Slumdog Millionaire

Who wants to be a millionaire?   Just about everyone who has ever sweated over paying the next Visa bill, or hoped to have enough cash to cover that out-of-nowhere car repair.  In the slums surrounding India’s mega-metropolis of Mumbai though, it is the impossible dream. Especially for a ’slumdog’  left orphaned with his brother when their mother is killed in a Hindu extremist rampage.

See this film.  It is a gritty, violent expose of the crushing poverty in these slums that are among the most populated in Asia.  One story run in today’s British ‘Daily Mail’ reveals the truth regarding the most disturbing portion of this film…. gangs who prey on small children to recruit them as beggars;

“Behind the Cinema Fantasy”

These are the very realities that have made “Unbound“  a movement and why the International Justice Mission exists (see previous post).

There is beauty interwoven as a powerful contrast in this film…. the beauty of  relentless, devoted love and a certainty in hope that leaves you absolutely wanting to see it again.

 

Unbound – The Movement

I was made aware of the ‘Unbound Movement‘ through my connection to Crossroads in Cincinnati.  Crossroads has a collaborative relationship with Gary Haugen and the International Justice Mission. If you don’t know who Gary Haugen is or about IJM, you should.  ‘Unbound’ is certainly not for students only!

With a mission statement to seek justice, Gary Haugen and IJM have brought the issues of human trafficking and modern-day slavery to the forefront in the United States, Canada and the UK.  In a world where more than 25 million men, women and children are being held in the bondage of slavery, seeking justice for the widow, the poor and the young should be the clarion cry of the Church.  It is the inherent message of the Prophets, just read Isaiah 1:17, 30:18, and Ezekiel 22:29 – for starters.

Can’t we take the Unbound Movement to those beyond their student years who are passionate about this issue?  Suggest ways to your small groups, talk to friends and family who might have very little knowledge about the issue, but compassionate hearts and a desire to commit time and treasure to something beyond themselves.

For an in-depth look at the work of Haugen and IJM, check out the January 19 issue of The New Yorker.  Samantha Power, a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist spent two years researching the work of IJM.  Click here to download the article made available on IJM’s website.

The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.  Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”  John 11:44

 

A Thousand Questions and Robbymac

Several weeks ago I read a book by author/blogger Rob McAlpine or robbymac online.  The book was entitled “Post-Charismatic?” Here is his summation from the back cover:

Charismatic’ is a loaded word. For some it’s old-hat, for others it’s unknown, and for still others it’s dangerous. But for a growing number, it’s a bad dream they want to forget.

Rob McAlpine writes for all these, but especially for the last category – those who embraced charismatic renewal with hope and excitement, only to be found picking themselves up off the floor after years of disappointment, disillusionment and even spiritual abuse.

I am grateful for this book.  It is a wealth of information on many of the movements that informed my Christian experience early on.  Reading it was rather like re-discovering the family tree… including all the skeletons in the closet!  I’ve known about the skeletons for sometime and have never been surprised when they are publicly exposed.  The question now is… what does one do with such a heritage and how does one continue to find commonality with  brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles who still cling to clearly unhealthy behaviors made evident  by a more mature handling of scripture?  And who sometimes reject you outright?

A thousand questions…..

Which brings me to the real reason for this post.  I have continued to check out the robbymac blog since reading “Post-Charismatic?” and recent posts really caught my attention.  It is amazing to recognize my own journey in others online and the Willow Creek leadership videos on his December 30th and January 1st entries were striking for two reasons.  First, because the 1,000 Questions video is so awesome and hits me right where I am; stranded somewhere between post-Charismatic and missional -

The second video featured the worship leader from my current church, Joe Horness.  What a strange thing to encounter that proverbial six-degrees of separation on someone’s blog!  It is indeed an interesting journey with more than a thousand questions.

 

The Consolation of Israel

Awaited Statement

Keri Shryock, 23, a member of the Crossroads community, Xavier University student and cast member from the Awaited Christmas show, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 18, after a fall during the previous night’s performance. All remaining Awaited show performances have been cancelled out of respect for all involved, and to help facilitate the grieving and recovery process.

Crossroads Community Church is one of my adopted church congregations.  I attend whenever the opportunity arises and I am visiting family in Cincinnati.  I have grown to love it.  And because I have a deep love and respect for this community, I both ache and rejoice with them (read on to see why I rejoice).  This event was an accident, and as such will be processed differently by different people.  I have already read commentary online by individuals that are very poor representations of the Lord they proclaim to follow.  One felt it necessary to say that Crossroads should repent in sackcloth and ashes for trying so hard to “entertain.”

It is the young performer’s parents who bring beauty and redemption to this entire community though.  Insisting that Christmas be observed and services go on, these devastated parents have so poignantly made it plain that their daughter loved this community too- that she relished the opportunity to be a part of the “Awaited” Christmas celebration, and that they will process her death through the filter of the faith that sustains them.

