Drew Magary, of the magazine GQ, conducted an interview recently with A&E's Duck Dynasty star and family patriarch Phil Robertson. Since the article was published, a firestorm of controversy arose because of the Duck Commander's more controversial statements. They have been labeled as bigoted and hateful, if not downright ignorant, by some and a bona fide first amendment right by others. Some want to make him the poster child for Christianity while others want to distance him from their faith entirely. Some are prepared to boycott A&E for his suspension while others actively called for just such a decisive act for such comments.
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On September 24th of this year, Kirk Cameron released a film--complete with a live event intro from Liberty University featuring speakers, Mandisa, Warren Barfield, and Kirk himself--entitled UNSTOPPABLE. For quite some time, I've been following the Southern California-based ministries Kirk and Ray Comfort head, television program Way of The Master and video-/curriculum- based training through the School of Biblical Evangelism. I've watched/listened to and thoroughly enjoyed the ministry's several films (visit site to purchase or click on links to watch: 180, Evolution vs. God, Genius) and teachings from Kirk and Ray, followed the Way of The Master program and used various clips from the shows in youth meetings to great reaction, and now intend to utilize the training program at the church to teach believers how to clearly and confidently witness to people of any intelligence level. Listening to the messages, watching the videos, and being convicted by the Holy Spirit as He speaks through these men and their work has made a profound impact on me spiritually. I have NO DOUBT AT ALL that God is richly blessing ministries and lives for the kingdom of God, I am one of them, and for that I am eternally grateful! Over this next series of blog posts, I'm going to be addressing the beating hearts of others as we come face to face with who God has revealed Himself to be in the Bible (what Christians believe to be the inspired Word of God). Some of the posts may be encouraging and uplifting while others will be disheartening and feel very much like attacks to those who trust in Jesus. I'm okay with that. The story of God is not always black and white--not in the scriptures, and not in our lives--but often colored in subtle shades of identity. I want to examine some of those subtle shades and give breath to some of the most troubling questions we have about God. Even if you're not convinced there is a God, you deserve to be heard and I want to know what you think and how you got there. We all have a perspective, we all come at the question of "If God..." from a very specific place. It's my hope to address some of those places, and the idea came to me here. In Genesis 20:1-7, we read: You and I are in pursuit of something. If you don't see this in yourself (and others), you will continually be frustrated and fail in communicating with those who mean the most to you. That is POINT # 1. But it goes deeper too. It's been said there are only two kinds of people in this world, only two kinds of people that determine the shape of our world and the experiences in it. These two kinds of people are needed, but it's the structure that's so important. What are these two kinds of people? If you haven't already guessed: An article by Children's Hospital Boston may shed some much-needed light on the frustrations many parents deal with when it comes to their children. I encourage you to read the article for yourself, but for those suffering from a time crunch, I'll summarize some major points here: The entertainment world--CBS execs and the writers for the popular sitcom Two And A Half Men in particular--recently experienced the second of two major rifts within the show's performer's. The first was affectionately referred to as a "me" battle when then-star Charlie Sheen and writer Chuck Lorry came to verbal blows. The second is when Angus T. Jones recently came out of the closet. The new pope has caused quite a stir with this morning's homily, creating a 'news' and blogging frenzy. I'm going to join that now and ask for you to weigh in... which you can actually do below without joining up on this site! Please, do leave your thoughts, comments, and rants below! I was first turned on to this article--Pope Francis Says Atheists Who Do Good Are Redeemed, Not Just Catholics--by a friend on Facebook. Okay, I'm intrigued. And yes, I know many would say, "you don't go to the Huffington Post for matters of theology, David!" and to that I can only respond with a chuckle and a quote from the original Greek text of 1 Obvious 3:8: "Duh." But you have to admit, that's a hook of a title that had me reading the article as I prepared for the day. When someone sneezes... When you part company with another... When a new friend gives you the one-finger salute on the highway... When do people most often say, "God bless you?" When do you say it? When you say/hear it, what is involved? What are you really asking for on behalf of the other person? Are you really seeking their blessing, and what would it look like, especially if all they did was sneeze? To my own mothers--Barbara Clinkscales & Delia Cruceru--and the most amazing woman and mother our children could ever hope to have--Rebeca Clinkscales--I say a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day. I am so blessed to have each of you in my life and, in numerous and newly discovered ways, your value grows with the passage of time. In preparation for my first (ever?) Mother's Day sermon, I have struggled with the best way to both honor all of our mothers while keeping the focus of our Sunday worship where it belongs: on Jesus. In the process I learned something I didn't intend to, & share it here. How would you finish that statement? Would there be someone in your life you would say it to, or maybe a great morning mirror affirmation before you take the day by the "horns?" I may be alone on this one, but I can't think of a single person on this earth that I would say, "It's all about you" to. In the context of a conversation or some other activity I could devote all that time and attention to them. But anything more sweeping would seem a little, well... forced. The title of this post is actually from a popular worship song. Maybe you've heard it, maybe you haven't. If you have heard it, how does it end? What is "it" all about, and what is "it?" Read the lyrics for yourself below and answer those questions. |
AuthorI write to remember the lessons I learn as a Man, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Pastor, and Friend. As I come to grips with the blackness within me, I am more appreciative of God's grace-filled grip. We all change in the seasons of life. This is my deep well... Archives
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