Greetings!
Spring Break is concluding. As a non-Spring Breaker, I experienced some refreshing aspects such as the traffic flow being smoother and the atmosphere at work appearing lighter. Of course, with spring beginning this week, the weather isn’t as cold; the sun is more evident; people are happy.
So there’s my introduction. Here comes my thoughts on six timely topics in this week’s edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen.
- Mr. Rogers remembered
I found out this week that I am almost as old as the debut of the acclaimed children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The PBS half-hour show began in Feb. 1968, 50 years ago (I will turn 50 in Nov. – start planning now!).
Two movies about Fred Rogers are coming out soon. One is a documentary, and the other is an adaptation starring Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers.
Next week, Ryan Smith, featured blogger on WordSlingersOK.com, will have a blog published about Mr. Rogers, using the popular phrase from the show “Won’t you be my neighbor?” as a great perspective of the Gospel.
Russell Moore wrote this week “Why Mister Rogers (Still) Matters,” and it’s a great read. He highlights my favorite song from the show, “It’s You I Like.” I’m singing it right now.
- Great Commission confusion
Favorite blogger Trevin Wax challenged me this week. Check out “5 Ways We Get the Great Commission Wrong.” It’s quite thought-provoking for Christ-followers.
One of the significant aspects I get from his blog is the way we seem to separate the Great Commission from other commands from Christ and from Old Testament teachings. Wax makes an enlightening point that in Matthew’s Gospel, the apostle embodies all of this, beginning with the listing of the lineage of Christ, with the narrative of Jesus’ earthly ministry, His death and resurrection, and concluding with His final instruction during His ascension into Heaven, which His followers now acknowledge as the Great Commission.
- Mississippi appealing
I wrote a couple of weeks ago, commending Mississippi lawmakers for coming up with its law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks gestation. Before the law came into effect, a district judge issued a restraining order, according to “The Weekly,” newsletter of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
“The Weekly” also reported Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant expected such a response and is planning to appeal. What I appreciate about this process is how it challenges the thought process of anyone who hears about this significant act with the purpose of not only ending abortion but making it become unthinkable.
The practice of slavery in America did not end with immediate action. Ending the practice of abortion is following a lengthy path as well. But this is how those who value the sanctity of life are making a difference.
- California abortion law may crumble
On the opposite end of the scale in regards to legal action and pro-life issues, good news appears to be on the horizon as Baptist Press reported this week California’s law requiring pregnancy centers to promote abortion may be overturned.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, BP reported, “delivered the first strong blow against the law” during a March 20 hearing. Known to be the judge who offers the “swing vote” in controversial cases among the Supreme Court justices, Kennedy said this abortion law may be an “undue burden” on a pro-life pregnancy center.
Even Justice Sonia Sotomayor, well known to favor “left wing” perspectives, referred to a hypothetical case under the law’s enforcement being “burdensome and wrong.”
Of course, I have been told in the past to never gleam over early reports from the Supreme Court. Hopefully, though, this is an encouraging sign of what the Court may rule later this year.
- The chronicle on Keahbone’s clarification
My last two DHD topics are follow-up reports from last week. I mentioned a story I wrote for the Baptist Messenger on Pastor Mike Keahbone and church members from Cherokee Hills Baptist Church being involved with the Putnam City High School football team. The story is now online for perusal.
I appreciate Mike allowing me to present his side to what happened with the Freedom From Religion Institute and the Putnam City School District. You can also read about the great things God is doing through CHBC making friends with football players and helping meet needs.
- ‘I Can Only Imagine’ becomes a successful reality
Faith-based film I Can Only Imagine had a big opening weekend last week. What was reported to being a $7 million production drew more than $17 million on the movie’s early showings. Check out the report on Forbes.com and you can see a captured imagine from the movie of my friends Angela and Jason Lee sitting right behind the lead actor. Angela has the big grin while Jason appears to be asleep or in the Spirit.