Is ‘Heaven is for Real’ healthy?

Posted on by Cristi

There was a craze a few years ago with Heaven is for Real – a book that details a little boy’s death, journey to heaven, return and recollection of heaven. It divided opinion among my Christian friends, and after reading, I felt very uneasy.

The Daily Mail has picked up the story with a headline title today – as the movie is released. that’s why I felt the need to offer some tools you might find helpful in your evaluation of the issues.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2622938/Little-boy-says-went-Heaven-came-Its-gripped-America-Hollywood-film-four-year-olds-startlingly-vivid-account-meeting-God-died-hospital.html

While I dislike being negative or critical – I feel there is an important need for discernment on this one.

Here are several resources – you might find helpful – from those whom I will consider a worthy voice:

 

Tim Challies’ Book Review:

http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/heaven-is-for-real

Randy Alcorn (who imho is the best theologian/writer on ‘heaven’)

http://www.epm.org/blog/2014/Apr/18/heaven-real-movie

Dr. John Piper in a ‘ask Pastor John’ podcast

http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-real-is-the-book-heaven-is-for-real

Dr. David Platt in a Secret Church clip

After you made up your mind on the issues – think of how you can creatively engage with those around you who might go and see the movie – by presenting a Biblical depiction and understanding of heaven.

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Top Manager

Posted on by Cristi

It’s that time towards the end of the Premier League football season and many are debating who has been the best manager this season. While Tony Pullis and Brendan Rogers might be the popular choices – I think Robert Martinez tops it for me. Here are my reasons – and most of those are helpful leadership lessons:

  • He learned to say ‘no’ to arguably better jobs (LFC) or unsuitable jobs philosophy-wise (AVFC). Saying ‘no’ is not easy. You could miss an opportunity. Weighing things up and having the courage of conviction is great mark of smart leadership.
  • He learned to put the past behind – having tasted victory with Wigan and then relegation – there were plenty of naysayers who did not consider him a suitable manager for EFC. Yet he stepped up knowing that he had something to offer despite the failure of relegation.
  • He showed he was a ‘learner’. i read somewhere that around Christmas time he invited all the Everton greats to a meal that he put on for them. There he gave them his number – expressing an availability to always get feedback from them. That showed that he knew those men are the heart and soul of the club and having them on his side would only benefit the club in the long run. Giants of shoulders kind of stuff.
  • He took a personal interest in his players. I still believe that man-management is essential. Read what Steven Naismith had to say about how Martinez convinced him to come and sign – and you discover a player who for a significant part of the season was happy to play his cameo role. How come? He knew that the manager knows what he is doing and esteemed him for it.