Prayer That's Tailor-Made For La La Land

If nearly two decades ago you would have asked me to explain prayer I would have had no idea how to begin.

I have found the greatest power in the world is the power of prayer. - Cecil B. DeMille

And if a Christian would have told me during my BC (Before Jesus Christ became real to me) days that prayer is about "talking and listening" to God, I would've probably said, "Yeah, sure."All I knew was that people who prayed generally went down on their knees, closed their eyes, and clasped their hands together. That's all there is to prayer, right?Not really. Now, as a believer, I'm convinced of the power of prayer... and its importance (it's not about style). As Rick Warren puts it, "Prayer isn’t convincing God to do our will but aligning ourselves with His will, which requires overcoming evil with good."Over the last several years, I've had the chance to chat with Hollywood Prayer Network (HPN) founder, Karen Covell. I believe her ministry is critical to the foothold and growing influence of Christians in the entertainment industry today. I believe much of the progress the Gospel has made in movies and entertainment is the direct result of first, God's movement, and second, the roots established by Covell and HPN beginning in 2001.Covell, a TV producer, birthed the Hollywood Prayer Network in July of that year, because she believed that Hollywood was not “Sodom and Gomorrah” but “Nineveh” – it can be redeemed, according to the ministry's site. HPN is a grass roots prayer ministry led by Hollywood professionals who seek to impact our culture through prayer. Over the years HPN has seen attempts to “change” Hollywood fail because content won’t change until lives change. HPN believes God is the only one who can change the lives and hearts of the decision makers, creative community, and power players in Hollywood and He will do that if His followers humble themselves and pray.And that brings us to Los Angeles.At the Together LA gathering held in 2015, when asked about how we should love on the city, Covell said, "The best way to love Los Angeles is to pray. Pray for the people here, pray for impact of this city. I learned long ago, if you pray for somebody, you can't hate them. If you want to love LA, you pray and you ask God to come down here to show his face here, to do miracles here and you will fall in love with the city."As her smile widened, she added, "However, if you like good weather, you can just fall in love with it immediately by showing up. That's easy."The reason I wanted to write about Karen and HPN, is because as the senior editor of the Together LA website, and while in the process of re-launching the discussion about loving on LA, I had to come up with the first set of stories. There is no better way than to start with the subject of prayer.I have no idea how big this discussion at Together LA will become. I have no idea of how large this platform will grow or how high participation levels will rise. But I have been praying about Together LA for more than two years now...And I know we must begin with prayer.HPN: Have a question for the Hollywood Prayer Network? Now's your chance to ask it! On Friday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m., we will be hosting a Facebook Live event with our very own Karen Covell! You'll be able to ask questions during the event and have them answered live! Be sure to join us! You won't want to miss it! Go here: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodprayernetwork/ More on Prayer:The Model Prayer of a Worshipper by Dwayne MooreQuiet Time With God: It’s Simple, Really by Rick WarrenSide Note: What about "La La Land?"

The nickname for the California town whose literal translation is “City of Angels” comes from its initials: LA for Los Angeles. But “La La Land” also refers to the culture of its most notable industry, whether the reference is to the magic of its images of pretty people doing pretty things or to the instability of the various deals, relationships, and people behind them. The title of this exquisite film from writer/director Damien Chazelle refers to all of that and to the “la la” of music as well. FROM REVIEW OF LA LA LAND BY NELL MINOW

Efrem Smith: A Vision For Urban Leaders

Editor's Note: Together LA had the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles Mayor's Prayer Breakfast last Saturday where Efrem Smith cast a vision through a powerful prayer for the city. After reading his recent blog post (below) about attending the World Impact’s annual TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) Leaders’ Summit earlier in the month, it seems likely that some of the inspiration for the prayer came from his time there.When Christ walked the earth he had the ability to look at people and see something beyond the labels of society. Christ was able to see the under-resourced, unqualified, outcast, and marginalized as potential participants in the work of transformation. He was able to look at the corrupt, the incarcerated, the diseased, the poor, and left for dead and see something that even the religious leaders of the day had the lack of vision to grasp. Through the declarations and demonstrations of God’s love, truth, and new life those deemed unworthy find their identity as made in the image of God and from there, begin to see their potential to work alongside Christ and transform lives and communities.This month I attended World Impact’s annual TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) Leaders’ Summit in Wichita, Kansas. I was so moved by the hundreds of ministry leaders that have a revolutionary vision for the poor and the incarcerated. I participated in worship, shared meals with, and listened to the stories of Brothers and Sisters from around the country and around the world who are aligned with God’s vision for “the least of these.” But they don’t merely have sympathy and mercy for the poor and incarcerated. They are involved in training and equipping them to serve as church planters, pastors, community leaders, and missionaries. These Summit attendees are chaplains, church pastors, denominational leaders, and volunteers who see that the harvest field is not only plentiful, but contains gifted and talented folks who, if empowered and resourced, can take responsibility for transformation right where they are.This issue of seeing all people through the eyes of God, is not just a ministry model for me, it’s personal... READ FULL POST AT WORLD IMPACT, INC.Photo at top: John Fredericks for Together LA

