Short devotion: Raiders - Revelation 11:19

 

Revelation 11:19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm. (NIV)

            Evelyn and I went to see “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville yesterday afternoon. I had forgotten what a wonderful film it is. To watch it once again on a big screen was very enjoyable and a great way to unwind after a long and arduous week. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones has always been one of my favorite movie characters, so I enjoyed the whole event.

            The movie never stops or slows down – there’s always something going on. I remember talking to my Dad about it and he said the movie reminded him of the cliffhanger films that he saw as a child. I agreed. The movie has aged well. In yesterday’s audience, there were lots of people who had never seen it. They were just as enthralled as I was. It was a terrific movie theater experience.

            The story is all about a race between rivals who are looking for the lost Ark of the Covenant. The Ark contained the Ten Commandments etched on the original stone tablets, as well as Aaron’s Rod which he used to impress Pharaoh. For centuries, the Israelites used to carry it wherever they were and into battle. At some point, the Ark became lost and archaeologists have been looking for its whereabouts ever since.

            However, the Book of Revelation tells us that the Ark is no longer on Earth. According to today’s scriptural verse, it resides in God’s Heavenly Temple. Searching for the Ark may make the basis for a great Spielberg movie, but it’s a futile endeavor. God has it and we won’t see it again until the end of time when Heaven is opened and the Ark of the Covenant is once more revealed.

            As human beings, we can spend our lives looking for things in all of the wrong places. We can follow our own path, make our own way, only to realize that it leads to a dead end. We can ignore God’s guidance and end up nowhere fast. Or we can follow Christ and discover that faith, hope, and love not only exist, but that they endure forever. Now that’s a treasure worth finding, a discovery worth seeking.

Q: What am I looking for in life? Can God help me find this?

Prayer: Lord God, help us to focus on the things that You want us to experience and accomplish. Keep us from going down the wrong path. Lead us to Your Eternal Kingdom. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Pentecost drawings called “SpiritFall.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: SpiritFall.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you want to know what’s happening at the church, please click this link: ErinChurch.

July 28 devotion - History's Mysteries

Exodus 37:9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover of the Ark. (NIV)

            Like most people, I never really gave much thought to the Ark of the Covenant until I saw the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” which starred Harrison Ford in the lead role of Indiana Jones. The excitement of that film captivated me completely and so each time I come across the descriptions of how the Ark was made, I can’t help but think about the fables concerning the holy artifact. I know that most of them are non-Biblical and more science fiction fantasy than sacred scripture story, but the history of the Ark – how it was made, where it was carried, and how it disappeared – still intrigues me to this day.

            The artist in me also resonates with the beautiful imagery and craftsmanship that Bezalel used to create and construct the Ark. His skills must have been amazing and the Hebrew people would surely have been proud of what he made. Out of all the lost artifacts of ancient civilizations, Bezalel’s Ark is the one that I would most like to see. I hope when we all get to Heaven, there will surely be some sort of Hall of Fame Museum where all of those ancient items like the Ark of the Covenant, Aaron’s Rod, and the original stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, can be seen forever.

            I like the fact that the Bible has yet some mysteries which cannot be found or factualized. It means that faith is still necessary for us to become connected to God and His continuing work of salvation. I also prefer that God has all the answers which means that we are continually learning new things about His words, ways, and works. This is what attracts me to the scriptures and my faith; this is what unites me to Christ’s Spirit.

Point to ponder

What mysteries in the Bible still intrigue me? What have I newly learned about God recently?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we don’t know everything, but we believe You do. Draw us closer to You through the stories in the Bible and with Your sacred teaching. Bless us this day with Your Holy Presence. In Your sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org. If you would like to send join an email, write to him at Traqair@aol.com. John enjoys reading your feedback 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Bible drawings. It’s called “And God Said.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Creation.

