Joni Eareckson Tada begins her article this way…

Culture is so easily influenced by the entertainment industry. This is why I am sounding an alarm about a very dangerous message in a film released this summer. The movie? Me Before You.

I went to see Me Before You the first week it was out. I was curious because the story is about a young man named Will who became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident. The filmmakers did a great job of conveying his emotional struggles in facing a life without use of his hands or legs. As you might expect, Will falls into suicidal despair. That is until his mother hires Louisa, an upbeat young woman who sees it as her job to cheer him up. In time, they fall in love.

Click on the link below to read the rest of the article.

Assisted Suicide: A Quadriplegic’s Perspective – by Joni Eareckson Tada

As our kids were growing up we always made family mealtime a priority at supper. This is not to say that there weren’t times when we did not eat together but as a general rule we did. As I talk with people I’m astonished at how many families do not do this – instead choosing to sit in front of the TV while they eat or just grab supper randomly instead of together. Here’s a good article that points out reasons why a eating together is not just a good idea but a great idea for families.

Why A Family Mealtime Is Important

Tim Challies has summarized the life lessons that Jerry Bridges, author and former president of The Navigator’s, learned over the many years of his life and ministry. Challies says, “These seven lessons are his ministry in a nutshell. And, that being true, he has left behind a legacy of great faithfulness.” It’s a good read and well worth pondering.

Jerry Bridge’s Seven Standout Spiritual Lessons

Of the four “major” prophets, Ezekiel probably gets the least amount of press. But there are some fascinating things to learn from him. The F260 Reading only hits a few highlights of his book but here are four things that Ezekiel came to understand that changed his life – and could change ours.

God is glorious beyond compare – Ezekiel’s God was too small – until he had a glorious vision that revolutionized his life and ministry (chapter 1). He saw God as he had never seen Him before. 1:28 says, “Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around Him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown….”

We need a big, robust view of God. A view that brings us to our knees. A view that captures our imagination and fuels our allegiance to Him. Pray that God will give His people this kind of revelation.

God is sovereign over everything – “Sovereign Lord” is the primary title that Ezekiel uses for God. It appears this way over 200 times. Ezekiel did not just know intellectually that God was sovereign, he knew it very personally.  Ezekiel 24:15-27 recounts the death of his wife, “the delight of your eyes” as she is called (v.16). It is obvious through the way that Ezekiel responds through this tragedy and in his grief that he trusts in the sovereignty of God – he knows that God is in control even when life seems out of control.

God is jealous for His name’s sake – One of the main themes in the book has to do with idol worship. In 14:3 God says to E “Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces.” God’s jealousy for His people was an indication of His great great love for them. If He was not jealous it would be an indication that He did not care.

God is faithful to His promises – Ezekiel 16:59-60 says, “For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant,  yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.”  That little word “yet” is a reminder that God has not forgotten His promises to His people. Just as He is faithful to His promises to us. Remind yourself often of the promises of God. Here are a few for you to chew on…

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

You can find a loving conception of monotheism in both Judaism and Islam, but only in Christianity does this love manifest itself in a one-way work of salvation of sinners apart from religious effort. For this reason, C.S. Lewis has famously said of Christian faith, “We trust not because ‘a God’ exists, but because this God exists.”[1]

Read the rest of this article by Jared Wilson here:

Do Christians, Jews, and Muslims Worship the Same God?