Friday Fun: Clever Onion Article

I can't agree with some of its content, but every once in a while The Onion takes a random clever thought and turns it into a short funny article that makes me chuckle. And they've done it again. Today's headline: 

Person Standing Far Away From Burial Must Have Deep, Dark Secret About Deceased

Heh. Look what movies and TV make us think.

Prayer for This 9/11 Anniversary

HT: Scotty Smith

     Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the day on our calendar that now has its own dark branding, “9/11.” There have been many days in history that stand out as graphic reminders of the pervasive brokenness of the world; but in my lifetime, no day in American history tells that story more clearly than September 11, 2001.

     I’ll never forget how it felt watching the twin towers of the World Trade Center crumble to the earth. It was chilling, frightful, and surreal. But as I remember that day of extreme terror and trauma, I also choose to remember you, Lord Jesus. Otherwise I would stew in despair, give into fear, or be driven to rage.

     Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace—the archetypal Peacemaker. You are the one who has come to make all things new, to restore broken things, and to bring new creation delight from old creation decay.

     Your death on the cross was the ultimate sowing of peace. As you died, taking the judgment we deserve, you were planted as the very “seed” which has secured an eternal harvest of righteousness. Your death was the death of death itself, and the promise of eternal shalom.

     Because of you, terror is terrified, and trauma is traumatized. Indeed, because of you, one Day there will be no terror, trauma or tears. There will be no more brokenness or barrenness; no more heartaches or heartburn; no more human trafficking or human tooth decay; no more war or irritation; no more evil or envy; no more poverty, pouting or pettiness.

     Our labors in you, King Jesus, are not in vain. Because of you we can, and must, live as peacemakers—sowing the peace of the gospel of the kingdom, with theabsolute assurance, that a harvest of righteousness is being raised and will be reaped.

     We praise you that your name is Redeemer, Reconciler, and Restorer. We cry aloud, “Maranatha!” Come, Lord Jesus, come! Until that Day, give us all the mercy, grace, and peace we need for this day. So very Amen we pray, with great joy and living hope.

Source.

Ray Rice and Domestic Abuse

Keith Allison/Flickr

In light of Baltimore Raven Ray Rice's virtual termination from the NFL (since the release of a video of him beating his then-fiancee in an elevator), social media has been replete with the topic of domestic abuse. Here's a good and informed piece on domestic abuse as well as a call to action for Christians.

HT: Justin and Lindsey Holcomb

Gungor, Dan Haseltine and Doubt

As someone who grew up on Jars of Clay's music and has been impressed with Gungor's artistic creativity and ministerial heart, I appreciate Trevin Wax's mediative analysis.

The left’s response to Gungor and Jars of Clay was to celebrate an artist’s willingness to boldly “ask questions,” to be “authentic,” and to reformulate Christianity in ways that take into consideration our contemporary setting. The conservative response was to decry these artists as defectors from the faith and to write them and their questions off.

My Facebook feed was filled with both responses – those who praised the courage and creativity of Gungor, and those who condemned their unorthodox views. Both attitudes left me unsatisfied.

You can read the rest here.

Friday Fun: IKEA's bookbook

Very clever.

Seven Foundational Bible Verses on Praise and Worship

Here are a pastor/author's favorite 7 verses on praise and worship.

1. Psalm 150:1-6
2. Ephesians 5:19
3. John 4:23
4. Hebrews 13:15
5. Psalm 22:3
6. Colossians 3:16
7. Psalm 95:6

Click here for the explanations.

HT: Jack Wellman

"Sing Over Me" Trailer

Yesterday was my daughter's first day of kindergarten at a Christian school. My wife and I were asked to attend the school's opening chapel service. My daughter, being the brave lover of music she is, quickly answered the call to go up on the stage and help every sing "You Are My All in All." She was the only one who knew the motions. I remember how much I enjoyed the song's simple-yet-powerful lyrics and musical canon possibilities when I was in junior high.

Little did I know that there's an upcoming documentary on the life of this song's writer, Dennis Jernigan. You can read more info about it, view its trailer (and even learn about a possible free viewing!) here.