Disciple Dojo: October 2009

Why "Dojo"?

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my lifelong passions has been studying the martial arts. And the place where martial arts are learned is a Dojo. Discipleship is similar to martial arts training (if you don't believe me, just ask Paul--he says so himself in his letter to Christians in Corinth [1Cor. 9:26-27]!). We have a Sensei (teacher): Jesus. We have a katana (sword): Scripture. This blog, then, is intended as a virtual Dojo--where students of the Master can sharpen, challenge and encourage one another as we continue becoming more and more like the One whom we serve...minus the Tiger Balm.

Films that inspire me

"3:10 to Yuma" (2007)
"A Beautiful Mind" (2002)
"Akira Kurosawa's Dreams" (1990)
"Amazing Grace" (2007)
"Amistad" (1997)
"Apocalypto" (2007)
"Avatar" (2010)
"Braveheart" (1995)
"Chariots of Fire" (1981)
"Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" (1993)
"End of the Spear" (2005)
"Forrest Gump" (1994)
"House of Flying Daggers" (2004)
"Into the Wild" (2008)
"King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters" (2007)
"Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut" (2005)
"Lust for Life" (1956)
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (2006)
"My Neighbor Totoro" (1988)
"Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" (1984)
"Primer" (2005)
"Saints and Soldiers" (2005)
"The Apostle" (1998)
"The Big Kahuna" (2007)
"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" 2005
"The Gunfighter" (1950)
"The Karate Kid 1 & 2" (1984-1986)
"The Last Samurai" (2003)
"The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" (2001-2003)
"The Matrix Trilogy" (1999-2003)
"The Miracle Maker" (1999)
"The Passion of the Christ" (2004)
"The Seven Samurai" (1954)
"To End All Wars" (2004)

October 21, 2009

A Methodist's take on predestination and free will

By JMS

A Methodist's take on predestination and free will

Posted using ShareThis

October 17, 2009

Common cliches about the Bible

By JMS

Common cliches about the Bible

Posted using ShareThis

You gotta dig if you want the treasure!

By JMS

Here's a clip from the introduction to the course I teach on interpreting and understanding the Bible called "Bible for the Rest of Us." I developed when I was working as the Discipleship Pastor at Good Shepherd and taught it during this Fall semester of Passage (Good Shepherd's school of theology).

In this clip, we begin the class by looking at E.W. Bullinger's comparison of Scripture to the surface of the earth...

If you'd like to bring Bible for the Rest of Us to your own church, school or ministry, email jamesmichael7@yahoo.com for scheduling information.

Big thanks to Mark Blanco for filming and helping me step into (extremely) amateur video editing! :)

Blessings,
JMS