Mile High Rev

REVisited - Brian MacLaren and "Serpent-Sensitive Worship"

The Henry Institute: Commentary.

I recently blogged (REVrant 36.7)about Brian MacLaren’s call to “lessen the focus on eternity” at a recent Willow Creek conference.  Here’s another well-written commentary on the same subject.  I’m encouraged that a growing number of evangelicals are taking a stand and holding MacLaren accountable for what he says. 

Pastors (and all of us) need to understand the power of our words.

REVrant 36.11 - The Rev Jeremiah Wright "Added Lighter Fluid"

Rough Sketch - (washingtonpost.com).  by Dana Milbank (Caution – graphic language.)

 Rev Wright

In REVrant 36.10, I advised Rev. Jeremiah Wright to “stop talking.”  Clearly, he did not take my advice. 

In a series of appearances the past few days starting with a PBS interview with Bill Moyers, followed by an NAACP gathering in Detroit, and finally, on Monday, the National Press Club in Washington, the Rev. Wright has taunted, mocked, mimicked, chided, denounced, defied, reprimanded, rebuked, reproved, scolded, admonished, chastised, and berated white people for the backlash to his sermonic remarks that created controversy for Barack Obama.  As the linked columnist put it, Wright has poured “lighter fluid” on what was already a fiery controversy. 

Ironically, Wright seems to relish this role.  He seemed to have great fun in each speaking venue.  I saw the full NAACP speech and segments of the Press Club speech.  Wright can no longer argue “context” to provide clarification for what he “really said.”  He says it loudly and proudly.

I don’t think the Rev. is going to stop talking any time soon. 

***********

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352945,00.html

 Rev. Wright

Here’s another insightful column from FOXNews Executive Vice President, John Moody, titled, “Memo to Rev. Wright: Do Souls Have Colors?”  

 

REVved - Blog-o-versary III

In mid April of 2005, I found Hugh Hewitt’s book, Blog, in a bookstore, and couldn’t put it down. I bought it, thought about it, and decided to dive into the world of “blogging.”  It’s been three years.  So, I’m celebrating my “Blog-o-versary!”  (A dear reader informed me that my first post was on April 14, 2005, so technically, the blog-o-versary is past!  Somehow in my mind, I placed it at "late" April and didn't do the research...so, I stand corrected by one of my best editorial assistants - AT!)

I wondered whether I would be able to sustain the discipline of writing on a regular basis, and it appears that I have.  Not that I write every day, and not that I’m writing at an elevated intellectual level, but I’ve enjoyed it immensely.

Like so many, I started by allowing comments to come in un-moderated.  You should have read some of those early vitriolic and condemning comments.  I was shocked by the harshness.  Some people were verbally abusive. (Yes, they are Christians!)  I made the decision to moderate comments, and have done so ever since.  I see the comment first.  The commenter has to give me an email address, as well.  I think it cuts down on the number of comments (I’ve had around 2,000 in three years) but I’m fine with that.  Who needs to publicize criticisms of one’s self…and pay for it?

Speaking of paying, there was early controversy that I was having the church pay for the blog.  Not true. I pay for it personally.  I’ve never mentioned my blog publicly(in church), as I don’t want to be perceived as “self-promoting” <– another early critique.  Every so often people from the church find the blog and write to let me know.  It’s not unusual to read, “I didn’t know you had a blog.”  I like that.  Kind of fun to see how people end up joining my blog family.  According to Typepad – my blog provider – I’ve had over 144,000 hits since I started.

I’ve posted over 1,200 times in the past three years.  I’ve used the “Rev” theme to create some categories – like “REVrant,” and “REVved,” and “REViewed”…and several others.  My mainstay seems to be the “REVrants.”  No big deal.  It’s just something that came to me when I was designing the blog in the early days.

I want to thank those of you are regulars at Mile High Rev.  In recent weeks, I’ve averaged over 200 hits per day.  It’s fun to see how many people show up on a daily basis.  Weekends are lower than weekdays, predictably.  My writing output tends to lag on weekends.  Other priorities.  I’m way behind in updating my reading and listening lists.  On most days, I’m relieved if I’m able to get up a post or two.

Blogging is in my blood now, so I think I’m going to try keep this up for a while longer.  I hope you’ll stick with me.  Feel free to comment when you’re moved.  I don’t usually engage in the commenting threads as I have so many other demands on my time, but I love reading them.  And if you have any suggestions (that don’t require huge time commitments from me), feel free to pass them along.

