Podcast & Media

GSPN tv 200f
A Podcast Media Network with lots of great shows on many topics. I help out as a admin on their forum. Check them out please!

Weblog

Thursday, July 17, 2008

  • Book Review The Shack

      I picked up the book "The Shack" by William P. Young after several people told me about it.  I read the reviews on the back of the book and got excited because of the claim about it being a modern "Pilgrim's Progress."  I started the book and got a little ways in and then saw the audiobook was on iTunes for a great price.  So I purchased it and started listening to it (not getting as far in as what I had read).  Young writes a compelling story and draw you in and I was excited to see what happened next.  But I read some of the reviews on iTunes and Amazon.com.  I then did a search out on the web was floored.  I read several reviews:  Challies.comCharles Swindoll, Albert Mohler, and others.  I just had to thank the Lord I had not read or listened to more.  The book has some major theological issues.  I would challenge you to read this review before reading "The Shack."  I just threw the book out and deleted the audiobook.  Here is a quick summary from a reviewer on amazon.com:
    This is THE book for you, IF...,
    October 24, 2007
    To the many 5 star reviewers, may I respectfully ask you to step back, take a deep breath, and then give this book a second look, viewing it only through the prism of Scripture? Upon sober reflection, perhaps you will discern that this IS an amazing book and THE book for you if, and only if...

    You want to recreate God in your own image;
    You find Isaiah's portrayal of a holy God seated upon His throne to be a disturbing image;
    You would prefer to metaphorically cast God the Father as a loving and large black woman named "Papa," Jesus as a laid back and friendly Middle Eastern man, and the Holy Spirit as a calm and cool Asian woman;
    You want a God so small that you and she/he/she can just hang out together as best buddies;
    You regard the Bible as an extremely biased, narrow-minded, and insufficient revelation of God in leather binding with "guilt edges" (page 65);
    You therefore believe that God talks to people today, and that whatever she or he says to people trumps biblical truth (page 66);
    You believe that God is never to be feared (page 90);
    You believe that Jesus' miracles do not affirm Him as God, but prove only "that Jesus is truly human" (page 99);
    You want a God who does not hold people accountable for, nor punishes sin (page 119);
    You want a God who does not demand that you submit to him or her, but one who submits to YOU (page 145);
    You want a God who accepts everyone -- "Buddhists...Muslims, bankers and bookies" -- as his or her children no matter what their beliefs or behavior, and that Jesus has "no desire to make them Christian" (page 223);
    You believe that Jesus lied when He warned, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction" (Matthew 7:13), because in The Shack Jesus says, "Most roads don't lead anywhere" (page 182).

    Make no mistake... 90% of this book is spot on. But isn't that exactly what makes its 10% error so insidiously deadly? Look, we can allegorize many things, but we don't mess with the Trinity. This book is a Trojan horse subtly infiltrating the Christian community -- one that makes our God extremely small and completely manageable, a God who, in the final analysis, is no God at all.


Monday, July 14, 2008

  • Mancuso Trip 2008

           I had a great vacation trip.  I flew up to BWI on Thursday.  Rob Mancuso (I've been friends with he and his wife Amy since college) picked me up.  We caught Wall-E (great move in my Pixar top 3) and had fun catching up over supper.  We then headed to his house.  The next day, Rob & Amy, Meredith (their daughter) and I headed to VA.  Their son Thomas was staying with Rob's parents and going to a baseball camp.  We went to the camp and watch the last practice and game.  It was fun.  Thomas has got good fielding and throwing skills.  We then went back to Rob's parents for lunch and a birthday party for Thomas (he turned 6).  He was thrilled to get baseball pants, bases for the back yard and more.  We then crept through traffic around DC back to Maryland.  When we got back, Thomas got a new bike and helmet from the family and I gave him some Legos.  That night and the next morning Rob, Thomas, Meredith and I had fun building all kinds of Lego creations.  I also got to play their Nintendo Wii.  We played Wii Sports.  it was a blast.  I need to save for a Wii after I finish saving for Christmas gifts.
       Saturday, Rob and I left after lunch and headed to the outskirts of DC.  We took the Metro to Chinatown and grabbed some Starbucks.  We then went to the Spy Museum.  The "Be A Spy" event was a blast and the museum was good.  But pre-register for both before you go.  You avoid the lines, but the museum is packed with people.  We then took the Metro to the Navy Yards Station and walked up to the Nationals Park.  The park is beautiful and fits into the DC monument them.  It has classic features, great seats, and a wide varity of food options.  I picked up a t-shirt and then we grabbed supper.  We enjoyed the game even though the Nats lost by 2 runs.  It was a great night.  We then took the Metro back and drove back to Rob & Amy's.
       Sunday, Rob took me to the airport.  It was a great trip.  I'm so glad I got to spend time with friends and that I fly instead of driving.

