By Elizabeth Prata
Jesus said we do not need to worry. Mt 6:25: “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”
So let us watch and marvel at His word and feel joy in His promises.
Continue reading “Prata Potpourri: Chart of Suffering, Planetary Alignment, Marching Orders, How to Deal with Narcissists Biblically, more”By Elizabeth Prata
Chip and Joanna Gaines are producing another television show, another reality show. This is the popular Texas couple formerly of Fixer Upper, a home renovation tv show, currently of Magnolia Silos/Bakery/Realty/Journal/Furniture etc. & etc.
They recently were involved in a controversy this past June. Their current TV show on television now is called ‘Back to the Frontier,’ a reality show that tests modern families to live like 1880s homesteaders. It features a homosexual couple with their adopted twin boys obtained from a surrogate woman. This is not a family according to the Bible, and many people told the Gaines this. Chip Gaines replied on social media with all the usual talking points from clueless liberals, such as “love one another”, “stop the hate”, “don’t be judgmental,” and so on.
Vanity Fair-
This time with the new TV show, the situation is worse, because it proves the inclusion of the homosexual couple on Back to the Frontier was not an accident or an oversight. It is a purposeful furthering of the perversion agenda that has successfully made inroads into evangelicalism. The Gaines claim to be Christians, and attend an evangelical church, or, they did.
In this next iteration of their ever-expanding empire, the Gaines’ are producing a show featuring a “queer activist” host, “crossdressing judge,” and an “all-LGBTQ skate team”. More here.
@megbasham opined on Twitter, “Another show that @chipgaines
and Joanna Gaines are producing. This blows apart Chip’s pretense that they are merely trying to be kind and understanding to individuals who identify as LGBTQ. They are clearly using their positions and influence to promote disordered sexuality and gender behavior.“
It is very sad to see people claim Jesus but conform to the world. Romans 12:2 says,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Chip and Joanna Gaines obviously do not know the will of God.
The wise person’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I know that one and the same fate happens to both of them. (Ecclesiastes 2:14)
That same fate: death. Death apart from Christ is folly. Death in Christ is glory. Gaineses- Repent today and be saved!
I’m excited to hear the next edition of DB Harrison and Virgil Walker’s podcast, Just Thinking, because they will tackle “AI and the Gospel.” If all goes well, it is supposed to be released at the end of August, as stated on August 9th. You can listen to previous episodes such as the most recent one, called “A Biblical Theology of the Social Media”. I listened to it and it’s excellent. I am both fascinated and repelled by the advance of AI, or Artificial Intelligence. I personally increasingly see how it will be uses & abused during the coming Great Tribulation. I need a Gospel centering on this subject, as my mind is all over the map on it. The Just Thinking Podcast will help me in this.
Fred Butler is the Manager of the GTY (Grace To You) volunteers. This is the media arm of John MacArthur’s ministry. GTY volunteers are the ones who package the written material and send it out to the subscriber list, they record, edit, and maintain the broadcasts of MacArthur’s sermons, and so on. Fred wrote this week,
So today marks the end of a significant ministry at GTY and for me. For the last 25-plus years or more, I have had the privilege of helping record the Sunday morning sermons of John MacArthur. Today [Sunday, August 24] is the last day GTY will be officially recording the Sunday messages.
The messages from the Grace Community Church pulpit WILL be recorded, it’s just the end of the era for GTY doing that task. Why? Fred explains,
“The church media team will [record the services], but not GTY. We were exclusively the keepers of John’s voice.”
As I received a book from this month’s GTY mailing and put it on my MacArthur shelf, I realized this is the last book. The man is no longer on this earth to write new material, and I will no longer hear his voice preaching new sermons. It gives a jolt as you continually realize someone you’re used to or rely on has passed away.
Virgil Walker at his Sola Veritas substack, wrote an essay on Women, Emotions, and the Call to Kindness: A Christian Perspective. In these feminist days, now a generation (or two) having grown up under the second wave of feminism rushing through the culture, women are repeatedly told to be bold, daring, loud, unafraid to offer opinions, to brashly sit at the ‘same table as men, and the like.
Don’t believe me? Jen Wilkin struts around a stage telling pastors “what they need to know about women“. Beth Moore calls herself (rightly) obnoxious and publicly complains about brothers in an elevator who fail to pay proper homage to her acknowledge her. These are leading women and younger women see their poor example and copy it.
