Snow White and The Huntsman

Cassie and I saw a late Friday afternoon "dinner and a movie" showing of the latest "Fairy Tale gets the 'let's be an epic' treatment" movie.  Here's my short review:

It sure took a long time to get there.

Here's a little more.

• This isn't a bad film.  It just isn't what it was trying to be.  It's not an epic.
• It's not lacking for acting.  I thoroughly enjoyed all of the performances.  
• My favorite character?  Charlize Theron as Ravenna, the evil queen.
• Some will probably praise this film for being willing to let the story unfold more deliberately instead of pacing it too quickly.  I just think the whole thing was too long.  

With two Snow White movies in the same year, we're probably done for awhile. 

By night

This week's Bible reflection (The next verse) provides some early thoughts on what is now the Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"By night" text
"By night" podcast 

The next verse

Sure.  Not everyone knows it.  But whether it was in church, Sunday School, Bible club, or . . . on a sign in the end zone during a football game, there are many, many, many people who have heard -- and perhaps read -- and maybe memorized John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

I wonder how often folks remember the next verse.

God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

• God's desire is that the whole world would be saved. 
• If that doesn't happen, does that mean God fails?
• And if God never fails, then doesn't that have to happen?
• And what if someone doesn't believe?  The next next verse has some thoughts:

Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

How can God want the whole world to be saved, and never fail, and then fail because the ones who don't believe are condemned?

God gets what God wants.  And God wants the world to be saved.

Now what are you thinking?

What Does This Mean?

This week's Bible reflection (Church-ese) provides some of the language for the Pentecost Sunday 2012 Sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.

"What Does This Mean?" text
"What Does This Mean?" podcast

MIB3

I saw a Friday matinee of the "We better do this before people forget us" sequel from the MIB franchise.  Here's my short review.

Sometimes the third film is the best.  This is one of those times.

Here's a little more.

• Josh Brolin. Best thing about this movie.  Completely. Oscar-great.
• If this were a bad film, Josh Brolin's performance would make it worth seeing.
• The usual assortment of funny alien characters are there -- and they're funny.
• Best new alien character?  Michael Stuhlbarg's Griffin
• As fun and entertaining as this film is, I dare you not to cry a bit, too.

A franchise is reborn.  I can't wait for another installment.

Church-ese

This Sunday the church celebrates Pentecost.  Pentecost is a church-ese word. It means 50 days. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter.  Pentecost also marks the birth of the Church. (I think that's a church-ese phrase.  It means - "When the Christian church began" - or something close to that.)

“The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways” is a church-ese phrase. It means, “I have no idea what is going on.”

“I was convicted to say something”   means “I thought I should say something”

“The Lord told me to . . .“ usually means “I thought I should . . .“

“Well bless your heart.” Means, “You don’t have a clue.” Or “There’s no way I approve of you.”

What are some church-ese words or phrases you know? What do they mean?

And why do we continue to use church-ese when it is such a conversation ender?

One

This week's Bible reflection (The Clubhouse) provides a beginning to a sermon about  love and unity in the midst of diversity.  It's for this Sunday at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"One" text
"One" podcast

The Clubhouse

There’s something cozy, comforting, and safe about having a place.  Treehouses, forts, and the like exist, I think, because they offer the ones who use them a feeling of “ahhh!  This is cool!  Or “Now I can finally relax.”

In congregational life, different rooms in the church building become that way – for some it is likely the sanctuary.  For some it may be a place like a “youth room.”  The places become sacred to the groups that meet in those places.

In those places people find community.  They find goodness.  They find safety.  And all of that is wonderful.

Until the place becomes one that serves to keep others out.

The clubhouse too often is less a safe and comfortable place and more an exclusive place where the unwanted are never permitted.  Treehouses, forts, sanctuaries, and youth rooms become that all too often.

In this week’s Bible reading from John 17:6-21, Jesus prayed for his disciples.  He prayed for all of his disciples.  And his prayer was not that they would all have their separate places and reasons to make others unwanted.

Nope.  Not at all.

Chosen

This week's Bible reflection (Appointed) is still present, but nearer to the end of the Mother's Day Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Chosen" text
"Chosen" podcast 

Dark Shadows

My Mom wouldn't let me watch the gothic soap when I was younger.  I've seen precious little of the early Barnabas Collins TV show, but today Cassie and I went to see an opening day matinee of the newest Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, and their screen paramour Johnny Depp flick.  Here's my short review.

Delightful at times. Slow and labored at others. 

Here's a little more.

• The delightful bits?  Johnny Depp's Collins is worth watching throughout the whole film.  The soundtrack keeps you engaged when the actors do not.  
• Alice Cooper performing during the movie made everything completely worthwhile.
• Chloë Grace Moretz as Carolyn Stoddard?  She's plays Jack Donaghy's young nemesis in 30 Rock.  Nicely done.
• At one point during the movie, Cassie motioned that she was bored.  There are plenty of "It's OK to go to the restroom -- you won't miss much" times during the almost 2 hour runtime.

I've definitely endured worse.  But I've also seen much better.

Appointed

My friend Ben wonders aloud,

In John 15:16, Jesus says “I have chosen you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.”
That person who lives under the bridge? He or she was appointed.
Those who sit in a wheelchair and cannot speak? They are welcome.
Jesus said "You are welcome". 

