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Thoughts

C. S. Lewis’s View of Women, and How He’s Impacted My Thinking

The following questions and answers are from my contribution to Women and C. S. Lewis: What His Life and Literature Reveal for Today’s Culture, edited by Carolyn Curtis and Mary Pomroy Key. I highly recommend this unique and well-reviewed book, which has excellent contributions by 26 others, including Alister McGrath and Kathy Keller. Question: The readers of our book are interested in C.S. Lewis’s commentaries, literary treatments and known or apparent attitudes regarding women and girls. It’s ..Continue reading

What Does Paul Mean By Writing He Is Not Ashamed Of The Gospel?

Why does Paul say that he was not ashamed of the gospel? Does that mean some are and will be? Ashamed of the Gospel?There are sins of commission but there are also sins of omission, like if we see a brother or sister in need and do nothing, for us, that is sin (James 2:16). For example, “if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him” (1st John 3:17)? Good question, isn’t it? Of course, all sin is forgivable for th..Continue reading

A Simple Way to Pray Every Day

Of all the things Martin Luther is known for, among the foremost is his dedication to prayer. He is famous for commenting, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” He wasn’t exaggerating, either. Many of his friends and students could attest that he would spend several hours on his knees in fervent, daily prayer — often at seemingly inopportune times in the middle of the day. At one point, Luther’s barber and longtime friend, Peter Beskendorf, asked if he wou..Continue reading

Daily Verses

Philippians 1:3 (02-14-17)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... — Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, receive a hand-written letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God. My Prayer... Loving LORD, thank you for... (pl..Continue reading

1 John 4:20 (02-13-17)

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? — 1 John 4:20 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... "O how I love Jesus!" we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us. My Prayer... Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my ..Continue reading

1 John 4:19 (02-12-17)

We love him, because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as the center of our universe. We determine the greatness or validity of most deeds based on their impact upon us. We consider ourselves great adventurers, inventors, and investigators. However, in the most important quest of all, we did not act first; God did. He loved us sacrificially. He loved us personally. He loved us first. Our love is a resp..Continue reading

1 John 4:18 (02-11-17)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our life — judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others thr..Continue reading

1 John 4:17 (02-10-17)

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. — 1 John 4:17 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we live lovingly like Jesus did, we can have the same confidence in the face of death and before God in judgment. Our confidence is not in our efforts, but in our Savior. His love has not only redeemed us, it has changed us. His love is not only a gift to us, but it is a gift through us. We can be confide..Continue reading

Hope

God’s Love Is Deep Enough

God’s Love Is Deep Enough By Rick Warren — March 20, 2017 “The Lord reached down from above and took hold of me; he pulled me out of the deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 TEV) There are times when we all think, “I’m going under for the last time! I’m about to sink!” But no matter how deep you are, God’s love is deeper than your problem. Corrie ten Boom and Betsy ten Boom were Christians who lived in the Netherlands during Word War II. They hid Jews in their home to protect them from the Nazis. ..Continue reading

The Length of God’s Love

The Length of God’s Love By Rick Warren — March 18, 2017 “I know that your love will last for all time, that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky” (Psalm 89:2 TEV). There’s a limit to human love. It wears out. It dries up. That’s why you have to have God’s love in all your relationships if they are going to last. God’s love never wears out. God’s love is patient, persistent, and persevering. Isn’t it good news to know that God never gives up on you? No matter what you do, his ..Continue reading

How Do I Know I’m Saved?

How Do I Know I’m Saved? By Rick Warren — March 7, 2017 “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). In Luke 23:42, one of the criminals hanging next to Jesus on the cross prayed, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (NIV). Notice that he didn’t ask Jesus to stop his pain, although he would have been in excruciating pain on the cross. By that tim..Continue reading

Time to Tell Yourself the Truth

Time to Tell Yourself the Truth By Rick Warren — March 4, 2017 “The Lord gave us mind and conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves” (Proverbs 20:27 TEV). The best way to get off a guilt trip is to first admit your guilt. Don’t bury it, don’t deny it, and don’t ignore it. Just own up to it! Even when we know this truth, we still try to run from our guilt. But when you run from guilt, it’s going to catch up with you. The problem with always moving is that you take you with you. The probl..Continue reading

Daily Wisdom

Philippians 1:3 (02-14-17)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you... — Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Certain people are blessings. It doesn't matter if we visit with them on the phone, get an encouraging email, receive a hand-written letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember them, we thank God for them. So let's follow Paul's example and let them know they give us reasons to offer thanks to God. My Prayer... Loving LORD, thank you for... (pl..Continue reading