Nation Ripe For Alternative Solution to Unrest Says Every Man Ministries President

People living in cities and communities throughout the United States are ripe for an alternative solution to the current unrest in the nation and the answer does not lie within politics or culture, Every Man Ministries Pastor and President Kenny Luck recently said.

NEWS RELEASE

“At Every Man we believe that our nation is finally ready to address the chaos and dysfunction happening in our cities and communities. But the root of that chaos and dysfunction is not political, it’s not ethnic, it’s not even cultural,” said Luck, whose ministry has helped thousands of men with their spiritual journeys for nearly two decades. “It is a spiritual breakdown of the family and the vacuum of spiritually and relationally healthy men leading those families.”Los Angeles Radio Show Plans to Expand Into Chicago, Philadelphia MarketsThe Every Man Show, which was launched as a radio program last year in Los Angeles (99.5 KKLA), has produced phenomenal results in reaching the city of 10 million people with the message of Jesus Christ specifically targeting men. Now, Every Man Ministries is seeking support to expand the show into the Philadelphia and Chicago markets.“At Every Man we know that when a child comes to Christ, 3 percent of the family will follow,” Luck said. “When a mom comes to Christ, 17 percent of the family will follow. But when a dad or father comes to Christ, 93 percent of the family will follow.”The act of men becoming believers in Jesus is an agent and catalyst for family health.“For the last 16 years Every Man Ministries has been building a grassroots network of churches,” Luck explained. “We’ve been building an ecosystem of resources and web platforms and curriculums to support and fuel a community-based revival of Christ-centered masculinity in the home.”Expanding into Philadelphia and ChicagoEvery Man Ministries seeks to secure broadcast time for the next 12 months in Philadelphia and Chicago. “We need to drive the grassroots, social media, and church campaigns to begin movements of transformation partnering with the churches of those major metro urban cities to reach and transform the hearts of men,” Luck said.Where do you come in?“Here’s where you come in. We are sponsoring over the next two weeks the Matching Grant Challenge for the Every Man Show. The good news is that we’ve already have had $100,000 come in of the $250,000 that we need to raise to get these two new time zones online,” he said.What do you do?You go to EveryManMinistries.com/challenge and join this unprecedented, historic movement of God through the Holy Spirit that’s going to transform the hearts of men, families, homes, communities, and cities from the inside out because we know that’s the real solution.Media contact: Alex Murashko - Email: alex@togetherla.net Phone: (949) 547-0907

'The Case For Christ' Movie Producers Offer Leaders Links/Key Dates to Maximize Outreach

Lee Strobel, who wrote a best-selling book about his research into Jesus and how in the process of writing the book he was transformed from a skeptical legal beat journalist and atheist to a believer, said he is confident that the upcoming "The Case For Christ" movie (based on the book) will be a useful tool for churches."One pastor who saw the film (at a pre-screening...movie opens April 7) said it's the greatest outreach movie of our generation. That might be an exaggeration, but I am convinced this film can be a great tool for churches to reach their communities for Christ this Easter season," shared Strobel recently with Together LA. "I'm hoping churches will buy out theaters or blocks of tickets, challenge their congregation to invite their friends, and then encourage everyone to come back for Easter services at the church. That's great spiritual synergy!"Producers recently released an online resource for church and ministry leaders that includes links to key events and dates prior to the movie's (trailer below) opening in theaters nationwide on April 7.In the Los Angeles area, an advanced screening of "The Case For Christ" for church leaders is set for the AMC Santa Anita 16 in Arcadia this coming Monday (February 27) at 7 pm. For details visit the Pure Flix Faith and Family Alliance webpage."People will find the movie very entertaining," Strobel said. "In fact, we showed it to a test audience of 1,000 people and they stood and applauded at the end! But beyond that, the film also chronicles my spiritual journey from atheism to faith, exploring the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. I'm praying it will prompt a lot of people to begin their own spiritual investigation."But what about the bad rap Christian movies often get? Is this movie only for Christians?"It's true that some faith-based films in the past have been a little cheesy or cringe-worthy. But there's none of that in this movie! We've got Academy and Tony Award winning actors and a powerful script by Brian Bird," Strobel explained. "Our test audiences have shown that not just Christians, but non-Christians love the film as well! And we've had a strong response from both men and women, across a wide spectrum of ages. People love a great story that's based on real events, especially when the film leaves them with something to think about."Church leaders interested in the movie's resource page of links and key dates, click here: http://pureflixalliance.com/emails/key-dates-and-oppurtunities.htmlPhotos and Video: caseforchristmovie.pureflix.com