Daily devotion: Something Old, Something New - Ecclesiastes 1:10

Ecclesiastes 1:10         Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. (NIV)

            I am fascinated by the current cinematic trend of remaking or re-envisioning old movies. For the last couple of years, it’s been difficult to find an original story or completely new series of pictures. Hollywood seems pre-occupied with retelling old tales with new actors and brilliant special effects, yet no matter how wonderful these remakes appear to be, it’s just the same old story presented in a different style or new media form.

            As I watch crowds of people lining up at the movie theaters, it makes me wonder if the church could not learn something from this post-modern phenomena. Are there new ways to retell God’s stories? Should we seriously consider using innovative media techniques to present our worship, our Bible studies, our programs, and our missions in order to reach a wider community?

The answer is, of course, ‘Yes.’ Christianity has always been good at adapting its faith to new innovative processes. The Gospel writers used commonly spoken Greek instead of obscure Aramaic to spread Christ’s message. The Reformers employed the printing press to produce Bibles in distinctive European languages to expand Protestantism. Missionaries travelled the entire world using ships, trains, automobiles, and planes to take the Gospel to other nations and indigenous peoples. And today, Christian pastors use the internet by uploading sermons, writing blogs, and posting pictures to reach people in their homes all over the world.

A long, long time ago, in Galilee far away, Jesus Christ lived, bringing a message of hope to His people and the rest of the world. His story is our history and we are the messengers of His words, works, and ways in our own homes, churches, and communities today. The Gospel may be almost 2000 years old, but its teaching is still relevant for every human being on this planet. As Christians, it’s up to us to present that old message in new forms, whether it be by texting Bible texts, sharing prayers on Facebook, or writing devotional blogs. The opportunities are both amazing and boundless: it’s up to us to use them to glorify God and expand Christ’s Kingdom across the globe.

Questions for personal reflection

How has my faith been shaped by current technology? How am I using that technology to share my faith?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we live in amazing times and have wonderful resources to share Your Gospel message with our families and friends, as well as our neighbors and strangers. Grant us new opportunities to express our faith in positive ways using the technology at our disposal. In Your Holy Name, we share and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or share your ideas about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Christmas drawings called “Messenger of the Miracle.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Messenger.

Movie devotions: Les Miserables - Exodus 9:7

Exodus 9:7     Pharaoh sent men to investigate and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.

Like most movie goers, I went to see the new production of “Les Miserables” on the big screen. It’s part of a Christmas tradition with the Stuarts. On Christmas Day, we go to the latest blockbuster in the morning and then sit down to dinner when we get home. We usually discuss the movie at the table which helps us strengthen our bonds of commonality and love.

“Les Miz” was an amazing movie in so many different ways. The computerized special effects made it appear as if it was actually being shot in the Paris of 1832. Some of the songs were wonderful and the acting was first class. It was, however, a bleak tragedy at times, and the amount of misery that was displayed was harrowing.

I’ve always been intrigued by the character ‘Javert’ and I thought that Russell Crowe played him almost perfectly (Robert Newton has always been my favorite actor to portray Javert). Javert is a police inspector who lives his life devoted to the Law. Justice for him is served by applying the Law clinically and perfectly. Javert has no compassion for anyone. He idolizes the Law and is soulless. His lack of mercy and unswerving dedication to fulfilling the Law is what ruins him in the end. He cannot abide being weak and cannot live with himself when he allows the hero, Jean Valjean, one act of mercy. His dispassion destroys him, causing him to leap to his death into the cold waters of the River Seine in Paris.

Both Bible passages for today (Exodus 9:1-7 and John 8:1-11) involve dispassionate people whose merciless judgments lead to their subsequent destruction. When Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to let the Hebrew go free after the death of livestock, he is choosing to selfishly follow a hard-hearted path that will eventually lead to the death of his son, the destruction of his army, and the end of his reign.