Ben D. Anderson, the author of the book, "IQ of 63, So What?" travels the country as an advocate who provides training to churches, community civic groups, schools, universities, businesses, and professional groups.  travels the country as an advocate who provides trainings to churches, community civic groups, schools, universities, businesses, and professional groups.  The training offers rehabilitation education and advocacy for and about people with disabilities to encourage and enlighten the public about people with disabilities in that they are people first and have rights and needs and that they also have gifts and talents to bring  to the community.

Ben takes the words of Jesus to heart -- these words that calls all of God's children to abide in Jesus' love -- these words that calls all of God's children to love one another.

Like Ben, I am convinced that the time to love one another completely and without condition is now.  The time to respect, appreciate, celebrate, and attend to one another is now.  The time for searching for reasons why someone should be excluded is over.

You have been chosen and appointed to love.  I have been chosen and appointed to love.  We have been chosen and appointed to love.

Any questions?

Movies I'll probably see this summer

Well, the 'summer' movie season has been in gear for a bit, but here's my (annual?) list of upcoming movies I'd like to see.  If I do, I'll also probably post short reviews!  This year's list is heavy on expected blockbusters and doesn't have any "sleeper" films included.  I just haven't found one that looks like I'll see it in the theatre.  Maybe you can recommend some to me?

The Hunger Games    March 23  Saw it.  Loved it.
The Avengers    May 4  Saw it too.  Loved it too.
Dark Shadows    May 11 - Johnny Depp gives the horror soap the "Brady Bunch Movie" treatment?  I'm there!
MIB III    May 25 - I've been waiting for this one.  I hope it doesn't stink.  I fear it might.
Snow White & The Huntsman    June 1 - Can Kristen Stewart pull off a film that requires her to not be Bella?  I think she can.
Rock of Ages    June 15 - I know Tom Cruise can still act.  I want to hear him sing, too. (Will it be him singing?)
Brave    June 22 - Pixar.  'Nuff said.
The Amazing Spider-Man    July 6 - Reboot?  Again?  Why not.
The Dark Knight Rises    July 20 - May make me forget The Avengers
The Bourne Legacy    August 3 - I'm skeptical but curious
Total Recall    August 3  March 23 - I loved the original.  Please be good.

The Avengers

A Saturday matinee seemed appropriate to see the latest in the Marvel Superheroes Serials.  Here's my short review:

I loved this movie.

Here's a little more:

• If you're not familiar with the lead-up films to this one, pay close attention to the first 10-15 minutes.  If you are familiar, use that time to get re-acquainted and to rest for the ride that begins afterwards and lasts for the rest of the movie.
• Robert Downey jr.'s Tony Stark gets the best lines in the movie, but Scarlett Johansson's Romanoff and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk are close seconds (I'll call it a tie with those two) 
• That said, every character in this movie is outstanding. No one hogs the screen, yet none are forgettable, either.
• The special effects don't look like special effects.  

 Did I mention I loved this movie?  I did.  I do. I'll see it again.

Abiding in Love

This week's Bible reflection (Vine) gets more parts in Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"Abiding in Love" text
"Abiding in Love" podcast 

Vine

This week's Bible reading from John 15:1-8 has some memorable verses. Like this one:

I am the vine, and my father is the vinegrower. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

And there's this one:

He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit . . . such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

I think that part is all we hear sometimes from this reading.

If you’re not doing it right, God’s gonna cut you off and you’re gonna burn.

And then we take it even further.

I know that I’m not one of those “gathered and burned” things – but I sure know who is! How dare they be so “un-branchy.” God’s clear on what’s gonna happen to them!

And when we do stuff like that we miss what I think is one of the most important pieces of this week's reading.

I am the vine – you are the branches.

Not, “I am the vine, and will be branches if you do it right” or “I am the vine and you are in real danger of not being branches,” but YOU ARE THE BRANCHES.

What are your thoughts?

The Good Shepherd

This week's Bible reflection (One Flock) provides the beginning for Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.  It's Confirmation day at St. Paul's and it's my first Sunday as pastor!
"The Good Shepherd" text
"The Good Shepherd" podcast 

One Flock

In this week’s Bible reading from John 10:11-18, Jesus points out that his desire is for there to be one flock, and one shepherd.

I’m convinced that Jesus gets what he wants.  And I’m convinced that Jesus desire for there to be one flock and one shepherd doesn’t have anything to do with folks deciding to agree about everything.  I’m convinced that it means that Jesus wants everyone to be included in the reality of God’s love.  And Jesus gets what he wants.

One flock.

It includes everyone.  It includes folks you think are obviously included.  It includes folks you aren’t so sure are included.  It includes folks you are positive aren’t included.

One flock. 

God LOVES THE WHOLE WORLD.

And God wants there be one flock.

Opened their minds

Have you ever had a big argument with someone? How about a really nasty conversation – with a person you normally get along very well with?

Here’s something I’ve learned over the years. When a conversation that would normally not be one filled with conflict, nastiness, and even caustic behavior, turns into one that has those and other unpleasant things, it is possible that the people having the conversation haven’t had something to eat recently.

It’s not an “every time” piece of advice, but I think that it’s really wise to avoid fighting hungry. Having a snack before continuing a difficult conversation tends to clear up the mind.

Jesus isn’t known for caustic conversations, and in this week’s Bible reading from Luke 24:36b-48, there isn't a hint of nastiness. But there is astonishment and fear. And Jesus doesn’t give the disciples a lesson in how awful fear and doubt are. Instead he gives them a way to clear their minds from all the unpleasantness. They ate some fish. 

And then Jesus opened their minds.

I’ll have some fish too, please.