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It was a busy and memorable week this week. I know many in society are talking about the death of Prince, as I believe I have heard more of his music in the last 24 hours than I have in the last five years. I don’t say that to be apathetic. I know the talented musician meant a lot to many people. I pray for his family during this time of grief.
Here are six topics that are reflective of this last week in a new edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen
Lankford’s summary April 19 OKC Bombing is excellent
Earlier this week, James Lankford, my favorite statesman, gave an excellent address on the U.S. Senate floor. The eight-minute speech is a response to another senator using the Oklahoma City bombing in a disrespectful political fashion, but in the midst of his rebuke, Lankford gave one of the best summaries of what happened on April 19, 1995. If you have not already watched his speech, I think it would be worth your time.
Pat Boone rebukes SNL
Long time entertainer Pat Boone has been on recent talk shows rebuking a recent skit that was shown on Saturday Night Live last week. The skit was a satire on the Christian-themed movie God’s Not Dead 2. If you are not familiar with the SNL skit or Boone’s criticism, you will have to find more information on your own because, honestly, the skit offended me so much that I want to offer as little detail as possible.
I agree with Boone that if SNL were to do a similar skit mocking Muslims, the participants in the skit would be in witness protection. As Boone said, the movie has a simple message of presenting the reality of God and has no specific commentary on social issues, yet SNL used the Christian movie, that is still in theaters, to mock conservative views.
My interest in Saturday Night Live has diminished in recent years. I don’t believe I have paid regular attention to the show in the last 10, maybe 15 years. I know SNL has had many offensive segments in the past, but for me, the show reached its lowest mark and turned me off completely.
Movie critic who won’t go see movies
I have mentioned Phil Boatwright in the past. The Christian movie critic recently wrote a piece “Why I stopped going to movies.”
Adding to my previous beef about SNL and the entertainment industry, I understand Boatwright’s conclusion. “They have taken baby steps, furthering us from class, social decorum and reverence for the Almighty.”
I can’t argue with his conclusions.
Public bathroom battle
This topic has been the heaviest on my mind lately. There is just so much confusion, frustration and disappointment happening since the outcry of the public bathroom ordinance in North Carolina and similar laws in other states. Here’s a hodgepodge list of my thoughts:
How come nobody was upset about public restroom designations two years ago?
I still haven’t heard anybody who is against these state rulings tell me their solution to voyeurism.
If you are against the bathroom laws, how would you feel if someone of the opposite sex was sharing a public bathroom with your wife, daughter, sister or mother?
If your wife, daughter, sister or mother felt uncomfortable with a natural male going to the bathroom in their presence, do you consider them a bigot?
Why is the rights of one individual (specifically a 15-year-old natural girl in Virginia who “identifies” as male) protected over the rights of her male peers and their parents, when a court ruled against a school to allow her to use the restroom of her choice?
Eventually, I think public restrooms will go through a major renovation, allowing some kind of design where bathroom stalls have walls going from the floor to the ceiling. And there will be more one-person bathrooms in restaurants and other public settings.
I encourage fellow Christians to be careful how to communicate such concerns. These concerns should not affect our intention to demonstrate love and compassion to those who struggle with gender issues. I recommend reading Russell Moore’s article “What Should The Church Say to Bruce Jenner?”
Thunder stuff
I’m happy for Scott Brooks, former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach, being named the Washington Wizards head coach. No, I don’t think this will sway Kevin Durant.
I’m glad nothing escalated from what happened in the opening of the Game 2 matchup in the OKC-Dallas series. I’m referring to the Russell Westbrook-Cameron Payne pre-game ritual where Charlie Villanueva interferes. Game 3 pregame was uneventful, and I commend NBA referee Mike Callahan, who was the crew chief, for making sure there were not any conflicts. I saw a video on ESPN showing Callahan preventing Mavericks players from crossing center court near the scorer’s table. I tried to find the video online but have not been successful. Literally having a front row view of this in games one and two, I was surprised Dallas players were allowed to stretch their pregame “line” of bench players that far. Callahan is an excellent official, and he nipped that in the bud during game 3.
