Graduation...

Well as I sit on the eve of Graduation from Ozark Christian College. I wrestle with so many different emotions Joy for the continuing of full-time ministry sadness to leave an institution that has challenged me in my walk with God every day I walked onto her campus. But overall I am thankful for the people I've met. I've been blessed with so many amazing professors like Mark Scott, Andrew Kirschner, Brian Brubaker (the list should contain every prof. I was in contact with). Then there's the churches I served at Christ Church of Oronogo, Humansville Christian Church, First Christian Church of Lamar and Commerce and even took a chance on a great church in Memphis that challenged me to rely on my wife more. So many people so many blessings. I love the God I serve and hope that I will continue to love and adore who he is and how he used a church from Clovis, Ca to pay for my education. What a blessing and encouragement. Praise the Lord.

Iron Man 2

Well we were able to have a nice date night. Including Red Onion Cafe and followed with a movie with 5 of my favorite people.

Now this is easily one of those movies that you automatically know is going to be a solid film with few issues. Now as a fan of comics (I'm more of a DC guy) I know some of the history of Tony Stark. In this rendition you have to allow Comic Book movies to be movies and Comics be comics. So I've read a few people had issues that Mickey Rourke's character was never called by his comic book name (Whiplash). But I don't know if you need that for this film. Batman Dark Night did an excellent job with Two Face but he wasn't walking around telling people, "My new name is, TWO FACE!" Sometimes these things that work with your comic book audience doesn't work with you film audience. I'm fine with them not calling him by his Whiplash name.

Now when ever I see these new Superhero movies of course we like to identify with these Characters. And since Tony Stark is Marvel's version of Batman (if you ask me) rich and uses wealth to fight crime. You have to find his human element in the whole thing. And the underlying story is Tony Stark having daddy issues. Which overall worked pretty well. If more movies would allow you to connect with these distant characters by human emotion you'll see audiences drawn to well done Superhero movies. I loved this film. I still believe Robert Downey Jr. is one of the best actors out there. Is it because he's had a life of drugs and addictions who knows? The guy is just a solid actor. Earlier this year I wanted to see more of his work and watched Chaplin as he played Charlie Chaplin, the film itself is a little slow at times but when there's a solid actor you will watch them do anything. Robert Downey Jr. is that type of actor. He completely understands the Psyche of Tony Stark.

Now my final review is this, if you're looking for a movie that outshines Iron Man 1 well I don't think it does that but it completely meets the same excitement and freshness of the first one. I thought it was just as good as the first. Which I loved the first one. Originally I expected this movie to be my favorite film of Summer 2010 but I'm thinking there's still some excellent potential with this Summer. (I'll share in another blog about movies I'm expecting to be one's I don't want to miss.) I give Iron Man 2 a Must See in Theaters (if you liked the first one).

Date Night

Now I probably haven't laughed as hard since Pineapple Express and I loved that film. As many film involving any Second City Alums you have the idea that filming the movie itself was probably even funnier than the film. Which in this case is okay as the on screen chemistry helps the humor along. The film seems to be self explanatory as 40 something couple decides to have a long overdue Date Night, then a moment of mistaken identity causes the Night to take a hilarious turn. Surprise cameos from Mark Wahlberg, Ray Liotta, and Common adds a little something to keep those you wouldn't expect in a comedy to help the humor along. When it comes to the comedies involving mistaken identity ala Three Amigos and Tropic Thunder I think this one is just a step under Three Amigos and quite a bit above Tropic Thunder. Go see this movie on a Date Night!

Clash of the Titans

It appears the past few years the goal to make the Blockbuster Movie of the Summer to come out earlier and earlier than the last. When I was a kid movies in July would be the pinnacle of the summer (Independence Day). Now movies like Iron Man hit theaters early May to begin the Summers Blockbuster Hits. I believe Clash of the Titans was making an attempt to kick this year off with a Big Epic Movie of 2010 sadly Medusa turned this one into stone. My wife and went to see it with the highly advertised 3D experience, then the projectors bulb wouldn't work. Causing us to have to wait a few more days to see the film. But we were given a couple extra tickets for a free movie. This of course became the best part of the whole movie, that we were given a free movie ticket. Not a good sign. The whole film consisted of hollow acting and a weak story attempting to get your heroes from point A to point B with little interest. The strongest character in the film had to be Hades, but even with his unique take on this mythical character it was really disappointing. The whole film was advertised everywhere as 3D and I discovered after seeing the film that it wasn't even made with 3D in mind. Not all movies should be in 3D. So if you decide to resurrect this film like the Kraken then watch it in 2D, but I'd rather pass seeing it again.

My boy...

So as of late Malachi has been hilarious to listen to in the morning. He wakes up and laughs and giggles while laying in his crib. I mean there is nothing happening and he is chatting away the whole time. I wonder if he is surrounded by heavenly hosts unbeknownst to anyone else. I would like to think that he is completely aware of God's presence in his life and finds the joy every morning to have his baby talk.

Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Some of my sons firsts...

Profile of the Lukewarm

Francis Chan's 4th chapter in Crazy Love opens the door to a portion of every Christian's walk. A moment when we can still very easily be attending church and doing the Christian duty but at the same time not truly sacrificing anything for Christ. Our love for God should be at a level that causes us to actually want to be more like Him (The Father) and less like us.

How has your lukewarm lifestyle benefited the Kingdom?

How could 2010 benefit from your life being a passionate love offering to God?

Who could be saved because of you finally giving it all to Christ?