This is my new desktop wallpaper, an illustration by Chris Koelle. Koelle and team just finished a full length-animated film based on a poem by preacher John Piper. I backed the project on Kickstarter and will be receiving the DVD soon. Viewing party anyone? Watch the trailer.
I put together a video of a child dedication event held at LifeConnection Church on January 29.
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)
We came upon this location by accident. We were having lunch at a local tavern and saw that it had a special party room that wasn’t being used. The owner kindly allowed us to shoot there. You will notice real tavern employees working in the background. A beam of sunlight from the roof window became my key light—I used a reflector to direct the light into the subject’s face. An iPad was used as a teleprompter. This was also the first time I encountered the dreaded red thermometer. The closing shots featuring Palatine village were recycled from a previous video the church made. Music by The Antlers. Read more
Man… was I a jerk tonight at bible study. I’m pretty sure I said some things of which I probably need to repent. I get riled up so easily at times, especially when I’m not the one leading discussion. (Not sure why, but the responsibility of leading acts like an ego-suppressor, sort of). Anyway, I’m getting tired arguing over semantics–trying to one-up each other with the more godly answer.
Where is the grace that the Lord gives and that we have to extend to each other? I need to take these warnings to heart.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
2 Timothy 2:13-15
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
This song is marvelous. To most it will seem like absurd gibberish. To those who have tasted the grace of God through Jesus, each line resounds with powerful, humbling truth.
Before the Throne of God Above
(Listen to the song or download the mp3 here).
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is “Love,”
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heav’n He stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
to look on him and pardon me.
Behold him there! the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless Righteousness,
the great unchangeable I AM,
the King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood;
My life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ, my Savior and my God
with Christ, my Savior and my God