Mouthiness in women is oft-putting. I know someone from 40 years ago who had a girlfriend and her friends, when they got together, were loud and obnoxious. He used to call this gal group the Deci-Belles.
Here is Virgil Walker’s guest writer Nedelka Medina with some advice for women who are led by their emotions:
In today’s culture, some women interpret rudeness, sharp criticism, or overt assertiveness as signs of empowerment or strength. Social media, pop culture, and certain feminist narratives often celebrate those who speak harshly or dominate conversations as “confident” or “independent.” From a Christian perspective, this is a distorted view of strength. True empowerment is not in asserting dominance or lashing out but in exercising self-control, humility, and love.
Read more at Virgil’s substack here.
Well that wraps it up for today. I hope you find any of these essays or thoughts God-glorifying, edifying, or just plain helpful.
By Elizabeth Prata
The Answers for Women conference at Ken Ham’s Ark Encounter concluded. I’ve seen the photos and videos of the fellowship among the leaders, and I was much encouraged. I see the crowd of hungry women who traveled far to attend in order to receive great teaching, and I’m encouraged.
I see the crowd and I wonder if Lori Alexander The Transformed Wife, who is against women ‘learning theology’ and against women ‘teaching theology’ and against women being out in the world, would see this many women being taught by other women and would say “They are all wrong and I am right” and “Ken Ham is wrong and I am right”. I muse on the deception of sin and the spiritual harm of pride.
Stay teachable, ladies.
Lori Alexander could have written this book…
Most false teachers like Lori quote scripture, but so did the devil – and to Jesus’ face no less. Sin is so deceptive. Lori could have written this book… Meanwhile I encourage you to go to Answers in Genesis TV when the video sessions are posted and view them. The topic was staying Resolute for Christ, and many sessions taught about discernment and false movements that destroy.
Virgil Walker wrote an essay titled Don’t Mistake Activity for Obedience: Why the Kingdom Isn’t Built on Busyness.
I remember years ago, a woman who was busy at church. She was busy-busy. She was on many committees, volunteered for everything, was there every time the doors opened (this was back when we had 2 Sunday services and Wednesday night prayer meeting). She was working full time and a married mom of two, but was so busy her second job seemed like it was church. She got tired, complaining, and burned out. She later separated from her husband, divorced for no biblical reason, resisted counseling, avoided church discipline, and was eventually excommunicated. Not that busy-ness necessarily leads to apostasy, but sometimes busy-ness covers for a lack of spiritual core that true repentance gives a person when they are saved. Read Virgil’s piece…
I listened to the first session of Susan Heck’s conference at Crossway Bible Church in Kansas. The topic was Forming Faithful Friendships in Christ. Her first session focused on what it means for US to be friends with Jesus, a great first session. Mrs. Heck laid a solid foundation. The sessions, all 4 plus a Q&A, are at the church’s website. It is listed on the Sermons page, which over time the Friendship sessions will get squashed down, so you may have to scroll a bit if you are reading this months from now.
Forming Faithful Friendships in Christ by Susan Heck.
Tim Challies wrote about “The most pleasant show on television”. If you’re wondering, it’s All Creatures Great and Small, the modern reboot. Usually when I see ‘modern reboot’ it means crassness, wokeness, sexual immorality, and other pollutions. Not this time. I saw the original show in the 1970s when it first came out and I think this reboot is even better. I agree with Challies, it’s just plain nice.
Challies concludes his essay saying, “I hope the show’s success helps the studios understand that if they keep out the raunch, hold back the politics, and simply tell good stories in a compelling way, they’ll have an audience eager to watch.”
Owen Strachan said the same thing a few months ago with his essay, The Enchanted Realism of “All Creatures Great and Small” : An Essay on Television’s Best Show.
A few short weeks ago I recommended the CBS show Elsbeth. But this week, I became very disappointed. I love the show and Carrie Preston’s skill at bringing the character to life. The episode ‘Tiny Town’ was so good! However, the latest episode featured lesbian kissing, a throuple, homosexual kissing. AND emphasis on ‘no judgment’. One person in a polyamory ‘marriage’ had been suspected of killing another in the threesome. The police captain said he could not get his head around the notion of a threesome in marriage. “I get all I need from my one love, Claudia. Maybe people would actually be happy if they focused on one person.” That was the comment he felt he needed to apologize for, since it was “insensitive” according to the show’s script.
