Film and Theolgy Wed

Everyone likes movies, and even if they don't-- they like to talk about them, sometimes longer than the car ride home from the movie theater. Imagine getting to talk and ask questions of the movies and the makers of those films that you just watched!

This weekend I got to participate in a truly unique experience that merged my two loves: Film and theology. The inaugural Bay Area Windrider Film Forum was so creatively satisfying for me. I got to watch films and then talk about them with their makers! What a great opportunity. For over 5 years I have been a Seminary Student working on my Masters of Theology (about 9 weeks from now I graduate). It is kinda crazy to get a Masters in "studying God," --cause obviously you can imagine studying God isn't as easy as just filling in a multiple choice test and walking away with a diploma. In Seminary we try to interpret the Bible's letters and stories through context, dissect its history, and write way too many papers. I'll leave Seminary with way more questions than I started but I'm seriously stoked to be a part of a Seminary that values looking for God and studying theology by looking to what's going on in culture through media and especially the the arts with emphasis on film. So Fuller Seminary helped sponsor this forum (which started at Sundance) and I was so glad I got to be a part of it. (Not only did I participate by watching films and taking in the Q&A-- I got to help interview some of the film makers for some video promo blurbs in the future. Which gave me a backstage look into this great event).



Here's quick rundown:

April 8th: Thursday Evening
Opening Night Presentation and Film
6:00 pm Introduction and talk with Producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, Star Trek)and Fuller’s Chap Clark: I loved hearing about the Hero's journey.

7:30 pm Opening Film: AFTER THE STORM (what a great documentary on how kids in New Orleans processed Hurricane Katrina through putting on a musical).
Q&A with Writer/Producer James Lecesne
and Producer John Priddy

April 9th: Friday Evening
7:30 pm Film: SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS This was a pure blow-out night. What an edgy film that dived head first into God's healing power and how according to Mark Ruffalo director, "We don't always get the healing we want, but we get the healing we need." It's a drama about a crippled DJ (actor/writer Chris_Thornton) in modern-day Los Angeles who discovers that he has the power to heal everyone but himself mixed in the hard and raunchy life of skid row and the punk rock scene of LA. Both of these guys shared some of their own stories of film and faith and it was moving.
Q&A with Director Mark Ruffalo
and Writer/Actor Christopher Thornton
Read a review here.

As you can imagine people lost their minds over these two guys. Some true Hollywood fans emerged out of the film goers as well as the theology students and staff. It was quite fun to watch how people of all ages were star struck, frothing at the mouth for some celebrity face time, autographs, and pictures, and all in MENLO PARK of all places. But the attention was well deserved, Sympathy for Delicious was a dark and beautiful film that I hope many people get to see. In Mark's words it was "Rough and Holy."

April 10th: Saturday Afternoon
2:30 pm Films: A set of award winning shorts
QUEEN OF CACTUS COVE,
SHORT TERM 12,
WAITING FOR A TRAIN

One of my favorite films from the event was SHORT TERM 12. This 20 minute masterpiece was disturbingly delicious, (can I use the two words together?), written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. It truly invaded me while I watched it. The story is about abused teens living in a group home and how the adults, broken and messy themselves deal with the kids..as well as their own issues.

It took everything in me not to beg, (but I kinda did ask/hint) the director to cast me in one of his future films. I really sensed incredible artistic genius in him and his talents, and I would love to be connected to art like that. I actually got to interview him, (twice actually)and hear his story. He's VERY humble, I like meeting people like that in general but especially when they are film makers. I sincerely applauded him for his piece! I think I was more starstruck with Destin than the Friday night guys. I loved Short Term 12's music, the set, the actors and of course the story. This 20 minutes is full of gritty sadness, with true to life characters but that are also lovable and raw. It makes you think about hurt and often forgotten/unseen kids in our culture but it also caused me to look inward to my own life of hurt and how that has affected me. We all are affected by our hurts and just because we get old, doesn't mean we "grow up." Purchase the film and support! Read an interview here. We will screen this film at our Serving Retreat this next weekend.


Q&A with Writer/Director Anna Christopher (So great to meet her, loved her Spirit!).
Writer/Director/Producer Destin Cretton,
Producer/Director Oscar Bucher, (We shared a moment about balancing being dad/family man with pursuing dreams and creativity. That was really cool).
and Director/Writer John Hindman

I got to sit with John Hindman for 15 minutes. I was nervous at first thinking I would feel small and insignificant with this big movie director. Although he was bold, confident, and fully willing to share his opinions --he was honest and authentic about his own spiritual journey. And later I found out ANSWER MAN was his directorial debut. I loved the film because it dealt with dark issues of death, alcoholism, awkward relationship stuff, and major father issues while being cloaked as a "Romantic Comedy," so as I was laughing I could address some of my own sadness and realizations of my own personal life.


April 10th: Saturday Evening
5:00 pm Reception with Filmmakers
7:00 pm Film: THE ANSWER MAN
Q&A with Writer John Hindman,



Two thumbs up for this great event. Two thumbs up for the marriage of theology and film!

A little taste of Heaven through music

In February I had the privilege of joining BOSS Church (Bayside of S. Sacramento), along with some other PCC Young Adults, on a retreat. Not only did we experience great connections with each other, we connected with God in beautiful ways through music. I have to admit, and I hope I don't sound harsh or judgmental, but I get surprised when the church-GOD'S PEOPLE, doesn't respond in such an outwardly expressive way. (View via FB here). I know that we all have different ways we worship, but imagine standing before our great God...and checking your watch, or playing with your cell phone. I find it hard to believe that when captured by such love, beauty, purity, and HOLINESS we won't just burst out crying, dancing, and/or fall flat on our faces. I think encountering God must be expressive, that's why I loved this time worshiping with song and dance. And I am so excited that Sam, the leader of the band, will be joining us for our Fall Retreat in September (17-19). What made this gathering time so meaningful for me was the way we worshiped our ONE God together, being that some of us didn't even know each other, and came from different places, and ethnic backgrounds, but it was God's love and a love for him that brought us unity. I'm really looking forward to being together at this retreat in the fall.

To Tattoo or not to Tattoo...

In light of my last post (Marked by Love, not Cutting-which btw we are still having podcast issues through our website update, sorry). I am answering a question posed on our God Answers website, where people can chat around Q&A!

Here's the Q:

Should Christians get tattoos or body piercings?

I’ve read a lot of discussion online about this in light of Leviticus 19:28…but it seems so legalistic. Jesus calls us to obedience and to Himself. I can see how we are called to put our focus on God and respect our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit, but so much thinking seems old covenant.

What do you think on this issue?

Here's my A:

Our bodies are God's temple, and we are called to honor God with our body, says 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We are also encouraged to offer our body to God as worship in Romans 12:1-3, so one could definitely make the case that tattoos (which I'll focus on for this post, but piercings are included) are an expression of worship. That's where I'd stand. First, I'd make the case that we need to carefully ensure our heart is what is connected to how we use our body, as well as how we act, (our behavior whether it be our language, sexual conduct, or tattoos). Jesus chastised the religious leaders of the day with how they focused on judging the outward appearance/behavior and often neglected their inward heart condition and attitude, see Matthew 23:24-26. Jesus cares about what's in our heart because he says it affects what comes out of our mouth, so I'd say the same thing about tattoos. If our heart is to honor God that will be reflected in our "body art." Therefore I would encourage someone who desires to tattoo themselves with this caveat: that it honors God and is an extension of who they are, their worship. For those against it and worried about the judgment of others from scripture in Leviticus 19, I'd be very careful with that verse as the Levitical Law also forbid things like cutting hair and facial trimming (I'd be in big trouble), eating certain foods, and how women should deal with their menstruation cycles that all are "acceptable" for those that may be against tattoos today. So I say that this is a matter between God and the one desiring a tattoo, since there is no direct New Testament reference for or against it. We have freedom, we just mustn't use our freedom to sin (Galatians 5:13). And I do think that some body art could cause others to stumble so we must be careful (1 John 2;10 and Romans 14:21-22). This doesn't mean we ONLY need to get crosses and pictures of Jesus tattooed on us, either, but in my opinion, just ensure your tats evoke beauty, mystery, worship and in some way point to God.



I also know of some who have tattooed their body (many before Christ, but also some after coming to Him), and then been convicted by the Holy Spirit to get it removed. We also shouldn't use scripture to manipulate or justify the idea of tattoos either. I once heard someone trying to convince me that Paul had tattoos from Galatians 6:17 which says, "I bear the marks of Jesus on my body," which is clearly a reference to his scars of persecution and not tattoos. By the way, I have tattoos myself and I am planning my next one later this year. But in line with Romans 14:21-22 I will be careful to exert my (strong) opinions on others as I don't want to make others stumble. Paul said, "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause a sister or brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves." This is obviously a short answer to what I think is a gray issue, which would be much more fun to talk about (and exchange tattoo showings) face to face! But the bottom line, I believe we are free to tattoo our bodies just like I am free to shave my sideburns and enjoy a nice prime rib steak.

For a more extensive article on this subject see:
http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/f/tattoochristian.htm

I love how he calls it a "disputable" matter.

