The Bible – CNN covers Mark Burnett and his miniseries The Bible (which I’m sure you’ve been hearing about). The hotel I was in on Sunday night didn’t offer the History Channel so I didn’t get to see it. Melinda Penner of Stand to Reason offers some positives and some negatives.
Peace that Trumps Tribe – From Kenya: “We sincerely plea for peace in the weeks following these elections. We may be divided on whom we want to be the next president, but we are united in echoing this prayer in our national anthem: ‘May we dwell in unity, peace, and liberty.’ And we call on Christians from across the world to echo this prayer for peace. Pray for peace that is not just superficial or temporal, but a lasting peace that finds its root and foundation in the preaching of Jesus Christ crucified.”
It’s Better to Be Faithful – Mark Altrogge says it’s better to be faithful than gifted. “There aren’t many superstars in the kingdom of God. Not many have super gifts. Most of us are just average. Gifted in small ways. But if we are faithful to use the gifts we have and serve in whatever ways we can, God will increase us.”
The Most Essential Life Skill – David Murray, in a similar vein, writes about the most essential life skill. “Those who are teachable, and remain so, usually succeed. The unteachable usually fail. I’ve seen that in business, I’ve seen it in the ministry, I’ve seen it among students, and I’ve seen it in my children.”
Were They Drowning? – Bill Mounce takes a really helpful look at a well-known story from Jesus’ life and asks why the translators inserted just one little word.
Tales From the Dugout – Baseball fans may enjoy this discussion with Albert Pujols, Barry Zito and Josh Hamilton, three Christian ballplayers.
Sermons are dangerous things. None goes out of church as he came in, but either better or worse.
—George Herbert