Artisan God

 

The picture above is just a leaf.  Something that is so ordinary, so temporary.  Right now, you see them everywhere!  Millions, hundreds of millions of leaves, bursting from the trees around us.  They add to the cascade of green which is summertime in the Great Plains.  But it was only a few short weeks ago that our landscape was bare.  Even now (though we hardly want to think of it) each gorgeous summer day marches closer and closer to Autumn.  Then this cacaphony of leaves that surrounds us will change, wither and fall.  And yet while they last, God has arrayed them with an innate beauty, if only we take the time to notice.  

That sort of innate beauty is found in all manner of things around us.  Consider the fragile patterns of an insect's wings, the sinews of a stalking lion, the majestic vista of a mountain stream, the hundreds upon hundreds of stars twinkling above us on a clear night, the sun setting the earth and sky afire with hues of orange, pink, purple, and blue as it slowly melds into the horizon.   

Bringing "Over There" Over Here: How will you respond?

"Nepal is...well, it's poor.  One of the poorest countries in the world, they say.  But it's beautiful!  Where my family lives, Nepal is beautiful.  We have a farm, so there are always things to do.  We don't have much, but I think this is okay.  I love my family very much, and I don't think I would like the city.  I have seen the capital once, and there are so many problems.  Other kids my age just live in the streets.  I am scared for them."

"No.  You are not to work that part of the city anymore.  At least not for awhile.  They are no good!  They're sick and miserable.  And who knows where they've been...or what they've been into; who they've been with?  And besides, virgins are worth more.  No.  Go work somewhere else.  Away from the city altogether.  Make them promises.  Tell them anything; they'll believe it."

A Film That's Short & Sweet

Well Acts in Motion: The Blog returns and with another link to a short film. In all honesty this is a bit of a test post as I attempt alternate means of Internet access while my PC is down. So without further ado I present The Butterfly Circus. It's a beautiful film about hope renewal and second chances. Enjoy!

"Looking is fine; tasting is better..."

Or so claims the nefarious shop owner played by Doug Jones in a new short film.  The film is "The Candy Shop".  It's an allegorical fairytale about the exploitation of children.

"The Candy Shop" was a project put together by groups that included Whitestone Motion Pictures and Street Grace Ministry, both of Atlanta, GA.  The film was made in response to the growing problem of child sex trafficking.  More children are abused this way in Atlanta than any other city in the U.S. and apparently the city ranks 10th worldwide. 

See what you can do to help Street Grace "Stop the Candy Shop" here. 
 
Catch the film here on the movie blog /Film.  Its a great primer to the movie night we are planning to do in conjunction with Tiny Hands International!

| Ears and Tongues |

“Don’t fix my smile, life is long enough, we will put this flesh into the ground again…”

                                                “Small minds talk about people…”

                “At daybreak Thursday, heavy gunfire reverberated in central Cairo as the two sides continued to face off at the square...”

                                                                                                                “Why do you prophesy, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord...’”

                                “Middling minds talk about events...”

"No idea holds greater sway in the mind of educated Americans than the belief that it is possible to democratize governments, anytime, anywhere, under any circumstances."

                                                                                                                                “When can I expect my payment?”

                “We have a meeting on the 23^rd…”

                                                                “Great minds talk about ideas, and propose solutions…”

“Is that what you call a getaway, tell me what you got away with, because I’ve seen more spine in jellyfish, I’ve seen more guts in eleven-year-old kids…”

                                                                                                “Would 2:00pm work okay for you on Thursday?”

                “Christians seem to feel more allegiance to the positions of the political left or the right than we feel to God’s people…”

“Today I’m only talking about recruiting…”

                                                “Do you know how to run hydrology?”

                                                                                                “What do you think about seeding those structures?”

                “So these two artists are outside drawing, and one of them leans over to the other and asks, ‘Will you marry me?’”

“Warning: This product can cause mouth cancer…”

                                                                                                                “That should be sent to your office by February 11^th or 14^th…”

                                “...for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.”

I probably don’t listen well enough.  Strike that, I probably don’t listen well enough.  I know I don’t listen well enough!  How impossible would it be for one to say nothing and only listen to what’s being said around them, do what’s being asked of them?  And for how long – a minute, an hour, a day, a week?  And even if one wanted to, what sort of event could break the mental fortitude necessary to thwart such an effort?  And really, what would be the point after all?

Thoughts - Be Salty

I love podcasts.

If you aren't familiar with podcasting, it's essentially a radio show that can be downloaded from the internet.  Some of them are in fact radio shows from NPR and other large market stations.  Some podcasts have experts in various fields dispensing information about their passions and interests.  And some are just a couple guys in a basement letting the mic run while they talk.  But whatever your own interest, there are podcasts for everyone, music, art, comics, film, baking, religion, auto repair... you name it. 

Goodjoe

They say the clothes make the man, but at Goodjoe.com the clothes make a difference. 

Goodjoe is a t-shirt company that was started with an idea a college friends, Nathan Pham and Jourdan Yeh,  kicked around a few years ago.  Their mission statement says "We strive to empower and creatively inspire individuals to contribute to our local and global communities."  Reading the information on the website, a person continues to run into words like "inspire", "creative", "community", and "good".  It's easy to see that these guys have a heart for the world around them and serving the greater good.

| Videotape |

Videotape | Radiohead

| Videotape |

"When I'm at the pearly gates

This'll be on my videotape

My videotape

My videotape

When Mephistophilis is just beneath

And he's reaching up to grab me

This is one for the good days

And I have it all here in

Red blue green

Red blue green

You are my centre when I spin away

Out of control on videotape

On videotape

On videotape

On videotape

This is my way of saying goodbye

Because I can't do it face to face

So I'm talking to you before (it's too late)

No matter what happens now

I shouldn't be afraid

Because I know today has been the most perfect day

I have ever seen."

- Lyrics to "Videotape" by Radiohead

Some of you are perhaps a bit apprehensive to read on; unsure of just where this could possibly be going.

Pearly gates?  My videotape?  Mephistophilis?  Who is Mephistophilis?  And who or what is Radiohead, anyway?

Good.  But keep reading.

Greetings Earth Folks!

Hi everybody. 

Well, Acts in Motion is taking one small step into cyperspace with this new blog!  The goal is to make it easier to access the latest information available about and from Acts in Motion.  So, aside from all the other exciting ways we dispense Updates and Thoughts to the masses (Facebook or e-mail), we now have the blog as well. 

Hopefully, navigation will be a little simpler since new posts will be added to the top of the page and we can label items to find later.  The new blog will also provide a space for you to see some of the research and thinking that goes into the various projects Acts in Motion has going.  And even a means to weigh in on the process!  

 So, there you have it.  Anyway we can help keep you informed and involved, we'd love to help.  Let us know what you think, either with the comments here, the Facebook page, or e-mail at actsinmotion@gmail.com

Later.