DHD: Ashley Madison, Abortion callousness, OKC Good News Festival, War Room

by Chris Doyle | Aug 28, 2015

Greetings!

It was a full week, yet again. Half of my topics this week involved my experience at the Good News Festival with Franklin Graham last weekend. I also throw in a reminder to go see a movie that is released this weekend. But my first two share important articles by two men who have great perspectives on some hot issues. Let’s get to it.

1. Stetzer gives great thoughts on Ashley Madison issue

Ed Stetzer did a masterful job responding to this major issue involving the Ashley Madison website, revealing more than 30 million people who used the site to have sexual affairs.

I recommend all three of his posts on the Christianity Today website which include:

• Live Is Eternal. Don’t Have an Affair.
• I’m on the Ashley Madison list. Now what?
• My Pastor is on the Ashley Madison List.

One of the many profound things he shares is he estimates 400 church leaders will be stepping down this Sunday. If you don’t know Ed Stetzer, the man does thorough research and doesn’t make such projections without legitimate support.

But he does more than make alarming projections. All three pieces are excellent and will help anybody who is or could struggle with hearing heavy, disappointing news. He even gives constructive advice for those who were caught.

2. Trevin tackles callousness on abortion

Trevin Wax gives an excellent take on the public response to the Planned Parenthood video expose. Read his piece The Shrug That Scares Me to Death.

I was speaking to a friend about what Wax addresses the day before his story was released. I said we need to figure out how to penetrate the callousness people have about abortion.

There has to be a way to melt this hardness, this gloss, this unwillingness to admit that what Planned Parenthood is doing is the equivalent to what the Nazis did to the Jews, to what even early Americans did with the practice of slavery. It is the ultimate mistreatment of human life at the earliest stages for the sake of convenience or for even a horrible, disgusting sense of pride.

It’s not a defense for women’s health. Sensible people are aware of how those uncommon situations can be handled with the advancement of medicine and care.

It’s not for fear of going back to backroom practices. Though it’s unfortunate that more babies are born out of wedlock, this acceptance in society has rid that aspect of shame today. Plus, with more pregnancy centers available, women facing unplanned pregnancies can receive excellent guidance and support.

So here’s my conclusion. Pray, my fellow supporters of sanctity of life, for the softening of hearts, and keep this topic at the forefront. It cannot be “old news.” It needs to be discussed often.

3. Great experience at Good News Festival

Last weekend, I participated as a counselor at the Good News Festival with Franklin Graham at Chesapeake Energy Arena. To sum up, it exceeded my expectations. I will elaborate more as this week’s DHD continues, but the greatest thing I experienced was sharing the Gospel with two new believers.

On Saturday night, I was paired up with Kyle, a 24-year-old who has been married for less than a year. His wife Kat also made a profession of faith that night, and they are expecting their first child this December. I pray both of them will grow in their faith and will be a godly influence for their daughter.

On Sunday night, I met with Sam, a 67-year-old retired state trooper. At first, Sam came across as a hard soul, but the more we talked the more I realized my first impression of him was incorrect. He was so receptive to the Gospel as I was sharing with him. I made a follow-up call to Sam the next day, and he treated me as if we were longtime friends. I also pray for Sam and his Christian walk.

4. A great word from Governor Fallin

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin spoke during the Sunday session of the Festival. She made many official proclamations which included proclaiming Graham an honorary citizen of Oklahoma.

Fallin also shared her experience of attending the 2003 Billy Graham Crusade in Oklahoma City with two of her children. She said both of them, as teenagers, responded during the time of invitation and made life-changing decisions. “I can’t tell you how special that felt to me in my heart,” she said.

The Governor also expressed her faith in Christ, “The most important thing about me is I love God. And I’m a Christian. And I’m not scared to say I am.

“I’m not scared to walk my faith,” she said. “And my faith does play a role in the decisions that I make. I do seek God’s wisdom, God’s discernment, God’s grace, God’s forgiveness, in all the decisions that we make on behalf of the state of Oklahoma and certainly as our nation. I know you’re here today because you want to do the same.”

5. Historic aspects of the Grahams visiting OKC

As many know, this isn’t the first time Oklahoma City has hosted an event featuring a Graham. On three previous occasions, a Billy Graham Crusade came to OKC in 1956, 1983 and 2003. There have been many lives changed at all three events.

For me, there is something even more special about the 1956 crusade. My father accepted Christ during one of those meetings. Those who knew my father knew he was not an outspoken man. In a public setting, many would not even be aware if dad were present. But in private, one-on-one experiences, Dad would be a great encourager. He was a master at personal discipleship.

