Eight years ago Saturday, my wife was very pregnant with our 1st son Josh. She decided to go feed the ducks down in Oceano at the Pier St. pond. She had Josh the very next day and she has made tradition of feeding the ducks with Josh, Grandma, and later Jason the day before Josh's birthday.
This year Duck Day ended up being on a Saturday so I was able to go. There weren't very many ducks, but there sure were a lot of Seagulls (aka rats with wings). So we decided to feed them. They decided to...well bomb me with poo.
The above picture is the first attack. I then put my hood on, because there were seagulls everywhere in the air. The picture below is the second bombing. I was holding the Trader Joe's bag in front of my pants and I got this gift.
It was a great time, I was so glad to be able to go with the family. I have to laugh that these seagulls had such a field day pooing on me when all i was trying to do was feed them. It got me thinking about what I do to God. He provides everything I need, not want, but need and I poo on him by complaining or not being thankful.
Lord help me not to be a seagull!
For a much better take on the event check out my bride's blog.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Duck Day DooDoo
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
What MovesMen?
This is my sword. My beautiful bride Linda gave it to me for our 10th Anniversary. It's a constant reminder to war for God's Kingdom, my home and family, as well as Jesus' bride the church.
If you recognize the sword that is because it is an exact replica of Anduril, the sword wielded by Aragorn in the movie version of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. As a side note we did not tell each other what we were getting, but I bought Linda an exact replica of the pendant Arwen wore in the movies. She is my Evenstar.
Ok...to the reason of this post. When we have guests over to our house for the first time I usually show them the sword, especially if there are men in the group. I'm always amazed at the reaction of the men, or boys.
We could be having a fine conversation very civil, lots of fun and all that, throughout the whole time, but when I break out the sword a transformation comes over them. All of a sudden they are alive, animated and well...engaged. The women for the most part are interested, but the reaction of the males in the room is very evident, they are into the sword.
This always gets me thinking:
- What is it about a sword or gun (even airsoft!) or weapon that so touches the heart of a man?
- Why doesn't it touch the heart of a woman in the same way?
- Is that good or bad or just different?
- What is the spiritual connection?
Huh...go figure.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Walk the Line 2 Disc Special Extended Cut
Walk the Line is very much about Jesus. And what is amazing is I can’t recall his name mentioned once, but it is still about him. Specifically it is about how Jesus came after sinner extraordinaire Johnny Cash through June Carter and her family.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
Will Stanton is called into a fantastic adventure, but it’s hard… real hard. See, Will is the chosen one, a seventh son of a seventh son, who must seek out 6 signs that will turn away an evil being bent on destroying the earth. In doing so he can save the world.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
My 7-year-old son said, “This movie amazes me half to death.” So apparently there is something about it that interested him as well, thus the recommendation I have for it. Some of it haunts me and I don’t know why yet, even after watching it a few times.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Spiritual Insights...from the Super Bowl?
Hey everyone still reading this blog...Hollywood Jesus has asked us writers to do some Op-Ed pieces on spiritual insights on culture. It's called The Back Page and it's going to be very interesting. We'll see writer's takes on Super Tuesday, Super Bowl, and even about how people are getting more and more sick lately with things like the flu. Here's my piece on the Super Bowl:
When I used to make fun of “the church of the holy touchdown,” I was religious enough, trying to conform to some rules and regulations, going to an all-boys religiously-affiliated private school. But back then there was a time for “spirituality” and a time for, well, other things.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Should I Rent/Netflix it or Buy It?
I get so many screeners now I can't do a full review on all of them. These are some quick announcements that I started doing. Enjoy!
The only things that kept noodling at me to watch this movie were: a) there’s a brief hockey scene, and b) Kevin Bacon and Kelly Preston are in it and they usually have good judgments as far as movie roles. I should have passed.
The movie is basically a very long Hallmark commercial; you know the ones with the poignant stories and music that can get you crying in less than 30 seconds? The acting, directing, and music make for a great combination worth at least a rental.