Sad. I do JUDGE. Tekel: You, Elsbeth, have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Christian friends, there may be little on TV we care to consume, but there ARE a few here and there that allow for safe viewing and a pleasurable media experience. I hope All Creatures stays the course.
Mrs. Sharon Lareau at Chapter 3 Ministries has a good essay about Worry Less About Which Bible Reading Plan to Use and More About Which Bible, and she explains the Bible translations. Occasionally I see people on Twitter/X discussing their choice of translation, or a chat about their decision to change translations. I started with the NKJV because that was the Bible a friend gave me. Then I used the ESV for years, until I changed to the NASB. I use NASB and Legacy Standard Bible (LSB) interchangeably. My pastor preaches from the ESV.
The translation does matter and we should make an informed decision about which translation we read and study from. Sharon makes a recommendation and then explains the basis for her choice.
Marci Ferrell / Thankful Homemaker has some good resources ahead of Easter. She writes,
Easter is almost here, and as Christian women, we want to make sure our celebration is focused on Jesus. In today’s video, I’m sharing simple, heartfelt, and practical ways to plan a Christ-centered Easter at home—without feeling overwhelmed.
Whether you have little ones, teens, or an all-adult household, I pray this episode encourages you to reflect on the beauty of the resurrection and gives you tools to point your family to Christ in meaningful ways.
💌 Download My Free Christ-Focused Easter Planning Guide
Includes meal prep timelines, Holy Week Scripture readings, discussion questions, and simple celebration ideas.
📺 Watch Marci’s Easter video on YouTube
It’s the weekend here as I write this. Green leaves are budding, birds are singing, and I have the next week off for Spring Break from school. Time to go outside and enjoy God’s green creation.
By Elizabeth Prata
Fall is here, the season I wait for all year. In New England where I’d lived for 46 years, fall was fleeting. Two weeks of vivid leaves and nice temperatures, then after Columbus Day the wind and rain came and washed it all away. You were left with cold, dark, drizzly remainder of fall then struggled all wintr to stay warm, to not drive off the icy road, and to shovel, shovel, shovel.
In Georgia fall lasts longer. The break from summer heat is a joy, and though the leaves are not as vivid, at least you can go outdoors and not freeze while you’re looking at them.
Fall also means the thoughts turn to Reformation Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! It’s a great season. The only struggle I have is to resist turning on the heat. How long can I go? The buffer month between paying for air conditioning and paying for heat is one I like to stretch, paying for nothing. Now, where is my sweatshirt?
Here are some interesting links I’ve rounded up for you this week. Enjoy!
I love thinking about work and God. He gives us work to do and in it we can minister to others, praise Him, and sustain ourselves so we can eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10). I found this short series out of The Master’s Seminary called Thinking Biblically. The series is called Thinking Biblically About Business and Work by Dr. John Beck. Two ten-minute videos help shape our thinking about our vocation, job, or employment. Even if you are not in a job that is personally fulfilling, career-oriented, or even well paying, we still can and do praise God for it, because we don’t just work for the weekend, we work for God.
What did Jacob see? What was this ladder? The guys from G3 have an interesting article about this fascinating scene from the Old Testament:
But the most important part of this vision is not the ladder or even the angels, but the fact that God himself stands at the top of the ladder, as stated in verse 13. This indicates that God is the source of the connection between heaven and earth. He alone is the one who bridges the gap, not human effort or works.
I love language, words, and expressing one’s self in writing. I enjoyed tis to-the-point essay from Cody Libolt on the evolution away from pointed phrases to acceptance of the watered down version. He does a clear job explaining the real meaning behind these phrases and shows what we have lost when we adopt them: Six Bad Catch-phrases Explained
“Discernment Ministries” love ’em or hate ’em, they certainly generate a lot of ink on both sides. I do a lot of discernment (in addition to historical living essays and encouragement). But I do not apologize for doing discernment, nor am I embarrassed. However, there is always the danger of becoming unbalanced. I wrote about that here, especially in reference to eschatology. Eschatological ministries usually tend to go off-center, followed closely by discernment ministries.
