Draw from the Well

Esther, the Jewish Princess Leia?

Okay, for all you Star Wars buffs out there, I'm certain to get some of my facts wrong, so let me explain how I began drawing the conclusion that Esther might possibly be a "Princess Leia"-type...

You see, I was trolling around on Youtube and stumbled on this video:

This was perfect because it got me thinking about Mordecai. 

You see, as I read Esther, I've always felt that Mordecai was the hero.  Listening to a little Star Wars music helped me to realize that he really is like an Obi-Wan Kenobi (see the uncle connection?)

Mordecai is wise, sage-like...people (princesses?) turn to him in times of need.  He reads the signs of the times and makes wise decisions for the future.  He's self sacrificing and wields a mean light saber...wait.

Okay, I might be getting carried away a bit.

I really do feel that Mordecai should get more credit than he usually does.  His challenge to Esther in chapter 4:12-14 is profound:   “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

First, he challenges any false notion of security which Esther might have (my translation..."Don't think this doesn't concern you, missy!") Next, her reminds her that God is in control regardless of her choice...hiss faith that the Jews will be delivered is absolute.  Finally, he shows her how she is uniquely positioned to influence the situation and calls her to action.

Esther is stirred to action and does step out.  Sure, she does the "heavy lifting", but Mordecai was there behind the scenes stoking the fire.

Okay, those are my thoughts...two more trivia points about Esther...1) God is never overtly mentioned in the book and 2) it's the first time that the Israelites are labeled "Jews" in scripture.

So if Esther is Princess Leia and Mordecai is Obi-Wan Kenobi, who does that make Haman?  Let me know your thoughts!

Bad Messages from Good Movies

Something to think about, not that I'm cynical or anything.

Check out this post: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/11/top-10-bad-messages-from-good-movies/

 

How Many is Too Many?

So I found this list of movies online.  Apparently, out of the following 240 movies, if you've watched 85 or more...it's questionable if you "have a life".  Hmmm...maybe you just like to watch movies.  Or maybe you lived in China where there was no English t.v.  Or maybe you are a child of the 80s.  While filling out the list, I could discern no apparent rhyme or reason...it's a very random list.  I will admit, when I checked off my list there were one or two movies I regretted having seen (watched when I was in high school, before I was a Christian.)  Finally, it's easy to see that I really don't like scary movies.  Nope, not even one bit.  Do I have a life?  I guess you can decide.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
() Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
() Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
() Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 7

(x) The Princess Bride
() AnchorMan
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
() Saw
() Saw II
() Saw III
() White Noise
() White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x)50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 14

() Scream
() Scream 2
() Scream 3
() Scary Movie
() Scary Movie 2
() Scary Movie 3
() Scary Movie 4
() American Pie
() American Pie 2
() American Wedding
() American Pie Band Camp
Total so far:14

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
() Harry Potter 4
() Resident Evil 1
() Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
(x) Little Black Book
(x) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 21

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
() Signs
(x) The Grinch
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre
() Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
() White Chicks
() Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
(x) Robots
Total so far: 27

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snickt: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
() KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
() KING KONG
Total so far: 35

(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
() Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
(x) Surviving X-MAS
() Flubber
Total so far: 39

() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From Hell
() Hellboy
() Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 43

(x) The Day After Tomorrow
() Child's Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
(x) 10 Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
(x) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 50

() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
() Predator I
() Predator II
() The Fog
(x) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
Total so far: 56

(x) Independence Day
() Cujo
(x) A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
() Christine
(x) ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 63

() Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She's All That
(x) Calendar Girls
() Sideways
() Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 72

(x) X-Men
(x) X2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
() Reign of Fire
(x) The Skulls
() Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 83

() Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
(x) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
() Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old-virgin
Total so far: 88

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 94

() Baseketball
() Hostel
() Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
() Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
() Three
Total so Far: 96

() The Jacket
() Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
() Willard
Total so far: 99

() High Tension
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
() 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
(x)Waterworld
Total so far: 102

() Kill Bill vol 1
() Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
() the Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
(x) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 104

( x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
( x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
( x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 110

(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
() Silence of the Lambs
() Hannibal

Final Total: 113

Pixar's Chemistry

Here is an interesting article about Pixar on what makes them a great company from 37signals.

The key?  An innovative community. 

They encourage creativity, learning, relationship, and excellence. 

Sounds like everything a church should be.

Read the full article here.

Indy in Church

Trendy or inappropriate?  You decide.

As part of their "At the Movies "summer series (which they do every summer), LifeChurch.tv Tulsa's campus went all out to turn their church lobby into an Indiana Jones movie set.

