British Isles Trip, Part 3: London

After 4 days in Northern Ireland, Sandy and I hopped on board a plane at Belfast Inter- national Airport and made our way back over to England to see our friends, the Eckers, again. The following day--Sunday--I preached at one of the two inner city London churches where Lewis serves as Associate Pastor. The small congregation was a diverse group, with members from Jamaica, Africa and (of course) the United Kingdom. It was a joy to worship together with these dear brothers and sisters in Christ. (This was the second time I had preached in London, having previously done so in 2006.)

During our time in London, Sandy and I also enjoyed some sightseeing, taking in a few stops we had missed on our 2006 vacation itinerary. We visited the historic Tower of London and saw the famous Crown Jewels. Our guided tour was led by one of the uniformed Yeoman Warders (AKA "Beefeaters") who serve as the ceremonial guardians of the Tower. Their history dates back to 1485 when they originally worked as prison guards. Presently, there are 35 Yeoman Warders, plus a Chief Warder. We also got to meet and visit with Moira Cameron, who made history in 2007 as the very first (and still only) female Yeoman Warder in the group's 525 year history!

Another highlight of our trip was touring the British Parliament while it was out of session and open to the public. Most notably, I enjoyed visiting the House of Commons chamber which I've seen so many times on television. This often lively room is truly the center of action for the British government. I also found it quite surreal when we got to stand in the very spot where Prime Ministers such as Churchill, Thatcher, Blair and others have stood throughout the years as they debated policy and discussed world affairs. And now to think that our friend Jim Shannon from Northern Ireland serves in this historic deliberative body. This experience was truly a treat.

We also took in the world-renowned British Museum, which is filled with numerous antiquities from around the globe. The sheer volume of material representing ancient cultures is staggering. Rather than trying to cover everything, we selectively zeroed in on a few key preferences. The one essential that everyone absolutely has to see is the iconic Rosetta Stone, which provided the modern world with the key to understanding ancient Egytian hieroglyphic writing. I personally was enamored with the numerous Egyptian mummies and related artifacts on display. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians even mummified their pet cats? It's interesting to see the great lengths to which people have gone throughout the centuries in an effort to attain immortality and secure a place in eternity.

The various marble carvings from the ancient Parthenon in Athens, Greece were also quite intriguing. As I walked among these statues and carvings, it was fascinating to realize that the Apostle Paul probably viewed these very works of art when he first entered the city of Athens some 2000 years ago. (See Acts 17:16ff.)

Viewing these surviving icons from ancient civilizations made me think of the closing line of that classic poem about Jesus entitled One Solitary Life: "All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that one solitary life." I also was reminded that phrase from the old Bill Gaither song that says "kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there's something about that Name." Indeed, countless kings and kingdoms have come and gone through the eons of time, but Jesus still reigns. In fact, He is "the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

Sandy and I enjoyed our time in London. But during our stay we were again reminded of the sad reality that Europe is very much a post-Christian culture. For many persons "across the pond", the things of Christ are simply the relics of an outmoded and irrelevant past. There is a faithful remnant of believers in Britain, but that remnant is very much in the minority. God is still at work, but secular humanism is rampant and widespread. Sadly, I think many of us see America moving in this same direction. While Sandy and I were at Keswick, one speaker, equating Christianity to marriage, memorably noted that Latin America and Africa are presently in the Honeymoon Stage...while North America has "settled in" at the 25th Anniversary Stage...but, tragically, Europe is very much in the Divorce Stage. Let's pray that, by the grace of God, Europe can miraculously reverse this trend, and that we in the United States can somehow stem the tide and avoid going down the same treacherous path.

Pastor Danny

British Isles Trip, Part 2: Scotland & Northern Ireland

After our week at Keswick, Sandy and I headed up to Scotland, while our friends the Eckers returned to London. We rode the train into Edinburgh, where we spent the next couple of days taking in the sites of that historic city. The centerpiece of Edinburgh is the famous Royal Mile, which is anchored on each end by Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, and ancient Edinburgh Castle, the highest point in the city...both of which we toured. One of the highlights of our time in Edinburgh was attending the 60th annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a renowned marching band and bagpipe festival that takes place each August. Using Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop, the Tattoo features bands from the United Kingdom and around the world.

