More 300 thoughts...

death
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

So I turned to consider wisdom, madness and folly...-Ecclesiastes 2:12

A number of people have expressed concern over my viewing the movie 300 and my thoughts about the movie. As usual I don't think my writing ability seemed to convey the point I was trying to make.

300 is an R movie. It has extreme violence, nudity and some odd eastern/arabian night like monsters. I took a chance on a film I really had been anticipating...it let me down in the way it went over the top in some of it's imagery.

As a pastor I was trying to get at the themes that were in the film that resonate with a christian man as well as a non-christian man. I was trying to show that the internal drives are often the same but for a Christian how we live out those drives is different.

Just to admit that I enjoy a healthy sex life is somehow sinful to some people. Much of the church conversation seems to imply that a godly man wouldn't write like King Solomon did:
"The curve of your hips are like jewels" -Song of Solomon 7:1
"Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters, I said, I will take hold of its fruit stalks" -Song of Solomon 7:7

Sometimes in the church, which is often dominated by a womanly perspective about sex and the general attitude is that men are obsessive about sex and if they were truly spiritual they would have a sex drive more like a woman. Because we all know that women are more spiritual than men.

That is more what I was trying to talk about but again it got lost in the wording I guess. I wasn't trying to endorse porn or viewing endless nudity or advocating a sexual romp through hollywood for your own sinful pleasure. Sexual sin is destructive, I have taught up and down that tree this last month. Porn is destructive, damaging and addictive and playing around with fire can get you burned. We all need to guard our hearts and use wisdom in choosing entertainment. In most of all my choices I use a lot of preemptive searches to find out content etc. I think that is wise and I often avoid much that this world pumps out for consumption.

I know that many will disagree with choices I make at times, you are free to have your standards and I will aim to engage culture, consume culture with as much wisdom as I can muster. Sometimes I make good choices and sometimes I don't...it's a learning experience for sure.

I know many will use my viewing of 300 as a excuse to see it or a means to justifying see it. Looking back, that issue probably should have had more weight in my choosing to write (and/or seeing) about it.

simple truth...

I know this is an ad but why is it the world often gets a handle on what makes people tick better than us Christians do. Churches banging their heads to figure our the "missional code" or pay loads of money to go somewhere to have someone tell them how to impact their community. When actually you might be able to do that with a couch and some kleenex.

The kingdom of heaven really belongs to the children...

Slow down dude...

More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them. -Henri Nouwen

Wow...so true. 

I wrestle with this, especially as our church grows and the needs mount and people start expecting more and more "stuff". Then there is your own inner self that seem to feel the pressure from without and within to "be" something more, do something more, provide something more and on and on it goes. One of the blessings and challenges of living in a neighborhood where your church gathers and more and more members live; is the reality of there always being some place to go, someone to visit, something to do. On one hand that is a major blessing and practical way to share life and Jesus. But it also means that your private world or chance for "solitude" diminishes as well. 

Suburban and commuter life pastoring has its downsides but one thing I miss sometimes is the feeling of pulling up into your own private home and lowering the draw bridge and parking and then raising it and feeling that you were "away or done". Strange how sometimes we can love and hate something at the same time.

Paul Bunyan burgers...

chowing
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Here's my kids awaiting their Paul Bunyan burgers at our post hiking mandatory stop in Coeur D alene, ID...Not a bad looking bunch of kids.

Amazing!

Christa

Christa
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Christa enjoying the lake on our hike. She went back home to Amsterdam, Holland yesterday after a 3 week stay with us. We will miss her. We are praying that she might be our first international intern and come and helps us with the growing church. Pray for her as she decides.

And remember sister the 3 points of God's to call to Abraham:
—one that requires sacrifice (“Leave your home”) and obedience (“Go to a land I will show you”), one that holds great promise (“I will bless you”).

Spokane Falls

Spokane Falls
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

One of the reasons I love living in Spokane...nature is a part of the city. Here is a shot of the falls that run through the downtown area.

Micah in a moment of glee

Micah in the woods
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

My youngest son scampering all over the hillsides on our hike on Saturday.

Starwars...a lost hope

sabers
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Ok, a little low brow but this made me laugh.

going for a walk

going for a walk
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

We all took our friend Christa from Holland to Coeur D Alen for a tour of the town, a hike and visit to our summer swimming spot on Tubbs Hill.

14

14
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

This is my oldest son Christian...he is 14.

I am sure we are all proud of our kids but I sure am proud of how this young man is growing up. He is smart (3.6 and up), funny, creative, wise for his age, compassionate, not a push over, sincere, respectful to us, brave and makes some great films. And most of all he loves Jesus and shows it...oh, and of course, he loves metal.

His blog is:
http://worldofniss.blogspot.com/

New baby.

Jackson
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Alicia, our foster daughter had a boy, his name is, Jackson...so in a strange kind of way, I am a grandpa at 36.

hummmmm

hummmmm
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Can you figure out what this piece of art is about?

I am going to make one of these out of stone.

Batman vs alien vs predator

I'm sorry you have no mission....

