Peace And Reconciliation

When the US Civil War ended in 1865, more than half a million soldiers lay dead, the economy was shattered, and people remained deeply divided politically. The observance of Mother’s Day in the United States began with two women’s efforts for peace and reconciliation during this time of anguish. In 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for an International Mother’s Day on which women would unite in opposing war in all its forms. A few years later, Anna Reeves Jarvis began her annual Mother’s Friendship Day in an effort to reunite families and neighbors alienated by the war. There is always great suffering when friends and families are fractured and unwilling to forgive.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings the promise of peace and reconciliation with God and with each other. When Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive a brother who sinned against him (Matt. 18:21), the Lord surprised everyone with His answer of “seventy times seven” (v.22). Then He told an unforgettable story about a servant who had received forgiveness and failed to pass it on (vv.23-35). As God freely forgives us, so He requires that we extend what we have received to others.

Diambil dari : http://odb.org/2011/05/07/peace-and-reconciliation/

The Wise Ant

Every year I do something special to celebrate the arrival of spring —I buy ant traps. Those little invaders continually march into our kitchen in search of any crumb left on the floor. They aren’t picky; a shard of potato chip, a grain of rice, or even a speck of cheese will do.

Although ants may be a nuisance, Solomon praised them for their steadfast work ethic (Prov. 6:6-11). He pointed out that ants are self-directed. They have “no captain, overseer, or ruler” (v.7), yet they are very productive. The ants also keep busy even when it’s not immediately necessary, providing supplies in the summer and gathering food in the harvest (v.8). By the time winter arrives, they’re not worried about what they will eat. Little by little, these hard workers have saved up enough to sustain themselves.

We can learn from the ant. When God gives us times of plenty, we can prepare for times when resources may be low. God is the provider of all that we have, including our ability to work. We are to work diligently, be wise stewards of what He has provided, and then rest in the promise of His care.

Diambil dari : http://odb.org/2011/05/06/the-wise-ant/

Time To Pray?

One morning, when I was a young child, I was sitting in the kitchen, watching my mother prepare breakfast. Unexpectedly, the grease in the skillet in which she was frying bacon caught fire. Flames shot into the air and my mother ran to the pantry for a bag of flour to throw on the blaze.

“Help!” I shouted. And then I added, “Oh, I wish it was time to pray!” “It’s time to pray” must have been a frequent household expression, and I took it quite literally to mean we could pray only at certain times.

The time to pray, of course, is any time—especially when we’re in crisis. Fear, worry, anxiety, and care are the most common occasions for prayer. It is when we are desolate, forsaken, and stripped of every human resource that we naturally resort to prayer. We cry out with the words of David, “Help me, O Lord!” (Ps. 70:1).

John Cassian, a 5th-century Christian, wrote of this verse: “This is the terrified cry of someone who sees the snares of the enemy, the cry of someone besieged day and night and exclaiming that he cannot escape unless his Protector comes to the rescue.”

Diambil dari : http://odb.org/2011/05/05/time-to-pray/

Two Words

In the annals of US advertising history, one of the most efficient slogans ever is the California milk producers’ two-word question, “Got milk?” With that phrase, the group captured almost everyone’s attention. In surveys, the slogan was recognized by more than 90 percent of the people polled.

If “Got milk?” is so good at reminding people to drink “cow juice,” perhaps we can create some two-word slogans to remind ourselves to live more godly lives. Let’s turn to James 4 and try it. This passage gives four specific guidelines.

1. Give in! Verse 7 tells us to submit to God. Our sovereign God loves us, so why not let Him run the show? Submission helps us resist the devil. 2. Get close! Verse 8 reminds us of the value of drawing near to God. It’s up to us to close the gap between us and God. 3. Clean up! Verse 8 also reminds us to make sure our hearts are clean. That happens through confessing our sins to God. 4. Get down! James says we need to be humble before God (v.10). That includes viewing our sin as something to weep over.

Give in! Get close! Clean up! Get down! These pairs of words may not look as good on a T-shirt as “Got milk?” But they sure will look good on us.

Diambil dari : http://odb.org/2011/05/04/two-words/

Never Alone

Having played intercollegiate soccer, I’ve never lost my love for “The Beautiful Game.” I especially enjoy watching the English Premier League. One reason is the skill and speed with which the game is played there. Also, I love the way the fans sing in support of their beloved “sides.” For instance, Liverpool has for years had “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as its theme. How moving to hear 50,000 fans rise as one to sing the lyrics of that old standard! It’s an encouragement to players and fans alike that together they will see each other through to the end. Walk alone? Never.

This sentiment has meaning for everyone. Because each of us is made for community, isolation and loneliness are among the most painful of human experiences. During painful times, our faith is vital.

The child of God never needs to fear abandonment. Even if people turn on us, friends forsake us, or circumstances separate us from loved ones, we are never alone. God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). This is not just a nice tune or clever lyrics offering an empty sentiment. It is the promise of God Himself to those who are the objects of His love. He is there—and He isn’t going away.

Diambil dari : http://odb.org/

At Precisely '2:22' Armie Hammer Joins a New Psychological Thriller

With his recent casting in high profile projects like The Lone Ranger and The Brothers Grimm: Snow White, the future is looking even brighter for The Social Network star Armie Hammer. Now a new project with the actor attached will be looking for buyers at the Cannes Film Festival later this month. Risky Biz reports Hammer is attached to star in 2:22, a psychological thriller from director Paul Currie, co-founder of Lightstream Pictures which is also behind the project. The story focuses on an air traffic controller named Dylan who is given a jolt when he narrowly avoids causing a mid air collision between two passenger planes.

Caused by a mysterious blinding light that happened at 2:22 in the morning, these strange occurrences continue and lead Dylan to meet Sarah, with whom he feels inexplicably linked. Together the two discover uncanny similarities with their current predicament and a double murder committed a generation ago. With a grim fate looming, Dylan must solve the mystery of 2:22 to preserve a love whose second chance has finally come. Sounds a little hokey, but with Hammer attached, maybe the Todd Stein and Nathan Parker scripted project can get picked up at Cannes. If all goes well, production will start this fall in Australia. After thoroughly enjoying Hammer's double duty performance in The Social Network, I'm looking forward to seeing how his career blossoms even more.

Diambil dari : http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/at-precisely-222-armie-hammer-joins-a-new-psychological-thriller/

Barry Levinson Replaces Nick Cassavetes as Director on 'Gotti' Biopic

Initially, we heard Nick Cassavetes was going to be at the helm of a biopic about reformed criminal John Gotti Jr. and his mobster father, the late head of the Gambino crime family. Then January brought news of John Travolta playing the senior Gotti followed by the casting of Joe Pesci and Lindsay Lohan last month. But just recently, director Nick Cassavetes was forced to exit the film, which has been titled Gotti: Three Generations, due to scheduling issues with his indie drama Yellow. Now Variety reports director Barry Levinson (You Don't Know Jack, Rain Man) will replace Cassavetes as the director of this biopic.

As the title suggests, the story follows three generations of the Gotti family with an emphasis on the relationship between Gotti Sr. and his son, who chooses to turn his back on the mob code he grew up around. Pesci is playing Gotti deputy Angelo Ruggiero, and while we initially heard Lohan was playing Victoria Gotti, she will instead be playing the younger Gotti's wife Kim Gotti. Apparently this is the first time any member of the crime family has agreed to have their story told on the big screen. It's certainly a strange assembly of talent, so count me at least intrigued for now.

Diambil dari : http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/barry-levinson-replaces-nick-cassavetes-as-director-on-gotti-biopic/