June 20, 2013

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History Channel’s “The Bible” Sets Records

April 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

History Channel's The Bible Sets Records

History Channel’s epic mini-series “The Bible” did a commendable job of depicting the history of the Bible from beginning to end.   The viewers were able to see these unforgettable stories, shared for generations, unfold before their very eyes through live action and cutting-edge computer-generated imagery.  I believe there was value in the way the producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey offered new insight into famous scenes and iconic characters.

I have not decided if the soon to be released DVD series is worth owning, however, I would recommend renting the series which should be available April 2nd.  The most significant segments in my mind included Noah’s journey in the ark, the Exodus, the way the angels were depicted, and the life of Jesus.

I have a sign that hangs in my office that shows a baseball player attempting to steal a base.  The picture leaves you wondering if he is successful or not.  The message underneath reads, “Sometimes the greatest risk…is not to risk”.  The History Channel along with Mark Burnett and Roma Downey took a risk, they stepped out in faith, and they let God do the rest.  Excellent lesson for us all to learn.

 

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6 Trivia Questions for Easter

March 27, 2013 By Leave a Comment

6 Easter Trivia Questions

We went to the movie theater not too long ago and discovered we had arrived a little early.   To keep us entertained until the movie started, a series of trivia questions began to show up on the movie screen.  After answering a couple of the questions correctly I began to realize I certainly knew a lot of useless information, but then it got interesting.  I found myself eagerly waiting for the answers to those questions I did not know.  That’s when it hit me.  Why not have the “down time” in a movie theater ask questions that would actually enhance our knowledge?  What if they offered world history, U.S. history…wait…what about Bible knowledge.  To get us prepared for Easter this Sunday, how about I ask six questions that will test your Bible knowledge?

  • To whom did Jesus say these words, “Assuredly I say to you, one of you will betray me?”
  • Which of the twelve disciples agreed to help the plotters capture Jesus and how much was he paid?
  • What was the sign given between the betrayer and the multitude, to identify Jesus as the one that they were looking for?
  • The governor found no fault in Jesus and said, “I am innocent of this just man’s blood!”  What did he then do, to prove that he meant what he said?
  • After sentencing Jesus, He was scourged and a crown of thorns was placed on His head.  He was then spat upon and mocked.  What did they do to Him next?
  • What was the purpose for Christ’s death?

Answers:

  • The 12 disciples = Matthew 26:20-23
  • Judas Iscariot with 30 pieces of silver = Matthew 26:14-15
  • A kiss = Matthew 26:48
  • He washed his hands = Matthew 27:22-25
  • They led Him away to be crucified = Matthew 27:27-31
  • Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures = 1Corinthians 15:3

http://www.funtrivia.com/quizzes/religion/new_testament/matthew.html

 

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The Bible: An Epic Action Mini-Series

March 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Bible-An Epic Action Mini-Series

With endorsements from Focus on the Family and Pastor Rick Warren, the famous Hollywood producer Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey have developed a mini-series that has created quite the buzz.  Burnett is the producer of the popular shows “Survivor”, “Celebrity Apprentice”, “The Voice”, and “Shark Tank”. Downey is famous in her own right for her role in the popular 1990’s television series “Touched By An Angel”.

The former military paratrooper who found fame and fortune in Hollywood by producing reality shows for television was initially overwhelmed when his wife suggested, over four years ago, that they make a television mini-series based on the Bible.  Downey told her husband she wanted to be part of something that would glorify God.

With a $22 million budget, the producers aimed to create an epic action mini-series with computer-generated images that would entertain the viewer, with or without an understanding of the Bible.  Downey said. “We have incredible special effects with Moses parting the Red Sea, Jesus walking on water. We have this amazing international cast.”  Mr. Burnett was quoted in the L.A. Times saying, “It’s a grand narrative, but it tells a pretty simple story about God’s never-ending love for all of us. It’s hopeful. It’s inspirational. Maybe it’ll get people’s hearts to open.”

