Now For Something Completely Different ...

Comedy is a very subjective form. What may make one person roll on the floor will not even move the next person . Plus some love certain styles over others . Physical humor with smart dialogue has always been my preference . This style is best found in British humor in the likes of Monty Python and Mr Bean.

But can anyone watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail and not laugh. If you can I suggest you get to a doctor and check for a pulse. As well the antics of Mr Bean are a combination of slapstick and physical humor that will leave you in stitches.
Laughter can be so refreshing and when I'm having a bit of a down day , I'll youtube clips and just
let the laughter roll. The ability to laugh and have a sense of humor is a God given gift and one that should never be frowned upon. I do make judgments concerning materiel I will watch that is comedic but there is alot of excellent humor that will give you a hardy laugh that does not cross that line . So have a good laugh , it will do you a world of good.

A Road Worth Taking

I had written earlier on this blog that one book and movie tie in I wanted to read and watch was The Road.Well after the last week I can say I have .What a book and movie.

Both are equally excellent . The movie does a superb job adapting the books narrative . The story  begins after a sudden and world wide cataclysmic event that is never really explained . It just happened and has left the earth a barren and brutal place. Unlike other big budget films like Armageddon and the more recent 2012 , the background of the devastation is a canvas that is never allowed to over take over the story of the father and a son , struggling to survive in a world gone gray .

The father and son are on the road , trying to get further south in the hope it will be warmer and perhaps more hospitable.  Their bond is so refreshing to have both read and watched . What was so moving for me was to have a story portray a father , or Poppa as the boy called his dad , as one who is a protector,provider and willing to die for his son. With all the negative images we have had concerning fathers , it was a breath of fresh air to have a father who exhibits the good traits instead of what we have seen in so many books and movies.

It is a hard read and movie , it shows man in all its depravity . That once stripped of all societal restraints, what humans will do to survive. In The Road things are very black and white , good and evil . The father and son still have the "fire" as the father tells the boy  that makes them the good guys. They hold on to their humanity and its clear even to the point if its cost them their lives .

Even though its a very bleak and dark world , the story is about love,sacrifice and ultimately hope. It moved me to tears at the very end .  It plays out almost in a biblical sense . If you haven't read the book or seen the movie do so. One of my favorite books and movies .

Good Family Entertainment ....

As a christian , I do make decisions concerning what I watch , listen to all the time. This does not  mean that anything with objectionable material is off the list. If I watch a war movie that portrays war honestly and the real struggles the soldiers went through , I will expect violence and perhaps some harsh language . Same for a drama , fantasy,sci-fi or whatever genre I watch. I do not like gratuitous violence and try to stay away from overt sexual scenes . But if a movie portrays life as it is lived out , it can be gritty and unpleasant.
  Now some believers look for and will only watch those family friendly films labeled Christian. Now I do not have anything against  these movies per se but in general they play out very cliched and when you watch them , you ask , who reacts like that. Read the Bible and watch real drama unfold. See the saints of old , fail , commit grievous sin . In fact I would argue that much of the Old Testament if turned into a realistic movie would be NC-17. Think about how you would film Joshua conquering , David taking Bathsheba etc...What of the New Testament . The life of Paul would make for some intense drama . As for the how Jesus is depicted , even with its problems the Passion of the Christ was the only one to graphically show how brutal Jesus suffered with the beatings,the whippings and the crucifixion. If real life is going to be shown honestly , it has to be with all its warts and scars.

My point is its all about context. What is the movie trying to say about the world that we live in . I always look for the big picture . Does the movie speak of redemption , forgiveness, truth . We must watch movies with a discerning eye . No question there are films that Christians should stay away . However just because a movie plays up a Christian message means its worth seeing , nor is it above critical review.

Take one of my all time favorite Westerns , Tombstone. It is a story of loyalty,friendship,forgiveness, redemption,justice . It plays out like a biblical epic. Its not for the faint of heart but its dialogue plays like real life. So yes , discern and make wise judgments but just because a film has a few elements that may be questionable , sometimes when we can enjoy the narrative that speaks to a bigger picture . 

Sometimes ....The Day is Gray

Within certain Christian circles the very idea of a believer truly struggling with fear,doubt,despair and depression , leaves those in that bubble really uncomfortable. They have bought into the whole idea of victory in Jesus. That as children of the king we should move from victory to victory. Are we not more than conquerors , are we not made for a purpose . I mean God has a wonderful plan for your life , just come to Jesus , play your life is sweet Jesus card and all will be well. Your finances,your health, your marriage its all going to be perfect now.

But then life comes and guess what? You fail at your job , the bills pile up, cancer comes calling and the sin you thought you are over ,comes back like a hidden ghost to haunt you . Your left in pain . Your depressed , not wanting to get out of your own way. So what are your to do . Can a true believer struggle . After all is this suppose to be the victorious life?


My answer to this is two fold. The first is just read your Bible . Don't cheery pick it. Way too many will pull scripture out of its context and make it sound as if life in Jesus should be life of triumph. But when we look to the scriptures we see faithful servants of God doubting,lying,fleeing and feeling forsaken , wondering where is God.  Then when we turn to Christians throughout history we see the same . Some even suffering from depression and deep bouts of melancholy.

