Movie Review: Tropic Thunder
It’s August, so that means it’s the end of the summer blockbuster period, and now we get close to what I call the Dead Zone of the movie season, heading into fall with movies that were shelved by studios because they knew they wouldn’t make any money against the bigger films. But before we enter into that, we’re given one final treat as the summer closes. One last glimpse at the sun before it sets. “Tropic Thunder” easily for me is the funniest comedy of the entire summer. More focused and playful than “Pineapple Express”, a bit more soulful and …
Life Together: A Shared Life
2008/08/15 Life Together: A Shared Life by Rick Warren How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live together in harmony! Psalms 133:1 (TEV) *** *** *** *** God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience fellowship. Today, however, the word has lost most of its biblical meaning. Fellowship now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun. The question, “Where do you fellowship?” means “Where do you attend church?” “Stay after for fellowship” usually means “Wait for refreshments.” Real fellowship is so much more …
You Were Formed for God’s Family
God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory. Hebrews 2:10 (NCV) *** *** *** *** God wants a family, and he created you to be a part of it. This is one of God’s purposes for your life, which he planned before you were born. The entire Bible is the story of God building a family who will love him, honor him, and reign with him forever. It says, “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own …
Life Plan
When I was in my late twenties, I almost ruined my life. No, I wasn’t on drugs. I didn’t have a drinking problem. I wasn’t addicted to golf. I was trying to do too much. I had just gotten out of law school, was practicing law, was an adjunct professor at several colleges, making major improvements on my first house, celebrating the arrival our first child, teaching Sunday School, serving on several committees at church and running for School Board. I was trying to live my life…in one year. My wife finally pulled me …
We Need Models and Mentors
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians 3:17 (NIV) *** *** *** *** For us to mature, we need models and mentors. Many people make the mistake of thinking all they need to grow spiritually is God’s Word and prayer. But the truth is, we need people to help us grow. Christlike character is built through relationships, not in isolation. There are many things God wants you to learn about life that you’ll never learn on your own. You’ll only …
Engineer at Work
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. Acts 10:17 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – Praying on a rooftop in Caesarea, Peter, the apostle of stomp and snort, is hungry, and while he waits for his daily bread to be prepared, he seeks the everlasting bread of life (John 6:48). Deeply submerged in the presence of God, Peter sees a vision of food forbidden. He recoils, saying, “Surely not, Lord! . …
Our Spiritual Family Is for Eternity
See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! 1 John 3:1 (NLT) *** *** *** *** Every human being was created by God, but not everyone is a child of God. The only way to get into God’s family is by being born again into it. You became part of the human family by your first birth, but you become a member of God’s family by your second birth. God “has given us the privilege of being born again so that we are …
The Benefits of Being in God’s Family
Since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you. Galatians 4:7 (NLT) *** *** *** *** The moment you were spiritually born into God’s family, you were given some astounding birthday gifts: the family name, the family likeness, family privileges, family intimate access, and the family inheritance! The New Testament gives great emphasis to our rich “inheritance.” It tells us, “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). As children of God we get to share in the family fortune. Here on earth we are …
Touch Football Ruined My NFL Career
When I was a kid my parents always told me that I couldn’t play tackle football without pads. We always had to play two-hand touch. I think it ruined my potential NFL career. Not because I wasn’t used to getting hit. My older brother helped me with that. I just couldn’t run fast. Reason: Touch Football. I know this may sound odd, but when you play touch football, you aren’t scared of getting creamed. If you are slow, there is no oversized 8th grader breathing down your neck to prove he can flatten a 6 year old. Change that to …
Movie Review: Pineapple Express
So it’s been a few summers in a row now that Apatow & Co. have championed the raunchy comedy genre, and they’ve had a good thing going. I have to commend Apatow again and again for getting his old guys from past failed shows like “Freaks & Geeks” and “Undeclared” work because they’re talented and their comedy style is different than the typical Hollywood canned sitcommy humor we usually get. I’ve been very kind to the Apatow movies in the past; while they have been criticized for being too long or the characters weren’t engaging enough, or the story wasn’t …
