"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" Movie Review

We recently watched one of the most powerful movies I have seen in quite some time. "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas", based upon a novel by John Boyne, is set in World War II and tells the story of a young boy whose father has moved the family from Berlin to the countryside, so that he may assume his role as commandant of a concentration camp. Lonely and restless from boredom, Bruno leaves their property (against his parents orders) and happens across what he thinks to be a "farm". Here, he meets a boy whom he befriends. The boy, Shmuel, is wearing what Bruno believes to be "striped pajamas" (hence the title) and is confined not to a farm, but the concentration camp. What follows touches on many elements of our humanity-child innocence, brotherly love, and human depravity. I won't give away any more, but will however mention two biblical allusions to watch for in the movie: Peter's denial of Christ and the sharing in suffering that we are called to. I don't know if this movie was in wide circulation, but if you get a chance to rent it, do so!

Jr. to the Braves?

According to today's Atlanta-Journal Constitution, my beloved Atlanta Braves have an interest in none other than "Junior"- that's Ken Griffey Jr. Eight years ago, I would have been thrilled to see the future Hall of Famer join the Braves, but I must confess that at this stage of his career, I would rather see the "Kid" return to where it all began in Seattle. Sentimental? Perhaps, but I just hate seeing the greats of the game bouncing from team to team. In my humble opinion, Griffey has always been associated with the M's, despite the seven or eight years spent in Cincinnati. Then, seeing Mr. Griffey in a ChiSox uniform last year was like, well, seeing Michael Jordan in a Washington Wizards uniform. It just wasn't right!! There's something right about seeing a Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, etc... staying with one team for the entirety of their careers. Just as it was "right" to see Tom Glavine return to the Braves before the 2008 season, so I think it would be for Junior to return to Seattle. Ken, if you by some strange work of God's providence read this, please do not finish your career anywhere else but Seattle. With the image of Major League Baseball and its stars having taken a major blow in recent years, the game needs something "good" like this reunion to take place so that we have something positive to talk about. Oh, and memo to the aforementioned Mr. Glavine: Tom, please forgo any temptation to sign with the Washington Nationals or any other major league team- you're a Brave and should retire a Brave. Don't try to hang on longer and in doing so spoil your brilliant career.

When A Choice Is Not Celebrated

Having watched the NBC Dateline special tonight about Nadya Suleman, the California mother who recently gave birth to octuplets, I am dumbfounded how hypocritical the left (media) is. Let me preface this by saying that I believe that these children are in need of a father in their everyday lives. For as much as I admire this woman for wanting a large family and seeing that children are a blessing from God-which she acknowledged- I can't understand why she doesn't feel the need for a husband to be a father to these children. That being said, what caught my interest (not only on this program but in the media in general) is that those in our culture who are so steadfast in championing the rights of a woman are not standing up and applauding the choice of this woman. Where are the feminists? Why aren't they shouting out their praise for her desire to bring these children into the world sans a husband? Another head-scratcher is the outcry about this woman having all those children and yet having no income. Yes, it is causing a hardship on her and her family, and it is therefore causing her to receive tax payers dollars to support those children. Heck, if I'm really honest, I have to admit I don't like the irresponsible doling out of taxpayer dollars that our government continues to practice. However, we as a society are twisted when we will be outraged at this, and yet say "amen" to the "Mexico City policy" which President Obama overturned, allowing the U.S. to fund overseas organizations that promote and/or perform abortions. Finally, and the real "kicker", towards the end of the interview, Ann Curry makes the comment, "People are not trying to judge you. [Which is a lie] What they're trying to do is, it seems, trying to speak up for your children, who can't speak up for themselves. Your children cannot say, "What are you doing, Mom? What are you doing? My life, my future, is being affected by your decision." This kind of statement when coming from the media is deemed appropriate, and yet that is the argument that those who are pro-life are ridiculed over. We're not "concerned"- no, we're just "looney" or "intolerant." I pray that the Lord will provide a husband to this woman and father for her children. I pray that God would be gracious towards Ms. Suleman and her fourteen children.. Perhaps the American public who have bought into the lie of "choice" will see their own hypocracy tonight.

Baseball Stat Geek, or Christian Apologist?

My friend Rick recently loaned me some issues of the Baseball Research Journal and in one particular issue from 1985 was an interview with Bill James-baseball writer, historian, and statistician. In this interview, a discussion takes place concerning James' research and how people get upset with his evaluations. I found the following quotes very interesting in light of our postmodern society: James "The search for truth is a matter of finding the evidence and understanding it...But if a statement is true it's true-whether the person making the statement is an amateur or a professional doesn't matter...who you are doesn't have a thing to do with the validity of what you're saying." BF: "What you're talking about here, essentially is an objective truth." James: "...I'm not trying to convince anybody. I'm just showing what my research reveals. 'Look, here are the facts; this is what they mean.' Anybody who wants to believe it, I'm happy. But I don't have to convince any one individual, which is a lot more relaxing for me..." I think we Christians would do well by having that same mindset when we are engaged with unbelievers about our faith. A) Christianity is true, based on a historical person and an historical event. B) Just because we are not the cultural elitists doesn't mean the good news we proclaim is invalid. C) We can be confident that the lost will not come to faith because of our convincing them, but because salvation is a gift of grace from God, and apart from the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit no one would desire Christ.

Can I Get An Amen?!

I'm not one who generally likes hearing pastors get really worked up and loud while they're preaching, but after listening to the latest online sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, I've got to say- I love the passion that this man exhibits in the pulpit! In preaching on 1 Peter 1, Mr. Driscoll gives hope to those who are enduring trials in their lives, pointing us not to health nor wealth, nor does he encourage us to "try harder", but rather to look to Jesus- the author and perfector of our faith. Words of caution: Just because your life doesn't seem to be collapsing doesn't mean you're not in the middle of a trial.

The Need for Christian Charity in the Midst of Economic Crisis

The latest issue of World Magazine has a short little article on Christian Charity (or lack thereof) and its witness to an unbelieving world. In the midst of the problems on Wall Street and Main Street, my prayer is that the body of Christ will give even more to the those who are truly in need and thus not only show mercy and compassion, but that it may also open the door for evangelism. One of our favorite charities is Blood: Water Mission. They can also be found on myspace. For local ministries, we are greatly encouraged by the work of Lifeline Pregnancy Crisis Center. May God richly bless the work of these two groups, and the countless others who are sharing the gospel of Christ in word and deed.

Salary Arbitration

Nowhere but in professional sports can someone's performance be so atrocious, yet still receive (on average for a first time eligible player) a salary increase that is five-fold. Case in point: In 2008, my beloved Atlanta Braves' right fielder, Jeff Francoeur, posted career-lows in batting average (.239), home-runs (11), and slugging percentage (.359), and in doing so collected a salary of $460,000. Granted, he is a good right fielder, who has won a gold glove and has led the majors in outfield assists since his major league debut. But, he has a tendency to be a rally killer who can not (or will not) take a walk. It got so bad last summer, that the Braves sent him to the minors to try to make the necessary adjustments at plate that needed to take place. Three days later, Francoeur was recalled, only to continue in the mire. And so despite his wretched performance in 2008, Mr. Francoeur is arbitration eligible, which means he will receive at least some kind of (very large) salary increase. The Braves have appearantly offered "Frenchy" $2.8million, while he is asking for $3.95million. I'm sure Mr. Francoeur is a classy guy, and I sincerely hopes he can find his way at the plate again, but I must say that I can only hope that my employer would be so generous to me should my work performance go into the tank...