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
The Blessing of Humility (Book Review)
Bridges insists “A life of humility is not an option for a believer to choose or reject. It is a command of God.” To teach the beauty and value of humility as well as to start on down the path toward humility he turns to the Beatitudes saying, “these expressions of Christian character are a description of humility in action.” I wonder if The Blessing of Humility is Jerry Bridges’ final book. It was published posthumously, but soon enough after his death that it’s very possible there was still a..Continue reading→
Are We Living in the Last Days?
“When I look at two titans of theology like Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards and I see them making predictions and voicing their expectations of the near return of Jesus and being wrong, that gives me pause.” We have to be careful not to be guilty of what Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for—what I call the Red Sky Syndrome. If you recall, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they had an ability to predict the weather. They could look at the sky, and if it was red at night, they would say, “Sailor’..Continue reading→
“God Made Me for China” — Eric Liddell Beyond Olympic Glory
“Americans of my generation remember Eric Liddell largely because of Chariots of Fire, the 1981 British film written by Colin Welland, produced by David Puttnam, and directed by Hugh Hudson.” Olympic glory abounds in Rio as the 31st modern Olympiad is well underway. This time, the event is living up to its hype, especially for Americans, who are likely drawn to the pomp and ceremony as much as the athletic competition. The medal ceremonies represent both climax and catharsis, with athletes awa..Continue reading→
The Trinity: Praying to the Father through the Son by the Spirit
“In the Covenant of Redemption, the Son voluntarily agreed to become incarnate and undergo the miseries of this life and the excruciating death of the cross and the victorious resurrection from the grave for us. And when he ascended, he entered into the loving heavenly Father’s presence with our (now glorified) human nature where he represent us and has ongoing sympathy, indeed empathy, for us.” The Christian doctrine of the Triune Godhead is often thought more in terms of an intellectual puzzl..Continue reading→
Life & Society
Parties at War: Boris Johnson pulls out of leadership race
Boris Johnson will not stand to be Conservative party leader. After a morning of shock revelations, the former London major and champion of the campaign to leave the European Union, said was not the right person to lead the UK. The move came after his Vote Leave colleague Michael Gove and home secretary Theresa May both announced they will run for leader. Gove, the justice secretary, announced his surprise bid with a dig at Johnson who he said could not "provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead". He had been expected to support Johnson's campaign after the pair were leading lights in bringing the UK out of the EU. The shock announcement came as both Labour and Conservative parties headed for a summer in turmoil as a leadership race begins within both. The justice secretary Michael Gove will run against Theresa May, Stephen Crabb, Liam Fox and Andrea Leadsom. Home secretary Theresa May announced her leadership bid earlier o..Continue reading→
Anti-Christian bias, the BBC and the problem of religious literacy
Is the BBC institutionally hostile to Christianity, only interested in knocking our faith and promoting other religions? It seems unlikely, on the face of it, but that's the charge leveled against it by a Christian group that's just presented a 12,000-signature petition to director-general Lord Hall. Voice for Justice calls on him to "protect the UK's Christian heritage and reject current proposals to reduce and downgrade Christian programming in favour of increased coverage for Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths". It accuses the BBC's head of religion and ethics, Aaqil Ahmed – a Muslim – of regularly commissioning documentaries "displaying clearly pro-Islamic bias, while calling into question fundamental tenets and teachings of Christianity". Britain, it says, is a Christian country and so Christianity should be treated with respect and given more airtime than minority groups; and, "In particular, Islam should not be singled out for special interest and presen..Continue reading→
Women who attend religious services five time less likely to commit suicide, study says
Researchers also found that Catholic women were less likely to commit suicide than Protestant women. Women who regularly attend religious services are five times less likely to commit suicide in comparison to those who never attend services, researchers have found. A study published Wednesday by JAMA Psychiatry found that among more than 89,000 women, "attendance at religious services once per week or more was associated with an approximately 5-fold lower rate of suicide compared with never attending services". Researchers concluded that "frequent religious service attendance was associated with a significantly lower rate of suicide." The women, most of whom were white Christians, were studied over a period of 15 years between 1996 and 2010. During that time, 36 committed suicide, which is among the 10 leading causes of death in the US. "Our results do not imply that health care providers should prescribe attendance at religious services. However, for patie..Continue reading→
‘Satanic Islam’ pastor James McConnell forgives BBC presenter for ‘hijack’ interview
Pastor James McConnell says he forgives the BBC interviewer who pressed him on his attitude to Islam. The controversial Belfast pastor cleared of broadcasting hate speech after a sermon in which he branded Islam 'satanic' has said he forgives the BBC interviewer whose interviews with him brought him widespread negative publicity. Pastor James McConnell was tried after a sermon in which he said: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell" was broadcast online. He was charged with contravening the law against causing a grossly offensive message to be sent by means of a public electronic communications network. BBC presenter Stephen Nolan won an award for an interview with McConnell in 2014. One of the judges, Kevin Marsh, said: "Nolan was well informed and well prepared and tested the pastor's arguments robustly and persistently. The overall effect was an engaging interview in which not just the pastor'..Continue reading→
Movies
Review: Sisters
Universal Pictures Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in ‘Sisters’ This is a great movie for fans of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler who are OK with laughing until they cry at dirty jokes that have no right being that funny. Anybody who’s just one, the other, or neither, should probably steer clear and go see Star Wars. For those of you left in that small camp, you’ve hit a gold mine. Sisters is hilarious in all the worst ways, one of those movies..Continue reading→
Interview: When God Calls You to Leave the Art World
When God Calls You to Leave the Art WorldLilias Trotter could have been a famous painter. Instead, she chose to travel with two other single women to preach the gospel in Algeria. Why? In a recent New York magazine cover story, journalist Rebecca Traister notes that many more US women are embracing “that it’s okay for them not to be married.” She calls the decline of marriage “the most radical of feminist ideas.” But in fact, many women..Continue reading→
Commentary: What Do We Make of ’90 Minutes in Heaven’?