New article: Key dates and links to maximize Case for Christ movie for outreach this Easter: https://t.co/EJISbEohO2

— Lee Strobel (@LeeStrobel) February 22, 2017

How to Put God in Charge of Your Ministry

Work dominates our lives — especially those of us in ministry.The typical American spends about 150,000 hours — or 40 percent of his life — at work (I suspect that for pastors, the number is even higher!)In other words, you’ll spend more time working in ministry, thinking about ministry, and commuting to your ministry than you will eating, relaxing, and vacationing — all combined — this year.Now, God wants you to succeed in ministry. In fact, in the Bible, God offers this guarantee:“Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place” (Proverbs 16:3 MSG).What does it mean to put God in charge of your work? There are three steps I’d suggest:

Seek God’s Direction

Ask him to guide you every day: in your planning . . . your organizing . . . your decision making . . . your implementing . . . and in relating to everyone you come in contact with. “The Lord is pleased when good people pray” (Proverbs 15:8a GNT).

Sharpen Your Skills

Be the best you can be for God’s glory. Never stop learning. Look for ways to cultivate the talents he’s given you.“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10 NIV).

Stay Positive in Your Attitude

Refuse to be infected by the worrying, the complaining, or the laziness of others. Remember, enthusiasm comes from the Greek phrase (en theos) that means, “to be in God.” “In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people” (Colossians 3:23 NCV).These are the conditions that guarantee God’s blessing on your work.The above article by Rick Warren was originally published at Pastors.com.ALSO READ: 8 Reasons the Church is the Greatest Force on Earth by Rick Warren. 

Global Church Planter's Vision to Reach Millennials Begins in Downtown LA

Pastor and church planter Jimmie Davidson wants to help millennials get over the whole "church thing" which apparently, for whatever reasons and according to recent stats, is causing a mass exodus from traditional Sunday services.Davidson is the visionary behind TheBrooks.Church, designed to help people who are accustomed to watching church services through the Internet or on TV “become people with a church” wherever they meet.He is aiming high, hoping for a billion global “gatherings” that meet at coffee shops, workplaces, and homes. While Davidson seems to be always thinking globally, his thoughts and prayers most recently have focused in on establishing a home base in Downtown Los Angeles."Lori (his wife) and I are in downtown LA preparing to launch The Brooks as a base to love this city, as a model for the world, as the launching point for the churches we pray to start Internationally," Davidson said.  "This will only be won through prayer, so we are asking you to pray!"His launch team has grown to 18 people over the past few months while "we expect the 300!""Our focus right now is community service projects to love our neighbors.  Those early adopters and pioneers of the faith who God is sending are largely from the arts, including actors living in the city," he said.Plans are for Easter Sunday to be the first service for The Brooks.  After Easter, monthly services are planned for May, June, July, August and September, and the launch of weekly services in October.Leading up to the Easter service, Davidson said he plans to begin a weekly message this Sunday (Feb. 26) titled “You Are The One” which he hopes will help people discover their calling, "their voice for God’s purpose in Life."“We are trying to bring the church where the church doesn’t exist as we raise up people that are not in the game, not using their talents, they are more spectators, and help them be a part of what Christ is doing all over the world,” said Davidson, whose bio includes the descriptor “Great Commission Strategist.”“One billion people mobilized, awakened, to host His church where they live, whatever space they have. It’s about His movement, it’s like streams of the desert, Isaiah 43:18-19. It’s the ultimate seeker-sensitive movement,” he said.“Forget the former things, I’m doing something new, like streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19Davidson told me that the timeline for reaching the 1 billion host milestone is not up to him, it’s “up to God.” Even so, it appears Davidson is well-equipped to lead and launch TheBrooks.Church at a time when one-third of millennials say they are unaffiliated with any faith, according to a Pew study released last year and other studies released this year.Davidson’s church planting experience includes starting Highlands Fellowship Church in Virginia which grew from a small group study of family and friends to 4,000 people in attendance and multiple sites. He is the founder of the Global Glory of God PEACE House where over 300 international business leaders and pastors have been trained from over 70 nations, “touching tens of millions of lives.”He was also a contributing author of the book, Multi-site Churches: Guidance for the Movement’s Next Generation, by Scott McConnell.“During the process” of his ministry work, as Davidson describes it, Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren asked him to lead the church’s global campus launches. Three years ago, after several months of prayer, he joined Warren’s team and became a PEACE Pastor overseeing all global missions including a staff of over 35 as well as thousands of volunteers in carrying out the PEACE Plan which includes “Planting Churches, Equipping Servant Leaders, Assisting the Poor, Caring for the Sick and Educating the Next Generation.”“Two years ago, we [Saddleback] launched three global campuses on three continents in two weeks – Hong Kong, Berlin, and Buenos Aires and then the following year, in the summer, during a hurricane, we launched Manilla,” Davidson said. “All of that had led to [the] innovative idea that I’m working on. God has wired me up to be an entrepreneur with an apostolic calling – how do I reach the people who are not being reached.”He says the vision for TheBrooks.Church is to “launch churches all over the planet through ordinary followers of Jesus, using 21st century technology, the Internet, where 3 billion people are online, with the 1st century idea that Jesus gave us when he said, ‘I will build my gathering and the gates of hell will not prevail against me.’”...or a trending millennials downward outlook.He added, “The gospel is meant to be seen up close. The online launch can be a little bit misleading because we are using that as a tool, as a platform, but the heart of what we are doing is what the Lord said, ‘Do not forsake the gathering of your souls together.' Jesus said if two or three of you meet in my name it will be done by my Father. There’s something powerful about people following Jesus gathering, others gathering, God showing up and needs being met.”Perhaps millennials, saved and unsaved, will begin to look at church in a new way.

