Sacred Scarred

Naked Truth

Mike links the following video at Waving or Drowning.  As it has been a video day for me (see all posts for today), here's another.  This is beautiful...

Solomon's Porch

I first became familiar with Solomon's Porch (the Minneapolis faith community, not the location in the Herod's Temple) through Doug Pagitt's book Reimagining Spiritual Formation (and subsequently through additional books).  Reimagining Spiritual Formation is kind of an oddly sized book and is the book my 15 month old daughter Riley pulls off the shelf most often (thus it looks as if it has been read many, many times - though the reality is only twice).  This video on Solomon's Porch floated to the surface today and is very powerful...it reflects a lot of what is going on with our faith community at Circle of Hope.

Thoughts about the video?  What does it stir up in you (both good and bad)?

More Thoughts on Rocky...

Wow.  I don't think a movie has ever left me as satisfied as Rocky Balboa (that is not sarcasm, that's fact).  As a life-long fan of the Rocky films, I must say that Sly Stalone finished well.  As the writer/director/star, Stalone himself got into the ring one more time in order to go out right.  And both he and Rocky Balboa did (the frequent applause of the movie-goers in the audience and the tears that welled up in my eyes serve as evidence to this).

Nostalgic, hokey, heart-warming, bruttal, beautiful...from the opening blare of the Rocky theme, the movie was so much more than I expected and at last it can be put to rest - it is good, it is finished. 

In the most striking scene from the film, Balboa talks to his son about how hard life punches you; about how hard it hits.  No one can hit as hard as life.  So, he says, it's not a matter of how hard you can hit, but it's a matter of how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.  Wow.

Matthew 5:39-42 (MSG)
Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'  Is that going to get us anywhere?  Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.'  If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.  If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.  And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.  No more tit-for-tat stuff.  Live generously.

Rocky VI (aka Rocky Balboa)

Synopsis: The greatest underdog story of our time is back for one final round of the Academy Award-winning Rocky franchise. Former heavyweight champion Rocky Balboa steps out of retirement and back into the ring, putting himself against a new rival in a dramatically different era. After a virtual boxing match declares Rocky Balboa the victor over current champion Mason "The Line" Dixon, the legendary fighter's passion and spirit are reignited. But when his desire to fight in small, regional competitions is trumped by promoters calling for a rematch of the cyber-fight, Balboa must weigh the mental and physical risks of a high profile exhibition match against his need to be in the ring.

Yes, I will be seeing Rocky VI (Rocky Balboa, who are they kidding) tonight (8:15pm at Lowe's theater in Cherry Hill, NJ if you'd like to join Jeremy and I).  And I can't wait. 

As a kid growing up in the shadow of the city of Philadelphia, I dreamed about being Rocky.  As a teenager able to drive across the bridge on my own, I ran the Art Museum steps on numerous occasions just for the hell of it.  As an adult (and a pacificst who doesn't much like the "sport" of boxing) who now works in Center City Philadelphia, I can't wait to see Rocky go "just one more round."

More thoughts to follow...

The Fox and the Crow

I found myself home alone last night...just me and my dog.  I haven't been feeling entirely well over the last few weeks and definitely wasn't up for reading so I sat and watched the entire Academy Awards show.  By far I was most impressed by Jamie Foxx who won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

I have not see the movie Ray, though I intend to...but it wasn't Foxx's role that impressed me...it was the way in which he received his award and the way in which he spent much of the rest of his night.

The thing that bothers me most about the Academy Awards (other than the fact that so much money is spent to acknowledge those who pretended the best) is the fact that so many actors/actresses/directors come off as if they deserve what they've received...as if they put in so much hard work that they had it coming (it was only a matter of time until they were recognized for the greatness that they've known about all along).  For example, in 2000 Russel Crowe won Best Actor for Gladiator, and in his acceptance had this air of expectance...he expected to be recognized with an Oscar.  He said his thanks...he did his interviews...he partied into the night...and that was that with that.

But last night Jamie Foxx was different.  He came across different. There wasn't the air of expectance.  Instead it was replaced by true joy and gratitude.  He said his thank you's...but he said them because he was grateful.  That was different.  He hoisted his Oscar into the air as he walked off the stage...he actually had won something...and he was joyful.  That was different.

But beyond that, from the interviews that I saw this morning, Jamie Foxx did more than just give his interviews and party it up after the show.  Time and time again he spoke of the leagacy of Ray Charles. Time and time again he spoke of the impact of Ray Charles.  Time and time again he gave thanks to Ray Charles.

It was reported that late last night, Jamie Foxx sat down at a piano and began to play some of Ray Charles' songs (Georgia on My Mind, Let the Good Time Roll, etc)....people gathered around and sang with him...they joined his tribute to the musician who had ultimately made Jamie Foxx worthy of an Oscar.

And I ask myself...WHEN WE ARE BLESSED...

Do we put off an air of expectancy?  Do was say our obligatory thank you's...do our thing...and party it up?  Do we think that we had it coming and it was only a matter of time until we got recognized?

OR

Do we come across with true joy and gratitude?  Do we express our thanks out of true gratefulness?  Do we act like we've been blessed...like we've won something...is there joy?  And beyond that...do we spend our time pointing to the one who made it all possible?  Do we give tribute to him?  Do we speak of his impact and legacy in our lives?  Do we give him thanks?  Do we sit down and motivate others to join in our celebration of the one who made us worthy of the blessing in the first place?

In my life as a disciple, I would much rather be a Foxx than a Crowe.