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Ember

Em-ber
Pronunciation: \ˈem-bər\
n : a hot glowing or smoldering fragment of wood or coal left from a fire
plural : slowly dying or fading emotions, memories, ideas, or responses still capable of being revived.

The City of Ember

Based on the 2003 novel by Jeanne Duprau, this is a movie whose trailer intrigued me, though I didn’t see it until we Redbox-ed it the other night.

Aside from the cheesy CGI waterslide boat scenes near the end, I loved this movie in much the same way that I have grown fond of the Narnia books.

Rather than recap the plot here, you can read it here

The spiritual overtones for me were immediate.

The film begins with the end of the world (the fall in the garden) and of necessity – to ensure mankind is not destroyed - humanity is removed from that world to an underground world of comparative darkness. Exit Eden. Side note: Adam and Eve were not kicked out simply as a punishment but to protect them from then eating of the tree of (eternal) life and thus being trapped in a state of separation from God for eternity.

Ember’s builder’s have ensured it’s inhabitants can find the way out of Ember back to the surface – a world of light – by following the directions contained in a box… a box which is lost for a time. Which reminded me of the story of Josiah in 2 Kings 22. Not a mirror story, mind you, but a glimpse or reminder of that story.

In a world that is steadily heading to ruin and falling apart two children, Doon and Lina, believe the old tales that there is a better land – one outside of Ember; a land of light. They come this conclusion based not only on these tales, but on the evidence they find in the box – the map, the directions and the key.

Apart from a few principal characters, most citizen of Ember scoff at this notion - discouraging the children from pursuing their quest – though ironically the rulers have outlawed any quest for the other land.

Followers of Christ too believe in a land of light away from this decaying, entropic world, and we trust that the Builder has given us the knowledge to know the way to that place, through His Word, by His Son.

Now just to clarify, the Bible does not offer a way out based upon cryptic clues, or obedience to a list of commands. Hebrews reminds us of this and the promise to Adam and Abraham were of a Messiah to come.. but not based upon Adam or Abraham’s actions. The Gospel is about God condescending to our level – wearing our humanity and dying in our stead since we are unable to atone for our sins since we are incapable. And this He does freely out of His love.

Like the City of Ember – we live in a world that denies the existence of that other land, scoffs at the notion, and in many places the information about how to get there - the Bible (the New Testament in particular) is outlawed in many countries and is disallowed in more places in the U.S.

But the ember remains of the land of Light – hope is not snuffed out, and those who seek for it with child-like faith and curiosity still find it.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13

Bwa Ha Ha Ha

Madagascar 2 - one of the funniest movies I've seen in a loooooong time.

Greatest Song of All Time - ever - period - end of discussion

Here it is... my pick for greatest song of all-time - ever - period.

You could suggest others, but you'll never sway me.


This is it and I can't wait to sing it 'over yonder shore'

Heilig, Heilig, Heilig, Heilig ist der Herr!
Franz Schubert

Heilig, heilig, heilig, heilig ist der Herr!
Heilig, heilig, heilig, heilig ist nur Er!

Er, der nie begonnen,
Er, der immer war;
Ewig ist und waltet, sein wird immer dar

Allmacht, Wunder, Liebe, Alles rings umher!
Heilig, Heilig, Heilig ist der Herr.

Holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, holy is He alone!

He, who had no beginning,
He, who always was;
Eternally is, and reigns and will be evermore

Almighty, wonder, omnipresent love!
Holy, holy, holy, holy is the Lord!