The Brooks Church: Jimmie Davidson Launches Church Movement from One Ten Pictures on Vimeo.

.@JimmieDavidson wants to help millennials get over the whole “church thing” https://t.co/w1at39Ih4y #losangeles @together_la

— Alex Murashko (@AlexMurashko) February 20, 2017

Political Firestorm: DC Church Elder Shares 16 Ways to Promote Unity Within Congregations

Editor's Note: Jonathan Leeman is an elder at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., editorial director of 9Marks, and author of several books, including Political Church: The Local Assembly as Embassy of Christ’s Rule (Bio as it appears at The Gospel Coalition). His response to a pastor who is wondering "how can the gospel show a better way" during the current political unrest in the U.S. from both outside and inside the church begins below.A pastor writes:

Members of my congregation are increasingly hostile and mistrusting of one another after the election, especially online. What is my responsibility as a pastor, and how can the gospel show a better way for our polarized culture if we can’t honor one another in our own churches?

Dear friend,That’s a great question. I trust most pastors and Christians believe the gospel is big enough to reconcile and to unify. It’s easy to say, “We’re Republicans and Democrats together for the gospel!” But living together amid our partisan differences is like eating a spoonful of pudding with gravel hiding inside. It looks sweet at first glance, but put it in your mouth and you’ll break your teeth.I’m not going to Pollyanna you. Maintaining gospel unity amid political disagreement is hard.It’s hard because politics, by its nature, deals with questions of justice, and the gospel requires us to care about justice. So if one member’s conscience tells him that a certain party, candidate, protest event, or slogan represents an injustice, while another’s conscience says the party/candidate/slogan represents justice, it will be difficult for either to back down.It’s hard because political engagement nearly always involves making alliances with groups of people who don’t agree on everything. So any given party, candidate, protest event, or even slogan probably represents a conglomeration of issues, three of which might be biblically good and three of which might be biblically reprehensible. Can a Christian get behind the cause for the sake of the good things, especially if no other candidate, party, protest event, or slogan represents those good things?And maintaining unity amid political disagreement may get harder. The more our culture looks to government to solve our problems and be our savior, the higher the culture-war stakes will become on both sides.Certainly, our church on Capitol Hill has felt its share of political tensions. Here are 16 things the pastors or elders try to do to help maintain unity.

1. Preach expositionally.

If you’ve trained your congregation on topical sermons, I dare say they’re going to be more accustomed to your personal and ideological formulations. As such, throwing in a politicized sermon or two won’t startle them. It will sound like what they usually get—a topical sermon.If, however, you’ve trained them on weekly biblical exposition, forays into partisan politics will alarm them. And that discomfort is good....

