Markley's Blog

This is basically my first venture into a movie review.  I sat for just under two hours to watch one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.  God’s Not Dead is a fantastic portrayal of the struggle that a Christian encounter’s when defending their faith.

Our main character comes face to face with his Professor in his psychology class that has already come to the conclusion that God is dead. He wants to dispense with covering the subject of a higher power and would like his students to agree with him. He instructs them to write down three words on a piece of paper and sign it. Those three words are God is dead.

“I can’t do what you ask, I’m a Christian” our defender of the faith tells his teacher.   “Well why don’t you just go ahead and sign it and then you can go back to your dorm room and get down on your knees and ask for forgiveness”.

“I can’t do that “he repeats.

“Then you will have to defend your belief that your God is alive, in front of the class.”  And so that’s where our story begins.

As the story unfolds it does so masterfully. It’s a story that deals with the personal struggles of not just our main character but also takes us through the lives of different people who may believe, but struggle with the outcome.  It does not hit the viewer over the head with religion.  It’s done in a very simple way and yet with strong conviction, that at some point we will have to make a choice.  That choice is freely ours and that is also brought out beautifully in the movie.

The struggle of finding out that cancer has once again created havoc and fear, and the selfish desire’s that because of that invasion, that relationship comes to an abrupt end.  The choosing to believe in God and being thrown out of your home because of that decision.  A mother with dementia who miraculously shares with her son the danger of a life lived selfishly.

Our main character even has a girlfriend that tells him he needs to make a choice. It’s either defending his faith or it’s her.  Fortunately he decides to defend his faith.  It is a choice we all at some point may have to make. The movie is not as predictable as I thought it would be.  In fact I was totally shocked at one point that left me in an emotional state.

It is a must see for everyone and will answer questions for some, embolden others and as some characters in the movie, not convince them at all. But it does glorify God and at several moments in the movie He gets all the Glory.  You should see this movie!     

As the sun shines through my office window, I sit with a smile and exasperation that it’s been 2 days in a row with temperatures in the 30’s.  This has been a winter season I will never forget for a couple of reasons.  If you have read my blogs over the past year, you know that I had to change jobs.  The last job I had for 22 years and was safe from being exposed to the elements other that walking to and from my car into the building.  The 8 years before that was the same.  30 years of not dealing with the snow and cold. (Other than shoveling, plowing, or playing, in it).  Each day I would dread looking at the forecast.  Temps well below zero and snow amounts anywhere from 6 to 14 inches to fall on the area. A couple of pictures of the beauty it left on the property where I live. Even with the beauty the winter has been long and brutal.

It has been recorded that his has been the coldest and most accumulation of snow in over 30 years! Huh? Now I’m not sure if in previous post, I shared that I don’t believe in coincidence, but for the record I don’t. I also know that my world is not the only focus in God’s vision or plan.  I do believe that since I have been thankful and have shared how God was and continues to be very gracious with His provisions, I may be put to the test to continue being thankful when the elements have done their best to make me think otherwise.  You know that when we give praise to our God, a test may come to pass to see if the praise continues.  Just look at the life of Job.

Now I am not comparing my situation to Job’s or saying that I have encountered hardships in any kind of magnitude as Job. I do know that in scripture because God said that Job was a righteous man, the devil went before God and asked to challenge Job to remain faithful even in adversity. For someone like myself who did not have to work outside for the last 30 years and this has been the harshest winter in over 30 years it could make one say, huh?

Not only do I have to drive 17 miles one way during this historic winter, I have to also drive all day long thru the refinery to make deliveries.  Load a truck in the snow; push a two wheeled dolly thru snow, slush, ice, up and down slippery stairs. Shovel snow off a loading dock and away from a loading area so that I can get in and out of 2 other warehouses.  I’m not complaining, just showing how I could have just bemoaned my circumstances and hated my job instead of giving thanks. I believe the longer we give thanks for how God has or is blessing our lives and we give Him the praise, we may be challenged to see if the praise continues.   So I apologize for this winter where I live, and had to deal with.  As I stated earlier, I know the world does not revolve around just my life, but once again I have to say, huh!  I will continue to give thanks and praise Him for all He has done and will continue to do.

I know the snow will end, I just wonder what the summer will bring?  I apologize

Amazing, breathless, stupendous, speechless, moving, touching. Those are just a few key descriptive words I can use to tell you the joy it was to see the Tran Siberian Orchestra perform their concert entitled “The Lost Christmas Eve”.  Now if you have been a follower of my blogs you know my love for music.  To me music is the best way for me to experience and share my emotions.  I have been enjoying and listening to music, and making it a part of my life for over 40 years.  After typing those words out it made me travel back over all those years to reflect on how much music impacted my life.

Now I have written about all that before so I’m not going to waste your time rehashing what I have shared previously.  Just please go back and read my earlier blogs. I have seen over 70 acts live ranging from the Chicago Symphony to Kiss.  Jazz, Blues, Country, Blue Grass, to Hip-Hop, I have been exposed to it all. (A small side note, I just went back over my previous postings and realized I have not posted a couple of blogs regarding the issues I brought up, so I will post them and you will see what music really means to me and give this blog even more credibility).

This is a concert everyone should see.  Those who are lucky enough to go will be visually assaulted with one of the most amazing light show they will ever experience.  The amount of work and timing that is used in the production is mind boggling.  With the substance of the story along with the narration and the stellar musicianship the show comes to life and grabs your heart and makes you become part of the story.  There were several times when I just sat there and said “wow” as the show literally left me speechless.  The quality and craftsmanship of both the technical crew and the musicians was excellent.  You can tell that what was presented was meticulously worked to perfection.

Each vocalist from lead to backup could be heard without distortion and with such clarity.  The narrator’s emotion could be felt as he unfolded the story.   The instruments blended together with a sound that was crisp and clean.  With the sound being that clean, not once was there a time that it was too loud. No doubt this was a rock concert but, in comparison to what I have heard at concerts before this was pure ear candy.  There have been times where I would wear ear plugs at some concerts.  No need for it here.

If you have a chance to see them were you live, my recommendation is “please do” you will truly enjoy and be blessed.  The only drawback is that wherever they play they are only there for that one day.  So if you see that they are playing in your area or close enough to make a day of it, it would be worth the trip.  Best show I have ever seen.  Period!