“The Church is the one institution that exists for those outside it.”

William Tyndale

this coming Sunday, Sunday, January 22, is Championship Sunday.

the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots will play for the AFC Championship.

the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers will play for the NFC Championship.

don’t miss it.

it is, however, the best film adaptation of a novel i have ever seen after reading the original book; even with the changes from the original source material.

director David Fincher and everyone else involved in the making of this movie are at the top of their game. the actors are excellent. the score is great. the writing is wonderful. i hope they all return to make the other two films that could be made from author Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy.

if you’ve read anything by Mark Driscoll or heard him speak/preach, you have an idea of what you’re in for with this book.

it’s nice, however, to hear from Grace Driscoll as well. it’s always good to see a book about marriage written by a married couple. hearing from both spouses is a real treat.

the sub-title sets the stage for Real Marriage. Mark and Grace get at the Biblical truth about sex, friendship, and life together in the covenant of marriage.

Mark and Grace are very honest and open; VERY HONEST AND OPEN. in fact, it may border on TMI for some readers. don’t let that scare you, though. the stories, insights, and comments in this book are helpful and practical.

if you want more information about Real Marriage check out these links…

http://pastormark.tv/books/real-marriage

http://pastormark.tv/2011/12/07/inside-look-at-real-marriage

Real Marriage is a great book for people who are married and who are thinking about getting married.

*Full Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through “Book Sneeze.” They give free books to bloggers for honest reviews.*

it is, as the subtitle claims, ferociously funny. the novel is also a touching theological and spiritual journey.

Night Of The Living Dead Christian tells the story of a Lutheran named Luther Anne Martin, a man who struggles with faith and lycanthropy, or werewolfism.

without giving away too much of the novel, the story involves other creatures and characters, including the author himself, action, adventure, violence, and humour.

with the help of a scientist named Daniel Culberton and a robot, er, i mean android named Hibbs, Matt and Luther try to discover what a transformed life truly looks like.

Night Of The Living Dead Christian is as thought-provoking as it is funny. i found myself laughing out loud at times and reflecting deeply at other times.

Relevant Magazine, reviewing Imaginary Jesus, Mikalatos’ first novel, wrote: “Think Monty Python meets C.S. Lewis.” the same could be said of this book.

after reading Night Of The Living Dead Christian and reflecting upon Scripture, i’m drawn to two passages from Paul.

the first is Romans 7:15-16: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (NLT)

the second is 2 Corinthians 5:17: “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (NLT)

i know, i know; Luther would not appreciate using the New Living Translation. oh well.

the above passages articulate the struggle we Christians face. we are new creations, yet we do what we don’t want to do at times. we sin at times. Night Of The Living Dead Christian is a great parable/allegory that explores the tension between these two texts.

along with the novel is a Discussion Guide which is useful for small groups and book clubs and a guide for self-diagnosis to common monstrosities which is useful if you or someone you know may be a monster or is struggling with monster-like symptoms.

Night Of The Living Dead Christian is a wonderful read. it’s especially great for fans a monster movies and creature features.

*NOTE: Tyndale Publishing gave me a free copy of Night Of The Living Dead Christian for a review posting on my blog. For more information check out the Tyndale Blog Network.

*P.S. NOTE: In fact, for this post I was lucky enough to be part of the Matt Mikalatos blog tour and there are some extra perks. For one thing, check out this video: http://www.tyndale.com/video/296. Two, check out these sites: http://mattmikalatos.com and www.tyndale.com. And three, I have a certificate to give away from Tyndale House Publishers for a free copy of Night Of The Living Dead Christian. The first person to comment on this post with the answer to these two questions will win the certificate: who co-wrote and directed the 1968 film Night Of The Living Dead? What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, King of kings and Lord of Lords, the Son of the living God and Son of David, come. Come now to Your Church that you have purchased with Your blood. Come with Your gracious presence, that we may rejoice in You. Come and rule over us, that we may serve and follow You. Come with Your love, humility, and perfect obedience, and let Your lowliness become our glory. Come into the midst of Your people and bless us, for we are Your heritage. Forgive us our sin, and do not angrily cast away Your servants, for You are meek and gracious. Clothe us with the garment of Your righteousness, for You are the only rightous one and our helper. Satisfy us with the abundance of Your mercy, for You did become poor for our sakes, that by Your poverty we might be made rich. Hear us, Lord Jesus, for the sake of Your holy name. Amen. (72)

Lutheran Book of Prayer, “Prayers for the Festivals & Times of the Church Year,” Advent.

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Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Heinz Field, 8:20 pm

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

along the way we’re given a glimpse of life in the Ukraine, a few history lessons, theological reflections, spiritual insight, and a families’ journey to adopt a young girl.

the Taunton’s story is heart-warming. they put their lives in Alabama on hold and travel to the Ukraine to bring a little girl home with them. they have to deal with language, cultural, and social differences. they have to deal with corrupt officials and state representatives. they show the patience of Job in their dealings.

“Simply defined,” writes Taunton, [the grace effect] is an observable phenomenom - that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes.” (Pg. 22, The Grace Effect).

believers from all denominations and traditions would agree. this is our mission and mandate as Christians. to make things better for people. to do God’s will, on earth as it is in heaven.

the Taunton’s story is an example of the grace effect. they make Sasha’s life better, demonstrably better.

a few of the author’s opinions and comments may be disagreable to some readers. however, this book is well-worth reading and the notion, the grace effect, is well-worth living.

let’s make life demonstrably better.

*Full Disclosure: I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through “Book Sneeze.” They give free books to bloggers for honest reviews.*

the book was written by Bob Waliszewski. he’s a parent and former youth pastor. Waliszewski is also the director of Plugged-In Online, a website visited a million times a month by parents and families looking for information about current entertainment.

Plugged-In Parenting is full of wonderful insights, stories, and quotes. Waliszewski is a great writer and story-teller. parents will see themselves in the book and be able to relate to the challenges that come with raising children and engaging in the culture and media that surrounds us.

this book is a must-read for parents, pastors, preachers, and anyone working with children and young people.

we need to be informed; we need to be relevant; and we need to be discerning. this book is a great resource to help with all three.

*NOTE: Tyndale Publishing gave me a free copy of Plugged-In Parenting for a review posting on my blog. For more information check out the Tyndale Blog Network.