Every couple of years or so it happens: A new Harry Potter book comes out and I lose many hours of otherwise productive time immersed in an imaginary world of fantasy and magic. I admit it - the books have a geas over me or something because once I crack the pages I can't stop reading until I'm done. I stay up late, I put off chores, I read at any possible moment - just to get to the end of the book. Typically, I read books at a more leisurely pace and balance my reading with various other activities. Even other very good books don't grab me as wholly and thoroughly as this series does. In other words, I highly recommend them.
By now you've realized that I count myself among the millions of Harry Potter fans and the evil referred to in the title is that of the obsession reading one of these books causes. For me, I think, the biggest allure of the series is that it brings me back to my childhood when I would find a book and read it cover to cover, non-stop if I was physically able. I would find myself in forests and strange lands, I would be on adventures or in outer space - reading was a way to experience the impossible in a way much more real and visceral than other media I experienced.
Don't get me wrong, I loved movies and enjoyed television, but as fun as those things were, nothing transported me away and placed me in an alternate reality like a book. Obviously, some books are better than others and succeed in greater or lesser degree in captivating my imagination and that brings me back to Rowling's work. While much can be said of the world she has created: the places, the logic, the mechanics; what she has done more masterfully than all else is create great characters.
The reason any work of fiction works, in my opinion, is not because a writer is particularly talented in any technical sense, but because they create people the readers care about and want to follow from one chapter to the next. If I don't care what happens to Joe the character, I'll stop reading, even if the world in which he lives is lush and fantastic and interesting. If I wanted to explore interesting worlds, I'd read National Geographic (which I enjoy.)
I read fiction because interesting people are doing interesting things and I really care about what they're doing. I've been following the adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron (and a cast of others) now since the first printing of book one. The characters and relationships have grown, the trials and tribulations have been realistic (despite the fantasy world), and we are able to see reflections of ourselves as they interact with each other and their world. Without this relational aspect, this would simply be another comic book: hero fights bad guy and wins in the end - again.
Of course we want the hero to win, but the main plot has become secondary to the sub-plots. We only care about Voldemort because it is this central battle that moves the other circumstances along. It is only because evil threatens those characters that we care about that we even care at all. I think that this is the metanarrative that is really important and applicable to our lives.
In the end, when we tell the story of our lives, it will not be about the things we did and the places that we went - though those will be the window dressings - it will be about the people we knew and our relationships with them. Our triumphs and failures will be relational - was I a good husband or father? Was I a good friend? These are eternal questions, because like it or not eternity is in who we are and how we impact others. Mt. Everest will erode, fortunes will fade, buildings will be reduced to dust but our souls have an eternal destiny. And that's why I like Harry Potter.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Wednesday's Big Idea: God's Abundant Resource
Today we started off prayer by taking a look at 1 Chronicles 28-29 which describes David supplying gold, silver and manpower for the building of the temple. David doesn't actually get to build the temple - that's his son's job, but he does get to communicate the plans and fund the operation.
Repeatedly throughout scripture God provides the necessary resources for what he wants accomplished. In Genesis we see God supplying food for Adam and Eve ("The fruit of every seed bearing plant"), in Exodus God provides power to Moses and Manna to the Israelites - over and over God never sends someone out without blessing them and giving them the resources to accomplish the task.
The question then is "Is God providing the resources for what He wants to accomplish today?"
If yes, then what are those resources?
I think the answer to the first question is a resounding "yes". We may not have the eyes to see or the ears to hear what God is accomplishing today, but we can rest assured that God IS moving and he IS funding this endeavor. One of my prayers is that I could actually see what He is doing and join in. Clarity in understanding my role in His plan is something I regularly seek, but as Paul says - I see through a glass darkly. Still, I'm sure that He wants me to be a part of it and He is providing the means for me to do so.
What are the resources of God? What has He given us to rebuild the "temple" today? They are many and any list I can provide will be short of God's infinite wealth, but here are a few that we came up with this morning:
Jesus and His redemptive power
The Holy Spirit (Acts 2)
Various gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12)
Children - Generational Promise (Psalm 8, Psalm 127)
Zeal (Isaiah 9)
Certainly, we could also say monetary resource (Cattle on a thousand hills, anyone?), Each other (see 1 Corinthians 12 again), Wisdom, the fruits of the spirit and let's not forget His Word (Isaiah 55).
Clearly we have much venture capital to fund this operation. God is a long term investor and He always gets a positive ROI. The question is, are we accessing this resource and if so, are we spending it wisely? Good questions - and THAT's why we spend time in prayer. Without it we neither have access to the funds, nor the means to wisely use them. Until next week, that is Wednesday's Big Idea.