And he had great spiritual mentors, including Jack Humphreys and Gene Warr. What’s so fascinating about Humphreys, Warr and the 1956 Billy Graham Crusade is I found an article written by Bob Nigh, my co-worker and managing editor of the Baptist Messenger, in 2003 titled “A life transformed by 1956 OKC Graham Crusade.” The article is about Humphreys, but Warr is also mentioned, along with Charlie Riggs who my dad also held in high regard.

All four men, Jack Humphreys, Gene Warr, Charlie Riggs and my father, Mack Doyle have passed away, but their lives were well-spent in serving God and furthering His Kingdom.

6. Go see War Room!

Today is the opening of the Christian movie War Room. You should go see it. I can assure you, there is not another movie out right now that would bless, inspire, and encourage you in your Christian walk than this movie.

I did write a review a few months ago. You can read it here.

Please go see it, and if you do, let me know what you thought about it.

DHD: Reshef, Decent Person?, Duggar, A Tough Prayer, A New SBCer, Franklin Graham

by Chris Doyle | Aug 21, 2015

Greetings!

School has started, the temps are cooler, and I no longer wear Crocs. Instead, I now sport the trendy Choco sandals. That sums up the important occurrences for the week. Let’s get to the topics.

1. Redacting Reshef’s Rhetoric

The Oklahoman published an editorial by Dr. Eli Reshef earlier this week, showing his support of Planned Parenthood. At first, I was going to do some major correcting of his piece. I wasn’t halfway through and surpassed 500 words. If this were the only topic I would cover this week, I’d kept going, but there are other issues I want to address. Instead, I will briefly sum up.

Reshef incorrectly accuses Sen. James Lankford of attacking millions of American women when Lankford gave his speech on the Senate floor about PP. Read through the script of his speech and you can see he doesn’t lay blame on women who may not know their aborted children are being used in research. Lankford also conveys understanding for a mom who may not be able to pay for an abortion, though not supporting the decision.

Lankford also has done extra effort to show how incredibly important funding for women’s health is when he was a part of many U.S. Senators who presented a bill that would redirect funding from PP to other entities that provide women’s health care services.

Reshef also gives a weak argument about PP having better provisions than community health centers. It’s weak because he doesn’t provide any substantial evidence.

Probably the most foolish thing Reshef does is ask a question about the location of health care clinics in the Oklahoma City area. After doing a quick search on http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/#, I found a list of 22 health care clinics within a 25-mile radius of downtown Oklahoma City.

I am glad that Reshef acknowledges the fact PP is involved in “controversial practices.” The video that was released this week reveals PP sells intact body parts of babies proven to have beating hearts after removed from their mothers’ wombs. This would not only confirm PP to be controversial but could also declare what PP does is the most inhumane demonstration of brutal murder.

In light of this and other revelations of PP, Reshef should be ashamed of supporting an organization that has been proven to be instrumental in this culture of death.

2. Are you a decent person?

If you think I was hard on Dr. Reshef, imagine how Matt Walsh would respond to his editorial. If you haven’t read Walsh’s piece “If You Still Support Planned Parenthood You Are Simply Not a Decent Person,” prepare for some very blunt language if you do.

Walsh does not hold back punches as he offers commentary on the recent PP video. Those who disagree with him, I would challenge you to take on his topic at hand and not observe the typical avoidance tactic of so many PP supporters with the “war on women” fallacies. If you cannot directly address the issue of babies being ripped out of wombs and sold for parts, you are a coward at best or a calloused supporter of baby murders at worst.

Now that you took my quick jab, see if you can survive the “Ronda Rousey Roundhouse” that Walsh would do to you.

3. Duggar Divulges

Josh Duggar was caught. He was found to be unfaithful to his wife. I bring this up because I have written in defense of him. At the time it involved actions of his youth. Now he confesses to current wrongdoings that were revealed.

This is disappointing and painful. Yet, it did not surprise God. Angela Sanders’ blog “When a Spiritual Leader Falls” is very relevant to this issue, and she wrote this prior to the news breaking on Josh Duggar.

I have no desire to blame. Instead, I want to overcome. And Christians are more equipped than anybody to overcome (John 16:33).

4. Pray to get caught

Kelly King gave excellent advice to parents in her blog “The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Children This School Year.” Something that stood out in her list of ways to pray for children was this:

“Pray for your child to be caught when guilty. This isn’t always an easy prayer, but helping your child develop honesty and integrity throughout their education will result in adults who have character.”

This guidance is helpful to prevent future Josh Duggar situations. Let’s face it, all humans are susceptible to commit wrong. When they are younger and get away with it, regardless of how strong the parenting or how godly the environment may be, the confidence grows to sin again. As hard as it may be at that moment your child gets caught doing something wrong, consider it a blessing for the future.

5. Parliamentarian switches to SBC

I read a great story this week about Barry McCarty, who has served as the parliamentarian at the last 29 Southern Baptist Convention annual meetings, becoming a Southern Baptist. I too was surprised that he wasn’t an SBCer already, despite his lengthy service.

