by Chris Doyle | May 12, 2017
Greetings!
Here’s a fresh Doyle’s Half Dozen for you to read. Enjoy!
- Comey Conundrum
Is there a more polarizing political person in the present than former FBI Director James Comey? The man has both major political parties mad at him, but if one of those parties focuses on why the other party is mad at him, they will defend him. This has all the makings of a script for a Mel Brooks movie.
Try to name three other former FBI directors. I’m guessing you can’t come up with more than two before inquiring from Google, Suri or Watson. Comey definitely has made himself more relevant in the news than the majority of predecessors, and that has a lot to do with White House officials in the last 8.5 years. Both the current and past administrations seem to have made Comey’s job a little more complicated.
It’s all in the matter of who you can trust, and that includes James Comey. So believe what you want, but I think it’s best for everybody involved that Comey has been relieved of his duties. And he should be relieved that he’s been relieved.
- Thunder Thoughts
I haven’t written about the Oklahoma City Thunder. For some of you, that may be a blessing.
We’re approaching a month since the season ended for the Thunder. I know there’s a lot of disappointed fans, but for me, I enjoyed the many exciting games the Thunder played this season.
Russell Westbrook had a season for the ages with his triple-double records. And coming off a disappointing offseason last summer, with Kevin Durant deciding to leave the team, the Thunder exceeded many expectations.
So now this offseason occurs. Jon Hamm offers a reality check for Thunder fans in his Salary Cap Q&A. He does a great job explaining the Thunder’s salary situation, which means chances are very slim the Thunder make a major splash in free agency this summer. Despite the rumors, Blake Griffin doesn’t appear to be coming home anytime soon.
There will be changes to the roster next season. Either Enes Kanter or Taj Gibson will not return, I’m predicting. They can’t afford both big men. Kanter may be traded to free up salary space, which would make it possible to sign Gibson, or Kanter, who is a popular Thunder personality and has embraced OKC, stays, and hopefully he makes some improvement on defense.
Two moves I do predict will happen are 1) Westbrook will sign a major 5-year, $200+ million contract extension, and 2) Andre Roberson will resign for around $10-12 million a year for four years.
I don’t think the offseason will be an over joyous occasion for Thunder fans. But I do believe in the popular theory of the younger players improving. With the likes of Steven Adams, Victor Oladipo, Alex Abrines, Domantas Sabonis and Jerami Grant being 25 or younger, plus consider Doug McDermott having a full year with the Thunder, there’s quite a bit of potential.
What I’m predicting is a solid start for the Thunder, no matter who is back next season, and then a midseason trade happening to put them in an even better position. It would be something similar to the 2010 season, when the Thunder picked up Kendrick Perkins at midseason, which helped propel OKC to the Western Conference Finals that year.
- House Bill Battles
A scary scenario happened this week in Oklahoma that threatened to diminish charitable contributions to ministries and non-profit organizations. Oklahoma House Bill 2347 was up for a vote, but it never went to the House floor. The bill proposed to cap deductions of annual charitable giving to $17,000 for the next three tax seasons.
Fortunately, with the help of many Oklahomans calling state reps, the bill has been modified, carving out charitable deductions. This is good news, but Anthony Jordan, executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, encouraged Oklahoma Baptists to pray for state leaders who have the tall task of approving a balanced state budget.
“One representative stated how he is so drained physically, emotionally and mentally at this point in the session,” Jordan said in an email to state Baptist leaders. “This is a very trying time for these men and women. They need our prayer support. Let’s dedicate ourselves to pray for them from now until session ends.”
- Graduate advice reprise
It is graduation season. Many high school and college students will be celebrating the end of an educational journey. Two years ago, I shared a DHD on advice for graduates. It was considered one of my best DHDs.
So since there’s a new batch of both high school and college graduates, I offer them the same advice I gave in 2015. Read it here and share with your favorite grad.
- A Christian Millennial Manifesto
For the second week in a row, I’m promoting a Ryan Smith blog. I don’t think I could say it enough, but Ryan is an excellent writer who especially relates well to young adults and especially relates to others well the mindset of young adults.
In his blog, “Why Millennials May Save The Church,” Ryan offers a counter-perspective to the popular notion that Millennials are “fleeing the church in droves.” It’s a great, encouraging read. Please check it out.
