Learning From History

I really enjoy American History. The past two summers I have traveled to Gettysburg and Mount Rushmore. Two places that are full of American History. I watch videos that have a historical theme to them and have become fascinated with a recently released series – “John Adams.”
The miniseries chronicles the first fifty years of the United States and John Adams’ contribution and influence.
John Adams was instrumental in the colonies declaring independence from Great Britain, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, and the individual constitutions that many states drafted were guided by his work. He served as ambassador to France and was the United States’ first ambassador to England. He was our first Vice-President and second President. He truly was a great force in the formation of early America.
But one scene in the series really struck home to me. As he is leaving to go to France to secure French support of the Revolutionary War, he is hugging his children goodbye. As he comes to his daughter he reminds her of an apparently frequent family slogan. She states that in his absence she will “be good and do good.”Is that not the call of God? Aren’t we charged to be good and do good? Even in the midst of conflict, whether physical war or spiritual war, be good and do good. God has called us by His Son to follow Jesus’ example for he was truly good and did good. Be Jesus to our world.

Dark Knight

The people who know me well know that I love movies. I am fascinated by the storytelling that goes on in the movies. I would like to share some thoughts from my recent trip to the theater.
The Dark Knight is a 2008 based on the DC Comics character Batman. This film is a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. Christian Bale repeats in the lead role as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

The plot of the film focuses on Batman's fight against a new villain, the Joker (Heath Ledger) and his relationships with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and his old friend and love interest assistant D.A. Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Observations from the movie:

1. Throughout the movie the opinion about the nature of man is battled. Is man good or is he evil? Two ferries are leaving Gotham City running from the threat of the Joker. The Joker gives the two ferries a choice. If you blow up the other ferry your ferry will survive. One ferry has good, decent, normal folks. The other has convicted criminals. Who will do the right thing? Will both fall into the Joker’s belief about mankind? Which of the two ferries will decide to blow the other one up? Without Jesus the world is evil, lost and hopeless. Only through the Son can we have light.


2. Also the movie dealt with sacrifice. In the end would Batman be selfish or would he do what was best for Gotham City? Batman had every reason to walk away. He was criticized. He was being attacked. He was alone. Does this sound familiar? The Christ was in the same boat but a different ocean. Jesus was trying to reconcile man to God. But don’t minimize the situation. He was criticized. He was being attacked. He was alone (humanly speaking). Not to ruin the ending of the movie I will only deal with what Jesus did. He came through. He sacrificed himself for us. We are redeemed. We are reconciled. We have hope.
   Hollywood may not have meant for me to draw these conclusions, but that is what I came away with. Man does need God to be better. Jesus made that possible by taking our place. Thanks be to God.
   

Bucket List

In the movie “Bucket List,” blue-collar mechanic Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman) and billionaire hospital magnate Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) meet for the first time in the hospital after both have been diagnosed with cancer. They become friends as they undergo their respective treatments. Both are diagnosed with a year or less to live. Carter begins writing a "bucket list," or things to do before "he kicks the bucket." Agreement is made that the two of them will do the “bucket list.”

The pair then begin an around-the-world vacation, embarking on race car driving, sky diving, climbing the Pyramids, and going on lion safari in Africa. Along the way they discuss faith and family, and learn from each other that Carter has long been feeling less in love with his wife and Cole is deeply hurt by his estrangement with his only daughter, who disowned him after he sent some people to "take care" of her abusive husband. The movie makes one think.
I don’t want to ruin the ending, but want to share some things from this movie:

1. Friendship is so important. A friend enriches life by sharing the good and the bad. I am thankful for the good friends I have had and now have.


2. Faith gives us strength when we face death. Faith is the foundation that guides us through the “valley of the shadow of death” giving us hope and assurance that the God of Heaven is there for us now and throughout eternity. I have faith and that helps me through every situation.


3. Life needs to be lived in view of us never knowing when the end will come. Live life to its fullest in view of eternity. May God help me be reminded of my own mortality and live life accordingly.


4. In the end may we live a life that brings us joy and that truly brings joy to others. With that God will smile upon us. Only through Jesus can true joy be enjoyed and shared.
   Make a list of what you need to do the rest of your days as seen through the eyes of the Father and spend your remaining days living.