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Too tired to sleep

Too tired to sleep

 “Good morning! How’d you sleep?” That’s a phrase many of us hear from time to time.

If you stop to think about it, we humans spend an extraordinary amount of time in life dedicated to sleep. Perhaps second only to working hours (or these days, to screen time), sleep looms large in our daily lives.

What’s so important about sleep? A National Sleep Foundation poll found that, “among U.S. adults with excellent sleep health, nearly 90 percent say they feel very effective at getting things done each day, compared to only 46 percent of those with poor sleep health.”

In biblical terms, we see that sleep is a blessing from the Lord. Psalm 127:1-2 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep.”

Yet I know many people who walk around feeling systematically sleep-deprived. There are many reasons for this. Perhaps your job is at odd hours, making good sleep hard to come by. Perhaps you have a full house of kids or people you are taking care of that make sleep difficult. It could even be feelings of guilt or worry are robbing you of sleep. You may even have a sleep disorder or medical condition.

What can we do when we have trouble sleeping? Though I’m no expert, here are few ideas:

  1. Put away technology. The “blue glowing light” of screens beckons us away from many important things, including sleep. I heard someone advise to put our phones and screens to bed one hour before you go to bed, which can only help.
  2. Read a book. Before you pop a sleeping pill, go the old-fashioned way of reading a book before bed. As a Christian, we believe we must prioritize reading God’s Word each day. But don’t be afraid also to read some light fiction, or just a book you enjoy, before lights out.
  3. Get into a routine. I know someone who is a self-described “night owl.” This person ends up staying up late and sleeping in late, and seems always to walk around tired. The explorers Lewis and Clark said that one hour of sleep before midnight is worth more toward restfulness than several hours after midnight. Re-evaluate your schedule, if you are sleep deprived.
  4. Pray. Christian writers have long upheld the idea of morning and evening prayers. There is something significant about beginning each day in prayer to God, and ending each day before God. We don’t pray to Him so that we can sleep. We pray and “He gives to His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).

These are just a few ideas, none of which require medication, which I have found helpful, to go with whatever ideas you may have.

All this being said, there can be days when suggestions like these just don’t work. You go to bed and just stay wide awake. And that’s okay. Whether in plenty of sleep or little, may God show each of us how to put Him first and how to give thanks in all things.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).

Still at the Kids’ Table?

Still at the Kids’ Table?

Thanksgiving is upon us! For most young adults looking toward the holiday, we all know what is coming—the dreaded kids’ table at grandma’s house. If I lean way back from the knee-high kids’ table, squint my eyes and tilt my head, I can sometimes catch a glimpse of the illustrious adult table.

Ah, yes, the adult table. With its fine linen table cloth cascading down the edges of the waist high, hardwood table. The food is out family-style, sans fear of grubby little hands grasping at the delicacies. As I rest my chin on my tucked-in knees, I can just imagine all the leg room and elbow space permitted at the extravagant adult table.

The food is the same and absolutely delicious, though it seems to taste different on my little, palm-size plastic plate. It’s no heavy-duty, 10”, Chinet platter plate—like the ones the adults have.

If I carefully tune out my little cousins’ bickering on the topic of Disney’s Frozen characters, I can barely hear the deep conversations and adult-appropriate banter at the grown-ups’ table. I’m reminded I am only a spectator of their conversation when one of my little cousins pulls me from my trance by accidently spilling her milk on me. Good thing it was a sippy cup spill and not a grown-up cup spill—I may be exaggerating a hair.

I really don’t mind the kids’ table at Thanksgiving. It used to have its charm and glory. After all, long ago I was stuck in a high chair but grew and found myself at the kids’ table. My knees didn’t always jam into the side of the plastic table, and my comrades around me weren’t always two feet shorter than me.

There was a time when it was right for me to be there at the kids’ table. But there was also a time long past that I should have been too old for it. I’m finding that my walk with the Lord is not unlike this very scenario.

Hebrews 5 finds its author rebuking some longtime Christian adults tucking their knees to fit at the baby Christians’ table. In verses 11-12, the writer tells them, “You have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.”

The author is not wagging his finger at a bunch of baby believers that must work harder or become something for which they are not yet ready. Rather, he is chastising a group of believers who, by now, should be much further in their walk with the Lord than they are currently. The writer continues on in verses 13-14, “Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.

Essentially, he is telling the Hebrew believers, “It’s time to grow up.” He all but drug them from the kiddie table, to plop them down at the adult table.

Why did the author feel that it was necessary to do so? After all, wouldn’t the immature prefer to be striving toward maturity? What is it that keeps the spiritually young from growing? Why would “baby believers” choose the milk of their new belief over the meat of a mature faith?