In the Gospel, we come across religious fanatics who want to stone to death a defenseless woman. They are self-righteously full of vengeance and seek to dispassionately destroy a sinner in their midst, in order to preserve the illusion of perfectionism in their religious community. It’s only when Jesus intervenes with some home truths and close to the bone remarks that their attitude changes. However, within a short time, the same kind of religious fanatics are going to go after Jesus, baying for blood, and eventually seeking to have Him crucified. The religious community perfection that they try to harshly maintain will be destroyed within a generation.

We are on the threshold of a New Year. We each will be faced with many different choices. Some of them will be good, but at other times we will make mistakes. Depending upon what we do, our good choices may outweigh our poor decisions, but at the outset of the New Year, we need to be aware of this: all of our choices have consequences.

Question for personal reflection

What are the main choices that I have ahead of me in 2013? Am I willing to listen to Christ’s Voice as the prime directive for my decisions?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, a new year lies ahead of us and none of us knows what kind of journey we will experience. We have dreams and goals, as well as choices and decisions that can bring goodness into our lives and those of our loved ones. Guide us with Your wisdom; lead us by Your love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s Mackintosh Rose drawings. It’s called “Lo, How a Rose E’r Blooming” in the style of the renowned Scottish art nouveau artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8309689684_8543d1c119_b.jpg

Movie reviews: The Young Victoria

It’s about time that this historical royal love story was told in a way that reflects the devotion, charm, and wonderful love that Victoria and Albert once had for each other. Jean-Marc Vallee’s “The Young Victoria” is a beautiful movie which portrays the young queen’s romantic relationship in such a positive and alluring way.

The scenery, which mainly takes place in both Kensington and Buckingham Palaces, is breathtaking. The costumes are perfectly astounding, which makes this dramatic movie instantly comparable to anything that David Lean produced decades ago.

Whilst these things are essential to make a compelling and attractive movie, it’s the growing relationship between Victoria and Albert that keeps the audience enthralled. Emily Blunt was perfectly cast as the young Victoria and portrays the young princess’s frustrations and fears in ways that make the viewers want to cheer her as she faces down her opponents. Albert’s loving courtship and utter devotion to his future bride are utterly believable through Rupert Friend’s tremendous characterization.

The movie covers the early years of Victoria’s sixty three year reign and all of the political intrigue that occurred just before her coronation. The young princess is practically a recluse and prisoner in her mother’s home. She is used as a pawn between political foes and her ambitious relatives at home and abroad. Her uncle King William, remarkably played by Jim Broadbent, in the midst of his own spells of rancor and madness, tries to protect the young heir to the throne. His only wish is to live long enough for Victoria to reach the age of adulthood so that she will not be controlled by those around her.

In the midst of all this aristocratic skullduggery and Machiavellian machinations, young Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg comes into Victoria’s life and lovingly rescues her. It is Albert who makes Victoria strong by believing in her ability to successfully reign over her people. And it is this loving relationship which grows at a distance through the sharing of love letters that is beautifully portrayed in this film.

Some critics have panned the movie as being over-romantic and superficially sentimental. The audience that I experienced the movie with enjoyed the whole spectacle from start to finish. It’s a tear-jerker, but not what some would call a ‘chick flick.’ It’s an historical drama that brings to life the utter devotion and incredible love that Victoria and Albert shared.

If I was rating this movie, I would give it five stars for quality performances, historical settings, marvelous costumes, an excellent screenplay, and a wonderful ensemble of European actors. Miranda Richardson’s portrayal of Victoria’s mother and Paul Bettany’s charming and scheming Lord Melbourne are also highly commendable.

This remarkable movie's website can be found at http://theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

Book of Eli Trailer: Biblical Violence being glorified or Holocaustic holiness?

I wonder if this is a new trend...

Daily Devotions: Soraya M.

Today’s devotion may be alarming to some. Please do not read if you are squeamish.

Isaiah 53: 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

I’m going to a movie this afternoon, but it’s not one that I’m going to enjoy. It’s called “The Stoning of Soraya M.” It’s about a young Iranian woman who was falsely accused of ‘unworthy conduct’ in her village and who ended up being horribly stoned to death, just for being a woman.

I cannot believe that in this 21^st century that women are being stoned to death in Iran. Gays and teenagers are also being killed in their communities by religious fanatics who wrongly believe that God wants these people stoned to death.

About eighteen months ago, I watched a horrifying video which was smuggled out of Iran of two young people being stoned to death. They were semi-entombed in a pit and covered in a white shroud. They were absolutely terrified and their families were desperately trying to protect them. When the mullah gave the word, stones the size of baseballs were harshly thrown against the bodies, faces, and heads of the unfortunate couple. Their agonized screams were drowned out by a fanatical chorus of “Allah akbhar!” (God is great!). The execution took fifteen minutes and when the camera secretly panned over the bodies all that could be seen was blood, guts, and brains.

How long can the United Nations allow this to happen? How long will Western governments dependent upon oil put up with these satanic injustices? How long will liberated women in the West ignore the plight of their sisters in Iran? And how long will Christian churches, whose Savior died a similar agonizing and repulsive death, who also spoke out against the stoning of women, how long will our churches refuse to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Prayer: Lord God, this world is tarnished by religious monsters and zealous terrorists who commit atrocities in Your Holy Name. Stop allowing them to hide behind the trappings of faith and raise up Your Son’s Church to courageously and boldly speak out against these evils. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray for the women, the gays, and teenagers of Iran who live in fear of false accusations and satanic executions. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,lama sabachthani?" — which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

The first time I ever came across the word “forsake” was when I saw the old black & white western movie, “High Noon.” You’ll remember that it starred Gary Cooper as a US Marshall who single handedly has a gunfight with four gunslingers whoa re out to get their revenge. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with, it’s also Gary Cooper’s wedding day and his bride, played by Grace Kelly is thinking about deserting him.

The title song of the movie, sung by Tex Ritter, is called “Do Not Forsake Me, O My Darling,” and it more or less tells the whole story of the picture. It’s a wonderful song and I learned it completely as a child. If I had the time, I could sing to you from start to finish.

So I learned from that movie that the word ‘forsaken’ means to abandon someone in the midst of deep trouble and possibly life threatening circumstances. When I later came across the passage from scripture where Jesus shouts out from the Cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” all that I could think of, was how abandoned Jesus felt by His Father.

It must have been both a terrible and terrifying moment for Jesus. As His life is fading away and the pain is most excruciating, it’s as if the Devil chooses this weak moment to tempt Jesus into believing that the situation is hopeless and that God can no longer bear to watch what is happening. Only the night before, Jesus pleaded with God to take this cup of sacrifice away from Him. He didn’t personally want to go through with it, but eventually Jesus surrendered Himself to God’s will.

As Christ calls out these words, beneath the Cross His beloved Mother is also going through the same agony, second by second, tear by tear, blood drop by blood drop. Jesus’ words must have pierced her heart and I imagine that Mary must also have felt forsaken by God and the promises that Gabriel had given to her before Christ was born. But perhaps she also remembered that another name was given to Jesus – that of Immanuel – which means God is with us. Mary could do nothing for her Son at that time, except to hold on to the promise that God had not forsaken them, but was still in the midst of the suffering.

As each Easter comes and goes, we all experience loss and grief, separation and suffering, pain and anxiety. During those moments, sometimes despair will rend our hearts and bring chaos to our minds. On Good Friday, we recall the suffering of our Savior, the heartbreak of His Mother, and the holy presence of the God who suffers with us. We are not forsaken nor forgotten by God. We are supported, embraced, and completely loved.

4 Minute Daily Devotions - Only One

1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

I was partly listening to an interesting conversation on local radio this morning. It was all to do with a Methodist minister who has decided to become a Muslim. She doesn’t have any problem with this, and feels that the two faiths can be simultaneously followed by the one person. It just makes me wonder what she is looking for, and why she couldn’t find all that she spiritually needed in Christ alone.

