Who hasn't wanted to do this...

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=433_1194847977

Christianity in the minority

US News and World Report: The first American colonists were Protestant, and for roughly four centuries their descendents, along with successive waves of Protestant immigrants, have been the country’s dominant religious group. But now Protestants are on the verge of becoming a statistical minority in the U.S., according a study released today.

All the news concerning the "current" religious makeup in our country is in some ways encouraging to me. I know that overtly religious Christian groups are probably condemning our country to hell, referencing the usual suspects: rock music, abortion, teenagers, gay marriage, and Hollywood, but I see the church in America slowly getting her voice back.

In 312 Constantine adopted Christianity as the major religion in the Roman world and as a result the church has never been the same. Historians attribute this act as the starting point for the union of the church and the state, a union that has not been all roses. This edict resulted in the explosion of the church, as its power and influence were changed overnight. But with "great power, comes great responsibility" (Parker, Peter. Spiderman. Columbia Pictures, 2002). Corruption, greed, and the desire for power became a part of the new church and though it never totally corrupted the church, nothing can or ever will because it is the bride of Christ, the pursuit of power definitely altered the mission and purpose of its existence.

Which brings us to 2008. The Christian church, whose sole purpose is to rescue those who are lost and hurting and bring them into the saving grace of Christ, has the opportunity to reach a generation of people who have never walked into a church. As a minority faith in this country, without the opportunity for the type of power and control we have "enjoyed" over the last 200 years, we can focus on reaching out to a hurting world that desperately needs the love of a Savior.

Erwin McManus says that we need to become a refuge for the world, not from it. As the church, we are now reaching people who do not have a predisposed disposition against the church. I get excited to be a part of God's church during this period in our country's history because it is the good news of Jesus, and only the good news of Jesus, that will change this world. It seems like we have been trying to do it on our own for so long. I think Paul had something to say about that in Galations.

So may we invite and reach out to those who need Christ, because that is what he did for you and me. And may we do it with humility, imitating Him who humbled himself to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2).

My Top Ten Movies of All-Time

As the famed Oscars is almost upon us (also known as the female Super Bowl) I thought it would be fitting to create my Top Ten list. This is not a list of my favorite movies but it is a list of what I consider to be the greatest movies of all time.




To qualify my considerations, each movie must fall into these categories.
1. Box Office Success - I do not think movies can be considered great unless they have enjoyed a certain amount of box office success. Though this falls into subjective territory, the goal of every great movie should be to attain some form of viewer response. Great movies illicit great response which leads to multiple viewings and great word of mouth (Citizen Kane is the only exception I can think of).

2 Impact on cinema for years to come - Like music, great movies influence other artists and create/change genres and styles. This is one of the great reasons the Beatles are considered the greatest band ever.

3. Cultural Ripples - Great movies impact culture by creating great characters, dialogue, memorable performances, surpris endings, etc...(you fill in the blank)

Here is my list...enjoy. Let me know yours.

10. On the Waterfront - An amazing story of redemption. Brando is awesome in what I think is his best role.

9. Rocky - The greatest sports movie of all time (though Hoosiers is still my favorite). The character of Rocky has become an icon in film history. It is a picture of the will of the human spirit. Life is not about winning; it is about "going the distance." Also, if you haven't seen Rocky Balboa, rent it. I think it is the second best Rocky film made.

8. Pulp Fiction - This movie redefined how postmodern films are made. Breaking up normal linear storytelling, Tarantino created a masterpiece with his second film. I can think of 50 movies that have come out since Pulp Fiction that would not have been made without this film. Guy Ritchie owes a big thank you to Tarantino.

7. The Graduate - This was one of the the first movies that took a popular musical artist and used their songs to help tell a story. If you have ever been at the crossroads of life, this movie is for you.

6. Citizen Kane - This is my least favorite of all the movies on the list. It did the smallest amount of box office and did not win many awards. However, this movie taught us how to make movies. It was so far ahead of its time that no one thought it was any good. It is the "Pete Maravich" of the film world.

5. Jaws - The first bona fide "blockbuster" film, this movie frightened people out of taking showers. Masterfully shot and edited, keeping the antagonist hidden for most of the movie, Jaws is the ultimate in horror. Many will cry that Psycho deserves this spot, and I am definitely biased, but I think Jaws has had a larger influence in cinema. It definitely has a better score.

4. The Godfather II - The greatest sequel ever made (just in front of Shrek II). "I know it was you, you broke my heart." Continues the story of the great fall of Michael Corleone (and then the great fall of the franchise with Godfather III).

3. Casablanca - Great storytelling and acting. The thing I love about Casablanca is it didn't feel like it had to end happy and the dialogue is unforgettable. This film is a masterpiece. Rent it.