For the Christians in the text, and many professing believers in the world today, the author spells out the reason. He tells them, “You have become too lazy to understand.” Laziness. Scripture tells us many things about laziness and its destructive effects on our spiritual walks (Prov.10:4-5, Prov. 12:24, Prov. 13:4, Prov. 14:23, Eph. 5:15-17, 2 Thess. 3:6-10).

Laziness is perhaps one of the saddest avenues on which I could miss out on the work of the Lord. It’s sad, simply because it wasn’t that I wasn’t working hard enough or was too busy. I missed out on working alongside the Lord only because I was too lazy.

Spiritual laziness looks different for everyone, but consider these statements:

  • I was too lazy to pull Scripture apart for myself, so I just grabbed the same old devotional off the shelf.
  • I was too lazy to glean something from the sermon last Sunday, so I scrolled through Instagram during service.
  • I was too lazy to engage in deep conversation, so I left the theological discussions to others.
  • I was too lazy to find a mature mentor or advisor, so I just leaned on my own understanding.

How miserable to stand before the throne of God with nothing but a sippy cup of spiritual milk and a handful of self-righteousness, both spoiled from an inappropriate amount of time wasted.

At Thanksgiving, I guarantee if I were willing to muster up the confidence, I could grab that heavy-duty, 10”, Chinet platter plate and take a seat at the adult table. Likewise, I mustn’t let a simple step in obedience, in initiative, to keep me from a deeper walk with the Lord. I don’t want to live off of spiritual milk forever. I want a big, juicy slice of God’s Word to sink my teeth into and offer me fuel for further growth.

Later in Hebrews, the author continues to address his dearly loved brothers and sisters. He voices his longing for them as he writes, “Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance” (Heb. 6:11-12).

Diligence. Faith. Perseverance.

What powerful tools against the Enemy’s scheme to keep us lazy and useless before the spiritual harvest of plenty. Get up from that kids’ table, my brothers and sisters! Strive for wisdom (Psalm 51:6). Increase in maturity (2 Pet. 1:5-8). Grow in knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18). Be diligent (Gal. 6:9). Have faith (Luke 17:5). Press on in perseverance (Col. 1:11-12).

DHD: Barry the deacon; Digital life after death; Shawshank at 25; Piper on Sunday work; KY print shop victory; Mohler news

DHD: Barry the deacon; Digital life after death; Shawshank at 25; Piper on Sunday work; KY print shop victory; Mohler news

Greetings!

I’m excited to share with you my timely topics in this week’s Doyle Half Dozen, especially the first topic that I am reporting.

Thanks for reading!

1. Barry the deacon

A couple of weeks ago, Scott Patton contacted the Baptist Messenger, asking if he could submit a story he wrote about one of his church members. Patton is pastor of Indiahoma, First, located outside Lawton in the southwest part of Oklahoma.

I remembered meeting Patton and his wife Tami more than two years ago, when I did a story about Indiahoma, First offering a one-day program for kids since Indiahoma, at the time, was observing four-day school weeks. The Pattons were overseers of this program that used to meet on Mondays.

Patton is now serving as Indiahoma, First’s pastor, and with the story he gave to the Messenger, his church, and especially a member of the church, is becoming known throughout the country.

Barry Asenap is 51, living with Down syndrome and, according to Patton, is “an absolute mainstay” in the church. Now he is an ordained deacon of Indiahoma, First, after the church unanimously approved his ordination.

The Messenger is overjoyed that Patton allowed us to share his story about Barry. His story was posted on our website on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 31, and within an hour, the national news source Baptist Press picked it up. Also, on the Messenger’s Facebook page, as of the moment I am typing this, the story has been shared 37 times.

Praise God for what He is doing in Barry’s life and the encouragement that is resonating with those who learn about Barry’s role as a deacon.

2. Digital life after death

What happens to social media accounts of people who die? Have you wondered about this? I certainly have, for a few years now, as I have seen friends of mine who have passed away still receive Facebook posts, such as from friends who acknowledge them on their birthdays.

Emily Belz goes even deeper on this issue in her article “Digital life after death.” You should check it out, especially if you have lost a loved one, or if you want to know what to do after a loved one dies.

Belz covers legal aspects, as well as practical steps to follow with Facebook on what to do with a loved one’s account.

She ends her report with how one person is sharing the Gospel through Facebook with non-Christian friends of the deceased loved one.

3. Shawshank at 25

I used to go to the movies a lot when I was in my 20s. And there even were a few flicks I saw multiple times at the theater. Of course, this was when $1 movies were all the rage.

As I recall, The Hunt for Red October and A Few Good Men rank high on my list of theater viewing. I remember going to see Red October at least five times, and Few Good Men is about the same. If you don’t like watching movies with people who quote all the lines, don’t invite me over if you are watching either of these.

Believe it or not, the movie that surpassed all theater stops on my list is The Shawshank Redemption. I think I went to the theater at least 8-10 times to watch Shawshank, and there’s no telling how many times I watched it on video or TV broadcasts.

