Ernest Morrow – The courage to be misunderstood

Language is complicated.

The words we use have deep connections to past experience.  At the same time we use them to create and shape the new experiences we are having in the moment.

For some people the language of the King James Bible and the Book Of Common Prayer are the symbols of their experience of an authentic relationship with God.  For others, the antiquated language and penitential flavour of the liturgy are stumbling blocks rather than stepping-stones to relationship with the Life That Never Goes Away.  Who is right?

Ernest Morrow – Birth

A very happy Birthday to all those born this day – especially bloggers on vacation. Many Happy returns Christopher!

Birth is far less controversial than death it seems. There are no arguments about whether there is life after birth, although maybe there should be! However, I wonder if the question about life after death might be helpfully shifted if we ask the question: “What about life before birth?”

Death

I know… I know… I said I was on holiday, and I am. But we all need to be gently weaned from our addictions. And the past week has been so filled with death it just seemed to demand some blog attention.

My Blog Problem

I am an all-or-nothing kind of guy. When I like a movie, it is the greatest movie in the world and everyone gets to hear about it. When I change my diet, I go all the way to vegan. When I blog, I post daily and begin to get chills if I miss a day.

“The Tree of Life” #20 – An Experience of Enlightenment

I am pretty sure I have said enough about Terrence Malick’s film “The Tree of Life” on this blog.

“The Tree of Life” #19 – The Terrence Malick Vision of Nature and Grace

A great deal has been made of the statement by Mrs. O’Brien in Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” that

The nuns taught us there are two ways through life. The way of Nature and the way of Grace.

Malick has frequently been portrayed as suggesting in “The Tree of Life” that life presents us with a dichotomy; we must choose either Nature or Grace. He is even accused by some commentators of holding a vision of the universe in which Nature and Grace are actually pitted against each other – Nature versus Grace.

Staying With The Church

Thirteen years ago, novelist Anne Rice returned to her roots in the Roman Catholic Church. She has apparently now turned her back on the church that welcomed her home in 1998.

“The Tree of Life” #18 – Random Quotes About TTOL

Many fascinating and insightful comments have been made about Terrence Malick’s fill “The Tree of Life.” You will find below a few of my favourite quotes from reviews, articles, and comments I have read.

The Point of Blogging

I was recently challenged to consider the possibility that blogging is nothing more than a self-indulgent waste of time.

Terrence Malick “Days of Heaven” #2 (see July 30, 2011)

I saw Terrence Malick’s “Days of Heaven” in a movie theatre last night. I have previously viewed it only on my wee television at home. Seeing “Days of Heaven” on a big screen with cinema quality sound is a totally different experience. Terrence Malick may soon force me to go out and buy a new monster-size home entertainment centre.