Saturday, October 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Fiddler on the Roof (Movie)
This film is about a poor Jewish milkman in Russia who is forced to deal with the unconventional marriages of three of his five daughters and the changing politics under Soviet czarist rule.
We watched this for our film class recently, but it's a movie I have seen before. It has been out since 1971. I will admit, I never actually thought about "reporting" on it or much of any other book or movie, I never thought much about writing reviews or reports on books and movies myself until recently. Usually, I read reports and reviews my kids write, or that I see in the paper or magazine, but is new to me to not only write such things, but to think about what I viewed enough to write about it, and to post them for someone else to read.
We have always loved this movie, which is a musical. We love the songs, the photography and the fiddle too. Also we have always also enjoyed both the Jewish aspect of the film with all it's references to "God. " It's a long movie though, almost too long, but most enjoyable.
It was timely to watch it too, as the Broadway version just visited Spokane with the original actor who played the part of Tevye, (Topol) playing the role he did long ago on stage. I didn't go, thought I do like theater, and I wondered how long the staged version was compared to the movie. It is definitely a popular work; it's message time enduring. As I watched the highly acclaimed, award winning film this time, I took a deeper look at what was being presented to the masses of people who have watched this film, or seen the Broadway show, over the years.
What was/is the message?
First, let me mention here that we watched the film for our (incredibly interesting) worldview class, and I can tell you it is full of the concept of deism, (God is not personal) but more noticeable than that, (and you probably already know this if you have seen it) the message is one of "change," the theme could even be "love" or the evilness and injustice of religious "intolerance."
We see the sadness of poverty, homelessness and unjust suffering due to violence of the soldiers, we witness the religious faith of a Jewish man, his struggle with doubt, his personal struggle to hold on to "tradition" in times of change. We are privileged to hear his candid conversations with God, and watch as he accepts God's lot for his life, his existence. From this aspect it's an endearing film. But, on the other hand.... I could not help but hear also another message.
This other message is two-fold, first, it is something to the effect of:"Children, you have your own life to live, a better life than that of your parents, and you obviously know so much better than your parents do, See..., their traditions are such that they do not even understand "love," (but you do.) Go ahead you Jews, marry who you want to, marry outside your religion, (?priest?... ?rabbi?.. they are all the same,) Do what you want to in life, follow your dreams... be willing to fight for and embrace "change." And to Jews and to parents,it's something to the effect of:"Your exclusive, useless religion and traditions is killing you, it is your useless tradition and the God of your tradition, who is not even answering your prayers, that causes you problems... poverty, (If I were a rich man) and as you can see, homelessness. Embrace change and do away with your old outmoded useless tradition."
(The message is also that there is more to life than the "good book" says, for we observe that Newspapers are being read for information, but the old Jewish Rabbi, insists to them that the Good Book is the only stories that they really need. )
The "good book" is of course, the Bible (in this case the Torah, or old testament) and the main character, Tevye is a man who believes in God; though he he doesn't really know his "Good Book," very well... he likes to quote it; "As the good book says,..."
We like him a lot as the audience because he is very much like most of us and he confides in us. We even sympathize with him a bit because like him perhaps we have our struggles, even maybe, we doubt God and get our bible heroes and examples confused. Perhaps like him too, we wish we were rich, but we are not, and feel like we too are in a bit of a rut. Perhaps are a lot like Tevya too, just following our own religious "tradition," clinging to something outmoded and outdated, as the world around us changes.
I kinda wondered as I viewed it, if and how messages like this influence the masses of people caught up in the emotional aspect of the film. After attaching ourselves to the characters and their plights, what we do when change is all around us? What useless religious traditions will we ultimately hang on to, what new ideas and religion will we embrace? (Note: the Jewish mothers goes to the Christian "priest" who is an old white haired sage like her own rabbi...for answers) Perhaps more importantly, how wise and worthy do we perceive some of the words of wisdom, in the film, particularly the ones that make us smile?
Great film! Pretty pictures and likable characters too. I just wonder about the message of a deistic sort of God, and the injustices and intolerances people like the Jews seem to have toward "change."
Here is an interesting study guide on the movie that I found on the internet... One I would consider useful for examining the film's elements. It is for Chinese students who are learning English and found at http://www.krigline.com/Fiddler.htm
We watched this for our film class recently, but it's a movie I have seen before. It has been out since 1971. I will admit, I never actually thought about "reporting" on it or much of any other book or movie, I never thought much about writing reviews or reports on books and movies myself until recently. Usually, I read reports and reviews my kids write, or that I see in the paper or magazine, but is new to me to not only write such things, but to think about what I viewed enough to write about it, and to post them for someone else to read.
We have always loved this movie, which is a musical. We love the songs, the photography and the fiddle too. Also we have always also enjoyed both the Jewish aspect of the film with all it's references to "God. " It's a long movie though, almost too long, but most enjoyable.
It was timely to watch it too, as the Broadway version just visited Spokane with the original actor who played the part of Tevye, (Topol) playing the role he did long ago on stage. I didn't go, thought I do like theater, and I wondered how long the staged version was compared to the movie. It is definitely a popular work; it's message time enduring. As I watched the highly acclaimed, award winning film this time, I took a deeper look at what was being presented to the masses of people who have watched this film, or seen the Broadway show, over the years.
What was/is the message?
