If you recall, in my World Religions class we have to watch a movie every week that depicts a certain aspect of the Religion we’re studying. Last week was 1971’s Fiddler on the Roof (yes, i’ve been trying to write this post for a week… work has been insane). Let’s count the things this movie immediately has working against it before I even popped it in the old DVD player: it is a nearly 40 year old (1) adaptation of a stage-play musical (2) about a Jewish community (3) and their struggles with the changing times in pre-revolutionary Russia (4) that clocks in just under three hours (5, 6, and 7; one for each hour).

The opening monologue by Tevye (pictured above) was well written, but I had too many doubts to give it any credit… then they sang the first bar of the theme song (Tradition) and me, my wife, and daughter all looked at each other like “what the heck was that??” Even my ten year old recognized that we were in for a long night! After the “set up” scene (a prologue if you will) the credits rolled in typical 1960/70s fashion… all at once… with no story related action taking place…  just a silhouette of a fiddler on a roof … playing his song… for about 10 minutes it seemed… _sigh_… seriously?

Then we got to hear the whole “Tradition” song, and while I still wasn’t sure what to expect, i noticed some very clever and successful attempts at humor, but mostly we laughed at how ridiculous the song itself sounded. The song ended, Teyve said a couple of other things, followed by the first full on comedic scene of the movie… and it dawned on me… We were watching in the wrong frame of mind… this was a Comedy Drama.

What followed was three hours of some of the most brilliant writing I have ever experienced. Three hours flew by. Most of the songs were great (some famous songs include “Matchmaker” (genius song) and “Do You Love Me”); the comedic elements were classic and well placed; the story was fantastic and the character development was top notch.  As I thought through the movie over the next couple of days, I can honestly say from a personal favorites stand point –and it blows my mind to say this– Fiddler cracked my top five:

1) Gladiator
2) Shawshank Redemption
3) Fight Club
4) Fiddler on the Roof
5) Bourne Movies (we’ll group them)

I laugh just thinking about some of the scenes… That is what comedy is supposed to be… not this slap-stick / stupid crap we put out these days. The best lines come from Tevye, the father figure and central character, who often “quotes” the good book. Most of his quotes are suspect at best and flat out wrong at worst. But there are plenty of likable characters and good lines to go around. I can’t promise every guy will like it. Some guys are too tough to sit through a musical no matter how brilliant the writing… But man, what a shocker… find three hours to spare and test me on this… it’s worth it (and someone buy it for me on DVD since it was just a rental).

oh, and remember…

As the good book says, if you spit in the air, it lands in your face.

//Begin Sarcasm

A few of the brainwashing notes President Obama is going to inflict our children with today (I put his lies in red because that is the color of satan, just to keep things clear):

Statement: But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. …

The lie he is spewing: Personal Responsibility is an important character trait.

Statement: Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.

The lie he is spewing: Follow your dreams and work hard to give yourself the best opportunity.

Statement: Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.

Yesterday I came across a screenshot I had forgotten about that I took when I was re-installing the resources on my current laptop, a process that takes much longer than a normal generic app install… Check the title of the book right under the status bar… Ironic? Coincidental? Divine Reminder?… Whatever you want to call it, I got a chuckle out of it.

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B90X Update
Day 1: Genesis 1:1-13:18 Complete
Day 2: Genesis 14:1-25:18 Complete
Day 3: Genesis 25:19-35:15 Complete
Day 4: Genesis 35:16-44:34 Complete
Day 5: Genesis 45:1-Exodus 7:13 Complete
Day 6: Exodus 7:14-19:25

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Yesterday marked the 5th “First” in our family… First Day of School that is. For our eldest, it was much of the same; after all, she’s going into 4th grade, and 4th graders are just a notch below Royalty in an Elementary School that kicks kids out after 5th grade. After a week long build-up of phone calls to friends comparing teachers and one fitful night of sleep (which has become an annual occurrence this time of year), she was off to school without so much of a whimper or a hug.

