One thing we do know is that it is ok not to be fine.  We resolved that issue together years ago because we know that ultimately it is not in our hands anyway.  God has been so very faithful to us that even in our pain we can laugh because our God is bigger than all of it.  We also recognized our own privilege and that our issues are not nearly as large as the loom.

So I am praying for you dear reader.  That you would know the faithfulness of God even in your pain.  That you would seek Him first.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,     and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,     my salvation and my God. - Psalm 42:11 God's Man

Sometimes it just have to get done. Whether you FEEL like it or not.

Life is only lived in One Direction.

God's Man

Base Image Credit: The Province. Editing by Me.

The challenge that I have with movies/TV series/media that claim biblical inspiration or themes is that instead of letting the story stand on it focuses on minor details and ignores the major story.  Much like what we do when we focus on secondary issues and make them primary.

There is also the fact that some narrative elements are completely made up or wrong in light of the actual text.  I know that studying the scriptures is not as "exciting" as watching Russell Crowe as Maximus Noah and the Nephilim but don't let this be the only time you think about the text.

We are called to meditate on God's Word day and night.  It really does inform the decisions you make as well as the media you consume.

With all of that said what are my thoughts on the movie?  I don't have any.  I love storytelling and I am "interested" in seeing Darren Aronofsky's vision.  I do not see it as some grand evangelism tool.  I didn't for Passion, Son Of God, or any other movie.   I also do not see it as some grand gesture by Hollywood to reach out to Christians.

If you have seen the movie let me know what you think.  If you are abstaining let me know why.  If you are reading this leave a comment.

Enjoy your weekend,
God's Man

Photo Credit from http://thelionofanacostia.wordpress.com/

When the elder Grimké died Francis and his 2 brothers were given to his half-brother with the "understanding" that they would be regarded as family. This would, for a time, provide them with some level of freedom. After a few years, however, this half-brother attempted to give to his wife as her personal slaves. Francis avoided this by joining the Confederate Army and evading his older half-brother until Emancipation.

From this tumultuous start Francis and his surviving brother Archibold moved to the North (Mass) and were educated. Francis went on to study medicine at Jefferson College in PA where he graduated as Valedictorian in 1870. The following year he began to study Law at Howard University in Washington, DC.

At Howard we felt called to Christian Ministry and he left pursued Theological Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary under Charles Hodge who was the president at the time. Acknowledging God as revealed in the Scriptures he wrote this in his journal in 1936, "I accept, and accept without reservation, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as God’s Word, sent to Adam’s sinful race and pointing out the only way by which it can be saved. [W]ithout the Holy Scriptures and what they reveal, there is no hope for humanity. To build on anything else is to build on the sand."

After leaving Princeton in 1878 he became the Reverend of the 15th Street Presbyterian Church in DC. He would spend almost all of his 60 years in Christian Ministry at 15th Street. His ministry spanned from Reconstruction to the post-World War I era. While first and foremost to him was his calling to be a Pastor he also served as a Trustee at Howard University, helping to found the NAACP, advocating for suffrage and other public aims.

From his pulpit he continued to train and disciple. His sermon, "The Afro-American Pulpit and Its Relation to Race Elevation" called the African American Churches to move beyond the levity, emotionalism, and frivolity of the day to a high calling of Christian Discipleship and Service. As a counter point his sermon, "Christianity and Race Prejudice" called out the White church of that era for its duplicity on race related issues.

Again this is longer than I intended but I hope that you have been blessed by learning about these Pastors. Rev. Grimké reminds me that the calling to be a Pastor is a serious one and that there is no separation in your life. The Christian should do everything to the Glory of God.

Continuing with my Visual Devotions Series. 

Today is Isaiah 44:3

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land,and streams on the dry ground;I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,and my blessing on your descendants."This is a reassurance to the Children of the Promise that their God would restore what had been destroyed. That God would cause life to return to what they thought was dry and desolate ground.Christ's return restored the ground. He restore a right relationship with God. He quenched a thirst in His people that nothing else could satisfy. Slow down and know that no matter the situation He is our greatest reward.

God Gives Salvation

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

God Gives Love

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, (1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV)

God Gives Faith

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:14 ESV)

God Gives Wisdom

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (Ephesians 1:17 ESV)

*God Gives Joy *

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13 ESV)

Enjoy the gifts He has given you

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Here are videos of music that we have been bouncing to here in our household.

Entitlement by Beautiful Eulogy

Excellent by Propaganda

Goodbye by Json

Tell the World by Lacrae

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