1 John 4:20 (02-13-17)

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? — 1 John 4:20 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... "O how I love Jesus!" we sing. Jesus responds by asking how well we are doing with loving our brothers and sisters! We can't love God if we can't love those around us. My Prayer... Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my ..Continue reading

1 John 4:19 (02-12-17)

We love him, because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as the center of our universe. We determine the greatness or validity of most deeds based on their impact upon us. We consider ourselves great adventurers, inventors, and investigators. However, in the most important quest of all, we did not act first; God did. He loved us sacrificially. He loved us personally. He loved us first. Our love is a resp..Continue reading

1 John 4:18 (02-11-17)

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. — 1 John 4:18 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... There are many kinds of fear. Some of these are legitimate. Others are imagined. Still others are irrational. Thankfully, as Christians, we don't have to be afraid of the one crucial event in our life — judgment. God's love saves us, empowers us, blesses us, works in us, and touches others thr..Continue reading

Prayers

TLG Prayer

Abounding in Hope

PassageRomans 15:1-13 PrayerDear Father, who welcomes all into your family,Help us to welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us, for your glory.For you taught us that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show your truthfulness - in order to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs, and in order that we who were not Jews might glorify you for your mercy.May you, our Father and God, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound ..Continue reading

TLG Prayer

Imitating Christ

PassageRomans 15:1-8 PrayerDear Father, God of steadfast love,May the strength you give us be used to bear with the failings of those who are weak, not to please ourselves, but to please our neighbor for his good, to build him up.In this let us imitate Jesus, your Son, who did not please himself, but lived as it was written of him, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."May you, our Father, the God of steadfastness and encouragement, grant us Christians to live in such harmony..Continue reading

TLG Prayer

Pursuing Peace

PassageRomans 14:17-23 PrayerDear Father, giver of brotherly love,How wonderful that your kingdom, your rule in people's lives, is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. May I, in serving Christ this way, be acceptable to you and approved by others.Let me and all the members of your family pursue what makes for peace and for mutual uplifting. Let none of us, for the sake of personal rights, destroy your work of grace in someone else. Help ..Continue reading

TLG Prayer

Walking in Love

PassageRomans 14:13-16 PrayerDear Father, to whom all will bow,Help me not pass judgment on others or despise them. Let me look to myself in view of the fact that I will have to give an account for my own self.You have said, "As I live every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." Let me praise you now before the day of your judgment. Let my praise be willing and not forced.Help me never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother or sister in Christ..Continue reading

Christian Quotes

Betz: faith over sight

Saturday, February 4, 2017 Commemoration of Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189 Meditation: Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” —John 20:27-29 (NIV) Quotation: Jesus was the representative of the Lord wh..Continue reading

Calvin: imperfect offerings

Friday, February 3, 2017 Feast of Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary to Denmark and Sweden, 865 Meditation: But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. —James 1:25 (ESV) Quotation: But sons who are more generously and candidly treated by their fathers do not hesitate to offer them incomplete and halfdone and even defective works, trusting that their obedience and readi..Continue reading

Kraemer: the primary loyalty of Christians

Thursday, February 2, 2017 THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE Meditation: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. —1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) Quotation: Most Christians live in confusion in regard to their scales of values and priorities. Many honest Christian people experience the shock of a revelation when they are brought to realize tha..Continue reading

Brunner: love

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Commemoration of Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, c.525 Meditation: Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. —Hebrews 13:1-3 (ESV) Quotation: [Love] does not inquire into the character of the recipient but it asks what he needs. It does not love him because h..Continue reading

Questions & Answers

It Takes a Platform to Influence a Culture

Justin Brierley once wrote a blog post at Christian Apologetics UK (“Forget Dawkins – Derren Brown is now the UK’s most influential atheist”) describing the influence of Derren Brown, an entertainer, illusionist and mentalist who has performed on television and in live venues. Brown spent some of his teenage years in a Charismatic church, but is now an advocate for atheism. Brierley made some important points that illustrate the importance of having a “platform” in order in influence a culture. ..Continue reading

Should Christians Judge Others? (Cold Case Christianity Broadcast #81)

In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast, J. Warner discusses an often-misunderstood verse of Scripture: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Does this verse preclude us from making any judgment of behavior in our culture? How is this verse used to silence Christians? Be sure to watch the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast on NRBtv every Monday and Saturday! In addition, here is the audio podcast (the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast is located on iTune..Continue reading

