The Great Adventure

Today is my birthday and wedding anniversary, all rolled up in one! Days like this invite me to ponder and reflect - reflect on the past, where I'm going, God's goodness and sovereign leading.

The movie Up best captures this season of life for Sharon and myself. We both love this movie! Up is a metaphor for how Sharon and I want to live the rest of our lives - shedding those things from our past that hold us back, enjoying each day as a gift from God, and pursuing the great adventure He has for us!

The pivotal moment in the movie for me is when Carl stomps into his house, the house that he has been dragging behind him in his pursuit of Paradise Falls. His is mad at Russell. He is tired from his long journey. He reaches his destination only to find that he is all alone. Alone with his stuff. The quest has left him empty, tired and alone.

Then Carl discovers Ellie's photo album. He thumbs through it and learns that Ellie lived her adventure. Ellie's life was full and satisfying. Ellie never reached Paradise Falls but she lived her dream.

And then Carl reads these words from Ellie that transforms his life. Thanks for the Adventure ~ now go have a new one!

Carl throws a piece of furniture out the door of his house in anger and disgust. And in the process, he realizes that his "stuff" is what's holding him back from pursuing his new adventure. He begins to shed the extra weight, pitching furniture, photos, and memories out the door. The stuff Carl pitches are treasures from his past, but they won't be needed on his new adventure. In fact, to insistently hang on to the past is to lug around extra weight that holds us back from reaching our new future.

Sharon and I are so thankful for our past. We're thankful for God's goodness to us. But as our children grow, leave home, get married and begin their own lives, it's important that Sharon and I continue to grow and move forward. As much as we love to reminisce about the past, the past is over and we no longer live there. The past is meant to fuel our future.

So today, I'm thankful for God's faithfulness. I'm thankful that 33 years ago Sharon said "yes!" I'm thankful for four incredible sons and two awesome daughters-in-law.

But I'm also thankful that God has a new adventure in store for Sharon and I together. That the best is yet to come. That our adventure isn't just a goal to achieve, but a daily way of life to fully enjoy in the present. As Russell says: "Sometimes it's the boring stuff I remember the most!"

Today, I'm thankful for Sharon and our great adventure!

During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me." Exodus 12:31-32

Amazing Grace

Sharon and I attended Amazing Grace tonight. I can sum the movie up with one word, "Amazing." I left the theater amazed at God's grace; amazed at the persistence and vision of William Wilberforce who was elected to the British Parliament at the age of 21 and fought tirelessly for the abolition of slave trade; amazed at the difference one person who is committed to Christ can have on an entire nation. I left the theater inspired to live a more noble life in response to God's amazing grace. William Wilberforce was truly a man who was unafraid to stand against the prevailing winds of culture in order to transform it.

I was especially moved by the relationship between John Newton, the teacher and pastor, and Wilberforce, the student. It's interesting that the fight to end the slave trade in Britain was not won by the power of debate or superior ideas, but by a change of tactics! Wilberforce had the humility and wisdom to listen to the advice of others, learning how to win the battle through cooperation and education. It's said that by the time the Slave Trade Act finally passed, public opinion of an entire nation had been swayed toword abolition. Wilberforce came to understand that in order to influence the behavior and policy of a people, you must first capture their hearts and minds.

Favorite lines from the movie include:

“There now. Remember that smell. Remember the Madagascar. Remember God made men equal.” Wilberforce

William Pitt, a long-time friend of Wilberforce tried to convince him to stay in Parliament because he's such a gifted orator, as seen in several debates on the floor. Pitt asks,"Will you use your beautiful voice to praise the Lord or change the world?"

John Newton said, "Two things I know - I am a great sinner and Christ is a great savior."

Wilberforce was tireless in his campaign against the slave trade. In April 1791, Wilberforce introduced the first Parliamentary Bill to abolish the slave trade, which was easily defeated by 163 votes to 88. Men of lesser faith or courage would have given up. It wasn't until March 25, 1807 that the bill was carried by 283 votes to 16 and the Slave Trade Act was finally approved. It is fitting that the movie opened in theaters 200 years later to the day!

And 200 years later we are still singing the wonders of God's Amazing Grace!

Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear,
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

We Are Marshall

Sharon and I decided to take in a movie yesterday afternoon. It's a fun way to relax and unwind on a day off. About 500 people had the same idea, which meant that tickets to The Nativity Story were all sold out. Bummer. We quickly scanned the marquee to see what else was showing that we might be interested in. It came down to Charlotte's Web and We Are Marshall. And because We Are Marshall was being shown first, the choice was rather easy to make. We were not disappointed!

Let me first say that We Are Marshall is not a football movie. Yes, the movie takes place around the game of football. It starts off retelling the events on the fateful night of November 14, 1970 when 75 members of the Marshall University football team, coaching staff and boosters died in a fiery plane crash in West Virginia. The small city of Huntington, West Virginia and Marshall University struggle to recover from this incredible loss and devastation. You can learn more by watching this video that interviews some of the key people who are portrayed in the movie.