- Moms
Happy Mother’s Day to you! Sunday is a special time to honor mother’s, and I hope you have the opportunity to share your appreciation to your momma.
Check out my Mother’s Day edition of DHD that I wrote last year, sharing thoughts about many significant mothers, including my own.
by Chris Doyle | May 5, 2017
Greetings!
A new week and a new Doyle’s Half Dozen. I’m back to offering thoughts on timely topics. Here’s six subjects submitted for your scrutiny.
- Samford and stunned
Baptist Press announced this week about Samford University, a Southern Baptist school in Alabama, considering the approval of a student organization that promotes homosexuality and other unbiblical lifestyles.
Samford faculty voted to recommend approval of “Samford Together,” the LGBT student group, BP reported, and President Andrew Westmoreland said he hopes the university and state convention leaders “find meaningful ways to affirm beliefs regarding the authority of Scripture held by so many of us, while enabling us to serve in ways that reflect God’s love for all people.”
Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) leaders were “saddened” by the Samford faculty vote, which was unofficially reported to be a significant majority in favor. BP reported ABSC will contribute $3.6 million of Cooperative Program funds in 2017 to Samford.
Westmoreland attempted to be diplomatic in his comments when addressing the LBGT student group and contrasting viewpoints of Southern Baptists and those who support LGBT lifestyles. Personally, I found the following statement by Westmoreland disappointing:
“A clearer path for a different institution with a different president might be to take a less nuanced approach, lining up either fully in favor of more recent views of human sexuality or in favor of a campus that is closed to the exchange of viewpoints and ideas, but that approach does not reflect who I am, so I would be incapable of leading in either of those directions.”
The part I bolded is why I said Westmoreland “attempted” to be diplomatic, though failed. Apparently he thinks you are in favor of LGBT lifestyles or you are close-minded and unwilling to discuss such concerning issues. Westmoreland may not agree, but it is possible to have forums for discussion without fully embracing a student organization that promotes LGBT lifestyles. I see no difference in what Westmoreland and Samford faculty are doing and what single Christians attempt to do in “missionary dating.”
All state Southern Baptist conventions that support in-state colleges and universities should pay close attention to what is happening at Samford. This is not an isolated issue.
- Are Pro-Life Democrats becoming extinct?
Another concerning issue is how the Democratic National Convention is becoming less and less tolerant of party members who value the sanctity of life. BP reported of the aftermath when DNC Chairman Tom Perez said two weeks ago that every Democrat should support abortion.
I was encouraged to read U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill. speak in favor of life for the unborn. Russell Moore, president of Southern Baptist’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, said “the protection of the unborn is too important to be a one-party issue.”
“The marginalization of pro-life Democrats is bad news for the Democratic Party, but even more, is bad news for the country, for women and for the unborn,” Moore said. “I pray for the day when both parties are committed to protecting the most vulnerable, including the unborn and their mothers, and are arguing with each other over economics rather than over the life and death of the innocent.”
I know there are many pro-life Oklahoma Democrats, and I hope they too challenge Perez’s influence to cause Pro-Life Democrats to become extinct.
- Ryan Smith’s blog of messages
Check out Ryan Smith’s blog comparing the message of man to the message of God, when it comes to sharing the Gospel and how easy it can be misconstrued today. I especially liked Ryan’s comparison of how the message of man makes Jesus appear to be like Vincent Van Gogh.
- Great results from Religious Liberty executive order
Executive orders can be “limited to the scope of the executive action allowed by a president,” as the ERLC’s “The Weekly” email newsletter states, but “an executive order has the power of federal law.”
This is good news for those who appreciate and wish to observe religious liberty, as President Trump signed an executive order this week on “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”
This executive order requires all federal departments and agencies to “respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech.” It means the IRS will no longer be a threat to religious organizations. It means court cases like the one involving Hobby Lobby that would have enforced the well-known arts and crafts store to provide abortifacient drugs to its employees to be dismissed.
After many years of Christian organizations being threatened, harassed and punished by the federal government. This is an encouraging decision by President Trump.
- Waxing on 13 Reasons Why
Trevin Wax admitted he did not want to blog about the popular show 13 Reasons Why. You may have read numerous commentaries about this suicide-promoting production on Netflix and have come to your own conclusions.
Regardless, please consider another viewpoint from my favorite blogger.
