God's Not Dead

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:2
New International Version (NIV)

       My wife and I recently watched the film God's Not Dead finding it to be highly moving, inspiring, and entertaining.  This is the kind of film entertainment that the Christian community needs more of rather than the kinds of immoral and Godless entertainment often offered to audiences.

       Regarding the critical response to God's Not Dead, Wikipedia says:

The film has been panned by critics, currently holding a score of 16 out of 100 on Metacritic indicating "overwhelming dislike", based on six critics,^[8] and a rating of 17% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 reviews as of May 2014.^[9]

        The article goes on to cite other negative responses by the critics.  Would we expect much else from media spokespersons who continually rip anything related to Christianity while giving raves to films that promote lifestyles of sin and debauchery?  

         A few positive words are given from Christian sources, but even some members of the Christian community are critical of this film.  To me their arguments are weak.  I would wonder why Christians would not be wanting to come together rather than debate petty theological issues thereby discouraging some from seeing the film and detracting from the positive values the film attempts to convey.  No wonder that the anti-God advocates look askance at purveyors of the message of the Gospel.

         In contrast to the generally negative reviews given to this film one can look on the Amazon site where reviewers have given the film over 2400 five star reviews in contrast to the 150 one star reviews and comparatively small numbers in the other star ratings.  Audiences generally respond well to this film and seem to want this kind of entertainment as indicated by the over $60 million in profit the film has made so far.

        If you haven't seen God's Not Dead yet, I'd encourage you to read about it to see if it appeals to you.  If the film sounds like something you'd like to see then I recommend purchasing or renting a copy.   Consider it a vote for God-inspired entertainment.  I'm looking forward to more of this sort of thing from the Christian backed entertainment industry.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• Why do some people believe the Bible and some say it's not important?
• No separation of religion and society
• The Duck & the Devil: Are You Freed from Sin or a Slave to Sin?
• This Week's Religious Silliness: Creationist Calls Stephen Hawking a Fool and 'Left Behind' Flops

Do You Need a Friend?

They are probably best friends since they were kids.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

       We need friends.  Living on one's own can be depressing and desperate when trying to get through difficult times.   When you're dealing with troubles on your own you have no sounding board or outside support.   Scripture and prayer can certainly get you through such times if your mindset is in the right place, but having a good friend by your side provides a strength that you may not be able to muster by yourself. 

          Independence can be an admirable quality for us to have.   We should not be overly and needily dependant on anyone else.  That situation can be dangerous for us in many ways.  However we need other people in order to get us by in this world.   We need to have friends whom we can trust when trust is needed or just to keep us company when company is desired.

          Jesus Christ is the ultimate friend.  He loved us so much that He gave his life so that we could find salvation and eternal life.   We rarely have to give up our own lives for our friends--at least not in the literal sense that Jesus did.  But often being a friend does require sacrifice.  Our time, material goods, money, or even our emotions might be necessary to give to a friend in need.   Then there are the times when you may look to a friend to provide these things to you.  True friendship is an exchange, a sharing experience, and a relationship with mutual benefits. 

          We can try going it alone and indeed many of us do.   When you have friends by your side, traveling life's sometimes difficult road can be so much easier.    Companionship makes a burden a lighter load to carry.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• 9 Ways to Take Hold of Hope
• Friendship Friday - 10 Bible Verses on Friendship
• Why do you need to share the Gospel or the word of God to your friends?
• The Cost of Friendship
• 
  

Is Anger Unhealthy?

 Cereal crops near Wendens Ambo Views across cereal crops on farmland near Wendens Ambo. Some angry-looking storm clouds on the horizon.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Psalm 37:8

New International Version (NIV)

       This past week I have felt sick.   Not from any germ, virus, or anything that could be physically diagnosed, but I have been sick in my emotions and in my mind.   I have been functioning, but in a run-down and discouraged manner.  I have been tired and distraught.  

        The incident caught me totally unaware, like being hit unexpectedly by a truck.  I was left dazed and bewildered by a verbal attack that literally seemed to come from nowhere.  I had done nothing to provoke the incident.  Anger was incited as the result of a figment of someone else's imagination.

         Unlike the anger I might have felt from an encounter with a stranger, my anger and that of the loved one who attacked me gnawed at me from the inside, left me shaken, and stayed with me for several days.  The impact of the incident will now stay with me for a long time.

         For the most part keeping my restraint I tried to defend myself against the ugly words that were hurled my way.  False accusations and irrational fabrications were inveighed against me.  This person who is very close to me unleashed things that had apparently been brewing and stewing from within for quite some time, catching me entirely off guard.

         Ironically the whole mess could have been easily straightened out if only calmness and reasoning had prevailed.  I was able to answer the charges against me, but the verdict had been decided before I could even speak.  The anger was in the air and flaming in the heart of another and I was the whipping boy.

          That evening things were brought to a calmer state, but the hurt has lingered for me.   Sometimes anger leads us to do and say things that we should not.   Anger leads us to sin.   Anger makes us sick.  I try to keep the peace, but war only breaks out when at least one side wants to shatter that peace.  

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

Related articles

• 5 Elements of Being Poised and Healthy
• Flush Away Your Wrath: Anger Addictions Pt. 2
• Shut the Door on Anger
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Teaching Our Children

Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

English Standard Version (ESV)

          Most Christians are well aware of the battle that goes on to win over the minds and souls of our children.  It's a tough war between the forces of the spiritual and the worldly and unfortunately the world seems to be the victor in many cases.  What our children are learning now will impact the way they think when they reach adulthood and that mindset will influence what they pass on to their own children and grandchildren.

           The entertainment media encourages the secular while turning its back on the spiritual realms.   Many children grow up with a negative view of that which we typically term "religious" while others never understand the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, what that means to them, or anything about the history that is depicted in the pages of the Bible.

           Many people see the Bible as a boring book of genealogies, difficult rules, and history that they don't relate to.   Kids often would prefer to read about wizards, vampires, and subject matter with an underlying evil pervading the stories.  Parents need to take control of what their children are viewing and reading.

           There are options out there that will lay the groundwork for Biblical teaching in a way that is fun and alluring to the impressionable minds of the young.   Sugarcoating the seriousness of life can help children absorb meaningful lessons that will influence them in years to come.

 

            Dan Holom, a friend of mine for fifty years, has written a very fine children's book Sleepy Sheepy and Daniel.   This is a fun retelling of the famous story of Daniel and the faith that caused him to be sent to the lions den where he was unharmed due to God's protection.   The story is retold with humorous animal characters who learn the meaning of love, trust, and faith.

             Delightfully illustrated by acclaimed animation artist Mark Henn, the story is geared toward children but told in an intelligent manner that adults will appreciate.   This book is part of a planned series of similar Sleepy Sheepy tales that Dan hopes to have out in the near future.  The dream of publishing this series is partly dependent on the sales of this current book.

           Sleepy Sheepy and Daniel has just recently been made available as an e-book on Amazon.   Those of you with children or who know children that you would like to see gain a love for the stories of the Bible can play an important role in helping Daniel Holom achieve his dream of producing this book series by purchasing the book and encouraging others to do so as well.    Also passing this information to others can help tremendously.

            Please visit the Amazon listing for this book to read more about it.   If you do obtain a copy of the book I hope you'll review it to help give the author a boost.  Those of you who are authors understand the importance of reviews especially on Amazon.

             Help an upcoming author, but most importantly teach our children about the Word of God.   This is learning that will impact them for eternity.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

English Standard Version (ESV)

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