| Subcribe via RSS | 
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I usually post videos on my Tumblr blog, but these were just too good! Thanks to AJ Huffman for forwarding them to me.
by Brian Selznick
What a delightful surprise this book was!
It’s bulky 533 page mass beckoned mysteriously the last time the kids and I were at the public library. The library had put it on display as a new book.
I flipped through it and was fascinated with the hundreds of pages of original artwork by the author, Brian Selznick. I showed it to Adelyn, our 8 year-old and asked, “Do you think you could read this?”
She looked at it, intrigued, but clearly doubtful.
Imagine her delight when a week later she was proudly posing for a picture to show that she’d read the book! A third grader who had polished off a 533-page book is quite an accomplishment, I would say – even if the book had hundreds of pages of pictures.
It’s a rewarding achievement and gift for a child to realize that they can tackle a book of that size. I saw in Adelyn that proud evening the dawning of a new day of book reading desire.
I picked up the book after she completed it and was quickly immersed in the story. Selznick has indeed earned his Caldecott Medal for this achievement. It’s not so much as a good read as it is a visual, epic feast.
The illustrations combine with the story to give you the sensation of watching an old movie. And indeed, that’s what much of the plot is about. As you read this fascinating tale, you’ll also learn some amazing history about early movies. Every movie referenced in this magical tale is real, and one of the main characters is also real.
It revolves around the discovery of an automaton hidden in the attic of an old museum. The incredible thing is that such automatons are real, and one, shown in the video below, was made in 1810!
I’d highly encourage anyone to sample this innovative medium. You won’t be disappointed.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
by J. K. Rowling
Aaaaaaah.
I sat up til late last night savoring every word and nuance of the final Potter book. I had put off reading it forever, knowing that after I was done… I was done.
It didn’t disappoint.
In fact, the final tale to the Potter epic was remarkably deep and powerful in themes of love, redemption, sacrifice, family, friendship and learning the purpose in life.
I had skimmed the book Looking for God in Harry Potter and was impressed by the intricate weaving of classic literary themes and Christian elements into the Potter series. In that book, the author unashamedly recommends the Potter series for reading by all.
I would echo that sentiment. In Potter, as in other tales of fantasy and epic literature, there are themes as grand as the imagination can bear.
In particular, however, I was struck by J.K. Rowling’s use of biblical themes from Jesus’ life. In one instance, Harry and friends find the inscription, “Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also” (Matthew 6.21) on Dumbledore’s parents’ grave.
In another instance, 1 Corinthians 15.26 is inscribed, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
While reference is not made to the source of these two verses, they remain true in our reality – as well as in Potter’s. I was fascinated and even moved by the final chapters of the epic as Potter willingly moves toward his destiny. (I’ll skirt that here for those of you who haven’t read it.) A great discussion guide of Christian thematic elements is here.
As I closed the final page, I did so with warm reluctance. It had been a deep and fantastical journey since I read the first book back in 1997. Another grand literary epic was brought to a more than fitting conclusion.
Bravo, J.K.
See more about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
Someone recently told me that they’d read my “Our Story” series and felt like it had helped them to know me better. That’s a little scary, in all honesty - to think that my blog helps introduce people to me. I’d certainly like the opportunity to make a better first impression… However, the more I considered it, the more I’m resolved to continue blogging.
For regular readers, friends and family, you all know that I’m extremely ordinary. I’ve got hangups, compulsions, bumps and bruises just like all of you. Yes, I’m a pastor, but no, I’m not perfect.
However, there’s someone I know who is perfect, and my earnest desire is for you to meet him. He’s why I blog, preach, design, laugh, play Xbox, fantasy football, and breathe. He has given me Life, and I’d love for my example to help nudge someone else closer to discovering a joy-filled relationship with Jesus Christ.
After visiting with the friend mentioned above, I realized afresh how humbling it is to know that there might actually be a few people watching your life. Many times, we as Christians do not embrace the influence God has given us to use it for His glory. We’re all going to influence people all the time. Question is: How?
In the New Testament, it’s presumed that Christian leaders sought to follow Christ and that others would be following them. For instance, Paul was able to say, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” (2 Corinthians 4.16) Wow! He was so confident of his “way of life in Christ Jesus,” (v17) that he instructed those in the church to watch him.
The writer of Hebrews also said that we should be able to “to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” (Hebrews 6.12) In Hebrews 13.7, the author repeats this encouragement by saying, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
How does this make you feel? If you’re like me, then it’s extremely challenging and humbling. Here’s to living life transparently, lovingly, and genuinely. It can only be done that way in Christ.
May 2008 be a year of our lives worth imitating by others.
This past Saturday a small group of folks from our church met to do a “Dirty Job.” We had buckets, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves and slightly apprehensive attitudes. The plan? Go clean public restrooms as a way of showing people that God loves them.
A few of us were, well, not exactly looking forward to the opportunity to serve our neighbors. However, by the time all was said and flushed, everyone had a blast!
The response we received as we entered a gas station and said, “Hi! We’re from Journey Church, and we’re going around town today cleaning restrooms as a way of saying God loves you,” were priceless. One older lady in a gas station who was waiting on her oil to be changed said, “Well, I reckon I’ve never seen anything like that,” as we left.
I was grateful that our son Sam got to go with another group, while our daughter Adelyn was in our group. Sam got to work alongside of other folks from our church and see their attitudes and joy in doing something normally distasteful for the glory of God. I told Carolyn how awesome it is for kids to see that nothing is beneath us when we are working to remove barriers in peoples’ lifes from knowing the truth about Jesus.
If he was willing to wash His disciples’ feet, we should be more than willing to_______ (you fill in the blank).
A friend of mine, Stacy Reed, is the pastor at First Baptist Church of Fordyce. We saw him at our church’s Game Night at Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home Friday night, and when he learned of our Serve Day project, he suggested the following:
Any other ideas out there?
We’re looking forward to our next Serve Day next month.
Incoming links... add yours by linking!
Promoting the Gospel in Central and Eastern Europe
