tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45750780106244880842011-04-21T16:29:13.366-05:00I am a pop culture junkie, endlessly fascinated by what fascinates people. In this blog I combine that love with theological reflection on my recent finds. Or sometimes I look for pop culture expressions of my recent theological reflections. Either way. In other words I like to muse about how movies, books, podcasts, youtube vids, or anything really, can point to spiritual themes.Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.comBlogger341100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-69319815398150802022009-02-23T13:48:00.008-06:002009-02-23T14:50:37.793-06:00

It is sunny and clear and cold outside - and I am inside writing. Today is a poetry and philosophy kind of day. A clear and sunny and crisp thought kind of day. A day for seeing far away. Thinking about the coming season of Lent in the Christian calendar. Lent is an extended time of refection, of thinking, of quiet. Like early spring, a time when a lot is happening, but underground where it can't

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-13697784431150836182009-02-03T11:18:00.005-06:002009-02-03T11:40:15.932-06:00

A couple of weeks ago at a church meeting we discussed what our public response should be to Canadian involvement in the continuing war in Afghanistan. This is not an easy subject. It is especially difficult because we are far away and unable to get good information about the war. The conversation is also dependent on how the information about the war is given to us. This blog is meant to be my

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-5852437878496923372009-01-19T10:23:00.006-06:002009-01-19T10:58:04.807-06:00

There is a new spirit of activism and hope in the youth of America. They have been inspired and engaged by President Elect Barack Obama. The whole world is listening and watching as he is installed as the next president of the USA. But, a movement needs a soundtrack. So Norman Lear commissioned the song below. I love the line, "the time has come to reaffirm that hope's not just for some."The

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-71809544765679036972009-01-14T11:42:00.003-06:002009-01-14T13:27:22.763-06:00

Today's musing is about obedience, context, compassion, and understanding.Below is a video someone has posted showing a famous psychological experiment designed to see how people would react when asked to perform tasks by an authority figure. They were conducted by Stanley Milgrim. If you haven't seen or heard these videos (even if you have heard or read about the experiment) they are interesting

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-32742552345164346032008-10-23T20:20:00.002-05:002008-10-23T20:52:21.487-05:00

Well, people who know me know that I am a fan of the www but I do also like keeping it real. And then I saw this story on CNN.The article begins..."TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday."And it only goes on

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-949674714778924082008-09-30T10:35:00.002-05:002008-09-30T11:34:25.186-05:00

Not since the writers strike last year has TV had such a problem with their scripted schedules. Turns out that people have overwhelmingly chosen to follow reality TV. But not the unreal, semi scripted, semi clad reality TV that they have created. No, Survivor, Dancing With the Stars, Desperate Housewives and Dexter, have all made way for something even more compelling.Election 2008 has sexism,

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-20813385425798444252008-09-17T10:27:00.005-05:002008-09-17T11:49:36.981-05:00

Today's blog started when I read an article on Entertainment Weekly online about the new cast of 90210. It seems they are too thin. Read Here or watch below (or both).90210 then and nowThen I thought, hey didn't they just have a whole bunch of stuff about models being too thin and new regulations about it. Yup.Model ControversyThe argument in the EW article is framed as one where these thin

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-65692042321914506272008-09-10T09:16:00.003-05:002008-09-10T10:06:54.084-05:00

Okay - I just love this.watch it again and again until you are gradually sucked into the black hole created by the collision of youtube and scienceOr something like that.The real story is pretty interesting and points out that our human quest to understand and appreciate our world continues. Click here to go to one official site with reasonably intelligible explanations of this stuff. Frankly it

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-88480043530012758372008-09-02T14:05:00.005-05:002008-09-02T15:56:52.262-05:00

The US Election is in full swing. Barack Obama and the Democrats had a big party last week and the Republicans are back in party mode today (now that the threat from Hurricane Gustav has abated). All of this conventioneering is the high point in a US election season that has seen many historic decisions and twists. In fact, more people watched Barack Obamas acceptance speech than watched the

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-41877973942079852862008-08-26T16:16:00.005-05:002008-08-26T17:09:46.278-05:00

This posting combines two of my favourite sports, skiing and tae kwon do. It is also the story of two very different responses to competition.In the first instance a tae kwon do match ends in possibly the most shocking display of bad sportsmanship that I have ever seen (keeping in mind that I also watch hockey - which has a fair number of fights). Upset about the referee's decision (actually not

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-91964400011737633762008-06-03T12:02:00.004-05:002008-06-03T12:19:20.406-05:00

Getting along or being a doormat. It’s a fine line. When does a community or person properly protest about a joke or characterisation - when is it just being petulant? There is an ongoing debate in our culture (in global culture too) about where the boundaries are and which lines are uncrossable when it comes to making jokes. Are some jokes really an assault on a community or religion? Part

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-16550434448435378942008-05-27T11:27:00.001-05:002008-05-27T11:37:44.260-05:00

