Last spring I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for NFL players put on by Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), a group which exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence. They have a fantastic outreach to professional football and baseball athletes and their wives. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing difference they’re making. In the off-season I exchanged emails and texts with dozens of NFL players and cha..Continue reading→
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Thoughts
Motherhood Is a Marathon
I wanted to do great things for God. In the spring of my senior year of college, on the brink of embarking upon my own journey into adulthood, my future was undecided and that was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling. As a philosophy major, my path was narrower than I had realized, but I was sure it would take me on some grand and glorious adventure. I knew the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “Glorify” sounds like such a grand term. It evokes images of battlefie..Continue reading→
1 Peter 5:7–8: How Not to Battle Anxiety
Anxieties attack our faith and torment our peace. The question with anxiety is not whether it will come, but rather, how can I fight it when it does? Watch NowContinue reading→
Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?
Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek (pantōn tōn kakōn). It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version. Bu..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
In Praise of Heavy Providences
I share this story because I believe the American church desperately needs this perspective on life—the perspective captured in the profoundly simple hymn that sings, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” But by and large, the evangelical church in America sings, “This world is my home and here I’m putting down roots!” Today, I’m struck anew with how contrary to the world is the Christian life. I’m thinking specifically about how the world will almost without fail define the ..Continue reading→
Autopsy Of A Deceased Pastor
They had no defenders in the church.Imagine a dying person with no medical intervention. That person will die. Imagine pastors without members who will stand by these leaders. Imagine pastors where members are too cowardly to stand up to cartels. If you can imagine that, then you can imagine a dying pastor. By the way, this form of death is often the most painful. The pastor is dying without anyone to help or intervene. They are the walking dead. They are dead emotionally. Their vision and pa..Continue reading→
Aquinas Is No Safe Guide For Protestants
In his Summa Theologica, Aquinas clearly stated his view that the sacraments perform their work through a virtue in themselves. He also stated unequivocally that the sacraments confer the new birth, justification, the grace of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, inward enlightenment, the washing away of guilt, and forgiveness of sins on every person who partakes of them. From time to time, I come across articles by Reformed authors wherein they encourage the reading of the Summa Theologica by Thom..Continue reading→
Aquinas Is Not Safe Guide For Protestants
In his Summa Theologica, Aquinas clearly stated his view that the sacraments perform their work through a virtue in themselves. He also stated unequivocally that the sacraments confer the new birth, justification, the grace of the Holy Spirit, sanctification, inward enlightenment, the washing away of guilt, and forgiveness of sins on every person who partakes of them. From time to time, I come across articles by Reformed authors wherein they encourage the reading of the Summa Theologica by Thom..Continue reading→
Life & Society
Mom made proud by her son who stopped to pray, recite Pledge of Allegiance even though he was late to school
A young boy stopped to pray and recite the Pledge of Allegiance on his way to his school in Texas. A Texas mother is so proud of her kindergartner after she saw him stop to pray and recite the Pledge of Allegiance even even though he was already running late for school last week. Royce Thompson recently posted a photo of her son on her Facebook page. The picture shows her son standing outside the door of his school, the Wollam Elementary School in Sante Fe. "Proud mommy aler..Continue reading→
Poll Finds Most Non-Mainline Pastors Spoke About Abortion From Pulpit Within Past Year
A poll conducted by the Barna Group finds that most non-mainline Protestant pastors have spoken about abortion from the pulpit over the past year, while the majority of denominations considered to be apostate did not. Barna’s quarterly Pastor Poll inquired of 513 Protestant senior pastors and 88 Roman Catholic priests last December and January as to whether pro-life issues are a part of their assembly. Mainline congregations were defined as American Baptist, United C..Continue reading→
Atheists want Ten Commandments painting removed from Kentucky county clerk office
The Ten Commandments painting on display inside the Trigg County clerk's office in Kentucky. A group of atheists has asked a county clerk's office in Kentucky to remove a Ten Commandments painting, claiming it violated the Establishment Clause. The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has sent a letter to Trigg County Clerk Carmen Finley regarding the painting which is displayed at the Trigg County clerk's office, which carries the words "God spoke these words" and includ..Continue reading→
Solicitor and wife accused of swindling retired vicar out of £230,000
Giles and Clare Scott are being tried at Teesside Crown Court. A solicitor and his wife have gone on trial at Teesside Crown Court accused of swindling a retired vicar out of more than £230,000. Rev Jane Waugh, 78, believed she could trust Giles and Clare Scott, who she met through the church choir. She gave Giles Scott power of attorney over her financial affairs and employed Clare Scott to care for her. But the court was told the couple stripped her of her assets. Giles Scott has admitted ..Continue reading→
Movies
The Star — the first major-studio animated feature based on the New Testament — has a plot synopsis now
Every now and then, I like to check in on the Sony Pictures Animation website to see if there’s any new information about The Star, the animated Nativity movie coming out in eleven months. Today I noticed that the website now has more story details. Here is the current plot synopsis: In Sony Pictures Animation’s THE STAR, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of..Continue reading→
The Nativity Story marks its 10th anniversary today
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the theatrical release of The Nativity Story — the first attempt by a big-ish Hollywood studio to replicate the box-office success that Mel Gibson had found two years earlier with The Passion of the Christ. As we now know, things didn’t quite turn out the way the studio hoped, but the film had its merits, and a few of the people involved went on to bigger and better things — notably director Catherine Hardwicke, who went on to direct the first film in the Twi..Continue reading→
Watch: Sam Worthington gets a visit from the three persons of the Trinity in the first trailer for The Shack
First it was coming out in August, then it was coming out in November. But now the film version of William P. Young’s The Shack is set to come out in March — on March 3, to be precise — and today we finally have our first trailer for the film. Here is the trailer: Coincidentally, there is another movie coming out soon that features a grieving father who is visited by three supernatural beings. In this case, the movie is Collateral Beauty, and the beings in question are Death, Time and Love: It..Continue reading→
Watch: The making of the sea-galley sequence in Ben-Hur
The chariot race isn’t the only big action sequence in Ben-Hur. The story also includes a naval battle that has played a big part in nearly all dramatic versions of the story. And now, to promote the newest film’s Digital HD release, we have a clip from one of the new featurettes that looks at how the sea-galley sequence was put together. Here is the clip, courtesy of Nerd Reactor: The film is out on Digital HD now and comes to DVD and Blu-Ray on December 13. Check out earlier trailers and othe..Continue reading→
Watch: The stars of Ben-Hur (now on Digital HD) talk about the dangers of chariot driving — including gassy horses
Timur Bekmambetov’s remake of Ben-Hur came out on iTunes, Google Play and other digital platforms today. I’m still waiting for the Blu-Ray, so I won’t be able to check out the bonus features until then, but for now, USA Today has a clip from one of the making-of featurettes that focuses on — what else? — the chariot race. Here is the clip, which features soundbites from producer Roma Downey and co-stars Jack Huston (who plays Judah Ben-Hur) and Toby Kebbell (Messala): The film will be out on DVD..Continue reading→
Box office: Moana sails to the top of the charts
Disney added another film to its growing list of box-office hits this week. Moana, an animated film about a Polynesian princess who teams up with a demigod to save her island, earned an estimated $55.5 million between Friday and Sunday and an estimated $81.1 million in total since opening on Tuesday night. That’s the second-best opening of any film released over the American Thanksgiving, behind the $93.6 million that Frozen earned in its first five days in 2013. It is also the best opening of a..Continue reading→
“A Muppet Family Christmas”: Christmas with old friends
Welcome to a new, fun series I’m doing this holiday season. From now until December 25, I’ll be writing about some Christmas-themed pop culture I love, whether that’s movies, TV specials, music or just holiday experiences. Sometimes these will be short, fun pieces. Other times, they’ll be a bit longer and more introspective. I hope you have fun, share your own memories and have a happy season! So much of our enjoyment of the Christmas season comes from nostalgia. We gravitate toward the traditi..Continue reading→
Watch: The trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Silence, about the persecution of Catholic converts in 17th-century Japan
One of the last movies to enter this year’s awards race is a film that has been brewing for decades. Martin Scorsese first read Shūsaku Endō’s 1966 novel Silence, which concerns the persecution of Catholic converts in 17th-century Japan, nearly 30 years ago, and he has wanted to make a movie version of it ever since. Now, at last, his adaptation is complete, and it looks like it could be a powerful film indeed. Here is the trailer that Paramount released last night: The film stars Andrew Garfie..Continue reading→
New pictures: Aviv Alush as Jesus in The Shack, Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus with Rooney Mara in Mary Magdalene
