The Way Home - a review

I reviewed the movie for Book Sneeze.

My wife an I watched this movie. I had a great message and a good story. A boy is lost and found. It was very predictable and covered a short time span. Some of the "extras" actors seemed a bit... "new". Check it out for yourself. I think you will be pleased.

Over all it was a good movie. I'd recommend it to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Fireproof

Rhonda and I went to see "Fireproof" movie. It was a free screening for pastors and church leaders. "Fireproof" is a great movie. Plan to take your spouse, friends, family. Everyone should see it. There are a couple of things to keep in mind. This movie is not a sly Christian movie. It is very upfront with Christian values and themes. BUT, it is done very well. Excellent movie. Check it out here:

Batman: The Dark Knight

I went to see Batman: Dark Knight last night... Awesome Movie! It is so intense. You think it is almost over and then "Bam" "Pow" there is a twist. It is dark - not at all like the cartoon-like Batman movies. It is also true to what I remember about reading Batman comics and watching early Batman shows. It is an excellent follow up to Batman Begins.

Christian Bale is the absolute best Batman. He is not too over the top action, but just right in the roll. I thought no one would be a better Joker than Jack Nicholson, but I was wrong - Heath Ledger really sells the roll. He was a dead on Joker. The rest of the cast was also incredible. No on dropped the ball on this one.

I give it an A!

By the way, they leave some of the story hanging... looking for the next installment. Oh yes!

End of the Spear

Last night we watched "End of the Spear" with our youth group. We went over to a sponsors home, Rhonda (not my wife) to watch it. She was having the girls spend the night after youth service, so we decided to just watch the movie at her house. Very powerful. Really makes you think. Would you be willing to give all for the sake of the gospel? It is easy preaching and doing ministry in our air-conditioned churches with people who understand what you are trying to do. The question the movie begs is what are you really doing with your life? What are you doing with the gift God has given you? I'm afraid, not much.

The Latest

The latest what? I guess the latest about me, of course! It's been a while since my last post. I just get busy and then when I sit down to post, something else comes up, usually like ready everyone else's postings. That really eats your time. BUT, I get to read some really good ones.

One I read today compared the fastfood pictues to the real thing. You've got to check this out.

More? Here you go... (this is isn't all, I just don't want you to fall asleep at your computer and drool all over your keyboard - ewwww)

• Sunday (June 10) was Grad. Sunday. I got to preach even though it was our new pastor's second Sunday with us. What a cool honor. I used a bicycle in my sermon: Bicycle of Life: Getting Ready for a Brand New Journey. Here it is in a nutshell (without scripture refs. sorry. If you want them, just let me know). Wheels = Faith (got to have your own and keep them pumped up - I gave each grad a bike pump with "Faith" written on it.) Peddles = Action (get involved, go somewhere, enjoy life) Handlebars & Breaks = Direction & Choices (life is about choices, make good ones) Balance (control your life) The Journey ahead. The we prayed for each grad.
• Sunday night in Fusion Life (youth service) I used each of the grads favorite verse to talk about life. They really picked some good ones. They also submitted some quotes. One of my favorites what by Justin. He said, "God created us all to be superman, we have to choose to wear the S." That is so cool. God doesn't make any junk or mistakes - but we sure can make it look that way when we are outside of his will.
• Mine and Rhonda's anniversary is coming up - tomorrow - 14 years! I've got some special stuff planned - very creative this year (no, that doesn't mean cheap). I'll share more later - Rhonda may read my blog... but I doubt it.
• We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End on opening night - I thought is was very good - a bit slow at the beginning, but it picked up nicely. Maybe a #4 coming. I hope so. Next big movie: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer! Maybe taking the youth group boys. And YES, my wife is planning to see it with me too. She is so cool!
• UNC is in the College World Series! Is your team? Did you know that colleges play more than Football and Basketball? UNC is thinking about having a football team next year (ha ha ha). Go Heels!
• Took my 2 kids to the dentist today. No cavities AND the dentist and hygienist are both Heels fans.
• Did some downloading from iTunes this weekend. (hey, someone send me an iPod or at least some iTunes gift certs. - that would be nice). I downloaded some songs to used for the Grad. Picture Show (makes moms cry to see their babies all growing up). Here is my list... don't judge me...

