Review of "Noah"

Have you seen the movie "Noah"? Are you thinking of seeing it? I saw it last night with a friend.

Short review: The movie has very little in common with the Biblical account. However, I think the movie leaves a lot of room for discussion with believers or those weak in their faith. In the review I've given suggestions for preparing to see the movie with your kids, discussion after the movie, and discussing the movie with friends and others. To read the review, click below.

Review of the movie "Noah"

CAUTION: There are a several intense and potentially disturbing scenes in the movie; I wouldn't suggest it for kids under the age of 13!

6 Ways to Strengthen Your Faith in 2014

By Shelly Burke

•             Whether a single verse, a chapter, or more, read God’s Word, the Bible, every single day.  2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman!) of God 
  may be competent, equipped for every good work.”  (If you’d like to read through the Bible in a Year, just type “read the Bible in a year” into your search engine. If you’d like to extend that to two years, type in “read the Bible in two years” There are so many different plans available you’re sure to find one that will work for you!
•          Gather your Bible, journal, devotion book, pens, etc. in one place so when it’s time for your personal Bible study and devotions, everything is in one place.

•          Write your favorite Bible verses on notecards and post them where you’ll see and read them frequently—on the bathroom mirror, refrigerator, office, wallet, etc.
•                   Listen to Christian music on the radio, Pandora radio, a TV station, or CD. You’ll be surprised at how listening to positive music affects your day! 
•                   Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). How? Just talk to God. Any time…all the time.

  

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  About everything…and anything. Nothing is too big, or too small. Thank Him for the blessings He has given you. Ask Him for guidance. Ask Him to bless those around you. Tell Him your concerns. He cares about all parts of your life. 
•                    Go to church. Yes, hypocrites go to church…and no, you don’t have to go to church to go to heaven. But if you are serious about strengthening your faith, attending church is vital. At church you’ll worship the Lord and thank Him for all He has done for you, you’ll be with other believers, you’ll  learn more about God and you’ll be strengthened through the sacrament of Holy Communion. If you don’t have a church home, search for one.

 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

8 Verses to Guide You in 2014

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• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
• Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.Galatians 6:9-10
• Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
• Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.                                                  1 Thessalonians 5:23
• Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
• Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 (Read more of my reflections on this verse in "New Beginnings")

New Beginnings

By Shelly Burke

“Remember not the former things,

nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:18-19

On this final day of 2013, what do you want to “remember not”?

·         Unkind words—said by you or to you

·        A broken relationship

·         Bad decisions

·         Persistent sins

·         Regrets

In these verses God assures us that He can do a “new thing” in us. My Bible study notes say that we should not forget the “former things” but instead focus on the future. We cannot (and should not) ignore the “things of old”—many, if not most of those things can teach us valuable lessons. However, we cannot perceive the “new thing” God is doing unless we change our focus to what is ahead.

No matter what you have done, God will forgive—all you have to do is ask. He removes our sin “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12).

And no matter what you are facing—an illness, financial stress, relationship troubles, a crisis of faith—even when there appears to be no possible path through it—God can “make a way in the wilderness.” He can do the seemingly impossible—like make a river in the dessert. Nothing is impossible with Him.

And most importantly remember that no matter how difficult the path, He is always, always with you (Matthew 28:20) and will never, ever leave you (Hebrews 13:5b). 

What “new thing” is ahead for you in 2014? 

FREE 2014 Verse Card, "God's Promises to You" with gift subscription

A subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates traditional values the old-fashioned way--in their mailbox! The mission of the "Nebraska Family Times" is "to inspire, encourage and motivate readers in their Christian walk." We cover local, state and national news from a Christian point of view, and every issue also includes devotional articles, Bible Study and much more! 

In the past year we've covered:

• National news from a Christian point of view--including Miley Cyrus's behavior, the suicide of Arial Castro in prison (he was the man who held three women prisoners in his home for a decade), and the Boston Marathon bombing
• Nebraska news--what the legislature did, what Common Core Educational Standards are and why they are damaging to kids; Nebraska is one of a handful of states who are fighting against adopting the standards
• Local stories--Bruce Wall, the new director of Camp Luther in Schuyler, NE; Grace Knuth, a Lincoln resident, and her story of adopting a child with Down Syndrome from Bulgaria; Befriend Mentoring Program in Norfolk, Fremont and Columbus; the Global Passion Ministries-Nebraska team's fifth mission trip to Nicaragua coming up in February of 2014, and much more! 