In high school (youth group), you were baby sat, entertained, shamed, taught how to be "nice," kept busy with lots of programs, told not to sin--(sex, porn, getting drunk, having long hair), you went on 10-day missions trip to Jamaica over Christmas, but you were never given a picture for your role in the mission of God to redeem His world. Your faith has been totally undermined by a Christianity of privitization: you and Jesus. You were given the monastic vision of Christianity as a life of personal piety alone, raised to live in the Christian ghetto where it's safe

Read the whole article here:
http://anthonybradley.worldmagblog.com/anthonybradley/archives/024770.html

Dwight is the best...

Pan's Labyrinth

pans labyrinth
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

Saw this film yesterday and have to say, this dude was the creepiest creature I have seen in a long time. I am not into horror or fright films at all and this gangly, bloody, skin dangling, fairy chomping nightmare on two awkward legs was enough o make me grip my chair! Yikes! Don't let your kids near this film!

But, it is worth seeing in my opinion, though not at the theater. I could have enjoyed it on my big screen at home just as well.

It is violent in parts, I mean brutally graphic. Not gory or grotesque but shockingly violent. The main bad dude of the film is a nazi like figure.
He likes smashing in noses and point blank shots into wounded opponents. You want this guy to die, fairly quickly after you meet him in the movie.

It's a fairy tale story set in war time. Its spanish with english subtitles.
The female child lead, is amazing. The story is rich and the fantasy elements are original and well done.

The movies message is deep and worth unpacking. Human depravity, the power of faith, sacrifice, redemption in blood, a father who is trying to make a way to be reunited with his child, two worlds, an unseen one and a real one that exist at the same time and interact but only some can see, a book that must be read followed and obeyed, A guide who helps the child return from this world to the next, life and death and conflict as necessary for growth and passage to the next life, the futility of trying to ward off death or act as if it wont happen, the struggle of a son and his fathers death, on and on it goes. This movie is packed with discussion points for sure.

I liked it but be warned...one part has a man sewing up his cheek...it made my butt pucker!

Listen...you can hear mountains moving.

Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to those who love Him? -James 2:5

Mesmerizing.

Male or men?

atlantis
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains..." -1 Chr 12:8

Our friend Christa and LeeElla and I were talking the other day and Christa was sharing how in Amsterdam, Holland it's hard to find christian men who are self motivated spiritually. The women seem to be the ones dragging men along in spiritual things. Then they asked if I knew any christian men who have spiritual drive? Not just christians, but devoted, spiritual, focused, hungry, front line kind of men. I had to confess...they are far and few between. Not many stand out, rise above or stand alone.

Why is that?

I read this after our conversation:
"Christianity is now seen as a part of the sphere of life proper to women rather than to men, it sometimes attracts men whose own masculinity is doubtful. By this I do not mean homosexuals . . . rather religion is a safe field, a refuge from the challenges of life and therefore attracts men who are fearful of making a break with the secure world of childhood dominated by women. These are men who have problems following the path of masculine development." -Leon Podles, is his book, The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity,

Over the years I've noticed in christian circles of men some trends:
Men are more soft. They look more like girls with feathery hair cascading down over their pouty and moody faces. Lots of tight pants with silky, patterned shits, shoes that don't get dirty, bodies scented with product, perfumes and stuff for lips. Struggles with paralyzing Indecision, deep seated timidity, escapism and juvenile fantasy lives. They are often slow...they meander in life without spiritual focus, drive and ambition...they end up talking instead of walking. They don't want the "wilderness" but civilization, safety and the familiar. Men of might? men of war? Hummm...we can't even get up the courage to sing out-loud much, let alone pray out-loud. Faces like Lions? I've not seen a countenance that appears hungry, fierce and determined in a long time.

Pure grit is that element of character, which enables a man to clutch his aim with an iron grip, and keep the needle of his purpose pointing to the star of his hope. Through sunshine and storm, through hurricane and tempest, through sleet and rain, with a leaky ship, with a crew in mutiny, it perseveres; in fact, nothing but death can subdue it, and it dies still struggling.
- Orison Sweet Marden

61% of the average adult U.S. church attendance is women, 80% of attendees at midweek church activities are women, and 90% of boys raised in the church will abandon it by time they turn 20-years-old.

Those stats alarm me. This is the hour for males to return to men. My prayer is that this year will be a awakening year for the soul of men in the church.

First Friday...on the other side of the tracks

Lilly
Originally uploaded by ericblauer.

"The good artists are the people who are, in one way or another, creating, out of deep and honest concern, a vision of life . . . that is worth pursuing. And the bad artists, of whom there are many, are whining or moaning or staring, because it's fashionable, into the dark abyss."
- John Gardner, On Moral Fiction

Tonight we are hosting our third artist & live music event called: First Friday...on the other side of the tracks.

This month we have an open exhibit with over a dozen different artists that have submitted work. We will be showing paintings, model cars, hand made crafts, poetry and video. Come and visit, eat some great food, listen to local musician Sean Saugen and enjoy everyones offerings...and it's FREE.