Vocabulary Spelling City Review

We will be using and reviewing Vocabulary Spelling City for the next 30 days, so please check back next month to hear our thoughts on this online educational resource. 

Disclosure:

I've been given a Premium Membership to VocabularySpellingCity.com for a candid, personal, online review.

VocabularySpellingCity helps students study word lists using 25 different learning activities such as Sentence Unscramble, Handwriting Practice,WordSearch, and FlashCards. Parents can create their own spelling lists, find published lists already available on the site, or use any of dozens of free teaching resources on topics such as Synonyms and Figurative Language. Be sure to come back in three weeks to read about my experience.

There might be more free memberships available for bloggers. If you're interested, find out how you can review VocabularySpellingCity.com.

The Truth About Grace- Review

As we have become a bit behind in our expected schedule for book reviews, I have to preface this review with an apology. This book, The Truth About Grace by John MacArthur, has been one of those books that didn't leap off the page to me. Maybe it is the writing style, or possibly the fact that I have listened to Mr. MacArthur on the radio for so many years, but I felt this book just fell flat.

The Truth About Grace is not qualified as a textbook, but was above the standard teaching methodology employed in many pulpits across the world today, as many have rather gone into great depths to provide entertainment and milk teaching rather than getting into the meat of God's truth. It is with this in mind that I admit that I did not learn much about the topic at hand from brother MacArthur, but rather a restating of that which I already knew or believed. I must also admit that this man's teaching on other doctrines, I do have a bit of skepticism in regard to any teaching. Surely this review is not the place to discuss other doctrines, and so I will say shortly that this book is a good read and an encouragement of the grace of God for the average Christian.

We reviewed this book for Booksneeze.com and were provided with a free ecopy  of the book for the purpose of review. As always, you get our honest opinions, the good and the bad. Thanks Booksneeze.com 

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A little encouragement for homeschool moms (and dads)

Recently, Sara picked up a book at the library called "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe" by Todd Wilson. I have always enjoyed the brilliant cartoons offered  by Todd Wilson and his insights regarding homeschooling, especially as a Christian father. This little bundle of encouragement reminds us that part of why we educate our children at home is because we want to help them become who God wants them to be, not to be just like everyone else.

Book Review: Behemoth

Sara and I often read together at bed time, but "Behemoth" was such an exciting read we got to bed late a few nights. Often, we found ourselves reading just one more chapter, as the excitement grew with each turn of events. Following the life of Dr. Stephen Gregory, a science professor and former atheist turned creationist, this thrilling adventure takes the reader into the swamps of Africa to settle the question once and for all whether or not dinosaurs are truly extinct. A second story  is that of Jim Thompson, caretaker of a large game preserve who diligently hunts down a mysterious creature that is killing some of the larger animals in the game preserve.

Delving into the cultural stereotypes against Christians and believers in intelligent design and creation, this book honestly deals with the fact that all scientists have the same evidence available to them and yet a great divide exists between those who approach the facts with faith in God or faith in humanistic philosophy.

Time4learning review

First, I would like to thank www.time4learning.com for the opportunity to review their program for 30 days.  It was a great opportunity for our family and came at a very good time for us as we adjusted to Daddy's new work schedule.  The weather here is still not great most days so it was okay for the kids to be inside.

We set Nathaniel up at 8th grade level to review skills.  Virginia did 3rd grade level for most subjects and I set her for 2nd grade in Math.  This did not matter much as she did not do much math.  Naomi started at 1st grade in all subjects except math which I did K.  I eventually changed Naomi's math level to 1st grade as the K was too easy for her.  She also excelled on certain subjects and moved up to 2nd grade level after completing 1st grade.

This program is a complete curriculum.  Every level we did had Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts.  Virginia loved the Language Arts.  She is a reader and loved learning about point of view, fact versus opinion, and compare and contrast.  Nathaniel focused on Social Studies and Science.  It helped fill in some gaps in his mind of WHEN things occurred.  Naomi hopped back and forth between them all as she really liked the whole program.

Book Review- "Why do you believe that?" by B.A. Berean

A few months ago, we stayed in the home of some new friends. It is always a blessing getting to know brothers and sisters in Christ, and this stay was a special blessing in many ways. We were in Florida for a week, staying with multiple families over the course of our 3 city trip, and we were exhausted already with tired children, also preparing for a move to Maine the upcoming week.  When we arrived at Nathan's home, the hospitality was superb, and the fellowship of Christians was great. A few other families gathered to meet us for dinner as well, adding to the blessing. We were reminded that night that the fellowship of Christians is not limited to those we know well, but any who are brothers and sisters in Christ are instant friends.

