Dracula at iRT

I first read Bram Stoker's Dracula in Junior High. Having been exposed to the 1931 Bela Lugosi film much earlier in my life during the early 60s on Nightmare Theatre, Count Dracula had become my favorite movie monster and the time had come to read Stoker's novel. I was thoroughly entranced. The novel uses clever stylistic devices, most importantly the use 0f diaries, letters and phonograph recordings to advance the plot. I cared for Stoker's developed characters. The struggle between good and evil is clear and I have cherished the book ever since, reading it twice since.


I have seen nearly every film presentation of Dracula and with the exception of the BBC presentation in 1977 has strayed from the novel's vision. Unfortunately Louis Jourdan didn't come across as the embodiment of evil Stoker intended in the BBC version. All of the versions I've seen have good things to offer but I always find myself desiring a closer adaptation of the novel.



Before Dracula was filmed by Tod Browning it was a hit in the theatre. The 1931 film version was, in fact, adapted from the 1924 stage play, which later starred Bela Lugosi in 1927 on Broadway. In 1977, Dracula was revived for the stage starring Frank Langella which was nominated for and won several Tony Awards. It is appropriate that Dracula would have success on the theatrical stage. After all, Bram Stoker was a man of the theatre. He started out as a theatre critic for the Dublin Evening Mail and later became the business manager for Henry Irving's Lyceum Theatre in London.


Over 20 years ago the Indiana Reperatory Theatre put on a performance of Dracula. I don't recall who wrote the play but it did stray from the source material but I found it quite enjoyable. This past weekend, I once again had the wonderful experience of attending a different production of Dracula at the IRT.


The current production was written by playwright, Steven Dietz in 1996 and has been played around the country since by numerous groups of artists. Peter Amster directs this production and together with the talents on stage puts together a very enjoyable experience.


Dietz's tale is fast paced and what I appreciated most was the faithfulness to Stoker's original novel, quite an achievement in 2 hour and 20 minutes. Dietz presents a tale where science and faith must come together to defeat evil. Like the novel, the audience must piece together the multiple concurrent actions taking place. All of the major story elements are present though the sequencing is somewhat altered. Most of the characters are represented, though 2 of Lucy's suitors are mentioned but not seen and their characteristics are combined in the character of Dr. Seward played by Eric Hellman.


The main character of Dracula is played by Wade McCollum who brings a sinister performance but not over the top. My wife, Judy, was particularly taken with the performance of Dietrich Gray as Renfield.




McCollum

I was particularly impressed with Lee Stark who played Mina. She brought to Mina what has been missing from so many performances of the character. Mina was written as a sensible, virtuous woman. From the novel we read Van Helsing's words about Mina's character as he addresses her, "Oh but I am so grateful to you, you so clever woman..." and "There are darknesses in life, and there are lights; you are one of the lights. You will have a happy life and good life, and your husband will be blessed in you." and "I have read your diary that you so goodly written for me, and which breathes out truth in every line... Your husband is noble nature, and you are noble too, for you trust, and trust cannot be where there is a mean nature."

The character of Lucy was played by Jennifer Joan Thompson and she may have had one of the most frightening scenes when after she has succombed to the count is seen gliding across the back of the stage bearing fangs shouting "Little Boy! Little Boy!" as Van Helsing, Seward and Harker prepare to end her existance.

The sets and the music certainly added to the haunting atmosphere of the production and the costumes represented the Victorian period well.

The only flaw I saw in the performance we were attending was during the finale when Mina strikes the final blow against the Count as he lays in his coffin. The effect which causes Dracula to appear to shrink and evaporate before our eyes starts slightly prematurely to Mina's strike.

All in all I was impressed. It was a very satisfying play and I would be more than happy to see it again.

Dracula will be playing at iRT through October 23rd. On Monday September 12th , iRT will be holding a blood drive and free tickets will be given to those who contribute.

My Old Girl, Sandy Sue

The first time I saw Sandy (Sandy Sue as we would come to call her) it was looking between the slats of the privacy fence that separated my aunt Barbara's home in Sheridan, Indiana and her next door neighbor's property. My aunt asked if the dog next door was a golden retriever. Though my view was partially restricted, I surmised she probably had some golden genes but she certainly wasn't full blooded. Her profile gave her the appearance of a golden retriever but head on she looked like she was probably mixed with a collie.

Sandy had gotten my aunt's attention by her constant barking and whining. She was not a happy dog. Her owners apparently didn't care for her as they kept her on a short chain connected to an igloo shaped dog house. They threw food and water out for her but never showed her affection or gave her freedom to exercise her legs. Barbara was saddened by Sandy's plight.

Sandy was aware of my aunt's 2 dogs and the good life they enjoyed on the opposite side of the fence and time and again she would break free of her chain and journey over to my aunt's house where she could enjoy some companionship. Reluctantly, Barbara would have to return her to her owners.

Barbara asked me on a couple of occasions if Sandy broke free and visited her if I would be willing to smuggle her away to live with me. My heart went out to Sandy but at the time, we couldn't possibly bring her to our home to live. Our beloved, golden retriever, Tristan had been recently diagnosed with cancer and we were working hard helping him through the final months of his life. We had just brought Noah, a puppy golden retriever who had been rescued from an interstate highway, into our home, and we still had our aging Lhasa Apso, Jasmine living with us. It just wasn't conceivable.

The following spring, my aunt called me enquiring if I might be interested in taking Sandy in. Her neighbors were preparing to move away and she was seriously concerned they were going to "shoot Sandy in the head" before they left. Barbara asked if she released Sandy and stole her away would I be willing to take her. Tristan had passed away during the winter and we were in a better position to welcome another dog into the family. I told Barbara not to steal Sandy, but to go to her neighbors and ask them for the dog. I figured if they were planning to do away with her anyway they should be willing to give her to their neighbor. If nothing else they might figure they wouldn't have to waste the ammunition.

Barbara promptly requested Sandy of her neighbors. Barbara insisted she have Sandy checked out by her veterinarian before turning her over to me. It cost her a bundle. Sandy had heart worm. I offered to pay the expense for her cure but Barbara wouldn't hear of it and she kept Sandy isolated at her house while she was treated. When Sandy was cleared by the vet, Barbara told me to come and pick her up.

Sandy recovering at my Aunt Barbara's home

Sandy was approximately 2 years old when she came to live with us. Our biggest concern was how Noah would respond. He was now the alpha dog after he had been brought along by Tristan. We were unable to take him to meet her on neutral ground so Sandy was going to be introduced on his turf. We were pleasantly surprised to find he got along well with her. I'm sure much of this was due to Sandy's sweet non threatening disposition.

Sandy quickly integrated into our family. From day one, Sandy was always sweet and gentle. She never demanded anything from us, and appeared to genuinely appreciate affection, safety and stability. She rarely barked as she had at her former home and only raised a fuss when it was meant as a warning or declaration. Sandy quickly adapted to the comforts of indoor life and it was evident she enjoyed her creature comforts.

