The movie 'million Dollar Baby? is, in many ways, a wonderful piece of drama, well acted, and well presented, and also a tribute to the skills of its director, but its message is dismal. A female boxer from Missouri takes a terrible beating and winds up brain-damaged. She wants to commit suicide and with the help of her coach she does so. The message: if you don't like life, drop out.
The movie is, in many points, very similar to events in the life of a real person, Katie Dallam, a Missouri girl who grew up in poverty. In 1996 she began boxing and after two months her trainer entered her in a professional match. Four rounds later she was comatose before she reached hospital. The doctors told Katie's sister 'she probably won't make it, and, if she did, would most likely be a vegetable.?
But Katie survived, relearned to walk and read, despite blurred vision and poor memory. For a short time she was depressed and she tried to end her life but instead of helping her, as in the movie, Katie's sister moved Katie into her home. Katie became optimistic and started painting. When Katie saw the movie she had nightmares, but it led to her to start speaking to others with brain injuries, encouraging and helping them to make the most of the life they still had.
Another similar case is that of Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic who . . .
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I know that Lent is supposed to be the season of repentance and applying more discipline to our lifestyle, but New Years brings its spate of resolutions. Here are some that a friend of mine in Illinois sent by email:
~ Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
~ Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
~ Procrastinate more.... Starting tomorrow.
~ Get in a whole NEW rut!
~ Buy an ?83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo system. Get the
windows tinted. Buy some fur for the dash.
~ Create more loose ends.
~ Focus on the faults of others.
~ Whine about your own faults.
~ Never make New Year's resolutions again.
There is something about turning a page on the calendar, or entering a new year that reminds us that time is passing but also reminds us that here is the opportunity for a whole new beginning.
Those resolutions about diet and getting into shape also have a sense of a newly disciplined lifestyle, which is never a bad idea, but often needs to be connected with some other motivation to make it stick.
John the Baptist is the poster boy for the self disciplined life-style. In fact . . .
~ Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.
~ Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
~ Procrastinate more.... Starting tomorrow.
~ Get in a whole NEW rut!
~ Buy an ?83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo system. Get the
windows tinted. Buy some fur for the dash.
~ Create more loose ends.
~ Focus on the faults of others.
~ Whine about your own faults.
~ Never make New Year's resolutions again.
There is something about turning a page on the calendar, or entering a new year that reminds us that time is passing but also reminds us that here is the opportunity for a whole new beginning.
Those resolutions about diet and getting into shape also have a sense of a newly disciplined lifestyle, which is never a bad idea, but often needs to be connected with some other motivation to make it stick.
John the Baptist is the poster boy for the self disciplined life-style. In fact . . .
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Remember Waldo--the horn-rimmed glasses guy who sold books, puzzles and games as we searched the world for him? Fun for kids of all ages, to be sure! But this isn't that kind of a fun search. For when an Olympic bomb explodes, when a plane crashes, when an earthquake devastates, we look up into the night sky and cry, "Where in the world ARE You?" And THAT's no fun!
But let's bring it closer home. For when a child lies dying of a terminal illness, when a teen loses her virtue to a mad rapist, when a dad slams the door on his family, when a wife is beaten by a crazed husband, we look up into the night sky and cry again, "Where in the world ARE You?"
A letter came across my desk some time ago, relating a story of a 38-year-old woman and an unbelievable account of abuse, pain, and heartache. This woman looks at her pastor and asks, "Where was God when all this happened to me?" What do you say? What answers do you give? Are there any answers at all?
The humanity in me wants to scream, "I DON't KNOW! THERE ARE NO ANSWERS." And then the Spirit of Christ within me speaks, "I Am the Answer. It is found in Me." And so from thoughts and stirrings deep within my heart, I share my soul with you. I hope someone, somewhere, will feel and know the presence of the Lord in the midst of . . .
But let's bring it closer home. For when a child lies dying of a terminal illness, when a teen loses her virtue to a mad rapist, when a dad slams the door on his family, when a wife is beaten by a crazed husband, we look up into the night sky and cry again, "Where in the world ARE You?"