After 3 cold, rainy days in Edinburgh, we flew over to Northern Ireland to see some other dear friends. On the eastern side of the island, we visited with two special Irish couples with whom we did a house exchange in 2006. (They came to our home in Florida while we vacationed in one of their homes in Northern Ireland). Gerald is a retired police officer (and a Gideon). His wife Audrey is a retired school teacher. Both are active lay leaders in their local Baptist church. Their lovely daughter Jenny is a nurse. Harold and Marlene are a retired Baptist pastor and wife. Harold preached at our church in Florida in 2006. It was so refreshing to enjoy the gracious hospitality of these Christian friends again.

We also got to see our friends Jim and Sandra Shannon. Jim was the very first person from Northern Ireland that I ever met. About 10 years ago, he and his family began visiting our church in Florida every summer during their annual holiday time in the States. We began developing a friendship at that time and would look forward to getting together each year. In Northern Ireland, Jim is a political figure on the rise. After serving for several years as a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, he was just recently elected to the British Parliament.

For our next stop, we ventured over to the western part of Northern Ireland and visited with Baptist Minister Clive Johnston and his wife Sheila. Clive preached at Mount Hermon in Danville in early 2009. It was good to renew fellowship with him and to meet his whole family--including his 3 adult children (one of whom is a dentist and whose services I desperately required while there!) Sandy and I immensely enjoyed being with the Johnstons. They took us around to parts of Northern Ireland (and the Republic of Ireland) that we had not previously seen. We visited the walled city of Londonderry (AKA Derry) and saw the historic cathedral where former slave-ship captain John Newton worshiped after his conversion to Christ. (Newton, of course, is best known as the author of the hymn Amazing Grace.) We traveled to the coast of Donegal and looked westward to the United States. (Did you see us waving?) We also got to visit the new Baptist work in Strabane where Joe and Darlene Cornell of Danville have been serving for the past year or so.

Ireland is truly a captivating place. Its beautiful rolling hillsides. Its picturesque coastlines. Its flocks of sheep grazing upon lush pastures. Its proverbial "forty shades of green" as immortalized in song by Johnny Cash. Its ancient rock walls, old churches, and rustic buildings. Its friendly, warm-hearted people. Its historic Christian heritage (a la St. Patrick and others). Its colorful music and culture. And its deep-rooted connection with the United States. Indeed, it was the Protestant Scots-Irish (Ulster Scots) of the northern part of Ireland who in the 1700s settled the mountains of Appalachia (my personal heritage). Later, following the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s, a whole new wave of Irish immigrants--predominantly Catholic--descended upon our great Eastern cities (i.e., New York, Boston, etc.) to build a new life for themselves there. So there is a strong bond between our nation and the Irish people--both north and south.

Sandy and I enjoyed our all-too-brief stay in Northern Ireland. It was a great time for renewing old friendships and cultivating new ones, while being personally refreshed and renewed by "the Emerald of the Sea."

Pastor Danny

British Isles Trip, Part 1: Keswick

For years, one of my ministry dreams has been that of attending the annual Keswick Convention in England. This summer, after 25 years in pastoral ministry, I decided that it was time to pursue that dream. So, in late July, Sandy and I took a flight "across the pond" to enjoy a much-needed time of spiritual refreshment and renewal.

In England, we met up with our friends Lewis and Angie Ecker, who presently live in London. For nearly a decade, Lewis and I served together at the First Baptist Church of Clermont, Florida. In 2008, the Ecker family left Florida, so that Lewis could take up the role of associate pastor of two inner city churches in London. He also works with London's Street Pastors ministry. About 48 hours after Sandy and I landed at London's Heathrow Airport, we and the Eckers boarded a train for Keswick and made our way out into the English countryside.

The renowed Keswick Convention is a Bible teaching conference held each summer (since 1875!) in the village of Keswick in the beautiful Lake District in the north of England. In recent years, the attendance has grown so much that they offer 3 different "Keswick weeks" back-to-back-to-back. We attended the third of the three weeks for 2010. At the end of week 3, it was reported that some 12,000 participants attended the combined sessions. (Roughly 4,000 each week.) While some of each week's events are held at different smaller venues, the main worship gatherings are held in a massive tent that can seat approximately 3,500 people. The remaining attendees "spill over" to other nearby venues where they can watch the proceedings live via television.

The main speaker of the week was Alistair Begg, a Scotsman who pastors a large church in Cleveland, Ohio and who has a popular preaching ministry via radio and the Internet. When I lived in Florida I used to listen to Alistair Begg's recorded weekly sermons via our local Moody Radio station in St. Petersburg. Alistair spent the whole week at Keswick doing an exhaustive expositional study of Romans chapter 8. It was great! What a solid preacher of the Word he is.

The worship was led by famous British singer, songwriter, and recording artist Stuart Townend. Townend is HUGE in the United Kingdom, but less well known here in the States. On our side of the Altantic, he is best known for his popular worship song, "In Christ Alone." We would do well to learn more of his songs. They typically are rich in great doctrinal truths about the Person of God. Stuart Townend is not only a prolific songwriter, he also is a gifted worship leader. There is a special touch of God on his life. During our week in Keswick, Townend stayed in the condo right next to us. We enjoyed the opportunity of meeting him and fellowshiping with him. A very humble man of God with a worshiping heart.

Townend's "back up" band for the week was the British Contemporary Christian group Phatfish. Although I was not previously familiar with Phatfish, I have sinced learned that they are quite popular throughout the United Kingdom. (In fact, when we visited Northern Ireland the following week, we found out that some of our friends there knew all about them.) The lead singer of Phatfish is a young woman named Lou Fellingham. She's also a popular solo artist in Britain. She very recently had given birth to a new baby boy. Yet, she was in fine singing form at Keswick. Truly, she has a great voice with an exceptional range.

Sandy and I had such a great experience worshiping with other Christians from different lands. I love the corporate experience of 4,000 varied voices lifted as one in praise to God. And I just love meeting and interacting with followers of Jesus from different parts of the world. I always find that so refreshing, because there is so much we can learn from one another. The vast majority of the attendees at Keswick were from England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales. But there also was representation from Africa, the Middle East and Asia. One of the presenters on the program was from the good ole USA, but other than him--and our party of 4--I don't remember hearing anyone else with an American accent all week long.

After 7 spiritually-energizing days in the town of Keswick, it was kind of sad to finally have to leave. You sort of wished it could just go on and on. (But that's what Heaven is for, isn't it?) Nonetheless, our week in Keswick was an experience that Sandy and I will never forget (in spite of it being cold and rainy!) I wish you could have been there with us. Perhaps someday, Lord willing, we'll go again.

Pastor Danny

Remembering Jack Kemp

This past week, political leader and former professional football player Jack Kemp died of cancer at age 73.

After a successful career as the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, leading the team to consecutive American Football League championships in 1964 and 1965, Kemp decided to try his hand at elective politics. In 1970, at the age of 35, he was elected to a seat in Congress, representing Buffalo. But Kemp was more than just an ex-jock catapulted to office on the basis of his gridiron fame. Over the next 18 years, he proved to be one of the most effective and influential members of the U. S. House of Representatives, although he never held a major leadership position in the House. A voracious reader with a keen mind, Kemp—a physical education major in college—developed into one of Washington’s brightest thinkers and most knowledgeable students in regard to economic and fiscal issues. (My, how we could use him now!)

Kemp, whose tax-cutting philosophy significantly influenced the thinking of Ronald Reagan, was almost chosen to be The Gipper’s running mate in 1980. (He was 24 years Reagan’s junior.) In the end, however, he was passed over for George H. W. Bush. In 1988, Kemp made his own brief run for the White House, but his campaign never got off the ground. In 1989, he was named Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) which to me seemed not the best use of his abilities. (Treasury Secretary seemingly would have been a better cabinet position for him.) By the time he assumed the leadership at HUD, however, the most influential period of his political career was already behind him. When in 1996 he was finally named to run for Vice President on his party’s ill-fated national ticket, that was sort of his political swan song.

I always liked Jack Kemp. I think, if given the chance, he may have been a good president but, obviously, we’ll never know that. I do have a special memory of Jack Kemp, however, that I’d like to share with you.

In 1992, I was part of a group of Southern Baptists convening for a conference in our nation’s capital. The highlights of the week included a congressional prayer breakfast on the top floor of the Dirksen Senate Office Building where we were addressed by two Southern Baptists then serving in the U.S. Senate, one from each party. Perhaps you’ve heard of them. There was a young whippersnapper from Tennessee named Albert Gore, Jr. and some good ole boy from Mississippi named Trent Lott. Talk about diversity. Hmm.