What about pain and suffering , the same thing . It is a story of those persecuted for their faith , those who struggle with sin , disease and death by sword etc...  So do not listen to those who preach a comfort and all is happy faith .

Sometimes life is gray . Its full of questions , suffering and struggles. So what must we do to tarry on ? When you fall into that pit , cry out to God like the Psalmist did . Linger in the Psalms , open up Psalm 22 .  At look to Jesus who is our is great high priest .

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest  who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been  tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus understands . He tasted everything but without sin , he is able to sympathize with us in our darkness but because he is the lord of light , will turn our gray to joy .  Run to him , flee to him . He will not fail you.

 If you want an in depth book dealing with life when it goes wrong , I highly recommend Too Good To Be True by Michael Horton. Wise words from the pen of a writer deeply drinking from the Word of God.

Life and Yesterdays

Its always sad when you hear of someone you knew in passing , takes their own life. What happens inside the person that drove them to such despair that they could see no other way  . The fact that living had become so painful that death seemed the only release.

I'm no psychologist and do not to pretend to have answers to all the whys but if any of us put  our hope in our wives,children,friends,jobs ,possessions , pleasure we will ultimately be let down and broken. I have let people down , you have let someone down , we all will. 

If you trust in possessions and wealth , they can be as fleeting as the wind . We have seen people lose homes,retirement savings from the economic melt down. The human cost has been even higher. Divorce,suicide, addictions , depression and  on the list could go .

The only one we can count on is God. It doesn't mean life will be perfect and without hardship but if we love the things that God desires of us we will be content with little or much. If he is our contentment,our joy ,our peace , than this world will have much less impact on our mental state .

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus promised that if we come to him broken and weary , he will be our rest .  He is a mighty Saviour that will forgive your sins and will not leave you nor forsake you .

So look around you everyday and try to find a way to share the love and joy one has in Christ. Live before a watching world not in a false happy ,clappy way but in a broken,contrite heart , mindful of our sin but joyful in knowing the love of God in Jesus .

Easter Hang Over

Well now that Easter is done , its time for a bit of the hang over . No I'm not talking about all the chocolate one may have ingested. We have a tendency after major celebrations in the Christian calender to go into a bit of a funk. How can we fight this ? I think its simple , begin to realize that everyday God is upholding all things by his power . That every breath I take, every rotation of the earth , literally every single moment is God's doing through Christ. Hebrews 1:3 So each morning just pause and with your coffee in hand , be amazed and praise God .

The Morning That Changes Everything ......

As  Christians gathered this morning to sing , worship and declare Christ has risen , can you hear the song of hope and victory . Even in death , even in suffering we have a Lord who went before us . One who is reigning in heaven , who has set down at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for all who have repented and believed on Him. This changes everything. It changes how we see life , how we live and most importantly we can live a life as a child of God . One who has been forgiven and redeemed.  Indeed what a morning , indeed what a Savior.

See ,What a Morning (Resurrection Song)- Lyrics by Keith Getty/Stuart Townend

See, what a morning, gloriously bright,
With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem;
Folded the grave-clothes, tomb filled with light,
As the angels announce, "Christ is risen!"
See God's salvation plan,
Wrought in love, borne in pain, paid in sacrifice,
Fulfilled in Christ, the Man,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

See Mary weeping, "Where is He laid?"
As in sorrow she turns from the empty tomb;
Hears a voice speaking, calling her name;
It's the Master, the Lord raised to life again!
The voice that spans the years,
Speaking life, stirring hope, bringing peace to us,
Will sound till He appears,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

One with the Father, Ancient of Days,
Through the Spirit who clothes faith with certainty.
Honor and blessing, glory and praise
To the King crowned with pow'r and authority!
And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

The Day of Fear and Doubt

 The day between the the death of Jesus and the resurrection had to be the most bleak and horrendous time for the disciples that scattered and denied the Lord . I think of Peter who must have been in the crushing pain of knowingly betraying he ever knew Jesus . John was probaly consoling Mary as they dealt with the image of a beaten, blooded Jesus dying on the cross. The rest of the disciples would have felt much of the same. Their hearts would have been so heavy with loss , it would have been crippling.

What would happen to them? Would they be next? Did they waste 3 years of their lives and now wonder what would come . It had to be one of the darkest times that a human soul could go through . But oh what wonder and awesome light would break on that Sunday morning .

Luke 23

Jesus Is Buried

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he  was looking for the kingdom of God This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone,  where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of  Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid.

Pause,Stop and Ponder

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Refrain

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—
And bathed in its own blood—
While the firm mark of wrath divine,
His Soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
’Tis all that I can do.    Isaac Watts

Old hymns can make amazing sweet devotionals. On this good Friday as the night comes , think of the Lord's body broken and laying in the grave . Broken for you and me that we might be forgiven . Spend some time and just be amazed at such love .

Sing a Song

Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him, and say, "Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You have taken upon yourself what is mine and given me what is yours. You have become what you were not so that I might become what I was not." --Martin Luther 

Learn to sing the gospel to yourself everyday . Rise with the glorious truth of the great exchange of your sin and Christ righteousness.


Romans 4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.