As many of you know, my wonderful brother is marrying the amazing, astounding and beautiful Kashelle on Saturday. In honor of their impending nuptials, I've written a little quiz on love and marriage in the Bible. Enjoy!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
I'm Feeling Snarky About The Arky
There are many movies I'm looking forward to seeing this summer. "Evan Almighty" is not one of them. My reasons for avoiding this film include:
1. I hate movies with animals. (Well, all right. I love two animal movies: "Best in Show" and "Old Yeller," who truly was the best doggone dog in the west.)
2. I hate movies that are rated PG. (Although there are some glowing exceptions, the PG rating seems to be a haven for slapped together plots, booger jokes, poorly executed slapstick and A-list actors slumming it. But that's just my opinion.)
3. I hate movies that remake God in our image and then pass it off as family fare. (To be fair, I haven't seen this film and maybe it presents a perfectly biblical picture of God. But I'm not holding my breath.)
All this to say, I hadn't really given "Evan Almighty" much thought until yesterday evening when I picked up my mail and found a flier from Youth Specialties. It featured a picture of a scene from the aforementioned film and the caption: "All God asked Evan to do was build an ark. He's asking you to change to world." This was followed by a quick blurb about something called Ark Almighty.
Intrigued, I did a little research and discovered that Ark Almighty is an "Evan Almighty" inspired program for churches. Ark stands for "Acts of Random Kindness" and the program takes many of its cues from Steve Sjogren's book, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Ark Almighty functions sort of like Craigslist and matches up needs in your congregation and community to the talents and skills of members of your church. Partners for this program include the Willow Creek Association, Youth Specialties, Outreach Inc., and the International Bible Society. To learn more about it, click here.
When your church signs up, you receive a four week curriculum designed by Youth Specialties, an instructional DVD starring "Evan Almighty" star John Goodman, t-shirts, hats, a banner and more. And you can disperse promotional materials throughout your neighborhood that tie in with the film.
So I'm in a bit of a quandry. I don't have a staunch conviction about whether or not I agree with this program. And I have staunch convictions about EVERYTHING including ice cream (Coldstone over Baskin Robbins), clothing (natural over synthetic fibers), 19th century American writers (Melville over Emerson) and so on.
On the one hand, there are some things I really like about the Ark Almighty concept:
1. I like the idea of churches being outward focused and caring for the people in their communities.
2. I like the idea of a system for uncovering the needs in your community.
3. I like that people could see the church's good works and glorify God.
On the other hand, there are some things that really bother me about the concept:
1. I'm all about partnering with secular organizations, but I'm uneasy about partnering with a movie distribution company that is primarily interested in making money.
2. I don't like giving the Christian stamp of approval (which Ark Almighty absolutely does - you can even watch an "Evan Almighty" preview on the website) to a movie that could be disrespectful to God. Or just be lousy.
3. I don't like the church functioning as a free marketing tool for Universal Pictures.
What do you all think? Is Ark Almighty an example of becoming all things to all men? Is it an unholy union between the church and Hollywood? Does the good outweigh the bad? Am I being difficult just because I hate animal movies? I'd love to hear your staunch convictions on the subject, although developing opinions are welcome as well.
1. I hate movies with animals. (Well, all right. I love two animal movies: "Best in Show" and "Old Yeller," who truly was the best doggone dog in the west.)
2. I hate movies that are rated PG. (Although there are some glowing exceptions, the PG rating seems to be a haven for slapped together plots, booger jokes, poorly executed slapstick and A-list actors slumming it. But that's just my opinion.)
3. I hate movies that remake God in our image and then pass it off as family fare. (To be fair, I haven't seen this film and maybe it presents a perfectly biblical picture of God. But I'm not holding my breath.)
All this to say, I hadn't really given "Evan Almighty" much thought until yesterday evening when I picked up my mail and found a flier from Youth Specialties. It featured a picture of a scene from the aforementioned film and the caption: "All God asked Evan to do was build an ark. He's asking you to change to world." This was followed by a quick blurb about something called Ark Almighty.
Intrigued, I did a little research and discovered that Ark Almighty is an "Evan Almighty" inspired program for churches. Ark stands for "Acts of Random Kindness" and the program takes many of its cues from Steve Sjogren's book, "Conspiracy of Kindness." Ark Almighty functions sort of like Craigslist and matches up needs in your congregation and community to the talents and skills of members of your church. Partners for this program include the Willow Creek Association, Youth Specialties, Outreach Inc., and the International Bible Society. To learn more about it, click here.
