Greetings!
Friday is here, after a short work week, at least for those who did not work on Labor Day (as oppose to labor on a work day).
Here’s six more timely topics for this week’s edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen.
- Where was I on 9/11?
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was in Hattiesburg, Miss., working at the University of Southern Mississippi in the athletic media relations office. I had a portable radio, listening to the “Rick and Bubba” show. They were the ones to inform me of the first plane crashing into the World Trade Center.
I remember thinking “How on earth does an airline pilot not see that enormous building in New York City?” Then I concluded an extreme rare malfunction with the plane must have happened.
A coworker in the office down the hall had a portable TV and informed me about the second plane crash. People on campus were finding out, and the somber feeling was turning into fear. I was taking grad school classes and had my stats class that afternoon. As I was heading to class, a few friends from my church saw me in a hallway and hugged me. I suppose they didn’t know how else to react.
Thousands of miles away from NYC, Northern Va. and Pa., but as many can recall 14 years ago, the whole country felt the effects. The world changed drastically in a short time following that terrorist attack. Air travel procedures, security measures, our awareness of militant groups in the Middle East were modified, tightened and heightened.
What hasn’t changed is God is still in control. People have questioned why He allowed this heinous attack to happen, and I cannot answer with a definite conclusion. But consider the possibility of other attempts that were prevented under His sovereignty. We are incapable of knowing all the answers to how the universe operates, but my faith has found a resting place, and I’m trusting in the Ever-living One.
We still remember.
- Debating on Davis
This time last week, news was beginning to spread about Kim Davis, the county clerk in Ky. being arrested. I addressed this in last week’s DHD “Does it start with Kim Davis?”
This has become a tense topic. I confessed last week I didn’t have a confident viewpoint, whether or not it is best for Davis to resign or observe civil disobedience. I decided either would be appropriate responses, only to find those who firmly believe she should have resigned challenge my conclusion.
People are allowed their opinions, and their responses have caused me to sharpen even more how to view what is happening in Eastern Kentucky. I have two takeaways. First, this divisiveness is not a total surprise. In Feb. last year, I wrote about how we as a society have gone from tolerance to acceptance to approval when it comes to homosexuality – really, sexual liberties. Last October, Al Mohler explained how this progression is “happening at warp speed.” He also referenced British theologian Theo Hobson with the analogy of this current sexual revolution, saying “Something that was nearly universally condemned is now nearly universally celebrated. That which was celebrated is now condemned. Those who refuse to celebrate are condemned.”
Second, I struggle with how those who appear to believe resignation is such an automatic, easy decision. Of course, I don’t struggle with those who totally disagree with Davis’ view on marriage. I know they will be against her with vitriol passion. My struggle is with those who share her view, which is also my view, that marriage is to be observed as a covenant relationship between a man and a woman.
Davis is supposed to resign, currently as an elected official, but from working overall in this county office where she served for 27 years. As far as we know, up until three months ago, she has worked in diligent fashion for a rather long time without any public dissention.
Yes, resigning is appropriate, as I have said and would support. But, why is her longtime service without any opposition or dispute, prior to recent development involving a 5-4 judicial ruling, not allowed more understanding? Why do those who disagree with me, and also support biblical or natural marriage, quickly rebuke without a willingness to see how she views her longstanding career to be of service to her constituents? Finally, do these same objectors see how this plays into the progression that I mentioned? Do they consider the consequences when the next person or people have to face a conflict between religious liberty and sexual rights?
May God provide us with discernment and the proper response when needing to defend our faith (I Pet. 3:14-17).
- Gowdy at Planned Parenthood hearing
I went long in my second DHD topic, so I’ll try to make it up with just briefly sharing an interesting exchange between Congressman Trey Gowdy and Yale Professor Priscilla Smith. In the video below, beginning at the 5:33 mark, watch Gowdy pose an intriguing question that could help resolve the issue of supporting women’s health.
- Thunder logo found unfavorable
This week, the Grantland.com website voted the Oklahoma City Thunder’s logo as the worst in the NBA. I appreciate Berry Tramel’s take on this issue.
Something that needs to be pointed out is Grantland.com’s editor-in-chief Bill Simmons is considered to be the Thunder’s heaviest critic. He berated the organization when they moved from Seattle. He continues to rant in extreme disagreement on the Harden trade. As far as I know, Simmons does not shed any positive light about anything related to the Thunder. So for one of his writers to rank the Thunder logo last among the NBA teams comes as no surprise.
Like many in the first year of the Thunder, I was not enamored with the logo, but I have grown to accept it. I actually like how the “OKC” appears inside the logo, with the shield and the basketball background.
I agree with Tramel that the logo should not experience a major overhaul and go through changes because of outside critics. Establishing tradition is important, and the Thunder organization is doing that. Many of G.M Sam Presti’s decisions of the organization involve reflections of heritage of the city and state and of strong work ethic.
I would not be opposed to some modifications to the logo, but if change is considered because of anything involving Bill Simmons, I say stay the course.
- Former NBC reporter shares his faith
I was going to share a video featuring Russell Moore discussing “How Social Media Turns Truth Into a Video game” I still recommend you viewing it, as it was challenging for me and how I need to do better in communicating through social media.
However, when I went to Moore’s website, he was sharing a link to a Wall Street Journal article by David Gregory “Steadied by Faith After a Humbling Loss” (you may want to go to Moore’s Facebook page to retrieve the full article, if you are not already a WSJ subscriber). What Moore’s video did in challenging me, Gregory’s story encouraged me with his openness in sharing his faith through losing his job as the moderator on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
I admire his wife’s influence and how Gregory realizes his own weaknesses, but he is willing to grow in his faith in God and be the proper example for his family in regular church attendance. I pray his faith also is drawn from the Gospel and its life-changing impact.
- Happy Birthday Karen!
I close with an acknowledgement of my favorite person in the whole world (next to my Lord Jesus Christ). Yesterday was my wife Karen’s birthday, and we celebrated in a simple way, eating at a Korean restaurant in Del City.
We have been married for more than eight years, and being with her has been the most fulfilling time of my life. She challenges me and makes me laugh, regularly. I can’t imagine experiencing life without her and so thankful God brought us together, at the time He knew we needed each other.
Happy Birthday Sweetie! I’ll have an iced tea for you when you get home!