Cars 2-My Official Review

    
        "Cars 2" is one of those movies that I am divided on. On the one hand I see a movie that was not up to Pixar's usual high standards. However on the other hand I was thoroughly entertained as I sat there with my two kids laughing and enjoying the show. I do wish they had done more with Doc Hudson's death. They missed a chance to make a sad montage in the vein of "Up" and "Toy Story 3".

        This movie is more about Tow Mater than anything else and has a real clear message to be yourself. They go out of their way to show how a true friend doesn't try to change their friends, but loves them for who they are. As believers we should put this principle into practice. I am not saying that our friends should never change. I am saying that the thing that needs to change in all of us is our sin.

        Christ came to free us from our sin, not our personalities. As a believer I am to love my unbelieving friends even if they never choose to come to Christ. I cannot change them, only He can. It is my job to love them where they are.

Love is . . .

I was created by Love. I opposed Love. Love pursued me anyway, in spite of my spurning. Love found a way back to me. Love met me where I was. Love gave me everything. I resisted Love and Love died. Love soon sprang to life again. I fell in Love with Love and Love changed me. Now Love is my purpose and the object of my affection. Love never fails me and Love enables me to love. Love knows me and brings out the best in me. After all, Love is who thought me up. God is love.

TOMS is Not Just a Shoe Company Anymore

        TOMS founder and CEO Blake Mycoskie  just announced that they are expanding to eye-wear.  They have already given away over one million pairs of shoes to underprivileged children. Now they are going to be a one-for-one company with every product that they make.


        Instead of giving sunglasses away when a pair is purchased they have opted to give the gift of sight instead. This could be as simple as glasses to as complex as cataract surgery. There are so many people going blind in this world that this will be a welcome change making program.


        This one-for-one movement could be huge if it catches on. Would you pay a couple of dollars more to see a movie if it meant that kids in a local children's home could attend for free? Would you be willing to pay a little more to get your oil changed if you knew that a garage would change a widow's oil at no cost? Would we as individuals be willing to buy an extra can of veggies for our local soup kitchen with every can we purchase for our family?


        What other ways could companies or individuals make a difference?

James Arness Dies--What Can We Learn From Old Westerns?

         James Arness has died at age 88. He played Matt Dillon for twenty years on Gunsmoke, which is arguably the best western ever on the small screen. He was also in four different John Wayne movies. In fact Wayne endorsed Gunsmoke and his friend Arness before the first show aired.
        Sometimes I miss the old westerns. I know that movies such as "3:10 to Yuma" have more "realism", but sometimes it is better to see authentic heroism. Back in the day a hero was a hero and right and wrong were actually right or wrong. Integrity and upright characters are hard to find in today's cinema. All of our heroes have been tainted or have some dark element in them in order to make them "realistic".
        As I reflect, I find myself longing for shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and The Rifleman.  Longing to see characters who stand for justice and defend the weak and oppressed. Perhaps I long for them because our society and not just our cinemas are devoid of this type of character. Its not to late for a few "Matt Dillons" to man up--take responsibility in their fatherhood, love their wives, and stand up for the weak. Thats who I wanna be. What about you?

My Guest Post on Combating Cliques-Part 2

In the first part of Combating Cliques we discussed how pranking by youth leaders reinforces diminished respect for those outside of a student’s clique. In this second part, I want to dicuss the feeling of safety in the status quo that their cliques offer, and what can be done about it. . . Continue Reading

My Guest Post on Combating Cliques-Part 1

        I was recently asked to guest post on a great youth ministry blog called Strengthening the Chain. The following is the beginning of part 1 of Combatting Cliques. The rest is continued on Strengthening the Chain.

I grew up in a youth group that had cliques. I started a youth group that had cliques and until recently had never seen a clique-less variety of anything involving teens.

Like many youth pastors operating out of frustration I would do the occasional sermon on cliques and how wrong they were, hoping to make a small dent in the “You’re in, he’s out” system. It was always to no avail. I began to suppose that this was the way of it . . . Continue Reading







Part 2 is Here!

Pirates 4--a (Christian?) Movie Review

 
        I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides at midnight on Thursday. I was not expecting much since I had not enjoyed a Pirates move since the first one. I was pleasantly surprised.
        It still contained the same amount of innuendo and drunkenness as the first three, but something was different. Blackbeard's ship contained a Christian missionary who actually lived his faith. I could tell that even though Blackbeard and Jack Sparrow disagreed with the missionary's world-view there was an amount of respect for him. Blackbeard would only tie him up rather than kill him. He was selfless and believed that anyone could be redeemed. This side story alone is worth the price of admission.

My Life as a Television Remote Control

      
        When I was a kid, I was the remote control. If real remotes existed at the time we were unaware of it. Our television was a giant piece of wooden furniture with a heavy glass screen, and knobs to change channels. I can tell you that being a TV remote isn't fun, but with only three channels I was never up for very long.
        As I became older I would come home from school with different excuses as to why I would get in trouble. It usually involved others making me angry. My dad would simply asked me if they controlled me.
        It still makes me think today. Do I allow others to push my buttons and create responses in me? Am I really that weak? Me? I mean, I am a follower of Christ who the Holy Spirit has taken up residence within to produce fruit that lasts. Christ should be in control. How dare I give the remote to someone else!
        What about you? Are you letting people push your buttons? Is your attitude based on what someone else does? It is time to embrace the freedom that giving God control truly brings. It is time to give Jesus the remote.

Is Your Door Locked?-A Five Year Old's Observation

      If I was ever worried about what would happen to Randumblog in the event of my untimely demise (and I wasn't), I no longer have to. My wife Debbie shared something with me that could put my mind at ease permanently.  She was driving with my five year old son Luke when he made a profound statement.

        Now, before I share the statement with you, let me say that anyone who spends any amount of time on Randumblog should realize one thing.  The ideas may seem random, but the one constant is they usually contain an analogy that bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual world.

        Debbie saw Luke staring out the window after she hit the door-lock. She asked him what he was thinking about and he said, "Unlocking the door is like letting sin into your life, but Jesus hold the keys that can lock the door and keep out sin." Wow! Now that is the son of the Randumblogger.

        So, in my tradition of asking analogy bridging questions--Is your door locked?

It's Never too Late

        When John D. Rockefeller died his accountant was asked how much Mr. Rockefeller had left behind. The accountant responded by saying, "He left it all". My basketball coach in high school used to tell us to leave it all on the court. After all what good would a little extra energy do for us after the game was in the record books. We should live life this way. After all, you will leave it all, so why not make it count? 

        My great Aunt Ethel passed away on Saturday at 81 years old. She not only left it all behind, but she left it all on the court. Ethel volunteered in a youth ministry and gave of her own time to visit teens in a children's home every week until she was well into her 70s. Years after her peers were speaking in "used to" phraseology she was still going strong. Why? Because our time here is short and she loved teenagers. In the end only the ravishes of cancer could pull her from her calling. Instead of quitting though she began to focus her attention toward mentoring my mother, which she continued until the end.

        Many people fear, that what they have to say will not be relevant. Teens do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. You will also find that your knowledge and relevancy increase in any area that you love. My aunt was reading the newest, most cutting edge ministry books before I was even aware they were out.

        Aunt Ethel leaves behind a lasting legacy. Because of her faith and others in my family, most of those she leaves behind are firm believers. In fact myself and two brothers have also gone into youth ministry as well. 

        One day you will die. You WILL leave it all. Will you leave it ALL on the court or waste the God-given potential inside of you? You can decide to stand out and make a lasting difference. It's never too late to start. 

Thor: My Official Movie Review

        I went to see Thor last night in a newly converted digital theater. I will say two things about the technical side of the experience. First the 3D was TOTALLY unnecessary. I continue to maintain that what we are seeing is merely some 2D images at one distance while a few 2D images are viewed as closer.  This is not truly three demential. Do not waste your money on the 3D version unless it is your only option (as mine was last night). Second the sound was phenomenal. Even if you have to drive an hour to find an all digital theater it will be worth it. This was the best surround sound immersion I have ever heard in a movie.
        Now to the movie itself. It is very appropriate as a family film. When I say that I am not talking about violence (where actors are merely acting), I am talking about sexual content or profanity (where actors are actually nude or cursing). There is a difference in my book. There is some mild profanity in the film, but there was far less profanity in the movie than from the row behind me. Apparently the sound of crashes and explosions was so loud and clear that it inspired all kinds of adjectives from people in the theater.
        The story was as good as could be for an origin story. It turns out that he is not a god, but was merely viewed as a god by people from our world in ancient times (which is a good improvement from the legend). I am still not sure why Thor and Natalie Portman's character Jane Foster are so attached to each other by the end. I mean sure she was super impressed with him, but they never really had them fall in love in a believable way.
        The spiritual overtones are pretty heavy. Thor wants to give his life to save the Earth (like Jesus). Thor was originally filled with pride then becomes mortal until he denies himself to become new. This is the central plot of the human race in the Bible. We sin become mortal and if we deny ourself take up our cross and follow Jesus we put on immortality (Luke 9:23).
        I highly recommend this film as it ties in nicely to the Iron Man and Incredible Hulk movies. The stage is almost set for the Avengers in 2012. Thor is well worth the money. Are you going to see it? Will you shell out the money for 3D? If you see it let me know your thoughts on the spiritual themes and overall quality.

The National Day of Prayer is Like a High School Reunion.

        This is the National Day of prayer. I am sure you have already heard. One day to officially recognize our dependance on our Creator. One day to live as if the motto "In God We Trust" is something we actually live by. One day when more prayers will be offered up then any other time of the year except in natural disasters and national disasters.

        Don't get me wrong I am glad we have this day, but it can be much like a high school reunion. We rehash and reminisce with people that we have not talked to in years. Wouldn't it be great if we saw God for who He truly is. A lifelong friend to walk with us through anything. 

        I hope you enjoy the National Day of Prayer, but I pray that you will make everyday your "Personal Day of Prayer".