Thursday, July 28, 2011

Article: Is Church Membership Biblical?

Here's a great article explaining the biblical nature of church membership by Pastor Matt Chandler.  Like him, I grew up in a church context that did not emphasize membership.  I had many of the same questions that he had regarding church membership.  If you aren't committed to a church, this article will gently explain the biblical call to "submit" to a local church.  We don't like commitment in our modern world, but let me say it is a true blessing to belong to a local church.

Link to Pastor Matt Chandler's article.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Words "carry the freight of truth and beauty"

"I love words. I rarely think of them as efficient, but as precious. God made them to carry the freight of truth and beauty. Nothing is more valuable than God’s truth and beauty."  John Piper

 Often in the field of communication you hear that words are "symbolic".  Though this is a true statement, many post-modern thinkers deconstruct this reality to the point of nonsense.  They would argue that words can mean whatever you want them to mean.  Since there is no true reality, you can bend them and shape them any way you want.

Yet, language was created by God to "carry the freight of truth and beauty."  I love how Piper expresses this reality.  You can almost picture the "train" of words traveling out of our mouths loaded with meaning and message.  Regardless of what language you speak, words are connected with the ideas and concepts that represent the way we view the world.

Naturally, we don't know how to speak of "beauty and truth" in a God honoring manner.  The Proverbs say, "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."  As harsh as this sounds, we are all born into sin and fall in the category of "the wicked."  Unfortunately, we don't see ourselves as wicked people.  Thanks to Hollywood, "the wicked" often look like horned creatures with blood dripping from their mouths.  Yet, the Bible clearly teaches "we have all fallen short of the glory of God" and that "none are righteous."  Romans chapter three explains why this is considered "wicked" and "evil" - because "no one seeks God" on their own.  Sure, we are religious and spiritual creatures, but only to the end of pleasing ourselves and not God.

Romans three addresses how this "wickedness" affects our words.
"Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
 This does not mean that someone who does not know Christ does not see and recognize beauty and truth.  It does mean, however, that they fail to see that it comes from God.  As it says in verse 11, "No one understands; no one seeks for God." 

The Christian does not arrogantly state that only we can see "beauty and truth", however, by God's grace, we are able to give God the glory for such things.  We seek to load our words with meaning and understanding that honors God.  Do we always succeed in doing so?  Unfortunately, we don't.  But when our words "fall short of the glory of God" and are derailed, we should quickly look to the "author and finisher" of our faith for forgiveness and direction.  He is the source of all good things - even words.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Article: How the drugs of the 60s changed art

I haven't read all of this yet, but it looks interesting. 

Article Link

Slamdance Trailer Contest

The Slamdance Film Festival (yes, I used to work for the festival) has launched a new contest to help develop their new trailer for next year's event.  You must submit your "pitch" by August 31, 2011.  The winning idea will be turned into a one minute trailer that will play before each movie at the festival in January.  You will also receive a year’s supply of Good Health Natural Foods products.

For more information, click here.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Article: Find Your Creative Groove

Find Your Creative Groove - Todd Henry - Harvard Business Review

This is a great article focused on how to generate creative ideas and a challenge for myself - set aside time to develop ideas.

I'm Back!

Well over two and a half years ago I stopped blogging.  I'm not sure why I stopped.  Part of it was due to the fact that my family and I went through a rough year.  Several close family members died.  I changed jobs.  We bought a house.  Then we had a new baby.  We were busy with life.

Through it all, the Lord was faithful to watch over us.  We never lost our hope in Christ and we could honestly say we "rejoiced with hope" that he was being glorified.

Nevertheless, I stopped writing.

I also think there was another reason.  I began to use Facebook back in the summer of 2008.  I have to admit I like Facebook.  I know there is a lot of discussion as to the benefits of social networking.  I believe it is a tool and like any tool it can be used for good or bad.  I think for the most part, I've used it well.

That said, I limited myself to the world of what I will call "status update blogging".  You often have instant feed back and you don't have to spend a lot of time writing.  But I am a writer and I am itching to write more than my status update will allow me to do.

I also want to be able to find articles and video links that I post.  On Facebook, these links are quickly lost due to the constant strata being developed by each update.  I believe my blog will allow me to archive these things so I can find them for future use.  I also want them to be a resource for my readers (especially my students).

So, I'm back!