Amazing Grace

(If you get email from Family Life Today you may have already seen this message from Dennis Rainey. If not, then I hope you'll enjoy reading his review of the William Wilberforce story. ~ Eric)

Normally I wouldn't send you an e-mail about a new film, but I am excited about the opening of Amazing Grace today.

Very rarely does Hollywood give us a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of Christian history, yet Amazing Grace does just that. I had the privilege to see an advance screening of the movie starring Ioan Gruffudd, and I was inspired by the courage and perseverance of William Wilberforce.

This is a movie that every Christian ought to see. I want to challenge you to buy tickets for your whole family for opening weekend. Make it a family night, and use this time as a teaching opportunity for your children. Let's send a message to Hollywood that we want more movies like Amazing Grace.

Every home a godly home, Dennis Rainey

Greg's Comment

One of the limitations of our Blog 10:24 is that comments are not emailed out like the original posts. Greg in Washington added this the other day and I managed to overlook it until tonight. It is thought provoking to me so I thought I would duplicate the post -- and encourage you to think this over for yourself. Greg, thanks for taking the time to start this thread. Hope all is well out in the Northwest! Cordially, Eric


I have had a passage on my mind the past few days, from Hebrews chapter 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ...With the main thought being: 'How long should it take...'? How long should it take for a Christian to be able to pray on his own; to get answers to his own prayers; to hear the still small voice of the Lord; to be able to lead others to Christ; to pray for a healing; to no longer be shaken by hearing an Atheist, or someone opposed to your beliefs; to overcome strong temptation, to be able to teach others; to be able to forsake all to follow Him - even if it means family or job; to be a martyr?How long should it take? Certainly it differs with everyone and we should make no rules, but Paul here was lamenting the fact that 'For by this time you ought to be teachers...' which indicates that he considered his readers to have been Christians sufficiently long enough to get at least to that point. So I ask myself: How long should it take for me? Where am I on my path of growth? Certainly I have reached many of the steps above, but what is next? Where will I be next year at this time, and will I still be growing? What is the path of growth? There are lots of steps I haven't mentioned, and probably haven't thought of. How similar is the path for others? So I thought I would throw this out to the group for comment.Gregg (in Washington)

2007 PK Schedule

One more thought to share. I found the latest edition of the 2007 PK Conference Schedule on the Promise Keepers website. National Conferences are Friday evening and Saturday mornings. Looks like the event nearest to us is the Cincy conference in August. Then again Nashville is a mere six hour drive...

Your opinions and comments on your interest and potential availability are solicited!

June 29-30, Mobile, AL
July 13-14, San Antonio, TX
July 20-21, Nashville, TN
July 27-28, Orlando, FL
August 3-4, Columbia, SC
August 17-18, Cincinnati, OH
August 24-25, Fresno, CA

Men's Fraternity

Gentlemen,

I'd like your opinion. There is a curriculum that we can get access to for Sunday mornings. The upcoming quarter gives us an opportunity to think about the next round of discussion topics. One option that I've heard good things about (but have not looked at myself) is called the Quest for Authentic Manhood. Take a look at their website and let me know if this is of interest.

Alternative suggestions are also welcomed.

Another question for you today. If we schedule a retreat this summer, would you (1) be interested and (2) be able to attend in the month of June. Post a comment with your interest and your availability!

~ Eric

Monday musings

If you missed the Bible Study hour on Sunday, you missed Bill Cunningham sharing a few gems from his life experience. He reminded us of the message from the Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper where we are encouraged to have someone in our life who serves as our mentor...and passing that blessing along by serving as a mentor ourselves. (That was but one of several thoughts that Bill shared and I'd be interested to hear what you remember 48 hours later.)

I've appreciated each man who has taken up Mark's invitation to share and have been blessed by the candor as victories and failures have been shared. Your testimony and experiences has been appreciated. Thanks, too, to Mark for setting it all up.

Be blessed as you embrace the God-given opportunities to live out your faith today!