In this 55 minute video, Midwest Christian Outreach Inc. led by Don Veinot and Don Henzel with guest Rudolph Boshoff from Ad Lucem Ministries, the men discuss “Guarding the flock was given as instructions to the pastors and elders in the First Century. Jesus warned us to beware of false prophets. All of the New Testament, with the exception of Philemon, addresses heresy and false teachers. Apologetics and defense of the faith are biblical, but all of those were part and parcel of church life with accountability. The call for discernment seems to have birthed a sort of apologetics industrial complex of discernment ministries. But are they servants or cowboys?“
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestchristianoutreach/videos/434269662813632
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/live/d6pyIXpP0yg?si=bPaTe6N6ATht2zgQ
And speaking of discernment, and speaking of solid ministries. Todd Friel of Wretched interviewed Justin Peters recently. 10-min, enticingly titled, If You Want to Have Better Discernment, Watch THIS
I enjoyed this from Allen Nelson IV, and if you aren’t following him on Twitter why aren’t you?
Ken Ham @aigkenham of Answers in Genesis wrote this on Twitter (X) on but if you do not have Twitter I am posting it here.
Over the 40 years I’ve been involved in the Answers in Genesis ministry, I’ve had many Christians/Christian leaders accuse me of saying a person had to believe in six literal days of creation and a young earth to be saved. Such an accusation is simply not true and can be documented as false from my many talks and articles I’ve written over the years clearly showing I have never equated salvation with believing in a young earth and literal creation days. What my accusers don’t like is the fact I speak with authority on what Genesis clearly says. They want me to allow other views. But there’s only one view, God’s Word as written. Now salvation is conditioned upon faith in Christ, not what a person believes about the age of the earth or days of creation. People respond saying it’s not an important issue then. But, even though it’s not a salvation issue, it’s a very important matter indeed, as it’s one of authority. It’s a biblical authority issue—and that’s a first order issue! They are putting man’s word over God’s Word and making man the authority, not God. Sadly, many pastors and Christian academics have taught generations of young people this. In doing so, they’ve unlocked a door that one can take man’s word over God’s Word. So if you can take millions of years and reinterpret God’s Word, why not take man’s word on marriage and gender and reinterpret God’s Word to allow gay “marriage,” etc. And this is happening. Over the years because so many Christian leaders have compromised God’s Word in Genesis, many have been led to doubt God’s Word, and that doubt leads to compromise and unbelief. We can and should speak with authority on Genesis, just as we can with the rest of Scripture because it is the infallible Word of God! “By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”” (Romans 3:4)
If you’re confused, curious, or concerned about which eschatological stance to beleive/follow/adopt, here is Mike Vlach, a noted theologian of eschatology, with a video titled “3 Millennial Views Compared and Contrasted: Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism“. It’s 28 minutes.
And because the harvest super moon, aurora northern lights, and the visible comet are all in the news, here is more about our fantastic universe that God created and Jesus sustains! Did you know the Red Planet has blue rocks?
Yes, the Mars Rover is still roving: Perseverance Rover Spies Incredible Blue Rocks on Mars and Makes Incredible Discovery
If you’re of a mind to delve into UK country life, here is a video from the UK’s magazine Country life showing the world’s most amazing theater. And it’s seaside. AND it’s made by hand by a lady who decided to, well, carve a theater into the Cornish cliffs next to her home.
https://content.jwplatform.com/previews/berzrNKJ
By Elizabeth Prata
2 Timothy 3:1-5 says,
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.
That’s a LOT! In truth, it is getting hard to avoid people such as those. They seem to be growing, those kind of people are everywhere. Love, especially, is dwindling in quantity and in form.
Where is the love?
In 1972 Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack published a song called exactly that, Where is the love? I remember it because it was popular and ended this way-
LOL, you didn’t think that 7-11 songs were invented in the 2000s, did you? Anyway, I am focusing on love in this edition of Prata Potpourri because we all need it.
For many here in the US, Labor day means back to school season. Here in Georgia, we started back in August, but in many other places the first day of school begins after the September holiday. BBC Good Food has some tips on back to school anxiety. Becuase we love our children and want them to be safe and happy:
How to manage back-to-school anxiety
What is sanctification? It’s growth in holiness. It’s a partnership with the indwelling Holy Spirit, who points us toward Christ and incremental growth in His likeness, but includes our choice to obey and to mortify sin in us as we grow. Why do we obey? Because we love Jesus. Obedience is the evidence of our love of Christ.
The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him. John 14:21
Here is an essay called Sanctification explained simply: “I am convinced that this is the exact opposite of how the Spirit works to sanctify us. Sanctification isn’t a stairway upwards to higher and higher rungs of holiness. No, sanctification is a downward soul work“.