 READ FULL STORY AT THE GOSPEL COALITION

 

Hollywood Power Couple's Success Story Started as Immigrants Holding Humbling Jobs

TV and film producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are known as the husband and wife duo responsible for some of the most popular faith-based entertainment of late, creating “The Bible,” “A.D.” and “Son of God,” among other projects.But just as captivating as the stories they tell on the big and small screens are their intriguing personal back stories. Did you know both Burnett and Downey took some surprising jobs after they immigrated to America? Both shared their very personal — and inspirational — stories earlier this year during a keynote address at the National Prayer Breakfast.Burnett, who has gone on to produce shows like “Survivor,” “The Voice” and “The Apprentice,” described how his first job after leaving Britain and moving to Los Angeles in 1982 was as a live-in nanny. Saying he had no real skills at the time, Burnett, then 22, responded to an ad for the job, which paid $125 per week and included a room, a car and a TV.Considering his newfound arrival in the U.S., Burnett was desperate — and was surprised when he landed the gig (he also sold T-shirts in Venice Beach, California, to make ends meet)....READ MORE AT FAITHWIRE.COM

A match made in heaven ❤ #bestfriends #marriage #husbandandwife #markburnett #romadowney #love #gratitude #truelove ❤

A photo posted by Roma Downey???? (@romadowney) on Dec 19, 2016 at 5:44pm PST

D. A. Horton on Reach Fellowship; What Is the FABRIC For Los Angeles?

Together LA had the opportunity to catch D.A. Horton of Reach Fellowship at the recent Send Conference as he opened the two-day event during the first session and we wanted to share something about his ministry. The Send Conference was hosted by the North American Mission Board in Long Beach, California.Horton and his family relocated to California to plant Reach Fellowship in south Los Angeles County. D.A. was sent out by the Summit Network after he completed his residency at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He has served as an urban church planter/pastor in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly six years, a National Coordinator of Urban Student Ministries, the Urban Initiatives Team at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the Executive Director at ReachLife Ministries, the non-profit arm of Reach Records. He earned his bachelor of science in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, his master's degree in Christian Studies from Calvary Theological Seminary and is currently working on his doctorate in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.Reach Fellowship's launch team meets weekly at a local community center in the 90805 for vision, prayer, and fellowship, as they look to launch in 2017, according to the website. Horton and his team are currently inviting others to join and/or support them.We found Reach Fellowship's plan (below) for South Los Angeles County inspiring and useful.

South Los Angeles County needs gospel-centered, multi-ethnic, cultural, and generational led churches that model for their people long-lasting engagement as they intersect in the Six Avenues (F.A.B.R.I.C.) of life while mobilizing their people to do the same.FAMILY – Our homes are the first place of ministry and will mirror Ephesians 5:22-6:4 which then will lead our entire fellowship to practice familial interdependence.AUTHORITY (SCRIPTURE & GOVERNMENT) – Our rule of faith & practice the Bible, commands we pray and respect our national, state and local leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-6).BUSINESS – Our money will be stewarded for God’s glory as it’s shared with those in need (Philippians 4:10-20) as we teach them principles of biblical stewardship.RELIGION – Our hearts will be filled compassion (Matthew 9:35-38) when we give reasonable responses for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:13-17) when our evangelistic efforts are opposed.INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING & REHABILITATION – Our time will be spent volunteering/working educational and correctional systems in order to see the gospel reach the lost (Romans 10:9-17).CULTURE (ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT) – Our focus will be to assess the culture’s beliefs, language, and practices and filter them through Scripture before identifying ways to engage with the lost in our city (Acts 17:16-34 & 1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Photo: Courtesy of North American Mission Board.

What is Church Really Supposed to Be?

The New Testament writers regularly used the metaphor and example of the family when teaching about the church.  Here are a few examples:

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.–1 Timothy 5:1-2

We were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you… For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.–1 Thessalonians 2:6-8, 11-12

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.–Titus 2:2-5

These passages show that the family structure of high-commitment caring, loving, teaching, and exhorting was all part of the way the church was supposed to function.My church, CityChurch Lawrence, takes this idea very seriously.  We all should.The church is not a business.  It’s not a social club.  It’s not a hierarchy or even a seminary.It’s a family.More specifically, a family of families....READ FULL STORY https://www.theboroughonline.com/church-family-families/

