Pro-Life Movie, Bella

Below is a brief movie review. I haven’t seen the movie so I can’t comment from personal experience. You may want to check this movie out.

Bella, a film that won The People’s Choice Award at Toronto’s International Film Festival, is a pro-faith, pro-life and pro-family movie. It deals sensitively but forthrightly with the sanctity of human life, and specifically a young woman’s agonizing decision as to whether or not to abort her unborn child, according to Family Research Council’s The Watchmen Report.

From The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing®, Nov. 16, 2007. © 2007 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved.

Giving Thanks - Part IV

For more on giving thanks to God, please see my earlier posts.

Thanking God in the Old Testament

Giving thanks to God is a recurring and important theme in the Bible, starting with the Old Testament. God wants us to not only worship him as the creator, but also praise and thank him as the giver and sustainer of life. In the Old Testament, God made a provision for thank offerings to him, as we read in Leviticus 7:11-13:

This is the ritual of the sacrifice of the offering of well-being that one may offer to the Lord. If you offer it for thanksgiving, you shall offer with the thank offering unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of choice flour well soaked in oil. With your thanksgiving sacrifice of well-being you shall bring your offering with cakes of leavened bread. NRSV

Many years later, King Hezekiah re-instituted proper Jewish religious practices, including the thank offerings, as we read in 2 Chronicles 29:31:

Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated yourselves to the Lord; come near, bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.” The assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings; and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. NRSV

Today we give God our thanks and praise in worship and in prayer, but also by our offerings. Prayer and worship without generous offerings are missing something – words but no action. Moreover, by focusing on our blessings and thanking God for them, we will have a better outlook on life and will be generally happier and more well-adjusted. Do you sincerely thank God in worship and prayer, and most importantly, by your offerings?

Two Examples from the New Testament

As I said before, giving thanks to God is an important aspect of our faith, and we see thanksgiving mentioned often in the New Testament as well. Two examples (out of many) are found in the New Testament.

The Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

In Luke 17:11-19 we read about how Jesus healed 10 lepers, who presumably were all Jewish except for one Samaritan. It was the Samaritan that, upon noticing he had been healed, returned to Jesus and thanked and praised God for his deliverance from a terrible disease. You can sense the disappointment in Jesus when he asked rhetorically (in Luke 17:17):

“Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” (from The Message paraphrased translation by Eugene Peterson)

Can you imagine God’s disappointment with us?

The Crippled Man (Acts 3:1-11)

The second reading involves a man who was born with some deformity that made him unable to walk all his life. He was reduced to a life of begging. God used Peter as his instrument to heal the guy, and you can immediately see his gratitude as we read in Acts 3:8-9:

The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. (from The Message paraphrased translation by Eugene Peterson)

This healed man knew it wasn’t the power of Peter but the power of God working through the Apostle that healed him. Can’t you just picture this guy jumping and dancing around Peter and John, hugging them and shouting “Hallelujah” and “Praise the Lord!” He made such a ruckus that he attracted a crowd, as we read in Acts 3:11:

All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon’s Porch to see it for themselves. (from The Message paraphrased translation by Eugene Peterson)

Do you make it a point to publicly give God the praise and glory when good things happen to you?

During this season of thanksgiving, think about gratitude and thanksgiving to God. I hope that as you sat down to Thanksgiving dinner, you remembered Who is the ultimate Source of your blessings, and who owns everything that he gladly shares with us. Let us always and everywhere Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Giving Thanks - Part III

For more on giving thanks, please see my earlier post.

We have a lot to be thankful for, even if we do have problems, hardships, grieving, or some other kind of suffering. Thanks for a minute about what you can give thanks for.

In the spiritual realm we should be thankful to God for our relationship with God thru Christ, the Holy Spirit helping and guiding us, our guarantee of a heavenly home, and our ability to do all things through him who strengthens us.

In the physical realm, we also have blessings we should be thanking God for. Living in the good old US of A, we are better off than most of the world’s people. We may not be rich, yet at least our basic needs are being met. The job may not be the best – and may be getting worse – but at least we have income. We have clean water, reliable electricity, good transportation, modern conveniences, and we aren’t in a war zone. We can worship without harassment from the authorities or our neighbors, and we have enough to eat, adequate clothing, and a roof over our heads.

While we have problems – all of us do – we still have many blessings that we can and should thank God for – especially since we don’t really deserve them. So let’s commit to have more of an attitude of gratitude, rejoicing always and thanking God no matter what the circumstances may be – we’ll be happier for it. Have you counted your blessings recently?

Giving Thanks - Part II

See earlier post for the history and true meaning of Thanksgiving Day.

We should be thanking God even in the midst of the problems we have to endure, because consciously giving thanks helps us as well as is the right thing to do. Why? Because if you don’t get the things you want, think of the things you don’t want that you don’t get. Will you commit to pass on to the next generation the true meaning of the holiday by your example and your teaching?