Remember the book about the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman? It was first published in 1992. That’s over 30 years ago! Time flies. On Google Books, it says 72% liked this book. But enough time has passed since its publication that research has been done on whether we really DO speak in love languages. Notwithstanding people’s personal enjoyment of it, the question is, does the premise hold? Research says…no.
Mt. Zion Church’s ministry Chapel Library has a monthly booklet on a theme, with the old guys’ essays on that theme. This month it’s “The Christian’s Love for Christ”. I highly recommend the booklet, called Free grace Broadcaster. You can read it online, download it to your device, or have it sent free to your Postal mailbox.
In this issue of the FGB, The Christian’s Love for Christ, J. C. Ryle introduces this crucial subject with Christ’s question to Peter: “Lovest Thou Me?” Thomas Vincent explains why true Christians love the unseen Christ. Following that, Jonathan Edwards lists biblical motives to love Christ. Charles Spurgeon declares that love for Christ is the great test for confirming that we are children of God. Ryle, in his second article, identifies the marks of love for our precious Savior. In Spurgeon’s second article, he asserts reasons to love Christ and the consequences of being without love for Him. Edwards follows with a second article that describes God’s dreadful curse on those who do not love Christ. Vincent then helpfully gives an overview of how to examine and prove our love for Jesus. In his third and final article, Ryle asks a heartfelt, probing, and personal question that we must all answer: Do you love Jesus Christ?
Chapel Library: The Christian’s Love for Christ
Ligonier says the “‘ethical mandate’ is to “The ethical mandate of the Christ-centered life is to love God and to love others with our whole selves.” Good essay. Here’s another quote-
Only the Spirit-changed heart can exercise this Christ-defined love because Christ reconciles us to God and to neighbor and even puts back together the broken pieces of our own selves. The ethical mandate is to put on the agap of Christ because we were loved by Christ all the way to the end.
John MacArthur in today’s blog writes of grace and “An eternal expression of Love:
“God’s grace is older than history, reaching back before the creation of time itself. It is not merely poured out in the moment of salvation; it is evident throughout His eternal plan of redemption.”
Such love!! More at link above
In conclusion, thought love in the world may be waning, if you are in Christ, He loves us to the end. He will never not love us. His love is sure, steady, and eternal. Our love for Him in response should be the same, and for each other. Where is the Love Donny and Roberta asked? It is in Christ, glowing out in glory rays to His beloved, aimed at hearts to change them into hearts of flesh, beating with the grace-filled love He has given us.
By Elizabeth Prata
I don’t think we understand how bad gossip is.
Building and curating a home library does not have to cost a fortune. I have a small and limited income but I haunt library book sales, swaps, deals, have a Wish List, and over 15 years I’ve amassed a home library of 1200 books. If you are a homeschooling family or just a reading family, I know the struggle. See this post on Facebook of Charlotte Mason Poetry-
Dallas Holm on death, hope, and the Ascension. Why Stand Ye Gazing?
I’ve Heard It Said That Motherhood Is a Woman’s Highest Calling but our highest calling is to glorify God and enjoy God forever. Jen Oshman article.
Young student JI Packer discovered a donation of a load of Puritan books lumped in a basement, and the evangelical world has not been the same since. Packer’s Dusty Puritan Discovery Still Guides and Helps
Curious Questions: Why are there so few smiles in art? Indeed. Why?
Monopoly, the eternally long board game we all know and love, or hate. Who invented it? What iterations has it undergone since 1903? Here are some Facts about the Monopoly board game
By Elizabeth Prata
Last Sunday I was headed to church and turned on the car radio. There’s a program I can catch the last 20 minutes of while I drive. It’s the Old Time Gospel Hour.
As the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet began singing their old timey gospel song, I grinned. As a former New Englander elite Ivy League family agnostic with ingrained bias against the south, here I was loving the bluegrass songs from the Hee Haw quartet on my way to church. 20 years ago if you’d told me this was going to be my life, I’d have dropped of shock.
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord preserves a life of His intended, then after the moment of justification He changes it completely? Slowly but surely He has brought me along to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. The Lord Jesus is amazing.
