Out of curiosity, do you think the tasering of Andrew Murphy was justified or not?
If you don’t know what I’m talking about here is a video of the University of Florida events…
Friday I heard on the news that we had a record low in Minnesota. The weather guy said is was the first record low we have experienced here since 2004. Conversely we have had 11 record highs in the same time frame.
Proof for global warming or proof against it?
Possibly my biggest fear as a parent is that my kids would, in some major way, be affected by the pervasiveness of sexual sin in our culture; the scale and scope of which is almost beyond belief.*
This morning I was reading the local newspaper online and I came across a sickening story about a male high school custodian charged with sexual misconduct over a 3 year period with a teenage male. If I was more naive I would have thought something like this couldn’t happen in my town; nonetheless the story is sickening and shocking. I have to warn you that the details laid out in the article are quite disturbing and graphic. Read the article here.
As if the report wasn’t appalling enough, take a look at the response of our legal system.
Although the Sherburne County prosecuting attorney described Larson as a “danger to the community” and “a risk to flee” during the time period leading up to his Sept. 19 hearing, Yunker gave Larson the option of $100,000 unconditional bail or $5,000 bail with the following terms and conditions attached: that he have no contact with any individual mentioned in the official court complaint; that he have no contact with any individual under the age of 18; that he remain law abiding and make all future court appearances; and that he inform the court within 24 hours if there is a change in his address.
Reading that made me so freaking pissed. Please excuse the language, but when you read the report of the case, the judges ruling for conditional bail is absolutely ludicrous. This sicko should be jailed until trial and, if found guilty, he should spend the rest of his life there. The psychological damage done to the accusing teenage boy will be vast and long-lasting.
Lord Jesus please protect my kids from evil. Lord God please protect all our precious children from predators and those who would sin so horrifically against them.
- One last piece of interesting information…the following statement in the article would lead me to believe that ‘Dad’ was not in the picture of this poor kid’s life.
It is also documented that Larson discussed with the alleged victim’s mother the possibility of acting as a mentor to the child.
Our world needs DADS more than ever. We need strong men who will protect and nurture their kids, who will sacrificially and faithfully serve their spouses, and who will take responsibility for their homes.
Jesus make me one of these men, and raise up a generation of males who will manifest the Heavenly Father’s love on earth.
*Lest we get too worried that our times are worse than another, it could be argued that today’s sexual sins are not without historical, Biblical precedent, see Leviticus 18
I have never really got into the whole MySpace thing. There is something I don’t like about the customization and wallpaper pieces. I think MySpace’s generally end up messy and disorganized and ugly. Plus, I always felt the majority of people who use MySpace are somewhat different than me.
This morning I read an article in Newsweek that reiterated and somewhat validated the thoughts I had.
A few weeks ago, [Danah] Boyd—who has done extensive ethnographic work on online behavior, blog-posted an essay tentatively sharing her (admittedly nonscientific) findings after months of interviews, field observations and profile analysis. Generally, she contended, “The goodie two shoes, jocks, athletes and other ‘good’ kids are now going to Facebook. These kids tend to come from families who emphasize education and going to college.” MySpace is still home for “kids whose parents didn’t go to college, who are expected to get a job when they finish high school.”
Boyd’s ideas about the two online social networking sites have come under heavy criticism with critics pointing out that many people use both MySpace and Facebook, and in a society that vehemently hates the idea of labeling people groups and classes, Boyd’s findings are risky to document. But I agree with Boyd and my own experience, albiet very non-scientific, confirms what she writes. “What I was doing was showing the caricature, not arguing that everything boils down to one versus the other.”
I have not yet read Ms. Boyd’s entire post but you can access it here.
In the wake of the bridge collapse many people have been retelling the heroic stories of ordinary men and women who helped with the relieve and recovery from the accident. I thank God that people didn’t hesitate to help others in their time of need. In some cases, people have attempted to unite these acts of heroism with the idea that Minnesotans are ’such wonderful people.’ You have likely heard the phrase “Minnesota Nice.” I like how the preacher today re-ordered such an idea.
His thought (a paraphrase of something another pastor said) is that rather than looking at acts of heroism as some kind of character description of Minnesotans, we should look at it as people stripping away the layers of selfishness and brokenness and acting as God intended humanity to act. As people made in the image of God, horrific situations like the bridge collapse, 9/11, and Hurricane Katrina, create the space for people to step outside of their self-centeredness and to function like we were made to.
Doesn’t that paint a wonderful picture of what Jesus is coming to restore? A life where people are ready at the droop of the hat to sacrifice it all for the good of another – even someone that don’t know.
The folks at Desiring God put some video footage from the scene of the bridge collapse together with a message from John Piper about why there is suffering in the world. A perspective to consider.
The audio is from the message “Where Is God.”
All the local news stations are reporting on the terrible tragedy that occurred in Minneapolis yesterday when the 35W bridge collapsed. This morning I read a blog post by John Piper that I would recommend to you. In it he recounts the conversation he has with is 11 year old daughter abut the accident before putting her to bed yesterday. I am struck and convicted after reading this by the way Piper always turns things (all things) back to Jesus.
O that all of the Twin Cities, in shock at this major calamity, would hear what Jesus has to say about it from Luke 13:1-5. People came to Jesus with heart-wrenching news about the slaughter of worshipers by Pilate. Here is what he said.
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn’t die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don’t repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.
All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This is a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.
The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life forever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind’s attention and my heart’s affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God’s message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.
If I hear one more news station report about the study linking soda to heart issues I am going to puke.
(CBS News) BOSTON People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, suggests a large but inconclusive study.