REVered - Saturday Hymn - "Have Thine Own Way, Lord"

Ad­e­laide A. Poll­ard (1907) be­lieved the Lord want­ed her in Af­ri­ca as a mis­sion­a­ry, but she was un­a­ble to raise funds to go. In an un­cer­tain state of mind, she at­tend­ed a pray­er meet­ing, where she heard an el­der­ly wo­man pray, “It’s all right, Lord. It does­n’t mat­ter what You bring in­to our lives, just have Your own way with us.” At home that night, much en­cour­aged, she wrote this hymn.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord.

I haven’t posted a Saturday hymn for a while.  I woke up with this one circling around in my heart and mind.  We will be singing it during the services this weekend.  It’s one of my favorite musical expressions in response to the sovereignty of God. Turn up your sound, follow the lyrics and contemplate submission to God’s ways in YOUR life.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

REVved - Michigan With Mom and Dad

I shuttled Mrs. Rev to DIA this morning for her much anticipated trip to visit her parents in Michigan.  On April 3, Don & Margie (Nicholson) celebrated 60 years of marriage.  Unfortunately, we were not able to join them on that day.  We planned this trip for Jan for a number of reasons, including the fact that she wanted to be with her parents during this very special season of celebration.  She left today and will return next Thursday.  Although I already miss her, I know she is going to have a wonderful week with her parents.  The photo is a newspaper clipping announcing their 60th!

It's intriguing to watch Jan cherish her parents....though, because of God's calling in our lives...from a distance!  Everyone knows that "honor your father and mother," is one of the 10 Commandments.  Jan does.  She always has. 

I still recall watching her relate to her Mom and Dad when we first met.  I particularly loved watching her respond to her Dad.  Like most guys, I knew that the way a girl relates to her Dad is likely (though not always) a harbinger of the way she will relate to her husband.   In those early years of our relationship, I saw how she respected, loved, and looked up to her Dad.  She didn't have any issues of rebellion or mistrust.  "Daddy" was her hero.  He provided for her.  He protected her.  He was a successful businessman, husband, and father.  She was proud of him and spoke about him all the time.  I liked that.  She still loves her Daddy.

When I look at the way Jan's Mom impacted her, the main thing I observed in those early years was an uniquely open relational style.  Jan's Mom has an ability to make strangers feel accepted, and to make friends feel extra special.  Jan does the same thing.  Her relational warmth probably comes from watching both of her parents relate to people in business, at church, and in their home.  I can't even begin to tell you about the musical legacy that Jan's Mom passed along to her.  I've told you about this in previous posts - Margie is a "musical magician!"  When Jan plays the piano in our home, or when we are singing together in the car or in church, I quietly thank the Lord for this part of my wife's background.  It's priceless.

It's not been easy to live away from the Nicholsons for the past 26 years.  I'm 100% convinced that God called us to Colorado in 1982, and I'm also grateful.  But, the 1,200 mile distance from our families has created some sadness, and even at times, a sense of loss.  In the past few years as Don and Margie's health created some challenges for them, being away has been doubly difficult.  That's why I am so happy that Jan is able to spend time with her dear parents this week.  She speaks with them by phone nearly every day, and on some days, multiple times a day.  She lives their lives vicariously, I think.  Jan's love for her parents is inspiring.   I hope they have an awesome week!   

REVrant 36.10 - Pastor, Stop Talking...You're Making Matters Worse

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time - Blogs from CNN.com.

By now, Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a household name in America.  He was Barack Obama’s pastor for over 20 years.  The church he pastored was Obama’s home church.  Some researchers (politically motivated, or not?) got video copies of past sermons in which Rev. Wright blasted the white establishment in America.  His comments are available via any Internet search engine, so I’ll spare you the laundry list here.  Short story – Rev. Wright’s anger, coarseness, conspiracy mindset, and “reverse-racism” are exposed in the video clips.

Until now, he’s been silent.  Not any more.  In the linked article you’ll read some of his recent remarks.  The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking, “Please stop talking, you’re only making matters worse.”  This controversy is not going to go away as long as the Rev. keeps talking, and from the text of this article I’m inclined to think that there’s no stopping him now!  I wonder what his former parishioner is thinking…

REVrant 36.9 - 'Basic Instinct' Director Paul Verhoeven: Jesus Was Son of Mary and Roman Rapist

FOXNews.com - 'Basic Instinct' Director Paul Verhoeven: Jesus Was Son of Mary and Roman Rapist.

(CAUTION – graphic references in linked article.)

Here we go again.  Dutch filmmaker, Paul Verhoeven, has written a “biography” of Jesus that suggests he was the offspring of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her.  Bottom line – yet one more attack on the Virgin Birth!  Verhoeven is notorious for his anti-Jesus bias, particularly in his association with “The Jesus Seminar” - a loopy group of scholars who have deconstructed Jesus into a “happy carpenter who worked at Lowes or Home Depot.”  Verhoeven is also notorious for salacious scenes in movies. 

I’m convinced that the attacks on the Virgin Birth are never going to end – whether from outside (atheists and skeptics) or inside (liberals and some emergents) the church.  Verhoeven is not the first or the last.  You won’t be surprised to learn that he’s hoping to follow up on the book with a film telling the same story.  Ever wonder what motivates these guys? 

Imagine him trying this kind revisionist nonsense with a biography of Muhammed, or Joseph Smith, or Ghandi!  The outrage would be deafening. 

REvrant 36.8 - Church "Obama" Sign Causes Big Controversy

Small Church's Obama Sign Causes Big Controversy - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville.

It’s pastors like this who undermine the credibility of the pastoral calling. 

In an apparent attempt to stir controversy and garner headlines, a pastor in South Carolina misused his church sign to suggest a link between Osama bin Laden and Barack Obama.  The sign reads: "Obama, Osama, humm, are they brothers" 

The pastor took the matter to his church for a vote, once he started receiving negative feedback.  Sadly, the church voted to keep the sign as is.  The pastor made a vain attempt to sound humble – in response to the question, “is Obama a Muslim?”…the pastor said, “I don't know. He says he's not. I hope he's not. But I don't know.”

The pastor needs to return to his first calling – proclamation of the Gospel – and he also needs to take Senator Obama at his word.  Obama has repeatedly said he is NOT a Muslim.  He says he is a Christian and that he believes in Jesus.  Pastor Roger Byrd needs to stop acting like a child and take down this ridiculous sign.

REVered - April 20, 1999 - Columbine Shootings Remembered

Columbine shootings remembered - The Denver Post.

It was a crisp spring morning in April of 1999.  One of our pastors and I had spent the morning off-site at a restaurant, planning and dreaming about FBC together.  On our way back to drop him off at his home, we were passed by several emergency vehicles, with sirens blaring.  By the time we reached the Bowles Avenue exit off C-470, it was clear that something big was happening. 

We followed the emergency vehicles (I think we’d seen nearly a dozen by then) east toward the intersection of Bowles and Pierce Avenues.  Columbine High School is just a few hundred yards from that intersection.  It was about 11:25 am and we saw students running out of the school building.  When we rolled the window down on the passenger side of the car and shouted to a few students, “What’s happening,” we were told that there were “guys in the school with guns shooting people!”

(Just removed a photo from this post that was previously here - someone pointed out a sensitive item I hadn't noticed - thanks for noticing this SE!  Sorry for any offense.)

We parked nearby and spent the next two hours consoling students and handing them our cell phones encouraging them to call their parents to tell them they were OK.  From there I went to the public library nearby that had been set up as a receiving location for evacuated students.  It was there that a few of our staff agreed to have two prayer services at FBC the following day.  By nightfall, Jan and I were at Leawood Elementary School waiting with one of the families from our church (John & Doreen Tomlin) who had still not heard whether their 16 year old son made it out safely.

By Wednesday, we knew John Tomlin (top row, 5th from left in photo below) did not survive, along with 11 other students and one teacher.  We also knew that the killers (2 Columbine students) committed suicide at the end of the mayhem.  The final death count was 15 on that dark day in Littleton.