The other major happening of the week was being invited to the Old Executive Office Building (now the Eisenhower building) adjacent to the White House for a special White House briefing. And who spoke to our group on behalf of the Bush 41 Administration? None other than then-HUD secretary Jack Kemp. I was impressed with Kemp, not only because of his articulation of political issues and public policy from a conservative perspective, but also because it was on that day that I first learned of his personal faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, as he spoke of how he incorporated his Christian faith into his political life, he also made a humorous statement I’ve never forgotten. He said that the Old Testament figure Nehemiah, who was both a builder of walls and a builder of people, was actually the very first secretary of Housing and Urban Development! (I loved that, and actually wrote that quote in the margin of my Bible.)

The other day, when I heard that Jack Kemp had passed away, it was a very busy week, but I took time to read just one of the many Internet news articles reviewing Kemp’s career and evaluating his legacy. Afterward, I was glad that I read the one article I did. Written by Fred Barnes of The Weekly Standard, it was entitled “What Jack Kemp Accomplished”. After reviewing the achievements of Kemp’s political career, Barnes ended the article with one highly unusual and totally unexpected paragraph tagged on the end. It said this:

“Kemp died on Saturday at 73. He leaves a large family and a wife, Joanne, who has been enormously influential in her own way, conducting a weekly Bible study in their home for more than 30 years and leading an untold number of people to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.”

Wow! I was amazed. Not by the Kemp family’s authentic faith in Christ, mind you—I already knew about that—but by the fact that this wonderful statement was published in a secular political newsmagazine. I was so impressed, in fact, that I immediately emailed Fred Barnes and commended him for his courage in closing his story with this beautiful little paragraph, which brought glory to God.

Truly, of all the things the article talked about, those closing sentences were the most important. For in the final analysis, it’s not the accolades and achievements we attain here on earth that matter. It’s how we personally respond to our Creator and it’s the spiritual treasures we subsequently lay up in Heaven. When it’s all said and done, knowing Christ and serving Him is what it’s all about.

Thanks, Jack, for a job well done.

Pastor Danny

Who Do You Look Like?...Revisited

OK. Events of recent days have awakened me from the slumber of my blogging hibernation.

A friend of ours from Florida emailed me in response to my last blog about lookalikes. She reminded me that she always thought, before I grew my beard in 1998, that I looked a lot like Rick Moranis, the once-popular but now-forgotten star of the hit 1989 Disney film "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids". (Despite my repeated refusals to acknowledge that her claim has any credibility whatsoever, this determined friend doggedly has made the same argument for years. I've never admitted to her, however, that a couple of people in Kentucky once said the very same thing to me!)

My Florida friend has gone so far as to suggest that I post on my blog an old photo of my beardless self alongside an image of Rick Moranis. But, as I seem to recall, several years ago, a volcanic eruption or a tsunami--I don't remember which--destroyed all the photos of me from birth up until I grew my beard. (I least that's what I seem to recall.) So, apart from me being shaved or "Nair"-ed against my will, there is no way that one can accurately test out and evaluate my friend's far-flung hypothesis.

I will acknowledge, however, that back in the 1970s, when I was in college, there were some people who thought I then looked like actor John Ritter, who at the time was starring in the popular TV sitcom "Three's Company." Then, in the early 1980s, while I was in seminary, there were a few deranged ministerial students that thought I bore a strange resemblance--and let me emphasize the word "strange"-- to the then high profile televangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Sometime thereafter, I started combing my hair differently so people would stop sending me their tithes or asking me to autograph their bibles.

But I suffered the most severe blow to my ego just this week. (And this is what prompted me to rise up and write this blog entry.) Sunday afternoon, one of our church members told me that they had been getting their little grandchild ready for church early that morning. A religious program was on television at the time and the little child, with a quizzical look on his face, asked, "Why is Pastor Danny on TV?" His grandma turned around and--guess what-- it was the Reverend John Hagee preaching on the tube!

Hmm. I think I need a makeover. Or a NutriSystem subscription.

Think about it. In the 1970s, I was John Ritter. By the 1980s, I had morphed into Jimmy Swaggart. By the 1990s, I had evolved into Rick Moranis. And now, somehow, I've turned into John Hagee. Wow! I didn't see that one coming! One wonders what the next decade will hold. Could I potentially become a clone of the late Orson Welles, or the spitting image of President William Howard Taft? Only time will tell.

Of course, I've been so self-focused about all of this that I haven't even stopped to consider how these comparisons might be irritating Moranis, Swaggart and Hagee! After all, those guys might not appreciate being told that they look like Danny Davis. Hmm.

Pastor Danny