On to today’s links:
This is from Pastor Tedd Mathis. He pastors Pueblo West Baptist Church in Colorado. From a pastor’s perspective on people using cell phones in church and making potty runs during service. Gently, but accurately.->
Phil Johnson has a great explanation of who Jesus is and how to rebut Jehovah’s Witnesses from scripture alone:
“But for the moment let’s ignore the writings of Athanasius, the documents of the Nicene Council, and every other historical and theological source except Scripture itself. Is it possible to demonstrate conclusively from the Bible alone that Jesus Christ is set forth in Scripture as God? I believe it is. And I am convinced that those who reject Christ’s deity must therefore also reject the plain meaning of the Word of God…” more here -> Who is Jehovah? Who is Jesus?
Here, Media Gratiae writes of English Hymn writer Francis Ridley Havergal, who I love. She gave her soul to Christ at a young age and went on to live a quiet life of devotion to Christ. In Royal Bounty, Havergal writes of the joy the Christian finds in belonging to God’s “everlasting service.” Havergal wrote,
The Hebrew servant had trial of his master’s service for six years, and in the seventh he might go out free if he would. But then, if the servant shall plainly say (plainly, avowedly, no mistake about it), “I love my master,… I will not go out free,” then, publicly and legally, he was sealed to his service for ever. It all depended on the love… more here “Everlasting Service“
Darryl Dash visited a small but amazing museum in Chicago with his wife, and was astounded at the history, artisanship, and biblical reality of the people depicted, who are written of in the Old Testament. Dash said,’
“Char and I spent a couple of hours working our way through the museum, but we hope to return. It’s staggering to be able to see a collection like this, and to see items that people like Daniel might have seen.” more here -> Daniel looked on These Lions
In a moving tribute, Dallas Holm writes a mournfully joyful goodbye of his wife of 54 years, who passed into glory in December. “Cancer left its mark on her body but it could not remove the joy in her heart, the determination in her mind, nor the smile on her face, even as she prepared for her “promotion” to Heaven.” -> Next Time it Will be Forever
Sharon Lareau of Chapter 3 Ministries has a super Interactive Journey
Through the History of the English Bible. “I invite you to find out and take an interactive journey through the history of the English Bible. This journey will take you through time and highlight some of the history of how the Scriptures came to be available to us in English. It’s an incredible story that will surely increase your appreciation for how easy it is for us to have a Bible in our native language. It is a treasure for sure!” Check it out!
In “1939’s movie breakthroughs” World Movies discusses “The Wizard of Oz and Stagecoach expanded the art form by excellent storytelling coupled with innovations in color and sound”. Both movies are 85 years old! Can you believe it? 1939 was a great year for film. Released that year also was Gone with the Wind, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Gunga Din, Dark Victory, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Wuthering Heights…in fact, the year was so filled with quality film entertainment it was a rare year the Academy nominated TEN movies for Best Picture instead of the usual 5. Tune in to the podcast or read the transcript of World’s discussion of how Wizard and Stagecoach advanced film technology in “1939’s movie breakthroughs“.
Speaking of movies, the current year has another Academy Award winner coming to streaming (Netflix.) Even Forbes Magazine calls it “One of the best movies of 2023 is finally coming to streaming this weekend.” What is the film? Godzilla Minus One. Forbes wrote: “But Godzilla Minus One, which takes place in the days after World War II when Japan is rebuilding after the nuclear carnage, is a different beast altogether. It has a great story with compelling characters and manages to make Godzilla truly terrifying with some clever special effects that cost a fraction of the American Godzilla movies.”
I saw it in the theater when it came out. I loved the emotional heart of the movie, the well-drawn characters, and the adherence to the Godzilla canon RE the monster himself. Great special effects, but not any gore, and the rest of the movie is clean. In Japanese with English subtitles. OR if you’re not a fan of subtitles Netflix offers a setting option of dubbed in different languages, including English.
It’s summer and for many that means grilling season. Good Cheap Eats has a brats recipe for 94 cents. Who doesn’t like good cheap eats? GRILLED BRATS WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS (94 CENTS EACH). Check out her other menus while on the site!
By Elizabeth Prata
Spring is in the air…and so is pollen. Isn’t it amazing how our Lord uses the insects, birds, and even the air to redistribute His seedlings and cause another spring to appear before our very eyes?
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)
So here’s the roundup of links:
Erin Coates, our precious sister from Canada, has partnered with LithosKids regarding the Lithos Kids new book, the Parables of Jesus. This is a book aimed at 4-12 year olds, and “aims to lead families deeper into the heart of Jesus’ teaching. Covering well-known parables like the Good Samaritan and lesser-known tales like The Dishonest Manager, these short stories provide an engaging way for children to learn surprising truths about Jesus and his coming kingdom.”
