Whoa!

...I haven't posted in two months! :D
Okay, okay, Ill work on it. :)

On 'The Rite', Satan, Faith, and the Power of God

"Choosing not to believe in the devil won't protect you from him." - Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas Trevant



Wow. Just finished watching The Rite*. When the first promotional material appeared online, I saw the poster and didn't even watch the trailer. There was the title: 'The Rite', there was a lurking darkness, there was Anthony Hopkins' unreadable eyes staring from within the shape of a cross. I wasn't interested. My impression was of yet another supernatural horror film, (there had seemed to be several which had appeared in the last year or so.) It wasn't until some time later, when I headed over to Focus on the Family's review site, (www.pluggedinonline.com) to find a review for a different film entirely, that I saw that there was a review for The Rite. The few short sentences next to the poster intrigued me, and I grudgingly started reading the review. The farther I read, the more interested I became. This did not seem to be the film I had anticipated.

So I finally watched it tonight. Inspired by true events, the film opens with a young man, one Michael Kovak (Colin O'Donoghue), working as a mortician alongside his father. Michael says his choice in life is to be a mortician or a priest, and although he is hardly a believer, he gladly leaves his father's business to pursue the second option. After four years of seminary school, however, he informs his father superior (Toby Jones) that he does not feel he can take his vows because of his lack of spiritual foundation. The father, who sees in Michael a very promising candidate for the priesthood, does not forward the message to his own superiors, but instead sends Michael to Rome to attend a course on exorcism at the Vatican. He thinks this will dispel Michael's disbelief. The young man's doubts persist, however, as he continues to maintain that a psychological explanation is still possible. "Do you believe in sin?" The instructor of the class, Father Xavier (Ciaran Hinds) asks him. "Yes," Michael responds, "I just don't believe the devil makes us do it." Xavier tells him to pay a visit to an old friend, Father Lucas (Anthony Hopkins), a seasoned exorcist; assuring Michael that Lucas will be happy to oblige him with the evidence he desires.

The two don't exactly start off on the right foot. "You don't like cats?" Standing in the middle of Lucas' courtyard swarming with felines, Michael sheepishly responds, "Not particularly." Father Lucas greets his guest with "Welcome to Rome - it's infested with cats." As it turns out, though, the cats are the least of Michael's worries. He soon meets Rosaria, a pregnant 16-year old who suffers from demon-possession. The first exorcism rite Michael witnesses does not part him from his skepticism. He argues that the young woman "doesn't need a priest, she needs a shrink." Father Lucas counters with the quote I began my post with. When a thief or a burglar breaks in, he says, does he turn on the light? Of course not! He prefers you to believe he's not there. Michael's unbelief begins to weaken, however, as he himself is drawn into a deadly serious spiritual assault. In the end, it is through the power of God alone that he is able to defeat the evil forces at work.

Although most of us have never witnessed the types of things portrayed in the movie, the truth of Satan's existence and methods are very clearly laid down. I believe it was C. S. Lewis that said that the devil would rather you think he doesn't exist, or better yet, that he is what he is often portrayed as, a naughty, red, goat-y prankster. He doesn't want us to take God's warning to heart - that he's "a lion, seeking whom he may devour." He's also a - the - deceiver. The accuser. The father of lies.

Now, while the devil's work on earth does take up a lot of screen - and plot - time, the film does not neglect the solely effective power of God in liberation from sin and the devil. The final exorcism scene of the film, in which Michael is forced to take on his demon-possessed mentor, dramatically illustrates how speaking God's name, commanding in the name of Jesus, with the faith to believe that He will do that which we ask, unleashes untold fathoms of God's power. That last bit is important. It's not the rite that drives out the demon. As Michael discovers after his first attempt to oust a demon, "It's not just the words." It's God alone working through a Christian's faith, in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritūs Sancti.

There are a few things I don't agree with the movie about, and I may discover more in future, but on the whole, I found it to be a very impressive portrayal of the very real conflict which is constantly being waged around us, and which we very often don't think about.

"Faith becomes you. Stick with it. Keep fighting the good fight with all thy might." - Anthony Hopkins as Father Lucas Trevant

* The Rite is rated PG-13 for "disturbing thematic material, violence, frightening images, and language including sexual references." I would only recommend the film to mature, discerning viewers, who can understand the content, as well as appreciate the message. While this is not a 'horror film,' Satan's work (to kill and destroy) is an ugly and horrible business, and The Rite does not shy away from giving us a taste of that work.

"Da." Definitely, "Da."

Wow, somehow in the past week, Russian folk songs performed by choir and orchestra have nearly become the staple of my listening library. How did this happen? Well, there are probably any number of ways that it could have happened, but I'll tell you that my first taste of this powerful, dramatic, sometimes melancholy, sometimes crazily joyous phenomenon nearly ten years ago.

Kind of a sampling:


It was the evening of February 19th, 2002. There I was, 11 years old, sitting with my family near the back of the upper deck of E.J Thomas Hall. The place was packed, if my memory serves me right. I think I can safely say I had no idea what to expect. But what I got blew me away. It has to have been the best Tuesday Musical concert I ever went to...part of that I think is that there has never been another one like it in any respect. What concert was it? Red Star: Red Army Chorus and Dance Ensemble, (Now called the Alexandrov Ensemble,) the official army choir of the Russian army. So that was then.



