Last week at the small group that Rachel and I have been going to on Tuesday nights, the icebreaker question that was asked was: "What movie scene leaves you feeling either inspired or satisfied?"
As all the movies that I have seen in my lifetime began to flash through my head, there were just a handful that stood out to me. Later in the week, while at work, I began thinking about this question again and my top 3 movie scenes that have left me inspired and/or satisfied. Here is my list.
#1- Without a doubt is the scene in "Remember the Titans" when the team is at camp and Julius and Gary (the two leaders of the team) have a discussion at the drinking fountain about what it means to be a leader and captain. After the short conversation the film then goes to an evening practice where the team is just getting pummeled by Denzel. One of the offensive tackles (white guy) misses a block and the QB gets drilled. Gary notices the purposeful miss and calls out his teammate. This then flips to the team coming together and rallying around the two leaders.
#2- The closing scene of "American Tale" when Fiefel and his father are calling for eachother. They see eachother threw a waterfall of some sort and Fiefel yells out 'PAPA!' and jumps threw the water into his fathers arms.
#3- The scene in "Glory" where Denzel Washington gets punished for running away to get adequate shoes for him and his fellow soldiers. The punishment is whipping and his officer, who he respects and admires, looks on without doing anything. Denzel, putting on a tough persona lets a single tear drip down his face as the whipping takes place. This is a powerful, powerful scene that isn't very pleasant to watch but is very inspiring.
There are probably many more scenes that have left me feeling inspired but these are 3 that definitely stood out in my mind.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
What is a neighbor?
When Rachel and I moved to Philadelphia in late August we were really praying for and seeking opportunities in being intentional about being a neighbor. The past couple weeks, I have been reading the gospel of Luke and have been struck by chapter 10. A lawyer asks Jesus in v. 29 the question, "who is my neighbor?" Jesus then goes into the parable about the Good Samaritan. After reading Luke 10 I have began to ask myself that question. Who is my neighbor? I have long felt that too often, especially coming from Moody, people view ministry as a vocational job, such as pastor, youth pastor, missionary, etc. These are all definitely ministry but my understanding of the reading of the gospels is that we are all to be doing ministry as we live, for it was the religious leaders who passed by the man and the Samaritan who stopped to help.
Not only are my neighbors those who live directly next to me or on my block, but they are the people I work with, the people I see on the trolley each morning, those who I brush shoulders with each day but don't necessarily have a relationship with. This is where I have been real challenged as of late. I have been challenged to be intentional in being a neighbor to these people and living the kingdom of God.
Through reading Luke I have also been reading a book by Henri Nouwen called "Compassion". Here is a quote that has struck me over the last day or two.
"More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privelege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.
But I wonder more and more if the first things should be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."
May the Lord bless you as you seek to be a good neighbor! The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.
Not only are my neighbors those who live directly next to me or on my block, but they are the people I work with, the people I see on the trolley each morning, those who I brush shoulders with each day but don't necessarily have a relationship with. This is where I have been real challenged as of late. I have been challenged to be intentional in being a neighbor to these people and living the kingdom of God.
Through reading Luke I have also been reading a book by Henri Nouwen called "Compassion". Here is a quote that has struck me over the last day or two.
"More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privelege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.
But I wonder more and more if the first things should be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."
May the Lord bless you as you seek to be a good neighbor! The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Federal Express
The BCS bowl games came out last night and I was ecstatic, but shocked, to see Kansas slotted to play Virginia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl. It has potential to be a good game but I am stunned that KU got the nod over Mizzou. Granted, Mizzou lost to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship game but they still finished 6th in the final BCS standings, while Kansas finished 8th. I can't explain it and I can't believe that I am actually saying this, but I think that USC is the best team in college football this year and would no doubt beat both Ohio State and LSU if they played.
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