The series began last night on the History Channel at 8 p.m. It was the first of five two-hour episodes that will air each weekend with the final episode airing on Easter Sunday.   So set the DVR and be prepared to take the journey that not only changed the history of mankind, but the future as well.

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130303/ENT/130309902/1054/LIVING02

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Role Reversal

January 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment

People Helping People

I think most of us agree upon the role a church plays after a crisis or disaster.  It usually places the needs of others before itself while rendering aid and restoring a sense of normalcy back into a community.  The Holy Bible is riddled with scripture asking, recommending, and commanding us as “The Church” to feed the poor, the widowed, the orphaned…so naturally after Hurricane Sandy devastated the East coast of the United States, the churches began responding.  With one exception, the many churches who themselves suffered structural damage or were destroyed.

However, good news soon arrived from FEMA.  Grant money for restoration was going to be available to those who qualified for the Federal Disaster Assistance grant program except churches.  When Rev. Alex K. Joy of the “St. George Malankara Orthodox Church of India in Staten Island” applied for the FEMA grant to repair approximately $150,000 in structural damage to his building, he received a clear answer, “No”.  Rev. Joy went on to say, “FEMA said that they considered the church a business, so they offered us a (low interest) loan, but we don’t want a loan. We have 400 members, 90 families. In this situation, we need some assistance.”

It turns out, a broad range of private nonprofit organizations qualify for federal disaster assistance grants such as zoos, museums, performing arts centers, and libraries just not “Houses of worship”.  The news is not all bad though.  If a church had social programs like homeless shelters, preschools, or feeding programs, then they would qualify to replace those programs but not the church structure.  The problem is they need a building to conduct these social services.

Looks like it may be time for a role reversal.  Looks like the communities are going to need to step up and help the churches.  People helping people…I think Jesus would approve.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=1012548

 

 

 

 

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Abraham Lincoln: Carpe Diem

December 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We recently saw Steven Spielberg’s latest blockbuster movie “Abraham Lincoln”.  To be honest I was not planning on seeing the film but then a friend of mine, who I highly respect as a leader, recommended it.  To no surprise, he was correct.  “Abraham Lincoln” was a great lesson in leadership, political will-power,  family, faith, and carpe diem (seize the day). 

The film focuses on the last four months of Lincoln’s life, January to April, 1865.  In that brief period of time, we see our 16th President strong yet vulnerable, wise in the political arena yet uncompromising in his reliance upon God’s direction for his life. We all know from our school days in history class that President Lincoln had little in the way of formal education. Still, he knew his Bible and so we constantly see the Word of God woven throughout his most famous speeches.  Below is one example from his second inaugural address.  I have no proof that the President referenced these scriptures when writing this address, but 1Corinthians 9:24/James 1:27/Matthew 5:9 immediately came to mind when I read the speech below:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

If you are looking to see an action movie this is not for you.  However, if you are interested in seeing an Academy Award rendition of one of the greatest leaders our nation has ever followed I would highly recommend it.  However, I would also highly caution a parent who has lost a young child in this life or a loved one to the tragedies of war.  The acting is so amazing the pain accompanied with such a loss is transferred to the audience at a neophyte level that tears at your heart…

 

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Ladies and Gentlemen: Barack Obama

November 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lets see what the Bible says we should do with the newly elected 45th President of the United States of America:

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” (1Timothy Chapter 2 Verses 1-2)

That is correct.  God directs us to pray for “all who are in authority”.  Why?  Because God does not make mistakes:

“…For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  (Romans Chapter 13 Verse 1)

See you friday…

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Life Mimics Fiction

November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In an excerpt almost right out of my futuristic thriller, Donovan’s Law, comes a true story of a Spokane, Washington firefighter who was fired for sending “religious” e-mails via the city’s e-mail system.  The termination comes despite the 17- year veteran never having disciplinary issues.  In fact, none of his fellow firefighters ever filed a formal complaint about his e-mail subject matter.  He lost his job because he continued to send these e-mails after he was told by Fire Administration to stop.  Therefore, “insubordination” was the term that brought him to his demise.

