SynerJack

Thanks to Clarissa at A Plentiful Redemption for this excerpt from the writings of the real St. Patrick.  Wow.  Traditions can sure take us on a long journey from the original source.  This is from Patrick’s autobiographical Confession.  Enjoy!

There is no other God, and never has there been, or will be, save the Lord, the unbegotten Father, without Beginning, from whom is all Beginning: for by Him have been made all things, visible and invisible who has begotten a Son consubstantial with Himself, made man, drawn back to heaven to the Father when death was overcome. And to Him He gave all power over every name in heaven and earth and hell, so that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father:

Verily, in Him we are to reign; for that sun which we look upon, at His command rises daily for our sakes; but it will never reign, neither will its splendour last. Moreover, all those unhappy ones who adore it shall end miserably in tortures. But we believe and adore the true Sun, Jesus Christ, who will never fail, neither shall he who does His will, but for ever he shall stand, as Christ stands for ever, who, with God the Father Omnipotent and the Holy Spirit, reigns before all time, and now and for ever. Amen.

I just couldn’t pass this one up.

Reading A’s post about The Soloist trailer, one I find myself watching on the internet often, I found myself thinking about how much I am a sucker for a good movie trailer.  I have seen some of the dumbest movies ever made, all because I have been sucked in by a good trailer (Bangkok Dangerous comes to mind).  Often I find myself searching IMDB’s trailer section to see what movies will be worth a midnight viewing, casual date, matinee, or renting in a few months.

When considering the criteria by which a movie trailer is judged several things come to mind: music, great cut scenes, seeing your favorite Hollywood stars, did they use Don LaFontaine (the guy with the deep voice who tragically passed away September 1 2008), this list could go one.  But, once in a decade the stars will align to produce a movie trailer that will cause moviegoers by the truckload to buy out theaters coast-to-coast for weeks on end.  In my opinion one such trailer and the greatest movie trailer of all time is…Star Warts Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (Teaser Trailer).

While I know the movie itself was kind of awful when compared to any other Star Wars film, the trailer was present in such a way that it had thousands camping out for movie tickets.  Let me explain.

For years there surfaced rumors that George Lucas was going to release another trilogy of Star Wars movies.  The Special Edition original trilogy was released in theaters, and then it was confirmed, there would be another three movies, a prequel trilogy setting the back-story for Luke, Leia, The Empire, and The Rebellion.  When the trailer was released it was released to a fan basin that hadn’t seen a trailer for a new Star Wars movie in seventeen years.  When watching the trailer for the first time and seeing the green glittering of the Lucas Ltd. logo coupled with those familiar chimes, and jungle sounds that sends fans into flashbacks of The Degobah System and The Forest Moon of Endor, viewers found themselves hoping it would be the trailer for the most anticipated movies of all time.  Then the center title “Every generation has a legend…” and the realization that the music being played is in fact from the beloved saga.  The next two minutes the viewer is taken on an adventure that revels incredible action scenes, stunning panoramas, and familiar names like, Obi-won, and Skywalker.  The stage was set, come spring 1999 theaters would be packed for weeks on end.  While at best I would give the movie a “B-“, the trailer will go down (at least in my book) as the greatest ever made…so far.

Last Sunday we had our own Turning Point reminder of God’s amazing grace.  I thought I’d share a couple of others - from the Salvation Army and from Il Divo.  Each powerfully done.  Enjoy!  Then tell us your grace story.

It has been quite a while since I have actually sat down and penned (or, in this case and all other blogs I write on, “keyboarded”) some thoughts. Some might have thought that I was in a cabin on Walden Pond, like Thoreau, writing some great novel. Some might have thought that I was on the Darjeeling Express headed to a church-plant. Some might have thought that I lost ambition and just became apathetic towards being part of SynerJack. None of these are true, my friends!

It has been an incredibly busy first month and a half and things are winding down for a brief time before we see some incredible things happen in regards to NEXT, Providence Church, and the many other pies that I have my fingers in.

Now, I know that these “Top 25 List”s have been an incredible draw for many on networks like Facebook. It seems that everyone whose thoughts I actually care about hearing or reading has posted one on their profile; I have even been “tagged” in quite a few of them.

Here is my (fairly weak) attempt to make up for the articles I should have written by now in 2009. I’m a bit of an overachiever and typed up 30. Forgive me: (more…)

1. I believe that commercials on T.V. are pointless, unless they are during the Super Bowl and for complete entertainment only!

2. I believe that children and youth are our future…and there’s a lot of work to do!

3. I believe that dogs are the best counselor.

4. I believe that world would do just fine without cats.

5. I believe sometimes, you just have to dance. Mostly when no one is looking.

6. I believe silence is often the wisest friend. (more…)