Brandon's Blog

Facebook Video TEST

On Saturday, Kristy and grandma went out "garage sale" hunting.  This is some video that I took of Caitlyn experimenting with some of her toys over the weekend.  The teddy bears that wrap around her legs were her first Valentine's Day gift from her daddy.  She's changing and growing so quickly.  I'm trying to get a lot of video footage of her speaking skills.  Should make a great little video collage one of these days. 

It's nice that Facebook now offers embed codes on their video.  Haven't decided yet if I like it better than what Vimeo has to offer, but thought I'd give it a go.

Earth Hour On Again

Tomorrow night, from 8.30-9.30pm, it's Earth Hour.  Turn off everything you can in your house that requires energy and make a statement that you care about the stewardship of the earth's resources.  For those of you Christ-followers out there, you have a responsibility before the One who created all things.  For those of you who aren't too concerned about the spiritual/religious side of things, you have a responsibility to everyone you share earth's resources with.  (Actually, this goes for the spiritually/religiously inclined as well.)

There are lots of ways you can participate and get the word out online, as well as turning out the lights on the day.  The Earth Hour website has lots of suggestions.  Funny enough, one of the suggestions is live blogging.  ??  I thought the idea was to have the lights out, as well as anything else requiring power?? 

College basketball fans, you can at least turn off everything other than the TV, if you absolutely cannot miss an hour of "madness." =)

The Latest Audio/Visual Jewels

Just a couple of remarkable creative pieces I've come across on the web as of late.

First up, just about every modern day kid has seen "the wild things" growing up.  Now, Spike Jonze brings it to the big screen.  Watch and be filled with anticipation . . .

Obama Press Conference

Watching President Obama’s press conference tonight, I’ve been struck by two things: 
1) His ability to articulate himself well “on the fly” (Although it does bother me a bit when he keeps trying to support his views by saying, “I’m not the only one.  A lot of others out there agree with me.”)

AND

2) His sense of what’s fair in the tax system. 

Regarding the tax issues, Obama clearly stated that it’s not fair for wealthier people to get bigger tax breaks on their charitable giving.  He went on to say something along these lines, “It’s not fair for someone who makes a million dollars a year to get a 39% tax break on their charitable giving while someone who drives a bus and makes forty or fifty grand a year only gets a 28% tax break.” 

First Quarter in Music

Lots of great music to be discovered since the beginning of 2009.  However, I'm a little disappointed by some of it.  Neko Case's latest, Middle Cyclone, is one of those for the "letdown" bin.  Case has a hauntingly beautiful voice, but the songwriting on Cyclone just isn't doing it for me like "Fox Confessor" did.  I was also excited about an album by her fellow band member, A.C. Newman, called Get Guilty, but it has also failed to deliver.  It's just got me hoping for some more great collaboration on another future album.

Irish band, Bell X1, has a new one, as does another Irish group who's name is a combination of letters and numbers (er, a letter and number).  Blue Lights on the Runway is growing on me (at least a few tracks are), but I have yet to purchase No Line on the Horizon.  When I asked for feedback on No Line via my Facebook status, here are a few of the eager responses I got: 

The Golden Compass

A couple nights ago I saw the film, “The Golden Compass.”  Yep, the one that many Christians (both evangelicals and Catholics) were up in arms about and boycotting back in 2007.  The author, Philip Pullman, is open about his atheism and about his intent to promote his atheistic/anti-Christian views through the trilogy of books that he’s written.

I must admit, the primary reason I even wanted to watch the film in the first place was to see what all the fuss was about.  I’m sure that I’m not the only one in the world who saw the film precisely because there was such an uproar by Christians.  And I’m also pretty confident that New Line Cinema and Mr. Pullman were grateful to the boycotting Christians for helping them promote the film. 

After seeing the film for myself, I can confidently state my personal belief that Christianity will not go away because of this film.  And what's more, God will not cease to exist, nor will he be “defeated” as a result of the books or of New Line Cinema’s contract with Pullman to make the films. 

Good Memories from California

Here's some video footage I threw together of our time with my brother and his family back in late January. Great memories!

In particular, pay close attention to what Pria is saying during my "interview" with her while she's in the stroller.  The last line seemingly comes out of nowhere (but probably not from her perspective!)  Cracks me up EVERY TIME.  (As does her little Caitlyn tackle.)

Also, despite Caitlyn being horrified of the wings (towards the end), it was actually her idea to wear them in the first place.  =)

California Trip 2009: A Wellcome Cousin Reunion from Brandon Wellcome on Vimeo.

Soul Graffiti Review

Soul Graffiti: Making a Life in the Way of Jesus by Mark Scandrette

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don't know if you would call Scandrette a "theological artist" or an "artistic theologian," but the merging of the two disciplines (art and theology) makes for an incredibly refreshing perspective in this book. And given his competence in both areas, he achieves a winsome tone while addressing issues of serious profundity, resulting in some very compelling reading. Scandrette has a way with words that makes the book read like poetry at times (sometimes actually using poetry) and like an engaging memoir at other times. His penchant for story-telling and the compassionate humanity illustrated in how he speaks of his family and neighbours draws the reader in to want to count him as fellow pilgrim in the journey of life. Or at least to strive to have the same character and perspective on that journey.

Scandrette's essential message? There is a way to be fully alive, fully human. It is found not in religious formulas or sub-culture. Nor is it found through an unhealthy preoccupation with escaping to the afterlife. Instead, it is found by making a life in the Way of Jesus.

In the introduction of "Part One: Hearing the Message of Jesus in the Here and Now," Scandrette outlines the content of the book:

"This book is divided into four parts that correspond to four phrases from the introduction of the Gospel of Mark . . . Part One explores the context from which we encounter Jesus as a messenger. Part Two addresses issues about how we relate the 'good news of God' to our time and place. Part Three investigates how the sacrifice of Jesus is related to the message of God's reign. And Part Four discusses how we might respond to the invitation to 'repent and believe the good news.'"

That's about as structured and "text-booky" as Scandrette gets. The rest of the book is full of engaging mini-narratives that explain his points. With those stories, he beautifully, and often poignantly, illustrates the way in which he is striving to make his own life in the Way of Jesus.

And this is precisely what makes Soul Graffiti so compelling. It comes across as simply an overflow of Scandrette's life. My personal library is full of books with spiritual formulas, anecdotes, disembodied theories, and philosophical musings (many of which are actually quite good). This book, however, will have a special place on the shelf. For it's powerful persuasiveness isn't found so much in pithy, well-packaged principles to be recognized as "good ideas." Rather, it is found in the life of a Christ-follower whom I can point to and say, "I want to take ownership of the Way of Jesus like that guy has. In my own unique way, I want to live in to the story of God."

View all my reviews.