Now, besides if it's OK with God, there is a whole other conversation to be had about tattoos. It's it wise or foolish? Just google tattoos. I have to say some tats, again in my opinion are just plain dumb, and waste of skin space. I laughed, rolled my eyes, and felt sick looking at some of the choices people have made. Some, just plain creeped me out, I'll admit. But this is my western opinion. Some tattoos in the East are completely cultural. Another funny I saw was a tat twittered of Ashton Kutcher (by Mr. Kutcher himself), on a guy in Russia, even Ashton was a bit surprised by it. I wonder how many people look at their tattoo 5-10 years later and question their discernment. So make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!

When someone will do whatever it takes to get what they want...

That's the making of a good story. A story we want to read, watch, or hear. This is Zach. He's an actor. I don't know much about his life other than what I read here, but it's a good story. But he has a story of wanting something really bad, and overcoming the obstacles, his own physical challenges, to get it. That's the making of a good story. A character who wants something and will do what ever it takes to get what they want, completely changing in the process. So, like I said, I don't know much about Zach, but his story encourages me. We are called to OVERCOME. This story encouraged me because it's someone conquering the odds, and I love it when it's someone fulfilling a dream within the arts.

Psalm 139

I love Psalm 139 (read here). Even since my first weeks of following Jesus, I found great comfort from this truth. In my seminary class we were dissecting some questions about it. Here are some of my thoughts.

1. Are verses 1-18 good news or threatening news?

When someone is lonely, feeling attacked, and frustrated, the feelings are the farthest thing from love, acceptance, and purpose. It’s a feeling of chaos and being utterly out of control. I think that this is good news for one to cling to, to fall back upon, and to choose to believe when all human circumstances are bleak. It’s a wonderful truth that even when darkness is all around and we are being ridiculed and scoffed; God is close, and ordaining our days for a significant purpose. This would have been a comfort for King David. But I love thinking the reverse. For those wicked, those wanting and clinging to darkness, the enemies of God's anointed (David), they don’t want to hear that God is there with them, in their darkness. But according to this psalm, there is no place on Earth one could go where God is not. God is in on the battlefields of war, the strip clubs, the back alleys, the human trafficking rings, the closets, the abandoned and rural hotels used for evil and treachery. So Psalm 139 can be bad news for those who think they can run from God. But He is there, very present. And this brings home in retrospect when victims wonder where God was during the harrowing pain of their past.

2. How do verses 19-22 follow from verses 1-18? And verses 23-24 from verses 19-22?

I love how 19-22 seems out of place, but it’s a human way of thinking. The psalmist is conscious of the goodness of God, dwelling on his grandeur, intimate power from 1-18 and then all of a sudden the thoughts of the wicked, those who opposite of the qualities of God enter the psalmist’s mind in 19-22, hate is present. It’s these people that have probably propelled the psalmist to remind himself of the truth of God’s character when it is being clouded by the wicked circumstances in which he finds himself. It’s an abrupt change that then is partnered with the thought of repentance, a need for God to lead him away from those thoughts in his mind in 23-24. Once those thoughts in 19-22 gain some momentum the psalmist must ask for help, to be searched that these thoughts would be wiped clean, back to mediating on the greatness of God.

3. What images for God does the Psalm use? E.g., is God father, or lord, or creator – or what?

God is seen as a lover, maker, creator, knitter, artist, an invisible presence, a writer, healer, leader, and a conscious.

This psalm comes to mind a lot when thinking about pregnancy and the value of the unborn child. As a father, I used these words to pray over my children in utero, and I constantly want to share these truths with my daughters. I want them to know how valuable they are to God and that God is not only with them at all times, no matter what they do, but that he was making them and forming them in my wife’s womb. I have cherished memories of praying and singing over my wife’s belly while I felt little kicks and movements. It’s a beautiful thought. I also regularly like to share this word with those who are celebrating birthdays. It’s such a great time to reflect on one’s purpose from conception and birth that God was at work creating, knitting, making, preparing, and ordaining all the days of our lives. This is good news indeed. If you can today, thank your mom for allowing God to use her womb to bring you life!

Lamenting & Remembering Haiti, again and again

It seems the blogosphere and other social media outlets have forgotten about Haiti. For a couple weeks, lots were tweeting and updating about the devastation. Now, for those of us far from it, life is once again "normal." Just peruse your recent updates. It's Oscar time! "Who's gonna win the Superbowl?" And hey, Lost is back on! Such a weird thing. I was looking tonight and found nothing, news home pages have moved on. I'm convicted because so have I. I am so comfortable and insulated from such pain. It's just like when Hurricane Katrina happened. After a month the news changed and then many of us far from it went on to living our lives. But then I remember seeing a documentary one year after, and New Orleans was still a chaotic mess. And still today it needs major help. Almost five years later, teams are still rebuilding the city, but we rarely hear news about it. Sadly, I'm thinking the same thing will happen with Haiti.

