Danger, Will Robinson (or Anyone Else)

There is a new movie out that is based on a book that many of you may have read, called The Shack. Now my point is not to tell you whether or not you should go watch this movie, but I believe that as a pastor, and as someone who takes that responsibility seriously, I need to warn you of a few things regarding it.

First of all, this book/movie has been touted a Christian movie that helps people understand and relate to God. It is also a narrative that is said by the author to discuss “the nature of the character of God.”

Two resources I want you to read and listen to. First is today’s episode of Equipped with Chris Brooks, from Moody Radio. This episode, I think, is an honest and critical look at some of the claims of this book/movie and how we as Christians should respond.

Click here link to listen: Click here to listen to Equipped with Chris Brooks

The second resource is an article by Albert Mohler. Dr. Mohler is president of Southern Theological Seminary, a part of the Southern Baptist Convention, and has some more academic arguments against this movie/book. Please take the time to read that here.

The bottom line is this; we as Christians need to be vigilant about the things we allow ourselves to read, watch and listen to. We need to think critically about the things of this world, because error and even heresy try to disguise themselves in “sheep’s clothing” as Jesus told us in Matthew 7:15. So I offer these resources as a chance for you to think and to make wise choices regarding these things.

Please know that I’ll love you no matter what you choose to do, but I wouldn’t be the pastor God wants me to be if I didn’t warn you.

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Social Media and the Norm

So, I was trolling the blog sites I usually read and I found one that I just had to share with you. It’s about the funniest thing I’ve seen in a while and I think it exaggerates the point a bit. But the truth is found somewhere in there, and I want you to think about what it might be…so…enjoy!

Here is a link to the video!

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Ascent—Week 10

Luke 19:29-44

As they came to the towns of Bethpage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. “God into that village over there,” he told them, “and as you enter it, you will see a colt tied there that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying our colt?”

And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.

Then the crowds spread out their coats on the road ahead of Jesus. As they reached the place where the road started down from the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

“Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!”

But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!”

He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to cry, “I wish that even today you would find the way of peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from you. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you. They will crush you to the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you have rejected the opportunity God offered you.”

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Oh, By the Way…It’s Lenten Season

For those of you who know that word in the title, you can skip past the picture and read on. For those who don’t, let me explain. Lent, is the 40 days prior to Easter where those who feel led will “give up” or “sacrifice” or even “fast” from something of significance in their lives in order to get closer to God. Some give up red meat, some give up caffeine, and I even know one person who chose to give up Facebook for the next forty days (I know it sounds unreasonable, but they did). So that’s what Lent is.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about it. Lent sometimes gets a bad rap because we (as Protestants) don’t usually observe it as strictly as Catholics do. But we could learn a few things from those who do observe this season of introspection, and I would like to suggest a few ways in which this next 40 days (or more accurately, 38 days, by the time this article is published) might be used to do just that…help us look at ourselves and see what it is that God wants us to change.

The first suggestion I would have for you is to choose something to sacrifice over the course of the next month that will really be a sacrifice. For my family to sacrifice broadcast TV for the next month would not be a true sacrifice because we don’t have cable, or an antenna. It would also not be a sacrifice to give up eating healthy, because we’d rather not do that anyway. Think about something that you cherish that would be a true sacrifice to your Lord and Savior over the course of the next month.

Secondly, I would encourage you to make sure your sacrifice is something you can actually do. I would not suggest to anyone to give up eating for the next 40 days, as that would not be a healthy thing for someone to do if they have never fasted before. I would also not suggest someone give up driving a vehicle for Lent unless they work someplace that is only a few miles from their home or less. Make sure your sacrifice is something that you can accomplish.

Finally, I would recommend that do this with your family, or a good friend who can hold you accountable. Pray about who that might be and do your best to be honest with them when they ask you how you’re doing. Having someone to help you through the next forty days will help you be able to maintain your sacrifice.

Have you already decided what you’re giving up for Lent? Let us know in the comment section below, and we’ll be praying for you.

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Faith Steps

One of my favorite movie scenes of all time is from the film, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Go ahead and take two minutes to watch it below:

What I love about this scene is that it makes quite clear the concept of faith. Sometimes, God asks us to step out even when we don’t see the path lying there underneath us. We think we’re stepping of the cliff to fall to our death, but then God shows up and saves the day.

A number of weeks ago, I was given a copy of the movie Flywheel. This is the first movie produced by the motion picture ministry of Sherwood Pictures, and (to be honest) the production quality isn’t all that great. But the message of the movie is what stands out.

In Flywheel, a used car salesman sees his need for God in his life, and decides to change his ways from a shifty, swindling salesman, to a Christ-honoring businessman with integrity. This leads him to make some pretty bold decisions, and for the sake of not spoiling it for you, I will stop there. But suffice it to say that God shows up in some pretty unique ways when the lead character decides to do what God wants.

In the same way, there are so many things that the Bible asks us to do that we may think is not only out there, but “way” out there. Stuff like loving our enemies, or being kind to those who treat us badly make us feel as if we’re on Candid Camera (if you’re younger than 25, go ask an older person what that is). But the truth of the matter is that when we step out in faith and do those things, God will always (and I do mean always) show up.

So think about what it is that God is asking you to do today. It might be something so out there that you can’t even begin to think about doing it. But let me encourage you to do it…and watch what God does. And when He does it, would you tell us about it in the comments below. Thanks so much!

Think about that today! And God bless you!

Good News!

Hey everyone! I have some good news. I noticed that we weren't getting the comment traffic that I was hoping for, when all of a sudden, I had (in the immortal words of Smee, from the movie Hook) an apostrophe. So I went to the settings of our little blog here and noticed that I had restrictions on who could comment. Therefore I am pleased to report that the issue with the comments is now resolved and if you feel like leaving a comment right here on the blog, you can do so. Please note, however, that all comments will be screened before they are posted so that we can control any use of language that would not be fitting to a blog of this kind. Thank you so much for your patience and thank You, Lord, for helping us get the issue resolved. God bless!

Celebration—Week 9

For our celebration this week, we start the month of March. So please enjoy these Celtic selections of well-known hymns. First up is Amazing Grace by the Celtic Women:

Next up is Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, a hymn done again, by Celtic Women. It is a beautiful classic tune. So please enjoy!

Listen to the words of these songs, and allow them to touch your soul this celebration Wednesday.

Think about that today! And God bless you!