Jack Valenti and Movie Ratings

Jack Valenti died this week at the age of 85. It's difficult to imagine a time where the movies you watched weren't rated. Of course, in the early days of filmaking, all (or certainly most) could be viewed by anyone at any age. But in the 60's movies began to embrace complex and mature themes. So in 1968, Jack Valenti, working for the MPAA, introduced to us a national movie ratings system - G, PG, R, and X. It wasn't until Grelims and the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (remember the heart being pulled from the man's chest)in mid 1980's, that PG-13 was added. In the 1990's, the X rated pornographic movies, were designated as NC-17 for no one under 17 admitted. So the next time you look at a movie rating, remember Jack Valenti and his use of the alphabet. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Loving People, Loving Truth

In a culture that says you can believe anything and it's true, how can you voice God's truth? 1 John 4 is a remarkable chapter in the Bible for times like ours. The Apostle John tells us to "test the spirits and "know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (verses 1 and 6) So on the one hand we are to seek and love truth. But some people frown upon judging or critiquing other's beliefs. This is where the rest of chapter four helps. The Apostle John goes on to say that we are to "love one another." When we share truth it has to be done in a spirit of love. Too often we use truth as a hammer, smashing everything and everyone in sight. This is what Westboro Baptist Church does to the extreme. They have a website called, "God Hates Fags." They send out teams to protest at military funerals saying the servicemen died because our country accepts homosexuality. Today they're at the Funeral of Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Basham - at 9:15 a.m., at Proko Funeral Home, 511 60th Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin. This is not loving and won't change any one's belief system. On the other hand we handle the truth with love. The Apostle Paul would put it something like this (based on 1 Corinthians 13:1) "If I speak the truth, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or clanging cymbal." So may you actively seek the truth and share it with His love. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Nobody Puts Baby In a Corner

It was 20 years ago that the movie "Dirty Dancing" hit the theaters. Patrick Swayze played bad-boy Johnny Castle and Jennifer Grey played Baby, an innocent uptown girl. The movie was a huge hit and even today many continue to watch it. I remember seeing it and pondering the different themes woven in the film. You had a time period where families vacationed together for weeks. You had an innocent girl experiencing love for the first time. Dirty Dancing also dealt with illegal abortion and teen rebellion. Then of course there's the music and the dancing. James and Julia Derbyshire used the final dance scene in the movie for their first dance at their wedding reception in 2005. She posted it on YouTube last year and it's been viewed over a million times. See it here at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYhlm9GTAQ0 Target has come out with a line of products including t shirts. Also a new musical "Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage" launched in Australia in 2004 and is scheduled to be in Toronto next year. Pat's already telling me we have to go to Toronto to see it. Many people have "had the time of their lives" with Dirty Dancing. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Caffeine in a Cup or in a Bar of Soap

Check this out...

"Give me a latte soap with the pick-me-up of espresso.
No time to grab a cup of joe in the morning? We have the answer: caffeinated soap.
Reuters says Shower Shock "supplies the caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee per wash with the stimulant absorbed naturally through the skin, manufacturers say." ThinkGeek says the soap, which goes for $6.99 a bar, is "scented with peppermint oil and infused with caffeine anhydrous."

Riscx reviews this unusual product: As far as using this soap to get me "going" in my morning shower I can't really tell if it's the caffeine from the Shower Shock soap or actually the peppermint additive. Let just say that after lathering up my bod, specifically the areas that are 'sensitive", such as way down yonder, I was wide awake. I was almost bouncing off the walls, mixing "sensitive" areas and mint or menthol leaves you with a feeling of a cool frosty "ice-pick" feeling right where it counts, had me screamin' "ohh mama!"

But does it really work? Well, something did." -from USA Today 4-20-07

For me, I'll take my caffeine in a cup. Today I enjoyed French coffee in a Grand Haven mug. It was stimulating! But caffeine while taking a shower? These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

