Here are today’s dispatches from the crossroads of faith, media and culture.

1. Walden Media to tell story of The Conscientious Objector. From Deadline: Get Low helmer Aaron Schneider has been set to direct The Conscientious Objector for Walden Media. The film tells the true story of Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector in American history to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Doss served in WWII, joining the army as a medic. He was ostracized by his fellow soldiers because of his refusal to kill or even carry a gun. He proved his courage, saving 75 men at the Battle of Okinawa.
Comment: This sounds like a good one. I’ll be looking forward to it.

2. Catholic Church buys Crystal Cathedral. From The Blaze/AP: Now, it’s official. The iconic, gleaming glass building has been approved for sale to the Diocese of Orange in an effort to get the house of worship back on solid financial footing after declaring bankruptcy last year…Some congregants at the Crystal Cathedral said losing their church would be a sign of failure of the ministry‘s leadership and they wouldn’t follow its leaders to a new site. Churchgoers also questioned whether the ministry that shares the name of the building it inhabits would be financially viable elsewhere, noting that viewers of the “Hour of Power” are equally attached to the glass-spired church and are the source of 70 percent of the church’s revenue. But those who supported the board’s decision said the congregation will continue to thrive through the good-hearted people who worship together and band together to help those in need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tmmCBPXXqM&feature=player_embedded

Comment: A sad story.  I’m a Catholic but I used to watch The Hour of Power and the positive form of Christianity preached by the Schullers did give me real comfort to me during some difficult periods in my life. They also helped get into my head the biblical advice that regularly signs off this blog.  It is, in fact, important for all of us to encourage one another and to build each other up.  So, they’ll get through this. As Robert H. Schuller himself has famously noted, Tough Times Never Last, Tough People Do!

3. Regis Philbin goes out with a ratings bang. From The Hollywood Reporter: Based on preliminary household ratings from New York City and Philadelphia, nearly one-third of TV viewers were tuned in Friday.
Comment: A classy (and just plain nice) legend who will be missed from the daily TV scene.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11