Movies that Stick…

Today, I just couldn’t blog about Kenya or any of the other things happening in the world that pain me and keep me wondering about how Christ-followers fit in it all.  Instead, I thought I’d talk movies…

What film captured your attention so much that it catapulted you into a true movie fan?  For me, it was Quentin Terrentino’s “Pulp Fiction”.  This was the film that made me believe in movies.  Before that, I did go to movies but it was to see basically whatever was playing.  You know…”Harry and the Henderson’s”…”Weekend at Bernie’s”….those sorts of movies.  Nothing wrong with them other than they have no creativity, no art, no message…they are just entertainment.

Now that the Oscar nominations are out and the SAG awards have been given this is the time of year where I always take time to think about which movie was not just the best, but which one stuck with me the most.  Which one made me think the most?  Which displayed the most beautiful screenplay and cinematography?

So for me, it comes down to two movies that answered all these questions.  No Country for Old Men and There Will be Blood are two of the most powerful, thought-provoking, important films I’ve seen since Babel.  After seeing each of them a couple times each, I’d have to say that “There Will be Blood”is the movie that sticks with me the most.  The story of greed in both the world of business and religion are haunting and powerful.  Daniel Day Lewis is an acting genius and should easily win the Oscar for best actor.  While the Coen brothers are by far my favorite film-makers and “No Country…” is maybe a better made film it didn’t stay with me the way the other did.  Both are still the must see films of 2007…

Peace and Love.

An Expression of Outrage…

“This is how we express our outrage!”  These are the words from a Kenyan social worker as he piled tires upon a car to set them on fire as part of their brigade against national police.  Yesterday I wrote about my frustrations regarding the lack of news coverage…last night it appeared that more was being given to this tragedy in Kenya.  Today’s NY Times article is about the most recent problems causing more chaos as Melitus Mugabe Were, maybe the only peace-minded leader Kenya had was dragged from his car and shot in the head. 

There is word coming out of young girls already living in displacement camps being raped…more schools being looted and the overall chaos getting more and more out of control.  It’s all so maddening!  I pray for peace as this is all I know what to do right now.  America seems to be taking a “wait and see” approach to this, and my only hope is that what lies beneath all the tribal opposition will begin to find resolution through genuine dialogue and reconciliation.  I just wish I had more faith in my hopes right now…

Peace and Love

Disturbing News from Kenya…

I really hope this does not sound judgemental or overly-critical, but I’m angry right now over America’s need for more “breaking news” on the death of Heath Ledger and the media’s lack of coverage on the racial divide and civil war that is tearing apart the country of Kenya right now.  I was a fan of Ledger’s acting…he was one of our more promising film actors, but I’m sick of turning on the TV to hear more people talking about what may have happened that night and the phone conversations he had with one of the Olsen twins. 

Back in December, a presidential election went bad in the country of Kenya and because of a scandalous government, there have been hundred’s of people murdered because of which village they belong to.  Much like what happened in Rwanda several years ago, there is an attempt to ”cleanse” a country from one particular group of people and though not nearly as many people have died yet compared to Rwanda, this is still a scary and tragic situation that needs to be told.  I find it very disturbing that I have to search the news channels to find any form of news on these events!  Right now the NY Times is running daily stories on what’s happening and I’ve included today’s article which talks about certain schools being invaded and children running for their lives http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/world/africa/29kenya.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin . 

Please read about what’s happening there and then please give it time to sink in…I hope you will be moved to pray for Kenya.

Peace and Love.

Question about Church…

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about church and spiritual growth.  I had lunch with a friend from my church a few days ago who said he does not grow spiritually at church but rather at the homegroup he’s a part of.  I wonder how many people feel this way.  What does a church service mean to you?  If you had the choice between attending a church service or some sort of smaller spiritual connection type group, which would you prefer?  Maybe there are some voices out there in the blogosphere that can express some of their thoughts about this. 

 Peace and Love.

Serve God, Save the Planet

I received some really exciting news for Redwood Hills this week as our invitation to Dr. Matthew Sleeth has been accepted.  Dr. Sleeth is the author of the book, Serve God, Save the Planet and is a very interesting man with an amazing story to tell.  I first heard of him on a Mars Hill podcast and was immediately intrigued by his whole approach to climate change and the church.  I have to be honest I’m not nearly the person I should be in my lifestyle and creation care, but I’m slowing getting there.  Dr. Sleeth is the first voice I have heard who brings a non-condemning message about the climate, but also brings a strong and biblical message to the church.  We will have him Sunday October 17th and we’re working on a community dialogue with him the Friday before at Northwest University.  So, if you doubt what they say about the climate I invite you to come and dialogue with him and if you’re wondering what this all has to do with Jesus, please come as well and hear his message of hope. 

Tom Petty and others I need to see…

Last night I happened to catch a show on PBS called Soundstage that airs live concerts of various musical acts, most of whom would be considered legends.  Well, yesterday I sat for an hour in awe as I watched a legend rock his ass off and actually do it well!  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been around for many years and while you can’t find their music on myIpod, an dI don’t have any of their CD’s or records, I have always enjoyed his songwriting and style.