One habit Sandy brought with her was wanderlust. She no longer wandered off for escape but for adventure. On more than one occasion we found Sandy missing from the back yard. We couldn't figure out how she was getting out. Later we would discover her climbing over (not leaping) the 3 foot fence bordering our back yard. Most of the time, she was found nearby and she happily returned when called. It didn't take long before Noah learned from Sandy's wanderings and began leaping the fence and following her lead outside our property.

Panic was the emotion our family felt one day the following winter when both dogs went missing. We spent much of the day searching for Noah and Sandy. We looked everywhere we had previously found them on their jaunts with no luck. Noah finally showed up at the house but Sandy was still missing. A phone call later that day revealed her whereabouts. A Good Samaritan in the neighborhood adjacent to ours had taken Sandy into his garage as he was concerned about her in the wintery elements. He had eventually found her name and our phone number on her caller. That spring, (particularly after Noah began jumping the fence to chase passerbies) we put up a new 6 foot fence.

The word I would associate most with Sandy is Contentment. Nothing seemed to upset her. She was pretty independent. Noah acts as if he never gets attention. He insists people see what he's up to and has to be cautioned not to overwhelm and pester people. If Sandy got attention, she accepted it but if she didn't get the attention Noah got, that was OK with her too. She had her moments of playfulness but for the most part she was content with just observing Noah chase a tennis ball or wrestle with a tug toy. In a sense, she became kind of sedentary. Where Noah doesn't like other dogs, Sandy typically enjoyed meeting and interacting with other dogs. Noah has always been and insists on being the alpha dog since Tristan died. Sandy was perfectly content with Noah being "Top Dog". Sandy was the perfect counterbalance to Noah's rambunctiousness.

Sandy in one of her more playful moments

Over the last few years, It appeared Sandy's hips were beginning to bother her. We probably spent a fortune on glucosamine and later Rymadol to keep her from becoming uncomfortable. A little over a year ago it was becoming apparent Sandy's spine was degenerating. She was having some difficulty with walking distance and then her gait began to become awkward. This past winter we had to support her hind quarters when she walked to keep her upright. By spring we had to lift her back end up off the ground and set her on all fours for her to move a short distance, and finally this summer she could no longer stand unaided nevertheless walk. Of late, we began carrying her outside and supporting her while she did her business. She sometimes even needed help with repositioning when she became uncomfortable. Eventually she became unable to control her bowels and we had to massage her bladder to stimulate her urination. Throughout it all she appeared to be content with her life. She still enjoyed a few simple pleasures. She enjoyed eating, and sitting outside and watching the goings on of the neighborhood. She liked being talked to and petted but I imagine being dependent for most of her basic functions was becoming a burden.

A typical Sandy pose from a year ago

Last Friday, Sandy had a bout with diarrhea which lasted most of the weekend, necessitating her spending the majority of the time outdoors. I thank the Lord for providing nice weather. After multiple cleanups and a diet adjustment, by Sunday, her diarrhea had cleared but we noticed she had developed an open sore on her right flank. Because of the time she spent outside she had been exposed to flies and maggots had infested the sore. Though maggots in wounds is actually a good debriding method, we couldn't stand maggots in the house, so I spent much of Sunday evening picking maggots from the wound and combing them from her fur.

Judy called Dr. Keifer, our vet, Monday morning to help us determine what we should do. (We had Dr. Keifer see her a few weeks ago and he told us then she was getting near the point we should consider putting her down.) He suggested if Sandy was becoming debilitated to the point where she was developing sores; the time to let her go had come. I left work early yesterday, and Judy and I took her in and sat by her side comforting her as Sandy's spirit left her worn out body. I must have cried a thousand tears and as I write this, my throat cramps as I choke back more tears. When her ashes are returned to us, we will place them in an appropriate spot in our back yard and have a family service for her and we will all cry again.

Sandy lived just a few months shy of 12 years. Her first 1.5 to 2 years were under difficult circumstances as she was mistreated and she barely survived. It would have been understandable if she would have been a difficult dog the rest of her life but instead she took everything in stride and found life enjoyable. She wasn't skittish and never showed an iota of meanness. She was always sweet and gentle.

Goodbye, I'll never forget you, my old girl, Sandy Sue.

I received an e-mail titled CASSIC MOVIE REMAKES with the following pictures. I just have to share them. With apologies to my more liberal friends, from the "star" who gave us "Hope and Change" COMING SOON!


The Treasure of Sierra Madre


Bonnie And Clyde

The Wizard of Oz

Gone With The Wind


The Wizard of Oz


The Godfather


The Three Stooges

Thriller- The Magician

The Magician

1926

Directed by Rex Ingram

Starring: Paul Wegener, Alice Terry, Ivan Petrovich and Firmin Gemier

It was nearly 30 years ago when I was first introduced to Rex Ingram's 1926 film The Magician while reading William Everson's Classics of the Horror Film. The stills alone were captivating and Everson's synopsis was intriguing.

Now, thanks to the internet, I was able to track down this little known classic of the silent era. (I've missed it whenever it has been shown on TCM) I've never seen any of Ingram's works but I've read he was more interested in the image rather than the drama. Unfortunately, the print I viewed didn't display the rich black and whites and crisp images. I was surprised, though, by the thoroughly entertaining storytelling.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

After a sculptress, Margaret, is nearly killed when her statue falls on her, is operated on by a young surgeon, Arthur, who reverses her paralyses. She and the young Doctor fall in love. Margaret also gets the attention of Oliver Haddo, a magician who scoffs at the ability of the young surgeon's ability to save life when he has the ambition to create life.

In an occultic book, Haddo discovers a page describing the procedure which reqires the heart's blood of a blond blue eyed maiden. Haddo sets his sights on Margaret. During a scene at the fair, Haddo looses a poisonous viper, allowing it to bite him without harm to display his magic. Tragically, a female onlooker is struck by the serpent and succombs to the poison. Arthur and Margaret were also onlookers and Arthur rushes the victim to the hospital. Margaret becomes caught up in Haddo's hypnotic eyes.

Haddo begins to stalk Margaret and confronts her in her home while no one else is at home. He hypnotizes her stating "If you wish to see strange things I have the power to show them to you" Margaret slips into a dreamlike trance where she finds herself in a scene from hell filled with pagan rites and a Pan-like creature embracing her while a horn haired Haddo looks on.

Haddo leaves after leaving her his card and has successfully gained a hypnotic control over her.

On the day of her wedding to Arthur she leaves with Haddo, leaving Arthur a note of her departure.

Arthur and her uncle, go in search of her and find her in Monte Carlo where she is gambling under Haddo's control and his magic is reaping winnings. Haddo leaves Margaret behind in her hotel room while he and his dwarf servant embark for Haddo's village home to prepare for his experiments in his sorcerer's castle.

Arthur finds Margaret and she confessess to him she believes Haddo intends to kill her and says, " It was something in me over which I had no control. I have no longer a will...no longer a soul I can call my own."

Arthur takes her home and hides her out in a sanitarium. Arthur and her uncle find papers which reveal Haddo is indeed mad and find upon their next visit to the sanitarium that Margaret is missing and only a threatening note left by Haddo.