Fantasy Island: Every Man Ministries' Founder on Porn Epidemic

One of the most popular TV shows of back in the 1970s was “Fantasy Island,” starring Ricardo Montalban playing the role of Mr. Roarke, a suave, tuxedo-clad host who, along with his sidekick, Tattoo, greeted his visitors by proclaiming: “Welcome, welcome to Fantasy Island.”Let’s talk about Fantasy Island.The story lines, weaving extravagant fantasies of the newly arrived quests, didn’t always work out the way they wanted. In fact, their fantasies actually brought them back to reality, making them want their reality more than the fantasy. This “ah-hah” moment is sorely needed by male guests visiting the new fantasy islands of today.Someone has to talk about this idea of fantasy because it has become an epidemic – not only here in the United States, but globally. I’m not talking about innocent fantasies, childhood dreams, like the Disneyland fantasies. I’m talking about millions – more likely billions – of men chasing manly fantasies, mainly pornography and extramarital sex. These guys are experiencing the same thing guests on the fictional show did — the promise of fantasy only delivers a moral hangover, a cheap release, and a numbing shame that exposes his lack of character.  The “ah-hah” in front of today’s fantasy islanders is resolving to accept our responsibilities as men and reject the double life of Fantasy Island.Today, pornography revenues in the United States exceed the revenue of ABC, CBS and NBC combined. Indeed, the revenue of the pornography industry is larger than the revenues of Apple, Amazon, Google, eBay, Microsoft, Netflix and Yahoo! – combined.This problem is so large it’s not only plaguing men globally, but it’s creeping into the lives of our mothers, our wives, our sisters, our daughters – even our grandchildren. There is nothing more obviously evident than the New York Times best-selling trilogy called “Fifty Shades of Grey,” three books which chronicle the dark secrets of Anastasia, a college student who desires to be dominated by Christian, a tortured man who has particular sexual tastes (fantasies).  The caricature of “Christian” is stunning.  He is so lost and needs so much help.  Where have all the good men gone?These disturbing cultural trends should hit every Christian man in the mouth and reboot his moral compass as this country heads towards moral, spiritual and cultural implosion.…But I’m not discouraged. As we go through our series called Fantasy Island, you will embrace reality and reject fantasy. We can turn things around. We need, however, to turn to God for spiritual direction and revival. Our reality is the reality of God’s glory: His redemption, His love for us.Men, let God bless you!  Pray about your decisions to embrace reality or live a life of fantasy. The choice is yours, and God is waiting for you to make the decision.Join Every Man MinistriesFantasy ranges from innocent to indecent. From Disney dreams to dark diversions, it is the wallpaper of popular culture offering every man an alternative relief or escape from reality. Why is fantasy so powerful? Why is it so destructive on so many levels? Most importantly, what does fantasy reveal about a man’s relationship to reality? Watch this eye opening session with men’s expert and pastor Kenny Luck and learn why fantasy is an island.GO DEEPER:  Watch the Fantasy Island videos from Kenny.Try the 30-day Free Trial and sign up for the Every Man Ministries Newsletter.Kenny Luck is the president and founder of Every Man Ministries. As the former men’s pastor at Saddleback Church in California and current leadership pastor at Crossline Community Church, Kenny has found the proven way to improve men’s ministries around the world. Sleeping Giant is this blueprint, and gives men the tools they need to lead and understand their own men’s ministry. Watch Kenny’s teachings at EveryManMinistries.com and start your men’s group today!Follow Every Man Ministries now on Facebook, Twitter (@everymm,) and YouTube.