Jesus will be on the big screen in at least two movies next year, and if you want to get a sense of what he will look like, we now have new pictures from both films. First, from The Shack, Aviv Alush recently posted the following image of himself as Jesus wearing a modern-day carpenter’s clothes: Octavia Spencer also posted an image of herself as “Papa” a.k.a. God the Father with Alush as Jesus and Sumire Matsubara as “Sarayu” a.k.a. the Holy Spirit: We saw earlier images of Alush and Spencer in..Continue reading→
Music
Danny Gokey’s ‘Rise’ Debuts At #1 On Billboard’s Top Christian’Gospel Albums Chart
Danny Gokey's RISE debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top Christian/Gospel Albums Chart, #9 on the Top Current Albums Chart and #32 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. His fourth studio album, RISE (January 13, BMG) follows Danny's latest studio album Hope In Front Of Me which also debuted at #1 and crossed 50 million cumulative U.S. streams today. Drawing from his own experiences with grief and adversity, RISE offers a powerful message of hope and triumph. The title track has already hit #..Continue reading→
Zach Williams’ ‘Chain Breaker’ Continues To Top Radio Charts
As 2016 came to a close, Essential Records' artist Zach Williams was wrapping up an astounding year. Not only did he receive his first GRAMMY® nomination, he was also featured on numerous best of 2016 lists while also topping their sales charts with outlets such as iTunes and Amazon (for the "Chain Breaker" single and EP). Apple Music also named Williams their New Artist Of The Week, where editors handpick the hottest emerging acts on the rise. RELATED Grammy Nominated Zach Williams Drops..Continue reading→
Random Hero Releases New Song Mirror Mirror
Random Hero has released a new song and lyric video, titled "Mirror Mirror." The song is the first release from their upcoming double EP release, funded through PledgeMusic. RELATED Random Hero Nears End of Crowdfunding Campaign "Mirror Mirror" offers fans a preview of what they can expect from the dual EPs, The Gift & the Curse and The Light & The Covering. The EPs were entirely fan-funded, with the campaign exceeding its goal. The projects follow up Oceans of Change, which released in 2014. ..Continue reading→
Jonah by KJ-52
KJ's 11th studio album and first independent release, Jonah, will come January 20, 2017. KJ's real name, Jonah Sorrentino, serves as the inspiration for what he describes as his "most transparent/humorous/serious/entertaining and poignant tracks" to date. "The grind of life can really wear on your creativity but this newest project that I've been working on could be the most powerful stuff I've done since the beginning of my career," he wrote. "The new record was inspired by my real name and reflects the transparency of how I've been feeling in my current writing."[...]Continue reading→
Brooklyn and Courtney by Collingsworth Family
When you attend a Collingsworth Family concert, it's more than singing. Of course they are known for their beautiful lush harmonies, but they are also known for their superior instrumental work. Both Phil and Kim Collingsworth have recorded award-winning instrumental tracks, but now it is time for the next generation to shine as StowTown Records and The Collingsworth Family present Brooklyn and Courtney. Both sisters are well versed as violinists, and fans have been asking for a full-length feature for years. Classics, hymns, Classical numbers and popular songs can all be found in this grand effort. From the epic arrangement[...]Continue reading→
Jaci Velasquez To Release First New Album In Five Years
Bilingual, multi-Platinum selling recording artist and actress Jaci Velasquez will release her first, full-length studio album in over five years. The highly-anticipated recording, both the English-language version, Trust, and Spanish-language Confío, will release globally to over 160 nations March 31 from Integrity Music. A Billboard Latin Music Award winner with five Spanish albums to her credit, this marks the first time for Velasquez to simultaneously release an album in both languages. REL..Continue reading→
Ellie Holcomb Premieres New Music Video For ‘Find You Here’
Singer songwriter Ellie Holcomb will release her sophomore album, Red Sea Road, next week on January 27. In anticipation of her forthcoming release, today Billboard.com premiered her music video for the single "Find You Here," which is also the new album's current radio single. Click below to view Holcomb's video taped in the Appalachian Mountains over a 48 hour girls' road trip. The video can also be viewed here courtesy of Billboard online. RELATED Ellie Holcomb To Release Sop..Continue reading→
American
Doubting Your Doubts (Jonathan Storment)
Doubting Your Doubts So last week I wrote a post responding to the New York Times article from December where the columnist Nicholas Kristof interviewed Pastor Tim Keller about Christianity. The article was great, and I appreciated both Keller’s answers and Kristof’s questions. I wrote last week, that one of the things that I appreciated the most, was Keller’s pastoral yet counter-cultural way of answering Kristof’s question of “Am I a Christian?” Kristof is an admirer of Jesus and appreciates m..
Pro-Life Groups Urge Senate Committee to Confirm Pro-Life Rep. Tom Price as HHS Secretary
A Senate committee will vote tomorrow on the nomination of pro-life Congressman Tom Price to be Secretary of the health and human services department. Price is one of President Donald Trump’s marquee pro-life nominees to head a cabinet department that will have significant overview concerning pro-life policies. Leading up to tomorrow’s vote, pro-life organizations such as the Family Research Council are urging senators to vote Yes on Price’s nomination. FRC president Tony Perkins sent the foll..
