One Night with the King

Peter O'Toole begins this story as the prophet Samuel, proclaming that the Amalikite king and queen must be killed because they are haters of the Jews. The king that is beseached by Samuel disobeys and the Amalikite queen escapes with a baby in her womb. That baby grows into the man Haman who eventually seeks his revenge in Persia. John Rys-Davies is Mordecai, Hadassah or Esther's uncle. The beginning of the movie starts out a little cheasy w/ some bad acting as the movie sets the scene for Esther's time. But eventually it smoothes out into a pretty decent, epic experience. The palace of Persia is definately CG-ed but with some good results, made me even think hey they'd been using WETA workshop. Even Denethor from LOTR's (along with Gimli) makes a good performance as the King's second-hand man before Haman. Jesse and I loved every single dress Esther wears after she becomes queen. Her free-spirited and bold personality made me like the heroine even more. She wins the king's heart with beauty and intelligence set apart from the rest. I love the fact that a Jewish woman became queen over a nation. That is practically unheard of. She conceals her origin from the king until the end where she must plead for her people's lives. Haman is about to order the annihilation of the Jews in Persia, when Mordecai tells Esther she has to go to the king. He says, who knows, you might've been placed here for such a time as this (the famous and often quoted verse). To go before the king without being summoned is practically a death sentence. So she says, if I perish, I perish and then off she goes. The king is moved with compassion toward Esther and lowers his sceptor, a sign of favor. She asks him to meet her privately and then she makes her plea. I also love the fact that Haman's demise came from a Jew. That is God's justice. Haman is hung on the gallows intended for Mordecai. Anyway, go see it. It's an uplifting tale about the goodness of God and some of the scenes are beautifully shot. The costume design is pretty amazing. The king even has a tattoo.

Fairytales 4

Well in the process of waiting for some song lyrics I've written a new edition to my fairytales. I actually was inspired by something I read that James wrote on Chris' blog about the woman at the well and so infused that story with sort of a Hosea feel and here's the final product.

Water and wine, blood and sorrow
that which wets my lips
never quenches the thirst or the hunger.

IV

A tattered, porcelain remnant scrapes the dust, a hand of ancient wisdom in the ways of man, from her birth a beauty of the night and a seer of carnal desire. Her fingers quicken the search in the muddied waste-trough, skillfully attending to the gnawed bones and spit soaked napkins that have dabbed more than the corner of a mouth. She allows a frenzied laugh, empty as a toymaker’s speaking doll, when she wraps her grip and wish around the ringing coins. If she could sing, if she remembered how, to set free her words into the black, smothered night with praises of victory, she might. But a pallid fist of her day’s pay, a familiar memory of what it is like to be comfortably desolate in a broken bed while the wind screams cigarette smoke through cracked glass, are the companions she asks for. Not the stars and promises of higher things. Wealth and lust invited her in, now the yellow mustached face repays with a kind toss of her wage, an endearing name to surpass all other names, to remind her who she is, a weathered rag to soak in the broken life that flows through every gutter and street. She pukes to cleanse herself of the filth she has carried, a reflex, not penitence and stares from her watery eyes. A dirt road runs between house and business, quietly escaping town like an old dog waiting to die. She does not want wine or course company, just silence while it can be had, even if it is not found within. Her cheeks are sea-pale and wild, touched by the darkness that plays in the ally-ways. She moves through the laughter laid streets that streams from every swinging door and balcony. It is far from being kind, but an ominous delight that nips her mind and bare feet. At the edge of town, where the road bends and dissolves into the hills, stands a well of simple means. She rests her head on its stony mouth before sending for water to pour over her worthless skin. A shadow, a tall but humble form, stops her hand without touch or imposing approach. The man bends beside her, his eyes searching the well’s black depths and takes the bucket to lower down. As the rope slides across his palm, he says, the water I have satisfies your deepest thirst. She chews on his words and spits them out, another line in the history of lies. He goes on, what is it you want? Riches or peace? for both are mine to give. She laughs, her cold voice aimed at his kindness, and what do I have to do? His eyes meet hers, a timeless age, a childlike life, encircles within like a calming rain. Share my name. Marry me. Her heart stutters a steady beat of fear. Sir, do you know who I am? He nods. Do you know who I am? If you did, you would ask me to cover your shame.

Updates from the Burgs

We finished filming the first episode of the mini-series. I snuck a peak during church and the shots look great. The premiere is this Friday night. I think this year we've made leaps and bounds and alot of times the enemy gets in there and throws accusation or discouragement our way that so blocks our view from what is really being accomplished. God takes the small steps and uses them to cross oceans and climb mountains. He is the One who leaps over them both, and the safest place, I am reminded, is out there with Him, even though sometimes it can be painful.

We sang a song of mine a couple of Sundays ago...Open Eyes. Really felt on target and just excited me to continue on. I am 90% sure that I will be going to Morningstar's conference on writing and the arts this November. I have some time in there where I'm free so I think it's probably the Lord's will.

So worship is going to undergo a small change since Ducky is taking some leave for a couple of months. Keep us in prayer that that will all be worked out.