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Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Eagle Eye (PG-13)
2. Nights in Rodanthe (PG-13)
3. Lakeview Terrace (PG-13)
4. Fireproof (PG)
5. Burn After Reading (R)

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Lakeview Terrace (PG-13)
2. Burn After Reading (R)
3. My Best Friend's Girl (R)
4. Igor (PG)
5. Righteous Kill (R)

Once more, let's continue our conversation about finding preaching opportunities in the current elevation of the antihero in the world of television…

If you ever catch my Dad in a particularly nostalgic mood, you can bet he'll talk about two childhood heroes that cleaned up the streets and kept the world safe: Superman and Roy Rogers. You might even get him to quote the stirring introduction of the former ("Faster than a speeding bullet…") and sing the sign-off of the latter ("Happy Trails, to you…"). After that you'll inevitably have to endure a running commentary on all the collectibles in his study. And when the hero worship comes to an end, he'll offer a sigh that says, "Those were the days."

Let's continue our conversation about finding preaching opportunities in the current elevation of the antihero in the world of television…

Two friends are sitting on a couch, watching the latest episode of The Shield. Vic Mackey has just finished beating a little "intel" out of an Armenian mobster. One friend turns to the other friend and asks, "Did Vic really need to beat the guy to a bloody pulp to get the information? I mean, that was a little extreme, don't you think?" The other viewer replies, "Well, you might not like how he did it, but at least he did something!"

One of the goals of Preaching Today—and one of the ever-increasing goals of this very blog—is to help the preacher engage in cultural exegesis. We agree with the likes of Tim Keller, Kevin Vanhoozer, and countless others: some pretty spectacular moments occur when the preacher allows some space for the biblical text at hand to interact appropriately with a cultural text (a movie, a television show, a song, or something that's become so normal that we've missed that fact that it's actually quite abnormal). such interaction should, at times, be contentious, while other times, playful or even supportive.

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Burn After Reading (R)
2. Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys (PG-13)
3. Righteous Kill (R)
5. The Women (PG-13)
5. The House Bunny (PG-13)

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Bangkok Dangerous (R)
2. Tropic Thunder (R)
3. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
4. The House Bunny (PG-13)
5. Traitor (PG-13)

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Tropic Thunder (R)
2. Babylon A.D. (PG-13)
3. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
4. The House Bunny (PG-13)
5. Traitor (PG-13)

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Tropic Thunder (R)
2. The House Bunny (PG-13)
5. Death Race (R)
4. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)

Every Friday, the Preaching Today Blog takes a look at the week that was—what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about…

Top Five Movies
1. Tropic Thunder (R)
2. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
3. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)
4. Mirrors (R)
5. Pineapple Express (R)

In the latest episode of PT Talk, the editors of PreachingToday.com discuss the importance of finding the intersection between gospel and culture. We admit the sound on this episode is a bit on the not-so-great side. We were trying something new, and the "something new" turned out to be "something we ought not do." But hang with us - given that our chat was so fun, we feel it's worth a listen despite a few popping "p's" and some volume control issues. We'll get it right next time!

At the start of every new school year, The Beloit College Mindset List is published, offering a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the next generation. As expected, the list finds that this fall's freshman class is unique in how they see the world, hear the world, speak in the world, and experience the world.

Ron Nief, the communications director for Beloit, says faculty members, military officers, and ministers eagerly await the list, hoping to find effective ways to communicate with younger generations.

Click here to read "The Mindset List of the Class of 2012."

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Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
4. Pineapple Express (R)
3. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13)
4. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG)
5. Step Brothers (PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
2. The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (PG-13)
3. Step Brothers (PG-13)
4. Mama Mia! (PG-13)
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)

Earlier this week, I posted an entry about a few stories to keep your eye on during the Olympics. My post was a wider look at the socio-political-personal human interest stories. Over at the Christianity Today liveblog, Susan Wunderink has posted her own entry on the faith of a few athletes involved in the Games. Check it out when you get a chance. Though we hear a lot of sports figures give a shout out to God, they rarely have such an international stage to do so.

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Every week, Preaching Today offers a batch of new sermon illustrations. It's a nice little mix of stories, quotes, statistics, humor, and scenes from movies or television shows. From time to time, the editors of Preaching Today want to take a moment to talk about how they might use a particular illustration in their own preaching.

To be honest, you never really know what's around the corner at the Olympics. Remember the 400-meter dash semifinals in Barcelona, 1992? Derek Redmond was representing Britain. He had qualified for the '88 Olympics, but he had to pull out because of problems with his Achilles tendon. He had suffered through countless surgeries to make a comeback, and his time had finally come. It was a pretty remarkable story—so who knows how many people were heartbroken when he tore his right hamstring just 100 meters into the race.

