Spirituality in the “Twilight” saga
There are spiritual lessons to be gleaned from the fictional “Twilight” saga that has lots of folks abuzz these days.
The premiere of the feature film “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” again brings to reel-life the love story of Bella Swan and her vampire boyfriend Edward.
Beliefnet.com has a new posting offering Claudia Mair Burney’s perspective on the spirituality one can find in the popular tale of teen love and angst.
“I’m also a junkie for the Twilight Saga’s completely unrealistic love story. “Who acts like that?”, I ask myself, but I keep coming back. Deep down inside I knew who acted that way. Edward’s inhumanly perfect love and Bella’s passionate attachment to him echoed —don’t laugh—the sacred romance between God and me,” Burney wrote.
Check it out at “Spiritual Lessons of Twilight.”
Saturday, Beliefnet.com will feature a movie review of the new film by Movie Mom Nell Minow.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
New movie coming from “Fireproof” producers
The leaders of Sherwood Pictures, the makers of the popular Christian-themed film “Fireproof,” announced the name and premise of their next film, their fourth, on Sunday.
The movie is to be called “Courageous” and will focus on fatherhood, the leaders said.
Sherwood Pictures is an outreach ministry of Sherwood Church in Albany, Ga. The church’s senior pastor, the Rev. Michael Catt (at right) , along with the church’s executive pastor the Rev. Jim McBride and ministers Stephen and Alex Kendrick, made the announcement.
I’ve talked to Catt before for a column about the church’s movie-making role, and spoke to Stephen Kendrick about “The Love Dare” book from “Fireproof” for a story. All seemed to be very passionate about the church’s venture into the arena of making movies with strong Christian content.
A news release was sent out about the recent annoucement. Alex Kendrick, the release said, briefly outlining the plot Sunday: ”Four fathers who are all in law enforcement — who protect and serve together — go through a terrible tragedy,” he said. “They begin looking at their role as fathers . . . and they begin challenging one another to fulfill God’s intention for fathers.”
Catt said the single-word title echoes God’s call for men to “rise with courage” in their homes and as leaders” at a time when numerous marriages end in divorce and more than one-third of all children live away from their biological fathers.
“The statistics on fatherless children are devastating,” McBride said. “And because the family is the building block of society, one important place to rebuild families is through fathers who stay and lead and love.”
“God led us,” co-writer and producer Stephen Kendrick said. ”We believe God is calling men to rise up with strength and with leadership in their homes, with their families and with their children.”
All four leaders of Sherwood Pictures are husbands and fathers. Pastor Catt has two children; Pastor McBride has four; Stephen Kendrick has four; and Alex Kendrick has six.
Principle filming of “Courageous” is to begin in March 2010 in Albany. Like the previous three Sherwood films, the movie will be marketed by Provident Films.
For more information about the new movie, visit www.CourageoustheMovie.com.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Basketballs and bells
![handbells[2]](http://blog.newsok.com/religionandvalues/files/2009/11/handbells21.jpg "handbells[2]")
The team will perform a handbell concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at University Baptist Church, 2515 N Kickapoo in Shawnee.Unique Bible now on eBay
The original version of the handwritten Bible Across America is on the auction block today and proceeds of the eBay auction will benefit Biblica, the translation sponsor of the New International Version translation.
Last year, more than 200 Oklahomans had the opportunity to contribute a handwritten verse to the Bible when the Bible Across America tour stopped at Casady School. The tour was hosted by Zondervan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the NIV Bible. After a nine-month cross country tour cover 22,579 miles, 90 cities and 40 states, more than 31,000 people had a hand in writing Bible Across America, Zondervan said in a news release.
Two original copies were created during the tour and each page was checked and scanned to create a published version which will be released in stores on Dec. 1 and also will be available for purchase online at www.bibleacrossamerica.com.
If you are interested in the auction go online to http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Bible-Across-America-Charity-Sale and make an offer. The auction closes on Nov. 22.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
P.S. The illustration above is just that, an illustration. It is not the Bible Across America being auctioned.
Kirk Franklin heading to OKC
It’s official: Gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin is bringing his “Fight of Our Life Health Tour” to Oklahoma City on Nov. 22. 
Franklin’s concert will be at 6 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, 1700 NE 7. The concert is free and will feature guest appearances by local Gospel artist Sean Johnson and Wings of Harmony, a performing arts ensemble.
The tour is in partnership with the American Heart Assocation’s Power to End Stroke initiative. Franklin performed in concert in Tulsa over the summer. An Oklahoma City concert was planned, but officials were working with Franklin’s busy schedule and trying to find an Oklahoma City location to host the event. Many people had been asking me if a date had been set for the Oklahoma City concert so I’m glad that I can finally give them some facts.
I just saw Franklin perform at the 2009 Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference at Bishop T.D. Jake’s church The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. He was, as usual, outstanding. As part of the upcoming health tour, the Grammy Award-winning artist will encourage concert-goers to pledge to take control of their health, reduce their risk of stroke and learn the warning signs of stroke.
