Brit Hume & The Case Of The Double Standard

When Fox News’s Brit Hume says that Tiger Woods might be best served by turning to the Christian faith instead of Buddhism, the fire storm erupted from the left.  How dare he?  Who does he think he is? He has no business.  Why is it that when someone invokes Christianity into a conversation, the loons go batty?   Well, clue number one, the man who started it all said it best when he told his followers that if they hate me, they’ll hate you.  By the way, those are the words of Jesus.  So it really should be no wonder that it goes on.

But when I read comments like that one at  TheHill.com , I really have to question the logic.  In the column, author Terence Kane quotes Ingrid Creppell, a political theorist who he says writes on what religious toleration means in a modern republic.  Apparently Creppel, who is a professor at George Washington University, argues that members of the media have a special responsibility to refrain from what Kane and Creppel call proselytizing: “of course the public sphere ought to tolerate a vigorous debate about the distinct merits or offerings of religious beliefs. The issue is not about what ought or ought not to be floating about in public discourse, but what this particular person’s perch enables him to do.”  King says that because Hume is a former news anchor, he should have thought twice before expressing his religious views with regards to Woods.

First of all, Humes comments were in the context of opinion and clearly stated as such and second of all there is clearly a double standard here.  News anchors, reporters and other “journalists” pepper their copy or comments with personal views, ideologies and beliefs all the time.  The difference is they don’t tell you ahead of time and try to mask what they interject as fact or “just part of the story”.

There is no danger at all in what Brit Hume did on Fox News Sunday, the real danger are those on the left who interject their personal opinion and ideology into a news story day in and day out and it’s so subtle, you never catch it.

It Got Me Thinking

I stumbled across a video on You Tube this morning that caused me to turn a little introspective I suppose.  The majority of the piece is made up of photographs of what we can only imagine to be family members through the years, exteriors of homes, landscapes and such. But what it brought to my mind is how brief life really is and if we are not careful, it will pass us by and we won’t even realize the moments we missed.  Each of us has been given one life; no dress rehearsal.  This is the real deal and I don’t know about you but I want to drink it in to its fullest with no regrets.  The message this weekend by Pastor Tim Chambers at Shore Fellowship was all about finding balance in life.  The truth is when you find that balance, you’ll be less likely to miss what really matters.  It’s fun to look back at photographs that mark the milestones and moments of your life.  But even more rewarding, is the ability we are given with that glance of an image to recall sounds and smells, laughter and tears as we are immediately taken in our minds eye to that moment in time.   A wise man by the name of Jim tells us that our life is only a vapor.  Here for a moment and then it vanishes just like the morning fog.  Jim reminds us to major on the important things in life and realize where each breath comes from to begin with.  Does any of this make sense to you?  I don’t know; I saw this video and it just got me thinking.

The Little Lamb

I’m awaken at 4 this morning by the soft whisper and warm breath of my 3 1/2 year old.  I’m startled at first as I opened my eyes to this little person, concerned look on her face, standing before me in her soft, polka dot sleeper.  ”I can’t find my lamb Daddy.”  ”Let’s go look.  I’ll find it for you,” as I stumbled out of bed and followed down the hall.   There it was right under her bed where it fell.  (She had made a point to tell me earlier as I said good night that tonight she was going to snuggle her little lamb.)  Now, as I handed her this tiny stuffed animal she looked up at me, “Thanks”, she whispered as I tucked her in.  ”Night, Daddy… don’t let the bed bugs bite.”  She smiled and closed her eyes.   As I walked out of her room, down the hall and back to bed the parable of the lost sheep came to mind.  Jesus tells the story of the shepherd who had a hundred sheep and one of them got lost.  He says when that happened, didn’t the shepherd leave the ninety-nine and go look for the one.  And when he found it, he returned and rejoiced.  Jesus goes on to tell us that that is how God looks on us when we who are lost come to Him.   Even in the middle of the night, startled out of a sound sleep, how could I as a father not respond to my little girl who’s little lamb was missing.  In the same way, our heavenly Father is ready to respond.  All He is waiting for is for us to come to Him and share our concerns and burdens.  As my head hit the pillow, I smiled to myself as I thought of how much comfort I brought my child.  God wants to do the same for each one of us if we’ll let Him.   I hope that thought comforts you today.

Let’s Never Forget – Say A Prayer Today

This morning at 8:45 as I sat in the parking lot of a convenience story, I looked around me and saw people walking in and out, checking out at the counter, getting gasoline for their cars, most I’m sure not giving a second thought as to the significance of the moment.  At that very minute 7 years ago, the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Center setting off a series of events that day which would forever alter our world and how we see it.  As painful as it is (for family and friends of victims especially), we need to see that video again and again of what took place on that day.  We should never forget or allow anyone else to forget or minimize the attack that occurred not only on this country, but freedom loving people everywhere.  Thank God we have not seen another day like that since September 11, 2001, but that does not mean there are not evil, terrible monster still out there who wish us harm.  We must remain vigilant, not let down our guard and be willing to stand up and fight for what is good and decent.  President Bush secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside  Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government.  Hopefully this will lead to bringing Bin Laden and others to justice.  Will it stop terrorism and the on-going threat?  No, but it is a step in the right direction.  If this nation is to remain free, it is imperative that the next President and Congress live up to their Constitutional responsibilities to protect and defend us or we will most certainly crumble as a country. Sometime today, take a few minutes to reflect on the horrific day 7 years ago determined to do all in your power to hold government accountable to insure it will never happen again.  And do one other thing as well.  Pray for our nation, continued protection and for the families who’s loved ones paid the ultimate price. Take a look at this video as well.  This is an interview I conducted and used in a worship service at Shore Fellowship Church in Egg Harbor Township.  It puts a real personal face on the events of that terrible day.The Rev

A Friend Has Gone Home

You know how sometimes in life, you get to know someone (although it may be brief) but they make a lasting impact.  Bill Becker is one of those people.  Our paths crossed at our church (Shore Fellowship) less than a year ago.  He had come off a bout of cancer and I was in the middle of mine.  We connected.  He shared with me that I was an encouragement to him as he read my blog during my journey through Leukemia.  Interestingly enough as the next several months unfolded, Bill became an encouragement to me.  His cancer returned.  Ups and downs. Uncertainty. Good news.  Not so good news.  Through it all, Bill praised his Creator.  If you haven’t seen an interview I did with him over 3 months ago, you need to.  Bill passed peacefully to glory last evening.  My families thoughts and prayers are with his wife Kathy and his family.  Bill was and still is an inspiration to so many.  The apostle Paul reminds us in a letter to Timothy that it should be our goal as believers to be able to say with him,  ”I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Therefore there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”  Bill has done just that.  You can say nothing greater of a person than that they were a “friend of God”.  Bill was not only a friend to so many of us,  he was and is today “a friend of God”.  Thanks for touching our lives Bill.  Thanks for crossing our paths.  We are all so much richer for having known you.Bill Becker Testimony