Over the next couple of weeks there will be a lot going on here (pending Blogger not crashing anytime soon…).
Tomorrow will be the next Christian Fiction Blog Alliance tour.
Next week there will be the latest installment of the Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog Tour.
I am planning on starting a little series out of Francis Schaeffer’s Art and the Bible.
And…by the time all that is done, the CFBA should be due again!
Stay tuned!
I have always been a big fan of football, so I have naturally become caught up in the fantasy football movement. My latest team, the Wild Wookiees (don’t laugh – if you read my profile you would know I watched Star Wars WAAAYYY too much) opened their season this weekend.
Oh, I guess the NFL did too.
Anyway, W2 managed to open the season with a win. I made the championship game my first year playing, but I lost due to stupidity (pulled Steve McNair and he had his best. Game. Ever.). I haven’t been back to the finals since. Maybe this is the year.
In the immortal words of Han Solo, “It’s not wise to upset a Wookiee.”
I have always been a big fan of football, so I have naturally become caught up in the fantasy football movement. My latest team, the Wild Wookiees (don’t laugh – if you read my profile you would know I watched Star Wars WAAAYYY too much) opened their season this weekend.
Oh, I guess the NFL did too.
Anyway, W2 managed to open the season with a win. I made the championship game my first year playing, but I lost due to stupidity (pulled Steve McNair and he had his best. Game. Ever.). I haven’t been back to the finals since. Maybe this is the year.
In the immortal words of Han Solo, “It’s not wise to upset a Wookiee.”
Check out this link to Breakpoint for more information on the consequences of 9/11.
Check out this link to Breakpoint for more information on the consequences of 9/11.
Today is a day that shocked so much of the world. 9/11 has become a date that is marked by two different cultures: by the West it is marked as a day of sorrow and resolve, and in the Islamic world it is often viewed as the day that the arrogance of the West was knocked down by their brethren.
I pray today that those who have lost loved ones on that fateful day, and those lost since that day in the war on terror and the Iraq war, would find peace. I pray for safety and success for those out there on the front lines.
If we learned anything from 9/11, it is that life is fleeting. We make plans to go to work, to fly, and find that everything can change in an instant.
If there is anything that I can offer, it is this: we never know in this world when our time is. So many go through life thinking that if they live a good life, then that is what matters for this life or for getting to the afterlife.
I would say that this is a noble idea, but one that is false. I say this because there is a just God in heaven who has revealed Himself through the Bible. He is our creator. He created us to be in relationship with Him. However, we have sinned, and in order for God to remain just and true to Himself, we all are under His wrath, deserving of the punishment.
People may argue against this, but we all know in our own hearts that we have done wrong at times in our life. We all know that we don’t live up to our own standards.
If wrongs are committed, there must be a price paid. So many think that God is not just, because evil people seem to thrive in this world. However, there is a judgment that everyone will go through. These wrongs will demand a price. There is nothing in our own strength that can pay this price.
God is not unjust though, because He provided His Son, Jesus Christ, who came and paid the full price for us on the cross. We can’t earn His favor, but Romans tells us we are proclaimed righteous by God “through faith in Jesus Christ” (3:22). It is a legal declaration. We are guilty, but at judgment we can be proclaimed innocent if we just believe. That is the simplicity. There is nothing else.
This world is uncertain. Today could be my day to go, it could be yours. That is why it is important to examine this idea I’ve talked about today, and choose this day where you will stand. Will you stand guilty by your own actions, or will you stand on the redemption provided by Jesus?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to answer you.
Today is a day that shocked so much of the world. 9/11 has become a date that is marked by two different cultures: by the West it is marked as a day of sorrow and resolve, and in the Islamic world it is often viewed as the day that the arrogance of the West was knocked down by their brethren.
I pray today that those who have lost loved ones on that fateful day, and those lost since that day in the war on terror and the Iraq war, would find peace. I pray for safety and success for those out there on the front lines.
If we learned anything from 9/11, it is that life is fleeting. We make plans to go to work, to fly, and find that everything can change in an instant.
If there is anything that I can offer, it is this: we never know in this world when our time is. So many go through life thinking that if they live a good life, then that is what matters for this life or for getting to the afterlife.
I would say that this is a noble idea, but one that is false. I say this because there is a just God in heaven who has revealed Himself through the Bible. He is our creator. He created us to be in relationship with Him. However, we have sinned, and in order for God to remain just and true to Himself, we all are under His wrath, deserving of the punishment.
People may argue against this, but we all know in our own hearts that we have done wrong at times in our life. We all know that we don’t live up to our own standards.
If wrongs are committed, there must be a price paid. So many think that God is not just, because evil people seem to thrive in this world. However, there is a judgment that everyone will go through. These wrongs will demand a price. There is nothing in our own strength that can pay this price.
God is not unjust though, because He provided His Son, Jesus Christ, who came and paid the full price for us on the cross. We can’t earn His favor, but Romans tells us we are proclaimed righteous by God “through faith in Jesus Christ” (3:22). It is a legal declaration. We are guilty, but at judgment we can be proclaimed innocent if we just believe. That is the simplicity. There is nothing else.
This world is uncertain. Today could be my day to go, it could be yours. That is why it is important to examine this idea I’ve talked about today, and choose this day where you will stand. Will you stand guilty by your own actions, or will you stand on the redemption provided by Jesus?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to answer you.