Repeatedly throughout scripture God provides the necessary resources for what he wants accomplished. In Genesis we see God supplying food for Adam and Eve ("The fruit of every seed bearing plant"), in Exodus God provides power to Moses and Manna to the Israelites - over and over God never sends someone out without blessing them and giving them the resources to accomplish the task.
The question then is "Is God providing the resources for what He wants to accomplish today?"
If yes, then what are those resources?
I think the answer to the first question is a resounding "yes". We may not have the eyes to see or the ears to hear what God is accomplishing today, but we can rest assured that God IS moving and he IS funding this endeavor. One of my prayers is that I could actually see what He is doing and join in. Clarity in understanding my role in His plan is something I regularly seek, but as Paul says - I see through a glass darkly. Still, I'm sure that He wants me to be a part of it and He is providing the means for me to do so.
What are the resources of God? What has He given us to rebuild the "temple" today? They are many and any list I can provide will be short of God's infinite wealth, but here are a few that we came up with this morning:
Jesus and His redemptive power
The Holy Spirit (Acts 2)
Various gifts (Ephesians 4:11-13, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12)
Children - Generational Promise (Psalm 8, Psalm 127)
Zeal (Isaiah 9)
Certainly, we could also say monetary resource (Cattle on a thousand hills, anyone?), Each other (see 1 Corinthians 12 again), Wisdom, the fruits of the spirit and let's not forget His Word (Isaiah 55).
Clearly we have much venture capital to fund this operation. God is a long term investor and He always gets a positive ROI. The question is, are we accessing this resource and if so, are we spending it wisely? Good questions - and THAT's why we spend time in prayer. Without it we neither have access to the funds, nor the means to wisely use them. Until next week, that is Wednesday's Big Idea.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Movie Reviews: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory & Finding Neverland
I've recently seen two noteworthy films that share both lead actors and thematic elements, as well as being based on books. They are significantly different in tone and style but carry with them significant elements of the fantastic (one more than the other.) I recommend them both highly and wanted to comment on the key thread that ties them together: fatherhood.
Finding Neverland is based on the book of the same name and is the story of how Sir James Matthew Barrie came to write Peter Pan. Barrie was a playwrite struggling with his career - and his marriage. During one of his regular visits to the park, Barrie meets and befriends a group of boys who have recently lost their father. One boy in particular has been hard-hit by the death and has clearly lost hope in his current circumstances.
The bittersweet story that evolves is that of Barrie, who is childless, becoming a father-figure to this group of boys and a dear friend to their mother. Along the way the boys find a male role model in their lives and Barrie finds inspiration to write his class play, Peter Pan. What is fascinating to watch is how Barrie begins to become person he was meant to be, all the while bringing hope and inspiration to boys desperate in need of something good in their lives.
The tale is not all hope and inspiration, however. The story is laced with sadness as Barrie slowly loses his wife due to neglect and lack of communication and circumstances in his life spiral beyond his control. These, too, prove valuable object lessons as we see the failings of Barrie as his greatest strength also becomes his greatest weakness when it comes to his marriage. Still, there is very much a redemptive thread that runs through the movie and balances nicely with the tragic elements.
Despite (or maybe because of) his shortcomings, Barrie is very much an inspiration as a character. His obvious love for the boys is well worth emulating and despite his neglect, it is clear that Barrie loves his wife, though he doesn't know how to enter her world or bring her into his. There are certainly great lessons on family relationships here and much to think about when it comes to investing in both our children and our spouses.
Finding Neverland is currently out on VHS and DVD and is rated PG (mild thematic elements and brief language) so the whole family can watch (the younger set might not enjoy it though - it may a bit boring for the Finding Nemo crowd.) If you're looking for a couple of hours to engage the brain, but not the body I highly recommend it. If you see it, let me know think.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a wholly different film. Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, it is the story of Charlie a poor boy who lives in a run-down shack with his parents and both sets of grandparents. When Willie Wonka, the creepy and strange chocolatier, opens his factory to five lucky children after years of closed secrecy, Charlie wants desperately to be among them. The only way to get in, though, is to find a golden ticket hidden inside the wrapping of the winning Wonka Bars.
The story is simultaneously about the children who find the tickets, their parents, a marvelous, fantastical chocolate factory and the mysterious Willy Wonka. What ties each of these elements together is that Wonka is unknowingly searching both for a father and for a son. The story is extremely allegorical and no one should miss the obvious moral(s) to the story. At a higher level, however, it can be seen as a very stylized version of the prodigal son, though some may see that as a bit of a (taffy) stretch.
