Apparently Kirk Cameron has discovered “the ‘secret recipe’ that has made America the freest, richest country in history.”
“Now this is my project, but it’s about all of us, it’s about our kids and securing a monumental future for them,” he said. “How do we teach them the truths that will set them free internally and externally for the world that they live in and secure their future?”
Monumental tells the story of men and women who risked all for liberty, including the travails of the Pilgrims, and shares stories of faith that helped shape education, government, and civic life in the United States. The film also features interviews by Cameron of current-day political and faith leaders, including Christian author Os Guinness, Senate Chaplain Barry Black, David Barton of WallBuilders, Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.), and Marshall Foster of the Mayflower Institute.
The concept driving this documentary bothers me. Watch the trailer and feel free to disagree with me, but I think it’s a stretch to argue that Christianity is what has made our country so free and prosperous. Making such an assumption neglects a myriad of other forces that were at work in contributing to our prosperity and freedom–many of which are unseemly to say the least. For instance, our forefathers came to this land and forcefully took it from the natives that inhabited it, literally killing millions of them. Since then we, as a nation, have entered into conflicts with other nations to protect what we took by force and secure our interests abroad.
I am not trying to say that all of those wars were categorically unjust, I just want to bring a much needed reality check to what seems to be a film that unhelpfully conflates Christianity with politics and prosperity. I believe the gospel has done immeasurable good to many individuals in our country but I want to draw clear lines between the gospel and the many forces that combined to lead our nation toward freedom and prosperity. The gospel, after all presents us with a king who conquers not by force but by loving self-sacrifice and calls us to do the same (Mark 10:45).
Further, I find it troubling when Christians conflate prosperity with the gospel. In fact, often times in the Old Testament, it was the richest nations that seem to reject God most vehemently. Prosperity is never categorically seen in the Bible as a sign of God’s blessing and favor, nor are we commanded to seek it for ourselves or for our nation. Also we must remember that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world and it extends to every tribe, tongue and nation–our role in advancing it shouldn’t center on our country’s interests alone.
So here is to hoping Cameron goes back to sharing videos of his street witnessing.
In my opinion, here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly:
The Good:
Well, it’s mostly good! This year, the website’s lists for “Critics’ Choice” and “Most Redeeming” have a similar feel to them. Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life is the critics’ number one choice, and is second for most redeeming. Actually, Malick’s film, which was nominated by the Academy for Best Film this week, is the unanimous pick for Christianity Today, Think Christian, and Looking Closer. Oh, and we thought so, too.
I’m also glad to see Of Gods and Men, Moneyball, and Hugo all bunched together near the top of the list. They were three of my favorites of the year, for sure. Also, it’s good to see Win, Win and The Mill and the Cross receive some recognition. These seem to be overlooked a bit on the year-end lists.
The Bad:
I know: according to Rotten Tomatoes’ top critics, it’s possibly the best movie ever. But I saw the film this week, and, as I mentioned briefly in my column on the Oscar nominees and nostalgia, my first thought was “that’s the frontrunner for best film of the year?” But, it seems CT’s team regards it just as highly. (Shrugs).
I’m also a bit disappointed at a few omissions. Not even an honorable mention for Certified Copy, Buck, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, or Attack the Block? Ok, well maybe the last one is wishful thinking on my part, but the first three? I’m a bit surprised by their total absence.
The Ugly:
Oh, the comments! There’s some cringe-worthy ones under the Most Redeeming List. Three of my personal (least) favorites:
“d b” says: “As usual, CT has borrowed again the Hollywood mantra “unsuited for young viewers.” This means that errotic movie scenes and foul language “may be” detrimental to our children.”
Phillip Henson chimes in: “I tried to refraim from commenting, but the Tree of Life has now taken the number one spot on my list of worst movie’s I’ve ever seen, it had no plot. I fully support an artist taking risks, but I don’t think a movie should get rave reviews only because it was an artistic risk. Really, the movie was like reading only the first page of each chapter of a book and saying it was beautiful. It wasn’t beautiful, it was trying to tell a story but not taking the time to write it, only giving the viewer an idea of it.”
Ricardo Herrera: “I cant bealive they put Harry Potter in the list of reediming films next to real inspirational movies like Courageous.”
