Like many, I also hate spoilers, and I cannot wait to post something about this movie. In the meantime, I encourage you to go see it. Eastwood is great, the supporting cast is terrific, and there’s a lot of wisdom contained in these 2 hours. I loved this movie because it was genuine, honest, represented the characters well, and celebrated themes and values I cherish. For those it matters to, it’s rated R for violence, offensive language (not just profanity), and Eastwood gets naked in it.
I’ve been following the Youthbytes conversation first posted on pomomusings and now on the YS blog here and wanted to avoid a long comment so I’m creating my own post. Having only seen this clip, this post is not to trying to be critical of the organization or of Chad Daniel. In fact, I appreciate people from the organization like the executive producer, Berin, who gave an apology for anyone who may have been offended and made the point that 39 out of their 40 videos might be better.
I’m pretty pragmatic on certain things, if you make video that I will draw my audience closer to Christ, then I’ll probably buy/show it even if Hugh Heffner made it. (What else can a Christian believe in a world when every Zondervan Bible makes Rubert Murdoch richer, right?).
My comment was getting pretty long so I just decided to make my own post. For those who skim, point 3 is the thesis, and points 4 and 6 are my stronger points.
1. Seriously, as a youth pastor, I am thankful for organizations like Youthbytes. For a variety of reasons, I am also thankful for men like Chad. We have our different gifts, personalities, etc. our ministries will reach different people, yada yada. You know where I am going with this diversity in the Body sermon right?
2. I am thankful for the exercise of this conversation. In no way, am I trying to criticize a person/people/ministry etc. But it is important that we rethink ideas, strategies, methodologies and it’s ok if we do it as a community.
3. That said, my personal contention is that the spiritual warfare/culture war/Onward Christian Soldier/etc. is overdone. This is probably my biggest problem I have in this conversation. We tend to talk about war, violence and beating the devil type of thing a little too much.
4. Though I admit that I am rather desensitized to violence (probably from watching Tom & Jerry as a kid), I’ve had to reexamine this aspect of my life. I remember saying to someone, “Yeah it’s a Rated R movie. There’s a sex scene and profanity…” My friend replied, “Was there any violence? Violence really bothers me.”. I admit, I was caught a little off guard and am a bit ashamed to admit that. I can watch a head being decapitated but I cringe (a little) when I hear the F-bomb? That’s not right.
5. Our context doesn’t help either. Globally we are seen as the most violent of the civilized. While there are many pacifists, many Christians are seen as war-hungry.
6. Now I know this video is not demonstrating a context of blood or war but that enters our mind because of the gun. But for me, it’s a stretch to see the spiritual analogy. I really see it as a video to build credibility with impressionable teen-agers. Cool gun, blowing stuff up, I’ll listen for a few moments. If you don’t believe me, ask yourself why a bow and arrow wasn’t used. Indeed there is a violent imagery in Scripture. Paul uses these analogies as well. Jesus even says that he comes with a sword (Matthew 10). But again, it seems a little overdone. There’s also a lot of sex in Scripture. My sarcastic suggestion is to shoot a video with the bikini-clad Hooters girls encouraging their audience to make a pledge to read the Bible everyday this year. There would be a lot of pledge cards and that video would sell.
7. From the little I know of Youthbytes, they are trying to sell Biblically grounded videos that teens will enjoy watching. And they can probably make more money selling other things and they want to fulfill the calling God has placed on their lives. I don’t think the creation, purchase, and showing of this video is going to ruin our students but here is something else for your consideration. But still, It’s worth remembering that Jesus didn’t use a weapon to kill the devil when he was being tempted. Why do I mention that? I literally think that if the literal devil literally appeared to us that we would literally physically try to attack him. Literally. And we may think that because we have a lot of violence in our world and a lot in our churches. I think a more powerful video would be how to fight evil without being violent like the turning the other cheek idea, or the entering of Jerusalem on a donkey or commanding Peter to put away his sword. These videos may not be as appealing or as easy to make but man, they would be great for the Kingdom.
