Colts 31 Raiders 26

Sunday the Indianapolis Colts won the 3rd of 4 must win games (though because Jacksonville lost to Washington, the game wasn't really a must win) to win the AFC South crown and tie the Dallas Cowboy's record for most consecutive playoff births in a row at 9. If they can defeat the struggling Tennessee Titans this Sunday in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts may be considered a dangerous team in the playoffs.
Many are drawing comparisons to the 2006 team which won the Super Bowl. Though there are some similarities, there is no way I'm going there. Yes, in 2006, the Colts couldn't stop any team's running game, and then came on unbelievably in the playoffs with the return of Bob Sanders and his presence bolstered the run defense and even the top ground games in the league had difficulty getting yardage on the ground. The past 2 games the Colts have stymied two of the best running attacks in the league. The difference in 2006, the Colts were getting healthy.
This year the Colts can't get healthy if for no other reason many key players have been placed on injured reserve and won't be able to play until next year. Included in this group are Bob Sanders, Melvin Bullitt, Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzales, Austin Collie, and Jerraud Powers. These are just top contributers and doesn't include players like Tom Santi and Jamie Silva who have made contributions to this team. Others like Kelvin Hayden and Clint Session are still waiting to be cleared to play.
On the encouraging side, the Colts have all of a sudden developed a running game of their own. The Colts racked up 191 yards on the ground against the Raiders with Dominic Rhodes doing the most damage. Donald Brown made some nice runs in limited action and Joseph Addai returned and ran strong. The Colts offensive line has begun to open up holes for the backs and are beginning to look like a better unit. The 191 rushing yards exceeded the Colts passing yardage (179), a rare occurance.
Maybe a more significant outcome of the game is that no Colt player was injured, though Antoine Bethea gave Colts's fans a scare when he went to the sidelines after a play that left him in pain on the field.
All of this bodes well but if the Colts lose Sunday against Tennessee and Jacksonville wins, the Colts will be watching the playoffs on TV.
Looking ahead to the game, the Colts should win. The Titans are in disarray, but Jeff Fisher is a good coach with his back against the wall and he has nothing to lose and could be unconventional . In the past, he has tried many unconventional tactics in his battles with Indianapolis. One year, he started the game with an onside kick and kept trying onside kicks after scores. I wouldn't be surprised if he went for it on every fourth down this year.
Gear up Colts. This one is another must win game.

Merry Christmas

Christmas means many things to many people throughout the world. For some it is a time for families to gather together; for some it is exchanging presents; for some it is decking the halls and Santa Claus. For children, the anticipation of waking up in the morning and finding gifts under the Christmas tree is one of the great joys of childhood.

I find it interesting we make a big deal about giving and receiving presents on Christmas, yet there are very few gifts I remember from Christmas' past. What I do remember is more personal.

I vividly remember sitting in a rocking chair in the living room of the house I grew up in (I was in my early teens) and the lights were out except for the color wheel projecting panels of color against the silver Christmas tree, the ceiling and the walls. Christmas music played on the stereo and I felt a wonderful peace listening to "Silent Night" while watching the alternating beams of color paint the room.

I remember one Christmas, I couldn't have been more than eight or nine, I woke up very early before my parents and I found my grandfather in our family room leaning over a train set that had been set up. He was watching the Lionel engine run in circles following the simple track layout.

I know the joy of spending Christmas with a loving wife and I know the joy of watching my boys filled with excitement early Christmas mornings eager to open the gifts under the tree.

For more than 25 years the tradition for my family was to spend Christmas day at my Aunt Barbara's home in Sheridan, Indiana. I could always expect a great meal , wonderful conversation, laughs, probably a card game and without a doubt a photo shoot. Barbara and Norman were perfect hosts, making everyone comfortable and providing an outstanding spread. At the end of the day it was difficult saying goodbye.

When Jason was younger, one Christmas, he asked me if I knew Xmas is often substituted for Christmas. I paused, recollecting a moment shared with my mother a long time ago. After we saw a Merry Xmas sign displayed on a neighbors lawn, she shared "The term Xmas, as far as I'm concerned is a terrible thing. It takes Christ out of Christmas. It is His birth we celebrate, afterall." I echoed my mother's comments to my son.

Yes, Christmas is all these things to me and everyone has their own special memories, but my thoughts now expand on the celebration of God's own Son coming into this sin stained world.

For everything that babe in a manger represents, when I think of Christmas, I not only see a babe dressed in swaddling clothes being worshiped by shepherds, but I consider what it must have been like for God-- the Creator of all things to humble Himself and take on human flesh.

When I think of Christmas I consider the man Jesus growing up, living sinlessly, ministering to others, performing miracles and teaching the truths of God's Word.

When I think of Christmas, I think of Jesus, the God/Man obedient to the Father allowing himself to be nailed to a cross in order to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

When I think of Christmas, I think of Jesus' glorious resurrection. He is a living Savior, intereceding for me everyday, keeping me, never leaving or forsaking me.

When I think of Christmas, I think of Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords soon to return and establish His Kingdom on earth.

So let me rejoice as the angels did sing that first Christmas day. For unto us is born a savior-- He is Christ the Lord.

Sunday Message- "The Greatest", Colts Back in First

"The Greatest"
John 3:16
Pastor Paul Woodruff


John 3:16 is the heart of Christmas

It is the great salvation spoken of in Hebrews 2:3 "How will we escape if we neglect so GREAT a Salvation?"


God....The Greatest Lover
1 Corinthians 13
Nobody Loves Like God

God Is LOVE- !
John 4: 8-10 "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is Love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

God is the consumate lover of our Souls


So Loved...The Greatest Degree
God's love can't be measured- It is infinite


The World...The Greatest number
People Are what really matter
All persons who have ever lived & will ever live- God loves them all


That He Gave... The greatest Act
The one act that supercedes every act ever done- God gave His only Son @ the Cross
Deity took on Humanity that He would go to the cross


His Only Begotten Son... The Greatest Gift
No One like the eternal Son Of God- God's ONLY Son
No Gift can compare
John 4:10"Jesus answerd and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink" you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."


Whosoever...The Greatest Invitation
Anyone can come- Whereever your from, whatever your station or situation
Revelation 22:17 "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come..."


Believes...The greatest Simplicity
Belief is in the reach of anyone
It is so simple people stumble over it- They want to add to it.
The rich young ruler asked What shall I do"
Romans 10:19-10 "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;"


In Him...The Greatest person
Jesus is the Greatest Person Ever.
Wisest, Kindest, Sinless
One day every knee shall bow to Him


Shall Not Perish...Greatest deliverance
Jesus delivers us from perishing
from the wrath of God
from hearing "depart from me accursed one"


But...Greatest difference
Believer--- Unbeliever
saved--- Unsaved
Heaven--- Hell
Glory--- Misery


Have... The Greatest certainty
All Those who accept Christ HAVE eternal life
1 John 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
I have more certainty of having eternal life that what will happen tomorrow


Eternal Life...The Greatest possession
Greatest gift we can receive
If we have eternal life but nothing else we have everything
If we have all things but not eternal live we have nothing

"For What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36


The Greatest Need is Salvation

The Greatest Mistake is Refusing- the free gift of eternal life

The Greatest Tragedy is Perishing when one needs not

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Colts 34 Jags 24

The Colts put themselves in the driver's seat toward defending their AFC South Division title with a victory Sunday. With victories over Oakland and Tennessee they will be assured of a dvision title and a home game against one of the wild cards in the playoffs.