As we spoke about our Savior, our families, convictions, about digging deep into God's Word, and the cultural traditions of the American church, even the persecution seen when we break man's rules and tradition in obedience to the Lord's calling on our lives, our host mentioned a book he had that might speak to some of our thoughts and discussions. He had just one copy of this book, Why Do You Believe That? and I read the book at bed time that night.

As a Christian man with deep convictions and a desire to always learn more of God's Word, I of course devoured the book in no time. I finally fell asleep at 3am, though I finished reading hours earlier. I needed to consider the thoughts shared in this book by God's Word (the point of the book) and pray. I had a great time of prayer that night, so lack of sleep didn't seem to matter. I asked if Nathan knew where to get more copies, and he thought the book was out of print, so I was especially blessed recently to find the book listed for sale on Amazon.You can use the link below to buy the book through our store.

Though it was a short read, a mere 148 pages, this book surprised me. It was conversational, gentle, and yet challenging. Along with many other books that have been handed to me over the years, I found this book contained some things that I agreed with immediately, some that I disagreed with, and many more that required further study. I had been led to study marriage and Biblical patriarchy for months as we noticed the demise of the family in our society, and looked forward to finding a book that stood on Biblical truth more than popular opinion. That is precisely the point of this book, though. He asks a lot of questions and will make you think, and though the book is about common misunderstandings about marriage in the Bible, it urges every step of the way that the reader would seek God's Word above all. We need more people who will study God's Word in the church today, and a little friendly debate wouldn't hurt either in my estimation.

The author does not want you to just believe what he says, but rather urges you to study God's Word on the topic at hand and every topic. He urges you to truly "be a Berean" in your approach to knowledge of God's Word, and in so doing shares the fallacies often seen when men neglect context, setting, audience, and other study tools that help us understand God's Word as it was meant to be studied.. He speaks of exegesis, that is taking what is in the text for what it says and seeing what it was intended to say as truth. Many people rather bring their beliefs to the Bible and find some verse or even part of a verse that seems to agree. They might even ignore context, audience, or skip large passages that disagree with their beliefs. We must seek to know what God wants, says, and intends if we are to obey Him and know Him more intimately. If you are not familiar with this term "Berean", you would do well to consider Acts 17:10-15

"The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 

Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as lwell, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left."

We see here what it means when the author calls us to "be Berean" in our approach to knowledge, that is to weigh out the teachings of men comparing them to the Scriptures to check the validity of the information. We see in the following verses of this passage that this truth was contrary to culture and therefore caused persecution for those preaching the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and Savior.

I believe it is important that we seek to extend ourselves beyond the groups of people with which we are comfortable, to listen to differing viewpoints and learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ even when we disagree at times. Truth is truth, and I am not advocating heresy or relativism, just a willingness to see what the Scripture actually says without adding our own assumptions. This is easier said than done to be sure. There are some Scriptures that are clear or at least seem clear depending on the context of our culture. Other passages are difficult to discern with complete certainty, or if we are not careful we miss what is there because we think we already know God's whole counsel on a subject.

Are we reading the Bible to find evidence for our own opinions, or do we truly seek to know God's mind even when it runs contrary to what we believe? This was the problem of the Pharisees, who added laws and traditions to God's Law and then crucified the Lord of glory because they held so tightly to their beliefs that they did not recognize the One who they proclaimed to obey. Are there any sacred cows in your life that you will not hear the voice of the Lord about? Are you adding cultural traditions and long held teachings of men to the Word of God and possibly persecuting those who disagree with you without cause? Can you humble yourself enough to say "I was wrong, please forgive me"

Those that know our family have seen our vehement stance on the authority of God's Word even when it is not popular or forces us to change our own lives to obey new found understanding of God's truth. People have seen our testimony of sacrifice, service, and humility as we seek to honor our Savior in all things. Sadly our views on some things have set us at odds with the majority of Christendom. We have accepted that this type of radical obedience to God has given us many opportunities to encourage others to do the same. This is nothing good of us, but the reflection of Christ in His children by His grace.

We believe in the exegetical approach to God's Word, and strive to see what God actually says rather than try to get the Bible to agree with us or confirm what we already believe. How will we ever have unity in Christ unless we take this approach, to find the original intent of the Author who gave us the book for our edification and training?

This following of the Bible even when opposed to culture (even church culture) has put us in strange situations at times, as we see that in many areas we can have differing views on some subjects as Christians and yet be united. We also must recognize that some things are not ambiguous in God's Word and therefore must not be compromised in any way, shape, or form. How will we know which is which, or what side to take on an issue if we do not give due diligence to the whole counsel of God? I suggest that as a culture we have become apathetic and left it to the preachers and conference speakers to dig out the truth of God's Word. This is not acceptable in a society where we have multiple copies of the Bible in our language in most homes. Shame on us for not picking up that Word of God and cherishing it as the source of wisdom! Shame on us if we neglect the reading and study of the Bible and rather just watch the TV preacher, supposing we have no personal obligation to seek out His truth!

