Monday, November 9, 2009

A Christmas Carol Review

My wife and I went to see Jim Carrey's new movie, A Christmas Carol, this weekend. We saw it in 3D. It's been a long time since I saw the original Scrooge movie so I couldn't remember all the details of what was suppose to happen. I am a big fan of Jim Carrey so I was pretty excited to see this one.

This was also the first movie I had seen in 3D without those goofy paper glasses on; I can't stand those things.

The movie started off with some unbelievable graphics that can't help but get your attention. They are awesome! Everything looks so real with the 3D version. Snow is flying and you catch yourself dodging some of the snow flakes. Once the opening scenes are finished and it gets into the story, it immediately starts going downhill.

The dialect is hard to hear and understand. I can't imagine a kid under 15 or so understanding 3/4 of what is said throughout the movie. It's written very proper and it's sad to say, but I'm sure that most people don't understand it. I regularly read the King James Bible so it was a little easier for me to understand, but it was hard to hear nonetheless.

The movie was very dark and had a few creepy parts, but the graphics made it worth watching. It's definitely not a kids movie; not because there is foul language or anything like that, it's just really hard to hear and understand. I don't know if they marketed this movie to kids, but it's NOT a kids movie. Also, I don't think it would be worth watching if not in 3D either.

So, to say the least, I was very disappointed with the movie. It didn't have any of Jim Carrey's humor. The storyline was good and I thought it followed the original like I remembered. I also thought it had a great Christmas sermon idea behind it.

First you have the sinner...

Then you have the visit...

and last, you have the change...

It's a great Christmas sermon idea and Here is an example from one of my favorite preachers.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Fort Hood Massacre By Muslim Psychiatrist

Today is truly a sad day in America. Another example of the vicious religion of Islam! If you need a sermon idea for this Sunday, why not preach on this "peace loving" Muslim who mowed down 12 people? Sickening!


Army major kills 12 soldiers, wounds 31in mass shooting at Texas military base

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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Speaking Out Against Government Policies

Anybody that knows me, knows I like to voice my opinion on issues that effect America. As a Christian it's very hard to set back and see laws endorsing homosexual marriage, abortion and other sin enforced in what is suppose to be a Christian nation.

I've recently had a change of heart after listening to a gospel sermon that will effect how I conduct myself concerning these matters. The pastor preached that we should pray for our leaders even if they are ungodly, they are ordained by God himself, to rule. He even mentions that in Isaiah, God used an ungodly king as judgment upon the people.

Instead of fighting against government and trying to get new laws passed, or protesting laws that as conservatives we believe will destroy our country, we need to spread the gospel more. The pastor used the example of Paul in Acts 19 when Paul preached the gospel so much that it changed the hearts of the people and they simply didn't want to worship the idol. It's a great story.

Sometimes we think that we only need to obey and be subject to leaders if they are the "good guys", but in fact when Paul wrote in Romans that we are to be subject to our leaders, Nero was king! That man was killing Christians just for preaching. Evil, wicked, Nero.

Proverbs (my favorite book) 21: 1 says that God has the hearts of the kings in His hand and he controls how they go. So, it's our jobs to pray for them even when we don't agree with them. Let's stop talking about how awful they are and start spreading the gospel. If you would like to listen to that gospel sermon that changed my heart the exact same way that the preacher says it will change the heart of the wicked, just click on play below.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Explanation of all-powerful 'nothing' hits it big

This is great! If you have never heard or read of Ray Comfort, you are in for a treat. He teaches how to witness using the ways of the Master. I haven't got to read this book yet, but I will soon and have a review for you all.


Comfort's discourse on atheists' beliefs now No. 1

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Friday, September 25, 2009

sermonideasblog@gmail.com has shared something with you

http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=110948

P.S. This message was sent by sermonideasblog@gmail.com via AddThis.com. Please note that the sender's email address has not been verified.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Pastor Sermons

Is this really happening in America? This was suppose to be a day about what the kid liked or "was about", but the school district and judges decide what that is. There has to be some pastor sermons in here somewhere, no?

Supremes urged to review 'kindergarten cop' case

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Monday, September 7, 2009

Prominent Democratic Strategist Slams Creationists on CNN—Mentioning Creatio...