Miracle Twins Who Survive Birth at 23 Weeks Prompt Call to Ban Late-Term Abortions
Claire and James Weir are proud parents of the youngest twins to be born in Great Britain, according to The Sun. At approximately one pound in weight, Imogen and Annabelle Weir were born at 23 weeks and 4 days. “They are the youngest and smallest surviving twins to be born in Scotland,” Claire Weir told The Sun. “I’d never heard of twins so small surviving. It didn’t seem possible for one, let alone two.” Their story makes the call to ban late-term abortions even more pressing. The legal cut o..
Majority of Americans Agree With President Trump’s Decision to Stop International Abortion Funding
This past Monday, pro-life President Donald Trump made it abundantly clear the United States will no longer use taxpayer dollars to support organizations that promote the killing of unborn children in developing nations. I congratulate White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer for explaining to reporters the underpinnings of that change: that funneling tax dollars overseas to organizations that perform or promote abortions “is contrary to the values of this president.” The president’s action ill..
Entertainment
Measuring Success: One Woman’s Counter-Cultural Path
As an independent filmmaker, I have the privilege of telling stories that you don’t often see coming out of the mainstream media or Hollywood studios. I relish the opportunity to work on projects that take risks—that shine a light on gems beneath unturned stones. And yet, even I didn’t expect to find such a treasure as the woman I’ve spent the last few years uncovering. Perhaps the greatest unknown hero I’ve encountered, she has taught me about success in ways that couldn’..
Searching for Jesus: A Q&A with Risen’s Joseph Fiennes
Rome, Italy – February 3, 2016: Joseph Fiennes attends RISEN photocall overlooking Vatican City. “If I was to take anything away personally from making this film, it’s the concept of redemption and forgiveness and second chances. The second chance for Clavius resonates with me, and I think it might for a lot of people.” — Joseph Fiennes, who plays Roman Military Tribune Clavius in the new movie, Risen What would it be like to be the Roman military official assigned to find the body of Jesus afte..
Risen: Not Just Another Bible Movie
A scene from the new movie, Risen, starring Joseph Fiennes. There are films that are entertaining. There are films that are soul-stirring. And there are films that are faithful to the source material (when the source material is the Bible, this third category becomes an important one for many believers). It is rare to experience a film that checks one or two of these boxes, let alone all three. Risen, starring Joseph Fiennes and opening in theaters February 19, is a film that definitively inhabi..
Coach Lad: The Real Story of the Coach Portrayed in ‘When The Game Stands Tall’
In his 33 years at De La Salle High School in California, Bob “Coach Lad” Ladouceur became one of the most successful high school coaches in the nation. His 399-25-3 record ranks the most victories in California history, including 29 North Coast Section championships, 17 California State championships and the longest winning streak in the history of high school sports. Five different times, both USA Today and Fox Sports Net voted De La Salle the No. 1 team in the nation; the Spartans finished in..
US
Small Oklahoma town thwarts OPEC
Cushing, Oklahoma, is a town of about 7,000 close to where we live. What makes it notable is that several oil pipelines cross there. Which has led to the construction of massive oil storage facilities where production companies can park their oil until it’s needed. The big OPEC producers, led by Saudi Arabia, have made a deal with non-OPEC producers, such as Russia, to cut back production in an attempt to drive up prices. But because Cushing has built up such a big supply, prices are staying low..
Ceremonial Deism
The Supreme Court ruled in 1984 that Nativity scenes in publicly-owned spaces are legal. As long as they don’t mean anything. Hillsdale Sophomore Nic Rowan writing in the Federalist sees this as an example of “ceremonial deism.” After the jump, read his argument and my thoughts on the matter. From Nic Rowan, Supreme Court: You Can Only Have Public Nativity Scenes If They Don’t Mean Anything, The Federalist: A nativity scene placed in the public square is not a religious symbol. It’s an instance..
Our attention span drops to below that of a goldfish
Americans have a very high literacy rate. The problem is, though people can read, many of them don’t read. At least not anything longer than a tweet or a blog post. One-quarter of Americans haven’t read a single book all year. That can be said of one-third of American men. One problem, reports Eric Metaxas, is that our attention span keeps dropping. In the year 2000, our average attention span was an already unimpressive 12 seconds. Now it’s 8 seconds. One journalist observed that this is less t..
Gift idea: Christianity Today’s 2017 book awards
Christianity Today has announced its 2017 book awards. The list of winners in all of the different categories might give you some good ideas for Christmas presents. I like book editor Matt Reynolds’ introduction to the list. He surveys how, thanks to the new printing press, Luther’s Reformation in 1517 was tied to the reading of books. Reading popularized the Reformation, and the Reformation popularized reading. From Matt Reynolds, Christianity Today’s 2017 Book Awards | Christianity Today: Mak..