First, let me mention here that we watched the film for our (incredibly interesting) worldview class, and I can tell you it is full of the concept of deism, (God is not personal) but more noticeable than that, (and you probably already know this if you have seen it) the message is one of "change," the theme could even be "love" or the evilness and injustice of religious "intolerance."
We see the sadness of poverty, homelessness and unjust suffering due to violence of the soldiers, we witness the religious faith of a Jewish man, his struggle with doubt, his personal struggle to hold on to "tradition" in times of change. We are privileged to hear his candid conversations with God, and watch as he accepts God's lot for his life, his existence. From this aspect it's an endearing film. But, on the other hand.... I could not help but hear also another message.
This other message is two-fold, first, it is something to the effect of:"Children, you have your own life to live, a better life than that of your parents, and you obviously know so much better than your parents do, See..., their traditions are such that they do not even understand "love," (but you do.) Go ahead you Jews, marry who you want to, marry outside your religion, (?priest?... ?rabbi?.. they are all the same,) Do what you want to in life, follow your dreams... be willing to fight for and embrace "change." And to Jews and to parents,it's something to the effect of:"Your exclusive, useless religion and traditions is killing you, it is your useless tradition and the God of your tradition, who is not even answering your prayers, that causes you problems... poverty, (If I were a rich man) and as you can see, homelessness. Embrace change and do away with your old outmoded useless tradition."
(The message is also that there is more to life than the "good book" says, for we observe that Newspapers are being read for information, but the old Jewish Rabbi, insists to them that the Good Book is the only stories that they really need. )
The "good book" is of course, the Bible (in this case the Torah, or old testament) and the main character, Tevye is a man who believes in God; though he he doesn't really know his "Good Book," very well... he likes to quote it; "As the good book says,..."
We like him a lot as the audience because he is very much like most of us and he confides in us. We even sympathize with him a bit because like him perhaps we have our struggles, even maybe, we doubt God and get our bible heroes and examples confused. Perhaps like him too, we wish we were rich, but we are not, and feel like we too are in a bit of a rut. Perhaps are a lot like Tevya too, just following our own religious "tradition," clinging to something outmoded and outdated, as the world around us changes.
I kinda wondered as I viewed it, if and how messages like this influence the masses of people caught up in the emotional aspect of the film. After attaching ourselves to the characters and their plights, what we do when change is all around us? What useless religious traditions will we ultimately hang on to, what new ideas and religion will we embrace? (Note: the Jewish mothers goes to the Christian "priest" who is an old white haired sage like her own rabbi...for answers) Perhaps more importantly, how wise and worthy do we perceive some of the words of wisdom, in the film, particularly the ones that make us smile?
Great film! Pretty pictures and likable characters too. I just wonder about the message of a deistic sort of God, and the injustices and intolerances people like the Jews seem to have toward "change."
Here is an interesting study guide on the movie that I found on the internet... One I would consider useful for examining the film's elements. It is for Chinese students who are learning English and found at http://www.krigline.com/Fiddler.htm
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Veiled Freedom
Oh my goodness! This was a fantastic book. Some Christian novels are just "christian" because someone loves someone, they get saved in the end, so tu duu! they can get married. This is such a good book and you will learn some of the differences between Muslim and Christian thought.
So it is set in Afghanistan, probably about now. It is a young lady there helping a small organization serve the ladies and kids that are destitute. There is also a security guy who is supposed to be guarding one of the top leaders. I dont want to tell you more because it really is a good book. Suspenceful, interesting, cultural, and you will pretty much understand what in the world is going on in Afghanistan. Any high school homeschooler would love this book, and learn a lot! Call it social studies! Anyway I got it in the 14 day loan area of my public library. It is by J.M. Windle.
One important thing, you need to read the Prologue. It is a little confusing, but read it anyway. I cant wait to see how you like this book! I was so excited to share it with you. Delightful!
So it is set in Afghanistan, probably about now. It is a young lady there helping a small organization serve the ladies and kids that are destitute. There is also a security guy who is supposed to be guarding one of the top leaders. I dont want to tell you more because it really is a good book. Suspenceful, interesting, cultural, and you will pretty much understand what in the world is going on in Afghanistan. Any high school homeschooler would love this book, and learn a lot! Call it social studies! Anyway I got it in the 14 day loan area of my public library. It is by J.M. Windle.
One important thing, you need to read the Prologue. It is a little confusing, but read it anyway. I cant wait to see how you like this book! I was so excited to share it with you. Delightful!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Beauty and the Beast (Movie)
The story began, "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold..."
This is a timeless tale! (It's probably as old as Europe.) You probably already know the story, maybe even have seen the movie a time or two, but since I did watch this movie lately for a film class that Nate and I are involved in, (one where we have to watch movies, and this movie was one of them,) I thought I would give it a review.
We watched the Disney version... the one made in 1991. You might remember that the film was nominated for best picture, which was a "Hollywood first" since it was animated. You can get a bit of a refresher here on you tube if you need a bit of one. Also, if you remember, the film was nominated for Best Picture, which was a Hollywood "first," this because it was animated. It also won two Oscars as well as other awards, so it's a movie with a lot of mass appeal. It was rated G, for general audiences so you can bet a lot of kids have seen it, but it did have some rather scary parts which I thought should make it quite frightful for young kids.
It was fun discussing this film with a group, talking about it's elements and the message it presents to the viewers. It was decided that this film has a bit of a Christian worldview portrayed to the audience as well as some positive elements and here are some of the things I found particularly interesting.
