Anti-Christian Hatred on ABC

For those that don’t know, Rosie O’Donnell is now on ABC’s “The View.” And she didn’t waste any time showing her true self. In a recent discussion about 9/11 and the Islamic Terrorists came this astounding statement:

“Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state,” O’Donnell said.

Amazing. She has no idea what Christianity is truly about. If you’d like to send an email to ABC, here’s the link.

Testing Forgiveness

I’m re-reading C. S. Lewis’ gem Mere Christianity. I highly recommend the book as the most logical and clear description that I’ve come across.

Today, I’m reading the chapter on Forgiveness, (Each chapter is just 4-5 pages; the whole book less than 200) and the following excerpt struck me.

The real test is this. Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, “Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,” or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in the process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see gray as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally, we shall insist on seeing everything—God and our friends and ourselves included—as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.

Isn’t this exactly how it is? From political groups, socio-economic groups, ethic groups down to even cliques in school. I say this to myself as much as to anyone else. It’s a dangerous thing hate. We all need to be on our toes against hate’s subtle lures.

The Difference Between Palestine and Isreal

Here’s a prime example where a picture is far more powerful (memorable?) than words. (via Kadnine)

Team Hoyt Video

Overcoming obstacles is part of the human spirit. Some have it in greater quantities than others. Some, like these people.

Why Does the World Hate the Jews?

I respect Ralph Dettwiler a great deal. He’s a basically a regular guy, a police officer. He’s certainly no preacher or Bible scholar but that hasn’t stopped him from researching the claims of the Bible. What he learned changed his life.

He runs a Yahoo! group called Thoughts to Ponder and puts out an article every so often. Each time I read one I’m impressed at his honesty. He doesn’t pull any punches or sugar coat things to “win friends and influence people.”

His latest piece, Why Does The World Hate the Jews and Israel? is very interesting. It’s one of those things that has always increased my faith that God exists as He is described in the Bible. For a group of people to be so persecuted throughout history and yet survive against all odds has to have a supernatural reason.

Does Hollywood See Christianity as Dangerous?

I’m sure some of you have heard about the chatter on Facing the Giants. It’s a football movie about a Christian high school team and their coach relying on their faith in God to help them face life’s challenges. The fuss is about whether the film deserves a “G” rating or the “PG” rating it was actually given.

The MPAA ratings board goes on record with, “Rated PG for some thematic elements.” I’m not really sure what that means, but some think that any movie that tries to positively communicate Christianity deserves a parental warning. Others speculate that it’s because the film has “football violence” and deals with topics like depression and infertility.

As I see it, the biggest issue is the lack of accountability on the part of those actually making these judgements. Who are these people? Other than the chairperson, they are completely unknown. Do they publish details on how these decision are made? Nope. Is there a recourse for those who feel their film has been incorrectly labeled? Uh uh.

Sounds like they’ve got something to hide, no?

Where Do You Go?

Where do you go when life turns tragic? When the unthinkable happens? When the nightmare turns out to be real?

I’ve always been disappointed by our human nature. When life is going well, we’re quick to pat ourselves on the back and take credit. When darkness creeps in we look for help from someone or something bigger than ourselves.

When Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts, learned that his 18-year-old son, James, had committed suicide, he knew where to turn. The same place he’d been turning his whole life. Take a few minutes to read this ESPN article on his life before and since. Then think about where you turn when the suffering begins.

History’s 100 Most Infuential People

I don’t know how a list like this can be made. I mean, how is he measuring influence? Who is Michael Hart anyway? Where’s the scoreboard?!? All I know is, if the Son of God comes in 3rd, somethings wrong with your: Religious Affiliation of History’s 100 Most Influential People.

And truthfully, isn’t 98th a bit low for Homer? I thought everyone loved The Simpsons?!?

Prince: Living a Contradiction

I was grabbing some Starbucks jolt and noticed that they were selling Prince’s new CD 3121. He’s always been such an intriguing character to me. (I love his inventiveness.) On one hand, he’s so obviously a sex addict that you have to feel sorry for the guy. That road doesn’t end well. But on the other hand, he’s repeatedly shown signs that his belief in God is very important to him.