Regardless, it is clear that the value of family and the impact of a father are major elements to this story. Much can be learned (or rediscovered) by young and old alike about the importance of being a good parent, as well as a good son or daughter. The movie is out in theatres now, so if you need an escape from the heat (and reality) this is a great option. Really young children may be scared by some scenes, but I found this Wonka less ominous than Wilde's version. The music by Danny Elfman is fabulous, so even if you don't go in for all this symbolism stuff, at least go for the Oompa-Loompas.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.
Finding Neverland is based on the book of the same name and is the story of how Sir James Matthew Barrie came to write Peter Pan. Barrie was a playwrite struggling with his career - and his marriage. During one of his regular visits to the park, Barrie meets and befriends a group of boys who have recently lost their father. One boy in particular has been hard-hit by the death and has clearly lost hope in his current circumstances.
The bittersweet story that evolves is that of Barrie, who is childless, becoming a father-figure to this group of boys and a dear friend to their mother. Along the way the boys find a male role model in their lives and Barrie finds inspiration to write his class play, Peter Pan. What is fascinating to watch is how Barrie begins to become person he was meant to be, all the while bringing hope and inspiration to boys desperate in need of something good in their lives.
The tale is not all hope and inspiration, however. The story is laced with sadness as Barrie slowly loses his wife due to neglect and lack of communication and circumstances in his life spiral beyond his control. These, too, prove valuable object lessons as we see the failings of Barrie as his greatest strength also becomes his greatest weakness when it comes to his marriage. Still, there is very much a redemptive thread that runs through the movie and balances nicely with the tragic elements.
Despite (or maybe because of) his shortcomings, Barrie is very much an inspiration as a character. His obvious love for the boys is well worth emulating and despite his neglect, it is clear that Barrie loves his wife, though he doesn't know how to enter her world or bring her into his. There are certainly great lessons on family relationships here and much to think about when it comes to investing in both our children and our spouses.
Finding Neverland is currently out on VHS and DVD and is rated PG (mild thematic elements and brief language) so the whole family can watch (the younger set might not enjoy it though - it may a bit boring for the Finding Nemo crowd.) If you're looking for a couple of hours to engage the brain, but not the body I highly recommend it. If you see it, let me know think.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a wholly different film. Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same name, it is the story of Charlie a poor boy who lives in a run-down shack with his parents and both sets of grandparents. When Willie Wonka, the creepy and strange chocolatier, opens his factory to five lucky children after years of closed secrecy, Charlie wants desperately to be among them. The only way to get in, though, is to find a golden ticket hidden inside the wrapping of the winning Wonka Bars.
The story is simultaneously about the children who find the tickets, their parents, a marvelous, fantastical chocolate factory and the mysterious Willy Wonka. What ties each of these elements together is that Wonka is unknowingly searching both for a father and for a son. The story is extremely allegorical and no one should miss the obvious moral(s) to the story. At a higher level, however, it can be seen as a very stylized version of the prodigal son, though some may see that as a bit of a (taffy) stretch.
Regardless, it is clear that the value of family and the impact of a father are major elements to this story. Much can be learned (or rediscovered) by young and old alike about the importance of being a good parent, as well as a good son or daughter. The movie is out in theatres now, so if you need an escape from the heat (and reality) this is a great option. Really young children may be scared by some scenes, but I found this Wonka less ominous than Wilde's version. The music by Danny Elfman is fabulous, so even if you don't go in for all this symbolism stuff, at least go for the Oompa-Loompas.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is rated PG for quirky situations, action and mild language.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Comment Problems?
I've received a couple of different complaints of comments not working properly. I have no idea why that would be, but since I don't host blogspot/blogger, didn't write the code and have had wildly different experiences reported to me, I'll just have to shrug and say "that's odd." It bums me out, though, because comments are nice to get and help improve the content of the site. I'll look around the help pages and see if I can find something that helps explain the problem. It could simply be that I'm using the "free" version and actually paying for the service will yield a better experience. It may be worth it.
This makes for a rather dull post, but I wanted to let you know that I've heard about the issues and I'm looking into them. This shouldn't' discourage you from commenting, but if there are issues, shoot me an email so I know what they are. I may post comment instructions if I can figure out what works and what doesn't.
This makes for a rather dull post, but I wanted to let you know that I've heard about the issues and I'm looking into them. This shouldn't' discourage you from commenting, but if there are issues, shoot me an email so I know what they are. I may post comment instructions if I can figure out what works and what doesn't.
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