When your church signs up, you receive a four week curriculum designed by Youth Specialties, an instructional DVD starring "Evan Almighty" star John Goodman, t-shirts, hats, a banner and more. And you can disperse promotional materials throughout your neighborhood that tie in with the film.
So I'm in a bit of a quandry. I don't have a staunch conviction about whether or not I agree with this program. And I have staunch convictions about EVERYTHING including ice cream (Coldstone over Baskin Robbins), clothing (natural over synthetic fibers), 19th century American writers (Melville over Emerson) and so on.
On the one hand, there are some things I really like about the Ark Almighty concept:
1. I like the idea of churches being outward focused and caring for the people in their communities.
2. I like the idea of a system for uncovering the needs in your community.
3. I like that people could see the church's good works and glorify God.
On the other hand, there are some things that really bother me about the concept:
1. I'm all about partnering with secular organizations, but I'm uneasy about partnering with a movie distribution company that is primarily interested in making money.
2. I don't like giving the Christian stamp of approval (which Ark Almighty absolutely does - you can even watch an "Evan Almighty" preview on the website) to a movie that could be disrespectful to God. Or just be lousy.
3. I don't like the church functioning as a free marketing tool for Universal Pictures.
What do you all think? Is Ark Almighty an example of becoming all things to all men? Is it an unholy union between the church and Hollywood? Does the good outweigh the bad? Am I being difficult just because I hate animal movies? I'd love to hear your staunch convictions on the subject, although developing opinions are welcome as well.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Anselm: He's So Hot Right Now
In honor of the theologian, I will now write the introduction to a quote from “Why God Became Man” (or Cur Deus Homo for all you Latin lovers out there) in the style of Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109).
Jenny: I enjoyed reading the major works of Anselm in college and he really deepened my understanding of the atonement.
Boso: You are absolutely correct, Jenny. Anselm was a brilliant thinker and you are also brilliant for recognizing this.
Jenny: You can see Anselm’s influence in the works of theologians such as John Piper.
Boso: I completely agree! What an astute observation!
Jenny: I thought I would post point thirteen of Anselm’s classic, “Why God Became Man” as I appreciate his take on the nature of sin.
Boso: You have undeniably chosen a wonderful quote. What a brilliant addition to your already fantastic blog!
Jenny: Thank you, Boso. I hope that everyone enjoys the quote.
Boso: It is unfathomable that they would not.
"13. That there is nothing in the universal order more intolerable than that a creature should take away from the Creator the honour due to him, and not repay what he takes away.
Anselm: There is nothing more intolerable in the universal order than that a creature should take away honour from the creator and not repay what he takes away.
Boso: Nothing is more self-evident than this.
Anselm: There is nothing, furthermore, which is more unjust to tolerate than the most intolerable thing in the universal order.
Boso: That, too, is very clear.
Anselm: I think, therefore, that you will not say that God ought to tolerate something which it is the greatest injustice in the universe to tolerate, namely: that a creature should not give back to God what he takes away.
Boso: No, on the contrary, I see that this needs to be utterly denied.
Anselm: Likewise, if there is nothing greater and nothing better than God, then there is nothing, in the government of the universe, which the supreme justice, which is none other than God himself, preserves more justly than God’s honour.
Boso: This too is perfectly plain.
Anselm: There is nothing, therefore, which God preserves more justly than the honour of his dignity.
Boso: I must grant this to be so.
Anselm: Does it seem to you that he is preserving his honor intact if he allows it to be taken from himself on such terms that, on the one had, it is not repaid him, and, on the other, he does not punish the person who takes it?
Boso: I dare not say so.
Anselm: It is a necessary consequence, therefore, that either the honour which has been taken away should be repaid, or punishment should follow. Otherwise, either God will not be just to himself, or he will be without the power to enforce either of the two options; and it is an abominable sin even to consider this possibility."
Jenny: I enjoyed reading the major works of Anselm in college and he really deepened my understanding of the atonement.
Boso: You are absolutely correct, Jenny. Anselm was a brilliant thinker and you are also brilliant for recognizing this.
Jenny: You can see Anselm’s influence in the works of theologians such as John Piper.
Boso: I completely agree! What an astute observation!
Jenny: I thought I would post point thirteen of Anselm’s classic, “Why God Became Man” as I appreciate his take on the nature of sin.