Check these lyrics from a song on his new CD called Beautiful, Loved and Blessed:

Wake up
Ur beautiful, loved and blessed
Feel me? (I think I do)

When U found me I was just a piece of clay
I was 4mless, U gave me a new name
With the breath of life I now live abundantly
All I needed was the potter’s hand
And the blood on Calvary (that’s right)

But 2 much power (tell it)
Can can sometimes turn 2 shame
2 much desire
Sometimes makes U feel the same (come on)
But 4giveness is how U win the game
I begged 4 truth, now I know the truth
And that is when U came and said I was…

Beautiful, loved and blessed
I’m better than the day b4
Cause U made me confess that I am…
Beautiful, loved and blessed
When U’re free U’re really free indeed
All U gotta do is just plant the seed

A constant battle 2 stay ahead of the game
Is anybody famous when everybody wants fame?
Always trying 2 break U down
Thinkin’ that’ll raise ‘em up
I just wanna b happy
Come take this bitter cup from me

If I were ever 2 write my life story
I could truly say through all the pain and glory
I was just a piece of clay in need of the potter’s hand
Cause when U whispered in my ear
The words I so now understand, oh…

Beautiful, loved and blessed
I’m better than the day b4
Cause U made me confess that I am…
Beautiful, loved and blessed
When U’re free U’re really free indeed
All U gotta do is just plant the seed

Everything U made U said, “That’s good”
B4 the fall of man U said, “That’s good”
Everytime I walk in faith, that’s good
U let me see another day, that’s good
B4 the earth was made U said,
“Tamar, I will lead the way and U’ll go far”
Knowledge and understanding
Understanding is good
And when I wake up in the morning
All I hear in my hood is people saying that they’re…

Beautiful, loved and blessed
When U rescue me from the darkness
and our heart just must confess
Beautiful, loved and blessed
When U’re free U’re free indeed
All U gotta do is just plant the seed

Hey, hey, hey
Wake up it’s a new day
Hey, hey, hey
Wave Ur hands in the air and say
Hey, hey, hey
Wake up it’s a new day
Hey, hey, hey
Wave Ur hands in the air and say

Beautiful, loved and blessed
U rescued me from the darkness in the wilderness
But I am beautiful, loved and blessed
No matter what the challenge
I always pass the test

That’s what I am, beautiful
That’s what I am, beautiful
I don’t mean 2 put nobody down
Still I must confess that I am…
Beautiful, that’s what I am
That’s what I am
When U wanna give up, don’t cause U know
U always got a friend

That’s what I am, that’s what i am
Thats’ what I am
Beautiful, beautiful
That’s what I am, that’s what i am
Thats’ what I am
Beautiful, beautiful
oh yeah, oh yeah
Beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful, beautiful

While so many artists these days live on the surface of things, it’s good to hear some deeper thoughts. I just wonder how he justifies his other “side” to the Creator.

I’m reminded of a song called Temptation from Around the World in a Day. Here’s the closing.

Temptation
I’m not talkin’ about just ordinary temptation, people. I’m talking
about the kind of temptation that’ll make U do things.
Oh, oh, temptation.
Oh, darling, I can almost taste the wetness between your…
temptation, temptation
I’m not talking about any ol’ kind of temptation, people, I’m talkin’
about, I’m talkin’ about… sexual temptation.
A lover
I need a lover, a lover, I need a…right now.
U, I want U.
I want U in the worst way.
I want U.

“Oh, silly man, that’s not how it works.
You have 2 want her 4 the right reasons.”

I do!

“U don’t, now die!”

No! No!

Let me go, let me go.

I’m sorry.
I’ll be good.
This time I promise,
Love is more important than sex.
Now I understand.
I have 2 go now.
I don’t know when I’ll return.
Good-bye

If nothing else, Prince is real. I can only applaud his honesty and pray that he’ll someday have the strength to let God help him become the man He intended.

Today’s Rebellion: Religion

My, how the times have changed. If the premise of God is the new drug of choice for today’s young rebels is true, I couldn’t feel any more like the proverbial “old guy.”

But notice how the story puts Islam and Christianity on nearly even footing? For many, one religion is a good as another. That whole, “all roads lead to heaven” mindset, however unfounded. I am always perturbed by this illogical line of thinking.