People can sincerely believe anything that they want to in this life, but that doesn’t mean that they are right. I know many people who devote themselves to all kinds of different beliefs, but I honestly think that they are totally wrong. The Methodist minister who is now a Muslim is trying to make both those faiths fit together, but in reality they are poles apart. Jesus is The Christ, the One, Truly Anointed, Messenger, Prophet, and Son of God. There is no other Savior than Him. Christianity was founded on this absolute principle of faith; so to suggest that Jesus can share half of our devotion with someone or something else is just so wrong. The First Christians would never have diminished their beliefs in this fashion. I think that the Methodist Muslim minister is absolutely mistaken. She is idolizing her own self-made religion.

As we head into Holy Week, we all need to focus upon the passion and suffering of Jesus. He alone went to the Cross; He alone died for our sins; and He alone is truly resurrected from the grave. In other words, Christ did everything on His own. Our salvation comes from Him; our hopes lie with Him; and our immortality abides with Him. To quote from one of my favorite movies, ‘Highlander,’ – “There can be only One.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You came into world two thousand years ago to show the true way of finding God. Over the centuries, billions of people have accepted you as their Lord and Savior. Today, we count ourselves truly blessed to be amongst that amazing number. Help us to keep You in our hearts as we commemorate Holy Week and celebrate Easter. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Daily Devotions: Oscar Month

John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

I love February because it’s Oscars month on Turner Classic movies. I get to record and watch the old movies with famous actors like Errol Flynn, Olivia de Haviland, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, and Greer Garson.

For the past two night, I’ve been watching Laurence Olivier in Richard III. He plays one of the sleaziest, greediest, and wickedest villains on the screen. I love Shakespeare’s plays anyway, but Olivier’s acting is absolutely amazing.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, cheats, conspires, and kills his way into becoming the King of England. Along the way, he makes many enemies and at the end of the play, he is left destitute on the battlefield. That’s when Olivier utters the immortal lines: “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!” Justice is served and the villainous king is cut down and killed by his rival.

When I read the Gospel passage this morning, I was reminded that the people wanted to make Jesus their king, just because He supplied them with fish and bread. They wanted Him to provide for them, to heal their sicknesses, to satisfy their hunger, and to make their lives pleasant.

But Jesus was on a mission from God, so He couldn’t be tempted by such an offer. He was serving God, not Himself. He was doing God’s will, not His own.

This also reminds me that our faith in Christ is purely meant to glorify and honor Him. If we seek Jesus to bless us all the time and to make our lives easier, then we’ve crowned the wrong kind of king in our hearts. If we place our lives into His hands and seek to serve His kingdom here on earth, then we’ve truly made Him the King of our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to place You at the center of our lives and to honor You with our service to Your Kingdom. Enable us to keep You as the King of our hearts and Lord of our days. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: Valkyrie Review

Evelyn and I have our own New Year’s Day tradition of going to the movies to see a new blockbuster. There’s usually a show mid-morning, so it gives us the rest of the day to relax and perhaps do some bargain shopping afterwards. So, yesterday we headed to the theater to see what was being shown.

We opted to go and see Tom Cruise’s new movie, ‘Valkyrie,’ which is all about the unsuccessful bombing assassination attempt of Hitler. It was a great movie and the suspense was intense. You knew how it would all end, but you still rooted for the brave souls who sought to rid the world of a monster.

At the end of the movie, all the conspirators are either shot or hanged for being traitors to their country. For years after the war, keeping their memory and lauding them as heroes was highly controversial in Germany. Eventually, their attempt was recognized on a memorial which reads: “Here in the former Army High Command, Germans organized the attempt to overthrow the lawless National Socialist regime on July 20, 1944. For this they sacrificed their lives.”