I didn’t really get this movie. After watching it, I couldn’t sing, “I’ve got Sunshine… on a cloudy day.” If a movie doesn’t make me sing, that’s a bad sign. Maybe it will make you sing, though; let me know.
We get a fair amount of press releases and screeners here at HJ, so I’m writing this column to let you know what is Queue, Rent, or Buy worthy and when it’s going to release. This one is absolutely packed with special features on top of the shorts.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
We all have things that we have inherited from the generations before us. Ben has his personality traits and I have my defined calves. Some of the things we inherit can be gifts, some of them are burdens, a lot of them are a weird combination of both.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
What's on the Menu?
In my wife's blog she contemplates how far we've gone in our 14 years of marriage...using food as the analogy. Check it out:
What's on the Menu?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Feliz Navidad!
More reviews (technically one anticipatory preview),
May Jesus reign in our hearts this busy season!
At times in my life I’ve found myself in Troy’s shoes (not the singing and dancing part; I only do that at home). I constantly fight double-mindedness, making promises I can’t keep. I hate that about myself, and it doesn’t work and it hurts the ones I love.
Honestly, I still don’t get it. I popped the screener for The Simpsons Movie in the old DVD player and just felt like I wanted to get those precious minutes of my life back. Actually, there was one scene that stuck with me and won’t let go.
I want to be so sold out for Jesus that I wouldn’t care what people think of me. A faith so strong that people see it and are drawn to it. I don’t want to look crazy like a Benjamin Gates… but part of me does, because Jesus is that awesome!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Startdust and Schwartzenegger(sp?)
I wrote a review for Stardust which I saw a few weeks ago at the Drive-In. Apparently it was coming out in DVD today so the editor posted it today.
Most fairy tales have a great message, something that speaks to the heart and tells us about life. This fairy tale is no different; it speaks of growing up and putting away childish things: through a fairy tale, no less, which makes it even better!
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In other news have you heard of this bill that the Governator signed? It's not cool. Here's some info from my lovely wife. If you go to our Church she will have petitions to sign this Sunday Dec 16th so come by and sign it.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Latest Reviews
Not sure what's up with my logo...I think logomaker's server is down. Here are the last four reviews I've done:
I took two 2-week trips with my white classmates to Chile and Brazil then Japan and Thailand. They only had to feel that discomfort for 4 weeks, but they got a great taste of it! I believe all of us feel something very similar.
The list of heroes goes on, from veterans to the stay-at-home mom, or the young pastor that grew a church from a living room Bible Study. These are the people that don’t get enough credit or attention. Yet they go on, being “that guy,” as McClane calls it.
I love this story because of true love, because of God’s unfailing love for me. God knows I’ve doubted it and been unlovable, but no matter what his love never fails me. This story reminds me of that and that’s why it is one of my all time favorite movies.
I once heard that after a dog has puppies it will sometimes eat one or two of them. I know, gross, huh? But it makes me think of Christians. We often like to devour our own. This documentary, Rebellion of Thought, is not much different.
Friday, November 09, 2007
See the Fish, Be the Fish
As you can see I've revamped this blog. I'll be blogging about random things that God is doing (Moving) in my life. Hope you like...my movie reviews are posted on HollywoodJesus.com and the link is above.
My wife found a SWEET deal for a hotel room (by which I mean suite) that includes 2 tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium. She and my eldest son are calling the mini-vaca See the Fish, Be the Fish as the hotel we are going to has a sweet indoor pool.
I'm excited since we didn't get to do the big vaca thing this summer we really need to get away as a family. I have a special place in my heart for Monterey Bay and Pacific Grove as Linda and I spent a few days there during our honeymoon. I see this trip as a definite gift from my heavenly Father. Thank you Lord!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
DVD Reviews
Hello to anyone that is still reading this blog...I think I have one reader (My beautiful wife Linda).
Anywhoo I've been asked to be the main DVD reviewer for HollywoodJesus.com. So that means I get to view some DVDs before they release. Pretty cool huh? Here are a couple, one is older.
