A friend on facebook sent me a message about the movie Elf:
She was reading John 8, and it hit her that Buddy was like Jesus...there's more. I'll edit this if she gives permission.
For now, I'll say that I admit I'd never thought of Buddy the Elf as a Christ type, but I was thinking about it, and one of his qualities stood out clearly: He's loving. He's ingenuously, unconditionally, completely loving. The way he responds to a father who abandoned him, a boss and coworkers who are mean to him, and everyone who doesn't understand him -- it's always love.
It reminded me of my first pastor and his wife, who recommended Forrest Gump for the same reason. Jenny couldn't handle that kind of love (maybe she didn't think she deserved it?), but even after she abandons him and comes back, he accepts her fully. Love. My first pastor's wife, Sue, said that maybe the only way a film could get away with showing that kind of radical love was to house it in a mentally challenged person...(or maybe a naive elf?)
A friend of a friend was dying from cancer, and was a bitter person because of things that had happened in a church she belonged to. She told my friend, "I hate God!! Jesus, well -- Jesus is good. But I can't stand God."
I think people always kneejerk respond to this kind of statement with a lesson on the trinity -- I probably did when I heard this story. But I never will again. A person very close to me said this same idea recently. Because I know more about this person, I have more understanding:
They feel like certain things that they've had to endure were allowed by God (they're correct..he had the power to stop all of them, and he didn't). So God allowed her to be hurt.
And Jesus is the one who feels our pain fully...hurts when we do...he can, because he actually knows what it means to be human. So he's the one whose comfort is meaningful.
This person understands the concept of the trinity (as the dying woman probably did)....She's not having a lapse in theology. She's in pain. And one member of the Godhead didn't prevent this pain, and another is trying to comfort her through it. So her statement makes sense to me.
So for right now, I'm trying to think, in addition to the conventional WWJD wisdom: What would Forrest do? What would Buddy do?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
5 Reasons Why this was the Best Sermon Series I've Heard this Year
1. The abundance of Scripture
There was Scripture read, referenced, even recited. The cool part: unapologetically.
(Explanation: My church is sensitive to those who might be new to church or uncomfortable with church. Sometimes, this has taken the form of almost apologizing when a lot of Scripture is used in a sermon. Our pastor will prepare us in advance, like a teacher might if they're giving an involved lecture, and they're worried they might lose some of the students to boredom. It's funny, because when he says that, it's usually a signal for me that I'm going to really like the sermon. For this sermon, there was never that pre-emptive apology, and I was glad! Besides the fact that this pastor is a really gifted and engaging communicator who casts a wide net when he preaches anyway, it's compelling simply because it's the Word of God, given fully and in context.))
2. The back-story given
The first week, the text was Isaiah 6 (which starts, "in the year that King Uzziah died"). We were given Uzziah's history, so we interpreted the passage in light of that life. (Uzziah started well, finished poorly)
The second week, we were given theories on when Paul may have had that vision/revelation he refers to in 2 Corinthians 12. It was in Acts, when he got stoned by the crowd in Lystra.
Sometimes the thing that really hits you is something hidden in these back stories, so I love when sermons include them. Plus, I learn something new.
3. The overall definition of Worship
We were encouraged to 'Focus on the magnificence of God' -- I needed to hear this. I need to hear it again and again. Magnify God. Focus off of self, on Him.
He added to this, too -- he ended with the part in Romans that talks about offering our whole self as a spiritual act of worship. But the initial definition was good for me, because I've been so far off.
4. Communion.
We don't take communion often, because of the size of our church (I think.) But today, the church was as full as ever, and maybe it was a logistical challenge, but it really didn't seem that way. They added a worship song, and you made communion an extension of worship. They let you take it at your own pace, so you could prepare privately, and take when you were ready.
5. The preeminence of Jesus, the exclusivity of Jesus was proclaimed with clarity and strength.
It was a really powerful moment. He spoke verses from Romans, and ended with the verse in Hebrews that talks about Jesus being the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His being.
It was one of those times when I feel like cheering as if I'm at a game, and we just scored.
You can listen here
There was Scripture read, referenced, even recited. The cool part: unapologetically.
(Explanation: My church is sensitive to those who might be new to church or uncomfortable with church. Sometimes, this has taken the form of almost apologizing when a lot of Scripture is used in a sermon. Our pastor will prepare us in advance, like a teacher might if they're giving an involved lecture, and they're worried they might lose some of the students to boredom. It's funny, because when he says that, it's usually a signal for me that I'm going to really like the sermon. For this sermon, there was never that pre-emptive apology, and I was glad! Besides the fact that this pastor is a really gifted and engaging communicator who casts a wide net when he preaches anyway, it's compelling simply because it's the Word of God, given fully and in context.))