See more at LithosKids Canada
LithosKids US
Dallas Holm shares his heart on the recent passing of his dear wife. Good article.
I, along with many others, are fascinated with the Titanic. I am a mariner at heart having lived next to and even on the sea for most of my life. I messed around in boats since I was a tot. The Titanic tragedy has so many aspects and facets, especially if you are a Christian. Here is missionary A.W. Workman with thoughts on The Safest Boat of its Time, lifeboats, and arrogant thinking.
I teach in an elementary school, working mainly with kindergarten to 3rd grade. These are children aged 5 to 9 or 10. Most of them enjoy video games. The boys certainly do. Seven year olds who play Fortnite all evening and weekends… survival games with shooting, zombies, and threats of constant apocalypse is not good for the mind or the soul. Video gams capture not only the young adults but increasingly ensnare the youngest children.
Here is Reagan Rose with a short book in the Track Culture series called
Track: Gaming: A Student’s Guide to Gaming by Reagan Rose. The book offers a Biblical view of gaming and is aimed at students and young adults. The synopsis says,
Gaming is multi–billion–dollar industry, which has been growing massively in the last few years. It seems that everyone is gaming in one way or another. You might not think that the Bible has anything to say about gaming, but Reagan Rose has written this helpful book on what our relationship with gaming should look like.
I watched Netflix’s movie Damsel with the actress Millie Bobby Brown (star of Enola Holmes). I liked it. It was clean, no bad language or wokeness. Sorta feminist in that it was women who drove the movie, including Robin Wright as the evil Queen (The Princess Bride) and the dragon, who was female (if you know what female is. I’m not sure. I’m not a biologist). King Roderick has near zero lines (I had to look up the cast just to learn his character name) and the Prince Henry tried to be nice, but he did after all, throw his bride Elodie into the Dragon’s pit.
One of the pivotal lines on the movie is Brown as Elodie saying “I’m done with people telling me what to do”. Granted, her father had told her to marry the Prince who turned out to use her for a sacrifice, a deal her father knowingly made. But still… Her father, the Prince and the King were all conniving weaklings. In the end, Elodie, her good step-mother and Elodie’s sister Floria decide to return to their own kingdom and run it themselves. What queen needs progeny, anyway.
It was a good movie nonetheless, rollicking caper in fairy tale form. I’m a monster fan a geek actually, and the dragon was stupendous, from CGI to voice acting. Here is The World’s review of the film: Damsel review.
From Apartment Therapy, this couple tore out a wall and discovered the original staircase! Gorgeous, with before and after photos. The Ingenious Staircase DIY That Made an Entire 1920s Home Feel Larger
“I’ll be staying at The Carlyle”. An opulent article about an opulent hotel. A gal can dream, can’t she?
By Elizabeth Prata
Spring is in the air. And in the ground. Forsythia and daffodils are springing up. So are dandelions. It doesn’t take that weed long to sprout, does it? There are leaf buds on the trees. The morning low temps are above freezing now, and the daytime is pleasant. Pear trees are blooming.
The cycle of seasons in their regular courses is a wonder and a relief. God said in Genesis 8:22, “While all the days of the earth remain, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.“
And the regular courses of social media also continue. There are flowers and weeds. Some spring up and some are later to sprout. It is a joy that there is good material to read online, and a blessing to be able to ignore the weeds. Here are some flowers for your social media garden today:
Sarah Ivill at Ligonier has some good things to say about the book of Ezra. I highly recommend reading the Old Testament. Even if you don’t understand everything at first, just keep reading. As the years go by and you continually pass through these texts in your annual reading plan, it eventually becomes clear.
“Gossip involves saying behind a person’s back what you would never say to his or her face. Flattery means saying to a person’s face what you would never say behind his or her back.” R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man
Phil Johnson, one of my favorite pastor- teachers, asks, Did Tongues Cease or Not?
Both started out well. What went wrong?
The Difference Between Saul and David
God doesn’t use the perfect. He uses those who are quick to repent and throw themselves on his mercy.
FASCINATING story!
We HAVE TO think about this more.
Undying Worm, Undying Men: The Eternal Horrors of Hell
Today, some Christians seem embarrassed by the doctrine of hell. As such, they either omit discussing it, or they reinvent the doctrine and rob it of any real horror. Our Lord, however, was not afraid to talk about hell.
