Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers
This documentary is superb. Quite possibly the best I have ever seen, especially regarding religious documentaries. I found it as engaging as it was entertaining. I found myself laughing at ironic beliefs one minute and then feeling a sense of profound conviction in the next. I was hooked by the title first and then by the simple, yet poignantly true catchphrase for the movie ...

Why is the gospel of LOVE dividing America?

Dan Merchant takes this simple question and loads of curiosity on the subject of religion to the streets in a white jumpsuit covered in both Christian & secular bumper stickers. He uses this ridiculous get-up to acquire attention that makes people stop and then he can engage them in conversation. "Just pick out your favorite one," he says. Simple enough? Some popular choices from the suit-o-stickers:

Abortion: "Big People Killing Little People"

Evolution vs Creationism: "God spoke and BANG it happened!"

Hypocrisy: "Get the hell out of my way, I'm late for church."

The goal of this movie is to open the discussion between all sides of faith & culture. More often than not, religious rhetoric is divisive at best and catastrophic at worst. The staggering number of people that have been hurt in the name of religion has always been shocking to me. This documentary shows what I have always believed - that above ALL, we are called to simply LOVE one another. 

"There are some basic religious principles that could bind us together, but as a society we choose to let them tear us apart instead." Just imagine if we really tried to have conversations about things we disagreed on. We might find that our reasons behind our beliefs aren't all that different after all. I can say without hesitation that this film left an impression on my soul, not just my mind. No matter what side of the religious fence you find yourself on, I strongly encourage you to watch this film. It is guaranteed to make you think. It might not change your mind, but it could open it. 

One of the most powerful parts of the film for me was Merchants take on the Donald Miller & Tony Kriz's "Confession Booth" idea that took place at Reed College. He takes it to the Portland Pride Northwest festivities and the conversations that took place inside the "confessional" are deeply moving. Words (especially in the form of an apology) have real, tangible power. Don't ever forget that. 

{If you just want to see that portion of the film, it starts @ approx. 1 hour 12 min}

Some of my favorite quotes from the movie:

"Preach the gospel constantly. use words only when absolutely necessary."

"I honestly don't care what your motivation is for doing good, as long as you do it."

"You don't have to legitimize someones lifestyle or choices in order to love that person."

For me it all boils down to this - "Life & people are complicated. Compassion should be freely given, not earned. Everyone has a 'rest of the story' that you may never know. Love them anyway."

Watch it on Netflix or free on Hulu.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Galatians 5:14

1 John 4:20

The Proposal

So last weekend I decided that another funny movie was in order to make me feel better. Well that and a HEAPING bowl of delicious pasts from Provino's. I chose The Proposal, this summer's cute, romantic comedy. It was actually pretty good. Lots of witty one-liners, a very special dance scene and who doesn't love Betty White right? If you are looking for a girlfriend matinee or want to drag your man to another chick-flick I recommend this one.

Oh. I heard Sandra Bullock was in this movie too. JK!!

Ryan Reynolds. You're welcome ladies.

Nashville

My trip to Nashville to see Ashley was long overdue. It was a much needed change of scenery. I've been to Nashville a few times and every trip I see something new. Thanks for being a tourist with me in your own town Ash!! 

Friday night Ashley took me to the best family style restaurant, Monell's. I was already excited about the food, but we actually shared one of the most surreal moments I have experienced in a long time. At Monell's the tables seat about 12 people. They keep seating folks until the table is full. They also just keep bringing out huge bowls of food that everyone shares and passes around. We were sat first and then joined by what appeared to be a family. Conversation came easily and steadily as we passed and ate and ate and ate. We soon discovered that the wife in one of the couple's was a UGA alumna. The father of two little boys was sitting next to me. The young boys were inquisitive and so animated, they were very interested in Ashley and I and a little confused as to why were eating dinner with them. It was adorable. They also had no problem hanging with the adults when it came to puttin' down the grub. We chatted about how there were actually five generations of their family sitting at our table. Then, it was revealed that they were actually there to celebrate a 50th birthday of a woman who could have barely passed for 30, much less 50!!! They very generously included us in their private celebration as if we had known them forever. Not only did they share a delicious homemade cake that they had specially prepared by a fellow church member, when Ashley and I said our goodbyes and went to pay our bill ... we were told it had already been taken care of. The patriarch of the family was treating his brood to a special meal and without any fanfare, he selflessly included us on his tab. It was such an unexpected act of kindness that Ash and I were stunned into silence. We just kept repeating "that was so nice" all the way home. It certainly humbled me and gave me a renewed faith in the generosity of strangers. The meal was fantastic and one I won't soon forget. 

Monell's has the most hilarious "receipt" system. Once they take your last plate away, they drop this at your spot on the table. The card says, "I've eaten and I can't get up!" and is such an accurate description of how you feel. 

Saturday was downtown day. We ate lunch at Jack's BBQ, which was incredibly tasty and VERY filling. I recommend the pork bbq and the crazy delicious mac & cheese. 

We also hung out at Layla's to see one of Ashley's favorite local bands Jypsi. They are a sibling ensemble and they absolutely blew the doors off the place. They have unique style and sound. Fantastic song writing skills and the lead singer has some major chops.

There was a round of shopping (mostly browsing) at some superb little boutiques. My favorite was Bookman/Bookwoman. A charming discount bookstore that I could have spent decades in. After a quick pit-stop at the house, we decided to have a girl's movie night since ACDC was in town and everything else was packed. The cinematic choice, without hesitation, was Revolutionary Road. It was fantastic. Every honor and accolade it has garnered is well deserved. Kate and Leo were fantastic. They were incredibly raw and believable. Just a head's up, the story was very dark and if you were expecting a silver lining at the end ... there isn't one. Nashville is great. Hopefully I'll be able to get back again sometime soon. 

CLICK HERE for more pictures on my flickr!!

Dear FOX

Dear FOX,

Damn you and your carefully calculated plan to rope me in with American idol and then drag me unwittingly into watching your new series "Lie to Me". I absolutely DO NOT need another thing on television to devote my time to. To add insult to injury - the crazy show is FANTASTIC and I can already tell I will be seeing more of it. How did I fall for this?!?!?!

Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

If you managed to dodge their perfectly targeted scheme to entice you to watch this week, I do highly recommend it. This was only the pilot episode but, the characters are great, the plot is unique, all the elements are weaved together in a truly intriguing way and I have always been fascinated by this study so I can't turn away.

Lie to Me - FOX, Wed. @ 9 p.m.