Arthur and Margaret's uncle leave for Haddo's village. An atmospheric stormy night prefaced in a title card. "Light...and the lights of the sorcerer's tower gleaming through the storm like two evil eyes" is the back drop of the final scenes taking place inside the sorcerer's tower. Haddo makes final preparations in his lab as Margaret is tied down awaiting her fate. Haddo removes his scalpel as he goes over his notes instructing him the need for the Heart blood of a maiden. Before Haddo can plunge the blade in Margaret's chest, Arthur arrives and he and Haddo grapple in a climactic fight scene wheich ends with Haddo falling into a burning furnace he intended for Arthur.

Arthur and Margaret's uncle release her and the castle tower explodes behind their escape.

This movie should be on every horror fan's list of must see films. The film forshadows much of what helped Universal succeed in the genre as well as reaches back and uses influences from the past.

During Margaret's vision of Hell one is reminded of scenes from Benjamin Christensen's Haxen. Both James Whale's Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein both appear to be influenced by The Magician.

Wegener's Haddo is supposedly inspired by the occult magician Aleister Crowley, who also was the inspiration for the antagonists in 1932's The Black Cat and 1958's Curse of the Demon .

I liked the cover of this week's Bulletin. The inscription is from John 20:1
"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance."

After Jesus had risen and before His ascension He spoke to his disciples and said" "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:46

The resurrection validates everything Jesus ever did or ever said and so we can be assured of His words in John 6:30 "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

Hellelujah! What a Savior!

Happy Easter!

Catching up

It has been far too long since I updated these posts. My shoulder injury has turned out to be more complicated than I suspected and has made it difficult to type at my desk. The height of my desk is just a little higher at home than my desk at work and the slight increase in elevation of my arms causes pain in my shoulder if I spend too much time at the computer.

As it turns out I have a severely damaged rotator cuff. The MRI revealed one of my tendons is completely severed and because it is actually an old injury it had atrophied and retracted. There is also tears in two other tendons. Unfortunately, there is no surgical procedure to correct the problem. The specialist hopes after about 6 weeks of physical therapy, I can get my shoulder back to where it functions like it did prior to my fall. The fact the major injury had been something I had been living with for some time was a little surprising. The Doctor said many folks argue with him under similar circumstances because they were unaware of a previous injury but after considering it, I was able to recall when I played basketball I would get occaisional sharp pains in my shoulder when I would extend my arm in certain positions. I can't remember a time when I probably initially injured the shoulder unless it was the time over 14 years ago when I seperated the shoulder while playing football.

At least the injury was to my left shoulder and not my dominate arm. I've been able to carry on with work but many things I do are much more difficult and the injury is certainly annoying.

Basically. I've been a one and a half armed man since the Ice Storm in February. Hopefully, the exercises I started last week will restore function and decrease the pain.

These exercises and lots of icing the shoulder is my current therapy

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I wanted to acknowledge a few things that have happened since my injury.

First, I am pleased to announce Jason has finally found a job! Jason starting working for Au Bon Pain at their new Airport location the first week of March. Kyle was instrumental in getting him hired as Kyle has been working for Au Bon Pain's Methodist Hospital location for over a year now and he has made a pretty good name for himself with the company. Jason appears to enjoy working and has taken his responsibility seriously as he never turns down an opportunity to help out and has been getting more hours than he originally thought he would.

The company has recently expanded services by opening Granite City (sort of a sport's bar) adjacent to their fancy sandwich location in the terminal. Jason finds himself working in both locations.

Before Granite City opened, Jason invited me to attend a special trial run for the employee's families and other airport personnel. Jason and I were served a free meal to give the staff practice before opening to the public. It will probably be the only time I get to eat there because being in the terminal you need a pass or ticket to reach the restaurant not to mention a security check.

Here is the link to learn more about Jason's work place.

http://www.indianapolisairport.com/admin/uploads/532/03.04.11GraniteCityAndAuBonPain.pdf

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A few weeks ago, we noticed our Golden Retriever, Noah, running over to a corner of our sunporch and begin scratching at the floor. He was annoyed by something. After hearing a chattering from under the porch and seeing a raccoon wandering in the back yard at dusk a couple of evenings, we concluded we had a raccoon problem. I contacted a Wildlife removal service and couldn't have been more impressed with the young man who came to our house to help rid us of the potentially destructive critter.

Joe assured me, he never destroyed animals he caught (unless they were sick) and he had a wooded area in Moorseville where he was allowed to release wildlife. Joe carefully pulled up the floor board above where Noah was scratching and sure enough, just as Joe predicted we found 5 baby raccoons. Joe carefully lifted the baby raccoons from there resting place and placed them inside a trap with the idea the mother would be trapped when she went into the trap to reach her babies. It didn't take long for us to see the mother peering up at us from under the porch. We placed the baby filled trap next to the porch and Joe proceeded to replace the floor board. While Joe was finishing, I saw the mother raccoon, examining the trap, but she wouldn't go in. She ran off, darting out of our yard. Joe assured me she would be back. He left and said he would return the next day.

A couple of hours later, I decided to check on the trap and to my dismay 4 of the babies were missing. I was sure there was no way they could have wandered off. Besides they would have triggered the trap preventing their escape. I suspected Mom had returned and was smarter than the trap and she had rescued her little ones. I decided to set up watch and see what would happen. It wasn't long before I saw mom wandering in our neighbor's yard. She was obviously trying to sneak back into our yard. She was so very cautious. She would climb the security fence seperating my yard from my neighbor's and she would peer over looking at the trap holding her last baby. She then slid back down and went up into a tree near our garage. I think she saw me and she ran back into the neighbor's yard. I decide to move to a new location to watch and after a short while she appeared at the other side of my yard and slipped in. She moved very cautiously and then I watched her approach the trap, slip inside and then pick up her baby in her mouth and slip out without triggering the trap. She slipped back under the porch. I was hoping she wasn't returning the babies to thir original nest. I continued to watch and I saw her reappear with her baby still in mouth. She ducked back under the porch when she heard Noah bark from inside the house. She poked her head back out, baby still hanging from her mouth, and then she hustled herself and baby away and out of my yard. I tried to catch up and see where she was taking her young but she was too fast. She obviously had transported her young to the woods just north of our home.

I called Joe to tell him the story and he was impressed. He theorized the mother had at one time had an experience with a trap. It all turned out well. We no longer had to worry about raccoons in the yard. ( As Joe said, they can be destructive but worse they had a tendency to be carriers of round worms which could be transferred to our dogs or even humans)

It was very enjoyable and interesting watching the sequence of events.

Here is Joe's business card and a link to his web site.

http://www.wildliferemovalandrepairllc.com/

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Last but not least, I want to give a shout out to Matt Hale. Matt went and got hitched this past week in a very nice wedding ceremony. I've known Matt since he was just a youngster and I couldn't be happier for him. His bride, Tara is lovely and from what his folks, John and Vicki, say
she is a perfect match for him. It is truly wonderful to see how God works in the lives of people and places them together.

Here is Matt dancing with his lovely bride, Tara


Judy, myself and Jason in attendance for the wedding.

Thriller-- The Lodger 1926

The Lodger
1926
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Ivor Novello- The Lodger
June Trip- Daisy Bunting




This early British foray into the Horror genre was Alfred Hitchcock's third film and his first thriller.