Award-winning DHD
On Friday, April 15, at the Baptist Communicators Association’s awards banquet, yours truly received a Second Place Award in the series blog category. First, I offer thanks to Tiffany Zylstra, who is in charge of entering items representing the Communications Group of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma into the BCA awards competition. Tiffany pestered me enough to make sure DHD was entered, and I am appreciative of her. Secondly, I want to thank Brian Hobbs for his encouragement to me to begin Doyle’s Half Dozen more than a year ago. Thirdly, I thank you, faithful readers to DHD. Many of you have shared your kind thoughts about DHD. You inspire me weekly!
April is now in full swing, and it’s always a blessing to experience the joys of spring after the sheltering conditions of winter. Though winter was rather calm in Oklahoma this time, there is still a difference in outside activity, especially in my neighborhood as the joggers and dog walkers were more noticeable this week.
The usual combination of politics and sports make up the majority of this week’s topics in Doyle’s Half Dozen. Enjoy!
Fleischer’s findings on Trump are factual and fair
Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer offered a letter to Donald Trump, assessing the candidate’s campaign as it stands right now. If Trump were to follow Fleischer’s five recommendations, I would consider changing my perspective. Notice I said “consider.”
As I have said before, I will not vote for any candidate in any election who does not value the sanctity of life. This is not the only important issue, but sanctity of life is THE number one important issue and should be for all Christian voters. Valuing the sanctity of life (at all stages of life) is the most obvious demonstration of honoring God, the Author of life. I am perplexed as to why more Christians don’t share my ranking and desire to see an end to the horrible practice of abortion.
With that in mind, I single out Fleischer’s point of Trump needing to learn more policy. “Your comments about abortion were a double-edged disaster. You alienated everyone. They showed you are not familiar with the background of an important emotional issue. Anyone aware of Right to Life’s thinking knows, mothers are not criminals.”
As invested in politics as Fleischer is, he even points out that abortion is an important issue. He may only care about getting votes, but at least he is tuned in to what matters to social conservatives. I think he is right when he says Trump won’t get beyond his current supporters if Trump continues to operate his campaign in this manner.
Hillary doesn’t get it either
If there is one consolation to Trump’s failure to understand viewpoints on the abortion issue, at least he is not alone. Earlier this week, Hillary Clinton alienated everybody with her foolish response to Chuck Todd on NBC’s Meet the Press, regarding when or if an unborn child has constitutional rights.
Clinton directly admitted the “unborn person” does not have rights. She then went on to say that everything should be done to help a mother carrying a child and to make sure the child will be healthy and have appropriate medical support.
So the child, by her admittance, should be cared for yet doesn’t have the right to live? Of course, I’m going to be disturbed by her foolish response, but then, on the other side, the abortion people were cringing every time Clinton said “person” or “child” instead of saying “fetus” and trying to avoid the heart of the question by making some sort of attempt to discredit the scientific evidence of personhood.
By the way, for the first time ever, I’ll give Chuck Todd a nod for asking Clinton such a strong question.
Another nod for Todd
Chuck Todd also featured Russell Moore on Meet the Press, allowing the president of the Southern Baptists’ Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to respond to Mississippi’s religious liberty bill.
As always, Moore clearly explains the importance of religious liberty and the misunderstandings of what religious liberty is, as he participates in a discussion with an ACLU representative.
Todd’s terminology at the beginning of this segment is not objective in regards to religious liberty, but I thought he was fair in allowing Moore to speak openly and give excellent responses to the ACLU’s incorrect assessments.
Earlier this week, the California Department of Justice raided David Daleiden’s home and seized all footage of his famous videos that exposed Planned Parenthood’s practice of selling aborted baby parts.
I feel bad for Daleiden and the legal pressures he is facing, including a criminal charge in Houston. May God continue to provide him grace and wisdom during these difficult days.
But this is a good sign that what Daleiden is doing is right because the elected officials who are chastising him have been proven to receive financial backing from Planned Parenthood.
The more Daleiden is in the news regarding his exposing videos, the stronger his case becomes or remains.
Durant and more FA talk
Oh how the talk seems to never end about Kevin Durant and where he will play next season. Darnell Mayberry wrote about former Thunder player Kendrick Perkins giving his perspective.
I’ll elaborate in a later DHD about Durant facing free agency. But here’s the short take. If KD’s decision is based on money, he stays with the Thunder because of the Larry Bird Exception.
If he bases his decision on other things, then who knows where he will be next season. Again, I will give more input closer to the July 1 deadline.
Looking forward to Saturday
For the first time ever, I’ll be attending OU’s spring football game. I don’t get caught up too much in Sooner football during the spring. My focus is definitely on basketball, and I have a hard time keeping interest in the team playing against itself. I’m not saying it’s not constructive. I know it is. However, in my former life of working in college sports information, keeping stats for a confusing structure of game-type scenarios was not a fun time.
But this Saturday will be different because it will be an early opportunity to experience the full enclosure of OU’s stadium. For once, I’m letting the superficial affect me in watching a football game. Or a so-called football game.
I have an array of emotions. I’m disappointed yet excited. It all has to do with what happened this week and what is going to happen this weekend. I’ll explain through six timely topics that is known as this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen.
Trump doesn’t get it
Donald Trump demonstrated this week why I cannot vote for him as U.S. President. I believe the most important issue for Christian voters is the sanctity of life. How a candidate views this issue affects practically every other important issue. This issue, I believe, reflects how they view God the Creator. And this issue ties closely with how a candidate views religious liberty and the importance of natural/traditional/biblical marriage. But first, for a political candidate to get my vote, they have to value life, all life and all stages of life – from the womb to the tomb.
Trump has said that he is pro-life, and that’s the right “code term” to appease social conservatives, but then he gives glowing remarks on Planned Parenthood, the world’s largest abortion provider, on how they help so many women. This makes as much sense as a person who says they are for strict smoking laws but commends the Tobacco Industry for doing charitable causes, all the while their products continue to cause cancer.
This week, Trump revealed even more that he doesn’t get it. In his interview with Chris Matthews, he said the mother should be punished for aborting her child. Every time I watch a replay of this, I automatically do the face palm.
I can elaborate on why his answer, even though he has since retracted his remark, is so foolish, backward and a strong revealer why he isn’t sincerely pro-life, but there have been some great commentary already released.
Brian Hobbs’ post “Condemnation or Compassion” is a good starting point. He explains why Trump comments tainted pro-life causes.
Russell Moore wrote, “Protecting unborn babies is not about punishing women, but punishing an industry and a culture that dehumanizes human beings,” in his piece “Does the Pro-Life Movement Want to Punish Women?”
“One of the worst misconceptions about pro-life Americans is that we are pro-baby and anti-women. Unfortunately, the pro-life movement hasn’t always done a good job of defeating this notion. It’s true that some rhetoric on our side has lacked compassion and holistic concern for the well-being of mothers, especially unwed moms. But despite our imperfections, the pro-life movement has indeed been remarkably consistent about our desire not only to tear down abortion culture but to build a culture of life and human flourishing in its stead. This is the conviction that has built thousands of crisis pregnancy centers, funded hundreds of adoptions, and come alongside countless numbers of women, and men, with practical acts of mercy and love.”
To support what he said about crisis pregnancy centers, check out my article on Carolyn Anson, “Set Free to Serve.” I’m a big fan of this woman. I don’t know anybody who has a greater passion for women than Carolyn, and I feel privileged to be able to write about her journey that led to her being the new director of the Hope Pregnancy Center North in Oklahoma City.
Follow up on “Leave it blank”
A few weeks ago in my March 4 DHD, I mentioned my campaign to “Leave it blank,” referring to the possibility that if there is not a presidential candidate who genuinely represents the pro-life movement, I would leave my ballot blank on that specific election. Someone asked me this week if that would be counted. I rationally concluded that it would count because voters leave different election options blank all the time, as far as not knowing anything about district judges or state questions, etc.