While watching him perform (he had Stevie Nicks singing backround which tells you something about his reputation) I found myself thinking how cool it was to see a man who is not ever considered sexy or even handsome, entertain and be loved by so many thousands of fans.  I wished that I had been there for the experience.

 It also got me thinking of who I would like to, or better yet, who I should see live before they retire or pass on.  So I’ve made a list of 5 who are no longer with us who I wish I could have seen and 5 I will do my best to see while I can…

5. Kurt Cobain- Nirvana

4. Stevie Ray Vaughn

3. Eva Cassidy

2. Frank Sinatra

1. Johnny Cash

5. Tom Petty

4. Sade

3. Genesis

2. Green Day

1. Led Zepplin (if they do in fact decide to tour again)

Hutch in the News

Here in the Eastside of Seattle there is a well-known pastor of a large church.  He goes by the name of Pastor Hutch and he’s a rather controversial figure.  He spends much of his time working with conservatives to fight the state against the same sex marriage act and encourages his church to buy shares of Microsoft with the hopes that one day his “soldiers for Christ” will own a majority of the shares and will erase their support of equal rights for the gay community and other things that he finds threatening. 

It seems that rarely a week goes by that I don’t see Hutch on the news or read about him in the paper, and I’m getting awfully tired of his “big man on a mission” act!  Just once, I want to see a news peice or read an article about Hutch that is communicating something of reconciliation, love, generosity, and even kindness.  I know this sounds selfish but he is making church leadership more difficult for the rest of us pastors here in an already hostile community towards the church.  I’m afraid that every time he opens his mouth about homosexuals, there are more and more people who convince themselves not to even attempt to become a part of a church community.

A couple years ago I heard Brian McLaren say when addressing the issue of the church and homosexuality…he said that maybe, what the church and it’s pastors should be doing right now is “be silent”.  At first, I could not believe what i was hearing, but then he said that every message we’ve sent thus far has been more hurtful than loving and until we can find a more loving and Christ-like approach to the gay community, that maybe we should just be silent.

I wish Hutch could just be silent for a bit…I wish he could find a new way to fight his fight.  Then again, this isn’t war…he’s not right, they aren’t wrong.  Maybe if he stopped using his Bible as a weapon of words and more as a story of grace, the rest of us wouldn’t have to cringe everytime we see his angry mug on TV.

 Peace and Love.

Rest in Santa Cruz…

I just returned from a week’s vacation (well, we brought the kids, so it’s more of a family trip) in the Santa Cruz area and how I miss it already!  My wife and I travel there about every two years and each time we fall more and more in love with the community and it’s ability to relax and be unique.  The waves were higher than usual thanks to a large strom that had rolled in the previous week, so the surfers were out in full force.  We took the boys to the world-renown Monterey Aquarium which was a huge hit for them and for us as this was one of those rare days where both kids were exceptionally well behaved. 

It was a much needed break from work, the damp northwest, and from church stuff.  I feel re-charged and ready to take on some ideas I’ve been wrestling with…we’ll see what happens.

 Peace and Love.

Exciting Times…

Today my family was invited to lunch by a couple from the church.  We don’t know them very well, and to be honest I was curiuos as to why they wanted to meet.  Turns out it was to share their excitement for Redwood Hills and the mission it’s seeking.  They also told us about some of their own ventures with rescuing orphans and beginning some water projects for those who don’t have access to clean water.  For me, this was some of the best news I’ve received in quite some time!  It’s so exciting to hear that people are getting the vision of a church, but it’s even more exciting to know people aren’t just joining in with the church’s mission…they are on their own as well.

God has been so good to our church!  I love leading with the people of Redwood and after nearly two years of hard work, tears, and plenty of doubts, we’re really beginning to see people take hold of the vision that each of us are called to be on a mission with Jesus.  I’ve seen generosity here in ways I’ve never seen in any church…a willingness to serve…and a collective creativity that I believe will one day allow us to make a big impact in this world.  I know God has us just scratching the surface and I’m certain many more struggles will come as well, but right now I have to say that these are exciting times for us.

Peace and Love.

Obama or Hillary?

So it’s been a while since I last posted.  As a bi-vocational pastor, my painting business took me to Chehalis for a week and it was awfully tough to find any wi-fi.  Last night I watched some of the presidential debates between the democrats and I found myself asking this question…is America more ready for a black president or a woman president?  I know this is a completely unoriginal question and maybe I’m late in the game, but this was the first time I pondered this.  Personally, I tend to think that America is more apt to vote for Obama even though there are more women voters.  Obama has a real endearing demeaner about him and  the women I’ve talked with find him authentic and trust-worthy…two things women value very highly in leaders no matter what their race or gender.

So, what do you think?  Obama or Hillary?  African-American or Woman?

 Peace and Love.