We still have a ways to go, it seems, when it comes to evangelicals, the arts, and culture. Hopefully these kind of comments aren’t as representative as they might seem.
David Crowder Band – Give us Rest 2012 English Christian Songs Download
Give us Rest or (A Requiem Mass in C [The Happiest of All Keys])2012 is the latest American Christian Praise & Worship Pop album released by American Christian Six Piece Modern Rock Worship band David Crowder Band. This album was released on January 10, 2012 and released under the label Six Step Records / Sparrow Records.
Label :: Six Step Records / Sparrow Records Location :: Waco, Texas, USA
David Crowder Band – Give us Rest 2012 biography and history Biography ::
The band began when David Crowder, from Texarkana, Texas, realized that almost half of the students at Baylor University were not attending church. Finding this very surprising, since it is a Christian university, he and Chris Seay started University Baptist Church (Waco, Texas) in 1995 while he was still a student. Crowder led worship there and continued to do so throughout the year. The church’s congregation grew, as did the band’s lineup.
Crowder began writing songs to incorporate into the worship times at the church and eventually the church released an independent CD, Pour Over Me, followed by All I Can Say in 1999. These CDs brought the band to a wider audience and invitations to festivals and events followed. The band was signed to sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records and has released six more albums to date (see discography). The band tours the United States continuously, but make it back to their home church in Waco, Texas relatively often. It has been said[by whom?] that Kyle Lake, University Baptist Church’s former pastor and also longtime friend of the band, had a strong influence on the band’s music in terms of content and inspiration both during his life and after his death.
01. Requiem Aeternam Dona Eis, Domine 02. Oh Great God, Give Us Rest 03. Lux Aeternam Shine 04. Come Find Me 05. God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison 06. Why Me? 07. Fall On Your Knees 08. A Burial 09. Let Me Feel You Shine 10. Reprise #1 11. Blessedness Of Everlasting Light 12. The Sound Of Light 13. Interlude 14. Sequence 1 15. Sequence 2 16. Sequence 3 17. Sequence 4 18. Sequence 5 19. Sequence 6 20. Sequence 7
The TY album “W H O K I L L” (which I wrote about for CaPC’s Best of Music feature) topped the annual Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll. That’s about as close to critical mass as an independent release gets.
Klosterman considers the burden such a critical mass places on TY head-mistress Merril Garbus. The rest of her career can either play out like James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and Cat Power or fizzle out like Fischerspooner and Arrested Development. As always with Klosterman, read the footnotes, the second one in particular. It contains the article’s main claim.
Garbus has a couple things going for her: 1) a great complementary collaborator, bassist Nate Brenner and 2) a terrific live act. I think she’s got more good music in her.
God is so wonderful, so beautiful, so majestic, so amazingly exalted that to truly gaze upon Him is to be changed forever ( 2 Cor 3:18).
Justin Martyr, an early church apologist, said,”They can kill us, but they can’t hurt us.” This simply means that no matter what happens to the person that has zoned [...] Christian Rap/Hip Hop news, events, and lyrics ft. Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Flame and more!
Throughout the years, many prescription drugs have become prime targets for causing serious addictions. For some people, addiction is sneaky and comes from a medication used during an illness. For others, the use of a drug that induces euphoria and serene calmness is too enticing to resist. The drug that induces euphoria and that strange calmness is the reason for you or someone you love may need GHB rehab.
Schedule 1 Drug
GHB, Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate, is a Schedule I controlled substance. It is classified as a central nervous system depressant and can have multiple side effects that many illicit drug users find pleasant. First developed in Europe as an analgesic, it has since become widely abused and the choice drug for illicit use in many countries. No longer used in the traditional sense of analgesic medicine, GHB hit the bodybuilding scene.
Bodybuilders and GHB
One place that has helped Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate popularity is the gym. The ironic part of this is gyms are there to help you get healthier. Many bodybuilders have started using it because they are led to believe it has properties that allow muscle building and weight loss to take place. Bodybuilders everywhere should know this drug has never been scientifically proven to be an anabolic substance. However, it is extremely addicting.