A letter came across my desk some time ago, relating a story of a 38-year-old woman and an unbelievable account of abuse, pain, and heartache. This woman looks at her pastor and asks, "Where was God when all this happened to me?" What do you say? What answers do you give? Are there any answers at all?
The humanity in me wants to scream, "I DON't KNOW! THERE ARE NO ANSWERS." And then the Spirit of Christ within me speaks, "I Am the Answer. It is found in Me." And so from thoughts and stirrings deep within my heart, I share my soul with you. I hope someone, somewhere, will feel and know the presence of the Lord in the midst of . . .
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Here is how an evolutionist reports a discovery:
?Ancient butterflies exquisitely preserved in amber hint that the winged insects evolved far earlier than previously thought. They may even have fluttered around the heads of dinosaurs, more than 65 million years ago.
'the oldest butterfly fossils found in rocks suggest they evolved about 40 or 50 million years ago. But the amber specimens, although just 15 to 25 million years old, have changed that view . . . the amber pieces come from the Dominican Republic and each contains a metalmark butterfly, which is now extinct. ?It was just incredible,? says Robert Bobbins of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. ?It's no different than if you took a modern-day butterfly and put it under a light microscope.? (New Scientist March 2004)
Here's how a creationist might report the same thing:
?We have found some butterflies preserved in amber. They probably lived in the same general area where all the dinosaurs lived, since all living things were created within the same creation week. Some dead butterflies have also been found, preserved in sedimentary rock. This rock was probably formed . . .
?Ancient butterflies exquisitely preserved in amber hint that the winged insects evolved far earlier than previously thought. They may even have fluttered around the heads of dinosaurs, more than 65 million years ago.
'the oldest butterfly fossils found in rocks suggest they evolved about 40 or 50 million years ago. But the amber specimens, although just 15 to 25 million years old, have changed that view . . . the amber pieces come from the Dominican Republic and each contains a metalmark butterfly, which is now extinct. ?It was just incredible,? says Robert Bobbins of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. ?It's no different than if you took a modern-day butterfly and put it under a light microscope.? (New Scientist March 2004)
Here's how a creationist might report the same thing:
?We have found some butterflies preserved in amber. They probably lived in the same general area where all the dinosaurs lived, since all living things were created within the same creation week. Some dead butterflies have also been found, preserved in sedimentary rock. This rock was probably formed . . .
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My husband preached a sermon from Malachi last Sunday. It was a message for the New Year that gave us all a theme to think on as we launch into 2006. The theme consists of three admonitions (it was a good three point sermon, complete with alliteration!)
The three are ? Remember the Law, Restore the Heart, and Renew Righteousness.
The first point was a caution against relying on the law to change anything ? just like the laws of our country, God's laws cannot change us, they only show us where our sin lies. We must remember the laws of God so that we can avoid the death-traps of sin. It is up to us, and God's Spirit working in us, to make the changes necessary to live our lives in harmony with those laws.
The second point, restore the heart, led us to consider the hearts of those whom God loved ? people like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, David, and others on through history. These were men and women who failed, yet always turned back to God for mercy and grace. They always restored their love for God and restored their relationship with Him.
The third point, renew righteousness, helped us to remember that our righteousness does not come from the good works we do, but from . . .
The three are ? Remember the Law, Restore the Heart, and Renew Righteousness.
The first point was a caution against relying on the law to change anything ? just like the laws of our country, God's laws cannot change us, they only show us where our sin lies. We must remember the laws of God so that we can avoid the death-traps of sin. It is up to us, and God's Spirit working in us, to make the changes necessary to live our lives in harmony with those laws.
The second point, restore the heart, led us to consider the hearts of those whom God loved ? people like Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, David, and others on through history. These were men and women who failed, yet always turned back to God for mercy and grace. They always restored their love for God and restored their relationship with Him.
The third point, renew righteousness, helped us to remember that our righteousness does not come from the good works we do, but from . . .
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The Spur Article Count: 92
Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada. Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others. To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Written By Richard Gunther.
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren. She is also Pastor Tim's mom.
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion. No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls. Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"
Misc Article Count: 77
Miscellaneous archived items.