BTW HollywoodJesus will be creating blogs for each of it's writers that will automatically update on the main page...I think as soon as the end of April. So HJ.com might MoveMe...get it?
Thr3e - based on the book by Ted Dekker
Charlotte's Web - it's different from the one I did during the Theatrical Release
I have The Last Sin Eater in hand right now...not sure if I'll review it or if someone else from HJ will...I liked it but it didn't necessarily MoveMe.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Ultimate Gift (Commentary)
My Commentary on The Ultimate Gift was just posted today on Hollywood Jesus.com. Click here ---->X to check it out! Hope you agree...either way post a comment if you like.
You can also click on the picture above to get to it. The code in the banner can be used when you buy your tickets online (ie Fandango). If you punch in that code Family Care Network will receive $1 per ticket. Thanks.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Ultimate Gift (Preview)
I have a confession: I like Tom Cruise movies. Yes, he seems to play the same character in most of his movies. He is usually the jerk that learns a lesson, turns his life around, and treats those he loves way better.
I'm a sucker for those kinds of movies, which is exactly why I'm going to try to go see The Ultimate Gift. I say try because it has a limited release and my guess is it won't get to my neck of the woods in Central California.
But the trailers have very much interested me in the theme of a spoiled boy in a man's body who learns there is more to life than just living for himself. It looks like his grandfather posthumously initiates him into manhood with some hoops to jump through. These hoops teach him hard work and selfless giving.
In my limited experience, I realize that we as a culture here in the United States worship youth, which has spawned a generation of children in adult bodies. One author used the term suspended adolescence to describe a generation of people, especially men, who do not want to grow up... take responsibility, or have a sense of duty.
I look forward to watching The Ultimate Gift, if available within twenty miles of me. I hope it will be a masterpiece of Tom Cruisian proportions.
If you are as interested as I am go to the link in the pic above and enter the promo code at whatever online ticket agency they send you to (ie Fandango). Unfortunately that doesn't get you a discount but it will give $1 for every ticket you buy to The Family Care Network.
Also, look for my review of this movie (hopefully this weekend) at Hollywood Jesus.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Charlotte's Web
“There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” Mttw 12:36-37 (MSG)
I went to see
Although the movie does have some of those elements they weren’t the main thing I got out of it. What MovedMe most of all was how words can affect so many.
At the beginning of the movie we see an ordinary place with ordinary people all doing ordinary things. Not one thing about the place was extraordinary. By the end of the movie everything has changed, the people and place or no longer ordinary they are friendlier to each other and more considerate. If you live long enough on this earth you know that is not ordinary!
You know how it all happened? Words. First, the words “I will not let you kill him” said about the runt, that led to life. Then words were spoken to a shunned spider that led to friendship. That friendship spread to others starting with those in the barn then throughout the town that led to friendlier and more considerate…words. Oh let’s not forget the positive words woven into a web…about a pig.
It really is amazing what words can do. They are more powerful than we think. Scripture says our tongues (metaphor for our words) are like a flame that starts a fire that cannot be put out or like the rudder of a ship though small can steer a great vessel. The world was created by the words, “Let there be…” Jesus was also called the Word (John 1).
History shows that speeches, the spoken word, can change the world ever heard of “I have a dream” or “Ask not what your country can do for you…” or “Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall”? Speeches can motivate positively, like the ones above, or negatively, think Hitler or Stalin.
In my own life I’ve seen the power of words. Have you ever been around someone that constantly makes negative comments? I always end up feeling so defiled…I wonder what it does to that person. I know my words affect my wife and sons for sure. A negative word and I can see chins and shoulders droop, and the opposite if I give a positive word.
After watching this movie I’m reminded and challenged that some day there will be a reckoning for the words I’ve said. They are so powerful having the ability to give life or death.
I'm going to be like Charlotte and choose my words wisely.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
LOST Commentary
Here they are...I'll keep updating this post:
Episodes 1 & 2 - Posted 8/29/06
Episode 3 - Posted 8/30/06
Episode 7 - Posted 9/7/06
I'm into Season 2 now and will be posting those asap.
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