The movie opens with a screaming fair haired girl in closeup; the lights of a sign reflected in the water announce a theatrical production To-Night Golden Curls. The scene shifts back to the girl who lies murdered- the seventh vicitm of the Tuesday killer known as the Avenger.

The story The Lodger subtitled A Story of the London Fog is loosely based upon the Jack the Ripper murders.

While the London is consumed with reports of the Avenger, a stranger arrives at the home of an older couple, the Buntings, and their daughter, Daisy. Cloaked with his face half covered and carrying a black bag the ominous stranger has come to rent a room the couple has advertised.




It isn't long before the lodger's nightly comings and goings and other strange behaviors has raised the suspicion's of his landlord's. However, their daughter, Daisy, a lovely golden haired woman herself, becomes enchanted with the young lodger, much to the irritation of her boyfriend a detective who is working on the the Avenger case.




Hitchcock creates an eerie atmosphere using a variety of camera angles presenting a film with a nod to impressionism. Hitchcock relies on visuals and a limited number of title cards to tell the story. As he will continue to do throughout the rest of his career, he builds tension masterfully.

Early Hitchcock experiments can be seen in this film. For example, Hitchcock developed a glass floor for one original scene where the lodger is pacing back and forth so when the family downstairs looks up at the ceiling it becomes transparent revealing the shoes of the suspect.

Hitchcock gives us a forshadowing of his most famous scene to be revealed in Psycho thirty-four years later when we see Daisy strip down and take a bath while the lodger lurks outside her room.

Hitchcock also makes a cameo appearance toward the end of the film as a member of the mob who is attacking the lodger and Hitchcock's use of the Blonde is obvious.

In 1932, the film would be remade with sound and then again in 1944. If you have seen the 44 film, you haven't seen this one though as the film has a different ending.

Any Hitchcock fan should see The Lodger as it represents the beginning of the master's thriller career.

Thriller of the Week x 2

The Student of Prague
1926
Dir Henrik Galeen
Starring: Conrad Veidt and Werner Krauss
*Spoilers follow*

This remake of a 1913 version starring Paul Wegner is the story of a Balduin , the student, this time played by Conrad Veidt.

The film begins with a shot of a monument and ends with the same shot but with the inscription readable on a title card, "This monument is dedicated to Balduin, the best fencer in Prague. He gambled with evil and lost. Pray for the redemption of his soul, you wanderer. Adieu, Balduin"

The story picks up in 1826 where the ever popular, Balduin is running low on funds and finds himself dissatisfied with his current position. He is approached by Scapinelli, a mysterious stranger, played by Krauss (He played Dr. Caligari alongside Veidt in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari). Scapinelli makes Balduin an offer of money and Balduin remarks he really needs a rich woman.

A hunt is held by the wealthy Count Schwarzenberg. His daughter, Margaret, and fiance, a Baron are partaking in the festivities. Scapinelli reveals himself as having supernatural powers by standing on a hill and controlling the pace of the hunt and particularly Margaret's horse. He causes the horse to throw her just as Balduin comes upon her. Balduin rescues the young woman coming into her good graces and a rivalry with her fiance begins. Balduin's lack of money is a barrier to his attempts to court Margaret and Scapinelli makes him a deal. Scapinelli offers him 600,00 gold crowns for anything that can be found in Balduin's room. The deal is made and Scapinelli amazingly produces the coins. Scapinelli begins to look around the room for what he wants in exchange and stops at the full length mirror. In the mirror is Balduin's reflection and it is what Scapinelli wants in return. Balduin entreats the reflection to seperate from Balduin and leave the mirror. The doppleganger leaves with Scapinelli.

Balduin wastes no time spending the money. Making charitable donations and buys a house and then begins to seriously sway Margaret.

The rivalry between Balduin and her fiance intensifies and results in a proposed fencing duel between the two, a bad idea for the Baron. Count Schwarzenberg pleads Balduin to spare the life of the young Baron. Balduin gives his word he will not kill the him.

Balduin's doppleganger, however feels no compunction to honor Balduin's word and shows up in place of Balduin and kills Margaret's fiance. This ruins Balduin's reputation and the reflection goes on to continue finding ways to wreck Balduin's life.

The story ends when Balduin confronts his relection in front of the mirror. He shoots the doppleganger and the mirror breaks as the bullet seemingly passes through the doppleganger/ reflection. The doppleganger disappears but Balduin collapses to the floor gripping his chest. He dies looking at his reflection returned in the broken mirror.


No doubt the greatest improvement over the 1913 version is the substitution of Conrad Veidt in the title role. Though Paul Wegner was a formidable horror star in the early silents, Veidt was a master. In my opinion, only Chaney surpasses Veidt's talents and screen presence. Movies were also generally better made 13 years after the original.


The Student of Prague would be made again but this in my mind is the definitive version.

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Black Moon
1934
Director: Roy William Neil
Starring: Fay Wray & Jack Holt

Occaisonally an unexpected treat comes along and such was the case this week. Rarely do I come across a horror film (particularly from the classic period) I'm unfamiliar with. Though I'm not an expert of the genre like say a Tom Weaver who has wrote extensive books on the horror genre or a William Everson who taught classes in universities about the genre, I still have been a fan for nearly 50 years and have given presentations at a local convention on the genre including "The Evolution of the Universal Monster", "An Introduction to the British Horror Film", "Universal & Hammer an Analytical Comparison"and "The Concept of Horror In the Doctor Who Universe". My collection of Horror films numbers near 1500 and is represented by films from all over the world. Yet, I dare say I miss one from time to time.

While reading an article in Monsters From the Vault 28 about Roy William Neil, who directed most of the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies as well as various horror movies, a short paragraph mentioned his first horror film- Black Moon- starring Jack Holt and Fay Wray. "What is this?" I thought. I couldn't believe I hadn't come across this movie, particularly when my favorite heroine from the classic horror period, Fay Wray, was starring. I was humbled. I quickly got out my Encyclopedia of the Horror Film, a tome where nearly every horror film, through the early 90s of worth is listed and commented on. I didn't find a listing. I felt a little less stupid.
It wasn't long before I found myself engaged in searching for a copy of the film. I got hold of a copy recorded from a TCM broadcast and was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the film.






The movie concerns a woman, Juanita, with a devoted husband, Stephen played by Holt, and daughter. She is drawn to go back to the Caribbean Island of San Christopher where she was raised. Early on she is seen compusively drumming out the sounds of the island's natives. Her husband agrees to send her back to the island for a holiday. Her uncle who still resides on the island tries to send a warning to keep her away, as the natives too have become restless, but the message is intercepted.

Juanita, along with her daughter, her daughter's nanny and Stephen's secretery Gail (Fay Wray), who is sent to protect Juanita, embarks on the island.
They are greeted by her uncle who appears to be cruel to the island's natives. He is concerned Juanita's presence will only further rile the natives. The native's treat Juanita as a goddess. Her uncle explains she was "poisoned by the voodoo" as a child.
Stephen responds to a request to come and take his wife home but finds himself trapped on the island with the others after his arrival.
The natives are presented as threatening, superstitious and eventually they begin partaking in voodoo rites and human sacrifice.
A particular treat is the fine performance of Clarence Muse as the boat man named "Lunch". He is the lone sympathetic black character and his character is easily appreciated.
The movie fits nicely between the better known "White Zombie" and Val Lewton's "I Walked with a Zombie" though no Zombies make an appearance, there is much similarity with the latter.
Jack Holt and Fay Wray turn in excellect performances, and the building atmosphere, including the incessant sound of drums and pace of the film make this a true gem worth discovery.