I'm currently studying Psalms through one of my seminary classes. We were studying Psalm 88 & 89 which are amazing, strong words of lament. I appreciate the words of Psalm 88 that fully express pain and suffering with out falsifying joy or even trying to muster up hope. It's not that hope is fully gone, it's just a reality of how we can feel at significant times in life. I love that the Bible doesn't shy away from this expression of grief. We aren't meant to just put on the happy face. God can handle our sorrow. One of the pet peeves I have is when we, the church, expect ourselves (or other people ) to "forget what happened during day, and just celebrate." It's as if we think God wants us to put the pain aside, forget about it, and buck up so we can focus on him. (Ever heard this on a Sunday?). I think it is perfectly biblical and right that we can focus on God IN our pain, or just cry miserably TO him about our pain. We aren't meant to put off the suffering of life in nice little compartments. In fact, if we leave out lament, we miss out on the totality of experiencing God's word. With that, for one of my seminary assignments, I wrote a lament for Haiti, as Haiti.

A Lament for the people of Haiti

You are the God who saves,
You are the one who restores us in our suffering.

Please hear our prayer.
We beg you to listen to our desperate plea for help

We have been pummeled to the ground.
We are like those in a grave.

We have suffered death within seconds.
We have lost our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers.

Everywhere we look we see weeping and wailing.
Day and night we hear the cries of the orphans and widows.


Foreigners have come to ransack our meager belongings.
They have come to steal our children to other lands.

Will this tragedy have no end, oh God?
Will you intervene and save us from this terror?

Some point their finger and blame us, for our transgressions are many.
We are called the cursed ones of God.

We know the news has spread to the world.
Our disgrace has made it's way to every person.

Yet we are already yesterday's news.

Have you no mercy, oh God?
Will you leave us hungry and thirsty?

Our bones are crushed and our skin is cracked.
Our tongues are dry and our stomachs turn within.


Yet God we know you are have not forsaken us.
You can do no evil.

We will tell our souls to trust in you,
You are worthy to be praised.

We need you to remember your promises.
We need you to send your saints to bring light to this darkness

Patiently we wait for you,
In this dry and sun scorched land we will wait for our salvation.

With blood on our faces and tears in our eyes, we will wait for you.
As we cry and lament for our life and our land, we hold on to you.

Denver Colorado Recap

I'm typing from the airport reflecting on time spent this week in Colorado with the Midwinter Conference. As a pastor I am a part of a bigger movement of people collectively called the Evangelical Covenant Church,
It's an annual conference where we all gather in one place to hang out, encourage each other, wrestle through current issues, and learn.

It was a good week. I missed my family incredibly, but had so much fun skyping with them almost daily. Technology is amazing!
Here's a pic of them, above, participating in our worship gathering from Co from the comfort of our home in Ca! Isn't that so cool that we could do that!


Had great times of tweeting incessantly, drinking coffee, reading, journaling,

and applying much chapstick--the CO wind did me in for two straight days. I looked like I had lip gloss on, my lips were so shiny. (Yes that is Covenant Chapstick. Actually is Compassion, Mercy, and Justice chapstick). So, there were days when I had a hard ime smiling cause my lips hurt so bad, but hey, it was worth it.

I also sat with many pastors chewing on issues of the church, transition into adulthood, and what it means to be REBORN! I loved it.

Especially great was being able to sit with fellow pastors serving young adults and to talk about what God is doing and how best we can equip this generation for maturity in Christ and living the mission of God passionately.

I got to hang with one of my best buddies in the world, Matt Nightingale. Former PCC staff member for eight years, we are still connected and I love it. One night were walking down the trendy streets of downtown Denver (totally cool to hang there), and we heard screaming tweens. Come to find out Nick Jonas was playing a block from our hotel. Hilarious.

Matt and I roomed together, laughed all night long, talked about theology, marriage, Pop Culture, prayed, and podcasted together (stay tuned for those). You really should read his blog as he's a better writer and more consistent than I am. He shared his experience there.

Huge bonuses of the week were 1-that I got to see two movies (ON THE SAME DAY!) Since I had three days of no breaks and lots of mind-work, I needed to decompress. So I saw Daybreakers (Beware! I don't watch horror flicks, but there is some major blood in this movie--It's a vampire movie so it's to be expected-but it was a great story with some huge themes of redemption, and tons of Anthropology issues--even a resurrection moment that is undeniable) & The Book of Eli--Hugely recommend this flick if you can handle apocalyptic films. There is an obvious work of God in that film. Second bonus was that I got a ton of free books! Woot!