“13 Reasons Why compounds a problem it is trying to fix, perhaps because it has no eternal solution to offer. For those who have entertained thoughts of suicide or who have friends who know the darkness of this despair, hope remains. But it will not be found on Netflix.”
- Wired about Rewired
I end on a positive note. Last weekend, I covered the Rewired Men’s Conference at Falls Creek for the Baptist Messenger. It will be the cover story in next week’s edition.
I’ve gone to Rewired for the past four years, and every year, I come back encouraged with the experience and the results different men had from spending two days in the Arbuckle Mountains.
One of my favorite parts every single year is hearing thousands of men singing together praises to God. I always love every experience of a worship service in a full tabernacle at Falls Creek, but there just seems something even more enjoyable when it’s multiple men gathering to sing and worship.
One special report I received this year involves a fireman who went for the first time. He was reluctant to go, but the experience caused him to make major changes in his life including confessing to his wife and family that he has an addiction to pornography. He made the same confession to his friends and fellow firemen a few days later, which resulted in one man making a profession of faith in Christ and multiple rededications by other men.
The fireman also is planning a men’s event at his property where he plans to invite more men and share his life-changing experience.
Praise God for Rewired and the impact it is making on men!
by Chris Doyle | Apr 28, 2017
Greetings!
I’m concluding my series of “textual takeaways” from different Bible passages, and next week I’ll be back to commenting on timely topics. Once in awhile I may return to sharing thoughts on Scripture, as the Bible needs to be an emphasis on society, especially since today’s culture doesn’t seem to acknowledge biblical instruction, or at least adhere to it.
This week I’m offering six standpoints from 1 Cor. 7:1-17, Paul’s instructions pertaining to marriage. I think it’s one of the more unique advisements Paul offers in his epistles.
- Consider the context
The church in Corinth would not be one to emulate. I’ve heard it said that if you wanted to do a study on practical human behavior, it would be best to not use those in an insane asylum as subjects for research.
The city of Corinth had a reputation for indulging in pagan culture, especially sexual immorality. As one of the early churches, the Corinthian Church struggled with its surrounding immoral standards, and the church members asked Paul, as the church’s founder and advisor, how to handle different aspects involving marriage.
So the best way to apply the majority of Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians, especially chapter 7, is to understand it is written FOR all Christians not necessarily written TO all Christians. But with today’s society struggling with the purpose of marriage, Paul’s instruction here may be more applicable.
- The necessity of marriage
One verse in the Bible that is subject to misinterpretation is 1 Cor. 7:1. More than one Bible translation has the verse saying “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” A legalistic Christian would take this literal and could consider it a sin for a man to have any physical contact with any woman who is not his wife. This would be too strong of an interpretation of what Paul is saying.
Other translations of 1 Cor. 7:1 interprets the verse saying “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” This would be more sensible, especially in relation with the whole context of the passage.
There’s even some translations having the verse saying “It is good for a man not to marry.” What I appreciate about this translation’s conclusion is marriage and sexual relations are equivalent. However, it can lead to misunderstandings.
Paul is beginning to answer a problem in the Corinthian church, and it involves marriage, even how to observe sexual relations in marriage. He starts with explaining the Christian life here on earth would be best observed if there wasn’t any sexual relationships as it pertains to the Christian’s purpose (share the Gospel and make disciples – Matt. 28:19).
However, he doesn’t mean to stop there. He goes on in verses 2-6 to tell the Corinthian Christians that it’s human nature to desire to have sex, and it should be observed in the marriage relationship. So husbands and wives, fulfill this marriage obligation to each other because if you don’t, Satan will take advantage of your natural desires.
- Paul’s marital status
Debates exist on whether or not the Apostle Paul was married. However, the strongest argument for Paul being single is in 1 Cor. 7:7-8. He said he wishes everybody could be like he is, that being not married. He also said he thinks it’s better for single people and widows to remain single like he is.
Some translations, KJV and NASB for example, allow for vague interpretations to occur, such as Paul desires for Christians to be motivated in ministry as he is motivated, NOT referring to his marital status specifically. I believe this interpretation is a stretch, and I don’t believe KJV and NASB support such wrong conclusions. To be clear, Paul does emphasize devotion to ministry, but he also is making known he is not married.
ESV, HCSB and NIV provide more clarity and state directly that Paul said he believes it is good to stay unmarried as he is unmarried.
