Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day”
HENRI J.M.NOUWEN, Dutch priest, professor and writer
The movie directed by Angelina Jolie tells of the remarkable experiences of Louis Zamperini during WWII. Apparently something remarkable happened after the war, as well.
His marriage on the rocks, his life in shambles, he went to a meeting by the evangelist Billy Graham:
“The moment the invitation began, he grabbed his wife’s hand and headed toward the exit. But in the aisle, overwhelmed by the realization of how broken his life had become, he turned around and gave his life to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. He left the tent with God’s complete forgiveness.
“From that day forward, everything changed. He started reading the Bible. His nightmares disappeared, he gave up drinking, his hatred and violent anger melted away, and he began to live for Christ.”
While trapped on an airplane, my youngest son happened to start watching the History channel’s take on the book of Revelation, called “Revelation: The End of Days”. Once again, it amazes me how one particular view of eschatology, and a minority one at that, seems to get all the press.
Here again, we have the pre-tribulation rapture, followed by a rise of an anti- Christ in government (a FEMA- like entity, no less). There are some clever takes on the nature of the first beast (a seven headed bacteria, unleashed by the FEMA- like entity to aid its rise to power).
The show was respectful of Christians, which is always welcome. Although, on the other hand, I have to say that the Christians portrayed here are not typical clean cut churchgoers, but rather your scruffy “Doomsday prepper”
cults. The production quality was what you would expect of a made-for-TV disaster movie or mockumentary. There was a bit too much jerky handheld camera footage for my taste. Still, for airplane entertainment, one could do worse. “Pass the pretzels, son.”
Welcome to this blog, in the name of Him whose revelations of glory we celebrate at the Feast of Epiphany. I am Brother James, a professional, a scholar (see below), a lover of music and beauty, an amateur photographer, a father and husband, and above all, a Christian believer. It is my faith that has propelled me to undertake this endeavor. Within the church I have worn many hats (teacher, worship leader, choir member, preacher, and now, a kind of cyber-missionary). I hope that you will be blessed by what you find here. Regardless of the current condition of your faith, I wish you well.
(Full disclosure here: My scholarly activities are not in theology; and I use the moniker “brother” as a way of emphasizing my equality with other believers, rather than adopting other titles that I cannot claim a right to use (such as “reverend”, or “bishop”), however, by this use I am not suggesting that I have taken vows in any monastic orders).