Men of God Should Understand the Importance of Fatherhood

I first noticed the problem as a Gang Detail officer in the early 1990’s. Our city was culturally and ethnically diverse, and we had a gang problem that seemed to transcend ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. We had wealthy Korean gangsters, middle class white gangsters, and upper, middle class and lower class Hispanic and African American gangsters. I was raising two and four year old boys at the time and I was interested in what caused the young men in my community to become gangs..Continue reading

A Personal God is the Best Explanation for the Beginning of the Universe

Christians aren’t the only ones looking for the first “uncaused cause” of the universe. Everyone, theists and atheists alike, is looking for the cause of a universe that clearly had a beginning. If the cause of the universe was itself caused, then our search for the beginning of everything would continue, wouldn’t it? We’d be sifting through a series of previous causes toward infinity past, and we all recognize that a search of this nature is both futile and illogical. Believers, skeptics and se..Continue reading

Church & Ministries

Hot Topics

Debating Atheists: Arrival of Jesus (part 5/5)

#4 The Arrival of Jesus Ancient history is a funny thing. We depend on the information, but no one was there to see it. Historians meet this challenge with the standard method of historiography. Historiography is scientific in a sense, albeit different than the hard sciences like physics and chemistry. In both cases, absolute certainty still evades us. Historians seek only to identify what events are more likely than not to have happened. Famous religion skeptic Bart Ehrman says human events t..Continue reading

The Five Tests of False Doctrine

Sound doctrine originates with God, is recorded in the Word of God, is consistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to both spiritual health and godly living. False doctrine originates with men or demons, is foreign to the Word of God, is inconsistent with the whole revelation of God, and leads to spiritual weakness and ungodly living. It must pass all of the tests in order to be sound. If it fails one, it fails all of them. T.D. Jakes says that God eternally exists in three manifesta..Continue reading

The Call of Widowhood

Widows have a special place in the heart of God. To remind us of who he is, God often identifies himself with certain people. He calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to remind his people of his covenant promises (Ex. 3:15-16). He is known as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ so we know that he is Triune (Rom 15:6). Similarly, God identifies himself with widows. He executes justice for them (Deut. 10:18) and spreads his wings over them to protect them (Ruth 2:12). The psal..Continue reading

Did Early Christians Believe That Jesus Would Return in Their Own Lifetime? Implications for Canon

But, this argument simply doesn’t hold. First, it is by no means evident that early Christians believed Jesus would necessarily return in their own lifetime. Schweitzer’s views have been largely rejected–and rightly so. But, let’s imagine, for the sake of argument, that Christians did have this apocalyptic mentality. Does that mean they would have resisted the composition of new books, focusing instead on only oral methods of delivery? One of the most-oft repeated ideas about the earliest Chris..Continue reading

Women

The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends

The Secret to Finding and Keeping Friends “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!” (Luke 6:31) Okay, here it is—this is the secret to finding and keeping lasting friendships: become women who want to see the women around them flourish. They have a word for that in Hebrew—it’s shalom. But not shalom like you might think. Not the overused, under-appreciated translation that we’re so used to throwin..Continue reading

Why Your House Needs Hospitality

Why Your House Needs Hospitality There’s a tradition around our house. It’s been in place for a while now. We serve dinner on paper plates. Actually, we usually just do this when we don’t want to do the dishes. When we do, someone will get the “star plate.” That’s the plate that has a small star drawn on the bottom of it. We shuffle the plates like a deck of cards so no one knows who’s getting the star plate. Getting this plate is a big deal, because whoever ends up with it gets to pick what we..Continue reading

How He Longs for You

How He Longs for You

How He Longs for You It is truly one of the most heartbreaking moments in all of Scripture. In Matthew 23:37, we see Jesus’ heart for Israel, His wandering people: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Jesus spoke these words to the Jews, but His divine words tell us a lot about the heart of God for all His people. Our heaven..Continue reading

Curiosity Is an Act of Worship

Curiosity Is an Act of Worship

Curiosity Is an Act of Worship And one thing I know about curiosity: it’s democratic. Anyone, anywhere, of any age or education level, can use it.—Brian Grazer I love concepts and ideas. They energize me. But at some point ideas must be broken down into workable pieces, bits that people can do something with; otherwise they aren’t worth much. You just read ten chapters of ideas. Yes, there were examples and a few stories scattered throughout but not much in the way of instruction. So this is m..Continue reading

Life & Society

U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Hear Appeal Over Ban on Helping Youth Struggling With Homosexuality

WASHINGTON — A religious rights organization has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal regarding California’s ban on “conversion therapy” and counseling youth to resist romantic desires toward the same sex. “SB 1172 directly violates the fundamental constitutional right to privacy in that it prohibits minors from defining their own existence. The law prevents minors from accessing mental health services and spiritual mentoring that would assist them in diminishing same-sex attract..Continue reading

UK Mother Who Miscarried at 23 Weeks Seeks to Have Baby Recognized by State

(Christian Institute) — A mother who had a miscarriage at 23 weeks is fighting to have her baby’s life recognized by the state. Sarah Henderson, who gave birth to her daughter Rowan less than six months into her pregnancy, has no official record of her existence. UK law states that stillborn babies born before the 24-week abortion limit are not recorded on a birth certificate or a death certificate. Continue reading this story >> A special message from the publisher... Dear Reader, because ..Continue reading

U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Redirect Planned Parenthood Funding to Women’s Health Care Providers

WASHINGTON — Two U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would redirect more than $500 million in federal funding from the abortion and contraceptive giant Planned Parenthood to women’s health care providers that do not perform abortions. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and James Lankford, R-Okla., recently introduced the “Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act” with the support of 127 co-sponsors. “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no federal funds may be made available to Planned ..Continue reading

Turkey Detains Nearly 750 ISIS Suspects in Nationwide Raids

Photo Credit: Burak SuANKARA, Turkey (Associated Press)– Turkey has now detained nearly 750 suspects in a police operation against the Islamic State group, authorities said Monday. Anti-terrorism police launched the security operation against people with alleged links to IS early Sunday, conducting simultaneous raids in 29 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara and the border provinces of Gaziantep and Sanliurfa. The Interior Ministry released a statement Monday saying that 748 people have been..Continue reading

Persecution

China’s New Policy Expected to Lead to More Religious Persecution

Photo Credit: Bibles for China(China Aid/Morning Star News) – China Aid’s 2016 Annual Persecution Report details a seismic shift in the Chinese government’s approach to religious policy that is expected to lead to further persecution. The report’s core subject tracks a deviation in the Chinese government’s ideological approach to religious management. During the National Conference of Religious Work held in April 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of religions “persist..Continue reading

Ethiopian Girls Charged With ‘Inciting Religious Violence’ Released From Prison

BABILE, Ethiopia (Open Doors USA) — Four teenage believers, three of them minors, served a one-month jail sentence after being convicted on charges of distributing Christian literature and “inciting religious violence.” The girls were reported to be “in good health” following their release from prison on Dec. 22. Gifti, 14; Mihiret, 14; Eden, 15; and Deborah, 18, served their sentences in a large prison in Gelemiso among adult criminals. The Christian girls ordeal began when they were arrested ..Continue reading

Christians in Mexico Face Violent Persecution From Criminal Drug Cartels

(Open Doors USA) — In parts of Mexico, going to church is risky and dangerous. Drug cartels are treading on the heels of churches in Mexico, extending their gripping power beyond the northern states where, for many years, they have been harassing entire communities ruthlessly. A very common practice drug traffickers have implemented to control whole communities in the territories where they operate is a “tax” collection system used to charge churches and businesses for the right to exist. “It ..Continue reading

Chinese Christians Sentenced for Buying, Selling Devotionals

LIAOYANG, Liaoning (China Aid) — A court in China’s northeastern Liaoning province sentenced five Christian leaders to three to seven years behind bars on Wednesday for purchasing and selling prohibited Christian material. On Feb. 22, the defendants, comprised of four women and one man, learned they would be imprisoned for allegedly buying and selling “officially forbidden Christian devotional books.” Of them, pastor Li Dongzhe and Piao Shunnan received seven years, Zhao Chunxia and Li Yuan wer..Continue reading

Movies

“Hell House” and shock-and-awe evangelism

George Ratliff’s “Hell House,” (2002) resonates with me in a way few documentaries have. Its depiction of evangelicalism is strikingly familiar. When its church members speak about sin, salvation, and Hell, I hear phrases that could have come from my own lips 20 years ago. As I’ve returned to the film over 10 years, my relationship to it has changed. At first, I was sympathetic to the members of Trinity Church, located in Cedar Hill, Texas. Years later, I was frustrated. Now, I find their tactic..Continue reading

Review: Inferno (dir. Ron Howard, 2016)

Remember The Da Vinci Code? It was all the rage a decade or so ago, what with its sensationalistic claims that Jesus had had a wife and child, and that a secret society had been keeping his descendants hidden for centuries to protect them from the big bad Catholic church. The book spawned a film, and the film spawned a sequel (which was actually based on an earlier book), and then… it all just kind of stopped. Dan Brown wrote a third novel, The Lost Symbol, but the studio never got around to fil..Continue reading

Is Doctor Strange the best Marvel Cinematic Universe movie yet?