And another highlight was that I go to make a new pal! I had an instant connection with this dude: Gilbert-a Sacramento local, Covie pastor. I felt like a tween myself with how much we were texting and tweeting. Loved it. I also saw many people from the past, (and unfortunately said way too many times "We should do lunch," that never came to fruition. So much going on and not enough time). Got some lovin & schmoozing from fellow covies, and a great German lunch from John "Octothorp" Boyd, were I learned a ton about social media. Totally dug that time. Also wanted to shout out to Neil, Angie, Casey, Tara, Marti, Judy, Tim, and Dane-who I had significant 5-10 minute convos with that highlighted my time. I also come away with a great appreciation for the leaders of our denomination, while growing my love for my own PCC church family. On a personal note, I got to connect with old buddies, Erik Strom, Hefti Brunold, and Jake Horn (not pictured). Very thankful to share some times over food and coffee. And another important reconnection was with my friend pictured below:

This is Justin, aka "Sandpaper." I was in Justin's wedding 11 years ago. I was glad to have some time to remember friendship requires saying hard things. Proverbs 27 says both that wounds from a friend can be trusted and we are to sharpen each other like iron. Justin did that.

I'm on my way home. Full, a bit tired, but thankful for what God showed me and did in me. I was loved on by him, reminded that I am a mess, and grateful that he accepts me. So now, to take some time off to rest and be present, fully present with my family. I will be shutting down the computer and turning the cell phone off for a bit!

Celebrating 5 years with my wife.

I love marriage. Today I honor my wife and in thanks to God celebrate our five years of marriage and 10+ years of friendship.
----
Art that hangs in our room by friend/artist: David Nyquist (painted during our wedding celebration). Inspired by John 15. Our wedding word was: ABIDE.


11.12.2004


Chicago Dec 2004

London March 2005



Italy May 2006


Hawaii November 2006




Isella is Born. March 2007


Portland April 2007



Las Vegas April 2008




Luisa is Born February 2009




San Francisco October 2009


Five years. Five amazing years with my wife!
I'm so grateful to have this friendship with Wendy Rose, the most significant relationship of my life!

Here are the vows I repeated to her this morning, the same ones I said 5 years ago!
I, Anthony James, take you Wendy Rose to be my wife!
I realize God has entrusted you to me as a gift. I commit before God, our family, and friends to love you by first devoting my heart to God, following Jesus Christ, and living in the Holy Spirit.
I love you, and know that I can only do this through God. Because of this, I vow to be your faithful husband to strengthen and forgive you through grace and to give you courage when you need it. I will be your biggest fan. I commit to praying for you and encouraging you to become the woman God created you to be so we can glorify him together (Psalm 34:3).

Happy HOLYween

Be innocent of Evil.
Romans 16:19-20.

If you are in the Redwood City area celebrate 10/31 Saturday Night 8pm PCC Worship center.

Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Albeit cheesy--My daughter loves singing this song.
She loves yelling, "Underneath your feet!"
And the great part--IT'S TRUTH.

Metal detector encourager

Anyone who's been through airports knows how taxing, stressful, and sometimes just plain lame getting to your plane can be. There's check in, those luggage tag things, security, delays, screaming kids (sometimes their mine), and you fill in the blank. There's more than enough to make airport users lose their sanity. Take my experience this week where I was chastised by some rubber glove wearing TSA lady who verbally slapped me on the knuckles. Like the nun Meryl Streep played in Doubt, she held up my zip lock bag for my toiletries and tisk-tisked me because it wasn't the right size. Really? Come on.

But here's a tale of one TSA guy who chooses to tell a different story for the hurried business travelers and burned out tourists.

A TSA security guard, stopped me through the metal detector as I handed him my ID and boarding pass. He held up my documents, looked at my name and then looked me in the eyes.

TSA Guy: Anthony, do you know that your name means highly favored by the Lord?
Me: Uh, ya. I think I knew it was something like that. Thank you.

I'll admit I was in my own little "get to my gate," world. I didn't expect that. I had to do a double take. I knew my name meant something like priceless or praiseworthy, but the way he said it jolted me awake. It was like God was reminding me of his love for me, that God was in that mundane moment that I might have written off. I needed that. And then I eavesdropped on the guy behind me whose name was named Joshua.

TSA Guy: Joshua. Do you know what your name means?
Joshua; Uh..No. Um..What?
TSA Guy: It means God saves. Like Yeshua...Jesus. It's the same meaning as Jesus.
Joshua: Oh, ok, wow..thank you.

Then I watched this TSA guy stop every person and do the same thing. He looked at their documents and told them the meaning of their name, with a genuine, warm smile. It was like he was on a mission. Here's a pic I tried to sneak with my cell phone. He's in the blue, blurry shirt.

