Greetings!
I hope things are going well for you today. I had a bummer of an experience. I got a speeding ticket, doing 55 in a 40. My excuse is I accelerated through an intersection to make sure I made a green light – just didn’t slow back down in time. The officer was nice and only charged me going 10 mph over the limit, which means I have to pay a $172 fine.
I called my wife to let her know about my delinquency, and I asked her, since she does have some police connections, if she knew anybody I could call who might help me avoid paying the fine, since this was my first citation in more than a decade. Her response, “Well, I think you should pay it since you did the wrong.”
God blessed my wife with wisdom and good principles, and He blessed me by having her in my life.
Now, on to this week’s edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen.
- A powerful trial testimony
If you haven’t heard Rachael Denhollander’s testimony she gave this week during the major trial of Larry Nassar, former physician of the U.S. Gymnastics Team and at Michigan State University, you should take the time to watch it or read the transcript. Here’s her testimony at about the 25-minute mark of her 40-minute testimony.
Denhollander shares a piercing description of the depraved behavior this man demonstrated for many years while doing harmful acts to young women. But there’s more. She also shares the message every human being needs to hear. Here’s a significant excerpt from her testimony:
“The Bible you speak carries a final judgment where all of God’s wrath and eternal terror is poured out on men like you. Should you ever reach the point of truly facing what you have done, the guilt will be crushing. And that is what makes the Gospel of Christ so sweet. Because it extends grace and hope and mercy where none should be found. And it will be there for you.
“I pray you experience the soul crushing weight of guilt so you may someday experience true repentance and true forgiveness from God, which you need far more than forgiveness from me—though I extend that to you as well.”
I can’t watch or read this without shedding tears. I don’t know if greater words have ever been spoken in a United States Courtroom.
Denhollander’s testimony was discussed on ESPN’s Sportscenter Thursday night between Scott Van Pelt and Bob Lee, host of ESPN’s Outside the Lines, and they too mentioned how powerful this testimony was.
I pray God will work in a mighty way through this horrible way-too-long injustice, and may the Holy Spirit prick the ears and soften the hearts of those who hear Denhollander’s testimony.
- A Lying Analysis
Oklahoma City pastor Sam Storms wrote on The Gospel Coalition website “Perplexing Passages: Do Exodus 1 and Joshua 2 Permit Christians to Lie?”
I have a fascination to discuss Bible passages in modern day scenarios. Storms fed my fascination, and I agree with his conclusion.
However, I had a problem with some of the ethical situations he offered. In his list that includes the World War II Normandy invasion, Storms mentions lying to a pastor about past sinful behavior. Maybe I read it wrong, and I welcome feedback, but not being open about past failures to a spiritual leader doesn’t seem to reflect spiritual growth.
- Confronting White Evangelicals
John Pavlovitz is straightforward in his article “White Evangelicals, This Is Why People Are Through With You.”
It’s hard to read without coming to the conclusion he is bitter against President Trump while sympathetic toward President Obama. He also paints broad generalizing strokes against me and many like me. Criticism can be healthy, but I think Pavlovitz overdid it.
He isn’t entirely wrong. He presented some actual occurrences and descriptions about the previous presidency and the current one. But his intention is purely to start a fight, not to bring peace.
I have specific answers for all the points Pavlovitz makes, but I think it would be more constructive to discuss with someone in person and without dramatic language.
- Oklahoma ‘Most Polite’
How about more positive, encouraging topics? Let’s start with how a Canadian company ranked Oklahoma as the “most polite” among all 50 states. My only disappointment is the linked article doesn’t explain how they concluded we Okies are so polite. I mean, if someone gives you the best ranking, wouldn’t you want to know why?
Since we are so polite, though, we will just say “Thank you,” and maintain our reputation.
- Thunder stuff
I am a little reluctant to write about the Oklahoma City Thunder. It seems whenever I mention the Thunder in a DHD, they start doing bad. I’m going to take a chance.
I’m loving the six-game winning streak, the improvement of rookie Terrance Ferguson and Russell Westbrook being an NBA All-Star for the seventh year. I also like what Paul George said recently that Russ has made his free agency decision “easier.”
On that last bit of info, Thunder fans, be happy that George seems happy, and keep enjoying this season.
- Next week’s SEC
I end with an event plug. The Oklahoma State Evangelism Conference starts Monday, Jan. 29 at Southern Hills Baptist Church on the south side of Oklahoma City. Ed Newton and Gregg Matte are the two keynote speakers for the evening sessions with Newton speaking Jan. 29 and Matte speaking Jan. 30.
I’m excited to hear both of these men, as well as the many others who will be speaking during the SEC. I hope you will come too. For more information, visit sec.okbaptist.com. The event is free to attend.