This week I read Tim Briggs’ article “’Shawshank Still Preaches, 25 Years Later,” which reminded me how old I am and rekindled memories of when I first saw this movie. Without spoiling it, the ending of Shawshank shocked me in my original viewing, but there’s so much to the story that makes it so enjoyable to watch over and over. Shawshank even taught me that the bank will mail packages for you.

Check out Briggs’ analogy of how the story of Shawshank symbolizes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. Piper advises Sunday-working Christians

John Piper does a great job in giving practical advice for living the Christian life. I read through the transcript of his addressing a question from a nurse who regularly has to work Sunday shifts.

Piper is very thorough in his answer, and I especially appreciate his explanation of why Christians today traditionally celebrate “Sabbath” on Sunday instead of Saturday.

The best thing I interpreted from Piper’s guidance is how Christians should want to spend a day to celebrate the Lord with other believers, and he discredited any legalistic application.

5. Kentucky Supreme Court favors Christian print shop owner

I’m happy for Blaine Adamson, owner of Hands On Originals, a screen printing operation in Lexington, Ky. that prints designed t-shirts. Adamson won a legal case in the Kentucky Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of his faith.

Baptist Press (BP) reported Adamson’s victory after he was sued by a group promoting homosexuality. Adamson refused to print shirts with messages that went against his Christian beliefs. As BP reported, Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore said this ruling is “good news for every American.”

“We need to live in the kind of country where we can be free to seek to persuade one another, not bully each other into silence,” said Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), in a news release. “Conservative evangelicals, secular progressives and everyone in between ought to be able to agree on the idea that a state must not act as lord over the conscience.

“My hope is that this decision is a sign that courts around the country will continue to uphold conscience freedom and personal soul liberty.”

I appreciate Moore’s wording of respecting a person’s conscience.

6. Mohler on impeachment process

I got word that Albert Mohler is going to be nominated next year as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. There is nobody among SBC leadership who is more respected and more deserving of the presidential role, and I am hoping he runs unopposed. Wouldn’t that be a great message of unity!

Mohler offered great commentary on many current issues this week on The Briefing podcast. His Friday, Nov. 1 edition gives an excellent analogy of the recently announced impeachment inquiry by the U.S. House of Representatives.

REVIEW: ‘Harriet’ is inspiring, marvelous and filled with faith

REVIEW: ‘Harriet’ is inspiring, marvelous and filled with faith

The biographical film Harriet (PG-13) opens this weekend, telling the story of former slave and heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

“Minty” is a determined and smart Christian woman living in 1840s Maryland.

She’s also a slave. Her mother and father are slaves. Her siblings are, too. During the day, they toil the field under the watchful eyes of their owner, a wicked man who sometimes whips and beats them to maintain “order.” At night, they recover and rest, preparing for the next day’s work under the hot sun.

They sing spiritual songs to stay sane—songs about a future Promised Land ruled by a loving God who blesses his people.

Minty, too, sings about the Promised Land, but she also has an earthly goal in mind.

“I wanna be free,” Minty tells a friend.

She doesn’t have a plan to escape the plantation, yet she does have the resolve it will take to get to Philadelphia, which is about 100 miles away and—for safety reasons—must be accessed by foot.

Finally, on a dark and starry night while her master is sleeping, Minty sets out on a long journey. Her pastor—a black man—tells her to follow the north star to ensure she doesn’t get lost. He also gives her spiritual advice—advice she takes to heart.

“Trust in God,” he says.

The biographical film Harriet (PG-13) opens this weekend, telling the story of a slave named Minty who escapes and changes her name to Harriet Tubman once she reaches the anti-slavery society in Philadelphia. It stars Cynthia Erivo (Bad Times at the El Royale) as Tubman, Leslie Odom Jr. (Murder on the Orient Express) as abolitionist William Still, Janelle Monáe as hotel owner Marie Buchanon, and Joe Alwyn (Operation Finale) as Gideon Brodess, a member of the family that bought Tubman. 

The film follows Tubman as she escaped, alone, by traveling a secret route known as the Underground Railroad—a route filled with unsung heroes who lived in slave states but worked to give slaves freedom. Eventually, Tubman herself became a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad and headed back to Maryland to free her family and other slaves. When the Civil War started, she also served as a Union spy and the leader of an armed expedition.

Harriet isn’t a faith-based film in the modern use of that term—its rough content proves that—but it nevertheless includes more faith-based content than you’ll see in most mainstream films. The movie depicts Tubman as a Christian woman who was guided by her faith and who relied on prayer (and sometimes visions) to determine God’s will.

When she arrives in Philadelphia and is asked who accompanied her, she responds it was “just me and the Lord.” When she is running away from slave catchers, she often pauses in the forest to pray. She believed God supported her cause. She was right.

Warning: minor/moderate spoilers!