First of all it's a very artistic and entertaining film with a Phillipeans 4:8 type of goodness to it. There are indeed some lovely, praiseworthy, virtuous things to consider as one watches this film. A humble, yet beautiful young girl who is charming and witty, loves learning and loves books, loves her daddy, and doesn't buy into the lies of conceited men like Gustav and knows how to put them in their place politely is to say the least, quite admirable.
The overriding theme is a message of the transforming power of love which I relate it to the verse about how love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8) I think we see this played out mainly as the Beast is transformed back into a human being, and not a beast anylonger, because of love's power and his submission to it. Another theme, a quite obvious one at that is that you cannot tell a book by it's cover.. seen in handsome Gustav and of course the Beast who really is a young man, caught in his sin of refusing to respond kindly to what he thought was nothing but an old hag.
There are other examples of love's power too, as Belle loves her father so much that would sacrifice herself, take his place in the punishment doled out by the Beast for trespassing on the Beast's turf. Belle stays in the dreadful castle, so he can return home as he is very ill. I also enjoyed the faithfulness of the Beast's servants to their master and found their apparent love for him to be quite notable in this regard too, although my son said that he thought they couldn't help themselves for they were under the enchanter's spell like the Beast was .
Some other things of note are:
How the Beast comes into the light so Belle can see him, before she agrees to stay...
How a rose is used to determine a set time...
The love of Belles father for his daughter... although he is portrayed as a rather foolish man... and yet she loves him.
When discussing the various elements of the film as a group, we discussed how (true to the Christian understanding of the world) Belle, in her seeming perfect life, (yet monotonous) yearned for something more than her world alone could offer... (but little did she know it would happen in such a way as this!) We also talked about and how the transformation that took place with the beast could be contrued as a type of "resurrection."
In simply discussing the movie at home, we kinda like the fact that in this movie the woods were not portrayed as the perfect place to live, (as they are in many cartoons and animations.) They are protrayed as dark and scary, quite scary in fact for little children as I mentioned. The wolves appear surprisingly out of nowhere and after our heros in their savage aggression.
We wondered about the very likable character, Lumiere's sexual obsession with women. We noted that one character gets jabbed in the behind, ( is this base humor?) and there was also the male character who falls into the drawers of a dresser and comes out of the wardrobe dressed in a skirt... (What exactly would be the point of that in a movie for kids?...Was it humor, and good to laugh at this? Was it simply just the reality of life? or Was it just plain wrong? )
This film certainly had a lot of subtle, "Christian" concepts... (or what can be construed as Christian concepts") in it. It even portrayed in many ways had a bit of what one might consider to be a "Christian worldview." However, it's subtlety can be construed in different ways. Our film group's discussion on this topic left me wondering what it was that did or did not make a "Christian" movie, or make a movie Christian. Could it be that what "makes a person a Christian" is quite possibly the same thing that makes a movie a "Christian" movie.
I have to admit, I am not big on spending a lot of time watching movies, however, I do enjoy a good movie now and then. I have to say too that I enjoyed this particular movie especially as an artistic endeavor. It was very creative that's for sure. And yet, I would not recommend it for little kids because it's scary, I think that's a bummer since it is a "G" rated film. Like Bambi, it has some elements to deal with emotionally, and particularly in this case, fear of dogs and wolves.
I do think there are some very good lessons in the presentation, (Philipeans 4:8 kinda things) and think that as far as movies go it has some good messages we could all stand to consider, particularly how we should not be so quick to judge something by the way it first appears to our sense of sight, and most certainly the redemptive power of this thing called "love."
This is a timeless tale! (It's probably as old as Europe.) You probably already know the story, maybe even have seen the movie a time or two, but since I did watch this movie lately for a film class that Nate and I are involved in, (one where we have to watch movies, and this movie was one of them,) I thought I would give it a review.
We watched the Disney version... the one made in 1991. You might remember that the film was nominated for best picture, which was a "Hollywood first" since it was animated. You can get a bit of a refresher here on you tube if you need a bit of one. Also, if you remember, the film was nominated for Best Picture, which was a Hollywood "first," this because it was animated. It also won two Oscars as well as other awards, so it's a movie with a lot of mass appeal. It was rated G, for general audiences so you can bet a lot of kids have seen it, but it did have some rather scary parts which I thought should make it quite frightful for young kids.
It was fun discussing this film with a group, talking about it's elements and the message it presents to the viewers. It was decided that this film has a bit of a Christian worldview portrayed to the audience as well as some positive elements and here are some of the things I found particularly interesting.
First of all it's a very artistic and entertaining film with a Phillipeans 4:8 type of goodness to it. There are indeed some lovely, praiseworthy, virtuous things to consider as one watches this film. A humble, yet beautiful young girl who is charming and witty, loves learning and loves books, loves her daddy, and doesn't buy into the lies of conceited men like Gustav and knows how to put them in their place politely is to say the least, quite admirable.
The overriding theme is a message of the transforming power of love which I relate it to the verse about how love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8) I think we see this played out mainly as the Beast is transformed back into a human being, and not a beast anylonger, because of love's power and his submission to it. Another theme, a quite obvious one at that is that you cannot tell a book by it's cover.. seen in handsome Gustav and of course the Beast who really is a young man, caught in his sin of refusing to respond kindly to what he thought was nothing but an old hag.
