SHIFT HAPPENS

INVICTUS: Video Review

2009-12-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Invictus Review from Paul Jensen on Vimeo.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FINISH LINE, IT'S ABOUT THE RACE

2009-10-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling lately with feelings of frustration. Frustration about my job and what seems to be a lack of progress toward my goals. When I look around and talk to people around me I see that I'm not alone. I believe this is one of the biggest reasons people find themselves on antidepressants. This is not from any scientific studies just my gut feelings. Why should it be like that? Why should some people find themselves satisfied in life, achieving their goals and content, while others are tormented by dreams that seem o be unattainable, and tortured by going to jobs they hate. I have read many books and talked to many different people, and I have decided that the problem is that we tend to live for the finish line and not for the race.

What does that mean? Well, I'm going to talk about my own life since I know that story. I've often found myself in states of deep depression when I would look at my life and see that I had fallen short of my POTENTIAL. Potential, what a discouraging concept when you don't look at it with a healthy perspective. Potential can seem to be taunting and mocking you. The taunts usually go something like this:

“Look at you. You think you are so talented, but here you are working 9 to 5 in a dead end job. You think that you're a writer, yet here you are.”

I have found that the taunting and mocking is merely a result of screwed up thinking on my part. I have my goals and my dreams, but when I don't see them coming to pass I get depressed, and begin wallow in puddles of self-pity.

I am not saying that there is a problem with having the goals. Motivational speakers always tell you write down your goals. I still agree with that, but there is more to it than just that. In all fairness to motivational speakers most don't stop there they do include the rest of the story but I always walked away with the idea to write the goals and I missed the rest, maybe that's just the ADD kicking in.

What's missing is the reason that the goal was set in the first place. If had just decided that I wanted to be a writer because I thought it was cool, then I would lack the motivation to do what is required to become a writer. (writing) I decided to become a writer because I love to write. Therefore when I set my goal to become a writer, it is implied that I must write. I love to write. I believe I am good at it, and have been told as much by others as well as by my results in contests.

Where the problem lies is here. When I focus on the finish line as the thing I want, then I assess myself and see that I'm not there, meaning I have not a published book, then I feel discouraged. If I can focus on writing as my goal, then I can enjoy the process of accomplishing my goal.

This is why when someone sets a goal to be a millionaire they will undoubtedly fail unless they can envision a path that they enjoy on the way to the goal. I have known some people who at some point in life decided to lose weight. As part of the process they began to run or swim or ride bikes. They began to enjoy the exercise so much they eventually competed in triathlons. They first had realize that they enjoyed the process before they ever ran the race. If they had decided they wanted to complete in a triathlon but did not enjoy the work involved they never would have crossed the finished line.

So, I have resolved to try to always remember that the reason I want to get a book published is because I love to write, I love to create and I love to tell a story. When I remember this I can enjoy race all the way to the finish line.

It is not about the finish line, it is about the race.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

2009-03-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

This is a trailer for full length film that will be released later this year. I think this clip speaks volumes about our faith.

Also check out their website at http://www.i-heart.org/

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE review

2009-02-17T10:53:00.000-08:00

I have found another film worth reviewing. I avoided this one for quite awhile, because I hate going to movies that get this kind of a gushing love fest in the media. Movies seldom live up to the hype of the “Golden Calf” that is created in the media to worship it.

I have finally gone to see Slumdog Millionaire, twice in one week.

This movie captivated me from the opening scene. It is refreshing to see a movie that does not rely on a $60 million dollar budget for just a few big name, overrated and talentless pretty faces to attract people to the box office. Director, Danny Boyle has a knack for creating movies in almost any genre that grab and interest the audience on “Indie” sized budgets. This one had a budget of only $15 million.

Slumdog Millionaire, is the story of a young man who grew up without parents in the slums of Mumbai and Bombay and ends up getting on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. I will not give any more of the story away than that.

Boyle and screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, illustrate the triumph of love over selfishness and greed. The films locations are amazing, captivating, depressing and scary all at the same time. The music is both foreign and familiar and deserves the Oscar nominations it has received. The actors are all incredible and Boyle has masterfully directed them in this movie. The film oscillates between brutality and tenderness, greed and selflessness, hatred and love in a give and take manner that keeps you engaged throughout.

The religious imagery throughout the film is fodder for much thought and discussion, that I won't go into now, but I will probably revisit down the road sometime after the DVD is released.

For now, if you haven't seen this film yet, make sure you catch it in the theater before its gone, at least once. If you've seen it once see it again, there is so much to unlock in this piece.

Raise your hand if you know the answer

2009-01-27T18:39:00.000-08:00

Here is another clip of Peter Rollins from the website www.theworkofthepeople.com So do you think you have it figured out?

