Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview


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My Review of the movie Toy Story 5

Toy Story 5
*** ½

The latest film from Pixar features good storytelling, animation, and humor, in a film that the entire family will enjoy. The film is directed by two-time Oscar winner Andrew Stanton (WALL-E, Finding Nemo), who wrote the film with McKenna Harris .
The film revolves around eight-year-old Bonnie, voiced by Scarlett Spears. Bonnie wants to make friends, such as with the twins across the street, but she is extremely shy and sensitive. She still plays with her toys, unlike many in her age group who are always on their tablets.
To help Bonnie connect with others, her parents buy her a frog-shaped tablet called Lilypad “Lily”, voiced by Greta Lee. Bonnie loves the device and is constantly on it.  Jessie, the cow girl, voiced by two-time Oscar nominee Joan Cusack (In & Out, Working Girl), who is still scarred from when Emily left her, tries to limit Lily’s control. She believes that Bonnie needs to meet friends by playing, not online. Continue reading →


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16 (+1) New and Upcoming Books You Might Be Interested In

I enjoy books in a variety of genres – theology, Christian living, biography, leadership, professional development, sports, etc. A few times each year I like to share a list of new and upcoming books that you might be interested in. Here are sixteen new and upcoming books, along with a bonus – Tammy and my new book, tentatively titled Use Us Up, Lord: Finishing Well for Our Good and His Glory.

The Spirit in You by Jordan Raynor, Illustrator Jonathan D. Voss

To be published June 16.
From the Amazon description:
From the author and illustrator team of The Creator in You, this simple yet profound picture book offers a kid-friendly introduction to what God saved us from and what God saved us for—the good works prepared in advance for us to do.
Jesus also loves you without your good deeds
But I hope that by now you are starting to see
That the Spirit is not just for your salvation
But to help you do good for all of creation. Continue reading →


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My Summer (and Beyond) Reading Plans

Summer is a wonderful time for reading, whether it is on the backyard patio, a family vacation, or listening to an audiobook while driving, walking or running. This summer, I plan to read books in a variety of genres – biography, leadership, theology, Christian living, etc. Here is what I have planned to read this summer:

Daily Devotional Reading

Books I’m reading or planning to read this summer and beyond:

What are you planning to read this summer?

 


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Reformation Triangle of Scripture, Meditation and Prayer, Part 3

Matthew Bingham’s book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation was introduced to our church leadership team by our lead pastor at our annual leadership retreat last fall, who encouraged all of us to read it. It has since become a very influential book in our church, with many reading and discussing it, including our officer candidates. You can read my review of the book here, and I highly commend the book to  you.
But what is spiritual formation? Like me,  you may have heard the term, but aren’t’ sure exactly what it is. You may  have heard about friends getting degrees in spiritual formation from a Bible college or seminary. Bingham helpfully tells us that the term spiritual formation has arisen to describe the biblical process of molding the mind, heart, and life of a Christian into conformity to Christ.
In his book, Bingham introduces what he refers to as the “Reformation Triangle” of scripture, meditation, and prayer which is at the heart of historic Protestant spiritual formation.  Taken together, these three can be conceived as a conversation between the believer and God: we hear from God through his word, we reflect on what we’ve heard in meditation, and we then respond to God in prayer. Continue reading →


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Reformation Triangle of Scripture, Meditation and Prayer, Part 2

Matthew Bingham’s book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation was introduced to our church leadership team by our lead pastor at our annual leadership retreat last fall, who encouraged all of us to read it. It has since become a very influential book in our church, with many reading and discussing it, including our officer candidates. You can read my review of the book here, and I highly commend the book to  you.
But what is spiritual formation? Like me,  you may have heard the term, but aren’t’ sure exactly what it is. You may  have heard about friends getting degrees in spiritual formation from a Bible college or seminary. Bingham helpfully tells us that the term spiritual formation has arisen to describe the biblical process of molding the mind, heart, and life of a Christian into conformity to Christ.
In his book, Bingham introduces what he refers to as the “Reformation Triangle” of scripture, meditation, and prayer which is at the heart of historic Protestant spiritual formation.  Taken together, these three can be conceived as a conversation between the believer and God: we hear from God through his word, we reflect on what we’ve heard in meditation, and we then respond to God in prayer. Continue reading →


