it begins

NEW VIDEO HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR MYSPACE ACCOUNT - CHECK IT OUT:

last night was the kick-off of the faith forward forum, and i think this is going to be a rather interesting event. buzzy, set the tone and said it best - "this is a conversation, let's talk."

if you have questions for any of the speakers - please email them to "questions@faithforwardforum.com" and we will be passing them along for the forum and the blogger cafe.

here are some pics - maybe a bit "on the blur" but it was dark, and we were "far away"

john o'keefe [of ginkworld] and spencer burke [of the ooze] catch-up, and plan how best to get the cafe off the ground.

the worship experience started us off - it was a great time.


todays happenings:

[8am - 12pm] session 2:
speakers: bobby v schuller, brian houston, rob roberts, eddie gobbs, ryan bolger, diana bass, jim palmer -

after the speakers we will be breaking into forums - and the faith cafe will be open and we hope that some of the speakers will come by and add more to the conversation.

[1:30pm - 5:30pm] session 3:
speakers: eddie long, francis collins, michael guillen, mike flaherty

after the speakers we will be breaking into forums - and the faith cafe will be open and we are hoping to get some of the speakers to join us to comtinue the conversation.

[7pm - 9pm] session 4:
speakers: judah smith and leonard sweet

we will be posting more as we go along.

Christmas is Coming, and Christ is Making a Comeback:

By Dr. Ted Baehr [bio for event]

I believe our nation is on the threshold of a major revival, perhaps not equaled since the Great Awakening. The signs are there – some of them subtle, some not-so-subtle. One important sign is what appears to be the re-emergence of Jesus Christ in Christmas.

Christians have long known that it is more important to be “correct” than “politically correct.” Christmas is about Christ, and that is “correct,” accurate and true to history and tradition. Santa Claus, reindeer, wreaths, Christmas trees are fine, but what it is all about is the birth of the Messiah. Christmas heralds the turning point in history.

There is now evidence that our prayers over the last few years are being answered. Hollywood, Big Business – they seem to be finally getting the message: There are believers out there! God is alive and well in the popular culture!

Yes, the Christ-child is creeping back into Christmas. No, let me rephrase that – Christ is marching triumphantly back into Christmas. Hollywood is recognizing it, as are Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Sears, Macy’s and others.

The tide is starting to turn.

The new movie, “The Nativity Story,” to open Dec. 1 in more than 3,000 theaters nationwide, will be a welcome reprieve from the usual holiday fare of action, violence, cornball comedy, and even those films that revolve around “the holiday season.”

Incidentally, “The Nativity Story” will make history when it premieres at the Vatican. That hasn’t happened before, as far as a feature film is concerned.

People, especially families, will want to go together to see this remarkable movie. Children will want to see it. Church members will go in groups. And yes, non-Christians will go out of curiosity. And how they will be rewarded – not just by a wonderful, dramatic, engaging movie, but one that tells the ultimate truth of what Christmas is all about.

I believe the movie is destined to become a Christmas classic. So move over “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Home Alone.” You’ve got some real, make that REAL, competition.

The movie is incredibly true to the authenticity of Scripture. Filmed in extraordinarily vivid color, it begins with a passage from Jeremiah. The rest of the movie references and quotes the Bible. The script was written by a Christian, Mike Rich, whose credits include “Finding Forrester.” Costuming and settings are authentic.

In short, it is a near perfect movie.

With all the fallout from fallen leaders and election turnabouts, Christians have an opportunity this year to put aside political agendas and really focus on what Christmas is all about. The distractions are behind us. Let us not miss this wonderful, crucial opportunity to proclaim the birth of our Lord in the highways and byways, yes, even in the marketplaces and the movies.

Dr. Ted Baehr is a noted critic, educator, lecturer and media pundit. He is founder and publisher of Movieguide (www.movieguide.org) and is chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission. For more information, please go to: http://www.movieguide.org/nativitystory/.