Checkout Peter's blog at www.peterrollins.net

HOW TO BE IRRELEVANT or DOGMA FOR FUN AND PROFIT

2009-01-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

As we are about enter a new era of American Life we stand at a crossroads. The political climate is poised on a precipice and we have a choice to make. Do we practice politics as usual or do we transform our methods.

Over the last 16 years we've seen incredible schisms in our culture in the arenas of politics and religion. During the administration of President Clinton the political and religious Right distinguished itself by opposing everything he tried to do and searching and waiting for any little reason to blast him and in the end impeach him. In this way they became mostly irrelevant. During the administration of President Bush the Left took over that job and likewise rendered themselves ineffective and irrelevant by opposing any and every move he made.

Today we stand at the precipice of a new and historic time in our country. On Tuesday we will inaugurate the first African-American President in our nations history. Barack Obama will make history no matter what he does. Will the Right again choose dogma over effectiveness?

There have been two Christian men, one from the Right the other from the Left, over the last several years who have managed to live very relevant lives. Billy Graham has been one of the most prominent voices of conservative Christianity for more than half a century. During that time he has been friends with every President, Republican or Democrat. He has not added his voice to chorus of rants from other Christians and so he found himself inside their circles of influence. He has led very influential life.

Bono the lead singer of the rock band U2 has been a powerful voice from the Christian Left. Like Graham he has been willing to work with leaders on the Left and the Right. He has taken flak from many of like mind for sitting down with leaders on the right like Rick Santorum, Rick Warren and George W. Bush. Because he was willing to work with people he may not always agree with he too has led a very relevant life.

I write this post as someone who not too long ago considered himself a member of the political and religious Right. I don't really consider myself right or left at this time and definitely not religious. I want to urge my friends on the Right to try a new tactic. Let's not cling to dogmatic and divisive ideals. Lets choose our battles wisely and more importantly lets find common ground where we can work together and make history as people who were willing to work together and not as those opposed everything our first African-American President tried to accomplish.

I have included a video of Bono receiving the 2007 Liberty Medal from George H. W. Bush as evidence of a relevant life. Let's make ourselves relevant too!

Peter Rollins Video Clip

2009-01-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

This is a very poignant little video clip I got from a website called The Work Of The People. It is a short thought from Peter Rollins of Belfast Ireland. Check it out.

Check out their website at: http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/

Charlie Brown's Christmas

2008-12-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post my favorite Christmas TV moment of all time. It is low tech and not very flashy, and the best that has ever been put to film. Merry Christmas & Enjoy!

Twas the Night Before Christmas (revisited)

2008-12-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring except me and my spouse;
Credit card bills were stacked by the chimney with care,
And I was assembling toys trying to make it look like St. Nicholas had been there.

The children were lying restless in their beds,
While visions of "X-Boxes" danced in their heads;
I cursed the assembly instructions, understanding not a word,
While in the kitchen ma toiled stuffing the bird.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to the window to see what was the matter;
I peaked through the blinds, trying not to be seen,
I thought maybe the vandals had returned to the scene.

You see, two nights before my lights they did take,
And my eight-foot Santa they threw in the lake;
Don't they know what this season's all about?
I would have won the lighting contest, no doubt.

I peered, and squinted, watching the yard,
Hoping to catch the punks all off-guard;
"Call 911," I said to my wife,
Ready to pounce on the first sign of life.

Then what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But someone lurking by the plastic remains of my reindeer;
He was looking over Dasher, and Dancer, and the antlers of Vixen,
But there was nothing left of Comet, Cupid, Donder, or Blitzen.

I put on my shoes, and stepped out the front door,
Then I spoke to the stranger, "I see you've returned to do more."
His clothes were all threadbare from his head to his feet,
But his eyes shown like jewels and their gaze I couldn't meet.

"I was looking at all the damage that was done,
They didn't ruin it all, they missed the little one;"
He motioned to my little manger scene,
The small set I got from Aunt Jean.

The man was shaking as he spoke,
The wind must have blown right through his coat.
"I love to gaze upon that little child, whenever I can,
And I remember that he was God became man."

"He was hidden behind an inn that night,
"Hidden from harm, safe out of sight.
He grew and reached out to a world in pain
But on deaf ears his words fell, his efforts seemed to be in vain."

"No longer safe in his manger,
The world was hostile and he walked into danger;
He was betrayed, and then taken by force,
But, He did not fight back for this was part of his course."

"Soldiers whipped and beat him with glee,
Then he was hung to die on a tree;"
The old man shivered and trembled and shook,
Then told me. "When he died our sins He took."

"Then He rose again on the third day,
His life he lived to show us the way;"
Then the old man's Spirit did lift,
He said with a smile, "That was the greatest Christmas gift"

The night was cold and the wind made a racket,
Then I went in the house and grabbed him a jacket;
Humbly he took it and put it on with a smile,
Then I asked him to come in for a while.