Boso: You have undeniably chosen a wonderful quote. What a brilliant addition to your already fantastic blog!
Jenny: Thank you, Boso. I hope that everyone enjoys the quote.
Boso: It is unfathomable that they would not.
"13. That there is nothing in the universal order more intolerable than that a creature should take away from the Creator the honour due to him, and not repay what he takes away.
Anselm: There is nothing more intolerable in the universal order than that a creature should take away honour from the creator and not repay what he takes away.
Boso: Nothing is more self-evident than this.
Anselm: There is nothing, furthermore, which is more unjust to tolerate than the most intolerable thing in the universal order.
Boso: That, too, is very clear.
Anselm: I think, therefore, that you will not say that God ought to tolerate something which it is the greatest injustice in the universe to tolerate, namely: that a creature should not give back to God what he takes away.
Boso: No, on the contrary, I see that this needs to be utterly denied.
Anselm: Likewise, if there is nothing greater and nothing better than God, then there is nothing, in the government of the universe, which the supreme justice, which is none other than God himself, preserves more justly than God’s honour.
Boso: This too is perfectly plain.
Anselm: There is nothing, therefore, which God preserves more justly than the honour of his dignity.
Boso: I must grant this to be so.
Anselm: Does it seem to you that he is preserving his honor intact if he allows it to be taken from himself on such terms that, on the one had, it is not repaid him, and, on the other, he does not punish the person who takes it?
Boso: I dare not say so.
Anselm: It is a necessary consequence, therefore, that either the honour which has been taken away should be repaid, or punishment should follow. Otherwise, either God will not be just to himself, or he will be without the power to enforce either of the two options; and it is an abominable sin even to consider this possibility."
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Surefire Antidote For Intellectual Pride . . .
. . . is reading your old college notes. After looking over my book notes from four years at Biola University, I began to wonder why they chose to award me a Bachelor of Arts. So in the interest of personal growth, I’ve decided to post some of my most cringe worthy thoughts as an undergraduate. Enjoy!
Thoughts on Edmund Spenser’s The Fairie Queen
Spenser: “When those accursed messengers of hell, that feigning dreame, and that faire-forged Spright came to their wicked master, and gan tell their booteless paines, and ill succeeding night.”
Me: “What is going on?”
Spenser: “The Sprite then gan more boldly him to wake. . .”
Me: “Are they trying to wake the Knight?”
Spenser: “He bad awake black Plutoes grisly Dame, and cursed heaven, and spake reproachful shame.”
Me: “Wait, is he a bad hermit?”
Spenser: “That I must rue his undeserved wrong: help thou my weak wit, and sharpen my dull tongue.”
Me: “So Homeric!”
Thoughts on Virgil’s The Aenead
Virgil: “It was only a picture, but sighing deeply he let his thoughts feed on it, and his face was wet with a stream of tears.”
Me: “Why are these men always so emotional?”
Thoughts on Homer’s The Odyssey
Homer: “His trustiest weapon women’s twisted wiles.”
Me: “Mortal women are either good or bad.”
Homer: “Under the echoing porch he tethered these, then turned on Odysseus once again with cutting insults, “Still alive? Still hounding your betters, begging round the house?”
Me: “What is this guy’s problem?"
Thoughts on The Works of John Donne
Donne: “When I am dead, and the doctors know not why. . .”
Me: “It is really all that healthy to dwell on things like this?”
Donne: “May he dream treason, and believe, that he meant to perform it, and confess and die.”
Me: “He’s pretty creative in his revenge fantasies.”
Donne: “Twice or thrice had I loved thee, before I knew thy face or name”
Me: “This seems a bit sappy – I like him when he’s being witty.”
Thoughts on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle: “For we should not seek the same degree of exactness in all sorts of arguments alike, any more than in the products of different crafts.”
Me: “Why does he keep bringing up crafts?”
Thoughts on Plato’s Phaedo
Plato: “I think that a man who has truly spent his life in philosophy is probably right to be of good cheer in the face of death.”
Me: “What is so wonderful about philosophy?”
Plato: “Yes, by Zeus, Phaedo, and they were right, I think he made these things wonderfully clear to anyone of even small intelligence.”
Me: “It’s not clear to me.”
Thoughts on Edmund Spenser’s The Fairie Queen
Spenser: “When those accursed messengers of hell, that feigning dreame, and that faire-forged Spright came to their wicked master, and gan tell their booteless paines, and ill succeeding night.”
