Ramadan and Provocation in the U.S.A.

Elizabeth Kendal | Laylat al-Qadr (literally Night of Destiny) is the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Whilst the Qur'an does not provide a specific date, Laylat al-Qadr is traditionally believed to be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Most Muslims observe Laylat al-Qadr or 'Night of Power' on the 27th night of Ramadan. The Qur'an describes Laylat al-Qadr as 'better than a thousand months', for on that night the angels and the Spirit have God's permission to come down in answer to prayer (Sura 97). This year, the Night of Power falls on or around the night of 5 September.

Christian Atheism

Bill Muehlenberg | There has been a spate of ornery and evangelistic atheists who have appeared lately, ripping into religion in general and Christianity in particular. I have written much seeking to counter their ferocious attacks, and shall continue to do so. But there is another problem with atheism, and that is the Christian variety.

Christian atheism? Yep. I refer to a book title I have just heard of. It is a new book by Pastor Craig Groeschel called The Christian Atheist. I have not purchased it yet, but I like his concept, and will likely go out and grab it. I believe his point is this: there are all sorts of people who are Christian in name, but not in reality.

Is the Sabbath Made for Man, or Not?

Dwight Pryor | JESUS SAID, “The Sabbath was made for humankind” (Mark 2:27 NRSV). But for centuries the Church has argued that the Sabbath was made for Jews. The seventh-day commemoration of the creation is not for Christians, said the Church Fathers, because it was superseded by the eighth day of resurrection and the new creation in Christ. So Jews worship on Saturday but Christians worship on Sunday.

Without dispute, the Sabbath is precious to Israel and uniquely and indelibly connected to the Jewish people. Following the Exodus from Egypt, God brought Israel to Mt. Sinai, and there like a loving bridegroom invited her to become His bride—i.e., to affirm and renew the covenant He first cut with Abraham. After hearing the Ten Words read—a ketubah of sorts—Israel with one voice affirmed: “All that Adonai has spoken we will do!” (Exo 24:7).

Why Does Hollywood Hate To Save A Life?

Christian Cinema.com | Earlier this year I was blessed with the opportunity to co-star in the film To Save a Life. It turned out to be one of the most successful faith-based films of all time. Aimed squarely at teenagers facing seemingly insurmountable problems, the movie's most poignant message ultimately dealt with suicide and the value of each individual life.

Attending premiers for the film I realized that, as an actor, for the first time I'd played a role in a film that amounted to more than merely a paycheck. Girls and young men would leave the theater crying, declaring a renewed outlook on life. Peace on earth, good will toward men, all that jazz.

An interview with C.S. Lewis in 1963 (Part 1)

I drove to Cambridge, England, on May 7 [1963] to interview Mr. Clive Staples Lewis, author of The Screwtape Letters and one of the world’s most brilliant and widely read Christian authors. I hoped to learn from him how young men and women could be encouraged to take up the defense of the faith through the written word.

It was quickly evident that this interview was going to be different from any that I had ever been granted. I found Mr. Lewis in a wing of the brick quadrangle at Magdalene College, Cambridge University, where he is professor of Medieval and Renaissance literature. I climbed a flight of narrow, incredibly worn wooden steps, knocked at an ancient wooden door with the simple designation, “Prof. Lewis,” and was shown in by the housekeeper.

The Unexpected Smiles Make Everything Worthwhile

The “Unexpected Smiles” are the greatest reward for those working at ‘The Shack’ in Nambour, Queensland.

The Shack, a Christian organisation, began in 2002 with a vision to provide for the needs and concerns of people in the Nambour community.   It is a place where lives are changed and the broken are loved unconditionally. 

Many of the people who drop into The Shack have lost the ability to smile.   After months and, in some cases years, of building trust and making a platform for friendship, a smile says a lot.

“It says thank God you’re here, it says thank you,” says Pastor Dale Dowler who has lead a committed team of staff and volunteers in this vital and thriving Community Centre since it began.

