News and Notes from the
World of Al Menconi

After watching the faith-based film “Woodlawn,” My first response was “Wow!” I have never seen a clearer presentation of the Gospel in a film that will also appeal to nonbelievers. We often like a film, not because of its intrinsic quality but because of the message it brings to nonbelievers. That's not what you’ll see when you watch “Woodlawn.” It provides an inspiring story that will thrill your heart and challenge you AND nonbelievers at the same time. This is the true story of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama that was experiencing racial tensions in 1973 because of new integration policies that bused blacks into a formerly all- white high school. The 500 African American students didn’t want to be there, and the white students certainly didn’t want them there. As you can imagine, racial tensions invaded every facet of the campus, especially the lackluster football team. But at one point a “motivational speaker” challenged the team to let Jesus get rid

Video review by Al Menconi September 25, 2015 What if I told you that God created the Zodiac for our benefit? I haven’t gone “liberal” nor am I spiritually off base. But I have just watched Story in the Stars, a video documentary by Joe Amaral, author, speaker, and amateur astronomer. This fascinating film uses biblical, historical and scientific knowledge to reveal how each constellation of the Zodiac actually points us back to Jesus, and that the message of salvation is written in the stars for all of mankind to see. There are 48 signs, or constellations in the sky and every major civilization not only has the same figures, but the same names. At one time, each culture understood these figures to be symbolic in nature, to serve as signs, to point them to a coming Redeemer!  But over time, people began to worship the stars instead of the creator of the stars. The Bible says in Genesis 1:14: “And God said, ‘Let there be lights (sun, moon and stars) in the vault of the sky to

The following is my response to a friend who asked me why I recommended the MTV Video Music Awards for the past couple of years.  He couldn't understand why he NEEDED to watch that “trash” when all he had to do was read the information on the web?  He was also concerned about the fathers who struggle with porn subjecting their eyes to the skimpy outfits most of the performers wore.  MY RESPONSE: Thank you for your interest and for taking the time to express your concern.  Please let me try to respond. I’ve been recommending that parents watch the MTV Video Music Awards (The VMAs) since 2003, to help parents learn and experience the culture that influences their children so deeply. It’s more than just watching trash. You are right that there are many ways parents can  learn  which artist or   program their kids watch and listen to, but there is no better way to  experience  the depravity of the entertainment culture that is teaching our ch