Tuesday, June 30, 2015

My Redeemer Lives

Today's Reading: Job 17-19 and Acts 10:1-23

This passage in Job is special to me. When one of my great-grandmothers was on her deathbed, she asked her mom to read Job 19:25-27. I'm very grateful when I consider all the ways God has transformed lives through my ancestry. Below I'm sharing a worship video that connects to this passage -- My Redeemer Lives by Nicole C. Mullen:

Monday, June 29, 2015

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Saul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus

Today's Reading: Job 11-13 and Acts 9:1-21



Notice the light in the painting above comes from the center. Love it. It's 'Conversion on the Way to Damascus' by Caravaggio. Then below we have an image from The Bible miniseries.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Today's Reading: Job 8-10 and Acts 8:26-40



Today's story is such a fun one. I love the way God orchestrated this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, I love how ready the Eunuch is to learn, and I love Philip's willingness to baptize the man (even though he was not a Jewish believer). Good stuff.

The video below is intended for young kids and has a simple message.

Friday, June 26, 2015

Job's Bad Friends

Today's Reading: Job 5-7 and Acts 8:1-25



If you like this art then check out more of it -- the artist is Drew Pocza and his deviantart page can be found here

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Job on Youtube

Today's Reading: Job 3-4 and Acts 7:44-60

Today I share a student film from a guy (Ryan Ehrenholz) who went to Prairie Bible College. It's a pretty straightforward and amateur video but here's what strikes me when I watch it: why aren't there more videos like this on the internet?

Are we effectively showing our youth that the Bible belongs on youtube (and everywhere else that videos are getting posted and shared)?

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Starting the Book of Job

Today's Reading: Job 1-2 and Acts 7:22-43

Today we start the book of Job! Which starts out like a courtroom case. Satan, which means accuser, is making a case that Job will not remain faithful if he is made to go through suffering.



One of the most interesting aspects of Job is how it compares to other literary/cultural traditions of the same time period. I won't be commenting on that directly in this Reading Plan so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to write.

If it's helpful, also check out the Bibledex summary which can be found here

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Stephen's Defense

Today's Reading: Esther 9-10 and Acts 7:1-21

In the seventh chapter of Acts we read Stephen's defense in front of an angry crowd. This chapter will end in Stephen's brutal death by stoning. When it comes to the martyrdom of saints, it makes sense to turn to the Catholic Network:

Monday, June 22, 2015

Boo You, Haman

Today's Reading: Esther 6-8 and Acts 6



In our Acts passage we see the ministry of deacons. There are many denominations today that still use the word 'deacon,' and with or without the title it's hard to imagine a healthy church without a group serving the role.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Esther out-wits the Pre-Hitler Hitler

Today's Reading: Esther 3-5 and Acts 5:22-42



Esther is such a fun book of the Bible. She is a powerful woman who essentially out-wits the pre-Hitler Hitler. And while God is not actually mentioned anywhere in Esther (little fun fact) -- His providence can be seen all throughout. God saves His people and guides Esther as she leads the Jewish people into prayer.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Ananias and Sapphira

Today's Reading: Esther 1-2 and Acts 5:1-21



We're starting a new book today (Esther) so as always, here's a Bibledex overview video.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Tradition Restored in Nehemiah

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 12-13 and Acts 4:23-37

Churches don't often create art/media for their worship services EXCEPT in some churches where they'll show a bumper video for the sermon. Below is an example of that kind of bumper video. It's connected to this passage in Nehemiah when tradition is restored, yeah-ah.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Peter the Rock!

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 10-11 and Acts 4:1-22



Peter was a bold one, wasn't he? Sure, he had his stumbles, but he knew what it meant to follow Jesus.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Ezra Reads the Law

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 7-9 and Acts 3

The High School group of my church studied Ezra and Nehemiah this past Spring. It's crazy to think of the Israelites standing for 6 hours straight, for several different sessions, just to hear the Bible read. But they were thirsty for Scripture because their people had been exiled for so long. What would help us have the same kind of desire for biblical truth?