The Gospel: A Simple Preservative

Bev Holmes-Brown | “Why do Christians feel the need to tell everyone about their Faith” a friend asked me one day, clearly struggling to be polite and listen any longer.   

The question was not posed from curiosity; she obviously felt that my necessity to tell her about the God who had swept me off my feet was an invasion of her privacy and an unwanted challenge to her own Buddhist beliefs.

The Romanizing of the Jesus Movement

Dwight Pryor | WHAT TODAY IS CALLED “CHRISTIANITY” actually began as a messianic movement within Judaism. It was nurtured by the fertile spiritual soil of Second Temple Judaism, which was especially diverse and vibrant in the First Century.

Pam Reid: A Heart for the Homeless

Bev Holmes-Brown | Each week Pam gets up in the early hours of the morning to provide her famous sausage, egg and bacon rolls for up to 55 battlers in Quota Park, Nambour. 

“Over two years ago the Lord spoke to my heart through Matthew 25,” she says, “‘I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink,’  I knew, when I read this, that he wanted me to do something for the homeless”

How does the Lord of Heaven Take and Transform a Wretched Life?

Bev Holmes-Brown | Within a 2 day period the Lord invaded my life with the reality of who He is and reset my future.  I had lived for 21 years, lead by my mind and my heart; therefore, carousing from one drama to the next and practicing a form of discernment that was based on twisted logic and unsound reasoning.  I had an awareness of a spiritual realm and had seen the supernatural in action; but my concept of God was at best vague; at worst deceived.

When I consider that one day, back in 1986, I was living life as normal; oblivious to God.  Then, just two days later, every dream, plan and value changed and I could think of nothing more important than getting to know Him.  He had made Himself known to me and in so doing had caused something inside of me to change.  So profound and so sudden was the change that I know it was nothing my heart or mind could have hatched up. 

Toy Story 3

Warwick Marsh, Fatherhood Foundation | 'Toy Story 3' is one of those films that really gets under your skin and particularly under the skin of your children. Why? Because children love toys and dads do too. Benjamin Franklin got it right when he said, "Old boys have their playthings as well as young ones, the only thing different about them is the price."

I remember as a child that going to a toyshop was my dream and for your children it is probably no different. The trouble is that going to a toy shop with your children could be a very expensive experience. The good news is that going to Toy Story 3 with your children could well be cheaper than going to the toy store.

Why am I waxing so eloquent about Toy Story 3? Last week I decided to see if the movie reviews were true. Everyone's been raving about Toy Story 3 and this movie is well on the way to becoming the biggest grossing Pixar film of all time,

A 40 Day Call to Prayer for Marriage and Family.

Praying for the healing of the land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14 and the restoration and protection
of marriage and family in our nation.

Inception is Possibly Best Film of New Century

Scott Nehring, Christian Cinema.com | Warning: Contains Possible Spoilers

Christopher Nolan (The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Memento) has established himself as the best director of his generation with this film. Then again, his generation includes directors like Brett Ratner, Ben Stiller and Ben Affleck, so he probably shouldn't start gripping his lapels too tightly.

Inception is a great movie. It is a masterful work. This is one of the most fully realized and complicated movies ever made. When I drag out the word "complicated", I mean Nolan tackles a plot with so many moving, interwoven layers that it is a technical marvel his movie is even comprehensible. The fact that one can walk away from the film with a clear understanding of what happened is worthy of an Oscar at the least.

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Cobb, a guilt-ridden "extractor". He is a man who has the means, through technology, to enter a person's mind and rob secrets from their subconscious while the subject is in a dream state.

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

July 2010 | Link-Zone is going to be taking some new directions in this next season ... we want to tell people's stories ...

We will still feature topical & thought provoking articles from favourite authors but not as a major focus. We will also continue to produce prayer updates and plan on increasing our bible study resources.

Please contact bev@link-zone.net if you have a story that needs to be written