2. The back-story given
The first week, the text was Isaiah 6 (which starts, "in the year that King Uzziah died"). We were given Uzziah's history, so we interpreted the passage in light of that life. (Uzziah started well, finished poorly)
The second week, we were given theories on when Paul may have had that vision/revelation he refers to in 2 Corinthians 12. It was in Acts, when he got stoned by the crowd in Lystra.
Sometimes the thing that really hits you is something hidden in these back stories, so I love when sermons include them. Plus, I learn something new.
3. The overall definition of Worship
We were encouraged to 'Focus on the magnificence of God' -- I needed to hear this. I need to hear it again and again. Magnify God. Focus off of self, on Him.
He added to this, too -- he ended with the part in Romans that talks about offering our whole self as a spiritual act of worship. But the initial definition was good for me, because I've been so far off.
4. Communion.
We don't take communion often, because of the size of our church (I think.) But today, the church was as full as ever, and maybe it was a logistical challenge, but it really didn't seem that way. They added a worship song, and you made communion an extension of worship. They let you take it at your own pace, so you could prepare privately, and take when you were ready.
5. The preeminence of Jesus, the exclusivity of Jesus was proclaimed with clarity and strength.
It was a really powerful moment. He spoke verses from Romans, and ended with the verse in Hebrews that talks about Jesus being the radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His being.
It was one of those times when I feel like cheering as if I'm at a game, and we just scored.
You can listen here
Friday, August 27, 2010
Romain Gavras
Lucas showed me this video, and now I want to see everything this film maker has done. Just watch it.
All the things I know right now, if I only knew back then
This is David Guetta -- he's kinda a DJ, I guess -- features Fergie. The guy soloist is Chris Willis, who I googled and learned that he's a gospel singer (YEA) and the fun guys are LMFAO.
Monday, July 5, 2010
New Ideas
Three new ideas picked up during Creation week:
1. You are more than the choices that you make.
This is a song by the band Tenth Avenue North, and it's the opposite of what I've always heard -- even in Christian circles...You always hear that you *are* the choices you make.
The song is about redemption, and being remade...I still can hear all the teaching I've heard about natural consequences in my head, but at least this idea is in the mix now.
2. It's not the amount of faith you have, it's who your faith is in.
This is the opposite of things I've heard, and even things that I heard in this same week. There are other ideas that seem to say that our faith powers God's actions:
For the person who is struggling, this is especially disheartening, because at your very weakest (your faith is probably waning b/c of hard things in your life) and when you need God's intervention the most, your very struggle limits the help you'll get.
So this idea gave me a little heart.
3. Women determine the quality of men -- society-wide- by who they have sex with.
This was in a book that one of the guys at camp was reading...Catherine started reading it, and read that part aloud to us.
I have to say that this is brilliant. If I could write an open letter to all females --most epecially the younger females -- imploring them to embrace this concept, I'd do it.
Everything would change.
Women wouldn't have to pretend/force themselves to accept that fidelity is optional. They wouldn't have to pretend that it's OK how we've all lowered the bar on men's integrity to the point where they just kinda step over it.
And the truth is -- this would benefit the men, too. No one values things won easily. Men probably get sick of their own weakened characters, too.
Everyone would win.
1. You are more than the choices that you make.
This is a song by the band Tenth Avenue North, and it's the opposite of what I've always heard -- even in Christian circles...You always hear that you *are* the choices you make.
The song is about redemption, and being remade...I still can hear all the teaching I've heard about natural consequences in my head, but at least this idea is in the mix now.
2. It's not the amount of faith you have, it's who your faith is in.
This is the opposite of things I've heard, and even things that I heard in this same week. There are other ideas that seem to say that our faith powers God's actions:
For the person who is struggling, this is especially disheartening, because at your very weakest (your faith is probably waning b/c of hard things in your life) and when you need God's intervention the most, your very struggle limits the help you'll get.
So this idea gave me a little heart.
3. Women determine the quality of men -- society-wide- by who they have sex with.
This was in a book that one of the guys at camp was reading...Catherine started reading it, and read that part aloud to us.
I have to say that this is brilliant. If I could write an open letter to all females --most epecially the younger females -- imploring them to embrace this concept, I'd do it.
Everything would change.
