Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 28

Jesus is King

In the last week Kanye West released a new album entitled Jesus is King. Kanye’s conversion to Christianity, and subsequent release of a gospel album, have caused no little controversy. Jesus is King has been the number one album on iTunes. The phrase “Jesus is King” was the number one trending topic on Twitter for three days straight. Spotify, the music streaming service, displayed a 30 story digital sign in New York City’s Times Square that said, “Jesus is King.”

The website factsandtrends.net released a study this week that said, “Google Trends show...“Google

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The God of the Outcasts

In Walt Disney’s adaptation of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Esmeralda and Quasimodo were considered outcasts. Quasimodo a hunchback, and Esmeralda, a marginalized gypsy. Each of them had their own issues, however, found solace in Notre Dame.

Esmeralda sings in the church a song called “God Help the Outcasts.” Part of the song stands out when she says,

“I don’t know if you can hear me, or if you’re even there. I don’t know if you will listen to a humble prayer.
They tell me I am just an outcast, I shou...

“God

A Journey with the Pilgrim’s Progress: Mr. Worldly Wiseman

Once Christian made it out of the Slough of Despond, he continued his journey towards the Wicket Gate. The news of Christian’s odyssey spread throughout the surrounding towns and cities. Mr. Worldly Wiseman, from the town of Morality, was one such man who had heard the rumors about Christian. He met Christian not far from the Slough of Despond.

Seeing Christian’s burden upon his back, Mr. Worldly Wiseman was concerned about how Christian was going to have the burden removed. Christian told him about Wicket-Gate....

The Slough of Despond

In our last post we considered Christian’s encounter with Pliable. Pliable was willing to go with Christian towards the Wicket Gate until they both fell into the swampy area known as the Slough of Despond. Pliable freed himself from the muddy pit and returned to the City of Destruction leaving Christian behind to fend for himself in the swampy substance.

The Slough of Despond

Mr. Bunyan wrote, “Now I saw in my dream, that, just as they had ended this talk, they drew near to a very miry s...“Now

Commentary Review: The Bible Exposition New Testament Commentary by Warren Wiersbe

Warren Wiersbe is one of the most popular Christian writers and Bible commentators. His “BE” series of short Bible commentaries on each book of the Bible has been very successful. Preachers and laymen have found this series to be of great value. David C. Cook Publishers (which purchased Victor Books who originally published the BE series) compiled the BE series into Old Testament and New Testament sets, which makes up the Bible Exposition Commentary.

I have been blessed by Warren Wiersbe’s bo...

A Journey with the Pilgrim’s Progress: Pliable

Obstinate and Pliable followed Christian as he fled the City of Destruction. Obstinate considered Christian a fool for believing in what his Book said. Rather than keep going towards the Wicket-Gate, Obstinate turned around and went home. Pliable, on the other hand, decided to stick with Christian and hear more about his pilgrimage.

Pliable was interested in Christian’s journey and what it entailed. He questioned Christian, “Come, neighbor Christian, since there is none but us two here, tell...

A Journey with the Pilgrim’s Progress: Obstinate

We left off our story with Evangelist telling Christian to run towards the light and the Wicket-Gate. Christian began to run towards the Wicket-Gate once he heard the instructions. As Christian began to run from the City of Destruction his family cried for him to return. Christian put his fingers in his ears and ran on, crying, “Life! Life! Eternal life!”

His neighbors came out to see him run, and they began to mock him. Two men were committed to bringing Christian back to the City of Destruc...

Seven Deadly Sins of Ministry: Sloth

Episode 33: Seven: The Seven Deadly Sins of Ministry- Sloth

1. The Sluggard Loves Sleep: “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:10–11).

2. The Sluggard Makes Excuses: “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets” (Pro. 22:13)!

3. The Sluggard Procrastinates: “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing...

A Journey With the Pilgrim’s Progress: Evangelist

Christian was in a certain field reading his Book. As he read from the Book, he felt distressed and cried out, “What shall I do to be saved?” Christian felt like running, but he couldn’t decide which way to run. It was at this moment that a man named Evangelist walked towards him, asked, “Wherefore dost thou cry?”

Christian explained to Evangelist that the contents of the Book in his hand led him to feel condemned for his sin, and that God would bring destruction to his city. Christian wasn’t...

Christian: A Man with a Burden and a Book

Mr. Bunyan begins his story by introducing the main character, a man named Christian. Christian is described as being clothed with rags, a burden on his back, and a book in his hand.

The story starts with Christian opening the book and reading. He wept and cried as he read from the book. Not able to contain himself, he broke out with a lamentable cry saying, “What shall I do?!” Christian goes home, and there we are introduced to Christian’s wife and children.

Christian tells his wife, “By rea...