The Fshbwl

Becoming A Child

So far this week (see here and here) we've seen how the Father reveals the Kingdom to those who recognize their helplessness, while keeping it hidden from those who are confident in their own abilities. So, what is it that brings us to a place where we're like children?

Becoming Human

Frederick Buechner had more reason than most to “steel himself against the harshness of reality.”

As a young boy, Buechner led a fairly usual life. He sang songs and listened to stories. He learned to swim and ride a bike.

Basic Instincts

What is it that causes to salmon find their way back from the vast expanse of the sea to the single stream from which they had once emerged? What causes them to engage in the relentless fight against the current, battling danger after danger, expending every last ounce of energy they possess ...

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

This is a special experience.

Based on a true story, Julian Schnabel directs The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, the story (in French) of Jean-Dominique Bauby who was paralyzed from a stroke at the age of 42.

Juno

Juno is a tale spun by newcomer Diablo Cody, and directed by Thank You For Smoking's Jason Reitman. The story revolves around Juno (Ellen Page) who went and got herself knocked up by Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cena). What should she do now?

Projekt Revolution

I don't know about your city, but last week in Denver, Linkin Park's Project Revolution tickets went on sale. The actual events, which will be held in cities around the country, promise to be loud, driving, energetic, and intense, with hordes of teenagers and young adults gathering for the day long festivals.

So You’ve Entered the Art World (And Everything is Against You)

If you have been attracted to this title, I might guess a few things about you: for one, you might like art and are starting to take the pursuit seriously, and two, you might have experienced a few setbacks already on that path. I’m sure there might be other reasons that you have clicked on this blog but I am just going to pretend those things don’t exist and you are in full throttle toward a career in the art world.

Jesus on American Idol

I didn't mean to start watching American Idol, in fact, I didn't know it was on until one day when I heard my wife Anita laughing at some wretched performance and had to see what was so funny. It ended up being something like a train wreck where, as much as I wanted to walk away, for some odd reason I couldn't. So, here we are, however many seasons later, and American Idol is still part of the weekly routine at the Burnham house.

Where the Rubber Hits the Road

One of the best critiques I've seen of pop-American Christianity is the movie "Saved". The basic story line involves a girl at a Christian school getting pregnant when she offers up her virginity in hopes of curing her boyfriend from being gay. As a result of her pregnancy, she is ostracized at her Christian school and ends up experiencing something much more grace-like from the school's other misfits.