     


Sunday, June 29, 2008

  • Currently Listening
    Casting Crowns
    By Casting Crowns
    Your Love Is Extravagant
    see related

    Dwelling Together In Unity

    "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" Psalms 133:1

      My life has been busy the last few weeks.  I've been asked to be on the board of directors of Arts Alive, Inc.  We have been working very hard to get our bi-laws, statement of faith and everything else in order so we can become non-profit.  It has taken some time, but it has been a blessing.  God has gifted each board member in different ways and "in the multitude of counselors there is safety." (Proverbs 11:14)  It has been sweet to dwell together in unity.
      Worship was sweet today as we lived Jesus up.  Mark opened up the word talking about the 3 un-ready disciples.  It was a call for us to examine our heart and see if we had anything else before serving Jesus.  After church we had an Arts Alive board meeting and it went well.
       This evening was so sweet and special.  We had a large group of people gather together at the Cobb's house.  We talked, laughed, played volleyball, and had a great meal.  The weather (wind & rain) and even having a power outage did not stop us.  There were great conversations among people of all age groups.  But what I loved the most came later.  Most of the group crammed in the living room.  With 5 guitars, a ukulele, and a lot of voices, we san praises to the Lord.  People from at least 4 different church and from all over the county came together in unity to worship the Living God.  It was beautiful to hear the harmonies (instrument & voice), percussion, and worship to Jesus Christ.  It reminded me a lot of those times in college and I jump at the opportunity to participate in them.  It is so awesome when we dwell together in unity in and through Christ.  It is just a small fortaste of heaven.

    Your love is extravagant
     Your friendship, it is intimate
     I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
     Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
     Your love is extravagant
     
     Chorus:
     Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
     No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
     Capture my heart again
     
     Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
     No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
     
     Capture my heart again
     Your love is extravagant
     Your friendship, it is intimate


Saturday, June 21, 2008

  • The Incredible Hulk Review

    Here is my spin and review:

    The Cautions:
    The moved is rated PG-13 that is mostly for the strong action and violence (duh!  it's the Hulk).  On the sexual content:  Bruce is shown in the shower from the side.  There is one scene where Bruce & Betty are about to have sex but are stopped by Bruce's heart monitor.

    The Review:
    I have only seen bits and pieces of the 2003 film, so I can't judge in relation to that story.  They started the movie with a wonderful back story montage as the opening credits.  The film makers did an excellent job creating atmosphere.  The locations in Brazil, Virginia, NYC, Canada and elsewhere were beautifully shot and the natural world is captured well also.  The cast did a great job.  Edward Norton & Liv Tyler do an excellent job portraying to characters who are smart, savvy and complicated.  The supporting cast was great as well.  Yes this movie is a set up for a sequel (another Hulk and/or the Avengers) but they still did character development.  Bruce's search for peace & a cure were well acted.  Betty's love for him and the ability to break through to Bruce in the Hulk were great.  The visual effects were great.  They made the Hulk look and feel real.  There is a scene of the Hulk in the rain and it is stunning.  I liked the movie not quite as much as Iron Man but very close.

    Nostalgia/honoring the past:
    The character of the Hulk has been around for a good while in comics, cartoons, and the TV show.  The did a good job of bringing balance and cohesion to all those storylines.  Homage is played to the tv series in the opening montage, a music que taken from the end of the tv show, and even the famous line "You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" (played with a twist.  The even had a joke about the famous purple pants the Hulk wears.  Plus we have a cameo of Lou Ferrigno

    The inside stuff:
    We see mention on computer screens of S.H.I.E.L.D.  We see the name Nick Fury.  We see a mention of Stark Technology.  Tony shows up in the last scene to talk to the General and the banter about Stark's hardware and great suits.  Plus we have a plug for the Avengers.  The character Samuel Sterns was set up to be come the villan "The Leader."  Doc Sampson was also set up.  Along with the obvious Abomination.  Some of the best was the talk about the WWII super soldier research (which created Captain America in the comics).  That program and it's off shoot (weapons plus which created Wolverine's metal skelleton) are mentioned.

    Summary:
    It is a good summer move that did a good job balancing action, set up for sequils, and character.  Check it out.  Out of the 2 Marvel movies this summer I still like Iron Man best (b/c of how close to a Saul to Paul story it is).

IThess518

  • Visit IThess518's Xanga Site
    • Name: Geoff
    • Metro:
    • Gender: Male
    • Member Since: 5/21/2004
    • True Premium

About Me

  • My user name comes from a verse the Lord is working out in me. "In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." The title of my page is also from the Lord. He has given me the vision to serve Him as a Chaplain in His Marines/Army. To encourage, pray for, and serve the troops in the midst of war. I'm yielding to Him because only Jesus can do it through me. I love all types of music (that's why I love my iPod I can take it all with me :) )