I may take up this thought more in another post, and urge you to consider Romans 14 as I have at length these last few months. That passage has reminded me that I ought not be a stumbling block to others, yet I must obey God even if that is not acceptable to others. These thoughts and many more are contained in this wonderful little book, and I highly recommend reading it. Even if you disagree with some of the points, I believe this book will be a great blessing and perhaps inspire you to dig even deeper into God's Word. 

"Children are a blessing" video FREE viewing in April

We have heard about a video produced by the Moore family called "Children are a Blessing" for some time now. We finally got to watch the video tonight, a 30 minute film that is available until April 30th free online.

Following the lives of this God honoring and faithful Christian family, the film concentrates on the contrast between the modern views of family planning and child bearing. Preventing pregnancy through contraception along with chemical and surgical abortion is challenged in light of God's Word which states without exception that children are a blessing from God. Families like the Moores leave the results of how few or how many children they will have entirely up to the Lord.

You can watch the film online HERE until April 30th. The DVD version of Children are a Blessing
includes much more footage and extras about the family, and is available at the link below through Amazon. As always, your purchases through our links support our family and ministry.

Sara and I enjoyed the film and look forward to seeing more films like these that speak of the sanctity of human life and the blessing that children are. We hope this film challenges folks to consider that God has given us a charge to be fruitful not only in producing children for His glory, but to train those children to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This is not about having as many children as possible, but rather trusting God with the planning of our families. 

Book Review- "Billy Graham in Quotes"

When I saw the offering of this book I was excited. As a Christian man who grew up in some of the most popular televised crusades of Billy Graham's career, this book is pretty much made for a man like me. I am in full time ministry and often find myself wanting the insight of men of God from days gone by. I enjoy quotes from Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, C.S. Lewis, and many more preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The book is well organized with Billy Graham's thoughts and insights on dozens of topics. I especially enjoyed the quotes regarding evangelism, Jesus Christ, and others that mix Scripture with the experience of years walking with and serving the Lord. As I have grown in my knowledge of God's Word and become an evangelist myself, called by God's grace to equip others in sharing the Gospel, I have found that Mr. Graham and I do not agree on all issues. Nonetheless, this book is packed with wisdom from God's Word and you can never go wrong with that.

This book would make a great addition to your nightstand, and could be a good reference for many occasions. I highly recommend it and would welcome additional editions of this book and others like it. Buy your own copy through the link below and support our ministry with your purchases. Thanks you!

We reviewed this book for Booksneeze.com and received a free digital copy of the book for review purposes.

Diversity, mercy, and non-essentials

I found this video this morning and thought it appropriate to share. God has shown us so much in our experiences as we have traveled across the country, and plenty right here at home. Some churches lack diversity of race, while others reject those outside a certain income bracket or preferential acceptance. I was told recently that you cannot build a local church with only poor people, while I have also seen that a church in some areas of our land would welcome those of different skin colors in their midst, yet a black woman would never bring her children to "that white church" who would love to welcome any child of God into their fold. The suppositions and cultural barriers can be broken down, but it will not happen if we remain silent.

We have learned that there is much of God's Word that is very clear, while other portions seem to have a diversity of possible interpretations. While some essential doctrines such as the deity of Christ and the means of salvation are clearly spelled out, still some would pervert God's Word to make salvation a human accomplishment prepared by our works. Some have great convictions before the Lord that they must practice, and then impose these convictions on others without mercy. Sadly, I count myself in that group at times and for that I ask forgiveness. I often fail, and I thank those who have lovingly corrected me seeking restoration rather than wagging the finger back and ruining relationships over misunderstandings. The body of Christ is to be united, yet it seems to be at war so often.

In the course of our experience we have seen white churches, black churches, and socially diverse churches. We have seen poor churches, rich churches, and economically diverse churches. We currently live in a state with almost no racial diversity, and so the churches do not seem on first appearance to be ethnically diverse, yet these would welcome any to come who are called by the name of Jesus Christ. This video may be more appropriate in content with specific cultures and regions, yet it sparked within me a desire to see like Christ sees.