The film disturbed us and rocked our faith. We were left with this question which no one can answer: why didn’t God allow this assassination attempt to work? If Hitler had been killed in July, 1944, then the war would have ended much sooner and millions of lives would have been saved. The Russians would never have entered Berlin and the Cold War may never have occurred. How could God permit this monster to live for another ten months, creating havoc and destruction across Europe, as well as sentencing countless numbers of Jews to death in satanic concentration camps? Wouldn’t it have been better to rid the world of Hitler sooner?

I guess it’s a question that will never be satisfactorily answered on this side of eternity. Most of the conspirators and members of the German resistance movement were Christians, too. They saw their faith and calling as a means to rid humanity of a terrible and wicked evil in the world. They must have wrestled with this ethical problem more than we can ever imagine.

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

In the end, I have no answer, but I still retain my belief that Christ, through his willingness to sacrifice Himself, seeks to redeem the world eternally from all wickedness and evil. Generations may see terrifying tyrants and monstrous dictators rise and fall, but Christ’s reign continues to the end of all history.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes our faith struggles and we are not certain of Your ways, Your truths, Your life. The world is full of inhumanity and wickedness, and it seems as though evil is contaminating the entire earth. In the midst of our angst, give us the courage to believe and the fortitude to hold on to faith. Remind us that Your ways are not ours. In Your Holy Name, we still faithfully pray. Amen.

You can visit the Memorial Website at: http://www.gdw-berlin.de/index-e.php

4 Minute Devotions: Striped Pajamas

The Boy in Striped Pajamas is a new Holocaust movie with some very important messages about raising children.

Podcast version here

Deuteronomy 11:19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

I went to a free screening of a new movie the other night. It is called “The Boy in Striped Pajamas.” The story is about two boys who are separated by the electric barbed wires of a concentration camp. One boy, called Bruno, is the son of the Commandant of the camp. The other boy, Schmoel, is the son of a Jewish watchmaker.

It’s a very sad movie and the ending is heartbreaking. I left the theater stunned. I don’t know whether or not to recommend it to anyone. It’s not a feel good movie at all, although it does have many important messages to impart.

For instance, several times during the movie, Bruno is being taught by an old fascist teacher. He’s being indoctrinated into the Nazi party line. Bruno resists this because of his friendship with Schmoel. Bruno’s sister, however, becomes infatuated with Nazism and begins to change her personality. It’s a good lesson about how impressionable children actually are. They can be molded, manipulated, and brainwashed at an early age. They are learning machines, especially between the ages of 8-12. What influences them during those years usually shapes their character for years to come.

That’s why it’s very important for parents to be parents to their children, and not friends. If we set no boundaries, we only end up raising savages. Children need boundaries because the world that they will grow up into has some serious boundaries.

This lesson also applies to the Church. When we teach our children faith in Christ, we’re giving them strength for the future and hope for what lies ahead of them. If we neglect to share our faith with them, they will lose their connection to God. Sadly, too many adults end up becoming addicted to tobacco, sex, drugs, or alcohol simply because they feel spiritually empty and cut off from God. If we can teach them to have faith at an impressionable age, then we may save them from some of society’s ills.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our children are precious gifts in our lives and community. Help us to share the joy of our faith with them, so that they may grow nearer and closer to You throughout their adult lives. Keep us mindful of the cultural persuaders that would undermine Your influence over them. Help us to help our children avoid them. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: Celestial Song

Last night, I watched a movie that dealt with separation issues in a beautiful way – through the gift of music. It was called “August Rush.”

Podcast version here

Genesis 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.

I watched a great movie last night and it has become one of my top ten. I had been meaning to watch it for a while because my daughters told me it was terrific. I’ve also used some clips from the movie in the Sunday School class that I teach each week. So, at 11.15 PM last night, I began to watch “August Rush.”

It’s really an updated version of Oliver Twist (“Oliver!” is also in my top ten). The plot is about a young boy called Evan, who grows up in an orphanage, who has some amazing hearing and musical skills. As he listens to the world around him, he can hear all sorts of music and rhythms. He also believes that his parents, who unknowingly abandoned him, can hear that music too. Evan thinks that if he can write and play the music he hears in his head and heart, he will be reunited with his parents.

