GOD'S NOT DEAD - REVIEW

Many of you have asked me if I like the movie "God's Not Dead."  Here's my review:

I enjoyed this film.  I especially favored the issues addressed (unequally yoked, being shunned for being a Christian, dementia, creation, etc.).  What bothered me, as in most Christian films, is the UNREALISTIC picture painted by the producers.  

It seemed to me that every character, which is ‘developed’ becomes a Christian, including the atheist professor who professes Christ in his last breath.  I am not denying this could happen?  It's just I've been by the bedside of people who have heard the gospel for decades, and they refused to believe through their last breath.  (This may be true of someone you know, too.)  

Also, the scene in the classroom where the freshman induces the professor to lose his cool -- like a courtroom drama on TV -- and confess, out loud, to the entire student body that he hates God for taking everything from him.  Come on!   Really!  I could go on -- far too many hokey things like these permeate Christian movies.   And, should I mention the car not starting over, and over and over again.  Call AAA!  That's my gripe.   

Again, I would recommend this film for the issues it raises and the answers it gives.  As a Christian it's encouraging.  I just wish Christian filmmakers would paint a more true-to-life picture.  

My favorite Christian movie of all time is “Chariots of Fire.”  It’s true to life and glorifies Christ without being hokey.  That my review. 

WILL YOU JOIN ME AS I OBSERVE 'LENT'?

Lent is a 40-day period before Easter beginning Ash Wednesday (March 5th of this year) and spanning 46 days in the Roman Catholic and Western church-world (Sunday’s are not observed).  Lent is a season when we deny ourselves ‘something’ in order to search our souls, and in so doing seek to imitate Christ, that is, become more like Him.  Prayer, fasting and works of love should mark the Lenten season.  What we give up should be self-sacrificing.

In denying ourselves a particular thing (i.e.: meat, desserts, chocolate, vegetables (I don’t know if these qualify – LOL!), watching our favorite show on TV, etc.).  The purpose is that in each denial we are reminded why we have chosen to do without.  NOTE: Lent isn’t giving up something that costs you nothing.  It would be like me saying, “God, I’m going to “lentenize” eating red beats.”  I don’t eat red beets.  I don’t eat any beets no matter what color they are.  J  When we deny ourselves it places us in a posture of humility and an attitude of prayer by which we seek Divine intervention for the reason we have done without (or fasted). 

One year I gave up desserts.  After each meal when I would normally have something sweet, I took that moment to reflect upon why I entered into Lent.  Another year I observed Lent in behalf of three individuals in the Church.  This year I am observing Lent for those hurt by the economy.  And personally, I am searching my heart for God to purge from my life anything that would hinder His blessings upon Prayer Ministries, Inc. and affect my intimacy with Him. 

When we observe Lent, we, like Christ, become a servant.

1. In the one instance we serve others.

2. In the other instance we serve God by seeking to become more like Him.

May I encourage, if not challenge you, to consider observing Lent with me, so that together we “lentenize” in behalf of others and ourselves so that we can become more like our Lord Jesus.

THOUGHTS ON GIVING

This conversation comes out of a dialogue between three friends of mine discussing ObamaCare and the redistribution of wealth. 

One of the parties was arguing that no one has the right to take another’s money and give it to someone else without permission; the other argued that it was our duty to give to those who do not have. 

All of that sparked me to write asking “Where is giving to God in this picture?”  Other than what is personal and confidential (specifics) regarding Sheryl and my giving, this is pretty much the entire conversation.  Enjoy!

The place to start with our money is to give God the tithe/10% (Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:23).  Then give alms — that’s when our left hand knows not what the right hand does (Matthew 6:3).  After we’ve done that, we should strive to live a reverse tithe: we live on 10% and God get’s 90%.  How cool would that be?  Now, God doesn’t ask for a reverse tithe, ONLY the tithe (10%) and Offerings — gifts above the tithe.  

Here’s the truth of the matter, most people who are rich, sadly, are not generous in giving to the church or charitable institutions.  They want to come off as being generous, they give a million dollars — BIG DEAL! — they have given out of their abundance.  Remember the widow?  She gave all she had and it was two small copper coins.  

