Coming to a video store near you

“God’s Courtroom” film now available at national chain

S h e r m a n | Bruce Kugler produced “God’s Courtroom” with help from his church, Living Faith Baptist in Sherman Now, the video presentation of the Gospel set in some of Illinois’ most historic courtrooms is available through more than 770 Family Video stores across the country

“Bruce Kugler ’s analysis of the biblical and judiciary intersection is very powerful, and we are pleased to offer this DVD,” John A Furton, the retailer ’s vice president of purchasing, said in a statement And, in keeping with Kugler ’s commitment to offer the film free of charge, the video is a free rental

The evangelism tool’s reach also is extending outside the U.S. “God’s Courtroom” was dubbed in Arabic this summer by Nashat Filmon, executive director of the Palestinian Bible Society, who traveled to Illinois from his home in Jerusalem to give voice to the project His organization will give the DVD’s to judges and lawyers in Palestinian territories, and also make it available on their web-

Affiliation with IBSA Churches that wish to apply for affiliation with the Illinois Baptist State Association must submit an application for membership by Sept 15 To request a packet that explains the application process, contact Sandy Barnard at (217) 391-3107 or e-mail SandyBarnard@IBSA.org.

Zone news

Zone 4: Grace Fellowship Church in Amboy has baptized 21 people so far in 2014, and several more baptisms are scheduled, reported Pastor Brian McWethy “Praise God that He works in little rural church plants!”

IBSA staff members serve as zone consultants working with directors of missions and churches across Illinois For more info, go to www IBSA org/zone site and in bookstores

“When Bruce gave me the video ‘God’s Courtroom,’ I went and I watched it, and I liked it very much,” Filmon said “I thought, ‘This is a straightforward message that’s coming from a lawyer, and it explains in a court setting what is to be expected ”

The one-hour film also is dubbed in Spanish, and plans are in place for a Chinese version Filmon said he would like to dub it in Hebrew

The team behind the film probably would have been hard-pressed to imagine these recent open doors, when they began production on “God’s Courtroom” a few years ago

Kugler, an attorney, first had the idea in the late 1980s when he was representing defendants in criminal cases before a northern Illinois judge known for his fairness and precision

The experience made Kugler wonder what it would be like when people one day stood before God, the ultimate judge He began creating a Gospel presentation based on principles and terminology used in the legal system

He gave the presentation at local churches, and it was at a Dairy Queen meal after one of those messages that the idea came to film “God’s Courtroom” in Illinois courthouses

The film has since been shown on TV in the U S , and Kugler, a member of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, has shared the presentation in Nicaragua, Argentina, India, Taiwan and China

He gives God the credit for every outlet he finds to showcase “God’s Courtroom ”

“How is it possible that we could get a film aired on major networks around the nation, speak in different parts of the world, and have it in 770 video stores?

“We can’t,” Kugler admitted

“This is a good example of taking a small project and really bathing it in prayer and fasting, and trying to do this the right way with the right motives, for the glory of God ”

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An Issues & Answers presentation from IBSA and the Illinois Baptist newspaper

Registration

The latest on changing laws and cultural values

Andrew Walker SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

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Jill Finley

Women’s Ministry, Bethel Baptist Church of Troy, Illinois

Thursday, October 16

The prophetic role of the pulpit

Dr Kevin Smith Pastor, professor, and member of SBC’s Resolutions Committee

The

What is your priority as you arrive at church on Sunday? Is it to assure your child has two matching shoes?

To lead a great small group class? Greet guests? Enjoy Christian friends?

Oh, those are all quite important, but our TOP priority must be to truly worship God How can we do that?

Try these simple tips:

Anticipate. Look forward to Sunday’s worship service Faithfully commit that time to God weekly Pray for God to bless each person there, and to speak to you personally Quote Psalm 69:9 (NLT): “Zeal for your house consumes me ”

Arrive early No exceptions! You have an important appointment with the King of Kings, so don’t allow anything or anyone to make you even a split-second late

Engage in the worship service

True worship is not routine It doesn’t involve making a grocery list or checking e-mails Intentionally keep your eyes and heart focused on worship It may help to sit near the front

Participate in every part of the worship service, with joy and enthusiasm. For a Christian, true worship is no spectator sport! Stand when it’s time to stand Worship by giving your tithe Greet during greeting time Sing every word of every song, with joy and enthusiasm, directly to God

There’s no true worship in singing words with a rote, artificial, businessas-usual attitude Off-key is fine; closed lips are not

Listen to every word that’s spoken. During Scripture reading, open your Bible or Bible app to follow along Listen expectantly to the sermon, anticipating a word from God through His preacher Take sermon notes Nod your head Say “Amen ”

Eagerly anticipate life-changing decisions during the invitation time, praying fervently that God will change hearts and touch lives Don’t even think about gathering your belongings or slipping out early.

Leave slowly and joyfully. A race to the exit seems to state, “I’ve put in my check-mark for God ” Instead, linger a moment Keep your mind on God Smile at a child Meet a guest Encourage a fellow believer

There’s nothing humdrum about the priority of worship And there’s a huge bonus: That worshipful heart will carry over into our actions and service to God throughout the entire week

©Diana Davis This column is a revised excerpt from Diana’s book, “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing) Visit her website, dianadavis org