This is Amara’s first serious talk with Daddy about friendships!

Peter Mahar took Grace’s graduation pictures.

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.”

I received notice of this interview from American Vision

I know you don’t clean your computer screen very often ….

and it is hard to do the inside …. so here is my present to you!

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.

Wilson Review from Collision Movie on Vimeo.
I look forward to seeing this service Doug has done the Church and her Lord.

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.

One book I can recommend is Muslims and Christians at the Table: Promoting Biblical Understanding Among North American Muslims.  I found it a useful resource for a Muslim history, doctrine, and worldview – And a biblical response.  It also provides very helpful and practical ways to reach out to Muslims.

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.

David and Kathy have been so excited to find out what gender our Grand-baby is.

Today is the day!

Mommy & Daddy Waiting

The technician, declared, “It’s a girl.”  What a happy moment for mommy and daddy!

A Beautiful Family Moment - Our Daughter

Aunt Grace smuggled in a camera with video capability – That’s my girl!

Mommy and Daddy get their first girl pictures

Is she right handed?

Cute little fingers

What a sweet face

Our Beloved Baby Girl!

Over the years I have marveled at how children, my own included, are able to learn to imitate those around them (for both good and ill) and participate in things that they have no understanding of.  They catch onto the liturgical actions of the church more readily than most adults.

I have seen children less than 2 years old sing along with the congregation the Doxology and other songs, recite the Apostles creed and pray the Lord’s Prayer.  They have no idea of the meaning of the words – but they are worshiping as truly and by faith (child-like) as we old folks do. I am certain, based on the words of our Savior, that God looks down on these faithful little ones with joy and pleasure – accepting their worship as a sweet smelling savor.

Having said that, when I see videos like this I just feel sad for the children – and about the level of maturity of the church.  I know this sounds judgmental – but its not.  I’m not talking about style.  I’m talking about knowing the difference between a godly child-like faith that is a foundation upon which to build and a mature, articulate and effective faith that labors to see the will of God done on earth as it is in heaven.

If we (the Church and Bride of Christ) are to effectively build the Kingdom of God and bring Christ’s word to the world, we must have more maturity than to think that 2 year old children can be our “preachers” and leaders.

May God grant to us all to grow up in wisdom and stature, before both God and men – So that through our preaching of the gospel there may be “Peace on earth, and goodwill toward men.”

At his school, Veritas School, Adam had the opportunity to participate in a “Speech Meet” competition.  He recited the Saint Chrispian’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V.

He won the competition for the 7th and 8th Grade!

The winner!

Today he gets to do it again (not something Adam is looking forward to) – This time in front of 180 people!

Speech Meet - FIRST PLACE!

For those who do not know what this speech is, check out this poor imitation of the same speech Adam is doing:

“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.

View the film here

Film Synopsis:

“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 19^th 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.