March 8 Prayer

God, Your Word tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who spite or persecute us. That's quite a "tall order" for a human, but through the enabling of your Holy Spirit, I can do it. Please remind me to pray instead of complaining, to pray instead of getting angry, to pray instead of feeling sorry for myself. I pray for all the people I have relationships with in my family, neighborhood, workplace, church, school...wherever I live, work, and play, that you would help them to focus on you. If they do not know you, draw them to you. If they do know you, remind them to think "What would Jesus do?" before they act. Remind me too. Thank you for your love and patience with us. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The movie Noah coming out the end of March

I went an saw the movie The Son of God in a nearby theater and totally enjoyed it. In a large part it was true to the Scriptures, and in some places deviated without destroying the message or teachings of the church. It is good to see movies such as this coming out.

However, Hollywood is often quick to rush to pick up on a good thing - only doing it their way. I believe an upcoming movie - Noah - is such a film.

Dr. Jerry Johnston, president and CEO of the NRB had this to say about the movie in a blog written by Ed Stetzer - The Exchange.

Director Darren Aronofsky is known for movies that have a maverick and mystic quality.Noah is no different. When contrasting Noah to The Bible on the History Channel, Paramount Pictures' Vice Chairman Rob Moore said, "This movie has a lot more creativity to it. And therefore, if you want to put it on the spectrum, it probably is more accurate to say this movie is inspired by the story of Noah," (The Hollywood Reporter, emphasis added). Note the careful language inspired by, not an actual retelling or exegetical representation of the biblical text. Noah is not The Passion of the Christ, The Ten Commandments or Son of God. Paramount is about to launch a new ad campaign to emphasize this very point, which is the right thing to do. People should know what they are paying to see. *

We must seek as believers to check out the facts about what is being shown before we heartily endorse for people - especially unbelievers - to go and see a film. In an earlier blog, Dr. Johnson says:

In the darkness of the ark, Noah retells the creation story to his family. From the beginning, there is the Creator, who calls forth the light. So far—so good. However, visuals are supplied once life gets going, which show primitive species morphing again and again to more sophisticated creatures. 

Noah gets Noah wrong, gets the environment wrong, gets evolution wrong, gets angelology wrong, and gets some biblical details wrong. Compounding these problems, add the fact that none of these negatives can be deduced from watching the previews that have been released. 

Given these facts, and facts they are, the movie trailer may feel like a "bait and switch" to Jews and Christians. **

So, check out what is being shown, and then make your decision whether to see it or not, and whether you will endorse others to see it. As far as I am concerned, I cannot endorse for people to see this movie.

*       http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/february/noah-five-negative-features-about-this-film.html

**     http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/february/noah-five-negative-features-about-this-film.html 

Charity Baptist Church in Keokee, VA

Here are some pictures of the outside and Worship Center of CHarity Baptist Church where we worked last week. This building and work is truly a miracle from God. Keep praying for Dave Parsons and the people here in this "holler" that God will work in some mighty ways through them.

Keokee Ministry Trip Update

We headed back down the road to Laurinburg, Thursday afternoon. This week of work has gone by quickly. Thursday was a busy day to finish up what we had started. And we were able to finish up and clean up before noon.

The weather forecasts for the areas we were to be driving through this morning (Friday) we calling for a lot of wintery mixes - and snow of 1 - 3 inches in places. That encouraged us to come back early.  we arrived back in Laurinburg after 8 pm - tired, but excited about what God had allowed us to accomplish while there.

If you have the opportunity to be a part of a team on mission for God - grab it. Being a part of what God is doing with others is exciting, encouraging, and life-changing.

Next week we will return to the format of the blog that I am writing. I have been up since 4:00 AM, and I am writing this at about 10:00 PM. My body and mind are telling me that it is about time to shower and get a good nights sleep. So since it is two against one, I guess I will listen. Thanks to everyone for your prayers for our safety while traveling and while we were working. God Bless - and Good Night.

Keokee Ministry Trip Update

Well, here it is Wednesday evening, already. One more day of work in front of us and then the trip back to Laurinburg, NC.

We had another full busy day at Charity Baptist Church today. The plumbing has been finished, the two shower stalls are in, and the men are building the walls around them. They will sheetrock and spack - and then we will basically be finished with the task.

Dick Britt has done a wonderful job putting this trip together. Everyone of the  group has had a vital part in the mission work being accomplished here at Keokee. Jim Walker and Tommy Brooks have worked tirelessly. Morris Britt has been consistent is seeing things through. Bill Short has been available for whoever needs a hand. John Miller has taken on the task of driving the van and trailer to and from the church site.

Art Brown and Jimmy Caulder spent the entire day under the building in the crawlspace putting in the water lines to the sinks and all the new sewer lines. when they came out today, they looked like a couple of miners crawling out of the mine. They did a terrific job. The bathrooms are beginning to look useable again. We cleaned up our mess and stored the tools so that the church could worship together tonight. After our dinner - spaghetti this evening - we will be worshipping with them. We give a great big thanks to Carroll Scarboro and George Phelps our two resident "chefs" for fixing our breakfasts and dinners (along with others from time to time). And we couldn't start the day without Tony Ciarrocco's coffee! He is an inspiration to me for his tireless work on any project that is needed.

We had a wonderful time worshipping and studying God's Word with the people of Charity Baptist on wednesday night.  Our group of 12 greatly swelled their attendance. Pastor David Parsons taught the 5th chapter of 1 Timothy this evening. Great words to remind us of our interactions with each other.

We thought again today, how that we are doing this for our Savior - to reach out to others to help them reach out to others. The importance of being a Christian is ministering to others so that they can see Jesus in us. Not for our praise - but for His!

As we serve, we are reminded of Jesus' words in Mark 10:45 - "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister..."