I Am

In February I was browsing through a magazine stand and the cover of "New York" magazine leaped out at me. The title in big bold letters said, "I Am." When I see the phrase "I Am," I think of this as a title that Jesus uses to communicate who He is. It's also a title God uses to describe who He is to Moses. In other words, Jesus is saying He's God - He's the I Am. The article in the magazine wasn't about God or Jesus. But instead was used as a phrase to describe how teens and young adults want others to notice who they are. This is seen through the use of Facebook, blogs, and Myspace. It's writing about their lives sometimes in minute detail. It includes pictures of themselves saying to the world, "Look at me. I Am." So yesterday we see this idea of "I Am" expressed to the highest level. The Virgina Tech shooter, Cho Seung-Hui, sent a package to NBC News containing videos, still photos and a rambling multipage letter. The package was sent between the two shootings. This is Cho's way of saying to the world, "Hey look at me. I Am." And we show the pictures and video time and time again. This is just what Cho wanted to happen. So how does one break out of this "I Am" way of living? Might I suggest it's leaving "I Am" to seek the true "I Am." May this be your experience. After all, these are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Hankies for the Hokies

What are we to think? How could it happen? What can we do? Questions, questions, and more questions. The answers may never come. A man begins shooting guns at Virgina Tech Hokie students with the intent to kill. At least 32 people are dead with scores injured. Now 24 hours later we wrestle with all the questions that have no answers. All we can do ( and at the moment it's the best we can do) is pray and for those who live near the Virgina Tech campus, literally pass out hankies to a hurting college community. This morning I flipped through the passages of the Psalms and was drawn to Psalm 22. This Psalm looks to the future sufferings and crucifixion of Christ. It includes the words Jesus spoke while on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The words of the Psalm reflect what many must be thinking and feeling at this time. Phrases like. "Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent." Or, "Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help." Then this, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death."
But in the midst of all this suffering and pain, trust in the Lord. Now is the time to run to the Father. In the midst of the hurt in Psalm 22, it says, " But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me." Yes, Lord come quickly, we need You. After yesterday, these are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Chicago

For Pat's birthday (yes, it's March 21st, but we couldn't get away then)I treated her to Chicago. First off, we took the train into Chicago from Waterloo, Indiana. This was a new experience for both of us. I've been on trains in France but not the USA. Interesting side note: in France, life is laid back but the trains run on time to the minute. In the USA, life is fast paced with eyes on the clock, but the trains run hours behind schedule. We loved Chicago, especially the musical "Wicked." Wicked is an interesting twist to the Wizard of Oz story. If you have the opportunity to see Wicked, do so! But nothing is greater than holding the hand of the one you love strolling down Michigan Avenue while people watching and gazing at the sights. The four days renewed are spirits and our lives together. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

One Point

I finished reading "Communicating For a Change" by Andy Stanley. Andy Stanley breaks the mold for most people who speak to Christian audiences. The typical message revolves around three points, lots of Scripture, and tons of information which unfortunately most people forget in three minutes. This communication style emphasizes one point which you hammer(my term)on like a nail. I agree with the basic premise of this book, although I still think it gives to much influencing power for transformation to the one speaking. I think there's a shift from speaker power to small group power. Scripture, dialogue, accountability, and community found in small groups leads to better Christ transformation than listening to someone speak. But when you talk, you want to be heard and bring the influence of God's Word to your audience. Just Monday at Club 56, we used a phrase "See Gut Do." Say that really fast and it sounds like a Chinese word. The phrase was used in connection to Luke 7:13 where Jesus saw the widow (see), He felt compassion for her (gut) and acted upon her need (do). I think the chances of 5th and 6th graders remembering this are much greater than if we simply stated the verse. Everything including the games revolved around "See Gut Do." Since I have the opportunity to speak to 6 to 7 different types of audiences each week, I'll be applying some of the insights I gathered from this book. After all, we get to present the most powerful life changing Words to people. We don't want to mess it up. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Conflicting Prayers

Yesterday while on the treadmill, I read an interesting devotional thought from the book, "Praying at Burger King" by Richard J. Mouw. It was titled "Rules For Prayer Competitors." It asks how do you pray when someone else is praying for the exact opposite to happen? This occurs in my life and I'm certain in yours too. In athletic contests we pray that are team is victorious, but so is the other team. In the Civil War, both the North and the South prayed to the same God to win the war. Even today, some pray that we pull out of Iraq right now, while others pray we hold the course until we win. In a church, one group might pray to build, another to not build a new building. Conflicting prayers! Richard Mouw gave what I think are 4 great guidelines when you encounter prayers that conflict. First, pray about what really matters to you. God knows we are finite creatures with limited perspectives. But in praying, we show are dependence on Him. Second, Focus on the underlying issues. Rather than telling God what to do, tell Him your hopes and fears about the issue. Third, pray for those you consider to be your enemies. Read Matthew 5:44. Finally, acknowledge you might be wrong in the way you view things. Now that's difficult! Psalm 139:21, 22 tells how David hates who God hates, but then in verses 23 and 24 says, search me, test me, know my thoughts. Is there any wickedness in me?
Great guidelines when you find yourself praying conflicting prayers. Have you said any lately? These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

