Category: Christianity

Stirred Faith

Picture of clear boiling pot

In an email from a friend of mine, he referred to me having a “stirred faith.” Something about that phrase stuck out to me, and I began expounding on it realizing how descriptive of a statement that is. With the following in mind, I pray for everyone to have a stirred faith.

All the thoughts I have these days of God and what I believe were things that had largely settled to the bottom of the pot as it simmered. Finally, God brought my life to a roaring boil that scalded my soul. It seared and burned me to the core and that burn will last the rest of my life. But amidst the boiling water, all of those ingredients of my faith came bubbling to the top. They began to mix in completely with every drop of who I am to the point that I am now unable to let those things settle any more. I hate the thought that I ever segmented my life, or that my faith wasn’t pervasive in my life. But if I compare my attitude now to that of years past, I had so far yet to go, and I know I still have so much further to go. I only pray that the years will continue to draw me closer to Him.

How’s your pot?

Switchfoot and Habitat for Humanity

Switchfoot is touring with Relient K this fall, and they are supporting Habitat for Humanity during this endeavor by donating $1 of every ticket sold. There is a video on YouTube where the guys from Switchfoot talk about why they’re supporting Habitat for Humanity. This is another great example of how real these guys are. Also exciting is a previously unheard song playing in the background of the video. My guess is that it’s a song being prepared for their next album. I love it already.

The Proselyte Chick-Fil-A

I have chills. I just read an editorial about Chick-Fil-A by a non-Christian. He had nothing but kind words for the way the restaurant evangelizes its customers – by kindness and not being overbearing about Christianity. This is yet another example of a Roaring Lamb – albeit in the form of a business. It makes me want to own a Chick-Fil-A store and/or eat there every day of my life. I just hope we can all learn to be Christians in the usual, everyday type of things that people take for granted. That’s where Jesus really shines in our lives, as people who are in the dark do not freak out that they’re being evangelized. They just appreciate the nice gesture and write up a glowing review of your restaurant.

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

IGN reports about a new movie set to come out during the Fall of 2008, named per this post. Interestingly, it will be based on a novel written by the same woman who wrote Interview with a Vampire – Anne Rice. I’m very curious as to the nature of this novel and soon enough the movie. It seems as though this could be another exciting movie for Christians: obviously because it is about Jesus, but almost just as importantly because it will likely be done with the best quality.

According to Wikipedia, Anne Rice was a devout atheist, but has in recent years turned back to her Catholicism, which she left when she was 18.

In 1998, after spending most of her adult life as a self-described atheist, Rice returned to her Roman Catholic faith, which she had not practiced since she was 18. In October 2005, as she reaffirmed her Catholic faith, Rice announced in a Newsweek article that she would “write only for the Lord.” She called Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, her first novel in this genre, the beginning of a trilogy that will chronicle the life of Jesus.

In an interview with Christianity Today, headlined “Interview with a Penitent”, Rice declared that she will never again write another vampire novel, saying; “I would never go back, not even if they say, ‘You will be financially ruined; you’ve got to write another vampire book.’ I would say no. I have no choice. I would be a fool for all eternity to turn my back on God like that.”

Beliefnet also has review of the book that calls it the Best Spiritual Book of 2005.

I love seeing someone who is considered “great” in her field by the secular majority become a Christian and use that gift for God’s glory. I am thrilled by Anne’s commitment to God, especially after being an atheist for so long, and I’m excited for this movie, as well as the apparent trilogy of books about Jesus’ life that she is in the midst of writing.

Oh! Gravity

Oh! GravityOn December 26 of this year, Switchfoot will release a new album – a short 15 months after the last album, “Nothing is Sound.” Entitled, “Oh! Gravity,” they seem set to bring us another amazing experience through music.

I have long loved Switchfoot as my favorite band – ever since before “The Legend of Chin” even arrived on the market and no one knew their name. I have met the guys and talked quite a bit with them. Never have I known a band to be so real and seem so personable. They are entirely honest in their music and never mince words or ignore their faith. In one interview, Jon tells of how their Christianity is part of who they are, as is their music. There is no separating those from each other.

