Seth Bartal's ADVENTURE

Championing the good

In watching some videos on vision again this evening I was really challenged with an idea that I thought about a year ago but have allowed to slip from my mind: championing the good.  This evening the idea was tossed around as it comes to vision in the form of celebrating when people do something that is supportive of the vision.  For example, when a volunteer demonstrates servanthood, humility, or some other aspect of a vision, it's good to draw attention to that and to celebrate it with others.  This reinforces the vision to those around.  What about other things in life, though?  I think Christians need to champion everything that's good.  Far too often Christians are known for the things they stand against: abortion, Disney, or whatever the latest boycott is.  I'm not suggesting that Christians shouldn't fight for some things.  But what if Christians began championing the things that are good rather than tearing apart unbelievers for acting like unbelievers?  What if we championed courage?  Or sacrifice?  Or unconditional love?  What if Christians were known more for what they stood for than for what they stood against?  How can you begin championing the good you see around you?  What do you think?  Am I way off?

REVIEW: The Blind Side

I went to go the The Blind Side on Saturday night with a friend of mine.  The movie is based on the true story of Ravens football player Michael Oher.  Aside from a few mild profanities and sexual/drug references, the movie has a very positive message (for a full review of content, I recommend visiting PluggedIn).  What if Christians starting acting like Christ?  Would they still get bent out of shape about the style of music at worship services and the version of Scripture one uses?  Probably not.  Instead they might focus on meeting the needs of others and extending God's love to those who need it.  That's exactly what Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy did for Michael Oher, a homeless high school student.  I highly recommend the movie with a note of caution for younger views (it's rated PG-13). Here are some of my thoughts from the movie:

• It's easy to be a critic - Throughout the movie Leigh Anne is mocked by her wealthy friends for the way she cares for Michael.  I have found that there are lots of critics in life, and one cannot be discouraged by those people who fail to follow accomplish anything meaningful with their lives but sit on the sidelines and criticize those who do.  Don't be discouraged by critics!
• Doing what's right often requires sacrifices that pay off in the end - Inviting Michael into their lives was costly to the Tuohys in multiple ways.  They could have assessed the situation and seen the short-term cost without seeing the longterm payoff.  Often the most valuable experiences in life require a sacrifice with no guarantees.  If we're not careful, we can miss out on God's blessing by refusing to sacrifice our comfort.  The Tuohys didn't know what the future would hold, but they knew that caring for Michael was the right thing to do.
• Just because someone says it, doesn't mean it's true - At one point towards the end of the movie Michael is confronted by the idea that perhaps the Tuohys cared for him simply to serve their own selfish purposes.  He allowed the lie to infiltrate his thinking, and that created problems.  We can become disenfranchised by lies we hear and sometimes even believe about the motives of others.  While others don't always have pure motives, I have found it best to think the best of others.  I have found Stephen Covey's wisdom useful from The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: "Seek first to understand, then to be understood."

Those are my thoughts.  Did you see the movie?  What did you think?

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Kari and I went to see "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" this evening.  It was a pretty powerful film that chronicles the life of a naive, young boy in Nazi Germany who befriends a Jewish boy his age in an internment camp.  I highly recommend the film with the warning that it has a very sad ending.  Here are some thoughts I have regarding the movie:

• Hate Spreads Quickly and Easily - it didn't take much for a nation of one race to despise a nation of another race.  The hate literally affected the attitudes of people in all areas of their lives - not just their hatred of Jews.  The same is true today.  Angry people aren't angry at one thing; they're angry at everything.  Their anger spreads like yeast into the attitudes of those they're around.
• The Absence of Free Speech Means the Oppression of a People - Nazi Germany sought to abolish free speech from the country in the name of patriotism.  Unfortunately the absence of free speech is more dangerous that the free speech itself.  It concerns me that there are efforts of reinstating the Fairness Doctrine in America - an oversight by the FCC that requires radio frequencies to give equal time to all political sides.  While it sounds "fair," in essence, this causes voices to be silenced rather than voices to be heard.  We must fight for free speech in America.
• We Can Learn a Lot from Children - Jesus told us that we needed to become like children.  I think He meant that we need to observe the way they behave - their lack of worry or concern, their unconditional acceptance and trust - and put it into practice.  There is no pretense in a child; things are so simple.
• We Cannot Know Good Without Knowing Evil - Unfortunately the presence of evil is required for the presence of good, just as the presence of sorrow is required for the presence of joy.  If we cannot compare these things to their opposites then we cannot recognize or experience them at all.  We know good because we have seen, and even experienced, evil.  God allows evil because there must be a choice for good and because good cannot exist without its counterpart.  God is good, and I am grateful for that.
• People are Easily Enticed - It was the fall of an economic system that brought on the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party.  The people believed that Hitler would change all of that.  People's heart strings are often attached to their wallets, and when an economic crisis hits, they will turn to anyone or anything who promises to change the economic climate.  Look at our current situation as a country, and be wary of anyone who promises to make things better for you.  The answer to bad finances doesn't come from a government or a leader but from personal responsibility and wise choices.  What happened in Nazi Germany only took place a few decades ago.  Are people today truly different than the people of Germany at that time?  Surely they weren't all bad people, filled with hate.  They hoped that Hitler was bringing a strong future to their country and bringing peace to the world.  Sadly, he did not deliver on those promises.  Given the right level of need, could people in our culture be led to similar behaviors?  Unfortunately, I don't think it's impossible.