For the sake of fairness, I’ll check out Youthbytes videos. Their reputation is on the line in the minds of a few here. I wish them the best. For what it’s worth, violence is overplayed in our youth ministries and while the idea is not to never use a violent metaphor but in using also the many other metaphors contained in Scriptures.
I may skip today’s Monday Morning Brief, I had more fun creating predictions. Tried not to get too carried away but I couldn’t help myself.
Better Church Attendance - As fear of recession grows and Americans have less disposable income, church attendance, participation, giving (among other things) will rise. Partially will be because many will have fewer distractions that they can afford and partially also because many will need the church community and their belief in God to move forward.
McCain will produce, write and star in a documentary called, “Inopportune Actuality: I told you so about nuclear Iran” and will achieve a Gore-like status. He will back on The Daily Show where we will hear Jon kidding with John about what happened in 2008. (Stewart has already joked about how much cooler McCain is after the election. Just like that? Wow.)
U2 will release another incredible album. It won’t earn the same number of Grammy’s as HTDAB because it’s being released too early in the year. It’s ok – it will still be great.
Jessica Simpson will attempt her own Brittany-style comeback but won’t succeed.
Lost will be spectacular.
24 won’t.
Movie theaters will actually lower ticket prices to gain back their departing audience. I will have only seen blockbusters like Wolverine, Transformers 2 and whatever 2009’s version of There Will Be Blood and other fantastic character performances.
It won’t matter because everyone will be at home listening to U2.
Shane Claiborne will give away more, inspire more, and … cut his hair and donate it to “Locks of Love”.
Joel Osteen will make more, “inspire” more and … dye his hair blonde, grow it out and release a Best Life Now calendar, Strength of Samson edition. In a desperate attempt to stay on television, this will force Dr. Phil to get a toupee.
Max Lucado will release 3 new books by the time you finish reading this.
Tim LaHaye will begin a writing project focused on a creation called Right Before. It will be a seven book collection, one for each day and the seventh will be called Rest and the pages will literally be blank.
The Titans will beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. But take heart, the half-time show with Springsteen will be memorable.
Hockey will gain 3 more fans this year. I just found out that Eric Lindross is no longer a Flyer. Well, as long as Gretzky and Lemieux are still playing … Seriously, until this sport gets back on television, they will gain so few fans a year and non-hockey, but general sports fans will continue to have a limited knowledge of this sport. Everyone, including myself, says that hockey is great live but does not translate on television. While that is true of the game play, the storylines must be carried on television too. And it can’t all be that Sidney Cosby kid (I know, I know). Credit ESPN for always trying to help this dying sport but they need to get back on real television (by real, I don’t mean the “Versus” channel, KJ). I actually used to watch hockey before they cancelled the season. It was on ESPN then.
The Yankees will win the World Series. We’ve been saying that we needed pitching …
One of our seminary assignments for Hebrew Poetry and Contemporary Ministry was to write a psalm. I chose to write one of lament. I meant to post this earlier and must have forgotten. Found it in my draft folder.
(For those that do not know me, this lament is not autobiographical. Mine would be boring.)
A Male, Middle-aged, Modernist’s Lament
My ex-wife mocks me before her support group as they sit close on my Italian leather,
While they laugh at me as they sip their wine.
My children call me by my first name
While my mother curses my birth,
My church has edited me off its membership list
While my pastor does not even know my name.
My heart lives in fear of being laid off.
While my soul is already in recession.
My head is balding, my waist increasing, my savings depleted, my home lost
While my pride is destroyed.
My soul aches for belonging
While I only find new ways to be abandoned.
My world has lost its way!
I have lost my way!
There is no truth, no justice, no compassion, no peace and no love.
It would have been better to have been aborted than to have entered this reality.
But praise the Lord for His faithfulness
For He remembers the broken-hearted.
Mocked by society but encouraged by God.
Disrespected by my own blood, but delivered by the Redeemer.
