Bunny Rabbit? Colorful eggs? Spring-time celebration! Growing-up, I remember going to church on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as part of the Easter celebration. I actually thought it was a good time to remember what Jesus did for me. I would then look forward to watch the "Ten Commandments" or "Sound of Music" (my siblings thought I was cheesy watching this sing-a-long movie all them time). All this were seeds of faith growing inside of me to get where I am (personal relationship). I look back and want to continue the festivities-making sure "Jesus is the reason for the season" (like Christmas) and that we celebrate it every season all year round! I hope you all have a blessed Easter weekend and may you reflect what He did for you on that cross!
*wrote this during a winter strom on Tuesday, April 3rd of 2007
UPDATE 3/25/05 Passion Movie Outreach Report:
We had over 100 folks from the campus and community come, which majority have watched this movie after the speaker (given by Pastor Mike Saeger of Morris Evangelical Free Church) that shared (eg. comparing Jesus' sacrifice to our Traffic Court ticket being paid by our "Heavenly" father) did a tally of the audience (the ones that stayed for the post-discussion/message). However, there were reported 1:1/group conversations that followed that haven't been reported. Please pray for the "seed of the Gospel" (tracts from the "Passion" were distributed as people left) that were planted and for the Morris Area Churches (4 pastors of different churches came in support and to talk to college students) to continue "to work together" (John 17) in unity to "reach the lost" in this campus community. We appreciate your co-labor radio ministry work you do in this west central area!
As I'm creating this special website dedicating to "The Passion", I have yet to see it (Tuesday, March 2nd of 2004)! Some of the reviews down below have been added to this website before it opened last Wednesday. I decided to go more thorough after hearing so much about this movie.
I grew-up watching all sorts of films about the life on Jesus. As a little kid, it really got my attention and intrigue my curiosity on my Catholic faith. Especially during Easter season, I was fond of watching anything about Jesus.
Secular
Christian Ministries Making
Miscellanous
Theatre Performances
I went to see "The Life Giver: A Passion Play" at Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood-St. Paul, Minnnesota this day (Saturday, April 10th of 2004) before Easter Sunday. I actually had some watery eyes (like the movie) during several scenes of the play that was well performed by the 100+ cast. Awesome job as the play touched me any many others (over 30+ came forward to accept Christ as their "savior" during the 2pm matinee show). A touching moment during the play was out in the audience when a little girl behind me kept repeating, "Is it over", "Is it over"...during the flogging and crufixion scene.
-Nation
how beauitful
"this is a skit that me and some of the other kids in my youth group dose to the song how beauitful. it's much more moving in person but i hope that u can get the idea here."
This is somewhat similar to the lightning that that struck the actor that played Jesus in "The Passion Movie" during the Crucifixion scene....
-State
Do I plan to see it-yes! I haven't had the chance yet. Before viewing it myself, I wanted to search Scriptures and research some of the topics that I've heard on this movies so far...
-Global
CFC Youth For Christ Winnipeg Creative Dance
"This is a creative dance showing people in harships without Jesus, his crucifixion, and much more. I hope you enjoy it!"
*see Canada
Good Friday Passion Play
"The 2007 Good Friday Passion Play at the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds, England. Re-enactment of the Last Supper, Trial and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ"
Aramaic
Crucifixion
"This video is set to Nicole Nordeman?s song ?Why? and depicts the crucifixion of Christ. This is a pretty moving clip."
Did you know that the crucifixion scene was filmed in Italy, while the rest of the scenes were filmed in a built set? Also, did you know that the Bible's Old Testament had some verses on the detail "gory" description of Jesus' crucifixion? It was written many years (1,000?) before Jesus came to earth! (for more on prophecies in the Bible-click) Read some of the following verses in let the Holy Spirit speak to you and decide yourself=>
Bible Verses:
-Isaiah 52:13-15 "disfigured-unhuman look"
Isaiah 53 "oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word..."
Psalm 22 "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me..."
Music
Who Killed Jesus?
Us, because of our sins!
