2012 Mid-Winter Retreat

Alas, the 2012 Berean Bible Church Mid-Winter Retreat has finally come and gone. It took place this past weekend, and boy! what a good time! 

The Essence

It is always such a blessing to fellowship with saints, some that you see regularly and others whom you visit with once or twice a year. The time spent learning about God and his plan for man through rightly dividing His Word is such a beautiful privilege! The Title/Theme of the conference this year was Evangelism. What I love about conferences and sermons is that you go in with your preconceived ideas and leave with new understandings!!!
Probably one of my favorite parts of the conference (if it is possible to have a favorite part) each year is the Timothy Session. It's about two hours or so of time in which young men give short messages on a certain topic. The topic this year was Leadership. Five guys spoke, each on a different Bible leader of his choice: Solomon, "Nobody" (a.k.a. Abraham's faithful servant in Genesis 24), David, Elijah, and Joseph (Genesis). These messages are so wonderful because, not only do I get to learn more about God's plan but it is great to see young men who are able and willing to learn and teach God's Word. 

The messages throughout the rest of the conference were very inspiring as well. I learned so much and am anxious to get into the Bible and study so that I may be fully equipt to share the gospel of salvation! I wish I could just share all my notes and excitement with you but I think it would be better if I just directed you to the messages so that you may listen to them for yourself:

Conference Messages

Another wonderful part of the conference is what has officially been titled, "Singspiration." Every Saturday night after dinner everyone gathers together to sing and play hymns and other spiritual/Christian music!!! This year I brought my violin and guitar and also my voice of course. Sadly all of the passionate singing from the night before (when a bunch of the saints had a little, impromptu singspiration) took a tol on my vocal chords and my throat is still in pain, even to this day! I am quite envious of people who never tire (physically) of singing. By the end of Saturday night my violin was my voice and so I really got a much needed practice! ;)
There were a few of us "die-hard" musicians that gathered up our instruments on Sunday and played the afternoon away as well! It was so much fun to have so much talent and love for music in one place!

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Friends From the Conference!

The Conference Room on Saturday

Friends... heading out to eat.

What a bunch of Crazy People, right?! =D

The 'adult' table. ;)

This is the only picture I have from "Singspiration"

As you see it was quite an enjoyable time! ;) ....like I said above, I only have one picture from "Singspiration", but that is because I took a bunch of video!!! =D Even better right?!
You can watch the videos by clicking on the link below:

 Videos of Singspiration

Here are a few pictures from Sunday:

After the last message on Sunday morning.

My friend Rachel and I... next to the lovely flowers of course!

A young man from my church, Wesley, happens to be naturally talented at arranging flowers and as a musician as well (the numbers are for the hymns he played on the piano for the congregation to sing along to)!

Here's the front of the church.... and the bouquets.

Fellowship Dinner/ Potluck in the Basement.

Another shot of the Basement.

A few folks gathered upstairs to eat their dinner.

Visiting after church.

The "Die-Hard" Musicians on Sunday afternoon.

Anyhoooo... what a fabulous time, indeed! Who knows what next year will bring?!
That is all I have for now.

Until Next Time,
Mary Ellen

Happy Valentines Day

It's Valentines Day.

Whatever that means. 

Anyways... since there are millions of people out there buying boxes of chocolate, decorating everything in red and pink, scattering hearts everywhere and doing all sorts of romantic, mushy, silly stuff.... 

I thought it would only be appropriate to share this lovely song (it's an original that my brother Daniel wrote):

Also here's a funny video by the infamous Jost's:

I hope you have a lovely day. ;)

The Christian Critic's Conundrum

Sherwood Pictures? Kendrick brothers? "Good if deeply flawed"?
Chances are, if you didn't watch Courageous in the theater last September, you probably read a review of the movie.
Having seen previous Sherwood films, having watched the Courageous trailer, and having heard so much positive commendation for this latest motion picture I was looking forward to viewing it for myself. Anxious to know how it had turned out I eagerly read a review in WORLD Magazine's October 22, 2011 issue. Coming from a popular Christian magazine I assumed that I would be inundated with words of approval and was a bit surprised by what I read.