Today, April 20, 2008, marks the nine year anniversary of this tragedy.  I had a range of emotions throughout the day.  When I saw John and Doreen Tomlin in church this morning, I was reminded of the steep path of anguish and trust they’ve been walking on for 9 years.  I referred to the Columbine tragedy during my sermons this weekend, and part of my point was to reiterate my belief that God was not surprised by this event, and despite the evil, God’s purposes were not thwarted.  I know Satan had plans that day, but God’s plans triumphed.  Not to minimize the death, injuries, and trauma that so many endured, but I believe God worked to accomplish great things in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Some of the evidence of that: 1. People flocked to churches in those early days – both of our prayer services on April 21 were packed, and the evening services included the former Governor and current Governor of Colorado and their families. 2. The funeral service for John Tomlin on the following Friday was aired live to over 20 million viewers on CNN.  In accordance with the wishes of John and Doreen, the service was evangelistic and clearly presented the Gospel, including an invitation to receive Christ at the end.  3. A public memorial service was held in a theater parking lot that attracted an estimated 70,000.  At this memorial, Franklin Graham delivered a very evangelistic message, and several Christian artists performed, including Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and Phil Driscoll.  4. Innumerable interviews, newspaper articles, magazine columns, and books have covered the events of April 20 in subsequent years – and a vast number of those included testimonials about the faith of several of the victims and their families.  5. Although I don’t have time to tell the full story here, our church was privileged to host Ravi Zacharias and several team members for a week in Littleton in October 1999 as a follow-up to this tragic event in our community.

(Makeshift memorials, as in photo above, covered acres by the end of the week.)

On this 9 year anniversary of the Columbine shootings, I look back with a heart full of memories.  The main one is expressed in a quote I gave to the designer of the Columbine Memorial that found its way (<-corrected phrase, thx to AT!) into a permanent etching in one of the Memorial walls: “People of faith turned to God and He was there and He was not silent.”

REViewed - EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

Ben Stein is EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed.

After a couple of people mentioned this movie, I decided to take Mrs. Rev with me to view it yesterday.  If you haven’t heard about it, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, is a controversial documentary movie, hosted (somewhat mysteriously) by Ben Stein.  The movie refers to several college professors and scientists who were allegedly denied tenure or lost their jobs because they dared to refer to “Intelligent Design (ID).”  (They were… “expelled” – that’s the premise of the film.)

The film decries a lack of freedom or open inquiry in the academic and scientific communities and argues that the gatekeepers in these circles refuse to even allow discussion of ID.  This refusal is allegorized as a “wall” and even literally compared with the Berlin Wall…that obviously needed to come down!  The film also asserts that the ruling scientific theory regarding origins is Darwinian evolution and that no other option has any level of acceptance among the scientific elite in the world.  In an effort to be balanced, the film includes interviews with some leading proponents of Darwinian evolution, atheists (most notoriously, Richard Dawkins), non-religious proponents of ID, Christian scientists, and non-Christian scientists.

There is little talk in the movie of Biblical creationism, and you get the idea that the scientists interviewed in the film are not arguing implicitly or explicitly for that.  Rather, that the complexity of organisms, even within a single cell, points to some sort of “designer,” whether or not that “designer” is God = INTELLIGENT DESIGN.

Among the more controversial elements in the film, is the link Stein alleges between Hitler’s Nazism and Darwinism.  Visits to Dachau and to a WW II German medical facility that exterminated and experimented with “disabled”  (“defective”) humans, were particularly gut-wrenching.  “Eugenics” is another controversial element – the idea that humans should breed from strength rather than from weakness.  This led to a brief reference to the founding of “Planned Parenthood,” as well.  I’m sure critics of the film will jump all over the idea that Nazi exterminations, eugenics, or Planned Parenthood was spawned by belief in Darwinian evolution.

One of my favorite parts of the movie was appearances by Oxford Mathematician, John Lennox.  Jan and I have had the privilege of meeting and hearing John speak at the past two Ravi Zacharias Conferences we attended.  He’s brilliant.  He is a world-class scientist.  As a bonus, his insight into the Word of God is stellar.  Alistair McGrath also had a cameo segment.  The movie was not ostensibly Christian, but the inclusion of these two men and a visit to the campus of BIOLA University made an obvious link to the Christian worldview regarding human origins.

SIDEBAR -John Lennox had a most insightful moment in the film where he mentioned the common (mis)perception that science comes first, and then, one’s worldview.  I’m not directly quoting, but the general idea was that he proposed the exact opposite may be closer to the truth – that worldview comes first, and then one’s scientific inquiry – shaped by the worldview.  If you see the film, you will know why this is such an important assertion.

Despite the controversy and the allegations that ID is simply Biblical creationism in a cheap tuxedo, I believe “Expelled” is an important film that will generate valuable discussions about human origins.  To no one’s surprise, I admit that I believe in Intelligent Design, and that THE Designer is the true and Living God.  Whether or not you agree, I hope that you would agree that we should be intellectually free to discuss it, research it, and consider it as one of the possible scientific options.