Betrothal featured in Wall Street Journal
By Israel Wayne | April 11, 2008
The Wall Street Journal (April 11, 2008) featured an article on betrothal that featured my wife and I as well as some other couples who discuss betrothal.
The Wall Street Journal article that feautured us.
So as not to be confused with anyone else’s ideas of what betrothal is or is not, I should direct you to visit our site www.BiblicalBetrothal.com to read our articles or click on “TERMS” to see how we personally differentiate between Dating / Courthship / Betrothal.
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Max Elliot Anderson Interview
By Israel Wayne | October 4, 2007
I recently caught up with Max Elliot Anderson, one of todays leading authors of children’s adventure stories and a true pioneer in the Christian film industry. He was gracious enough to grant me an interview.
Q. I remember seeing the movie Pilgrim’s Progress in the secular theater when I was a young boy. I was probably six years old and it was one of the first movies I ever watched. I remember that seeing Christian’s burden roll away at the foot of the cross made a big impact on me spiritually. What was it like for you being involved in that movie?
There are so many impressions that flood my mind concerning the production of Pilgrim’s Progress. Of course, that film was released back in 1978 when I was a LOT younger. And it doesn’t help much to know you were only six when you first saw it. I have several photographs from the production and a DVD of the film.
I was one of two cinematographers on the project. That meant I shot a lot of the film. The overriding recollection I have is of the tremendous upheaval that was going on in Northern Ireland at the time, since most of the film was shot in and around Belfast. The locals referred to it as the “troubles” and it meant that Catholics and Protestants were virtually at war with each other.
I remember that at night, we never stopped at red lights, but sped through them until we reached our destination. And we tried not to be out at night much anyway. One of our local contacts drove us to a place where a car bomb had gone off the day before. He pointed to human flesh plastered on the brick wall of a large building.
On one afternoon, while filming in a remote area, something truly frightening happened. We used a generator to power a few small lights. Right in the middle of a scene I was shooting, those lights suddenly toppled over backwards. Immediately after that, several British soldiers came over the hill with weapons at the ready. They were quite relived to find a group of people who were making a Christian film. We had an interesting conversation, and they looked out for us for the rest of the time we were there.
Pilgrim’s Progress was the first feature film for a young, up-and-coming actor by the name of Liam Neeson. He has since gone on to star in dozens of Hollywood films including Schindler’s List, and Star Wars. I remember him as a pleasant person to work with. He had a great attitude and was willing to work hard. And I saw him, even way back then, as a great actor.
But the biggest thing I remember was the sequence we shot of the cross. We had an excellent makeup artist who did a fantastic job of making it look like gigantic spikes where nailed through the hands and feet. During one break in the filming, I got up and stood on the base of the cross. It was then that the full impact struck me of what Jesus had done for me, and I remember being extremely thankful at that moment.
Q. What was the Christian film industry like when your father, Ken Anderson, first got involved in making Christian movies?
When he first started, I was just a toddler. I used to hear him editing far into the night on film projects in our basement. There was no distribution back then, no VCR or DVD, so it was necessary for film companies to find whatever means they could in order to get the films circulated. Some of the people who did this called themselves film evangelists. They’d buy a projector, secure a few films, and head out on the road. Churches gave offerings, and some of that was shared with the production company.
Later, a network of distributors was established and this became worldwide. My dad was a true pioneer in Christian filmmaking, and it was delightful growing up around it. I like to tell people that I was killed, by a hit-and-run driver, while riding my bike, when I was 8 years old. But, because the film I was in was being shot in black and white, the blood coming out of my nose, mouth, and ear was from a bottle of chocolate syrup.
Q. What are your thoughts about the state of Christian films today? Are the trends in Christian filmmaking positive or negative?
I think Christian films are a bit invisible right now. I know they’re being made, and I know they’re being distributed, but I don’t see much of that activity. In my Dad’s era, most churches had a Sunday night service. It was common to show films at these, or even on Wednesday nights. Our biggest demand for rental films used to be on New Year’s Eve. I know that Fox is getting into Christian films, I’ve noticed some of the Left Behind movies, and some films show up on places like the Hallmark Channel, but I’m not sure where they find their audiences today.
It’s kind of interesting to me because, as I’ve been writing my action-adventures and mysteries, I’ve always seen them as films first, in my head, and not books. Who knows what might happen to them in the future?