Sunday Sermon 2-27-11

"The Believer's Daily Dozen"
Romans 12:9-13
Pastor Paul Woodruff

Love is the overall rule & Love must be sincere without hypocrisy
If we've experienced The Love, we should be showing The Love
LOVE is the ultimate identifier of the Believer We have a responsibility to LOVE

Love expresses itself in 12 things- The expression of the transformed life
Following the Believer's goal to love is the believer's Daily Dozen

1. Abhor What Is Evil Ps 97:10, Prov 8:13
Evil here is anything bad for you
2. Cling To What is Good Daniel 10:20, Joshua 23:8
The standard for good is found in God's Word
3. Love My Brother 1 Pet 3:18
Love your family in Christ
4. Honoring Others
Value other people
5. Don't Be Lazy- Slothful Ecc 9:10
Whatever you do do it well
6. Boiling In Spirit--Be fervent
Be excited bout life in Christ & let others no Spiritual matters are important
7. Serve The Lord
It is the motive for our zeal
8. Rejoicing in Hope 1Pet 1, Heb 6
Hope of Glory is a certainty for the Believer
9. Persevering In Trials
Keep the Faith, Keep Loving - Keep Serving
10. Constantly Praying 1 Thess 5:17
Attend to prayer without ceasing
11. Meet Needs 1 Jn 3:17
Contribute to the needs of the Saints, share with those in Need
12. Practice Hospitality
Love strangers- open your home

The Following Hand out goes on to exhort practical applications

The message can be heard at

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

Attempting Recovery & Catching up on Sunday Sermons

It has been entirely too easy to use the excuse of a damaged left wing to prevent me from updating these posts. Though I have seen some slight improvement in the range of motion in my arm and the pain has been under better control, it still is uncomfortable to type at my desk for any extended period. But enough is enough.

I've been procrastinating at rescheduling a trip back to the doctor. I already have an annual physical scheduled for March 7th, so I think I'll wait till then and give the arm a little more healing time. In the mean time I've been doing appropriate exercizes with the arm/ shoulder. If it is still no better by the 7th, I'll concede to whatever the Doctor orders.

One thing I didn't mention last time I posted was something I was particularly proud of. One of my goals for 2010 was to become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. This is a special certification given by the Brain Injury Association of America to persons who meet certain qualifications and can pass their exam. In early January I finally got my opportunity to take the exam. Leading up to the exam, I spent a week studying and the evening before I was feeling pretty confident and spent the evening reviewing material and then I took a practice exam to see where I stood. On the practice exam I scored a 96%. Being the perfectionist I am I decided to spend a little more time on an area I was weak in and about 11:00pm, all of a sudden everything went blank, At that point it was like everything I had been preparing vanished. It was as if my mind went blank. I tried not to panic. I realized I had just overstudied. I reasoned the material had been encoded but it was like I had been filing all this information away and someone had turned the cabinet over and now it was hard to retrieve the needed information- a classic organization problem. I also knew, after a good night's sleep, I should be able to retrieve the information much better and when I took the test, the questions would likely cue me toward the material now stored in memory. Sure enough, I felt confident again as I took the test and felt reasonably sure I had passed. My results came back recently and I passed with a 99%.
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I haven't posted any of my sermon notes for awhile so here are the outlines from Pastor Paul Woodruff's Sunday messages from February 13th and February 20th.
The entire sermons and other messages can be found at The Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church web site at
http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx

2/13/11
"Be Transformed"
Romans 12:1-2
1. A Call To An Act of Presentation
Pesent- To put at God's disposal
God wants us committed to Him- nothing held back- the best we have
Malachi 1:6-9- The priests defiled God because they offered less than their best
An all out presentation of our lives to God is reasonable & logical- not radical
Considering God's mercy toward us and because Jesus gave Himself for us it is reasonable for us to give everything His love for us should compel us

2. A Command to the Precept of Transformation
Don't be shaped by the world (conformed)
Don't adapt to the world's view & priorities
The World of Fallen Humanity is characterized by Self Love / Self Seeking
It substiutes the glory of this world for the glory of God-- Rom 1:23-25
What we must do is Transform
We received a new nature when we became a believer & now we should be transformed by God
It is a process about change and not just growth- real growth happens by transformation
Done By:- The renewing of the mind- We must think differently
How we think will affect how we act
The Christian mind needs to think from an eternal perspective- not a secular perspective
Eternal Life doesn't begin after I die but should determine how I Live
The Method of the Holy Spirit's renewal- God's Word Col 3:10, 16
The Result proves what the will of God is

We discover God's will is what is Good
Ask yourself when making decisions
Is it Good?
Is it Moraly Pure?
Is it pleasing to God?

Dedication to God leads to Discernment which leads to delight

2/20/11
"Humbling Exercize"
Romans 12:3-8

A call for humility within the church as it relates to the exercize of gifts-
A biblical humbling will open the door to love

1. The Caution to Think Humbly About Ourselves vs 3
Don't overestimate our value Rom12;16
I shouldn't think myself better than others
"matter of faith" -a reference to the gifts & the resources to exercize them Eph 4:7
Whatever grace or gift given to us is all of God & He gives us the grace to minister the gift 1 Cor 15:10
When we understand it is all of God we will have sound judgment
1Tim 3:6 a person can easily become conceited
Pride is the first sin- comitted by Satan-- Pride is spiritual insanity- Fueled by the Devil
1 Cor 4:6

2. The Reminder how Important Everyone is to the Body of Christ
Gifts- Deal with our service
Fruits deal with our character
Gifts shouldn't be a copout for service ex." I don't do that it isn't my gift"
Every believer has at least 1 spiritual gift
1 Pet 4:11

3. Call to Exercize your Gift for Service of the Body
We need to Act out what we read in the Bible
Act On What We Believe

The Week That Was

I normally don't like using this space to write about me, but this week I'll make an exception. The ice storm descended on our city on Tuesday and Wednesday last week and brought with it a couple of trials to be faced. I thought I was doing really well. I had no problems getting to work after each night the ice fell, was well prepared, and it didn't interfere with any of my normal routine.
On Thursday evening, however, as Judy and I were going to bed, Judy noticed a circular yellow stain on the bedroom ceiling. Water was leaking in through the roof. This, of course, didn't go over well with me. I hate it when I can't do something about a problem. At 10:30 pm, I was powerless to stop the leak or protect my ceiling. It was difficult getting to sleep. The next morning, before heading into work, I climbed up into the attic, found where water was seeping in, cleared the wet insulation back and placed a pan to catch water dripping in. When I got to work I called the roofing company and made an appointment for them to come out and clear the ice dam which was causing the backed up melting water to find escape through my roof.