Megan Besham wrote praise for the film's call to action, compelling fathers to fulfill their God-given role. She also gave the movie due credit for raising $9 million on it's opening weekend though produced with only $1 million. Besham's praise was then balanced with a good dose of what seemed at the time to be healthy critique. Considering how far the Kendrick brothers had come they were ready to "go pro," as she proclaimed in the title of the article.

In Besham's opinion, though volunteer actors were greatly appreciated and applauded, they lacked the convincing art of subtle expression, "Volunteer actors are a wonderful thing and those who have served in Sherwood's productions perform astonishingly well—for amateurs. But as …[award winning] Of Gods and Men, demonstrates, the capacity of experienced actors—to borrow a writer's cliché—to show without telling is invaluable. They understand the art of subtlety and when a fleeting expression of pain will reveal more than all-out sobbing. They trust their audiences to respond without the promptings of enormous indicating gestures, something inexperienced actors like those in Courageous rarely do."
  
Having not yet viewed Courageous, I had nothing to refute these words with and I could only agree that good acting was definitely a key point to any movie's success. Bad acting would be a letdown, indeed. Representing the Christian worldview to the whole world is a hefty burden. Besham could have a point, I admitted. I read on....

"It's a shame given that the presence of editors and producers with years of practice in the Hollywood trenches might have elevated Courageous from "good if deeply flawed" to just plain good." wrote Besham. She also claimed that there were too many emotional climaxes and that, "had the movie dropped at least one of the five fathers' storylines to dig deeper into the remaining characters' lives, the evangelizing scenes that come later would have felt less calculated and unearned."

....then for the finish...

"Christian audiences—starved for anything that speaks to them on a spiritual level—will continue to support Sherwood Baptist films for those elements that work while charitably overlooking those that don't. But what a gift it would be to those same audiences, as well as to viewers who aren't as likely to forgive shortcomings for the sake of message, for the Kendricks to build on their God-given talents and make a movie of such quality it requires no caveats."

Bracing myself for a cheesy Christian flick I went to see Courageous with a few friends. "What was so terrible about the movie that it should garner such a review?!?!” I then wondered. The acting was better than any of the previous movies by Sherwood Pictures. In fact, it was far better! It was wholesome, humorous, entertaining ...a true family film. What a rarity in today's world!!!

Granted, Megan Besham wrote a critique and was of course purposing to expose the points where improvement was to be had. I allowed her that much. ....until I read her next movie review. Suddenly, there was no more criticism to be found as Basham's review sang accolades on October Baby! (December 3, 2011 WORLD Magazine issue) Though I have not, to this day, viewed October Baby it doesn't take a discerning eye to recognize the obvious hints towards October Baby's overall, superior quality as a Christian film compared to (although kindly failing to name) Courageous.

Stating that viewers would be surprised at how "polished" October Baby is, Besham wrote, "Christian moviegoers have grown accustomed to overlooking some of the more common faults of films targeted at us: OK, the acting wasn't great, the dialogue was corny, but the message was good, the intent was good, and it may impact lives."
Now you may suspect that I write out of wounded pride and that I really am just another Christian that is "starved for anything that speaks to [me] on a spiritual level." Maybe I can't accept the truth?

Ah.... not so hasty to conclude, let us consider this matter a bit further. 

I have no doubt that October Baby is a touching flick. Its pro-life theme would be one that I would enthusiastically support. It probably has great lessons that can be gained by the viewers.

(not including the weird –and possibly inappropriate?- relationship that Besham mentions, between the main character and a guy friend along with “the har-dee-har-har antics of her stoner-esque road trip buddy [that] would have been better left on the cutting room floor.” Besham is apparently not too worried about blatant, negative influences that she sees as “minor quibbles set against the impact of the whole.”)

....but here it comes. The real motive.

About October Baby, Besham writes, "The Erwins get the biggest thing right: telling Hannah's story—and just Hannah's story—simply and sincerely. Perhaps their most significant accomplishment is that they demonstrate how liberating and joyous forgiveness is—both giving it and receiving it—without putting implausible, sermonizing dialogue into their characters' mouths. They trust their audience to recognize that they're seeing the heart of Christ without shouting that that's what they're supposed to be seeing. The closest the film comes to preaching is when a priest offers Hannah some Bible-based advice that is both affecting and appropriate to the character and the scene."

Standing alone, Besham's review on Courageous isn't bad at all, but compared to her review on another Christian film one sees the real heart of the matter. It's not so much about the filming superiority as it is about Christianity. A deeper understanding of individual characters was more important to Besham than open examples of Christ changing lives and a solid salvation message (which Besham describes as "evangelizing scenes" that seemed a little too "calculated and unearned"). Quite clearly she was implying that you wouldn't want too much preaching in your motion picture and that some "Bible-based advice" from a priest is more than enough to suffice.

If we assume that everyone we meet should be able to see Christ through our lives and if we "trust" that by watching us unsaved souls will be led to Christ, we will be gravely mistaken. Sometimes conveying Christ to others requires us to boldly and courageously speak the truth in love.  (Ephesians 4:15) If you are witnessing to somebody it’s likely going to feel childish and it’s likely going to be awkward and those who aren't interested in Christ will scoff at your “foolishness”.  

1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.”

It is no coincidence then that a Christian movie might seem amateur (childish) when compared to a more worldly movie. Megan Besham's clear lack of desire for sincere Christianity is, sadly, a mirror of so many people today. When did professing to be Christians but still living like the rest of the world become o.k.? (Romans 6:1) Whatever happened to the boldness that the Apostle Paul spoke of in Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."?

         "The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter--'tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."

Mark Twain surely spelled it out for us. The difference between the right word and the almost right word is vast indeed. Therefore we ask ourselves, could this difference also apply to other matters? Like perhaps the difference between one Christian movie and another?

I think so.

No more wining now... and I Mean it!

Today was spent sterilizing the kitchen from top to bottom, cleaning bottles, racking wine,  bottling wine and of course tasting wine to be sure that it is good! ;) 

Here is Padre corking bottles.

We bottled our pear wine first.

Variations of the Raspberry Wine label.

I spent probably two hours writing/drawing the labels. :) It's fairly enjoyable coming up with variations or different designs.

Our three bottles of display wine: 
Dandelion, Pear and Raspberry. 
All very delicious, unique, dry, country wines.

The raspberry held up to the light. Such a beautiful color!

1 and 1/2 years worth of work. 

Mad

Yesterday my little brother, Patrick, was instructed by my mother to show me a short writing assignment he did for school. I decided to share it with you because it is a beautiful illustration of the sweet peace of God that passes all understanding.
(Philippians 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus")

Here is what he wrote:

Mad

One day, a few years ago, I had a bad day. I was so mad that I would not talk to anybody. I had been sitting in my sister's closet for three hours. I was so mad I could not handle myself. I did not know what to do, so I just prayed. I sat there for two minutes, then, I was not mad. I do now know how to explain it, but I was not mad. I actually wanted to be mad again. But I could not get myself mad.

This may help you understand (Psalm 3:1-5)

Psalm 3:1-5, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me."

It is so wonderful to see a young soul confidently rest in the strength of the Lord. The sweet and sure faith of a child is something that adults often lack. Whether it is from having been betrayed or disappointed too many times in life, or simply a skewed idea that a grown up is smart enough, wise enough and thinks that he must take care of himself and rely on his own strength. Truthfully, there is nothing in this world that we can rely on... nor anybody other than God who is steady, unchanging, and has provided everything that we need to not only survive but succeed in this life through His abounding grace. 

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."