It really was incredible. Affirming people's value through their name, the one thing he could make personal. Names are meant to be significant and to see this guy making it his goal in his job to encourage people, (in a not so encouraging place), is very commendable. So incredible that I had meet him. His name was Jeff and I was sorry I couldn't return the same favor he extended to me, but I at least wanted to really thank and affirm him. I told him what he was doing was awesome and I had never experienced anything like that before. Then I wrote down my blog address and told him I would write about him in the next couple days. I will remember this guy and continue to tell his story. So Colorado Springs Jeff, TSA guy, if you are reading this:: Thanks for making a difference in my day. God is using you. You deserve a promotion. I'll pray for that! I hope more people take their jobs as seriously as you do and find ways to make a difference in peoples lives. You are intentionally brightening people's days. Intentionality doesn't have to be big, it just has to be intentional.

And, Jeff, TSA guy? Could you.. maybe.. train others to be as friendly as you? It would revolutionize airports around the world. World travel would never be the same. And maybe could you take your skills to the DMV? *and sorry if I broke any laws by taking your picture. It was all in the name of telling a good story.

Back from Colorado Springs.

Just got back from a great few days gathering with leaders from around the country who are a part of our denomination the ECC. Loved our time talking, wrestling, and praying through the future. We got to stay in this great retreat center by the Navigators called Glen Eyrie. The grounds have a castle here's the view.


Discussion and idea sharing.
Reporting on ministries serving and teaching young adults around the country.
Closing out our time in prayer. God, please lead us.
reflecting, not hiking, and horse poop...

...and what every tourist does when they visit the Garden of the gods, beautiful place with crazy rock formations.

an ignorant, foolish, or silly person

I recently tried out Scrabble for a few rounds. Humbling for me since I played my wife Wendy and she beat me... blindfolded. Normally, I would avoid games that take intellectual left brain skill (ie: I hate Trivia Pursuit), cause I opt for games where I can act and just make a fool of my right brained self. That kind of competition I can do! But I wanted to play Scrabble out of shear desire to try and feel smart---- it didn't work. There's quite a distinction between "feeling" smart and "being" smart. (That was pretty profound, huh? Maybe I AM smart).

On the serious side, I've realized that when it comes to my mind--I'm definitely not a "scholar."(among other things). I''ll never be the tweed-coat clad theologian pastor puffing a pipe and sitting next to the fireplace deliberating on the profundities (now there's a good scrabble word) of Biblical interpretation. I'm not much for heady conversations. Don't get me wrong-I like details, information, and "knowing" all I can about the Good News but I lean more toward the touchy feely side of the Gospel. God's story is a fact--that we choose to believe but I also believe we must choose to feel the Good News, too. I might not be able to debate systematic theology and get an A (after all read this:) cause what, (or who), I really know is Jesus, the love of God, and his Spirit-empowered, world-changing story of hope. You'd think that would be enough, but honestly... I sometimes have to fight to believe this---the truth that this--God's love and his transforming power in my life--is enough. You see, a lot my brokenness (on-going and from the past) enslaves me to comparisons.

I have no plaques, degrees, or scholarly achievements from any prestigious places hanging on my office wall. I probably never will even if I do finally attain my Masters one day. In fact, not only do I lack lots of intellectual credentials, I'm void in a lot of areas: For instance:

I had to ask someone one time what the acronym MLB stood for, which goes to show that I'm not in the know at all when it comes to sports. Admittedly, I often feel small when conversations come up and I can't contribute stats, college football projections, or any pertinent info on baseball, basketball..not even ping-pong is on my radar. Your Grandma could beat me.
I pretty much know nothing about mortgages, escrow, stocks and/or bonds. Although I wish I had the ability to play the market and own a house, I'm just happy that God provides just enough for our little family..check to check.

If I pick up a hammer or screwdriver--beware!! Run for the hills and protect your children. I suck dirt at fixing things and couldn't build a block, let alone a house. My wife's had to accept that the bar for my handyman skills is low and she's just happy when I'm able to change a light bulb, or fold up our double stroller (-think sumo wrestling). When I attempt to fix stuff my thumbs end up paying for it. Besides have you seen my thumbs?

Sorry to all my gamer friends but as for video games you won't want to pick me for your team. I can't join in on that past time, I'd rather go to the dentist than play video games.

This list could go on. Things in this world that I just don't know, won't ever know, and realistically don't ever want to learn.

This is when I realized I'm a simpleton and I'm OK with it.

This post is not about self loathing. It's actually about self acceptance. God really spoke love to me this as I was coming to terms with my limitations...which are actually not limitations but specific freedoms which increase my ability to be who God created me to be. I'm growing more and more in my understanding of God's full love and complete acceptance of me and who I am. That I'm a man, made in his image, capable of leading and living passionately for him and also leading my wife and kids by his power and love. And when I stand before him one day he will not be judging me on how on my knowledge of sports history stats or the makes and models of cars.

What matters is knowing HIM, loving him and loving others! Whew!