Bobby Kelly, one of my favorite NT scholars, concluded that if Paul WERE married he was a bad husband, referring to his lengthy missionary journeys and living from place to place. This, of course, would mean Paul contradicted his own teachings of husbands devoting themselves to their wives (Eph. 5:25-28), so no, Paul was not married.
- To unmarried Christians
Paul mentions singleness as being a gift from God. Actually, both marriage and singleness are gifts from God, and God equips us to live under either status, as both marriage and singleness are valuable to accomplishing God’s purposes.
I did not get married until later than usual in life. In fact, Karen and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this year. Many people my age and much younger have been married for 20 or more years.
I understand what Paul means when he said he wishes Christians could get along without marrying. Some single Christians have the opportunity to serve in ministry in ways married Christians cannot. Paul wants single Christians to know they are valuable and to accept their single status, even if they are single for a season.
Tim Keller recently shared this applicable comment: “Singles, if you think you are lonely now, marriage to someone who doesn’t share your faith is the loneliest you can get.”
- To Christians married to an unbeliever who wants to remain married
Verses 12-14 offer another unique situation, as some Corinthian Christians thought they should divorce their unbelieving spouses and marry Christians. But Paul said this should not happen. He taught that God’s ideal is for husbands and wives to stay together – even when one spouse is not a believer.
The Christian spouse should be a witness to their lost mate, and if the unbelieving spouse wants to remain married to a committed Christian, the chances are good they too will make a profession of faith to follow Jesus. Also this is a good example to the children that their parents remain faithful in marriage.
- To Christians married to an unbeliever who abandons the marriage
Paul encourages Christians who have been converted after they were married to remain faithful to their unbelieving spouses. Do all that is feasibly possible to make the marriage work.
However, don’t abandon your faith for the unbelieving marriage partner. And if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave the marriage, and the Christian spouse cannot peaceably convince them to stay, Paul said in verse 15 to allow them to go. God desires for marriages to work, but He doesn’t want hostility to develop.
Paul also said in verse 16 that, even in a disappointing result, if the Christian spouse handles the divorce or separation respectfully, it could be possible, through their kind disposition expressed in the unfortunate process, they may still influence their unbelieving spouse to convert to Christianity.
The conclusion to this issue in verse 17 is very important: “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches” (NLT).
by Chris Doyle | Apr 21, 2017
Greetings!
I’m near the end of my series of takeaways from Bible passages. I’ll finish off the rest of April, and then in May, I’ll go back to timely social topics. This week is another twist. I will be comparing the stories involving the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16) and Ananias (Acts 9:10-19).
Check out the passages if unfamiliar with their stories, but both of these characters have fascinated me – one in the Old Testament, and the other in the New Testament. Here are my six takeaways when looking at both Bible characters.
- Both are unknown and seem insignificant.
We don’t even know the widow’s name, and being a widow with a young son, she probably was not someone who had influence. She couldn’t even find proper wood to make a fire; she had to gather sticks at the village gate (1 Kings 17:10).
Ananias appears to only be known as a disciple (Acts 9:10). We don’t know his livelihood. He may have been a church leader, but that is uncertain. What we do know is God called him.
After the brief passages that respectively feature the widow and Ananias conclude, they return to anonymity.
- Both are asked to do sacrificial tasks.
When Elijah the prophet meets the widow, he asks her for a drink of water, which turns into a request for some bread. This is in the middle of a drought, and the widow doesn’t even have a single piece of bread in the house (1 Kings 17:12). She’s actually in the process of preparing what she has concluded to be the last meal she and her son will ever eat.
Elijah tells her not to be afraid. Instead, he tells her to proceed with fixing the meal, but first make him a small loaf of bread.
Ananias is asked to minister to a man who is known for persecuting Christians. Saul had orders to capture any Christians, but God gave Ananias the imperative to “Go and do what I say…” (Acts 9:15). Of course, we the readers have the luxury of knowing how Ananias’ visit with Saul/Paul turns out, but Ananias believes he’s facing a life-threatening visit.
- Both express doubt initially
The widow responds hesitantly to Elijah’s request for some bread. She said she doesn’t have any bread, and the little resources she has she was planning to use up for a final meal. I conclude she expresses some emotional drama while stating, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house” (1 Kings 17:12).
I picture Ananias responding emotionally to God’s request. He is well informed about Saul’s reputation and the “terrible things he has done” (Acts 9:13).
