrote, and this story is being shared nationally. Baptist Press, the national news source for the Southern Baptist Convention, picked up this story on Laura Perry, who converted from her transgender male identity to a woman growing in her Christian faith.
This week, I was told Laura is making an appearance on the 700 Club to share her story. May God continue to bless the work Christ has done in her life and use her for His glory and Kingdom work.
Good instruction for college freshmen
Many of my friends have been posting pictures of their kids going off to college for the first time. This is an exciting time for incoming freshmen. I remember my excitement and nervousness when I went 1,200 miles away for college for the first time.
Whether it’s 1,200 miles or a 45-minute drive, going through the transition of being a college student at 18 is one of the most significant stages of life. Major changes are happening with these young adults, including challenges increasing on their Christian faith.
Since I’ve shared one Gospel Coalition piece, here’s another. Check out Kevin DeYoung’s confession, “I Don’t Understand Christians Watching Game of Thrones.” Though I found his writing style humorous, I know his point is serious.
I can say I haven’t seen an episode and don’t really find the show appealing. I know I’ll sound like a curmudgeon, but very few current TV shows seem interesting to me. I lost interest in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and Person of Interest ended in a very disappointing fashion.
So, yes, I share DeYoung’s confusion.
New WordSlingers blogger
Michael Foust’s new blog, a movie review, came out today (Aug. 11). He gives a great review on the newly released The Nut Job 2. You should check it out. One feature I really like is the list of discussion questions Foust poses relating to the movie.
Expect him to do more movie reviews for WordSlingers in the coming weeks.