Credit needs to first go out to the defense for limiting Maurice Jones Drew and the Jags vaunted running attack to just 67 yards and then to the Colts ground game for totaling 155 yards of their own. Donald Brown led the running game with 129 yards and a touchdown. Two of his runs accounted for 49 yards and 43 yards, the second was for a touchdown.

Early in the game it was the Peyton Manning to Austin Collie show as Collie scored twice on Manning passes. Unfortunately, Collie was again knocked out of the game with a concussion. It is unclear whether Austin will return this season and I wouldn't blame him if he decided to move on away from football. Multiple concussions could have terrible consequences. It is quite a shame as the Colts are a much better team when he is on the field. It is clear Peyton trusts him and Austin has become an explosive part of the offense.

All in all it was a good performance by the Colts. Give the Jaguars credit; they didn't give up and they did make it interesting up until they failed an onside kick which bounced into Tyrone Hagler's hands and he took it in for a touchdown. A good time out by Coach Caldwell just before the kick was instrumental in exposing what the Jaguars were up to.

The Colts will need to keep up the intensity when they face a good Raiders team in Oakland.

Sunday Message, 12/12/10, Colts win on Thursday

Guaranteed Glory
Romans 8:28-39
Pastor Paul Woodruf

Major Theme of Romans 8- The Absolute Security of the believer
- vs 1- No Condemnation for those in Christ
- vs 39- No seperation from God
-Every genuine believer is guaranteed Glory

During our lives- lots of tragedy, trials & groanings vs 23
but through it all things will end in Glory
God promised those who come to Him will not be cast out
Jn 3:16-- EVERLASTING Life

3 Fold Guarantee of Our Glory

1.) Perfection of God's Plan guarantees our Glory
"Those Whom"-- all those He foreknew & Predestined are Glorified
It is a done deal- all of God- All according to His perfect plan
If all of God- He won't lose any

1 Peter 1:20 -21 "For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

vs 29-30-- Plan
Forknow
Predestined
Called
Justified
Glorified

These all go together- can't have 1 without the others
In light of this the whoms refer back to Romans 8:28
Everything works for good- the good- conforming to the image of Christ
God's purposes can't be thwarted - He secures the present & the future

When we are in Glory we will be able to see how things worked together for good.

2.) The Provision of God guarantees our Glory
5 questions
1.) What shall we say to these thing? vs 31- refers to the teachings in Romans 1-8
2.) If God is for us, who can be against us?
The All Powerful, All Knowing, Creator of all things, The Holy, eternal God trumps all
3.) How will He not freely give us all things
If God didn't spare His own Son- There is nothing He would not give
4.) Who will bring a charge against God's Elect? vs 33 Who is the one who condemns?

Satan is the accuser of the brethren to no avail Rev 12:10

5.) Who will seperate us from the love of Christ?

None of the following can seperate us from the love of Christ
tribulation
distress
persecution
famine
nakedness
peril
the sword
death
life
angels
principalities (demons)
things present
things to come
powers
height
depth
any created thing

Our guarantee rests on Jesus, Not us

3.) Provision of His love guarantees our glory
vs 39
One must come to Jesus to experience God's saving love & then you become His child & this love is unending & eternal & nothing can seperate us from the love of Christ


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Colts 30 Titans 28

Last Thursday the Colts took the first step in the final stretch to reach the playoffs. Peyton Manning returned to form to lead the Colts offense and the defense caused enough havoc early on to disrupt the Titans. A key to the game was the Colts running game getting enough touches to keep Tennesse off balance, helping to open up the passing game. The game wasn't really as close as the final score indicates and it sets up the big game on Sunday the 19th with the Jacksonville Jaguars for first place in the South Division and the likelihood of a playoff birth.

It appears the Colts are going to have a few of their key players back for the Jacksonville game but the Jaguars always play the Colts tough and the Colts will need every able bodied man.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

1925

Dir: Rupert Julian

Lon Chaney

Mary Philbin

Universal, after the success of The Hunchback of Notre Dame found a second vehicle for a super jewell film starring Lon Chaney in Gaston Leroux's novel The Phantom of the Opera. The film became the one most asociated with Chaney probably because of the famous makeup he created for the title role.

An eyewitness early in the movie describes the Phantom's features. "His eyes are ghastly beads in which there is no light- like holes in a grinning skull! His face is like a leprous parchment, yellow skin strung tight over protruding bones! His nose- there is no nose!"

In Mark A Vieira's book, Hollywood Horror from Gothic to Cosmic, he describes Chaney's task creating the Phantoms appearance. "He made a chalky cranium by means of a skullcap that had a wig sewn onto it. He glued his ears back, used his cotton-and-collodian technique to raise false cheekbones and hollowed his eye sockets with dark makeup. He molded snaggle teeth with a hard dental rubber called gutta-percha. Creating a nose that was not there was his greatest challenge....Working with a combination of fish skin, spirit gum, and wires, Chaney pulled his nose so high that it looked as if it had rotted away. "It's an art not magic.' Chaney said later. 'I achieved the death's head of that role without wearing a mask. It was the use of paints in the right shades and the right places- not the obvious parts of the face- which gave the complete illusion of horror."

The well known story concerns an understudy, Christine Daae, played by Mary Philbin in a production of Faust at the Paris Opera House which is purported to be haunted by a Phantom.

The Phantom has fallen in Love with Christine and takes measures to propell her to stardom including terrorizing the Opera if his demands are not met.

After toppling the great chandelier on the audience during a performance, the Phantom whisks Christine away and take her to his lair in the subterranean catacombs beneath the Paris Opera House. The Phantom's lair includes a coffin in the bedroom and an adjoining torture chamber.

The Phantom, named Erik, warns her never to look upon his face but her curiosity gets the better of her and she pulls away his mask revealing his face. Christine falls down in terror as Erik proclaims "Feast your eyes- glut your soul, on my accursed ugliness!"

The Phantom frees her with the warning not to engage with her fiance. At the Masked Ball, she unites with her lover, Raoul De Chagney. Erik observes there interaction as he is disguised as the Red Death in a remarkable color sequence of the film taking place on the grand staircase of the Opera House. This leads to the Phantom again capturing Christine and the resultant conflict with Raoul and the investigating inspector.

Chaney is again spectacular in the lead role and the success of The Phantom of the Opera would certainly influence Universal's later leap into the horror film genre in the early 1930s.

Watch the unmasking scene below.

Sunday Message, Colts Recap, The Phantom of the Opera

Sunday Message 12/5/10
"Willing Spirit, Weak Flesh"
Romans 7:14-8:4
Pastor Paul Woodruff




We often want to do what is right but are too often weak doing it
Most people including Christians feel this way
The apostles when they wanted to be up praying and watching while Jesus was in the Garden fell asleep- Their flesh was weak and overruled what their spirit wanted

This passage in Romans 7 has differing opinions
one side believes in this passage Paul is writing of his experience before he was a Christian
the other side believes he is writing of his experience as a Christian
of these some believe this is a normal experience of all Christians & it is inevitable & we can look forward to deliverance

others believe this is the carnal Paul still trying to keep the law without the Holy Spirit &
teaches we shouldn't be like this

others believe this is Paul the Godly Mature Man who any sin causes him to feel wretched

The older traditional view is that this is Paul the Jew- the Pharisee under the conviction of the Holy Spirit but not yet saved.


more modern view is this is Paul the Christian they point to Paul using the present tense

1.) Paul's Proclamation vs 14
The Law defined what sin is and it caused man to rebell- an instrument of death
but the Law was spiritual- reflecting God's Holiness
Man is of the Flesh- having been sold under sin & into slavery Rom 3:9
vs 14 is present tense but could have been used as a flash back


bottom Line-GOD IS HOLY & SPIRITUAL & MAN IS OF THE FLESH--ATTACHED TO SIN




2.) Paul's Exasperation vs 18
"For know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not."