He thanked me for the offer but kindly refused,
"I have many people to see before this night is through;"
I looked down for a moment then he vanished form sight,
But I heard his voice ring through the night, "Remember Christ this Christmas, and Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight."

Advent Conspiracy

2008-12-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

We are going to participate in this, why don't you join us. Watch the video and go to http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ and join us.

God Bless You All.

WALL-E: Movie review

2008-11-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Wall-E

Here is my first review for the blog. I chose a critically acclaimed thriller for my first review, well maybe not. It is however a movie I loved. So here is my review of Wall-E, the Pixar Animations release that came out this week on DVD.

Wall-E is a about a little robot left to clean up the planet earth, while the humans have been living on a ship in space for eight hundred years. He is the last remaining robot on the planet and has developed a personality and is lonely. Enter Eve, a highly sophisticated robot sent back to earth search for any living vegetation. Wall-E immediately falls for her.

This movie is an example of masterful writing and directing. The two lead characters have a vocabulary of about five words yet have the ability convey a wealth of emotions. It is a touching and humorous story.

On another level it is packed with symbolism and hidden meaning. The first and most obvious message is that of the over-consumption of mankind and how it could literally bury us. Some may or may not subscribe that viewpoint but it is worth considering.

The next message is symbolized by Eve. It is an obvious reference to the dove sent out by Noah that returned to the ark with the olive branch. She does look very dove like as she flies about searching for life.

Lastly, Wall-E himself is a messianic figure. Everyone he comes in contact with is set free in some way. They begin to follow him and help him. He finally dies and is resurrected as mankind is returned to earth ready for them to start over reign.

This movie is one of the best of the year in my opinion. It's masterfully done. I give this movie 4 stars.

So check out WALL-E.

The Almighty says he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure your f**ked.

2008-11-19T23:22:00.001-08:00

"The Almighty says he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure your f**ked." You might recognize that quote from one of the battle scenes in Braveheart. It is one of my all-time favorite movie quotes. It also happens to describe the attitude many of us evangelicals have toward those who have not been “Born Again”. We have gotten caught up in a regimen of “Sin management”. We are focused on our behavior, we don't swear, we don't lie, we don't watch “R-rated” movies, so we are “IN”. Then, when we think we have our sin managed, we begin to take on everyone else's sin. We make sure that they don't do those wicked things that we used to do and if they do we make sure to try and shame or humiliate them into being just like us. When you see Christian's marching with signs that read “God Hates Fags” it just makes people line up to be just like us. Okay, well maybe not.

This “Sin Management” program is really only effective in one thing, keeping us from doing what Christ called us to do in the beginning. In Matthew 22:37-40 he says:

...‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

If we would concentrate on these commands we would be kept busy for a lifetime. I believe that it is the devil who gets us so caught up in worrying about morality because it makes us worthless. We believe we are saved by grace yet we waste our lives trying earn our salvation instead of loving our neighbor. If we begin to look at the ramifications of what it means to love our neighbor it would blow our minds.

In future updates I will talk more about just what "loving our neighbor" really means. But for now I just want to encourage fellow Christians to try forget about sin management and begin to live a life that Christ would applaud.

I have included a link to a video of the song “Grace” by U2 it defines what Grace is in a beautiful way.

Naked Aliens

2008-11-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

Over the last several years I have become increasingly more uncomfortable and disillusioned with my belief systems, some things just didn't “fit”. Over and over I told myself I just needed to accept it all by faith. I'm not just talking about my religion, though that is a big part of it, but also my politics, my attitudes towards the world around me, the people, the planet, the systems I had grown to trust to keep it all working in harmony, everything.

I began to explore and search, reading books listening to podcasts. I really came to believe the old proverb, “When the student is ready, the master will appear”. The more I searched the more I sought, the more the answers started showing up in areas where I wasn't even looking.

I would stand back and stare at it all, and scratch my head. It was like staring at a naked alien, all green and slimy, not quite sure what I was looking at but I knew it wasn't quite right.

That's the purpose of this blog to study this naked alien standing before us and try to make some sense out of it. I promise to keep my posts short and (hopefully) interesting. I hope you'll read this and see, not something new, but something familiar, something that when you read it it's more like remembering something you had forgotten.

I hope you are entertained and informed, even if you don't agree with everything. Please feel free to comment and contact me if you like.

Paul

***In my next post I will share my favorite film quote of all time.***

Welcome to SHIFT HAPPENS

2008-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

I finally decided to join the narcissistic legion of bloggers. I hope this blog will make you think a little and laugh a little. I will post my first update in the next day or two.