Ken Ham has a GREAT sermon series DVD set on his website store

http://www.answersingenesis.org/PublicStore/product/Answers-with-Ken-Ham-12-part-DVD-series,4722,229.aspx

Worth every penny. I'm sure the James Carvilles of the world have never seen such powerful proof of creationism. If only Mr. Carville would take the time to read 2 Peter chapter 3. Most of us hear about "Bible Stories" in our Sunday School classes, but I think it's time to get serious about the teaching of God's creation. It is the foundation of everything we believe as Christians.

So, get in the Word, get the DVD set above (I have no ties to Answers in Genesis and go no money from you buying that set) and teach your congregation the truth! The facts are on our side. God Bless.

The international news network CNN describes James Carville as a “prominent Democratic strategist.”

He’s largely credited with getting President Bill Clinton elected in 1992 through his key strategic planning, and is maybe best known as the former host of CNN’s “Crossfire” program and as a frequent guest on CNN’s “Situation Room” (where I once appeared in May 2007). He is also the husband of Republican strategist Mary Matalin.

Carville often pops up on political talk shows on TV. That was the case Friday in the Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees program on the 4th of September. Carville slammed creationists—mentioning our Creation Museum. Erica Hill, CNN anchor, conducted this program as Anderson Cooper was on assignment. As part of the program, Hill interviewed Carville concerning President Obama’s planned back-to-school speech
later this week. Here are excerpts from that interview where creationists and the Creation Museum are specifically referred to by Carville:

The truth of the matter is, they have got people in this country that don’t believe that Obama was born in the United States. There have got people in this country that believe that the Earth is 5,000 years old, all right? There’s nothing that you can do about that. You have to live with it. They have to go on. To the children that want to sit there, this is a man that’s sort of a testament to what education can do for somebody. His mother read to him at 4:30 in the morning. He is a highly educated person. He can talk to kids. He can talk. He might be able to connect with a lot of kids that don’t — do that, and, if you feel compelled to keep your kid out of school, I mean, it is a free country, keep your kid out of school. But you cannot run a country based on birthers and creationists. You have to run a country based on trying to inspire kids. And that’s what these guys have got to learn to do.

HILL: Tony [Blankley; a columnist with the Washington Times], in terms of keeping kids home from school, if you could give me a yes or no, do you think it is a good idea? And, if you are going to keep kids home from school, what should the lesson be that parents are giving their children that day, in terms of a civics lesson?

BLANKLEY: Look, I think every parent has to make their own decision as to—as to why they’re—what they want to do.

Keeping your kid out of school and on the first day is a big deal. On the other hand, a parent has a right to protect their children from anything they don’t want to have. And, sometimes, parents keep them from sex education and other stuff. That’s a family’s decision. It’s not mine and it’s not the government’s.

HILL: James, would it be easier—the White House has said now that it will release a copy of the speech online on Monday, so parents can review it ahead of time before school starts.

CARVILLE: Well, I think they are, yes.

HILL: No, they are.

CARVILLE: My understanding is, is that they are.

HILL: But should they have done it sooner. They are. They have confirmed that. But should they have done it sooner, say, yesterday?

CARVILLE: Well, look, in retrospect—in retrospect, you should have anticipated—again, this is a country that people believe that—these people believe Obama wasn’t born in the United States. They believe the Earth is 5,000 years old. [Actually, over 6,000 years old—KH.]

A parent has every right to take their kid to the Creation Museum in Kentucky. I don’t—that is a right. But this is something that we have got to live with in the United States. And I don’t guess the administration saw this coming. And, in hindsight, could they have done this or that? That’s fine. And people have a right to keep their children home.

But I think we would be better off if we sort of believed in what facts were and we had some kind of appreciation of what the scientific method was in this country. But, hey, you know, think what you want.

Not only is the Democratic strategist slamming people who believe in creation, but he is obviously mentioning the Creation Museum with a negative connotation. Carville is insinuating that if one is intelligent, one would not believe in creation and would not send their children to the Creation Museum.

It is ok for such secularists to tell children that children can be killed in the womb (abortion) if it’s a woman’s choice to do so. It is ok to tell children they are just animals resulting from re-arranged pond scum and therefore there is no purpose or meaning to life—but then also inconsistently condemn school violence/drugs etc.

