GOOD MOVIE

I have never tried to make a secret that I like movies. I like heart warming warm puppy type movies, based on fact (current or historical), and action. The bigger the explosion the more I seem to like it. I want to there to also be a story. That’s why one of my all time favorites stars Harrison Ford as the “Fugitive”. Good story and terrific train wreck. The jump down the wall of the damn from the tunnel was very good as well.

I went to see “The Town” is afternoon. Usually a group of us go, but there were only two today. It stars Ben Affleck, is directed by Ben Affleck and partially written by Ben Affleck. To many did not care for Ben Affleck. Too bad! They missed out. He is showing his chops as a very good director and his acting is also improving.

I’m sure it was filmed in Boston. If not there, some other eastern town with very narrow streets. If swearing repulses you, you will not like this movie. But it had one of the greatest car chase scenes I have ever seen. It was edge of your seat exciting. I turned left when the cars went left. I leaned right when the cars went right. I can only guess the number of cars smashed beyond recognition. Maybe a 1000! Ok, that’s too many, but not by much. Half the budget had to be for vehicles. They were racing down very narrow streets with cars parked on both sides cars crashing at the turns, others rear-ending cars or being rear-ended. Unfortunately, I tend to laugh at these scenes as I do at explosions. It seems impossible that the lead car can have that many cuts and bruises and keep on running. They must be made by Timex! There were some explosions, but not over the top ones that make you wonder how anyone walked away alive let along unhurt.

I will most likely see “Hereafter” next week. I like both Matt Damon and director Clint Eastwood. I’m not that interested in the topic – can we talk to the dead, but the central character, Matt Damon, considers his gift to see the future a curse, rather than a blessing.

I do believe God gifts people beyond their abilities. I am thankful for the gifts I had. I believe I was gifted when I was teaching. I considered it a blessing. I have never enjoyed speaking in front of groups. When I had to take speech in high school, I was physically ill every time I was to speak. I never did speak in class. I only passed because of the written part.

I eased into teaching gradually with very small groups. I learned quickly that it was the teacher’s responsibility to capture the attention of the class. I had to speak in some college classes, but was never very good. I preferred smaller group interaction. When I began working in my first church I knew the time would come when I might have to address the congregation of about 700. I was a nervous wreck when the day arrived. When I rose to approach the pulpit, I followed my senior pastors lead. When I got to where I could hang on and hide my wobbly knees, I said, Let us pray. As the congregation bowed their heads, I reached under the pulpit to get a glass of water. As I pulled it up to get a sip and wet my extremely dry throat, my hand began to shake uncontrollably. I grabbed it with both ands and got my drink. Meanwhile, back in the foyer that was separated from the pews by glass. The ushers saw what I was doing and began to roll on the floor (we were not Pentecostal).