There are other examples of love's power too, as Belle loves her father so much that would sacrifice herself, take his place in the punishment doled out by the Beast for trespassing on the Beast's turf. Belle stays in the dreadful castle, so he can return home as he is very ill. I also enjoyed the faithfulness of the Beast's servants to their master and found their apparent love for him to be quite notable in this regard too, although my son said that he thought they couldn't help themselves for they were under the enchanter's spell like the Beast was .
Some other things of note are:
How the Beast comes into the light so Belle can see him, before she agrees to stay...
How a rose is used to determine a set time...
The love of Belles father for his daughter... although he is portrayed as a rather foolish man... and yet she loves him.
When discussing the various elements of the film as a group, we discussed how (true to the Christian understanding of the world) Belle, in her seeming perfect life, (yet monotonous) yearned for something more than her world alone could offer... (but little did she know it would happen in such a way as this!) We also talked about and how the transformation that took place with the beast could be contrued as a type of "resurrection."
In simply discussing the movie at home, we kinda like the fact that in this movie the woods were not portrayed as the perfect place to live, (as they are in many cartoons and animations.) They are protrayed as dark and scary, quite scary in fact for little children as I mentioned. The wolves appear surprisingly out of nowhere and after our heros in their savage aggression.
We wondered about the very likable character, Lumiere's sexual obsession with women. We noted that one character gets jabbed in the behind, ( is this base humor?) and there was also the male character who falls into the drawers of a dresser and comes out of the wardrobe dressed in a skirt... (What exactly would be the point of that in a movie for kids?...Was it humor, and good to laugh at this? Was it simply just the reality of life? or Was it just plain wrong? )
This film certainly had a lot of subtle, "Christian" concepts... (or what can be construed as Christian concepts") in it. It even portrayed in many ways had a bit of what one might consider to be a "Christian worldview." However, it's subtlety can be construed in different ways. Our film group's discussion on this topic left me wondering what it was that did or did not make a "Christian" movie, or make a movie Christian. Could it be that what "makes a person a Christian" is quite possibly the same thing that makes a movie a "Christian" movie.
I have to admit, I am not big on spending a lot of time watching movies, however, I do enjoy a good movie now and then. I have to say too that I enjoyed this particular movie especially as an artistic endeavor. It was very creative that's for sure. And yet, I would not recommend it for little kids because it's scary, I think that's a bummer since it is a "G" rated film. Like Bambi, it has some elements to deal with emotionally, and particularly in this case, fear of dogs and wolves.
I do think there are some very good lessons in the presentation, (Philipeans 4:8 kinda things) and think that as far as movies go it has some good messages we could all stand to consider, particularly how we should not be so quick to judge something by the way it first appears to our sense of sight, and most certainly the redemptive power of this thing called "love."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Exodus
Exodus by Leon Uris
About 5 years ago I read a book with the subtitle How to get more books in your life and more life from your books, or something close to that. I can't remember the full title or the author, but one of the ideas I took away from that book was to read books set in the places you plan to visit (or wish to visit) prior to the trip. With that in mind and an upcoming trip to Israel, I posted on a message board asking for suggestons of books set in Israel and also London where we would spend a day and a night on the way. Every person who replied with an Israel book suggested Exodus by Leon Uris. So I read the book!
Exodus follows the rebirth of the nation of Israel. It is not written from a religious point of view, rather from a Zionist or National Israel perspective. More than anything it is a political history set in a novel. Though it is fiction, it gave me a much better understanding of the politics leading up to and surrounding the rebirth of Israel since the events and many of the characters are real.
My husband picked up another book by Uris since he enjoyed Exodus so much. He was quite disappointed and probably won't bother with any others unless they are specifically recommended.
I recommend this book to you if you love history or have a heart for Israel. I especially recommend it if you like to be reminded of how God is faithful and how he can use rulers and nations and even the United Nations for His purposes.
Heather
About 5 years ago I read a book with the subtitle How to get more books in your life and more life from your books, or something close to that. I can't remember the full title or the author, but one of the ideas I took away from that book was to read books set in the places you plan to visit (or wish to visit) prior to the trip. With that in mind and an upcoming trip to Israel, I posted on a message board asking for suggestons of books set in Israel and also London where we would spend a day and a night on the way. Every person who replied with an Israel book suggested Exodus by Leon Uris. So I read the book!
Exodus follows the rebirth of the nation of Israel. It is not written from a religious point of view, rather from a Zionist or National Israel perspective. More than anything it is a political history set in a novel. Though it is fiction, it gave me a much better understanding of the politics leading up to and surrounding the rebirth of Israel since the events and many of the characters are real.
My husband picked up another book by Uris since he enjoyed Exodus so much. He was quite disappointed and probably won't bother with any others unless they are specifically recommended.
I recommend this book to you if you love history or have a heart for Israel. I especially recommend it if you like to be reminded of how God is faithful and how he can use rulers and nations and even the United Nations for His purposes.
Heather
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Voice in the Wind
Good day readers!
I wonder how many of you love reading Francine Rivers like I do. My all time favorite is A Voice in the Wind. Hadassa is someone that is a role model for sure. I have read it two times over the years, and have not found another like it. Has anyone found another author that inspires you on like Francine? I read her book Leotas Garden also and remember that is was great, but cant remember the story. Does anyone remember that one? Help me out here if you have time.
