From Ruin to Redemption - Godβs Justice and Promise
Dan reflects on the cultural phenomenon of the "antihero," using the TV show "Breaking Bad" as a prime example. He contrasts this with the clear moral lines of the film "Remember the Titans." This reflection then transitions into an examination of the book of Micah, specifically chapters 3, 4, and 5.
Key Highlights:
- "Breaking Bad" and the Rise of the Antihero:
- Dan discusses how the show portrays a drug dealer, Walter White, as a sympathetic protagonist, highlighting the cultural shift where audiences root for characters who perform immoral actions.
- This reflects a cultural trend where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
- "Remember the Titans" and Clear Moral Lines:
- Dan contrasts "Breaking Bad" with a scene from "Remember the Titans," emphasizing the clear distinction between right and wrong.
- The quote "Attitude reflects leadership, captain." is used to illustrate the difference between the two cultural items.
- Micah's Prophecy and Its Relevance Today:
- Dan dives into Micah's condemnation of corrupt leaders and false prophets in Israel, drawing parallels to contemporary society.
- Micah's message highlights the dangers of prioritizing personal gain over justice and righteousness.
- Scripture readings from Micah 3, 4, and 5 are included to reinforce the message.
- Trusting in God vs. Trusting in Idols:
- Dan emphasizes Micah's call to trust in God rather than worldly power or material possessions.
- Dan points out how God chooses the broken and marginalized to be his remnant.
- Dan draws a connection between Micah's prophecies and the ministry of Jesus.
- The Transformation of the Heart:
- Dan uses C.S. Lewis's imagery of God rebuilding the heart to illustrate the transformative power of faith.
- The episode concludes with a challenge to listeners to examine what they are placing their trust in.
- Key theme: Dan contrasts the worlds view of good and evil, with the biblical view, and challenges listeners to examine their own hearts.
#Wordle 1,353 3/6*
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The #OldGal got trapped in a rabbit hole for a 5! Time to dog pile #YoungPups!
#Wordle 1,352 4/6*
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Missed opportunity for a birdie today. The #OldGal also scored a 4 for par. Any #YoungPups with a 3?
Iβm preaching from Micah 3-5 tomorrow morning.
It is timely.
It is uncomfortable.
I am nervous.
I havenβt been nervous to preach a sermon in a long, long time.
#Wordle 1,351 5/6*
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The #OldGal posted a 4 today. She crushed me. I hope we have a 3 from the #YoungPups!
Good morning! When you get home after 2:30 am the morning doesnβt start until almost 10. May you be joyful today! #MorningMug
I think an undervalued feature of the micro.blog service is the mobile app suite. The primary app for general micro blogging, Epilogue for book management and sharing, Sunlit for a photograph centric experience, Strata for private notes, and Wavelength for podcasting.
I just bumped into this quote:
βWhen the Greeks got the gospel, they turned it into a philosophy;when the Romans got it, they turned it into a government;
when the Europeans got it, they turned it into a culture;
and when the Americans got it, they turned it into a business.β Richard Halverson
Last night over dinner a friend I were discussing what it looks like to engage the issues facing us today. I realized that there were three sources of development that I lean more than any these days:
Learning How To See podcast, season 1 on our personal biases
The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
A Theory of Everything by Ken Wilber
These might perhaps be helpful resources for you as well.
#Wordle 1,350 4/6*
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Time for a dog pile, #YoungPups, the #OldGal did not complete the puzzle. She scored the magical βXβ!
A lot of us Christians havenβt read what happens after the feeding of the multitudes, and it shows.
Tough Love vs. Tender Mercy - Which Way Did Jesus Go?
There’s an old joke that’s told in a variety of ways. A man goes to heaven and is getting a tour by St. Peter. Peter is pointing out the various places in heaven that might be of interest and introduces him to various people as they wander the streets. The man looks down a street and sees a doorway, but it is gated and well out of the way, leading into a building. The man asks, “Peter, what is that?” Peter replies, “Oh, that’s for the Presbyterians. They think they’re the only ones up here.”
I just heard a fantastic quote on a podcast from Jonah Goldberg, βOne bad guy with a nuke ruins it for everyone.β
This was in the context of ethical questions regarding the development and use of AI.
Sometimes you go to the gym because it is just good for you. Itβs not easy. But itβs the right thing.
#Wordle 1,349 5/6*
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The #OldGal with a strong showing today by scoring a 4. She defeats me. Are there any #YoungPup 3s?
Good morning! May you choose to respond with loving kindness to the circumstances you find yourself in today. #MorningMug
Building on the Rock - Practicing Faith for Life's Storms
What do you do when life gets tough? Do you retreat to bed, declaring it a “no good, very bad day,” hoping tomorrow will be better? If so, we might never leave our beds. Daily, we encounter trouble, hardship, heartache, and suffering, even amidst blessings. The news constantly reminds us of the world’s unending problems.
How do we respond? We cannot perpetually hide, waiting for an easy life. The storms inevitably come, and we often live with a sense of impending trouble, even when things are good.
In the quest to press against rising authoritarianism (for this is indeed what we are seeing and it is reminiscent of the similar rise that took place post WWI in the US as well) in the United States the hardest part is differentiating the signal from the noise.
A key strategy for the authoritarian is to flood the zone with noise so that their political enemies and the public are distracted from the things that matter.
When everything is a crisis, nothing is a crisis.
When the real crisis comes it is ignored because it gets lumped into all the other noise.
Be wise. Be discerning. Be vigilant.