“One of the most noteworthy theological trends in 21st-century pop culture has been the rehabilitation of the ‘villain,’” so writes Brett McCracken of The Gospel Coalition. “From Cruella to Maleficent to the Joker and more, iconic villains are now routinely given spinoff movies and sympathetic backstories that complicate our categories of good and evil … Giving villains origin stories […]
I love Neh 2:12, “And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem.” Nehemiah was burdened about rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. But building God’s work requires help. God had worked in Nehemiah’s heart – how would he motivate God’s people to join him? Some churches nag – or […]
Thanks to Susan’s 4th grade Sunday School teacher she can recite off the books in the Bible (BTW – that was her dad). I can recite them until I come to the Minor Prophets – that’s when I stumble until Malachi. The Minor Prophets are called that only because of their size – 4 chapters […]
Here’s a good new year’s resolution. It was written by John Wesley. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, to all the people you can, in all the places you can, as long as ever you can.” Good advice. The Apostle Paul said it this way in Rom 12:10, “Love […]
O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home. Under the shadow of Thy throne. Still may we dwell secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure. That is Issac Watt’s summary of Ps 90 – a good psalm for […]
It’s easy to idealize the holidays. Behind the lights and glitter, human depravity doesn’t go into hibernation. All families witness the curse of the fall. What specifically can cause the holiday hassles? Unresolved conflict. Every family in a sense is dysfunctional because of sin. Christmas can remind us of old conflicts never truly solved. Financial pressures. Folks overspend […]
Susan and I watched with her mother a week ago one of our family’s favorite Christmas movies, “White Christmas.” A more appropriate title might be “right Christmas.” Let’s think about that. Philippians can help. A right Christmas begins with who I am in Christ. Paul writes in 2:1, Because there is encouragement in Christ, since we have […]
Susan and I watched the 2023 movie, “One Life.” It is the true story of Nicolas Winton, a British stockbroker who, in 1939, helped arrange the escape of Jewish children from Nazi controlled Czechoslovakia. The film moves from the historical to the contemporary as England discovered the measures this man and his team accomplished. It […]
Dr. Michael Emlet, faculty member at CCEF wrote a blog recently that spoke to me about stretching our joy. Last week we mentioned 4. Open your eyes and slow down. Remember you are not alone. When you find your heart moved by joy see it as God’s kindness to you. Contemplate your spiritual blessings by […]
I’ve enjoyed the ministry of Dr. Michael Emlet, faculty member at CCEF. I’m abbreviating a wonderful article I recently read by him – will continue it next week. Do you lament that moments of beauty, joy, and laughter in your life are so fleeting? Challenges and griefs of life in this fallen world can quickly overshadow […]