What Do We Make of '90 Minutes in Heaven'?Near-death experiences make for popular books and movies. But what should Christians do with them? Don Piper’s story, now made visible in the movie 90 Minutes in Heaven (out this weekend), records his experience of “d..Continue reading→
Watch: McCoy gives Spock a word of advice about “Earth girls” in the first clip from Star Trek Beyond
The other day, while trying to figure out the relevance of Rihanna’s lyrics to the Star Trek film she had written them for, I speculated that Spock and Uhura might break up in this movie. And, well, what do you know: our first clip from the film seems to depict just that, though without all the layers of angst that Rihanna’s song provides. Here is the clip: It’s interesting to see McCoy step in as Uhura walks away. When the first JJ Abrams film came out several years ago, it was noted that Uhura..Continue reading→
Behold the poster for Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge
After a ten-year hiatus, Mel Gibson is back in the director’s chair — and, fittingly for the Oscar-winning director of Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ, his next film is a war movie with a potentially strong faith element. Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a Seventh-Day Adventist who refused to carry a gun and served instead as a medic during World War II. He became the first conscientious objector to win the Congressional Medal of Honor after he saved 75 men during the..Continue reading→
VOICELESS film launches “100 Theaters in 50 Days” Campaign in response to Supreme Court ruling
The Supreme Court’s recent reversal of a Texas law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges and abortion facilities to meet basic health standards is a signal to the pro-life movement to push for social change in other ways, says Jason Jones, co-executive producer of the new pro-life film VOICELESS. Jones, founder of Movie to Movement, a non-profit organization that ..Continue reading→
A virtual-reality Jesus movie is coming this Christmas from the makers of Left Behind and The Passion of the Christ
The Jesus-movie genre is branching into a couple of high-tech formats this year. Ben-Hur, for example, will be the first 3D Jesus movie ever when it comes to theatres August 19. And now Variety reports that a virtual-reality movie is in the works, too: Jesus Christ is coming to VR screens: Autumn Productions and virtual-reality production firm VRWERX have slated the release of “Jesus VR – The Story of Christ” for Christmas 2016. The 90-minute film will be available on all major mobile and premiu..Continue reading→
Watch: New footage in three new ads for Star Trek Beyond
Yesterday we saw the final trailer for Star Trek Beyond. Today we get the first TV spots — and they give us even more new footage from the film, which opens July 22. Here is the main new spot, which focuses on the movie’s three main characters: There are two other spots as well that mostly recycle images from the trailers: Check out earlier trailers and other videos here: The first trailer (December 14, 2015)The second trailer, the CBS All Access teaser and the ‘Fan Event’ video (May 20, 2016)..Continue reading→
John Rhys-Davies is the apostle Peter, and Stephen Baldwin is the emperor Nero, in Peter: The Redemption
Last year, I noted that two Bible movies were being filmed in northern Ontario. One of those films — Joseph & Mary, starring Kevin Sorbo as the titular carpenter and Lara Jean Chorostecki as his bride — comes to DVD next week. And today I got a press release for the other film: Peter: The Redemption, which stars John Rhys-Davies as the apostle Peter and Stephen Baldwin as the emperor Nero. Here is the press release for the film, which comes to DVD August 2: (Los Angeles, CA) – Embark on an inspi..Continue reading→
Music
Switchfoot Announces Cold Turkey Party Live From The Hollywood Palladium on November 25th
Multi-platinum selling, Grammy-winning band SWITCHFOOT is thrilled to announce that they have teamed up with Live Nation for their first ever "Cold Turkey Party." The band will be celebrating the day after Thanksgiving with a live stream of their show from The Palladium in Los Angeles, CA for fans across the country via Live Nation TV's Facebook page, Live Nation's YouTube Channel, and LiveNation.com starting at 930pm PST/1230am EST. SWITCHFOOT kicked off the "Looking For America Tou..Continue reading→
‘Country Faith Volume 2’ To Release November 18
The latest in the hit Country Faith music series, Country Faith Volume 2, will release on November 18 to Christian retail through Word Entertainment and to mainstream retail and digital outlets through Curb Records. Based on the popular book Country Faith penned by award-winning author/journalist Deborah Evans Price, the new music project will feature faith-based country songs by Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Wynonna, Wade Hayes, LeAnn Rimes and other bestselling Cou..Continue reading→
Smith Global Media And Power Of 3 Entertainment Release ‘Believe’
