miniseries

ok, I realized I was getting kind of stuck with the book reviews...my original idea was to write about a wide variety of topics...so I'm just picking random stuff.

tonight--miniseries. I love books. I love movies. I've found that some of the best film adaptations are miniseries. Very rarely does a two hour film capture the heart of a novel; but a miniseries often can.

So, here are my suggestions for great miniseries viewing:

1. Lonesome Dove--simply the best. Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall each give the performance of a lifetime. Duvall has said Gus McRae was the role he was born to play. Fantastic soundtrack as well.

2. Band of Brothers--I don't usually like war movies; but this was phenomenal. I had to buy it and watch it about once a year.

3. Roots--perhaps should be number one; but not as fresh for me. Everybody should watch this. Everybody.

4. Storm of the Century--Stephen King at his best. The scariest miniseries or TV movie I've seen; not just because of the monster, but because of incredible good and evil that humans are capable of.

5, Andersonville--powerful true story of prisoner-of-war camp in the Civil War.

5. The Shining--a very faithful adaptation of one of King's best novels. Stephen Webber gives an amazing performance.

6. The Stand--based on what I consider to be King's best novel. Not as great as the book; but that would be impossible. Gary Sinese in the role that made him a star.

I'd love to hear your suggestions!

great evening

We had a great time at Convergence today. It was our monthly jazz service, with Harp 46 leading this month. It was also the opening of the Convergence gallery; we are hosting part of the Washington Theological Consortium's exhibit on The Body of Christ.

The whole evening was wonderful. The music was fantastic as always. Harp 46 is so great to work with. The reception after worship was great--people ate and talked. We don't make a big deal about numbers; but we had our largest crowd yet--85--lots of visitors!

Afterward Lisa and I had dinner with some folks from Vienna Baptist Church; talking about ways we can work together.

I'm still feeling pretty high.

random thoughts

I've been horrible at posting lately...life is just way too busy (my constant excuse). We had a baby three weeks ago (well, my wife did all the work). She doesn't like me to post personal stuff on here for the world to see, so we have a family blog (pictures and family news) open by invitation only. If you know me, and would like to see it; let me know and I'll send an invitation.

we had a great service Sunday afternoon; talked about Lament. We had a dramatic reading of some Psalms of lament, then talked about what lament is; then had people write their own laments. I hoped one or two might share theirs; about 10 people read theirs--very powerful! I often feel so busy on Sunday that I don't feel focused on worship; but this week was great.

If you haven't listened to Sinead O'Connor's CD Theology; I recommend it. We used the song "Rivers of Babylon" Sunday. (The lyrics are from Psalm 137). We've used a couple of the songs in worship...

church is good; lot's going on...trying to figure out how to recruit and equip volunteers, best structure for leadership...

I finally ordered a macbook--UPS's website says it should arrive today!

Just ordered Tim Keel's new book, Intuitive Leadership: Embracing a Paradigm of Narrative, Metaphor, and Chaos ...very eager to read it!

Still working my way through Brian McLaren's new book; great so far; I'll write more soon...back to work.