May 14, 2006
The Passion of the Christ Changed a Life
Patrick remembers sitting by herself in a Starbucks in Long Beach, Calif., on the weekend of her first Toyota Atlantics race in 2004.
She looked across the street at a theater that was showing "Passion of the Christ," a movie that intrigued her. She took the opportunity to see it and left with questions. At the hotel she called Hospenthal, whom she had been dating for 18 months. He surprised her with information.
He was Catholic.
"I was nothing, really, but I always had this sort of faith in the bottom of my heart that I didn't know where it came from," she said. "I had never (gone) to church; we were always racing on Sundays. I just became intrigued.
"I started asking him questions. We talked a lot about it."
Patrick formally professed her faith in 2005, another of last year's life-changing moments. The Indy 500, Catholicism and a wedding.
This is a pretty interesting discovery. Danica Patrick is the face of a racing "league" that shall not be mentioned but what a cool story about how just going into a movie theater changed someone's life.
March 25, 2005
Saw Passion Recut
My eldest son and I took the day off and went and saw The Passion Recut. Hopefully, it can become a Good Friday tradition. It was disappointing that there were so few attendees. Also, tonight's Good Friday service had a special choir and preaching from members of the Bethel Memorial AME Church. A great blessing to all in attendance.
March 15, 2005
Too Much Blood?
Devotional Archives - Too Much Blood? - Read John Fischer's take on whether there is too much blood in The Passion of the Christ movie.
March 01, 2005
The Passion - Recut
It's great to hear that Mel Gibson is re-releasing a less intense version of The Passion of the Christ. I'm hopeful that my kids will be able to see it but there's not a way to sugar coat the passion and be true to the story. I'm hopeful.
April 09, 2004
Todd M. Aglialoro - Great Summary of some of the Passion Critics
The American Spectator - Gibson and the Neo-Gnostics
March 31, 2004
Steyn on "The Passion of the Christ"
Mark Steyn just gets it about why The Passion of the Christ is a big seller.
March 01, 2004
$125 Million
Box Office Mojo > Box Office By Movie
Check out the numbers for the actual gross box office totals.
More Thoughts
I think this movie is more about renewal of my faith. To see in graphic detail what Christ did for me is still overwhelming. My pastor said that when he saw the movie that each time Christ was wipped he said "that was for me". As I was walking from the parking lot into work I saw people in a different light. All that punishment and suffering was for each and every person I saw, including the one I saw in the mirror.
Before seeing this movie read the passages in the Gospels about the crucifixtion (and even some previous passages) then, after seeing the movie, read them again.
February 29, 2004
I Saw It
I had the absolute privilege of finally seeing The Passion of the Christ. We were blessed to get a wonderful babysitter so the Broken Wife and myself could go see it. Before I forget, get there one hour early, especially if there are more than two in your party. No movie should be seen from the front row.
Some thoughts:
This movie really makes me ponder more of the humanity of Christ. I'm real good at the divinity of Christ but when He was here He was fully human who set aside His diety (Philippians 2:7-8) (notice set aside not rid Himself, big difference) to fulfull His mission on earth. He experienced it all as a human. This movie really brought that to me.
Mary.... I forget that she was also a mother. How aweful it must have been to watch her child suffer as He did.
Communion will never be the same for me again.
The movie was not as violent as I thought it would be. I didn't feel anything was gratuitous. Some was hard to watch but a close reading of the Gospels will let you know that what Christ suffered was horrific.
Cruelty.... how can humans be so cruel? You still see evidence of absolute cruelty now. Remember those Iraqi torture tapes?
I consider this movie to NOT be an evangalistic tool. It is definitely for the hearts of the people who are already Christian. It helps me to focus on what God has done for me.
It's amazing who God will use. During this period of time he's decided to use a cigarette smoking, sometimes foul-mouthed, Hollywood actor. God bless and protect Mel Gibson. Same for James Caviezel. What an amazing performance.
An amazing movie that I will never forget, want to see again, but will wait a bit before seeing it again. I need to decompress.
