ETA 2.22.2007

Testing 1 2 3

This is a test of a new feature I am trying out.  Ignore the post.

Blogged with Flock

Church Discipline

I recently read an article about a Dallas appeals case that made me really think about the role of the church in the "discipline" of its members. How should a church respond (if at all) if one of its members is arrested for DWI? For murder? For shoplifting? How should the church respond (if at all) to infidelity or divorce amongst its members? Where does a church's "right" to confront sin end and an individual's right to privacy begin? Some churches take a "hands-off" approach while others, like Watermark Church in North Dallas, become actively involved. Some of you may know the story, but for those who don't, I will summarize:

All members of Watermark Church are made to sign a document (a loosely based contract I would guess though I was not able to find the document online) stating that they will (and this is a direct quote) "submit themselves to the care and correction of the Board of Elders." The church has adopted what they call the Matthew 18 process based upon the pretty well-known passage found in Matthew 18:

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. ... If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you. ... If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church."

You should be able to tell by now that this will likely get nasty.

Husband and Wife sign on the dotted line and join Watermark Church. Wife finds out that Husband is cheating and seeing another woman who is not a church member of Watermark (but is an employee at another Dallas church). The Wife and some friends confronted Husband. Husband admitted to the affair and said he would stop. The End? Not quite.

Husband did not stop seeing the other woman. Wife finds out and goes to the church to inform them of the situation in accordance with Matthew 18 and the church guidelines. The church has a regularly scheduled evening church meeting where the wife asks the congregation for prayer for her marriage. The pastor informs the church that Husband and Wife are having marital problems, but does not divulge the specific issue. Sounds ok so far, right? Hang on for one more paragraph.

Church then sends letters to 14 of Husband and Wife's friends calling a meeting to discuss the infidelity. The letter specifically details the "charges" for lack of a better word. 7 of the 14 are church members -- the other 7 are not. Husband did not show up at the meeting, which apparently did not make the church very happy.

Chruch sends letter to Husband stating that it is going to send a letter to the woman he was seeing, letters to the 14 friends stating that Husband refused to attend any meeting, and letters to the Christian organization that Husband was a board member of.

Pastor then calls woman directly and tells her to tell her boss, the pastor of another church, or else the church would call the pastor directly "even as we would want and expect others to contact us if one of our employees or members was engaging in activities damaging to the reputation of Christ."

The Husband and woman sued asking the courts to block the church from contacting anyone else, especially the woman's employer.

The church itself, aside from this whole issue, looks like a great place to attend (www.watermark.org). It appears that they have a growing thriving church with a bunch of activities and programs, including a program for kids with disabilities. The church website has their version of the story, their response, and their Matthew 18 process. Their website is light years ahead of most churchs (you can download their sermons to your iPod, for example).

Keeping the whole church/state lawsuit junk out of the discussion, what do you think about this? Did the church go too far? Did they do the right thing? Should they have done something different? Discuss.

Happy Father's Day

In recognition of Father's Day, who is your favorite TV dad? As you can see from the picture, I would have to vote for Cliff Huxtable (followed closely by Phillip Drummond from Diff'rent Strokes).

Your turn.

Persecution in Iran

The Iranian parliament, called the Islamic Majlis, passed a law this week setting a dress code for all Iranians, requiring them to wear almost identical "standard Islamic garments."

The law, which must still be approved by Iran's "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges.

I know Dawn hates to hear this, but I think the end is near. At the very least, I think we may see a new Holocaust on the horizon.

God is speaking to Robertson again...

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says God told him storms and possibly a tsunami will hit America's coastline this year.

Robertson has made the predictions at least four times in the past two weeks on his news-and-talk television show "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network, which he founded. Robertson said the revelations about this year's weather came to him during his annual personal prayer retreat in January.

"If I heard the Lord right about 2006, the coasts of America will be lashed by storms," Robertson said May 8. Wednesday, he added, "there well may be something as bad as a tsunami in the Pacific Northwest."

Robertson has come under intense criticism in recent months for comments suggesting that American agents should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for Israel's pullout from the Gaza Strip.

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What do you guys think about this? God sure does seem to talk a lot to Pat. Sounds like a generic prediction too -- like saying, "God told me it would be hot in Texas this year. We may even have a drought." In general, I think it makes him look more like a psychic than anything else (And a pretty bad one at that. I would like to see a chart of all the things he was told by God and see how many of them have come true -- work on that for me in your spare time Robert). And, I think things like this tarnish an already tarnishing image we as Christians have in the secular world.

