Month: January 2008

Saw “The Invasion” last night.
Good movie for families with older teens to watch together.

Realizing this movie has been made, and remade, and remade again…I’m not saying this one is the best. I’m not saying much about the movie as a movie. But it brought up some thoughts.

At one point, during dinner discussion…the Russian man says something to the effect of “when we cease (to be imperfect, have fights, make mistakes), we cease to be human.”

As the aliens take over more and more bodies, this happens. Wars cease. Treaties are signed. At one point, the main character is confronted with a conversation about what is actually happening. The alien describes how all the aliens are actually “one”, and so it doesn’t make sense to fight anymore. He actually confronts her as a psychiatrist, and tries to convince her she was trying to accomplish what they are doing….eliminating the human “condition”.

But along with the fighting, goes creativity, emotion, surprise, etc. And it’s obvious that this “new” way of things is not desirable.

Being in ministry, we’ve discussed and studied “Kingdom” stuff quite a bit. Still not knowing what it will be like, at least I’ve come a long way from imagining it will be like one long church service with golden streets, and my very own mansion. Because being honest about what I used to believe….it sounded pretty boring. Like this movie when most of humanity is just standing around with blank stares.

I do believe a large part of our “humanity” is found in our imperfections. But I don’t agree completely with the Russian. Instead of seeing those imperfections as an end, I view them as our ingrained need for God. We were created to coexist with God, and so our imperfections are made perfect in God.

Without God…our human imperfections result in war, murder, disease, selfishness, etc. But at some point, when the Kingdom is fully revealed, and all of creations’ imperfections are once again made perfect in God….it will be the complete opposite of blank stares, boring services, and stuffy mansions.

It will be emotion as God intended. Love as God intended. Art as God intended. Creativity as God intended. Beauty as God intended. Humanity as God intended. 🙂

It will be stinkin’ awesome. And you can have my mansion. I’m going camping.

Quick update – FROSTBITE 2008 went awesome! Thanks to everyone who helped, and gave/prayed for this past weekend! We had about 150 people (including 120 teens), and many lives were impacted, and were reminded of their hunger for God. I’m sure I’ll have some things to post on it later this week. But today…I’m taking off. Spending time with family, and catching up on another issue.

This Tuesday night, local media will host a debate between both sides of our city’s government change issue. I posted my initial thoughts a while back. Since then, our Mayor has publicly announced his disapproval of a Strong Mayor system, proposing a new idea, and our current city manager has announced he will not be renewing his contract.

Along with that…it’s been revealed that there are a lot of adults in this city who would love to keep the arguments at a high school level…both being WAY too overdramatic. To think that changing the city’s form of government will either instantly create golden paths to success and population growth….or that changing from the current system will destroy every good thing we have left….both are extremes that I’m not willing to give my attention to. Unfortunately…both sides are pushing those extremes. I think we should change the form of government every 10 years or so….just to keep things fresh. 🙂

I did find a blog I’ve added to the links on the right…although this is where a lot of the nonsense bantering has gone on…it’s also evident that it’s a good place to learn new information.

My opinion? I want the citizens of this city to care about this city. Regardless of the form of government, I think there is a lot more that needs to happen. To assign our local government as the scape-goat is just an easy out. Unfortunately, most of what is detrimental to our city is not unique to our city. Selfish, greedy, power-hungry people focusing on their own prosperity can be found everywhere these days. Yup…even in the church.

It doesn’t take a vote to change this. It takes individuals, families, and organizations taking the first hard step towards a new way of life. A way that’s not sexy, not attractive financially, and not easy. But needed. More today than yesterday, and even more with every tomorrow.

Let’s do something about it.

SWEET VINDICATION!!!

To anyone who mocked, or made fun of, or just plain thought my sandwich post from a week or so ago was too far fetched….this is me laughing at you.

Last night, we’re watching TV…and a commercial for KRAFT cheese comes on.

A post it note – says “We’re pregnant”…and next to it…and grilled cheese sandwich.

The post it note becomes a picture of the mom developing, and on the right….the sandwich gets smaller and smaller.

Until finally, they show a giant grilled cheese, breaking in half…and then show a happy baby…with the phrase “HAVE A HAPPY SANDWICH”

Did KRAFT steal my idea? I dunno. Doesn’t matter. Either way, I win.

In the meantime…if you haven’t watched the trailer for “Be Kind, Rewind”…you probably should….it looks great. 🙂

Also…please pray for the over 120 teenagers attending FROSTBITE 2008 this weekend….God is already at work…JOIN IT!! 🙂