Today Is The Day
Today the Broken Wife and myself will be seeing The Passion of the Christ. Thoughts of this movie have been quite dominant. I'm trying to go in with an open mind and bendable heart. A reacion on this blog will come after I've digested it all.
February 27, 2004
Gibson on Leno
After reading about Mel Gibson's appearance on The Tonight Show a bit on the 'net last night I made the decision to stay up and watch it. I'm glad I did. First, Leno's monologue was pretty funny and he treated The Passion of the Christ with respect even though he made some pretty good (not offensive ) jokes about it. Leno even saw the movie and really liked it. Mel came out and got a huge ovation. When you see Gibson in a situation like this you realize why he's such a star. Great interview and again, Leno handled things with humor and respect.
On a side note, Prince was the musical guest. I will confess I used to really like Prince but I don't think he's done much worth listening to for the last 10-15 years. I thought he'd come out and try and make some attempt at being trendy with all sorts of attempts at hip-hop. Instead, he brought the FUNK. Real saxaphones, drums, bass, etc. In his interview he said he's trying to bring real music back and I applaud his effort. Hopefully he leaves some of the profane music behind.
February 26, 2004
A Time for Silence - Mark Roberts
A great entry from Mark Roberts about his reaction to seeing The Passion of the Christ for the second time along with all the reactions (positive and negative). Please read it here.
February 24, 2004
Keeping the Unity - Getting Ready
Over the last few months it has been great seeing so much Christian unity in the rallying around Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. It's been a focus on what is really important. In my opinion there are really very few things to divide over when it comes to Christianity. My list is pretty short; the triune nature of God, the virgin birth of Christ, His sinless life, Christ's nature as fully man and fully God, His death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection and His future return (no specific theology just that He's coming again). These are the basics that we have true unity and purpose. Once we take it much further we seem to find ways to divide and become "darn right" about our theology. Don't get me wrong, I think studying theology is wonderful but getting dogmatic about things beyond the core of Christianity is where we get messed up and replace love with "my way or the highway".
In many ways I cannot wait to see this movie but in some ways I'm terrified. At church they play the preview and I need to turn away. I just wish I could have a whole theater to myself to deal with seeing this movie. It is going to put things in my head that I will need to deal with for the rest of my life. We still don't know when we will see it since Little League is beginning to dominate our lives. Maybe on Sunday afternoon, I don't know.
February 17, 2004
FoxNews - 'Passion' Filming Takes a Toll on Jim Caviezel
FOXNews.com - Foxlife - 'Passion' Filming Takes a Toll on Jim Caviezel
Mel Gibson Is A Moron....
..... at least that's what the expression that Diane Sawyer's face said last night in her interview. She just seemed shocked that anyone can take the Gospels seriously. This is a classic example of how so many within the media elite are out of touch with a lot of Americans. Many Americans do take faith seriously and it just seems the mainstream media elite don't, in general.
The Broken-Wife and myself enjoyed watching Gibson a lot. He's transparent, faithful and is doing his best to fulfill God's will in his life. How refreshing.
February 13, 2004
Better Picture of "The Passion" Car
NewsMax.com: Inside NASCAR No. 18 Racing for 'The Passion'
February 10, 2004
February 09, 2004
Preparing for "The Passion of the Christ"
In preparation for the release of the movie "The Passion of the Christ" I challenge people to read the accounts of the crucifixion of Christ in the Bible, specifically the end parts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Personally, I can't wait to see the movie and have just started studying in Matthew 26. They showed the trailor to the movie before communion yesterday and even that is hard to watch.
February 05, 2004
Gibson Cutting a Scene?
Reflection: Gibson Cuts a Scene from the Passion? How Should We Respond?
Great take (again) by Mark Roberts on the possibility of Mel Gibson cutting out a controversial scene in an act of compassion.
January 23, 2004
The Passion of the Christ - A Request
Mark Roberts makes an urgent request to both Christians and Jews regarding the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Please see this important information here.
January 18, 2004
Frank Rich and his Conspiracy Theories about "The Passion"
Tip to Drudge.
IHT: Frank Rich: Chutzpah and spiritual McCarthyism
Whatever Frank.
January 15, 2004
Coming February 25
CNN.com - Gibson 'Passion' to open on 2,000 screens - Jan. 14, 2004
Get the baby sitters lined up and get ready to see this movie.
January 01, 2004
Complete Review of "Passion" Movie from Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts has completed his review of "The Passion of the Christ". Go here for the complete review.
December 31, 2003
Mark Roberts Recommending "The Passion of the Christ"
Mark Roberts has an entry about how he recommends the movie "The Passion of the Christ". Please see his recommendation here. It's important to read it because he does leave some words of caution.
December 28, 2003
Saw An Interview With Mel Gibson
During a post-Christmas party we were shown a DVD that contained a trailer for "The Passion of the Christ" and an interview with Mel Gibson. I'm so impressed with Mr. Gibson's passion for this movie and the fact he's willing to lay his career on the line. The movie is expected to get an "R" rating because Mr. Gibson wanted to show what really happened to Christ. He recommends that nobody under 12 see it and that the movie is only 90 minutes because of the strain it will cause the audience. It sounds like he doesn't expect everyone to be able to sit through the whole movie.
Please see more blog entries by Mark Roberts as he answers questions about the movie and if it's anti-semitic.
Just based on what I've seen about the movie the question to be answered is why did Christ voluntarily submit to the torture? Everyone needs to know that answer.
December 26, 2003
A Review of the Passion of Christ - Part 1
Mark Roberts has seen the movie "The Passion of the Christ" and is writing a series addressing various topics about it. See the reviews at his blog.
December 17, 2003
"It is as it was."
Personally, I think Mel should have a preview for bloggers :).
December 02, 2003
John Fischer on "The Passion"
One of my favorite writers, John Fischer, writes a great bit about the Mel Gibson move "The Passion of Christ". Check it out, here.
October 23, 2003
"Passion of Christ" - February 25
Newsmax is reporting the latest on the newly renamed "Passion of Christ".
September 19, 2003
Support The Passion
Do what you can to spread the word about "The Passion". Follow this link to find out how you can help.
September 04, 2003
Support The Passion
There is a website for the movie, "The Passion". Within the website is a place to voice your support for the movie.
August 31, 2003
"Why did He do that?"
My youngest son asked that question last night while watching a preview of "The Passion". It was played during the Harvest Crusade telecast last night. During the preview Christ was carrying the cross, being nailed to it, being hung on it and then brought down from it, dead. This is a lot for a 5 year old to see, I admit that, but I let him watch. He kept saying "that's God" during each part of the preview.
A few minutes later I went in to pray with him and we talked about what he'd seen. He asked, "Does that need to happen to me?" and I happily told him that Jesus did that for him. We talked about sin and how Christ died for our sins. I asked him if he was sorry for his own sin and if he wanted Jesus to come into his life and help him not to sin. He said yes, and we prayed together.
God bless Mel Gibson and the people who've made The Passion. I think this year we'll be skipping the Good Friday service at church and going to see the movie. May God use this movie to display the love He has for us.
August 07, 2003
Cal Thomas on "The Passion"
Cal Thomas has seen the Mel Gibson movie, "The Passion". Here's his review. I can't wait to see this movie.
July 22, 2003
More of "The Passion"
Mel Gibson played "The Passion" for a bunch of Beltway types. Here's the Washington Post article. To see the trailer go here. After seeing the trailer it's been very difficult for me to read parts of the Gospels dealing with the crucifiction or even thinking about it. I believe that this will be the most important movie ever made to date.
In the economy of mercy
I am poor and begging man
In the currency of grace
Is where my songs begins
In the colors of Your goodness
In the scars that mark Your skin
In the currency of grace
Is where my song begins
"The Economy of Mercy" - Jonathan Mark Foreman
June 29, 2003
The Passion
I don't think I've awaited a movie more than Mel Gibson's movies, "The Passion". Here's an article about some people who went to a screening with Mel.