We need to pray much for this country and for the hearts of the leaders of this nation—as well as those in the media spotlight.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying

Ken

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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Labor Day Sermon Ideas | WHY GOD WILLS WORK

Awesome blog post today about working. This would actually be a great sermon series and much needed in this time and day.

via Grace Bible Fellowship by Grace Bible Fellowship on 9/1/09
"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." (1 Thess. 4:10-12).
"A bad day at fishing is better than a good day at work" -- catchy bumper sticker but don't believe it. Choose the good day at work anytime; it's an important part of how God gives you meaning and value. When we're first introduced to God, we find Him busy creating out of nothing, shaping the formless into form and filling the void with living creatures. He calls what He does a four letter word -- work (Gen. 2:2-3), and He places Adam in the garden to do the same (Gen. 2:15). A few truths about work for you to remember this Labor Day:

First, work is not the same as having a job or simply putting forth effort. If that was the case, then the unemployed would lose their identity and the effort of the thief would maintain his. Work is the creating of value out of what is "formless and void" -- crops from the ground, meals from ingredients, houses from materials, learning from teaching, etcetera. And value is defined not only by the marketplace, but by God Himself, which is why no one should ever think he is called to "retire" from work -- maybe from a job, but never from work, which is an important way we honor God and increase our joy (Eccl. 5:19). Regardless of our age there is always work to be done in God's vineyard -- even if it's simply praying from a wheelchair in a nursing home.

Second, work is meant to sustain our lives and the lives of others. Before Adam fell he never had to work for his food -- it literally "grew on trees." But afterwards, the garden gave way to the field, the sustaining fruit to the harvested crops, the naming of animals to wearing them. No work, no eat (2 Thess. 3:10) -- regardless of the age, which meant that hands that became weak depended on hands that weren't -- an opportunity for ministry (Eph. 4:28) and testimony (1 Tim. 5:8).

Lastly, work is meant to attract the lost to the gospel. How a person works -- the integrity of an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, the sensitivity to not be a financial burden to others (1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8-9) -- speaks to the heart of the lost working man. Every Christian, like those who are deaf, must learn to "speak with his hands" if the gospel is to be received. Wanting something for nothing not only retards gospel progress, but is an excommunicable offense to the hard-working apostle (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

When God really "rolled up His sleeves," it wasn't at creation but at the cross -- a work so great that it caused all other labors to cease -- a testimony to the hands of a man not with blisters for his efforts, but holes. A labor that will sustain lives for all eternity.

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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Christmas Sermon Ideas Challenge

Here is a great article I got from gospel.com's blog. It's a great opportunity to reach out to our communities and help. For those of you out there that spend hours and hours online playing video games, now is your chance to actually put some of your skills to use.

The Challenge:

Pick a day of the week when you don't have anything planned and commit to serving your community, church, school, etc. Take 2 hours of the 168 hours that are in a week, to help and serve. Just do until Christmas. If you want to go longer, great!

Be a living Christmas sermon, a doer, not just a listener. What says 'saved' better than living a life of service because we are so thankful to our Saviour? So, go out and witness.

via The Gospel.com Blog by Andy on 8/31/09

Could your internet knowledge make a difference in your local community? The Mozilla Foundation, the organization behind the Firefox web browser, has declared September 14-21 Mozilla Service Week. The idea is simple: during that week, we all look for concrete ways that internet knowledge or skills can be put to work in the service of our local communities.

Here are some of the examples they provide:

  • Teach senior citizens how to use the Web.
  • Show a non-profit how to use social networking to grow its base of supporters.
  • Help install a wireless network at a school.
  • Create Web how-to materials for a library’s computer cluster.
  • Refurbish hardware for a local computer center.
  • Update a non-profit organization’s website.
  • Teach the values of the open Web to other public benefit organizations.

As you can see, you don’t have to be an expert coder or a seasoned computer engineer to help out.

I think this is a wonderful idea—and easily translatable into a ministry environment. Who do you know in your community who could use some internet-related help? What local ministries or organizations could you help by donating a few hours of time upgrading software or training their staff? If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you have the skills to help a person or organization in your community in some way.

I note that UrbanMinistry.org has already jumped on this—take a look at their virtual volunteer opportunities, and think about how you or your church might get involved in a virtual service project this September.

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Monday, August 31, 2009

Youth Sermon Ideas - Shocking!

Youth Sermon Ideas - In my opinion this is the best youth sermon that I have ever heard. Paul Washer has a way on contrasting what we hear from most preachers today and what the Bible says. Listen here...

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sermon Ideas | Is God Holy, Or Should We Wear Tank Tops And Flip-Flops?


Today in church, we took part in The Lord's Supper. I have always believed it to be a very special and holy occasion. Somehow though, I do believe that the church in whole is beginning to fade from that way of thinking. The deacons serving the crackers and grape juice (that symbolize Christs body and blood shed on the cross for our sins), were wearing Hawaiian shirts! I thought it was very inappropriate to say the least.

The last time I checked, you can't even go before an American judge wearing shorts and flip-flops; how much more sacred should we hold going in front of the maker of all creation as his servants? Maybe I'm just being a little picky, but I thought it was disrespectful and shouldn't be a regular practice of church deacons.

Romans 12 starts off with Paul begging the church to present itself as holy... and not to conform to this world; yet I couldn't tell this morning whether the deacons were there to serve God or hop on a plane for vacation. Nowadays, Christians seem to think that Jesus is our bud who is just hanging out in heaven waiting for us to come hither so he can give us a big hi-five. Just listen to today's 'Christian' music; God is our homie that wants to give us everything our little hearts desire.

I get a different picture when I actually read the Bible. I remember God telling Moses to remove his shoes, for he was on Holy ground. Sacred. I remember reading about how the temple was set up and if the high priest entered and wasn't clean - HE DIED!!! It was serious business to come before the Lord. Jesus changed some of the ceremonial laws, but His Holiness will never change.

I remember Peter, James and John (probably a little closer to the Lord than you or I) falling on their faces because they saw the holiness of God's glory when He transfigured before them. And here we are shuck'n and jive'n in our Hawaiian shirts instead of at least a shirt and tie. What's next, tank tops and flip-flops? Shame on us.

So, you want some sermon series ideas? How about the Holiness of God?

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Schwarzenegger wants your 'thoughts' on 'gay' day

There has been a lot in the news lately about homosexuality. Last week it was the controversial issue of Lutherans voting to permit homosexuals to serve as clergy. This week, the Governator wants to hear your thoughts on 'gay' day. If you are looking for sermon ideas, I'm sure there are plenty in these two stories.

Harvey Milk dubbed 'sexual predator,' 'public liar' while lawmakers seek to honor him

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Thursday, August 27, 2009

Faceoff! Cops versus preachers on public sidewalk

So you need a sermon idea for Sunday, eh? Here is a good one...

Christians arrested 7 times for signs declaring homosexuality a sin

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Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sermon Ideas

One complaint heard most often from pastors is where to get sermon ideas. A study showed that most pastors only put 3-5 hours of study per week, into their sermons. Pastors get caught up in other duties and forget what they are called to do; preach the gospel.

There is a lot of stress in teaching the Bible and being well read is only one of the requirements. Getting fresh sermon ideas can be difficult when there is a lot on your plate. I read that using the analytical side of your brain to study and learn information doesn't jive with the creative side of the brain too well.

Sometimes we need to take a step back, and let our minds turn to mush to switch from the logical, analytical type of thinking to the creative. A couple things to help with this may be simply reading through a magazine, or a couple of them. Read the sales ads, sounds weird but it works. It takes your mind off of the logical thinking used when studying and putting a sermon together and switched to a more creative setting.

Another thing to do for sermon ideas is let somebody else find fresh topics for you, then use your logical mind to do what you do best. I started Sermon Ideas just for this purpose. Feel free to check it out if you need help finding fresh ideas for your sermons.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Intro

Proverbs 6:6-
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

My name is Anthony and the scripture above is the basis of my blog. "My ways" are based upon the Bible so therefore, consider my ways so that you can be wise. I plan on tackling current events with a biblical perspective and mixing it with some humor.

Hope you all enjoy my ramblings.