It is interesting that in the lead of the online article the word inconclusive comes up, but during the TV broadcasts the news anchors are reporting this like some kind of matter-of-fact study.
What really annoys me is that they spend a majority of the report discussing how diet and regular soda seem to have the same link to heart problems, all the while ignoring the obvious fact that most people are eating a Big Mac and large Fry while sucking down their soda of choice.
I know I went to public school but I kind of wonder what is harming the heart more in this meal – the soda or the 100’s of calories and fat grams consumed while chewing?
Here’s to drinking soda – regular or diet – Cheers!
Rick Phillips has produced a very important post, explaining what’s right and what’s wrong with the “Denounce Ted” and the “Just Like Ted” positions that have been shaping up in the evangelical blogosphere.
(HT: Justin Taylor)
Here is the letter by Ted Haggard, read on Sunday morning to his former congregation. I have so much I could say about these letters. So much I can understand. So many things I hope will come from this. Ted Haggard is not alone. And he is not evil. He is just a depraved public man whose darkness was revealed to many depraved private people who continue to conceal their own struggles. And his wife sounds amazing.
To my New Life Church family:I am so sorry. I am sorry for the disappointment, the betrayal, and the hurt. I am sorry for the horrible example I have set for you.
I have an overwhelming, all-consuming sadness in my heart for the pain that you and I and my family have experienced over the past few days. I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment to all of you.
I asked that this note be read to you this morning so I could clarify my heart’s condition to you. The last four days have been so difficult for me, my family and all of you, and I have further confused the situation with some of the things I’ve said during interviews with reporters who would catch me coming or going from my home. But I alone am responsible for the confusion caused by my inconsistent statements. The fact is, I am guilty of sexual immorality, and I take responsibility for the entire problem.
I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life.
For extended periods of time, I would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom. Then, from time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach.
Through the years, I’ve sought assistance in a variety of ways, with none of them proving to be effective in me. Then, because of pride, I began deceiving those I love the most because I didn’t want to hurt or disappoint them.
The public person I was wasn’t a lie; it was just incomplete. When I stopped communicating about my problems, the darkness increased and finally dominated me. As a result, I did things that were contrary to everything I believe.
The accusations that have been leveled against me are not all true, but enough of them are true that I have been appropriately and lovingly removed from ministry. Our church’s overseers have required me to submit to the oversight of Dr. James Dobson, Pastor Jack Hayford, and Pastor Tommy Barnett. Those men will perform a thorough analysis of my mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical life. They will guide me through a program with the goal of healing and restoration for my life, my marriage, and my family.
I created this entire situation. The things that I did opened the door for additional allegations . But I am responsible; I alone need to be disciplined and corrected. An example must be set.
It is important that you know how much I love and appreciate my wife, Gayle. What I did should never reflect in a negative way on her relationship with me. She has been and continues to be incredible. The problem is not with her, my children or any of you. It was created 100 percent by me.
I have been permanently removed from the office of Senior Pastor of New Life Church. Until a new senior pastor is chosen, our Associate Senior Pastor Ross Parsley will assume all of the responsibilities of the office. On the day he accepted this new role, he and his wife, Aimee, had a new baby boy. A new life in the midst of this circumstance — I consider the confluence of events to be prophetic. Please commit to join with Pastor Ross and the others in church leadership to make their service to you easy and without burden. They are fine leaders. You are blessed.
I appreciate your loving and forgiving nature, and I humbly ask you to do a few things.
1.) Please stay faithful to God through service and giving.
2.) Please forgive me. I am so embarrassed and ashamed. I caused this and I have no excuse. I am a sinner. I have fallen. I desperately need to be forgiven and healed.
3.) Please forgive my accuser. He is revealing the deception and sensuality that was in my life. Those sins, and others, need to be dealt with harshly. So, forgive him and, actually, thank God for him. I am trusting that his action will make me, my wife and family, and ultimately all of you, stronger. He didn’t violate you; I did.
4.) Please stay faithful to each other. Perform your functions well. Encourage each other and rejoice in God’s faithfulness. Our church body is a beautiful body, and like every family, our strength is tested and proven in the midst of adversity. Because of the negative publicity I’ve created with my foolishness, we can now demonstrate to the world how our sick and wounded can be healed, and how even disappointed and betrayed church bodies can prosper and rejoice.
Gayle and I need to be gone for a while. We will never return to a leadership role at New Life Church. In our hearts, we will always be members of this body. We love you as our family. I know this situation will put you to the test. I’m sorry I’ve created the test, but please rise to this challenge and demonstrate the incredible grace that is available to all of us.
Ted Haggard
Here is the letter from his wife, Gayle:
Dear Woman of New Life Church,
I am so sorry for the circumstances that have led me to write this letter to you today. I know your hearts are broken; mine is as well. Yet my hope rests steadfastly in the Lord who is forever faithful.
What I want you to know is that I love my husband, Ted Haggard, with all my heart. I am committed to him until death “do us part”. We started this journey together and with the grace of God, we will finish together.
If I were standing before you today, I would not change one iota of what I have been teaching the women of our church. For those of you who have been concerned that my marriage was so perfect I could not possibly relate to the women who are facing great difficulties, know that this will never again be the case. My test has begun; watch me. I will try to prove myself faithful.
I love you all so much, especially you young women — you were my delight.
To all the church family of New Life Church — Ted and I are so proud of you. You are all we hoped you would be. In our minds, there is no greater church.
As you try to make sense of these past few days, know that Ted believes with all his heart and soul everything he has ever taught you, those things you are putting into practice. He is now the visible and public evidence that every man (woman and child) needs a Savior.
We are grateful for your prayers for our family.
I hold you forever in my heart.
Gayle Haggard
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