We Are Marshall is a movie about how to deal with guilt, loss, anger and broken dreams. It's about a university president who is willing to move beyond his own personal comfort zone, and in the process learns that there is a first time for everything. It's about a coach who loves his family and thought he just might be able to be helpful to a grieving community and university. It's about a father who struggles with anger and bitterness which causes additional personal pain and regretful mistakes. It's about teammates who learn that taking the field and competing is more important than winning.

If you go to the movie, bring some Kleenex along. You may need it!

It Takes A Town

We just saw Cars this evening at the Collins Road Theatre. Cars is one movie that you need to see. The animation and scenery is spectacular, the characters are well developed and the story is charming!

Growing up in Toledo, Iowa, I could identify with Radiator Springs. Lincoln Highway was completed in 1913 and was the first coast to coast highway, spanning 3389 miles. The highway passed through the neighboring town of Tama and was later renamed Highway 30. Highway 30 was rerouted through Toledo in the early 1950s, right past my grandfathers chicken hatchery. Ever the entrepreneur, my grandfather, Loren Rank, singlehandedly remodeled the hatchery into the L-Ranko Motel.

The L-Ranko Motel (a rather unusual name, I know), King Tower Cafe, Shady Acres Motel, and Stones Restaurant became popular establishments along Highway 30 during the 50's and 60's. When I-80 opened in the 60's, automobile traffic and business along Highway 30 was permanently altered. And today, plans are underway to reroute Highway 30 around Toledo, similar to what has been done around LeGrande and Marshalltown.

Narrow two lane roads, small owner-operated businesses, stop signs and traffic have given way to high-speed four lane highways, franchised businesses and rest stops. Don't get me wrong, I prefer traveling on interstate highways. They are faster and safer. But nothing can substitute for the charm, personality, and uniqueness of local highways.

Which brings me back to Cars. Lightning McQueen was transformed from a self-absorbed superstar to a person who learned to value relationships and community over individual accomplishment. An unexpected stay in Radiator Springs on Route 66 introduced him to a small community that impacted the course of his life.

Cars reminds us that living in the fast lane isn't what brings meaning to our lives. That there is more to life than individual accomplishment. That small and old can sometimes be better. That life is meant to be lived in community with others. And that it takes a town in order to win.

End of the Spear

I saw the End of the Spear last week. The movie was even better than I had expected. It is well done and tells a timeless story of redemption and forgiveness.

The movie has also generated some discussion regarding the casting of Chad Allen as Nate and Steve Saint. Chad is a gay rights activist and many Christians have been critical of his inclusion in the movie.

Regardless of where you fall on the issue, I encourage you to read the Christianity Today article that explains how the decision was made. Steve Saint takes responsibility for the decision and describes how God led him to keep Chad Allen on the project.

And then Steve Saint makes this incredible statement:
"It is hard to see people have to defend a decision that I was responsible for, for people to have ugly things said about them because of a decision I made. But I have total peace about the decision, and that Chad Allen was the man God intended to act in the movie. I knew that there would be a price to pay for any position I would take on this issue, regardless of the fact that I had not wanted to be involved. I knew one thing for sure: I would rather face the anger and even hatred of people who feel I have let them down, than to take any chance of having to stand before my Savior and have to answer for messing up his plans for Chad."

Steve is more concened for Chad's salvation than for the reaction of angry Christians. After seeing the movie I'm not surprised at Steve's response. Pray that God would use this movie to touch the hearts those who are lost without Christ. I went to the End of the Spear thinking I was going to see a movie about five missionary families. I soon realized that the movie is more about the darkness of the human heart without Christ and how God is able to transform a life that is fully surrendered to Him.

God gave His one and only Son for me, even when I was still lost in my sin. Nate Saint and his family have given their lives for the Waodani people, seeing many come to Christ. Might the message of the cross so mark our lives that we would follow in His steps and that all would know that we are His disciples by our love.

The Most High God

Today our team left for the Czech Republic. They will be leading an English Business Camp while they are there, teaching English, leading Bible reading discussions groups and business seminars. We are excited about this outreach and trust that the Lord will minister through each team member over the course of the next two weeks.

One of the things the team is taking with them is a DVD of the movie Most. Most means "bridge" in Czech. Click on the "Most" link in the previous sentence to see a trailer of the movie. The movie was shot on location in Czech Republic and Poland and is in the Czech language with English sub-titles. The movie shares the powerful message of redemption through a very moving story of a relationship between a father and his son. This is a "must see" movie. It received a 2003 Academy Award nomination for a live action short film. Erin and I saw a screening of the movie at the Origins Conference in May followed by a Q and A time with the two directors, William Zabka and Bobby Garabedian. I believe that God has prepared this movie to help communicate the gospel to the Czech people.

Our team will be showing this moving during the English Business Camp followed by a time of discussion in small groups. Pray that God would use this movie in a unique and powerful way, and that many spiritual discussions would follow. And pray that the Czech people would come to understand the meaning of the "most" important commandment ~ that they would love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their mind, and with all their strength.