In recent days, we have seen that our culture rejects many Biblical traditions, and even some Biblical commands. Many churches are equally guilty of judging without knowledge and forcing people to take sides in non-essentials. Many churches will argue over the color of the carpet in a meeting hall while others sit around a fireplace in a home that barely fits the occupants in seats at all, with the children spilled out on the floor while they sing and praise the Lord in truth. There are also some that have ornate buildings designated for gatherings of Christians who have the same experience of true worship , while there could be dead tradition even in the home church. The truth will not be found in the surroundings, the background of those gathered, of racial or economical lines, but in the hearts of the worshipers who have been called out from the world for a time in order to worship, pray, have fellowship, to teach and be taught the Word of God. These will reenter the world after a time to reach out with love and mercy, saving others from the fire of God's judgment, in compassion wishing to show the love of Christ rather than the judgment of man.

The traditions of men have no place in the church of God, nor does the fear of following God alone no matter the consequence. Many have been persecuted for their faith and practice of God's Word while others have been cast aside from the fellowship of Christians just for having an opinion. This is not how Christ desires His Bride to be. His heart is hurting when He looks down on His divided Bride, the disjointed body in which the hand says to the foot "I have no need of you" and so the body of Christ is often failing to accomplish all the Father prepared for it to do. Will we walk away from our own ideas and suppositions, preferences and comfort zones, to follow Christ, or will we make our own ways higher than His ways?

Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Pray for wisdom and guidance as we seek to do His will outside denominational boundaries. May we act and speak what we say we believe.

Love and Respect Experience Devotional - Review

We didn't plan for this, but today seems like good timing to do our book review of
"The Love & Respect Experience: A Husband-Friendly Devotional that Wives Truly Love"  by Emerson and Sara Eggerichs. My wife and I have never been too excited about holidays, and like to think that we express our love to one another often enough and well enough that we don't need a holiday to remind us. That being said, many folks do enjoy having a special day to celebrate, so if you are one that likes to give gifts we would suggest that you might enjoy this devotional book.

Sara and I have been reviewing this book from Booksneeze.com, having received a free e-copy for our Kindle for PC. As we recently watched the Love and Respect DVD series with a small group at our church, many of the principles and concepts were fresh in our mind. Some of the things learned during the DVD series have already begun to take root in our lives and the Lord has brought blessings from our understanding of Biblical principles and practical knowledge. We are learning together, and we praise God for our the materials along with our wonderful friends who introduced us to Love and Respect. 

The devotional is, in my opinion, true to the title. It is husband-friendly and my wife also loved it. With short devotionals that open up topics of discussion, we found it best to read the devotionals together. The author suggests that it may be well for husbands and wives to read separately, but our preference has always been to read things together and discuss. I believe either way would be beneficial, but as it is a marriage devotional it seems to make sense to spend this time together talking about your marriage and how you can work together to build it up in Christ. 

The Kindle version seemed especially appropriate, as folks tend to spend a little time before bed reading. This relaxed and uplifting material seems quite appropriate to read before bed, as making other time during the day or even once a week other than in the evening for us tends to become neglected, rushed, or muddled with the chaos of having 4 children in the house. We have enjoyed so far all the materials produced by Love and Respect Ministries and look forward to learning more about ourselves and our relationship as we practice the principles of God's Word and this material.

The link above is for the Kindle version, which is cheaper. That is what we preferred, using Kindle for PC which is free from Amazon. To buy a printed copy, use our Affiliate search tools in the right column of this blog. Thank you for supporting our ministry through your regular purchases. 

Hitler, God, and the Bible- the book behind the "180 movie"

The book "Hitler, God, and the Bible" was released today from Living Waters and Ray Comfort. You can buy your copy in our Amazon Store and through Christianbook.com links in the right column. I hope you continue to spread the word about the 180 movie and help inform people about the atrocity of abortion in our country and around the world.

In Hitler, God, and the Bible, international evangelist and best-selling author Ray Comfort, exposes Adolf Hitler's theology and abuse of religion as a means to seize political power and ultimately instigate World War II and genocide.

This fascinating study mines the depths of Hitler's beliefs and convincingly argues that without Hitler's misuse of Christianity, the Third Reich would not have had its legendary rise, resulting in the deaths of more than ten million innocents.

Highlighting Hitler's youth, his influences, and his path to seducing a nation, Hitler, God, and the Bible is a fresh, stinging reminder of the power of the cross and how its misuse led to the Final Solution.

"Jesus Freaks" book review.... by Virginia

We have owned a copy of "Jesus Freaks: Martyrs- Stories for those who stood for Jesus: the ultimate Jesus Freaks" by Voice of the Martyrs and DC Talk for quite some time. While Sara and I have read the book together and separately, the major use of this book has been by our children. Nathaniel has read most of the stories, but Virginia is usually found in possession of the book. Virginia is going to be 9 years old in May, but starting reading the stories of martyrs for Christ well over a year ago. She loves to read the stories over and over again, and seems to have a good understanding of what the cost of following Jesus Christ is really about.

