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→
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→
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
Watch: Ben-Hur goes “epic” in a new featurette
With six weeks to go until the film’s release date, Paramount has posted a new Ben-Hur featurette. This one focuses on the film’s “epic” nature, and while it consists mostly of footage that we have seen before, it does have a few new bits. Here is the video, which features soundbites from producer Sean Daniel and co-stars Jack Huston and Morgan Freeman in addition to some snippets from the film: Note the audio clip in which Ilderim (Freeman) tells Judah (Huston), “Defeat your brother, and you’l..Continue reading→
Why is Jesus crying in this image from the new Ben-Hur?
Damaris Media in the UK has posted a set of community resources in connection with the upcoming release of Ben-Hur, including a church discussion guide and a youth activity pack, and along the way they have also provided some new photos from the upcoming film — including an image of Jesus shedding tears while he prays. What is happening in this scene? Two possibilities come to mind — neither of which have been depicted in any previous movie version of Ben-Hur to my knowledge. My first thought wa..Continue reading→
Ben-Hur news round-up: How big a success will it be?
Another week, another quick round-up of Ben-Hur-related news stories. Christian Retailing reports that a 20-minute preview of the film was shown at the Christian Booksellers Association’s Unite 2016 retail show last week: Another movie highlight at the show was an exclusive, 20-minute Ben-Hur preview that followed the Sunday Worship Him! service. The preview included comments from Roma Downey, executive producer of the film and president of LightWorkers Media. [Kevin] McAfee, founder of the Gold..Continue reading→
Popcorn in the pews
When I was in my twenties, my friends referred to the movies as my second church. I could be found there probably as often as I could be found at my regular house of worship, and I probably extolled some films with the same fervor I used when talking about doctrine. When I was asked to participate in the Patheos symposium on nontraditional worship, I was surprised that churches that meet in movie theaters were considered “nontraditional.” It’s been ..Continue reading→
Box office: Tarzan leads a pack of also-rans behind Dory
A Pixar cartoon just kept swimming at the top of the box office this week, while three new releases had openings that ranged from decent to disappointing. The Legend of Tarzan earned an estimated $38.1 million between Thursday and Sunday, which is either good or not-so-good depending on how you spin it. On the one hand, it’s a record for a Tarzan movie (beating the $34.2 million that Disney’s animated Tarzan opened to in 1999), but it’s also not as good as the studio might have hoped for a film ..Continue reading→
Review: 45 Years
Much about 45 Years makes it clear that it’s adapted from a short story, but nothing more than the moment when Kate (Charlotte Rampling) is surveying the hall in which she intends to host her 45th wedding anniversary party at the end of the week. “So full of history, you see?” says the man showing her the room, wh..Continue reading→
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→
Music
Jon Bauer Celebrates Eight Covenant Award Nominations
Singer/songwriter and recording artist Jon Bauer has received eight GMA Canada Covenant Award nominations, including nods for three of the highest honors Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, it was recently announced. In addition, Bauer's latest critically-acclaimed recording, The Light In Us, is nominated for Praise & Worship Album of the Year, while the project's "Say Something" is nominat..Continue reading→
Jean Watson Named NewReleaseToday’s Artist Of The Month
Internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and classically trained violinist Jean Watson has been selected as an Artist of the Month for November 2016 by the influential music discovery portal, NewReleaseToday.com. The site features Watson on its front page, profiling her career and highlighting music from her new CD, WONDER, which released to retail Friday, October 14, 2016 from Suite 28 Records and Shadowlands Music through Naxos of America, ..Continue reading→
The Letter Black Teases New Music
The Letter Black has been relatively quiet since their previous album Rebuild released almost exactly three years ago. However, much to the delight of their fans, the band finally "broke the silence" regarding new music, confirming today on Facebook that they are in the process of working on a new album. Fans won't have to wait long to get a taste as the band also confirmed a sneak peak teaser for Friday, November 18th. Although not many details were revealed beyond that, the band promise..Continue reading→
Trip Lee Drops New Single
For the first time in just over two years, Trip Lee has dropped new music appeasing personal and Reach Records fans alike. The track 'Too Cold' has been gaining hype on Twitter for the past week while snippets and related artwork have been released. Get the single on iTunes by clicking here. Produced by GAWVI, "Too Cold" will appear on Trip Lee's forthcoming mixtape, The Waiting Room, which is set for release on Decem..Continue reading→
Dave Barnes and Porter’s Call Founder Al Andrews Team Up To Create Christmas Book