It’s another heavy metal morning… 50 miles to Castle junction…. better get some vibes…Ok so this post is about Iron Man, for which the sound track is appropriately full of heavy metal – I always love a good pun. So what is so spiritual about Iron Man – an action packed movie that features lots of loud music and cool explosions?Well, the first theme I want to focus on is forgiveness. Ok this

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-32811748575486837662008-04-29T12:15:00.004-05:002008-04-29T14:00:07.159-05:00

Today is another one of those days. You know the ones I mean. When you kind of shake your head and say to yourself "wow, how did we get here?" Today the focus of the question is the release of the latest - sure to be a best selling - adult violent video game, Grand Theft Auto IV.Now that can go many different ways.Translation 1 - How did we get here? = The world is falling apart.A very common

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-513697561427303782008-04-23T11:38:00.005-05:002008-04-23T12:31:13.286-05:00

Yesterday I caught an interview on CBC with Jeet Heer, a "cultural journalist" (whatever that means). He and Jian Ghomeshi were riffing about the way that Superman has changed over the years. From hard working farmer's son who wants a New Deal (1930's), to family man (1950's), to "the man" confronted by wild haired X-Men and angst ridden vigilantes (1970's- 1990's). Yet somehow he remains fresh

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-11501809853693116522008-04-21T11:16:00.005-05:002008-04-23T12:32:59.135-05:00

OK – so every Sunday at church I say, "I invite those who are young or young at heart to come forward for story time." Then I saw a movie review of the film, Young@Heart, and I think I may have to rethink that phrase or it could get pretty crowded around my story chair.Basically the film follows a group of 70-90+ year olds (yup you read that right) who have put together a show of punk rock (and

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-13229047456919180342008-04-09T10:06:00.003-05:002008-06-03T12:02:14.261-05:00

OkI have to admit that I am feeling nostalgic today. News is depressing. Rain is falling. So I have decided to go back in time to a sunnier time. Actually to a sunnier place, a town called Sunnydale, the home of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not the movie Buffy the Vampire slayer (which is good in its own campy way) but the TV series. It was a smart, complex, morality tale that dealt with many real

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-38287426008625074092008-03-31T10:06:00.003-05:002008-03-31T10:50:14.903-05:00

Every once in a while I come across a story and just say….WHAAAA!Well this is one of those times. The short version is this.The Florida Marlins, a baseball team (I only clarify this because the story comes out of attendance problems so maybe you haven’t heard of them), have decided to hire (or at least provide free tickets to) a squad of overweight male dancers.Audition Video for Marlins

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-30835561864448507012008-03-25T11:02:00.002-05:002008-03-25T12:42:29.707-05:00

Over the weekend the Globe and Mail began a series of articles based on interviews with over 40 "Taliban" fighters in Afghanistan. They have a multimedia web site with additional features and the complete interviews (with translation.) It is worth a look. The reporter points to several key patterns in the responses. There are written and video essays on a variety of topics as well.Recently I

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-12838742487146163122008-03-20T21:03:00.003-05:002008-03-20T21:08:59.994-05:00

Ok - I promised fun. I saw a reference to this project somewhere and couldn't believe it so I looked into it. Apparently they are now building designer islands for the very wealthy near Dubai. They have even made them in the shape of a map of the world. Check it out.Dubai WorldNow I don't really know how to respond spiritually. I am still reeling from the sheer scale and silliness of it. But

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-85213280598726998762008-03-19T09:07:00.002-05:002008-03-19T10:12:58.388-05:00

I had another blog planned for today: a light-hearted one. But this screamed out for comment. Or at least it has been all over the airwaves and many hold opinions. So here is my two cents.This whole incident started when Barack Obama began his bid for the presidency in the US. Since then, despite many protestations that his candidacy has nothing to do with race, it has been shown again and again

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-5152936430920187562008-03-18T10:49:00.001-05:002008-03-18T10:54:23.269-05:00

Today I am concerned about the idea of questioning. Specifically I am interested in “Questioning Faith.”This has become especially important to me in part because of all the great questions that have come up during a recent book study at Minesing United Church based on Marcus Borg’s, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time. Also (as a self confessed political junky) I have been watching with

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-41087488607886686562008-03-17T11:06:00.004-05:002008-03-17T11:38:02.124-05:00

The theme of many recent movies has been the idea of seen and unseen. What is real, and what isn't. These are fantasy movies that embed an unseen world into a known world.There have been movies for children, (Horton Hears a Who) OK this one is a bit of a stretch but the idea is there.Movies for families (any of the Harry Potters, Spiderwick Chronicles, Chronicles of Narnia to name a few.)Movies

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-75570020647108169492008-03-05T09:37:00.004-06:002008-03-07T15:24:10.735-06:00

Today, a reflection on another kind of pioneer, a man named Gary Gygax who died yesterday at 69. Many people will have no idea who he is, unless they happen to be one of millions of closet "gamers," or dabblers in the game Dungeons and Dragons. Gary Gygax was one of two guys who co-created Dungeons and Dragons and the whole idea of role-playing games.When the games first came out there was a lot

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-12454654635233137742008-03-03T13:53:00.001-06:002008-03-03T13:55:23.973-06:00