Q. You obviously believe strongly in storytelling. How did your interest in writing develop?
In the beginning, I tried everything I could NOT to write. My father had been the author of over seventy books. I grew up hating to read. I couldn’t see why God seemed to be prompting me to start writing. In time, I came to understand that was exactly what He wanted me to do. I also understood how my life of work in visual communication, through film production, video programs, television, and commercials, prepared me for writing. My stories are very visual. One of the best reactions I’ve ever gotten is when kids tell me that reading one of my books is like being in, not watching, but being in an exciting or scary movie.
Q. What are the necessary ingredients for a good storyline?
The way I like to approach it is to ask, “Why would I want to read this story?” And as I’m writing, I keep in mind the reader at all times. When I finish a manuscript, I read it as if I’ve never seen it before, and try to actually become one of my readers. I also read the manuscript out loud.
For my books, the story needs real, believable characters. There has to be conflict. I incorporate a lot of dialog and humor with plenty of nearly heart-stopping action. There’s a pretty high fear factor in most of my stories with lots of excitement.
In addition, I try to include strong, human emotion. Often, when I read a finished manuscript for the first time, and as I try to do that as a reader and not the author, I find myself getting anxious at the right places. I’ve laughed right out loud at some of the dialog, and a couple of manuscripts have moved me to tears.
While I’m writing, I play mood appropriate music in the background. This increases my visualization of the scene. All of these elements, working together, seem to create a powerful storyline.
Q. Why have you targeted much of your book writing to boys?
As I said, I grew up hating to read. I first set out to write the kind of book that I would have enjoyed as a boy. In many ways, I’m writing books to satisfy myself as an adult reluctant reader. But in my research, I found that there weren’t as many books for boys as there were for girls.
I also speak in lots of schools. I always ask if there is anyone who doesn’t like to read. Several hands go up immediately and most of those are boys.
During my film production days, I learned a valuable lesson. We knew that girls would watch a boy’s story, but boys would not show the slightest interest in a girl’s story. I applied that principle to the books I write, focusing on boys first, and I’ve found that girls like the stories too.
There is a tremendous, untapped market for Christian adventures and mysteries for boys.
Q. In what ways have schools and publishers been ineffective in reaching “tweeners,” especially boys?
My daughter is a teacher in the Orlando area. We’ve had many discussions on this subject. There is a serious problem in working with boys. They are high energy and easily distracted. They’d rather do than read about it. Many are on medication because of what is perceived as hyperactivity, when all they need is material that interests them, and a lot of physical exercise.
I wouldn’t say that publishers have necessarily been ineffective. I think it comes down more to economics. Women buy books, and girls are our readers. End of story. I’ve had publishers tell me that they’ve tried books for boys in the past, but didn’t have much success. I believe there are definite, structural reason why those books didn’t work. These are elements that my books effectively address, but there isn’t enough time to cover it all in a short interview like this.
Q. If you can leave a legacy to the next generation, what would it be? In other words, how do you want to be remembered?
I’d like to leave the world a little better than how I found it. If I could have reached out to only one reluctant, boy reader, I will have been successful. If I can turn an entire generation of boys onto reading, that’s all I want out of the time I have left. Here is just one example of an email from a mom. I got it a week or so ago. If I knew that this was happening all across the country, then this is how I’d like to be remembered.
“Thank you so much for writing all the Tweener Press
Adventure series! My 9 year old son loves every book! We have them all!
The White Wolf was the first one he read. He was 8 and not a very good
reader at all. I had to coax him along by promising to read a few pages
to him after he struggled thru a couple of pages for me. This went on
through out the book. By the end of the book, he was reading faster and
with much more accuracy. He would accidentally read past his spot because
he was so captured by it. He read the Big Rig Rustlers next. He
couldn’t wait to get me to sit down with him to read together. He didn’t
want to stop at the end of each chapter. I love the way you write and
make us want to read on! By the third book, he didn’t wait on me
anymore! He was off in his room reading away all by himself! I feel
like I owe his success of reading to you. YOU
gave him the love of reading! “
NEWSPAPER CAPER, TERROR AT WOLF LAKE, NORTH WOODS POACHERS, MOUNTAIN CABIN MYSTERY, BIG RIG RUSTLERS, SECRET OF ABBOTT’S CAVE & LEGEND OF THE WHITE WOLF, are compared by readers and reviewers to Tom Sawyer, The Hardy Boys, Huck Finn, Nancy Drew, Tom Swift, Scooby-Doo, Lemony Snicket, and adventure author Jack London.
Reviews http://www.maxbookreviews.blogspot.com
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Abortion Increases Risk for Breast Cancer
By Israel Wayne | October 3, 2007
Recent studies by researchers in the UK, show that women who have had abortions face increased risk of breast cancer. In a nutshell, they found that the more wealth women have in England, the more likely they are to delay childbirth, have abortions or avoid children in general. They are also more likely to have breast cancer.