Thanks,
Jill
I wonder how many of you love reading Francine Rivers like I do. My all time favorite is A Voice in the Wind. Hadassa is someone that is a role model for sure. I have read it two times over the years, and have not found another like it. Has anyone found another author that inspires you on like Francine? I read her book Leotas Garden also and remember that is was great, but cant remember the story. Does anyone remember that one? Help me out here if you have time.
Thanks,
Jill
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Inheritance
As I was down sick with the flu this past week, I found quite a bit of time on my hands. I took this time not to read because the vision was a little fuzzy....but, to watch movies. I always have my few favorites that my family seems to only tolerate when I am sick. So I had my son pull out my favorite movie, "The Inheritance". "The Inheritance" was written by Louisa May Alcott, the authoress of "Little Women". It is set in mid 1800s England and the main character, Edith, is my idea of a "Christian" woman. She is quite intelligent in a well-rounded manner. Her manners are flawless and she shines forth beauty from the inside as well as her outer appearance. At the end of the movie, they give subtitles as to the other characters and what became of them, so I thought this story might be based on some historical fact, but I cannot determine that that was the case. I did, however, find that a lot of people view this as a very light-hearted movie, in other words something not so very deep. I find myself in a completely opposite position. I think this movie speaks highly of what and who we are to be as Christians. The restrictions that were set on people simply because of bloodlines, who they knew, who they didn't know, I find very relevant because I find it very hypocritical. And in all of this, our heroine, Edith, who recieves blessings upon blessings after enduring hardship upon hardship, but never letting the adverse circumstances causing her to become anything less than who she already is....Although this movie is not Christian, I find it be very challenging to run the race as Paul encourages us to do. I always come away from it feeling happy but encouraged to keep on keeping on standing in Christ, trying to follow the Lord as best I know how by His leading and that I have a whole lot to work on in trying to become more of a 'lady'.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (book)
I actually read this book a while ago but decided to post about it because I had to post about something so that those of you on this blog would be inspired to post something too, or maybe just comment. I have actually this book twice. The first time I liked it. The second time, more recently... (like in about the last year,) I didn't.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire is by Jim Cymbala, a pastor well known for his work in a powerty section of New York. His church is called the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and his wife is the director of the "Grammy Award Winning," Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. This book is one that I have heard people refer to as a great book to read, people including my pastor who also used Cymbala's quotes on handouts over the last year. Jim Cymbala has written over 40 books, which I think is quite a few. The subtitle to the Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire is, "What happens when God's Spirit invades the hearts of his people."
I barely got to page two, (Well, it really was the second page of my reading, but it was actually numbered page 12 in the book due to the table of contents and other miscellaneous pages,) when I started hearing ideas that I believe are incongruous with what I know to be true and began questioning what I read.
Foe example, Jim Cymbala talks on (pg 12) about how his father in law believed that he was being "called" by God into "full time Christian service." Now, I understand the principal here, that perhaps Jim is referring to, but as I read this, I was struck with thinking, "wait a minute... aren't all Christians, called into "full time Christian service?" He did not say, "called to pastoral ministry" or "teaching," but o "full time Christian service", and this sets itself up as opposed to... what?..."part time Christian service?"
Also, I think this kind of statement he made about being in "full time service," unlike the rest of Christians who are not full-time, not as devoted to God and serving him, is the very thing that sets people up to think that some in the Christian community are more holy or "closer to God" than they are. It also works two way in contributing to a "pastor" not being a brother in Christ, nor a fellow servant, but instead more like Christian code for "superior" or "CEO."
If you are in full time church business, and being a pastor is a job, a profession from which you derive your paycheck, a career choice like being dentist or an electrician, it follows that how well a pastor does his "job" equates itself to the size of building a church meets in, the number of books a pastor has in print (even better if they make the best seller lists of course!) and how many programs and people are under their particular pastoral management.
Next, Cymbala made a big deal about receiving "a sign,"(pg. 17) from God. His sign was two fifty dollar bills in a white envelope, which he described as a sign that "God was near and faithful." The note I made in the margin of my book asks, "What about the mere fact the God's word declares he is near and faithful." Are we Christians to believe God because we believe what God's word says or because he gives us signs to prove himself?
Cymbala here, was not an unbeliever, he was a Christian man who was trying to learn about leading a church congregation. At this time of his life he was however really wondering, sweating about how to pay the bills, crying out to God for help and drying his tears, even feeling like God had abandoned him because the pianist knew only one song and the collection plate was slim.
Let me say here that I believe God does answer our prayers and show himself faithful, he even does things we consider miraculous, meeting our needs in ways too wonderful for us to understand. I certainly do believe that he does, but Cymbala's enthusiastic inference about how God had given him a "sign" when the money he desperately needed mysteriously appeared via a white envelope on the foyer floor, and I note that it was nothing supernatural, nothing that went against nature, like a wet fleece or floating ax. No. The suddenly appearing money in a while envelope incident is reported to be so much more than just a documentation of God answering Jim's prayer. It was much not only a mystery, but a miracle.
And after making sure the reader thinks that God did a miracle by providing the envelope on the floor, Cymbala leaves the reader with an air of mystery about it all, saying, "To this day, I don't know where that money came from." The reader has no option but to believe it was a direct answer to Cymbalas pray and pleading,a direct result of prayer, and directly to Jim from God.
