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→
Daily Verses
2 Samuel 7:22
““How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”Continue reading→
Deuteronomy 10:14 (10-14-16)
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.— Deuteronomy 10:14 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... It all belongs to God! The multifaceted and creative side of our heavenly Father's nature is revealed in the astounding beauty and variety in our universe. This is not our world, but our Father has chosen to share it with us as one of his many gifts to us. Our Creator chose to provide us with the changing seasons in each year a..Continue reading→
A Spiritual Implant
I tell you the truth, unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5, NIV The only people who go to heaven are those who are born of water. But those who go to heaven must also be born of the Spirit. Just as the virgin Mary conceived the physical life of the Son of God, you and I conceive the spiritual life of the Son of God when we are “born again.” From that moment on, we are essentially two people on the inside. We have the mind, emotions, and will ..Continue reading→
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Continue reading→
1 Corinthians 10:13 (10-13-16)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.— 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... In the face of temptation, God has promised us two things: (1) a way out, and (2) the power to stand up under trial. Can we truly believe this? Yes, of course, because Jesus demonstrated this pow..Continue reading→
Daily Wisdom
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“[Instructions on Worship] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”Continue reading→
Hebrews 11:6 (11-06-16)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.— Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... And just why do we serve God? ... Fear? ... Sense of obligation? ... Because our parents did? How about because we want to please God and bring the Father joy? How about because of we believe in what God has done and will do for us? We believe that God sent his Son Jesus to di..Continue reading→
Forgiveness for ALL Our Sins
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9, NIV The blood of Jesus is sufficient for the forgiveness of any and all sins because the Cross was two thousand years ago and all of our sins were still to come. Therefore, all of our sins, whether we committed them yesterday or today or have yet to commit them tomorrow, are covered by His blood – past sins, present sins, future sins, big sins, small sins, or medium-si..Continue reading→
Ephesians 1:9-10
“he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”Continue reading→
Prayers
Exhortations
Passage: Hebrews 13:1-5 Prayer: Dear Father, hospitable king,Fill me with brotherly love. Make me a generous provider of hospitality to strangers. Let angels find provision under my roof, even when I don't know who they really are.Help me remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since I am also in the body.Help me hold marriage in honor. May my own marriage bed remain forever undefiled.Keep me from the love of money. Help me be content with..Continue reading→
Daily Prayer for October 2
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Psalm 31:1–2, NIV Lord our God, give us your Spirit, we beseech you, that we may find your paths on earth and live in the hope and certainty that everything is in your hands, even when we see much that is unjust and evil. May we remain under your protection, living by your commandments and in your Sp..Continue reading→
Light that Burns Away Sin
Passage: Hebrews 12:29 Prayer: Dear Father, who dwells in indescribable light,Living God, consuming fire, burn the sin from my life. Purify my heart's desire in the smelter of your holiness.I want to do your will, Father, so that whatever I do, in word or deed, it will be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.I give thanks to you, God, my Father, always for everything.In Jesus' name. Amen. Devotional provided by Heartlight® © 1996-2016. All rights reserved.Continue reading→
Daily Prayer for October 1
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer...Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:12,15, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for your gospel, the great, good tidings we may carry in our hearts to give us joy in this present time, even though on all sides people are in anguish and agony. We thank you that your gospel fills our hearts with compassion, enabling us to help carry what many have to suffer. Show us our need of you so that we can receive you..Continue reading→
Church & Ministries
Bishop: Church Must Keep Hard Line On Gay Relationships Even If It Risks Institutional Status
A conservative bishop has accused the Church of England of "being oblivious to the obvious" over the links between theology and growth.Continue reading→
Pope Francis Ends Holy Year Of Mercy Amid Rifts And Division
Pope Francis ended the Roman Catholic Church's 'Holy Year of Mercy' on Sunday but closing the 'Door of Mercy' in the Vatican.Continue reading→
Pope’s Horror At Prostitute Tortured And Forced To Work Until She Gave Birth
Pope Francis has spoken of his horror at the stories of prostitutes he met during a visit to a rescue centre as part of the Church's Year of Mercy.Continue reading→
10 Characteristics Of An Amazing Leadership Team
Last night I walked out of the room shaking my head. God, I don’t know how you pulled this off, but this team is simply amazing. Unified. Visionary. Encouraging. Fun. Passionate. Gifted. Transparent. Gracious. These are just a few of the words I’d use to describe the people who faithfully serve on CCV’s Leadership Team. Your church may use a different name – Leadership Council, Governing Board, etc. – we simply use the phrase “Leadership Team” to describe the group of people called to serve t..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
Feelings Are Real, But Are They Always the Truth?