That's a lot of stuff to digest.  I actually could have written quite a bit more, but I'm not sure anyone would care to read it.  Feel free to comment with your own thoughts.  As I said, it's a sad movie, so be prepared.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

I saw Prince Caspian twice this past weekend: on Friday night and on Saturday.  My personal opinion is that it's better than the first one, and it's full of all kinds of Biblical truths.  Here are few things that I was challenged with as I watched the movie (CAUTION: there could be a few spoilers):

• At the beginning, the children loved the land of Narnia more than they loved the lord of Narnia
• When we face difficult situations the tendency is to rely on our own strength or to try to manipulate our way through rather than to truth God
• Don't try to win God's battles for Him; allow God to take on His own battles and use you if that's His desire
• God uses different things in our lives at different times to teach us His Truth
• We cannot try to rehash what we've done in the past and what "would have happened" if we had acted differently; we just have to trust God for today and do as He desires TODAY
• Little children have an easier time seeing God than adults do
• God's timing is perfect
• Words can be used to build up or tear down
• Sometimes the hardest thing to do is admit it when we're wrong

Those are just a few of the things I thought about in relation to the movie.  It's a great film, and I highly recommend it.  If you have a younger child, be warned that there are a few scary scenes.  I'd love to hear thoughts from others about the movie... feel free to comment!

EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed

I saw EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed last night with my Life Group.  The movie is a documentary revealing the attitude of most scientists that there cannot be any discussion when it comes to the topic of Intelligent Design as a possible way for the world coming into existence.  Evolution is taught as fact, and there is an unwillingness to address some legitimate holes in the theory.  The movie is extremely well done, and I appreciated the way Stein addressed the result of a belief that God is not part of the world.  In such a world view there is no room for ethics or values; people do not have intrinsic value and are considered valuable only if they offer something to help the race continue down its evolutionary path.  Please see this movie while it's in theaters!

Amazing Grace

I just watched Amazing Grace this evening for the first time.  I've wanted to watch it for quite a while for a number of reasons.  The movie retells the life of William Wilberforce, the man responsible for bringing the abolition of slavery to the United Kingdom.  Wilberforce was a man of great conviction, and he stood up against opposition of all kinds.  He believed that worshiping God should influence all areas of his life (not just the "religious" part), and his efforts brought an end to a less-than-impressive era in world history.  The movie is very well done and worth watching, though it may not be appropriate for younger kids.

The Bourne Ultimatum - a look at the choice to do right

I just saw the 12:01 AM premier of The Bourne Ultimatum.  I was eagerly anticipating this final installment in the Bourne trilogy, and I was not at all disappointed.  In fact, I was really challenged by a particular scene where Bourne is forced to kill or be killed.  Following his actions, he is faced with the reality of what he did, and he remarks to his friend that he never forgets the faces of those he kills and he wishes he could be rid of what he has done: he wishes he could be a different person.  The late AW Tozer once wrote of a similar concept.  In Whatever Happened to Worship?, Tozer said, "Much of our problem in continuing fellowship with a holy God is that many Christians repent only for what they do, rather than for what they are."  We don't simply need forgiveness each time we sin but a total washing of our entire nature.  We need forgiveness for who we are so we can become who God wants us to be.

Later on in the film Bourne has the choice to do what's right: the choice to end his ruthless lifestyle.  He chooses to do what's right and reveals that change is possible.  In the movie it comes down to a person's will, but in reality it comes down to a person's will combined with God's grace.