Now, after those several years, just last week, for some reason, I can't even remember what prompted me, but I just decided to look up Red Star Red Army on Youtube and see what I found. The first full song I found was Kalinka, performed by the chorus and the tenor Vasily Shtefutsa.
I definitely recommend checking him out. :)


And, well, now I'm hooked. Our Red Star Red Army video is actually on loan, and I'm looking forward to getting it back to watch it! In the meantime, any time I spend on Youtube is employed with finding new RSRAC songs. :)
The emotion and skill of the soloists and the chorus is completely engaging, and athleticism and sheer energy of the dancers is staggering.
An example of the dancing:



And a few of my favorite songs:

Leonid Kharitonov is so entertaining in this performance!


Some others:
"Regimental Polka"
"Wait For Your Soldier"
"Brave Don Cossacks"
"Swallow"
and "On the March."

I just love the enthusiasm, the joy, the excitement, that their performances are full of. (Speaking from my own single experience as well as what I've heard from others and reviews I've seen. Apparently I haven't been the only one who got blown away. :))
If they come back to the US on tour, I'd definitely go and see them again...I'll be keeping an eye out...:) Until then, however, I'll content myself with listening and watching online. :D I also have a cd out from the library, which I have been very much enjoying.

Hello, Beautiful.

My new machine, The Janome 6300! I have been VERY pleased with it so far! I look forward to a long and good working relationship with it. :)

*(I have become aware that my blog post title with the post deleted came across as being a little weird. :) So I thought I should put the post back. The reason I originally deleted it, was because the picture was too big, and I didn't want to take the time to find another or format it.)

Song of the Week: 'Stir'

Song: Stir
Artist: Downhere
Album: Wide-Eyed and Mystified

You belong here, everyone's invited
You can't fail here, 'cause we can't fail united
It's safe to be yourself here
And it's time to go beyond here

We've got life to give,
So why don't we do what we we're saved for
Come along, why don't we stir?
You know you and I could do so much more together
We are the new at heart, so why don't we stir?

We are strong here, but weakness is for certain
To show our love here, we share each other's burdens
We don't mind,''cause there is nothing left to fear
And Love divine is calling us out from here...

We are salting, lighting
We refresh like raining
We are love remaining
And we've got...

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:6-7 KJV

"No weapon forged against thee..."

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)

This is such an important promise to the people of God, but we so often forget the power that God vests in us if we will simply call on His name, and rebuke the Satan and his minions in the name of Jesus. It has been really interesting - as my mom has shared the things she has been learning in the Bible study she has been working through, (Beth Moore's 'Believing God,') - seeing my perspective on spiritual warfare change recently, and I've been realizing more in how many ways Satan tries to attack us. Frustration has been a really big one for me lately, I've realized. Things don't work the way they're supposed to, my attitude heats up and my spirits droop. Just what the devil likes to see.
So try to remember, and I'll try too. The next time you feel like you are hemmed in at Weathertop, with the devil's blade aimed for your heart, believe God. Don't just believe in Him, but believe His holy word, and the promises He has made. If you trust Him and call to Him, you will be saved.

{A little night update}

Hello friends!
I hope this finds you as it leaves me, in good spirits, and pleased with the view. (figurative or literal, whichever you prefer. :))
- Well, I have had a pretty nice, busy week, and I feel that my health is improving by bits and pieces, for which I am very grateful!
- I have finished reading The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and am still working my way through Schindler's List. Kidnapped has also seen a bit of progress over the past few days.
- My current sewing project, (finishing my Colquhoun tartan waistcoat,) is almost done, and I've got a few more lined up, the biggest in urgency, will be helping Mommy with an order of six shirts and six waistcoats for an Etsy customer's wedding.
After that, I'm planning on another waistcoat or two, a new Regency jacket, (possibly of green velvet, but we'll see,) finishing my Colquhoun kilt, and a few other ideas.
- Things of particular note of late, I finished my Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat in time for the Eversons International Folk Ball (May 14), and was quite happy with the result. Here's a picture of me in my outfit from the ball:


The ball(and the rest of the weekend (May 13-15) the ball was a part of as well,) was great! A lot of great fellowship and fun. Also, it was great to see different people helping each other in a menagerie of situations which arose surrounding the event, and seeing God's provision.
- This week saw the release for purchase of Downhere's single "Let Me Rediscover You" from their upcoming album, "On the Altar of Love," which I'm really excited about. They are one of my favorite bands at this point, I really like their sound, as well as, even more so, their lyrics. I recommend checking them out. :)
- Some other highlights: I worked for one of my neighbors on Wednesday, and had a rather exciting bit of wondering whether I was going to weather a tornado under the porch of a rental condo. Thursday night/Friday morning, Brandon and I choreographed a dance! I started out just trying to get Ginny's Market, (Emma and Knightley's dance from the 2009 Emma,) down on paper so that we could dance it. The way it's shot for the movie though, the casting section is just unintelligible (at least for me.) So we got down what we could and started trying to come up with something for those measures in the music. Then things just started popping out, and we ended up pretty much reinventing the dance. Only the very beginning looks exactly like the dance from the movie. There are a few oth similarities, but they are now out of order. It's a triple minor longways set, which is something new for us, and we have yet to try it out.
- I am planning to attend some sessions of the Great Lakes Grace Bible Conference on Sunday, in Wilmot.
-And...I should really be going to bed. :)
Goodnight and joy be to you all!
~Caleb