So with what I know..I will fight. With what I am passionate about. I will live a life of worship and I will (try) not to compare myself to others. I will resolve to know Jesus! I will choose to love God and seek to serve others with His love and power. That's what makes us truly wise.

If you feel like me, Please read:
1 Corinthians 2

We need to be eloquently well spoken, intellectually knowledeble or put together to be used by God. We just need to know God, be ourselves, and let Him work through us. God can even use a simpleton.

VLOG 14 September 2009 TRT 4:59

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phf8aaVN7Sc

Bad Theology bugs me

Whether it's pointing to a building and calling it "a church," (or saying, "go to church"), I get the heebee jeebies when we (Christians, people who claim to follow Jesus) misuse or incorrectly speak about God out of ignorance or especially laziness. But this week I encountered another layer of bad theology.............. in an attempt at humor.

I love reading greeting cards. In fact, when my wife and I are on dates, we often stroll into the Hallmark aisle and read cards to each other. I can easily hit the floor laughing hysterically. Give me a witty scenario poking fun at regular life or celebrity pop culture, a fart reference, or just a good knock knock joke..it doesn't take much.

But this card didn't make me laugh.

Front of Card



Inside Card


HUH? Happy Birthday? Go enjoy your sins?

I love to laugh but there's some things that aren't funny.

I love imagination

This summer I taught improv classes for kids. Crazy kids all under 13 creating amazing, chaotic, and outrageous stories performed with out a script, funky props and costumes. What a great reminder that God created us to dream, create, and expressively live a good story! Although God wants us to mature we mustn't ever lose our ability to believe in the impossible as we become adults, especially with our faith. Kids have this innate ability to think, create, and imagine new worlds, new creatures, and new stories. I see this completely in my daughter. She loves wearing her "clicky shoes" (tap shoes, sort of) with her bathing suit, pajamas, or any item of clothing for that matter, while she runs around playing house and chatting with her dolls. People say that as kids grow up, adults teach them that it's not possible to see the impossible (IE miracles, wonders). No wonder why we have generations of adults, and sadly Christ following adults, who don't believe that God, the God who created the multi-milky universe, could still heal the sick, give sight to the blind, or raise the dead. And therefore we have generations of Christians living boring stories (lives) and passing on a stale faith. It's movies and stories like "Where the Wild Things Are," that remind me there are adults in the world that still can imagine the unending and wonderful possibilities that still await us who dream...especially those who dream for God and his kingdom.

Why I feel like a Zombie

Thanks to great technology (the video baby monitor), we can see what our kids are doing instead of sleeping. Which means that we aren't sleeping either cause we're too busy watching..and laughing. Mercy! But we're happy our daugjther loves to sing and loves to sing to God (Blessed Be Your Name and How Great is our God our two of her regulars)...Just hoping she sings herself to sleep. This girl could pass up every afternoon nap to sing and play in her crib. Pray for my kids to sleep well..and while you're at it, pray their parents sleep well, too!

(If you can't see the video on Facebook, click here).

The Unlikely Disciple

Just finished this book. I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 2am. I am going to pay for this in just four hours when my girls get up, but it was worth it.

A true story of a 19 year old guy who immersed himself within the Christian (college) culture in order to gain a first hand, honest experience of life inside the Christian Evangelical world as one who personally was not a Christian"insider" himself.

Genius.

I laughed out loud reading this 19 year old's witty account of experiencing insider church language ("Praise the Lord," Purity rings, Every Man's Battle), corporate church worship hand waving, and "Cold Turkey Evangelism" on Daytona Beach during Spring Break. I thoroughly enjoyed this story because it took me on a journey (where I could look at myself from the outside), once causing me to spit out my lunch laughing at his experience with the strange ways of Christians and Christian culture. And other times I rolled my eyes frustrated by our (the Church's) hypocrisies, lack of grace, and other un-christ-like ways like homophobia, racism, and self-righteous attitudes.

It's a good sign when a book challenges me to think, wrestle, laugh, cry, disagree, and motivates me to love others with God's compassion. That's the essence of a good story.

Read this book and consider how your life might be perceived by those on the outside of Christian culture. Ultimately, I see it as a possible tool of reconciliation with Christians and culture and a great piece for discussion with your believing friends and non-believing friends alike.
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Listen to an interview with the author, if you can get past the somewhat "amateur" interviewer here.

Reviewing my last week from Father's day June 21-today June 28th.

Thumbs UP. Great week. I just have to recap:
When a dad's birthday falls in the same week as Father's day, some might feel the way people who have birthdays at Christmas. (Y'know, "kill two birds and give one gift?"). Not that I'm looking for gifts, I just really scored a great week.
Last Sunday it started with heart shaped pancakes and coffee when I woke up! Happy Dad's day from my family! I loved it.