Forgotten by pastors and parents, but my name is tattooed on the arm of my Lord.
Laid off by employers, but promoted by the Almighty.
Embarrassed by my body but God has healed my soul.
Praise the God of second chances.
Praise the Father for not neglecting His children.
Praise the One who never edits, deletes, or forgets His worshippers.
Praise the Provider for in the midst of depression, He gives confidence.
Praise the Lord for hearing my cries and for His comfort.
But praise the Lord for His faithfulness
For He remembers the aching soul.
I don’t blog enough about music but I do love it. Well, that’s kind of a dumb statement because pretty much everyone loves music. But I do love my music, I love new music, I love hating bad music (although I’m not that big of snob. I don’t like boy bands because they suck, not because they’re popular. Radiohead is popular but they’re amazing, therefore I like them. See?).
Years ago, a church family gave me an ipod for Christmas. Not only did that move them up on my prayer list, but it really helped my music listening experience. Prior to that, I had various CD cases that I would drag around with me. The Ipod of course changed that.
Oddly enough, I still buy most of my music on CD. I bought the new Coldplay Viva La Vida album on cd, imported on itunes, threw it on the ipod, and flipped through the liner notes, etc. I like imagining certain bands sitting together discussing what the artwork should look like and why. What should be contained inside the liner notes and on days when I have too much time, I compare things like the people they thanked in this album versus the last. I find it interesting. In addition, I look at a couple websites, read magazines (I subscribe to Rolling Stone and Paste). Speaking of Coldplay and Rollling Stone, I liked Chris Martin’s interview, “The Jesus of the Uncool” in Rolling Stone. And as the cd collects dust on my shelf, I enjoy listening and discussing certain albums with others.
Radiohead was interesting because they first made In Rainbows available by download for any donation on their website. I gave $5 because I’m a big spender. (I’m serious, if you check out the sites, I think that was the highest donation they took in but it was what I was willing to spend and I loved the idea.) Then, when the CD was released months later, I bought it too. I like looking at my CD’s, DVD’s, and books on my shelves (and I wonder how long it will take me to get Kindle or the Sony Reader. If I traveled weekly, I’d probably consider it). I like the tangibility of certain things. You can check out a brief Paste article regarding Radiohead’s downloads and sales numbers with In Rainbows here.
Anyway, I am interested what will happen in the music industry. I read this interesting article in the NY Times, “Songs From the Heart of a Marketing Plan“. Though it’s more about how new artists need to attach their music to products and commercials (like Yael Naim’s “New Soul” promoting the MacBook Air), it speaks to the changes in the music industry.
For those interested in great music and love independent music, here’s someone you should know – Andy Zipf. He’s a real artist, he’s refused to sell out, and he actually loves to travel and play shows for people. In some ways, he’s already doing the future of music thing. For instance, his music is only available by digital download. He will be playing our first youth group of 2009 with a concert and conversation. (Let me know if you’re interested, I’d be happy to get you directions). Check out his music here.
Perhaps I am among the minority who loved 2008. At times I feel like the happiest guy in the room but I’m not sure if that’s because I don’t complain as much as some others, or if I am such a pessimist that I’m just happy to be alive and that any good thing is a great thing to me or that I am hardwired as a joyful person (yep, a joyful pessimist. My mom tells me that I used to wake up singing in the crib. Those infant bible stories of Paul and Silas singing in the jail cell must have really spoken to me).
I extend my sympathies to those who had a difficult 2008, however, I will always look back with fond memories of 2008. It sounds dramatic but it was an incredible cross point in my life. For me and my family, many prayers were answered. We saw the Lord work in beautiful ways. From our adoption to saying goodbye to our dear grandmother to the coming of our new senior pastor to many other moments.