Women wouldn't have to pretend/force themselves to accept that fidelity is optional. They wouldn't have to pretend that it's OK how we've all lowered the bar on men's integrity to the point where they just kinda step over it.
And the truth is -- this would benefit the men, too. No one values things won easily. Men probably get sick of their own weakened characters, too.
Everyone would win.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
redemption, a little bit at a time
These walls are funny. First you hate 'em, then you get used to 'em. Enough time passes, you get so you depend on them. That's institutionalized.
-Red in Shawshank Redemption
More on this later.
-Red in Shawshank Redemption
wishlist for summer 2010
1. creation! camping, speed scrabble, david crowder, teamwork, hikes, section J!!, free hug shirts, TOTT day, nighttime fires, midnight showers, shuttle buses, newsboys, and a bunch of sitting around and talking time. (this is actually planned!)
2. summer jobs for one or more of my kids. wouldn't it be nice?
3. licenses for one or more of my kids.
4. a college visit or two with Catherine
5. complete a 5k with my ALG girls
6. reconnect with some people: heinemans (pictures! this is actually planned!), canners, CFC kids
7. read, and read, and read
8. second vacation to the beach (this is pretty unlikely, but it's a *wish*list. my sister is going at the end of july. i want to tag along.)
9. lucas blazing through a few TTU courses
10. be intentional about preparing l and c for their senior year in the very best way possible.
i also look forward to staying up half the night with friends, i want to get pedicures, and get some melanoma-free color from the sun....but i limited my list to 10.
2. summer jobs for one or more of my kids. wouldn't it be nice?
3. licenses for one or more of my kids.
4. a college visit or two with Catherine
5. complete a 5k with my ALG girls
6. reconnect with some people: heinemans (pictures! this is actually planned!), canners, CFC kids
7. read, and read, and read
8. second vacation to the beach (this is pretty unlikely, but it's a *wish*list. my sister is going at the end of july. i want to tag along.)
9. lucas blazing through a few TTU courses
10. be intentional about preparing l and c for their senior year in the very best way possible.
i also look forward to staying up half the night with friends, i want to get pedicures, and get some melanoma-free color from the sun....but i limited my list to 10.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Doug
The latin phrase 'multum in parvo' (much in little) is often used to describe pugs, and it's perfect for Doug.
Find him on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doug-the-Pug/119251894584?v=info
(1843 fans and counting!!)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Top Ten Movies at the Moment
10. Braveheart
9. Remember the Titans
8. Raising Arizona
7. The Sound of Music
6. LOTR Two Towers
5. Terminator 2
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Knight's Tale
2. Matrix
1. Shawshank Redemption
9. Remember the Titans
8. Raising Arizona
7. The Sound of Music
6. LOTR Two Towers
5. Terminator 2
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Knight's Tale
2. Matrix
1. Shawshank Redemption
If I Had to List my Ten Favorite Songs Right Now
10. Alive and Kicking...Simple Minds..."You lift me up like the sweetest cup I'll share with you"
9. Murder of One...Counting Crows..."Blue morning, blue morning, full of strands of fist and bone"
8. Southern Cross...Crosby Still Nash and Young
7. Uninvited...Alanis Morisette
6. I just want something I can never have....NIN...."You make this all go away...I'm down to just one thing and I'm starting to scare myself"
5. Song to the Siren...This Mortal Coil..."
4. Ocean Size...Jane's Addiction..."I was born with a heart of stone, to be broken with one hard blow"
3. She Sells Sanctuary....the Cult... "The world drags me down..I'm sure in her you'll find sanctuary"
2. How Soon Is Now....the Smiths..."how can you say I go about this the wrong way? I am human and i need to be loved; just like everyone else does."
1. Revelation Song...Kari Jobe...."Jesus, Your Name is power, breath and living water"
9. Murder of One...Counting Crows..."Blue morning, blue morning, full of strands of fist and bone"
8. Southern Cross...Crosby Still Nash and Young
7. Uninvited...Alanis Morisette
6. I just want something I can never have....NIN...."You make this all go away...I'm down to just one thing and I'm starting to scare myself"
5. Song to the Siren...This Mortal Coil..."
4. Ocean Size...Jane's Addiction..."I was born with a heart of stone, to be broken with one hard blow"
3. She Sells Sanctuary....the Cult... "The world drags me down..I'm sure in her you'll find sanctuary"
2. How Soon Is Now....the Smiths..."how can you say I go about this the wrong way? I am human and i need to be loved; just like everyone else does."
1. Revelation Song...Kari Jobe...."Jesus, Your Name is power, breath and living water"
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