To Love a Monster

Last night, I got to view Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald with some very good friends of mine. Though there are some fantastic views and great setup for what is to come, there is one line, said by Leta Lestrange, which stuck out to me more than all the magic and fantastic creatures that this film has to offer: “Oh Newt. You never met a monster you couldn’t love.”

Newt Scamander is one of the movie’s main protagonists, who is an odd character choice for such a role, for Gryffindor and Slytherin type personalities are the most prominent character choices for lead roles, yet Newt is an awkward Hufflepuff, who has a heart for magical beasts, many who are often misunderstood by the magical community. And Leta considers herself a monster, because of the dark secret she carries of a deed which she has done.

Matthew 25

It’s sad that the Canadian Down Syndrome Society feels like they need to make this video; however, church, this means that we’re not doing our job. Like Jesus, we are commanded to take care of the least of these. As it says in James 1:27, Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. Christianity is more than a Sunday thing. It’s loving and caring for widows and orphans, the least fortunate and the outcasts of society. Like our Savior who made physical contact with lepers and defended a prostitute, we’re supposed to care and to love for those whom society thinks is worthless. After all, doesn’t James also say that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26)? No, our works will not save us, but as Christians, we are supposed to be his light in this world, and as 1 John challenges us, Christianity is a lifestyle, not a list of obligations.

Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters, Chapter 27: Power in the Blood

Here is an excerpt from Dick Staub’s book, Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters, and in my opinion, his most powerful chapter:

Remembering Stan Lee

Thank you to a man who has inspired me, who has changed the world, and who has changed the universe of comics forever. You will be missed.

Stan Lee Quotes:

“You know, my motto is ‘Excelsior.’ That’s an old word that means ‘upward and onward to greater glory.’ It’s on the seal of the state of New York. Keep moving forward, and if it’s time to go, it’s time. Nothing lasts forever.”

GO!

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20):

“The Ten Commandments in Covenantal Context”

The theme for Harding University’s annual Lectureship this past October, was “Written in Stone: The Enduring Value of the Ten Commandments.” I had the privilege of getting to listen to one of my Harding professors, Dr. Kevin Youngblood. He gave a three-part series on the importance of looking at the Ten Commandments in covenantal context. He provided useful background information on the Ten Sayings, made New Testament connections, highlighted the importance of each saying, and gave thoughtful observations (such as the disturbing similarities between the statues of Middle Eastern bulls, which may have influenced the image of the golden calf in Exodus 32, and the appearance of the Wall Street Bull.) Dr. Youngblood shared a lot of good and thought-provoking information (which you can listen to on the Lectureship’s website, at: https://scholarworks.harding.edu/lectureship/). Here, is one of those thoughts:

Be in the Moment

A couple of weeks ago, a friend came up to Missouri to visit for a weekend. It was great to see him. And it was fun that Saturday touring St. Louis–seeing elephants at the zoo, being introduced to the world of Ikea, parking at the top of a parking garage, and photographing the Arch. It was a good day, a fun day, and getting to spend it with a good friend made it more than just an average adventure in St. Louis.

While we were leaving the Arch that day, we heard the rum of a plane. We looked to see a beautiful picture with a plane flying under the arch with the moon further in the background. I saw it only for a moment, for I reached for my phone to try and capture this picture. However, by the time I had it in my hands, it was too late, and the plane was already gone behind a building.

“Did you get the shot?” asked Max, we’ll call him Max.

“No,” I replied, slightly disappointed. “I couldn’t get my phone out it in time.”

“Hey, that’d make a good blog,” he replied, I think jokingly. But I agree with him. Instead of enjoying that moment, I’d missed it, trying to grab my phone instead.