by Chris Doyle | Aug 19, 2014
I have not been confronted to take the ice bucket challenge. I am aware of the social media success, as ALS Research has raised more than $15 million in the last four weeks, and I have seen many of my friends participate in the challenge, as well as hundreds of celebrities.
The idea of progress being made to help many who have been suffering from this terrible disease is a great thing, especially since support for such research appeared to be overlooked. It is fascinating how far this fad of generosity has extended within a month’s time.
It is important, though, for us as Christians to “test all things” (I Thess. 5:21). Do the research before committing to do something, regardless of how popular a trend may be or how noble the cause may appear.
Yesterday, it was brought to my attention that the ALS Association is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research. As much as I want suffering from ALS to end, I struggle with the idea of a solution at the expense of the unborn, especially when such research is unnecessary.
So here is my proposal. If someone were to challenge me to have ice water doused upon my body, I would agree to do it, but I also would promote the idea to support a research organization that emphasizes pro-life bioethics (e.g. someone has recommended the John Paul II Medical Research Institute). And then I would challenge three other people who also value the Sanctity of Life to do the same.
To help find a cure is a great thing. To do so while not having to compromise our Christian moral ethics is the most excellent way because we know Who ultimately holds the cure, and to serve others while also honoring God is what we are called to do.
by Chris Doyle | Aug 4, 2014
All last week, a popular topic in the sports world was what team would have NBA MVP Kevin Durant on its roster in 2016. In case everybody has forgotten, we are currently experiencing the year 2014.
This means many sports media members were getting paid to report last week on a decision that will not be made until two years from now. There will be two NBA seasons before Durant decides where his future paychecks will come.
Do I really have to list the possible scenarios that could happen before the 2015-16 NBA season ends? One of those situations happened to All-Pro Indiana Pacer Paul George this last weekend, when he suffered a major leg injury.
Believe me, I am one who would experience major discouragement if this were to happen to KD, and I do feel for all those who affiliate with the Pacers and for Paul George himself for what happened to him. Perhaps this unfortunate situation will slow down the foolish talk involving Durant and where he may call home in 2016.
What came to my mind, knowing that many Oklahoma City Thunder fans were fretting about their all-star player possibly leaving in two years was a passage in James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ You don’t even know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”
I have led many Bible studies using Jerry Bridges’ book Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts. If you are not familiar, I recommend you read it. Personally, I have not read another book that gives a more practical yet enlightening perspective on God’s sovereignty, as revealed through Scripture.
In the opening of one of the chapters, Bridges tells a story that involves the Latin phrase Deo volente which means “God willing.” Using Deo volente was a common practice in England in the early 1900s, especially in letter writing and in announcing events in newspapers. Most of the time it was referred by using the abbreviation “D.V.” This practice made an emphasis to the common understanding that all future occurrences are under the submission of God’s sovereign will.
We would do well to revive such a practice. In fact, James 4 commands it. I am not encouraging a legalistic fashion. Rather, I believe it would do well for society to once again come to the realization that when we plan to do something or contemplate something that could happen in the future that all such will yield to the Lord’s will.
All of this to say, Thunder fans, enjoy the next two years of Kevin Durant playing for OKC, Lord willing. And, Lord willing, maybe he will sign another contract with the Thunder in 2016.
AND may we all celebrate many future NBA championships, Deo volente!
Photo credit: Oleksiy Naumov / Shutterstock.com
by Chris Doyle | Jul 25, 2014
Recently a friend on Facebook shared a blog piece that I enjoyed reading: 15 Reasons Why We Should Still Be Using Hymnals
Are your eyes rolling? Have you already developed your response before you finish reading this? Have you concluded I am a fuddy-duddy who is out of touch with the modern trends of worship and praise?
I will not expound on the reasons Jonathan gives (I’m guessing his last name is Ponder because his blog site had the title “Ponder Anew”), but everything he wrote I found thought-provoking. And I do agree with his conclusions. There are musical, practical and symbolic/theological aspects of using a hymnal that benefit a worshipper of God.
I don’t think anybody should get upset after reading Jonathan’s viewpoints. I realize some people will, but instead, try to appreciate his passion for worship through song and his bringing attention to a valuable piece of Christian heritage.
Have you ever read through a hymnal, aside from a congregational singing? Find one that has an index of hymn authors, and see how many hymns were written by Fanny Crosby who was blind for most of her life. You think Chris Tomlin has written a bunch of songs (and I love his music)? Compare his list to Fanny Crosby’s. She has written more than 8,000 worship songs. It’s hard to capture that piece of history from words that temporarily appear on a screen.