Paul just finished writing how we are free- so why would he now try to keep the law unaided by the Spirit?-- this argues for flashback>>Human weakness for the Mosaic Law to rescue man from the power of sin & death-- It plunges man into deeper despair & then God uses the Law to cause man to look for a redeemer.

As Paul looked at the Law he became more frustrated & exasperated causing him to look for the redeemer

Galatian 5:17-18 written before Romans "For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law."

Whether Paul is writing about himself as he was before coming to Christ or after- either way

There is a battle between the old nature and the New Nature
The old nature is present trying to bring up sinful desires, thoughts etc.
The old nature keeps sucking us down & dwells in us vs 20
Given a chance it will take over everything & enslave us

But now we have a new Master & Lord- so we don't have to yield to sin

Sincerity isn't enough TRYING just brings about Exasperation-- we can't win in the flesh

3.) The Exclamation
"WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM"-- "WHO WILL SET ME FREE"

- word free- total deliverance

Body of this death-- we use our bodies to sin resulting in sin
through salvation or through the resurrection (could be either) Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ & through Him there is no condemnation & free from death

only grace can save- and through Jesus can we walk according to the Spirit- 8:4-5

Outline
Romans 7:5- EXPLAINS PAULS' OWN EXPERIENCE IN ROM 7
ROMANS 7:6- EXPLAINS THE EXPERIENCE IN ROMAN 8

The battle with the flesh intensifies after you become a Christian
It is not enoughto put a mask of Spiritual victory on
Though we may have peace, we still are in the midst of battle and there will be defeats

The battle will not be all victories or all defeats

Listen to the Message http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx




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Cowboys 38 Colts 35

The game was exciting but alas the Colts again come away with a loss. Let's face it this years team just isn't as good as we've come to expect. Yeah there have been alot of injuries and much adversity- more than their share -but this year the Colts are making mistakes that are just killing them. The biggest one in my opinion was when the defense stopped Dallas from scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter giving up just a field goal which put Dallas up by two with plenty of time on the clock but a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct call on the field goal attempt gave Dallas a first down instead and another chance at the touchdown which they scored and produced a two point conversion putting them up by 7.

Had the Colts been down by just the 2 points, as it should have been, they would have won in regulation when they marched down the field for their final touchdown.

I'm not going to complain about Reggie Wayne's dropped first down that would have kept a drive alive after the Colts got the ball first in OT- otherwise he had a great game.

Manning continues to press. No running game continues to lead to him throwing when he probably shouldn't and again it led to bad interceptions including 2 more pick 6s.

What a disappointment. These little recaps are getting more difficult to write after losses.

We have certainly been spoiled over the past 10 years.


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Sunday Message, Bolts 36 Colts 14

Sunday Message
"Married To Another
Romans 7:1-12
Pastor Paul Woodruff

The Gospel is the opposite of merit based on performance
This concept is even hard for Christians to grasp
We often measure God's approval by how we are doing and our performance
There is never a time, either before or after salvation that God's blessing is based on our performance
When we realize our relationship with God is based on a Love relationship instead then we are liberated
Neither Justification or Sanctiication is Law Based (performance)

1. Paul illustrates our release from the Law
--- uses the marriage relationship as an illustration
When a woman's husband dies, he no longer has jurisdiction over her- she is free
Death ends the relationship- she can marry another
We have died to the Law through Jesus Christ-- We're Free
The Law has no more requirement of us
Romans 8:3-4 "For what the law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

This was troubling to the Jews-- They wanted to stay married to the Law
It was shocking to them that righteousness didn't come through the law.

The Law arouses sinful passions-- Rom 7:5
Their response-- Is the Law sinful?

2. Paul's vindication of the Law
Rom 7:12-- The Law Is Holy, Righteous and Good
Nothing wrong with it
What is its purpose?
1. The Law Reveals the true nature of sin
--Rebellion against God & how serious it is vs 13
Paul came to this conclusion from his own struggle with covetousness

2. The Law exposes sin for what it is
-- It reveals the sin of anger concluding in murder
-- it reveals the sin of lust concluding in adultery

3. The Law reveals Man's Animosity for God
-- when something is forbidden- we tend to seek it out

The problem is with the heart not the Law

The Law is Good but it is weak

"Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith" Galatians 3:24

Believers have been widowed & now are free having been remarried to serve in newness of Spirit- to Christ-- A Marriage made in Heaven.

Because we are married to our Lord
1. We share in His Person
we take His Name- CHRISTIAN-- (CHRIST ONE)
His name is above every name

2. We Share in His Position
Eph 2:6 - seated in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus

3. We share in His Possessions
Eph 2:7 "The surpassing riches of his Grace"
1 Corinthians 3:21-- all things belong to us

4. We Share In His Power
Rom 7:4- the Power of His Resurrection

5. We come under His Protection
He will never leave us or forsake us
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San Diego 36- Indianapolis 14

YUK! That's all i Have to say.

Patriots 31 Colts 28, Sunday message

Patriots 31 Colts 28

I really didn't want this game to eat me up but it found a way. My expectation going in was the Colts would have a difficult time and I was just hoping they would have a respectable showing. Throughout the game that was what it appeared was going to happen. Then in the fourth quarter the Colts really came alive and had a chance to win at the end of the game before Peyton Manning threw a game ending interception. It was his third of the game. In spite of the picks he played an outstanding game nearly pulling off the upset. Manning was understandably upset afterwards taking the blame for the 3 bad throws. This though was a team loss. The defense couldn't stop the Patriots until the 4th quarter. Special teams failed to give the Colts any kind of field position. Again Austin Collie went out in the first quarter because the Colts were being careful with their young receiver not risking him to further injury. And of course, the player I so love to be annoyed with, Ryan Deem, again failed to hold back the right sided rush of the Patriots well enough and got called with another penalty during a crucial drive. If they had lost in a way I expected them to it would have been an easier pill to swallow.


Sunday Message
"Victory Over Sin"
Romans 6:15-23
by Pastor Paul Woodruff

the question- Shall we committ sin now that we are under Grace? Paul's response NO!

Thanks Be to God- The Victory is already Won vs 17
WERE Slaves of Sin- Past tense vs17, 20
Romans 8:1 "Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"

The Prospect of Victory over Sin vs 15-23
Victory in the battle over sin's desire to master us
v12- Don't let sin reign v14 Sin won't be master
Every command to not sin carries with it the prospect for victory
The Grace of God gives me the victory over sin & no sin is so powerful it can't be defeated by the grace of God
I Can Sin Less in This life & Have More Victories Over It

The Profit In Victory Over Sin
We were slaves to Sin - Now Free
John 8: 34-36 "Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."
The Benfit-- As Sinners we reap the deeds of the flesh - immorality, impurity, enmities, strife etc Galatians5:18-21
-- As Believers the Benefits are- Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- Gal 18:22-23

The principle of Victory over Sin
vs 18 we will serve 1 or the other-- if not sin then God which results in sanctification vs 19
Sin masters the unbeliever
1st- willingly obey sin, thus presenting ones body as object of impurity reasulting in further lawlessness- Sin Masters drawing further into sin.--vs vs 19 DOWNWARD SPIRAL
When we sin it dulls our conscience & clouds our reason & stimulates more sin.

opposite
When we willingly obey God each step of obedience strengthens ourselves in sanctification and we grow stronger and become seperated from sin.