Save the date.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Concert alert: Natalie Grant and Jeremy Camp
Here’s the latest in concert news:
Contemporary Christian recording artists Natalie Grant (at bottom left), Jeremy Camp (below right) and Bebo Norman are to perform in concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church of Moore, 301 NE 27 in Moore.
The Speaking Louder Than Before” tour will feature Grant opening for Camp.
Grant has won four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist for her signature song “Held.” She’s released four albums since 2001, including “Stronger,” “Deeper,” “Awaken,” and “Relentless.”
After finishing the “Make it Matter” tour in July 2009 with Chris Sligh and Meredith Andrews, Grant was invited to open for Camp’s fall tour.
For ticket information, go online to iTickets.com or purchase tickets at the Moore church, Lifeway Christian Store or Mardel. For more information, call 793-2600 .
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
The Book of Destiny
It doesn’t surprise me that interest is growing in the Mayan prophecy that says the end of the world is to happen during the year 2012.
I just wanted to let readers know of another book out that also deals with the prophecy. It appears to offer perspective different than the one espoused by local author the Rev. Mark Hitchcock, who wrote “2012: The Bible and the End of The World.”
It’s called “The Book of Destiny: Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Mayans and the Prophecy of 2012 (HarperOne, $23.99)” by Carlos Barrios.
Here’s what the publisher has to say about the book: “Anthropologist and Mayan expert Carlos Barrios helps clarify just what the 2012 date means to us, and how we can all best prepare ourselves to meet the coming change the Mayans believe has long been written in the destiny of our planet. Written at the request of the Mayan Elders, “The Book of Destiny” is a tool to help people understand their life purpose and to use this profound knowledge to make the best of their time on earth.
“According to the Sacred Mayan Calendar and its corresponding horoscope, our lives have been predestined, and our better understanding of this often-ignored horoscope helps one use this knowledge to beneficially interact with the world around us.”
Who knows? A follow to Saturday’s story on Hitchcock’s book may be forthcoming.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
The end of the world?
ark Hitchcock, author of the new book “2012: The Bible and the End of the World.”Contest for fundraising religious groups
Lifetime Products, one of the world’s largest makers of folding tables and chairs, plans to give out “Spirited Fundraiser Grants” to seven religious organizatons through an essay contest that continues through Oct. 30.
A news release explaining the contest said the grants are vailed at about $2,100 each including cash and folding tables and chairs for use in future fundraisers.
Employees of religious organizations can apply by submitting an essay describing their organization’s most creative, successful fundraiser. All entries must be submitted no later than Oct. 30, 3009.
Has your religious group been especially creative in the area of fundraising? Check out the entry information and official rules for Lifetime Product’s contest here: http://www.lifetime.com/page/tipssolutions/spirited-fundraiser.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Ryan’s legacy
Covering religion and spirituality means that I’m often surrounded by uplifting stories that touch my heart.
Such is the case of the story of Ryan McAfee, 19, (pictured below) the young man who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.
Ryan’s story, chronicled in today’s Oklahoman, is one that blends life and death and faith and hope all in one.
Kellye Medley, a family friend of the McAfees, said organizers of tonight’s Matthew West concert expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to show up for the event.![Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x300[1]](http://blog.newsok.com/religionandvalues/files/2009/10/Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x3001.jpg "Ryan_McAfee_-_2009-2-233x300[1]")
Matthew West heard about Ryan McAfee after West’s song “The Motions” was played at the young man’s funeral. The McAfee family had learned that Ryan McAfee had posted the lyrics to the song on his last posting on his Facebook wall.
West was so interested in Ryan’s story that he’s kicking off his multi-city tour in Ryan’s hometown of McAlester tonight and Lance McAfee, 22, Ryan’s brother, will be going on tour with West to share his brother’s story with thousands of West’s fans.
“I get to encourage brothers and sisters, Christians and non-Christians alike,” Lance McAfee told me. “I get to tell them that we’re here to serve Christ and to serve others by giving our all today.”
The McAfee family said they were especially pleased that even in death, Ryan touched people and helped guide them to the Lord. His mother, Linda McAfee said about 15 young people gave their lives to Christ during an altar call at the youth’s funeral.
Ryan’s father, Danny McAfee said young people have come up to him to tell him that Ryan led them to the Lord.
“He inspired people,” Danny McAfee said.
The Rev. Kevin Meridth is the family’s pastor at Second Baptist Church in McAlester.
He said he was not surprised that so much has happened as a result of the faith-filled life that Ryan McAfee led and his last Facebook posting.
He said the youth was a “young man of great character and integrity.”
Meridth said he preached the eulogy at McAfee’s funeral and was thrilled when young people responded to the altar call that was suggested by the family.
“From a pastor’s standpoint, he (Ryan) lived his life in such a way that his testimony preached his own funeral.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