Interview with Da Vinci Cast

Excerpt from this morning's Today Show interview with the cast of Da Vinci:

Lauer: "There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction because one of the themes in the book really knocks Christianity right on its ear, if Christ survived the crucifixion, he did not die for our sins and therefore was not resurrected. What I'm saying is, people wanted this to say 'fiction, fiction, fiction'. How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?"

There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of Lord of the Rings], piped up:

"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction."

Interesting.

Da Vinci

I have been reading a pretty cool blog lately about the Da Vinci Code (http://www.infuzemag.com/davinci/) from Infuze Magazine. A few quotes I really liked and felt like sharing for sake of discussion:

"But Jim made a great point that their line of reasoning -- Christians need to see the film so they can dialogue with non-believers about the inaccuracies of the book -- is faulty. It's like saying it's okay for a college student to take a pornography class or even watch porn just to be able to dialogue with porn addicts because porn is popular. Popular the way Da Vinci sold 40 million books worldwide."

"As Brown said in the conclusion to his speech, Christianity doesn't really have much to fear from "The Da Vinci Code." "A very wise British priest noted recently in the press, 'Christian theology has survived the writings of Galileo and the writings of Darwin; surely, it will survive the writings of some novelist from New Hampshire.'"

Most of the people I associate with will probably agree with the first quote, but not the second. I happen to agree with both. I do not believe that the movie will have that much of an impact on Christian "society". But, that does not mean I plan on seeing the movie. Count me out. I don't need to see the movie, or even read the book for that matter, to "know what I am talking about" like one person I heard say this past Sunday.

So, if you must see a movie on May 19, make it Over the Hedge.

The Holocaust

It's Holocaust Remembrance Day today, so there is a good deal of media coverage on the Holocaust this week. It is amazing to me that some people still insist this state-sponsored slaughter never really happened. Anyway, while looking up some history online, I found this really cool memorial in Miami. It's pretty amazing. Notice the serial number on the arm.

Tomorrow is Adminsitrative Assistant's Day, so maybe we will have happier things to talk about.

Softly Call the Muster

Nothing speaks more clearly of the Aggie Spirit and Aggie family than Muster. A dictionary definition of “muster” refers to “a gathering of soldiers for a particular reason” and “to summon up something such as strength or courage.” Aggie Muster is all that and much more. It is uniquely American, uniquely Texan and most certainly uniquely Aggie – a most fitting tradition for a uniquely American institution.

Held each April 21 in approximately 320 locations around the world, Muster is one of Texas A&M’s most solemn and visible traditions. In each of those locations, it is a time set aside to honor the memory of Aggies from that area who have died since the last Muster ceremony. No matter where Aggies are, whether they are as few as two or as many as the thousands who gather in Reed Arena on the Texas A&M campus, they come together each April for Muster.

Muster has its roots in Texas A&M’s military tradition. Muster was first held on June 26, 1883 when the then Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas was less than a decade old and all students were male and members of the Corps of Cadets. Former students – then called ex-cadets – were called to gather so they might “…live over again our college days, the victories and defeats won and lost upon drill ground and classroom. Let every alumnus answer a roll call.”

By 1903, the “ex-cadets” felt not enough was being done to celebrate Texas' independence – specifically on San Jacinto Day (April 21) when that independence won in battle was annually commemorated. It was not until 1922, however, that April 21 became the official day of Muster and by 1923, the March edition of the “Texas Aggie” alumni magazine gave the following directive: “If there is an A&M man in one-hundred miles of you, you are expected to get together, eat a little, and live over the days you spent at the A&M College of Texas.” Today, when Aggies gather for Muster, barbecues are often part of the event. Also, the Aggie class celebrating the 50th anniversary of its graduation now comes to campus for a reunion in conjunction with Muster.

"No occasion can be more sacred than one where we honor those who have honored us... The other significance of the Aggie Muster is to remind us of our duty as Aggies to the past, present, and future. We are the beneficiaries of the tireless and unselfish sacrifices of those we honor today, but we are also the recipients of responsibilities which, to faithfully discharge, will require the best that you and I possess." James W. Aston '33

Part of “living over those college days” is remembering those who are no longer around to share those memories. Every Aggie contributes to and becomes a part of the Aggie Spirit and that is something that even death cannot change. That spirit is honored and remembered at Muster.

"For no matter how many years may pass, what physical changes come, no matter how the generations rise and fall away, A&M - that is to say the essential spirit of A&M - will never pass away." - James K. Pipkin. Class of 1929.