But Monday was a new “First” in our family too. Our middle child, who turns five next month, had her 1st First Day of School. Having gone through this before, and knowing her habits when visiting new churches, I had a feeling she might struggle with a bit of separation anxiety on day one. Of course we all talked up how wonderful school is, how she’ll meet new friends and have so much fun… even her older sister was doing everything she could to get her excited from Day one. I also wanted to let her know that she may start feeling sad on the first day, but if she sticks through it she’ll have a great time.  My gut feeling was justified, but she held it together well. Choking back tears she watched Mommy and Baby walk out of the gym, leaving her at a table with a few kids she didn’t know, each one trying to wrap his or her head around this new challenge…

By the end of the day, she had hit her stride, teaching peers “how to play on the playground” during recess and excited to go back for more. And though she can’t remember her teachers’ name, she’s pretty sure she likes them. I also received word today that all separation issues have dissolved into joy and excitement…

It’s crazy how fast they grow up

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B90X Update

Day 1: Genesis 1:1-13:18 Complete
Day 2: Genesis 14:1-25:18 Complete
Day 3: Genesis 25:19-35:15

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First, I read this in my RSS feed today from Ken Witcher… Good thought:

A cause that has that kind of impact is a cause worth dying for. But more importantly, it is a cause worth living for. Most of us don’t really live for the things we say we would die for.
- Ken Witcher

I think he is on to something there… stings but it’s true…

In other news, I’m starting a modified B90X program… no, that’s not a typo, i’m not talking about the P90X workout fad that’s going around. The B90x is a rip off from Elevation church described as “a revolutionary system of intense, truth-absorbing, brain-busting Bible reading that will transform your understanding of Scripture from intro to nitro in just 90 days! Your personal trainer, Ruach “The Breath” Yahweh, will drag you through the most intense infusion of His vision that you have ever experienced and you won’t believe the results!”

The original version is downloadable here but your dates are gonna be wrong, wrong, dirty and wrong. I also modified mine so that it takes the full 90 days. For some reason the guys at Elevation decided to give you two grace days at the end, so it’s really only 88 days… That’s nice and all, but I used my handy Bible Study Software to create a full 90 day version so I can track it and read it right from my laptop.

Day 1: Genesis 1:1-13:18 - Complete
Day 2: Genesis 14:1-25:18

Yes, once again I have weaseled my way into a leadership type role on the worship team. I am not the worship leader, nor even a “co-leader,” but the leaders have asked me to co-lead with them from time to time. How often is still yet to be determined, but we seem to have good chemistry and I thoroughly enjoy working with these guys and gals. This is the second time in as many months. Right now the team is transitioning from one worship leader into the hands of Hans and Amy Grumbein. Our previous worship leader, who is still at the church, is transitioning with his wife to a Full Time Missionary position in Brownsville, Tx. Anyway, that’s just background information to fill space… On to the set list:

~The Band~
Lead Vox: Amy G / Me
BGVs: Bonnye / David
Acoustic Guitar: Me
Lead Guitar: Jim
Drums: Frank (1st time in “a while,” usually our percussionist)
Bass: Hanzu
Keys: Judy (usually our violinist)

~Set List~
Awesome God (refrain only - Key of A) - Rich Mullins
Marvelous Light* (A) - Charlie Hall
Jesus Paid It All (B) - Traditional / Passion / Alex Nifong
Here I Am To Worship (D) - Tim Hughes
The More I Seek You (E) - Kari Jobe (CFN Music)
Healer (E) - Mike Guglielmucci (Hillsong)
*=New to the Congregation

All in all, despite a less than stellar practice which included having to stop down and reorder who was playing what instrument, the service went rather well (thank You, Lord). Originally Hans was going to drum, with Frank on percussion, but due to some mis-communication and/or sickness we did not have a bass player. The bass is the most undervalued instrument in any band, but especially in congregational worship, so we couldn’t have that.

Marvelous Light was a bit too fast. My goal was to seamlessly go from Awesome God into the first verse, which I did successfully, but I forgot to check my tempo. This was a bit disappointing because as a new song we wanted it to make a good first impression on the congregation. Lyrically it’s such a powerful song, and I rarely grant an upbeat song the tag of “powerful.” To quote the Channel Surfers… “Maybe next time, maybe next time” (or was that Pax217?).

Everything else went off without a hitch. Transitions were tight for the most part, and I felt we all played well off of each other. So, i’m not sure when Setlist #2 will pop up, but I’m looking forward to my next swim through here…

(part of the Sunday Setlist Carnival at FredMcKinnon.com)

* sent my two eldest off to California for 10 days,
* lots of changes at church, many of which have direct implications on my family and the ministries that we’re involved in (more to come eventually),
* and of course, an ever-growing newborn

School starts back in 10 Days… 10!  Here’s the schedule and some thoughts about each class:

World Religions: Aug 10 - Sept 17 (online) - Open Elective: What?? An OPEN Elective! This is it, this means I have FINALLY arrived into the meat of my program! I’m estatic to have finally finished my basic classes (almost…). I’m excited about broadening my understanding of the various world religions out there. But not only that, we get to watch 6 movies and two CSI episodes. Should be challenging and fun.

