February 16, 2010

Number 7

VIEWPOINT

Cultural hypocrites.  That’s I call them:  the media and celebrity liberals who seem to think that their own opinions and words are the ultimate source of intelligence and wisdom.  Here’s the specific case I have in mind:

Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that Focus on the Family was planning to run a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl broadcast featuring University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.  Tim was described by one sportswriter as “defining a new kind of toughness,” but the kind of hits he took on the field were minor compared to the vicious attacks that appeared before the ads even came on the air. 

A variety of radical groups including the National Organization for Women and the Feminist Majority gave voice to their outrage that CBS would even consider accepting such an advertisement.  Why were they so angry?

Tebow is a Heisman Trophy winner who led the Gators to an NCAA championship.  He is noted for wearing Bible verses on his game day eye-black.  And he is also a walking pro-life story!  Tim's mother, against the advice of doctors, carried him to term in a dangerous pregnancy while on a church mission to the Philippines.

(The actual ad didn’t give all those details.  It just featured Pam Tebow saying, “I call him my miracle baby.  He almost didn't make it into this world.  I remember so many times when I almost lost him.  It was so hard. Well he's all grown up now, and I still worry about his health.  Everybody treats him like he's different, but to me, he's just my baby.”  Then there was an invitation to visit FocusOnTheFamily.com for the full story. By the way, there was a hug spike in internet traffic to the Focus on the Family website.)

What I found fascinating but predictable about the controversy is that all the “pro-choice” advocates DID NOT LIKE IT because Mrs. Tebow made a CHOICE to preserve life.  It just proves once again what we’ve known all along:  it isn’t “pro-choice,” it’s really “pro-abortion” (which is really pro-death). 

Free speech really means they can express all the unholy speech they want, but anyone who disagrees better just be quiet.  It’s fine for opponents to say “Impeach Jesus,” and call Focus on the Family a “hate group” since it represents Godly values.  But put the shoe on the other foot and point out the virtues of genuine “pro-life” and watch the fur fly! 

I look forward to seeing you Sunday with a Bible, a smile, and a positive word!     RA

Loving Someone You Can’t Stand

Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”

Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”

Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.”

Patient: “You told me to avoid people who irritate me.”

Unfortunately, we don’t always have the option of avoiding people who irritate, people who hurt us, people who offend us.  In fact, sometimes those who irritate us the most are found right in our home (or in our church building). So how should we deal with them?

Milton Jones has written a wonderful book entitled “How to Love Someone You Can’t Stand” which I highly recommend (you can find it at Amazon.com).  In this book, Jones lists six godly principles which are derived from Romans 12:

  (1) Manage your mouth — Bless and don’t curse (Rom. 12:14).

(2) Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to understand their feelings, thoughts and position (Rom. 12:15).

(3) Never, never, never take revenge (Rom. 12:17).

(4) Plan ahead to do something beautiful (Rom. 12:17).

(5) Don’t just win the war, win the peace (Rom. 12:18).

(6) Make room for God (Rom. 12:19).

The bottom line is that we do not overcome evil with evil by retaliating and seeking to “get even.”  The only way to overcome evil is with good (Rom. 12:21).  It is never easy to respond to those who do us wrong in a way that is godly, but it is only by following the example of Jesus Christ that we can truly have an influence on the world around us.

“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. . . .” (I Peter 2:19-20).

(Alan Smith’s “Thought for the Day”)