The title got me right away:
Church is a blessing and so is fellowship after, but there are also stresses, especially for moms of tots.
The website Good, Cheap Eats has a listing of “30-Minute Main Meals“. We are all looking to save a bit of time, right? Why do they need to eat every day?? LOL.
If you are considering the farming life, this UK woman seems to have lived it and written about the life honestly, much to the UK’s acclaim:
Helen Rebanks: Farming, food, the meaning of life… and dogs stealing birthday cakes:
Helen Rebanks went from farmer, wife and mother to publishing sensation last year when her first book, The Farmer’s Wife, earned huge success and a legion of fans — not least the likes of bestselling author Raynor Winn and Times columnist Caitlin Moran. Her bestselling tale of everyday life on the Cumbrian farm which she runs alongside husband James is a wonderfully honest look at the ups and downs of what it means to raise — and feed — a family while keeping a roof over everyone’s heads.
Housing is getting difficult around here. Purchasing a home in this increasingly-less-rural corner of my world is out of reach for many people. The decide to rent instead. Even rents are getting high, and salaries are not keeping up. In any case, if you rent, here are some tips for dealing with an absentee landlord. I’ve rented since 2004 and I’ve always been blessed with good landlords, but I understand and empathize the frustration of having issues where you live and seemingly no resolution.
Apartment Therapy advises, How to Deal With Your Landlord Ignoring You (According to Experts)
Rajiv Surendra is an HGTV online personality. He seems to be able to do it all, from restoring frames to bookbinding, thrifting, learning how to sing, iron a shirt, to renovating an entire apartment. His videos are calm and informative, and as mentioned, on a wide array of topics. I like his thrifting/antiqueing videos, they are helpful. Here is his Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@rajivsurendra
By Elizabeth Prata
The Halloween season is over (and a huge praise the Lord from all teachers!) and now we are looking at the blessed time of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I see the usual debates on when to decorate for Christmas (before Thanksgiving or after?), ham or turkey for the Thanksgiving dinner? Nativity sets should or should not contain Wise Men?
I found a sweet and simple nativity myself, made of popsicle sticks. But the manger scene is just adorable. Joseph even holds a teeny tiny staff! I plan to put it in my classroom.
Hopefully this holiday season is a time we can step back, let twitter wars and Facebook resentments go, embrace those around us with love and enjoy the time of year.
Yet, sin still stalks the world and sad and weird news still happens. There’s cuteness and joy too. To that end, here are a few items for your perusal-
Mayor F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland, who was also pastor of First Baptist Church, was outed as a transgender women who had posted photos of himself in racy underwear, his wife’s clothing, authored transgender erotica as well as posting trans porn, killed himself two days after he was outed. “What I do in private life has nothing to do with what I do in my holy life” he had said. No. This is an error. There is no separation between the private and public man. Try to, and it’s spiritual shipwreck! Sadly, he killed himself 😦 he leaves a wife and three children.
Alabama mayor ‘Bubba’ Copeland’s friends worried about his mental health prior to apparent suicide
News story here: Alabama preacher F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland kills himself after being outed as ‘transgender curvy girl’
We truly don’t know the secret sins some people hide. Yet, the Bible says,
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death. (James 1:14-15).
Sometimes we must confront a brother or sister. Matthew 18:15 says so. “Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Proverbs 25:9 too. Luke 17:3. Galatians 6:1. Sensitive stuff. It needs to be handled rightly. Paul Tautges at Counseling One Another gives some advice in his essay, Ten Questions to Ask Yourself Before Confronting a Brother or Sister in Christ
God’s will is inscrutable sometimes. We know His revealed will for all humans, as we read His word. He has revealed Himself there. He has revealed himself in general to all humans through His creation. But His personal will for each of his children, we do not know from day to day how He will sovereignly care for us. Just that He will and He does, even through the most traumatic of events. If a tragedy occurs in our life we often ask, “Why, WHY, Lord?” and we cannot see the ‘good’ in it. But all that God does is good.
This is an anecdote from the early adult life of Elisabeth Elliot, who was not married to Jim Elliot at the time, but was working on mission in Ecuador before she was even engaged to him.
Seek what is good, what is true, and what is beautiful. Enjoy the outdoors and God’s creation today. Pray, love, and be patient. God loves you.
the-end-time.org 