Monday, November 28, 2016

The Kagan and Stiles Tennis Hour

Another one of my random ABAC videos has been added to YouTube. "The Kagan and Stiles Tennis Hour" is embedded below and is available at https://youtu.be/ySa9bIzMJc.

This is one my favorite videos, from my random ABAC Videos.  Kagan and Stiles were funny guys, which was showcased in this video with sheepy.

Jimmy in GA YouTube Updates

Starting in the fall of 1996, I used an old VHS-C camcorder to record tons of things. Some of the videos are silly skits like "Pool Daze," which is embedded below, other videos capture moments from sporting events or performances. I plan to slowly add my random old videos to YouTube!


Saturday, November 19, 2016

Star Wars Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel

This was my favorite Star Wars novel, since Dark Disciple.  James Luceno did a fantastic job, as always.  He authored one of my favorite Star Wars Legends novels, Star Wars: Darth Plagueis.

I was pleasantly surprised that this story began during the Clone Wars.  The story of Galen Erso and Orson Krennic was interesting, and there were definitely a few surprising along the way.  After listening to this novel, I am more confident that Rogue One will be a great film.

I also think I may try to listen to Tarkin again,  I listened to it, when it was released in November of 2014, and I think a refresher might be in order, before Rogue One to comes to a theater near me

If you're new to Audible, you can sign-up for a free trail that includes two free audio books.  A great choice for the second free audio book is Tarkin.  Sign-up today.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Doctor Strange and The Bible

I saw Doctor Strange in IMAX 3D yesterday.  The visual effects were stunning.  The story was an interesting origin for the superhero.

However, one of the most interesting aspects of the film is of a philosophical nature.  The characters often speak of going against the natural law, death, and eternal life.

Using these ideas as the jumping off point, a few Bible verses are highlighted below, that deal with these concepts.

One character in the movie breaks their own rules and uses dark power to accomplish things for good.  They know that they are breaking the rules, but they have rationalized that it is necessary to save the earth.  Eventually, their sin and hypocrisy are found out.
"But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:23(ESV) 
"And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." - Hebrews 4:13 (ESV)
"For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light." - Mark 4:22 (ESV)

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." - Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
Our lives are short.  Death is coming for all of us.  We cannot escape it.  The Ancient One in Doctor Strange says that "Death is what gives life meaning. To know your days are numbered. Your time is short."  She is right.  Our time really is short and our days really are numbered.
"yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." - James 4:14 (ESV)
Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. 2 He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not." - Job 14:1-2 (ESV)

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." - Psalm 139:16 (ESV)
The villain of the film, Kaecilius, is obsessed with the idea of obtaining eternal life.  He uses ancient rituals to try to bring an end to the Earth and inherit eternal life, from an evil dimensional being.  What he seeks is not what he finds.

Jesus paid for our sins, and through Him, God offers us eternal life.
"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” - John 6:40 (ESV)
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world,[b] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:14-16 (ESV)
There were many more philosophical or spiritual concepts dealt with in the movie, but these three seemed to be the most overarching themes.  What did you think of Doctor Strange?  Let me know in the comments below, via email or social media.