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
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→
Turn over a new leaf? I need a new tree!
We all find ourselves in a rut at some point or another. But often, the most damaging habits are the hardest ones to break. That was the case for Bob until Christ moved in his life to break the cycle of addiction. Discover how God changed Bob’s life forever.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
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→
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→
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→
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
Pope Francis Condemns Christian Hypocrisy, Says It’s ‘Better To Be An Atheist’
'Scandal destroys' said the Pope yesterday, calling Catholics not to live 'a double life', and urging them not to put off conversion.Continue reading→
Faithful In The Fire: The Christian Legacy Of St Polycarp
Today is the liturgical feast day of a man named Polycarp, a hero of the early Church who suffered persecution with grace. What can we learn from his life?Continue reading→
What Makes A Great Sermon? 5 Tips For The Perfect Preach
Preaching is at the heart of the Christian faith. It can be inspiring, but also incredibly dull. Here's 5 tips on how to do it well.Continue reading→
Bishop Leads Charge For Church’s ‘Radical Inclusion’ Of Gay Couples
The Bishop of Manchester is calling for the Church of England to move forward in its acceptance of gay couples after a report keeping the traditional teaching on marriage was thrown out.Continue reading→
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 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 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
Several Israeli actors join the cast of Mary Magdalene
The Hollywood Reporter says Israeli actress Hadas Yaron has joined the cast of Mary Magdalene as the title character’s sister-in-law Sarah. The film’s previously announced co-stars include Rooney Mara as Mary Magdalene, Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter and Tahar Rahim as Judas Iscariot. It was reported last month that the film, which starts shooting next month, will show Mary Magdalene “leav[ing] her small fishing village and family behind” to join the Jesus movement. Presumab..Continue reading→
A new production company takes charge of The Alchemist
Remember The Alchemist? A few years ago it was reported that Laurence Fishburne was going to direct a film adaptation of Paulo Coelho’s 1988 novel, which concerns an Andalusian shepherd who goes to Egypt looking for treasure after a prophetic dream points him that way. It was also said that Fishburne would take a supporting role as Melchizedek, a “king of Salem” who is presumably connected somehow to the biblical Melchizedek. Actors like Javier Bardem and Idris Elba have also been associated wit..Continue reading→
Box office: Sully soars high as the fall awards season begins
A tale of real-life heroism got the fall awards season off to a good start this week. Sully — starring Tom Hanks as the airline pilot who saved all of his passengers and crew when he landed his birdstruck plane in the Hudson River seven years ago — earned an estimated $35.5 million between Thursday and Sunday nights. That’s the fifth-best opening ever for September, traditionally a fairly slow month, and it’s the best opening ever for the weekend after Labour Day (previous champ: Scott Derrickso..Continue reading→
Brad Pitt still wants to make that movie about Pontius Pilate
Longtime readers of this blog might recall that Brad Pitt was once attached to a movie about Pontius Pilate. He was said to have abandoned that project two years ago, but now comes word via The New York Times that Pitt still wants to make that film. Here is the relevant section of Pitt’s interview with Marlon James: On the topic of exotic worlds, he mentions a film he’d like to make about Pontius Pilate, mostly because the script, which focuses on a mediocre Roman official stuck in the middle of..Continue reading→
Mel Gibson’s Passion sequel will jump back and forth in time between the Resurrection and the Old Testament
Deadline has a long, long interview with Mel Gibson up today. The primary focus of the interview is Gibson’s new film, Hacksaw Ridge, which opened to mostly good reviews and a ten-minute standing ovation at the Venice film festival this week — but along the way, Gibson talks about the other films he’s made, and about the films he wants to make. And that includes his sequel to The Passion of the Christ. The most startling revelation is that the sequel will not simply deal with the events that fol..Continue reading→
20 Great Films From Around The World
I’m often asked by people in my church, “Jonathan, you’ve convinced me that I really do want to become a more well-rounded film viewer. I am ready to commit to watching subtitled movies and to expand my horizons beyond Hollywood. What should I watch in world cinema?” (Actually, I’ve never been asked that, mostly I just get asked what my favorite film is and if I can recommend anything they might like, without having to read subtitles) I could make the argument that watching world film is an oppo..Continue reading→
Prophet Joseph — episodes thirty-seven and thirty-eight
Synopsis. The sons of Jacob embark on their journey to Egypt, leaving their wives, children, and their brother Benjamin behind with their father. They are also accompanied by some Canaanites. Joseph visits some of the land that has fallen into the Egyptian government’s possession and tells Malek they should divide it among farmers who don’t have any land. The brothers arrive in Egypt and try to buy grain. Joseph is alerted to their presence, and he has them ushered into the palace — much to the ..Continue reading→
Watch: The visual effects of the Ben-Hur chariot race
If there’s one thing the cast and crew of Ben-Hur wanted us to know, it’s that the actors were really driving those chariots that we see in the climactic chariot race. But of course, the scene was not without its visual effects: there’s no need for matte paintings and a cast of thousands when you can digitally add a crowd full of spectators to the background of some shots, and of course it’s a lot safer to go digital when the script calls for the humans or the horses to do anything particularly ..Continue reading→
Box office: A few new milestones in an otherwise slow week
