Psalm 69:30 (11-30-11)

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

When was the last time you sang praises to God outside a church or devotional service? Why not open up the Psalms and find several verses that reflect your own praise and thanks to God and give them a tune — your own tune! God doesn’t care if your spiritual gift is music or not; he’s just listening for your heart to be full of joy as you share your praise and thanksgiving with him.

Prayer…

O gracious Father, giver of every good and perfect gift, forgive me for relegating my thanksgiving and praise to special days and special places. I praise you for creating your human children with the capacity to celebrate goodness, to rejoice in your creation, and to have the capacity for praise and thanksgiving. Thank you for making our world so full of reasons to offer thanks to you, our Abba Father and Creator. As you continually fill me with your Spirit, may my heart overflow with songs of praise and words of thanksgiving. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse Illustrated

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Tim Tebow Urged by Kurt Warner to Tone Down Religious References In Games (VIDEO)

Former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner had some words of advice for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, suggesting that the outspoken Christian ditch the overtly religious symbolism during games.

Warner is not just another naysayer, rather he speaks from personal experience.

After winning the 2000 Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams, Warner famously said “thank you Jesus,” which sparked a career chockfull of on-camera religious statements.

It is something Warner does not want to see from Tebow.

“There’s almost a faith cliche, where (athletes) come out and say, ‘I want to thank my Lord and savior,’ ” Warner told The Arizona Republic. “As soon as you say that, the guard goes up, the walls go up, and I came to realize you have to be more strategic.”

It is not the first time Tebow’s faith has been brought up in NFL circles.

“I think he’s a winner, and I respect that about him,” former Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer previously said. “I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I’ll like him even better.”

“I don’t hate him because of that. I just would rather not have to hear that every single time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff,” Plummer continued.

Plummer’s comments set off a firestorm of back-and-forth comments between Tebow supporters and those who do not want to mix religion and sports.

But Warner’s remarks come from a sense of mentoring the young quarterback.

“The greatest impact you can have on people is never what you say, but how you live,” Warner told The Arizona Republic. “When you speak and represent the person of Jesus Christ in all actions of your life, people are drawn to that. You set the standard with your actions. The words can come after.”

Tebow’s habit of bending his knee and bowing his head in prayer after scoring or making a big play became an Internet craze as people took to “Tebowing,” or mimicking the pose.

The move also was used to taunt the quarterback after opposing teams made big plays or stopped an offensive drive.

Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch drew ire when he “Tebowed” after sacking the Broncos quarterback during a game several weeks ago.

Tebow was quick to defend the opposing linebacker’s actions.

“He was just celebrating, having fun with his teammates and I don’t take offense to that,” Tebow previously told the AP.

It is unclear how Tebow will respond to the public comments made by Warner, but religion is likely to remain a significant part of Tebows public and private life.

“It is the most important thing in my life,” Tebow told ESPN. “Any time I get an opportunity to tell him I love him or get the opportunity to shout him out on national TV I am going to take it … Any time I get the opportunity to give the Lord some praise he is due for it because of what he did for me and what he did for all of us.”

Watch Warner’s 2000 Super Bowl speech below.

Article source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-tebow-urged-by-kurt-warner-to-tone-down-religious-references-in-games-video-63328/

Philippians 2:14-15 (11-29-11)

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

I guess it’s only natural to think that the problems of our own time in history are due to the pervasive depravity of our own time. Thankfully the Bible repeatedly reminds us that God’s people have always had to swim upstream against culture. As children of God, we are to be bright stars in the dark night sky of our secular culture. Rather than constantly complaining about our worldly culture or our time in history, let’s light the path for others to see another way to live.

Prayer…

Almighty God, thank you for calling me to such a high and holy task. I want to shine like a star against the darkness of the culture around me. Please help me as I seek to live a holy life that has a redemptive influence on those around me who do not know Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Verse Illustrated

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Martin Scorsese’s ‘Hugo’ Draws Inspiration From His Daughter

Martin Scorsese said he drew the inspiration for his latest 3D film “Hugo” from his daughter Francesca after the story became one of her favorite children’s books.

Scorsese said the Brian Selznick book captivated him in 2007 after reading it to his daughter, who was eight at the time.

The book is a tale of a young orphan, Hugo, who lives in the walls of a Paris train station and tries to bring a robot machine to life.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to make a movie she could see, or that we could see together,” said Scorsese to USA today.

“Just watching her turn the pages of the book (which has 284 pictures), I knew that people would respond…I don’t consider it a children’s movie. I think it’s a movie children should see with their parents. Then talk about it,” he added.

“Hugo” producer Graham King said he had a feeling Scorsese was looking to make a film for his daughter.

“In the back of my mind, I could see that he was looking for something for his daughter,” said King. “So I sent him the book.”

“Hugo” is the first film by Scorsese shot in 3D. The legendary director said he fell in love with the animation years ago when he visited Vincent Price’s House of Wax at New York’s Academy of Music.

Scorsese said he went home and tried to create 3D images.

“I might cut out a shoe and paste it on top of another picture, then another, to give it context, give it background like 3D. I knew I wanted to make a movie that could do that,” the director explained.

“Hugo” was released in theaters Nov. 23.

Article source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/martin-scorseses-hugo-draws-inspiration-from-his-daughter-63194/

Philippians 2:14-15 (11-28-11)

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you willprove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Thoughts on Today’s Verse…

“Don’t complain or argue!” We don’t normally associate these things with purity and blamelessness. Paul was extraordinarily close to the Philippians and knew them well. He knew their weaknesses and shortcomings. He also knew the destructive power that complaining and arguing have on the life of an otherwise vibrant community of Christians. Let’s heed his warning today, as we see church after church taken under by the negative and cynical spirit that pervades modern culture.

Prayer…

Forgive me and cleanse me, O God, from my argumentative spirit. Please empower me with your Spirit to use my speech only to bless and to build up, never to tear down or discourage. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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