On the flip side, it appears that women in the UK who have children at an earlier age, have lots of babies and breastfeed them, are less likely to have breast cancer. From the research report:
Seven known risk factors were examined as an explanation for these trends:When a woman is nulliparous (has never had a child), an induced abortion has a greater carcinogenic effect because it leaves breast cells in a state of interrupted hormonal development in which they are more susceptible.
A low age at first birth is protective.
Childlessness increases the risk.
A larger number of children (higher fertility) increases protection.
Breastfeeding gives additional protection.
Hormonal contraceptives are conducive to breast cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is also conducive to breast cancer.
For more information:
Patrick S. Carroll, M.A., is Director of Research, Pension and Population Research Institute (PAPRI), 35 Canonbury Road, London N1 2DG, UK.
Contact: papriresearch@btconnect.com
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Is Black Gospel Music Disappearing?
By Israel Wayne | October 2, 2007
I heard this interview and then discovered this earlier interview on National Public Radio (NPR) with Robert Darden, former gospel music editor for Billboard magazine — and now an assistant professor of English at Baylor University.
Darden is the author of the book, People Get Ready! A New History of Black Gospel Music, and is helping to head up the Black Gospel Music Restoration Project at Baylor University.
If you have vintage black gospel recordings that are no longer in circulation, Baylor University would like to add them to the collection of digitized music. If you loan them your albums or other early media, they will digitize the recording, and return to you a digital version along with your original.
Is traditional black gospel music becoming obsolete? You can help to preserve this part of American heritage. Has black gospel music had an impact on your life? Post a comment and let me know what you think.
The Photo of gospel legend, Mahalia Jackson, was taken by Carl Van Vechten.
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 2 Comments »
Independent Film Festivals
By Israel Wayne | September 29, 2007
One of the most important developments of our day is a resurgence in a Christian perspective on the Arts. Storytelling is an ancient traditional that was utilized by Jesus Christ himself as an effective means of translating spiritual truths.
In the past few years, there are a number of independent Christian film festivals that have given a platform for talented new filmmakers to exhibit and launch their works. One of the most notable of these is the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (SAICFF) and the Jubilee Awards which is hosted by Vision Forum.
As the ministry’s founder, Doug Phillips correctly observes: “More than ever before in the recent history of our nation, we have access to the tools for waging a new form of cultural guerilla warfare against the elites who would redefine the biblical family out of existence and present a dark and nefarious vision of reality to the future. We need Christians to challenge the present culture of death, infidelity, perversion, and ethical malaise by boldly proclaiming the crown rights of Jesus Christ over every sphere of life and thought — including film.”
The Georgia Christian Film Association, founded by “Captain Bret” Smith, also conducts the Georgia Christian Film Festival which allows independent filmmakers to submit their productions for to be considered for broadcast on national satellite television.
LifeWay, a large Southern Baptist organization, has launched the Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival. This event features many industry professional including Ken Wales who you may know from the hit TV series, Christy written by Catherine Marshall, and more recently the box office faith-film, Amazing Grace on the life of William Wilberforce.
Other experts featured at the Gideon Media Arts event are Paul McCusker who is well-known for his professional touch given to Adventures in Odyssey and other Focus on the Family radio theatre productions, and Dr. Ted Baehr of MovieGuide. Many other talented experts will often be on hand to offer their expertise and provide direction and insight into film-making.
All of these organizations, and a number of others, are providing a wonderful service in helping to bring a truly Christian worldview to bear in the film industry. We should support these efforts and buy good films that promote a Biblical worldview.
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Come What May
By Israel Wayne | September 21, 2007
Every now and again something happens that is truly important on many levels. Such is the case with a new film produced by the Advent Film Group entitled, “Come What May.”
“Come What May” is a film produced primarily by the homeschooling community, features Patrick Henry College (PHC is a privately-funded college in Virginia), and is a story about a moot court team who argues for the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This film stars homeschooling parents Kenneth Jezek and his wife, Karen Jezek, who I enjoyed watching in a movie on Karla Faye Tucker entitled, “Forevermore.” Michael Farris also makes a starring appearance.
The story is focused on Caleb, a young man who is struggling to discover his own convictions. Caleb is torn between the values of his Christian father and his unbelieving mother who is a trial lawyer arguing in favor of abortion before the U.S. Supreme Court. Caleb is helped by his relationship with Rachel, a moot court teammate, his roommate Dave, and other friends and PHC professors to internalize his faith and stand on Biblical absolutes.