2. Star Wars - I do think that Empire is a better movie, but it is impossible to not recognize the brilliance and impact that Star Wars has not only had on cinema but on American life. What would Halloween be like without Star Wars? Sci/Fi and Fantasy never were the same.

1. The Godfather - From the costume, acting, color, screenplay, music, and authenticity, this movie is the greatest of all time (in my humble opinion). I have read stories where Mafia gangsters walked out of the Godfather shocked at how accurately their lives were portrayed. The Godfather symbolizes all the worldly desires that we long for, the chance to get something for nothing, to beat the system, and to settle the score. Brando, Pacino, Duvall, and Caan will always have a special place in my heart.

That is my list. Love to know yours. Enjoy the female super bowl Sunday.

Life is Tough

I am shocked and left only with questions. How sad.

typical day in the fairway

Played golf today with my dad, great fun and beautiful weather. In classic Jeff Bruecker golf fashion I was down 1 coming into 17 with all the momentum...

and shot quadruple bogey/triple bogey to finish.

Matt Pearson would have been proud.

I really love to hate that sport.

oops

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23179699/?GT1=10856

My heart has still not stopped pounding

On December 14th I flew back from spending 30 hours in Colorado. I had the privilege of being a part of a 14th birthday celebration of a student I was really close with. It was an amazing time, seeing the significant part I had played in his life up till that point, and then getting to celebrate his birthday. One of those "privileges" to be in ministry times.

So after a short delay due to weather I finally landed in San Diego around 9:30. Wearily I made my way through baggage, caught the shuttle to my car (which was parked in a garage overnight), called Jen to tell her I was heading home (she sounded very tired and said she was going to bed), and finally pulled out of the parking garage heading home.

As I made a right out of the garage I heard a weird noise from the trunk, like I had left something heavy in there. I really thought nothing of it as I made an immediate left up a big hill heading toward the highway. As I made the left I heard the thumping sound again, this time a little more pronounced. I was utterly confused, trying to pinpoint what I had put in my trunk earlier in the week.

I remember vividly making another left onto India Street, which fed into I-5. All of the sudden my whole car started shaking and I came to the dreadful realization that someone was trapped in my trunk. I called out, "hello, hello" and getting no response I started to run through the different scenario's that would explain someone stuck in my trunk. None of them were very positive.

I immediately abandoned any thought of getting on the highway and started racing down India St., not knowing what I was going to do but unable to drive slow at this point. My adrenaline was flowing.

I saw a Mobil station coming up so I immediately banged a hard left and parked in the middle of the station, right under the greatest concentration of lights.

I jumped out of my car and slowly walked to the trunk. I was faced with two choices, either go get help or open the trunk myself.

I decided on the latter because I reasoned that this had to be someone in need. Anyone who was going to do me harm hopefully would have been smart enough not to lock themselves in a trunk.

I approached the trunk slowly, clicked the lock, threw it open and jumped back.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHH" my good friend Andrew yelled. I screamed as I stared at him, not really understanding what I was looking at. All I could say was "what are you doing here!"

Then everything started to dawn on me. That next day I turned 30. I caught a orange blur to my left as a HumV came cruising into the gas station. Out jumped Brad, Hayes, and my traitor wife (who obviously wasn't going to bed after all). Everyone started laughing (other than me) but I was so excited and humbled that these guys would come all the way from Denver for my birthday. One of my best birthdays ever.

I passed the birthday test because I opened the trunk. What a great way to start my 30s. Can't wait till I turn 40. Coming to a realization that someone is trapped in your trunk is not a fun feeling though, and my heart has still not stopped pounding.

First Real Blog

It feels fairly vulnerable writing a blog that can be viewed by anyone with internet access...which happens to be a lot of people.

Little update on my life.

August - left a great job, wonderful condo (that I owned), amazing group of friends, the beautiful front range, and a lot of stability and comfort that I had for 7 years in Denver. I miss the beauty of the mountains, which is why I attached this picture, also because I am trying to bring back the buzz cut but Jen keeps vetoing it. Something about my huge head and receding hairline...whatever.

Moved to...

expensive (and beautiful) San Diego, with an uncertain job, school debt, the joy of being a renter again, not many friends, traffic, smog, ants, and rats (more on them later).

What a journey Jen and I have been on...we are still figuring it out, wrestling with God's provision and promise in our lives. I will expound later on our current situation; it is a beautiful picture of God's faithfulness in our lives, which is rarely realized without questions, confusion, tears, and the occasional swear word, which can go from occasional to frequent very quickly.

Must sleep now. New Testament test tomorrow.

jeff

TV Heroin

LOST! If you haven't taken the plunge...don't. There is no reason to waste 24 hours of your life each year...

But if you are already on the journey, Jen and I are about to watch episode 2 of season 4 (I have school Thursday nights) and I am fully enthralled in this new season. Quality shows are those that gain momentum each year.

I just hope that the producers are smart enough to end it before it turns into Alias.