Some Comments about the Movie, Avatar

Mark Driscoll, founder of Mars Hill Church in Seattle and a prolific Christian author, is not shy about speaking out about his faith. Here is a brief video clip on what he had to say recently about the movie Avatar, the highest grossing movie in history. Perhaps you have seen it ... and perhaps you have not (I have not). But whatever the case, I would encourage you to take a moment and listen to Driscoll's comments:




Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Painful Faith

Yesterday morning I was writing in my prayer journal (I had picked up the journal I am using at Barnes and Nobles about a month ago. I was pleasantly surprised to find it there, as I was shopping with a Christmas gift card). On the journal's cover is written the words of Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."  As soon as I saw those words on the journal's cover, I knew I had the journal I was looking for! That verse has meant so much to me over the years! In addition to this verse on the cover, inside on every-other-page another verse is printed. So the journal from start to finish contains God's Word! Yes!

As I finished up my journal entry yesterday and went to place the journal down, I noticed the following in fine print on the inside cover: "Printed in China." That struck me as quite the irony. Here is this overtly Christian journal, containing about 100 verses of Scripture, being printed in China, a country ruled by an atheistic communist government. A government that claims to allow religious freedom but in reality does not. A government that has persecuted Christians for decades (according to Voice of the Martyrs, more Christians are in prison or under detention in China than in any other country). Yet in my hands I was holding a prayer journal printed in China! Go figure!

Let me ask you to take a moment before you "sign off" and pray for the church in China (and the persecuted church around the world). Many of our brothers and sisters are paying a high price for their commitment to Christ. For more info, check out the web site of the Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.com).

Thanks for stopping by . . .  

pj

And the Winner Is . . .

When it comes to playing games, I don't view myself as being all that competitive. But if you were to ask my wife, she would beg to disagree. And you know, I think she's probably right. You see, I don't like to lose. It does not matter if we are talking Wii frisbee golf or a good old fashioned game of dominoes. I really do not like losing. Now I would guess that I am like most people in this. If we were to have a choice, most of us would much rather be on the winning side vs. the losing side -  no matter what the competition might happen to be.

That is why I am glad that God in His grace brought me into His family. That puts me on the "winning side." What I mean by this can be explained by a story I once heard. A church custodian was working one day near the pastor's office. The pastor was busy preparing a sermon on the Book of Revelation. The pastor, curious as to what the custodian thought about the Book of Revelation, asked him his opinion on the book. In response, the custodian replied, "I don't know a lot about Revelation ... but one thing I do know is that the central message of the book is that GOD IS GONNA WIN!"  

That custodian got it right! When you get the end of the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ (which is its full title) you see that God is victorious. Evil is done away with and God's ETERNAL kingdom is established. That, my friend is something that keeps me going! Especially when the evil in this world appears to have the upper hand. Even during the darkest most turbulent of days, we can push ahead with hope, knowing that at the end of the last day --- Jesus Christ is "gonna win!"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Being Intentional

Yesterday I spent some time on a monthly ritual that I do toward the end of every month. It's called "balancing the check book." At one time I used to hate going through this. Often when I would get to the end of the process, I would discover that I would be off anywhere from a few pennies to MANY dollars! Oh the time I would then spend trying to find my mistake (or mistakes!). Now - that has all changed as I do my checking on the computer. It is rare that my balance does not read zeroes when I am done. And even those few times when I am off, it is very easy to locate where I went wrong. I am SO grateful for my Quickbooks!

Believe it or not, I know of some people who never bother to balance their check book (and then are surprised when a check is returned for "insufficient funds"). Balancing one's check book is just one of those necessary tasks (if we want to keep our household finances in order). In a similar manner, there are some necessary tasks if we want to keep our spiritual lives in order. Time in the Word, prayer, worship (both private and corporate), serving, stewardship, witnessing, etc., etc., etc.  The Christian walk must be an INTENTIONAL walk. If we do not get INTENTIONAL about the spiritual practices that will strengthen our faith - our faith will begin to atrophy. We will become sorry imitations of the Christ we are called to imitate. So ... all this said, how INTENTIONAL are you concerning the spiritual practices that will strengthen your faith and deepen your intimacy with Jesus?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

An "Oops" that Hurts!

Jorge Villanueva was under medical care for an ulcer on his right foot. When doctors realized that the infection was beginning to spread, they decided they would have to amputate the foot. However, after the surgery was over, they made the discovery that they had amputated the wrong foot. At that point, they had no choice but go back into surgery and amputate the right foot (which was the RIGHT foot). Now, 86 year old Jorge has been left footless - due to a horrible human error.

Mistakes. All of us make them. None of us go through even a day totally and absolutely "mistake free!" Sure, some mistakes (like the one above) are bigger than others and bring quite painful consequences. Others though, are much less significant. Sure these errors might irritate others (or bring frustration to ourselves) - but not much beyond that. All this to say: we need to learn to "grace" others when they happen to make mistakes (now if sin is involved, then other steps might be necessary - see Matthew 18:15-17 - but that's a topic for another posting). Far too many of us carry grudges or ill feelings toward others who have made mistakes at our expense. We need to let go. We need to move on. We need to learn to give others the "benefit of the doubt." As God has graced us, we need to strive to grace others (see Romans 15:7).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

Rapture Insurance for Fluffy?

The other day my office manager sent me a link to a web site where a Christian can obtain "rapture insurance" for their pet(s). That's right! The web site, Eternal Earth-Bound Pets, USA: The next best thing to pet salvation in a post rapture world, offers to care for the pets of Christians who are raptured to heaven (it is staffed with certified atheists so Christians can rest assured they will be left behind to watch out for their pets). For a fee of $110 (good for ten years), you can go to sleep at night knowing that if Jesus returns while you are sleeping, then your little Fluffy or Spot will not be left alone to starve but given a loving home. (I know this sounds far fetched, but here's the web address for you to check it out: www.eternal-earthbound-pets.com.

Now when I read this, I did not know whether to laugh or cry. I do hold to the conviction that Jesus Christ will one day return to rapture (take up) His Church to heaven. I also believe that once that event occurs, then the period known at the Great Tribulation (GT) will begin on earth. This will be a time of great turmoil, as God pours out His wrath upon this world. Given the horrors of the GT, I believe we who profess allegiance to Jesus must be ramping up our efforts at carrying the light of Jesus with us where ever we go! Giving the gospel to unbelievers (vs. giving them money for so called "rapture insurance" for our pets) is what we need to be intentional about doing!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj

A Fast Start for the American Olympic Team

After three full days of the Winter Olympics, the United States Olympic team stands on top of the medal count. Will the U.S. remain on top when the Olympics are all said and done will have to be seen. But for now, we can enjoy the success of our athletes.

Now this success Olympic athletes enjoy does not come cheaply. These athletes have worked extremely hard to prepare for their respective events (I heard that one cross country skier actually logged thousands of miles on his skis preparing for the Olympic games). What motivates these men and women to make such sacrifice? It is their dream of Olympic gold! This is what drives them on, day after day, putting up with pain - so that one day they might gain a place on the medals podium!Yet, this moment in the spotlight does not last, does it?  The fame that comes with a gold medal is here today and gone tomorrow. We as followers of Christ are also in a race (see Hebrews 12:1-2). But the reward for winning our race is not momentary - it is eternal. The Apostle Paul puts it this way when he wrote the following to the church at Corinth (and I am convinced he was thinking of Olympic athletes among others):

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."      (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). 

Take a moment and reread Paul's words. Then ask yourself, "Am I willing to follow Paul's example?"

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj