I read the book. I thought it was a good story. Yes, the historical atrocities made me want to tear my hair out. But it was still a good story. When I heard they were going to make a movie, my initial thought was, "That is going to be difficult". The story is like an intellectual Indiana Jones story, which is great for a novel (that happens to be written like a movie), but will never play well on the big screen. People don't like to go to the movies to watch people talk about things - no matter how exotic the location, and no matter how star studded the cast.
After hearing the reviews (from all walks of media life) - it seems my entertainment instincts again proved true. No one liked this movie - no one who knows better anyway. Not even the people who want desperately for its content to be true. So the jury is still out as to whether my wife and I will drop the dollars necessary to see it. I think "Over the Hedge" is probably a better bet, or "MI-III" (pronounce it EM-EYE-EYE, EYE, EYE - just for fun). Or perhaps we'll wait for X3, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser, even if they can't stuff 5 years of comic lore into one film.
Anyway, if I do see it, I am sure a review will pop up here in the next couple weeks. But until then, enjoy the following from the internet monk's very funny review of the Da Vinci Code film:
“Listen:if this contrivancy makes you want to abandon Christianity for the new agey Jesus, be my guest. Please leave, and take your empty Jack Daniels bottles with you.”
could I have said it better?
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Thursday, May 04, 2006
The Gamer Love Song
One more stop on the procrastination train.
This is for all you video game lovers out there...
very funny.
Enjoy!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Further Gentrification
Many of you already know, but since we actually got to see our baby today, I wanted.. nay I am impelled to tell the world!
We are having a baby!!!
Natalie is about 11 weeks along hopefully in the last stage of what has been a somewhat uncomfortable beginning. Alot of Nausea at first, and then it got worse, but now seems to be tapering off a bit and will, Lord willing, abate in the next couple weeks.
Today we got our first glimpse of our little one as it is being formed in the womb. It is absolutely amazing that even after these few weeks, all of its most intricate parts are already fully formed. I could see its little face and nose, the bone structure of the head, and it's legs kicking around in all sorts of jubilation and life, as well as its little heart beating smoothly and quickly.
It was an utter joy to behold. The world will never be the same again. The Lord is good and wonderous are His works!
If we get any pictures of the first ultra sound, I will post them here, as well as any future ones, and will keep the blogosphere up to date on the newest of the Gentry clan. We appreciate any and all prayers as well.
Until next time...
BABY!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Is the Devil Really in the Details?
Yes, here I am again - touting yet another of Carl Trueman's articles at the Reformation 21 website.
Part of the reason is that I have nothing else worthwhile to write here, and the other part is that I don't think there is another guy doing what Dr. Trueman does who is as worthy of constantly keeping up with the things he has to say about what is happening in the Church today.
So read on.
Perhaps someday I'll have an original thought again. not likely.
Part of the reason is that I have nothing else worthwhile to write here, and the other part is that I don't think there is another guy doing what Dr. Trueman does who is as worthy of constantly keeping up with the things he has to say about what is happening in the Church today.
So read on.
Perhaps someday I'll have an original thought again. not likely.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Carl Trueman on American Idol
I too confess that I watch American Idol.
This is the first season that I have actually watched the deeper competition portion of the show. Usually after all of the hilarious tomfoolery of the initial auditions, where everyone and their great aunt believes (quite mistakenly) that they can sing like Whitney Houston, I lose interest. This year, however, I have hung on and watched most of the proceeding 'rounds'.
I never really stopped to question the attractiveness of such a show, and I'm not sure I would put the same level of generalization on it as my most esteemed professor has done in his most recent article, but I think he does make several very valid and basic points I can certainly get on board with.
It's a great read, and is, as usual, peppered with wonderful British wit and condescension.
After you've read it, please continue....
No, seriously... read that first, or the rest will not make as much sense....
Personally, my fascination with American Idol is two-fold. Where I depart from what Carl Trueman has pointed out, is that coming from my own musical background, I actually am interested in what is happening musically, and vocally on the show. There is a sense in which I am watching the show in order to see if Justice is done, and that those with the best voices are in fact the ones who make it further into the show. I don't vote mind you, and therefore have no say or grounds to complain if justice is not done... but I digress.
I'm not sure if this part of my approach to the show fully departs from the issues Dr. Trueman raises, because I am, at least in part, putting myself as the arbiter of what that Justice would be in this situation. So in a way I am still trying to play God, or at the very least represent him through what I think these people sound like in His ears (still tremendously presumptuous of me).