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
2. Step Brothers (PG-13)
3. Mama Mia! (PG-13)
4. The X-Files: I Want to Believe (PG-13)
5. Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. The Dark Knight (PG-13)
5. Mama Mia! (PG-13)
3. Hancock (PG-13)
4. Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)
5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (PG-13)
2. Hancock (PG-13)
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth (PG)
4. Wall-E (G)
5. Wanted (R)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. Hancock (PG-13)
2. Wall-E (PG-13)
3. Wanted (R)
4. Get Smart (PG-13)
5. Kung Fu Panda (PG)

In part one in this series of blog entries, Leighton Ford shared how every sermon should have the gospel at its core and an invitational edge. This invitational edge means the gospel must be presented in a manner that is clear and fresh, visible, winsome and strong, and urgent and compelling. But what does that look like? In this entry, Ford begins to unpack his convictions with a look at how we can preach the gospel in clear and fresh ways.

The late Henri Nouwen in Preaching and Ministry wrote that practically no one comes to church expecting to hear something they did not already know. "The last thing they expect to come from a pulpit is any news."

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. Wall-E (PG-13)
2. Wanted (R)
3. Get Smart (PG-13)
4. Kung Fu Panda (PG)
5. The Incredible Hulk (PG-13)

By now many of you have probably witnessed the media storm surrounding Gloucester High School. Seventeen girls who attend the Massachusetts school are pregnant—more than four times the number of pregnancies of the previous year. Teenage pregnancy is nothing new. Seeing lots of pregnant teenagers is nothing new. But the possibility of some sort of pact that found the girls wanting to all get pregnant at the same time? That's new. Gloucester principal Joseph Sullivan told Time magazine that after a little investigation, he had learned that the girls were getting pregnant on purpose—even reacting to the news of positive pregnancy test with "high fives and plans for baby showers."

My, how the times have changed.

But just before I put together an illustration about the whole mess for Preaching Today, I learned that there might be more to the story.

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies
1. Get Smart (PG-13)
2. The Incredible Hulk (PG-13)
3. Kung Fu Panda (PG)
4. The Love Guru (PG-13)
5. The Happening (R)

In The Writing Life, Annie Dillard compares a writer to an inchworm perched atop a long blade of grass:

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. The Incredible Hulk (PG-13)
2. Kung Fu Panda (PG)
3. The Happening (R)
4. You Don't Mess with the Zohan (PG-13)
5. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)

It's a little late—but better late than never, right? I was on vacation last week. Sorry about that. I won't let it happen again. Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about (or at least they were last week)...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)

1. Kung Fu Panda (PG)
2. You Don't Mess with the Zohan (PG-13)
3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)
4. Sex and the City: The Movie (R)
5. The Strangers (Rated PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Sex and the City: The Movie (R)
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)
3. The Strangers (Rated PG-13)
4. Iron Man (Rated PG-13)
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Rated PG)

As part of our ongoing theme of "Getting the Gospel Right," Preaching Today has posted the transcript of an interview with Haddon Robinson. In this episode of PT Talk, chief editor Brian Larson points out sections of the interview that have helped him the most in his preaching. Brian and I then take the opportunity to talk about some ways to use a story that's included in this week's fresh batch of illustrations. Click "Play" on the audio player to listen to PT Talk via audio stream. If you'd rather download the audio file so you can have it on the run, there is a link just below the player. The illustration that Brian Larson and I reference throughout can be found here. If you're not a member of PreachingToday.com, the illustration is not free. However, we go over it in the recording so you can follow along.

To download this episode of PT Talk, click here.

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (PG-13)
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Rated PG)
3. Iron Man (Rated PG-13)
4. What Happens in Vegas (Rated PG-13)
5. Speed Racer (Rated PG)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Prince Caspian (Rated PG)
2. Iron Man (Rated PG-13)
3. What Happens in Vegas (Rated PG-13)
4. Speed Racer (Rated PG)
5. Made of Honor (Rated PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Iron Man (Rated PG-13)
2. What Happens in Vegas (Rated PG-13)
3. Speed Racer (Rated PG)
4. Made of Honor (Rated PG-13)
5. Baby Mama (Rated PG-13)

Because of the horrifying tragedy in Myanmar (rescue officials think the death toll may climb as high as 100,000), many of us will probably want to lead our congregations through difficult issues like pain and suffering. We've gathered a few illustrations and tagged them as "Free" for the next 30 days to help you in your preaching. Most of these stories come from past tragedies—the tsunami that killed over 400,000 people, Hurricane Katrina, the attacks at Virginia Tech—and obviously speak to the heart of what we're watching unfold in Myanmar.

Every week, Preaching Today posts new illustrations - a mixture of stories, statistics, quotes, humor, and scenes from popular movies or TV shows. As a regular part of our PT Talk sessions, Brian Larson and I would like to take a moment to talk about how we might use some of our illustrations in a sermon. We decided to try this out on a classic: Master Violinist Goes Unrecognized. We felt it was the best illustration of 2007.

To hear us talk about specific and more abstract ways to use this illustration, click "Play" on the audio player below to listen to PT Talk via audio stream. If you'd rather download the audio file so you can have it on the run, there is a link just below the player.

To download this episode of PT Talk, click here.

