Fighting

I find myself fighting for faith on Christmas Eve. There's something about heading back to the ole' homestead that brings all of my fears to the surface, namely fear of myself and of my sin, both past and current. Martin Luther has been a source of much encouragement to me today, so here's a Christmas Eve morsel on which to chew. Lord willing, I will post something more original tomorrow.

"Here we have a most pleasing vision not only of communion but of a blessed struggle and victory and salvation and redemption. Christ is God and man in one person. He has neither sinned nor died, and is not condemned, and he cannot sin, die, or be condemned; his righteousness, life, and salvation are unconquerable, eternal, omnipotent. By the wedding ring of faith he shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are his bride's. As a matter of fact, he makes them his own and acts as if he himself had sinned; he suffered, died, and descended into hell that he might overcome them all. Now since it was such a one who did all this, and death and hell could not swallow him up, these were necessarily swallowed up by him in a mighty duel; for his righteousness is greater than the sins of all men, his life stronger than death, his salvation more invincible than hell. Thus the believing soul by means of the pledge of its faith is free in Christ, its bridegroom, free from all sins, secure against death and hell, and is endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of Christ its bridegroom." - On Christian Liberty

Boycotting the Boycott: Part Two

I have yet to see The Golden Compass because I have yet to finish the book (which is quite charming and intriguing through the first 100 pages), but I was astounded by this little statistic I ran across.

Pluggedinonline.com, the media engagement wing of James Dobson's Focus on the Family polled its readers regarding this question - "What have you decided your family's approach will be to The Golden Compass?" I was astonished and appalled by how the votes broke down:

We'll avoid it because of its messages - 71%
We'll avoid it because we're not interested - 14%
We'll see it and discuss its messages - 8%
We'll see it; it's just another fantasy movie - 8%

All I can say is wow. The Christian community can't even rise to engage a children's book? It's at times like these that I am oh so glad that the advance of the Gospel cannot be derailed by our failures, oh so glad.

Francis Ford

I could barely believe my eyes a mere three hours ago, but there it was: a banner add proclaiming that Francis Ford Coppola is releasing a new movie. It's called Youth Without Youth, and I could describe it to you, but seeing is believing so check it out.

John Donne, "A Hymn to God the Father"

I
Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still: though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For, I have more.

II
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin? and, made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year, or two: but wallowed in, a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

III
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thy self, that at my death thy son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, thou hast done,
I fear no more.

Quick Takes: No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men is something special. It's hard to describe a film that waxes philosophical in between gruesome gun violence, amidst the sound of silence. (Only when Llewelyn Moss is awakened by a mariachi band south of the border does melody interrupt the squeaks of floor boards and blasts of shot.) Javier Bardem is chilling as a heartless and proficient killer named Anton Chigurh, and Tommy Lee Jones has never looked more tired as Sheriff Ed Tom Bell. I went into the theater half-expecting some Tarentino-esque showdowns but left with something so much more - an invitation to reflect and ponder about life and how we live it, about darkness and how it must be lit. No Country for Old Men is easily the best film I've seen this year, and I would encourage all my readers to see it.

Sunday (That's My Funday)

The Lord has been drawing my soul near to him recently in corporate worship. I love gathering together with my brothers and sisters at Sojourn, but its a joy that is born from so much more than just good music with good people. The preaching of the word is doing its part in bringing about gospel transformation in my own heart, and in the words of Wesley, the music encourages my soul to "sing lustily." Some days I enter with a heart of joy to worship my savior; some days I enter with my heart weighed down by my sin. Either way, after having encountered God through the preaching and singing of his word, it is a joy to come to the table and receive the body and blood of Christ.

That said, I totally agree with the Bangles.