Alternate Ending: The Prince of Egypt

Pastor James taught about Moses last Sunday, so we decided to watch The Prince of Egypt this week!

This is one of Jen's favorite movies and it was the first time that I've seen it all the way through. They stayed relatively true to the Biblical story, but it was the ending that I found humorous (oh, and also the characters' huge noses).

Most people know the story: God's people were oppressed by Pharaoh, and God used Moses to present God's power, leading all of them into freedom across the Red Sea. God's awesome miracles were on display throughout the whole movie, and His people were awestruck. And then the movie ends by showing Moses at the top of the mountain holding the ten commandment tablets triumphantly. Roll credits.

Great ending! God saves the day and everyone should worship Him and now His people are free and should be giving their lives to please Him! Right?

What happens if there was one more scene at the end of the movie? A sad story... Moses would come down the mountain and see them all worshiping some stupid golden calf statue. Why didn't they include that scene in the movie? Why did they leave that tid bit of information out?

I guess that's not the typical Hollywood ending that everyone loves to watch on the big screen, but it's the sad truth in real life. I mean, honestly. How great is God and how dumb are we?

Image from rottentomatoes.com

Tip of the Day

When you're walking ON WATER out to Jesus, who is also walking ON WATER (by the way, you also just recently saw him heal paralytics, cast out demons, and feed five thousand), then don't be frightened of some wind.

Matthew 14:22-36

Two Types of Christians

This morning I realized that there are two types of Christians in this world.

• Type 1 wants to read the Bible, but doesn't read it because he/she doesn't really want to.
• Type 2 wants to read the Bible, and actually reads it because he/she actually wants to!

After growing up in a Christian home and committing my life to Christ when I was 17, I think that I've finally made it to Type 2. Isn't that ridiculous?!

I finally am at the point where I can say that I enjoy reading the Bible every day... 7 years after I've committed myself to what it says in the Bible. How can I call myself a Christian if I don't read what God has written to me?

Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted. Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind and if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." --Matthew 15:12-14 (NASB)

Image taken from here

The Creator's Creation's Creations

My last two weekends, one spent in Oregon's wilderness and one spent in Oregon's largest city, were both filled with God's creative beauty.

My first weekend, I went backpacking with my dad in the Mt. Hood National Forest near Zigzag, Oregon. The second weekend, I finally was able to go to downtown Portland with my mom and ride the Portland Aerial Tram! All last year I was watching the construction on a webcam and getting excited for such a new and unique form of transportation for the city.

It is alway easy to see the beauty that God has created by going out into the wilderness. It is refreshing and helps keep perspective on my life. However, it is not often that I marvel in the beauty that I see in the city, day after day.

God created us in His image. Because of that, we are creative and innovative with what we create. The city is full of creative works by the hand of man. If it weren't for God breathing life into us and using His creativity to form us, making us in His image, then our world would surely be dull.

Extraordinary, creative designs clearly reflect an extraordinary, creative God.

Pensive Pics: Introspective to Innovative

My last two weekends in Oregon: Peaceful and Progressive.


Salmon River Trail


Salmon River. Zigzag, OR


Climbing Marquam Hill


My descent to the South Waterfront OHSU campus

Movie Review: The Bourne Ultimatum

The Bourne Ultimatum
Directed by Paul Greengrass

Jason Bourne's last adventure to find out the truth behind his violent past. So cool. We saw this with my family when we came down to Portland this past weekend.

It was a sweet movie. Lots of action and great character development. There was a great line at the end of the film, too. Bourne asked another assassin, "Do you even know why you're supposed to kill me?"

I've thought about this question many times since experiencing the greatness that is Jason Bourne, but I have changed it in order to fit my own circumstances: Are you really supposed to ___?

Am I really supposed to use a harsh tone when conversing with my fiancee?
Am I really supposed to be surfing the internet at work?
Am I really supposed to spend my money instead of save it?
Am I really supposed to waste my free time instead of read my Bible?

One thing that I learned from Jason Bourne is to question what I think I'm supposed to be doing. What am I really supposed to be doing with my life?

5 out of 5 stars.

Image from rottentomatoes.com

Videoblog: No, Not Bud Light

It looks like a Bud Light commercial, but no... it's just me relaxing this past weekend in God's beautiful creation. Salmon River Trail in Zigzag, Oregon.

Barry Bonds Ties Hank Aaron's Home Run Record

We have a new home run king.

On August 4th, Barry Bonds hit his 755th career home run, tying Hank Aaron's all-time record. He will soon pass "Hammerin' Hank" and claim the top spot for Major League Baseball's most coveted record, and arguably the most popular record in all of US professional sports.

But does he deserve recognition?

Anyone who has heard of Barry Bonds knows that the big deal involves steroids. "He doesn't deserve it!" "We should put an asterisk next to his name in the record books!" "He's a cheater!" Although these statements might be arguably appropriate, I want to show you a few things that many people overlook about Bonds.

Career numbers:

• 755 home runs (only 4 players all-time with more than 600)
  
• 12.9 at bats per home run (3rd all-time)
  
• 2,539 walks (all-time leader)
• 1,426 extra base hits (2nd all-time)
• .444 on base percentage (6th all-time)
  
• 514 stolen bases (only player with both 400 HR and 400 SB)
• .298 batting average (and a .272 average this year!)
  

Other accomplishments:

• 7 MVP awards (MLB record; the next highest is 3)
• 13 consecutive seasons hitting 30 or more home runs (MLB record)
  
• 8 consecutive seasons with .600 slugging percentage or higher (MLB record)
• 8 Gold Glove awards for NL Outfielder
• 12 Silver Slugger awards for NL Outfielder
• 14 All-Star appearances
  

If you aren't that into baseball stats and are wondering how good this guy is, let me tell you: this guy is amazing.

Sure, he may be an arrogant jerk who likely took some steroids a few years ago. But being one of the best baseball players in history, I'm not surprised at how he reacts to the mass criticism from fans and media. Oh, and guess what else? He has never failed a drug test.

Do I think that Barry Bonds deserves this recognition and fame for his achievement, even though it's likely that he took steroids? Yes. Definitely. Based on the statistics that I see above, I believe that he is one of the game's best. By far.

He is one of the most intelligent hitters in the history of the game. His swing is beautiful. When most players gain the experience needed to be more skillful in the game, their bodies start wearing down. But not Bonds'. After 22 seasons at 43 years old, his experience and his health have given him the respect that he deserves. Along with a no-doubt stroll into the Hall of Fame.

For more on Bonds versus Aaron in the eyes of their peers, check out this article.

"Barry, even before all the questions came up about him, he was a guy you'd walk intentionally." --Joe Torre

Photos from msnbc.com and mlb.com
Stats from wikipedia and mlb.com

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

I've seen this bumper sticker numerous times in this wonderful city of Seattle. It's ridiculous.

I am very supportive of people expressing their right to free speech, but people who display this sticker on their car do not know the Bible well.

The bumper sticker is making this point: We shouldn't go to war and kill our enemy because Jesus wouldn't go to war and kill His enemy. While this is a valid point, it has some flaws. Let's look at them.

1. Killing is not necessarily a sin. The sixth commandment states, "You shall not murder," and Jesus said that it's more about the hatred in one's heart that matters.
2. God is not anti-war. He is a jealous God, and deserves obedience from His creation. All throughout the Old Testament God tells His people to fight wars in God's name. By stating this, I am not saying that the current war in Iraq is being fought in God's name, I'm just stating the fact that God is not anti-war based on the Bible.
3. Jesus will eventually come back and kill his enemy. Revelation describes Jesus coming back to the earth on a white horse, with a sharp sword coming out of His mouth with which to strike down the nations.
   

This bumper sticker has a very one-sided view of Jesus. It presumes that Jesus is always nice to people and that He would never "drop bombs" on people because it's wrong. We often forget that God is the creator and we are the creation.

He has the power to do anything He wants to us. It is true that He loves us, but at the same time, He demands our obedience. That's why He wrote the ten commandments--to instruct us in how we should live.

So how can we say that God is all for "world peace" today, when He has struck people down for being disobedient in the past? He has the right to do it. We are specks of dust compared to Him.

Jesus came to the world and told us that we should love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. What?! But we fail these commandments all the time! Thankfully, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice to God for our sins. Jesus died for our disobedience instead of us.

God should be the focus of our lives. Not us. We can't even come close to comparing ourselves to Him.