• How do you feel about a smoking skull in your foyer?
• Would this be enough to draw your reluctant neighbor into coming to church?
• How does this add to or distract from "entering into worship" or does uber-evangelism allow for over the top promotion?

See pictures here.  See a video here.

I can't decide what I think. 

Here are a couple of observations:

• The most "non-Christian community" hits I get on my blog come from my post on movies (Kung Fu Panda tops the list recently.)
• I love, repeat love, pointing out God in our culture.  I firmly believe He is the Author of All Truth, wherever it is found.
• I can't get past the smoking skull.  That pushes me over the top in terms of worship preparation.
• I love the buzz that is created.  I think there is something Jesus like in that...people buzzed about what Jesus said and did. 

What do you think?  Is full blown Indy too much for church or just what the summer needs?

Source: ChurchRelevance.com

Kung Fu Panda

Watched Kung Fu Panda yesterday with my nephew.  Good times.  Not quite as Chinese as I had expected, but I appreciated the message.  It was cute.

Just Saw Narnia

I really liked it.  Even better than Indy. 

But what got me most excited was the preview I saw for Mummy 3.

I really enjoyed the first two mummy pictures and looks like I will like this one even better because it's set in China!  I can't wait.  I think that the Mummy got closer to the Indiana Jones style than did National Treasure.  Counting the days until China fever begins in August.

Counting the Days

Combining two of my interests:  Legos and Indy.

It's Been A Movie Weekend

Since I'm on spring break from seminary and in the after-Easter recoup mode, I spent the weekend watching movies.  Here's what I've seen so far (the night is still young):

The Martian Child (PG-13): A wonderful story about the adoption of an alienated young boy who finds patient understanding from a widower played by John Cusak.  Definitely a must see and bring the Kleenex.

Elizabeth: the Golden Age (PG-13): the second half of the story of Queen Elizabeth's reign.  Focused on the intrigue surrounding Mary Steward's attempt for the throne and the fight with the Spanish Armada.  Great costumes and camera work, even if the story is a bit over done.  Not as sensual and dark as the first Elizabeth.  Very interesting history from a religious stand point, especially since I just studied this period in my Medieval Church History class.  Cate Blanchet is a great actress.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG):  I've seen this one so many times that we watched it with the actors commentary turned on.  I love learning about the behind the scenes stuff.  This movie is a delight. If you haven't seen it, run out right now, get it, and watch it.

Catch Me If You Can (PG-13): We turned this on because it was on tv and we hate commercials.  It's a fascinating story; very cleverly done.  I love Tom Hanks accent throughout the movie. 

Annapolis (PG-13):  I couldn't remember why I didn't like this movie, so turned it on to remind myself.  There's nothing inherently wrong with it, it's just a bit slow and lacking in plot.  But it's sort of a feel good movie with a team theme.  Not my favorite.  Don't watch this unless you have no other real choice.

Men of Honor (R):  Since we watched a bad Navy movie, we had to have a good Navy movie, hence, Men of Honor.  This movie is great, but beware the language.  The phrase "cuss like a sailor" is apparent throughout.  The amount of prejudice portrayed is also disturbing, but likely factual.  I love happy, feel good endings and Cuba Gooding Jr and Robert De Niro play off one another in a great way.

White Squall (PG-13):  I've been thinking about this movie lately because I've been thinking about team.  This is a great team movie.  It's on my Top Ten Teacher movies (see here and here)

Okay, lest you think that I just sit in front of the tv for hours on end, know that I'm a huge multi-tasker.  When most of these movies were playing I was also doing one or more of the following: napping, reading, writing blogs and email, cleaning, reading the paper, chating with my house mates. 

Weekends like this don't happen very often, but I sure enjoy them when they do.

5% Credit for Me

So did you hear that Netflix screwed up on Monday?  Read about it in this article here.  Their computer crashed and they couldn't send out peoples DVDs.  Here was their response:

As you may have heard, our shipping system was unexpectedly down for most of Monday. We should have shipped your DVDs but were unable to. Your DVDs were shipped today, Tuesday, March 25th, instead.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. We will issue a 5% credit to your account in the next few days. You don't need to do anything. The credit will be automatically applied to your next billing statement.

(BTW, I have a $14 per month account, so 5% means I was saved .70 cents due to this inconvenience.)

Since we've been talking about customer service this week, how should a church respond when they mess up?

One example I can think of happened at our 11 am Easter service.  We were so packed out we literally had people sitting on the floor at the front of the sanctuary.  We ended up giving anyone who sat on the floor gift cards to Cold Stone or Starbucks. 

Do you think this is a good idea or not?