(Scale key: none, minimal, moderate, extreme)

Violence/Disturbing

Moderate. A slave is hit with a gun, and we see a bloody gash across his eye. Slave catchers use scent hounds to track slaves. We see scars (from whippings) on the backs of Tubman and other slaves. Female slaves are slapped several times in the film. A free black woman is beaten and kicked in the head. A man is shot in the head and dies. Throughout the film, slaves are treated like animals in what is perhaps the movie’s most disturbing element. 

Sexuality/Sensuality/Nudity

Minimal. Tubman and her husband kiss several times. It is implied that Gideon previously had a sexual relationship with Tubman. We see Tubman’s scarred back as she prepares to take a bath. (Nothing else is seen.) We hear the word “brothel.”

Coarse Language

Moderate. N-word (12), b–ch (4), h–l (5), d–n (2), GD (1), f-word (1), OMG (1).

Other Stuff You Might Want To Know

A slave catcher warns Tubman not to commit suicide.

Life Lessons

The Gospel brings hope: Faith was the source of strength for Tubman and other slaves. We see them sing spiritual tunes and pray throughout the movie.

Scripture can be twisted: The slave owners told the slaves that God ordained slavery. Tubman and the other slaves knew better.

Change requires sacrifice: Slavery wouldn’t have been abolished in the U.S. without heroes like Tubman—men and women who were willing to die for the cause.  

Worldview/Application

The film opens with the scene of an outdoor church service—and a black minister quoting the Bible to tell the slaves to obey their masters. The minister, of course, was only following the orders of the white masters, who sat in the background nodding their approval.  

But Tubman and the others knew their Bible better than their owners did.

The real-life Tubman knew that a Gospel based on grace, mercy, freedom and salvation couldn’t—and didn’t—condone slavery. She knew that in Christianity, there was “neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female” because we are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). She read stories about God freeing the Hebrews from slavery, and she knew God didn’t want people in shackles.

As she tells Gideon, “God don’t mean (for) people to own people.”

What Works

The plot. The infusion of faith. Also, Cynthia Erivo is impressive as Tubman.

What Doesn’t

The slave owners come across as being caricatures. During some moments, it seems almost like a parody.

Discussion Questions

1. What role did Tubman’s faith play in her desire to be free? What role did it play in her rescuing of others?

2. What does the Bible say about slavery? What would you say to someone who claims it supports slavery?

3. Name five positive character traits of Harriet Tubman.

4. How did Tubman stay encouraged when all hope seemed lost?

Entertainment rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Family-friendly rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Harriet is rated PG-13 for thematic content throughout, violent material and language including racial epithets.

Prepping for the Empty Nest

Prepping for the Empty Nest

No matter how you feel about your kids and/or your spouse, the empty nest takes a little more getting used to than you might think. Without forethought and planning, the life stage you have been told is wonderful could become extremely stressful instead, as you will continue to parent in all the challenging ways, like giving money and advice and solving unforeseen problems, while no longer enjoying the perks of parenting, like face time, casual conversation, and daily affection.

This being true, Todd and I led a breakout at the annual marriage retreat put on by Oklahoma Baptists last week and shared some tips with couples who are quickly approaching this life stage.

Here they are:

Anticipate. Looking forward to something is almost as much fun as living it and often improves the actual experience when it comes. Just as you looked forward to marrying your spouse, daydreamed about what life with them would be like, and groomed yourself for the experience, do so for the empty nest. Yes, there will be sadness in the goodbyes to your children, but anticipating joy on the other side of those goodbyes will soften that hurt, making the transition easier for the two of you and your children. It doesn’t help homesick children to know that their parents aren’t happy without them.

Plan. The first day. The first week. The first month. The first year and beyond. Big things. Small things. As you anticipate the empty nest, fill your imagination and your calendar with new things that will help you celebrate your freedom as a couple. Fill any potentially awkward or melancholy spaces with happy details tailored just for the two of you: food you didn’t eat when the kids were home, shows you didn’t watch, places you didn’t go, fellowship with people you weren’t free to visit, staying out late on a school night. If college doesn’t have you pinching pennies, you could plan a trip, but camping out in the living room in pj’s the kids never got to see can be just as much, if not more, fun!

Prioritize your spouse. The older your kids get, the crazier their schedules become, requiring the whole family to flex and sacrifice at times. If we aren’t careful, we can get in the habit of expecting our spouse to give instead of asking, assigning their needs a backseat to our kids’. Stop, take stock, and make sure you haven’t done this.Remember, you married your spouse to become one with them. Together, you welcomed your children into the family you had already formed, but their presence shouldn’t alter the balance of what existed before they arrived.

