Christian Dunk?

2007 Slam Dunk Contest
The sticker says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phil. 4:13
シール書かれたことはピリピ４：１３『私は、私を強くしてくださる方（イエス様）によって、どんなことでもできるのです。』

Ephesians 6 Battle ー エペソ６書の戦い

Fight the good fight of faith!

Coming Foolishness

--Tim McGirk/Jerusalem

Brace yourself. James Cameron, the man who brought you 'Titanic' is back with another blockbuster. This time, the ship he's sinking is Christianity.

In a new documentary, Producer Cameron and his director, Simcha Jacobovici, make the starting claim that Jesus wasn't resurrected --the cornerstone of Christian faith-- and that his burial cave was discovered near Jerusalem. And, get this, Jesus sired a son with Mary Magdelene.

No, it's not a re-make of "The Da Vinci Codes'. It's supposed to be true.

Let's go back 27 years, when Israeli construction workers were gouging out the foundations for a new building in the industrial park in the Talpiyot, a Jerusalem suburb. of Jerusalem. The earth gave way, revealing a 2,000 year old cave with 10 stone caskets. Archologists were summoned, and the stone caskets carted away for examination. It took 20 years for experts to decipher the names on the ten tombs. They were: Jesua, son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Mathew, Jofa and Judah, son of Jesua.
Israel's prominent archeologist Professor Amos Kloner didn't associate the crypt with the New Testament Jesus. His father, after all, was a humble carpenter who couldn't afford a luxury crypt for his family. And all were common Jewish names.
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Time to equip ourselves - Why do you believe in the resurrection?
Click here for some help. (Watch Dr. Kennedy's program online)

Amazing Grace
The movie comes out this weekend in America.
For those interested click here for more great info.

The Fine Print
by John Fischer

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT)

These verses are what I call the fine print of the Christian life. When you sign up, you sign up for this, but unfortunately, not too many people read that far into the contract, and not enough leaders point it out. So when bad things start happening to us, we think something went wrong with our faith. Not necessarily. In fact, it’s an honor to think that your faith is worthy of being tested.

It’s a reverse spiritual principle that nonetheless is true: We get beaten down so that Christ might rise in us. It’s the whole idea God has of avoiding confusion. See, he doesn’t want people confusing human power and achievement with his power and what he is achieving in and through our lives. If all Christians were super-Christians, people would be impressed with them. As it is, God wants people to be surprised at us, not so much impressed – surprised that we can keep on believing, given what has happened to us. Surprised at us – impressed with God. That’s the way it should go.

It’s important to know this so that the things that happen don’t throw us into a tailspin. Paul wrote in the passage above that troubles, confusions, knock-downs, and drag-outs are all to be expected in a life of faith, and they are not just something to suck it up and endure, they are what will actually release the power of God in our lives. We encounter death-like experiences so that Christ’s life-like nature may clearly be seen in us, despite what is happening.

Let me try and say this again. This is not just endurance training through tough times. This is God’s strategy for ministry through us. There is no other way for it to be done. His strategy is his power and strength through our weakness – his life through our death. This doesn’t just happen to some Christians; it happens to us all if we desire to be effective in our faith.

So don’t forget the fine print today, and allow the troubles you face to springboard you into finding God’s purposes even in this. He had this planned all along. It’s even in the contract!

Is God better than sex?
This a big question that seekers, new Christians and long-time Christians alike have to look square in the face.
Romans 1:21-23 says, "...their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise; they became fools, and exchanged the glory of God for images of mortal man" (or women)
This subject is deeper than this sound bite, but may it whet your appetite to search deeper. Piper has some serious things to say. Click here to watch him speak. Click here for a fuller treatment of the subject.

Homosexuality in the NBA
I recently saw a very balanced approach between the
recent homophobia and the more standard postmodern
"do what ever you seems good to you" mindset.
Click here for a surprisingly good article by an ESPN writer.

McGrath vs. Dawkins
The natural world was given as a pointer to God. Sadly, many in all ages have used it to point away from God. (Rom. 1:18ff) This, however, was a refreshing post for me.

Quote of the Day

"Theology is not averse to speaking of the bondage of the will, the incapacity of sinful human beings to come to God or to do the good that God demands.…As sinners we still have free choice, the freedom to do what we please, but it is only by grace that we receive the liberty of the children of God, the freedom to do what pleases God."

— Donald Bloesch
The Future of Evangelical Theology

Our baby at 23 weeks!
Can you see the smile?! Maki had just laughed which sent the baby tumbling and rolling around inside - I think that must have made the baby feel good and hence the smile. That is my theory anyway!

無料配布キャンペーンの宣伝はすでに終了しているが、現在も下記の窓口で受付を行っている。申し込みはインターネット（http://www.powerforliving.jp/）または、フリーダイアル０１２０・８２９・８００まで。教会専用窓口は、新生宣教団（ファックス：０４９・２９６・５０１９、メール： pfl@nlljapan.com）。

"I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this," said Dungy during the trophy ceremony Sunday night, according to the Associated Press. "But again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."
- Tony Dungy after winning the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl - Super God!
As a Bears fan since '85, the Super Bowl was tough to watch.
As a Christian since '95, the Super Bowl was great to watch!
Here is why.

Warning before the Superbowl
Do you watch too much T.V.? How much is too
much? Let John Piper share some thoughts with you.