The Power for Victory Over Sin
The Power Comes from God
2 views
1. "Let Go & Let God" view or the Passive view
2. The Discipline view

Really should be God's Power working in our faith
OBEDIENCE RESULTS IN GOD"S POWER

As I Depend on God, He will enable me to have the power needed

PSALM 119: 133 ""Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me."
don't let any sin have any power over me

Every step I take contributes to strengthening or weakening me

To listen to the message go to:
http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx


Pick an area of life where you want see victory and commit it to god to bring the victory

Thriller of the Week- Warning Shadows

Schatten: Eine Nachtliche Halluzination

Warning Shadows A Nocturnal Hallucination

1923

Director: Arthur Robeson

I had only known of this film from reading the entry in the Overlook Film Encyclopedia- Horror Edition until recently when I decided to watch it the other night. In spite of no intertitles and a slow introduction of the characters before the story begins, I quickly found myself mesmerized by the images flashing before me. Interestingly this happens to the characters in the story when a travelling showman arrives and puts on a shadowplay for the observers.

Prior to the showman's arrival we witness a man and his wife hosting a dinner party. The woman's vanity is on display as she primps in front of mirrors and flirts with the guests. In one particular scene, she stands in front of a room divider posing for three of her male guests. The men approach her shadow imposed on the wall and begin to fondle the shadow pervertedly. From another room, the woman's husband watches the shadows of the men interacting with her shadow . The trick of the lighting creating the illusion of the men actually groping his wife.

The woman obviously likes the attention she is receiving by all of the men who have come to the party. During dinner one particular young man begins to make subtle advances and the husband begins to show some signs of jealousy and irritation. The entertainer arrives and begins to present a shadowplay. During the play, something comes over the audience (the characters' shadows blend into their bodies, which are transported to the other side of the table. A collective vision ensues which begins the second half of the film as the mass hallucination reveals what the outcome of the woman's flirting and her husband's resultant jealousy will reap.

Shadows and reflections abound in this film, creating a hallucinatory atmosphere for the viewer. It is highly stylized and is another good example of German Expressionism.

Metropolis 1927

I haven't seen Avatar and have very little desire to do so, but I did get to see the best science fiction film of 2010, as it was in 1927- Metropolis.

I recently had a chance to see the fully restored version and am so impressed I couldn't wait to jot down a few of my thoughts.

I don't remember much of my first viewing of Metropolis. I was much younger and hadn't yet come to appreciate silent films. I didn't care for it much. Looking back, there was much to dislike. The film was disjointed, at times illogical and difficult to follow. This isn't surprising since well over 30 minutes of the film had been cut from what had premiered in Berlin back in 1927. Fritz Lang's vision had been butchered and the missing footage had been thought lost forever.

Freder and Maria (The wonderful Brigitte Helm who would play both the good girl as well as the robotic bad girl)

Numerous attempts had been made to restore the film starting in the 1980s. My admiration for Metropolis began with a 1984 restoration by Giorgio Moroder. Moroder was able to restore some of the missing scenes and interspersed stills and art to fill in for some of the missing footage. Most of all he introduced a soundtrack made up of pop/ rock music from contemporary artists like Queen and Pat Benatar. The music added a whole new life to the film and helped move the story along in spite of the missing footage.

In 2001 the film was digitally restored with the original orchestral score by the Murnau Foundation. Its running time of 124 minutes was the most complete version of the film to date. It was a beautful restoration. The art direction, special effects and Karl Freund's groundbreaking camerawork could be appreciated more fully.

(The vast underground machines run by the downtrodden workers of Metropolis)

In 2008 a copy of the film was discovered in Argentina. This copy though in very rough shape, contained nearly every minute of lost footage. It was sent to the Murnau Foundation and the additional footage was spliced back into the 2001 edition and for the first time since 1927 Metropolis was presented as originally intended by Fritz Lang.

Just over a week ago this restored version was presented on Turner Classic Movies and I now have an even greater admiration for not only what is one of the greatest science fiction films of all time but what may be one of the greatest films period. Even now this film comes across as groundbreaking.

(Rotwang and the machine-man prior to giving it the image of Maria)

The added footage is essential for this story. The film is much more fluid. It transitions appropriately but best of all so much more is revealed. New subplots are revealed. New characters are introduced. Characters are more complex. The character of Rotwang, for example, is merely a mad scientist in the previous versions, but in this restored version his motivations, and how they effect his relationship with Joh Fredersen, the manager of Metropolis, are revealed. I will refrain from telling more details and plot points here as I wouldn't want to spoil any piece of this incredible movie.

(Who is this mysterious figure not seen since the film was orginally presented)

If you desire to read more about the plot and other aspects of the film, the Wikipedia entry is well put together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(film)

For more on the film and the new restoration go to

http://www.kino.com/metropolis/main.html

Next week a return to 1923

Sunday Message, Colts 23 Bengals 17

"Shall We Sin"
Romans 6
by Pastor Paul Woodruff

Paul's response to "Shall we sin"--"MAY IT NEVER BE!' "GOD FORBID!"

Chapters 6-9- Paul explains our Sanctification 6:19, 22

God doesn't cause us to live in sin but He Delivers Us Fron Sin's Power to Live For Him

Justifying Grace says all our sins are paid for & guarantees Eternal Life
Romans 6:1--Paul anticipates the abuse of Grace-- He is shocked.
Paul sees sinning so grace can increase as a moral impossibility
We can't continue in the same lifestyle since we have died to it.
TITUS 2:11-15
Grace instructs us & moves us into the realm of sanctification- purifying us

We Have to Know What Has Happened to Us
v6- DIED TO SIN
doesn't mean we won't sin-- it means we are dead to the relationship we once had with sin.
vs 20--Sin had been our master we were its slave
Now we are free
We've been seperated from our state in Adam

When Did This Happen?
vs 3 This Baptism is a reality not a symbol- not water baptism
This is Spirit Baptism--1Corinthians 12:13- takes place when one believes
Colossians 1:13 happens at Spirit Baptism
Taken out of Adam & into Christ

Why Did This Happen?
vs 4, 13
So we might walk in newness of Life
Eph 4 This is not sin nature but the old self which has died
We are now different- Alive in Christ- A new creation- so we don't continue in sin
We Can't Live the way we once did.
None of us live like we ought to live, but we're not where we once were
There has been a change- Sin is now a burden where we once enjoyed it.
This should bring Comfort, a Challenge & Caution
Because Christ died for me living a life of sinfulness should bring moral outrage from within.

To Listen to the message go to
http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx
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Colts 23- Bengals 17
The Colts didn't so much win this game; The Bengals lost it.
The M.A.S.H. unit called the Indianapolis Colts managed to hold off Cincinnati to bring their record to 6-3 and coupled with a Tennessee Titans loss to Miami gain sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
Five turnovers brought down the Bengals as the Colts offense struggled. Only 2 wide receivers(Reggie Wayne & Pierre Garcon) who were on the roster at the beginning of the season dressed for this game. Austin Collie (concussion) & Anthony Gonzales (Knee & on IR) watched from the sidelines along with TE Dallas Clark. Give Jacob Tamme credit for another excellent effort subbing for the all-pro Clark. The number 1 & 3 running backs (Joseph Addai & Mike Hart) watched also. This doesn't lead to much continuity and rhythm in an offense that thrives on it.
Undoubtedly, bringing players in late in the week to fill in for the injured disrupts practice and in an offense like the Colts practice is so very necessary. It also means players like Garcon need to do a better job of catching the ball. Way too many dropped passes in this game
The defense was also depleted by injury. The top 2 linebackers (Gary Brackett & Clint Session) had to sit out because of injury and the defense has been short in the secondary with Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt out as well as Nickel Back (Justin Tryon). The Colts did get CB Jerraud Powers back and that is important as the defense appears to be much better when he's in the game. The defense picked it up and key plays were made by guys who weren't even on this team at the beginning of the season.
The Colts continue to scratch & claw, surviving until the starters can get healthy. Next Week at New England

Sunday Message 11/7/10

"WHO ARE YOU IN"
by Pastor Paul Woodruff
Romans 5:12-21

2 Men of Destiny ADAM JESUS
2 responses Disobedience Obedience
2 Consequences Death unto all men Life unto all men

In Adam All Die-- In Christ All Live-- Who Are You In?

Those in ADAM

1 Cor 15:45-47 "So also it is written, 'The first man, Adam, became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven."-- Prior to being a living being, Adam was dirt.

Historical act of disobedience is recorded in Genesis 2-3
-- Adam disobeyed God's clear command-- he made the choice to put his will over God's command
All sin begins when we are unwilling to listen to God.
This disobedience brought sin into the world &
Death came into the world through Adam's sin-- Sin & Death work hand in hand
Death is the penalty for sin
side note: (There can be no pre-adamic race because since death came into the world through Adam's sin no one could have died before Adam)

Romans 5:12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned--"
Adam the representative of the human race let sin & death touch everyone
We are born with a sin nature- our inheritance being born in Adam
Think about it. No one has to teach a child how to lie, how to be selfish or how to throw fits.
It comes naturally.- We are born with a sin nature.
By being born we inherit a sin nature guaranteeing we will sin & then die
This death is both physical and Spiritual
When Adam sinned, he died spiritually on the spot and was seperated from God
His physical death came much later.

THOSE IN JESUS
Phillipians 2:8 "Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

Romans 5:18 picks up where 5: 12 left off.
Jesus is the Remedy
In Jesus we reap the abundant gifts of God

In ADAM In JESUS
a sinner made righteous
Condemnation for a single sin Justification (blots out a multitude of sin)
Die Live & Reign
get what you deserve Abounding Grace

vs 17 those who receive are the many in the latter part of vs 19
this passage doesn't teach universal salvation-- it is a gift to those who believe
Man earns his condemnation but one receives the gift of eternal life by being born again in Christ

3 LESSONS

1. The Terrible consequences of Sin
--Adam listened to the voice of temptation
Satan said "you surely shall not die"
--Sin always carries greater consequences than we think
Don't listen to it

2. The Wonderful Prospects of Grace
-- The Lord will bring those who receive to abundant life

3. The powerful message for the world
people are in sorrow & depression- troubled because of sin & death
Those who know Christ have the remedy
Romans 10:14-15

To Listen to the message go to:
http://http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Eagles 26 Infirmary er Colts 24

The Colts had a mighty huge hill to climb to beat the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were at home and coming off a bye. They are a good football team with a good coach. They were once again healthy as Michael Vick and Deshean Jackson returned from injury.

The Colts on the other hand are the most beat up team in Football. They added Clint Session to the already long list of wounded and unable to play for this game. Other players who couldn't play that started last week were Running Back Mike Hart, Corner Justin Tryon and Anthony Gonzales is now out for the season with a knee injury. This on a list that includes Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Jerraud Powers and Melvin Bullit and Bob Sanders.

Donald Brown is trying to come back from injury but doesn't look 100% leaving 4th string running back Javaris James to do a lot of the heavy lifting.

In addition, Austin Collie suffered a concussion late in the first half after he was knocked unconscious after a devastating hit by the Eagles secondary (The hit looked legal in spite of the penalty, by the way.) Collie had to be carried off on a stretcher but later it was reported he was sitting up and alert.

How much more can one team take.

The Colts didn't do theselves any favors by spotting the Eagles 10 points, but they fought back to gain a 17-16 lead at half time. Unfortunately big plays did the Colts in. They played with heart (not Hart) and had a slim chance at the end with 43 seconds left but were unable to make the plays to get downfield for a chance at a field goal and the game was over when Manning was picked off on a 4th and very long with 3 seconds remaining.

Fortunately for the Colts, they remain tied with Tennessee for first in the division at 5- 3 as Houston lost to San Diego. No one is pulling away in the AFC as New England also lost leaving them with 2 losses.

The Colts do need to heal fast or this season will soon get away from them.

Thriller- The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923

Thriller of the Week:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1923

Dir: Wallace Worsley
Starring: Lon Chaney
with: Patsey Ruth Miller


To say The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a horror movie is in reality a stretch. It should be considered more rightly a historical drama. Nevertheless, it has been thought of as a horror movie for some time. I even had the Aurora monster model of the Hunchback as a kid. Need there be more proof.

The story takes place during the reign of Louis the IX in Paris. The Hunchback is the bellringer at the cathedral of Notre Dame. As the title cards declare, he is "Deaf- half blind-shut off from his fellow men by his defornities. The bells were the only voice of his groping soul." Another card declared "To the townspeople he was an inhuman freak, a monsterous joke of nature-- and for their jeers he gave them scorn and bitter hate." Lon Chaney did a remarkable job playing both of these Quasimodo traits. He was able to aptly portray the tortured sympathetic hunchback and at the same time give Quasimodo a resultant hatred for those he was in conflict with.

Chaney's makeup for Quasimodo is famous including a reported 40-70 pound hump he carried on his back. Chaney's athleticism again is showcased as he climbs ropes and leaps around with the added weight-- a truly remarkable performance.

The film tries to include the many subplots of Victor Hugo's novel, including the mad woman who 's child had been kidnapped by gypsies and turns out to be Esmeralda's long lost mother.
Another subplot centered around Clopin the "King of the Beggars" who leads the townspeople to a revolt and a stampede of the cathedral.

But the main crust of the film surrounds the beautiful Esmeralda, played by Patsey Ruth Miller, and the trio of men who all desire her.
Jehan lusted after Esmeralda, Quasimodo loved her for the kindness she showed him and Phoebus, a soldier, fell in love with her at first sight and she returned her love to him.

A particularly famous and moving scene involves Quasimodo after being sentenced to flogging is chained to a wheel in the center of town and he is beaten. The scourging and Quasimodo's cry out of "I Thirst" might cause some to recall Christ's scourging. It is Esmeralda who takes drink to the beaten hunchback.

The story depicts the injustice of the king's court again when after Jehan stabs Phoebus, Esmeralda is framed for the crime and she is "put to the question" as was synonomous with middle ages torture. She eventually confesses to the crime under torture and it is up to Quasimodo to rescue her from her fate.

The movie was considered a "Super Jewell" for Universal and became a super success in 1923.
Irving Thalberg was behind the production and he "had to convince Carl Laemmle to approve a number of Cinematic firsts: a six month shooting schedule; nineteen acres of sets, including streets with real cobblestones and a cathedral facade built to last; the hiring of a thousand technicians and the rental of every arc light in Hollywood for the filming of hundreds of extras in the biggest night-for-night scenes yet staged; a weekly salary of $2,500 for Chaney; and the unheard of budget of $1,250,00."1

1. Hollywood Gothic from Gothic to Cosmic, Mark A Vieira, 2003, Henry N Abrams Inc.

Election 2010

About a week before Tuesday's election I was polled over the phone about my preferences of some of the statewide candidates. One question asked was "Do you consider yourself Republican, Democrat or Independent?" I told the interviewer of the three, I would have to say Republican but I prefer to call myself conservative. Her response was interesting. She said she had a remarkable number of others respond the same way.

Exit polls from Tuesday's election show a growing number of persons identifying themselves as conservative. 41 % of the voters call themselves conservative, 39% moderate and 20% liberal

These numbers reflect what pollsters like Gallup & Rasmussen have been finding. More Americans now identify themselves as conservative than at anytime in modern history.