As believers we live by faith, not by sight. Our circumstances may appear to indicate that God is not for us or that he is giving us too much to handle. Yet we live by faith in God’s word which says despite our circumstances God is for us and is not giving us too much to handle. So it is with our feelings. We live by faith in God’s word not what our feelings tell us. We may feel hopeless. We may feel like we can’t go on another day. Anybody remember James Brown, or his hit song called I Got Yo..Continue reading→
Despair at Work
Despair, in other words, is only remedied through faith in Jesus Christ, “through whom we have now received reconciliation” with God (Rom 5:11). Even those united to Christ through faith continue to struggle with despair–to live and act as though the grace of God is not enough–insofar as their faith remains imperfect in this life. For this reason, despair is as universal as sin and not to be reduced to or confused with mere consciousness of despair, since the consciousness of despair may be abse..Continue reading→
WCF 15: Repentance Unto Life
Concerning how we understand repentance, Bible-believing Christians should be wary of at least three major errors. First, the Roman Catholic Church has turned repentance into a sacrament, where in the sacrament of penance, it is believed that penance is actually a meritorious work by which sinners make real satisfaction for their sin (add to the work of Christ). Second, and similarly, Arminianism believes that repentance is a work on the part of the individual that is a necessary precursor to re..Continue reading→
A Tale of Two Sexual Assaults on Jennifer Lawrence
When it comes to violations of conscience, however, our hypersexualized culture is not so quick to respond. We’ve become acclimated to sex as an entertainment tool, not realizing that mainstream actors are routinely coerced and manipulated into performing sex and/or nude scenes. In the face of overwhelming societal pressure, they often submit to things they otherwise wouldn’t do. The first assault against Jennifer Lawrence was heavily discussed in the news and on social media. The second has re..Continue reading→
Movies
5 pieces of pop culture to help you endure the election
The election. I know, I’m sick of it, too. But take heart: November 8 is less than a month away. One month from now, the political ads will stop, a candidate will have been chosen, and we’ll begin the difficult work of moving on. I doubt there are many undecided voters left. Whether you’re casting a ballot for Donald Trump (shudder), Hillary Clinton (a slightly less violent shudder), a third party, or abstaining all together (which is your right), you’ve probably already chosen your side and are..Continue reading→
Watch: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has an actual space battle — and goes to Iceland — in its newest trailer
Disney released a new trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story today, and it consists almost entirely of new footage from the film. It also hints at an extra Bible-movie connection that I hadn’t anticipated. Check it out below the jump. Here is the new trailer: The opening scene is set at the foot of a mountain: I was immediately reminded of Methuselah’s mountain from Noah: And sure enough, last year there were reports that Rogue One was being filmed near Hafursey, the same Icelandic mountain..Continue reading→
Box office: Girl on the Train speeds past Birth of a Nation
A pulpy thriller beat a former Oscar front-runner at the box office this week. The Girl on the Train, based on the bestselling novel about a divorced woman who becomes obsessed with a couple that she watches from her train on the way to work, earned an estimated $24.7 million between Thursday and Sunday nights. That’s the sixth-best live-action opening of Emily Blunt’s career, and easily the best of any film in which she was the undisputed lead. (The films that had bigger openings co-starred Tom..Continue reading→
The Monthly Catch: Wilderpeople, Beatles, Raiders and more!
If you’re a constant reader, you’ve probably noticed my productivity has dropped a notch (or several) recently. This post was originally supposed to go live at the end of September, and here we are well into October. Well, there’s a reason for that: it’s back-to-school time. I started grad school the day after Labor Day, pursuing a master’s in communications with an emphasis in media studies, and it’s a lot of work. On top of that, the kids are gettin..Continue reading→
The Birth of a Nation and the problem of religious violence
Just a few quick thoughts about the depiction of violence and religion in Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, which tells the story of Nat Turner’s slave rebellion in 1830s Virginia. Turner was a slave who knew how to read, and — as depicted in the film, at least — the only book he is allowed to read is the Bible. He gets to know the Bible so well that his master rents him out to other slave-owners, so that he can preach a message of obedience, telling other slaves to obey their masters.Continue reading→
Spiritual Transformation in The Birth of a Nation
Rarely has such a small, independent film been forced to carry such weight on its shoulders. Purchased for a record breaking price at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and positioned as an Oscar contender months before it was released, The Birth of a Nation can’t really sneak into theaters. As soon as writer-director-producer-star Nate Parker audaciously titled his Nat Turner story, The Birth of a Nation, he was taking on the tangled history of Hollywood and race relations in America. What rare an..Continue reading→
Watch: Two new TV spots for Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge
Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of a Seventh Day Adventist who saved dozens of lives during World War II even though he refused to carry a rifle into combat. The film, which marks Mel Gibson’s return to the director’s chair after a decade-long absence, got a standing ovation and mostly positive reviews when it premiered in Venice last month, and it’ll be coming to your local multiplex in four weeks. To help pique our interest, the studio has now released two new TV spots. This one focuses on ..Continue reading→
VIFF capsule reviews: The Red Turtle, Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story, The Unknown Girl
The Red Turtle (dir. Michael Dudok de Wit; Netherlands/France/Japan) — Oct 6 @ 6:15pm @ Vancouver Playhouse Well this was a fine way to kick off my birthday. Produced by Studio Ghibli (the outfit behind Hayao Miyazaki’s films), The Red Turtle marks the feature debut of Dutch animator Michael Dudok de Wit, who won an Oscar for his short film Father and Daughter and was previously nominated for The Monk and the Fish — and in some ways this is really two short films put together. The first half is ..Continue reading→
Box office: Tim Burton rises to the top of a crowded market
A Tim Burton film led a group of struggling newcomers at the box office this week. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children — based on a popular novel about children with strange abilities who live on a Welsh island during World War II — earned an estimated $28.5 million between Thursday and Sunday nights. That was good enough to make it the first Tim Burton film to be #1 at the box office since Alice in Wonderland became a surprisingly huge hit six years ago. Miss Peregrine is also the seven..Continue reading→
Music
Kirk Franklin Unveils New Single And Visual For ‘My World Needs You’
Today, 10-time GRAMMY® Award winning recording artist, songwriter and producer Kirk Franklin, has released his latest single, "My World Needs You" to radio stations and debuted a visual for the song exclusively on BET.com. The heartfelt song speaks about the social injustices happening around the world today and calling upon God to bring strength in time of hardships. RELATED Tammy and Kirk Franklin Celebrate Milestone Anniversary Penned by Franklin, his message on "My World Needs You" support..Continue reading→
Sidewalk Prophets Premiere New Music Video For ‘Impossible’
Sidewalk Prophets premiered their latest music video for their song "Impossible" with a little help from the Sidewalk Prophets Family, who helped promote the video across hundreds of social network profiles reaching half a million people in a coordinated effort. "Impossible," the third single from Something Different, is currently Top 30 at BDS/Billboard and Mediabase AC-Indicator. RELATED Sidewalk Prophets Announces Second Leg of 'The Prodigal Tour' Sidewalk Prophets will be taking ..Continue reading→
1GN Disbands, Former Lead Singer Carmen Justice Steps Out As Solo Artist
Carmen Justice has been a front-woman in Dove nominated girl band 1 Girl Nation for the past five years, and this year, she is stepping out on her own as announced by CCM Magazine exclusively this morning. Her single "Flaming Arrows" marks Carmen's first release as a solo artist as she moves into the next chapter of her music evolution and will be available on all digital platforms on January 20. RELATED 1GN's "Unite" Out Now Writing the song from a place of uncertainty and doubt, th..Continue reading→
Jaci Velasquez Shares Details Of New Album
This week Christian/Latin pop recording artist Jaci Velasquez shared a video from the studio discussing the details of her new album, Trust, set to release March 31st through Integrity Records. The project will be available in both English and in Spanish, and as an added bonus, when fans buy one version of the record they will also get the other at the same time. "It's been a great experience recording in both English and in Spanish finally after so many years," Jaci says in the video. "I..Continue reading→
Matty Mullins Signs with BEC Recordings
Today Matty Mullins and BEC Recordings announced that they will be partnering on the release of Matty Mullins' sophomore solo album, due out this spring. RELATED Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire Announces Solo Christian Rock Release The first single from the project, "Unstoppable" (featuring Jordan Feliz), can be heard now on Air1 radio. The album's title and release date will be announced in the days ahead. Matty shared his excitement on his facebook page, saying "SO excited to an..Continue reading→
Brothers Christon and Taelor Gray Announce Upcoming EP
The talented dynamic urban duo of Christon and Taelor Gray have collaborated to craft an EP titled Jacob X Judas. Such a collaboration hasn't been heard since 2007, when the brothers dropped Necessary under the name the Elevationists. Jacob X Judas will release exclusively through PledgeMusic to those who pledge. It will not be available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, streaming services or any other digital space. Taelor is bringing something unique to the table, an element which used to..Continue reading→
Dream Junkie John Givez Parts Ways With Label
Through a post on twitter, John Givez announced his departure from his label on January 1. He tweeted the following statement "It's best I tell ya'll I'm no longer with Kings Dream Entertainment. Dream Junkie is tatted on my skin. I'm forever one. But, it's time I do my own thing." When a fan inquired if any future Dream Junkies collaborations will be in the works, Beleaf of the former label simply stated, "No." Upon Givez's departure, the label shared they had a g..Continue reading→
American
How to Read the Bible (RJS)
For Christians the big questions in any discussion of science and faith generally come down to Scripture. How are we to read Scripture as the word of God? In much of the church there is an assumption that this should be straightforward… just read it literally. Unfortunately, this doesn’t hold up well for many of us. It isn’t even science that is the biggest challenge to this “simple” reading, it is Scripture itself. It isn’t clear that the Bible was intended to be read in this flat, literal mann..