I guess what bugs me about this is that I have read how Jesus "sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." (Mark 8:12 , see also, Luke 11:29) I have read also where Paul talks about how they do not simply believe in signs or in knowledge, but in the person of Christ. ( 1 Col. 1:22-24) He says, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
I take a bit of an issue with Jim pointing the reader to look for or trust in signs.
On another note, I know that Pastors are to pray for people, but I never thought a pastor would actually pray for people to leave the church, as Jim Cymbala said he did on page 21. He says that he even had to help answer his own prayers by suggesting that members consider another church and he talks about how this was because they "were out of step with the flavor of the church."
Do not get me wrong, I know sometimes people need to be confronted on issues, released from "duty" when they are not working toward the same "goal" as the person in charge, but if I think about someone praying for God to make people leave their life, and resorting to answering their own prayers , I cannot help but wonder, "Who, (in this situation) IS in the role of being God?" I have heard somewhere that God is longsuffering toward us, patient. Outside of meaning not of a personal preference or liking, I have no idea what it means for a person to simply be described as a "different flavor."
Jim doesn't say that these people that he prayed out of his congregation, were in habitual sin and would not change; nor does he say they were not Christian or that they were unwilling to help and be a part of the church. In fact Jim, who in his own words, had "a very hectic schedule" and "thousands of problems" he was dealing with, speaks with a bit of distain as he describes how this man offers his assistance and declares that this man's spiritual life was opposite of what it should have been for the task. Furthermore, Cymbala says that he wanted these people to leave because he "knew" that if they stayed, "the Lord would never bless the mess with the spiritual power they so disparately needed."
"Never" seems like a pretty big word to me.
Trhoughout the book Cymbala talks a lot about money and finances and understandably, so for money is a necessity... and a shelter, like wisdom. Interestingly, Jim says that God came to him and personally spoke, (pg 25) giving him promises about how he wold always have something fresh to preach, all the money that he needed for the church and for his family, and that he never having a building large enough to contain the crowds he would send to Jim," if....you and your wife will lead my people to pray and call upon my name."
I found myself wonderingat this part too. It sure sounded to me like some sort of prosperity doctrine as God's promise here to Jim seems to be one of "you will never suffer hardship," (IF) "if you lead my people to pray and to call upon my name."
As promising as it may be for God to bless Jim financially because he leads the church to pray, as spiritually sounding as it is, it sounds quite UNbiblical to me. Cymbala's primary job is now not to evangelize the unbelieving world for Christ, but to evangelize the church, and this in exchange for money and a following of people as he is "leading them to pray and call upon" his name." My thought is that this directive from God himself to Jim is a bit redundant for the church, if it is those who believe upon Jesus, those who are saved, is made up of those who have already called upon his name.
The book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire can be considered a call to prayer, a call to ask God for forgiveness for sin, a call to repentance... and in that regard it does have value, but in telling his congregation about what God told him, Jim says, "No matter what I preach or what we claim to believe in our heads, the future will depend upon our times of prayer" (p.27) and this takes me aback because I do not ever remember reading anything like that in the scripture either.
When I read the Bible I notonly see the directive to pray, "without ceasing" but also a directive to "preach" so people can hear the word of the Lord. And I wonder as I read this book," if it does not matter what you believe in your head," as Jim says, "why does the Bible say, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"
I also am reminded that Moslems, pray, Hindus pray, Buddhists, pray, Jews pray and some folks were even rebuked by Jesus because they prayed simply to be seen of other men. If what a person believed and preached were not important than Christianity would basically be on a parr with all these other religions who pray too. No different really than those who believe and preach things other than Christ. So, I wonder, "how can it not matter what you believe in your head?"
I ask, is this the voice of my master? Quite frankly, I think not.
I attend a church where my pastor preaches the word of God, and I would say, he does so quite faithfully, filling his hearers with knowledge of who God is and what he has said and done, often pointing out that the point of doing so is that we then allow God to change our hearts. His faithful preaching allows God's Holy Spirit to enlighten our dark minds with truth from God's holy word, light, and the result is that we gain understanding of who God is and open out heart to God's Holy Spirit, (who by the way, does not simply "invade" like a maruader. I am so thankful for a pastor who preaches from the Bible for how can people hear the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, unless someone preaches?
As I think about my own answer, I am confounded again by Cymbala's word, this time on page 138, when he writes, " What gains unbelievers’ attention and stirs the heart is seeing the gospel expressed in power. It takes more than academic rigor to win the world for Christ. Correct doctrine alone isn’t enough. Proclamation and teaching aren’t enough. God must be invited to ‘confirm the word with signs following."
There is that "signs" thing again.
I really am saddened over how many times Jim Cymbala dismisses the importance of doctrine and preaching contextually throughout this book. He says unbelievers need not hear, but to "see" power, and signs. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus saying to his disciples... blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. I am reminded too that people were not just amazed at the miracles of Jesus, they found his doctrine, his teaching, quite amazing too.
My particular copy of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, has a study guide in the back, and "silly me ," I thought the study guide would be a little bit like a Bible study. Nope. (Shows how much I really know.) It was a study guide on the book Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, and Jim Cymbala. It is all about the things he said in the book the things that happened in the story, as well as all about what the reader thinks and whether or not the reader agrees or disagrees with Jim Cymbala.
Jim Cymbala is marketed to the church at large thhrough this book as someone the church should embrace and listen too. After all, we just learned that he has heard directly from God on the matter of prayer. We learned from Jim that prayer, not doctrine or belief is what will mpve the church into the future, and this as we watch a new kind of spirituality unfold before our eyes in the world, one where people of all faiths, not just all denominations of Christianity, pray together.
For this reason, I believe the book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, deserves the Christian's careful consideration as they read it, after all, as David Wilkerson says in his endorsement, "reading this book will change your life forever." That it may do, and hopefully for the best, and hopefully it won't change your mind about the importance of doctrine, the necessity of preaching of God's Word, or about loving God above all things.
Hopefully it won't leave a person looking for signs in order to believe in God. Hopefully we will not find ourselves praying people out of our lives, or out of our congregations, but praying for them and building them up and encouraging them, washing them with the pure water of the word. And hopefully Christians are praying for patience, endurance under difficulty and trials, and praying for wisdom as they find themselves dealing with those peculair multidimensional relationships with seemingly dysfunctional, " unusually flavored," people, praying for them, not against them as they encounter with a loving and compassionate, holy God.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire is by Jim Cymbala, a pastor well known for his work in a powerty section of New York. His church is called the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and his wife is the director of the "Grammy Award Winning," Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. This book is one that I have heard people refer to as a great book to read, people including my pastor who also used Cymbala's quotes on handouts over the last year. Jim Cymbala has written over 40 books, which I think is quite a few. The subtitle to the Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire is, "What happens when God's Spirit invades the hearts of his people."
I barely got to page two, (Well, it really was the second page of my reading, but it was actually numbered page 12 in the book due to the table of contents and other miscellaneous pages,) when I started hearing ideas that I believe are incongruous with what I know to be true and began questioning what I read.
Foe example, Jim Cymbala talks on (pg 12) about how his father in law believed that he was being "called" by God into "full time Christian service." Now, I understand the principal here, that perhaps Jim is referring to, but as I read this, I was struck with thinking, "wait a minute... aren't all Christians, called into "full time Christian service?" He did not say, "called to pastoral ministry" or "teaching," but o "full time Christian service", and this sets itself up as opposed to... what?..."part time Christian service?"
Also, I think this kind of statement he made about being in "full time service," unlike the rest of Christians who are not full-time, not as devoted to God and serving him, is the very thing that sets people up to think that some in the Christian community are more holy or "closer to God" than they are. It also works two way in contributing to a "pastor" not being a brother in Christ, nor a fellow servant, but instead more like Christian code for "superior" or "CEO."
If you are in full time church business, and being a pastor is a job, a profession from which you derive your paycheck, a career choice like being dentist or an electrician, it follows that how well a pastor does his "job" equates itself to the size of building a church meets in, the number of books a pastor has in print (even better if they make the best seller lists of course!) and how many programs and people are under their particular pastoral management.
Next, Cymbala made a big deal about receiving "a sign,"(pg. 17) from God. His sign was two fifty dollar bills in a white envelope, which he described as a sign that "God was near and faithful." The note I made in the margin of my book asks, "What about the mere fact the God's word declares he is near and faithful." Are we Christians to believe God because we believe what God's word says or because he gives us signs to prove himself?
Cymbala here, was not an unbeliever, he was a Christian man who was trying to learn about leading a church congregation. At this time of his life he was however really wondering, sweating about how to pay the bills, crying out to God for help and drying his tears, even feeling like God had abandoned him because the pianist knew only one song and the collection plate was slim.
Let me say here that I believe God does answer our prayers and show himself faithful, he even does things we consider miraculous, meeting our needs in ways too wonderful for us to understand. I certainly do believe that he does, but Cymbala's enthusiastic inference about how God had given him a "sign" when the money he desperately needed mysteriously appeared via a white envelope on the foyer floor, and I note that it was nothing supernatural, nothing that went against nature, like a wet fleece or floating ax. No. The suddenly appearing money in a while envelope incident is reported to be so much more than just a documentation of God answering Jim's prayer. It was much not only a mystery, but a miracle.
And after making sure the reader thinks that God did a miracle by providing the envelope on the floor, Cymbala leaves the reader with an air of mystery about it all, saying, "To this day, I don't know where that money came from." The reader has no option but to believe it was a direct answer to Cymbalas pray and pleading,a direct result of prayer, and directly to Jim from God.
I guess what bugs me about this is that I have read how Jesus "sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." (Mark 8:12 , see also, Luke 11:29) I have read also where Paul talks about how they do not simply believe in signs or in knowledge, but in the person of Christ. ( 1 Col. 1:22-24) He says, "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
I take a bit of an issue with Jim pointing the reader to look for or trust in signs.
On another note, I know that Pastors are to pray for people, but I never thought a pastor would actually pray for people to leave the church, as Jim Cymbala said he did on page 21. He says that he even had to help answer his own prayers by suggesting that members consider another church and he talks about how this was because they "were out of step with the flavor of the church."
Do not get me wrong, I know sometimes people need to be confronted on issues, released from "duty" when they are not working toward the same "goal" as the person in charge, but if I think about someone praying for God to make people leave their life, and resorting to answering their own prayers , I cannot help but wonder, "Who, (in this situation) IS in the role of being God?" I have heard somewhere that God is longsuffering toward us, patient. Outside of meaning not of a personal preference or liking, I have no idea what it means for a person to simply be described as a "different flavor."