When the hustle, bustle, and expectations of the holidays were about to overwhelm him, Al Andrews decided to take a late night stroll. Turning up his collar and pulling his jacket a little tighter, Andrews set out to clear his mind--and ended up rediscovering the true meaning behind the Christmas season. His newly updated book, A Walk One Winter Night, is inspired by these real-life events. As he walked, Andrews passed by a nativity display in a neighbor's yard, and something caused him to..Continue reading→
JJ Heller Releases Debut Full-Length Christmas Project ‘Unto Us’ Today
Indie music and radio favorite JJ Heller is releasing her debut full-length Christmas album, UNTO US, today, November 11. Funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign, UNTO US is a blend of traditional holiday songs and new originals that capture the memories and feelings of JJ's youth. "While researching other Christmas records, I was repeatedly drawn to the familiar old classics," she explains. "This music; these memories fill ..Continue reading→
Jason Crabb Partners With New Day To Distribute ‘Jase The Crabb’ Children’s Book Series
Grammy winner Jason Crabb has partnered with New Day Christian Distributers to make his "Jase® the Crabb" Children's book series available to the Christian retail market. Lifeway Christian Stores and independent retailers will carry the series along with the "Jase® the Crabb" plush figure. The ten-book series follows the Ten Commandments and is a perfect way to teach children the basics of the Bible.Continue reading→
Austin & Lindsey Adamec Release First Christmas Single
Radiate Music husband wife duo Austin & Lindsey Adamec premiere their first Christmas single, "Welcome To The World You Made," today (Nov. 11) from Radiate Music. Available now at iTunes, Apple Music and other major digital retailers, the song is also going for radio airplay and its lyric video can be seen on YouTube. While working on their full-length album, slated to release spring 2017, and following the release of their critical..Continue reading→
Yancy Releases New Christmas EP
Kid-friendly Christian singer-songwriter Yancy has released her first new Christmas music in 7 years. Little Drummer Boy, her new 3-song EP, is quickly becoming a holiday favorite for all ages and is available now via Syntax Distribution at iTunes. Along with the driving title track, Yancy has crafted unique new recordings of the seasonal standard "Silent Night" and the contemporary c..Continue reading→
World
‘Pope Francis’ Says Roman Catholics, Christians Should Seek Forgiveness From Homosexuals
ROME (Reuters) — Jorge Bergoglio, who goes by the name “Pope Francis,” said on Sunday that Christians and the Roman Catholic Church should seek forgiveness from homosexuals for the way they had treated them. Speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him back to Rome from Armenia, he also said the Church should ask forgiveness for the way it has treated women, for turning a blind eye to child labor and for “blessing so many weapons” in the past. In the hour-long freewheeling conversation th..Continue reading→
Supreme Court: Texas Can’t Keep Women from Abortion Clinics
Ruling to reverse restrictions interrupts years of pro-life advances on the state level. The Supreme Court sided with abortion providers in a landmark case today, striking down Texas’ stricter requirements for clinics and setting a potential precedent against similar regulations in other states. Ruling on its first abortion case since 2007, the court voted 5-3 that the provisions of the 2013 Texas law known as HB-2 “place a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abort..Continue reading→
ISIS Fighters Launch New Attacks in Eastern Afghanistan
JALALABAD (India.com) — Heavy fighting between Afghan forces and Islamic State fighters has killed dozens of people, officials said today, raising fears the militant group is staging a comeback months after Kabul said they had been defeated. The fighting began late on Friday in the Kot area of the Rodat district in eastern Nangarhar province after a contingent of IS fighters attacked police check posts, provincial governor Salim Khan Kunduzi said. The interior minis..Continue reading→
‘We Can’t Kill This Baby’: Couple Walks Out of Abortion Facility, Saves Life of Down Syndrome Son
SYDNEY — An Australian couple whose son was diagnosed with Down syndrome is expressing their relief that they walked out of an abortion facility instead of ending the life of their unborn child. “I’d made an appointment to have a termination, and we were sitting there, but then my husband dragged me outside,” Claire Martin recalled to the Daily Mail this week. “He said, ‘What are we doing? Lets go home. We can’t kill this baby.'” “I was relieved,” she said. “I needed someone to say they w..Continue reading→
American
Disgusting Teen Vogue Article: “11 Thoughtful Gifts Your Friend Who Had an Abortion Would Appreciate”
Disguised as a compassionate way to help a friend, Teen Vogue pushed its pro-abortion agenda on vulnerable young teens again this week. Its latest piece encourages teen girls to support a friend’s decision to abort her unborn baby by giving her gifts. Certainly, a pregnant teenager deserves a lot of support and encouragement, but the only support that Teen Vogue suggests is through abortion. Author Witney Bell wrote: So your friend is about to have an abortion. Of course you want to be there ..
