Les Miserables – Unmerited Divine Assistance

A couple of weeks ago, Leanne and I went to see the latest edition of Les Miserables at our local movie theater.  We’ve seen the story before – once on Broadway, once at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia, and several times in various cinematic productions.  We thoroughly enjoyed this version of the movie.  And while some may say that seeing this movie was like turning in my man card, I would disagree.  And I would recommend anyone see it for themselves.

Sure I liked the movie and what they did with the story.  I think the actors did a great job – especially Anne Hathaway in the role of Fantine and Hugh Jackman in the role of Jean Valjean.  The music was great.  And the sets and overall cinematography helped bring the story to a whole new level.

What I liked most though about Les Miserables was the reminder of grace.  The theme of grace is threaded throughout the entire story.  Les Miserables reminded me that grace is undeserved, surprising, freeing, contagious, and sometimes a little confusing.  According to Webster’s Dictionary, grace is defined as:

unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification, a virtue coming from God, a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace

In Christian circles, grace is talked about from time to time, but I think it’s easy to forget how amazing grace really is.

We don’t deserve grace.  In Romans 3:23, Paul reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Our sin separates us from God.  It condemns us to death.  In Romans 6:23, Paul starts by saying “For the wages of sin is death.”  If we stopped there, the story would be pretty grim.

The beauty is that our story doesn’t have to end there.  In his letter to the Romans, Paul lays out a pretty clear argument to those who want to escape this death.  Simply stated, there is hope and eternal life with Christ found for those who make Jesus Christ the leader and forgiver of their lives.  At the end of Romans 6:23, it says “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  A gift.  That’s what grace is about.  Unmerited divine assistance.

And this is why I liked Les Miserables.  The movie reminded me that like Jean Valjean, I have received an undeserved gift.  I have been granted grace.  We all need that gift and the reminder of grace, so we live in light of that grace each day of our lives.

When was the last time you were given something you didn’t deserve?  What is/was your response to an undeserved gift?  How does grace impact your daily life?  Do you know the grace I’m talking about?

Ice Breaker – Top 5 Christmas Movies

Each week on The Stretched Blog, we ask an ice breaker question.  The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community.  I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments.  While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

This week’s question is designed to get you in the holiday spirit.  The Christmas movies are starting to show up on television.  It’s time to schedule time to watch your favorite movies.  Today’s Ice Breaker will get you thinking, so you can properly prepare.  Have fun!

Question:  Name your top 5 Christmas movies.

My Answer:  I’m sure I could come up with more than 5, but I have to start somewhere.  Here you go:

(1)  It’s A Wonderful Life – What can I say?  This is my favorite Christmas movie by far.  I’ve always enjoyed watching this movie on Christmas Eve.  There’s something about being reminded every year that I have a wonderful life.

(2)  A Christmas Story – Many of us could probably recite the lines from this movie.  Believe it or not, I looked like Ralphie from that movie when I was a young kid.

(3)  Christmas Vacation – If you need a good laugh during the holidays, this is a great place to turn.

(4)  Polar Express – The animation, the music, and the story make this one of my favorites.  You gotta’ believe!

(5)  Christmas With The Kranks – This is one of our families favorites based on Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.  (If you get a chance, read the book.  It’s a great book!)  I love the ending of this movie when the community unites together to help the Kranks.

Honorable Mention:  Elf, Home Alone, The Santa Clause, and The Muppets Christmas Carol

There you have it – my answer.  Now, it’s your turn.  Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment.  I look forward to reading your response!

Pay It Forward – Let’s Start A Revolution

Saturday night, I watched Pay It Forward with my family.  I’ve seen the movie before, and I couldn’t help being inspired all over again by the premise of this movie.  There are some ugly parts in the story like an alcoholic mom, a homeless grandmother, a heroin addict, and a bunch of junior high bullies.  But there’s also amazing beauty in this movie.

The movie clip above gives a brief explanation of the “pay it forward” concept.  The idea is that a person does three acts of kindness for three different people.  The acts of kindness have to be something big – something that the person couldn’t do for themselves.  Instead of repaying the giver, the recipients of the act of kindness must pay it forward by doing acts of kindness for three more people.  You can see how this would multiply quickly if people really followed up on the “pay it forward” movement.

Do you think this idea could work?

Imagine with me for a moment, that each of the readers of this blog took this challenge seriously.  If 100 readers took the pay it forward challenge between now and the end of the year, 300 people would be impacted.  Then these 300 people took the “pay it forward” challenge in the next 3 months.  By the end of March, 900 more people would be impacted (for a total of 1,000 people).  Then these 900 people took the “pay it forward” challenge in the following 3 months.  By the end of June, 2700 more people would be impacted (for a total of 3,700 people).