On campus on the evening of Muster, the Aggie family gathers in Reed Arena for ceremonies that include the “Roll Call for the Absent” for those Aggies whose memories will be honored there. In the dark and hushed assembly, the names of those who have died in the past year are read, and as each name is called, a family member or friend will answer “Here” and a candle will be lit. A “Roll Call for the Absent” will also be read at each of the off-campus Muster ceremonies to honor the memory of Aggies from the locales represented or for other classmates/friends as requested.

At the campus Muster, there is then the sound of a slow, steady cadence ... a glimpse of white ... and members of the Corps of Cadets Ross Volunteer Company march out of the darkness. In quiet unison rifles are raised and fired three times ... shattering the silence. Echoing in the darkness is the special arrangement of taps.

...."all is well ...safely rest ....God is nigh."

Muster was held in Europe during World War I, where many groups of Aggies were among the American soldiers serving their country in trenches far from home but still a part of the Aggie family. That scenario played out on an even greater scale in World War II, with the most famous Muster held when Gen. George F. Moore, Texas A&M Class of 1908, was the commander of Fort Mills on Corregidor Island in the Philippines. He, along with 25 other Aggies on the island, held a Muster celebration on April 21, 1942, just days before the island fell and all those Aggies were either killed or captured. According to Jerry Cooper, Class of 1963, who is updating a book on Muster speeches, Thomas Dooley, Col. USA (Ret.) who died March 26, 2006 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky at the age of 92, was responsible for the Aggie Muster story being sent from Corregidor before its capture by the Japanese. Dooley’s message resounded in the halls of Congress and was reported across the nation. After the war, in 1946, Aggies who were present among the American armed forces on Corregidor once again held Muster on the island.

Muster, so much a part of the Aggie Spirit, is a time to reflect on the past, hold on to the present and, as the dictionary says, “summon up strength or courage” and pass it on to the generations to come.

"Let us hold our lives up to the light of those who walked before us, remembering the footprints they left behind and preserving the pathways they created." - Jack Fritts, Class of 1953.

*Adapted from article by Tura King

It's Going Around

My random thought for the day:

Ever notice how no matter how sick you (or your kid, in my case) is, if you call the doctor and describe the symptoms, their is response is always, "Oh, that's going around"? I could call Addyson's doctor and tell them that she has sprouted a third arm -- "Oh, don't worry Mr. Campbell. That's going around." Just an observation.

I'm Back

After taking a little break, and being inspired by certain things and people that shall remain nameless, I decided to post again. Things are still kinda crazy around here. Royal Rangers is pressing on with attendance hitting an average of 45 kids the past two weeks. My back has been mysteriously healed which has really helped. For those that don't know, I was told a few weeks ago after a series of tests, including one where they send electricity through your legs and an MRI, that I had lumbar stenosis. I was put on pain pills and told that there weren't a whole lot of options besides surgery. Well, about a week and a half ago, the pain pretty much disappears. With the exception of a sharp pain every once and a while, I am back to normal.

Other than that, Addyson's sick with the nose gunk and I have court in the morning (feel free to come, Mike). Lots of other stuff going on, but more on that later.

Hiatus

I think I am going to be on hiatus from the blog for a while and let my life calm down a bit.

I had some x-rays of my back done on Monday have an EMG next Wednesday to determine if I have a herniated disc in my lower back. Something is touching my sciatic nerve making me have severe pains up and down my left leg. An EMG is not fun (lots of needles), so pray for that. The good news is that the blood pressure medicine seems to be working.

I also have Royal Rangers starting up at church in 3 weeks. I still need about 3 leaders, so if you go to RH and know of anyone that would be interested in helping out, let me know.

Random Thoughts for a Religious Scholar

Last night, I started working towards one of my personal goals for this year -- reading through the Bible. I did it once before when I was in middle school, but this time I am reading for understanding, not just reading for the sake of getting through the Bible. I am reading the Bible in 90 Days (although, honestly, I will be lucky to finish in 90 days), which is basically a Bible with start and stop markers every 12 pages. So, if I can read 12 pages a day for 90 days, I will have made it through. They have workbooks and small group studies, but I am just focusing on getting through the one book first.

So after my first 12 pages, taking me from Genesis 1:1 through Genesis 16:16, here are a few observations for your commenting pleasure:

1. Some say God's "day" is different from our "day" -- that the seven biblical days could have actually been years, hundreds of years, or even thousands of years. Yet, the Bible says there was a morning and a night and that was a day (Genesis 1:8, 1:13, 1:19).

