Happy Birthday to a Film Favorite ...

Ronald Colman, award-winning actor of stage and cinema, radio and television - and one of my favorite stars of the cinema - was born on this day in 1891.

Colman was a man of another time and another place then those we now know, but his performances continue to capture us and move us. Maybe it was his good looks ... maybe it was his charm ... maybe it was that voice of his, and his wonderful delivery, which served him so well when he made the move from silent films to 'the talkies.' Or maybe it was all of the above, brought together in one very special package.

We might never have come to appreciate him, if he had pursued his original intention to study engineering ... or if his service in the Great War had taken a tragic turn. Things were different back then, especially in England, where few were content to remain at home. Colman - along with fellow actors Claude Rains, Herbert Marshall and Basil Rathbone - enlisted in the army, and was among the first to fight in World War I. In 1914, at the Battle of Messines, Colman was seriously wounded by shrapnel in his leg, which led to his being released from service.

You have to wonder, though, if that service left an indelible mark upon Colman and upon what he would bring to the characters he played in the course of his career. Some of my favorite performances by him are all characters who have been out in the world, and have come home with weariness and wounds from that experience ... Robert Conway in "Lost Horizon," Dick Heldar in "The Light That Failed," John Smith in "Random Harvest" and -- perhaps most of all -- Sydney Carton in "Tale of Two Cities" ... to me, it is a far, far better performance than anyone else have ever done ...



But whatever the role, Colman always brought a sese of grace and style, even panache to his portrayel that was not easily duplicated, no matter how often filmmakers might try in later re-makes.

There aren't very many (non-subscription) online resources for Ronald Colman (at least, when compared to other stars). There is his Wikipedia Write-up, and pages devoted to him on Internet Broadway Database and Internet Movie Database.

Buddhism's Answer to 'Rock the Desert?' ...

According to the following report from Al Jazaeera, "Kansho Tagai, a Buddhist monk known as MC Happiness, believes in keeping the appeal of his religion fresh. He regularly holds music sessions at a 400-year old temple in central Tokyo to teach Buddhist principles and rituals through hip hop." The report goes on to state he is branching out into tap dance as well.

Marking the Birth of a Martyr ...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor and theologian martyred through his resistance to Adolf Hitler and Nazism, was born on this day in 1906. It was the begining of one of the more significant - if tragically short - lives of the 20th-century.

There was nothing cloistered about this cleric. He attended college in his native Germany, earning a PhD in theology at the age of 21, and took to traveling. He studied at a seminary in New York City, and attended Baptist church in Harlem, where he was introduced to the African-American spirituals that he collected and took back to Germany. He also traveled in India where he met Gandhi and studied the principle of non-violent resistance.

Non-violent, perhaps ... but serious nonetheless, as he returned to his native Germany, co-founded the Confessing Church, and ended up joining a resistance movement that opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. "Cheap grace is the mortal enemy of our church," Bonhoeffer once wrote. "Our struggle today is for costly grace."

And it did, indeed, prove to be costly. Bonhoeffer was arrested in 1943, and again - for the final time - in 1944, after a failed assassination attempt on Hitler's life. He was imprisoned in a series of concentration camps. Bonhoeffer was tortured, then executed under brutal circumstances in the camp at Flossenbürg on April 9, 1945 ... ending a life, but not a legacy that endures and inspires to this day.

Online resources include this page devoted to Bonhoeffer created by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the website of the International Bonhoeffer Society, the Bonhoeffer Reading Room at Tyndale College & Seminary and Bonhoeffer's Wikipedia entry.

Happy Birthday to an Artist ....

Norman Percevel Rockwell, a 20th-century American artist whose works were embraced as icons of American life and ideals, was born on this day in 1894.

It's true, Rockwell's work was dismissed by a number of critics and artists of his day. One large body of his work — illustrations for magazine covers that presented idealistic or sentimental portrayals of American life — were targets-of-choice, labeled as bourgeois kitsch, disconnected from reality, and even "Rockwellesque." Some of his critics sneeringly called him an "illustrator" instead of an artist ... which was fine, really, because that's what Rockwell called himself.

But in the larger, more widespread and popular circles, Rockwell was appreciated to the point of reverence. His many, many images of Boy Scouting were held in high regard by my mom, a woman who has served nearly half-a-century as a Scouter. His images have been recreated in every medium there is, and originals of his works are much-sought-after (there's one in Midland's Museum of the Southwest, I think). And over the course of his career, Rockwell was commissioned to paint the portraits for Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.

Me? I like his works. Here is a video prepared by the Normman Rockwell Museum, featuring interviews with models, friends and family members, and artists Minor) influenced by Rockwell.



Good online sources about Rockwell include his Wikipedia write-up, his official website and the museum he established in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Happy Groundhog Day! ...

