Christians in Cinema BLOG

“…networks shunned prime-time portrayals of religion as part of Americans’ everyday life.” So states Mark I. Pinsky in an article for The Wall Street Journal online. What?
With Christianity ranked by some as the largest religion in the world, and even the most conservative reports (Barna Group’s survey of church attendance) finding that at least half […]

I read a conversation thread today that started out “Is it a sin to watch certain TV shows?” The writer went on to name a certain TV show. It promotes behaviors and themes contrary to this person’s faith, and while it doesn’t make them go out and do those things, they wondered if the shows […]

Sunday evening those who attended the “American Idol Gives Back” taping were surprised that the final song was Darlene Zschech’s “Shout to the Lord.” For the second year, American Idol used its status as one of the most-watched television shows to raise funds for children’s charities around the world.
Various celebrities from sports, television and music […]

I just learned of new resource for artists in all art forms. It’s called The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. Located in beautiful San Clemente, CA, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, this non-profit ministry seeks to help artists transform our culture.
Currently utilizing other retreat facilities, the organization owns a 12-acre avocado […]

I grew up in Texas, where the ranches are big and beef is what’s for dinner. Branding meant stamping a hot firebrand onto the hindquarters of an animal to identify it as one of yours. Each rancher developed a unique brand that made his cattle stand out from others, and when herds got mixed, […]

Lots of crazy things are happening because of the writers’ strike. Things like: an awards show where no one actually receives the award; they just have their name mentioned. Production companies are backing away from the “company line” of the studios and making their own deals with writers. (David Letterman’s WorldWide Pants) New “reality” shows […]

A recent posting at PhilGons.com discusses what he calls “Christian piracy.” A friend told him about a Christian website where Christians share a variety of forms of illegal download content. You can even find pirated Bible software.
What is it about our mentality that causes us to want to find something for nothing? Are we wired […]

Not our country’s Borders, but the beloved bookstore. They’re being slammed for a marketing ploy to sell copies of Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion.
Their ploy? Giving away a free Christmas card that says “O Come, all ye faithless.”
The irony is beautiful. Giving away a CHRISTMAS card with a book about the lack of God, […]

I’m an avid reader. While on vacation last week, I read about 10 books and skimmed another 15 or so. It was wonderful!
Where is God when it hurts?
It’s even better when I read a book that is really life- or philosophy-changing. The last book of that nature that I read was The Shack. Written by […]

Last weekend I attended Steven Curtis Chapman’s concert at Calvary Chapel in Westlake, CA. The friends I went with had passes for the post-concert meet & greet with SCC. What fun!
Bethany Dillon opened the concert, followed by Sanctus Real. Both were great performances, high-powered and energetic. But then, there came the headliner - Steven Curtis […]

Just found out that Hillsongs United is coming to the States to do a worship conference in Orlando, Florida. They’re inviting everyone - including your “mum” - to participate. Conferences happen all the time, it seems. You could spend your life going from conference to conference, and never actually putting in place what you’ve learned […]

At a time when the public awareness of political correctness is at an all-time high, it seems it is politically correct to be offensive to God and those who call themselves his followers. Now, God is big enough to take care of himself. He doesn’t need us to fight his battles - unless he specifically […]

It’s very late and I should be asleep, but that has evaded me quite a few nights lately. So tonight, rather than toss and turn in bed, or watch the clock slowly change from 12:36 to 12:37, I’m checking my e-mail and blogging.
There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, and that is […]

Today in the neighboring town of Clovis, CA, Army Corporal Nathan Hubbard will be laid to rest. He was one of 14 men that died in a helicopter crash in Iraq on August 22. He was in one of two Blackhawk helicopters that had just completed a mission and were returning to base.
What made Nathan’s […]

It’s not news that the world is against the cause of Christianity. In fact, there’s at least a couple thousands years’ evidence to support this. What is news (at least to me) is that it’s become so public and strong within the United States, especially for any Christians or Christian organizations that try to have […]

Earlier this week, I watched the first installment of TNT’s new drama “Saving Grace,” starring Holly Hunter (who is also a producer for the show). It was pretty wild. There was enough sex that it could probably be rated “R,” and the language was raw.
All that aside, it’s an interesting premise. What if, in response […]

I was minding my own business tonight watching “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” when I saw a commercial for a new ABC Family series called “Greek.” It’s a comedy about college fraternities.
In the 2- minute preview I saw college students drinking in a bar, students in an implied sex scene, and various other scenes familiar […]