I Still Believe - Jeremy Camp
What If - Jadon Lavik
Raging Sea - Michael W. Smith
How to Say Goodbye - Michael W. Smith
The Power of a Moment - Chris Rice ** This is the song we used**
Where You Lead Me - MercyMe
Follow Your Dreams - Raze
Smellin' Coffee - Chris Rice
8th Grade - Chris Rice
He Believes In You - Aaron Benward
Lifesong - Casting Crowns
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper -- yes, I'm a closet Cyndi Lauper fan, now the word is out --
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
She Bop - Cyndi Lauper
You're the Inspiration - Chicago

The first two, I'd downloaded several months ago for different youth services. The last few were, well, old memories. BTW: That is my whole iTunes list.

Here's an idea: post your last 10 iTunes downloads! Tag, your it.

That's all for now. My next post will be #100. I can sense your excitement.

Spiderman 3

I took my wife to see Spiderman 3 on Monday. She'd arranged us to have a date night - kids all taken care of. We went out to El Tapatio for dinner. Then it was off to see Spiderman 3. I've read several blogs and review of Spiderman 3 so you are probably tired of hearing about it. I'll be brief in my comments.

Movie for entertainment: I loved it. It was a bit busy with the black suit theme, the Goblin Jr. theme, the sandman theme, the MJ theme and the new photographer/Venom theme - BUT, I loved it. It all worked to a climax at the end.

Movie for spiritual content: There is so much to say here.

• good vs. evil
• greed
• revenge
• forgiveness
• power
• true friendship

There are MANY opportunities to talk about faith and spiritual things.

There you go, my humble take. I give it 3 thumbs up (I borrowed one from my wife).

Free Fonts and a SUPER Date Idea

I came across this free font site and downloaded a bunch - probably too many. I'll never use all those fonts. But they are very cool. The site is called Fonts500. Check it out. Take a peak. I'm sure you'll find a bunch you like. It puts 100 fonts on a page and there are 5 pages - thus 500 free fonts. There is also a page to help you install your new fonts. Easy as pie... ummmmm pie. We bought a GREAT blueberry pie in Lancaster, PA over Spring Break - man was it good!!! But, "GREAT blueberry pie" is not the topic this morning.

Another Font idea/tip. Search the Internet, but there is a macro or command that you can run in MS Word to print out all your fonts. I do that sometimes and then delete the ones I'll never. I also use it to see what I have. So many fonts. I seem to use the ones in the upper area of the alphabet because I get to them first.

Date Idea: Every month my wife puts two dates on my calendar, two "date nights." It is great. Often she plans and and then I plan the other. (I've got a "surprise" date planned for one of our May dates. Shhhh, it's a secrete.) Sometimes we plan them together and other times we do the normal, "what do you want to do?" "I don't know, what do you want to do?" Then we go out to dinner. BUT, last night we did a really fun, creative date. (She planned it of course). Here is the scoop.

She picked up a movie. Then she fixed dinner for the family. After dinner, Deb kept the kids and we took our movie, some popcorn (popped on the stove - not in the microwave - good stuff, closest to movie popcorn I've had), sodas, candy, a blowup mattress, some pillows and headed up to the youth room. She blew up the mattress, I got ice and turned on the digital projector. Then we got cozy and watched the flick on big screen. Very nice, very nice indeed.


The movie: The Guardian - with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher. Now, I don't think I would have picked this one out, BUT, it turned out to be a great movie. A couple of places they could have cut down on the language and Ashton's character's romance was not exactly "pure." But the underlying message: "saving lives and giving your life for someone else" was very well done. This is definitely a movie to rent. Costner and Kutcher do a great job selling the hardships and rewards of being in the United States Coast Guard.

Movie - Thr3e

Rhonda and I went to see "Thr3e", the movie based on Ted Dekker's book by the same name. I thought it was great. Rhonda has read the book and said the book was better, but we both really enjoyed the movie. Some of the reviews have NOT been favorable, but I loved it. I've only read about 1/2 of the book, so it wasn't long before the movie was all new to me. The twist at the end really got me, I was not expecting it at all. I totally recommend it!

Most of all I recommend a date night!

Let me know what you think of the movie if you've seen it.