Here is Virginia's unedited review of the book "Jesus Freaks":

I love the book Jesus Freaks. My favorite story is "Her Last Prayer". It is about a 17 year old girl in China. In an under ground church one time in the middle of the meeting about 10 cops broke in. 1 of the cops went to the pastor and asked for his bible. Amazingly the pastor gave him the bible his prized possession. the cop threw the bible at his feet. and said spit on this book of lies or else you will be shot. The rest of the cops blocked the door. Then the cop called up a man. The man spit only a little but it was enough. Then a woman came up and spit and she was allowed to go. Then a young girl came up and took her dress and wiped off the spit and prayed for them. The cop shot the girl.

I think this review from Virginia says about all that needs to be said. I know many may not like the musical style of DC Talk, while others will be taken on a trip down memory lane watching this video, but we had to include it. The song "Jesus Freak" speaks of the life of John the Baptist who was rejected by men, but was called by God to live a sanctified life, preparing the way of the Lord Jesus Christ, and who would lose his life for speaking boldly of sin, righteousness, and judgement. 

Buy the book from our links in the right column or the direct link below. Your shopping from Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Vision Forum all support our family ministry. Thank you for your support.

Jesus Freaks: Martyrs By dc Talk & the Voice of the Martyrs / Bethany House With life-changing impact, dc Talk's first book, Jesus Freaks, has captured the attention of Christians of all ages with its stories of Christian martyrs who took a stand for Christ against the culture of their day. Re-released as Jesus Freaks: Martyrs, you'll be challenged to examine your own faith and dedication with compelling real-life stories of believers who refused to deny Jesus--even in the face of death.

Book Review: "Tyndale- the man who gave God an English voice" by David Teems

"Tyndale: The man who gave God an English voice" is a book that gives great historical and biographical insight into the world of Christians during the 16th century in England, weaving facts and quotes into a well crafted tale to bring vibrancy to a life that ended nearly five centuries ago. Well known for his intellect and integrity before God, William Tyndale surely is a great subject for such an in depth book as this is. From the major players to those behind the scenes, each character is developed with great depth and gives more than a sense of knowledge, but adds in the senses of sight, taste, and touch to such characters as Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII, and even the dark strength of Thomas More. Heroes and villains come to life in the pages of David Teems writing.


The author draws you to more than knowledge of the character and life of Tyndale, but makes you feel some of what he must have felt living a life of exile for his beliefs and obedience to God. Abounding with quotes from other works of the period, one could easily become fully immersed in such a tale, even enough to truly feel the fear and trepidation that were the hallmark of William Tyndale's life. 


Though other books have drawn me to feel compassion for the characters and to know more of history, this book digs into the depths of the human soul, to challenge one's perception of long held beliefs that may indeed be more part of church history than the plan God designed the church to be. Taking on issues of power and trust within religious circles, this book is sure to raise a few eyebrows in disgust, and yet the story is evidence that sometimes one must break the mold of what we think we know to find what is truly God's design. A work of art that does true justice to the language of literature lovers, David Teems has left a great impression on this readers to be sure. 


Mark Cowperthwaite


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"To save a life" review... reviewed

I have watched the trailer for "To save a life" as linked by some friends who have used this film as an outreach for unsaved teens and their youth groups alike. "To save a life" was in theaters 2 years ago, and came out on DVD 16 months ago. I have not seen the whole film, yet I felt inclined to write this post as it concerned me so much.

I find it sickening the lengths to which some people will go to try to "be real". This review from Plugged In online sealed the deal that neither I nor anyone I have guidance over will ever watch "To save a life". Reading the youth pastor/screenwriters comments about how he chose to use certain curse words (and hand them to someone else to quote) is disturbing to me. Plugged In often does a good job with movie reviews, but I feel their discernment is in error as they have ended up promoting some seriously sinful activity in the name of reaching people. Says the writer:

"We never really set out to make a Christian film," he says. "We said we wanted to make a film for teenagers that would never set foot in a church but would go to the movies—something that would reach them. … We wanted to make a movie that really mattered, and that empowered students to be able to reach out to their friends."
The Bible clearly states (Romans 1:16) that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. It is not by being relevant, making friends with the world, "being like the world to win the world" (see James 4:4-8) and promoting sinful activity out of one side of your mouth while decrying that Jesus has a better way out of the other side. This is not the Gospel, it is not true to Scripture, and if we want to reach sinners, we might want to examine God's Word for better tactics before venturing into the arena of "To save a life". I know many will argue this point, and I encourage Biblical discussion of this post.

