The Wait (2016, L'Attesa in Italian) is a new film available to stream from filmmaker Piero Messina, who was an Assistant Director on Oscar Foreign Language Film Winner The Great Beauty. It is a psychological character study that rewards the patient viewer with beautiful images and much to think about, eschewing big plot turns and dramatic monologues. Read more
Do you have areas in your life where you've reached your limit or almost reached your limit? If so maybe you should learn to relax, admit you don't know what to do, make some schedule cuts, and “be still.” Read more
I had a discussion with a fellow pastor recently who tried to adamantly make the case that “Sunday School is dead”; that Sunday school was a useless practice, in no small part because you simply can’t get that many people committed. This archaic method of yesteryear spiritual education just can’t seem to put up the numbers (or the median age averages) that it used to. Another church I attended thought the name might have something to do with it. Sunday….... Read more
We thought it would work. We thought that if we got rid of the choirs and the antiquated hymns, and replaced them with great folk and rock musicians and songs that sounded like the music people sing along to on the radio, that people would come and participate and experience God in a new, powerful, personal way. But a funny thing happened on the way to worship paradise. The people quit singing. Now, maybe they never really did sing that... Read more
I recently read this fairly brief blog post by Nana Dolce and had several thoughts. First, I am grateful for her careful choice of wording throughout this piece. She does not bemoan MacArthur’s sentiments in the common diatribe wherein others would take this sound bite and demonize John. She respectfully, and artfully, disagrees with the foundations of John’s argument that the gospel eradicates social justice issues. Yet herein do I find reason to think, and possibly suggest that what keeps... Read more
So, if I may be so bold as to ask a question, do you like going to parties that are not Christian parties? You might answer no to this question because, quite simply, they make you feel uncomfortable. You are aware that bad things can happen at parties, and sometimes they can go from bad to worse quickly. When there seems to be an endless supply of alcohol, and often times drugs are added to the mix, things can easily... Read more
There are times when you can peer into another person’s soul by asking a single question. It’s a rather personal question, but if answered honestly it can be very revealing. The question? “What is the most painful thing you have ever experienced?” Some people will answer with something along the lines of, “Oh man. When I broke my leg there was nothing like it.” An answer like this reveals the individual has not yet had to deal with much pain... Read more
Christians all over the world have started making preparations for the expected onslaught of Pokemon GO sermon references, puns and analogies expected in this week’s upcoming sermons. One local church in particular, 3rd Free Will Baptist Church of Tulsa, is going to extraordinary efforts to not only help their members prepare, but to also offer a special “Healing Service” for those worn down by the sermon references afterwards. Read more
When people have crises in their lives, such as losing their job, going through a breakup or divorce, or having a close friend or family member die, they often get angry with God and wonder whether He cares and if He’s even real. But, this story reminds us that God is involved in your suffering Read more
“To finally get the recognition we deserve; we are elated; what else can I say?” said Deandre Phelps, a member of Westboro Baptist Church. “We have really been focused on upping our social media presence since about 2009. We have fired PR person after PR person trying to find success in the internet and, well to put it frankly, today we found it.” Read more
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