This surely was played out in the elections Tuesday. It appears the GOP picked up over 60 seats (61 at last count)in the House of Representatives thus becoming the majority and picked up 6 seats in the Senate decreasing the Democrats advantage to 53 -47. These were truly huge in scope. Many republicans lament that more seats could have been taken in the Senate but a 6 seat gain is double what would have been expected in a normal election. More importantly for Republicans was the number of Governors and statehouses that swung to their side particularly in key battleground states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. The U.S. map appears to have returned to what it looked like prior to 2006. Alot of blue in the northeast and along the west coast but Red across the heartland.

So, Why did this happen? Clearly this has to be a repudiation of the policies being pushed forward by President Obama and what has been for 4 years a left of center congress. The majority of Americans have been against Obamacare, the stimulus package and the cap and trade energy policies which were shoved forward in spite of the public disenchantment. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid ridiculed the public time and again for the public opposition. Democrats continually showed how out of touch our elected officials were with their constituents. In spite of what he says, Obama spoke to americans over and over trying to sell his health care plan and americans rejected it. Yet, Pelosi, Reid and the President did everything they could to garner votes for the legislation. The back room deals to force this legislation upon us angered americans across the country. The arrogance of the White House and Congress was appalling.
The United States has shown to be a center-right country and President Obama and Congress have governed far left of center. The past two years he has appeared to move the United States closer to the European Socialist model which has nearly caused the economic collapse of Europe. The Europeans are discovering the error of their ways and are pulling back from their policies of the past 20 years while Obama has wanted to steer us toward their failed agenda. Tuesday Americans rejected this over reliance on government to solve our problems.
Conservatives believe more power should be invested in the individual, not in government. Free markets need to be allowed to do what they do in order to create growth and job creation. Both sorely needed in the current economic climate.
Obama's incompetence in the face of Crisis hasn't helped his standing with the american people. This was best illustrated during the Oil disaster in the Gulf. Time and again, he mishandled the situation. Obama hasn't had the luxury of being a governor or holding any other administrative position for that matter and it clearly was evident.
How will Obama govern during the next two years? We shall see. Will he be like President Clinton, when during his first mid-term suffered similar defeats, and moderated his policies and worked with the more conservative congress to "End welfare as we know it" and state "The era of big government is over"or will he try to find more nefarious ways to further his more liberal agenda using executive orders? Time will tell.

Colt's Recap

Colts 31 Texans 17

There really isn't any truth to Peyton Manning being so good the Colts could put myself and my two sons out on the field with him and he would still find a way to win football games, but the reality isn't too far off. The Colts have been decimated with injuries on both offense and defense.

On offense they were missing Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai and Austin Collie. In addition Donald Brown was coming off injury and was limited. (Brody Eldridge would go down with injury early in the game.) This resulted in 3rd string running back, Mike Hart starting for the Colts (who would limp off the field in the fourth quarter) and Tight End, Jacob Tamme who had only caught 6 passes in his carreer with the Colts. Defensively, the Colts had already lost Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullit to injury and Monday starting defensive back Jerraud Powers and nickle back Jacob Lacey were scratched with foot injuries. Yet the Colts prevailed and took the AFC South lead away from the Houston Texans 31-17.

Peyton played another tremendous game conducting the orchestra that is the Indianapolis Colts. Offensively, Mike Hart showed so much tenacity running for 84 yards on 12 carries. His 35 yard run sparked the Colt's first touchdown drive but the best play he made in my opinion was on another drive that led to a touchdown. The pick up was only for about 5 yards but it was on third down and it appeared the Houston defense had stopped the play but Hart fought hard and made the first down. Hart showed Heart. Jacob Tamme equaled his career reception total and scored the Colts first touchdown. Oh yes, other Colts did their parts. Reggie Wayne did his usual admirable work and Pierre Garcon made a spectacular play when he caught a wide receiver screen that appeared to snuffed out by the Texan defense but Garcon turned it into positive yardage for a first down with Peyton, yes I wrote Peyton, leading the way blocking down field.

The defense applied pressure on Matt Scaub all evening. Dwight Freeney was named defensive player of the week for the outstanding way he pushed around the Texan offensive line capping the Colt's victory with his strip sack of Schaub when Houston was driving toward a touchdown late in the game. Clint Session was a man. He delivered a number of vicious hits. Even the special teams looked better and the insertion of Blair White returning punts appears to be a solved problem for the Colts.

For me though Bill Polian and the scouting team may be the MVPs for the Colts. No other team has been hit so hard with key player injuries like the Colts but players keep filling in and doing admirable jobs. The Colts do a great job of discovering talent with good attitudes, people who have the character to step in and get the job done.

It was a nice victory and agift to Tony Dungy as he was honored during half time by being placed in the Colt's ring of honor.

Sunday Message 10-31-10

10/31/10
"Blessed Assurance"
Romans 5:1-11
Message by Pastor Paul Woodruf

Romans 1-4 Doctrine of Justification by Faith
Romans 5-8 The Results of Justification by Faith

We can know with absolute certainty that we are saved and have eternal life
1 Jn 5:13 "These things I have written to you who believe in the anme of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life"

3 Great Truths That Give Us The Blessed Assurance

1.) We Have the Blessed Assurance of Peace With God 5:1
This is about FACT not FEELING
Christ's sacrifice satisfied God's Justice
The Sin issue is over for those who have put their faith in Christ-- an objective fact
Ephesians 2:14 "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall"
Colssians 1:19-23
Colossians 1:19-20 "For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;"

2.) We Have the Blessed Assurance of the Glory of God 5:2
We are standing in Grace before the Father
Eph 2:18 "for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to The Father"
Jude 24- We shall stand blameless before God with great Joy
Our hope is a confident expectation of Glory Heb 3:6
Rom 8:29-30
vs 3 Because we know- we exalt in tribulation knowing it proves our character & proves the genuineness of our Faith

3.) Blessed Assurance of the Love of God vs 5
God's love doesn't depend upon us.
vs 6-10-- Though we were sinners and unlovable God still loses us
God shows us on Calvary the proof of His love for us.
His love for us isn't related to our works either before or after we are saved
Nothing can seperate us from God's love Romans 8:31-39

To Listen to the message go to:
http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Thriller of the Week-- HAXAN

Thriller of the week: HAXAN (Witchcraft Through the Ages)

Director: Benjamin Christensen

year: 1922

Haxan is at its core a documentary of Witchcraft and the Inquisition. Danish film-maker Benjamin Christensen told the history of witchcraft and the inquisition at times using what can best be described as slide show presentations combined with dramatizations with the title cards used to narrate. When the film was later developed for American audiences and titled Witchcraft Through the Ages in the 1960's a narrator's voice over is used to describe the content. Haxan is divided into 7 chapters.

The first chapter is a lecture using paintings, drawings, woodcuts and models to relate the beginnings of the superstitions and history of demons, witches and Hell.

The film then dramatizes a number of vignettes regarding the superstitions. We see a witch preparing a concoction of toads and snakes when a local woman approaches her for a love potion.

The witch tells her the brew would need to be made of "Cat feces and dove hearts boiled in the moonlight". Another vignette depicts body snatchers and then a number of dramatizations take place showing interactions with the Devil.

"So it happens with witchcraft as with the devil; peoples belief inhim was so

strong that he became real. The devil is everywhere and takes all shapes. He shows

himself as a nightmare, a raging demon, a seducer, a lover and as a knight."

