Da Vinci gets "Canned"

The Ron Howard film "the Da Vinci Code" based on the Dan Brown book open up the 2006 Cannes Film Festival in France and did not impress the critics. Here are some of the first words on the film.

"Cannes critics left cold at Da Vinci Code screening."

"Secret is out: Critics hate it."

"Critics crucify 'Da Vinci Code' in Cannes."

"I didn't like it very much. I thought it was almost as bad as the book. Tom Hanks was a zombie, thank goodness for Ian McKellen. It was overplayed, there was too much music and it was much too grandiose," said Peter Brunette, critic for the US daily The Boston Globe.

"At the high point, there was laughter among the journalists. Not loud laughs, but a snicker and I think that says it all," said Gerson Da Cunha from The Times of India.

"It was really disappointing. The dialogue was cheesy. The acting wasn't too bad, but the film is not as good as the book," added Lina Hamchaoui, from British radio IRN.

On Friday, with the worldwide release, you will have the chance to "Seek the Truth" or at least see what is causing all this stir for yourself. Remember it is fiction.

Empty Shoes

This past Saturday we did one of those Progressive Dinner's. We emptied our shoes at three different houses and shared some food and some laughs with three different "IT" couples. It was interesting to see our shoes and coats clog the doorway at each house as if to say, we are are slowing down enough to spend some quality time together...we aren't going anywhere...we are here to stay for a while. And when you do that, you never know what you are going to get. We ate, but it wasn't really about the Dinner part. And we progressed but it wasn't really about the Progressive part either. It was about spending time laughing with and listening to one another.
Hors' D'oeuvres at the Hlads. Pastor Tom and Chris Hlad got us started with some munchies. They shared with us about their days in the ministry, Chris's brussel sprout SNAFU and their love for hosting lots of people. I think that was invite to come back for seconds.
Stroganoff at the George's. Pastor Denny and Carol George kept the tummies happy with Beef Stroganoff and mixed veggies. We gathered around as they shared their funny stories about Denny walking "her" dog and how he inadvertently made fun of a gift that she had intended to get for him. They talked about how laughter and just being normal have allowed them to handle the pressures of ministry while raising 4 boys.
Dessert with the Lanes. Bruce and Karen Lane opened up the party room for us to come and enjoy some make-your-own-sundaes. They kept the room very light with their fun stories of how they met, what attracted them to each other and how Bruce proposed. Their three kids were present to make sure that their answers were extra honest.

We all need some places where we can empty our shoes for a rest. Places where we can share warm food and a good laugh. Places where it is safe to be yourself and not fear judgment. We got a taste of such places last Saturday night.

Farrel-ly Good Relationship Advise

We recently enjoyed lunch with Bill & Pam Farrel who are authors and speakers on family life issues, especially relationships. They shared some insights with us from their book "Single Men are Like Waffles, Single Women are Like Spaghetti." We laughed a lot and learned a lot from their stories, their suggestions and our own discussions together.

They suggested some real down to earth things that help us to understand ourselves better as well as the opposite sex. Here are a few of their thoughts that struck me:
*Guys and Gals relate differently (seems like a no-brainer, but misunderstanding one another is the biggest problem with relationships).
*Guys often feel inadequate at communication (I often feel like I'm talking my way out of a corner with my own wife, this is an area in which I have some work to do).
*Meet lots of people (great advice for singles, that attitude can overcome loneliness and depression)
*Here's a quote from Bill, "Emotions follow decisions, make good decisions and emotions will follow.

*Be a good listener... (I didn't exactly hear the rest of the comment because I wasn't listening). Actually they gave us 3 R's for active listening and good communication (try it):
1. REPEAT...key phrases
2. REGROUP...hand back the conversation
3. RECONNECT...to something you've gone through.


They talked about the 4 levels of communication:
1. Small Talk
2. Thoughts & Ideas
3. Convictions and Opinions
4. Emotional Intimacy
What level are you able to go to with the different relationships in your life?

And they shared some good verses for relationship wisdom:
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Hebrews 3:13; James 1:19; Romans 15:17; Eph 5:22-33; Phil 2:3-4; 1 Thess 5:13ff; 2 Peter 1:3-7)

It was encouraging to see a group of 25 people who were interested in growing in their ability to communicate with others. They came to figure out how to have relationships that would be personally satisfying and at the same time glorify God. The Farrel's encouraged the group to plow ahead faithfully with eyes wide open to how God was going to use them for his purpose.

Pray & Eat

Thursday May 4
Pray: 6am-7am @ the Church
Eat: @ 7am at the Burkles
3411 Patcon Way, 43026

To my 727 faithful,
This Thursday our church will take part in the National Day of Prayer. It is a bit sad that it takes an edict from our President before we will set aside a serious amount of time for intercession and thanksgiving, but nevertheless lets do it. Since early morning prayer time can often turn into dream-like prayer sleep, lets get together for just 1 hour to pray together. Then you are invited to mi casa for a scrumptious breakfast (a little enticement for those not to excited about an hour on their knees).

Let love be genuine.
Abhor what is evil;
hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal
be fervent in spirit
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in tribulation,
be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints
and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be haughty,
but associate with the lowly.
Never be conceited.
Repay no one evil for evil,
but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible,
so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:9-18