Mile High Rev

REVrant 3.17 - Christian Politician Asks the Right Question

Apparently, the House of Representatives is now being exposed to the cultural hyper-vigilance surrounding the “investigation” of Evangelical Christians at the Air Force Academy. Air Force Academy “religious intolerance” aftermath  One of the legislators who is a Christian is quoted in the article asking a pertinent question – Can he tell people he’s a “Christian” without offending anyone?

Sidebar –> While reading about a recent “Gay and Lesbian Pride” event in New York, I wondered what the response would be if the Christian community would have an “Evangelical Christian Pride” event.  (Devout Christians wouldn’t do it, probably, because of their desire not to be guilty of the sin of “pride.”) 

Sidebar #2 –> Canada just legalized gay marriages.  In the spirit of enlightened cultural “tolerance,” shouldn’t I be “tolerated” if I disagree with the decision?  For some reason, it seems that the “tolerance” provision is applied to every sub-cultural and special interest group, with one exception – Christians.

It’s obvious that some highly-motivated people are not going to stop this tedious monitoring of alleged Christian “intolerance.”  To be consistent, shouldn’t they be monitoring other group’s “intolerance” of Christians and their views?

REVved - Getting Ready to Go

All of you know what it’s like…you’re leaving on a trip and you’ve got a bunch of stuff to get done before you go.  (Like I’m leaving for Florida in the morning and I’ve got a major push to get it all buttoned up before I leave.)  So you plan.  (I had a tight neatly ordered list when I began the day.)  And then “life happens.”  (It did.)  And you get behind on your list. (Uh-huh.)  And if you’re “type-A,” you start worrying that you won’t be able to finish all of the items on your list.  (Amen.)  So you Blog.  (Whaaaaaat?)  You have to tell somebody how busy you are. (Oh yeah, I forgot…that actually helps.)  And you get to bed later than planned. (Oh yeah.)  And you sleep on the plane. (“Where’s my neck pillow, honey?”)  And you dream about the list of stuff that will be waiting when you get back! (I don’t know about you, but I think Mile High Rev needs to relax about all this stuff!)

REVisited - Joel Osteen's Apology Letter

Apparently, Joel Osteen heard from his constituents and evangelicals across the country after his recent appearance on Larry King Live.  To his credit, he didn’t defend his statements.  He issued an apology letter – linked here – Joel Osteen Ministries: Larry King Live Interview Letter  Good move.  I still have concerns over his prosperity preaching and some other matters, but at least he’s taken this step to clarify what he believes about the exclusivity of the Gospel.

REVered - "Honor Your Father and Mother"

Breaking news about the Supreme Court decision regarding the 10 Commandments has me contemplating the actual “commandments.”  (How many of you can quote all 10?)  The fifth one is – “Honor your father and mother.”  Ever since Memorial Day, Jan and I have been passionately focused on that specific commandment.  Her mother, Margie, had a heart attack that day in her home in Florida.  The next day, she had open heart surgery that included a valve replacement and coronary bypass.  We were there for the surgery, stayed a week, and returned home. Jan went back for another week and returned home last Wednesday.  And, we are planning another trip at the end of this week.  Why?  We love Don and Margie, it’s torture to be so far away from them during their time of need, and we are committed to “honor” them. (I’ve included the photo above to let you see Jan’s family during her childhood years.  Jan is wearing red, her older sister, Diane, white, and her younger sister, Sandy, blue.)

Here’s a more recent photo of Dad and Mom.  Thanks for praying and helping us to “honor” our father and mother.

