Let (us) Be

Interesting days we are living in...

I find myself spending a lot of time talking about things like the economy, the social and political climate and, of course, how we as Christians might think about all of this. While I am happy to do so (and feel free to send questions and comments, BTW), I am also mindful to be cautious. One of the most needful and least appreciated aspect of the Christian (human?) life is peace and peace of mind. While many people seem anxiously focused on what to do, I sense that a great many others long simply to be.

The point is not necessarily idleness. It is rather a healthy gratitude and fascination with life itself. In honor of this, I am going to resist the urge to blog on about this that and the other. Instead, I thought I would offer some resources that might help us re-appreciate simply being. I am shooting for stuff you have probably not seen, heard or discovered yet.

Films:

"Henry Poole is Here" (Drama) Luke Wilson has done some amazing work--most of it disguised by the unassuming approach he often takes. This film is powerful. Bring tissue.

"Moneyball" (Drama) What? This movie is still in theaters! Ah, but have you seen it? I understand the book is very good as well... What they did with the film is an important reminder that courage is sometimes a thankless virtue. It also makes a subtly hopeful statement about family.

"Joe vs. the Volcano" (Comedy) When I first came to Saint Francis, I hung two posters in my office. This was one of them. It was confusing to a lot of people... So is the Gospel.

"A Life Less Ordinary" (Comedy) Probably a strange choice given the amount of violence and overall stress in the film. However, watching the characters traverse the challenges of their situations reminds us how hungry we are just to be. And, in the process, the film also points toward grace. Can it be that in the midst of our seemingly impossible stories, God really is trying to work out some good?

"Desert Blue" (Drama/Comedy) Perhaps my favorite example of "you have probably never heard seen this." The story is set in an extremely tiny desert town and centers around the lives of young people. Remember when friendship was the only thing that really mattered?

"Interstate 60" (Comedy) Another example you have almost certainly never seen. Beware though, this film does not shy away from profanity. The opening scene involves a post-Parkinson's Michael J. Fox cursing his eyes out. It is hard even for me to watch. Keep going though--this film might just restore your hope in your own future. No connection to the BTTF series. I am not kidding though--this film is not intended for your teenager or your mom.

"Million Dollar Baby" (Drama) I know, there should be no Academy Award winning stories on this list but in his old-age, Clint Eastwood has become one of the premier story-tellers of our time. You can also see "Unforgiven," "Gran Torino" and the highly under-rated "Bronco Billy." All love stories really, just not in the traditional sense.

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These last few are only for the die-hards. If you could not find something to get you through the weekend in the above list, then you are not likely to be encouraged here. But if you are learning to enjoy your own company, try these:

"Kicking and Screaming" (Comedy) This is NOT the Will Ferrell movie. It was a film done in 1995 about a bunch of guys who recently graduate from college. (Kicking and Screaming--get it?) It is kind of a man-flick. But it does poke fun at how self-involved we men can be so women might like that. The film is directed by Noah Baumbach who is famous and hated for his obsession with dialogue. Imagine listening to one of my sermons for two hours--only funnier and with quotable quotes!

"The Big Empty" (Think sci-fi comedy here). This is a weird film but I find myself popping it in the DVD about once every three months or so. For those of us still wondering who we are and what we are doing here, this might just be our film.

"True Romance" (Adventure) O.K., you might have seen this but it was a long time ago. It is filthy--blood, guts and morally suspect people. But its also got Elvis obsession, a convertible and Brad Pitt in his shortest role to date. Most importantly, it has a really, really good ending. And let's face it, we're all romantics at heart.

Songs:

With the wonderful world of YouTube, it is now possible to not only hear any song you want at any time, you can usually find someone singing it as well or, at least, enjoy pretty pictures while you are listening...

"Heavenly Day" (Patty Griffin) Go to YouTube and search it right now. It will make all the time you have wasted reading this blog suddenly worthwhile. Then you can spend the rest of your week listening to the other 200 songs that she has written and recorded, most of them just as good!

"The Wing and the Wheel" (Nanci Griffith) These really are two different people. The Wing and the Wheel is melancholy in verse but it will leave you strangely hopeful about everything you have been through.

"Don't Look Back in Anger" (Oasis) I don't think Oasis ever wrote a bad song. It was tough to choose one here but this seems to especially go with the whole be theme. If it doesn't do the trick, try the acoustic version of "Slide Away"... Amazing.

"Rain King" (Counting Crows) Fast, feel good song. Besides you have probably heard the other possibilities. "A Long December" is also great but the list is already a little long on slow and sad.

Of course, the Beatles wrote a song about all this. It's pretty good too.

Peace,

Mark