Oh! and when we give to our own … is that not giving to ourselves.  Sheryl and I have never counted what we do for family “giving,” even contributing to our grandchildren’s tuition to a Christian school.  Good cause?  Worthy cause?  Yes!  But NOT tithes and offerings.  However, so many do.  I hear it all the time, “I can’t give the tithe because I’m helping my daughter (who got pregnant out of wedlock and can’t pay the bills or some other similar scenario).  Sorry!  That’s God’s money and should be given ‘undesignated' without strings attached to God.  The tenth is HIS and only His; it belongs to no one else.  Putting strings on the tithe is like giving to yourself – it’s not trusting the Leadership who oversees the LORD’s work.  If for whatever the reason, the leadership of a Church is unfaithful with what has been entrusted to them, God will take care of them, believe me.

Sheryl and I aren’t at 90% and may never get there (unless one of my books makes it REALLY big), but we are working towards it.  Since our marriage in 1975, it has always been our goal to give to what counts for eternity — where no moth or rust can destroy.

As one wise man said, “If you want to see where a person’s priorities are, look at his/her check book registry.”  Profound!

This I have found to be true: No one can OUT GIVE God (Luke 6:38).

THE HEART OF CHRISTMAS

The Christmas season is upon us.  One of the many positives, the good things, of this season is that His name, Jesus the Christ, is heard EVERYWHERE … and not as a “curse” word (or phrase).  How cool is that?

The beauty of the Christmas season is so much more than gifts, fun, food, music and even family; the beauty of Christmas is the message of faith, hope and love demonstrated in humility. 

In a world where the wealthy rule – seldom do the personalities of the poor make headlines – it’s those of wealth and celebrity status.  Yet, God who has greater celebrity status and wealth than anyone chooses to reveal himself in complete humility both in status and wealth.  Why?  Because God’s ways are not man’s ways, and what man considers important is of little value to God.  The Bible says, “a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”  Again, “for those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  And still again, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (Psalm 51:17; Luke 14:11; James 4:6) 

So God, in Jesus, brings to life in the flesh a living example of what He wrote and preached.  This Christmas season let’s keep in the forefront the real and true meaning of Christmas.  All that He is came to earth for the purpose of becoming all that we need – beginning with our GREATEST NEED – a Savior.  It’s humility in its highest form.  As the Latin Hymn (mid 1800s) beautifully puts it:

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,

and order all things far and nigh;

to us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel,

shall come to thee O Israel!

REFLECTIONS ON THANKSGIVING DAY

Commercially, Thanksgiving Day is a forgotten holiday; and maybe that’s a good thing that it’s not commercialized.  However, the idea of giving thanks to the Creator of the Universe, who bountifully gives both small and great all good things, should never be forgotten and always be at the forefront of our society.  With Christmas commercialized in the public arena, and stores across from East to West soliciting our dollars, it is easy for our attentions to be diverted from God to the purchasing things. 

So, before we rush into the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, take a moment and reflect upon the many good gifts God has bestowed upon us as a people and nation – and GIVE THANKS!

I AM THANKFUL

I am thankful

for the air I breathe,

the cool, crisp morning air.

I am thankful for the gift of love

and the family with whom I share

the bounty of the season

as we bow our heads in prayer.

I am thankful

for the little things,

for shelter from the rain.

I am thankful for a summer day...

I am thankful for the pain

of lessons learned

and small misfortunes

cast upon the path;

for they lead me to the things in life

that are true and strong and fast.

I am thankful for so many things,

each one a gift to me

from one who knows that all we have

is sometimes hard to see.

Be thankful for the pleasures of your day.

proofcat.com

THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION 1623

Three years after the Pilgrims' arrival and just two years after their first Thanksgiving, on November 29, 1623, Plymouth colony Gov. William Bradford made this official, politically incorrect, proclamation:
"To all ye Pilgrims:
Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat peas, beans, squashes and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, now I proclaim that all ye Pilgrims … render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all his blessings."
But it wasn't until just after the signing of the Constitution that Congress immediately moved to pass a resolution asking for a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer at which time George Washington intoned this famous proclamation in 1789:

[New York, 3 October 1789]