B-log

(note: I originally wrote this in 1993, shortly after I became a follower of Jesus. The fun discovery is that it dates the event of my salvation, which I had not remembered that I had ever recorded!)

Many times I picked up the book, read a paragraph or two and set it down without a second thought.  I found the literature to be interesting, but cumbersome with its details and difficult language.  Using these and other excuses as my rationale, I set the book aside, and instead devoted my attention to other, more “contemporary” authors.  All the while, this book and its author waited patiently for me to return to it.  Years went by and the book gathered dust, but still within reach, knowing that I someday would read the book in a way that I never before had thought possible.

Then it happened.  A series of events took place that changed my life.  On January 10, 1993, I turned my back on the life I had led for 21 years and opened the book I had spent so long avoiding. This time it would be different. Before, its gold-stamped title had intimidated me. Now, the words Holy Bible beckoned me, invited me. There was something about those two words that effused authority and reliability that compelled me to, for the first time, “dig in.”

As soon as I first opened the Bible with an intent to read for comprehension, I was overwhelmed with its content.  I didn’t know any better than to just begin at the beginning. From the first sentence, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” I was captivated. This single assertion confronted and refuted the worldview I had come to casually adopt. I had grown up with a generalized, safely-within-a-box view of God. I may have acknowledge a belief that God was real and even that God was the Creator, but that mental assent was never subject to real scrutiny, and in the pervasiveness of evolutionary teaching/indoctrination, I never thought too deeply on the matter. Yet, now, here in print staring me in the face…I was compelled to explore further.

As I read on and Genesis gave way to Leviticus, and the Law gave way to the Prophets, and as the Old Testament gave way to the New Testament and the Gospels and the Epistles and ultimately the Revelation, I found many passages to be relevant to my life and applicable to my personal situations.  I felt like the author had written the book expressly for me.  A passage out of the book of Psalms summarized my experience of reading the Bible:  “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path” (119:105).

Surely, I had many questions. I highlighted things I didn’t understand. I made a decision early on, though, that the presence of a question mark in my thinking was not the indication of a stop sign. Instead, it was a green light to keep reading, keep learning, keep growing.

In learning about the Bible, I found the book’s history to be as amazing as the stories within its covers.  While Tolstoy may have written War and Peace in 5 to 10 years, the writing of the Bible took over 1500 years to complete.  The stories within the Bible cover more than 4000 continuous years of history. The Bible stands alone in literary achievement.  

The Bible is easily the most accessible book in the world.  Regardless of the hotel at which you may be staying in North America, when you open that desk drawer, the Bible will be nestled in the corner, waiting to be opened.  No other book has been printed as widely, translated as worldly, and studied more thoroughly.

 Authorship of the Bible is another factor of the book’s writing that is unparalleled in literary history.  Books that require a corroboration of two or three or even a dozen authors are usually considered authoritative.  Proportionately, then, the Bible is indisputable in its assertions.  During the fifteen-plus centuries it took to complete the Bible, sixty generations of people came and went, and 36 authors completed its text.

These authors were no literary giants, either.  Their occupations ranged from tax collector to physician to professional fishermen to tentmakers.  Other authors were kings, musicians, farmers, servants, gatekeepers, poets, and carpenters.  Not only did the authors have widely varied backgrounds, they had little or no knowledge of the others’ existence and writings.  In some instances, the authors themselves were in the dark as to the meaning of their own words.  Evidence of this fact comes from the first book of Peter:

“…the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted …” (1:10,11). 

Despite all of the authors’ disparities of time, social and political status, and financial standing, the words of the Bible are unified in its theme and reflect an evidence of God’s individual authorship.   

As I sit here typing on a computer, the authors were afforded no such luxury.  Moses contributed his five books while leading a population of oppressed people from the Egyptians across the desert.  The apostle Paul wrote epistles while imprisoned by the Romans for being a Christian.  The words of the Bible were written on reed plant, animal skins, stone, clay, wood, metal, pottery and other materials.  The authors wrote God’s words on whatever surface possible, often facing persecution and martyrdom for completing their assigned task.

Neither the Bible’s history nor its number of printings would be relevant if it weren’t for the content of the book.  Within its pages are dramas, books of laws, “how-to” books, counseling books, action/adventures, epic love stories, mysteries, poetry, songs, history books, parables, and prophesies.  In fact, the only genre not represented in the Bible is fiction.  