We had some great family hang out time. My wife blessed me. I love her and I love being married to her and being a dad to my two girls.
Side note, For my daughter's 2nd birthday she got a playhouse and a family with Dad, Mom, and two daughters. Sound familiar?
Here's a picture of the dad figure:

What does this image say about how fathers are seen in our culture? (Besides possibly that men aren't masculine enough, I mean, really, he looks slightly feminine). This seemingly "innocent" toy gives a wrong impression of fathers or just affirms the stereotype that I don't want to be: always seen with cell phone in hand. I know I'm not the only dad that struggles with this because I've seen many dads, at restaurants or parks, talking on phones while their kids wait in the wings. (Even a grandpa figure has a crazy big phone.) I am striving to be seen with my phone less in my hands so that my hands are free to hug, chase, and carry my girls around! (This means I often leave my phone at home while on walks or at the park).

So... on to GAP AT THE MOVIES! Review time.

Three movies in one week. THAT'S RIGHT! I actually got to sit in the movie theater three different times in one week. That's the benefits of having a birthday the same week as Father's day! (Thanks again to my wife! She knows what I love!). So here are my reviews:

Star Trek. I FINALLY got to see this 5 star movie. Over two hours but I was never bored. I was always more of a Star Wars fan so I worried if I would feel "left out" of the inside info, but that wasn't an issue at all. The story moves fast, the acting is so believable, and the plot makes sense. It makes you question, "Am I living out my greater purpose?" So, if you are way behind in your movie viewing, check this out.

Moon. This indy flick, in limited release, is very well done. Dark and a bit sad, but a great commentary on identity and controversial issues. Sam Rockwell is an amazing actor, and you'll agree as he plays two different people, sort of, in the movie. I don't want to spoil it. I highly recommend this. It was a bonus for me cause I hang out with good friend Matt Nightingale.

Now on to the little blip on the greatness of my week.

Transformers. I fell asleep. A friend commented on facebook saying, "At 2.5 hours...it was 1.5 hours too long." I second that. It needed a lot more editing for me to green light this flick. I've always been a huge Transformers fan. I grew up with every single one of those toys awaiting me at the foot of my bed every morning I woke up. I loved playing with them, watched the cartoons, and loved the first movie. Shia LeBeouff is going to have a great career as an actor. There's no denying he's good. Michael Bay brought , blow-em up action but the story had many holes, lacked substance, and tried to hard ( what ended up lame) laughs. Therefore my suspension of disbelief "grace" was not willing to cover over the length. And yet, it still sold out the box office and will probably go on to make a third installment. I just hope they don't try to sell tickets by lowering the bar with more "potty humor." Spoiler alert: I mean, come on, humping dogs, ok, ha-ha, but then a humping robot. I just rolled my eyes. My wife also cracked me up when she said something about how even running through the dessert the lead actress, Megan Fox, had glistening lips and perfect hair. Ben Mankiewicz of At the Movies reviewed it and had some funny things to say about it, too.

So besides much time at the pool trying to escape the heat wave here in Redwood City it was a relaxing weekend that ended the week with a great concert, in one of my favorite cities, with a new favorite band.

...um, SaraLee? Jesus said so..

Ok, so SaraLee, with the mission to DELIGHT YOU EVERY DAY, came up with this advertising slogan sighted on the sides of delivery trucks in our local grocery store. Catchy, kind of, but it's an interesting perspective on how much of advertising (which I have been a part of through commercials and other acting stuff) feeds consumers ideas about what will satisfy. (See this old school commercial). Don't we all sometimes believe, even for just a moment, that SOME THING (food, clothing, relationship toy, car, any dazzling new item) can provide some sort of happiness or satisfaction? And when we believe it we instantly must have it. I've found myself in that funny place with coffee. Yes, even my beloved espresso drinks have failed me! I have one or two almost every day and I have to admit there are times when I get all excited for some grande goodness only to honestly feel a little "let down" after sipping to the end of the cup within 20 minutes. It might seem silly but it's God's little reminder to me that all the great things, all pleasures in our life, ALL END. Everything good (and bad) comes to an end. Roller coaster rides end, great dates, vacations, wedding days, sexual encounters, books, food entrees, and that "high" (whatever causing it) comes to an end. Ever get that same feeling after watching a big blockbuster movie? You pay (currently in my theater) $10.50 for a 2 hour escape where the action and effects take you to far off lands, only to have the lights go up to realize you're in a movie theater, with popcorn all over the floor, and it's time to go home. That's how God created life-constant reminders that all it has to offer isn't enough and won't fully satisfy. Only HE can give us the full contentment we long for and I'm glad for that..or I'd be constantly chasing after false substitutes. I pray that the world, that I, would know who (God) and what (everything about himself) really satisfies...and settle for nothing less.