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In late 2005, the long-anticipated movie version of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe was released. It went on to earn $745 million at the box office worldwide (and over $1 billion in DVD sales). On May 16, its sequel—Prince Caspian—arrives in theatres. The world is abuzz. It's safe to assume it will be a hit. It's also safe to assume it will open the door to conversations over its Christological content. You might be planning to weave themes from Prince Caspian into your preaching. Here are a few links to helpful resources from our sister sites:

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (Rated R)
2. The Forbidden Kingdom (Rated PG-13)
3. 88 Minutes (Rated R)
4. 21 (Rated PG-13)
5. Prom Night (Rated PG-13)

We thought that in light of the current news about the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you might need some materials to work with in your church. Below are some book reviews and related stories that may help you find a way forward in addressing particular issues concerning Mormonism from the pulpit or in related pastoral settings. Please exercise caution, however, in relating all Mormon practice to the more fundamentalist branch that is being highlighted in Texas. Most of these resources speak to the Mormon faith in general with a few hints of insight into the FLDS.

PreachingToday.com recently ran an illustration that was the unfortunate victim of embellishment. We've posted the corrected version for your records. These retractions don't happen often for us, but when they do, they often happen because of the very issue just mentioned: embellishment. For this episode of PT Talk, we discuss what happened, why it happened, and how to make sure it doesn't happen.

Click "Play" on the audio player below, and you can listen to PT Talk via an audio stream. If you'd rather download the audio file so you can have it on the run, there is a link just below the player.

To download this episode of PT Talk, click here.

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Street Kings (Rated R)
2. 21 (Rated PG-13)
3. Prom Night (Rated PG-13)
4. Nim's Island (Rated PG)
5. Leatherheads (Rated PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. 21 (Rated PG-13)
2. Leatherheads (Rated PG-13)
3. Nim's Island (Rated PG)
4. Horton Hears a Who (Rated G)
5. The Ruins (Rated R)

A section from Gary Thomas's The Beautiful Fight struck a deep chord with me this morning:

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. 21 (Rated PG-13)
2. Horton Hears a Who (Rated G)
3. Superhero Movie (Rated PG-13)
4. Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (Rated PG-13)
5. Drillbit Taylor (Rated PG-13)

Here's what people are watching, reading, listening to, and learning about...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. Horton Hears a Who (Rated G)
2. Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (Rated PG-13)
3. Shutter (Rated PG-13)
4. Drillbit Taylor (Rated PG-13)
5. 10,000 B.C. (Rated R)

Every Friday, the PreachingToday blog is going to offer a pop culture roundup so you can see some of the things that are catching the eyes, ears, and hearts of your listeners...

Top Five Movies (according to box office returns)
1. 10,000 B.C. (Rated R)
2. College Road Trip (Rated G)
3. The Bank Job (Rated R)
4. Vantage Point (Rated PG-13)
5. Semi-Pro (Rated R)

Because we're well aware you're knee-deep in preparing sermons and meaningful worship gatherings for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday, we've combed through all the materials in our database and put together a special Hot Topic on Easter. Click here and you'll find plenty of illustrations, images, and videos that deal with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

The folks at ChristianityTodayMovies.com have posted a list of the Top Ten Most Redeeming Films of 2007. I think you'll find that it's a pretty eclectic bunch, and there may very well be some fascinating illustrations for you to use as a preacher (with caution, of course).

Our sister site, FaithVisuals, has posted a list of what it feels represents the top media of 2007. You'll surely find some helpful videos, worship loops, and video curriculum to enhance your preaching and teaching.

I recently heard the most powerful sermon I've heard in a long time. In just a few minutes, the speaker filled an overly familiar phrase—Merry Christmas—with profound meaning and left me awestruck by the Word of God.

My refuge from the musical monotony of the Christmas season has been Sufjan Stevens' five-disc set, Songs for Christmas. I wanted to buy it when it came out last year because I think Sufjan is one of the more exciting artists out there these days. But a certain lack of cash snowed on my parade. This year I finally got my hands on it, and I'm not sure what else to say except that which is cliché: I can't stop listening to it.

Some of the richest theology concerning Advent is found in the songs we'll sing together in the weeks ahead. Theologians, professors, and preachers have much to offer, but both head and heart are often most moved by the work of musicians. It's maddening, isn't it? You slave over a sermon for hours on end, but it is only when the little girl with blonde curls stands up to sing "Away in a Manger" that the crowd swoons over the startling majesty of the Incarnation.

The Associated Press has just released the results of a pre-Halloween poll that asked people about their supernatural/spiritual/superstitious beliefs. You can find the results here.

Clark Cothern, a regular contributor to our weekly batch of illustrations, shared this short, but intriguing story. Take a moment to read it, and I'd like to offer just a few words on the other side:

As Pottermania rages at a fevered pitch (with the release of both a new movie and the final book in J.K. Rowling's series), perhaps you are wrestling with what to do as a preacher – if anything at all! The choice is yours, of course, but we thought we would offer a few helpful resources to help you navigate the world of Harry Potter and how it intersects with our own: