Wednesday, February 28, 2007

The Gnostic conspiracy theory...

The Gnostic conspiracy theory says that orthodoxy hushed up the really exciting thing and promoted this boring sterile thing with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. And of course there's a great lie underneath that. In the second and third centuries, the people being thrown to the lions and burned at the stake and sawed in two were not the ones reading Thomas and Judas and the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary. They were the ones reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Because the empire is perfectly happy with Gnosticism. Gnosticism poses no threat to the empire. Whereas Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John do. It's the church's shame that in the last 200 years, the church has muzzled Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and turned them into instruments of a controlling, sterile orthodoxy. But the texts themselves are explosive.
NT Wright

Thanks Bruce!

- Peace

Friday, February 23, 2007

The Astronaut Farmer: a review

The opening image of a man in a space suit riding on a sandy range to retrieve a wayward calf promises a movie rich in cultural symbolism. Unfortunately that promise never gets off the ground. Maybe if I hadn’t just seen Flight of the Phoenix (Battlestar Galactica) I’d been more impressed with the Astronaut Farmer.

In both stories a man builds a space ship against incredible odds, but Flight of the Phoenix is a much better story. Both men face opposition from friends and foes, but in Flight of the Phoenix Chief Tyrel wins over his skeptics one at a time, and they become the key to building the Black Bird. Charlie Farmer, yes a farmer named Farmer who’s an Astronaut too, builds his ship mostly on his own. He doesn’t win anyone over, no one comes along side to help. Chief Tyrel is building a ship to help the fleet survive against an aggressive enemy and to restore people’s faith that they can build anew, even when on the run. Farmer is chasing his dream, cause it’s his dream, and that’s what good American’s do – if you can defy some stereo typical bureaucrats along the way all the better.

My advice, skip the Astronaut Farmer and rent Battlestar Galactica instead. BTW I did get two free passes to see The Astronaut Farmer.

- Peace

Friday, February 16, 2007

Amazing Grace, the movie


Bene Diction has all the details on this movie. I'm looking forward to it.

- Peace

Monday, February 12, 2007

Bowling for Photos

Lane Dance
Must say I had a great time at this months Paradise Lanes Flickr Meet. I've never been with so many talented and crazy people in bowling shoes. It was a ton of fun, even if I did lose to Kris and Melissa.

- Peace

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

I'll Never Understand - MP3

I'll Amen Jared - I'll Never Understand by Shad K is an Incredible song. The woman’s voice in the song is Shad’s mother, she survived the Rwandan massacre. Grace, Pain and Beauty - how could I not Amen that?

- Peace

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Jesus Loves Osama


Jesus Loves Osama
Originally uploaded by Ronchy.

Things that get under our skin.
Thanks Kevin.

- Peace

A Calgary Church Plant Greenhouse

Adam, Jeremy and Jared are gathering at Cafe Koi on Thursday night (7 pm) to talk Churches planting them and growing them. They're trying to see if there's enough local interest in getting a Calgary Greenhouse going.
Greenhouses are basically organic networks for church planters and those interested in creating new forms of church. We get together, we tell stories, we inspire one another…
My contribution was recommending Koi as a location. While I'm not sure if Xalt counts as a church plant, I'll be seeking advice on deepening community.

- Peace

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Who Reads What Publishing Again

I know, you now feel whole.

- Peace

Friday, February 02, 2007

Michael meets blues hero

Some people have asked me over the years "Just what is it with you and the blues anyway?".

Well when I started playing guitar I wanted to be a rock'n roller but then I saw the "Blues Brothers" movie. John Lee Hooker playing on Maxwell Street in that movie changed my mind. I knew I had to play that music and I've been doing the blues ever since.
So when I heard that Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi were coming to town with the Blues Brothers band I got my tickets right away and yesterday a lifetime fantasy was fulfilled. I got to thank Dan in person for giving me the blues.
(Dave, I promise I will blog the concert but I just couldn't wait)

Danny and Michael