In my fiction book, Donovan’s Law, fire Engineer Law receives disciplinary action from his superior officers for inciting a riot over religious beliefs, even though that was not his intention.  Then later on in the book, Donovan and his cadre of firefighters must determine if disobeying a Federal law goes against biblical principles.  Here are two scriptures to ponder for yourself as you attempt to determine what you would do:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”  (Romans 13:1-2)

…but what if that authority says you can no longer worship the true and living God of the Bible?

“And when they (the rulers) had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge;  for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” (Act 4:18-20)

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/12/washington-firefighter-fired-for-sending-christian-messages-using-department/

 

 

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Internet Domain: The New Land Run

September 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Chris.73 at wikipedia.jpg

Do you remember studying about the Oklahoma land lotteries of the late 1800’s?  This was a time in America when open land was given away.  It has been said that people both on foot and horseback would line-up at a starting line.  Then, at the sound of a gun, everyone would take off to stake his or her claim.  It was know as a “Land Run”.

Well, almost a century and half later it appears we may be heading into a similar situation.  Only this time instead of land, we are battling for top-level internet domain names.  A group known as Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has developed a way to assign an almost limitless number of domains which is causing quite the ruckus among the heavy hitters such as the Catholic church, American Bible Society and so on…

Most of us are aware that the social media is now the way to communicate to the masses (no pun intended), however, it seems ICANN has capitalized on this concept and will be making big bucks.  For example, if the Catholic Church wants to own the   .catholic domain, it will cost $185,000 for the submission fee.  I have no idea what it will cost the American Bible Society if they choose to have sole proprietorship of   .bible.

What I do know is that King Solomon was right when he wrote “There is nothing new under the sun”.  In my opinion, this has all the makings of a 21st century land run.  All I can say is, “On your marks…get set…”

www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/08/31/internet-battle-for-bible/?intcmp=fff

 

 

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Pakistani Christians Seek Refuge

August 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Roughly 100 Pakistani Christian men, women, and children are taking refuge in the middle of a forest near the Pakistani capital.  They fled to this location after a Christian girl was accused by her neighbor of burning pages of the Quran.  Once the word got out that this event might have occurred, hundreds of people gathered around her house demanding the blasphemy laws be invoked.

The girl was arrested but law officials are not certain if the event ever took place.  In the meantime, fear has run rapid through the Christian community because the blasphemy laws can result in a sentencing of life in prison or even death.

I wrote a blog back on July 25, 2012 entitled “Spiritual Warfare: Fact or Fiction?” where an Israeli law maker was so infuriated about receiving the Bible which included the new Testament as a gift that he not only tore up the New Testament and threw it away, but decided it would be a good idea to have his actions filmed while doing it.

I don’t recall this gentleman being arrested or even the threat of being arrested spoken out loud.  I understand this Pakistani event took place in a different country than our law making friend’s incident; I wonder what would have happened if he would have treated the Quran in the same fashion.

Articles like this make me appreciate the Godly wisdom given to America’s founding fathers which ensured our constitutional right for freedom of religion.  

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/08/27/fearful-pakistani-christians-flee-to-forest-after-girl-blasphemy-law-arrest/

 

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How To Stay Married For 7 Decades

August 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Photo By Alex C. Hicks Jr.

This October, my wife and I will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.  We began dating in high school and stayed together for five years before we married.  That means we have been together for 35 years.  Seems pretty amazing …not that we have been together for 35 years, but the fact that someone could put up with me for that length of time. 

Then I read the article listed below about Mattie Belle and J.W. Duncan who would consider the length of time my wife and I have been together as “only the beginning”.   The article says they have been married for 72 years…yikes!  Here is what they say is the secret to their success:

“When asked what has kept them together for more than seven decades, J.W. said it’s a combination of love and faith. ‘If you pray together, you stay together. Our faith has kept us together,’ he said. ‘We believe in the Bible, taking nothing from it and adding nothing to it.’”

http://www.goupstate.com/article/20120727/articles/207271003/1101/duncan_couple_credits_shared_beliefs_for_year_marriage;jsessionid=962A08D7931948BD6F019BDEF4407854.m2?p=1&tc=pg

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