I went home early not expecting the roofing company to arrive until the next day. I went back up into the attic to survey things a little more closely. Where I had placed the pan, was not the main culprit, and no water had collected. On closer investigation I found where most of the water was leaking through. I cleared the wet insulation back so air could dry out the the wet wood and tried to set things so the leak could be caught. Bone Dry roofing made it to the house earlier than expected and broke up the ice dam and explained how the attic didn't have enough insulation and it contributed to the problem as warm air was escaping through the roof and melting the underneath side of the ice on the roof but along the eaves the air wasn't warm and the ice dams were solid preventing the melted water from running off. The long term solution is to double the insulation in the attic. Anyway, the immediate problem was solved. the ceiling has dried out and more insulation is on the way.

Saturday evening Judy and I went out to eat with our good friends John and Vicki Hale and I related our roof story to them as they had related they had to stay home from work a couple of days and both of them had suffered falls resulting in aches and pains. With bravado, I spoke of how I made it to work where so many others couldn't.

We joined our good friends Jim and Cindy Barnard for a SuperBowl party the next evening and again, I proudly spoke of my ability to get to work on time during the terrible conditions.

Then on Monday night, about 10:30 pm I stepped outside to bring one of our dogs in. I shouldn't have went outside with just a pair of slippers on my feet. I stepped on the second step and my feet went flying out from under me. I reached back to break my fall but my hand slid behind my back as the rest of my weight crashed down upon my left arm and shoulder. My first thought was I had broken something. The pain was intense and I couldn't move my arm. I slowly got to my feet and made it back inside the house. I shouted out for Judy to come and assist me. There wasn't any deformity, so I didn't believe I had broke anything. Judy suggested I go to the hospital, but like a good nurse I refused. I told her, I'd ice it down and take Advil.
Thankfully, I was able to get some sleep, but the next morning the pain remained intense and my range of motion was severely limited. I drove into work to at least get the things up and running for the neuropsychology department. Of course everyone was telling me I needed to go have the arm checked out. My reply was that most likely I would be told the injury was too acute to make a good assessment and I would be told to do what I was doing anyway. Why spend the money on a co-payment for that and waste the time. If things didn't improve over the next couple of days, I would then go see the Doctor.
One of the Doctor's at the hospital I work for insisted she take a look at it and after doing a brief exam basically agreed with me. There was no evidence of a break and it would take an MRI to reveal other structural damage. She thought it was probably a bad bruising of the deltoid and bicep.
Today, it is still painful but less intense. My range of motion is improving daily. I think, by Monday, the arm will probably be back to full function without pain. If not, I'll probably give in and have it more thoroughly checked out.

It just goes to show I shouldn't have been bragging how well I managed the ice storm. It is true, Pride Goeth Before the Fall (literally in this case). I hesitate to point out I haven't missed a day of work since any of these incidents.
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"Thou shalt not attend a SuperBowl party" has been one of my personal commandments for some time. SuperBowl parties usually mean missing the SuperBowl. I broke this rule on Sunday evening. Judy and I accepted an invitation to meet at Jim and Cindy Barnard's for a little gathering of friends.
When I watch football, I watch the game with intensity. I'm analyzing the game, listening to the commentary, watching elements others don't (like where defensive backs line up on certain plays). This can't be done successfully in a party like atmosphere where people are chatting and paying more attention to commercials than the game. AAAARRRGH!
When I reluctantly accepted Jim and Cindy's offer (There are very few individuals on this earth I would have accepted the invitation from) I expressed "Since I don't have a horse in the race, or should I say a Colt in the game, we would plan to be there. I will say Judy and I had a good time, but I didn't really get to watch the Superbowl the way I normally do and so I will refrain from much comment about the outome.
I was leaning toward the Packers for a few reasons. First, I felt they were the better team. I really like Aaron Rogers their quarterback and before the season started, though I don't predict, if someone held a gun to my head and made me pick teams to reach the SuperBowl, I would have chosen Green Bay and the Baltimore Ravens to be there in the end. I also didn't want the Steelers to win again. I have a friend who lives down the street who used to live in Pittsburg and I grow weary of his constant bragging how great the Steelers are.
Hopefully, there will be a season next year and Indianapolis will be host to next year's festivities.
Incidentally, Las Vegas has given the Colts 9-1 odds to reach the Superbowl next year. Only Green Bay, New England and the Jets have been given better odds. What does that mean-- NOTHING!

Thriller of the Week- The Monster

In 1925, Lon Chaney not only made The Phantom of the Opera but he also starred as the heavy in a film called The Monster. The movie is one of the first examples of the horror-comedy. Johnny Arthur supplies the comedy element in the film playing, Johnny Goodlittle, a store clerk with aspirations of becoming a detective.

As fate would have it, the mysterious disappearance of John Bowman, a wealthy member of the community baffles the local constable at the scene of his abandoned,wrecked vehicle. Johnny, a milktoast of a man and his rival Amos Rugg have accompanied the constable. What the investigators don't know is what the viewers saw at the beginning of the film. Bowman's car accident was no accident. A shrouded figure had been lurking at the roadside and when Bowman's vehicle came down the road, Rigo (as he would come to be known) lowered a mirror in the roadway causing Bowman to think an oncoming car was going to crash into him. Bowman swerved and wrecked the car. A secret tunnel opened in the ground and Bowman was carried away.

Johnny stumbles upon a clue at the crash site. It points to the local sanitarium, but he is ignored by the constable and Amos.

We soon learn of Johnny's love interest in the beautiful Betty Watson the general store owner's daughter, played by Gertrude Olmstead who is being courted by Amos.

At the conclusion of a party, Amos drives away with Betty and Johnny is left walking home when he runs into a strange man and begins following him. Rigo, again sets up his mirror trap and this time it is Amos and Betty who fall victim to it. The man Johnny is following is also part of the scheme and Johnny sees the wreck and he too falls into the hidden tunnel trap in the ground and then Johnny, Amos and Betty all tumble into the sanctum of the asylum where the patients have taken over the asylum and are led by Dr. Ziska, played by Chaney.

From here the story plays out like an Old Dark House mystery and Johnny must use his ingenuity to free Betty, Amos and himself.

Ziska (Chaney) and Rigo

The movie is more comedy than horror and Chaney takes a back seat to Arthur because of it. Chaney does a good job of portraying menace, however. Chaney's expressions add menace to the line Ziska states after his captive guests ask him "Doctor, shall we see you in the morning?"

Ziska's response, "Who knows if one will ever see the morning."

Amos, Betty and Johnny survive Ziska's trap

All in all The Monster is a pleasurable 86 minute film and it helped pave the way for later horror comedies.

Presidential Tales

I just completed reading two similar but very different books. Both books recount historical accounts of past presidents. One is an autobiographical account; the other is a fictional biography of one of our greatest presidents.

In the introduction of Seth Graham-Smith's Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the author reveals his interactions with a mysterious stranger who presents him with 10 leather-bound books and a bundle of letters all penned by our 16th President of the United States. The writings go on to reveal the secret history of Lincoln's life.

Lincoln's life is unfolded in an interesting style as the author writes in a traditional biographical style interposing both brief and long exerpts from Lincoln's own hand.

Lincoln's story begins during his boyhood in Indiana with the tragic death of his mother which would shape much of Lincoln's character and his discovery her death wasn't a result of "milk sickness' but the act of a vampire. The story continues to reveal Lincoln's personal vendetta with the undead and how every event in his life was shaped by it. We learn how vampires worked behind the scenes shaping the events leading to Civil War and how vampires both warred with and protected Lincoln.

Interestingly enough the book is actually a pretty accurate account of Lincoln's life. Most of the major events are told but here for the first time we learn the unknown truth and meaning behind these events.

It didn't take long to read the 336 pages and I was thoroughly entertained. Additionaly, a number of photshopped photos from Lincoln's life are scattered throughout the book adding more realism to the account.

An amusing anecdote was told to me by one of the doctors I work with who read the book. Evidently, he left the book on the dresser by his bed and his wife came along and looked at the cover. She picked it up, read the title again, then sat it down and commented to him "I didn't know that about him." True Story

Incidentally Tim Burton is producing the film slated to be released in June of 2012. The Russian film director Timur Bekmambetov of the Nightwatch and Daywatch films has been tabbed to direct the film.

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George W Bush's memoir, Decision Points doesn't mention any behind the scenes vampire tales but does give the 43rd president's perspective on his 8 years in the oval office. The book reveals the inner man. He comes across nothing like the stereotype Dumb Cowboy the main stream media often portrayed him as.

Bush comes across as thoughtful, competent, compassionate and intelligent. Without question he is a man grounded in his principles.

Obviously, Bush's account of 9/11 and the aftermath is engrossing. As well, the revelation of what went into making the decisons to send troops into combat in Afghanistan and Iraq were enlightening and should be read by those Bush bashers who believe he haphazardly led our country into war.

If Iraq turns out to be a stable democracy in the region, I believe history will judge President Bush in much better terms than when he left the office. I supported the war in Iraq from the outset and never waivered. I found myself at odds with both conservative and liberal friends as both fell in disfavor of the war as it wore on and extracted so much in devastation and human life. I always felt it was important we took the fight against terror and tyranny to the enemy rather than respond to acts of terror on our shores. The Iraq war not only relieved Iraq of a tyrannical dictator who given the opportunity would have done anything to cause harm to the United States but it also caused terrorist organizations in the region to concentrate their efforts on the insurgency rather than planning new attacks on our country. The war exhausted their resources and led to the capture and death of many of their leaders.

Bush defends his decisions about the war not with bravado but thoughtfulness. He certainly didn't make the decison lightly and he stuck with it.

Bush honestly examines his mistakes and doesn't make excuses for his failures. He also defends his decisions skillfully. As a conservative, I didn't always agree with some of his decisions, but after reading the book, I came away with a greater respect for why he made the decisons he did.

Of note, it is hard for me to believe Bush is not credited more by liberals for another war he waged, the war against AIDS and malaria in Africa. Bush has a great heart for people and after seeing how disease in Africa was destroying the lives of those on the continent, he acted to not only get necessary funds to those who could appropriately fight the disease but also went beyond and set up programs that bypassed the international community with all the unnecessay delays that were inherent in their programs. His efforts privided necessary medications and treatment and placed additional emphasis on prevention programs. Bush's efforts have been highly successful as "PEPFAR supported treatment for over 2.1 million AIDs victims and care for more than 10 million people.. had helped protect mothers and babies during more than 16 million preganancies. More than 57 million people had benefited from AIDS teating and counseling services." His malaria initiative was equally successful.

Bush weaves his personal perspective throughout and tells behind the scenes stories both shining a positive light on his presidency and tales which are less than flattering to his person. I highly recommend his book to anyone, no matter what their political persuasion.

An Awe Inspiring Video and the Sunday Message 1/23/11

Last week Our church had a viewing of Louis Giglio's "How Great Is Our God" tour.


It was one of the most inspirational video's I have seen. Dr. Giglio tours with musician Chris Tomlin providing inspiration from the scriptures with slides presenting the universe and in this presentation the protein laminin. The presentation is half science, half scripture with the purpose to understand just how great God is and by understanding how Great He is, knowing how little man is. Yet, this great God loves little man. The presentation left me in awe. I found his previous tour "The Indescribable Tour" which was equally impressive and I would urge viewers to see the "Indescribale" tour first. The "How Great is Our God" tour recaps and expands on the "Indiscribable" tour and then moves from the wonders of the cosmos to the wonders of God's creation- man.


I'm looking to purchase both sets. In the mean time I showed both my sons the videos and Kyle particulary was moved as he broke down in tears and praise. For the Christian it is difficult to not have such a response.

I would urge people to buy the videos to see them in their full splendor and assuring the originators receive their due revenue, but if you want to preview them first, the videos can be seen on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=louis+giglio+hope&aq=5

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday Message 1/23/11
Stumbling Over The Stone

Romans 9:30-10:21

Pastor Paul Woodruff

Israel Would Not Submit to God's Method of Salvation vs 9:30 -10:5

The Gentiles obtained righteousness without looking for it while the Jews while looking for it couldn't see it. Acts 13:38-52

The Jews took the Law seriously, but not seriously enough for the Law says it must be kept perfectly "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." James 2:10

Only through Jesus Christ can th e law be fulfilled perfectly & the Jews stumbled over Jesus

Israel Wouldn't Accept God's Messiah for Salvation vs 10:6-13

Christ came to them and did all the work- all they needed to do was believe

Isaiah 44:6 ""Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and His redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and i am the last, and there is no God besides me."

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega- The First and the Last

The Jews knew Jesus claimed to be God yet they turn from their ways to Him

Israel Wouldn't Accept God's Messengers of Salvation vs 10:14-21

Man must hear about Jesus and someone must tell them and preachers must be sent

The Jews heard then message but refused it

John 5:38-40- The Jews were unwilling to commit to Jesus

It is insane not to turn to Jesus

Salvation in Jesus is a certainty

Telling others about Jesus is necessary

Hear the full message at the Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church Website

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

Trying to Get Caught Up

I am soooo behind.

Since it is becoming increasingly more difficult to keep up with making entries I will probably scale back.
I haven't been able to keep up with my viewing horror movies as I'd like and thus my blurbs stopped awhile back after viewing The original Phantom of the Opera. Hopefuly I'll have a chance this weekend to watch Chaney's The Monster and then report on it.
The notes I take on Pastor Paul's Sunday messages have fallen behind and now that John Hale is putting the audio messages on the Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church website there is less need to post my notes. I'll probably still post the outlines and the link to the messages but I'll back off on much of the detail.

Both the messages "I would Go To Hell" from Romans 9:1-5 and last Sunday's message "Mercy Mercy" from Romans 9 can be accessed at
http://www.eaglecreekgbc.org/Home/SermonAudio/tabid/66/Default.aspx

Pastor's message "Mercy Mercy" is an outstanding message on Election.

I also haven't commented on the Colt's playoff loss to the Jets.

