Mile High Rev

REVealing - Al Gore's $30,000 utility bill

Al Gore's 'Inconvenient Truth'? -- $30,000 utility bill.

Oops…

REVrant 23.12 - Mother accused of selling baby

DenverPost.com - Mother accused of selling baby.

This Denver Post story took my breath away - not in a good way!  A 23 year old mother has her five month old baby boy with her while negotiating to buy a car.  When she realizes that she’s short of the selling price, she offers her child as part of the payment.  The sellers agree.  Thankfully, someone turned them all in.  I can’t imagine a penalty for them that would be too harsh.

I’m stirred up on this one for a couple of reasons: 1. We just finished our missions emphasis on “Think Small,” that was all about advocacy for children.  2. A lifelong struggle with infertility has sensitized me to the priceless gift of children…the thought that a mother would cavalierly barter with such a gift is an abomination.

REVealed - Denver Broncos Running Back Damien Nash Dies at 24

FOXNews.com - Denver Broncos Running Back Damien Nash Dies at 24 

With the team still grieving the loss of Darrent Williams, the news of Damien Nash’s sudden death at age 24 will undoubtedly shake the Broncos deeply.  Nash had just played a charity basketball game for his older brother – who recently had a heart transplant.  The cause of death is uncertain at this time.  What a shock…24 is just the beginning of adult life.  My sympathy goes out to the Nash family and the Denver Bronco organization as they walk through yet another tragic loss. 

Damien Nash

Whenever someone dies young, I think of a little saying that my dad had posted on a wall in our home when I was a kid:

Only one life, t’will soon be past.

Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

REVealing - 35 Cars Collide in Colorado Whiteout

35 Cars Collide in Colorado Whiteout.

And in Golden, Colorado today, it was sunny, we had blue skies, and it was a little windy this afternoon.  No snow…for a change.

REVrant 23.11 - If True, Christianity is a Hoax

You’ll be hearing quite a bit about this in coming days.  Movie Producer James Cameron (Titanic) claims to have identified the tomb of Jesus and his family.  This goes back to a tomb unearthed 27 years ago.  Cameron claims he has proof that Jesus was not resurrected and that he and Mary Magdalene had a baby together.  The 90 minute documentary will be airing soon on the Discovery Channel.  On Monday, Cameron will hold a press conference showing three coffins, alleged to be those of Jesus, Mary his mother, and Mary Magdalene, his wife.  You can read about it here. The Middle East Blog - TIME.

Let me simply say this – on the basis of I Corinthians 15 – if Jesus is not risen, then our preaching is useless, our faith is futile, and Christianity is a big fat lie. The article is correct – the resurrection of Jesus is the “main foundation” of our faith.  If Cameron is right, then Christianity is a hoax. 

To no one’s surprise, without hearing anything Cameron has to say, I’m declaring his view to be the real hoax!  People have been trying to disprove the resurrection for years.  This falls in line as yet one more attempt to discredit Christianity.  Imagine such an assault on traditional Islam!  The Middle East would be in an uproar.  But, Christianity will survive Cameron’s assault, and nothing will shake our hope in the Risen Savior!

REVered - First, a hymn, then a movie - "Amazing Grace"

Saw the movie yesterday!  It was much more the story of William Wilberforce than John Newton.  In my view, Newton and the hymn are included as cameos.  The main message is how one man’s passion to abolish slavery in 18th Century Britain nearly consumed him.  Some additional articles I’ve read make a strong case arguing that Wilberforce’s anti-slavery passion was fueled by profound commitment to Christ.  This is not featured in the movie.  But the message gets through …if you’re looking for it.

The movie is well-cast, well-acted, well-directed, and has the feel of a “real movie,” not a “wanna-be” subpar Christian attempt at cinema.  You’ll be stirred at several points, including the climactic final scene.

If you’re interested, click on this link and listen to a very traditional instrumental version of the most popular hymn of our day.

Amazing Grace.

REVved - Release Date for "Amazing Grace" - the Movie

You’ve probably heard the buzz about a new movie, based on John Newton’s incredibly popular song, “Amazing Grace.”  It debuts nationwide today.  I’ve not seen it yet, but hope to before the day is over.  The movie tells the story of William Wilberforce, a member of 18th century English Parliament, who led an effort to abolish slavery.  John Newton was a notorious and vile slave trader before the Lord transformed him and led him to write one of the most popular songs in history.  I can’t wait to see it.  This is the kind of movie Christians would do well to support and promote.

Amazing Grace - Movie Info - Yahoo! Movies.

REVrant 23.10 - Get the "millstones" ready!

Sexual predators have a new tool for hitting on children.  It’s explained in this Denver Post article.  It’s a chat room called IMVU.com and uses “avatars” – animated characters the kids can select to represent themselves in an interactive environment on-line.  You’ll read in the article that some predators have already been caught trying to arrange sexual encounters with undercover police officers, who they thought were under-age children.

DenverPost.com - DA: Chat room characters could be predators.

This article is timely for many reasons –mainly, because I’m preaching this weekend from Matthew 18:5–6.  Check out v. 6 – “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Parents, check out what your kids are doing online.  They could be in danger. 

 

REVrant 23.9 - Perpetrators of sexual abuse - exposed and punished!

It appears that the Lord is allowing exposure and punishment of sexual predators who prey upon children –within the church! Apparently, there is a group planning to expose sexual predators within Southern Baptist churches.  I say “expose them” wherever they are. 

Sex abuse victims' advocates go after Southern Baptists 

Lord, purify your church!

 

REVolting - More Haggard Allegations

The Rocky Mountain News comments today on a report that was made to the members of New Life Church yesterday, regarding their disgraced pastor, Ted Haggard.  You can read about it here – Haggard Allegations.

“Loose language, coarse jesting, and inappropriate jokes” – have been reported as symptomatic indicators of Ted’s problems.  Apparently, the church staff was interviewed and these are some of the things reported.  My first thought was that in some churches I know of, these things would be no problem.  In fact, some pastors seem to delight in cultivating their reputation for such things.  The pastoral overseer group also found that Haggard was guilty of “sordid conversation, overt suggestion, improper activities, and improper relationships.”

I congratulate the overseer committee for calling these things out as inappropriate for Christians, and in particular, for pastors.  As you read this article, you get the idea that there were concerns about Haggard long before the allegations from Michael Jones surfaced. 

May God have mercy on Haggard and his beleagured former church.