There has been an interesting discussion on-line regarding sex vs. violence, especially as it pertains to Christian fiction. The first place I saw bring it up was this post, linked by Terry Whalin. Dave Long at f*i*f has picked it up – be sure to read the comments for further discussion. Then John C. Wright enters in, although not directly discussing it regarding the CBA.
As far as my thoughts: I agree that it seems to be a weird dichotomy to promote more violence over sex. If the typical CBA reader is middle America, white, Republican (perhaps a member of the NRA), then it fits the stereotype of war-mongering prudes who want to make sure Janet Jackson stays covered up while bombing foreign countries back to Stone Age status.
However, I like what Wright says about the violence vs. sex aspect of things. Boys grow up dreaming to be heroes, fighting the bad guys and winning. Sex is best a private matter, between one man and one woman. It is easier to portray violence in a way that serves a positive end: the bad guy reaps what he sows and gets it in the end. With sex, it becomes an intrusion into that special bonding. It also can become titillating and tempting to those not strong enough to stand up to such mental description.
Our culture has the sex part backwards, with greater voyeurism and explicit sexuality flaunted from every venue. It is a precious gift that deserves to be respected, even in the novel.
Our culture is also fixated on violence. One needs only to look at the Matrix, Kill Bill, and a majority of video games to see what we are feeding ourselves as entertainment. As Christians, how do we respond? Will we continue to “push the envelope” in Christian fiction, with bad guys who decapitate their victims in their own kitchen? Will we find ways to be creative in showing the battle of good vs. evil that glorifies the Lord and is relevant to our culture? I don’t necessarily have the answer, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask the question.
There has been an interesting discussion on-line regarding sex vs. violence, especially as it pertains to Christian fiction. The first place I saw bring it up was this post, linked by Terry Whalin. Dave Long at f*i*f has picked it up – be sure to read the comments for further discussion. Then John C. Wright enters in, although not directly discussing it regarding the CBA.
As far as my thoughts: I agree that it seems to be a weird dichotomy to promote more violence over sex. If the typical CBA reader is middle America, white, Republican (perhaps a member of the NRA), then it fits the stereotype of war-mongering prudes who want to make sure Janet Jackson stays covered up while bombing foreign countries back to Stone Age status.
However, I like what Wright says about the violence vs. sex aspect of things. Boys grow up dreaming to be heroes, fighting the bad guys and winning. Sex is best a private matter, between one man and one woman. It is easier to portray violence in a way that serves a positive end: the bad guy reaps what he sows and gets it in the end. With sex, it becomes an intrusion into that special bonding. It also can become titillating and tempting to those not strong enough to stand up to such mental description.
Our culture has the sex part backwards, with greater voyeurism and explicit sexuality flaunted from every venue. It is a precious gift that deserves to be respected, even in the novel.
Our culture is also fixated on violence. One needs only to look at the Matrix, Kill Bill, and a majority of video games to see what we are feeding ourselves as entertainment. As Christians, how do we respond? Will we continue to “push the envelope” in Christian fiction, with bad guys who decapitate their victims in their own kitchen? Will we find ways to be creative in showing the battle of good vs. evil that glorifies the Lord and is relevant to our culture? I don’t necessarily have the answer, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask the question.
I’ve got three boys, ages six, four, and two.
The two older ones know half of the songs from High School Musical in just 2 viewings.
What is it about this show that makes it so appealing?
It is a fairly formulaic movie, especially since it comes from Disney. The two young, attractive leads fight adversity that keeps them apart and conspires from them auditioning for the title musical. 
Troy Bolton is the head of the basketball team, trying to lead them to victory at state and make his coach dad proud.
Gabriella is the new girl in school, a brilliant student who is quickly recruited for the academic team.
After the two of them sing a duet accidentally at a New Years’ party, they find that 1. they can sing, and 2. they are attracted to each other.
If you go to watch this movie, try to avoid giving up at this point – because this is the hoakiest moment of the whole film, and pretty painful to watch. 
I’m not going to give the whole film in synopsis – just wanted to point out this pitfall.
So what is High School Musical’s appeal? I don’t know why a 4 and 6 year old are enthralled with it. The songs are catchy, but not super. The plot, as mentioned, is cliche. The actors do a fine job, but we aren’t talking DeNiro and Streep characterization.
And no, it isn’t due to the amazing costumes…
Whatever the appeal to the younger set, there are several things here that I can appreciate. The characters are overall nice to each other. They may make fun of certain things people do, but no one is belittled with snark, as is the custom in our culture anymore. Even the “bad guys” aren’t nasty with put downs. They think they’re the best and look down on Troy and Gabriella, true, but they could be so much worse.
The girls aren’t dressed skanky. The outfits look attractive on the ladies, but we aren’t innundated with flesh. This movie targets 9-14 year olds, so this is a VERY welcome development.
The morale of the story it to accept differences and get beyond the boundaries of cliques. The message comes across well without preaching or being overt.
What does this have to do with a writing blog? (It could technically fall under the “goofy” I suppose). It is possible to craft a pleasing, thoughtful story that is popular without resorting to nastiness, blatant sexuality, or violence. Oh, and it has a catchy soundtrack.
High School Musical won’t be mistaken for a literary masterpiece. But it is a fun movie that whole families can enjoy. Hopefully more entertainment can be like this. If there was only a way to have a soundtrack for a novel, then THAT would be something!
(Aside – it wasn’t like the high school musical I was in. We couldn’t dance like this. I was the yokel who learned to sing by belting out Petra in my car, while I was paired with an All Northwest alto singer for a duet. GULP. We pulled it off though.)
