Mile High Rev

REVrant 31.8 - CNN/YouTube Debate Last Night - "Do You Believe Every Word in this Book?"

I was able to catch some of the Republican Presidential Candidate debate last night on CNN.  I enjoyed the YouTube video format immensely.  It was a refreshing change of pace from an anchor person asking questions in a more formal setting.  There was humor, tension, and engaging interaction for the most part. 

My favorite video was the one where the guy held up a Bible, moved it toward the camera, and asked the candidates whether or not they “believe every word of it.” 

Oh, the dancing and juggling that took place in response to that question.  Mitt Romney attempted to escape by saying he believes the Bible is “The Word of God,” but even the most elementary student of Mormonism knows that Mormons believe the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and The Doctrines and Covenants are ALSO considered “The Word of God.”  Romney seemed disingenuous and evasive on this one.  Giuliani said he reads the Bible from time to time.  Can’t recall any other responses right now, but I thought former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee handled it best.  (In fact, I consider him the most articulate candidate in the debate late night.)

Huckabee acknowledged that the Bible is the Word of God, that the literature varies and includes some words meant to be taken allegorically and others literally.  He affirmed his belief in the authority of the Bible.  Granted, he is the only candidate with a theological degree.  But the rest of the candidates seemed ill-prepared to address what wasn’t really a tough question.  It seemed to me that the questioner wanted to trick the candidates into saying they believe “every word,” and then later bring up some things “out of context” to trip them up or indict them.  Whatever the questioner’s motive, the candidate who stood head and shoulders above the rest with his answer (and many others answers, as well) was Mike Huckabee.  At least that’s how I saw it.

REVved - Handwashing More Useful Than Drugs in Virus Control

Handwashing More Useful Than Drugs in Virus Control - AOL Body.

This post is for all of those who have teased me about my hand-washing obsession.  Check it out…and then go wash your hands!

REVrant 31.7 - O.J. Simpson Pleads Not Guilty

O.J. Simpson Pleads Not Guilty.

So, how many of you are shocked by O.J.’s plea?

(Remember this and Johnny Cochrane’s famous rhyme – “If the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit?”)

REVrant 31.6 - British Teacher Charged In Teddy Bear Incident

News - Current News On Beliefnet.

You’ve probably heard about this.  A British teacher in Sudan is being charged with inciting “religious hatred” for allowing her students (7 year olds) to name the “class teddy bear” – Muhammad.  Read the story – it was an innocent class project!  If this wasn’t serious, we could laugh it away.  But the 54 year old teacher – Gillian Gibbons – has been arrested after some of her pupils(?) complained, and could be subjected to “40 lashes, six months in prison, and a fine.”  This region of Sudan is governed by “Sharia law” which strictly denounces such alleged blasphemy against Muhammad.  Whenever incidents like this happen, my mind usually goes in three directions: 1) Muslim extremists seem to get a free pass from the PC cops – apparently, “We can’t offend the Muslims,” 2) “Jesus Christ” is fair game as a term of blasphemy or cursing on a daily basis throughout the world with no ripples (“Don’t worry about offending the Christians?”), and 3) Why are there no global “moderate” Muslim voices speaking out against such barbarism?

 

REVrant 31.4 - Sunday School for Atheists

Sunday School for Atheists - TIME

A friend emailed me this link recently (thanks AT).  I can hardly believe it.  As you will read, there is a growing anti-God, atheistic movement in our culture.  Now, some within this number are conducting “Sunday school” for their children.  As the friend who emailed me put it, “this is ridiculous!”

REVrant 31.5 - Paula White on Larry King

Watch Paula on Larry King LIVE TONIGHT!.

About an hour ago, Jan and I watched Paula White on Larry King Live.  Some of you may recall that White is a “televangelist” who announced last August that she and her husband of 18 years were divorcing.  (FYI – This is her second divorce.)  Apparently, White appeared on the show to promote her new book, You’re All That.  Larry King didn’t hesitate to ask the hard questions.  About the divorce, about the lavish lifestyle, about the private jet, about ministry credentials (White is “self-ordained” with zero Biblical or theological training), and about alleged plastic surgery paid for by the ministry!  Apparently a US Senator is investigating her and some other very wealthy televangelists, questioning their tax-exempt status.

There are so many observations I could make.  I’ll limit myself to one.  In the course of the conversation, King asked White about her divorce, and White responded by saying something like this, “You know Larry, I can now minister much more effectively to divorced people because I’ve been through it myself.”  Lord have mercy!  If this twisted logic and rationalization were to be applied unilaterally, then couldn’t the abusing priest justify himself by saying, “I can now minister more effectively to pedophiles because I am one?”  How about the adulterous pastor – “I can now minister more effectively to adulterers because I’ve been there?”  Or the embezzling minister who insists – “I can minister more effectively to embezzlers because I’ve walked in their shoes?” 

No, no, a thousand times, no!  If having to experience the sin or failure(whatever it is) becomes a qualifier that gives a minister credibility, then what are we saying about Biblical qualifications for spiritual leaders? 

Photo from Paula White’s Web site.

(Postscript – I do not consider divorce THE un-pardonable sin; I believe the Bible permits divorce in certain situations; I don’t hold judgment over the heads of those who have suffered through the pain of divorce; I know there are people who were divorced by a spouse against their own wishes; I don’t believe that divorce nullifies spiritual gifts or the ability to use them for all time;  I think it’s a mistake to elevate divorce in a hierarchy as though it is somehow “more sinful” than any other behavior…BUT…the idea that a divorce qualifies a person to minister more effectively to divorced people is deplorable!)   

REVved - Thanksgiving Morning at FBC

This morning at 10:00 am, we held our Annual Thanksgiving Day Service.   Around 250(?) people showed up to praise the Lord for His goodness, and to offer public thanks to Him!  We had a tremendous team of musicians lead us in worship music, including old favorites like “Thank You Lord,” and “Come Ye Thankful People Come.”  They also sang a couple of new songs, including a very moving song by Matt Redmon…the title escapes me right now.  This year, exceptional energy and commitment from a full team of musicians added something profound to our gathering.

The highlight of the morning was nearly 40 minutes of sharing from the people who attended.  Person after person stood to share why they were thankful.  Once again this year, the stories often included the pain…like cancer, divorce, car accidents, diseases, deaths, and losses – BUT, what moved us so deeply was the repeated “thanks” offered to God for being there for the people who were suffering.  I hear it every year.  Hearing it again this morning was extra-special.  As one of my friends said after the service, “I just needed to hear some people being thankful today!”  We did.

“THANK YOU LORD, FOR SAVING MY SOUL!”

 

REVerie - Don't blame turkey if you're tired

The Denver Post - Don't blame turkey if you're tired.

Contrary to what I’d believed for many years, apparently the Tryptophan in turkey does not have a significant sedating effect that makes people feel tired after Thanksgiving dinner.  (Unless you eat a dozen or so turkeys at one time!)  I thought I had noticed a particularly sleepy response in the weekend services after Thanksgiving for many years.  But, perhaps it’s the fact that most people eat so much more food than they normally do?  Or maybe it fits with a definition of preaching that I heard several years ago? 

Preaching = “the fine art of talking in someone else’s sleep.”

Whatever the truth may be…Happy Thanksgiving 2007!

REVved - Colorado ski areas finally get some snow...and We Were There!

Thanksgiving treat: Colorado ski areas finally get some snow.

Our niece Beth, from Michigan, and her two children, Hannah and Zachary,  arrived on Monday for a Thanksgiving week visit.  One of the things they wanted to do while in Colorado was to SKI!  I rearranged my schedule this week so I could accompany them.  TODAY was the day!  This was my first ski outing since I had heart surgery 4 years ago.  It was awesome.

We drove up to Copper Mountain, arriving a little after 10:00 am – treacherous roads this morning.  (I never cease to be amazed by the anemic attempts at snow removal in our beautiful State.)  It was 17 degrees when we arrived.  But the snow was captivating.  We headed for the hill and enjoyed a super day of skiing.  Hannah and Zach are beginner skiers, so “Uncle Bill” had a blast teaching them a few things he’s learned through the years.  They both did amazingly, given the fact that it was their first attempt at skiing…at least on a mountain of this proportion.

We arrived home tonight, exhausted and blessed by a tremendous day of recreation in fresh snow!  (And I admit…a little tuckered out!) 

 

REVolting - Sex Scandal Rocks Famed Megachurch

As you read this sad tale of sexual misconduct by an 80 year old pastor, you’ll see a pattern of deceit, lies, sexual infidelity, and financial opportunism.  Money, sex, and power. (Satan is not creative…he uses these weapons over and over and over…)  That Earl Paulk was permitted to have any role in this church following revelations of previous sexual misconduct, is an abomination.  Now, it’s revealed that he slept with his brother’s wife and fathered a child by her.  Once again, the name of Christ is tarnished by pastoral malfeasance.  This type of behavior screams for condemnation, but is predictably (as you’ll read in the article) met with rationalization and blame-shifting.  Oh Lord, “deliver us from evil.” 

Sex Scandal Rocks Famed Megachurch - AOL News.