It makes good sense to investigate all the major belief systems. Then, once thoroughly satisfied, each of us bets our eternal destination on whichever one rings true. No one whould just pick up the first faith that falls in your lap. It’s the king of all huge decisions. If today’s kids are adopting a faith merely to “state their independance” or “throw it in Mom’s face,” I believe they’re missing the whole point of faith in the first place.

Making Faith Relevant

I just read a great quote from author, John R. W. Stott:

“… what I believe to be one of the major tragedies in the Church today. Namely, that evangelicals are biblical, but not
contemporary, while liberals are contemporary but not biblical, and almost nobody is building bridges and relating the biblical text to the modern context. In fact, authentic Christian preaching is a bridge-building operation. It is always struggling to relate God’s ancient word to the ever-changing world of today. Our calling is to be faithful to the biblical text and sensitive to the modern context. We must never sacrifice either tothe other.”

Well said. It recalls a similar quote from my own pastor, Bob Russell:

“Maintain the message. Modify the method.”

Good communication isn’t the sole province of adverstising agencies but they certainly have a leg up on the rest of us.

The DaVinci Phenomenon

The buzz behind the DaVinci code has been intense, to say the least. When Speilberg wants to make a movie based on your book, you know it’s big. Sites have popped up all over to “get in on” the craze. The DaVinci Code Discussed is a great site for serious investigators about the concepts in the book.

Now, there seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding among many concerning this book. I believe this misunderstanding is also purposefully promoted, to garner additional interest. While Jesus Christ did, in fact, live and die most of Dan Brown’s book is made up of pieces of myth mixed in with a portion of popular culture. It’s truly fiction. But many believe the book to be based in truth. Therein lies the rub.

So where to turn for accurate analysis? Typing “DaVinci” at Amazon returns 765 results. Most of that are piggy-backers trying to cash in on the phenomenon. I say, when looking to learn about the Bible, listen to the most respected Bible scholars. Josh McDowell is one of those scholars. In college, Josh was an athiest pursuing a degree in law. Along the way, he thought to disprove the claims of Christianity through intensive, objective research. What he found changed his mind. He documented his findings in Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

Now he’s releasing another book that examines the DaVinci Code. This book is called The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers. As a piece of fiction, Brown’s book is entertaining and even thought-provoking. Just don’t take it as Gospel.

Update: Right on cue comes common-sense writer, Ralph Dettwiler, to address some of the specific deceptions within DaVinci. And you don’t even have to buy a book! ;^)

Sacred Ink

Take a look a few tatted-up individuals tell their story. Great stuff. There should be more sites like this where people let their loves and interests lead them to others with similar outlooks.

Case Against Rahman Dropped

Word today comes that the case against Rahman has been dropped (for now) due to lack of evidence. That’s a sham, because Abdul went on record saying he had become a Christian. What actually happened is that the Afghan government decided it wasn’t worth the damage to their image.

This is wonderful news but the issue is far from over. Truly, as long as most Muslims hold that for anyone to believe anything other than their faith deserves death, we’ll have dispute, violence and chaos in our future.

We should keep Rahman, and all those persecuted for their faith, in our prayers as the Muslim clerics have vowed to see him dead.

Abdul Rahman Speaks

More common sense talk from Tony Perkins:

Reports from Kabul quote Afghan officials saying a Christian convert might not be sentenced to death. Abdul Rahman must be insane, they say, and Islam is compassionate toward the mentally ill. Such talk is itself unbalanced. Contrast it with the quiet dignity of Rahman himself. He told BBC: “I am not an infidel or a fugitive. I am a Christian. If they want to sentence me to death, I accept that.” Who cannot be moved by such courage and commitment? Rahman is being held in a prison where the guards threaten his life. “We will cut him in little pieces,” one of them told Western journalists. President Bush raised the issue in his Wheeling, West Virginia speech yesterday. The President said he was “deeply troubled” and pledged to do everything he could to protect Rahman. This is welcome news. Also to be commended is the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). I had criticized their lack of response, but now CAIR has publicly called for Abdul Rahman’s release and said that the Koran supports religious freedom. Who should appreciate religious liberty more than American Muslims? When Cassius Clay and Lew Alcindor converted to Islam and became Muhammad Ali and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, other religions did not threaten them with death. To the contrary they were blessed tremendously by the freedoms they enjoyed in this country. This is a fundamental test of civilization.

What’s happening is wrong on so many levels.