Katrina remembered

A slideshow with Mary Gauthier's beautiful song "Mercy Now."

Heath Ledger - A Talented Tragedy

I liked Heath Ledger. I think he was a highly talented actor who had a lot of potential of becoming the superstar of his generation. I first saw him in “A Knight’s Tale,” which is a terrific movie. He played a young English lad who wanted to become a gallant knight. It was a wonderful story and Heath played his part perfectly.

Podcast version here

The next time I saw him was in Mel Gibson’s epic “The Patriot.” Heath played Gibson’s eldest son, bravely fighting for American Independence against the British troops. Once again, Heath’s acting was tremendous and along with Gibson, he carried the movie.

I didn’t see him in “Brokeback Mountain,” because I wasn’t interested in the movie. My family tells me that he played his character well and that he should have received the Oscar. I was so looking forward to seeing him play the Joker in the next Batman movie. It will be so hard to watch him on the silver screen and realize that he is dead.

I can’t believe that such a talented young man no longer exists. He had the world at his feet and should have accomplished so much more. He could have been the next Marlon Brando, Lord Olivier, or Clark Gable all rolled into one. Instead, he’s destined to become this generation’s James Dean, with just a few movies to his credit.

In Knoxville, we’re also mourning the untimely death of Brad Renfro, a local boy who could have become a talented actor. Sadly, he also died young and leaves behind grieving family and friends. I wish that things could have turned out better for both Renfro and Ledger. They could have become examples of gifted, successful actors to their peers; now they will just become cinematic memories.



Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.


O how I wish that the Spirit would pour over this young generation to produce young adults who will prophesy and young men who will have visions for a better world! As an old man, I dream of a new people and new world full of Christians who are committed to the Lord and zealous for His ways. I pray that one day I will see them emerge and be able to encourage them to lives their lives for Christ, His Commission, and Kingdom.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, walk among the young people of our world and please touch their hearts. Move their spirits and inspire them to work for a better world and a happier earth. Raise up leaders among them who are strong and focused, determined and committed to You. Bless this generation to be the best Christians that the World and the Church have ever known. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Tornado

Psalm 112: 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (NIV)

Yesterday’s tornado tragedy across the South causes us all to ask the question: where was God when all of this was happening? It’s a natural response to such a disaster because we expect God to control the weather and to keep our people protected. The families of the eight students who lost their lives at Enterprise High School will be shocked and angry, grief-stricken and over-wrought. Their hearts will be broken and their faith will be shattered: how could a loving God allow such a terrible thing to occur?

Faith is severely tested during these times that try our souls. A lot of what we feel can never be satisfied with glib words and sanctimonious verses. If the person who wrote Psalm 112 had been living in Enterprise yesterday, would those words “he will have no fear of bad news” have been uttered?

It’s easy for us on the outside to have faith when someone else is going through a sudden loss or unexpected tragedy. But when death strikes at our doorstep, will we have deposited enough faith in God to help us get through the worst of times?

Today, we feel for the families across the South who have lost their children; but tomorrow we’ll probably be focused on the vulgarity and vanity of a funeral for a former porn queen. Our feckless ways are what makes us faithless. Our need for schmuck is what dirties our souls. The only way our hearts can remain steadfast is to focus on the real tragedies of this day, and reject the self-centered circus that’s happening in the Bahamas.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we want to trust You because we need You in our lives. We are weak and human, fragile and frail. When disaster hits us, we cry out for help. When tragedy overwhelms us, we keep asking “Why?” In the midst of all of this pain and loss, we pray that You will surround the families affected with a strong, loving, and supportive community. In Your Holy Name, we trust and pray. Amen.