From flickr by antwerpenR
Thus says the LORD:
What wrong did your ancestors find in me that they went far from me,
and went after worthless things,
and became worthless themselves?
– Jeremiah 2:5 (NRSV)
If you look close, our running friends are climbing the walls of a church. Pursing worthless things? (might hear a part of a objectionable word at end...)
Steve Martin contrasts religious pursuits against the atheist lifestyle. What is worthwhile? What is worthless? (Hint: A couch is involved.)
The consequences of chasing after candy are listed by these furry talking animals.
What if you job is to pursue worthless things? Or destructive things? How will future generations judge our pursuits and the legacy we leave them?
What do you pursue in religious activities? Worthwhile or worthless matters? Does religion or faith make a difference in your life? (Listen for the rare Presbyterian mention in media in this clip.)
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This is my introduction at the Presbyterian Media Mission's General Assembly Media Luncheon.
Past General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow is the founding pastor of the San Francisco Bay area Mission Bay Community Church-a young, urban, quirky, church which uses social media like fish use water.
As moderator, Bruce linked Presbyterians together in real life and through social media with his blog, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.
A father of three and husband of one, he is also the co-host of a weekly podcast, God Complex Radio, and an instructor in Social Media and Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary.
We are please to welcome Bruce Reyes-Chow live and in person.
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From our Song and Service
A Light to the Heights worship
Sunday, May 9
Bible Reading:
Jeremiah 29:4-7 and
Matthew 8:18-22
This week we consider expanding our influence or multiplying God's love. Based on a chapter in the book, Change the Word Recovering the Message and Mission of Jesus by Mike Slaughter of Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio.
Videos:
“Saving Life”
from the film Rambo
Rambo on WingClips
Rambo doesn’t think anyone changes, our missionary thinks they do. How does one spends one’s life on themselves? Or on others?
“What Are You Doing?” from I Can Do Bad All by Myself
"Help Them" from I Can Do Bad All by Myself on WingClips
How can you help yourself by helping others? Our main character says he is “repaying his debt.” How does this relate to the Lord’s Prayer translation that states: Forgive us our debts as we forgive others?
“A Life That Means Something”
From the film The Way We Get By
"Trailer" and "Greeting the Troops" from The Way We Get By on WingClips
Three senior citizens have greeted nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine. Note the man who says his life has no meaning to him, and what he does about it. (After the woman walks into the airport.)
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From our Song and Service
A Light to the Heights worship
Sunday, March 14
Bible Reading:
Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
This week we look at the Godly task of forgiving without forgetting.
Videos:
“You Had Me At Hello”
from the film Jerry Maguire[/]
In Jesus’ story the younger son didn’t get a change to give his rehearsed speech of apology to his father. What is the reason for forgiveness in Jerry Maguire?
“Potential” from The Christmas Wish
The Christmas Wish on WingClips
How is forgiveness made real in this story about how Will’s grandfather, the previous owner of Martin Real Estate, treated Inead Cook?
“I Forgive You”
From the film Pay it Forward
Helen Hunt’s character Arlene McKinney “does something big” without forgetting or denying the offense. We only watched the first 4 or 5 minutes of this clip, stopping at the birthday party.
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From our Song and Service
A Light to the Heights worship
Sunday, March 7
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 55:1-9 and Luke 13:1-9
This week we put God "in the Dock" as C.S. Lewis would say. We consider the strange notion that we can "handle the truth" of God's thoughts.
Videos:
“I Choose to Believe”
The tension between the need for scientific proof and the experience of faith is captured in this exchange at a grocery check-out.
“As soon as questions of will or decision or reason or choice of action arise, human science is at a loss.” – Avram Noam Chomsky
Scene not available for embeding but here is the link to the clip at WingClips, (a new window will open).
Henry Poole is Here on WingClips
“You Can’t Handle the Truth” from A Few Good Men
Think of God Being “in the Dock” instead of Col. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) and we the people wanting to know “the truth”. There is some non-church language we omitted in the showing in worship.
“Ramsey’s Life is Ruined – I Failed”
From the CBS TV show Joan of Arcadia
Clip not available on-line.
Joan knows that she failed because Steve Ramsey’s life is ruined. How does God (the white haired lady) change Joan’s opinion?
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