Back to Church? (Michelle Van Loon)
By Michelle Van Loon at www.MomentsAndDays.org and www.MichelleVanLoon.com I’ve been blogging for more than a decade,and I’ve written often about spiritual abuse by church leaders – sharing both my own experience and referencing the struggles of others. I’m just one voice in a large crowd: there are numerous blogs, books, and worthwhile organizations telling the stories of spiritual and/or clergy sexual abuse survivors. The internet has been a tool for good in this struggle as it has facilitated..
Planned Parenthood VP Claims “Women Will Die” Because Trump Defunded Its International Group
President Donald Trump signed a life-saving executive order this week that prohibits international groups from receiving U.S. taxpayer funding if they promote or perform abortions overseas. Planned Parenthood already is on the attack, making misleading claims that Trump’s reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy will cause women to die. As LifeNews.com reported, the pro-life policy had been in place during the entirety of the George W. Bush administration, but President Barack Obama rescinded i..
Trump Spokesman: White House Staff Will Attend the March for Life
During the March for Life in previous years, pro-abortion President Barack Obama celebrated abortion and issued a presidential statement praising Roe vs. Wade. What a difference a change in president makes. Yesterday, a spokesman for President Donald Trump indicated White House staff will attend the March for Life, where over half-a-million pro-life people from around the country will mourn the almost 60 million unborn children who have been aborted since that fateful Supreme Court decision. ..
US
More on the banned Down syndrome video
We blogged about that video showing happy Down Syndrome children that was banned by the French government on the grounds that it might “disturb the conscience” of women who have had abortions. (You can see the video at the link.) George Will, who has a Down son, weighs in on the issue, explaining the origin of the video (which was made to reassure new parents) and making the point that this is a case of extending the concept of protection from being disturbed associated with college campuses to ..
And now, the commercialization of Advent
One reason that many Christians are rediscovering Advent is that Christmas has become so commercialized. Advent is a way to keep our concentration on what the Christmas season is supposed to be about, namely, the coming of Christ. But now Advent is also becoming commercialized! Alissa Wilkinson has written a good explanation of Advent for Vox. She explains the history of the season and what it means. She includes some interesting details that I had not realized. (For example, that Lutherans inve..
In trouble for belonging to an “anti-gay” church
Chip and Joanna Gaines are the hosts of “Fixer-Upper,” a popular home remodeling show on HGTV. They are openly devout Christians. And they are now under fire. A BuzzFeed article is accusing them of being anti-gay. This is because they belong to an evangelical congregation that does not conduct gay weddings and that holds to traditional teachings about sexual morality. That means, according to the Buzzfeed author, that the church is anti-gay. And because the Gaineses belong to this church, that m..
Back in the U.S.A.!
We are back in the good old U.S. of A. after spending a month visiting our daughter and her family in Australia. We enjoyed our time down under very much. But it’s good to be back home. I can’t believe that I was able to keep this blog going as usual despite the time difference (16.5 hours, a day ahead) and our many activities. Thanks for hanging in there with me. It was strange to watch the election from the other side of the world, but sometimes a little distance (literally) is clarifying. Aft..