Me: “What is going on?”
Spenser: “The Sprite then gan more boldly him to wake. . .”
Me: “Are they trying to wake the Knight?”
Spenser: “He bad awake black Plutoes grisly Dame, and cursed heaven, and spake reproachful shame.”
Me: “Wait, is he a bad hermit?”
Spenser: “That I must rue his undeserved wrong: help thou my weak wit, and sharpen my dull tongue.”
Me: “So Homeric!”
Thoughts on Virgil’s The Aenead
Virgil: “It was only a picture, but sighing deeply he let his thoughts feed on it, and his face was wet with a stream of tears.”
Me: “Why are these men always so emotional?”
Thoughts on Homer’s The Odyssey
Homer: “His trustiest weapon women’s twisted wiles.”
Me: “Mortal women are either good or bad.”
Homer: “Under the echoing porch he tethered these, then turned on Odysseus once again with cutting insults, “Still alive? Still hounding your betters, begging round the house?”
Me: “What is this guy’s problem?"
Thoughts on The Works of John Donne
Donne: “When I am dead, and the doctors know not why. . .”
Me: “It is really all that healthy to dwell on things like this?”
Donne: “May he dream treason, and believe, that he meant to perform it, and confess and die.”
Me: “He’s pretty creative in his revenge fantasies.”
Donne: “Twice or thrice had I loved thee, before I knew thy face or name”
Me: “This seems a bit sappy – I like him when he’s being witty.”
Thoughts on Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle: “For we should not seek the same degree of exactness in all sorts of arguments alike, any more than in the products of different crafts.”
Me: “Why does he keep bringing up crafts?”
Thoughts on Plato’s Phaedo
Plato: “I think that a man who has truly spent his life in philosophy is probably right to be of good cheer in the face of death.”
Me: “What is so wonderful about philosophy?”
Plato: “Yes, by Zeus, Phaedo, and they were right, I think he made these things wonderfully clear to anyone of even small intelligence.”
Me: “It’s not clear to me.”
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
The Mother Of All Swell Saturdays
Being that tomorrow is Mother's Day, I thought I'd devote this Swell Saturday to the swellest woman I know - my wonderful mother. In addition to being exceptionally good looking, unfailingly charming, incredibly godly, a fantastic conversationalist, an amazing seamstress, a caring and thoughtful friend, a lover of God's Word and the baker of the best chocolate chip cookies in the history of the world, my mother is also exceedingly wise. So in honor of her, I'd like to share forty pearls of wisdom that I've learned from my mom.
1. Weeping may endure for the night but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
2. A British accent makes every situation funnier.
3. If you're feeling depressed ask, "How's my time with God been lately?"
4. Always under bake your cookies and double the chocolate chips for best results.
5. Ask thoughtful follow up questions.
6. Make the call now!
7. Always prepare more than enough food.
8. Read your Bible in the morning.
9. Strive for excellence.
10. Clean house, happy house.
11. Utilize odd numbers when you decorate.
12. Fold French corners when you make your bed.
13. Don't buy it unless the plaids match.
14. A great haircut is worth every cent.
15. Be nice to your brother.
16. Discipleship is a vital part of ministry.
17. Pursue a hobby.
18. Practice good grooming every day.
19. Invest in people more than programs.
20. Shave daily.
21. Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.
22. Treat people to lunch.
23. Don't worry about what others think about you. (I don't care what they say!)
24. Remember God's faithfulness.
25. Listen to classical music.
26. Plan ahead.
27. Stay politically informed.
28. Do thoughtful, unexpected acts for others.
29. Make your home a beautiful and unique place.
30. Remain curious.
31. Speak like a lady.
32. Pray about your worries.
33. Your relationship with God should influence every decision you make.
34. Make events special for people.
35. Join the Biola Chorale.
36. Don't show all your cards at once.
37. Use creativity in teaching.
38. Sing whenever you can.
39. Think critically.
40. Always fold your towels so the tag does not show.
I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
1. Weeping may endure for the night but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
2. A British accent makes every situation funnier.
3. If you're feeling depressed ask, "How's my time with God been lately?"
4. Always under bake your cookies and double the chocolate chips for best results.
5. Ask thoughtful follow up questions.
6. Make the call now!
7. Always prepare more than enough food.
8. Read your Bible in the morning.
9. Strive for excellence.
10. Clean house, happy house.
11. Utilize odd numbers when you decorate.
12. Fold French corners when you make your bed.
13. Don't buy it unless the plaids match.
14. A great haircut is worth every cent.
15. Be nice to your brother.
16. Discipleship is a vital part of ministry.
17. Pursue a hobby.
18. Practice good grooming every day.
19. Invest in people more than programs.
20. Shave daily.
21. Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold.
