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A new PhoneBlog has been left by Dusty Road! Click here to listen to it!

5 Minuti (5 Minutes) is the 2006 Best Film Award winner at this years 168 Hour Film Project. This short subject film was created in 7 days as required by the competition and the product of their assigned theme of Hebrews 11:6 — And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

5 Minuti tells the story of a suicidal woman about to jump from a bridge over the canals of Milan Italy when Jesus Christ asks her to give him 5 minutes to just chat. 

I would be interested in your comments on this wonderful short film. 

 Watch 5 Minuti

It is amazing how God will bring someone into your life at just the right moment.

Guy Storm is one of those people. From the first second we met I know we were kindred spirits, and was a man who God had His hand upon.

At 75 years young he is presently planting another church. He has served in half a dozen countries, is friends with Don Richardson, still leading people to Jesus Christ and not afraid to involve himself in the lives of others.

He is a shining example of a radical Christ Follower that is so much needed today. Take a listen.

 Listen To Guy Storms Interview

We’re back!!

Many were wondering where I’ve been. We were in India building a library for an English medium school in the rural tribal area of Northern Maharashtra.

There is so much to catch up on and to blog about. So back to work!!

"A drama of forgivness, an aid for those who need forgivness. A teaching based on the Greatest Life that ever lived."  That is how this radio broadcast presented by Goodyear Tire and Rubber company begins.

Today’s broadcast is based on the parable of the lost sheep, and was produced by Goodyear. Yep, the tire company with the blimp. Now I don’t know, but I wonder if today in their corporate office "Merry Christmas" has been replace with "Seasons Greetings". Maybe someone knows.

Today  — Parable of the Lost Sheep

I decided to start a new weekly series. It will consist of a radio programs that began in the 40’s . Each one had a corporate producer/sponsor. This one was produced interesting enough by Armed Forces Radio. It is highly doubtful that today a program like this would be broadcast on AFR let alone any secular station.

The program was called The Greatest Story Ever Told, and was based on the Fulton Oursler’s book of the same name. All episodes are drawn from the four gospels. Production consisted of a full orchestra with 16 voice chorus, and dramatized the teachings of Christ with acceptable artist liberties. Many shows began with this tag line : "The Greatest Story Ever Told, from the Greatest Life Ever Lived."

Close your eyes, listen and let your imagination paint a picture while these treasures still exist. I hope you will look forward to hearing a new program each Friday. 

 Today – The Prodigal Son

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger, rebellious son quickly consumed his inheritance, then humbly repented and returned home, where he was welcomed by his father. His elder brother, who had not rebelled, resented this gracious reception:

• The prodigal son represents the sinner who realizes his or her spiritual poverty and turns to God.
• The father represents God, who rejoices whenever a sinner repents.
• The elder son probably symbolizes the religious leaders, who resented Jesus’ inclusion of those they rejected.

I ran across this on "The Daily’ blog. It is wonderfully clever and I will now become a regular to the Ninjas website.

While watching this clip it dawned on me "the Ninja is really similar to a number of todays preachers". The Ninja orates with style, and after watching it a couple of times I starting replacing "podcasting" with "church", "whale" with "unchurched" and "apple pie" with "worship experience". Try it yourself!                         Have fun and watch this clip.

While watching this short clip, I could not help but think that it is representative of what is happening to many of today’s churches.  There are churches who are focused, obedient, and heading in the right direction, when suddenly and without warning those from other churches assert their influence causing them to lose focus and their way.

It is intriguing that "Mrs. Robinson" is the background music. Mrs. Robinson the theme to movie "The Graduate" which is about a woman so driven by her own selfish sexual desires that she is willing to destroy the hope, happiness, and healthy esteem of even her own family just to satisfy and entertain herself . Hummm? 

Lets open it up for discussion.                    Purpose Driven Driving 

A video that is worth watching if you have questions about life, the universe, and everything.

 Watch The Hope

 It is always a pleasure to sit down with a brother and speak of the things of God. I am blessed to have a couple of men in my life with whom I can do this.

Finney Jacob is one of these friends. He is a missionary, church planter/pastor, evangelist, and another Radical Christian. Finney ministers in Kerala India where he has planted over 100 churches in 27 years. Yet, he is humble and dedicated to giving the glory squarely where it belongs – on Jesus Christ. Radical huh?

Interview with Finney Jacob

At this point in my faith journey I highly doubted anyone involved in Hollywood would have influenced me. I  was wrong.

After watching this video  decided it is time to get back to my primary purpose (opps, I used that word). This blog was started to mostly highlight the efforts of Radical Christ-followers.  Not "radical" in the sense when it is used as a verb (def: one who holds extreme views or advocates extreme measures) but in its use as a adjective (def: Arising from or pointing to the root or source; and Departing markedly from the usual or customary and ineffectual).  These are and will be those who truly are living it out for Him in the world. They are God centered, Holy Spirit lead, Jesus focused, doers of the Word and love others unconditionally. In todays proliferation of "bread and circus" churches they are fewer and far between, but yes friends -they do exist.

