Attention Word Slingers readers: Beginning December 11, 2019, all posts will be available at BaptistMessenger.com. Thank you for reading Word Slingers!

Greetings!

No intro this week. Read and enjoy!

  1. Lacking training and understanding

A few weeks ago, a Facebook friend shared an NPR article about an adulting school in Maine (by the way, I found it humorous when I typed “adulting,” and autocorrect wanted to change it to “adulating”).

The school is designed to help “fledgling adults so they can become successful grown-ups.” The class has featured students in their late 20s and early 30s, helping them with an assortment of practical lessons such as how to get an oil change, fold a fitted sheet, make dinner instead of order carry out, pay bills on time, choose a career and manage money.

The article quotes an anthropology professor who said such inexperience among adulthood is due to lack of emphasis on life skills classes, such as home economics in the high school years.

Another article I read this week was National Review’s “How Historical Illiteracy Fuels Political Polarization.” The piece features surveys that reveal college graduates graded low on aspects of American history and civics. Maybe it’s not important to know that James Madison is the author of the U.S. Constitution or that a U.S. Senator’s term is six years, but government ignorance seems to be a major factor for why many now believe socialism would be better for our country than capitalism.

Here’s my point. The lack of basic fundamental knowledge is taking its toll. I don’t wade into the education debate much, and I admit I don’t have much experience and haven’t done thorough research to offer an expert opinion. But when I read about educated people well into their adult years not knowing how to cook a meal for themselves or college graduates believing if President Trump gets impeached then Hillary Clinton becomes president, our country appears to be in a rather ignorant condition.

Perhaps it might be better to focus on teaching basic life skills and functional knowledge of civilization than promote social liberal agendas.

  1. Beauty in the least

Speaking of social liberal agendas, promoters made it known this week Disney’s new release Beauty and the Beast features a character who has a “gay moment.” I have not made plans to see this movie when it’s out in the theaters. If Karen wants to see it, I will accommodate.

WordSlingers is planning to feature a blog reviewing Beauty and the Beast, but I will say that I am not surprised with this announcement of the film promoting homosexuality. Disney has made no secret of its support of the LGBT community. There were mentions of the lifestyle emphasized in Finding Dori, but I was told it was rather scant and mostly overlooked by viewers.

To be honest, I have a theory that perhaps the gay moment in Beauty also could have gone unnoticed or not been interpreted as the character displaying homosexual feelings, but influencers who desire to see homosexuality celebrated encouraged a more direct emphasis of the scene.

I am hesitant to suggest protest, though I respect those who have done so. I welcome discussion about this, but I recall a previous major all-out protest of Disney that did not fare well. What I do encourage is for Christian parents to have godly wisdom and proper discernment with how to handle this movie in regards to their children.

  1. Hacking The Shack

Speaking of newly-released movies, The Shack is in theaters this week. I will keep this DHD topic short because everything Brent Prentice said in his blog I support, and I encourage you to read his perspective.

When Prentice points out the book, and now the movie, do not present the “Triune God of the Bible,” he said, “In not discerning the errors of the book, a god has been created that does not exist, or better yet an idol has been fashioned.”

  1. Trump’s talk teeters to terrific trend

Many are raving about President Trump’s address he gave this week in Congress. I didn’t watch all of it, but what I did see I liked. And I agree with the many who commended Trump, even those who normally don’t offer him positive reviews.

I won’t get caught up too much about who stood and who didn’t, but it is apparent those who are in opposition don’t look too good right now. However one views Trump’s recognition of the Navy SEAL widow should consider how their constituents view them.

Trump’s approval rating is improving. I think it’s high time for his adversaries to cool their jets, quit finding ways to attack the President and his cabinet and focus on issues, specifically those that matter to Americans.

Confronting the President on issues would be different. I still have concerns about his stance on abortion, as well as on religious liberty. But trying to nitpick about the Attorney General or the Vice President, I don’t believe will win over many Americans at this point.

  1. Thunder Thoughts

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had an exciting week. Starting off with beating New Orleans and recently-acquired DeMarcus Cousins, then a phenomenal early 3-pt shooting performance and a successful result against Utah provided great viewing for Thunder fans. The game against Portland didn’t end favorably, but the unbelievable long bomb that Taj Gibson scored at the end of the first half was shot of a lifetime. I can’t believe my wife remained asleep after my exclamatory of amazement when the shot went in.

Russell Westbrook is just plain fun to watch. Yes, he can have his moments of disappointment, which cause the critics to line up and squawk about how he is doing too much and not involving his teammates (no peep out them when the Thunder win though). Actually, I think there has been more action from other players. Enes Kanter had a great scoring performance in the loss to Portland, and so did Alex Abrines, who made a clutch three-pointer with less than a minute left to bring the Thunder within a point.

I still like where the Thunder stand. Looking at the remaining schedule, I’m expecting anywhere between four and seven more losses, which means I’m predicting OKC to finish anywhere in the 49-52 win range.

  1. Mo. Baptists meet James Lankford

Oklahoma Baptists know how special James Lankford is. The U.S. Senator had a remarkable career change in 2010, after serving in full-time ministry.

Recently, he spoke at a conference in Springfield, Mo., and Brian Koonce of the Missouri Pathway wrote about Lankford speaking to Missouri Baptists. Baptist Press picked up Koonce’s article to share nationally.

I appreciate how Lankford explained why he changed to politics and serve, first in the U.S. House and currently in the U.S. Senate.

“I looked (the critics) in the face and said the same thing I say today: ‘To the best of my ability I’m following Christ,’” said Lankford about his response to those who opposed him “leaving the ministry.” “You may think there’s some sort of occupation title I’m supposed to have but I’m convinced there’s a certain person I’m supposed to follow, and where He leads me, that’s where I’m supposed to go.”