A gift subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is perfect for anyone on your list including: 

• Someone who is shut-in and appreciates reading Christian news
• A Sunday-School or school teacher
• A mom of young children who needs encouragement and only has a few minutes at a time to read 
• Day care provider
• Elderly friend or relative 
• Anyone who enjoys reading a "real" newspaper made of paper--not pixels on the internet! 

A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20 and with every subscription the recipient (and the gift-giver, if it's a gift subscription) will receive our 2014 verses card, "God's Promises to You." 

To order, go to Nebraska Family Times and click "Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times" in the right hand column, send $20 to PayPal, shelly@shellyburke.net or mail your check to Nebraska Family Times, 209 27th St. #13, Columbus, NE 68601. Questions? E-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net. 

Give a gift of encouragement that will last all year! 

I will be at the Scotus Craft Botique in Columbus, NE, tomorrow! Stop by if you are there--I love to meet readers and if you don't receive the "Nebraska Family Times" pick up a free copy at the craft fair! 

Hungry for God: Daylight Savings Time is Presumptuous

What do you think of daylight savings time? Here's an interesting perspective.

Hungry for God: Daylight Savings Time is Presumptuous

Nebraska Considering a Transgender Policy

By Al Riskowski

The Nebraska School Activities Association has announced that their board is considering a transgender policy that would allow students to participate in school sports without consideration of biological gender.

The board will consider the policy August 21 during its regular meeting.

“Placing the proposal on the August board agenda as an action item will eliminate any confusion on the transparency of the association or myself to formally address procedures for transgender participation within our board procedures,” Blanford-Green said in a news release.

Ironically, the policy, which originally had appeared on the NSAA’s website (but read the Transgender Policy here;  https://nsaahome.org/nsaaforms/pdf/transqa.pdf ), has been removed.

According to the original version of the policy, it would require students who want to participate in a sport with members of the gender opposite from their biological gender to prove their gender identity through the testimony of experts such as hormonal experts and psychologists.

Blanford-Green, executive director of NSAA, said she proposed the policy to the NSAA board because she wanted to establish an equity policy for transgender students before her appearance at a national conference on transgender student participation in sports.

If such a policy would be passed it would create an unfair advantage for transgender students, especially boys who ask to play against girls.

This type of policy can create so many difficulties for a public school in so many different ways, like locker room and restroom accommodation. It certainly seems parents should be involved in this type of decision that morally and economically affects schools and sports programs.

A policy of this type would also affect private and parochial schools because they compete against the public schools in various sports. For example, if a boy played for a girl volleyball or basketball team the home team would be required to accommodate in locker and restroom provisions. Schools would face difficult decisions on how to or if they should accommodate transgender student athletes and allowing boys and girls to share locker rooms and showers.

This issue is on the agenda for the August 21 meeting of the NSAA Board of Directors. It is not listed as an Action Item; it is listed as an item on the Executive Director Report. Thus, this proposal will be discussed at the August meeting but a vote on this policy may not be taken until possibly November.

The NSAA needs to hear from concerned Nebraska citizens who oppose the adoption of a transgender participation policy.

1. Send an email to the directors. Copy the executive director and all board members in your email. For contact information go to www.nebfc.org
2. Mail a letter to Rhonda Blanford-Green, Executive Director. Ask that she provide a copy to all board members. Mail to: NSAA Customer Service, P.O. Box 85448, Lincoln, NE 68501-5448
3. Call NSAA customer service at 402-489-0386 and communicate your concern.

You can learn more about this issue by contacting Nebraska Family Council toll free at 1-888-777-3191 or go on our web site, www.nebfc.org.

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Al Riskowski is Executive Director of the Nebraska Family Council. 

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The Nebraska Family Times publishes articles to "inspire, encourage and motivate Christian readers." You can receive local, state and national news from a Christian point of view for only $20/year by subscribing! Send your payment via check to Nebraska Family Times, 209 27th St. Apt #13, Columbus, Nebraska, 68601 or to shelly@shellyburke.net via PayPal.