One of the reasons that there are fewer RC-F’s now is that forces against the gospel today come not only from outside, i.e –Hollywood, public schools, and the ACLU, but sadly from the inside, i.e. — Purpo$e Driven foolishness,  the redefining the language of our faith by the Gnostic Emerging Church movement, and the acceptance of ME/Church mentality.  But I am not going to protest, I am going to pray. Will you join me?

There is a group of Radical Christ-followers you need to know about. They are out to turn Hollywood around through prayer and they want our help. Hollywood is their mission field, most are there as tentmakers, but some as faith missionaries, and like that RC-F Paul, they are not asking for a dime, but only for our time.  So, go POP some popcorn, grab a Diet Coke and watch this 15 minute video. Maybe you will encourage others to stop protesting and start praying.

 Hollywood Crisis

For those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, is there anything more pressing or of first important then making disciples and verbally sharing the Gospel?  After all this was exactly the last directive Jesus gave us. Why is it then we continually hear and read of events, programs and outreaches where the gospel, the word of God, and Jesus himself is not given a place of prominence? Could it possibly be that we have produced a generation of professing christians who have entered the church because of efforts such as these and just don’t know any better?

This has caused me to ponder just how many of today’s lay people and their leaders came to know Christ. Was it because of a clear and personal presentation of the Gospel, mans sinful nature and his need of a savior, or was it via some "bread and circuses" church event?  The latter seems quite likely for those who promote osmosis salvation, and can say with complete sinerity "I witness by my lifestyle" and "I am a "example of Christ" to others".

Is this where we are heading in our attempts to bring the lost into a right relationship with Christ? Are we really going to love everyone into the Kingdom, or is this an easy cop-out so we ourselves do not have to face the reality of our own spiritual state. More and more churches are promoting Christianized worldly activities, entertainment, and diluted theology in an attempt to lure the world into the church. The sad fact is the world is already in the church, and has been for centuries.

Are we then to be surprised when an outreach minister makes comments like these:

"We particularly felt we needed to have an outreach to those kids who are tattooed, pierced, who think nobody cares about them, nobody understands them. That is the heart of our program." "There is no Bible study or opening devotions. It’s fun, pure and simple. "These Christians are evangelizing by example only, Givens said." It’s like a stealth ministry. We go in under their radar. We don’t preach to the kids. We try to love on them."They are so funny. They are really cool, and I love listening to them and seeing how they think. It’s great getting to know them and getting them to know Christ by setting examples"   From this newstory

I myself just don’t understand, hasn’t September11, SAR’s, the recent hurricanes, and the asian Tsunami emphasised to us the sense of urgency of sharing the Good News with kids like these because we love them, instead of being an "example only?"

In Paul Proctors commentary on this same subject, he takes a harder line, yet I find myself in agreeing with his analyses. Read Paul Proctor’s article in News With Views below is just a quote.

Today, many extol "God’s love" through religious manipulation; craftily employing what amounts to deceit in carrying out a "sacred" agenda for church growth; the same tactic Satan himself used on Eve in the Garden. We have churches offering unrepentant sinners amusements, refreshments, recreation and smiling faces that wink at rebellion while denying the Lord they claim at every turn by hiding His Word behind clever programs, techniques, organizations, reputations and strategies; and in doing so, re-define "love" into something sneaky, seductive, misleading and unbiblical as a pragmatic means of gaining advantage for the coveted favor and approval of a fallen and rebellious world that, in reality, hates Jesus Christ and His Word.

I had a wonderful opportunity this week to visit and speak to a group at one of our supporting churches; LaGrange Bible Church. They will be celebrating their 100 year anniversary this coming Sunday.  They are a shining example to new churches (even older ones) what churches should be doing. No gimmicks, felt needs ministries,  tantalising sermon titles, or consumer focused programs. Just solid Bible teaching from Godly leaders focused on making disciples, who mature in Christ and become all Christ desires them to be.

I wonder if they would be around for 100 years if they were like the church in this parody from Igniter Media.

 Watch the MeChurch video. 

From the "I couldn’t make this up" department.

Read the press release for yourself.

Things in evangelicalism keep getting weirder. I was almost convinced one of my radical CF’ing friends with a little to much time on their hands dreamed this one up. But no, sadly it is true.  Just in time for early Christmas shopping, this board game is to be released late summer 2006. So I guess I can have my best life in a couple of months!!

Note on the game box it states "The 7 Steps to Your Best Life Now". Not 6 or 8 but 7. I wonder if you do not cover all 7 steps before your opponent, you won’t get Your Best Life Now?

"Your Best Life Now the Game" is for 2 or more players age 16 and older. This is so very interesting that the game is basically designed for adults, why?

From their web page: ..live Joel’s 7 Steps To Living At Your Full Potential with your friends and family. Your Best Life Now: The Game is an entertaining and educational way to take inventory of yourself and accountability of your actions. Climb the mountain as you

• Enlarge Your Vision • Develop a Healthy Self Image • Discover the Power of your Thoughts and Words • Let Go of the Past • Find Strength Through Adversity • Live To Give And • Choose to Be Happy

Each new plateau represents a challenge and a chance to open up and experience these steps first hand as you learn to live Your Best Life Now..