Watchmen #2
Watchmen #2
With the second installment of Watchmen, I’m reminded why I love this book so much. With the introductions of all the main players out of the way in part one, the textured layering of the story becomes apparent. What could have been a series of flashbacks is instead a moving look back on the life of a man who is by no means a good man. And amongst all of this, the mystery surrounding the death of the Comedian deepens.
Guitar Hero Worship?
I’m not a musician. But I would like to be. One of these days I’ll eventually get around to learning how to play an instrument. I finally managed to start updating a blog regularly, so this might actually be an achievable dream. Until then, I have Guitar Hero.
First released in 2005, Guitar Hero is a computer game that enables you to play along with some great rock tracks by hitting the right buttons at the right time on the guitar shaped control pad. It’s like being in a rock band, except with out all the hard work and talent.
And now there’s a Christian version on its way.
Is Jesus A Superhero?
I’ve been thinking about superheroes lately. That’s not that big a change, because I’m always thinking about superheroes. I love them. I have to physically restrain myself from buying more superhero junk – clothes, toys, posters, memorabilia, you name it. And of course, my mind wanders to the comparisons between Jesus and superheroes. Is Jesus a superhero?
Final Crisis – Revelations #1
Final Crisis - Revelations #1
Final Crisis – Revelations #1
Dc Comics
Written by Greg Rucka
Pencils by Philip Tan
What is the deal with people using the word Revelations in titles? Are they trying to be high brow? Are they trying to invoke Biblical themes of judgement and destruction? Are they trying to show they know what they’re talking about? Because it’s not working, people! It’s Revelation. Not Revelations. There was one vision given to John written down in the New Testament. Not plural. You use Revelations and I’m going to write you off as a try hard. Sorry, that’s just the way it is.
Anyway, let’s talk about the Spectre.
Flanders’ Book of Faith
Flanders
Over the last few years, Harper Collins have been realising a series of small books called The Simpsons Library of Wisdom. Previous titles include: The Bart Book, The Book of Moe and Comic Book Guy’s Book of Pop Culture. I own Comic Book Guy and it’s a hoot. Made up of mostly one page gags, they make nice little books to sit on your coffee table for people to flick through. Last week, while browsing the shelves at Moore Books, I found something I had to have. I found Flanders’ Book of Faith.
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
was published as a book in 1991 and released as a feature fim in 2002. Written by Chris Fuhrman, Altar Boys is a coming of age story about a group of Catholic boys in 1970’s USA. There are some significant differences between the book and the film. I managed to finish reading the book the day before I watched the film, so the details of the book were fresh in my mind as I loaded in the DVD.
Eclipse Mints: Billboards of Sin
Eclipse Mints
There’s been an advertising campaign for Eclipse Mints going on around Sydney. The campaign involves posters with a young, good looking person having fun while wearing a t-shirt with a slogan on it. The slogan that grabbed my attention was “Sins: Why Stop At Seven?”
Comic Review: Watchmen #1
Watchmen #1
The Comedian is dead.
Who killed him and why is the mystery of the story. Was it the communists or someone hunting down masked vigilantes? Or is there something more going on?
Who Watches The Watchmen?
Watchmen is one of the greatest comics I’ve ever read. From start to finish it’s a masterpiece. Incredible work went into every single panel. It’s written by Alan Moore and drawn by Dave Gibbons and was released in 1986-1987. Every thing from the deconstruction of superheroes, the world building, the layouts, the structure, the reoccurring imagery, it all comes together as this beautiful work of art. And it’s about to be released as a feature film.
Sermon: The Blessed Life
My sermon made a baby cry on Sunday night. I’m not proud. But it was pretty funny.
We’ve been working through the Book of Galatians this term at Church. My sermon was on Galatians 3:1-18. My focus was on how we receive the blessing of Abraham and what that blessing looks like. This recording was done at the 10.30 service.
Book Review: Why We’re Not Emergent
Why We're Not Emergent
Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be)
By Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
I can agree with the title of this book. I should be emergent. I’m post modern. I’m Generation X with a dash of Y. I think in images. I’d much rather watch a movie than listen to someone talk for 30 minutes. I generally distrust large organisations. I don’t dress or act like your typical conservative preacher. I grew up in a conservative denomination that valued tradition over relationship and I rebelled against it. I’m always looking for new ways to experience Church. But the thing is, I’m not emergent. I don’t buy into the emergent philosophy/theology and believe that some of the teaching coming from this front is down right dangerous and unbiblical. So I was very keen to hear what these guys had to say about the emergent Church.