Variety magazine’s chief film critic has seen Doctor Strange, and he calls it “Marvel’s most satisfying entry since ‘Spider-Man 2’ ”. That’s high praise, considering Spider-Man 2 came out four years before Iron Man, and thus four years before the invention of what we now know as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Other critics have been a little more reserved with their praise — IndieWIRE merely called this film “the most exciting addition to [Marvel’s] ever-expanding universe since ‘The Avengers,’ ..Continue reading

Watch: Desmond Doss refuses to fight back in a clip from Hacksaw Ridge

Before he faced combat on the front lines, Desmond Doss — a World War II medic who refused to carry a weapon because of his religious beliefs — had to face his fellow soldiers. A new clip from Hacksaw Ridge shows how some of Doss’s fellow troops bullied him and called him a “coward” for refusing to kill or fight back. Here is the clip: The film opens across North America two weeks from today, on November 4. Update: A second clip, of Doss rescuing a sergeant who had dismissed him because of his ..Continue reading

Watch: Desmond Doss refuses to fight back, and rescues one of his comrades, in two clips from Hacksaw Ridge

Before he faced combat on the front lines, Desmond Doss — a World War II medic who refused to carry a weapon because of his religious beliefs — had to face his fellow troops. A new clip from Hacksaw Ridge shows how some of Doss’s fellow soldiers bullied him and called him a “coward” for refusing to kill or fight back. Here is the clip: The film opens across North America two weeks from today, on November 4. Update: A second clip, of Doss rescuing his sergeant, has popped up too: Check out earl..Continue reading

Newsbites: The independent Christian film edition!

Here are three quick news items that came up over the past week. 1. The Hollywood Reporter says atheists are complaining that I’m Not Ashamed, a film about the Columbine massacre, depicts Rachel Scott, the first person killed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, as a Christian martyr. The news site also has a clip of the scene in which Scott is shot. The film comes to American theatres tomorrow. 2. The makers of God’s Not Dead have been sued by several people who claim that the film ripped off the..Continue reading

“The Second Coming of Christ” drama coming in March 2017

Flawless Production Inc. (Tarzana, California) has released the first trailer for their upcoming action drama “The Second Coming of Christ.” The main protagonist is a female atheist scientist experiencing end events leading up to Christ’s return. Experienced cast members include Golden Globe nominee Tom Sizemore (“Saving Private Ryan”), Oscar® nominee Sally Kirkland (“JFK,” “Bruce Almighty”), Jason London (“Dazed an..Continue reading

Box office: The Accountant balances the books in North America, while Inferno heats up ticket sales overseas

A thriller starring Ben Affleck topped the North American box office this week, but the biggest winner globally was a Da Vinci Code sequel that opened overseas. The Accountant, starring Affleck as an autistic hit man, led the way domestically with an estimated $24.7 million between Thursday and Sunday nights. But Inferno — the third film starring Tom Hanks as a Harvard “symbologist” who uses his knowledge of Renaissance art to thwart a series of global conspiracies — made more than double that, ..Continue reading

Watch: Two more TV spots for Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge

Another week, another pair of Hacksaw Ridge TV spots. Here’s one called ‘Stay True’ (as in Desmond Doss’s line, “I don’t know how I’m going to live with myself if I don’t stay true to what I believe”): And here’s one called ‘Witness’: The film opens November 4, which is three weeks from today. Check out earlier Hacksaw Ridge trailers and other videos here: The ‘Believe’ trailer (July 28, 2016)The ‘Greg Laurie Interviews Mel Gibson’ video (August 31, 2016)The ‘Incredible’ and ‘Duty’ TV spots (O..Continue reading

Music

Aaron & Amanda Crabb To Join Inaugural Festivities

Acclaimed Difference Media husband/wife duo Aaron & Amanda Crabb will head to Washington, D.C., next week to perform at Family Research Council's Faith Freedom & Future Inaugural Ball, it was recently announced. The couple joins a lineup of top performers, including best-selling comedian Chonda Pierce, at the black-tie gala set to follow the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on January 20. RELATED Chonda Pierce To Perform At Faith Freedom & Future Inaugural Ball "We truly count i..Continue reading