Two of the many stories in the Bible hold special meaning for me.  The first tale is found in 1st and 2nd Samuel in the Old Testament.  Deep in the valley of Elah, the men of Israel were struggling in a heated battle with the Philistines.  From the back of the Philistine formation strode Goliath, the giant of the army.  He challenged any Israelite to fight him one on one.

As the Israelites cowered in fear, the Philistines marched forward, claiming more and more land as their own.  Finally, the young lad David, in the valley only to deliver supplies to his older brothers, stepped forward to meet Goliath in the center of the valley.  Calling upon the name of God, David drew five rounded stones from the ground and prepared for Goliath’s attack.  As the giant drew near, David drew the first stone in his sling, spun the small weapon over his head, and cast it toward his opponent.  David’s stunning victory over Goliath instantly crushed the will of the Philistines.

Though minute details may differ, nearly everybody can recount this story, whether or not they be “people of faith.” But this is just the beginning of David’s story.  David proceeded to become the most popular and most powerful king that Israel had ever seen.  Even so, the complete story of King David is not filled with victory and success.  For example, David, once king, sees a beautiful lady named Bathsheba from the rooftop of his home and decides he must have her for his own.  After learning that she is married, he sends off her husband to the front lines of his army to be killed.  David impregnates her and later marries her once she is widowed.  Their deeds do not go unpunished, and their son dies at an early age.

I value the story of David because I am able to apply the lessons that David learned to my own life.  I find it comforting when I witness God forgiving David for his mistakes in life and still accomplishing great things through him.  David’s story provides me with encouragement and a peace of mind in the assurance of God’s grace.

The second story is not only the most popular from the Bible, it is easily the most important.  The story of Jesus Christ, regardless of the number of times that I read it, moves me like no other story every written.  Every one of the 66 books has a name for Jesus Christ from which I can apply to how He affects my life.  I can read four different, but agreeing Gospels of the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).  The authors of the Bible account for His blameless life, and his willingness to die for the sins of the world.  In the book of Revelation, I read about His foretelling of the cataclysmic encounter with Satan, His assurances of victory, and His promises to return to all who call upon His name.

I realize that a lot of what was just written may alienate many readers, because they don’t see all of this when they read the Bible.  I understand because I’ve been there.  I was making God convenient to my life.  Convincing myself that my lifestyle was justifiable to God.  He was never a factor in my life.

As soon as I accepted that He was my King, things changed. Once I turned control of my life over to Jesus, I read the book with a new perspective.  Now I open the Bible, knowing that the words were authored by God, as inspired through others.  I know that He will not lead me astray as He fulfills His promises.  In the Bible, God gives me assistance on everything from finance to romance, from family disputes to neighborly disputes.  He has trained me to listen for His voice, to follow His guidance.

I don’t expect everybody to agree with me.  I hope that at some point in life, the skeptic will open the Bible, considering that the words in the Bible are more than just words.  I took a risk and tried it once, and my life has never been the same since. I have a peace of mind that before was missing. “Strongholds” that once controlled me no longer do, because He satisfies me with His love and grace.  I believe the Bible is more than just words.  These words of the Bible are the Gospel, God’s good news for His people.  I know this; in fact, I stake my life on it.

from my archives:

40 PROBLEM WORDS AND PHRASES

• And also - This is often redundant.
• And/or - Outside of the legal world, most of the time this construction is used, it is neither necessary nor logical. Try using one word or the other.
• As to whether - The single word whether will suffice. 
• Basically, essentially, totally - These words seldom add anything useful to a sentence. Try the sentence without them and, almost always, you will see the sentence improve.
• Being that/being as - These words are a non-standard substitute for because. [Being that] Because I was the youngest child, I always wore hand-me-downs.
• Considered to be - Eliminate the to be and, unless it’s important who’s doing the considering, try to eliminate the entire phrase.
• Due to the fact that - Using this phrase is a sure sign that your sentence is in trouble. Did you mean because? Due to is acceptable after a linking verb (The team’s failure was due to illness among the stars.); otherwise, avoid it.
• Each and every - One or the other, but not both.
• Equally as - Something can be equally important or as important as, but not equally as important.
  Etc. - This word often suggests a kind of laziness. It might be better to provide one more example to suggest that you could have written more, but chose not to.
• He/she is a convention created to avoid gender bias in writing, but it doesn’t work very well and it becomes downright obtrusive if it appears often. Use he or she or pluralize (where appropriate) so you can avoid the problem of the gender-specific pronoun altogether.
• Firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc. Number things with first, second, third, etc. and not with these adverbial forms.
• Got - Many writers regard “got” as an ugly word, and they have a point. If you can avoid it in writing, do so. I have [got to] must begin studying right away. I have [got] two pairs of sneakers.
• Had ought/hadn’t ought. Eliminate the auxiliary had. You hadn’t ought not to pester your sister that way. Ugh, hillbilly language.
• Interesting - One of the least interesting words in English, the word you use to describe an ugly baby. If you show us why something is interesting, you’re doing your job.
• In terms of - See if you can eliminate this phrase. It’s usually wordy, redundant, or simply not needed.
• Irregardless - No one word will get you in trouble with the boss faster than this one.
• Kind of or sort of. These are OK in informal situations, but in formal academic prose, substitute somewhat, rather or slightly. We were [kind of] rather pleased with the results.
• Literally - This word might be confused with literarily, a seldom used adverb relating to authors or scholars and their various professions. Usually, though, if you say it’s “literally a jungle out there,” you probably mean figuratively, but you’re probably better off without either word.
• Lots/ lots of - In academic prose, avoid these colloquialisms when you can use many or much. Remember, when you do use these words, that lots of something countable are plural. Remember, too, that a lot of requires three words: “He spent a lot of money” (not alot of).
• Just - Use only when you need it, as in just the right amount.
• Nature - See if you can get rid of this word. Movies of a violent nature are probably just violent movies. Avoid wordiness and awkward phrasing wherever possible.
• Necessitate - It’s hard to imagine a situation that would necessitate the use of this word.
• Of - Don’t write would of, should of, could of when you mean would have, should have, could have.
• On account of - Use because instead.
• Only - Look out for placement. Don’t write “He only kicked that ball ten yards” when you mean “He kicked that ball only ten yards.” It’s called a misplaced modifier and has kept red pencils down to the nub for years:-)
• Orientate - The new students become oriented, not orientated. The same thing applies to administrate — we administer a project.
• Per - Use according to instead. We did it per your instructions? Naah. (This word is used frequently in legal language and in technical specifications, where it seems to be necessary and acceptable.)
• Plus - Don’t use this word as a conjunction. Use and instead.
• Point in time - Redundant: forget it! At this time or at this point or now will do the job.
• Previous as in “our previous discussion.” Use earlier or nothing at all.
• So as to - Usually, a simple to will do.
• Suppose to, use to. The hard “d” sound in supposed to and used to disappears in pronunciation, but it shouldn’t disappear in spelling. “We used to do that” or “We were supposed to do it this way.”
• The reason why is because. Deja vu all over again! Redundant, awkward, and incorrect.
• Thru - This nonstandard spelling of through should not be used in academic prose. Same goes for nite. Use night.
• ‘Til - Don’t use this word instead of until or till, even in bad poetry.
• Try and - Don’t try and do something. Try to do something.
• Thusly - Use thus or therefore instead.
• Utilize - Don’t use this word where use would suffice. (Same goes for utilization.)
• Very, really, quite (and other intensifiers) - Like basically, these words seldom add anything useful. Try the sentence without them and see if it improves.

Now, go and write better.

Here’s the manuscript for the message I shared at the memorial of my dear friend, Chris LeFevre. Please be sure to read the postscript at the end.

***

As with many of you, I am proud to say that Chris was my friend. I met Chris when, in the 4^th grade, my family moved, which caused me to switch schools from East Elementary to Sunset Elementary. Somehow, I linked up with Troy & Chris. Their epic foot race to determine the fastest kid at Sunset Elementary had already been run, and they had formed a friendship alliance that never wavered. In a lot of ways, I could have been the “third wheel,” but to their credit, they welcomed me in and we all became close friends.

My early memories of Chris include him always having the newest, coolest video games but always being willing to let us play. We’d pile up in his bedroom, loading up his waterbed and taking turns playing games. Gramma (Dorothy) was worried we were going to make that bed burst, but Chris always made sure we emptied our pockets of pencils, forks, sticks, knives, or anything sharp.

In Middle school, his lunches always included Pringles and Beef Jerky. Somehow, this exotic cuisine made him the envy of everyone. Chris shrewdly negotiated for the best food in the lunchroom using these precious commodities.

Chris was always one of the fastest kids in the class, but I remember that Chris hurt his knees and had to have surgery. And rather than it sidelining him, after his surgeries, he’d hobble out to the football fields in his leg brace and crutches and play defensive line, batting down the passes of the other team during our lunchtime games.

As we got older, the memories are ironically a little more vague but a lot more precious. Too many weekends to count, we all were together…Bevr with Meaty, Rusty, Brad, Rollie, Fred, and myself. We always knew how to find a good time…out at Shad’s house, Amy’s property, sometimes it was a hotel room, or some stranger’s residence, sometimes out on the rocks behind my house. I now understand that it wasn’t the location…it was the company. And those times, no matter where we were, they were always filled with laughter. Simply put, those days were carefree and perfect.

The years passed and we grew up. And as we all know, growing up means that days are no longer carefree, and once they are no longer carefree, they are rarely perfect. Despite it all his own difficulties and trials, Chris remained a loving husband, a dedicated father, a professional worker, and a good friend. And in this moment, it has encouraged my heart to know that throughout his life, Chris retained those incredible characteristics that caused everyone to quickly become his friend and want to spend time with him. All of us were better…richer…blessed for having Chris in our lives.

It has been said that memorials such as this are for the living. And we know that to be true even as we gather today to reconcile our own emotions and grief. We have come together to look back and reflect on the beautiful life of Chris…who was a husband, a dad, a son, a grandson, a nephew, an uncle, a co-worker, and a friend. But we also look forward looking for hope as we try to figure out what life is supposed to look like with this sudden void, this unexpected hole in our lives that is here because of Chris’s death.

This time is bittersweet because with his passing, every one of us is confronted with our own mortality. And in the perspective of the reality of our mortality, we come face to face with what we believe about life and death. We all come to our beliefs differently. Some of us form our beliefs internally…we build opinions about certain matters that we hold dear,opinions that are shaped by our own experiences, perceptions, or dispositions. Other of us have beliefs that are shaped by external sources - outside factors that influence or even change our opinions because they offer objective considerations that we hadn’t previously taken in to account. 

In a crowd like this, we likely have many different beliefs and I won’t presume that you necessarily believe what I believe. And that’s okay. What I want to share with you briefly from an external source that has not changed in its history. This source is the Bible, and this resource makes the audacious claim that it accurately declares what God wants you to know about himself. In sharing this with you, I am praying that you will have fresh hope about God’s love for Chris, and just as importantly, God’s love for you.

I want you to know is that God is very concerned that you believe the right things…about him, about yourself, and about his love for you.  There is a book of the Bible called “John” that was written specifically for this purpose. In fact, in Chapter 20, verse 31, which is at the end of the book, John writes, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

God wants you to believe the right things about Jesus, and that by doing so…you may have life in his name.

That’s a pretty huge thing…this “life in his name,” that you can really only appreciate if you know what John’s talking about. Thankfully, he explains it at the beginning of the book that he wrote. And that’s the second thing I want to share with you…God wants you to believe in Jesus as the source of true, everlasting life.

Here’s what the Scripture says in the very first chapter of John, in verse 12: “But to all who did receive Jesus, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

To recap: God wants you to believe in Jesus so that you can have life, and also, that in doing so, you can relate to God as his much beloved child.

There’s a lot of confusion about Jesus today, and I don’t want to presume that you know the real deal. He’s misrepresented a lot. So I want you to know that Jesus was never confused about himself, no matter what you have heard. Here’s just a little of what he said about himself…these are all recorded from the book of John:

• Whoever believes in the son has eternal life. (3:36)
• Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (5:24) 
• Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (11:24-25) 
• I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. (12:46) 
• “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (14:1) 

Do you see that God wants you to “get this?” He wants you to understand. He wants you to believe, so that you may live.  In fact, he summarizes it in John 3:16, which may be the most popular verse in all the Bible:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

You see…it’s not about church.  It’s not about money. It’s not even about religion. It’s not about doing enough “good things,” or staying away from enough “bad things.” From God’s perspective, it’s all about believing the right things about Jesus, in terms of trusting in God and depending on God and staking your life on God because he loves you and he wants you to live as his child…because he loves you.

 Friends, this is the best message of hope that I have because it is the greatest message of hope available. God loves you. He wants you to believe in him and his love for you shown through Jesus.

 Chris and I never had a conversation about belief. My hope is that Chris had this beautiful belief in God. And I can tell you with great certainty that if Chris could speak one word to you right now, that word would be “Believe!” I am certain that Chris would not want you to leave here today without this matter settled in your spirit. I’m convinced because of what I know about God and what I know about Chris that he would not want you to leave here today in either doubt or unbelief. Because Chris loves you and because God loves you, the most hopeful, hope-filled thing you could do is to believe in Jesus.

