entertainment

Ragamuffin Movie

If you have an affinity for outrageous grace, hammered dulcimer, or the scandal of God's love...if you appreciate indie films, bare feet, white T-shirts, affronts to religious people, or good art...If you have a love for the faith, music, or life of Rich Mullins... [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF7qbCTFja0&w=640&h=360] A few dear friends have embarked on this project to tell a story of a man who knew God's love, mercy, and grace in ways I can only imagine very few ever have. Please take a moment to support this project in one of a couple ways

1. Share this post and/or video on your social media outlets. 2. Email ragamuffinmovie@gmail.com with your name and you city, state if you would like to see this film released in your town.

Pepperdine Peace

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to speak at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. Their theme for the year was PEACE and their theme verse was Philippians 4:7. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6uLt-VnQo&w=560&h=315]

When a hero dies

Last night, my hero passed away. Brennan Manning has had the strongest impact on my bedraggled heart. Sitting with him twice over hot dogs will be moments my heart will not easily forget. But far more important than hot dogs and baseball are his reflections on the outrageous love of God in all His grace and mercy that have wrecked my heart for good since 1999. My hero finally rests in Abba's embrace for his Father was very fond of him.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dMwu1rhTCQ&w=560&h=315]

Improv(ing) God's will

Many of my favorite moments took place in any given improv class I took or as part of the traveling improv comedy and drama team I was part of for several years. While there is technique to improv, it is a lot of creating details around and within a framework of smaller prompts. Many of our classes took place outside where we could receive these prompts from passers-by...or from the audience at shows.

You may only know where your character is (setting) or a problem to overcome (conflict). You may only know a character trait. The rest of the plot you fill in with improv. You learn how to best interact with fellow actors in order to make your character stronger and help the scene stay alive. You follow improv rules and technique to help give to the scene and your fellow actors.

When many of us wait to hear God's voice in our lives, we are thinking we get to be character actors like Moses with God's cosmic voice speaking the script in perfect English (or at least in KJV Old English). When he does not do this for us, we start to doubt and assume he no longer speaks.

Today, God gives you a setting and a scene. He gives you a conflict to overcome. The rest is improv.

The rest is opportunity for your character to grow. To learn. The rest is opportunity for you to learn his rules and contribute to the scene, to give to your fellow actors.

Some scenes will fall drastically flat and fail miserably, but that is improv. It's life! Tomorrow God will give you another scene with new prompts to interact with.

You're Welcome: Seryn

I commonly come into various obsessions with bands and artists. Right now, I cannot stop listening to Seryn. There is not much I could say to describe them in comparison to other artists. It just really is fantastic music. Here is a live performance of Beach Song. It is not even my favorite song on their album, but the video is pretty good quality. Enjoy! [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOiaBW6HBRw&w=420&h=315]

3 Easy Steps to My Give-away!!!

A couple weeks ago, I released my 4 track spoken word EP at my bandcamp page. Even though $4 does not seem like much to pay, I would like to give away a couple free downloads of my EP. Here are the rules to be entered for a chance to win one of those downloads. 1. Go to my bandcamp page and listen to each track.  2. Write a blog post about the EP. Talk about what you like or dislike about it. Talk about your favorite track from the EP and why it is your favorite. Encourage your readers to check it out. (be sure to include a link to ragamuffinpc.bandcamp.com) 3. Tweet me, Email Me, or post to my facebook wall a link to your post.

And thats it! I will randomly choose 2 winners Thursday (3/22) and contact the winners with their free download instructions.