The summer tentpole season is over and the fall awards season has yet to begin, but a few films hit significant milestones at the box office in an otherwise slow week. The week’s biggest new release was The Light Between Oceans, which concerns a couple who “adopt” a baby that they find in a boat — and then they meet the baby’s mother years later. The film earned $4.98 million and landed in sixth place. Also new to the top ten was the critically-acclaimed bank-robbery flick Hell or High Water (pi..Continue reading→
Music
Marc Martel Premiers New Christmas Video On NRT
Queen Extravaganza and former Downhere vocalist, Marc Martel, is premiering his new video for "What Child Is This?" from his new Christmas EP, The Silent Night. The first single from the record is one of the most added Christmas songs of 2016, debuting on Billboard's AC Monitored chart at No. 27 this week and was named at the #1 Most Added song at Christian AC by Billboard. RELATED NEWS Marc Martel Releases First Solo Christmas Project 'The Silent Night' EP The single, and video..Continue reading→
Meredith Andrews To Appear On Todd Starnes’ Annual Christmas Show
Word Worship artist Meredith Andrews is set to appear on The Todd Starnes Christmas Show December 24 and 25 on FoxNews.com. This annual Christmas show was taped live at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN on Tuesday, December 6. The program will air at 630 PM CT on hundreds of Fox Radio, American Family Radio and Bott Radio stations. RELATED Meredith Andrews Releases Video Series With Kay Warren "Meredith Andrews is one of the most incredible talents in Christian music," shares Fox News Hos..Continue reading→
Matthew Parker Releases Lyric Video For ‘Adventure’
Following the release of his critically acclaimed album, Adventure, Matthew Parker releases his new lyric video for his single, "Adventure". The track debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard Christian Hot AC CHR radio chart this week and was just recently nominated for the We Love Christian Music Awards' BPM Award (Dance Electronic Album Of The Year) which you can vote here. RELATED Matthew Parker Releases New Album 'Adventure' "When I was thinking of ideas for the Adventure lyri..Continue reading→
Thousand Foot Krutch Fights With A ‘Different Kind Of Dynamite’
Known for its adrenaline-fueled anthems that consistently fire-up sports enthusiasts around the world, Thousand Foot Krutch's "A Different Kind Of Dynamite" has been tapped as the official theme song for the Dec. 18 WWE "Roadblock End of The Line" pay-per-view event. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 180 countries and 25 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. RELATED TFK Frontman Trevor McNevan Celebrates New Baby, New Album "A Different Kind Of Dynamite" is ..Continue reading→
RCA Inspiration Dominates Billboard’s Year-End Gospel Charts
Billboard just released its 2016 "Year-End" charts and RCA Inspiration's world-class artists, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, William Murphy and Marvin Sapp have claimed top positions throughout several Gospel and R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Donnie McClurkin's 2016 album The Journey (LIVE) and the single "I Need You," are positioned in the Top 25 on the Gospel Albums, Hot Gospel and Gospel Airplay So..Continue reading→
Country Radio In Harmony With Canton Junction’s ‘A Big Ole Texas Christmas’
With nearly 60 country radio stations across the U.S. now spinning "A Big Ole Texas Christmas," Dove Award-winning quartet Canton Junction has toes tapping to their latest single. An upbeat ode to holiday traditions uniquely Texas, the Western Swing-influenced tune was co-penned by country hitmaker Phil Vassar and is featured on Canton Junction's critically acclaimed new release, A Canton Christmas. RELATED Canton Junction Releases 'A Canton Christmas' Among country stations now..Continue reading→
Hillary Scott & The Scott Family Bring Christmas Traditions To ‘Today’ Next Week
Tis the season for close-knit gatherings as the current two-time GRAMMY-nominated Hillary Scott & The Scott Family invite TODAY along to celebrate the holidays. From her home just outside of Nashville, TN, Hillary Scott sits-down with Jenna Bush Hager to recall favorite Christmas traditions and discuss the impact of the group's GRAMMY-nominated "Best Contemporary Christian Music Album" LOVE REMAINS, which also received a "Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song" nod for its chart..Continue reading→
Jamie Grace Announces Release Date For New Album
After a long struggle to release new music, today Jamie Grace announced a date for her new album. At the end of a heartfelt YouTube performance of her new song, "Daughter Of A King," it was revealed that the new album her first since early 2014's Ready To Fly will be available February 10, 2017. It's been a year of transition for Jamie, as she parted ways with her label Gotee Records in August and became very ho..Continue reading→
Word Music Publishing Signs Worship Leader Jonathan Lee
It was announced today that Word Music Publishing has signed a worldwide exclusive songwriting agreement with worship leader and Dove-nominated songwriter Jonathan Lee. Formerly with Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Centricity Publishing, Jonathan Lee's songs have been recorded by some of Christian music's most well known artists including for King & Country, Newsboys, Phillips, Craig & Dean, and Selah. Lee is a co-writer of "When The Stars Burn Down," a Dove nominated Worship So..Continue reading→
World
Orthodox Will Hold Humbled Yet Historic Council in Crete
Patriarchs disagree over how many disputes—out of centuries' worth—to tackle in 10 days. The last time the 14 separate branches of the Orthodox church met, in 787, they hadn’t yet split with the Roman Catholic church. So pulling together a Holy and Great Council meeting of the global representatives of 300 million Orthodox Christians for next week hasn’t been easy—even with the event being discussed since 1961. A number of issues have cropped up in the last 1,000-plus years. The short li..Continue reading→
As SBC Backs Refugee Resettlement, World Relief Leader Resigns
Southern Baptists vote to encourage compassion, while Stephan Bauman reveals next move. Southern Baptists adopted a resolution this morning encouraging fellow believers to offer “care, compassion, and the gospel” to refugees, while at the same time calling on the American government to “implement the strictest security measures possible in the refugee screening and selection process.” While on the floor of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Resolution 12 on “refugee m..Continue reading→