USA Today Top 25 Books

USA Today listed its top 25 books for the past 25 years. This is in celebration of USA Today's 25th year anniversary. Look and see if you read any of the ones I listed...
*Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
*The Da Vinci Code (read)
*The Purpose Driven Life (read)
*Final Exit
*Chicken Soup For the Soul
*Iacocca (read)
*Left Behind
*The Closing of the American Mind (read)
*Men are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
*The Greatest Generation
Did any of these books make on to your reading list? Then again, as mentioned in The Closing of the American Mind, "Though students do not have books, they most emphatically do have music. Nothing is more singular about this generation than its addiction to music." So do you even read?
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

Silent Saturday

This weekend is huge on the Christian calendar. We've gone through Maundy Thursday which commemorates the events of the Upper Room- washing the disciples feet, the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, the mandate (Maundy)to love one another as Jesus loves (John 13:34, 35), the Last Supper, and the agony of Gethsemane. Then the death of Jesus which is our "Good Friday." We look forward to Easter Sunday and the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. "He is alive!" But what about Saturday? Jesus is in the tomb. Maybe this silent Saturday is good. It causes us to reflect upon what Jesus has done up to this point. It causes us to pause and catch our breath. The whole universe is silent on this Saturday. What will really happen next? Jesus has predicted His rising again. But will it really happen? The silence is deafening until Sunday morning and the cries begin to ring out, "He's alive!" May this day be one to be silent and reflect on His great love for you. But be ready to rejoice and celebrate tomorrow! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

They Like Jesus part 2

Yesterday I shared 6 reasons why unchurched people don't like the church from Dan Kimball's book "They Like Jesus But Not the Church." Today I'll share Dan's six ways to overcome the negative views without abandoning the church. You need to realize you're only getting a glimpse into what Dan Kimball is saying. He loves the church and thinks a person needs to belong to a faith family. For greater insight, get the book! Here's the book's ideas for change in the church...
*the church is an organized community with a heart to serve others
*the church is a positive agent of change loving others as Jesus would
*the church holds women in the highest regard and includes them in leadership
*the church is a loving and welcoming community
*the church is respectful of other people's beliefs and faiths
*the church holds beliefs with humility and strives to be thoughtful theologians
Dan does a great job in teaching that apologetics (reason for believing what you believe)needs to be done in a spirit of gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15b.)
This is huge in the pluralistic culture that we live in. Grab this book and be challenged! These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"

They Like Jesus

This past weekend I finished reading the thought provoking book "They Like Jesus But Not the Church" by Dan Kimball. Dan Kimball is pastor of Vintage Faith Church in California. He spends time in coffeehouses preparing sermons. When people see Dan with Bibles and commentaries, drinking coffee, they'll often ask him what he's doing. He'll tell them he's a pastor and is preparing a message. Most of the time, people can't believe a pastor is preparing for a sermon in a coffeehouse. But then Dan will ask the people he comes in contact with what they think about Jesus and the church. Most people respect Jesus, even "love" Him, but most find it difficult to connect with a church. Dan shares six of the major concerns people have with the church. Remember these are people outside the church. Look over the list and see what you think...
*the church is an organized religion with a political agenda
*the church is judgmental and negative
*the church is dominated by males and oppresses females
*the church is homophobic
*the church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong
*the church is full of fundamentalists who take the whole Bible literally
Dan does a great job of looking at each of these issues and tells us how we can respond. "They Like Jesus But Not the Church" is really a good book for giving people responses (apologetics) to their questions and concerns. It's 1 Peter 3:15.
Tomorrow I'll share Dan Kimball's six responses to the six concerns.
These are the days my friend,
Jim "Train"

USA Today Top 25 Quotes

USA Today listed its top 25 quotes for the past 25 years. This is in celebration of USA Today's 25th year anniversary. I'll give you the quotes. See if you can remember where they were used and by whom.
"Let's roll!"
"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."
"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky."
"You can't handle the truth."
"One more thing."
"You gotta fight for your right to party."
Where's the beef?"
How did you do? Need to know an answer, post a note and I'll rely.
These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"