SAVE THE DATE - September 30!

The elders, pastors, & wives from our church were blessed with a private screening of the upcoming film COURAGEOUS, from the same church that produced Fireproof. This film is about a group of men who resolve to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong, Christ-like impact on their children. The picture to the left is from one of the scenes when the men gathered to pray for a friend. This movie is at the top of my list of favorites! It is a MUST see! I can't even begin to describe how great this movie is! Please plan to go on opening weekend (Sept.30-Oct 2) and make a statement to Hollywood that decent, Christ-centered, Gospel-rich movies are what many people want to see. How about going with a large group from your church? Better yet, invite an unbelieving family member of friend to go with you. It is a great discussion starter.

“The Gospel and Entertainment”

The following is the closing application portion of a message that my hubby taught at a recent student event.

Here are 5 practical questions to ask yourself in hopes of pushing the

beauty of the gospel into this entertainment corner of your life:

(Notice, I have NOT mentioned any specifics...only the gospel and

your heart...there is no specific, legalistic, religious list).

So, before you entertain yourself by reading this or watching that or

listening to this or going there or doing this...filter your choices

through biblical questions like....

1) Is my main motive to glorify my good God through this? (I Cor. 10.31)

2) Will this help me to keep my mind on things above where Christ

is at the right hand of the Father? (Col. 3.1, Phil. 4.8)

3) Will this grieve or quench the work of the Spirit in my heart or

feed the filling of the Spirit (Eph. 4.30, I Thess. 5.19, Eph. 5.18)

4) Will this have even the slightest possibility of causing another

Christian to stumble or unbeliever to mock the holiness of

Christ? (Rom. 14, I Peter 2.12)

5) Can I begin this by praying “Our Father in heaven hallowed be

Your Name [set apart Your name through this as holy, great and

matchless], your kingdom come Your will be done”. (Matt. 6.9-10)

Note: If you ask yourself these questions and can proceed forward in

this “entertainment choice” with a clean and clear conscience before

God and men - go for it! Enjoy your God and His good gifts, either

alone, with friends, with family...to His glory! He is for your

happiness...eternal happiness in Christ Jesus!!!

The gospel grace of the Lord be with you all! (Titus 3.15)

Texas Theme Park for Visitors with Special Needs

I've never been there but it sounds like lots of fun! You may want to take your next family trip to San Antonio...in the fall or winter of course :-).

Here's a News Article about the park & their Website.

I Hurt; Yet I Rejoice

I hurt…

*for my friend who’s grieving the death of her dad.

*for my friend whose husband is in a long term care facility for a sudden illness.

*for my friend who was just diagnosed with her 2^nd bout with breast cancer in 4 yrs.

*for Christian who has a terrible diaper rash. Oh how I wish that my 8 yr. old son wasn’t in diapers.

*for how our tenant has taken advantage of us.

*for my friends, who've been longing for a child, just found out that their 2nd potential adoption fell through.

*for my unbelieving neighbors and my lack of boldness in sharing Christ with them.

*for my son who can’t talk and let me know when or how he’s hurting.

But I rejoice…

Because all believers will one day be with Jesus and “He will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

Wordless Wednesday

The VOM presents an Animated DVD Series

The Voice of the Martyrs has a special offer this month for Torchlighters' DVD series with 7 Animated Stories of heroes of the faith. The stories include: Jim Elliot, William Tyndale, Eric Liddell, Gladys Aylward, The Perpetua, John Bunyan, & Amy Carmichael. If you order this month, you will receive The Richard Wurmbrand's (the founder of VOM) Animated Story on DVD for FREE. Also, if you order by July 31, you can get $5 off with coupon code: COUP03.

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday

The Official Cool C.A.T.