UPDATE from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (02/02/10) ... The world's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged before chilly revelers in western Pennsylvania Tuesday to see his shadow, meaning winter will last another six weeks.
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Whither winter? There's only one gen-yoo-ine and official representative of Marmota meteorologica that can tell us ... and that's Punxsutawney Phil ..... don't be fooled by imitations.

Here's video from last year's festivities at Gobbler's Knob ...



According to this Wikipedia write-up and the various sources to which it links, the roots of this annual celebration are very old, even ancient, and reach deeper than even the most persistent of groundhogs can burrow.

Now THIS is What We Needed Over the Weekend ...

Courtesy of Philadelphia-based Bob Sullivan at When Falls the Coliseum, here are the "Top ten answers to the question, 'How cold is it?'”

Saturday Morning Devotional:Answering Calls ...

Saturday mornings this time of year find me working the floor of the gymnasium at our church in Midland, offering halftime devotionals during Upward Basketball games. I was inspired to prepare this week's devotional by headline in the sporting news, about a young man, a minor league baseball player who was doing so well, that most figured it would be just a matter of time till he was called-up to play in the majors. Well, he answered a call, alright … but it was not the call that many expected.

Upward, by the way, is one of the the world’s largest Christian sports program for children, and was created with a vision to provide the best sports experience possible for every child. An estimated 1-million people around the world play, coach, referee or volunteer in some way to support Upward sports activities, hosted by more than 2,600 churches - there are four churches here, in Midland, including my own First Presbyterian.

The organization notes that, "anyone – children and volunteers of any faith or no faith – can participate in Upward sports. Specifically designed for children in K5- sixth grade, Upward aims to bring out 'the winner' in every child – regardless of the game’s score."

Really, not a bad venue for discussing someone like Grant Desme, a player in the Oakland A’s organization. In the eyes of many, he might have had it all - the promising professional baseball career, the six-figure signing bonus and the life many a boy has dreamed of. But I guess, in his own eyes, there was something more important than all of that. Last week, he announced he was retiring from professional baseball in order to enter a seminary this fall, in hopes of someday becoming a Catholic priest.

The news of that announcement, and the controversy - yes, controversy - it generated among some observers, remoinded me of a line of Scripture, from the Old Testament, Isaiah 6: 8 ...

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (NIV)

I suggested at Saturday's devotional that - as many of those in the stands knew, and as many of the youngsters out there on the floor were learning - we hear many different calls in the course of our lives …

… maybe it’s a call from a parent, a teacher or a coach to make that extra effort, to aim higher, to work harder …

… maybe it’s a call from your country to serve in the armed forces …

… maybe it’s a call from your heart to enter into a lifelong and loving relationship with someone …

… maybe it’s a call from your conscience to engage in protest or civil disobedience …

… maybe it’s a call from family, a friend – or even a perfect stranger – to step up and help in a time of need …

… or - as in Desme's case - maybe it’s a call from the Lord to follow another path – one very different from the path you had set for yourself.

I acknowledged that not everyone may agree with how we answer these, and other calls. But I went on to suggest that, if we listen carefully to those calls – not just with our ears, but with our mind and our heart – the answers will come to us much more easily.

I reminded everyone in the stands that they had been called to get up early on a cold (24°F) Saturday morning, and head out of the house. I thanked them for answering that call the way they did, for being there for the kids that morning, and cheering them on.

By the way, whoever you are and wherever you are, we would love to have you on our team! If you're the parent of a youngster who wants to play basketball, soccer, flag football or cheer, chances are Upward has a league or camp near you. What? No kids? No problem ... Upward programs always need volunteers to coach teams, to referee games, to operate game clocks, to rustle-up snacks for the kids, or offer devotionals at halftime.

I can think of worse ways to spend a Saturday morning.

A Day That will Live in Celebration ....

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a central figure of the 20th century during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war, and a community organizer whose neighborhood encompassed the entire nation, was born on this day in 1882.

This day may be marked with less enthusiasm by some ... especially here, in the Tall City. Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor, established the foundation for modern American liberalism ... a legacy that is being recalled once again as a new administration takes charge in America, and tackles a new generation of problems ... with some observers even offering the phrase 'a new New Deal.'

Roosevelt was not entirely successful in every measure he proposed. Yet for all that, there are few who left such an indelible imprint upon us, our nation and its place in the world. His Wikipedia write-up notes that Roosevelt "has been consistently ranked as one of the greatest U.S. presidents in historical rankings, alongside Abraham Lincoln and George Washington ... a 1999 survey by C-SPAN found that by a wide margin academic historians consider Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Roosevelt the three greatest presidents, consistent with other surveys ... anf Roosevelt is the sixth most admired person from the 20th century by US citizens, according to Gallup."

Did Roosevelt elevate himself as high as history has? Maybe ... and maybe not. He was the first to establish a library (The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum), setting in motion what has become the dominant form of presidential memorials outside of Washington, D.C. As for a more traditional memorial, Roosevelt reportedly told Felix Frankfurter that he wanted nothing more than a plain block of stone the size of his desk erected in front of the National Archives. Such a memorial was built during the 1960s ... but would be dramatically eclipsed decades later ... you can still see that block of stone, by the way, at the new FDR Memorial in Washington, DC.

Here is audo of Roosevelt, addressing his ideal of "The Four Freedoms ...


... elevn months later, he would deliver his "Peral Harbor Address" ...


There is no lack of online resources about FDR, his life and his world. Some good ones include the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Resource Guide from the Library of Congress, the New Deal Network (a collection of photos and primary sources), the FDR Cartoon Archive, FDR's episode in the "American Experience: The Presidents" series, Photographs of Franklin D. Roosevelt from the National Archives and the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum.

The Fast and the Curious ...

I've always been a fan of British television programs that have made the jump 'cross the pond to the United States. Among those currently at the top of my list is Top Gear, an imaginative and finely-crafted celebration of car and driver that is at times pointed and passionate ... and sometimes downright hilarious.

Discussions among Top Gear enthusiasts reveal different opinions on the show's strong points. Some like the vehicle reviews, while others prefer the "Power Laps," or the "Star In a Reasonably-Priced Car" segments, or the wacky races, or the even wackier challenges.

But one thing upon which we can agree is speculation over the identity of The Stig, the show's mysterious "Tame Racing Driver" who drives various cars around the Top Gear Test Track in the "Power Lap" segments, and trains each week's guest for the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car" segment.

In all of his appearances on the show, The Stig wears complete racing regalia, including full helmet and darkened visor, covered from head to foot ... and completely incognito. The hosts of the program add a little more mystery - and more than a little humor - in their introductions.

"Some say he once wrestled an elephant to the ground using the power of his mind and an alarming hairstyle. All we know is, he's called The Stig."

The mystery of The Stig's identity was solved late last year for British viewers, and late last week for American viewers ...



... or was it? More than a few fans of the show, and followers of the industry have suggested that the 'revelation' was a joke - albeit, a brilliant one. As for BBC's production arm, they're being more than a little mum about the whole thing, even when talking with reporters from their news arm. According to this report from BBC News, "after the show, a BBC spokeswoman would not confirm whether or not Schumacher was the genuine Stig, or a stunt to mark the first episode of a new series of Top Gear."

Me? I have no idea. But I DO know that I'll be tuning in next week - and the following weeks in the year ahead - for more exhilarating rides with with Jeremy, Richard, James and The Stig (whoever he is).

Thinking Globally, Acting Locally ...

Midland youth held a bake sale this weekend, raising funds for Presbyterian Church USA Disaster Relief

If you have concerns over where your contributions to Haitian earthquake relief efforts may actually be going, you can - to borrow a phrase from the environmental movement - think globally and act locally.

There are no lack of local groups - made up of your friends and neighbors, their kids, their schools, their churches - that are connected with legitimate national and international organizations already on the ground and hard at work in Haiti, providing invaluable first-hand feedback on what resources are most needed, and where they are best applied.

Here is just a small sampling ...

First United Methodist Church of Midland, for example is seeking financial and in-kind contributions to assemble health kits. Each kit costs about $12 to put together. United Methodist is asking that all items be new, and don't include anything else in the kit that's not on the list. All kits must be handed in to the United Methodist Church in Midland before February 1st. CLICK HERE for complete information on assembling a kit. You can also make financial contributions, 100% of which will go directly to aid those in urgent need through United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

The Catholic Diocese of San Angelo has also called upon its churches across West Texas to step up and help Catholic Relief Services. In a statement released last week, Bishop Michael Pfeiffer is asking every parish and mission of the Diocese to send a donation, or take a collection, to help earthquake victims, and has promised that all funds will go to their relief, especially through CRS.

Buckner International is well known for it's humanitarian support around the globe. But it also has a local office working to get your relief contributions to where they are needed. Last week it was reported that the local division is planning to play a huge role in supplying the people of Haiti with basic needs - shoes and socks. And this is just one of the efforts under way at Buckner.

Not the same kind of local ... but there's also efforts under way by the Indianapolis, Indiana-based ServLife International, which was founded by Joel Vestal ... there are many in the Tall City who know Joel, and probably many more who remember his grandfather, Daniel. Recently, ServLife announced it had the ability to fly directly on a military-cleared plane directly into Port-au-Prince, Haiti and deliver Emergency Medical Packs as part of their Strategy for Relief and Response to the Haiti Earthquake.

Like I said, just a sampling ... I'm sure you'll find plenty of organizations out there you can trust to put your contributions to the good use you intended.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would have linked you to the website for the local chapter of the American red Cross, but that site was having trouble this weekend. You can contact their local office at: 9601 Wright Drive, Midland, TX 79711, (432)563-2267, or visit the national organization's website at www.redcross.org