22. Treat people to lunch.
23. Don't worry about what others think about you. (I don't care what they say!)
24. Remember God's faithfulness.
25. Listen to classical music.
26. Plan ahead.
27. Stay politically informed.
28. Do thoughtful, unexpected acts for others.
29. Make your home a beautiful and unique place.
30. Remain curious.
31. Speak like a lady.
32. Pray about your worries.
33. Your relationship with God should influence every decision you make.
34. Make events special for people.
35. Join the Biola Chorale.
36. Don't show all your cards at once.
37. Use creativity in teaching.
38. Sing whenever you can.
39. Think critically.
40. Always fold your towels so the tag does not show.
I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Swell Saturday Strikes Again!
It’s time once again to wade into the shallow end of the pool for another installment of Swell Saturday! Here are this week’s winners:
Lean Cuisine: There’s a scene in uber chick flick “The Wedding Planner” when Jennifer Lopez’s character comes home to her empty apartment after a long day of work, microwaves her dinner and eats it while watching “Antiques Road Show.” This is all supposed to convey a sense of sadness and isolation, but when you think about it, doesn’t that sound like an awesome evening? You have the pleasure of a quiet night to yourself after a stressful day, you get to watch your favorite show and dinner only took you three minutes to prepare! Too long have microwaveable dinners been synonymous with loneliness and desperation! I think it’s time they get the respect they deserve. Cooking a gourmet meal is fine and dandy but sometimes your full and meaningful life doesn’t allow you the time or energy. Lean Cuisine always comes to the rescue with yummy (and often preservative free!) pastas and pizzas that cost two bucks and are ready in under five minutes. That leaves me with lots of extra time for a life of excitement and purpose. Or at least extra time for “Antiques Road Show.”
1001 Free Fonts: Some girls collect shoes. Others collect bags. I collect fonts. Pizza Dude, Anatevka Caps, Chocolate Box, A Yummy Apology, Bachelor Pad – I love them all. I currently have a sweet little collection of about three hundred and constantly feel the need to add more. But unlike shoes or bags, my obsession costs me nothing thanks to 1001 Free Fonts. I can download as many fonts as I want for absolutely free. When I’m working on a church event flier and need one font that will appeal simultaneously to older single women with a penchant for foreign films, teenage male soccer players, and couples who hate gardening, I know I’ll find it at 1001 Free Fonts.
Awesome God: One of my favorite things to do as a child was put on dress up clothes, play Christian kids’ music, and sing in front of my full length mirror. (I’ll admit that staring at oneself for hours was probably not the ideal way to digest the meaning of those songs, but there you go.) At age five or six, I was particularly troubled by the refrain of the song “Love Never Fails” from “The Music Machine.” It went “love never fails, love never fails, there ain’t nothing love can’t do, aren’t you glad that God loves you.” After listening to this chorus I promptly told my dad, “I know something that love can’t do. Not love.” I just purchased a fantastic children’s CD called “Awesome God” that is bound to help kids ponder deeper issues than what love can or cannot do. Each song is wonderfully God-centered and teaches great theological concepts. Consider the lyrics to “Mighty Mighty Savior”: “Sin is too strong, for me to conquer on my own. I need someone to help me. I am too weak, I cannot change my evil heart, I need someone to cleanse me.” Or the chorus to “Sovereign One”: “Sovereign One, You work all things to Your plan. Sovereign One, You hold all things in Your hands.” I listened to “Three in One” (which sounds strangely like Everclear) almost ten times today and I think it may be my favorite song ever about the Trinity. “Awesome God” is produced by Sovereign Grace Ministries and it definitely deserves a place on the shelf next to “Singsational Servants” and “Bullfrogs and Butterflies.”