The news came out across the wires. Jeff Healey dead at 41. His name was usually prefaced with phrases like (Canadian) Legend… or Guitar Legend…http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iCoD11PSfR-HSsvGt1Dl2AFB-pGgD8V5UPI00According to PBS "The blues is one of America's greatest musical treasures. A roots music form that evolved out of African-American work songs, field hollers, spirituals, and country

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-17469814315051491002008-02-29T17:22:00.002-06:002008-03-01T13:46:34.445-06:00

"Tonight we look beyond the dark days [of the writer’s strike] to focus on happier fare: This year's slate of Oscar-nominated psychopathic killer movies. Does this town need a hug? What happened? 'No Country For Old Men,' 'Sweeney Todd,' 'There Will Be Blood'? All I can say is, thank God for [the comedy "Juno's"] teen pregnancy. I think the country agrees."-Jon Stewart in his opening remarks at

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-74498335938873479812008-02-21T09:59:00.003-06:002008-02-21T10:09:00.557-06:00

(Spoiler alert!!) This post deals with the 2007 movie Sunshine, just released on DVD. The topic of this post may reveal some details of the movie.Having a cold, and having children with colds, in combination with a long weekend, meant a trip to the video store. We picked up a few movies.(One was a real stinker, which I won’t mention by name but which may rhyme with "bragon bors." A lot got lost

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-86744124138925001852008-02-07T10:41:00.000-06:002008-02-07T10:43:35.372-06:00

Today’s ScriptureMatthew 4:1-11As I was reading this passage it occurred to me that even though the passage is titled "The Temptation of Jesus" I often respond to it as if it were an opportunity, "Jesus’ Chance to Go Into the Desert"The urge to go on retreats, to get away from it all, to go deeper into ourselves, is an ancient one. In the Christian tradition there were "The Desert Fathers and

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-20978945406167675792008-02-06T10:11:00.001-06:002008-02-06T10:14:34.248-06:00

Today’s ScriptureMatthew 6:1-6, 16-21Well, if yesterday was party day - today is the hangover. And when the hangover hits, what’s the phrase?….Oh yeah, "I’ll never do that again."In many churches there is a prayer of confession, or maybe an altar call, or maybe a tradition of confessing to a priest. And then the list of what we did wrong comes out and then we promise never to do it again.But it

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-36036247591957515722008-02-05T10:14:00.000-06:002008-02-05T10:18:03.877-06:00

Today’s ScriptureMark 2:18-21In Ecclesiastes we are told that there is a time for everything. Aficionados of folk will well remember the musical setting of this, "Turn, Turn, Turn."Today is Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras. This is a time for feasting and indulgence ahead of the traditional Lenten fast. Often people will complain about such excess. I am sure I have. Similar to New Years when before

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-56538407717237604682008-02-04T11:47:00.000-06:002008-02-04T11:57:35.007-06:00

Today’s Scripture: Genesis 1:27, 31Well, I’m back. I crawled out of my burrow and saw no shadow. Then I saw my Reflections page on the website (www.minesinguc.org) and remembered how much I enjoyed doing them. So I decided to spring into action. Instead of sending out emails I will simply be posting on my blog. And so…Having promised myself that today I would return to the blogging world and “

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-88754239609148969422007-12-17T10:21:00.000-06:002007-12-17T10:24:29.348-06:00

Scripture Focus, Matthew 11:2-11http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2011:2-11;&version=31;We may be at the beginning of the Christian year (it started at the beginning of December, Advent is the start of the Christian calendar) but we are at the end of the calendar year. List after list is being published along the lines of, “The top 10 (insert topic here) of the year.” TIME

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-30164612676592240322007-11-12T15:14:00.000-06:002007-11-12T15:26:12.212-06:00

Remembrance Day Message Scripture Focus: Matthew 18:21-35Before I gave my reflection, the youth retold the story in a drama called, "The Unfair Student."The question is, How many times should we forgive?Jesus tells this story about a king who forgives a huge debt. A debt that the servant who owes it -would never be able to pay off.In the retelling that we just watched,about a teacher who decides

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-32940273941021577782007-11-05T10:39:00.000-06:002007-11-05T11:04:47.739-06:00

Reflection on Matthew 5:1-11Is anyone into cooking?How about eating?Maybe both?Myself, I love curries.Good cooks know that one of the secrets of the trade(especially the curry trade but other foods too)is toasting the spices.You get your pan, add a little oil or butter,heat it a little.then you toss in your cumin, cinnamon, turmeric or whatever,and in a couple of seconds the aroma from the spices

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4575078010624488084.post-21190841317311956762007-10-25T08:55:00.000-05:002007-10-25T09:12:30.022-05:00

So I’m a transplanted westerner.When I first moved to Ontario from Calgary, Alberta,all I could think was"where’s the sky?" (too many trees).Maybe some of you are thinking"what is she talking about"butwhen I meet someone else from the prairies and say this,they just look back at me,nod sadly,and say"yeah."The colours of nature are different too.Instead of gold, ochre red, bright sky bluethere are

Rev Kirstyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11270787274646159468noreply@blogger.com1