But to verify my conclusion, I spoke with Bryan Dean, the public information officer for the Oklahoma State Election Board. He said yes, leaving it blank, is counted. It is declared an under vote, which can be construed as a voter’s dissatisfaction with all of the possible candidates.
Dean also said that the possibility of the number of presidential candidates being only two would be incorrect. Oklahoma will now recognize the Libertarian Party, and it is likely there will be other candidates on the ballot who will be classified as independent.
My prayer is for a legitimate pro-life presidential candidate who can receive my vote. If not, my blank vote will be counted.
Shout out to DR Trainees
I asked a co-worker on Thursday what her plans were this weekend. She told me she’s going to be in Tulsa this weekend and that she is planning to go to the State Training for Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) volunteers.
I was rather impressed with her choice. If you are not familiar with DR ministry, it is one of the most visibly impactful works done by Southern Baptists, and Oklahoma DR volunteers are the best of the bunch.
God’s Not Dead 2 opens this weekend. The original movie did fairly well at the box office, and the sequel appears to be quite timely.
Check out Karen Kinnaird’s movie review and consider see God’s Not Dead 2 this weekend.
I’m a Buddy backer!
The Final Four is this weekend! The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team will face Villanova on Saturday at 5 p.m. on TBS, and I couldn’t be more proud of what this squad has accomplished. I’m pulling for Lon Kruger because I think the man deserves a national title, especially with all he has done with so many different programs. There couldn’t be a nicer man on the planet, and I’m thrilled he’s coaching the Sooners.
I’m also happy for Buddy Hield. I’m on the Buddy fan wagon with everybody else. But I have to share an extra reason why. Back during football season, my brother Jon and nephew Will joined my wife Karen and me at the Sooners season-opener. While Jon and Will were down in the concession area they ran into Buddy and asked him if he would take a picture with Will. Of course, being the gracious guy that Buddy is, he willingly posed with my young nephew.
Jon sent me a file of the photo, and I got an 8×10 print made. Through Mike Houck in the OU athletic media relations office, I was able to get Buddy to sign the photo print, got it framed and gave it to Will as a Christmas present. Watching Will’s eyes light up when he opened his present was worth all the effort.
I am back from Europe. It was a meaningful trip for me. I enjoyed the experience with the team that went and with the people I met. I believe I have approval to discuss the trip, but for certain reasons, I would rather share it personally than through social media.
As I have spent a week outside the United States, I also have drawn a little weary of American politics and the current cultural issues. There are quite a few topics I could address, but this week, I’m going to call an audible.
Today is Good Friday, a somewhat overlooked observance. This is the day set apart to reflect the crucifixion of Christ. This event, my friends, is the heart of the Gospel.
So far this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen, I offer six passages that reflect Christ’s crucifixion and its significance.
Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds.”
This Old Testament verse may be the best summary of the Crucifixion. As one commentator said, all the brokenness of mankind was place on Jesus Christ. He was punished to bring us peace with God, to reconcile our relationship with the Father.
Mark 15:22 – “And they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means Skull Place).”
I reference Mark’s passage of the crucifixion first because it is considered by many to be the first recorded book of the Gospels.
Luke 23:41-43 – “’We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.’”
I love this exchange between the thief on the cross and Jesus. The thief admits he deserves his punishment and acknowledges Christ for Who He is, then humbly asks to be remembered. This is the lowest plea followed by the most unexpected joy anyone could ever experience, when Jesus pardons the thief, allowing him to be with Christ eternally.
John 19:26-27 – “When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing there, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”
Even in the most painful condition, Jesus still showed care for His mother and had John care for her.
John 19:30 – “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”
I often wonder if Jesus yelled those three words before he died in similar fashion to William Wallace in Braveheart yelling “Freedom!” But there could be no more powerful of a sentence in all of history than that concluding declaration.
Matt. 27:54 – “Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’”
An onlooker, not a follower, makes a powerful profession. With everything that happened, the centurion encountered the truth. Oh that more and more would make the same conclusion.
Thank you Jesus for your willingness to suffer and die for the sake of my sins. Amen.