I relate well to both the widow and Ananias because I am certain I would have expressed similar emotional doubt if I were in their situations.
- Both did act on faith and obedience
After expressing their skepticism, the widow and Ananias followed their respective orders. Given the grave conditions they both faced – the widow with starvation and Ananias with meeting a man known for persecuting Christians – they acted on their faith and obedience to God, believing He would provide and protect while using them to do important work.
- Both had a major impact on prominent men of God
Elijah is considered the most famous and dramatic of Israel’s prophets. Paul is known to be the most influential man, aside from Jesus Christ, in the history of Christianity. But at the time when the widow cared for Elijah and when Ananias met with formerly Saul, they hadn’t done much in the work God had for them.
No great Christian leader has succeeded without the support of lesser-known people who are also used of God.
- God blesses both the widow and Ananias
The widow was provided with plenty after she made that first small meal for Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16). We don’t know exactly how Ananias was blessed, but if he was a faithful disciple, he experienced eternal blessings because of the great work Paul did, carrying the Gospel message throughout the world.
Christian blogger Tim Challies said, “Ananias’ small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom.”
by Chris Doyle | Apr 14, 2017
Greetings!
I’m continuing my current theme for DHD in sharing six aspects involving Bible passages. This week it is the conversation Jesus has with Peter on the beach, after the resurrection and initially appearing to the disciples. John’s Gospel account (John 21:15-19) is the only one to feature this powerful dialogue between Jesus and his lead disciple.
- It happened after breakfast
John 21 is a great chapter for Bible study. It’s full of fascinating details. Keep in mind, this is after Jesus has appeared to His disciples and others since He has risen from the dead.
We can read about Jesus’ appearances in all four Gospel accounts. But the one thing about this appearance compared to what we are told about the other post-resurrection appearances of Christ is Jesus made breakfast for his disciples after they experienced another miraculous catching of an abundance of fish.
Verses 1-14 is basically a scene-setter for what Jesus planned to do.
- Jesus calls Peter by his former name
When Jesus meets Peter for the first time, He gave the disciple the name “Peter” (John 1:42). Jesus renamed him to demonstrate a change in character and to make aware of the responsibilities Peter will have.
Once in a while, though, Jesus would go back to calling Peter his birth name, “Simon.” He seemed to do this to get Peter’s attention or to rebuke Peter. I’m guessing it would be in the same vein as when a parent would call his or her child by the child’s complete formal name, “Christopher Neal Doyle! What are you doing?” You get the idea.
- Three times a charm
Jesus repeated his question three times to Peter, “Do you love me?” The first two times, Peter responded “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” The third time, Peter expressed some grievance while replying, “Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”
A common interpretation of Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved Him was to symbolically reconcile Peter after Peter denied Jesus three times in public while Jesus’ trial was happening.
I love the word “reconcile.” It demonstrates that wonderful result when making peace with someone or removing a hindrance that stifles a relationship.
Jesus is all about reconciliation, which is why He came to earth to die, so that our sins would be forgiven and we as followers of Christ could be reconciled with God.
So the formal inquiry in triplicate was not just for Peter’s sake, but for all who were aware of Peter denying Christ three times.
- The significance of sheep
Jesus uses symbolic sheep often in his teaching. He calls himself The Good Shepherd (John 10:11). He tells the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7). But here, Jesus commands a fisherman to become a shepherd.
It’s interesting the comparisons of Jesus first telling his disciples to follow Him and He will make them fishers of men (Matt. 4:19). Now, he tells Peter, in particular, to take care of his sheep.
It seems as though fishing is a description to describe evangelism and shepherding relates to discipleship. Both are equally important in the Christian life.
- Revealing the death Peter would die
After asking Peter three times if he loved Him, Jesus, in verses 18-19, makes a powerful revelation:
“’The truth is, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you don’t want to go.’
“Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, ‘Follow me.’”
History reveals Peter was crucified, and he chose to be crucified upside down because he did not feel worthy to die in the same position of his Lord.
- What happens to Peter after this experience
Peter would go on to preach at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-42), which results in the powerful beginning of the early church. What fascinates me is this great Biblical moment occurs in just a short time after Peter’s denial of Christ.
This tells me that God can do great things through whomever He chooses, even a follower who failed.
But for God to use Peter, He had to bring him to reconciliation. And that’s what Jesus did for Peter, after breakfast.