Maybe “pay it forward” is utopian as the teacher indicates in the clip, but so what?  What if only half the people followed through on the “pay it forward” challenge?  Over 400 people would still be impacted by the end of June.  That’s a big deal!

This Christmas season can get so crazy with trying to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones.  It’s also busy as we run from one holiday event to the next holiday event.  It’s so easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas as we are flooded with all the pressures of this holiday season.

What do you think about trying something crazy this season?  What do you think about starting a revolution?

Let’s try it!  Seriously.  Let’s start our own “pay it forward” revolution.  Wouldn’t you love to change the world for someone this season?  Who’s with me?  Let’s do this thing!

Leave a comment if you plan to join the “pay it forward” challenge.  Let us know how you plan to join the revolution (not to brag – but to encourage – to share ideas).

Movie Review: Blue Like Jazz

Saturday afternoon, Leanne and I went to the movies to see Blue Like Jazz.  The movie is based on a book by Donald Miller, and it was directed by Steve Taylor (who I saw in concert when I was in high school).  The movie itself was funded primarily through individuals who gave money through Kickstarter.  All of this adds up to making Blue Like Jazz very different from most movies made today.  BLJ didn’t have the huge marketing and financial budget that most movies have these days.  Marketing has been be word of mouth and by the hard work of Miller and Taylor.

I read Blue Like Jazz several years ago.  The book, as I remember it, is a collections chaotic thoughts about Miller’s journey from a broken home and fundamental church background through doubt and disillusionment to a rediscovery of God and His love for us.

The movie takes the general stories and themes of the book and weaves them together to retell the story of college student, Don Miller, and his journey to rediscover his faith in God.

BLJ contains many chaotic conversations and scenes.  There are many things in the movie that had me scratching my head – ‘is this okay?’.  There’s cursing, drinking and drunkenness, discussions about sexuality and sexual orientation, and many other things in this movie that my have you feeling uncomfortable.  I would encourage you to hang in there.  These things bring clarity to the ending message and discovery.  I don’t want to give it away, but the last five minutes of Blue Like Jazz are powerful.  You need to see the whole movie though for it to all make sense.

This is not a “Christian” movie.  It’s a movie made by Christians.  Many Christians may decide not to see it because it’s too secular, and many who are not Christians may decide not to see it because it’s too God focused.  Here’s my take:  Give it a chance.  Go see the movie!  You could wait until it comes out on DVD, but I’d highly recommend that you find a theater and go see it.  Bring a friend along with you.  After the movie, go grab a cup of coffee together, and talk about the movie.  It’s different.  Blue Like Jazz will definitely have you thinking.  It’s not required, but you may want to read the book before you go see the movie.  Certain things in the movie will make a little more sense if you’ve read the book – like the rabbit chasing the sexy carrot scene.

Blue Like Jazz gets my recommendation.

Have you seen Blue Like Jazz?  If so, what was your take?  If not, do you like jazz music?

Ice Breaker – Made For The Movies

Happy Friday!  You know what that means?  It’s time for this week’s Stretched Ice Breaker.  If you’re new around here or you’ve just missed the last several month’s of Friday posts on The Stretched Blog, ice breaker questions are designed to help us get to know each other – to break the ice so to speak.  I ask a question, and I give my answer.  Then it’s your turn to chime in.

Are you ready?

Okay, here goes:  If they made a movie about your life, who would play your part?  Would the movie be a comedy, an action flick, drama, romance, or something else?

My answer:  Jim Carrey.  He’s tall, reasonably handsome, and has a sense of humor.  Yes, his humor is probably at a different level than mine, but I still think it would be interesting.  Instead of thinking Ace Ventura Pet Detective or Bruce Almighty, think The Majestic.  In this movie, Carrey played a more serious/romantic role.

As for the type of movie, I guess I’d go with a dramatic comedy with some great romance. These are all elements that play out in my real life experience.

That’s enough from me.  Now it’s your turn.  How would you answer today’s ice breaker question?  Share your answer in the comments.

Blue Like Jazz

I’m excited about this movie coming out based on Don Miller’s book, Blue Like Jazz.

What movie are you looking forward to seeing?

Ice Breaker – Christmas Songs and Carols

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  In keeping with last week’s theme, I’m going to stay with a Christmas related question again this week.  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m throwing out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What is your favorite Christmas song or carol?

My Answer:  Here you go….

I think I’ll answer this twice.  My first answer will be my favorite secular Christmas song, and the second is my favorite Christmas song that you might hear on the local pop radio station.  For my first song, it may surprise you to know that I really like the song, In A Bleak Midwinter.  Before you get to flustered let me explain.  I realize it’s not the most up beat song, but the words of this song speak volumes – especially the last verse:

1.	In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
	earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
	snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
	in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

2.	Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
	heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
	In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
	the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. 

3.	Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
	cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
	but his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
	worshiped the beloved with a kiss. 

4.	What can I give him, poor as I am?
	If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
	if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
	yet what I can I give him:  give my heart.

And my favorite Christmas radio classic?  Bruce Springsteen singing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.  How can you beat the saxophone solo and the part when Bruce tells Clarence that Santa might bring him a new saxophone.  How can you beat that?

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Ice Breaker – Christmas Movies

It’s that time of the week again…time for an ice breaker question!  For those of you who are new or who forgot, ice breaker questions are used to help people get to know each other – to “break the ice” so to speak.  I love hearing what other people have to say and how they think.  So for today, I’m throwing out another simple ice breaker question.  I’ll answer it first, then it’s your turn.  Answer the question by leaving a comment for us all to enjoy.  Thanks!

Question:  What is your favorite Christmas movie?

My Answer:  Here you go….

If you have ABC Family coming to your TV, they are promoting their annual 25 Days of Christmas movie event where they show 25 different Christmas movies leading up to Christmas Day.  I don’t catch most of them, but it’s hard for me not to get a little excited about Christmas when I see some of the movies.  I’m a sucker for movies like Polar Express, The Santa Clause, and Home Alone.  But my favorite Christmas movie doesn’t usually make it to ABC Family’s list.

My favorite Christmas movie of all time…are you ready…drumroll…It’s A Wonderful Life.  I know it’s an old one, but I love the story, the humor, and the timeless message of the movie.  I love how Jimmy Stewart gets a second chance once he discovers how different life would be if he had never been born.  This movie is usually shown on Christmas Eve, so I try to catch it after we get home from the Christmas Eve service at church.

(By the way, Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story would probably make my top 5 list.)

So there you have it, my answer to the question.  Now it’s your turn….I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!

Field of Changed Dreams?

Blogging continues to be a huge place for community.  I am blown away by the friends I’ve met through Jon Stolpe Stretched and other blogs.  One of my blogging friends is Arny Sanchez.  Arny writes a blog called The Analogous Truth where he relates current culture to life and faith.  I’ve enjoyed following Arny as he’s related things like Star Wars and The Lord of The Rings to my world.  Today, I have the honor and privilege of sharing Arny with you as he related my favorite movie to a real life challenge.

Oh and by the way, today marks the 500th post at Jon Stolpe Stretched.  What a great way to celebrate!

(If you’re interested in becoming a guest blogger at Jon Stolpe Stretched, drop me a line in the comment section.  I’m always looking for opportunities to share.)

One of the best sports movies of all time has to be Field of Dreams – Jon’s favorite movie of all time as a matter of fact.

There is just something special about a guy chasing a dream that everyone thinks he is crazy for, and he is willing to sacrifice it all.

But, what if you had to give up that dream, or change it drastically?  For the sake of another.

One of my favorite characters from the movie is The Mysterious Ghost of Dr. “Moonlight” Graham…

The scene:

Graham played baseball when he was young but only got to play one game in the Major League and never batted.  Ray, (Kevin Costner) finds out Graham had passed away and never pursued his true dream again.  Even the ghost of Graham tells Ray that he is too old to be chasing young dreams.

Well, on the ride back, Ray picks up a hitchhiker with a bag with baseball gear in it….he looks like a really young kid.  They ask him his name and he says, “Graham, Archie Graham”.  So cool, right?!

Soul Surfer

Last night, Leanne, Hannah, and I went to see Soul Surfer at a local treasure, The Grand, an old-style movie theater up in Greenville, PA.  The Grand is a great place to catch a movie.  There’s an organ up in the front that plays music while you wait for the show to start.  The ticket prices are reasonable ($3 matinée and $5 evening).  The snack prices won’t break the bank.  And we only had to watch one preview.  We’ve seen a few movies here over the past few years, and we’ve always been impressed by the service and show.  Last night was no exception.

Soul Surfer is a movie based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a teenage surfing sensation who loses her arm to a shark attack.  As her family wrestles with the aftermath of this accident, they must all come to terms with their faith and their future.  I was very impressed how this was showcased in the movie.  The movie does not back down from being bold about God’s role in this families life.  As Leanne and I sat there watching, I believe we both resonated with the messages of this movie.

God has a plan for our lives despite events that seem so tragic.

God works good in everything – even though we can’t see it all.

Sometimes we don’t know all the answers for tomorrow, and we just need to wait.

When “junk” happens in our lives, we have two choices.  We can sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, or we can get back up and keep going forward.

The “junk” can actually be the catalyst in our lives to give us greater opportunity.

I hold this hope for our own lives, and I’m thankful for the cinematic reminder last night.  I’d definitely recommend this movie, and I’d definitely recommend a night at The Grand.