I have had an increasing fascination with and desire to know more about China over the last couple of years. I am beginning to do a little reading, and hope to see what God has done through out the history of China, and what He is doing today.
I received this link to an urgent prayer request from China.
Lately there has been a great deal of attention paid to the issue of Abortion, Planned Parenthood and Focus On the Family. My awareness of all that has been going on began with hearing that Focus on the Family had secured an advertisement for the Superbowl.
Also, the National Organization for Women expressed their opposition to the Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad declares with a tone of outrage: “Standing alone, it sends the message that all women who give birth are heroes; it sends a message that abortion is always a mistake; and it is insulting to the one in three women in this country who have abortions.”
At the same time that this Super Bowl debate was raging – I receive a link to this video that, although graphic, powerfully calls people to oppose abortion. Everyone Against Abortion – Raise Your Hand
May God grant courage and moral outrage to publicly and consistently oppose abortion and those who are enemies of Christ and His Kingdom.
On May 14th I made a post about the coming of the documentary movie about the Doug Wilson and Christopher Hitchens debate about atheism. Here is an interview of Doug Wilson by John Piper that wonderfully summarizes Doug’s goals, desires and thoughts about the movie “Collision.”
Last year I made a post about a new short film from The Doorpost Film Project.
They have a new short film called “The Butterfly Circus” – Please take the time to see this wonderful video.
The handicapped man, Nick Vujicic, has an inspiring ministry: Life Without Limbs. May God bless him with life, health, happiness and fruitful ministry for Christ.
When Doug Wilson debated the famed and articulate atheist Christopher Hitchens he had it filmed in order to make it widely available. Here is a promotional clip in which he reflects on his purposes and how he believes the movie turned out.
This is an interesting and informative video that I wanted to make available as a way to stir up creative thinking about how we can reach out to Muslims. Obedience to and fulfillment of the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus to disciple the nations means learning to minister to the Muslims in our communities and around the world.
I have been reading and thinking about what God has been doing throughout the world in the recent decades, and about urban missions.
Another very helpful book is The Next Christendom, by Philip Jenkins. Jenkins provides convincing evidence that the center of Christian influence in the world is shifting from the West and North to the East and South. The implications of this and other demographic trends are profoundly important for the Great Commission.
Today (03/29/09) Dennis Tuuri, Pastor of RCC, in a sermon related to Lent and Christian suffering, mentioned that “fasting is an anticipation of a change in history.” This is a very helpful perspective to keep in mind as people consider the meaning and use of both Lent and fasting generally. Isaiah 58:3, 5 tells us that fasting is an affliction of our souls. Properly understood, fasting, when practiced, should be seen as part of our praying that God would use us to change the world around us. Specifically, in Isaiah 58:6-7 we are told about fasting that pleases the Lord:
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh?”
It is the kind of fasting that moves us to action and service. In our service we see the world transformed around us. The future we hope for is brought into the present. Fasting brings us into conformity to the will of God so that we become part of the establishment of His Kingdom.
“Volition” is a short film featured by The Doorpost Film Project. I heard about it on a list serve that I am a member of and really appreciate the quality of the film-making and it’s ability to make you think about issues more deeply.
“Volition” (n) – The act of making a choice. Sometimes the choice of inaction has consequences stronger than we could ever imagine. Throughout history, men have been faced with difficult choices in a world that makes it easy for them to conform. This film explores the hope that lies behind every decision made in the face of adversity, the hope that is buried in the heart of those that look themselves and see something bigger worth fighting for.
The main character lives in three historic eras and faces the moral implications of his culture and personal circumstances. He is internally torn by racism and slavery in the 19th century south, Nazi anti-Semitism in Germany during WWII, and devaluation of humanity through abortion in the modern world.
While it is quite appropriate to question the direct moral equivalence of each of these ethical considerations – The message is that although our cultural influences are powerful forces in our decision-making processes, we can and should at times make choices that are based on transcendent values that are not consistent with our common culture, traditions and respected authorities.