Senate Confirms Pro-Life Rep. Tom Price as HHS Secretary Despite Planned Parenthood’s Objections
Early Friday morning, the US Senate confirmed pro-life Congressman Tom Price as the next secretary of the Health and Human Services department. The vote came despite objections from the Planned Parenthood abortion business and other top abortion advocates — which had launched an all-out campaign in an attempt to stop his nomination. Price was confirmed early Friday, 52-47 after surviving yet another Democratic filibuster against a Trump nomination. An orthopedic surgeon by trade, Price was conf..
Pro-Lifers Will Protest at Planned Parenthood in 218 Cities in 45 States: Defund Planned Parenthood Now
As the fight to strip the nation’s largest abortion chain of its federal funding turns red-hot, the pro-life grassroots is stepping up to do its part. On February 11, “Defund Planned Parenthood” rallies will be held at Planned Parenthood locations throughout the United States to support the defunding effort and confront Planned Parenthood’s propaganda machine. The rallies are being organized by the #ProtestPP Coalition, of which the Pro-Life Action League is a primary co-sponsor, in concert wit..
ACLU Fights to Keep Dismemberment Abortions Legal That Tear Off Babies’ Limbs
Arkansas soon could see a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union challenging the state ban on brutal dismemberment abortions, according to Newsweek. The state branch of the pro-abortion legal group said it plans to sue “as soon as practically possible” to stop the law from going into effect. Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the law, the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, at the end of January. The legislation prohibits dismemberment abortions, a commo..
Australia
Going back for more of the same
The all-female remake of Ghostbusters, the latest dose of Star Trek and another version of Tarzan. This month, cinemas are again loaded with specific characters or storylines we’ve seen before. Films frequently must be part of a franchise, either as a sequel, prequel, remake, reboot or novel adaptation. Many of us lament such repetition. We complain that movie-makers have no new ideas. Box office results, though, suggest we are creatures of a..
This run club is running for a higher purpose
There are five people inducted into the BT Run Club’s “Hall of Pain”. They’re people who’ve truly encapsulated the club’s motto: “Run with endurance”, and they’re presented the award at the annual “Black Toenail” ceremony (black toe nails are a rather nasty sounding, common running injury). Running is hard, says the club’s founder Simon Elliot. But it’s a great metaphor for the Christian life. And that’s fitting, because the BT Run Cl..
Help China’s poor don God’s armour
The rise of false teaching and heresies in China underlines the need for greater access to affordable Bibles for China’s poor. Chinese Christians recognise that the Bible is the key basis from which to grow in faith and draw wisdom for their daily life. God’s word is also the bedrock of their strength in resisting false teachings and heresies, which are problems in the Chinese church. But so many Christians cannot afford to buy a Bible for themselves, much le..
US evangelicals’ support for Trump soars
Over the protests of some leaders, United States evangelical Christians are flocking to Trump, supporting him in higher numbers than the last Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Fully 78 per cent of white evangelicals (which includes pentecostals) say they would vote for Trump if the election was held today, according to a survey by the Pew Research centre. Recent local polls show that Trump is gaining on Clinton in crucial “swing” states.
Entertainment
WATCH: Patheos Exclusive Sneak Peak of ‘The Magnificent Seven’
“Scripture quotin’ and axe totin'” seems to be the best description for Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), one of the colorful characters in director Antoine Fuqua’s adaptation of the classic western, The Magnificent Seven (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures). With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns, Sam Chis..
WATCH: Patheos Exclusive Sneak Peek of ‘The Magnificent Seven’
“Scripture quotin’ and axe totin'” seems to be the best description for Jack Horne (Vincent D’Onofrio), one of the colorful characters in director Antoine Fuqua’s adaptation of the classic western, The Magnificent Seven (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Columbia Pictures). With the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard), the desperate townspeople, employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns, Sam Chis..
Forget Judah: Ben-Hur is All About Messala
The 1959 version of Ben-Hur is a triumph of filmmaking—one that won 11 Oscars, boasts Charlton Heston at his prime and features one of the most iconic action sequences in cinematic history. The 2016 version of Ben-Hur is … serviceable. The chariot scene is a dynamic blend of live-action and CGI. A sea-based battle, captured almost completely inside the dark, dungeon-like recesses of a Roman warship, feels gritty and powerful. And the movie was clearly made with a faith-based audienc..