On the other hand, right along with Dr. Trueman's observations, somewhere deep inside of me, or perhaps not so deep, but also stemming from my own musical background is a deep seated jealousy and longing to be standing in their place. I can't tell you how many times I have found myself singing a hypothetical 'audition' song, or thinking about what would be the best song to perform for said hypothetical audition. Don't get me wrong, I realize I am far past any such things, and I also realize that it would be unlikely that I would get much past the first round, if even that. But that said, I cannot deny the idolatrous lure of that grand scale of what can only be defined as worship. These people are lining up to be worshipped by the American public. The title of the show is no accident, and certainly no coincidence. I can even point to a particular episode in recent weeks where one of the contestants, a professing Christian, sang a praise song for her weekly performance. Afterward, in an attempt to give God glory, she was encouraged, in no uncertain terms, to take some for herself. Now, at first glance even I want to say that I am being overly sensative, and that it is just a TV show. But the more I think about it, it really isn't just a TV show, and its puprposes are far less nuetral than any of us would probably like to admit. Of course, no one is saying that Simon Cowell is consciously promoting a format of organized idol worship. The fact of the matter is that he doesn't have to. We are all more than willing to make it all of that on our own, which is the heart of what Dr. Trueman is getting at.
The reason why it is a temptation, and the reason why we are so attracted to this show and those like it is because we all have within us the ultimate desire to put ourselves above all others and to receive their worship - to receive that which is set aside for God alone, to take His place, and to receive the love of His creation, the adulation and glory of the masses, that should only be directed at the one who alone is worthy: Jesus Christ.
This kind of temptation is something that myself and those like me will have to face and defeat (if not already doing so) as we head out of seminary and into the pulpits of Christ's Church. It may not be the mass of millions of music buying Americans, but the temptation to seek and pursue for ourselves the glory that belongs to Christ will be just as powerful in our local congregations as it would be standing on that stage before the countless eyes of the TV viewing public.
Personally, I already see this as one of my first and most difficult struggles in the months and years to come. So this is a warning for myself and all who are looking to serve Christ's Church...
God will not give His glory to another. (Isaiah 48:11)
This is the first season that I have actually watched the deeper competition portion of the show. Usually after all of the hilarious tomfoolery of the initial auditions, where everyone and their great aunt believes (quite mistakenly) that they can sing like Whitney Houston, I lose interest. This year, however, I have hung on and watched most of the proceeding 'rounds'.
I never really stopped to question the attractiveness of such a show, and I'm not sure I would put the same level of generalization on it as my most esteemed professor has done in his most recent article, but I think he does make several very valid and basic points I can certainly get on board with.
It's a great read, and is, as usual, peppered with wonderful British wit and condescension.
After you've read it, please continue....
No, seriously... read that first, or the rest will not make as much sense....
Personally, my fascination with American Idol is two-fold. Where I depart from what Carl Trueman has pointed out, is that coming from my own musical background, I actually am interested in what is happening musically, and vocally on the show. There is a sense in which I am watching the show in order to see if Justice is done, and that those with the best voices are in fact the ones who make it further into the show. I don't vote mind you, and therefore have no say or grounds to complain if justice is not done... but I digress.
I'm not sure if this part of my approach to the show fully departs from the issues Dr. Trueman raises, because I am, at least in part, putting myself as the arbiter of what that Justice would be in this situation. So in a way I am still trying to play God, or at the very least represent him through what I think these people sound like in His ears (still tremendously presumptuous of me).
On the other hand, right along with Dr. Trueman's observations, somewhere deep inside of me, or perhaps not so deep, but also stemming from my own musical background is a deep seated jealousy and longing to be standing in their place. I can't tell you how many times I have found myself singing a hypothetical 'audition' song, or thinking about what would be the best song to perform for said hypothetical audition. Don't get me wrong, I realize I am far past any such things, and I also realize that it would be unlikely that I would get much past the first round, if even that. But that said, I cannot deny the idolatrous lure of that grand scale of what can only be defined as worship. These people are lining up to be worshipped by the American public. The title of the show is no accident, and certainly no coincidence. I can even point to a particular episode in recent weeks where one of the contestants, a professing Christian, sang a praise song for her weekly performance. Afterward, in an attempt to give God glory, she was encouraged, in no uncertain terms, to take some for herself. Now, at first glance even I want to say that I am being overly sensative, and that it is just a TV show. But the more I think about it, it really isn't just a TV show, and its puprposes are far less nuetral than any of us would probably like to admit. Of course, no one is saying that Simon Cowell is consciously promoting a format of organized idol worship. The fact of the matter is that he doesn't have to. We are all more than willing to make it all of that on our own, which is the heart of what Dr. Trueman is getting at.
The reason why it is a temptation, and the reason why we are so attracted to this show and those like it is because we all have within us the ultimate desire to put ourselves above all others and to receive their worship - to receive that which is set aside for God alone, to take His place, and to receive the love of His creation, the adulation and glory of the masses, that should only be directed at the one who alone is worthy: Jesus Christ.
This kind of temptation is something that myself and those like me will have to face and defeat (if not already doing so) as we head out of seminary and into the pulpits of Christ's Church. It may not be the mass of millions of music buying Americans, but the temptation to seek and pursue for ourselves the glory that belongs to Christ will be just as powerful in our local congregations as it would be standing on that stage before the countless eyes of the TV viewing public.
Personally, I already see this as one of my first and most difficult struggles in the months and years to come. So this is a warning for myself and all who are looking to serve Christ's Church...
God will not give His glory to another. (Isaiah 48:11)
Saturday, March 25, 2006
A Personality Test Based Solely on Color
This was strange. I have no idea of the science behind it, but I was not altogether baffled by the results.
See how close it is to your reality...
See how close it is to your reality...
 | Greg took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Strives for a life rich in activity and experience..."
|
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Fun with Balls
I learned to juggle when I was in college... but I didn't learn this...
When you have a couple minutes - you have got to take a look at this!
And if you think THAT was good - look at THIS!!
ht: Christian
When you have a couple minutes - you have got to take a look at this!
And if you think THAT was good - look at THIS!!
ht: Christian
Monday, March 20, 2006
Giving in to Despair
As I mentioned in the post below, my professor (and friend) Al Groves has a blog chronicling his fight with cancer. He posted this wonderful insight the other day, and I had to share it and comment on it.
I encourage you to read it to get the full effect, but he talks about the act of flossing his teeth, and the decision each night to do so or not to do so, as a definitive act of hope, and a decision to go on living. He's never enjoyed flossing, and if he's dying, "what's the point?"
His response was quite inspiring, and in fact rather convicting for me. All too often I find myself doing things the easy way, or even the sinful way, in order to get from point A to point B. It occurred to me in reading Al's post that in these times that I am giving in to despair, and in fact, even moreso, giving in to death. The decisions we make on a moment to moment basis are not inconsequential. The decision to brush your teeth in the morning, or to floss at night really has eternal consequence - not because there is something inherently good or evil in those things per se, but there is most certainly something in our attitudes and our responses to the everyday things of life. Al's decision to floss his teeth last night was a decision that honored God with his life, when he could have easily gone to bed a little bit more "blissfully".
I need to begin to strive for less bliss for me and more honor for God, and for Christ, who has given me life that I have barely begun to taste, and love that I can hardly bare.
I encourage you to read it to get the full effect, but he talks about the act of flossing his teeth, and the decision each night to do so or not to do so, as a definitive act of hope, and a decision to go on living. He's never enjoyed flossing, and if he's dying, "what's the point?"
His response was quite inspiring, and in fact rather convicting for me. All too often I find myself doing things the easy way, or even the sinful way, in order to get from point A to point B. It occurred to me in reading Al's post that in these times that I am giving in to despair, and in fact, even moreso, giving in to death. The decisions we make on a moment to moment basis are not inconsequential. The decision to brush your teeth in the morning, or to floss at night really has eternal consequence - not because there is something inherently good or evil in those things per se, but there is most certainly something in our attitudes and our responses to the everyday things of life. Al's decision to floss his teeth last night was a decision that honored God with his life, when he could have easily gone to bed a little bit more "blissfully".
I need to begin to strive for less bliss for me and more honor for God, and for Christ, who has given me life that I have barely begun to taste, and love that I can hardly bare.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Al Grove's Blog
For those who are not connected to Westminster and may not know, a wonderful professor and a dear and godly man whom is beloved by the community, Alan Groves, has been diagnosed with lung cancer.
He needs our prayers and support. He has started a blog with his wife Libby to update all of us who care and are praying for him.
If you know Al, please visit and add your encouragement. If you don't know Al, you don't know what you're missing! And please pray for him and the family in this time of need.
Our God does all things well, and this will serve to strengthen His church and His glory, and even Al, His servant by His grace in Christ.
He needs our prayers and support. He has started a blog with his wife Libby to update all of us who care and are praying for him.
If you know Al, please visit and add your encouragement. If you don't know Al, you don't know what you're missing! And please pray for him and the family in this time of need.
Our God does all things well, and this will serve to strengthen His church and His glory, and even Al, His servant by His grace in Christ.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Baseball is here!
My world heaves a collective sigh of joy as the off-season offically ends and pitchers and catchers report to their respective Spring Training Camps.
But before I write my obligatory pre-season analysis of all things M-E-T-S, I want to start this season off on the right foot and point out a great article that my friend Luke has posted on his blog. The article is written by one of my professors at Westminster who is an avid (probably an understatement) Yankee fan. While I cannot agree with his choice of teams, his sentiments hit me in all the right places.
The article is not very long, so please take a minute and check it out. Regardless of what you are a fan of, I think you will find this perspective refreshing and good.
But before I write my obligatory pre-season analysis of all things M-E-T-S, I want to start this season off on the right foot and point out a great article that my friend Luke has posted on his blog. The article is written by one of my professors at Westminster who is an avid (probably an understatement) Yankee fan. While I cannot agree with his choice of teams, his sentiments hit me in all the right places.
The article is not very long, so please take a minute and check it out. Regardless of what you are a fan of, I think you will find this perspective refreshing and good.
Monday, February 20, 2006
What if..... "The Shining"
Here is one for you movie buffs.
A post-production house organized a competition where assistant editors ‘re-cut’ trailers for famous movies to try and make them seem like different movies . . . . this is the one that won:
Shining (Quicktime file)
HT - The Tattered Coat
A post-production house organized a competition where assistant editors ‘re-cut’ trailers for famous movies to try and make them seem like different movies . . . . this is the one that won:
Shining (Quicktime file)
HT - The Tattered Coat
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Christian Perspective on the Muslim Riots
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