If you’ve gotten out of the habit, get into the habit of considering your spouse’s needs before your children’s, asking them to flex and sacrifice when necessary instead of expecting, giving them a voice in all family planning even if it’s logistically inconvenient to include them, and voicing the importance of your spouse’s identity as an equal member with you of the family core to your children, so they will grow up with a healthy understanding of God’s design for marriage and family. It’s not a bad thing to ask the kids to flex for Mom or Dad either. Asking your spouse to flex and sacrifice won’t mean much if the person being asked can’t say “no.”

Set or reestablish boundaries for your children. Your children don’t call the shots. They live in your house with the people who own it and are in charge of them in the eyes of God and the law. They need to do what you say. If you haven’t established time, space, and property boundaries with your children, do so now. If you wait until they move out, the sudden change will make them feel pushed out instead of sent off, making the separation process more complicated and painful than it needs to be. 

As a couple, set aside space in your house that is just for the two of you unless your children ask permission to enter and require them to knock before entering. Carve out regular time that’s just for the two of you. It doesn’t hurt the kids to be sent to their room early in the evenings so you can have alone time or stay in their rooms longer on weekend mornings so the two of you can have a date at home. Require your children to check with you before making any plans that will require you to alter yours and require their friends to call before coming over to make sure it’s okay. Require your kids to ask permission to use anything that isn’t theirs or doesn’t clearly belong to the entire family. 

Once the kids leave, set rules for coming home, like calling first and letting you know by midweek whether or not they plan to come home for the weekend so you can anticipate and plan couple time, even if your plans are to have no plans—which is its own kind of wonderful after years of living on the go—and don’t let them come home last minute if they said they weren’t going to.

Maintain, kindle, or rekindle romance. If the fire is burning, keep it stoked. If it never was, find out where you can get yourself some flint and a rock—seriously, help is out there if you look for it. If it was burning, but isn’t now, do what you did before. If that doesn’t work, educate yourself.

The problem in many marriages is that kids come along before couples have a chance to fully explore and enjoy each other as people, friends, and lovers. Wherever they happen to be at the time is where they freeze, thinking, saying, and doing things that may or may not have worked once, but definitely don’t hold up over time. Fire needs fuel to burn, and romance needs continued intentional investment from both partners to flourish.

If you don’t know it already, find out your spouse’s love language and speak it. Flirt, focus, and learn how to loosen up and have fun with your forever date. Consider your bedroom a playground and enjoy recess to the full. God wants you to (Song of Solomon 5:1)!

Bottom line, your empty nest is going to be whatever you put in the time and effort to make it.  Get to feathering now, and you’ll enjoy one of the most gratifying rewards you’ve ever earned. 

Kanye made me do it

Kanye made me do it

In 1979 Bob Dylan was the king of counter culture when he shocked the world by releasing an album that had songs detailing his Christian conversion. The evangelical world rejoiced at this cultural victory, though that celebration would only last until around 1982 when he returned to Judaism.

This kind of history gives some people pause in celebrating the recent public conversion of Kanye West to Christianity. We are fully aware that it’s not the beginning of the race but the end that shows if a person has truly converted.

That being said, I will gladly celebrate anyone who says they have converted to Christianity and speaks boldly about God. I’ve listened to his many interviews, and Kanye seems to be on point. He even states that he is not a theologian because he is a new convert, which is a sign of great humility. His wife, who is one of the most influential women in our culture, even posted three simple words to her Instagram account, “Jesus is King.”

In some weird way I feel embolden by the way Kanye talks so openly about Jesus. Lately, it has seemed as though the culture was winning and not the Kingdom. Pop culture and television spend a fair amount of time mocking the Christian faith. We are portrayed as dumb and naïve. The most popular shows on television have been so full of violence, nudity and language that I could not participate in the cultural conversations around these shows. It felt as though we had been pushed back into the corner and forced to wear a dunce cap.

Christians were becoming culturally irrelevant; churches all around me are shutting their doors, and it is getting harder and harder to reach people with the Gospel. I think we just needed this win. I know, theologically, we already have won. The battle is over, but the human side of me was a little discouraged. It just feels really good to hear someone who was such a cultural force say they were wrong and Jesus is king.

Kanye West has talked more about Jesus in a week than some Christians have talked about him in years. Perhaps this is the permission that some of you needed in order to be more bold about your faith. Sometimes, just being reminded of how radically you have been changed can re-light that old fire burning within you.

To see someone on primetime television talk about being saved by Jesus is a reminder that the culture will always need a king. You know His name; you know His Gospel, and if you see me standing on the street corner declaring “Jesus is King,” well, Kanye made me do it.

DHD: Barry the deacon; Digital life after death; Shawshank at 25; Piper on Sunday work; KY print shop victory; Mohler news

DHD: Be Kind, Transgender case, Samaritan woman story, Bible teaching helps, J.H., Nationals inspiration

Greetings!

Happy rainy fall day to you!

Here’s six topics for you to read. Enjoy!