Some of these dramatizations included Satan enticing a woman out of her bed, black mass rituals including witches kissing Satan's ass, and one depicting a witch giving birth to a brood of demons after succombing to Satan. (This long before Rosemary's Baby)

Another acted out scene showed two witches putting a curse on a home by pulling up their skirts, urinating into bowls and then throwing the urine on the doors of the house.

The next chapters deal more with the inquisition during the middle ages and the abuse of power by the Roman Catholic Church. Finally the movie concludes by showing the modern day scientific explanations for persons who in an earlier time would have been called witches but then condemns the modern day practices of placing many of those individuals in nursing homes and lunatic asylums.

Christensen is attempting to show that Witchcraft was mere superstition and those accused of participating in it were misunderstood. His argument though isn't supported by the dramatizations. What the film has going for it most is style. The images in the vignettes are truly frightening and at times disgusting even shocking by today's standards.

For an excellent review of the film go to:

http://classic-horror.com/reviews/haxan_1922

Nosferatu

The Internet Movie Database lists 223 film references featuring Dracula in a prominent role. Hundreds more refer to Dracula in some way. The first film to present Bram Stoker's creation, Nosferatu, however does not reference the the immortal Count's name at all. Nosferatu was made in Germany in 1922. The director, FW Murnau and the movie's producers attempted to procur the rights to Dracula from Bram Stoker's widow but were refused. They made the film anyway and changed the character's names. Dracula now became Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck. The story generally follows Stoker's novel. The Stoker estate sued the production and Nosferatu was nearly destroyed for all time.

Werner Herzog, the maker of the 1979 version of Nosferatu considers the 1922 version to be the most important film in German history. He is not alone in his praise. Empire magazine rated Nosferatu #21 in the magazine's "100 Best Films of World Cinema."

Again the expressionistic roots of this period are in full sway. Impressive angle shots filled with shadows and startling images take center stage pulling the viewer into this nightmare world.

Orlok is not presented as some aristocratic Count but as a rat faced monster bringing a plague of death wherever he treads. His bald misshapen head, elongated fingernails, and pointy ears presented a haunting image that has been reproduced for effect in not only the 1979 version of the movie but in other films as well such as the 1979 TV mini series Salem's Lot based on the Stephen King novel.

Schreck uses gestures, posture and facial expression superbly throughout the film to convey terror. Early in the film we only get partial images of the Count and then when we get a full view of Orlok when Hutter ( The Jonathan Harker character) opens his bedroom door to see the count standing erect outside his door, we too want to flee with Hutter and with him we find no escape as the monster slowly enters the room and descends upon the sunken Hutter.

Though in previous vampire lore there was some indication vampires were weakened during daylight hours and they slept by day rather than night, it wasn't suggested sunlight was deadly until it was the means used to dispatch Orlok in Nosferatu.

Images from Nosferatu have become increasingly famous as more and more viewers become familiar with this classic from the silent era.

For an excellent plot summary of the film see the Wikipedia article at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nosferatu

In 1979 Werner Herzog brought his vision of Nosferatu to the screen. The film is highly regarded but most critics say it falls short of its predecessor. I disagree. Herzog himself considers the original to be Germany's greatest film. The 79 film is a tremendous stylized version that returns the film's characters to their intended names but rarely departs from the storyline though adding more soul to the characters.

Klaus Kinski adds more depth to the character of Dracula. He is no longer just a monster but their is a sad lonliness he imparts. "I don't attach importance to the sunshine anymore..or to the glittering fountainsm which youth is so fond of. I love the darkness and shadows where I can be alone in my thoughts." states the count to jonathan Harker. Kinski, at the same time is able to still come across as menacing. He manages to mimick many of Shreck's gestures for instance when he holds his hands like claws. His makeup exhibited the same rat like features and serpentine front teeth.

Herzog's direction is what really drives this film. He does manage to replicate many of the scenes from the original film but with the addition of color and sound, Herzog is able to do even more with the atmosphere and dialogue.

( the above 2 stills show the similar camera angles used by Murnau and later Herzog for this scene as the Count's explorations on the ship set sail for Wismar)

(The Count readies himself to drain the heroin of each film)

Herzog uses lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere throughout the film. His use of lighting and shadows build tension and signal time for thought. During the opening credit sequence as Herzog pans the camera across a line mummified bodies with the music from Popol Vul's "On The Way" being played we are haunted by the melancholy theme that will be oft repeated throughout the film. Herzog pulls lighting and sound together in a wonderful scene wher Harker ascends a mountain on his way to Dracula's castle. Wagner's Rheingold Prelude is heard and the day turns to night. Herzog uses bright colors early in the film and the colors turn dark as the movie slowly moves from one world into another. Herzog's use of symbolism wasn't lost when he used the ship containing Dracula's coffins slowly flowing into the canal of the town of Wismar to indicate the arrival of death. Dracula was the bringer of plague with his 11,00 rats. Upon Dracula's arrival Renefield declares Dracula as the lord of the Rats.

There is one particular effective scene where Herzog uses the angle of shooting to have Dracula creep up on Lucy who is looking into a mirror and see Dracula's shadow yet no reflection of the vampire as he closes in on her. He used no special effects to accomplish this intensity. While Lucy is looking in the mirror, a door opens. Dracula's shadow is evident but because the vampire casts no reflection, Dracula cannot be seen. When the door closes, the shadow remains and moves in on Lucy until Dracula is revealed at her side but never in the mirror.

.

There are a number of differences between Stoker's novel and Nosferatu. One being the clear deemphasis of Van Helsing. He is not the believer we see in the book and subsquent movies. In one scene he is in debate with Lucy stating "This is an enlightened century. Science has refuted the superstitions you're talking about." Lucy claims "Faith is the faculty in men which enables us to believe in things we know to be untrue." as she pleads for Van Helsing to help her destroy Dracula.

Lucy, played by Isabelle Adjani, is clearly the protagonist of the film. Her interaction with Dracula is memorable.

Referring to death taking Jonathan, Lucy says, "Death surrounds us we're all at His will...only death is certain; only death is cruel."

Dracula: "Death is cruelty to the unsuspecting but that's not what I perceive as cruel. Cruel is when you can't die even if you want to. Give me some of your love which you give Jonathan."

Lucy: "I never will"

Dracula goes on trying to bargain with her, telling her he will give Jonathan back to her if she will give her love to him.

Lucy:" The power of my love will bring him back to me, and you may be assured even the unthinkable will not deter me that you want to lay for me" At this point her cross is revealed and Dracula departs.

Lucy reads in Jonathan's book And if a pure hearted woman diverts his attention from the cry of the cock, the first light of day will obliterate him. referring to the vampire.

Lucy takes it upon herself to rid her world of the plague Dracula has brought by sacrificing herself.

Herzog's vision of the story has one final twist as Jonathan fully succombs to Dracula's will and becomes a vampire himself to carry on the Count's terror.

I can't finish my thoughts on Nosferatu without mentioning the 2001 film Shadow of the Vampire. John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe headline the film starring as F.W. Murnau and Max Shreck respectively in a fictional account of the making of Nosferatu. The back cover of the dvd box states: "In his quest to create a vampire film to die for F.W. Murau hires the mysterious Max Schreck to play Count Orlock in his masterpiece, Nosferatu. Murnau introduces Schreck as 'The ultimate method actor'- one who will appear only in character, in full makeup and only at night. But as the cast and crew begin to disappear, it appears that Murnau has made a devil's bargain with Shreck."

A Different Kind of Worship Experience

Friday, my son Kyle called asking me to attend his baptism service at the church he has been attending for the past month or so. Judy and I agreed and visited the Cornerstone Family Worship Center on the east side of Indianapolis.

