like special effects?

... down the memory lane of cinematic magic in five minutes, 6 seconds:

a hard-hitting interview

three-and-a-half-year-old sensemaking...

going it alone? you're not built for it.

We just watched a movie called "The Soloist."  Aside from me highly recommending the movie, ... if you happen to rent it, I urge you to check out the DVD extras.  In particular, take a look at the short clip called "Beth's Story."  (also above)

As I write this, my family and friends are happily inviting young Riley into the world.  But this movie reminded me of all the people out there so desperately needing to experience Love Winning.  

There are lots of ways to do that.  

Just ask and listen.  

But if you're stumped, Faces Without Places is a local organization that would be a good starting place.

my first movie!

... how did we do?

Contagious Grace

I've recently been listening to a book (yup, have stooped to such, ... but it's better than listening to talk radio, right?) titled "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne, and it is pretty interesting. Shane does a really good job painting the picture of God's Kingdom as was originally articulated by Jesus. And as I'm listening to the parts about radical love, ... about when affronted by wrong, one should turn the other cheek and show radical grace, ... I'm being challenged to rethink how I react to other people.

I mean, what would happen world-over if we just started to see even our enemies as sons and daughters of Our God? What if we began to see those that do wrong as Jesus sees them? What if we could show uncanny grace in those times when our worldly intellect and temper screams out for justice and retribution?

Would it be contagious? Could there be an infection of grace that would be passed from one being to the next, ... all eventually becoming ravaged by Viral Love?



What would the world do to stop the outbreak?

smells like twit in here...

ONE WAY FARM

One of the coolest things about my job is the incredible people I get to meet. One of those people is Barbara Condo, the director of an organization called "One Way Farm." It is an organization that supports the healing of severely abused children.

Check it out:

"One Way Farm Children's Home provides residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Our agency provides an Animal Education Therapy Program, an Employment Training Program, Counseling Services and a Youth Program to further the healing of our children, all very unique programs. We have served approximately 8,000 children and have been in business since 1976. We are licensed by the Job and Family Services and serve children from throughout the State of Ohio."

Barbara runs this organization from her residence, and she is passionate about loving children out of brokenness. It is not surprising that Barbara is a Believer.

If you have a moment, take a look at the letters written by some the the children, ... and then if you are up to it, take a look at some of their needs.

It's easy stuff.

Love Wins.

it's about time

like bunnies?

... then don't watch this.

... this guy seems to have "a thing" for twenties-era art.

*******
I just noticed the caption for the video. Please note that while it reads "Me in my Bunny Sleeper," the "Me" in that sentence does not mean "me."

I have a ducky sleeper.

getting air

We are born into this world with a taste for Perfection because our Maker knows us, and He loves us where we are.

Maybe He puts us into the world like a father would put his son into a 1993 Toyota Celica GT.

We take our first hard-turn-left at 90 MPH.

He knows that the vehicle is much too fast, and He knows that the chances of dying are patiently real.

But He allows us to wildly "fly" into a torn, incomplete, broken, uncertain, ... imperfect certainty.

We speed toward destruction and death.

He knows the enemy's tools: our desire to drive fast, ... for the road to succumb to our will.

But He also knows the possibilities found in choosing the road blazed by His Son.

And with every moment of Listen, He reminds us that BIRDS learn to fly off-road, ... where even blistered tires have no traction.