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Reformation Triangle of Scripture, Meditation and Prayer, Part 1

Matthew Bingham’s book A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation was introduced to our church leadership team by our lead pastor at our annual leadership retreat last fall, who encouraged all of us to read it. It has since become a very influential book in our church, with many reading and discussing it, including our officer candidates. You can read my review of the book here, and I highly commend the book to  you.

But what is spiritual formation? Like me,  you may have heard the term, but aren’t’ sure exactly what it is. You may  have heard about friends getting degrees in spiritual formation from a Bible college or seminary. Bingham helpfully tells us that the term spiritual formation has arisen to describe the biblical process of molding the mind, heart, and life of a Christian into conformity to Christ.

In his book, Bingham introduces what he refers to as the “Reformation Triangle” of scripture, meditation, and prayer which is at the heart of historic Protestant spiritual formation. Taken together, these three can be conceived as a conversation between the believer and God: we hear from God through his word, we reflect on what we’ve heard in meditation, and we then respond to God in prayer. Continue reading →


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A Prayer for Summer

Our Father in Heaven,

Although the calendar tells us that summer doesn’t begin until June 21, summer has always seemed to begin for me when school gets out and we celebrate the Memorial Day weekend. I’ve always thought of summer as the months of June, July and August. Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer is by far my favorite season of the year.
Thank you, Father, for the season of summer. I love the warm temperatures, the green grass, trees blowing in the wind, and the fact that here in the Midwest it will stay light until nearly 9:00 pm.
Thank you for seeing us through a cold, sometimes bitterly cold winter. Also, thank you for protecting us from several severe storms early this spring. Continue reading →


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My Favorites from the First Half of 2026

As I have done for several years now, I am sharing my favorites in a variety of categories. All items listed were released or took place during the first half of 2026, except for books, which reflect books that I read during the first half of 2026, regardless of publication date. I hope you enjoy this list, and find some good recommendations.

Movies

Top Pick:  A Great Awakening Continue reading →


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My Review of the Movie ‘Tuner’

Tuner, rated R
***

This film is about a piano tuner that gets involved in criminal activity because of his gift of hearing. The film is directed by Oscar winner Daniel Roher (Navalny), and written by Roher and Robert Ramsey.
Niki White, played by Leo Woodall, is a young man who possesses the rare talent of perfect pitch. At one time, he was an excellent pianist, but he no longer plays. He is the apprentice to piano tuner and repairman Harry Horowitz, played by two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man, Kramer vs. Kramer).
Harry hasn’t raised his prices for thirty years. We never see Harry do any work. He enjoys Niki and loves him like a son, and eats what his wife Marla, played by two-time Emmy nominee Tovah Feldshuh (Law & Order, Holocaust), tells him he shouldn’t. Continue reading →


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THIS & THAT: A Gathering of Favorite Articles and Quotes

  • The Difference Between Ben Sasse and So Many Other Saints. Tim Challies writes ‘Sasse encourages me to remember and praise God for all of his people, great and small, known and unknown, who have received their final diagnosis as their final challenge—their final opportunity on this side of the grave to testify to their love for the Lord and the peace they have in him. May you and I be equally faithful.”
  • Dying in Public: The Witness of Ben Sasse. Megan Fowler writes “The truth is, “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). The way Sasse has stewarded this physical trial reminds Christians that we have all been entrusted with a brief window in which to live. Though our death may not be as public as his, our faith certainly can be.”

Click on ‘Continue reading’ for:

    • More interesting article links
    • Favorite Quotes of the Week

Continue reading →