Jim doesn't say that these people that he prayed out of his congregation, were in habitual sin and would not change; nor does he say they were not Christian or that they were unwilling to help and be a part of the church. In fact Jim, who in his own words, had "a very hectic schedule" and "thousands of problems" he was dealing with, speaks with a bit of distain as he describes how this man offers his assistance and declares that this man's spiritual life was opposite of what it should have been for the task. Furthermore, Cymbala says that he wanted these people to leave because he "knew" that if they stayed, "the Lord would never bless the mess with the spiritual power they so disparately needed."
"Never" seems like a pretty big word to me.
Trhoughout the book Cymbala talks a lot about money and finances and understandably, so for money is a necessity... and a shelter, like wisdom. Interestingly, Jim says that God came to him and personally spoke, (pg 25) giving him promises about how he wold always have something fresh to preach, all the money that he needed for the church and for his family, and that he never having a building large enough to contain the crowds he would send to Jim," if....you and your wife will lead my people to pray and call upon my name."
I found myself wonderingat this part too. It sure sounded to me like some sort of prosperity doctrine as God's promise here to Jim seems to be one of "you will never suffer hardship," (IF) "if you lead my people to pray and to call upon my name."
As promising as it may be for God to bless Jim financially because he leads the church to pray, as spiritually sounding as it is, it sounds quite UNbiblical to me. Cymbala's primary job is now not to evangelize the unbelieving world for Christ, but to evangelize the church, and this in exchange for money and a following of people as he is "leading them to pray and call upon" his name." My thought is that this directive from God himself to Jim is a bit redundant for the church, if it is those who believe upon Jesus, those who are saved, is made up of those who have already called upon his name.
The book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire can be considered a call to prayer, a call to ask God for forgiveness for sin, a call to repentance... and in that regard it does have value, but in telling his congregation about what God told him, Jim says, "No matter what I preach or what we claim to believe in our heads, the future will depend upon our times of prayer" (p.27) and this takes me aback because I do not ever remember reading anything like that in the scripture either.
When I read the Bible I notonly see the directive to pray, "without ceasing" but also a directive to "preach" so people can hear the word of the Lord. And I wonder as I read this book," if it does not matter what you believe in your head," as Jim says, "why does the Bible say, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.'"
I also am reminded that Moslems, pray, Hindus pray, Buddhists, pray, Jews pray and some folks were even rebuked by Jesus because they prayed simply to be seen of other men. If what a person believed and preached were not important than Christianity would basically be on a parr with all these other religions who pray too. No different really than those who believe and preach things other than Christ. So, I wonder, "how can it not matter what you believe in your head?"
I ask, is this the voice of my master? Quite frankly, I think not.
I attend a church where my pastor preaches the word of God, and I would say, he does so quite faithfully, filling his hearers with knowledge of who God is and what he has said and done, often pointing out that the point of doing so is that we then allow God to change our hearts. His faithful preaching allows God's Holy Spirit to enlighten our dark minds with truth from God's holy word, light, and the result is that we gain understanding of who God is and open out heart to God's Holy Spirit, (who by the way, does not simply "invade" like a maruader. I am so thankful for a pastor who preaches from the Bible for how can people hear the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, unless someone preaches?
As I think about my own answer, I am confounded again by Cymbala's word, this time on page 138, when he writes, " What gains unbelievers’ attention and stirs the heart is seeing the gospel expressed in power. It takes more than academic rigor to win the world for Christ. Correct doctrine alone isn’t enough. Proclamation and teaching aren’t enough. God must be invited to ‘confirm the word with signs following."
There is that "signs" thing again.
I really am saddened over how many times Jim Cymbala dismisses the importance of doctrine and preaching contextually throughout this book. He says unbelievers need not hear, but to "see" power, and signs. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus saying to his disciples... blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. I am reminded too that people were not just amazed at the miracles of Jesus, they found his doctrine, his teaching, quite amazing too.
My particular copy of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, has a study guide in the back, and "silly me ," I thought the study guide would be a little bit like a Bible study. Nope. (Shows how much I really know.) It was a study guide on the book Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, and Jim Cymbala. It is all about the things he said in the book the things that happened in the story, as well as all about what the reader thinks and whether or not the reader agrees or disagrees with Jim Cymbala.
Jim Cymbala is marketed to the church at large thhrough this book as someone the church should embrace and listen too. After all, we just learned that he has heard directly from God on the matter of prayer. We learned from Jim that prayer, not doctrine or belief is what will mpve the church into the future, and this as we watch a new kind of spirituality unfold before our eyes in the world, one where people of all faiths, not just all denominations of Christianity, pray together.
For this reason, I believe the book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, deserves the Christian's careful consideration as they read it, after all, as David Wilkerson says in his endorsement, "reading this book will change your life forever." That it may do, and hopefully for the best, and hopefully it won't change your mind about the importance of doctrine, the necessity of preaching of God's Word, or about loving God above all things.
Hopefully it won't leave a person looking for signs in order to believe in God. Hopefully we will not find ourselves praying people out of our lives, or out of our congregations, but praying for them and building them up and encouraging them, washing them with the pure water of the word. And hopefully Christians are praying for patience, endurance under difficulty and trials, and praying for wisdom as they find themselves dealing with those peculair multidimensional relationships with seemingly dysfunctional, " unusually flavored," people, praying for them, not against them as they encounter with a loving and compassionate, holy God.
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