Ben-Hur Opens Today! Star Jack Huston Shares What Drew Him to the Movie
It’s opening day for the highly-anticipated new Ben-Hur movie and if Thursday night’s preview numbers are any indication, millions of movie-goers will be lining up to see Judah Ben-Hur’s epic journey this weekend. British actor Jack Huston (Boardwalk, American Hustle), who plays the film’s leading role of Judah Ben-Hur, shared what drew him to this film at a recent press interview in Los Angeles: The lovely thing about this film is that it’s for everybody — faith or no faith. If you’re looking a..
US
Martin Scorsese on vocation
Renowned film director Martin Scorsese talks about vocation in a recent interview. He didn’t make it through seminary but started to realize that you don’t have to be a priest to have a vocation. I have noticed more and more Catholics who have started understanding vocation in Lutheran terms. Scorsese also discusses his new film Silence, based on Shusaku Endo’s classic novel about the persecution of Jesuit missionaries in Japan in the 17th century. Currently in limited release, the movie is bein..
“Positive propaganda as the main theme”
Russia does it with RT. Arabs do it with Al Jazeera. Now, as of New Year’s Day, China has launched the China Global Television Network. I am impressed with how honest the still-Communist regime is in explaining its purpose: to promote “positive propaganda as the main theme.” Watch for CGTN on your cable or satellite TV system. And watch for Americans to swallow it whole. Having grown up during the Cold War, I find it hard to imagine a Communist propaganda network on our televisions, but then aga..
Top 10 Cranach posts of 2016
I know you are sick of holidays and want to get back to normality, but I can’t resist New Years retrospectives. Other blogs are looking back at their top posts of last year, based on the number of page views, so I did too. The most popular posts are from years ago, but somehow they got into Google’s algorithm. Now, if anybody in the whole world wonders, “Why do some people say ‘Merry Christmas’ and others say ‘Happy Christmas’?” Google takes them to Cranach. The same with St. Patrick’s prayer. A..
The Eighth Day
The Gospel reading for yesterday, commemorating the Circumcision and Name of Jesus, was Luke 2:21, the shortest text in the Lectionary. (See our recent post on the subject.) In the course of an excellent sermon that explored the depths of this one verse of the Bible, our pastor cited the significance of “the eighth day.” God created the universe in six days and on the seventh, He rested. Then on the eighth day, the creation began to unfold. Jesus rose from the dead on the day after the Sabbath; ..
Church & Theology
5 Christmas Gifts Every Christian Parent Can Give
Every mom and dad knows that one of the best things about being a parent is giving to your children. Parents delight in sacrificing to meet their children’s needs and to bring them happiness. That’s one of the reasons Christmas can be a stressful time of year for parents who are struggling financially. The best gifts you can give your children, however, are not tangible. Regardless of what wrapped presents you may or may not be able to give, here are five gifts every Christian parent can (and s..
My 5 Favorite Books of 2016
Follow @BrandonSmith85 For the last few years, I’ve posted a list of my five favorite books of the year. Only my 2015 list has survived, as the others were on my now-defunct personal site. There are a few reasons why I compile these lists. First, I love reading and I love to share what I’m reading. Second, I’m also always encouraged by others’ thoughts and their lists often help me pick out a few last books for my Christmas wish list. Third, I get a lot of books from publishers, and while I don’..
7 Tips for Effective Follow Up
This past weekend—Saturday and Sunday evening—was our annual Christmas musical at Lancaster Baptist Church. The amount of work put into these projections is staggering—not just in the thousands of hours given by the choir, orchestra, and drama teams, but also the thousands of invitations given out all across our community in the weeks preceding the musical. I think our church often enters this weekend a little exhausted. Yet, the exhaustion gives way to joy for all of us as we see people respon..
Growth Points 73: Preparing Gospel-Focused Christmas Messages
With just eight days between now and Christmas, I’ve counted seven Christmas services yet remaining before I sit down for Christmas dinner with my family. It’s a blessing throughout the month of December to focus on Christ’s birth and what He means to us. And yet, it’s a challenge to keep every one of those services unique and effective for the gospel. In this Growth Points video, I’d like to share a few thoughts that I hope will be helpful as you head into the final stretch of the Christmas se..