Intro Video Project

I just finished another Sunday Morning Intro Video. I tell you…this was like pulling teeth. I was trying to get something that was a bit more modern, but I think I ended up doing something similar to what I’ve already done. It’s interesting because I approach these things with a truly clean slate, I don’t want to repeat and I don’t want to do something that mimics Michelangelo. I want to start simple and let the creativity guide me. Sometimes I know it’s clicking! Other times I just have to finish or start all over.

With this particular project, I was trying to go with something that wouldn’t outdo the images. I wanted a look that was basic, but interesting. I was looking through a magazine called Dynamic Graphics and got an idea for a look that included straight lines, circles and basic, thinner style text. I liked the look, but wasn’t sure how to incorporate it. I started with some circles, but thought they looked kind of forced. I ended up with just one straight line and frames panning from right to left in a complete moving motion. Different colors highlight the piece, but the focus is on the images and the text scrolling across the screen.

The song is “clap your hands.” I experimented with some still images of clapping hands, but that looked just plain creepy…free floating hands moving unnaturally…creepy. So I focused on the text and the images. Still, after inserting the images, it just didn’t feel great to me.

I honestly worked on this 1-minute piece for about 30+ hours total. Of course, if you haven’t already noticed, I think it’s good, but I don’t think it’s one for the highlight reel. It did, however, teach me some things. What…I don’t know…but I’m sure I learned something. View the video (3 mb).

The Feel of History

While in Nashville, we went to the original Grand Ole Opry. I walked in, not really knowing what to expect, but was actually moved to emotion as I stepped foot inside this historic landmark. Yeah, I’ll admit it, I grew up with parents who were, ‘closet’ Hee-Haw lovers. (Mom, Dad, if you’re reading this, then just admit it…) I actually liked it myself. We would enjoy it most every Saturday at 6:00 p.m., especially when we went to Mama and Papa’s place. That was my only escape from the small chitchat and conversation, which isn’t really that good as an 8 year old anyway, so I was actually sparing my relatives from meaningless and forgetful conversation.

As I walked in I could just feel it. You know when you sit in a chair that has been recently occupied by someone else? The warmth that you feel is an immediate reminder that someone was there. This is what I felt. Honestly, the echoes of music and laughter and emotion caught up with me and for a brief moment I breathed in deep, like you do when you’re trying not to weep. My breath stammered a bit and I just closed my eyes and tried to see and hear those years of life being lived and sung about from the likes of Patsy Cline, Roy Acuff, Gene Autry, Bob Hope, Minnie Pearl, and yes, John Bon Jovi. I didn’t expect to be hit like that.

I wonder if my life will leave such an impression. I wonder if my church…or my Christian brothers and sisters could inhabit a place with such passion that the very presence of that passion lingers? I wonder. (Hebrews 12:1)

The only way I could remember it was to revert to my tourist tendencies, so Shelly took a picture.

Now, I can say that I have stood where they stood and I’ve seen some of what they’ve seen. I am glad that I could piggyback on the passion of their lives.

Of course, I took a picture of Shelly as well and thought, now that's passion!

The Core

I just got back from a Worship Conference in Nashville called the “Look to the hills conference.” Shelly and I were able to spend Wednesday through Sunday in the Tennessee hills communing with God and with each other. This was vastly different from the Chicago “Willow Arts Conference” that we went to back in June. The conference was about the ways in which we see our people and our church relating to the world. Although I was a bit disappointed with the organizational aspect of the entire week, I was encouraged by some of the content.

My wife has such a good way of seeing and putting things-so discerning. She has a gift. Something I can only hope to one day attain. But she said, some of these topics, the things talked about by Mike Cope, Jeff Walling and some of the other speakers hit right at the ‘core’ of what the message of God is all about. The Incarnation of Jesus - how can we be Jesus to the world? It was so poignant to me. I realized that at times Christians become disgusted with the world and with what our nation has become. We become upset at how TV has gotten so trashy and how films have become so frivolous with morality. I have heard voices of hatred for the world from some Christians…at times I have been that voice.

But, what I’m being reminded of is that Jesus did not hate the world. (John 3:17) He was not shocked by the world’s lack of morality. He Loved The World. And when he approached us he didn’t do it with an attitude of Judgment. He didn’t expect us to meet him where he was. He didn’t have make people see that he was God before he would get to know us. He lived his life in relationship with people. He lived his life respecting people and showing them their value.

That is what it means to be Jesus today. It may mean not caring if someone is Jehovah’s Witness, or Muslim or Hindu…It may mean respecting their past and building relationship with them. It may mean that we love them and not expect them to come to church with us. Being Jesus isn’t getting someone to see God and then moving along to someone or something else. It’s letting them see God through me. My life, my friendship and hospitality. Breaking bread shouldn’t be restricted to Christians. I should be inviting others to break bread with me. That’s what Jesus did. And when we talk about the core of Christianity, we’re talking about Jesus.