If you want to simply hear the Nehemiah passage read with some added sound effects, click here for a dramatic reading

If you'd rather hear a parody song in the style of Aerosmith, click here for a song from Christian band ApologetiX

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The Perfect Church...

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 4-6 and Acts 2:22-47

This next video is hilarious. Though, ugh, I wouldn't be surprised if these kinds of conversations take place around my own town. >-<



Monday, June 15, 2015

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Christianity Begins: Acts

Today's Reading: Ezra 9-10 and Acts 1



Are you ready for the Gospel of Luke Part 2? Because the book of Acts picks up right where Luke's Gospel left off. In Acts we'll see the start and growth of the Christian church, as well as the journey that Peter and Paul take in sharing the good news.

If you want a little refresher on Acts (an overview video), click here for the video from Bibledex

Pastor Matt Chandler is a dynamic, entertaining speaker (especially for young adults)! He has an entire sermon series that goes through the book of Acts. Click here for the first part.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Ezra's Exiles

Today's Reading: Ezra 6-8 and John 21



Jim LePage made the design above and more of his Bible-inspired art can be found at his website here

Friday, June 12, 2015

Firsthand Experience

Today's Reading: Ezra 3-5 and John 20



It's impossible to share art about Thomas without sharing the famous Caravaggio painting above. Caravaggio is such a master of light. I'm not sure who made the image below but I like it. It's of Mary Magdalene.



There's an interesting form of sermon where the pastor narrates from the perspective of a biblical character. It's different enough from a traditional sermon that it has potential to really stick with you. I still remember a powerful sermon my youth leader delivered when I was a teenager, where he told the story of Jesus going to the cross from the perspective of a fish salesman in the market. Here's an interview with pastor Peter Grainger on his attempt of doing a narrative sermon.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

"It is Finished"

Today's Reading: Ezra 1-2 and John 19:23-42

This video has a similar idea to yesterday's. It was made by Dan Stevers (whose work I link to a handful of times this year).



For the Bibledex overview of Ezra click here

Have you been itching for some mid-80's power rock? You're in luck! Check out this song by Petra which connects to John 19:30.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Sounds of the Cross

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 34-36 and John 19:1-22

Sound is a powerful tool. That's why I really enjoy this next video made by Igniter Media. Enjoy.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Peter the Rock?

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 32-33 and John 18:19-40



John 18 is heartbreaking. Both Judas and Peter betray Christ. Discipleship certainly comes at a cost.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Spiritual Warfare

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 30-31 and John 18:1-18

What is the difference between Peter and Judas? They both betray Christ. But one gets pulled down by spiritual warfare and the other fights back. Here's a fun performance that uses projection mapping to illustrate spiritual warfare:

Spiritual Warfare - Projection Mapping from Zak Johnson on Vimeo.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Friday, June 5, 2015

Pruning the Vines

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 23-24 and John 15

What I WANTED to post today was a Jesus-inspired vine compilation -- you know, that site where people post 6 second videos. But I couldn't find quite the right video. So instead, I share with you this beautifully shot meditation on pruning vines in a vineyard:

Vine & Branches from Life Center on Vimeo.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Jesus Describes the Holy Spirit

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 21-22 and John 14



A worship song for you today in honor of the John reading; it's 'Holy Spirit' by Jesus Culture and Kim Walker.



And how do we make sense of the fact that Jesus said we would do greater works than Him? Here's an article on that question from R.C. Sproul over at Ligonier Ministries.

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Jesus Washes Feet

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 19-20 and John 13:21-38



I should track down this movie. Looks good.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Jehoshaphat

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 17-18 and John 13:1-20

I had never heard of Don Francisco before starting this Reading Plan but here's a great song of his, performed on acoustic guitar, about Jehoshaphat:

Monday, June 1, 2015

Jesus and His Foretold Death

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 15-16 and John 12:27-50

Jesus foretold his death and no one really understood. But when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, humanity started to connect the dots. Enjoy this video that shows some of the paintings inspired by Jesus' death: