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

The Concept of Horror in the Doctor Who Universe Part 2: Dualism

The conflict of the two natures of man has been contemplated by the likes of Paul the Apostle and put into fiction most notably by Robert Louis Stevenson in his tale The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as he wrestled with dualism.

Surprisingly, we find this oft used horror staple- dualism- woven throughout the fundamental's of Doctor Who. The dual nature and/or multiple personality syndrome affects The Doctor, Time Lord Regeneration, The TARDIS and the production in general.

"Doctor Who as science fiction must be understood in terms of both: (1) its drive toward the coherent, signified as a verifiable empirical world (the world of Pertwee's Doctor with its quest of scientism--the universe as balanced, organic, understood); and (2) its recognition of incoherence in the functionality of 'naming' the ego (the world of Baker's Doctor and its mark of Romanticism-- the constantly regenerated selves, the dopplegangers). " 1 Within the whole of the program there is continued tension and often pulls in opposite directions. Yet, these opposing concepts are part of the same continuity.

The dual nature of the program can also be displayed in how it can be considered a children's program by a large percentage of viewers, yet many adults would claim it to be meant for an older audience. The show is also considered a comedy by some and high drama by others.

Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is about a man divided against himself . Within the respectable Jekyll lurks the evil Hyde, both struggling to be free. "Stevenson's allegorical techniques reveal and reinforce this melancholy view of life. For example, the front of Jekyll's house is fair, part of 'ancient, handsome houses,' but Hyde uses the rear entrance whose facade is part of a sinister block of buildings which'...showed no window, nothing but a door on the lower story and a blind forehead discolored wall on the upper; and bore in every feature the marks of prolonged and sordid negligence.'...the house's two facades are symbolically the faces of the two opposed side of the same man.' 2

The TARDIS (The Doctor's "house") falls victim to the concept of dualism. It is bigger on the inside than the outside. Inside it is scientific, spacious, a synbol of Gallifreyan technology. On the outside it is a simple police box (of Earth), an absurd idiosyncrasy.

When working properly it has the ability to change its appearance by use of a chameleon circuit. Jekyll used Hyde as a means to disguise himself when he desired to partake in an activity that was unbecoming of his place in the community. Hyde used Jekyll as his shelter from discovery.

Obviously, the Doctor is probably where the comparison can be most closely drawn. When Jekyll took the formula, his personality and nature not only changed, but his entire physical appearance changed also. The Doctor has altered his appearance and character 10 times. Though each Doctor brings his own persona to the character with some traits of those who have come earlier, it appears each regeneration is a reaction to the previous incarnation. "Central to the Doctor's definition, and constant throughout all his different forms, has been science fiction's definition of the 'human' as powerful but fragile, rational but irrational, material but spiritual too." 1

A key theme in Doctor Who points toward humanity's choice to choose between good and evil. The Doctor has entertained these same choices and though he most often chooses good, he has also been tempted to do otherwise. The Doctor has the capacity to do evil.

"Near the end of the "Key To Time" season (1978-9) the Doctor for a moment, plays with the 'mad scientist' persona of human pride and ambition:

'We have the power to do anything we like, absolute power over every particle in the

universe, everything that has ever existed or will ever exist-- as from this moment. Are you listening to me Romana... because if you're not listening I can make you listen, because I can do anything. As from this moment there's no such thing as free will in the entire universe.

There's only my will, because I possess the Key to Time.'

In response to Romana's anxious, "Are you all right?", the Doctor drops his rolling eyed spoof of madness for his conventionally idiosynctratic matter of fact, neat nonsense persona:

'Well of course I'm all right... this thing makes me feel in such a way that I'd be very

worried if I felt like that about somebody else feeling like this about

that. Do you understand?'" 1

In the classical tale, events are generated by a motivated villainy, and the hero is affected by the villainy. Often the Doctor arrives where nothing untoward is happening but upon his arrival events are initiated. One could reason this casts the Doctor in the role of villain as well as hero.

Of all the Docor's incarnations, it is the sixth who demonstrates the conflict of the two natures most openly. A near bipolar personality is displayed in The Twin Dilemma when the Doctor nearly strangles Peri, only to be driven off by the reflection of his fuirous-mad expression in the mirror Peri produces, and then the Doctor despondently opts to become a hermit on the desolate world of Titan Three. Later he shows genuine sorrow at the death of Azmael. In The Two Doctors, the Doctor is seen relaxing, fishing on the bank of a river, reflecting on the joys of angling. But later, this very same Doctor is complicit in Shockeye's demise and has the nerve to joke about it. This Doctor was brash, arrogant and violent. His personality hearkened back to the earliest glimpses of the first Doctor but taken to the extreme.

It was during the Trial of a Time Lord when the evil side of the Doctor was truly revealed in the person of the Valeyard. This accuser of the Doctor is in actuality a possible future incarnation of the Doctor who is an amalgram of the darkest parts of the Doctor-- a true Mr. Hyde-- The Doctor's Ultimate Foe.

1. John Tulloch and Mauel Alvaredo, Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text St. Martin's Press, 1983, pp.141, 76, 78

2. Abraham Rothberg, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (the introduction), Bantam Books, 1967, pp.xiv-xv

The Penalty, Colts Escape with Victory, Sunday Message

Thriller of the Week:

The Penalty

1920
Dir: Wallace Worsley
Starring: Lon Chaney


Along with the previous year's The Miracle Man, The Penalty helped launch Lon Chaney's career. Though technically not a horror film The Penalty brilliantly illustrates the horror of crime and Chaney who plays Blizzard, the crime syndicate's diabolical head, imparts a ruthless, evil character, yet manages to create sympathy for Blizzard as well. The fact of a sculpture of a Blizzard poses for is fashioned in the image of Satan is not lost on the audience as Chaney's Blizzard seems to be the living embodiment of the devil.

The police inspector Lichtenstein comments "It's always Blizzard- that cripple from Hell"

SPOILERS:
The story begins tragically when a young boy, who has been in an accident, has his legs amputated by a surgeon. When he awakens from surgery, he overhears the surgeon's superior telling the surgeon the surgery was unnecessary but he would cover for him. The boy's real injury was a "contusion at the base of his skull." The boy tries to tell his parents the doctors were lying but nothing is done. The boy grows up to be Blizzard.

Blizzard is motivated by revenge. He is determned to bring suffering to Dr. Ferris, the surgeon who amputated his legs and has since become a famous surgeon. Part of his revenge is to bring harm to his daughter who he has decided to model for as she is a sculpting a bust of Satan.

Blizzard leaves a wake of death and violence wherever he goes. Women are in particular peril. Women he fancies are brought into his private quarters to push the foot pedals on his piano as he plays. If they don't perform well, they are disposed of.

The police inspector recruits Rose, a police woman, to go undercover and go to work for Blizzard. She quickly finds herself as pushing the pedals of Blizzard's piano. While he is away, she tries to find evidence of Blizzard's underworld dealings. He discovers her investigations but can't bring himself to kill her. She is the best he has ever had at helping him produce his music. They are falling in love.

The fiance of Dr. Ferris' daughter is caught in Blizzard's trap and in order to save his daughter, Ferris is ordered to amputate her fiance's legs and graft them onto Blizzard. Instead, Ferris surgically removes the lesion on Blizzard's brain which has been causing his violent and malevolent tendencies. Blizzard awakens, sorrowful for what he has done. He resigns as head of the underworld but is killed by his former underlings. He dies in the arms of Rose.


Much has been said of Chaney's incredible makeups which will be explored more when I cover The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of the Opera but in this film, Chaney, instead of using special effects to give him the appearance of an amputee, he opts to wear a special harness that his knees fit into and drew his legs up behind him. This enabled him to walk on his knees, and an oversized jacket hid the bulge on his back side. He could only wear the device for short periods because it caused him severe pain and discomfort, yet we not only see him walking around but displaying athleticism in a variety of ways throughout the film.

Anyone desiring to see the movie can find it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBas0RE1C-o&feature=PlayList&p=DC6C9C941898FF47&index=0&playnext=1

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Colts 19 Chiefs 9

This is one you're glad the Colts came away with a win, but the Colts didn't look all that great doing it. Give the Chiefs credit; there game plan was to drop 8 back and make it difficult for the Colt's passing game. It was effective and the Colts seemed to be out of sync throughout the game. The problem for the Chiefs was that their offense played very poorly and it appeared to me it was more a problem with their offense rather than the Colts defense being stout.
I'll leave it at that. The Colts need to play better.
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"From Terror To Testimony"
Mark 5:1-20
Pastor Mike Gatliff

Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

I. The Demon Possesed Man

A.) A Man of Despair vs 5: 1-5

His home is the graveyard & he is tormented by demons

He has been banished to live among the dead because he had a demon in him

He was driven to the dead by the demons-- Luke's Account

The disciples go from Physical Storm (Mark 4:35-41) to a Spiritual Storm

God wanted to impress the disciples more with His power

The subtle work of Satan--makes sin/evil look good-- Angel of Light

He also works as a roaring lion looking for those he can devour

B.) A Man in Disbelief vs 5:6-12

He was a gentile (2000 pigs probably indicate this is gentile country)

When Jesus comes the man bows down to him

The demons know who Jesus is and ask Him not to torment them

Jesus sends them into a herd of pigs- the demons responded immediately

They were under Jesus authority

C.) A Man that Experienced Deliverance vs 5:13-16

Jesus delivered the man

II. The Disbelief

The people implore Jesus to leave the region 5:17

vs 15 they were frightened

III. The Desire of the Man 5:18-20

The man wanted to go with Jesus

Instead- Jesus told the man to go home to his family & report what had happened

This had to have been a gift to the man in that for a long time he had been isolated from his home and family

This guy basically becomes the 1st missionary to the gentiles

What Can we learn from an encounter with a demoniac?

1. The forces of satan recognize the person of Christ (James 2:19)

"You believe God is one; You do well the demons also believe, and shudder"

2. The forces of satan are fully under the authority of God (JOB, Luke 22:31, 2Cor 12:7)

3. The world may not be thrilled when God delivers us (1 Cor 2:14)

4. Jesus frees & forms new creatures ( James 4: 7-10)

Ephesians 6:10-17 Jesus equps us with armor and a sword

5. When God changes a life He will use them & their story

Mark 5:19

6. Jesus seeks out individuals

He is a living savior seeking the lost

In Mark 5:1 we know Jesus crossed the sea and came to this point and in verse 18 He leaves

Jesus purpose for crossing over was to reach this one man

We HAVE to have Jesus-- Jesus WANTS to have us

To Listen to the Message go to:

http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Colts Lose, Sunday Message, 1920-Doctor Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Thriller of the Week
Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
(1920)
starring John Barrymore

The movie begins with this statement, "In each of us, two natures are at war--the good and the evil. All our lives the the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer---What we want most to be, we are."

The Robert Louis Stevenson tale was made 7 times during the silent era; this being the best and most famous. John Barrymore stars as the lead character and much praise has been lauded upon the first transformation scene where the earliest stages of the transformation Barrymore evokes the change without makeup. The contortions of his face alone make one believe he is becoming another.

The good Dr. Jekyll is described as "the finest man" and he devotes himself to others. He is eventually tempted by others to embrace his dark side. He is told "A man cannot destroy the savage impulses by denying its impulses. The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."

Jekyll ponders this with Millicent, the love of his life and daughter of Sir George-his temptor. "Wouldn't it be marvelous if the two natures in man could be seperated- housed in different bodies." Soon Jekyll develops the formula to alter who he is.

Jekyll is tortured by Hyde's influence and in a violent scene, he transforms in front of Sir George and Hyde attacks and kills him, ripping out his throat with his teeth and beating him unmercifully.

Hyde goes on the run and changes back to into Jekyll. We are treated to an early special effect of an etheral Hyde appearing like a huge spiderlike creature falling upon Jekyll while he lies asleep.

Holed up in his lab, Jekyll no longer has any control over his transformations. Millicent comes to his aid but Hyde attacks her. She barely escapes. Jekyll overcomes Hyde long enough to swallow hidden poison concealed in a ring he wears. In the end everyone thought Hyde killed Jekyll but as it turns out Jekyll also killed Hyde.

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Jaguars 31 Colts 28

I suppose I should give credit to the Jacksonville Jaguars for defeating the Colts this week but there was no call for it. Mistakes are death in the NFL and a pass that should have been caught on the 3 yard line that became an interception when Brody Eldridge failed to secure the ball and it was knocked out of his hands into a the waiting hands of the defense nullifying a dedfinite score. That play kept the Colts from going up buy 7 and it turned into 7 for Jacksonville. Another probable score was averted when Reggie Wayne after making an excellent catch tried for extra yardage and fumbled the ball, turning again over to Jacksonville.

The Colts defensively seemed anemic in the first half as again they got run over. The defense just doesn't seem to have mental toughness throughout the game. They also failed to stop Jacksonville's final drive with only 43 seconds left. Had Kelvin Hayden made a sure interception when David Garrard's pass hit him in the chest, Josh Scobee wouldn't have had the chance to kick the 59 yard field goal with no time remaing to win the game.

This game made me sick.

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Pastor Paul is a way this week and next so Pastor Mike Gatliff steps in and gives us the message this week.

"Who Then Is This'

Mark 4: 35-41

The Disciples (learners) have received the first Christian Education and they now shall face a test-- up to this point the disciples had been bystanders- it was all classroom training - no practical exam.

1.) The Course--The Material being taught by Jesus FOLLOWING JESUS 101

In the 1st 3 chapters of Mark they learn of His teachings, healings, parables and most recently Jesus Forgives Sin.

They come away marveling Who Is This Man?

2.) The Test Mark 4:35-39

Jesus teaching from the boat on the Sea of Galilee and tells them they are going to the other side.

A.) The Crisis

1. The Stormy Sea

2. The Sleeping Savior

The storm tested the disciples on what they learned about Jesus

B') The Cry

their faith melted during the storm and they cried out "Don't you care?" Psalm 13

Do we think when storms come in our lives that God doesn't care?

C.) The Calm

Jesus says "Hush Be still" & a perfect calm settles on the sea.

From Chaos to peace in an instant

Jesus asks why they were afraid and had no faith.

No response from the disciples is recorded.

3.) The Grade

It appears the Disciples blew it and failed the test

they do get points for following Jesus to the other side but when Jesus told them they would make it to the other side there was no need for panic when the storm came.

Jesus didn't calm the storm to keep them safe- He already said they would make it.

He calmed the storm to give them a better impression of who He is.

They receive a passing grade because when it was all over, they finally began to get it.--They became in Awe of Jesus & wound up worshiping Him. He was now more than savior- He was now Lord

Safety isn't the absence of storms in our lives but the presence of Jesus

Psalm 107: 23-32

Who Then Is This?

1. One Who invites us to follow & travel with Him

2. One Who Is with us in all of the storms

3. One Who can impress Us with Who He Is

Jesus wants to impress us so our faith will increase

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

A Great Way To See A Movie

Last night Judy and I went out with dear friends we hadn't gotten together with for a long time, Jim and Cindy Barnard. I have known Jim since I first became a Christian over 30 years ago. He is one the the best persons I know. I have missed the comaraderie he and I once shared.

This past week, Cindy asked if we would like to go out to eat and go to see a movie in a restored theatre in Franklin, Indiana called The Historic Artcraft Theatre. They were showing Ghostbusters this weekend. I have to tell you it was a delight.

The theatre was built in 1922 and of course has changed ownership a few times over the years. In the year 2000, the owner put it up for sale so he could run a new cinema complex. Within a week the Artcraft theatre was bought and soon The Franklin Heritage Inc. began running a Classic Film series to support the theatre. Franklin Heritage Inc bought the theatre in 2004.

Franklin Heritage was established to preserve the heritage of the town of Franklin and they have done a tremendous job with the Artcraft theatre.

Jim said it best, "It's like we've been transported back to 1958." Obviously some restoration has taken place but the atmosphere truly does take you back to yesteryear. The theatre is run by volunteers. Sponsers for the movies also defray the costs. The prices are more than reasonable, $5 for adult admission. (on a side note, I received my first senior discount. I got in for $4. At 55 you're considered a senior.)

It is wise to arrive early to see the show before the show. The curtain draws back and reveals the stage in front of the Big Screen. During this 20 minute warm-up. You are introduced to the volunteers and given a brief on the theatre itself. For Ghostbusters a group of guys dressed in Ghostbuster garb came out on the stage and did a short routine. Evidently people come to this theatre from all over the world and the historical society brings out a large map of the U.S and the world and try to discover who in the audience has traveled farthest. Last night a couple from San Francisco were rewarded with a prize. We were told the night before someone from Serbia had attended. Also they have a drawing for prizes using ticket numbers. Small gifts are donated by the town businesses. Then the lights dim and we were treated to a Warner Brother's cartoon before the movie.

I cannot recommend this theatre enough. It is only open on Friday and Saturdays. Last night the theatre was pretty full. I don't know if the festival being conducted in the square last night helped or hurt business but the capacity for the theatre is huge and it was probably at least 3/4 full if not more. Next weekend is Ma & Pa Kettle and on October 15 and 16 the theatre will be presenting Psycho. Christmas movies are on the agenda in December and future movies I'm interested in seeing on the big screen in this wonderful atmosphere are The Maltese Falcon and The Wizard of OZ.

For more information about the theatre visit their website at:
http://www.historicartcrafttheatre.org/home.html

The Concept of Horror in The Doctor Who Universe Part 1

A few years ago I wrote a multi-part article for the Gallifreyan Gazette, a Doctor Who Fanzine put out by The Whoosier Network a Doctor Who Fan Club I helped start back in the mid 1980s.

Since then I have presented the material in a lecture at Inconjunction, a local Fan produced Science Fiction Convention here in Indianapolis. I will try to reproduce the material here for those who may be interested. The majority of the material concerns the Classic Years of Doctor Who. Eventually I will write additional parts with emphasis on the recent years.

The Concept of Horror in The Doctor Who Universe

(Part 1- An Overview)

Horror films have changed considerably over the past 20 years. Tales of the Supernatural gave way to Slasher films which have now developed into the Torture Porn sub genre films we are inundated with today. Thankfully, Doctor Who hasn't followed the same path. (Torchwood however did give us the episode Countryside, a story which would please most readers of "Fangoria" magazine.)

Doctor Who has traditionally leaned more toward the Gothic elements of horror, particularly during Phillip Hincliff's reign as Producer. Russel T Davies has also included horror related material while he headed the series. We have seen werewolves, zombies and Satan himself. From the pen of Steven Moffatt we have been entertained with new classic episodes including The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances a tale which didn't rely on traditional monsters but did exude an incredible since of horror throughout, and Blink a tale which gave viewers chills and introduced the very frightening Weeping Angels.

Doctor Who has always relied on monsters to frighten young children and send them scurrying behind the sofa, but monsters including Daleks and Cybermen are better relegated to Science Fiction than Horror. In fact, most horror icons particularly those dealing with the supernatural are nearly always rebuked with a "scientific " explanation. After all, Doctor Who owes more to Quatermass than it does to Hammer.

In the Quatermass and the Pit, Demonic creatures are explained as visitors from outer space, probably Mars. Quatermass theorizes, the visitors abducted humans in the distant past and returned them with psychic abilities. Poltergeists, ghost sightings and witchcraft were all explained as originating from these visitors and the pentagram found in the space ship is simply a symbol of the alien race.

In the classic The Daemons, the opening shot focuses on a pub sign titled "The Cloven Hoof" during a stormy night. This episode sets the stage for satanic ritual, taking horror to its roots... the devil. In the town of "Devil's End", a giant horned beast, Azal is sleeping beneath a burrow called "Devil's Hump." Azal turns out to be an alien the Master, disguised as a satanic priest, is attempting to awaken and control. In one scene the Doctor explains "No not magic, Jo- science, the science of the Daemons." Anyone who has seen Quatermass and the Pit can't help but see the similarities.



Though Doctor Who has mostly excluded supernatural elements of horror, it has languished in the trappings of horror. Dualism, old dark houses (including castles and lighthouses etc.) tombs, physical incarceration, curses, antiquated codes and rituals, apparent supernatural phenomenon, mad doctors in addition to monsters have all been utilized to create an atmosphere of horror throughout the history of Doctor Who. Words such as Horror, Terror, Evil, Death and Doom permeate the myriad titles of Doctor Who serials.

Obviously, the writers took the seed of many previously screened horror tales and transformed them into stories of the Doctor Who universe. Phillip Hinchcliffe was quoted in Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text with this statement:

"What we went for was a very powerful concept. So we borrowed from science fiction...and we borrowed from horror themes and gothic... Planet of Evil originally grew of an idea to have a Jekyll and Hyde planet... In fact we also pinched a bit from Forbidden Planet because we had sort of a monster of the Id... We did another gothic thing with a mummy story, about mummies that wake up and take over-- robot mummies... And we did a Frankenstein story, The Brain of Morbius... and we did a Jack the Ripper story, The Talons of Weng-Chiang.. We did quite a few gothic ones, because I like the trappings."1

Borrowing from horror films and stories of the past was not exclusive to Hinchccliff and Holmes. This practice can be seen as far back as Tomb of the Cybermen. "It is often said Doctor Who is at its best when its roots are showing and certainly the roots of this four-part Cybermen story can be traced all the way back to Universal's Mummy films." 2

Chris Boucher wrote for Graham Williams The Image of the Fendahl which conjures up recollections of Robert Bloch's story "The Skull of the Marquis Desade" which was made into the film The Skull. Parallels can be drawn between The Phantom of the Opera and the Peter Davison vehicle The Caves of Androzani. There are many more examples of borrowing from the past in order to send the Doctor Who viewer behind the sofa.

1. John Tulloch and manuel Alverado, Doctor Who: The Unfolding Text (St. Marten's Press, 1983) p112

2. Peter Haining DOctor Who A Celebration Two Decades Through Time And Space (W.H. Allen & Co. 1983) p. 186

Part 2 - Duality