True Compass

Senator Edward M. Kennedy passed away this past summer. before his death he was able to complete his autobiography True Compass. it's a great read. the book is full of wonderful stories and insights, as well as honest and open feelings about the ups and downs; the victories and defeats; the mistakes; the sins, and ultimately, the redemption Senator Kennedy experienced throughout his life.

gospel shots

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

Micah's stats

Micah William Mark Braye
August 12, 2009, 12:22 pm
8 pounds 9 ounces
20 inches

PUBLIC ENEMIES

the new film from Michael Mann Public Enemies rocks the screen it's shown on and the audience watching it. it's based on the 2004 true crime book Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-1934 by Bryan Burrough. everything about this movie is classic. the performances, from the leads to the extras, are great. the writing is excellent. the direction and cinemetography are perfect. this is another crime epic from the mann who gave us Heat and Collateral. see it. rob a bank to pay for it if you have to.

Love, Love, Love

Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community by Andrew Marin could be the most important book you read this year. Marin and his wife live in Boystown, a neighborhood in Chicago which is predominately GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) populated. the organization he founded, The Marin Foundation, is conducting the largest-ever research study on religion in the GLBT community. Christians have gotten so much wrong in the name of God. why are we so concenred about being correct? why are we so concerned about winning arguments? we know we can be accused of judging and being intolerant. however, i cannot see God saying we were too loving and kind to people, regardless of their orientation. read Love is an Orientation.

April showers bring May films

summer comes early for Hollywood. forget June 21, with big summer movies being released, the official start of the season is now May. last May saw Iron Man and the year before that Spiderman 3. this year there are four big ones.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine. not the worst movie i've ever seen, but i was a little disapointed. do not see it unless you like the X-Men movies.

Star Trek. AWESOME!!! i've never been a trekkie. the older films i've seen are ok. however, this reboot is just what Dr. McCoy ordered. if this team can live long and prosper with more films in the future, beam me up. (i am officically a nerd).

Angels and Demons. very good. the parts of the book i thought were lame and would slow down the film were taken out. a very good quick-paced thriller.

Terminator Salvation. off the hook! at first, i have to be honest, i was skeptical. Mc "Charlies Angels" G was directing. those movies weren't the worst ever, but not the material you want to see someone doing before a Terminator film. that being said, it was excellent. i hope this team can make another film or two as well.

The Way of the Heart

one of my favorite writers is Henri Nouwen. his book The Way of the Heart was first published in 1981. it's inspired by the writings and teachings of St. Anthony and the Desert Fathers. the text speaks of three steps of connecting with God: solitude, silence, and prayer.

solitude is not simply being alone; it is being alone with God. Nouwen writes: "Solitude is the place of purification and transformation...the place of our salvation."

silence is not simply being quiet; it is listening to God. for Nouwen, silence "makes us pilgrims...guards the fire within" and "teaches us to speak."

prayer is not simply talking to God or requesting tasks be completed or hurts be taken away; "The prayer of the heart opens the eyes of our soul to the truth of ourselves as well as to the truth of God." Nouwen also writes: "And before we speak any words, the Spirit of God, praying in us, will make his presence known and gather people into a new body, the body of Christ himself."

Henri Nouwen's The Way of the Heart is wonderful. it's the perfect devotional book for an afternoon or evening of solitude, silence, and prayer.