We all came in here at different points but we are at a common crossroad…a decision point about whether or not to believe. For some of you, you already believe this, and I’ve affirmed what you already believed. For others, this is new…perhaps completely contradictory to what you’ve believed until now. Some of you will resist or reject this message of hope and hold on to what you currently believe. I understand that and I respect that. Others of you, though, have heard this message of hope and have a change of mind about what you believe. I encourage you to believe your new beliefs and doubt your old doubts, rather than doubting your beliefs and believing your doubts. Believe that God loves you. Hold on to that belief with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, all your strength.

 From this common crossroad, we will move forward in our own directions. We will hold Chris in our thoughts and warmly regard him in our hearts. We will cherish our beautiful perfect moments…the camping and fishing trips, the campfire laughter, his generous spirit and easy, contagious grin. While we all wish we could pause at a perfect moment and remain there, time marches ever forward, and we move forward with it, hopefully with fresh hope and new believe in the overwhelming love of God.

My prayer for each of you is that you will remember Chris at his best, that you will be quick and gracious to forgive him wherever forgiveness is needed, that you will take the time to thank God for the time you were blessed to spend with Chris, and that you will embrace the belief that God loves you with a deep, wide, vast, immeasurable eternal love and is calling out to you even today to live in that love and believe.

***

On Sunday after the memorial, I received an email from Chris’s aunt. She wrote:

I wanted to fill you in too that I didn’t have a “spiritual’ conversation with Chris per se, but when he was in South Fork, when things were really falling apart with Jenny, I talked to him on the phone and encouraged him to get in touch with someone at a church who could minister to him & listen, & give him HOPE. He followed through and a couple guys came over. He later told me, he accepted Christ and within the same week or so got baptized. He did in fact believe and was saved.

God is great in his love, grace and mercy. His saving grace was sufficient the exact moment that Chris first believed. God’s mercy is greater that Chris’s worst decision and lowest point. Nothing can separate Chris from God’s love…not the events of December 17, nor nothing forevermore. Because of God’s awesome love, Chris is alive now and forever in the presence of God, through his simple faith in Jesus as Lord.

I really like the word surreptitious, despite its negative meaning. It’s one of those neat words that just rolls off the tongue, and it sounds exactly like what it means. You’re almost compelled to say it in a whisper. On the linguistic fast-food menu, the word is a veritable Big Mac, with two all-beef plosive patties amidst the soft whole grain sesame-seed triple fricative buns, not to mention the lettuce, tomato, pickles & cheese of the vowels, which takes a speaker from close-back to close-mid-front to close-front to open-mid front all in one word. And then there’s the special sauce variable triphthong, if your dialect so inflects.

Clearly, this post was just for me. Thanks for bearing with me as I plumb the depths of my dorkitude.

The calendar turned. I went to sleep in 2011, and woke up at 2012. 

My thoughts:

• Maybe the fireworks everywhere mean something a little more than in most years.  
• I’ve never seen so much of a sense that 2011 was a bad year.
• 2011 was a good year for me, my family. Unemployment ended. New door to serve opened. Much prayer was answered. My faith is deeper, wider, stronger because of 2010-2011. 
• Two of my high school classmates died in 2011. I’m saddened that they will miss so much of life that goes on for their children and other loved ones.
• The United States of America is really pretty amazing. There is such an expectation of hope for 2012. I don’t know if it is political, economic, social or what…but people generally think things are going to be better this year than it was last year.
• Is that a global phenomenon, as well?
• I will be 40 years old this year. How ‘bout that?
• My children turn 15, 13, and 10 this year. Good googlymoogly.
• We miss being near family and Texas friends, but we had such a long time to prepare for our transition that it helped make it easier. And God was so gracious to our children…they transitioned incredibly well and made lots of new friends.
• I heard a song this morning that said something along the lines that God is more real in the pain and need and the waiting. That was our experience in 2011.
• I believe that since God orchestrated the events to bring me and my family to Arizona, it would be foolish of me not to obey him in the little things he calls me to now that I’m here. It’d be like driving across the country to get to a destination, but deciding not to get out of the car once I arrived.
• My analogies will get better as the year progresses…I’m pretty sure of it.
• There’s prophecies that the world will end this year…and plenty of naysayers who think the world will continue in perpetuity. I believe the world will end…someday. Whether it happens this year or long after I’m dead (hopefully many years from now), there’s nothing I can do to change it, so I’m just going to make the most of it.
• I’m encouraged beyond words to meet each week the thousands of people who call Scottsdale Bible Church “home,” because they demonstrate that they are earnestly seeking God. The conversations I share challenge me and grow me. 
• I’m continually learning that love is this miraculous resource that God gives us expressly to give away liberally to others. You never run out of it. You never even run low on it. Perhaps best of all, the more you give away, the more full you feel.
• I’ve never been so full of love, though, that I’ve wanted to stop giving it away.
• This causes me to marvel at the love that God has for every one of us…and for each one of us.
• There’s no shortage of people desperately in need of love.