However, I appreciated the reasons he gave to become a Southern Baptist. First, he said it was due to his agreement to the Baptist Faith & Message. Second, he said no one is speaking on the moral issues of the day with “more clarity or biblical integrity” as Southern Baptists. Third, he said no one is doing more to penetrate the lostness in this world than Southern Baptists.

As one who firmly supports the ministry work of Southern Baptist churches, I am grateful Barry McCarty has joined our ranks.

6. Franklin Graham’s Good News Festival is here!

Do you have plans this weekend? If you do, would you consider cancelling them and joining me? That is, if you are in the Oklahoma City area or within driving distance.

I am serving as a volunteer counselor at The Good News Festival with Franklin Graham on Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. This is a free event and will feature many Christian artists including Michael W. Smith.

Earlier this week, Brian Hobbs interviewed Graham on a Messenger Insight podcast that you can listen to here.

But you are welcome to join me. I am even willing to meet you. Message me below or message me on my Facebook page, and we can work out the details.

DHD: Six responses to Planned Parenthood talking points

by Chris Doyle | Aug 14, 2015

Greetings!

Are you tired of the Planned Parenthood controversy and what the videos are revealing? Please don’t be. This is too important of an issue and needs to remain at the forefront of social topics for the purpose of enlightening our country of what is happening at the clinics of the largest abortion provider in our country.

One reason to not lose steam is those who support abortion are providing talking points on how to “debunk” explanations given in support of defunding Planned Parenthood. Case in point, I found an internet article by Amanda Marcotte titled “Six Things to Say to Your Conservative Relatives Who Buy Into Anti-Planned Parenthood Propaganda.”

After I read this piece, I started thinking. This piece offers six points, and I write a regular column that consistently offers a list of six topics. It sounds to me like it was meant to be for this week’s Doyle’s Half Dozen to debunk this “debunking.” So let’s get to it!

1. “The accusation that Planned Parenthood is profiting off abortion is silly.” The writer ends this point by saying “Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization.” Well, there you have it! Case closed! I’ve worked for non-profits. “Non-profit” doesn’t mean non-revenue. The first video against Planned Parenthood features Deborah Nucatola offering a quote for specimens that can range from $30 to $100 each and mentioning how some arrangements are done “behind closed doors” because Planned Parenthood is concerned about their liability for selling baby parts. The second video shows Mary Gatter saying if the “price is low” she is willing to “bump it up” in order to get “what others are getting.” Of course she ends with her famous remark “I want a Lamborghini.” She may have been kidding, in a twisted way, but there was an understanding by everybody they are getting revenue off bartering baby parts. If this isn’t enough information to convince you, read former Planned Parenthood clinic director Abby Johnson’s remarks about getting compensated $200 a baby that they enrolled in a research study.
2. “Fetal tissue has been used to develop life-saving treatments.” The writer links to an article used to defend her point on life-saving treatments. This same article states stem cell therapy could help phase out the practice of collecting cells from fetal tissue. The writer also tries to justify using fetal tissue for research is better than throwing it in the trash. This calloused mindset forgets the fact that an aborted baby is being used to save another human. Plain and simple, this is experimentation of weaker people to help stronger people. Organs, eyeballs, limbs are removed from an early-stage life with the intent of helping another life. Gloss over that fact if you will, but it does not change this inhumane practice.
3. “Most medical procedures are gross, but no one is trying to ban heart surgery.” Heart surgery is a reparative procedure. Abortion is a destructive procedure. My dad had heart surgery, and he was able to recover. No one can say the same about an abortion. The reason it is gross is envisioning a tiny baby’s body is being crushed above and below particular organs in order to have them harvested.
4. “Doctors have to do things like dissect dead bodies and study gross diseases.” Again, the callousness, the numbness, the focused mindset to overlook the fact that this involves taking apart an unborn human life. This isn’t doing an autopsy or removing a gall bladder.
5. “Planned Parenthood’s federal funding supports contraception and prevents abortions.” What exactly is meant by contraception? Keep in mind, there are abortifacient drugs, such as RU 486 and the Morning After Pill, that are considered contraception. This is a deceiving tactic. I like what Rich Lowry said if Planned Parenthood genuinely wanted to prevent abortions: “Planned Parenthood could straightforwardly do its part to reduce abortions – by not championing abortion, by not fighting restrictions on abortions, and most of all, by not performing abortions.” Also, read Lowry’s response to Planned Parenthood insistence that abortion is only 3 percent of its provisions.
6. “Planned Parenthood has shorter wait times and more on-the-spot service for family planning than community health centers.” Sen. James Lankford did an excellent job debunking this. In some areas of the country the ratio of community health centers to Planned Parenthood clinics is almost 20-to-1. In Oklahoma, there are approximately 60 community health centers and four PP clinics, and none of the four are outside Oklahoma City or Tulsa. And PP clinics only do referrals while community health centers can perform mammograms and other health examinations.