The review writer found a way to promote this movie, but he had to add an awful lot of qualifiers to do so. The "positive elements" section starts out with: Suicide. Sex. Teen pregnancy. Divorce. Drugs. Cutting. Hypocrisy. That didn't do me in, though, as I have been involved in youth ministry for years and know well the issues that many teens and parents deal with in our society. For me, to see a youth pastor writing a script that has two young folks not married to one another taking off clothes, rolling around on the bed together has gone a bit too far. We all know that this type of thing happens, but we don't need to see it, nor encourage people (in this case, they were paid) to engage in such activity. Whether you call it acting or not, the fact is this activity is sinful.

This movie adds to its credit a laundry list of ways to commit suicide, which at the least could lead some viewers to try out such methods that they might not have considered before. Add in a few drunken, stoned, drug dealing pastor's kids and you have the evidence the world is looking for to say that all Christians really are hypocrites at heart. Be sure the world is watching as this film directs people to curse, play-act sex, and more.

From the PI review: [Youth Pastor] Britts says he felt it was important for the party scenes to feel authentic—to show that there's a reason why teens gravitate to them. But he admits they were hard for him to have filmed. "Two or three times in between takes I had to say, 'I have to remind you that this life leads to sorrow,' because they were looking like they were having a lot of fun," he admits. "It was hard for me as a youth pastor to watch, even though I knew they were acting."

The writer seems oblivious to the fact that many youth group kids have not yet been involved in many of these activities, and in a sense he is actually luring them with these things that "they looked like they were having a lot of fun" with. These same Christians will complain that the public schools promote such things, yet they bring kids to church youth meetings to pollute their minds with more sinful, dangerous ideas in an attempt to prove a point. I have been around a while, and never seen something like this turn out for God's glory.

In my years dealing with teenagers, drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, and suicide, I have never once gone to the levels this film does to supposedly help. God's Word, the truth of the Gospel, and the power of the Holy Spirit to change and make new the old, dead sinful man is what will do the job. We don't need more movies about sex, drugs, and suicide. We need more people willing to invest in the lives of teens, to get in the trenches and do the dirty work. We need people like Jesus who loved the unlovely, but who kept Himself from sin in the process. We need more people to live like Christ, parents to do their job in training and nurturing young people, and to hold each other accountable for such things. Some are trying to do this, and they are using the tools promoted by "Christian ministries" while neglecting God's Word on the matters of evangelism, though their desires are pure they are missing the mark by a mile.

We are so scared as a society to offend someone that we are willing to watch their children die in the world to avoid a little pain for ourselves. I have no idea how after reading this review and seeing the trailer, that the review can end with a positive note:

 "The final product is polished, professional and one of the best Christian films I've seen."

At least the reviewer woke up enough to end well with this comment:

And, more significantly, Christian audiences may be legitimately troubled by some of this film's grittier aspects: The language. The drinking. The dope smoking. The cutting. The suicide. And the scene that shows the lead-up to teen sex.

For those who read this blog for my two cents worth, take the time you would have watched this movie and use it praying for God to open a door to reach a teen in crisis. Then, go out and walk through that door, following the pattern of God's Word for reaching the lost. Don't ask the world, don't ask any ministry that promotes sex in order to condemn sex. Don't follow the trends of the modern church, but go back to God's Word and obey what you read.

Evangelism Saturday- 180 movie resources

We think the "180 movie" produced by Ray Comfort and Living Waters is a great tool for sharing the Gospel and dealing with moral relativism. The parallels between Hitler's Germany and abortion are astounding. Since the movie is approaching 2,000,000 views on Youtube, we thought it good to spotlight some related resources for evangelism. You can buy tracts, stickers, and DVD copies of the 180 movie at the Living Waters site 

Buy more than 10 DVDs for just $1 per DVD and give them out. Share the link via business cards, email, Facebook, and more and people can watch free online. This is one of the easiest ways to promote a life honoring, Christ glorifying Gospel message that has the capability of changing our culture completely. The main goal of this film is not to stop abortion or change laws, but to drive people to the truth of God's Word and salvation through Jesus Christ. You can read my previous review on the movie here, but we wanted to share the associated resources today and encourage you to start the new year with proclaiming the Gospel at the front of your mind and actions.

Out of the Comfort Zone review

In "Out of the Comfort Zone", Ray Comfort, founder of Living Waters, chronicles the events that brought him to his current ministry with Way of the Master and Living Waters. Ray's casual, witty, and yet spiritually deep and challenging biography shows the difficult and dangerous situations he has walked through in his desire to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From the inner city park filled with drug dealers to the streets where he preached, you will never be left bored or even able to put this book down. God has protected this man and given abundant fruit from the Gospel proclamation paired with genuine love for those to whom Ray ministers.