1. Rewinding Trevin’s Be Kind article

One of my favorite bloggers shared a good one this week. Trevin Wax gave commentary involving Ellen Degeneres’ remarks of being friends with former President George W. Bush. Check out For Jesus’ Sake, Be Kind.

Has W become the favorite among the former U.S. presidents? On more than one occasion, he is seen being friends with Michelle Obama. He had a silly moment with a raincoat during President Trump’s inauguration ceremony. Now, he is seen at a Dallas Cowboys game eating peanuts and chatting with Ellen.

By the way, I actually met President Bush a few years ago and got my picture taken with him. It was at a dinner in Tulsa that I had the privilege of being someone’s guest in attendance. Mr. Bush took pictures with every attendee, myself included. When I went to introduce myself to him, telling him my name is Chris Doyle, his response was, “Dole, how are ya?!”

2. Mohler warned by Canadian government over his report on gender identity

Transgenderism continues in the world today and especially as a major topic in the courts. This week, a Texas father was blocked by a jury decision to prevent him from stopping his 7-year-old son from a “gender transition.”

The transgender issue is becoming troublesome. I suppose, those who are of adult age, have become legally accepted today. My take is I will be kind and respectful to all people, just what Trevin Wax was emphasizing in DHD topic 1, and that includes transgender people.

I would even respect a transgender person to the point that I would call them and refer to them by their desired pronouns and other words that reflect gender (such as “ma’am” or “sir”). The point is to be kind even when I may not support or agree. Kindness and respect can still be demonstrated. And if such a person gains your trust through showing kindness, who knows what the Holy Spirit may do.

Back to the Texas case, I am sad for this father. This is a sad situation. Check out Albert Mohler’s Thursday edition of The Briefing to get his take of this ordeal. He opens his report with the words “horrifying” and “heartbreaking.”

And keep listening because Mohler said he was “contacted by Canadian legal authorities and warned” that if he did not remove a transcript of a previous Briefing report he gave about a transgender case in Canada, he could face legal action.

3. Trillia’s take on Samaritan Woman story

Trillia Newbill has a great article that goes along with what I said in topic 2. Check out “The Samaritan Woman and Our Barrier-Smashing Savior.”

“…Jesus didn’t follow the prejudices of his day regarding gender and ethnicity. On the contrary, he lifted up and honored those the culture marginalized. Surely this was part of his appeal. People used to being dismissed, ridiculed, and rejected were suddenly talking with someone who both saw them and loved them.”

4. Bible teaching helps

One of my favorite things I do regularly is teaching my Bible study group on Sunday mornings. Jamie Dunlop gives some great tips for not being a boring Bible teacher.

Two of my favorite takeaways from Dunlop’s article are:

1. “A good question has multiple right answers, it’s clear, and it’s simple to ask (if it’s too long for you to ask it without looking down at your notes, it’s too long). A good teacher will include at least a few of these in a class, especially at the beginning when people need to be lured into engagement with the material.”

2. Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t remember someone’s name. “Model humility and ask them their name.” Unfortunately, I do this way too often—forgetting someone’s name.

5. J.H. are important initials

I heard this earlier this year, and I finding out that Sooner fans find it as fascinating as I do. So I thought I’d share with you.

The University of Oklahoma claims seven national championships in football. In four of these titles, the Sooners were led by a quarterback with the initials J.H.

Jimmy Harris was the Sooner quarterback for the championship years of 1955 and 1956. Jamelle Holieway quarterbacked the Sooners to the 1985 national championship, and Josh Heupel led OU to the 2000 national championship.

In case you didn’t already know, OU’s current quarterback this season is named Jalen Hurts.

6. Nationals inspiration

I conclude with another sports-related topic. The Washington Nationals have 2-0 advantage in the World Series, with Game 3 against the Houston Astros happening this evening in D.C.

The Nationals have quite an impressive story this season. They started poorly, with a 19-31 record. They also traded away the face of the franchise, Bryce Harper, before the season. But now, the Nationals are in the driver’s seat toward winning the World Series, possibly sweeping the Astros.

I wonder if the Nationals could inspire another professional team in another sport that recently traded away its face of the franchise and appears to not have a good start of the season.

In other news, I work my first regular season Thunder game tonight.

How every Christian can make an impact

How every Christian can make an impact

What’s your calling? This a very “Christian way” to ask how you participate in the work that God is already doing in this world.

I ask this question regularly, and most of the time the only response is, “I don’t know.” It seems strange that we still struggle with this because we’ve taken spiritual gift tests, been to seminars or had a pastor help us get “plugged in” at our local church.

In spite of all of these things, many people still just don’t know where they fit in.

Perhaps I was lucky when it comes to this. I’ve always been a talker and a writer, so talking and writing about God was an easy match. It also helped that I had no other skill to fall back on, if this course of action did not bear fruit.