With a newly designed site for the album, Switchfoot.com, talks about “Oh! Gravity,” and how it came to be made. In Jon’s own words:

And so this past summer when we set out to record a new record, we tried to put all pressures and expectations aside and focus on the music. We wanted to make a record that was honest. A record that didn’t trip on itself. A record that represented everything that we first fell in love with about music. We tried to forget about theory and pitch and timing and focus on feeling. As a result, I think that Oh! Gravity is the most honest thing we’ve ever done. I am so proud of these tunes and hope that they resonate with you like they do for us.

And go back to the reason you loved music to begin with. We took a chance on this record, not to sound selfish, but to make something for ourselves. What other people think can’t change our minds about these songs. And that’s a good feeling. Because either you believe in it or you don’t.

I am certainly always excited about a new Switchfoot record, but these guys always make me more excited about the newest one than any of the previous ones. And the biggest reason for that is their commitment to Christ and being Roaring Lambs.

Offense = PG?

I just found out about a movie today that is in theaters, but I’ve never heard about it. I wouldn’t care, except I really want to see it, but it’s an independent film, so it’s not in my area. Bummer! The movie is Facing the Giants.

More importantly (because I can watch it on DVD), I’m annoyed by the MPAA and them giving it a rating of PG. I’m putting aside the fact that it’s a Christian movie and that I want to support it for that reason, especially considering that it seems like a GOOD movie. According to this article, the rating comes because they’re concerned that the Christian story will offend people of other religions. That may very well be the case, but that doesn’t mean it should constitute a PG warning, especially considering the definition of a PG film:

The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. … The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children. Obviously such a line is difficult to draw.

So, if I’m offended that Mufasa dies in The Lion King, should it be rated PG? Offense hardly seems an adequate justification for such a thing. But maybe that’s just me.

Refresh

Refresh

I started this blog not too long ago mostly because I was excited to see that Blogger had made many significant changes and I am always one to jump on new beta versions. What can I say? I love technology. [update (5/15/07): now I’m using WordPress because it’s better]

Since then, I have been made to rethink my purpose and intentions here, as God has reminded me who I am in Him. Thanks to Boundless and a recent series about blogging, I have decided to proceed forward in a new vein. Most likely, I will still include thoughts and ideas that I have, but hopefully with a new vision in mind – one that is specific to honoring God.

I’m still just a normal guy with his little spot on the internet. But I want it to be obvious that I’m a Christian just as much as I am a guy. I believe in God just as much as I use a computer to blog.

Two Boundless articles really caught my attention:

Blogging: The History and the Spirit talks about the traditional use of blogs – many times it is a place for people to spout off their frustrations or just do something extreme so as to be noticed by the internet community. However, the blogosphere can be used for telling others about Christ just as any other method of communication can be.

Christ seeks us out in interesting ways. Sometimes He uses a friend, sometimes a stranger, sometimes a song on the radio or a book found in a yard sale. We know He uses word of mouth — after all, that’s how He got started. He may even use blogs.

The second article, Blog Responsibly, focused on what we say online. I don’t want to simply resort to first reactions or extreme frustrations and sarcastic comments dispelling things I find. Sure, I’m still going to have fun here and I’m sure that will include sarcasm, but I will be careful not to insult others in doing so. I hope to be held accountable to that by God, myself, and anyone out there reading.

I know this will be a great thing for me and my blog, as I am aiming to please God. What better goal could there be? If it only helps me, I will praise God for that. If others join in, may God receive all the blessing exponentially.

Amen.

Disturbing Results

How far will you go?Someone noted this poll on AOL’s People Connection site. I have to say, I’m incredibly disturbed. Nearly 50% of the population says they’d “go all the way” on their first date. Now, considering the audience of People Connection, that’s not representative of most people, I’m sure. (I hope.) These are most likely the people who are going online to find someone else who will go all the way on their first date. Either way, I’m bothered by it.

What confuses me is the fact that “a kiss on the cheek” comes in second. So, if you’re not will to go all the way, you’re next most likely to kiss your date on the cheek. How’s that for drastic!