My one complaint with Ray Comfort's books is repetition. This book is not terribly repetitious in itself, but if you have read some of Ray's other books, you will find repeated content takes up about 1/3 of the book. Of course, this information is beneficial to consider more than once, as the repetitive sections are largely concerning how best we ought to share the Gospel. I greatly enjoyed the book, getting a look past the "Way of the Master" course and into the daily life of a man on fire for the Lord. I think any Christian would enjoy this book also, and highly recommend "Out of the Comfort Zone".

Below is the Publisher's notes on "Out of the Comfort Zone". Please follow the linked image to purchase the book from Christianbook.com. A portion of your purchases through this link will support our ministry.

Out of the Comfort Zone By Ray Comfort  Most of us have our own "comfort zone"---the place where we feel safe and satisfied. However, circumstances often drive us out from that area in which we feel most comfortable. Such was the case when Ray Comfort found himself being taken 7,000 miles from his homeland in New Zealand, to speak to the daunting residents of the most dangerous part of Los Angeles, California. MacArthur Park was infamous for being the home of murderers, drug addicts, thieves, pimps, prostitutes, and unfortunately, the destitute and homeless. At times, this fast-moving and true-life drama will make your hair stand on end as you enter the dark side of the supernatural. It will also encourage you and lift your faith as you learn how a celebrated Hollywood actor teamed up with Ray Comfort to bring an amazing message to America. Originally published as My Friends Are Dying! and The Power of Darkness. Includes the previously published Miracle in the Making.

Star of Bethlehem Documentary

It was a few years back when we were first introduced to the movie, "The Star of Bethlehem". This wonderful documentary film shares the true life story of an attorney who got serious about his search for the star mentioned in the Bible that led the Magi to Jesus's  home. There are many misconceptions about the Christmas story, and this film deals with a few of them.

The best part in my estimation of this film is how this man took seriously the prophecies of God's Word, and piecing them together with the history of the day, found what he believes is the star that has come to be known throughout the world as "The Star of Bethlehem". You can buy this video on our Resources page or using the linked DVD cover photo below. I hope you find this movie interesting, but more than anything that it draws you to consider the awesome wonder that is God's creation.

The Star of Bethlehem, DVD By Mpower Pictures For centuries, skeptics and seekers alike have pondered the star of Bethlehem. The Bible describes unusual or even impossible astronomical events at Christ's birth. Was it a miracle or mere myth? This compelling DVD - from producer Stephen McEveety ("The Passion of the Christ") - examines Scripture, ancient writings, indisputable astronomical facts and more. Learn nine specific features of the star recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, how it established a date for Jesus' birth and death . . . and its significance for you today! Running time is approximately 65 minutes.

Today's CBD special- WOW Hits 2012

I have not yet figured out how WOW knows the following year's hits, but anywho....

This CD has a lot of the songs that we like to sing along with on the radio. People often ask what kind of music our family listens to, and this CD contains a lot that we like. There are a few songs on every compilation CD set that I don't care for, but the good certainly outweighs the not-so-great on this set. 33 songs for $10.99 is a great price that you won't often see, so grab this up for yourself or as a gift. 

For the record, family favorites on this album include "I refuse" by Josh Wilson, "Jesus Saves" by Jeremy Camp, "Lead me" by Sanctus Real, and "Glorious Day" by Casting Crowns. This Saturday evening, we plan to visit a local church. Eagles Landing Baptist is just down the road, and the church where Mark Hall from Casting Crowns is on staff. We hope to attend their Christmas Eve service Saturday at 5pm.

WOW Hits 2012 By Various Artists / Emi Cmg Distribution Thirty of the year's best pop, rock, contemporary, and worship songs! Includes "Lead Me" (Sanctus Real); "Jesus Saves" (Jeremy Camp); "I Will Follow" (Chris Tomlin); "Everything I Need" (Kutless); "Tonight" (tobyMac); "Stronger" (Mandisa); "Light Up the Sky" (The Afters); "This Is the Stuff" (Francesca Battistelli); "Glorious Day" (Casting Crowns); "You Love Me Anyway" (Sidewalk Prophets); and more. Two CDs.

Cherish today

Many of you may already know the story of Denise Sproul. The wife of author and pastor R.C. Sproul Jr. passed away last night after a battle with cancer. Leaving behind her husband, eight children, and many lives that were changed through her ministry, many across the country are weeping today as they get the news. One of which is Doug Phillip's family, who ministered together often. Doug writes about Denise's impact on his family and especially his wife. Doug writes a cautionary tale of how we ought to cherish each moment with those we love. Read the whole story on Doug's Blog. Below is a short excerpt:

Tonight, stop and take a really good look at your spouse. Next, look at each of your children. Look really, really long and hard. Take a moment and thank God for every whisper of a moment that God has given you with them. Thank God for the little kisses offered, the stories told, the tickles dispensed, the games played, the readings shared, the silent moments cherished, the victories experienced, the losses endured, the kind words presented , the songs sung, the glances exchanged.

