Mile High Rev

REVelation - Romans 1 and Christian Perspective on Homosexuality

This week, in my sermon series on Romans, I’m studying for a sermon covering 1:24–27.  The topic is unmistakably clear – some people caught up in their passion to suppress the truth about God, turn to homosexuality.  Talk about culturally relevant topics!  They don’t get hotter than this one.  I’ve been reading, studying, praying, and asking people to share their views.  As I was processing this earlier today, it occurred to me that within the arena of “professing Christians” (people who self-identify as “Christian”), there is a continuum of perspectives that ranges from one extremist position to another.  Limit this only to those who say, “I’m a Christian.”  The two extremes are represented by activistists at both ends of the spectrum. 

One one end, you have the so-called “Rev.” - Fred Phelps and his tiny group of angry adherents of the Westboro Baptist Church (mostly his own family), who protest at military funerals and blatantly declare that “God hates fags.”  (I didn’t even want to type those words or to display them, but I believe people need to see this guy for who he is.)  I’ve actually seen these guys in Littleton in the aftermath of the Columbine shootings.  They love the spotlight and TV cameras, and have taken up protesting at military funerals because they believe soldiers are dying in Iraq as God’s judgment on America for tolerating gays.

At the other end, is the notorious so-called “Rev.” – Mel White.  White is the co-founder of Soulforce, an activist group that practices nonviolent protest in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ghandi (pictured on their website).  White is a former evangelical ghostwriter for many Christian notables.  Several years ago he came out of the closet as gay.  He believes that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people can act on their sexual preferences – since that’s the way God made them - and there’s nothing about that which is incompatible with living as a Christian.  (He’s the one below speaking into the microphone.  The signs say “Stop Spiritual Violence”…which is their mischaracterization of those who say that homosexuality is a sin.)

Phelps and White are polar opposites regarding Christianity and homosexuality, and they’re both wrong.

REVerie - Bears or Colts?

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SO…what do YOU think?

REVrant 22.13 - Spending $2.6 million on a Super Bowl ad

Today, in a conversation with a friend, I learned that a 30 second ad during the Superbowl this year will cost around $2.6 million dollars.  That doesn’t include the cost of producing the ad, which is probably close to another $1 million.  Think about it – $3.6 million for 30 seconds!  (Our annual church budget for a whole year is less than that!)  Thirty seconds to convey your concept, idea, or product!  Worth it or not?  Is spending $2.6 million on a Super Bowl ad a smart idea? - Jan. 24, 2007.

Hey, for fun…if you were designing a 30 second ad for “the Gospel,” what would you create?

REVved - Q

January 2007 marks our two year phone anniversary with Verizon.  Meaning what?  We were due to select new phones.  So guess what we did today?  I purchased a new Motorola Q Smartphone for a reduced and rebated price.  Now, I have two devices in one – a cell phone and a PDA.  I’m in a major learning phase, as this is an entirely different animal.  I recently used a friend’s Q in a sermon as an illustration of “not being ashamed of the Gospel.”  I guess I got bit by the technology bug simply by holding it.  So far, I’ve placed and received some calls, set up speed dial numbers, sent and received text messages, and adjusted some of the display and sound functions.  Now, I have to see if I can figure out how to get it to retrieve emails for me.  Tonight, I feel like a kid (though, an old one) with a new toy!

REVered - Gaither Vocal Band Song - "Through"

Simply titled, “Through,” yet another song from the Gaither Vocal Band album, “Give It Away,” is ministering to my soul.  Jan and I have listened to it dozens of times this week…especially on our way up to the hospital Wednesday night to plan the memorial service for the precious un-delivered twin baby who will be delivered next Thursday or Friday.  (We’ll be there with the family to help them with a brief memorial after the twins are delivered.  Please remember to be praying for Jay & Brandi…and the living twin, Cole.)

I’m listening through tears as I type this…

“When I saw what lay before me, Lord, I cried, what will you do?  I thought He would just remove it.  But, He gently led me through.  Without fire, there’s no refining, without pain, no release, without flood, there’s no rescue, without testing, no belief.

Through the fire, through the flood, through the water, through the blood…

Through the dry and barren places, through life’s dense and maddening mazes, through the pain, and through the glory…

Through we’ll always tell the story, of the God whose power and mercy, will not fail…to take us…through.”

