Pastor Mike's Weblog

I have had the picture below for some time, since late summer, and have just now gotten around to posting it. I ran across it again today as I was going through some files and stuff. It was taken at a back to school youth retreat our church participated in at a camp close to our home. My daughter Kristen and I are discussing something that obviously pleases neither of us, as you can tell by the nearly identical looks on both our faces.

























She and I are so much alike in so many ways that it is scary. Not only do we look at folks the same (evidenced above) but we react much the same. Sometimes that is good, sometimes bad. Kristen is 15 and our only daughter, the oldest of 5 children, and we treasure her. The teenage-girl years have been trying at best, but they (and she) have been a source of joy to us that is incalculable. A tribute to my daughter today. WE (and especially your dad) LOVE YOU KRISTEN!!

Hollywood and 'mainstream' America (whatever that really is) is all abuz about the upcoming release of A Golden Compass by New Line Cinemas. Read the following excerpt from the article at Urban Legends:

The Golden Compass, a fantasy film starring Nicole Kidman that is scheduled to be released into theaters on 7 December 2007, has been drawing fire from concerned Christians. The film is based on Northern Lights (released in the U.S. as The Golden Compass), the first offering in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of children's books, a series that follows the adventures of a streetwise girl who travels through multiple worlds populated by witches, armor-plated bears, and sinister ecclesiastical assassins to defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.

Books of the trilogy have sold more than 15 million copies around the world, with Northern Lights winning the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature in 1995 and in 2007 being awarded the 'Carnegie of Carnegies' for the best children's book of the past 70 years. The Amber Spyglass, the final book of the series, won The Whitbread Prize in 2001, making it the first children's book to do so.

The series' author, Philip Pullman, is an avowed atheist who has averred that "I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God; I have the greatest difficulty in understanding what is meant by the words 'spiritual' or 'spirituality.'" Critics of Pullman's books point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate, and although literary works are subject to a variety of interpretations, Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God." (Conservative British columnist Peter Hitchens labeled Pullman "The Most Dangerous Author in Britain" and described him as the writer "the atheists would have been praying for, if atheists prayed.")

Bill Donohue, president of The Catholic League, has condemned The Golden Compass as a "pernicious" effort to indoctrinate children into anti-Christian beliefs and has produced a 23-page pamphlet titled The Golden Compass: Unmasked in which he maintains that Pullman "sells atheism for kids."

CitizenLink, a ministry of Focus on the Family calls it "A Movie that reveals a world where there is no God". Read there article here. The Catholic League has condemned the movie as anti-God and anti-Catholic. Read their statement here and view a video of their president discussing the movie here.

View an official trailer video of the movie below.


So whats all the hubbub about? The movie seems a spin-off of fantasy-oriented movies such as Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia. But make no mistake, the writer's own words warn the wise against this movie and the series of books upon which it is based. Children are introduced to a world of fantasy where God is portrayed as weak and foolish, demons are our friends and helpers, and our destiny is in our own hands. In fact, one can visit the movie web site, answer 20 questions, and create your own 'daemon' (their spelling) to download and use as an icon, etc.

Should kids be taught that demons are fun things to play with and joke about? As a parent, you should judge for yourself. Above all lets heed the admonitions of Scripture:

RESPECT: Find Out What it Means     Matthew 5:33-48

Retaliation is as old as humanity itself. Lying is just as old and just as common. And how easy it is to despise our enemies! Let's be honest; many adults don't think about their sins. Even as believers we sometimes don't think about how our choices, actions, and lifestyles affect others. We do what we please and let the chips fall where they may.

Jesus believed it matters greatly how His followers relate to people around them. This week's study continues our Lord's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. He elaborated on what it means to have "righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees" (Matt. 5:20).

How would the people you encounter each day describe you? According to Jesus' teaching we are not free to do as we please with no regard for other people. In fact, His teaching about showing respect for others is controversial and not commonly practiced, even among believers. Most problems within churches stem from believers who do not follow Jesus' instructions in this passage of Scripture.

The Heart of the Matter     Matthew 5:20-32

Many adults, even long-term believers, evaluate their lives by comparing themselves with others. We then determine-to our own satisfaction-that we are relatively more righteous than others. As we will see in this study, Jesus said righteousness is as much a matter of the heart or attitude as one's action.

High-Impact Believers      Matthew 5:13-20

How do you respond when an opportunity to speak or act on behalf of Christ comes up? Our own natural tendency would be to blend in or do nothing. Some probably think, "I'm just one person. What could I do?" Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount that His followers are to make an impact on society. We are to influence our culture, just as salt impacts food and as light dispels darkness.

The Body of Christ is a diverse and wonderful entity. Believers from all walks of life sharing their talents and skills to make disciples and take the gospel to the peoples of the world. Devin Hudson at GraceisthePoint posted a really great video their church used to emphasize how people in their church serve. I have reposted it below for your review. Notice as you watch how different people do different jobs in and out of the church. Amazing! How can you serve in your church? Why aren't you doing it yet?

 

Quality is Job One        Matthew 5:1-12

No, this is not an advertisement for Ford Motor Company. That phrase has been their slogan for many years. While quality in manufacturing and service is desired in business, the focus of our lesson this week is not quality, but qualities. Individual character traits that define the person are what God is focused upon. What foundational qualities characterize a believer's life?

Many is the time I have debated and discussed this topic among ministry brethren. In responding to a statement made in the following linked article by a prominent SBC theologian, Devin Hudson hits the nail on the head on this issue. Read his post here. I welcome your comments.