2. Where did Cain's wife come from?

I have a few more, but when I went to look up Bible references, I noticed someone stole my "work" Bible. Who does that? Who steals a Bible??? Not that I really mind, because the people up here need it a lot more than I do. I will edit later tonight with my other questions/observations.

I Want this Shirt

One of my bosses is a staunch democrat. I think I need this shirt to wear on casual Fridays. If you don't get it (and I am sure all my friends will), brush up on some Kennedy history. It's a good story (well, except that a dead girl is involved). But, besides that, it's good.

Note to self...

Self,

Next Valentine's Day, don't wait until February 14th to buy your wife a card. Otherwise you will be stuck buying her a card from your child that starts off, "Mommies come in all different shapes and sizes." And you just don't want to have to go through the repercussions of that again.

Bryan

Funny Care Bear Story

Addyson (my 2 year old) has gotton into Care Bears lately. So when I saw the following story on Yahoo, I had to read it. What gets me is the mother's quote.

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A metro area parent was shocked recently when her daughter stumbled across a pornographic Web site while looking for a cartoon site.

Tracy O'Neal said her daughter, Stephanie, was looking for the Web site of the Care Bears, the cuddly cartoon characters, but because of a missing hyphen, the daughter unexpectedly found a porn site.

"I was repulsed," Tracy O'Neal told KMBC's Martin Augustine.

"All of a sudden, here comes up a lady and her pants were pulled down, and she was showing her bottom ... I will probably never go back on that site again," Stephanie O'Neal said.

"If that Web site has predators behind it, they need to be stopped. These kids don't need to be in this type of business. They don't need to see it," Tracy O'Neal said.

The mother said she'll be watching her daughter's Internet activity more closely from now on.

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She will "PROBABLY" never go back to that site again?!?!?! Doesn't sound like she was too "repulsed" to me. Probably? Seriously? I can picture these people already and in my mind, and they look alot like rednecks.

Crazy Day

It has been one heck of a day. It seemed liked everytime the phone rang at work it was for me. Like all my clients got together over the weekend and decided to collectively gang up against me today. Of course, a busy lawyer is a paid lawyer, so I can't really complain that much.

So, when I got home, I unwound by watching a few episodes of Friends. They just don't make quality comedy like that anymore. The One with the Dollhouses is a classic. Very excited to hear that the cast have all signed on for 4 one hour episodes to air the next two years. I'm thinking Thanksgiving reunion.

Anyway, that's all I got tonight.

Walgreen's Sued by Pharmacists

A pro-life group is filing lawsuits on behalf of four Illinois pharmacists who were fired from Walgreens for their opposition to filling prescriptions for the morning-after pill.

Americans United for Life (AUL) said the plaintiffs were asked to sign a paper agreeing to dispense the drug, which they believe can cause abortions in early pregnancies. When they refused to sign the paper, they were terminated. Those firings violated the Illinois Rights of Conscience Act, AUL claimed.

"Walgreens is trampling on the civil rights of employees who are protected from discrimination under Illinois law. These pharmacists were fired because they wouldn't sign away those rights," said Edward Martin, Jr., attorney with Americans United for Life in a statement.

What do you think about this? I admit that I have mixed feelings. Can a doctor refuse to treat a patient? Yes. Can a lawyer refuse to represent certain clients? Yes. Why, then, can't a pharmacist refuse to fill certain prescriptions? Of course, if my employer tells me to represent a certain client, I will represent them regardless of my personal opinions about the client. For example, I have clients that are sex offenders. I have clients that are child pornographers. I have clients that are homosexual. Is my taking them on as clients condoning their behavior and actions? Just a little something to make you think on a Monday morning.

Spiritual Awakening

"God's quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace in their lives." J. I. Packer

"extraordinary season of religious interest." Robert Baird

"the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith and obedience." Stephen Olford

"times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19) J. Edwin Orr

"the awakening or quickening of God's people to their true nature and purpose." Robert Coleman

"the return of the Church from her backslidings, and the conversion of sinners." Charles Finney

"an extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results." Richard Owen Roberts

"a community saturated with God" Duncan Campbell

"the work of the Holy Spirit in restoring the people of God to a more vital spiritual life, witness, and work by prayer and the Word after repentance in crisis for their spiritual decline." Earle Cairns


Is there a point in your life that you can point to as your spiritual awakening? I am not talking about when you were "born again." Rather, a time in your life after you were saved when you could not seem to get enough -- when you almost literally hungered after new spiritual knowledge. How old were you when this happened? Have you had more than one time like this in your life? What is your story?