This film is co-produced by Ex-Discovery and AOL executive George Escobar and my friend, Manny Edwards. Hopefully many of you have seen Manny’s first full-length film, “Mysterious Ways: It’s How God Works,” which is one of my favorite Christian films.
While the film is not scheduled to be released until Spring 2008, I have had a chance to watch the story develop and to see the trailer teaser which will be released next week in New Mexico at HSLDA’s National Conference for Christian Homeschool Leaders in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I wanted to give you a heads up about this film and encourage you to help promote it and make it a smashing success. It is an independent Christian pro-life film, that is produced by homeschoolers and promotes a Biblical worldview. What a package! To learn more about the exciting new film, watch this promo video that explains more about AFG and their goals and vision.
Topics: Israel's Thoughts, Movie Reviews | No Comments »
Southwest Airlines Takes A Stand on Modesty
By Israel Wayne | September 15, 2007
In an age in which we are bombarded with sexually charges images and behavior, Southwest Airlines has apparently drawn a line in the sand. In the past week, two young women (one of whom works for “Hooters,” a food establishment which flaunts its immodest waitresses) have been asked to either cover up their bodies or leave the airplane. (A decision I support.)
While this is certainly being examined as a legal issue, and I’m sure that Southwest Airlines is in close communication with its attorneys these days, there is also the question of modesty and public decency. Where did the idea come from that we should clothe our bodies? It goes all the way back to Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and He clothed them.”
Why was this necessary? Sin entered the world because of the original couple’s rebellion. With that sin came the corruption of sexuality, which God created to be “very good.” There is nothing sinful about the human body, and there is nothing sinful about sex, but there is something sinful in lusting after something that doesn’t belong to you.
As corporations know, “sex sells.” American Family Association recently emailed their members regarding sexually provocative TV ads by Hardees. Imagine that! Hamburgers are being sold by showing scantly dressed women seducing men (and in some cases minors). On a side note, I ate my first Hardee burger last fall on the way to a Christian book convention (against the insistent warning of my wiser younger sister) and I mean to tell you, it was anything but sexy!! Greasy…definitely! Sludgy…for sure! But marketing can only take your weekly allowance of fat and cholesterol on one sesame-seed-bun so far!
None of us are exempt from the pull of temptation. The stronger you think you are, the harder you might fall. There is something within all of our hearts (including mine) to take the forbidden fruit and want what does not belong to us. We each have our areas of weakness. For some it may be sex, for some money, for some self-glory in personal accomplishment. Whatever our propensity toward vice, we need a savior who is stronger than our flesh. Taking what does not belong to us leaves us with a leftover taste in our mouth and a sour feeling in our gut that is very similar to my Hardee burger experience.
I’m so thankful for my dear friends at Pure Life Ministries (PLM) who uncompromisingly call believers back to repentance and holiness. I know these brothers and sisters personally and they walk the talk. What a blessing they have been to so many of us! The problem in our culture is not merely sexual sin, it’s the pervasive cult of self. Our narcissistic infatuation with ourselves is at the root of many of our personal, social and moral problems. PLM constantly chops at the roots of sin issues, and doesn’t merely trim the branches.
Steve Gallagher and his wife Kathy Gallagher do most of the writing of PLM’s books, while Jeff and Rose Colon run the Live-In program and the “Overcomers At-Home” (OCAH) program. My friend Justin Carabello is doing much more speaking these days, including traveling internationally with Steve to minister in Latin American, and other, countries. There are many other wonderful counselors and other staff whom we have come to love as family. I can’t speak highly enough for this powerful ministry that God is using to truly change hearts and lives.
Even if you have been to their website in the past, you need to visit again. They have a wonderful new podcast, and tons of articles and free audio files.
The world is always going to be the world, but the Church must be different. May God bring us into a place where Christian women don’t dress to be lusted after by men, and where Christian men don’t lust after women. May we “each learn to control our body in a way that is holy and honorable.” (1 Thess. 4:4)
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 1 Comment »
Korean Hostages Told Convert to Islam or Die
By Israel Wayne | September 14, 2007
The following is a news excerpt from Voice of the Martyrs:
On September 12, 2007, South Korean Christian aid workers held hostage by the Taliban in Afghanistan for six weeks, reported being beaten and ordered at gun point to convert to Islam, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
According to the BBC, the former hostages told a press conference they were made to work like slaves while in captivity. Jae Chang-hee told reporters, “We were beaten with a tree branch or kicked around. Some kidnappers threatened us with death at gunpoint to force us to follow them in chanting their Islamic prayer for conversion. I was beaten many times. They pointed a rifle and bayonet at me and tried to force me to convert.” Jae Chang-hee added, “We lived like slaves. We had to level the ground for motorbikes, and get water and make a fire.”
