Ugh, I should have posted this last week!

I had the opportunity last week to catch a sneak preview of the movie “Amazing Grace.” The story is about William Wilberforce who was a young and ambitious, not too mention popular, MP in London. The film mostly covered the struggle to outlaw slavery in Britain, but also Wilberforce’s attempt to outlaw it throughout the British Empire. This movie is great at bringing history to life and the struggle of faith to the screen. To me, it is worth the watch. And I must admit it creates a stir in one’s heart, especially as a believer, to the issues of social injustice in our land. I wonder…what are our “slavery: issues today? What should believers be speaking out against and rallying for change in our government?

Frank Again...Last One.

Well, I find it interesting that in my last post regarding Frank Viola’s book “God’s Ultimate Passion” the comments are still flying. More than that, the quote I used to create dialogue was on prophecy, yet the comments found a rabbit hole and focused on environmentalism. What’s with that!!!?

Anyway, today is my last post with Frank. Some of you have asked me about the book and the author…you can check him out at www.frankviola.com

Again I quote Frank from page 277:
“If I can sum up the message of this book in a sentence it would be this: Your God is after a people who live for one purpose – His Ultimate Passion. But he is also after people who do not feel that they are special or elite in any sense. And that particular stance takes away every tool of the natural soul.”

Go back and read the comments off the positing “Frank Again....Almost done!” There is definitely a lot of passion there from both sides of the issue of environmentalism as well as prophecy. My concern is that although we can be passionate about different things and hold opposite views, why is it that people resort to ‘name calling’ when angered. Or that it is implied that we “know the truth” and all others are in the dark.

Is that what Jesus expected from His church? Or maybe this is the “natural soul” that Frank is talking about!

Meat Loaf?

" Hey Gerry, do you like meat loaf?"
What kind of question was that? Who in their right mind phones up an individual and asks them, 'do you like meat loaf?' A guy like Kevin...Now Kevin likes meat loaf but not Meat Loaf and so after a point of clarification I was asked..."Do you want to go to Meat Loaf?"

"YES! I would love to go to see Meat Loaf in concert." Well I could not say that I am a devotee, but I would not pass up the opportunity to see the guy in concert. So many memories...I was intrigued to see who was going to be at this concert. When Meat Loaf was popular in my day, those who listened to him were called "stoners," or "wankers" and they wore "lumberjack jackets" and had long unmanaged hair. Uh, memories of time past.........

So with the woman of my life and a couple of other reluctant "rockers" in tow, we went to the MTS Centre to watch "a show." Not knowing what to expect or what we will see....

What I saw was interesting....and older, much balder crowd than I anticipated. Actually, it was all the wankers from Jr. high school who are now older boomers with grand children. That was on stage.....Just Kidding....it really was the audience.

As for the show, we have to admit that technically, it was excellent. The stage set up and the talent of the musicians was fantastic. Even the lighting tech had it down to the beat. We were impressed. Without question, Meat Loaf surrounded himself with talent... really good talent...

I wonder if there was a reason for that?

I was disappointed with the fact that the video screens were so small and that there were no camera's to highlight anyone on stage. We sat far back and it was hard to see the stage, so without camera's it made it a little harsh to watch. The show was a little cheesy, but nonetheless an entertaining show. It was a typical rock n roll event. I have to admit, it was obvious that Meat Loaf's voice has seen enough rock n roll lifestyle...he was losing his pitch before the intermission. Maybe he was tired or just getting worn out, because after the intermission he spent a lot of time sitting while singing.

Interesting obsevations:

Dennis Quaid (the Rookie fame) with his entourage enjoyed the show as well...

Aspen Miller (American Idol fame) sang with Meat Loaf and did a great job!!!! Here acting needs work however.

Marion Raven opened the show with an acoustic set...she has a fantastic voice!!!

An entertaining night...but one that I left scratching my head (and I still have hair) wondering if people really got thier money's worth?

Another interesting note...why do people cheer when somebody swears?

I watch half the floor remain in thier seats at an "old fashioned" Rock and Roll concert...what's with that?

What spiritual connotations did I pick up on? A few...we still lived in a sexually charged society and that still sells music.

Sometimes...when you walk away, you have a heavy heart...........

Frank Again....Almost done!

As I am reading Frank, he finally got a hobby horse of mine. Frank begins to talk about Bible prophecy and the end-times. Allow me to quote:

“Attention young Christians: You can get ridiculously obsessed with rapture fever! I was taught, “this is important. We have to know prophecy. We must study prophecy. 90% of the Bible is prophecy. We have a duty to understand it. “ ………….But I made a discovery. All those hours that I spent pouring over Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation…trying to put the end-time puzzle together…did not help me one iota to come to know my Lord better. It was a largely academic, intellectual exercise. And a sterile one at that!” (page 262)

So, what are your thoughts about this one?

BTW, found this quote and had to laugh!

Don't tell your problems to people: eighty percent don't care; and the other twenty percent are glad you have them. (Lou Holtz)

More Frank Again....

Thanks for the responses to the books and there is a open question in the responses of the last post, and I invite you to answer it. As for this week....I quote Frank from chapter 15:

"Part of my roots are in the Charismatic movement. When I was in that movement, I was repeatedly encouraged to seek God for a 'visitation' from heaven. As a result, I harboured the illusion that if God visited our church, He was pleased with it. I later discovered that God is not looking for a place to visit. He is looking for a place to dwell."

What are your thoughts to this quote?