Holiday Club Talks 2008
Willy Wonka - Holiday Club 2008
Back in the July school holidays, St Luke’s Liverpool held their second annual kids Holiday Club. The theme this year was “Willy Wonka”. Through an adaptation of the 70s movie, the underlying theme was that it is impossible to completely obey God on our terms and we need Jesus if we want eternal life with God. I gave four talks over the week outlining the good news of Jesus. I was assissted by the talented Thom Bransdon. Below the cut are videos of the four talks.
Alice Cooper: Along Came A Spider (Album)
Along Came A Spider
I’ve been listening to Alice Cooper’s new album Along Came A Spider for a few days now. There’s some great tracks on here and overall it is a very solid album. When I’ve brought this album up in conversation with people, they’re shocked. Not because I’m listening to an Alice Cooper album but because Alice Cooper is still putting out albums. In most people’s minds (it seems to me), Alice hasn’t put out an album since the 80s. In reality, Alice has been solidly releasing albums for decades. And in my mind, some of his best work has been released in the last 15 years.
Don’t Cross The Streams
Clink on the link to read in context
This made me laugh ( http://xkcd.com/459/ ). What would we do with out the third person of the Trinity? Would we still be able to recognise what God has done for us? Would we want to turn to him? Would we understand what was going on? Would we want to grow in godliness? Questions, questions…
xkcd is a very funny site, even if I don’t always understand what is going on.
Book Review: A Book You’ll Actually Read…
A Book You'll Actually Read On The Old Testament
Mark Driscoll is one of my favourite Christian authors at the moment. I don’t always agree with how he does things, but I’ve never disagreed with what he says. His no nonsense delivery, almost non PC, is refreshing and challenging. And he’s dead set keen on showing people the Jesus of the Bible and not just wishy washy emotional religion. That appeals to me. Driscoll has four new books out in a series called A Book You’ll Actually Read. The four books are On The Old Testament, On The New Testament, On Church Leadership, and On Who is God.
Movie Review: Idiocracy (2006)
Idiocracy (2006)
Rated MA
Starring Luke Wilson
I have one question. Why is Idiocracy not a cult movie? Why aren’t groups of teenagers quoting this movie in general conversation? Is this a cult movie and no body’s told me? Because it certainly deserves to be. This is the kind of movie that me an my mates would watch over and over again when we were in high school and quote when ever we wanted an easy laugh.
Movie Review: 2:37 (2006)
2:37
2:37 (2006)
Rated R
I’ve been trying to get my hands on this movie for a while. When it was first released in cinemas, I heard a radio interview with the director, Murali Thalluri. The themes of the movie, as well as the confrontational nature of the content intrigued me. Thalluri talked about how the movie dealt with important issues for teenagers, yet ironically the movie was given an R rating, therefore guaranteeing that teenagers would be unable to legally see it, let alone watch it in a class room setting. Last week I finally managed to get my hands on a copy.
Where’s Wally and The Old Testament
Welcome Wally Watchers!
This term in our Church’s youth ministry, we are looking at an overview of the Old Testament. We thought it would be a good way to help the young folk get an idea of how it all fits together. I got up in front of the group and told them that the Old Testament is just like Where’s Wally. Remember Where’s Wally ? The guy in the beanie and the striped shirt that would be hiding in a crowd full of crazy people? What does he have to do with the Old Testament?
DVD Review: Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce
Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce
Me and a mate used to be regulars at the Comedy Store in Sydney. Almost every Thursday we’d be there for improv night or to see some stand up. Some comedians were fantastic, some less so. One particular comedian became our bench mark for bad stand up. “How funny was it?” “**** funny (Name omitted because I don’t feel like slagging him in a public forum)” “Oh, THAT bad was it?” You got to learn a lot about a comedian through their set – their hopes, their dreams, their political leanings. But I don’t recall ever seeing a comedian who was upfront about being a Christian. In Thou Shalt Laugh 2: The Deuce, every Comedian is a Christian. So was it any different?
Pop Culture Christ 
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