This one revisits the infamous story of American juvenile delinquent gets caned. And yet another OJ SImpson trial shout out.

July 5, 1994 Reaction Paper #3

      The entire country took notice when the teenager Michael Fay was sentenced to six swats with a bamboo cane for vandalizing automobiles in Singapore.  The U.S. government stepped in, imploring the Singapore government to not cane the boy.  The press was there every step of the way, getting reaction from Fay’s home town, speaking with Singapore citizens, and even analyzing the caning process by speaking to former caning recipients.

      The sentence was reduced to four hits, and Fay was punished for his crime.  Upon returning to America, Fay and his father both stated that they had no interest in speaking about the situation any further, that they only wanted to put the past behind them.

      Accordingly, I was a bit surprised when I turned on the radio the other night and heard the two men speaking with Rick Roberts of KOA radio.   They were on the air to profess young Michael’s innocence.  He claimed that his confession was coerced after long hours of inhumane treatment.  I was not able to listen to the entire show, but before I turned it off, I heard Roberts promote upcoming segments with allegations of U.S. intervention and the Fays’ plans for marketing this story.

I write all of this to speak about privacy.  It may be naïve of me to say this, but I do believe that the media were willing to grant his privacy after his return to the states.  I am guessing that the Fay family saw a dollar amount that they could obtain by re-introducing this story to the public.  By adding some spice and empty threats (they claim that they are going to sue the Singapore government), they hoped to create some interest in their pathetic situation.  So I suppose we should give them some credit, because they were able to find some.

People may or may not be sick of the story, but I definitely think that the media should not be blamed for an invasion of privacy.  The Fay’s volunteered to give up their privacy for this situation.  Several editors decided that there might be a new angle to this story and covered it.  The press is not at fault for this story. 

What concerns me about all of this is how the private citizen seems to want to forsake privacy for exposure.  Ronald Goldman’s mom recently held a press conference lambasting the press for not giving her more coverage.  She cited the L.A. papers for not even mentioning her presence in the city.  She claimed by not giving her exposure, the press was issuing an “implied” libelous statement that she had no regard for the murder of her own son.

Not only do I think this is ludicrous, but also very scary.

It appears that the press needs to worry about the consequences for respecting an individual’s privacy as well as invading it.  The gray line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior seems to get fuzzier when accepted norms suddenly become inherently “implied” libelous.  If this woman continues to mount the soapbox to criticize the press, how many new situations will appear, claiming that the press’ silence damaged their reputation.

With people like the Fays and Goldman’s mother around, it continues to get more and more risky to be an agent of the press. 

New Discovery: These first papers were a series of “reactions” to the events of the OJ Simpson trial for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson & Ronald Goldman, for the Ethics in Journalism class I was taking.

New Concern: Did I actually believe OJ was innocent? Certainly not…

***

Reaction Paper #2

      With all that seems to be going on surrounding the O.J. Simpson case, I would be remiss if I did not address it.  Since it continues to be a perfect example of many of the ethical issues that we discuss, I will continue to use it to my own advantage.

      We discussed libel in the classroom, and you mentioned that Simpson most likely would not bring forth libel charges if he is found to be innocent.  I definitely understand the logic behind why he would not want to do so, but I think it is a tragedy that the media is not being held accountable for the stories they present as the truth.  The class seemed to determine that it was not viable to fine the offending news source for publicizing faulty reports.  I don’t understand why that cannot be the case, especially in this situation.  If the press is going to the measures that they have, it can be little disputed that it is affecting the public opinion.  If the station that leaked the “existence” of the ski mask were forced to recant its story at the top of the newscast and publicly apologize for their error, then public perception may become more willing to wait until the trial to convict Simpson.

      Surfing over the channels on Friday night, I found myself repulsed to a new depth when I saw one of the tabloid shows dramatizing the Simpson’s saga.  They played heavily on the speculative issues and little on the known facts.  When I got over my shock at what I was watching, I thought about what I had witnessed. When the media produces these dramatizations, the viewer may gain feeling that they are watching reality.  If, in this reproduction, Simpson actually commits the murders, his goose is cooked when it comes to the trial.

      I suppose I am saying all of this to summarize that the media has become the victim of their own manipulation.  In a desperate effort to produce a story, they lost their integrity.  Their desperation may have cost the man his chance and a fair trial.

      Now, though, the defense is using the media to manipulate the public with hopes of fostering sympathy.   The poor ethical decisions of the reporters have resulted in the focus of the story becoming a bit fuzzy.  The prosecuting attorney is now facing backlash because of his release of the 911 tapes.  Because the stations aired the tapes, knowing they would make good ratings, the grand jury was dismissed, possibly turning a small tide in the defenses direction.  If the media is not to be held accountable to a certain degree, then the misdirected stories will continue to be distributed, much to the chagrin of justice and the joy of the American public. 

The many posts to follow are papers I wrote while I was in college and seminary. I’m posting them here primarily as a means of digital archiving. Please forgive any immature expression of thought. I was pretty impressed with myself back in the day. Many years later, recognizing that it’s taking me 20 minutes to cut & paste these old documents…well, let’s just say I’m slightly more humble.

***

      After watching all of the events surrounding the apprehension of O.J. Simpson, I decided that our discussion would apply nicely to his situation.  His arrest, manhunt, and arraignment have all been the focus of the media.  Every half-hour on the radio I hear the latest details of the case, whether it be the search for the murder weapon or the “discovery” of another incriminating piece of clothing.

      This case is already on questionable ethical ground because of the leaks and “unnamed sources” used by the various papers.  Simpson has either been convicted or exonerated by the majority of our entire country.  If every person on this campus were asked, only the smallest percentage of people would not have an opinion regarding his guilt or innocence.  Since the press has raised so many incriminating issues relating to Simpson, I believe that his guilt has already been assumed by a large proportion of this country.  Because of the extent of reporting and use of questionable facts, Simpson may find it exceedingly difficult to obtain an impartial jury in his case.

      When the press found out that charges would be brought upon O.J. for the murder, the television and radio stations all flocked around the courthouse waiting for his surrender.

      As time passed, we viewers were privy to speculation on validity of the charges brought forth by the prosecution, as well as deliberation on the application of the death penalty to the special circumstances of this case.  While some of these ponderings by the media were boring but effective time-killers, I think a question of ethics should be raised concerning the right of the journalists to analyze this case to the extent that they have.

      If Simpson is innocent (which I myself hope but do not believe), the media as a whole has gone beyond the boundaries of ethical reporting.  While the camera shots of his flight down the California freeways certainly made for good television, I found myself waiting for him to tire of the pursuit (of the press, not the police) and shoot himself.  Since he did not commit suicide, the media themselves dodged the bullet of ethics. 

      Though I think Simpson’s attorney, Robert Shapiro, uses the media to manipulate the viewing public, I can justify his actions.  I think that they feel like their manipulative tactics are necessary to assuage all of the negative press he has received thus far.

      Because of this, the issue is raised concerning the purpose of the press.  I think that in this situation, the press is not the vehicle to transport the cold, hard news, but instead is the soapbox upon which both sides profess the guilt and/or innocence of this man.

      I look forward to the upcoming days, weeks, and months of the O.J. Simpson story.  I know I will see further misuse of ethics by the press and I know that it will be justified in the name ratings and revenue.  May the best stations and periodicals win.

What a difference a year makes.

Last Christmas, we were eight months into unemployment, living on my retirement savings. We were on a restricted budget to stretch our resources as long as possible. In many ways, it could have been a season marked by how poor we suddenly found ourselves, full of disappointment with the awareness of what we didn’t have.

It turned out to be one of the most special Christmases our family ever experienced.

We shopped for Christmas presents for one another from the Dollar Store. That’s not a joke or a typo. We combed that store’s aisles for meaningful presents for one another and thought of creative ways to express our love for one another through these inexpensive items. Our children never complained and jumped right in to the spirit of the opportunity, raising our joy in the process. When the gifts were later exchanged, the time was marked by laughter and sincere appreciation for the thoughtfulness and consideration that went in to each and every gift selection.

We worshipped at Prestonwood Baptist church. We were without a church home since being laid off the April prior. We had “settled in” at Valley Creek church in Flower Mound - a great church that we love. But we had decided that we wanted to go to Prestonwood for Christmas worship. There, we were blessed by the worship, especially by the singing of Holly Knight, who we have known from our days back in Colorado when Kelli had babysat Holly as a child. The church gave away hundreds of Nativity sets to children, and Kelsi brought one home as an unexpected, precious gift. 

