Giving From A Child's Perspective

Giving: From A Child's Perspective from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

Going Into Battle Armed With A Trumpet

"I thought to myself, that German sniper is as lonely and scared as I am. How can I stop him from firing? So I played that German's love song, 'Lilly Marlene,' made famous in the late '30s by Marlene Dietrich, the famous German actress. And I wailed that trumpet over those apple orchards of Normandy, and he didn't fire."

The next morning, the military police came up to Tueller and told him they had a German prisoner on the beach who kept asking, "Who played that trumpet last night?"

"I grabbed my trumpet and went down to the beach. There was a 19-year-old German, scared and lonesome. He was dressed like a French peasant to cloak his role as a sniper. And, crying, he said, 'I couldn't fire because I thought of my fiancé. I thought of my mother and father,' and he says, 'My role is finished.'

"He stuck out his hand, and I shook the hand of the enemy," Tueller said. "[But] he was no enemy, because music had soothed the savage beast."

Click the image to read the article.

Free Audio Book: Desiring God by John Piper

A number of people I respect have recommended this book to me. Here is a chance to get a free audiobook version.

Each month christianaudio gives away a premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, we give away one audiobook download (that we have published or that a partner has allowed us to give away) each month totally free; available only during that month; only once, ever.

Click on the book image to go to the free download.

"Mind-hammering and heart-warming, Desiring God ignites a passion for God that would set the world ablaze if it were the norm and not the exception today." -Os Guiness

"The healthy biblical realism of this study in Christian motivation comes as a breath of fresh air. Jonathan Edwards, whose ghost walks through most of Piper's pages, would be delighted with his disciple." -J.I. Packer

Thanks To Paul at SimpleMann.net

Blind Baseball (And I Don't Mean The Umps)

Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

A Moving Story

It takes about 9 minutes, but it is worth it. Truly inspirational.

David Robinson's Hall Of Fame Speech

A truly moving speech. You owe it to take 8 minutes to watch it!

Man Finds Love & Forgiveness Where His Brother Committed Mass Murder

10 years ago this week Larry Gene Ashbrook walked into a Wednesday night youth rally and concert at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Nobody really knows why he did it, but when it was over there were seven wounded and eight dead, including the gunman.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram published an article about the brother of the killer. It is a great testament to love and forgiveness. Click the picture above to read the article.

The Blind Side Movie Trailer

There is a new football movie coming out around Thanksgiving of this year. I hope the movie is good, because the story it is based on is great.

The Blind Side is an upcoming 2009 film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The storyline features Michael Oher, an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens NFL football team. The film follows Oher from his impoverished upbringings, through his years at Briarcrest Christian School, his adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, and on to his position as one of the most highly coveted prospects in college football.

The film stars Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher and Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw as Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, Oher's adopted parents. Kathy Bates co-stars as Miss Sue, Oher's no-nonsense tutor. The movie also features appearances by several current and former NCAA coaches, including Nick Saban, Lou Holtz and Tommy Tuberville.

Watch the movie trailer below and then click the link above to read the story from the New York Times.



Thanks To Keith at BagOfNothing

Lukewarm

I still have not started reading Francis Chan's "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God", but the more I hear about it the more excited I become (I have 2 other books in process that I would like to finish first).

From childhood I remember hearing Revelation 3:16 quoted:

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

What does lukewarm really mean? Along with the temperature related definitions Websters also defines it as "lacking conviction". Well, from the point of understanding this verse that definition does not provide a lot of clarity.

This morning my friend Paul did a post about Lukewarm. He listed 18 things from Crazy Love that define a lukewarm person. Unfortunately, it is extremely convicting. Click on the picture above to read Paul's post...and then go buy "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God".

Thanks To Paul at Simplemann.net

Practicing Attorney Turns 101...And Goes To Work

What’s the secret to living to be 101?

"Not dying," Borden joked.

He paused, then offered a more responsive answer.

"I’m a firm believer that God has his hand in everything that happens," said Borden, who at age 11 was baptized in the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. "He is letting me live, for some reason. I try to do the things that I believe he wants me to."

To underscore his point, Jack Borden nodded toward a sign behind his desk.

"Live your life," the sign reads, "so the preacher won’t have to tell lies at your funeral."

Click on the picture to read the article.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

A number of people I respect have recommended this book to me. Here is a chance to get a free audiobook version.

Each month christianaudio gives away a premium audiobook download for free. How does it work? Well, we give away one audiobook download (that we have published or that a partner has allowed us to give away) each month totally free; available only during that month; only once, ever.

Click on the book image to go to the free download.

Thanks To Paul at SimpleMann.net

From Homeless To Harvard?

Student hopes to go from homeless to Harvard.

"I would love to be able to say that I graduated from Harvard University with a PhD in medicine and be able to share my story," he says. "I have to dream because obviously my reality is horrible."

Read The Full Article Here

Watch The Video Here

Taking Chance - A Must See Movie

Mary and I just finished watching Taking Chance, an incredible movie. It was written by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, USMC. It is about his experience escorting the body of 19-year-old Lance Corporal Chance Phelps to his hometown for burial.

I strongly recommend you make the effort to witness this incredible portrayal of “a uniquely non-political film about the war in Iraq, the film pays tribute to all of the men and women who have given their lives in military service as well as their families.”

Click on the image above to learn about this HBO Film. Be sure to click on the menu items on the top corner to see photos, videos, etc. I am also including some links below that you might be interested in.

Read The Original Trip Report

Article From The Marine Corps Times

Need some inspiration on the last Friday in May?

A remarkable story. This 12 minute video will inspire you.

Thanks to PrayersForBlowouts