GRACE & PEACE

Category: Entertainment

  • Shallow Small Groups

    OK… This might make some folks cringe a little – especially some Small Group junkies… But this is just too funny!

  • The Gospel of Mark by Max McLean

    If you have not seen the Bible brought to life through one of Max McLean‘s performances you have missed out. I first saw him when he came to chapel while I was a student at Reformed Theological Seminary. McLean is an acclaimed thespian who lends his substantial talents to verbatim oral interpretation of Books of the Bible, among other roles.

    I learned from Justin Taylor that McLean’s live portrayal of John Mark, author of the Gospel of Mark, from the show run last year in the Chicago Theatre District, is now available on DVD.  I also leaned that it is available free online.

    Click the chapters and watch McLean bring the Gospel of Mark to life, word-for-word:

    Try reading along to dramatize your Devotional time for several days.

  • Things We Leave Behind

    There sits Simon foolish and wise
    Proudly he’s tending his nets
    Jesus calls and the boat drifts away
    All that he owns he forgets

    More than the nets he abandoned that day
    He found that his pride was soon fading away

    It’s hard to imagine the freedom we find
    From the things we leave behind

    Matthew was mindful of taking the tax
    Pressing the people to pay
    Hearing the call he responded in faith
    And followed the light and the way

    Leaving the people so puzzled he found
    The greed in his heart was no longer around

    Every heart needs to be set free
    From possessions that press in so tight
    Freedom is not found in the things that we own
    It’s the power to do what is right

    With Jesus our only possession
    Giving becomes our delight
    We can’t imagine the freedom we find
    From the things we leave behind

    We show a love for the world in our lives
    Worshipping goods we possess
    Jesus said lay all your treasures aside
    And love God above all the rest

    When we say no to the things of the world
    We open our hearts to the love of the Lord

    Song by:

  • 13 Letters

    There is no stretch of an imagination that would cause anyone to classify where I live as Urban.  BUT I still appreciate what the folk at Reach Life have developed.

    13 Letters is a curriculum designed with Urban Youth in mind.  Taking the substance of the Paul’s letters, this curriculum applies Sound Doctrine to the lives of Urban Youth.  There is also an accompanying HipHop album that serves as a survey of the Pauline Epistles. Listen to the songs:

    1. Romans
    2. 1 Corinthians
    3. 2 Corinthians
    4. Galatians
    5. Ephesians
    6. Philippians
    7. Colossians
    8. 1 Thessalonians
    9. 2 Thessalonians
    10. 1 Timothy
    11. 2 Timothy
    12. Titus
    13. Philemon

    Each of these songs is a remarkably faithful and in-depth exposition of the respective letter.  In addition to those songs written to reflect each of the Pauline Epistles, there are a handful of additional songs:

    These songs can be purchased or downloaded from Amazon: 13 Letters

  • Lyrical Theology: The Atonement

    Who says learning theology has to be boring?

    In this video Shai Linne raps about the Atonement in Q & A catechetical fashion. Sound dull?  Check it out… 

    I’ll bet you’ll be rappin’ along.

  • Heidelberg Rap

    Some truths really are stranger than fiction.

    The Heidelberg Catechsim is one of the oldest confessional expressions of Faith in use.  Developed in the 16th Century, it is one of the Standards of the Dutch Reformed Tradition. The Dutch Reformed, with their “Mecca” in Grand Rapids, are often caricatured (perhaps unfairly) for their stoicism, stuffiness, and for being sticklers for the old traditions.

    But now there is a Rap song celebrating the Heidelberg Catechism.  It’s by a guy named Curtis Allen, aka Voice. Who would have ever thought?

    To listen, and to get the background, watch this video:

     

  • How to Plant a Church

  • Schmooze & Mingle

    From Church Laughs

  • Choosing My Religion

  • Brian Regan: Inventing an Ironing Board

  • Hume Offers Tiger Way Out of the Woods

    I’ve been a fan of Brit Hume ever since, during my college years, I saw him as a panelist of a debate for the 1984 Presidential Election.  The panelist preceding Hume asked a question to one of the candidates, who then essentially filabustered – he talked in non-sensical circles until his time had elapsed.  In his turn Brit Hume followed up by asking the candidate: “My first question is, Why didn’t you answer the previous question?”  I liked that.

    Hume’s directness has again stirred some controversy when last weekend he chimed in on the saga of Tiger Woods.  Boldly and with clarity he said something I had been thinking, essentially: “If Woods would turn his life to Christ he could experience forgiveness and restoration.”  (See clip above. Also watch as Hume explains his comments to Bill O’Reilly.)  

    Justin Taylor, at Between Two Worlds, has posted some exerpts of interviews Hume has given over  the past few years that reveal a glimpse of the depths of  Hume’s faith.  (Click: Brit Hume, Tiger Woods, and Jesus Christ) 

    Despite the flack he has received for his commentary, I don’t think this journalist will be backing down.

  • Voicing Displeasure

    Philippians 2.14 says: “Do everything without complaining…” 

    I wonder if the Apostle Paul would make any exceptions for entertainment value.

    Perhaps not.

    But there is a growing trend around the world that is adding creativity to complaining. They are calling themselves Complaint Choirs.  Complaint Choirs are groups of people who blend their laments into humorous songs.  Most are then “airing” their gripes on YouTube.

    The first complaint choir was established in Birmingham, England. Since then they have spread across Europe to Canada (the above video), the US, Singanpore, etc. New choirs continue to spring up around the world. 

    Now a web site has been developed – Complaints Choirs Worldwide –  with a locator map to track these expanding groups.  The site even has a link that allows viewers to rate thier favorite choirs. 

    NOTE: Listen to the NPR interview with a leader of the Helsinki Complaints Choir: Voicing Displeasure

  • Dog Days

    Employees Only

  • Death of Michael Jackson: Reconsidered

    The sudden death of music icon Michael Jackson has certainly been the news of the weekend. Peoples’ emotions have run from crying to curious to cynical.  I confess, my own attitude has probably been a little closer to snide.  My mental response to news updates declaring “Latest Details” is to think, sometimes outloud, “Is his status going to change?”

    Apparently my reaction was not entirely unique.  According to an article by Mike Cosper of Sojourn Music:

    The reaction of Christians to Jackson’s death surprised me. Some reacted with pity and sadness. Others with a tone of indifference. Some reacted harshly, pronouncing final judgment.

    Cosper goes on to offer his own perspective about Jackson’s magic & tragic life, about death, and the reaction of the masses.  The article is short and simple, but it convinced me that I was wrong.  My attitude needed some adjustment. Death of a celebrity is more complex than I had considered. 

    Check out Cosper’s article: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

  • Universalist at Your Door

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