The game was a heartbreaker. In a grueling game the Colts had fallen behind but a late drive led to a 50 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Unfortunately too much time was left on the clock. The 50 some seconds left were all the Jets needed mostly because the Colt's failed to cover the kickoff well. Antonio Cromartie returned the kickoff 47 yards and the Jets had the ball at their own 46. They only needed to cover 20 yards to be in field goal range. With just 29 seconds left and only one timeout remaining it appeared the Jets were willing to let the clock run down and settle for a long field goal of probably 49 yards. Then inexplicably Coach Caldwell called time out. This gave the Jets an opportuinty for Mark Sanchez to talk it over with the coaching staff and run an extra play. Peyton Manning looked exasperated on the sidelines with his arms raised questioningly. You could tell he was thinking "What are we doing?" What were the Colt's thinking? The next play Mark Sanchez hit Braylon Edwards for an 18 yard play on the sideline. Nick Folk now had a chippy fieldgoal attempt which he made as time went off the clock. Jets 17 Colts 16 Nick Folk may have made the field goal from 49 but his track record hadn't shown he was particularly effective from long range. Caldwell's decison certainly gave him a much better shot.
I'm not one of those stating Caldwell should be fired. That's ludicrous. It was a bad decision, but considering the adversity the Colt's went through this year, He did an excellent job.
The Colt's need not hang their heads, they endured more injuries to key players than any team
should have to and yet were AFC South champions again.
We'll look forward to next year.

Sunday Sermon Notes 1/2/11

"Choose You This Day"
Joshua 24
Pastor Paul Woodruff

Joshua is about new beginnings & what God will do in a life totally committed to Him
Joshua is about living victoriously & experiencing all God has promised

Joshua calls the people to make a choice

Joshua Sets Forth the Motivation to Serve the Lord-- vs 1-13
The Goodness & Grace of God should Motivate us
Whenever one doubts God's call to service thinking it too much one should review his life & remember God's mercy& faithfulness

Joshua Calls for a Decision to Serve the Lord vs 14-15
By and large the people were good but secret idolotry in the camp is revealed, keeping them from full services to God
There was still some hypocrisy undermining their devotion to God
1st John 5:21 "little children, guard yourselves from idols"
God wants & deserves ALL of our devotion
Joshua says choose- don't live with a water downed service to the Lord

Joshua Challenges Their Resolution to Serve the Lord vs 16-18
Joshua points out the people won't be able to serve because God is Holy
Joshua knew the people & knew they would cling to their old ways & he knew the human heart & how man continues to fail after rededication & rededication

Man has a tendency not to fulfill his resolutions. We try to fullfill them in our own power.

We need to think through our decisions & make sure we understand them
Jesus said "You can do nothing without me."
We can't serve God the way we should without the power of the Spirit
Galatians 3:3 "Are you foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

Joshua wants the people to seriously consider their decisions & the people continued to say they would serve vs 24 So a Covenant was made vs 25

3 Keys to Serving the Lord in Sincerity and Truth

You must determine in your heart to obey what is written in the Bible
Joshua 23:6 "Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left."

Our decisions need to be based upon what God says. Obedience brings success.

Refuse to Compromise with Sin vs 24:14
Joshua 23: 6-8 is a progression
Be firm in the Word
Seperate from sin
Cling to the Lord

Put away foreign gods & don't mention or serve them- interaction with those things was the 1st step toward compromise

When you compromise with the enemy you will not have victory & you will lose peace- no abundant life if you compromise with sin- Don't live by the world's standards

II Corinthians 6:14-18 ""Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for that partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 'THEREFORE COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPERATE,' SAYS THE LORD. AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; AND I WILL WELCOME YOU. AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO ME' SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY."

Resolve to love God with all your heart- Joshua 23:11

Submit to God's Word
Seperate from the World
Devotion with all our Heart

This message can be heard at the Eagle Creek Grace Brethren Church website at

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

Colts AFC South Champs & other stuff

I now see why alot of bloggers post less during the holidays. It has been difficult to find the time to write down my thoughts and recollections. Not only has Christmas and New Year's festivities demanded more of my time but my job responsibilities have increased and don't show any signs of lessening for the forseeable future. Ahh, Job security-- a blessing during these tough economic times. One has to have the correct perspective.

The inpatient psychometrist working for our Neuropsychology department decided after a long period of service with the hospital it was time to move on. Her departure has left me with picking up the delirium tracking we do on patients and figuring out how to manage neuropsych testing for patients with now limited resources. If anyone knows a pychometrist looking for work, have them contact me.
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So anyway, Sorry I've gotten behind this week on my Colt's rant. Let's hear it for the now

7 TIME AFC SOUTH CHAMPION INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
(pretty cool for a division only 8 years in existence)

This title has to be particularly appreciated for everything the Colt's have fought through this year.

Sunday, Indianapolis completed the 4 game winning streak they had to have to finish 10 - 6 and win the division giving them a 9th consecutive playoff birth. The Colt's 23 -20 victory over the Tennessee Titans didn't come easy. The Titans were expected by many to roll over. Their season was finished and they had nothing to play for but pride. Pride showed up. I was impressed with their game plan. Tennessee's play selection on both sides of the ball was well formulated and their players seemed up to the challenge. All that said, the Colt's prevailed.

This one wasn't decided until the last seconds when Adam Viniteri kicked a 43 yard field goal on the game's final play. With just over a minute and a half before Viniteri's kick the outlook for victory was bleak as Tennesse had recovered a Dominick Rhodes fumble (while the Colt's had been driving toward a go ahead score) and had moved into field goal range of their own. Then a fumbled Center snap allowed Robert Mathis to fall on the loose football on the Colt's 37 yard line giving Indianapolis possession with 1:25 on the clock. Peyton Manning moved the Colts down into scoring position for Viniteri. There was no way the greatest clutch kicker in football history was going to miss the kick.

There hasn't been time for celebration as the Colts must now square off with the 11 - 5 New York Jets who have been chomping at the bit for a chance to get back for their loss last season to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game. In fact, the Jets did everthing they could to shore up their vulnerabilities to the Colt's and New England's passing attacks. In addition, the Colts will be missing 2 key weapons they had last year, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie. Both did mucho damage to the Jets last year. Be that as it may, Peyton Manning has had a great deal of success against Rex Ryan led defenses and since the game is here in Indianapolis, the Colts will have a slight advantage. It should be a close game, but win or lose the Colts should be proud of their collective effort this year.
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Just a Shout out to my brother in Christ, Jim Barnard on his Birthday this 5th of January
God Bless you, Jim!

Judy and I got together with Jim and his wife Cindy and Lee and Charlotte Martin on New Year's Eve and had a wonderful time. Jim fixed up some mean Chili, we played cards and had enjoyable fellowship. It was the first time we have spent any real quality time with Lee and Charlotte and I came away particularly pleased with these new friends. Lee's conservatism rivals my own and it appears we have much in common.

Cindy orchestrated this first get together and we are planning to make this a frequent gathering.
I am particularly greatful as it brings me together with one of my oldest and dearest friends I've ever known in Jim.
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A project I just began is writing my memoirs. I figure I better get started now at the pace I write and the little time to do so. My sister, Stephanie reminds me because I have always been the healthy sibling, I will probably follow after the long life pattern on my Dad's side of the family but to keep in mind that along with the longer lifespan comes the dementia my Dad and his sisters had to deal with. She tells me, "You'll live along time but you'll think you're a hundred when you're really only 80". Since memory for many of the events in my life are already a little fuzzy I better get to work.