Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest

We watched this movie with Courtney's parents on Christmas Day. It was so long (2 h, 30 min), that we started saying out loud, "Is this ever going to end?". When it did end, it was a non-ending, in other words, a to-be-continued type of ending.

The special effects and fight sequences were worth seeing. But there was not a great story line. Sometimes the dialogue was so quiet that it was not understandable. See this if you like special effects, and not because you're a fan of the first movie.

Please welcome Elizabeth Ann Kurtz!!!

She was born Tuesday, December 19, at 12:01 AM!! We went to visit that night.

additional Christmas thoughts

The wish list (links on the right) worked very well for me this year. I received 5 things on the list.

Also, the wheat allergy is difficult during the holidays. My relatives and co-workers do a great job year-round of providing wheat-free alternatives, but the sad fact is that the wheat-full items far outnumber the wheat-less ones. So when everyone ooohs and aaahs about the chocolate covered oreos, I'm left to feel very happy for everyone that is enjoying them. But also a true depression sometimes creeps up, especially after countless episodes like that over years. But I'll survive. I'm still pretty spoiled in terms of food.

Christmas holidays

Christmas holidays are now over, since I am going to work tomorrow. Our families were very generous, and it was fun to see everyone.

The difficult thing was that Christmas Eve was on a Sunday. We served at church with a vocal solo and sign language to "Did You Know", by Todd Agnew, and we had to be there are 8:15 AM for a sound check.

Then since we have babies in our family, we had to be at my parents at 9 AM on Christmas day. We also went to a party late Saturday night. Pretty much the whole weekend, we were on the move. So I'm not sure it was a restful weekend, or that I really spent much time in personal reflection about Christ, but still full of good times.

Tithing

What do you think about tithing?

Courtney and I believe that giving 10% to your church is not a given. This question of mine comes after a Rick Warren video we watched in our small group, where Rick Warren believed that the tithe was not debateable. Or so it seemed.

Our church recently decided not to give to the poor or to missions this year out of the budget, except for individuals who are full-time Christians workers. To justify this behavior, the church council claims that it went the extra mile in giving in previous years, which I believe we did.

Still, Courtney and I believe in giving especially to the poor and to world missions, and those ministries are part of our giving. And even if our church did give more to the poor and to missions, it wouldn't give to the ministries that are dear to our hearts. In other words, 10% of our income does not go to our church.

Here is an interesting take on this:
A tithing book

Higher MPact Adopt-a-Family

My company has adopted an inner city family to give them Christmas presents. The family is probably Muslim, and the list includes things like PS2 video games, and a game boy system. My initial reaction was wondering if a Muslim family even celebrates Christmas, and whether a poor family should have video games.

But my second thought is that we can be a light for Christ through our generosity, and pave the way for these children to have good attitudes about Christianity. We can also enhance the ministry of Higher MPact in a personal way. So I am going out and buying a Tony Hawk PS2 game for Salam, who is 13 years old.

Book Review #4 - The Greatest Thing in the World

At dinner I speed-read "The Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond (1851 - 1897). According to http://henrydrummond.wwwhubs.com/, this book was "widely read and quoted during his lifetime, it went on to sell over 12 million copies and it continues today to influence people to follow God's two great commandments: to love God and to love each other."

"The Greatest Thing in the World" - a meditation he wrote in 1874 that illuminates the importance of 1 Corinthians 13 - is the one that assured he would be remembered by later generations.

For me, I felt that I had recently gone through 2 series on 1 Corinthians 13. First, by Rick Warren in our small group, and second by our preachers at church, to supplement the small group. So that is why I speed-read the book, which I do to all books that do not interest me. I slow down when I get interested.

Plus, the writing is 132 years old, and I prefer the modern style of communicating the message.

Surprisingly, the entire book can be found here in full text.

Book Review #3 - Getting Along With People @ Work

I read this in 2 lunch hours at skimming speed, because it was really unapplicable.

I get along fine with all of my co-workers, and I genuinely like most of them. The reason I read it, is because before I ever started working, I was insecure about possible working relationships. It so happened that it never was a problem. But this is part of my goal of reading all of the books that I've acquired and have not read yet.

The person reading this that gets a lot out of it is probably really naive about how to relate to others. The entire book pretty much states the obvious.

One chapter that was good, however, was "Confronting Constructively". It helps to identify both wrong and good motives for confronting. But this is also not applicable to me at work, since most people are doing great jobs.

Book Report #2 - The Insider

I just finished a book named The Insider. Dad lent it to me. It is relevant to me, because I interact with nonChristians throughout my day as an "insider", that is, I didn't come to preach to people from the "outside". I am on the inside, as a normal part of my relational networks.




It was a refreshing book. It wasn't another one that told me how to do the Bridge diagram, or how to say just the right words to make someone a Christian. It speaks more realistically to my situation, where through prayer and the way you relate to others, you eventually get into natural conversations about Christ, without having an agenda for that conversation. Also, the purpose is not to get people into church. Also, the book says churches should Insiders more validity as a ministry, and not pressure people to give all their time to the church. There is also a segment on how to lead a small group.




The book validates the idea that as a Christian you don't want force Christ upon someone, and then make the relationship awkward from that point on. Christians should also not separate themselves from nonChristians to the point where they live socially isolated lives. I have had many experiences like that in high school and college, and I learned from them. This book was helpful, because it told me that my experience is not too uncommon, and it shows a better way.

Beyond the Sea

Courtney and I watched a movie named Beyond the Sea on Sunday night.


Here is a clip:





I've really been thinking about this movie. It is part musical, part comedy, and part drama. It is well done. For entertainment value, I give it 4 stars out of 5.

Random December post

I have the song "Let it Be" in my head. Anyone else a fan of that song? If you compare it with the chord progression of "The First Noel", they are eerily similar. I am playing the keyboard at church on "The First Noel", but on the other songs I'm playing bass.

I went to Courtney's work party Wednesday, and I took the entire day off. It was really relaxing. The party was at Dave & Busters, a place by Kansas Speedway where adults play arcade games. If you haven't been there, you should check it out. Then we went Christmas shopping sans long lines.



We are reading the "Cat Who..." series by Lillian Jackson Braun. The occasion was that I was roaming around the library for no reason, and the books caught my eye. Now we are on Book #2. - The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern.

Thanksgiving video

I've been wanting Michele to make a video like this. Here is a video to give you a better picture of the Taussig Thanksgiving celebration:

Thanksgiving Video