I’m not much for sci-fi movies. Probably because I don’t like being scared. Nope, my ideal movie is a good comedy or perhaps an action type movie with a bit of suspense… “The Bourne Identity” movies work for me or maybe a good western like “Tombstone” or “3:10 to Yuma.”

So it’s surprising that years ago I actually willed myself to go see “Alien” starring Sigourney Weaver. To this day, that film is one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. For my money, it’s a classic. It has all the elements of a good sci-fi flick. There’s the deep darkness of outer space. You have powerful combat troops and high technology juxtaposed to vulnerable children including an adorable little girl named Nute who is just too cute to meet her demise at the hands/paws/claws of a slimy alien with what I imagine to be very bad breath. Continue reading…

So much of the Christian world today seemingly puts more emphasis on ‘right’ (rote?) thinking than anything else. ‘Getting it right’ is, for many, still what matters most. It’s important to believe the right doctrines and say the right phrases in the right ways – maybe like the recitation of the ‘sinners prayer,’ learning certain creedal statements, or creating ‘statements of faith’ that are as precise, complete and as ‘biblical’ as possible. Meanwhile as these core teachings are crafted and a multitude of cleverly-written tracts are being published, the surrounding community is responding with massive indifference; they’re longing for relief from debt, poverty, poor daycare and healthcare options, and deficient educational opportunities for themselves and their children.

Too bad things like conducting ourselves according to the Fruit of the Spirit (passing tradition on the other side of the road instead of the person in need), all too often places a distant second to our dogma(s). Continue reading…