We Don’t Deserve What We Have

One of the reasons people don’t give thanks as they should is that they have a sense of entitlement. Our sense of entitlement and our lack of gratitude to God makes me think: how disappointed God must be in us. We rarely show our gratitude to God for all the blessings we have received – more than we ever deserve (despite what we might think). Part of that lack of appreciation is our own sense of entitlement, and part of it is either attitude or negligence.

Giving Thanks Despite Problems

Some people, of course, just don’t feel blessed – maybe they even feel cheated. Maybe they’ve got poor health, a terrible work situation, a struggle to make ends meet, they recently lost a loved one, have family problems, or maybe a victim of some kind – the list goes on. We’re quick to blame God when things go wrong, but slow to give God the credit, let alone thanksgiving, when things go right. Yet the Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. NRSV

Of course Paul is saying we should give thanks specifically to God, not just to have some general attitude of thankfulness, and despite our circumstances. Paul explains how it is possible for him to say we should “give thanks in all circumstances” in Philippians 4:11b-13, where he writes:

I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. NRSV

St. Paul, as we all know, had his share of hardships, yet knew he had a lot to be thankful for. We all endure hardships, problems, grieving, and suffering at one point or another – some unfortunately more than others, it seems. Yet like Paul, we still have a lot to be thankful for if we think about it.

Do you give thanks to God, despite your circumstances?

Giving Thanks (Part I)

With Thanksgiving Day this week, I want to talk a little about how we should give thanks to God, not just on one day a year, but every hour of every day.

The First Thanksgiving

First of all, I want to now briefly discuss the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth, and how it is being distorted today. The Pilgrims were very devout Christians, so they knew the importance of thanking God despite having endured terrible hardships. They are credited with starting this tradition of Thanksgiving Day in the US. However, this observance is almost certainly based on harvest festivals in that go back thousands of years in which people thanks God (or the gods) for a successful harvest. They acknowledged that a greater power was at work on the earth, and they gave thanks and praise for their blessings.

Unfortunately today the true meaning of that first Thanksgiving is being lost in our culture that is striving to eliminate God from everything. I encourage you to teach your children and grandchildren the true meaning of the day to offset the watered-down secularized version they are learning elsewhere. Today children are often taught that the reason the Pilgrims threw this party was to thank the Indians for their crucial help.

The truth is that the local Indians were invited to dinner out of a sense of gratitude for their help, but that wasn’t the purpose of the dinner. The dinner was given in thanksgiving to Almighty God for a successful harvest and for sparing those who did survive that difficult time.

The Pilgrims knew the Hebrew Scriptures, where there is much written about thanking God. The Pilgrims took them very seriously. The idea of giving thanks to God with a feast was inspired by that knowledge of the Bible. In a very real way, the Pilgrims saw themselves, too, as chosen people of God being led to a Promised Land.

At the table, they acknowledged “God’s good providence” and “blessed the God of Heaven who brought us over the furious ocean.” For “what could sustain us but the Spirit of God and His grace?” asked Bradford, their leader. He then quoted Moses, “Our fathers cried unto Him and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity.” (Deuteronomy 26:7)

In addition to proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, as the ancient Hebrews did before them, the Pilgrims praised God’s for his lovingkindness, as found in Psalms 106 and 107 (“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness endures forever”).

Subsequent History

This “thanksgiving” idea took different forms in colonial America. It wasn’t until George Washington, the republic’s first president, proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, as a day for thanking God for bringing America through its trials, that an official holiday was marked. Washington, as a devout believer, knew with all his heart that America would be blessed only if it acknowledged the Source of all blessings.

Later, in 1863, with the nation torn apart by the Civil War, Lincoln re-instituted the tradition. Then, in 1941, with a global war threatening, Congress established the fourth Thursday of November as the day for Americans to thank God.

Thanksgiving Day isn’t about some vague sense of thankfulness for our good fortune, but we should be specifically expressing our gratitude to God. For what? For his many blessings to us.

More on giving thanks to God in future posts.

The Golden Compass and His Dark Materials

A movie review by Adam R. Holz

We should be aware of what is being mar­keted as “children’s movies” but which are really wolves in sheep’s clothing. I haven’t seen the movie, so all I can do is pass along one person’s opinion (although I have read other articles that are similar to this one). Below is an article of interest.

New Line Cinema insists that it is toning down some of the anti-church messages contained in its movie adaptation of The Golden Compass. But there is still a great deal of reason for concern that these themes will be impossible to eliminate completely. Even if they were, the theatrical celebration of Bill Pullman’s His Dark Materials stories will likely introduce many more viewers to a worldview that’s wholly opposed to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Pullman, who has said, “I hate the Narnia books ... with a deep and bitter passion,” has crafted a trilogy wherein the protago­nists confront a wicked and malevolent church and seek to take on and kill a God figure, who’s known as the “Authority.” Those arrayed against the Authority are the story’s heroes — including a 12-year-old girl and boy — and they regularly reflect Pullman’s own antagonistic attitude toward Christianity. “If there is a God,” he says, “and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and re­belled against.” That message is delivered unmistakably by an ex-nun in the story when she talks about why she renounced her faith in the third book, The Amber Spy­glass: “The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all.”

Another character says, “There may have been a creator, or there may not: We don’t know.” In addition to alternately denying that God can be known and insisting that He should be rebelled against, this fantasy series that targets children also exalts themes of witchcraft, divination, evolution, homosexuality and premarital sex.

From The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing®, Nov. 9, 2007. © 2007, Focus on the Family

Money Saving Tips

At this time of the year, two things happen:
First, churches talk about stewardship and may have pledge drives.
Second, we become a little more cost-conscious because we are about to be spending money for the holidays, often running up sizable credit card debt.

In addition, we have the challenge of higher prices these days, due mainly to the high cost of oil. Just about everything we buy has to be transported, so the higher cost of oil affects everything. I’m sure you’ve noticed that food is getting more expensive, for example. We have to do something to save some money, so below are some money saving tips.

I am putting these tips in this blog because we are supposed to exercise good stewardship of what God has provided us. We can do that by being wise shoppers, and not saving money wherever we can. Oil isn’t going to get any cheaper and we are probably aren’t going to get a big raise, so we might as well face facts: limit spending and be a wise shopper. There are significant savings opportunities available to us if we invest a little time and do some research. Check out cell phone plans, check out our insurance policies, do research before making a major purchase.

Below are thought-starters as to where there significant savings opportunities:

Telephone Plans
Long Distance: you don’t have to pay for LD calls with proper telephone plan or use cell phone or an inexpensive calling card.
Get cable, phone and high speed internet from same company and get a discount on all three.
Cell phone plans: evaluate various plans and get best one for you given your usage patterns. You shouldn’t be paying for extra minutes.
Home Phone: eliminate if possible if you are away from home all day and have a cell phone.

Insurance
Car: get a higher deductible, eliminate collision if older car.
Life: buy term when you’re younger and need more insurance, and a whole life or universal life policy for the long haul (maybe paid up at 65).
Homeowners: higher deductible, don’t be over or under insured.
Long term care: consider taking out a policy because we are living longer.

Car/Driving
Plan ahead: do one big trip rather than many smaller ones. Car more efficient when engine warm, plus saves miles by planning your trip intelligently.
Carpool if possible: with other parents to and from activities, or to work.
Maintain car well: keep running efficiently (good investment).
Buy used cars, fuel-efficient cars; get smallest car possible that will meet your needs (not desires, but needs).
If purchase car, drive car into the ground – but maintain well for reliability and efficiency.
Lease or buy: analyze options and costs (read fine print).
Get cheapest gas on your way, but don’t go out of the way.
Buy regular, not high-test gas, unless engine knocks.
Use independent mechanic, not dealership, for routine maintenance (unless terms of warranty or lease agreement require use of dealer).
Run errands when less traffic and no school buses.
Don’t transport kids to school, let them take the bus!

House/Energy Use
Set thermostats: cooler in winter/warmer in summer.
Caulk and weather-strip, insulate outlets on outside walls.
Attic and basement: additional insulation as needed.
New windows and outside doors if losing a lot of heat thru them.
Fans for summer: attic fan and/or whole house fan. Makes a big difference.
Energy-saving light bulbs and Energy Star appliances.
Do only full loads of laundry and dishes.
Don’t thoroughly clean dishes before putting in the dishwasher.
Clean off refrigerator coils frequently.
Stand-alone freezer: defrost often if not frost-free; unplug when not being used.
Stop leaking electricity: monitors, cell phone chargers.

Taxes
Withholding: have correct amount withheld.
Property taxes: look for breaks; challenge reassessment amount if think too high.
Get tax advice if your situation is complicated.
Set up a flexible spending account for medical.
Set up a 401(k): forces savings and is tax sheltered.
Track charitable giving if you itemize.

Money Management
Credit cards: use wisely or keep in a drawer for emergencies only.
Buy only what you can afford and pay off card next month.
Go on austerity budget to pay off all credit card debt.
Invest wisely and be disciplined about savings.
Set up Roth IRA or other kind of tax advantaged plan.
Use a trusted money manager if you don’t have time or skill.

Purchases/Other
Never pay retail-look for sales for things you need.
Check cash register receipt before leaving store-errors are frequent because store computer not always updated for sale items.
Clip coupons: most supermarkets double manufacturer’s coupons up to 99¢.
Make a list before shopping (no impulse buys!)
Don’t pay for out-of-season fruits and vegetables.
Don’t renew subscriptions or club memberships you don’t read or need.
Buy cheapest model that will do what you want.
Limit eating out: expensive, unhealthy.
Limit heavily processed food: expensive, unhealthy.
Buying Clubs: some items aren’t a bargain, others are.
Quality vs. Cost: do research on the product, more expensive doesn’t always mean better quality.
Christmas: don’t run up credit card debt that can take months to pay down.
Add up savings and give a generous portion to God. Commit to increase giving to church by $________ per week.