Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Another post about Lost
Something caught my eye on a blog I read alot and thought I would share it with you. The guy I got it from copied it from a blog he reads alot. Which makes me think that these two guys must be pretty cool because they both agree with me that LOST very well may be the best show on TV. Here's why Tim Stevens and Scott McClellan think so...
The story is key—Although the show has occasionally involved explosions, car chases, gunplay, and fist fights, those things are not what Lost is about. Instead, viewers are watching a huge narrative play itself out. The episodes and seasons are mini-narratives that comprise the overarching story of the island and its inhabitants. And that overarching story, so far, has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen on TV.
Nobody’s perfect—As the Losties’ backstories have been revealed, and as we’ve watched them interact on the island for 90 days, one thing is clear: there are no perfect people in the Lost universe. Isn’t that refreshing? In most episodic television, the characters are too good and things work out too well. Any character flaws are only skin deep, which allows them to patched up in a 30-minute episode. Real life just isn’t that way, which is part of why Lost resonates with its viewers.
Anything is possible—Redemption for sinners, polar bears in the jungle, and cancer in remission are just a few of the unlikely realities on Lost island. It’s really cool to watch a show that takes place in a world where conventional wisdom doesn’t always apply. In fact, rational science can’t explain everything that takes place on the show, which leads us into …
The supernatural—A lot of shows on TV dismiss the supernatural entirely (especially those courtroom dramas we love so much). Some other shows embrace the supernatural, but in a laughable way (think Touched By an Angel, Joan of Arcadia, The Ghost Whisperer, etc.). Lost’s acknowledgment of supernatural phenomena is creepy, suspenseful, and brilliant. Plus, it reminds us that for all its boasting, Big Science isn’t an omniscient monopoly.
Layers—Sure, Lost is pretty wide (it has characters and storylines out the wazzoo), but it’s also deep. Every character and event has multiple layers to it. That makes for pretty engaging entertainment, but it also might help us to stop reducing everything and everyone to a soundbyte. As it turns out, soundbytes rarely tell the whole story.
Mystery—When did the human race become so obsessed with overturning every rock and solving every mystery? Sure, it’s good to discover cures for diseases and new species of wildlife, but we need to learn to live with and appreciate the mysteries of life. Why do things happen the way the do? How do things happen the way they do? We don’t know, and nowhere is that more evident than Lost message boards.
Everything and everyone is connected—We tend to believe that people float in and out of our lives without consequence, but in reality, we’re all connected. Did you know that millionaire Hurley owned the box factory Locke worked in? Did you know Locke did some work (I think it was a home inspection) for Sayid’s long-lost love, Nadia? Lost often reminds us that we are all connected, and that the people around us are important in our personal stories and the bigger story we all find ourselves in.
So, what do you think? Am I overrating this silly little program? Did I leave out an important part of Lost’s greatness? Chime in.
The story is key—Although the show has occasionally involved explosions, car chases, gunplay, and fist fights, those things are not what Lost is about. Instead, viewers are watching a huge narrative play itself out. The episodes and seasons are mini-narratives that comprise the overarching story of the island and its inhabitants. And that overarching story, so far, has been unlike anything we’ve ever seen on TV.
Nobody’s perfect—As the Losties’ backstories have been revealed, and as we’ve watched them interact on the island for 90 days, one thing is clear: there are no perfect people in the Lost universe. Isn’t that refreshing? In most episodic television, the characters are too good and things work out too well. Any character flaws are only skin deep, which allows them to patched up in a 30-minute episode. Real life just isn’t that way, which is part of why Lost resonates with its viewers.
Anything is possible—Redemption for sinners, polar bears in the jungle, and cancer in remission are just a few of the unlikely realities on Lost island. It’s really cool to watch a show that takes place in a world where conventional wisdom doesn’t always apply. In fact, rational science can’t explain everything that takes place on the show, which leads us into …
The supernatural—A lot of shows on TV dismiss the supernatural entirely (especially those courtroom dramas we love so much). Some other shows embrace the supernatural, but in a laughable way (think Touched By an Angel, Joan of Arcadia, The Ghost Whisperer, etc.). Lost’s acknowledgment of supernatural phenomena is creepy, suspenseful, and brilliant. Plus, it reminds us that for all its boasting, Big Science isn’t an omniscient monopoly.
Layers—Sure, Lost is pretty wide (it has characters and storylines out the wazzoo), but it’s also deep. Every character and event has multiple layers to it. That makes for pretty engaging entertainment, but it also might help us to stop reducing everything and everyone to a soundbyte. As it turns out, soundbytes rarely tell the whole story.
Mystery—When did the human race become so obsessed with overturning every rock and solving every mystery? Sure, it’s good to discover cures for diseases and new species of wildlife, but we need to learn to live with and appreciate the mysteries of life. Why do things happen the way the do? How do things happen the way they do? We don’t know, and nowhere is that more evident than Lost message boards.
Everything and everyone is connected—We tend to believe that people float in and out of our lives without consequence, but in reality, we’re all connected. Did you know that millionaire Hurley owned the box factory Locke worked in? Did you know Locke did some work (I think it was a home inspection) for Sayid’s long-lost love, Nadia? Lost often reminds us that we are all connected, and that the people around us are important in our personal stories and the bigger story we all find ourselves in.
So, what do you think? Am I overrating this silly little program? Did I leave out an important part of Lost’s greatness? Chime in.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I forgot
Every Tuesday at 4:00 I meet with two other guys to read and study the Scripture. We've been meeting for quite some time now and have slowly made our way through the pastoral letters of 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. We are now trudging through the account of the early church in the book of Acts. As we read through chapter 8, I was reminded of something that I forgot to bring out in my message this past week.
Some of you may recall the encouragement that was given to be cautious of FAKE healers. For those readers not able to be here in attendance, allow me to recap.
1. Be cautious of those who are constantly casting out demons of ashma, blindness, cnacer, diabetes, and post nasal drip.
2. Be cautious of those who promise healing for every disease.
3. Be cautious of those who make miracles the main ministry.
4. Be cautious of those who use healing as a money maker.
5. Be cautious of those who make light of medical treatment.
It's the fourth caution that I was reminded of during my small group study. Check this!
9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
That's serious business!!! I love that part that when Peter suggest that perhaps Simon should pray and perhaps the Lord will forgive you.
Some of you may recall the encouragement that was given to be cautious of FAKE healers. For those readers not able to be here in attendance, allow me to recap.
1. Be cautious of those who are constantly casting out demons of ashma, blindness, cnacer, diabetes, and post nasal drip.
2. Be cautious of those who promise healing for every disease.
3. Be cautious of those who make miracles the main ministry.
4. Be cautious of those who use healing as a money maker.
5. Be cautious of those who make light of medical treatment.
It's the fourth caution that I was reminded of during my small group study. Check this!
9Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
That's serious business!!! I love that part that when Peter suggest that perhaps Simon should pray and perhaps the Lord will forgive you.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Union Dearest Union
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