It’s possible that the ease with which I found a way to be a part of God’s work has some implications to those who are struggling. God wants you to do what you enjoy doing. Although that advice is simple, I do think I might be able to be even more helpful.

As I thought longer about this, I realized that, although I do love to teach and write, those are simply the gateways to do something I find even more fulfilling. The way I serve God the most is by helping people see God more fully.

My vocation isn’t my calling. However, it does allow me the opportunity to get one-on-one time with someone and to help them move forward in their life.  It would be easy for me to sit in my office studying and writing all day without talking to anyone. The real joy doesn’t come from the sermon I preach or some article I write. The real joy comes from talking with someone, anyone about why I love God so much.

Using your gift to find your place in the church isn’t your ultimate calling. Loving those around you with the love of God is.

Perhaps we have made it so complicated because everyone thinks they need to find that one thing, that one area of ministry, so that they can serve God with their full potential. Yes, it is great if you find your niche, but it’s even greater if you just love those around you.

Oftentimes we tell someone that if they are good at budgeting then help the church budget their money or teach a class on godly finances. There is some truth to such advice, but what about those who don’t like their jobs and are not really sure what they are good at?

I do think this is one of the areas where we have painted with too small a brush. Your calling is the same as mine. My main calling is not to be a preacher—I know this because eventually I will retire—but I know I still have a calling on my life.

My vocation does not define me. My calling is to love God and to love my neighbor. If you want to figure out how to serve better, start by loving people better. Be more patient, kinder, more generous. As you do these things, talk to friends and coworkers about your love for God. Then your words and actions will combine to be a beautiful light in the darkness.

This is the calling we all have on our lives, and if you are able to be more specific then great! If not, that does not make you less important to the Kingdom.

How To Handle Criticism

How To Handle Criticism

No one likes to be criticized.

We spend a great deal of time and effort covering our faults. We hope the world around us sees and experiences the best version of ourselves at every turn. We don’t want to make mistakes.

At the same time, we know we are broken creatures. For every fault we conceal, another rises to the surface. We find ourselves exposing the worst versions of ourselves – often to those we love the most. Our words can hit targets at which we never aimed. Maybe a tone is perceived wrong. Perhaps we brought up an issue in innocence that is tender to another. Maybe we forgot.

Despite our best efforts, we do make mistakes.

We live in a social economy in which criticism is a currency. Social media allows us to fire shots across bows we likely would never approach in person. Anonymous jesters fire criticism and critique without provocation. Beating someone else to the punch is considered of higher virtue than taking the time to ensure the punch is well-placed or even necessary.

Not all criticism is beneficial. Not all critics are right. At the same time, as sinful social people, we do need correction from others. Warranted or unwarranted, each of us will face critics and criticism. So how should we handle them?

1. Listen to your critic

If you immediately shut down a critic, you are assuming you have no blind spots or areas of improvement. Criticism is not always bad. In fact, many proverbs speak favorably of criticism from those who care for us. Listening reflectively to criticism allows an offended party to be heard and offers us the opportunity to open a door of self-examination, perhaps previously unconsidered. Don’t shut the door on every critic. There are some you need to invite in.

2. Appreciate your critic

Usually, someone seeking to bring an issue to our attention does so with a good motive. They may not handle it well or express it in a way that prevents a sting. Looking beyond the words of a critic, however, allows us to see the heart behind the criticism. We want to be and do what is best. A critic likely wants that for us as well. Seek to appreciate the heart behind someone’s criticism, even if you don’t appreciate the content.

3. Evaluate the criticism

Even if a critic does have an uncharitable disposition toward you, they may not be wrong in their criticism. Recognize that we all have blind spots, and however poorly a person may have handled a critique, ask yourself and someone else you trust whether or not there is something valuable in a criticism for you to address. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. You may dismiss a critic, but don’t completely discount their perspective. 

4. Apply the criticism

Criticisms can have many applications. They may serve to show us a sin of which we need to repent. They may help open our eyes to another’s perspective. They may simply reveal a fault of the critic themselves. Either way, receiving criticism never ends in merely hearing it. One must ask what there is to gain from receiving criticism.

Some critics just want to hurt others. They are jerks.

Some critics want our good, but don’t handle it well. They are trying.

Some critics we welcome, knowing they have our best at heart and have been given access to our lives as those with a valuable perspective. They are friends.

Criticism can sting. Our gut reaction is often to label any critic as a jerk when they may genuinely be trying to be a friend. Don’t be quick to dismiss criticism. Prayerfully listen, appreciate, evaluate and apply what others afford us from their perspective. It just may do us some good.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” – Proverbs 27:6

DHD: Barry the deacon; Digital life after death; Shawshank at 25; Piper on Sunday work; KY print shop victory; Mohler news

DHD: 3 takes on NBA-China issue; 3 takes on tax-exemption removal threat on religious institutions

Greetings!