It’s tough to convey the power of this song by simply posting the lyrics.  God is using it, among other things right now, to bring us…”through.”

22.12 - If It's The Weekend in Denver...

SNOW!!!!!!!!!  For the sixth weekend in a row, we are seeing fluffy white snow blanket our city.  We have between 4 and 6 inches…so far.  Of course, I’m planning to be at church tonight (it’s great to be driving a 4x4 vehicle this year in Denver), but it will be interesting to see how this impacts our attendance.  If it’s still around tomorrow, I’ll post yet another photo! 

REvved - "Not Ashamed of the Gospel"

As you know, last weekend I asked the members of our church family to take their Bibles with them this week wherever they go – places they normally don’t take them.  This was a practical application of my sermon in Romans 1:8–17 – let people know you are not ashamed of the Gospel.  Since the challenge, I’ve heard from several who have done it and the stories are very encouraging and even exciting.  I’ll share some later.

Let me tell you what happened to us last night.  Jan and I were on our way to the hospital to meet with the couple who lost one of their twins recently…we were going to help them plan a memorial service for the twin who has died.  (Keep praying for them.)  On our way, we stopped at a favorite restaurant to get a quick dinner.  We walked in, were seated, and looked up to see one of our church members at a table nearby.  He was meeting with some people over dinner.  When we established eye contact, he got up from his table and came over to ours.  He smiled and looked at our table and said, “Where’s your Bible?” 

Honestly…our Bibles were in the back seat of the car, as I planned to use mine to help the couple select some passages for the service.  That’s what I told him.  He chuckled and returned to his table as we laughed at the irony of the situation.  Within two minutes he was back at our table with a New Testament in his hand.  He set it on the table and said, “Here, you can use this Bible while you dine!” 

God has ways of holding us accountable, doesn’t He?  I love it. 

REVrant 22.11 - Snowblower - To Buy or Not to Buy

Everyone knows that we’ve had snow for five weekends in a row, and they are predicting another storm this weekend, though it doesn’t appear that it’s going to be measured in feet as several of our storms have so far this season. 

My dilemma – do I break down and buy a snowblower or just figure that we’ve seen the worst of it…or…continue to rely on my very kind neighbor to clear out my driveway for the rest of the season?  Several years ago, some friends gave us their one stage (gas/oil fuel mix) snow thrower designed to sweep away a couple of inches of snow at a time, but after sitting in storage last year, it gave up the ghost.  Making this decision makes me feel like a gambler – “Deal or no Deal!”   Do I need it or don’t I?  I don’t have to have it…but it would be very helpful if we continue to get snowed on.  What if my neighbor isn’t around and I can’t get out?  How about me helping the neighbors with my snowblower?  Since we live on a corner lot, I do have responsibility for a major section of sidewalk…wouldn’t the snowblower help with that?  Should I spend the money on it…or should we give the money to the poor and trust God?  Is it a bad testimony to not be clearing my sidewalks in our new neighborhood?  And…if I decide to get one, at what point do I draw the line about how much I’ll pay for one?  What horsepower machine should I get?  Do I need a light on it?  How many forward speeds, how many reverse speeds?  How wide a clearing path?  What brand?  Cash or credit?  Delivery or pick-up?  In store or online?

Clearly, I need prayer.

REvered - 1/23/1924

Today is my Mother's birthday.  This is the third one she's experiencing in heaven.  She died on September 7, 2004.   January 23 has always been a red letter day on my calendar.  I'm so glad Jan and I were there for her 80th birthday back in 2004.  I still miss you, Mom.  Happy Birthday in heaven!

REVrant 22.10 - 86 and 90 Year Old Gamblers In a Creek

On my way in to the office this morning, I noticed that Highway 6 west up to Blackhawk was closed at the intersection of Highway 93, Highway 58 and Highway 6 (one of the most confusingly named intersections in Colorado).  Later, I learned that it was closed because an elderly couple – 86 and 90 years old – drove their car into Clear Creek.  Thankfully, it appears they will be OK.  Forgive the sarcasm, but is there anyone else wondering if there isn’t something better people their age they could be doing with their time and money? Couple drives into Clear Creek