This Christmas, the consolation of the ages sustains me.  He was “Awaited”, but now He has come and those that were sitting  in darkness have seen a great light.  The Crossroads community is being the shown the way by the parents of a young woman who know a truth that sets so free, it even conquers death.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

 

Cinderella Children

Every so often I hear these unbelievably inspiring stories of hope and faith.  The kind of reckless faith that steps out beyond reason;  a foolishness that defies narrow definitions and becomes wisdom.  A ‘Cinderella’ story that must be told.

Get the DVD here.

 

A Tale of Two Films

I have been a devoted movie fan since I was a kid.  Winter weekends spent cuddled up in my parents family-room, watching black and whites, learning the landscape of movies and movie stars dating back to the early thirties was truly one my favorite things.  My father shared this passion and often watched with me, educating me from his own vault of superior knowledge of movie facts and trivia.  He even frequently knew the true names of many movie stars, making me laugh, telling me things like Tony Curtis was really born ‘Bernard Schwartz.”

With this background, I am one of those fans who absolutely loves disappearing in the dark of the movie theatre, with popcorn and soda and watching scenes of the human drama playing out.

My most recent visit to the world of the movie theatre was both a delight and a cause for deep internal debate.  First, I saw “Twilight”, the Stephenie Meyer novel about star-crossed lovers Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.  They suffer an impossible love because Bella is human and Edward is a vampire, an immortal relegated to a world of super-human powers, agelessness, sleeplessness and entirely other-than his fellow schoolmates.  The movie and the book series by Meyer are hugely popular, primarily among women ranging from early teens to young moms.

I can see the attraction.  “Twilight” defies the stereotypical vampire world I was raised with.  Dracula, while always getting the girl, still remained the evil that had to be destroyed.  Bella’s true love though, is aware that there are ways to avoid the evil of other vampires… he and his adoptive family never prey on humans, they restrain their beastly tendencies and even war against other, more murderous gangs of vampires.

Next up was “The Secret Life of Bees” another film based on a bestseller by author Sue Monk Kidd. Where “Twilight” merely entertained, “Secret Life of Bees” offered deep lessons on relationships, love, acceptance, forgiveness and hope.

Both films are directed at feminine audiences.  Yet, where one focuses almost entirely on sensuality, dark personae and fantasy, the other is firmly grounded in historicity, the complexities of race in the 1960s south, the problems of abandonment, abuse, and ultimately the power of love and forgiveness.

My hope is that women of all ages are more drawn to the honeyed-richness of “Bees.”

 

Books and Tribes

I recently enlisted in the ranks of bloggers doing book reviews.  I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.  It isn’t as if I don’t already have piles of reading material stacked next to the bed, awaiting my attention.  It just seemed like fun to get free books from Thomas Nelson and let them know what I think.  I’ll be posting more after I receive and read the title I requested -  “Think and Make It Happen – The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts and Discovering Your True Potential” by Dr. Augusto Cury.

I probably really need this book since it contains a twelve-week recovery program.  Lord knows breakthroughs are needed in times of crisis…. as well as conquering the anxiety to which I seem currently prone!

Another book I may just write a little bit about is Seth Godin’s “Tribes – We Need You to Lead Us.” To me the blurb on the back sums it all up -  “If you think leadership is only for other people, you’re wrong.  We need YOU to lead us.”

Take both books and  mix them up together into a sort of smoothie for the confidence-deficient, and they just might be healthy for me.  Look out Tribe….

 

In the Kitchen

My gears haven’t shifted yet from politics and the election.  I find I am having on-going discussions with family and friends about the outcome, the candidates and am usually asked what I think.  In one recent discussion, a friend was really dismayed over an interview that Sarah Palin gave.  The journalist, Greta Van Susteren, was invited into the kitchen to be “at home” with the Vice-Presidential contender.  In my friends’ mind, it was horrible, really horrible to have to sit through a taped interview with a woman who might have been a world leader, at home making some kind of weenies stuffed with cheese.

What struck as me as so funny was that on the same day that my friend, an Obama supporter was decrying the indelicacy of Sarah Palin allowing the major media to follow her around her kitchen…. an attitude I felt was unfair…. I also encountered this interview with “The Chef Executive.”

Enjoy:

 

The Good that May Come

The election is over.  We have set a historic precedent and the stakes couldn’t be higher.  The question is, can we rise to the occasion?

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1 & 2

How tragic for those who do not see this good.  I pray they are vastly outnumbered by those who do.

“a tranquil and quiet life”

“in all godliness”

“and dignity”

In my heart of prayer….. amen.

 

Not On Our Watch

This site is well worth checking out.  Certainly, the subject matter has garnered little political attention in the current race for the White House.

Just a thought for those out there who advocate against Barack Obama on the issue of abortion…. should there not be more vocalizing in regards to all life, including the unborn?

We must begin to look at the politics of human rights through what a good friend so eloquently described as the “hierarchy of the oppressed.”