The writer ended with making the comment that the videos revealing Planned Parenthood’s practices is “just a pretense. The real goal is to make it harder for women—especially low-income women—to have happy, healthy sex lives.”

Dear friend, I can tell you this accusation is pure deceit. I speak for many who have an even better desire for women. We want them to have abundant life (John 10:10).

Those who defend Planned Parenthood don’t think about the women who struggle after having an abortion. For eight years I have been a volunteer at Hope Pregnancy Center, and I have witnessed many such women attend “Forgiven and Set Free” sessions, which help them cope with their grief and pain and eventually understand what forgiveness and reconciliation feels like. Those who lead these sessions are the true champions for women.

I end this week’s DHD with a powerful video of Russell Moore, who gives the best explanation of what happened since the Planned Parenthood videos have been released.

DHD: Ranking the GOP Debate performances

by Chris Doyle | Aug 7, 2015

Greetings!

This week’s DHD features my take on the GOP opening debate. This may not be something you find thrilling to read, so I will offer this promise that future DHDs won’t be so politically focused.

These are important days in our country, and the next presidential election could be critical for the progression of our country. Though politics may not be a popular topic and many blogs by Evangelical Christians have touted the philosophy of “God is not a Republican,” we should have some interest about who will be our country’s leaders.

No, God is not a Republican. God is above human politics, but we should consider how we honor God through our community involvement, even how God can use us to place government leaders (Rom. 13). Also, our response to important social issues, especially abortion, immigration, racial injustice, marriage and religious liberty can lead to opportunities of sharing the Gospel.

Now that I have given you justification for my choice of topic, here is my ranking of how the Republican candidates performed in the first debate. To clarify, this isn’t directly how I overall favor the candidates. I intended to be objective toward the candidates’ responses, but there was biasness based on how they answered according to my views on the issues.

1. Marco Rubio – The Florida senator was eloquent. He wasn’t overly aggressive but expressed a forceful spirit when appropriate. Rubio’s answers relating to sanctity of life, immigration, and Christian faith were pleasing to my ears. He did not have a slip-up moment. In this first debate, from my perspective, he showed himself to be the most presidential among this field.
2. Mike Huckabee – The former Arkansas governor is an excellent debater. He has the gift of relating to the audience in a folksy but determined fashion. He did not disappoint. Huckabee is the one who sold me in ‘08 on the fair tax philosophy – don’t tax on what people make but on what they spend, and do away with the IRS. He said all the right things and kept me in his camp.
3. Scott Walker – I probably rank the Wisconsin governor higher than others would. A lot of people did not like how he answered the abortion question relating to the life of the mother. His answer was a little clunky, but as someone who understood his emphasis to be that many, especially among pro-abortionists, use the mother’s life aspect as a cop-out and de-emphasize the life of the child, I accepted his answer. I know he doesn’t disregard the mother’s life, but his answer about medical advancement fell on deaf ears when it comes to this aspect of the abortion debate. He also may have lost points on his position on immigration. I did like how Walker expressed his Christian faith, which is a reason he is high on my list.
4. Jeb Bush – Jeb has a disadvantage because of his name. That is unfortunate for him because I don’t see him in direct view of his father and brother. As former governor of Florida, he has done well on his own, and I believe he can be the best communicator among the Bush family. Jeb gave honest and direct answers. I thought he demonstrated respect to his father and brother while also emphasizing he is his own man. Others were better in this debate, but he did not hurt himself and remains an overall favorite in the polls.
5. Ted Cruz – The Texas senator started slow and somewhat weak, from my perspective. He tried to attack other politicians without substance. His emphasis of telling the truth just wasn’t enough for me. But along with Ben Carson, Cruz shared the best ranking among the closing remarks. He also was strong in how he shared his faith.
6. The rest of the field – Ben Carson did fine, but he was not called upon as much, which is unfortunate for him. He had the best humor of the group, which helped him shine in his closing remarks. Chris Christie held his own, but he took some bruises. He was the second-most “attacked” candidate on the stage. Rand Paul was too angry and too aggressive. He had too many self-inflicted wounds. John Kasich did not tickle my ears, though he was the hometown favorite. I did not like his answer relating to marriage.

Donald Trump provided the most fireworks but bombed big time. He was entertaining, but he did not win many people over with his performance. Rubio made him look foolish on the immigration issue. Some of his past remarks have been unfavorable, but we’ll see how much Teflon he has because I just can’t see how he can keep his lead in the polls with so many negative reviews not sticking and taking effect on his candidacy.

So what do you think? I welcome your thoughts on my ranking as well as your own perspective on how the candidates did.