Posted by John L. Rothra on April 26, 2008 under Devotional/Teaching, General | 
I don’t endorse just any site, but I will gladly endorse SermonSpice.com. They offer a wide variety of videos, background loops, and other multimedia resources for churches, small groups, and other teaching settings.
Many of you may have already known about this site and visit it regularly. Others may have known but forgotten about it. Still there are some who may not be aware of it. Either way, I want to let everyone know about this resource and encourage you to look through what it offers.
While not all the videos align with every nuance of my theology, this does not detract from the quality of the site and its content. However, when using a video, I encourage everyone to first ensure that what the video teaches aligns with the teaching of Scripture.
Posted by John L. Rothra on April 14, 2008 under Devotional/Teaching, Evangelism |
In my previous article I wrote about American Idol’s use of a popular Christian song, “Shout to the Lord.” When I posted the article I anticipated that a handful of viewers woud read it since my site, compared to larger, more popular Christian sites, possesses a small viewership. However, the response has been overwhelming, surprising, and even exciting:
- World Net Daily (WND) picked up on my article, placing the American Idol story as their top story on Thursday, April 10, 2008
- Numerous blogs, news organizations, and other websites quoted from the WND article or my site
- More comments have been submitted to my article about American Idol than to any other article
- The number of viewers to my site dramatically increased by 1,385% according to Google Analytics
- People at my work, my site’s hosting company, an SEO forum I frequent, and others commented to me about the WND publicity
- American Idol performed the song again on Thursday, using the unedited lyrics, a change that one commenter said I helped bring about
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Posted by John L. Rothra on April 9, 2008 under Devotional/Teaching, Evangelism |
I watched this year’s American Idol: Idol Gives Back charity fundraising program, looking forward to some humor and good music. My heart leaped when Ryan Seacrest announced the final song would be “Shout to the Lord,” a song made famous by Darlene Zschech and Hillsong. However, when the song began, I realized that while Idol may be giving back, Idol producers also took away.
The song’s first line is, “My Jesus, my savior, Lord there is none like you.” However, producers changed the second word, making it “My shepherd, my savior.” The chorus talks about nature responding to the “sound of your name” and “the promise I have in you.”
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Posted by John L. Rothra on under Devotional/Teaching, Eschatology |
Eschatology is a broad field of theological study. This series introduced some of the key issues involved. The resources listed below are recommended for those interested in further study. I believe that as you spend time studying Scripture and taking advantage of the resources available, including those below, that God will bless you and change your life.
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Posted by John L. Rothra on under Devotional/Teaching, Eschatology |
Rapture
The term “rapture” comes from the Latin rapio, meaning “to seize, snatch, carry away.” It is the term used to describe the time when believers will be quickly taken by Christ to meet him in the air. Numerous songs have been written about this one event, including the famous “Midnight Cry,” made popular by musical group Gold City and used in the motion picture Left Behind.
Version from Left Behind
Version by Gold City
Two major debates exist regarding the rapture: first, whether it is literal or figurative and second, when it will occur. Regarding the actuality of the rapture, some believe that it is a figurative event, a view often held by amillennialists. However, many believe that the event is literal, especially premillennialists.
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