For the “least of these” March 1, 2007
Posted by Alien Drums in Christianity, Faith, Movies.Tags: Amazing Grace
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God still amazes me. I wrote yesterday that after seeing the movie “Amazing Grace” I prayed with my two youngest children and asked God to help us be like William Wilberforce, to help us see people in our world today who need our help, who need our protection, who need our action.
Yesterday, in a meeting, the group was dealing with a senstive issue and I thought of Wilberforce. After a pretty tricky discussion, I said something like, “You may shout me down for suggesting this, but I feel I need to put this on the table.” I made the proposal, and it carried the day. The organization I work for appears to be ready to go to a higher level in helping some people who have victimized in a particular way.
Forgive me for the vagueness of this post, but I must. My main point is not about the issue, it’s about how God stands ready to help us stand for the “least of these” among us.
“Being like William” may become my personal rallying cry; and, of course, that means “being like Jesus.”
Be like William February 28, 2007
Posted by Alien Drums in Children, Movies, Slavery.Tags: Amazing Grace
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Last night when I prayed with my two youngest children, ages 9 and 12, I asked God to help us be like William Wilberforce, to help us see people in our world today who need our help, who need our protection, who need our action.
My wife and I took our children to see the moving “Amazing Grace” about Wilberforce that afternoon. Both children stayed with it all the way even though it was more dialogue driven than action centered. I was so proud of them. Afterword, my 12-year-old said she didn’t know which she liked better, “Amazing Grace” or “Freedom Writers”, another great story.
I must say I wonder something. Would my children be so attuned to history and more thoughtful fare if they were not homeschooled? We started homeschooling this academic year, and I believe I already can see a difference. Before this experience our children already were better behaved and more academically inclined that most children, but the academic interest does seem to have increased.
I give my wife great credit for her work with the children; and I give the children kudos because we have always stressed that they share a responsibility in their education.
No matter how we educate our children, I hope parents will take them to see “Amazing Grace.” Some child watching this movie today may be the William Wilberforce of tomorrow.
It is said that Wilberforce, while still a boy, was introduced to John Newton, who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Later in life when Wilberforce was “awakened to religious concern and sought the good man’s advice, Newton told him that since their first acquaintance he had not ceased to pray for him.” (from ‘But Now I See’: The Life of John Newton by Josiah Bull, p. 282, Banner of Truth edition)
Amazed by grace February 28, 2007
Posted by Alien Drums in Movies, Politics, Religion, Slavery.Tags: Amazing Grace
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William Wilberforce. It’s a name most Americans have never heard. It’s a name that maybe millions now will come to know.
The new movie, “Amazing Grace”, is in theaters now and tells the story of Wilberforce’s long but eventually successful effort to end the British slave trade. It’s an inspiring story, one that reveals clearly Wilberforce’s great desire to serve God by serving mankind.
The movie’s title comes from the song that so many of us know and love. Wilberforce was influenced in his work by John Newton, the former slave trader who wrote the classic film.
This is a movie about story. It’s not about special effects and wild action.
More personally, it made me cry. I asked myself who are the vulnerable people of my time who need my involvement on their behalf.
