He Didn't Spear Back

I saw "End of the Spear" last night. I could not help but see the film not only through Christian eyes, but through a Christian pacifist's eyes. The movie is a remarkable account of a group of missionaries intent on spreading the gospel to everyone, including an obscure, violent tribe in the Amazon rain forest. When a son of one of the missionaries asked if they would shoot the natives, his father replied, "We can't shoot them, they're not ready for heaven yet, and we are." This line was indicative of the movie as a whole. The message: war will never end until people themselves refuse to go to war. But the movie doesn't take this stance for political reasons, rather for Christian ones.

Another poinent line the film was when reflecting on a missionary who was killed by the tribe: "He didn't spear back, in hopes that one day those who speared him would live well." Themes of self sacrifice on the part of those who cailm non-violence permeate the film. There is no doubt that those two died did so willingly as a statement of their motiviations and callings.

Most of the movie is in subtitles, the acting is fairly discent. My only real beef with the film is the score. As a musician, the orchestrations are hard to get past, somewhat trite, the entire score seemingly consists of about 6 chords in two keys. But an incredbile story about Christians who practice non-violence in a violent world.

The Great Cruzini

I took up doing magic and illusions some time ago. Mostly, I do close-up and a little bit of stage magic, but I have yet to dive into the fine art of the grand illusions... unitl now! I found the plans I had bought some time ago to built the Zig-Zag illusion. I had put building on hold because of costs (magic is an expensive hobby), but I think the time has come to take the goat by the horns (whatever that means) and finish this illusion. One other piece of stage magic greatly interests me: the Metamorphosis Illusion (two people switch in a box)... but that's for later.

I think it would be cool to do stuff like Copperfield, but then again where's the joy in inpregating a woman on stage while being 15 feet away from her (that's one illusion I DON'T want to know how it works). Anyways, I do admire Copperfield's ability to vanish extraordinary things, namely the Statue of Liberty and a Railway Car. Maybe I might try vanishing an elephant. I wonder if the zoo will lend me one?

P.S. Today is Mozart's 250th birthday, so have some cake and hear a symphony before the day is out!

Chick-fil-a Rocks My Face OFF!!!!!

After a long day of profs and studies, it's nice to feel the refreshing taste of some good ol' Christian chicken. Yes, it never fails to cure a gloomy day. A #1 (with no pickles) smothered with 2 and a half gallons of ketsup, will tame the hardiest tummy into submission. Yes, the happiness of Chick-fil-a is upon us.

Happy January 23!

On Sunday, I preached about how Christians should actualize being Resident Aliens, as was the theme for our Disciple Now this weekend. The focus of the sermon was based on our fulfiling the Great Commision by loving others according to 1 Cor. 13, loving everyone, that is. As I trudged through my day yesterday, I went to a computer lab to check my e-mail before class. After a while, a girl came in and sat next to me. Her name was Holly, I found out, but only after she slipped my a Hershey Kiss and wished my a "Happy January 23!" She was ginuinely happy and wanted to share it with others. In the middle of a gloomy day, one encounter changed by perspective on when we should share love with others - the answer: all the time! She reminded me what is was to be giving and curteous and not self-centered, even when I'm having a bad day. She reminded me that maybe I should practice what I preach.