Kyle had never been baptized and I had never pressed the issue as I have had doubts about his salvation over the years. Kyle could tell you intellectually what being a christian meant but there had been no evidence over the years of true salvation. Kyle has been making much progress over the past year as he has been wrestling with the problems which have drug him down and has been showing signs of a true committment to Christ. I wanted to make sure Kyle understood what baptism was about and he correctly stated it was a public identification with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit in a symbol of Christ's death burial and ressurrection. Importantly, he knew it was following God's ordinance and not a requirement of salvation.

Cornerstone Family Worship center is a, "Kingdom Church", part of the Pentecostal movement. It was an interesting experience. The people were all extremely warm and friendly. The service itself was less structured than most worship services. There is a great emphasis on song in the church and while individuals were singing praises people would mill around and give hugs and greetings to one another. I didn't hear anyone break into "tongues" but Judy and I witnessed two different persons being "slain in the spirit" where these women basically lost emotional control and flopped to the floor. People were dancing and shouting and singing throughout the service. Midway through the service, Kyle was baptized and it was an emotionally moving experience for him.

The Pastor's message was a performance as he danced, sung, shouted and preached his message with occaisional musical accompanyment. The message was on Mark 15:33-39. There is absolutely no way I would be able to have taken notes on the message as the pastor spoke very rapidly but I did get the gist of the message. What I like most came from Mark 15: 38 "And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." The point being that when Jesus died on the cross this opened the veil between man and God. In the temple there was an outer court, an inner court and the Holy of Holies and the veil seperated the inner court from the Holy of Holies. Great preparations and formalities had to take place for the high priest to enter the Holy of Holies lest he die. Christ's death tore asunder the veil enabling man's sin to be forgiven and giving him access to God.

I found myself on occaison disagreeing with some of the biblical interpretations I heard but I was impressed with the Pastor's ability to recall scriptures and preach his message without notes.

It was certainly a lively service, the music was a little too loud and I personally see no scriptural evidence for some of the experiential reactions of those in attendance. Raisng your hands in praise and adoration is one thing. Uncontrollable gyrating and falling to the floor in what could be mistaken for as a seizure is another.

I'm glad I was able to attend the service and I now have a better understanding of a type of worship service I have heard of but haven't witnessed first hand.

Sickness delays Colts recap and weekly thriller

I haven't been able to post this week since I came down sick last Sunday and spent the first part of the week unmotivated to do much. I haven't been sick for over 5 years and I think I forgot what it was like. It was miserable. Unfortunately, my time spent vomiting alternating with sitting on the throne kept me from attending church on Sunday morning and so I don't have notes from the morning message.

The Friday and Saturday before, I did enjoy. The church held a surprise birthday party for Pastor Paul, who has been my pastor since I became a christian back in 1977. Pastor Paul turned 70 and he was roasted on Friday evening. Pastor Paul has took seriously God's calling as he has led so many people to Christ and his devotion to teaching the scriptures is unsurpassed. He lives out the Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church motto "reaching people for Christ and teaching them to live in the light of eternity"

Saturday night, John Hale and his sons, Matt and David, joined me for a night out at the movies. We went down to Franklin to the Artcraft theatre to see Psycho. It was fun seeing Psycho in the theatre. I was reminded how good Hitchcock was when in the scene where the Private Investigator Arbogast comes to the top of the stairs in Norman Bate's home and is attacked. The entire audience screamed. Now, I'm sure the majority of those attending had seen the movie before, and this scene shouldn't have taken them by surprise but the build-up of suspense intensified the shock value and the way the scene was shot from above the action one couldn't help but jump in their seat.

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Colts 27 Redskins 24

The impact of this game has little to do with the final score. The Colts came out of this game devasted with injuries. Dallas Clark injured his hand and will have surgery that will end his season. Austin Collie received a thumb injury that will keep him out for a few weeks and Joseph Addai reinjured his shoulder and no one is sure how long he will be out. Injuries have hit the Colts hard this year and this crop could really hinder their chances toward a return to the playoffs. Obviously, as long as Peyton Manning is healthy, the Colts have a chance, but these losses will certainly test their motto of "next man up".

A big problem I saw for the Colts in the Redskins game was the poor tackling of the defense. For the Colts to continue their winning ways this will have to be shored up.

The Colts will also have to hold onto the ball better as they coughed up the ball on 3 times. The game itself shouldn't have been close as their offensive numbers were outstanding but turnovers will kill you.

I have to note this. I have been listening to commentators singing the praises of Ryan Deem the right offensive tackle for the Colts for some time, but I just don't see it. He blows plays every week and his last 2 games have been terrible. His defensive counterpart against the Chiefs gave Manning fits and it was Deem who got beat when his man strip sacked Manning that led to a Redskins score.

I would like to give kudos to Joseph Addai who played like a man possessed. He ran for 128 yards and a touchdown. Much like in the Giants game, Manning was content to hand the ball off to the running back as the Redskins continued to play against the pass and give the Colts unorthodox looks. It wasn't as if Manning abandoned the passing game though as He threw for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns himself. A chunk of those yards came on one of the coolest catches I've seen. Manning threw a deep out to Pierre Garcon; the pass was high and outside of his reach yet he timed his leap reached across his body with his right arm and snatched theball out of the air one handed. The play made up for an earlier easy catch he dropped.

The Cots now stand 4 and 2 with a bye week and the week has been eventful. Not only have the Colts revealed all of the injuries but punter Pat MacAfee was also arrested for public intoxication and was suspended for the Houston game when the Colts return from the bye.

The Concept of Horror in The Doctor Who Universe Part 3: Monsters

"There are corners of the universe that have bred terrible things. Things which are against everything we believe in. They must be fought!" -- The Doctor from Moonbase

"Roll up, Roll up to the Monster Show..."--The Showman, Vorg from Carnival of Monsters

It's difficult to imagine Doctor Who without monsters, yet when Sydney Newman conceived of the program, he emphasized his adherence to the idea of monsters. He wanted the show to be historical and educational. When the Daleks appeared in just the second story arc, the program would take Doctor Who in a direction he never intended.

1

It was inevitable that a fantasy program such as Doctor Who would come to rely on monsters to send children behind the sofa and increase ratings.

2

Daleks, Cybermen and Sontarons are the most famous Doctor Who monsters.

3

Writers of Doctor Who have also relied on old traditional monsters(though the name may have changed and a "Doctor Who" spin may have been supplied to the myth) to tell their tales.

The Vampires of Venice had the look and feel of a Hammer horror film

Many of the 180 Doctor Who monsters listed on Wikipedia shouldn't be considered monsters at all. Many alien races like the Draconians are articulate, sophisticated and culturally advanced. The Forest of Cheem from The End of the World are direct descendents from the tropical rain forest and are noble and good. Yet, sadly, these are considered monsters in most listings simply because of their appearance

The magma creature in The Caves of Androzani is an example of monsters being included only to supply a cliff hanger ending or frightening scene without concern for plot, or character development. These monsters often come across as lame and unnecessary.

Monsters continue to be an integral part of the show whether it is reworkings of the traditional Doctor Who monsters or new developments like the weeping angels brought forth from the pen of Steven Moffatt; monsters will always be a part of the Doctor Who formula.

(Possibly the creepiest monsters ever. The weeping angels creep up on you when your not looking)

1. Peter Haining Doctor Who The Key To Time A Year-by-Year Record

(W.H. Allen & Co., 1984) p20

2. Peter Haining Doctor Who A Celebration Two Decades Through Time And Space (W.H. Allen & Co., 1983) p. 10-11

3. Lance Parkin, All Creatures Great and Small Doctor Who Monthly Magazine #263 (Marvel Comics, 4/1998) p8