Though we never had the chance to meet this precious woman of God personally, we feel like we have had a chance to see her life through the ministry of herself and R.C, as well as the wisdom shared in R.C.'s writing. A book we recently read and highly recommend is "When you rise up" We will be posting a review of this book soon on Sara's blog and our Cowperthwaite Family Resources site.  See our Resources page for a purchase link. 

Through the pain of loss, still we can see a brighter side to this story, in that a child of God has been ushered home, into the presence of her Savior. For this, we shed tears of joy, knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. What a precious promise! We will be praying for the family, especially for R.C. and the children as they prepare for life without Denise, knowing  that the Lord will work mightily for His glory in all things. 

When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling By P & R Publishing Who should teach your children? What should they be taught? What is the goal of education? Drawing on Charlotte Mason's and classical methods and encouraging parents as God's chosen teachers, Sproul offers a biblical approach to learning that defines instruction as discipleship; and its purpose as seeing your children bear fruit, grow in grace, and become more like Christ. 152 pages, softcover from P & R.

Leaving the war zone not leaving service

I remember when my brother was in Iraq. The fear that gripped the hearts of so many friends and loved ones when their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers left their homeland to fight in a foreign land filled with danger and unknown struggles. Being the apolitical type, I don't get terribly involved in the policies of war, nor do I have passionate arguments about who is winning or losing, whose fault it is, or when the troops should come home. Still, I rejoice in knowing the last US troops are leaving Iraq after many years of war, which resulted in the death of many soldiers and civilians alike.

I am not naive enough to believe that there will be no more conflict in Iraq or anywhere else in the world, nor do I think that there are not a hundred more places to which many of these soldiers will be sent. We continue to pray for the soldiers and their families as they serve their country, along with those responsible for leading and making decisions. My oldest brother, Bruce, will retire from the United States Marine Corps on January 13, 2012. Just less than a month from now, this man who has given his life to the protection and service of his country will be without a job for the first time in years. However, leaving the active service does not mean forgetting what you live for. Of all the former service members I have met in my years, I have never met a "former Marine". I am reminded of a friend's grandfather, in his late 80's. Ed still flies a Marine Corps flag at his home, and decorates his vehicle, hat, and much more with the USMC insignia. Ed is not a former Marine, though he served over 60 years ago. Ed is a Marine until the day he dies. 

On a more spiritual note, I don't believe that soldiers for Christ ever really retire either. Sara and I read a book last night written by Jim and Sharon Fleming. This couple served the Lord for years overseas and now live back in the United States. This very helpful book shares how people on the home front can be involved in the work of the Lord, in prayer and correspondence, and many other ways. On the specific side of missions, there are tons of great ideas for your family, small group, or the whole church to put some thought and effort into getting to know the needs of a missionary family. You could take most of these suggestions for encouraging missionaries and also apply them to encouraging soldiers who are far from home

This book is just 64 pages, with quite a few of the chapters/ideas being 2 pages or so, a quick read during your family devotional time. Most of the suggestions in this book, updated in 2009, are either free or very inexpensive to implement, yet can impact lives across the world from the comfort of your home. The publisher's description of the author confirms that a soldier never really retires, as this couple who faithfully served the King of Kings still have a heart for those in current service, and in fact are serving the Lord still today. I might add to the publisher's introduction that Jim and Sharon Fleming will be soldiers and ambassadors for Jesus Christ until the day they die. I pray that each one of us maintains the outspoken loyalty for our Savior that Ed has for the Marines.

An Evening in Mingouwee By Jim Fleming & Sharon Fleming / ECS Ministries Jim's current ministry is that of International Coordinator for Emmaus Correspondence School, a division of ECS Ministries, where he has the goal of seeing these Bible study courses used to give Bible training to even more people around the world. In 2008 they relocated to Dubuque, Iowa from where they continue the international Emmaus correspondence school work with frequent trips overseas. Although their hearts and minds remain on the mission field, they believe that, for the time being, God’s purpose is for them to be close to parents and college-age children.

Buy this wonderful little book by clicking on the book cover above or go to our Resources page. It might change your family's life, and implementing the ideas found within the pages will impact the lives of many others.

We were not paid for the review of this book, nor have we received a free copy of this book. When we review a book that has been offered to us free for purposes of review, we will note that. Our reviews are offered as a free service. If you want to support our family ministry, buying from the above link or any links on our Resources page will earn affiliate revenue for us. For those seeking to send direct support, find our Paypal link in the left column of our blog site. Thank you for your encouragement and fellowship. All glory to God the Father through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.