Multiple Addictions
Most people who end up abusing Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate are also using other prescription drugs to get high. Many Valium users have been reported to be favorable to Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate. Statistics also show that alcohol abusers seem to favor this drug as well. Keep in mind one substance addiction leads to another for many people. Making sure you or someone you care about receives rehabilitation is important for any addiction.
GBL
Crackdowns in the use of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate by government officials led to the creation of another drug closely related to GHB. This new concoction is called Gamma Butyrolactone, GBL for short. GBL is popularly used in gyms and nightclubs. The chemical used to make this medication turn into GHB in the body. The side effects are the same and have been noted to be highly addictive. In fact, this is the drug renowned as the date rape drug.
Family and Friends Can Help
While getting the right treatment is important and in some cases, absolutely vital for a survival, there are many addicts that will not give in and go to rehab. Addiction can take a stronghold sometimes and take over someone’s entire being and life. Learning more about how to reach inside an addict is best when friends and family members get involved with rehab professionals.
Withdrawal Fears
Addiction has its own demons and side effects as well. The fear of facing withdrawal is the worst one of these. In fact, this fear is the greatest reason addicts avoid going to intensive outpatient program or any other place to help. Withdrawal from this drug, also known as the date rape drug, causes severe physical pain, high levels of anxiety, and an altered mental status.
Individual who are addicted to alcohol often find it hard to talk about their feelings. Seeking alcohol addiction counseling from an individual who is a trained profession will help you stop drinking and to stay sober. The guilty feelings and shame that many alcoholics have can cause depression. While many people realize they need to make changes it is very difficult to handle the struggles they will face.
The Professionals
Trained counselors have the expertise necessary for guiding individuals to and through the process of recovery. These professionals are non-judgmental and genuinely want their clients to succeed. There are several options for individuals who are ready for help. The counselor listens to the alcoholic without being critical and makes every effort to help the person find the process that works best for them.
The Evaluation
The substance abuse counselor will complete a comprehensive evaluation with the individual seeking help. It is important for the counselor to get to know the person’s history, family history, any medical issues he or she may be having, about their relationships with family and friends and what has brought them to counseling.
The Plan
Working with the client and based on the evaluation and assessment, the counselor will develop a treatment plan. Gathering as much information as possible and getting to know the client is crucial to finding the right approach to recovery. The client who has an addiction will have a number of issues they will learn to identify and address appropriately to overcome their dependence on alcohol.
Confidentiality
To help the client feel comfortable and trusting, the counselor holds to the strictest confidentiality rules. Every person must feel confident that what they say in a session stays between them and the professional. Confidentiality is the key to developing a trusted relationship between client and counselor. If a person does not feel safe they will not successfully deal with their issues.
The Root Of The Problem
A skilled counselor can provide the tools to assist the individual to stop drinking and learn alternative coping skills. There are many problems the alcoholic will face that are the direct result of excessive drinking. Counselors help the individual gain control of life so they can live alcohol free. In addition, counselors help clients develop their goals and objectives that will give them confidence as they accomplish them.
The Decision
Seeking help from a trained alcohol addiction rehabilitation professional is very important for anyone with an alcohol addiction. Once the person feels ready to make changes in their life and become sober, the next step is to seek counseling. Part of the process is for the individual to understand and identify triggers that lead to drinking. A counselor will help the person learn appropriate coping techniques that will prevent a relapse.
Rend Collective Experiment Homemade Worship By Handmade People 2012 English Christian Songs Download
Homemade Worship By Handmade People is the latest Irish Christian Worship album released by Irish Christian Inspirational Worship band Rend Collective Experiment. This album was released on January 10th, 2012 and released under the label Survivor / Kingsway Records.
Label :: Survivor / Kingsway Records Location :: Bangor, Ireland
Handmade People – Homemade Worship 2012 complete biography and history History ::
Well a movement of friends is a hard thing to package. When something happens locally that is real and sincere, it probably doesn’t need too much hype. Rend Collective Experiment (or Rend Collective as we are mostly known) started in 2004 as a group of confused 20 somethings started trying to figure out life, God and community. Then in 2007 it grew into a collective of musicians and artists trying… to share with the world what they were learning. All our music is grown out of an organic environment and we hope you can appreciate our bond through our music. We try to make journey music that talks from the heart and trys to follow God’s heart yet its music for all not just the religious! A huge part of our ethos is about generating money that can help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Not making them charity cases but standing with the poor and oppressed in solidarity as one family. Also about reminding the church we are called to be “One” a “Collective” even a “Family” thats how we function as a band and thats our heart as we are at home or travelling. At home in Ireland and around the world we have about 15 members of our collective but as a touring band about 6………….