This area site is dedicated to the up-coming (has passed), anticpated, gospel movie-"The Passion". I've received so many forwards from friends and kept the e-mail, so I decided to paste it on here:
Mel Gibson's "The Passion;" Pre-Purchase Vouchers
Wednesday, February 25 is the opening day for "The Passion," Mel Gibson's new movie taken directly from the biblical account of Christ's crucifixion. Icon productions has set up a toll-free ticket hotline for ordering advance tickets in the form of vouchers, redeemable at any theatre nation-wide. 1-800-353-6102. Please pray that God would be glorified by this movie & that all viewers will be touched by Him in a wonderful, lasting way! www.passion-movie.com.
Miscellaneous
Music
-Videos
Reviews
3. FOOD FOR THOUGHT - COMING ASH WEDNESDAY
Subject: Fw: Review for the movie "The Passion for Christ"
There is a movie coming out during the Lent and Easter season produced and directed by Mel Gibson, titled "The Passion". You may have heard about it on the news, as it has received a lot of attention already - even before it's been viewed. Some have however - a select audience by Mel Gibson.
Below is a review by Chonda Pierce - many remember her from the Women of Faith Conferences. You will find this interesting, and I hope you see the film this coming Easter season.
Mark
AN EVANGELICAL REACTS TO "THE PASSION OF CHRIST" [ Patrick Madrid ]4
Comment(s)
Chonda Pierce talks about the impact this movie had on a room full of
people who came to preview it
12/11/2003
December 9 -- Quick Road Report...
I plan to write an extensive Road Kill Report about this later...right now my heart is still pounding and I'm ready to stand on the street corner and sell tickets if I have to -- so for now, a quick note will suffice.
I don't think I have words to convey to you the overwhelming observations I had last night at "the movie." It is interesting to fill up a room with "somebody's" -- they're hugging folks, shaking hands, talking shop -- but barely looking each other in the eye, because everyone is too busy looking over your shoulder to see "who else" might be in the midst! And I'm the worse -- I'm such a geeky fan! It's obnoxious...
I don't want to exploit anyone's privacy -- but the room was filled with an array of the biggest names in entertainment from the Nashville community. Producers, songwriters, artist -- most from the Country music world. But a few from Christian music as well. TV, Radio, Print media... If you were looking for a record deal, an autograph or a photo-op...it was the place to be. But in a room of less than 250 people -- you couldn't find a camera or an ink pen.
The whole thing was so secretive that we had to sign a form that we wouldn't take pictures, or call the National Guard... someone did ask if we can tell about the experience and they said, "Yes, we need to get the word out!" So, of course -- I'm on a mission!!
A country entertainer named, Ricky Scaggs made some opening comments and then began the night in prayer. The lights went out and the movie started. I have to tell you that in a room full of people that sometimes sing about it, read about it, write about it -- you would think that they had just understood it for the first time because less then ten minutes into the movie -- you could hear literal sobs across the room. As the story unfolded and the brutality of what we were watching set in -- people were moaning -- I will never forget it.
I had invited my Pastor and my brother. Both men that have dedicated their lives to "Go ye unto all the world and preach the gospel.." and several times I saw them wipe tears away, stir in their chairs at the impact that a piece of magnetic tape rolling through a projector had on them. It was incredible....
Me? I had a good cry for sure. I had heard bits and pieces about it -- so I came prepared with two packs of tissue. I used both of them. My husband and I sat throughout this thing mesmerized by all that was taking place on the screen and off.
When the movie was over -- no one moved. It was as if the room could not take a breath. There were no words -- silence. A few minutes later a man stepped up to the microphone as they slowly turn the lights on and quietly asked, "Do you have any questions?" Still silence....he broke the ice by saying, "Well, maybe Mel could answer your questions." And in walked Mel Gibson -- less than 10 feet away. He was incredibly humble yet excited as he took the microphone and sat on the edge of the stage.
The room erupted with applause, shouts of gratitude. I looked at my Pastor and said, "I wonder if he has a clue of what he has just done. No wonder he is coming up against persecution, brick walls, slammed doors -- He has just unleashed hell on himself." Pastor Allen said, "Our God is greater." I knew that! I guess a reminder is good!!
It's a brutal movie. It will be rated R and half the Christian community will stew over it! Mel Gibson's comment to the brutality, "If you read the Bible -- the whole thing is pretty much rated R!" He's right. And to truly express artistically what Christ went through? You have to be brutal.
When asked what his goal is for the movie, what he hopes people will glean from it he said, "I hope they watch the movie and want to read the book!" ... "I hope they are changed." When asked what he's doing to combat some of the persecution in getting this movie distributed he said, "You know, I just pray for my enemies. I don't pray for curses on their heads -- I pray the good angels will go beat up the bad angels that are making them say and do evil deeds." Mel's a better person than I am. After watching what Christ went through for me -- I was ready to knock someone in the head!I'm thinking Lethal Weapon Part 5!
He spent over 35 million dollars of his own money, risked the doors of his world being slammed in his face and when asked "why?" he simply said, "It was time. I just had to do it. It was just time to tell this story."
I for one, will love stronger... Work harder... Live bolder -- embracing the sacrifice made for my sins...I am changed forever. We'll talk more about it later -- but make plans now and DO NOT miss this movie..... The Passion of the Christ, released Feb. 25th.
Chonda
(Chonda.org)
From : Ron
Sent : Sunday, October 12, 2003 9:34 PM
To :
Subject: Passion, the movie
How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic license with historical events, he is lionized as artistic, creative andbrilliant, but when another takes special care to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified.
Actor-producer Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the hard way as he i having difficulty finding a United States studio or distributor for his pcoming film, "The Passion," which depicts the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. Gibson co-wrote the script and financed, directed and produced the movie. For the script, he and his co-author relied on the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the diaries of St.Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Mary of Agreda's "The City ofGod."
Gibson doesn't want this to be like other sterilized religious epics. "I'm trying to access the story on a very personal level and trying to be very real about it." So committed to realistically portraying what many would consider the most important half-day in the history of the universe, Gibson even shot the film in the Aramaic language of the period.
In response to objections that viewers will not be able to understand that language, Gibson said, "Hopefully, I'll be able to transcend the language barriers with my visual storytelling; if I fail, I fail, but at least it'll be a monumental failure."To further insure the accuracy of the work, Gibson has enlisted the counsel of pastors and theologians, and has received rave reviews. Don Hodel, president of Focus on the Family, said, "I was very impressed. The movie is historically and theologically accurate." Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and resident of the National Evangelical Association, glowed: "It conveys, more accurately than any other film, who Jesus was." During the filming, Gibson, a devout Catholic, attended Mass every morning because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."
Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson is getting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people being healed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through themovie, if they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world. And he grasps that Christ is controversial precisely because of WHO HE IS - GOD incarnate. "And that's the point of my film really, to show all that turmoil around him politically and with religious leaders and the people,all because He is Who He is." Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how controversial Christ is. Critics have not only speciously challenged the movie's authenticity, but have charged that it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehemently denies. "This is not a Christian vs.Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came into the world, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look first at my own culpability in that." Jesuit Father William J. Fulco, who translated the script into Aramaic and Latin, said he saw no hint of anti-Semitism in the movie. Fulco added, "I would be aghast at any suggestion that Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic." Nevertheless,certain groups and some in the mainstream press have been very critical ofGibson's "Passion." The New York Post's Andrea Peyser chided
him: "There is still time, Mel, to tell the truth." Boston Glove columnist James Carrol denounced Gibson's literal reading of the biblical accounts. "Even a faithful repetition of the Gospel stories of the death of Jesus can do damage exactly because those sacred texts themselves carry the virus of Jew hatred," wrote Carroll. A group of Jewish and Christian academics has issued an 18-page report slamming all aspects of the film, including its undue emphasis on Christ's passion rather than "a broader vision." The report disapproves of the movie's treatment of Christ's passion as historical fact.
The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud your work on Christ, make sure it either depicts Him as a homosexual or as an everyday sinner with no particular redeeming value (literally) In our anti-Christian culture, the blasphemous "The Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated, and "The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues to affect people the way it is now, no amount of cultural opposition will suppress its force and its positive impact on lives everywhere. Mel Gibson is a model of faith and courage. Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know about this film so that we'll all go see it when it comes out.
Dott G. Collins
Eastern Kentucky University
Subject: Paul Harvey Comments on the Passion by Mel Gibson
The majority of the media are complaining about this movie. Now Paul Harvey tells "The rest of the story" and David Limbaugh praises Gibson. Most people would wait and see a movie before giving the reviews that have been issued by the reporters trying to tell all of us what to believe.
Paul Harvey's words:
I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions.
I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion", held in WashingtonDC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves, the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter, unlike anything I have ever experienced.