BBC reported that Yu Jung-hwa said she thought she was going to die. “The most difficult moment, when I had a big fear of death, was when the Taliban shot a video. All 23 of us leaned against a wall and armed Taliban aimed their guns at us, and a pit was before me. They said they will save us if we believe in Islam. I almost fainted at the time and I still cannot look at cameras.”
On July 19, the Taliban kidnapped the 23 South Korean Christian aid workers when they were traveling by bus from Kabul to Kandahar. The group’s leader, Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, and another male hostage were killed. Twenty-one members of the group were released last month following an agreement between South Korea and the Taliban.
Recalling how Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu was led away to his death, the BBC said Han Ji-young, in tears, added, “Bae didn’t even look at us when he was leaving the room. He only said, ‘Overcome with faith.’”
Continue praying for God to touch the lives of these believers as they deal with their experience in Afghanistan. Pray God comforts the families of the two that were killed. Pray the testimony of these Christians will draw non-believers into fellowship with Him.
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Kathy Griffin says, "Suck it, Jesus!" at Emmys
By Israel Wayne | September 13, 2007
Comedian Kathy Griffin, a self-proclaimed militant atheist and a deconverted Roman Catholic, Griffin made provocative remarks about Jesus at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Her comments will be cut from a pre-taped telecast of the show, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences said on Tuesday.
Griffin took the stage of the Shrine Auditorium on Saturday night to collect her Emmy for best reality program for her Bravo channel show “My Life on the D-List.”
Holding up her statuette, she declared, “A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus…Suck it, Jesus. This award is my god now.”
Asked about her speech backstage a short time later, an unrepentant Griffin added, “I hope I offended some people. I didn’t want to win the Emmy for nothing.”
That is one of the most self-obvious statements I’ve heard in a while! I’m sure she has offended a number of people with her statement, especially Catholic leaders who are taking this as a direct attack on their church (for some reason).
I have to say though that I thought she made a very accurate statement (minus that personal insult at the end). Jesus has very little to do with anything regarding the Emmy Awards or network television in general. The shows represented by the Emmy Awards promote a hedonistic, atheistic, humanistic, anti-Christ worldview. I’m not sure why so many people are surprised when someone in their ranks finally let’s the cat out of the bag. She’s merely revealing something that astute Christians have known for a long time.
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The Legacy of 9/11
By Israel Wayne | September 11, 2007
September 11, 2001 has forever been etched into the consciousness of the American mind. Nearly everyone alive at that time recalls where they were and what they were doing when the twin towers of the World Trade Center were attacked.
It was a very typical day at the office for me. We get breaking news reports via email at our office and one of my co-workers interrupted my concentration by announcing, “The news says that an airplane just hit one of the World Trade Center towers.” Just that week there had been a story of a man in a hang glider that had gotten stuck and was hanging suspended from a skyscraper in Florida.
“That’s a hoax,” I announced. “That’s typical of news networks. They like to be the first with a breaking story. They’ll recall the story in a few minutes. It’s definitely not an airplane. Air traffic controllers would never allow a private pilot to be flying that close to downtown New York City, and the commercial airliners know better.”
After what seemed like just a few moments they announced again, “A second aircraft has his the other WTC tower.” At that point we were all out of our seats clamoring to turn on the office television set. We sat glued to the set, realizing that this nation, and the rest of the civilized world, would never be the same.
I believe that 9/11 has provided a sociological turning point into a new era. It was, in my opinion, the beginning of post-Postmodernism. While I don’t have space in this posting to discuss all that entails, I believe that we are on track towards the next natural and logical succession to a Postmodern culture. When a civilization is embodied by relativism and hedonism, history tells us that it falls apart from within. Francis Schaeffer told us that there are only two things that can keep a nation from sliding into the abyss of pleasure:
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ as preached by the true confessing church. The gospel exerts its restraining influence by means of the Holy Spirit working in someone’s heart to convict them of sin, empowering them to live righteously. (i.e. Self-Government)
2. The arm of a totalitarian state. We can experience the assault of totalitarianism from within or the invasion of our nation from without. Neither one is very desirable.
We can be part of the solution by believing, living and proclaiming the unchanging truth of the gospel. As Schaeffer said in his excellent book, The Great Evangelical Disaster, “There must be confrontation. Loving confrontation, but confrontation nonetheless.”
Topics: Israel's Thoughts | 1 Comment »
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