(Though I do not believe that you can categorize your life, these types of lists tend to work better if you do). Highlights and Memorably Moments for us a Family – Susan and I adopting Nathan. We adopted from FL and after he was released from the hospital to our custody, Susan and him spent a couple days at her parents while I flew back to NJ and spent the next week at Babies R’ Us and various baby outlets and sections. They made it back right before Mother’s Day and I was scheduled to preach that Sunday. Happy to say all went well and it was a beautiful day as so many of my family and extended family were there. My grandmother was just released from the hospital and we celebrated at her house. I could go on and on but again, it was a beautiful day. Then there was first Father’s Day, first portraits, Adoption Day!, First day he slept through the night, First Christmas …
For years and years I, along with my family members, agonized over the day that our grandmother, “Teta”, would no longer be with us. After her health declined to such a terrible extent and being in the hospital more days than not, she went home to be with her Savior on June 6th. While I take heart in the fact that she no longer suffers, we all miss her. I’m grateful for our memories, the impact that she had on our lives, her compassionate love she gave us and for the work of God in her life. Though it was a great honor for me to share a eulogy at her service, I felt privileged to be on of our grandchildren.
Highlights of the Youth Ministry Year –
- Our Winter Retreat was a hit. The theme was “Are We There Yet?” and it was a discussion on the movie “Saved!”. Dealing with the topics of hypocrisy and love, we had some solid conversation on pet peeves within the church, the challenges we face as a community and as individuals and other worthy topics. We also had a great time with each other. While there were glitches and criticisms, it was probably the best retreat that I’ve been part of.
- “Senior Sneak” and the Graduating Class of ’08. Hmmm, the class of ’08. Some were thorn in my fleshand some were God-given allies for a youth pastor. In the end, they were all my friends. There’s been an on-going tradition to take the graduating seniors on a secret trip. We took them to see Seinfeld in Connecticut and drove back down and stayed at a church member’s house at the Jersey shore. The next day, we spent some time at the beach, reflecting on life, God, us and the future. We drove to Philly and an enjoyed a great meal at a nice restaurant and had many laughs and memories. They were a big class, a very involved one and they are missed.
- Going with Evan to New Orleans – I’ve blogged about our time and New Orleans here, here and here. Some of our students have been really altered by this trip and it has sustained my belief in the virtues of short-term mission trips.
“Personal Enrichment” Highlights of the Year – The Q Conference, Emergent Mid-Atlantic withPeteRollins, Reclaiming Paul Conf., John Franke’s Installation at Biblical with (McLaren, McKnight, Yoder and Keel), Seeing Tom Wright with the fellows, NYWC in Pittsburgh with Tim and seminary friends … and all the books and podcasts, all the conversations, the blogs, the music, the movies, and whatever else! A lot of incredible knowledge passed through my brain this year.
Other great moments include – enjoyed making some new friends this year, deepening friendships with others, and thanks to Facebook, reconnecting with old-school friends. Loving my church, Fusion Student Ministry, and Biblical Seminary experience (Cohort 10 – best ever!).
Two big answers to prayer have been the hiring of new senior pastor, Sam and our new Jr. High Pastor, Tim. The search for a new senior pastor was tricky because one of the reasons I came to this church was because of our previous one. He was a good man, great pastor, and I enjoyed working for him for the duration that I did. It was sad to him go but I was encouraged by the new search committee that had been put together. They were so sharp and had a great deal of collective wisdom, I was thrilled to see the Lord working through them. Within a year they found Sam and his wonderful family. So far so good but I anticipate myself saying that for a long while.
Then there was Tim who started the same time as our new sr. pastor. As many youth pastors, he had a rough first church experience which the pragmatist in me loves because it led him here. I kid, I kid, it was a tough experience for him, but our students and church are reaping the benefits of the lessons he learned and the person he is. Aside from needing help in the children’s ministry department, our church is running out of staff-related excuses to run this place. I’m grateful to be serving in a church like this.
Historically, we witnessed a black president being voted in, the Giants beating the undefeated Patriots in an incredible Super Bowl, the Dark Knight, the Phillies finally winning and other incredible things.
A lot more to say, but 2008 was a good year - Happy New Year friends.
Hey there, welcome and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Really, I appreciate it. - Tim Ghali
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