Interview: 'God's Not Dead' Star, Producer Caught Between Heaven & Hollywood

Music and film producer, Mark Joseph, who is also a columnist and author recently interviewed actor/producer David A.R. White, who starred and produced “God's Not Dead.” White has a new book out titled, Between Heaven & Hollywood. Below is Joseph's interview with White as contributed to the Huffington Post.Q: What made you decide to write a book?A: Many people have asked me for a while to write a book, but I didn’t just want to tell my story, I really wanted to write a book that would ultimately help people identify what was in their heart, and how to take that and live out their passions in an actual day to day world.Q: How does one go from being a Mennonite to a Hollywood movie producer?A: I think it’s the same as in any dream one has, it doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes years to figure it out and keep moving forward. Yes, I was born into a very conservative Mennonite home, saw one movie in theater the first 18 years of my life, but I had this dream, that didn’t make sense to anyone I knew, myself included, but I couldn’t let it go. I think if your dream behaves in this manner, then you should go for it!Q: You hit it big with the film God’s Not Dead What was it like to have such sudden success?A: It was a blessing. We had worked hard and struggled for many years with our company Pure Flix. But the vision to make films that up lift the human spirit, and to provide an alternative to what Hollywood was putting out there, was not an easy one, but we stayed on our target. As in all things, great things take time, and when GND came out, it was an overnight success that had taken us 10 years!Q: You were on Evening Shade with Burt Reynolds. How did that come about?A: I was in Hollywood for six months when I landed a recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom, Evening Shade. Everyone on the show had won an Emmy, an Oscar or an Academy Award. Of course with my up bringing, I didn’t know any of them except Burt Reynolds. I went on the show with one line, and Burt took a liking to me, developed a role around my character and I ended up being on the show for close to four years. I always attribute my success to Burt giving me a chance, when I was just a kid.Q: How were you fired?A: In our third season, we did this episode where all the kids on the show were going to put a play on and impersonate the adults. Burt chose me to impersonate him. I was so honored, I spent the week preparing, and at that time Burt was going through a really stressful time, he was in the midst of a divorce with Loni Anderson and probably because of the stress, or just being middle age, had been gaining some weight. So right before the show was going to be taped in front of the live audience, I asked Burt if it was ok if I could put a pillow in my stomach. He said sure. When it came time to be introduced before the audience, he introduced everyone first, and then me, I was so honored, and of course as a kid, you don’t think through things very well. I went up there with this huge pillow stuffed in my stomach and did my imitation of Burt. He was less than amused and ended up punching me in the ear. We did the show, and it actually turned out great. It seemed like Burt took it pretty good, although, the next week, I found out I was cut from the show.Q: Your faith plays a big role in your work. How did you come to believe in God?A: I was raised in a conservative Christian home. My father was a pastor. At the young age of 4 years old I remember my sister walking me down the aisle and helped me receive Christ into my life. I know it sounds difficult to make sense out of that, except this was just the start of my walk with God.Q: Do you ever doubt his existence and goodness?A: Of course there were questions; did I believe only because I was raised in the faith? Was it real? But the bottom line for me is that God is real. There was a time though when my life became very difficult and my faith wavered. But God never left me, even though I wandered away from Him for a little while. He has always been faithful to me, encouraging me to keep pursuing Him. That’s another reason why I wrote this book because God is faithful even in our darkest times, he is faithful.Q: I’ll never forget the meeting I had with a Hollywood bigwig who was thrilled at the prospect of doing what you did with GND-spending 2 million and making 60. But should that be the goal? And do Christians really prefer low budget movies or are they just desperate enough that they’ll tolerate them but would prefer bigger budgets and higher quality?A: The beauty of God is he says in his word, “my word will not come back void.” No matter what the budget is, if you make a film that is a great story, and ties in hope, anyone will want to see that film, especially those that are searching for real encouragement. Yes our goal is to make the best quality films that glorify God and bring people closer to. Him. And yes I hope we get to make bigger and better films, but I saw a market that was lacking in quality faith films; they barely existed. I didn’t set out to get rich, I just wanted to make films about faith that encouraged people right where they were at. Not going to lie though, what an honor I feel that God chose me and my business partners, Michael Scott, Russell Wolfe and Elizabeth Travis to go off and make a little movie that shocked the world and became the fifth most profitable movie in cinema history based on its Return On Investment, and for that I’m so proud that God let me do that.Q: What are your dreams and goals for your movies?A: It is my goal to use my talents God has given me to further His name, and bring others to Him. We also strive for excellence in all of our movies to make them competitive and high quality. We thank the Lord for always coming through with the funding to make these movies. God also answered my prayer to expand our movies on a digital platform that is available 24/7 365 days out of the year, like Netflix but for faith and family, Pure Flix.com.Q: Many people think the creation of a separate genre of Christian music had a negative effect because it walled off artists of faith from the mainstream audience and kept them from impacting mainstream culture. Are you concerned that you may be creating a Christian film industry that will similarly be removed from the people you most want to reach who may be turned off by the labels?A: It is true that most of our films are seen by people of faith, however, at the core, we are trying to make movies that reach out and deal with everyday issues that affect everyone. It will be interesting to see where God takes our company and what He will do with us.Q: What career advice would you have for up and coming filmmakers?A: I have said that if God puts a dream in your heart to make or be a part of films, if there is any other career that you could be happy in, go for that instead. But if you can’t seem to shake that desire, God is bigger than all the obstacles you may face along that journey. Surround yourself with those who work in the field, and learn as much from them as possible. Be excellent in your craft. Learn from each experience, and never forget the dream God has given you no matter how difficult things are. If God can do it for me, he can certainly do it for you.Q: How have you managed to stay grounded in Hollywood?A: I am thankful for the foundation my parents modeled for me growing up. I believe it is important to stay connected to God first and foremost. I love having a family. When you come home and your wife tells you to take out the trash or do the dishes, that will definitely keep you grounded. But I love this verse in Romans 8:28. “For God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love Him and for those who are called according to his purpose.” LoVe and serve the Lord first in your life, and you’ll be amazed to see what he will do with your life.Q: What is the central message of your book?A: My book is about following the dreams and desires that are bigger than ourselves, and not giving up no matter how many obstacles are thrown in our path. A dream deferred is not a dream denied, for God can bless you with a dream bigger than the one you ever had for yourself. He did it for me and he can do it for you. With God, all things are possible.