01. Praise Like Fireworks 02. You Are My Vision 03. The Cost 04. Second Chance 05. True Intimacy 06. Build Your Kingdom Here 07. Desert Soul 08. Christ Has Set Me Free 09. Keep Me Near 10. Alabaster 11. Shining Star 12. Album EPK
There is a substance that can make people feel like their life is out of control and they can no longer maintain the quality of life they once had. This substance almost instantly turns the person using it into an addict that continuously wants more. Very quickly, a person will spend money that they really do not have to get more and some even start to sell what little possessions they have to obtain it. For the lucky ones, they find their way to a crack rehabilitation program to regain control and learn how to survive without the substance.
Highly Addictive
This form of cocaine is known to be highly addictive. The most common method for ingestion is smoking it through a glass pipe. The smoke has an almost instantaneous reaction with the brain that causes an intense feeling that surges through the human body.
One Negative
One of the negative aspects to the feelings one gets when smoking crack is that it wears off quickly. Many people then start to get intense cravings to regain or maintain the high. When this occurs people can smoke large quantities of the substance in a short period of time. People can easily spend a great deal of money during a binge that leaves them financially impoverished.
Depression
A deep depression comes when a person starts to come down from their high. If one runs out of money, they may perform certain behaviors that compromise their feelings of self worth to get more crack. Some even resort to acts of prostitution and thievery to obtain more drugs.
Difficult To Stop
A person trying to stop using often does so with great difficulty. Perhaps they live in an area where the cocaine is easily found and many of their friends and associates are regular users. Other times they may turn to other intoxicants that actually increase their desire to have more crack and the cycle is simply repeated.
Paths To Recovery
A lasting depression can result in people who use this form of cocaine. Many people have thoughts of suicide and can hurt themselves. Other times, a person could find they now have heart problems along with financial problems caused by regular usage of crack. Many people tire of this cycle of behavior and look for ways to break out of it, like medical drug detox.
Triggers
Many communities are acutely aware of how this drug has affected their communities and have developed places where a person can get help. This is a place where a person can be with others who want help. A place where they can find others who know what they are going through and can help them develop skills to avoid going back to a destructive life.
Worship leader Daniel Bashta, gained much praise for his latest full-length release in September 2011, titled The Sounds of Daniel Bashta; of which I personally found to be one of the BEST releases of 2011. Exclusively for a limited time on NoiseTrade, you can download a sampler which features four acoustic tracks, off said release! This collection is titled, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta The Acoustic Sessions; and even includes a track titled Always Faithful, featuring Matt Jackson; which was not featured on Daniel’s latest. The other tracks on this acoustic project, include guest vocals by Third Day’s Mac Powell, Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker-Smith, and Jason Morant. You can download it, here!
And available exclusively on his official Facebook artist page, grab an instrumental full-length version download, of The Sounds of Daniel Bashta; titled The Sounds of Daniel Bashta The Instrumentals, when you hit the ‘Like’ button! If you already ‘Like’ his official page, no worries, you can still download it, using the same link. Download it, here.
If you have heard Daniel’s previous work, these are definitely ‘must have’ download’s. And if your not familiar with his work, well then, you have some listening to do… And you can start by grabbing these amazing freebies! I hope you all enjoy.
Worship leader Daniel Bashta, gained much praise for his latest full-length release in September 2011, titled The Sounds of Daniel Bashta; of which I personally found to be one of the BEST releases of 2011. Exclusively for a limited time on NoiseTrade, you can download a sampler which features four acoustic tracks, off said release! This collection is titled, The Sounds of Daniel Bashta The Acoustic Sessions; and even includes a track titled Always Faithful, featuring Matt Jackson; which was not featured on Daniel’s latest. The other tracks on this acoustic project, include guest vocals by Third Day’s Mac Powell, Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker-Smith, and Jason Morant. You can download it, 