Lean Cuisine: There’s a scene in uber chick flick “The Wedding Planner” when Jennifer Lopez’s character comes home to her empty apartment after a long day of work, microwaves her dinner and eats it while watching “Antiques Road Show.” This is all supposed to convey a sense of sadness and isolation, but when you think about it, doesn’t that sound like an awesome evening? You have the pleasure of a quiet night to yourself after a stressful day, you get to watch your favorite show and dinner only took you three minutes to prepare! Too long have microwaveable dinners been synonymous with loneliness and desperation! I think it’s time they get the respect they deserve. Cooking a gourmet meal is fine and dandy but sometimes your full and meaningful life doesn’t allow you the time or energy. Lean Cuisine always comes to the rescue with yummy (and often preservative free!) pastas and pizzas that cost two bucks and are ready in under five minutes. That leaves me with lots of extra time for a life of excitement and purpose. Or at least extra time for “Antiques Road Show.”
1001 Free Fonts: Some girls collect shoes. Others collect bags. I collect fonts. Pizza Dude, Anatevka Caps, Chocolate Box, A Yummy Apology, Bachelor Pad – I love them all. I currently have a sweet little collection of about three hundred and constantly feel the need to add more. But unlike shoes or bags, my obsession costs me nothing thanks to 1001 Free Fonts. I can download as many fonts as I want for absolutely free. When I’m working on a church event flier and need one font that will appeal simultaneously to older single women with a penchant for foreign films, teenage male soccer players, and couples who hate gardening, I know I’ll find it at 1001 Free Fonts.
Awesome God: One of my favorite things to do as a child was put on dress up clothes, play Christian kids’ music, and sing in front of my full length mirror. (I’ll admit that staring at oneself for hours was probably not the ideal way to digest the meaning of those songs, but there you go.) At age five or six, I was particularly troubled by the refrain of the song “Love Never Fails” from “The Music Machine.” It went “love never fails, love never fails, there ain’t nothing love can’t do, aren’t you glad that God loves you.” After listening to this chorus I promptly told my dad, “I know something that love can’t do. Not love.” I just purchased a fantastic children’s CD called “Awesome God” that is bound to help kids ponder deeper issues than what love can or cannot do. Each song is wonderfully God-centered and teaches great theological concepts. Consider the lyrics to “Mighty Mighty Savior”: “Sin is too strong, for me to conquer on my own. I need someone to help me. I am too weak, I cannot change my evil heart, I need someone to cleanse me.” Or the chorus to “Sovereign One”: “Sovereign One, You work all things to Your plan. Sovereign One, You hold all things in Your hands.” I listened to “Three in One” (which sounds strangely like Everclear) almost ten times today and I think it may be my favorite song ever about the Trinity. “Awesome God” is produced by Sovereign Grace Ministries and it definitely deserves a place on the shelf next to “Singsational Servants” and “Bullfrogs and Butterflies.”
Friday, May 04, 2007
Hooray For Hollywood!
May 4th is a momentous day. It is a day I’ve eagerly awaited since the beginning of this year. It is a day of great hope and expectation. It is the opening day of Spider Man 3, which ushers in the most wonderful time of the year: Summer Movie Season!
No longer will our viewing choices be limited to trite romantic comedies that studios waited two years to release, cheap slasher flicks, and films involving time travel and Sandra Bullock. For the next four months, movie theatres will be filled with new multimillion dollar epics, smart indies, and brilliant sleeper hits every weekend! I can already taste the popcorn.
With eleven major sequels (Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Shrek the Third, Twenty Eight Weeks Later, Ocean’s Thirteen, Live Free or Die Hard, Evan Almighty, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Rush Hour 3) plus a host of other long anticipated movies (including Transformers and The Simpsons Movie), some say that this may be the biggest summer in movie history! That may be a bit of a stretch, but then again – THE SIMPSONS MOVIE.
Here are the five movies I'm looking foward to the most. Happy viewing!
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – Opens May 25th
When I was a little kid, I dreamed of being kidnapped by pirates and I still love a good pirate yarn. I thought the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was fantastic, I loathed last summer’s sequel, and I’m hoping that this final installment will redeem the trilogy (just like Revenge of the Sith totally redeemed the Star Wars prequels . . . oh, wait.) I think the inspired casting of Keith Richards as Jack Sparrow’s father is a good sign.
Ocean’s 13 – Opens June 8th
This series isn’t so much about plot and dialogue as it is watching cool kids get paid millions to goof off in exotic locations. But when the cool kids are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, and Al Pacino and they’re directed by Steven Soderbergh, I’ll pay nine bucks to see it.
The Simpsons Movie – Opens July 27th
Let’s just say that my expectations for this movie are very high. If they are not met, it could make for a very long and sad rest of the summer.
