Female Priests

At one point I'd like to talk about female roles in the church from a complementarian perspective (not as limiting as you might think!) but here is an example of what many churches are going to be facing. Thanks to A Little Leaven for pointing this out.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" a review

It's been a while since I've written a movie review. However, I felt it necessary to share this movie. World War II has proven to be a great source of inspiration for movies about war and the big questions of life. The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas proves to be a great addition to the great canon of World War II movies. What makes this film stand out is that the story is told form the perspective of an 8 year old German boy. Moving from home because of his father's military duties, he soon learns what the war is really about and what is really going on in his new home. He also makes a new friend. A young Jewish boy named Schmuel. This film finds a unique balance between Bruno's child like wonder and the realities of WWII Germany. The stellar soundtrack by James Horner (Composer for Titanic) added a sense of wonder and sorrow to the story. This is a very interesting Good Samarita story, and of how far someone will go to help a friend. On another note, it did have its flaws, especially because it is in English (with British actors to boot) and there was a scene where I felt that the song being sung probably was an old English tune, and not a German hit from that time. I had the opportunity to see this movie with people who more than likely lived through the dark days of WWII and I could tell that this story resonated with them. I think it will with you too. It will leave you speechless.
5 Stars.

Flashback Fridays!!!!

Sorry for the lateness of my post. Well, here's a good oldie: Breakfast by the Newsboys. Giving us a reason to not go to hell: no breakfast!


The funniest (ok some) moments of The Naked Gun-a funny movie I loved as a kid.


And a favorite movie of mine from the 80's Monster Squad

New Reformation Promo Video-enjoy

Here it is. Visit the page. And share with those you think would be interested.

What's the state of the church? Watch this.....

Take a look at the following clip. It comes from Michael Horton's "Christless Christianity" project. It should speak for itself. But I do have something to add at the end.



If you missed it, Roger Olson (Arminian) Marva Dawn (Paleo-orthodox Lutheran) and Scot Mcknight (Emergent leaning/NPP/Anabaptist) also appear in this video. Normally we stay away from people of other (almost contradictory) traditions, but if even they can see that there is a problem, it shouldn't surprise us that Horton's book is necessary. It should also make us think of what we're going to do about it? What is your church situation like? Is it like what is being presented in this clip? Is it only about how God can make you happy? If it is, what will you do about it? I recommend reading Christless Christianity and giving a copy to your church leadership.

But, I'd like to hear from you as well. What is the problem? What are some solutions?

Happy Birthday Martin Luther!

(Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms)

As a Reformed Christian, I celebrate the life of a great saint God used to change history. Here are a few thoughts, blogs and video clips that commemorate today's event. Some thoughts from the Desiring God Blog

It was a backwater German town called Eisleben on November 10, 1483—today marks 525 years.

There Martin Luther had his inauspicious beginning. He was born a poor boy, son of a coal miner. And by a strange providence, Luther died in the same town 62 years later on February 18, 1546, even though he spent barely any of his life there.

In the intervening 6 decades, the world changed—and Luther, under God, was the chief catalyst.

The pope excommunicated Luther in January of 1521, making him a marked man. For the last 25 years of his life, he lived with the awareness that each day could be his last. He often expressed surprise that he was still alive.

Other's celebrating are
1517: Happy Birthday Martin Luther

And a very interesting video I found. Enjoy. The Reformation Polka. Very funny.

Gay Protest Saturday Nov. 15-How will we respond?

If you haven't been watching the news, Gay groups have been marching across the state. They've marched in Salt Lake City against the Mormon church, against Saddleback Church, and today against the Los Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles. How far will this go? Sad to say, it would seem that we are allowed to vote as long as it's for whats in vogue. But it also says that we are allowed to vote, so long as we leave behind that which is most important to us: our values and our worldview. So what are we supposed to do? This Saturday I ask that we fast and pray. If you know someone who is going to march on Saturday, take them out to eat on Friday and talk with them. Even more, listen. I know we'll disagree. As a matter of fact, they may not like our reasoning, but I think they will see that we care. After we pray, the ball is in our court. They will march against our churches, but we can respond with wild eyed extremism (the kind they make fun of on SNL), or we can respond with prayer, with love, and with a carefully reasoned case for traditional marriage. That last part was inspired due to something someone said at our New Reformation "Cheer Up Party".
The book of Luke and Acts were written to a Grecco-Roman audience with the aim of showing that Christianity is a legitimate faith amongst the many pagan faiths of the time. More so, that it was politically viable. I believe that our ideas still have weight and have much to offer. Indeed, they have shaped the Western society! I also believe that living those beliefs to their fullest (especially the mercy and compassion we have shown in the past) could well be one of the biggest testimonies to the world. So from sun up to sun down next Saturday, I'll be fasting and praying. How about you?

Overheard.....

As yo might recall, overheard is basically a round up of ideas, links, pages and such that I want to put up in one section. So here's what I've overheard

1. Gay rights, outreach and discussion
Ever since prop 8 passed on Tuesday many people have been talking. A few have responded in ways I'm not completely in agreement with, but must think about anyway. Like my friend Jonathan has on his page. The guys over at Biblical Thought have their own thoughts as well. If you'd like to be a part of a longer dialogue on this, you can go to my New Reformation Page, and contribute to the forums. (Oh and feel free to join too!)

2. The election. We've voted, and many of us aren't happy with the results. However, I ahve seen my fellow conservative friends lose graciously. And they have offered some great advice. Triablogue has some helpful ideas.. James White has a video tht we should ALL WACTCH. Dare I say that it is prophetic? Here it is.



3. The John 3:16 conference. As a future member of the Southern Baptist Conference, I will be watching this with some interest. Calvinism has begun to grow again in the SBC and while some people react greatly, there are those who have responded to it. I personally believe it's fear and misunderstanding. Here are some peopel who are following the story. Timmy Brister writes a great review of the events. Justin Taylor also has some important things to say. Tim Challies has a friend there live blogging as well. Check it out, it's about 8 posts in all.