From Smith Global Media and Power of 3 Entertainment comes the story of family, loyalty and love in the compelling drama "BELIEVE." The film, written, directed and produced by Billy Dickson, opens in select theatres nationwide Dec. 2, 2016 and is the debut theatrical release under the joint venture. "I am delighted to team with Billy Dickson, Ryan O'Quinn, and the passionate team behind 'BELIEVE,'" stated Harry Smith, owner of Smith Global Media. "We are extremely excited to brin..Continue reading→
Secret Place Live in South Africa by Vashawn Mitchell
Vashawn Mitchell returns with a personal invitation for all to go on a musical journey to his Secret Place. Over the course of his 18 year career, punctuated with much critical and commercial acclaim, Mitchell has solidified himself as a creative musical force in Contemporary Praise Worship. He's responsible for fan favorites like "My Worship Is For Real" (Believe In Your Dreams), "Turning Around For Me" (Created 4 This), "God My God" (Unstoppable), "Don't Last" (Promises) and the mega-hit "Nobody Greater" (Triumphant). Additionally, Vashawn's continued contributions to gospel music go well beyond his own recording career as a singer/songwriter[...]Continue reading→
About A Mile Offers Everyone Two Free Songs From New Album ‘Trust You All The Way’
About A Mile's full-length sophomore album, Trust You All The Way, released globally amidst acclaim Oct. 28 from Radiate Music. Today the band announces they are giving away two of the lead singles from the album, both the current single and title track and the pop flavored Top 25 Billboard Christian Hot AC/CHR National Airplay Chart hit single "Born To Live." The songs can be downloaded now for a limited time to anyone who enters their name and email address at https//aboutamile.squarespac..Continue reading→
New nobigdyl Single on the Horizon Begins Busy Season for Indie Tribe
Indie Tribe founder and front runner nobigdyl will release his eleventh single "Purple Dinosaur" on November 11. His silky smooth flow and creative wordplay prepare to flex once again as fans are intrigued by the album art depicting the infamous purple dinosaur Barney. The Indie Tribe is definitely on the move as fans prep for Holy Weapon Vol. 2 from label mate Jarry Manna to release before 2017. Mogli the Iceberg is next. Nobigdyl has stated that "the wave has begun," starting with "Purple Din..Continue reading→
Skillet’s Feel Invincible Hits No. 1 On Mainstream Rock
For the second time in their career, Skillet has found themselves at the top of a Mainstream Rock radio chart. "Feel Invincible," the lead single off the band's latest album Unleashed, has been slowly climbing on the Mainstream Rock charts and has finally topped out at No. 1, seated above singles from legendary rock acts such as Green Day, Metallica and Disturbed. Skillet last achieved this feat over 5 years ago as well when "Awake and Alive" topped Active Rock charts on the heels of the m..Continue reading→
Different – EP by Micah Tyler
Track Listing 01. Never Been a Moment 02. Different 03. Even Then 04. Directions 05. Last 06. Story I Tell Continue reading→
American
Feel the Bern? Here’s the Next Step
Daniel Strauss: The revolution is back in business. Supporters of Bernie Sanders’ failed presidential bid are seizing on Democratic disarray at the national level to launch a wave of challenges to Democratic Party leaders in the states. The goal is to replace party officials in states where Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton during the acrimonious Democratic primary with more progressive leadership. But the challenges also represent a reckoning for state party leaders who, in many cases, tacitly s..
Trump rebukes alleged racism among supporters
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47889/trump-rebukes-alleged-racism-among-supporters Trump rebukes alleged racism among supporters Screen capture from CBS NewsScreen capture from CBS NewsWASHINGTON (BP) -- In his first major interview since Election Day, President-elect Donald Trump said he is "saddened" by reported incidents of r..
Bill Hunke, former Alaska exec & historian, dies
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47888/bill-hunke-former-alaska-exec-and-historian-dies Bill Hunke, former Alaska exec & historian, dies E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr. E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr. SUN LAKES, Ariz. (BP) -- E.W. "Bill" Hunke Jr., executive director of the Alaska Baptist Convention from 1966-71 and prolific chronicler of Southern Ba..
Cloyd Sullins, Alaska exec from 1995-2000, dies
Copyright (c) 2016 Baptist Press. Reprinted from Baptist Press (www.baptistpress.com), news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The original story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/47887/cloyd-sullins-alaska-exec-from-19952000-dies Cloyd Sullins, Alaska exec from 1995-2000, dies Cloyd Sullins Cloyd Sullins MOORE, Okla. (BP) -- Cloyd Sullins, who led the Alaska Baptist Convention from its 50th anniversary year in 1995 until his retirement in 2000, died Nov. 7 in Moore, Okla. ..