A few days ago “Grace’s” posters were all over the blogoshere. I thought, wow, she really nailed some of those hard to explain bits of terminology that I love to use, but have a hard time defining (briefly, that is.) So, I join the ranks of the multitude and say, thank you, Grace, for a superb creative bit of explanation and inspiration!
Now here is the part that I didn’t know until I read Julie Clawson’s post. These beautiful posters were a response to some posters meant to ridicule we who are refugees from Church As We Know It and are doing a little “re-dreaming.”
I wonder why one who loves Jesus, but disagrees with some of his followers would be motivated to ridicule them without even knowing them? Where is Jesus in that?
Do we postmodern types do the same thing to those who are committed to the church culture… or, at least, think about it on occasion?
While everyone probably falls off the wagon at times and rants (I know I do,) why not try to take the high road, like Grace, and extol the beauty of the Gospel?
When you see something virtuous, you see something of God in it. Other times when you see something, even within the context of Christianity, while it may be clever, it is obvious there is a different spirit at work.
I have never thought of myself as artsy, but I am developing an appreciation for fine art. For instance, I am trying to develop my writing and communication skills (art) with you all being the poor laboratory subjects. Last Summer I was pretty overwhelmed by renaissance religious art. I am sorry to say that it was my first visit to an art museum. It won’t be my last.
What do the books we read reveal about us? Donald Miller takes me on a fun and insightful adventure. John Ghrisom takes me into the fascinating world of the legal system and spins a good yarn. Brian McLaren usually stirs me up and gets me thinking. Reggie McNeal has a way of hitting the nail on the head. Rob Bell nuances and says things in fresh ways. Hirsch and Frost dissect ecclesiology and “re-dream” it. Obviously, my reading reveals a love for the church and what it can become (with a side order of adventure and fascination with politics, law, and adventure.)
What about TV? I haven’t watched much lately, but I will confess to enjoying, The Colbert Report. I think the guy is sometimes over-the-top, but is also an insightful, comedic genius. Maybe this says that I am looking for something deeper than the party line and have cynical edge. Ummm…
What about movies? I read one author who claimed that our taste in movies could help define our passion and direction in life. Here’s my top ten, though I am probably overlooking some. (I’ll cheat by lumping franchises together.)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy- They are a great story, made into beautiful movies with a great message. There is that theme of handling what life throws at you, as well as the value of relationships.
Tom Clancy Adaptations (The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears)- This brings out my love for a good international relations, government, spy flick. Harrison Ford does the best mad and scared act of them all! Jack Ryan is kind of a reluctant, lone ranger hero.
Star Trek(2,3,4,6,7,8,10)- Probably due to my age and growing up with Star Trek. I am loyal to the franchise. They are an adventure that really take you where no one …
A Christmas Carol (with George C. Scott)- I love the story and its message in all forms. Scott is the meanest Scrooge of them all! The message: keeping a joyous and generous spirit and assuming a responsibility for the marginalized of our culture.
The Fugitive- Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones at their best with lots of Chicago sights! The underdog fights to avenge his wife’s death and prove his innocence.
Glory- A beautiful, haunting story about race relations
Good Will Hunting- Robin Williams is at his best in great story about personal pain and relationships.
A Time To Kill- A fabulous cast bring to life Grishom’s first book about black/white tensions and injustice in the South.
In Good Company- About getting older and squeezed out. No wonder I can identify.
Walk The Line- I love Johnny Cash. I think this one did him justice with some great acting.
I think that I found a reoccurring theme in most of these movies: the underdog fights back or someone is taking up the cause of the underdog. I think that says something (maybe a lot) about me. I hope…
What are your favorite movies? Why? What can you learn about you by the movies that you like? What movies would you recommend?
Yesterday we trecked up to a snow sculpting competition and festival in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. It is one of those overpriced tourist towns, extremely popular with the residents of Chicago and Milwaukee. During the Great Chicago fire, the city’s wealthy industrialists, like the Wriggly and Matag families built massive summer residences there.
It was -2 degrees with an incredible biting wind. We zipped through the sculptures, ducked into a building and then headed to a restaurant across the street for something warm to eat and drink. It was a little crazy, but still fun!
I am bit envious of those of you in the southern hemisphere about now!
I am an art idiot! For most of my life I could have cared less about art. I recognized beautiful things, but would never go to an art gallery. That began to change this summer. It all started with remodeling our guest room and and bathroom to make them ours. When we finally got around to tweaking out the new room, we decided to make it totally the way we wanted it. I had seen a piece of art that captured me at a place we were visiting and we both knew we wanted it. Then I got on line to shop for a corresponding piece.
This summer we also made a couple of trips to Kansas City and visited The Plaza and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The Plaza is one of my most favorite places on the planet with beautiful European architecture, horse-drawn carriages, statues, and fountains, street musicians, and scores of unique shops and restaurants.
The art museum blew me away their magnificent collection of Renaissance art. Most of it was religious art. The artists were inspired by Christ and his followers to paint and sculpt magnificent works that would inspire others for centuries.
We could use a dose of real art today in film, poetry and prose, music, painting, etc. God bless the artists. May they be unleashed and empowered for the sake of us all and for the glory of God.
The Plaza…
The two pieces we chose for our room… (romantic, huh?)
A few days ago “Grace’s” posters were all over the blogoshere. I thought, wow, she really nailed some of those hard to explain bits of terminology that I love to use, but have a hard time defining (briefly, that is.) So, I join the ranks of the multitude and say, thank you, Grace, for a superb creative bit of explanation and inspiration!
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Posted by Glenn
