February 25, 2008 in
film with
For those of you named Oscar please do not take offense. I actually really like the name Oscar for human being or for a grouch just not for an award. I am trying to think of a name to call my Film Awards that I am beginning in March. Some of you already commented with a few of your thoughts. Without giving any certain order or category, here are the films that are in the running to be mentioned. Please add your nominations.
Shawshank Redemption
The Green Mile
Braveheart
Reign Over Me
The Prestige
Forrest Gump
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers
A Beautiful Mind
Pay it Forward
Crash
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Saving Private Ryan
Kingdom of Heaven
The Matrix
Fight Club
The Bourne Ultimatum
Cinderella Man
Blood Diamond
Batman Begins
Dangerous Minds
Finding Forrester
John Q
Antwone Fisher
This list is definitely not exhaustive or complete. Please add your nominations.
February 22, 2008 in
arrogance, conforming, culture, humanity, humility, people with
I was just browsing Shelfari and came across a member whose screen name is “nonconformist.” Isn’t it somewhat conformist to claim oneself as a nonconformist? There are enough people claiming the label of “nonconfirmist” that it is now conforming to do so. The pattern toward which conforming is really taking place is that of arrogance. There exists a certain connotation toward pride of self when one labels oneself as a person who does not “conform” as if everybody else does conform to some measurable standard or cultural norm. So to all self-proclaimed “nonconformists,” I say, “Quit conforming” to the patterns of this world.
May we seek humility.
February 21, 2008 in
culture, entertainment, film, thought with
Coming soon to a Subversive Reformation near you.
Opening Saturday, March 1.
Subversive Reformation will be posting a series of entries dedicated to the screen play writing, the cinematography, the digital editing, and the acting that is the religious and culturally formative film industry. I will be composing several posts that include the competitive ranking of films in pliable labeling systems including:
Most Intellectually Stimulating Film
Best Picture on Reality
Most Inspiring Monologue
Best Character Development
Most Meaningful Film
High Entertainment Value
Please post your film recommendations for any of the above categories and also suggest other categories.
February 20, 2008 in
death, prayer, Rob Bell, Theology, video with
Click here –> NOOMA Open | 019 Rob Bell by 12:26 Wednesday. The newest NOOMA short film is available for preview on Facebook for only 48 hours prior to its release on February 22. You may preorder your copy at www.nooma.com.
The discussion board / wall is filled with all types of personal praise and criticism. I do not desire to get involved in that activity. Feel free, however, to add your thoughts about certain theological statements and assertions. The purpose is not to glorify or curse Rob Bell. I have better things to do with my time. The items discussed though affect our lives depending on how they form us. I’ll begin with one question: How do you respond to the command, “Don’t ask God to feed someone who is hungry if you have plenty of food?”
February 19, 2008 in
Church, community, compassion, culture, deconstruction, dependency with
“One who would be a leader, I am cautioned, has a greater weight of responsibility to honor the despised, share his earthly possessions, model interdependency, and encourage the use of gifts concealed in the unlikeliest among us. To the leader, then, the gift of humility is offered – the gift is the salvation of the proud, which comes from great difficulty from learning to receive from those who are least on Earth, yet greatest n the Kingdom.
:: Robert Lupton: “Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor.”
February 16, 2008 in
discipline, imagination, language, prayer, reading, solitude, writing with
Remeber that term “devotions?”
“Did you do your devotions today?”
“I need to spend 15 minutes a day in my devotions.”
What did that even mean?
I can only presume that the language of “devotions” was used as the idea of being devoted to God. So did that mean that only 15 minutes a day was devoted to God? I have always preferred the idea of the disciplines. Reading, solitude, writing, and prayer are all fundamental elements of the Christian life. I maintain a personal journal that I do not publish here but have also found that blogging has become a source of fulfillment as a discipline. We are able to read the thoughts and lives of fellow sojourners and learn and grow from one another. When I ensure that I have time to post and read others’ posts I feel more creative and imaginitive as a hopeful follower of Jesus.
February 13, 2008 in
community, culture, good, meal with
Today is good.
Today is good.
Kevin Peterson :: Lucy Peterson :: Simon Peterson
Kyle Meyers :: Kelsie Meyers :: Francis Xavier Myers
John Ballenger :: Adam Sylvia :: Heather Hofacre :: Anna Feeney
Andrew Hendrixson :: James Smith :: Steven :: Tom West
Tim Barenscheer :: Brittney Barenscheer :: Tony Stemen :: Caleb Epperson
Joe Hughes :: Katie Hughes :: Mandy Taylor
Steph Heayn :: Joe Farmer :: Tyler Delong :: Holly Delong
Sarah Keller :: Kyla Keller :: Travis Keller
Several friends and their friends came to Mount Vernon today to hear Shane Claiborne speak in chapel (Click here for the Podcast). We gathered in our apartment for a wonderful shared meal prepared by my wife. We had potato soup, sandwiches, Kyle and Kelsie’s bread, spinach salad, crackers and cheese, and raw vegetables. Brittney brought some dessert and helped Sarah prepare. The conversation was casual but rich and whole.
Today is good.
Today is good.
February 12, 2008 in
Church, community, jesus, love, Theology with
A friend and resident of Oakwood Hall who shall remain nameless (Ryan Walker) asked me visit a website that was just launched by a community of Jesus followers from his hometown. Please visit www.darnthechurch.com and add your perspective.
My comment is number 8 and reads as follows:
“The church is beautiful. It is just the institution that we have come to call the “church” that is disenchanting, imperialistic, distracting, and arrogant. We will only see the fullness of the beauty of the church upon deconstructing its current consciousness and embracing the radical call to be a compassionate, missional people, viewing ourselves as the covenant community of followers of Jesus.”
I am still searching for other adjectives and descriptors of the carnality, beauty, and wholeness of the church. What would you include or disclude from my comment?
February 11, 2008 in
adoption, hope, jesus, justice, kingdom with
Resurrection. New Life. Hope.
Please visit the International Justice Mission and CLICK HERE –> to WATCH THE VIDEO. The injustice of child sex trafficking is part of why Sarah and I are planning to adopt a little sister for Kyla. What are you going to do about it?
February 10, 2008 in
Church, Emergent, jesus, Links., monasticism with
A post from one of my Mozilla Firefox RSS feeds dealt with an article from the Boston Globe about New Monasticism. Click here –> www.jesusmanifesto.com Easter Ad Campaign Reaches Unchurched at Record Numbers <– to read a beautiful satire.
