Mile High Rev

REVrant 17.17 - What Would Jesus Email?

If you haven’t heard about it yet, you will. Apparently, Radio Shack has fired 400 employees via email.  Read about it here – You've Got Mail -- Oh, and You're Fired  Can you imagine this? Being fired via impersonal electronic communication.  This will undoubtedly stir many conversations about the propriety of using email for things like this…and much more!

While I was reading this link, this question popped into my head – “What would Jesus email?”  Some of you might be saying, “I don’t think HE would have emailed at all.” Others are probably speculating that Jesus would have only emailed nice loving things.  Still others are thinking of the cleansing of the Temple and imagining fiery scathing emails from Jesus to the money changers.  Or how about an email from Jesus to Mary and Martha apologizing for missing Lazarus’s funeral?

Email is one of the most impressive technological advances of our generation.  Instant communication. Global access.  24/7 availability.  But…there are inherent dangers.  I’ve learned this the hard way.  Like most of you, I can think of emails I wish I had never sent.  I’ve also met with people who had to own up to something they put into writing during an angry moment that came back to bite them.  We’ll never know what Jesus would have emailed, but maybe these 10 Cautions can steer us from the email danger zone.  (FYI – These are my opinions, NOT the Word of the Lord!)

#1 – Write the email as though it will be read by everybody you know! (It WILL be!)

#2 – If it’s positive and encouraging, write it quickly and send it immediately.

#3 –  If it’s negative and critical, write it slowly, ask a friend to proof-read it, and don’t send it until 24 hours have passed.  If you still want to send it after 24 hours, get legal advice prior to pressing, “send.” 

#4 – Don’t forward other people’s emails without their permission.

#5 –  Don’t send emails to a group that includes all of the email addresses of the group (without permission) as it may provide private email addresses that have been entrusted to you, but are not meant for others.  (Learn about BCC!)

#6 – Don’t take advantage of instant accessibility by assuming that just because a person has received your email, they must respond in your time frame.  If it’s time-sensitive, rely on another form of communication.

#7 – Don’t rely on email to implement the Matthew 18 – “brother who sins against you” – process.

#8 – Don’t use emails for taking “cheap shots.”

#9 – Don’t bombard people with endless “forwards.”

#10 – (With respect to Radio Shack employees…) Don’t quit your job via email!

REVrant 17.16 - Polygamist Leader Jeffs to Return to Utah to Face Teen-Bride Marriage Charges

While the Mormon Church is disavowing any connection with Warren Jeffs (and rightly and fairly so), it’s undoubtedly a little embarrassing for them to admit (if they will) that the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, was a practicing polygamist.  That’s where the link between polygamy and Mormonism started. While reading about Warren Jeffs, I was reminded of the quote I saw recently – “Errant belief always leads to inadmissable behavior.” 

This man has been on the Top Ten Most Wanted list, and has now been apprehended.  As the leader of an estimated 10,000 adherents, Jeffs is alleged to have arranged marriages with under-age females by insisting that they submit to the desires and pleasures of their appointed husbands.  It appears that our culture believes this is “inadmissable behavior.”  I agree (and I’m encouraged that the cultural consensus still holds certain behaviors morally reprehensible).  Hopefully, the case against Jeffs is strong.  

Additionally, it would be noteworthy if the Mormon Church issued a public statement not only disavowing any connection to Jeffs, but also, denouncing the polygamist practices of their founder.  (If this has previously been done, a fresh statement would be timely and much welcomed!)    Polygamist Leader Jeffs to Return to Utah to Face Teen-Bride Marriage Charges 

 Jeffs, right where he belongs.

REVisited - A year later, recovery in New Orleans not easy

It was August 29, 2005 – one year ago today, that Hurricane Katrina changed a city and challenged a nation.  New Orleans residents wondered where the Federal Government, FEMA, and President Bush were.  The rest of the country wondered where the local and state governments were.  Who will every forget the images of hundreds of empty school buses submerged in flood waters after the storm?  Apparently Mayor Nagin is still making cavalier and controversial statements.  But there are many who are working hard to respond to the needs of people still in trouble.  One of the least reported aspects of the relief effort is the role that the churches of Louisiana played.  Our church was able to collect an offering of $70,000 that was sent to a church in Baton Rouge that was on the front lines in the relief effort.  Thousands of other churches responded in kind.  We’ve also sent some work teams into the area to provide much-needed help during the past year.

It is disgusting that partisan politicians are trying to turn the government’s lack of response (as they see it) into a political weapon in the 2006 elections.  I suppose that’s to be expected.  But, New Orleans was ground zero.  They still need our prayers, financial support, and physical presence.  God bless the hundreds of thousands who have moved into the area to provide assistance.  They may not get much press coverage, but their labor is not in vain. A year later, recovery in New Orleans not easy - Aug 29, 2006

 Floodwaters in the aftermath of Katrina.