Small Group Ministry: Aug 14 - Oct 01 (online) - Major Requirement: Two books that look pretty decent. Considering some of the direction our church is going, this could be a timely course. Also, one seller sent me the wrong book, gave me a refund and told me keep the book. The book is “Organic Community” which looks pretty good. Here’s to people sending wrong books!

Life Science: Sept 24 - Oct 29 (on Campus) - General Core: BLAH. May be a good class, but this is THE last of the “basic” classes I have to take. What the heck is life science anyway? I’m 28 years old, have three kids, a wife of a decade, work in corporate America for a Fortune 20 company… I think I get the science behind living. The bright side is, this is my only on campus class this semester.

Missions: Sept 28 - Nov 15 (online) - Open Elective: I’m not a huge short term mission fan, but I’m grateful for those who take on our great commission through mission work of all kinds: short term, long term, or permanent. Looking forward to the class.

Paul’s Letters: Oct 2 - Nov 19 (online) - Biblical Core: I hear this is an intense and heady class. Heavy theology, lots of exegesis, massive papers and reports to write… In otherwords, right up my alley :-). The letters are where we get most of our theology from… coming from a non-denominational background, we didn’t put much emphasis on specific theology. Don’t get me wrong, we were big into dicsipleship, but I would like to round out some of my thoughts and this class should at least help. We’ll see…

So that’s that. I have more to say in general, but I’m just trying to get back into the mode of saying SOMETHING… anything… anywhere… I used to talk too much, now I stay silent too often…

As you know, I’m on twitter now. I’ve taken to it much more than the last two times around because I’ve taken a different approach to it (which i’m not going to get into right now). Celebrity twitter accounts are huge in the twitter world… From Shaq to Ashton Kutcher to Katie Couric… but I’m not a big celebrity follower. I currently follow seven celebrities:

@stewartcink (golfer, funny guy)
@crowderband (you know, david crowder band)
@Alyssa_Milano (childhood crush who is a twitter freak, and super nice)
@THE_REAL_SHAQ (Shaquille O’Neal)
@the_real_nash (Two time MVP point guard, Steve Nash)
@andy_murray (#3 Tennis player in the world)

and

@andyroddick - Current #5 tennis player in the world.

Andy Roddick recently lost one of, if not THE most epic final in Grand Slam history. As a long time Roddick fan, it was a heartbreaker. But he’s shown so much class and maturity through it all. Today he tells this story on twitter (it took three tweets due to the character limit):

okay so the mailman just knocked on my door and informed me that the reason i lost the wimby final was cause i sweat a lot and dont change

my shirt enough during the course of a match and it weighs me down……. if i had only known

the best part was that he prefaced his shirt/sweat analysis with this quote “i dont know anything about sports or tennis but…..”

Now, I rarely even think about responding to celebrities, even when they flat out ask for our responses (which Alyssa does daily). But in this case, I was pretty certain I had some decent advice for Mr. Roddick, so I tweeted him:

@andyroddick you do sweat a lot. Just wear this next year: http://bit.ly/andyuni

I mean, it certainly looks like the sweat would just roll off it… so hey, why not?

I guess Mr. Roddick enjoyed my piece of advice enough to re-post (i.e.- ReTweet / RT) it to all 84,000+ of his followers. The fact that he read it was cool enough. The fact that he thought it was good enough advice to give me props for it was even better. The fact that my advice is still the last thing he’s posted 8 hours later is icing on the cake.

But the fact that my advice has now also been mentioned by twenty two other people and my followers have grown by 13 (as of right now) is just weird. First of all, to those who are now following me because of one tweet, I feel sorry for you… I really don’t have much to offer.  Second of all, it is amazing to me how fast information can travel around the world. Within an hour of my goofy piece of advice, people from all regions of the US were following my twitter account, as were a couple of people from Great Britain. If i had time to look through all 84,000 of Roddick’s followers, i’m confident I’d find people from every corner of the globe, including one from Bogota, Columbia who started following me during the time it has taken me to write this post…

I know this isn’t ground breaking stuff, but the bottom line is that we can transfer so much information so quickly from one end of the globe to the other, literally in a matter of minutes. Yet, somehow, it takes me 6 years to meet the 5 neighbor-families that have lived around me since we bought the house? There is a lesson somewhere in there for me to learn.