Bethel Music’s Brian & Jenn Johnson To Unveil ‘After All These Years’ January 27

More than 10 years since their last solo release, Bethel Music's Brian & Jenn Johnson will debut their highly anticipated album After All These Years on January 27, capturing the wonder, conviction, and tenderness of heart behind the story of who they've become and who they've remained over the past season. Cowriting every song on the album together, After All These Years varies stylistically from previous projects, as each track is marked by a distinct and bright 80-piece symphon..Continue reading

Thousand Foot Krutch Gives Away Three Song EP

Thousand Foot Krutch is starting the new year by giving away a three song EP via NoiseTrade. You can download it here. RELATED Thousand Foot Krutch Fights With A 'Different Kind Of Dynamite' The EP features "Push," the latest single from last year's album Exhale, alongside a remix of Oxygen Inhale's song "Untraveled Road" and an acoustic version of "Let the Sparks Fly" from 2012's The End is Where We Begin. All three songs are available on a free or pay-what-you can b..Continue reading

Chonda Pierce To Perform At Faith Freedom & Future Inaugural Ball

Best-selling comedian Chonda Pierce is set to take the stage for a performance at the Faith Freedom & Future Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., January 20. Presented by Family Research Council, one of the country's leading policy organizations, the ball is among a slate of high-profile celebrations to follow the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump earlier that day. RELATED Chonda Pierce Caps 2016 With Sold-Out National Tour, Award-Winning DVD And Key Appearances "The inaugural even..Continue reading

Big Daddy Weave Kicks Off 2017 With Set Free Tour

Fervent Records/Word Entertainment artist Big Daddy Weave will kick off 2017 with their Set Free tour. The 25-city tour, which will begin January 25th in Joplin, Missouri, will feature guest artists We Are Messengers and Zach Williams. The current singles from the three artists Big Daddy Weave's "The Lion and the Lamb," We Are Messengers' "Magnify" and Zach Williams "Chain Breaker" are all topping the Christian music radio charts. RELATED Big Daddy Weave Receives The Rich Mullins Arti..Continue reading

Cece Winans Returns After Nine Years With Soul-Stirring Album

Ten-time Grammy winner Cece Winans' long-awaited new album, 'Let Them Fall In Love,' is set for release on February 3, 2017 via Puresprings Gospel/Thirty Tigers. Recording her first solo album in nearly a decade, the multiplatinum-selling artist returned to the studio to cut her most adventurous album yet. Produced by her son Alvin Love III, along with Winans' long-time collaborator Tommy Sims (Garth Brooks, Michael McDonald, Bonnie Raitt) and mixed bye Dae Bennett (Tony Benn..Continue reading

MercyMe’s Bart Millard Announces Movie

Bart Millard, lead singer for GRAMMY-nominated band MercyMe, has announced that he is in the process of filming a movie based on his childhood and how it inspired the writing of MercyMe's biggest hit. "5 years ago I was approached about making a movie about my childhood and how it inspired the song "I Can Only Imagine." This is Dennis Quaid, who plays my dad. CRAZY!" Millard shared via social media this week. RELATED MercyMe Announces New Album Through PledgeMusic Campaign The movie, dire..Continue reading

Worship Artist Josh Pantana Premieres New Video

Josh Pantana is an independent artist based in Nashville, TN with a style reminiscent of singer-songwriters such as James Taylor, and John Denver. His modern effect of ambient post-rock and electro influences can be heard in his songs that deal with topics such as faith and healing, and his story-esque approach pays homage to the stylings of greats such as Johnny Cash, and Paul Simon. NewReleaseToday.com is premiering his new worship video, "My King is Known By Mercy," today. "My church, Midto..Continue reading

Cana’s Voice To Launch New Year With Video Shoot In Houston, TX

Cana's Voice remains a busy touring act and will start off the New Year with a live concert videotaping at Champion Forest Baptist Church, Houston, Texas on Jan. 22. Mark Lowry will be the special guest on the program, and the church's choir will join Cana's Voice on several songs. This will be a free concert, with an open invitation for anyone to attend and be a part of the live taping. Doors will open at 6 pm CST and the concert will begin at 7 pm CST. Cana's Voice will per..Continue reading

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