REVrant 17.15 - Karr's 15 Minutes of Fame

This has been a bizarre deal from the start.  Why wouldn’t they take a DNA test in Thailand?  Why would they not confirm with Karr’s family where he was on Christmas 1996?  Why would they fly Karr all the way here with no specific evidence, beyond a goofy confession from a known child pornography fan?  Why would the Boulder DA parade out in front of the national media only to repeat over and over, “I can’t talk about that?”  Why spend all that money on what appeared to even novice investigators as a shaky case (or “no case”) from the start?  Sadly, once again, the Colorado justice system and legal process gets a black eye.  I think that Boulder D.A., Mary Lacy, has some explaining to do.…and maybe, needs to take one for the team, here.  This is a classic bungled case.   Prosecutors Drop Case in Ramsey Slaying

Karr in police car

REVved - Two FOX News Journalists Released

Hallelujah!  Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig have been released. The linked article tells the bizarre story of their abduction, being forced to “convert to Islam” at gunpoint, and their subsequent release.  Apparently, some Palestinians got through to these manic terrorists before they made matters worse.  I imagine that there are joyful celebrations in the Centanni and Wiig households tonight.  Rightly so.  Thank God, these men are safe.  Captors Release Two FOX News Journalists Kidnapped in Gaza Aug. 14 

REVerie - "Hymns & Hounds"

A friend emailed me this link.  I guess you have to be a dog lover to appreciate this, and even then, it’s going to be a stretch.  It’s a  “Dog-Friendly” Church.  You can take your dog to church with you.  Sermon topics will relate “to humans and their dog” – and are given by minister and dog trainer - Dee Renda.  And there is a “yappy hour” with refreshments following the service.  Think this is for real?  Hymns & Hounds

REVrant 17.14 - And What About Those Who Still Don't Have the Bible in their Language?

I may be taking a controversial position on this…but, I found this link on a Denver TV Channel 7 website.  Apparently, a Benedictine monastery has commissioned hand-made copies of The St. John Bible to be made - and to sell for $115,000 if pre-ordered.  $15,000 more, for orders placed after June 30, 2007.  Am I missing something here?  Two looming questions surfaced as I read this news item: 1) What about investing resources into getting copies of the Bible for those who still do not have ANY Bible versions in their language?  2) What about investing this kind of energy and effort into getting people who already have Bibles in their own language to read them and act on what they read?  Sorry, but this project seems rather strange to me.  For $115,000, Handmade Bible Copy Could Be Yours

REVrant 17.13 - How to Justify the War on Terror

Somebody needs to tell the jihadists in Gaza that their recent kidnapping of the FOX News journalist and photographer does nothing but confirm people’s fears and justify a continuing war on terror.  President Bush’s popularity ratings will click up a notch or two as he stridently and strongly condemns these kinds of acts and reminds people that this is nature of “the enemy.”  Along with the rest of the world, I watched in horror as the video of Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig played.  It sent terrifying chills down my spine.  What if that was a loved one of mine?  What if they are going to behead these guys?  What if they torture them on camera?  What if that was me?  What can we do to stop violent evil kidnapers who do things like this? 

At first I had tears in my eyes.  Then, I felt righteous anger.  Finally, I conceded that this is the nature of the enemy.  Barbaric kidnapers who think nothing of beheading, assaulting,  or torturing innocent observers - all in the name of jihad (holy war).  Remember the outrage of Hezbollah about the innocent citizens who became victims in Lebanon?  What about two innocent journalists?  The inconsistency is glaring.  The “Holy Jihad Brigades” need to take another look at their tactics.  They are playing right into the stereotype that fuels the ongoing war against mentally unstable, suicidal/homicidal, and barbaric terrorists.  They are not going to get what they want – the release of Muslim prisoners anywhere.  And they are going to get more of what they don’t want – stubborn American resolve to do whatever it takes to stop them.   Seized Gaza journalists in video

REVrant 17.12 - Athletes Apologize

Perhaps you’ve heard that two of the Denver Bronco’s players – both Pro Bowl guys – didn’t get to play in last Saturday night’s game against the Tennessee Titans because they missed curfew.  Al Wilson and Champ Bailey – both in their own homes - slept past the time they were supposed to be at the team hotel the night before the game – 11:15 pm.  Upon waking up in the middle of the night, both realized it was too late to call anyone or to check in, so they decided to face the consequences the next morning.  After being told their fate – no playing in the game and probable fines – they both did something that impressed me.  They spoke to most of their teammates individually and apologized. 

That’s something.  In a cultural milieu notorious for ego and arrogance, these two guys demonstrated tremendous character by being willing to apologize.  And Al Wilson took it a step further by saying, “It won’t happen again.”

This reminds me of another of the sessions at the Men’s Retreat with Gary Chapman.  On Sunday morning, he spoke about the language of apology.  He asserted that most people have a primary “apology language.”  Whether that’s 100% accurate or not, I was fascinated by the way he distinguished different facets (“languages”) of apology:

1. Expressing regret – “I‘m sorry.”

2. Accepting responsibility – “I was wrong.”

3. Making restitution – “What can I do to make it right?”

4. Genuinely repenting – “I’ll try not to do that again.”

5. Requesting forgiveness – “Will you forgive me?”

As I said, I’m not sure that everyone has a “primary apology language,” but I’ve been around enough to know that everyone seems to be looking for something very specific when another person comes to apologize to them.  Note – it doesn’t help to say, “I apologize.”  Al Wilson and Champ Bailey seem to have done both #1 and #4.  They are to be commended.  And…emulated.

Wilson in foreground, and Bailey in background.

REVrant 17.11 - August 22 - Important Date for Iran and Islam

Tomorrow, August 22, is a date with major significance in the Islamic world.  Many Shiite Muslims believe that this will be a day of reckoning for them and perhaps the end of the world.  They correlate this belief with an expectation for the return of the “12th Imam” who they believe to be a direct descendant of Mohammed.  They believe that the 12th Imam will come to establish peace on the world – under the rule of Islam, of course - and that they can actually do something to hasten his arrival.  This view is openly held by the Iranian President Ahmadinejad, and some are wondering whether he might use the 22nd of August to launch attacks or at least to respond to the U.N. request for Iran to suspend all pursuit of nuclear weaponry.  We’ll have to wait and see.  Read more at this ABC News link –    abc7news.com:

Ahmadinejad