The music in the movie is beautiful and most of it is set in New York. Evan’s adventure is as delightful as Oliver Twist’s in London Town. The whole story is a musical journey and the characters, who lead separate lives, are wonderfully drawn together. The crescendo of the movie builds until it reaches both a musical and dramatical climax that had me in tears. It’s a great family movie, and I would recommend it to anyone. The separation issues in “August Rush” are beautifully overcome.

When God separated the light from the darkness in the creation of the universe, I wonder if He did it musically, as well as dramatically. I wonder if all the angels, who watched the universe being born, sang gloriously as God spun the galaxies, stars, and planets together. I would love to have been there, watching God as a Master Craftsman building the physical structure of the cosmos. And as He wove our planet into being, I wonder if God was whistling, humming, or singing.

Today, as I look at the world around me, I’m going to try to listen as well. I want to be keyed into the voice of God and hear what He is saying through all the interaction of life that is buzzing around me. I want to feel that I am ready to hear what He says and no longer be separated from His universal song. I want to listen to God singing; I want to join in the cosmic chorus.

Prayer: Lord God, life is truly amazing and this planet is a wonderful world. Help us to listen to Your voice and realize that there is music in all that You do and accomplish. Allow us to accompany You in the celestial song of Creation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

4 Minute Devotions: The Duchess

Keira Knightley perfectly plays the Duchess of Devonshire in her new movie, "The Duchess." What lessons of faithfulness can we learn from such a movie?

Podcast version here

Nehemiah 9:33 In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.

Yesterday, Evelyn and I went to see the new British movie called “The Duchess.” It stars Keira Knightley, who usually pouts, sighs, and overacts too much for me to enjoy any of her movies. I wanted to see this movie because I read the book a couple of years ago.

It’s all about Georgiana Cavendish, who marries young to become the Duchess of Devonshire. It takes place towards the end of the 18th century, when Britain was undergoing turmoil due to the American Revolution overseas. The movie portrays the loves and sadnesses in Georgiana’s life, as well as the impact that she had on society. Keira Knightley portrays her perfectly, whilst the scenery and costumes are absolutely amazing. It’s one of those movies that you have to see on the big screen and I give it two thumbs up.

Who was the Duchess of Devonshire? She was the Princess Diana and Elizabeth Cady Stanton of her time. She was a trend setter whose sense of fashion was copied throughout Britain. She was also a political pioneer and even although she could not vote, she made appearances and speeches at conventions, seeking to usher in a brave new world for the failing British Empire. Many of the famous Gainsborough paintings of Regency women were based upon Georgiana’s influence. Had she lived in today’s world, she would be on the cover of every fashion magazine on earth, as well as Time magazine.

The sadness in her life was that she desperately tried to be faithful to her older husband. His unfaithfulness and rakish life both shocked and scandalized her until she was forced to look for love elsewhere. She had an affair and a daughter by her lover Charles Grey, who was destined to become Prime Minister of Britain and to whom Earl Grey tea is named after. Georgiana sadly died at the young age of 49. Two of her most famous descendants were Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, both of whom were married to Prince Charles and Prince Andrew of the present British Royal Family.

So what’s this got to do with a devotional for today? I think it comes in the faithfulness factor. Georgiana was a young girl when she married, full of hopes, dreams, and expectations. Those closest to her wronged her and changed her through their unfaithfulness, which serves as a lesson for all of us.

God remains faithful to us through the power of Christ’s obedience to Him. We are often unfaithful in worshiping and revering God, but His patience is long standing and His love for us endures. Through Jesus, we can come back to God at any time, to confess our biggest faults and mistakes. With Christ beside us, we are heard, cleansed, and restored to God, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive our foolish and unfaithful ways. Cleanse us of the past and restore us to God’s favor. You are our Lord and Champion; our Savior and Great Redeemer. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.