REVrant 3.16 - Senator Salazar...Calm Down

The report is in and the Air Force Academy has been cleared of “religious bias” charges.  But, guess who won’t let it go?  Colorado Senator Ken Salazar.  He is now demanding that a special commission that investigates “religious freedoms issues” around the world be sent to monitor things at the Academy. (Including to verify that the already-released report is accurate!)  Anyone else wonder whether the Senator is having a hard time letting go of his hard feelings towards evangelicals? (Dobson, et. al.)  Senator Salazar…read the report -“N-O  B-I-A-S!”  (And where was this hyper-vigilance several years ago when the Academy experienced a real “scandal” of rape and sexual assaults that permanently devastated the lives of female cadets?) Salazar Wants Academy under religious surveillance

REVrant 3.15 - I Wonder What God is Thinking

Yesterday, I preached from Job 28.  In v. 23, God’s omniscience and omnipresence is highlighted – “for He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”  Today, as the U.S. Supreme Court strained at gnats and split fine judicial hairs, God was watching.  As Supreme Court Justices told the State of Kentucky they can’t have the 10 Commandments posted in their courthouse, God was watching.  As they told the State of Texas that they can have the 10 Commandments monument outside the courthouse among other historical symbols, God was watching.  Supreme Court Bars Commandments From Courthouses

Near the end of the Book of Job, God speaks up.  I thought of what He said and wondered whether He might be thinking something like this today. “Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like His?  Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.  Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low, look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand.  Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.  Then I myself will admit to you that your right hand can save you.” (Job 40:9–14)

Today, the Supreme Court demonstrated the finite limits of human wisdom.  Liberal bloggers are already congratulating the Justices for taking a stand AGAINST the presence of the 10 Commandments on public property.  I’m sure Rev. Barry Lynn and the “separation of church and state” people are thrilled.  I’m sure that anti-religion Americans will celebrate.  I’m guessing that Senator Salazar will breathe a sigh of relief.  But…I wonder what God is thinking.

REVered - These Guys Know How to "Finish Well"

Billy Graham – 86, Cliff Barrows – 82, George Beverly Shea – 96

I stand amazed.  Three men on a ministry team who started well, served well, and are “finishing well.”  Billy gets most of the air time, but don’t forget that he was supported so faithfully for all those years by Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea.  Everyone is writing about the final American “revival” led by Billy. Check this link for the Fox News report – Graham Gives Final Revival

REVrant 3.14 - "Your Best Life Now"...Joel Osteen & A Theological Slippery Slope

Albert Mohler makes some important observations about Joel Osteen in his recent blog about the wildly successful pastor’s recent appearance on Larry King Live. – The Limits of Encouragement

If you’ve seen Osteen on TV, you’ve already noticed his warm, affirming, and perpetually smiling demeanor.  As I watch and listen to him, I sense his desire to have everyone like him. (I can even identify…I want to be “liked” by all as well.)  But what’s missing is the “offense” of the Gospel.  The cross is a “stumbling block” to many, we’re told in the Word.  Everyone isn’t going to like us.  Particularly if we use the word, “sinner.”  If we tell people that we believe that Jesus is the “only way” to heaven…and there is only one alternative – “hell.”  If we present the truth that an atheist isn’t heading towards heaven.  Clearly, we must be sure to speak the “truth” in “love.”  But if you only do the “love” part, you end up compromising the “truth.”  That’s a slippery slope.

I, like Mr. Mohler, have resisted saying anything about Osteen until now. But after reading Mohler’s blog, it’s time to speak up.  II Timothy 4:3–4 comes to mind – “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”  On the basis of what Osteen said during the interview with Larry King, I urge caution with Your Best Life Now.

REVisited - Air Force Rape Trial Halted

THIS – is a “scandal.” Air Force Rape Trial Halted

A high-ranking cadet sending an email to his fellow cadets with the phrase, “let’s ask the Lord for wisdom” – ISN’T a “scandal.”

REVival - Billy Graham Begins Last Crusade

You can read about it here, and in many other places.  God gave Billy strength on the opening night of his “final” crusade meeting.  Billy Graham Begins Last Crusade

I got goose bumps as I read the report.  How does BG keep going?  God gives him strength...and has from the beginning.  I love seeing an icon in the evangelical world “finishing well.”  Thanks for the inspiration and example!