I am not against today’s popular format of singing in worship. On the contrary, I love it. I am grateful for every opportunity I have to sing with other Christians regardless of setting and style.
Most importantly, I know God desires His children to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), and He says He is not pleased with those who may worship “with their mouths to honor Me (God) with lip-service yet their hearts are far from Me, and their worship consists of man-made rules” (Isa. 29:13).
A genuine worshipper of God can do so by singing lyrics on a screen or in a hymnal, and the same can apply to a deceiver. May God find me to be the former.
Continue to be faithful in your worship, whatever the style may be. If you normally don’t sing from a hymnal, and you’re given the opportunity to do so, remember the reasons why it can be a blessing.
by Chris Doyle | Jun 30, 2014
I was one of the last people to see Where was God? when it had its first screenings in May. This is a documentary about the enormous tornado that went through Moore, Okla. last year.
I’ll be honest, I had some skepticism, even though I knew the movie would do a good job covering the tragedy and featuring some of the victims who have recovered, or are still recovering. However, this movie did much more than feature an historic disaster. In fact, as a friend of mine put it, “the tornado is just a backdrop.”
If you were a fan of the television show, Lost, I think you would enjoy this movie. Viewers get to meet an eclectic cast of Moore citizens (are they Moor-ites?). None of these families knew each other before May 20, 2013, but what the tornado did was bring them together, as well as allow viewers to find out more about their lives and issues they dealt with before that significant, dreadful day.
In Lost, survivors of a plane crash are stranded on an island, but those who were avid watchers know the show was much more than these random people who were on a commercial flight together, figuring out how they were going to get off the island after the crash. There are background stories and multiple sub-plots about all the passengers, as well as others, including “The Others.”
Where was God? has a similar feel, though there’s no sinister villains or strange smoke monster. The cast is introduced; married couples describe how they met and fell in love, and a bonding with the viewers begins.
Details of May 20 are shown, how the tornado developed with great shots of the massive dark funnel cloud and descriptions given from the weather experts. The cast also share their intense experiences.
It’s easy to relate to all the characters. They reveal much of their lives, and their stories are powerful. It is possible to have a life-changing experience after watching this movie.
The movie will be returning to the Oklahoma City Metro, showing at the Quail Springs AMC Theater July 7-11. If you have already seen Where Was God? tell others about the upcoming showings. If you haven’t seen it, plan to go.
To find out more about Where Was God? visit wherewasgod.com. The website has information of show times in other areas, and there is an option sharing how your church could host a screening of the movie.
by Chris Doyle | Apr 8, 2014
“A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for a difficult time” (Prov. 17:17).
Captain America: The First Avenger is my favorite of all the recent Marvel Comics movies. In my eyes, it was a smashing success how they pulled off the World War II-era setting. I’d say it had a similar feel to Raiders of the Lost Ark.
So when Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier came out, I had much curiosity toward how it would compare to the original. Of course, this would be the third movie to feature Captain America, since he made an appearance in The Avengers, and I appreciated the elements of patriotism, moral character and even Judeo-Christian ethics that he represented in the blockbuster hit.
But how would Captain America handle his new world now that he had some time to settle into the 21st century? What I took from CA2, I believe the writers wanted us to see how a hero from “The Greatest Generation” would handle a society where the enemy does not have a clear-cut identity.
Though he was challenged, I believe Captain America’s moral standards remained true. Scarlett Johansson’s character, Black Widow, does her best to challenge him with silly questions and uncomfortable circumstances, as well as tempt many audience members with her tight, revealing outfits. But along with showing Cap staying true to his convictions, this movie, I believe, emphasized another important message.
Throughout the show, the message I got was one of trusting friendships. At the beginning, viewers see Captain America befriending Sam Wilson who is a counselor for war veterans. Something happens later in the story where Cap has to confide in Sam because he is not sure who else to trust. Black Widow is another, as well as S.H.I.E.L.D leader Nick Fury, whose friendships with Cap are sharpened in this story.
One of the main parts of the plot is when Cap is challenged by one of his closest friends. The climactic scene could even symbolize the words of Christ, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends,” (John 15:13).
There are some great suspenseful moments. This movie also has loads of references to other movies. They are not just from other Marvel movies, but there is even one glaring reference to an 80’s flick, which was one of my favorite scenes. There are other great humorous moments, including one involving Fury and his car computer when he is under siege.
Violence is all through this show, but this is a super hero movie, so I don’t think anybody should be surprised. Profane language, however, is minimal.
Obviously, if you are a fan of the Marvel Avengers movie series, you will have to see this, and I guarantee you will enjoy.
So go with friends, and learn a lesson on how to be a true one.
Photo credit: Marvel Comics