The Bourne Ultimatum – Opens August 3rd
Unlike your typical bullet proof action hero, I always felt that Jason Bourne was a vulnerable kid who could actually get hurt, which made me root for him all the more. I’m hoping that this film is as good as the first two.
Becoming Jane – Opens August 3rd
1. It’s about a young Jane Austen.
2. It stars Anne Hathaway.
3. There will be lots of beautiful clothes.
No longer will our viewing choices be limited to trite romantic comedies that studios waited two years to release, cheap slasher flicks, and films involving time travel and Sandra Bullock. For the next four months, movie theatres will be filled with new multimillion dollar epics, smart indies, and brilliant sleeper hits every weekend! I can already taste the popcorn.
With eleven major sequels (Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Shrek the Third, Twenty Eight Weeks Later, Ocean’s Thirteen, Live Free or Die Hard, Evan Almighty, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Rush Hour 3) plus a host of other long anticipated movies (including Transformers and The Simpsons Movie), some say that this may be the biggest summer in movie history! That may be a bit of a stretch, but then again – THE SIMPSONS MOVIE.
Here are the five movies I'm looking foward to the most. Happy viewing!
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – Opens May 25th
When I was a little kid, I dreamed of being kidnapped by pirates and I still love a good pirate yarn. I thought the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was fantastic, I loathed last summer’s sequel, and I’m hoping that this final installment will redeem the trilogy (just like Revenge of the Sith totally redeemed the Star Wars prequels . . . oh, wait.) I think the inspired casting of Keith Richards as Jack Sparrow’s father is a good sign.
Ocean’s 13 – Opens June 8th
This series isn’t so much about plot and dialogue as it is watching cool kids get paid millions to goof off in exotic locations. But when the cool kids are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Don Cheadle, Andy Garcia, and Al Pacino and they’re directed by Steven Soderbergh, I’ll pay nine bucks to see it.
The Simpsons Movie – Opens July 27th
Let’s just say that my expectations for this movie are very high. If they are not met, it could make for a very long and sad rest of the summer.
The Bourne Ultimatum – Opens August 3rd
Unlike your typical bullet proof action hero, I always felt that Jason Bourne was a vulnerable kid who could actually get hurt, which made me root for him all the more. I’m hoping that this film is as good as the first two.
Becoming Jane – Opens August 3rd
1. It’s about a young Jane Austen.
2. It stars Anne Hathaway.
3. There will be lots of beautiful clothes.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
It's May, It's May, It's Time For Wesley Wednesday!
One of my favorite things to discuss with kids is how Jesus will one day create a new heaven and earth. The younger ones never fail to be amazed at the idea of a perfect world and the older kids often ask, "How do we know that we won't rebel in the new world just like Adam and Eve?" which is fun to chew on.
I recently told my kindergarten through third graders how the new world will be free from death and how we can swim with sharks without fear. This prompted a question from Alexandra who asked, "Will we be able to pet the sharks?"
"How Glorious Is The Life Above" is a wonderful Wesley hymn that will whet your appetite for the new world even more than the prospect of petting sharks. Enjoy!
How glorious is the life above
Which in this ordinance we taste,
That fullness of celestial love,
That joy which shall for ever last!
That heavenly life in Christ concealed
These earthen vessels could not bear;
The part which now we find revealed
No tongue of angels can declare.
The light of life eternal darts
Into our souls a dazzling ray;
A drop of Heaven o’erflows our hearts,
And deluges the house of clay.
Sure pledge of ecstasies unknown
Shall this divine communion be:
The ray shall rise into a sun,
The drop shall swell into a sea.
I recently told my kindergarten through third graders how the new world will be free from death and how we can swim with sharks without fear. This prompted a question from Alexandra who asked, "Will we be able to pet the sharks?"
"How Glorious Is The Life Above" is a wonderful Wesley hymn that will whet your appetite for the new world even more than the prospect of petting sharks. Enjoy!
How glorious is the life above
Which in this ordinance we taste,
That fullness of celestial love,
That joy which shall for ever last!
That heavenly life in Christ concealed
These earthen vessels could not bear;
The part which now we find revealed
No tongue of angels can declare.
The light of life eternal darts
Into our souls a dazzling ray;
A drop of Heaven o’erflows our hearts,
And deluges the house of clay.
Sure pledge of ecstasies unknown
Shall this divine communion be:
The ray shall rise into a sun,
The drop shall swell into a sea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