We were also blessed by dear friends from Grapevine who surprised us with a large bag full of Christmas gifts…for the entire family. Every gift was a treasure. We were overwhelmed by the love expressed by the selfless, generous presents given to each of us. I never felt more like George Bailey than that day - rich beyond measure because of the kindness and love of friends.

A year later, so much has changed. We live a thousand miles to the west in a suburban community where 83% of the population is unchurched. We are part of a thriving church where I am honored to serve as the pastor of local outreach. God has knit our hearts with many people and we’re making new friends. Our children are thriving and finding their place in God’s work here. While it will take years to financially “recover” from the extended unemployment, we are in a much better place, economically speaking. We shopped at “regular” stores. We didn’t “go crazy,” but we were able to buy our children multiple gifts. In most ways, it was back to “Christmas as usual.”

Except that last night, at the end of the Christmas Eve, before Kelli put on her kerchief and I my cap…we spent time talking as a family about the year between last Christmas and this. We reflected on God’s goodness, on his faithfulness, on his provision, on his love and care and keeping. We worshipped him as a family in prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, requests, and praise.

From time to time, in response to good news, we hear people say, “God is good!” I agree. It’s true. What we learned, though, in this past year, is the first-hand experience of what we already knew to be true: In the “bad times” too, God is good. God was good in bringing to an end our time in Texas…though we wouldn’t have asked for it. God was good in drawing us into an extended time of waiting…though we never would have asked for it. He grew our faith and drew us close to another and to himself. God was good in every door he closed and every opportunity he gave to someone else….though I often begged for it not be so. He brought me (and all of us) to a dependence and trust in him that is more valuable than anything available for purchase at a store…and more fulfilling than any job title.

God didn’t give us patience. He gave us a situation that required patience. We had nothing but God. We had no choice but to trust him. The only thing that we had was the faith that he had given us. We held on to that faith, and accordingly, on to him, with all that we had within us. That faith was his gift to us…and he gave it to us to carry us because he is good.

This year, we know no fewer than 4 families who are today where we were last year, financially speaking. We know of dear friends who are hurting this Christmas. I pray for you daily, asking God to bring you through your pain, through your waiting, through your season of need. I also ask God to be real to you in these days, that he draws you near and that in these days that could be seen as “bad,” you will experience first-hand that God is good.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:4-7)

Link to the previous parts in the series

The previous entries discuss the shortcomings of trying to rush love, and offer a discussion of how real, selfless love takes times. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 shows how God reveals himself through true expressions of love.

Love never Fails (v. 8)

What a succinct and perfect message. Love never ends. Scripture declares that God is love, and here it tells us that love never fails. Logic proclaims, therefore, God never fails. When it comes to love, you might have seen a pattern of failure throughout your life because at worst, you’ve seen the inept efforts of human loves. At best, you’ve seen noble godly efforts, but they’re incomplete. When all is made perfect - when Christ comes again - you will understand fully because you will be in the eternal presence of love (because you will be in the presence of God, from where all love issues forth), and you will fully understand love.

Love approaches perfection (v. 9-12)

You can live in love because love gives you a glimpse of the future perfection, the promised everlasting of realized love. Some day, you can see love face to face because Christ is coming again. And when he does, love will be fulfilled. You will never have to settle for the characteristics of love, or the symbols of love, or the shadows of love, because you will be eternally living in the complete glory of true, pure, unmatched and unending love. And when that day comes, the Bible tells us here that you will know just as you are known.

What that means is that you will know love either to the full extent that you live it because of your relationship with Christ, or you will know it because you have to spend eternity apart from it because you are known by the lovelessness in your life. It’s not enough to just acknowledge Jesus. The Bible foretells that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The Bible also says that even Jesus himself said, “Not all who say to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.” You will be known by your love. When that day comes, there will be no excuses. No second chances. So the question is, how will YOU be known?

Love makes faith and hope necessary (v. 13)

Faith and hope are two characteristics of love. Possessing either of these without love is pointless. Who would want to have hope in a god who was void of love? Where is the basis of faith if it is not driven by love? This verse says to “abide in these three” (faith, hope, and love). Abide means to rest in, to live in. Live in your faith of a loving God. Live in your faith of a loving, living Christ. Finally, live today, and live eternally in the love of the God who created you and who loved you so much He provided a simple (kind) way for you to have heaven.

The final word is that love trumps faith and love. Love rules. Love never fails. 

God loves you.

Without fail.

Now, go love others the way he loves you.