In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph, "The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded, this "invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully inadequate. We had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life, the kind that makes heaven touch earth.
One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A brutalized, wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect him from the fall, she was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelations. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds, that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for love.
At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from a rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive. The questions included the one question that seems to follow this film, even though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by some to be "anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not "view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus" I agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging way.
Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or have another agenda behind their protestations. This is not a "Christian" film, in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the truth. We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history of the world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion."
It should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case. I am passionate about "The Passion." You will be as well. Don't miss it! This is a commentary by DAVID LIMBAUGH about Mel Gibson's very controversial movie regarding Christ's crucifixion. It, too, is well worth reading.
MEL GIBSON'S passion for "THE PASSION"
How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic license with historical events, he is lionized as artistic, creative and brilliant, but when another takes special care to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified. Actor-producer Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the hard way as he is having difficulty finding a United States studio or distributor for his upcoming film, "The Passion," which depicts the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ.
Gibson co-wrote the script and financed, directed and produced the movie. For the script, he and his co-author relied on the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the diaries of St. Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Mary of Agreda's "The City of God."
Gibson doesn't want this to be like other sterilized religious epics. "I'm trying to access the story on a very personal level and trying to be very real about it." So committed to realistically portraying what many would consider the most important half-day in the history of the universe, Gibson even shot the film in the Aramaic language of the period. In response to objections that viewers will not be able to understand that language, Gibson said, "Hopefully, I'll be able to transcend the language barriers with my visual storytelling; if I fail, I fail, but at least it'll be a monumental failure."
To further insure the accuracy of the work, Gibson has enlisted the counsel of pastors and theologians, and has received rave reviews. Don Hodel, president of Focus on the Family, said, "I was very impressed. The movie is historically and theologically accurate." Ted Haggard, pastor of NewLifeChurch in Colorado Springs, Colo., and president of the National Evangelical Association, glowed: "It conveys, more accurately than any other film, who Jesus was."
During the filming, Gibson, a devout Catholic, attended Mass every morning because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is. "I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize."
Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson is getting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and] people being healed of diseases." Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, if they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world. And he grasps that Christ is controversial precisely because of WHO HE IS - GOD incarnate. "And that's the point of my film really, to show all that turmoil around him politically and with religious leaders and the people, all because He is Who He is."
Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how controversial Christ is. Critics have not only speciously challenged the movie's authenticity, but have charged that it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehemently denies. "This is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came into the world, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look first at my own culpability in that." Jesuit Father William J. Fulco, who translated the script into Aramaic and Latin, said he saw no hint of anti-Semitism in the movie. Fulco added, "I would be aghast at any suggestion that Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic." Nevertheless, certain groups and some in the mainstream press have been very critical of Gibson's "Passion."
The New York Post's Andrea Peyser chided him: "There is still time, Mel, to tell the truth." Boston Globe columnist James Carroll denounced Gibson's literal reading of the biblical accounts. "Even a faithful repetition of the Gospel stories of the death of Jesus can do damage exactly because those sacred texts themselves carry the virus of Jew hatred," wrote Carroll. A group of Jewish and Christian academics has issued an 18-page report slamming all aspects of the film, including its undue emphasis on Christ's passion rather than "a broader vision." The report disapproves of the movie's treatment of Christ's passion as historical fact.
The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud your work on Christ, make sure it depicts Him as an everyday sinner with no particular redeeming value (literally). In our anti-Christian culture, the blasphemous "The Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated and "The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues to affect people the way it is now, no amount of cultural opposition will suppress its force and its positive impact on lives everywhere. Mel Gibson is a model of faith and courage.
Please copy this and send it on to all your friends to let them know about this film so that we'll all go see it when it comes out.
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Music
Scenes
Israel - Garden of Gethsemane
"See the actual ground where Jesus agonized before his crucifixion and prayed that the cup may p%#, not his will but may God's will be done."
As Mel (My Space Site) shared in an interview with Diane Sawyer the Monday before it opened, he hopes that viewers will not just comment on the gore and graphic details on this movie. Instead, he hopes (based on my view of the interview) that people would come out and think twice about the message of the cross..forgiveness and that the rest of the story of the Good News will be shared to them.
I pray that many will come to a new or renewing personal relationship with Jesus after seeing this movie.
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!
