Ancient-Future Time by Robert Webber

Last updated on: March 3, 2015 at 8:48 pm By Jim Erwin

Ancient-Future Time by Robert Webber Ancient-Future Time: Forming Spirituality Through the Christian Year by Robert Webber is an excellent introduction into using the Christian Year as a guide for Christian worship practices in the church. Webber promotes the idea of using the Christian year as a guide for personal spiritual formation. He states (32): “Consequently, the past and the future converge on the present in such a way that it makes a difference in the worshipers’ experience now.” Relying on the... Read more

5 Ways to Show Appreciation to God for His Faithfulness

Last updated on: June 21, 2017 at 10:54 pm By Jim Erwin

5 Ways to Show Appreciation to God for His Faithfulness March 2, 2015 Year B Psalm 105:1-6 Have you ever stopped to thank someone for what they have done for you? We do it many times with people we care about. Perhaps someone came to fix something in the house. A friend came and watched your dog while you were gone. Someone who cares about you got you out of a bind. Your parents looked out for your interests when... Read more

Heaven's Muscle by Bren Hughes

Last updated on: March 2, 2015 at 4:44 pm By Jim Erwin

Heaven’s Muscle by Bren Hughes Heaven’s Muscle by Bren Hughes is a book primarily about the work of the Holy Spirit. He encourages the reader to defy the spirit of religion and embrace the Holy Spirit. Throughout the book he states insightful thoughts about the work of the Holy Spirit. Hughes begins his book by addressing what he calls the “spirit of religion”. He defines this spirit as legalism which can prevent the Christian from following the Holy Spirit (23).... Read more

Isaiah 6:1-13 Genuine Worship

Last updated on: March 1, 2015 at 12:30 pm By Jim Erwin

Isaiah 6:1-13 Genuine Worship 1. Genuine worship begins as I get to know God. (Isaiah 6:1-4) My worship is affected by my experience. (6:1) FIVE FACTORS WHICH AFFECT MY WORSHIP There are five factors which affect my worship. These factors include: 1. My family Many people are raised in a family with some form of worship experience. Maybe they went to church once or twice a year. Many they went more often. The fact is that most people have been... Read more

1 Timothy 3:8-13 Godly Servants

Last updated on: March 1, 2015 at 12:17 pm By Jim Erwin

1 Timothy 3:8-13 Godly Servants In these verses, we have the requirements for deacons. One can look at these verses and see three offices (elder, deacon, deaconess) or one can see that the wife requirement is related to the male deacon. In either case, the idea is that the elder serves by equipping the church, and the deacon serves by helping the church. The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.” It... Read more

The Esther Blessing by Deborah P. Brunt

Last updated on: February 28, 2015 at 8:55 pm By Jim Erwin

The Esther Blessing by Deborah P. Brunt The Esther Blessing by Deborah P. Brunt is a study of the book of Esther. The book does not give a complete verse-by-verse study of the book. However, Brunt does a great job showing how grace flows through the book. She spends the first couple of chapters critiquing the traditional interpretations of the book. She shows how King Xerxes and Haman are really narcissists and that Esther is not in a Godly marriage. After... Read more

In Memory of Leonard Nimoy – Spiritual Life Lessons We Learned From Spock

Last updated on: February 28, 2015 at 2:27 pm By Jim Erwin

There are many people who have written about the passing of Leonard Nimoy. I have written before about the origins of his character Mr. Spock‘s Vulcan greeting and gesture. I have also referenced Mr. Spock in a sermon and have written a movie review for the first two Star Trek films, as well as thoughts about theology in the Star Trek films. Live Long and Prosper Numbers 6:22-27: How to Be a Blessing to Others Star Trek: The Motion... Read more

X2: X-Men United (2003)

Last updated on: June 14, 2018 at 10:26 pm By Jim Erwin

X2: X-Men United (2003) X2: X-Men United (2003) is a sequel to X-Men (2000). The film picks up right where they last film left off. Wolverine continues his search for clues to his past. In this film, the genocidal Colonel William Stryker tries to use the computer Cerebro to kill every mutant. The film addresses two themes: manipulation and faith. Manipulation Mystique, impersonates Senator Robert Kelley to get information which helps her free Magneto from prison. Stryker extracts... Read more

Listen, Obey, Serve

Last updated on: March 5, 2017 at 11:34 pm By Jim Erwin

Listen, Obey, Serve February 25, 2015 Year B Matthew 4:1-11 The Devil, known as the Tempter, came to Jesus during a time of fasting. He tested Jesus in three different areas of devotion. He tested his hearing, his heart, and his hands. These are the same areas in which Satan will tempt me. He will tempt me to listen to him instead of God. Satan will tempt me to obey him instead of God. Satan will also tempt me to... Read more

Citizenfour (2014)

Last updated on: June 14, 2018 at 10:26 pm By Jim Erwin

Citizenfour (2014) Citizenfour (2014) is a documentary which takes the viewer inside the events of Edward Snowden and his whistleblower activities. The documentary gives us a day-by-day account of what happened, while it was happening, in the life of Edward Snowden in those fateful summer days in 2013. Edward Snowden leaked massive amounts of critical NSA (National Security Administration) documents and files. The documentary plays these events out like a great spy movie. Even James Bond would be impressed by... Read more

Who was thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers?