The Tomatometer’s Top 10 Recent Faith-Based Movies
Christian cinema has sometimes struggled to find mainstream acclaim, but a new wave of Faith-based films is surging in quality and winning over popular critics.
Developing a Ministry of Encouragement
I don’t remember deciding I would develop a ministry of encouragement, but I do remember well the beginning of my understanding of what it meant to be encouraged. It is a memory that goes back to a rocking chair my grandmother had in her kitchen on a farm in Tennessee, a rocker I still have in my own home. I remember sitting in her lap as she rocked me many times for several years until I was old enough that my feet dragged the floor.
Maybe It's Not False Assurance
The breeze is blowing, and I feel it against my skin. It doesn’t move through me but past me, around me. Then, the feeling of the air blowing my hair and the gentle push and pull on my limbs subsides. It’s leaving as quiet as it’s coming. Where does it go, and to where does it return?
The Lord of the Rings and Redemptive Art
‘Lord of the Rings’ holds out a distant but profound hope of complete renewal and joy. You have to read very carefully, but mainly in the songs and poems, we learn about a future consummation in which “the world is mended” and about reunions at a distant day when “the lands that lie under the wave are lifted up again” and they “may meet in the Spring.”
The Ground Beneath is Holy
The birds are too quiet for me to hear, with the nearby rush of traffic ... But I feel their song, the declaration of all creation: I am here; we are all here; all that is here belongs.
An Interview with Dallas Willard
People who say they trust Jesus as Redeemer and do not bend every effort to obey him are self-deceived. They do not trust him. They trust some story about him.
You Will Get Unstuck. Me, Too.
Jesus loves us too much not to help us face our disordered attachments, our coping mechanisms and addictions. So, to stay at his side, to match his stride, we must begin to face our deep hurts.
Rainer Maria Rilke: A Spiritual Journey By Poetry
While not explicitly Christian in his writings, Rilke’s poetry and prose delve into the depths of human existence, touching on themes of spirituality, love, and our relationship with God. His work continues to offer readers a unique perspective on the human condition, encouraging them to explore their own faith and understanding of God in new and profound ways.
Swallow Your Pride And Tell The Truth — About Everything
If you become honest, yeah, you’ll lose some friends. There are folks who don’t want to associate with the imperfect. Say a prayer of thanks when they leave. Those are friends you’re better off without. Their departure is the Lord’s blessing on you. The happy paradox is that as you become real, as scary as that can be, you meet a battalion of kindred souls. Other scarred and messy people — they are legion — will be drawn to you.
The Most Beautiful Questions to Ask God
My favorite way to start a conversation with God is simply this, ‘Hi,’ and then pause. Rather than fill the space with noise and opinion, I want to be open to his direction. I want to turn where he wants me to turn.
Who’s at Your Table?
More than money and opportunity, the people in our lives — our family, friends, colleagues, even our casual acquaintances — are among the most precious gifts God will ever give us. Do you know that?
‘The Promised Land’ tells Moses’ story in the style of ‘The Office’
“The Promised Land” leans into the irony baked into the biblical narrative, using the “mockumentary” style made famous by hits like “The Office,” “Parks and Rec” and “Abbott Elementary.” The pilot episode features Moses dealing with every absurd complaint the Israelites bring to him.
Faith Can Help Heal Our Polarized Country
We are living in an era plagued by political, religious and social unrest. The barrage of headlines continually erodes our confidence in our national leadership and unravels the ties that bind our local communities together. Despite the tools we have to increase mutual engagement, our society is profoundly disconnected, and instead of promoting understanding, the isolation and competition these technologies seem to promote have affected our mental health.
Walk Slow, Go Easy, Love Well
Maybe we can take a deep breath and slow down a bit, knowing we have eternity to experience all the things we want to experience and accomplish all the things we want to accomplish. Maybe we can take a deep breath and notice more of God’s presence in our world. And maybe we can learn to walk slow, go easy, and love well.
The Daily Office: Morning and Evening Prayer
The Daily Office is an ancient practice that uses daily prayers to mark the times of the day. For Anglicans, this generally comes in the form of the two main offices of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. Together, these prayers offer a way to shape our days and remind us who we are — created, known, and loved by God, people whose work is prayer. They allow us to move closer to Scripture’s encouragement to “pray without ceasing.”
In Quitting Church, We Give Up More Than We Think
It is difficult — really, next to impossible — to practice Christianity effectively without becoming (and staying) an active member of a local church congregation. Private spirituality is vital, of course, and underpins the communal life of any religious group. Hats off to the desert fathers, those legendary hermits of yore. Still, faith is mainly a team sport.
Faith-Based Animated Series ‘Fleur De Lis’ Innovates With Humor And AI
Regardless of concerns about AI, “Fleur de Lis” remains an entertaining show that is worth watching and supporting for people who want entertainment based deeply in a Christian imagination and who also want the content to be authentically dramatic and funny.
The Lost Art of Intentionality
Efficiency is portrayed as the consummate modern virtue. Get up early, go to bed late, multitask, double-book, manage your time and juggle more. We’re masters of efficiency, but we’ve lost our souls.
AI’s Future Impact On The Church
A sense of unease begins to take root. Interactions feel hollow, conversations lack depth and relationships become superficial and transactional. The more we rely on AI, the more we find ourselves yearning for something it cannot provide: authenticity, meaning and opportunities to connect on a fundamentally human level. This is where the church reenters the scene, not as a relic of the past, but as a symbol of the present, a sanctuary of authenticity. At this tipping point of artificiality and superficiality, people start craving transcendent values that algorithms cannot encode.
A Primer on “The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis
“The Screwtape Letters” by C. S. Lewis, published in 1942, is an imagined peek into the spiritual world, both humorous and frightful. Since its publication in 1942, this classic has resonated deeply with readers worldwide. The book’s enduring popularity stems from its unique format, engaging narrative, and witty and accessible approach to complex theological concepts.