Human Dignity According to the Gospel

The most important aspect of our mission, as it relates to human dignity, isn’t our social action or our responsibilities as citizens or as culture-makers. The most important aspect of our mission for human dignity is the Gospel itself.When we recognize that human dignity is contested by spiritual warfare, we understand that politics is indeed downstream from culture, and that culture is downstream from conscience, and that conscience is downstream from the Kingdom of God. We cannot combat a culture of death merely with appeals to abstract human dignity based on natural law (not that there’s anything wrong with that). In every assault on human life, there’s not only a life left for dead but also a conscience left for hell. The Gospel addresses both.On the abortion question, for instance, the sheer numbers of children aborted each year ought to prompt us to realize that perhaps as many as one out of every three women in our congregations has aborted. With her is typically a man who approved of or paid for or pressured her to this act. Many women sit silently, in the fear that God can forgive any sin but this one. They try to forget it, and secretly wonder if they are included in the “whosoever will” of our Gospel invitations. When we preach both of justice and of justification, God breaks the power of condemnation. He uncovers sin and judgment. The cries of the oppressed, the orphaned, the murdered, are heard, and their Redeemer is strong.  The Gospel doesn’t wave away such judgment.The Gospel says that those found in Christ are joined to the judgment he endured on the cross, and they stand with him in the new creation of an empty tomb. The repentant woman who had an abortion, the repentant man who empowered an abortion, and indeed the repentant abortionist who committed the abortion, are not beyond the grace of God. Every accusation against them, and against you and me, is true. But in Christ, we have been through the scrutiny of the tribunal of God. We have already been through the justice of hell. And in Christ, God declares what he thinks of us, “You are my beloved child, and in you I am well-pleased.” We warn of justice, but we always, this side of the grave, offer mercy....READ FULL STORY http://pastors.com/human-dignity-according-to-the-gospel/

Timothy Keller: The Early Christian 'Social Project'

In November we looked at two new books by scholar Larry Hurtado, Destroyer of the gods: Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World (Baylor University Press, 2016) and Why on Earth Did Anyone Become a Christian in the First Three Centuries? (Marquette University Press, 2016). These volumes explain that the early Christians were persecuted more than any other religious group in the first three centuries because they refused to honor other gods or worship the emperor and therefore they were seen as too exclusive, too narrow, and a threat to the social order.Hurtado asks the obvious question that a historian should ask. Why, if Christians were seen as so narrow and offensive and were excluded from circles of influence and business and often put to death — why did anyone become a Christian? One of the main reasons was that the Christian church was what Hurtado calls a unique “social project.”They were a contrast community, a counter-culture that was both offensive and yet attractive to many. We mentioned this briefly in November, but here we will spell out what made the Christian community so different.Hurtado points out that the basis for this unusual social project was the unique, new religious identity that Christians had. Before Christianity, there was no distinct “religious identity” because one’s religion was simply an aspect of one’s ethnic or national identity. If you were from this city, or from this tribe, or from this nation, you worshipped the gods of that city, tribe, or people. Your religion was basically assigned to you.Christianity brought into human thought for the first time the concept that you chose your religion regardless of your race and class. Also, Christian-ity radically asserted that your faith in Christ became your new, deepest identity, while at the same time not effacing or wiping out your race, class, and gender. Instead, your relationship to Christ demoted them to second place. That meant that, to the shock of Roman society, all Christians, whether slave, free, or high born, or whatever their race and nationality, were now equal in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29). This was a radical challenge to the entrenched social structure and divisions of Roman society, and from it flowed several unique features....READ FULL STORY AT REDEEMER REPORT