I’m covering two of the hottest topics in this week’s DHD. The NBA-China issue, with specific points relating to LeBron James, and churches and religious institutions losing tax-exempt status if they oppose same-sex marriage.

Here we go!

1. NBA-China issue timeline

In case you don’t have all the facts about this recent fiasco, Aaron Mansfield offers a great recap, detailing all the relevant events, including the Hong Kong protest, Daryl Morey’s Tweet, China’s backlash, NBA’s response, LeBron’s commentary.

Mansfield’s concluding paragraph is correct. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is in a “precarious position,” wanting China’s business while also handling the powerful country’s social record.

Now, let’s look at some relevant commentary.

2. Tramel’s excellent take

Berry Tramel did not hold back when he gave his perspective on the NBA-China issue. On Silver’s original comment on Morey’s tweet, Tramel said it was “the weakest bunch of crap anyone has written,” and he especially calls out the NBA’s protesting the City of Charlotte’s bathroom ordinances and threatening to not allow the city to host the NBA All-Star Game, proving the league’s hypocrisy when it comes to political issues.

Tramel also provided a lesson of how China has a dictatorship-run government. I was impressed with Tramel’s article and applaud him for being political, especially when he admits he doesn’t like to be political.

3. Lamenting LeBron’s loquaciousness

When it appears the NBA-China issue may have subsided, the league’s most popular player heaped some coals on the fire earlier this week.

LeBron James is taking a lot of heat for criticizing Morey’s tweet. One comment in particular was James’ saying Morey should have “waited a week” to post his support for Hong Kong.

USA Today published a sarcastic response to James with this conclusion: “Not supporting other Americans who exercise that same freedom because it might personally inconvenience you for a few days overseas, LeBron, is without question the most disgraceful moment of your career.”

As hard-hitting as that last comment is, the USA Today article doesn’t take the cake to what the Babylon Bee posted. If you’re not familiar with the Bee, it is a parody news website that offers humor (sometimes biting humor) relevant to current events.

The Bee was pretty bold in displaying this headline: “LeBron James says Rosa Parks’ Bus Protest ‘Could Have Waited a Week.” Ouch!

Finally, Albert Mohler gave his perspective in his Oct. 17 edition of The Briefing, regarding James’ pitying how Morey’s tweet caused the all-star and the NBA to pause its financial success involving China:

“The background of that is the fact that people are now suffering oppression in Hong Kong that the Chinese Communist Party in China is breaking its promises of semi-autonomy with Hong Kong, the fact that the Chinese regime is now abusing human rights at the scale of millions, evidently in the view of LeBron James, that pales over against any interruption in the business model of the NBA.”

4. Take away tax-exemption

The next three DHD topics deal with the recent uproar that was caused directly by presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke who declared emphatically that churches and religious organizations that do not approve same-sex marriage or adhere completely to LGBTQ standards should have tax-exempt status removed.

The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention offered a great explainer this week about tax exemption for religious organizations.

The piece quotes Russell Moore who said about O’Rourke’s declaration, “Tax exemption for churches is not a ‘reward,’ but a recognition that the power to tax is the power to destroy. And, indeed, with these comments Congressman O’Rourke threatens to destroy every church, synagogue or other religious institution that does not adopt his viewpoint on sexual ethics over and against their own traditions and authoritative texts. That is not the American way.”

5. Mohler on candidates and LGBTQ

The Tuesday, Oct. 14 edition of The Briefing is a required listening or a must-read when it comes to understanding the ramifications of the push by the democratic presidential candidates of tax-exemption removal for churches religious organizations.

Every single point Mohler gives is important. He did a lot of work in this presentation, especially the breakdown of each candidate’s viewpoint on this issue. I especially appreciate how he calls out Elizabeth Warren’s smugness and comments on her bold remark “If you don’t hold the view I hold on same-sex marriage, you’re not even worthy of anyone marrying you.”

Mohler’s take on Warren’s antics and the support it drew from those attending the event, “It should tell us a very great deal that that is now an applause line with millions and millions of Americans. If you are not in support of same-sex marriage, which after all has been around legally in the United States for four years, then you are so backward that you don’t even deserve to be married yourself. No one should want to marry you.”

6. Christian colleges’ response to threat tax-exemption removal

I have mentioned before that I appreciation Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra’s writing. Every time I go to The Gospel Coalition’s website and find one of her articles, I’ll read it immediately. She never disappoints me.

Zylstra did an excellent job in interviewing many Christian college president to get their response to the possibility of their respective institutions of higher learning facing no longer being tax exempted.

Check out her article “‘No Obvious Answer’: How Christian Colleges Are Responding to LGBTQ Regulations.”

One of the best comments in the piece is from Covenant College president Derek Halvorson:

“We aren’t going to compromise on clear biblical direction with regard to matters like marriage and sexuality. It’s important for students to see that, and to recognize there may be costs associated with being faithful.”