A new movie coming out has earned a PG rating because it includes a man living by faith and being a good witness by simply being a good man, who honors God and seeks His will. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that hollywood doesn't like these things, but what's worse is that the reason it is getting a PG rating is due to Christian content.
You can read the story at Scripps Howard News Service about the whole thing.
I know I shouldn't be amazed, it doesn't blow me away when a film that is talking about God is a positive manner is set as a movie that parent's should advise or watch with their kids. What does bother me is really what else the article goes on to talk about, how the MPAA will not impose these guidelines on movies promoting homosexuality in a positive light. I'd much rather have a kid that learns about God without me knowing about it and might be interested in what Jesus is all about than for them to be under the impression that 2 men or women kissing (or even holding hands) is an ok thing.
The bible tells to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
I hope to have my children founded and rooted in Jesus Christ.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Walking Away - I Just Won't Do That
Over the past couple weeks our church has been going through one of the hardest times that it could spiritually, I believe. Our pastor passed away on April 29th, and having made known who he desired as his successor, it caused a division in the church. Not his decision per se, but the way the board of trustees went about presenting his selection. Many believed that a choice should be presented and others were offended that those who wanted choice weren't 100% behind the pastor's decision.
Enter Satan. He is called the accuser, is he not? Because many accusations were made. Gossiping and backbiting, that was not of God.
For me, it seems like it gets worse.
I've just received news from my best friend that he and his family will no longer be part of the church I attend. Being offended by others often, he's been consistently informed of by God that he is to remain there. Trust me, he's fought it a couple times, and he's lost, but it was God that wanted him to be obedient. Now, as of just a bit ago, he told me he won't be coming back. Not this time, unless God tells him otherwise. Too many times he's been offended by those that call themselves saints of God, and it hurts to see him and his family leave. I mean, he's still my friend, always will be, but it doesn't lessen the pain.
During this pastoral transition, at least 5 people have left, of them, 2 or more that proclaimed to be stand-up, God loving Christians. I can't help but look back at the message we heard at the youth rally we attended last month. The message there was about Nehemiah and the great work of rebuilding the wall. The preacher informed us that trouble will come, that there will be those that feel justified in their decision to leave, whether of themselves or of God, and lay down their tools and remove themselves from the heat and the unpleasantness that comes with such a work.
What were the other workers supposed to do? Follow suite? Nope. We were told to keep our heads down and not worry about that, not even look and watch what's happening, because that will distract us from the work we are doing. Personally, I find it difficult not to look, to see my friend that has been with me for about 2 years now decide that he should be elsewhere. Will I follow him? I can't say that I will.
My only choice is to keep myself focused on what God's doing. A new pastor means a new beginning, and it hurts to see people go because it feels like they are not giving him a chance, when in truth, it's being offended by fellow church members and should-be children of God that is driving them away. It's hard for me to believe that this division can be of God, when at times those that are leaving have better reputations amongst the saints than those that are causing them to leave. It feels like they are giving up on our church, and to me, that's nothing to take lightly.
I don't know who all is in the wrong (both sides at times, I would say, because humans are flawed), but I do know this: it has been a most difficult time for all of us, some more than others. To be apathetic is not an option for me, because I do care. It like watching your family get separated and there's nothing you can do about it, because nobody is willing to admit fault. I've heard it said that the offenders are "too big" to do that, that they don't expect it and won't be part of church that has people that do such things.
I find it hard to focus, to keep my eyes on God, because I see others picking up their tools and walking away, but focus I will, because I need to keep my eyes on God. If you are reading this, I ask to please keep us all in prayer.
Enter Satan. He is called the accuser, is he not? Because many accusations were made. Gossiping and backbiting, that was not of God.
For me, it seems like it gets worse.
I've just received news from my best friend that he and his family will no longer be part of the church I attend. Being offended by others often, he's been consistently informed of by God that he is to remain there. Trust me, he's fought it a couple times, and he's lost, but it was God that wanted him to be obedient. Now, as of just a bit ago, he told me he won't be coming back. Not this time, unless God tells him otherwise. Too many times he's been offended by those that call themselves saints of God, and it hurts to see him and his family leave. I mean, he's still my friend, always will be, but it doesn't lessen the pain.
During this pastoral transition, at least 5 people have left, of them, 2 or more that proclaimed to be stand-up, God loving Christians. I can't help but look back at the message we heard at the youth rally we attended last month. The message there was about Nehemiah and the great work of rebuilding the wall. The preacher informed us that trouble will come, that there will be those that feel justified in their decision to leave, whether of themselves or of God, and lay down their tools and remove themselves from the heat and the unpleasantness that comes with such a work.
What were the other workers supposed to do? Follow suite? Nope. We were told to keep our heads down and not worry about that, not even look and watch what's happening, because that will distract us from the work we are doing. Personally, I find it difficult not to look, to see my friend that has been with me for about 2 years now decide that he should be elsewhere. Will I follow him? I can't say that I will.
My only choice is to keep myself focused on what God's doing. A new pastor means a new beginning, and it hurts to see people go because it feels like they are not giving him a chance, when in truth, it's being offended by fellow church members and should-be children of God that is driving them away. It's hard for me to believe that this division can be of God, when at times those that are leaving have better reputations amongst the saints than those that are causing them to leave. It feels like they are giving up on our church, and to me, that's nothing to take lightly.
I don't know who all is in the wrong (both sides at times, I would say, because humans are flawed), but I do know this: it has been a most difficult time for all of us, some more than others. To be apathetic is not an option for me, because I do care. It like watching your family get separated and there's nothing you can do about it, because nobody is willing to admit fault. I've heard it said that the offenders are "too big" to do that, that they don't expect it and won't be part of church that has people that do such things.
I find it hard to focus, to keep my eyes on God, because I see others picking up their tools and walking away, but focus I will, because I need to keep my eyes on God. If you are reading this, I ask to please keep us all in prayer.
Stressed Out or Just Confused?
Me and the Mrs. haven't been getting along so well lately. My 1 am outbursts (due to lack of sleep or much stress) hasn't helped, as I am learning there are things that we say that we can't take back as easily as we'd like. Stress may very well have been coming from the fact that our church has been in the process of voting in a new pastor. A couple nights at service reminded me just how human we are and how much it's possible that Jerry Springer may not have initially been all scripted.
Thanks be to God that last night a decision was finally made by the congregation at a business meeting and we now have a new pastor. Let me tell you the relief is great, and that I am hoping there won't be division like their has been over the past 3 weeks. We've lost a couple of saints over the past few weeks that I would not have thought so quick to leave.
After the afore-mentioned meeting, my wife and I (who are still not conversating like love birds again) just wanted to get out for abit. My thoughts were to go to the Verizon store and get her a new cellphone, as she's been needing a new one for nearly a year. After a quick pit-stop at McDonald's, we were on our way. Too bad the store closed at around 8 pm, because we didn't get there until about 9. Disappointed (I like to check out gadgets, I'm up for a new phone next month), she suggested the book store.
Off to Barnes and Nobles we went.
So my wife and I spent the better part of the night perusing books. She would look through the romance section for her vampire novels that she swears must be categorized wrong, as she refuses to acknowledge that she reads those type of books, while I had the joy of carrying around The Art of War by Sun Tzu (didn't make it to the checkout with this, sorry guys) and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, as well as a list of her books that she wants to look up on half.com. It felt odd having a book by a well-known christian theologian as well as a what is considered the book on war & tactics, and a list of vampire books (aka romance novels).
Before I go on, I need to clarify that I've never been a fan of self-help books. Never. I've been a fan of sci-fi, fantasy and escapsim reads, if you will. Piers Anthony, R.A. Salvatore and Tolkien, those were my picks. My step-mother used to try to make us read Norman Vincent Peal books, and I always tried to avoid reading them as best as I could.
By the end of the night, I'd read a solid 24 pages in a book entitled When I Don't Desire God. If you are looking for an intellectual read as well as something that speaks to your spirit, this is currently my book of choice, and I recommend the first 24 pages with gusto. It talks about the joy that God wants us to have (alot of books do, but not like this, and I don't think they went were this is one going). I'm finding that I can already feel my spiritual strength being renewed, as I'm learning to focus on things other than the newest gadget or what's going on in Php world.
He calls it Christian Hedonism. I call it a welcome change to the views I've held well past the last 6 months.
I'll keep you updated :)
Thanks be to God that last night a decision was finally made by the congregation at a business meeting and we now have a new pastor. Let me tell you the relief is great, and that I am hoping there won't be division like their has been over the past 3 weeks. We've lost a couple of saints over the past few weeks that I would not have thought so quick to leave.
After the afore-mentioned meeting, my wife and I (who are still not conversating like love birds again) just wanted to get out for abit. My thoughts were to go to the Verizon store and get her a new cellphone, as she's been needing a new one for nearly a year. After a quick pit-stop at McDonald's, we were on our way. Too bad the store closed at around 8 pm, because we didn't get there until about 9. Disappointed (I like to check out gadgets, I'm up for a new phone next month), she suggested the book store.
Off to Barnes and Nobles we went.
So my wife and I spent the better part of the night perusing books. She would look through the romance section for her vampire novels that she swears must be categorized wrong, as she refuses to acknowledge that she reads those type of books, while I had the joy of carrying around The Art of War by Sun Tzu (didn't make it to the checkout with this, sorry guys) and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, as well as a list of her books that she wants to look up on half.com. It felt odd having a book by a well-known christian theologian as well as a what is considered the book on war & tactics, and a list of vampire books (aka romance novels).
Before I go on, I need to clarify that I've never been a fan of self-help books. Never. I've been a fan of sci-fi, fantasy and escapsim reads, if you will. Piers Anthony, R.A. Salvatore and Tolkien, those were my picks. My step-mother used to try to make us read Norman Vincent Peal books, and I always tried to avoid reading them as best as I could.
By the end of the night, I'd read a solid 24 pages in a book entitled When I Don't Desire God. If you are looking for an intellectual read as well as something that speaks to your spirit, this is currently my book of choice, and I recommend the first 24 pages with gusto. It talks about the joy that God wants us to have (alot of books do, but not like this, and I don't think they went were this is one going). I'm finding that I can already feel my spiritual strength being renewed, as I'm learning to focus on things other than the newest gadget or what's going on in Php world.
He calls it Christian Hedonism. I call it a welcome change to the views I've held well past the last 6 months.
I'll keep you updated :)
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