Narnia Symbolism

My beautiful wife and I joined Sean and his family for the Narnia movie this weekend. Even though I have not (yet) read the book, the movie was positively delightful. Chock full of good wholesome family values. But what about those Christian values the secularists have been condemning in the news? One opinion said the … Continue reading Narnia Symbolism

Hallelujah!

The politically correct Handel's Messiah, right here in my hometown: Both an awe-inspiring holiday tradition and a memorable religious experience, Handel's Messiah returns this holiday season. Guest conductor Christopher Seaman leads Houston’s premier performance of Handel’s choral masterwork, which includes the timeless Hallelujah Chorus. Would it be so bad to actually say that the music's … Continue reading Hallelujah!

Tithing

Rather than pontificating, I'm simply going to question today. How much should one tithe? As I see it, there are two answers to this question. Old Testament: Ten Percent. New Testament: Cheerful Giving. So what do you do if you're cheerfully giving five percent, but ten percent would make you grumpy? On one hand, most … Continue reading Tithing

Spiritual Gifts

I was reading a post from Messy Christian who expressed frustration with a call of evangelism. That's understandable, especially if evangelism is not your "spiritual gift." While all Christians are called to spread the gospel and to exemplify a Christian lifestyle, evangelism is one of a dozen or so gifts mentioned in scripture. Others are … Continue reading Spiritual Gifts

Go Hogs!

I previously wrote how Fred Phelps gives Christians a bad name. I'm happy to report his Westboro "church" was defeated by Harley hog riders. Go hogs! EDMOND, Okla. -- About 200 motorcyclists rolled into Edmond today to support the family of a soldier killed in Iraq and to drown out protests from about a half-dozen … Continue reading Go Hogs!

God Speaks

Ever see one of those billboards signed "God"? The organization that puts up the billboards has a website at Godspeaks.com. From there, you can see all their billboards and see basic questions about Christianity, whether you're doing great or whether you need some help.

What's the Deal with Wicca?

Many, many books to review. Until I get caught up, I'm not signing up for any more. I'll be reviewing this book soon, so stay tuned. It deals with why Wicca is so tempting to teenagers (particularly to girls) and why it is so dangerous.

Christian Carnival XCII

I didn't realize this was going to be a weekly post. 😛 I'll have to see if there's an automated way to list these as the posts are very nice and also provide links to wholesome, Christian blogs. Anyway, Christian Carnival XCII is up.

Secular Bigotry

Manual Miranda in OpinionJournal has a strong criticism of the questioning of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. While we all expected chest-puffing and posturing from the Senators, we didn't expect illegal religious bigotry to be so acceptable. Excerpts: Article VI of the Constitution prohibits a religious test from being imposed on nominees to public office. … Continue reading Secular Bigotry

Book of Daniel

Earlier this year, I wrote about Bible Fiction on television. I watched part of Revelation. It was too slow for my taste, and the nun who supposedly devoted herself to the Glorious Reappearing of Christ sure didn't know much about the Bible. For the most part, though, they treated faith with respect, and I had … Continue reading Book of Daniel

Church for Men

When Diane & I discuss dating topics with other church singles, always we end up discussing the proper roles of men and women in both dating and in marriage. Usually we end up agreeing that men are not taking the role of "spiritual leader" properly in accordance with Ephesians 5 and 1 Corinthians 11. The … Continue reading Church for Men

A Faith Vacuum

A faith vacuum haunts Europe There was a time when Europe would justly refer to itself as "Christendom." Europeans built the Continent's loveliest edifices to accommodate their acts of worship. They quarreled bitterly over the distinction between transubstantiation and consubstantiation. As pilgrims, missionaries and conquistadors, they sailed to the four corners of the Earth, intent … Continue reading A Faith Vacuum

The Mousetrap

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is … Continue reading The Mousetrap

Harbor Lights

I was fortunate enough over the weekend to hear Harbor Lights sing. Harbor Lights is a ministry of the Salvation Army, composed entirely of men who have successfully battled substance abuse and are actively working to return to being a productive member of society. Man, the singing was fantastic. They sang a combination of old … Continue reading Harbor Lights

Church Signs

I stumbled across these this morning (I was wearing big shoes at the time). Thought I'd share. 🙂 Give God what's right -- not what's left. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing. He who kneels before … Continue reading Church Signs

Ten Commandments

The Supreme Court made their schizophrenic ruling regarding placement of the Ten Commandments. Instead of making it a black and white issue, now you have to determine whether the placement is inside or outside or on of off government property, and then determine how religious or historical the monument is. Another ten years to sort … Continue reading Ten Commandments

Hedges

I gave a good list of Christian books yesterday, but I want to add one more. This one is called "Hedges" by Jerry Jenkins, one of the authors of the "Left Behind" series. Coffeeswirls gives a good review: One of many important steps toward shoring up our defenses that I brought out of his book … Continue reading Hedges

Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Looking for Christian reading material? There are so many titles out there, it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Christianity Today has listed the top Christian books for 2005, divided into several catagories: Apologetics / Evangelism: Christian Living: Biblical Studies: History / Biography: Christianity and Culture: Missions and Global Affairs: The Church / … Continue reading Christianity Today Book Awards 2005

Justice Sunday

The news was agog over faith and politics mixing this weekend on "Justice Sunday." I sort of heard it was coming, but I paid little attention. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was scheduled to speak, and the news media dredged up every voice they could find to say that it was wrong to mix religion … Continue reading Justice Sunday

A New Pope

Wow. A new pope has been chosen after only two days. Don't know who it is yet, but the bells of St. Peter's Basilica are ringing. Update: Pope Benedict XVI from Germany.

True Love Waits

Uganda is under criticism for a policy of abstinence to combat HIV/AIDS. Uganda pushes the ABC method ("A"bstinence, "B"e faithful, "C"ondoms). Critics don't like that order, but Uganda president Yoweri Museveni and his wife Janet insist "there is no safe sex outside of faithfulness in marriage." Even though this "True Love Waits" program has been … Continue reading True Love Waits

Chocolate Crosses

Mmmm.... cholocate crosses for Easter.... yummy.... The article quotes "some religious officials" who object to the chocolate crosses by Russell Stover Candies. Now, I may be a little opinionated on religious issues, you may have noticed. 😛 But I don't think chocolate crosses are offensive at all. The whole message of Good Friday and Easter … Continue reading Chocolate Crosses

Terri's Laws

I'm not going to rehash the arguments over the court decisions to let Terri Schiavo die. Like it or not, most of the court decisions were upholding the US laws, something we really want the courts to do. It's a shame our laws cannot accomodate a mother that wants to care for her damaged child. … Continue reading Terri's Laws

The Lego Bible

If Diane and I decide to get married in a Lego Church (ssshhh.... she might be reading this...) then perhaps we could take our instruction from the fine people at The Brick Testament who have built an illustrated Bible entirely out of LEGOs. For instance, 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, Yes, it is a good thing for … Continue reading The Lego Bible

Culture of Life

One of the longest and largest threads here on Chasing the Wind is the post I made about Terri Schiavo. It's attracted many, many visitors posting for the first time. I suspect it's because I originally misspelled her name as Terry Schiavo until some left-wing loonie made a snide comment that right wing people can't … Continue reading Culture of Life

Religious Wars

A recent poster wrote: I am not sure I buy the claim that atheism is in decline, and I certainly question the statement that it is losing its scientific basis. Religious belief has no scientific evidence to support it and a long and bloody history of violence, cruelty, and intolerance. If you don't "buy that … Continue reading Religious Wars