July 31, 2009
Traditional marriage—one man and one woman—continues to be under attack. What is your view of marriage, and why?
the untouchables
Yashwant Rao's life in Karnataka, India, included some personal vices that made him feel ashamed. Then a life-changing thing happened. Yashwant received Jesus as his Savior after a pastor in his village repeatedly and lovingly reached out to him.
Then God led this new believer to share his faith with the Dalits, or "untouchables," the lowest of the low in…
transformers: revenge of the fallen - movie review
This big-budget sequel to the first Transformers movie has all the ingredients of a summer blockbuster. It has fast-paced action, lots of special effects, and a couple of kids trying to save the world. Steven Spielberg's fingerprints are all over it. It has everything you would want, except, perhaps for a compelling story or a satisfying conclusion (it leaves the door…
the future is now (partly)
Bafaluto, a small village of three hundred in Gambia, was barely surviving. Without access to clean water, the entire population was stuck in a cycle of abject poverty, relentless disease, and hunger—until Brian Harrold and Pamela Morgan, entrepreneurs from Northern Ireland, spent a small fortune digging an 80-meter well for them. When asked what compelled him to do it, Brian…
taken - movie review
Release date: 2009
A confrontational look at the trafficking industry reaching monumental proportion, Taken is more than a vivid depiction of our sin-drenched world. It's a movie to reclaim the heart of fathers. Viewers must be cautioned—the movie's portrayal of the sex-trade is visual and Bryan Mill's (Liam Neeson) retribution violent, but its message offers much for consideration.
Demonstrating the complexities of…
bumpy roads
My thoughts were miles away, when suddenly a bump in the road shook my car. As I bounced through the intersection, it occurred to me that I had missed seeing the road construction signs. And, veiled by the early morning darkness, the unevenness of the pavement had remained hidden from view. (Due to its use as a major thoroughfare, the…
beer is not the answer
Here in America we are discussing the recent arrest and release of Henry Louis Gates and his meeting on Thursday with President Obama and Officer Crowley over a glass of beer at the White House. Amid questions of racial profiling and who over-reacted against whom, it's interesting that no one involved, neither Gates, nor Obama, nor Crowley, has admitted fault. …
breaking the cycle
My father grew up without a dad. When he was 5 years old, his father left the family and never returned. When friends later asked my grandfather whether he was related to my dad, he refused to admit that my dad was his son—disowning and declaring him to be a distant relative.
By most accounts, I also should have grown…
July 27, 2009
"[The way we live] blends in way too well with the rest of the world (i.e. people are not seeing a difference between those who say they are Christians and those who are not)." What do you think of these helpful thoughts from ODJ community member mstigall? How can believers in Jesus live out true salt and light lives?
static
I love the conveniences of modern technology—especially cordless phones. These devices afford me mobility without the problem of tangled cords. But while I enjoy the freedom, I often have to cope with an irritation—the snap, crackle, and pop of static. These hindrances happen mainly when I move too far away from the phone base. The greater the distance, the more…
old faithful
Billy Graham preached in person to more people in the 20th century than any other evangelist. He proclaimed the good news to an estimated 100 million during his crusades, with nearly 3 million coming to faith in Jesus. In an interview with NBC in June 2005, he was asked how he would want to be remembered. The then 86-year-old Graham…
it's all about the heart
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure performed on people suffering cardiac arrest. When I first learned CPR 25 years ago the focus was on both chest compressions and rescue breathing. "Pump and blow" is what we dubbed it.
Today, the focus is primarily on the heart. When you approach someone who has collapsed in cardiac distress, new research suggests…
hey, that's mine
My son was playing with some toys at a local library when a little girl came over and grabbed a truck out of his toddler grip. He looked at her loot as if to say, "Hey, that's mine!" I scanned the room for the person in charge of this little marauder, but found no one standing by to rein her…
weak or strong?
I've been thinking about Romans 14:1-4 lately. Why? This passage deals with "disputable matters"—things God doesn't explicitly condemn which are found within the spacious confines of Christian liberty. My "strong" faith has caused some "weaker"-faith friends (v.1) to experience fear and anger. So what should I do—press the issue? Flaunt my Christian liberty? Deny or dismiss my friends' views?
A…
