Jeremiah 23:16,17

The Lord Almighty said to the people of Jerusalem, “Do not listen to what the prophets say; they are filling you with false hopes. They tell you what they have imagined and not what I have said.  To the people who refuse to listen to what I have said, they keep saying that all will go well with them. And they tell everyone who is stubborn that disaster will never touch them.”

I said, "None of these prophets has ever known the Lord's secret thoughts. None of them has ever heard or understood his message, or ever listened or paid attention to what he said."

How long, oh Lord?

I was speaking with one of the ministers, today, and he, once again, raised the issue of me sticking with a single church.  This issue has been raised before, by other ministers, of other churches, sometimes even more directly.

Today, we discussed the issue somewhat, and the validity of that position with regard to an ordinary human social situation, noting also the fact that the church is not supposed to be an ordinary human social situation.

Afterward, on some fairly extended walking, I went over our conversation.  Several times.  I grew angrier thinking about it.  Until I realized that, in fact, I *had* tried to pick a church and settle into it.  I had picked one early on, and stayed there for a couple of months, coming very consistently.  With no particular results.  The people were friendly, yes, but I developed no particular support there.  I picked another church, and attended fairly regularly, not only the services, but also Bible studies and prayer meetings.  At the end of three months, the results were pretty much the same.  I chose another.  I attended prayer meetings, Bible studies, men's activities, and helped with the number of special events.  At the end of four months, I was actually being attacked for being depressed.  In fact, at the church whose minister I was talking to today, I had a period of more than three months, where I attended pretty consistently, attended prayer meetings, men's groups, and helped out in other ways, and at the end found that people were *avoiding* me because I was depressed.  (There's no point in my attendance where I'm actually disturbing people.)

So, in fact, I *have* stayed in one place, picked a church, attended regularly, and even more than regularly, and still have found no support in the churches of Port Alberni.  I mean, how long *should* it take?

I guess that's why I became angry, although it took me a while to realize it.

Psalm 109:21-22

But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord,

    for the sake of your own reputation!

Rescue me

    because you are so faithful and good.

For I am poor and needy,

    and my heart is full of pain.

Merry Generic Mid-Winter (in a northern-hemispheric-centrist kind of way) Solstice Party Period

 

Review of "I Heard the Bells"

"I Heard the Bells" is supposed to be about overcoming grief.  Given the real story upon which the movie is based, it is disappointing.  Apparently, in our grief-illiterate society, one must offer a pallid grief, viewed "through a screen, darkly," kind of like a noir Hallmark movie (if that isn't a complete contradiction in terms).  They don't even use the full poem, or hymn, just the Bing Crosby version, since the full version would somewhat conflict with their version of events and motivations.

We have, instead, a series of vignettes, giving hints of grief, but not dealing with it directly.  There is one short speech, towards the end of the movie, which I found realistic and somewhat compelling, but otherwise the movie simply goes for a happy ending, without any real resolution.

I was most interested in the hypothesis, alluded to but never really developed, that Fanny editted, and even contributed to, Longfellow's poems.

Jesus Film Festival/JFF 2024

20231127 - added film schedule

20231130 - minor additions and edits

20240201 - Thursday showings removed

This is an initial, "heads-up," announcement, and will undoubtedly be subject to change.

The Jesus Film Festival will be sponsored by Holy Family/Notre Dame for 2024.  With grateful acknowledgement of funding made available from the Diocese of Victoria/Bishop’s Appeal, Holy Family/Notre Dame will be covering the cost of licencing, plus film snacks, as well as the lunch for the initial children's matinee.  (Potluck additional contributions gratefully received.)  There is no charge for attendance at any showing.

The current plan is to start with a children's matinee (preceded by lunch) on January 28th from 11:45 am to 3 pm; the film shown will be "The Miracle Maker," an animated, short, and fairly simple portrayal of Jesus' period of ministry.  This film will be followed by eight sessions of movies, on Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm.  (Thursday evening at 6 pm has been cancelled.)

See also https://albernioutreach.com/events and https://hfndpa.com/news/faith-through-film-festival for schedules and details.

(We would appreciate feedback on whether this schedule can be improved.)

Since Easter is early, this means we will have to forgo some of the movies.  The movies to be shown will be "The Miracle Maker" on the 28th, with the regular schedule starting the following Wednesday (January 31) and Thursday (February 1), with parts two, three, and four of "Jesus of Nazareth," "Godspell,"  "The Greatest Story Ever Told" in two parts, and the movie "Jesus" in two parts to finish off.  Each showing will be approximately an hour and a half to two hours, followed by discussion.

(There may be adjustments in the order of presentation, and feedback is solicited.)

(Descriptions of the movies can be found on last years posting of the screenings at https://fibrecookery.blogspot.com/2023/02/jesus-movie-screenings.html )

The churches of the Alberni Valley, as well as the larger community, are invited to attend, but Holy Family/Notre Dame would appreciate some advance warning of how many people may show up.  It is hoped that the churches will, as best they can, help us advertise this festival to the broader community.  (Ideas for promotion and publicity are solicited.)  There is also interest in having participation from other churches in the form of back up and/or additional discussion leaders, small group prayer leaders, etc.

(Additional ideas for the festival can be found at https://fibrecookery.blogspot.com/2023/03/jesus-film-festival.html )

For reference, this notice is posted, and will be updated, at https://fibrecookery.blogspot.com/2023/11/jesus-film-festivaljff-2024.html

Jan 28 - The Miracle Maker

Jan 31, Feb 1 - Jesus of Nazareth pt 2

Feb 7 - Jesus of Nazareth pt 3

Feb 14 - Jesus of Nazareth pt 4

Feb 21 - Godspell

Feb 28 - Greatest Story Ever Told pt 1

Mar 6 - Greatest Story Ever Told pt 2

Mar 13 - Jesus pt 1

Mar 20 - Jesus pt 2

Jeremiah 14:13-14

Then I said, O Lord God, their prophets are telling them that all is well—that no war or famine will come. They tell the people you will surely send them peace, that you will bless them.

Then the Lord said: The prophets are telling lies in my name. I didn’t send them or tell them to speak or give them any message. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen nor heard; they speak foolishness concocted out of their own lying hearts.