The Rising Promo from spektical on Vimeo.

“Can you explain this dream to me? There was a man with a white robe, he had a stick in his hand that was curved, his eyes where like diamonds and he said I am the Good shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep”. As my mouth hung wide open like a cartoon character, I stood amazed at this missionary to Iraq. She retold me stories of how they would come upon unreached people groups and how God had shown himself to many in that village just like the beginning story. More

As I was reading about modern day martyrs I stumble upon the last words of a 26-year-old sister of the faith. Fatima Al-Mutairi professed her faith to her family in Saudi Arabia. Fatima’s family then locked her in her room, as she awaited death by the hands them, she penned these last words, of which I chose the last section.

“…As to my last words, I pray to the Lord of the worlds
Jesus the Messiah, the Light of Clear Guidance
That He change notions, and set the scales of justice aright
And that He spread Love among you, Oh Muslims”

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Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

This pic and verse embodies the everyday freedom found in the gospel. Receive it, live it, give it!!!

This movie has a dialogue and script that leaves you to question what you live out to the world. You follow the main character through his struggle of living out his faith for the sake of his God alone. The tension is found between his Islamic faith and his patriotism to the United States. The movie centers on a defining statement “…you sound just like them”. During the movie the director wants the viewer to decide who the “good guys” really are. You follow him deep into the portrayal of the Jihad faith and culture, seeing why they believe death has to happen in order to accomplish the ultimate good. All the while Cheadle’s character is trying to maintain a loyalty to America, which appears to embody the same greater good mentality as the “other side”. Both sides are so consumed with the destruction of the other that they in turn abandon the very principles they claim to stand for. More

So we have seen it… Masses of people chanted, balloons dropped, viewers were captivated and both sides have spoken. It’s like the shootout at the O.K. Corral using rhetoric as bullets to wound and hopefully kill the “opponent” in the minds of American voters. I must admit, seeing what one could imagine numerically as Moses’ exodus, was captivating and somewhat unbelievable for a day. This year’s election campaigns, or shall I say, glorified “Bloods” versus “Crips” sophisticated gang war, dominated my conversation and media inquiries for about a day. More

What is the Christ-centered response to such a crisis?