Rebuild

Dad just left to fly out to Dallas and pick up the bus. Be looking for pictures and whatnot as I will post them as I get them. The guy who’s selling the bus is driving 16 hours from Virginia to Dallas to meet Dad there; he’s a really nice guy and has been a tremendous blessing through all of this. Not only is Dad leaving us, but Mom has left to spend time with Gabrielle and Robin in Colorado for a few days. Thus, again we are without parents. This is the third time in 3 months that they have both left; and once again, on Thursday, we will be doing a full concert without either of them.

But, the bus, and our 20th year of ministry, with the wreck and now the rebuilding, it’s been a strange year. It makes me think that God is moving our ministry into a different direction. I cannot be positive, but be watching for updates of exciting and new things happening to the Allen Family. It’s just a hunch, but I think God is rebuilding our ministry for something totally new, that’s why the bus was wrecked, that’s why the things that are happening to us are happening right now I think.

“Endless hours of free-time are best spent in the act of nothing.” 

I have failed thus far to spiritually capitalize on my current state of idleness. True, my life is constant travel and therefore work. But, contrary to what you might imagine, rather then become more productive when life slows down, I’ve become drastically less so. I thrive in work and tasks when put under great pressure and expectation, as well as harsh time restraint. My mind was built in such a way, that when given a task, it immediately responds by configuring the most concise and efficient way to complete that task.

Note: I’m not bragging on myself. If anything, this attribute has been a degradation more than a gift. At this current juncture in my life, I find myself with untold eons of time at my disposal; and rather than capitalize on this time, I waste it.

My mind doesn’t work without a pressure or a limit, rather, it finds pressure in idleness and responds in much the same way that a walnut responds to an anvil falling on it. The pressure of too much time obliterates my mind like an atom bomb, leaving nothing but a broken wasteland. In the wake of that, I rebuild, restructure, and learn to think again. 

This is what is happening to my family, we’ve been dealt a crushing blow that has decimated our lives and ministry. Now, it’s time to realize our situation, for what it is: a chance to reform and rebuild. Then, we need to act upon that, and not only rebuild our private lives and our home, but also our public lives and our ministry. It’s time we rethink where we stand and what our purpose is.

I’m not saying that any of this happened as a result of someone or something done wrong, but I’m not saying it didn’t. I’m not saying any of this is directly our fault, but I’m not saying it isn’t. If this was God’s way of giving us a wake-up call, then don’t let it take a disaster for God to get your attention. Start now by following Him with all of you heart. But, for me, right now, it’s time to rebuild.

I can’t do it alone. I need your help, and most importantly God’s help to grow in the way He needs me to grow. 

As always, thanks for reading.

—the anonymous novelist

The War Within

This is the second movie review that I have done on this blog. The first was of the new Christian film, “Providence”, which releases in 2016. You can read that review by clicking here.

I was wary of this film when I discovered it was the Varvel’s first feature film. Actually, the very first time I heard about it I was excited; because when they said Varvel, I heard Marvel and instantly my expectations for this Christian film shot up. It’s always interesting to see the beginning of a group’s career, to see the potential for greatness and the attention to detail which often gets lost in the films from larger companies. A first or second film always has a brilliant story, and that’s the big appeal of “The War Within”.

The idea for the film came from a sermon that the director’s pastor preached on the different functions of the human soul. He spoke on how the mind, emotions, will, heart, conscience, and memory interact with one another to bring about the decisions and choices we make. So, in reality, this movie was an, “Inside Out”, for adults, though it came out before “Inside Out” and actually had a point.

For this review I’m going to break down the 4 major areas of film, rating each area between 1 and 10 stars. A total summary and rating will be given at the end of this post.  Note: any and all views expressed in this post are opinions from a highly critical analyst.

ACTING:

The first area of a film, especially a Christian film that anyone notices is the acting. This is an area where Independent films from both Christian and secular worldviews struggle. The acting in, “The War Within”, was very specific. Those Characters which existed in the soul of the main character Michael Sinclair, (Brett Varvel), had a specific function, that function was also their personality and they dwelt exclusively in that area. For example: the character of Will, (Gary Varvel), acted as the will of a person would: only acting upon what the mind, heart, memory, emotions, and conscience wanted for the body. Thus, those members of the soul were portrayed very accurately and the acting was very good, considering the nature of the roles they had to play. Throughout the rest of the movie the acting quality ranges from moderately good, to very good. The actor/writer double play of Brett Varvel shows his versatility as he not only played the main character, Michael Sinclair, but also the character of Heart.

The acting was never superb, but bear in mind that this is the Varvel’s first feature film. I give the acting 6 out of 10 stars.

VISUAL EFFECTS:

The special effects were well done, in many cases the scenes looked like something out of the old Star Wars films or the Skyrim games. There were no car chases, no gunman scenes, but there was quite a bit of wizard-type lightning wars, as seen above. The effects did not distract or detract from the scenes or the story, and I enjoyed the fact that the visual effects broke up some of the drama of the story. There were some action sequences and a few mildly intense themes throughout the film, but taken into context of what the actions meant and how they apply to what happens in our own spiritual lives, there is nothing in this movie that would not make it appropriate for the whole family. Though in the case of very young children, I leave that to the discretion of the parents.

For the caliber of the visual effects, and the usage of them to build a scene without making it looking cheesy or unprofessional, I give them a solid 7.

STORY:

Just as in writing, many movies will be watched, and repeatedly watched just for their stories; “The War Within” is no exception to this universal fact. The concept of the film is its real draw; the story is unique in its explanation of the soul. What was a neat thing for me was that I saw so many of the scriptures being played out before my eyes, many were likely even unintentional on the part of the screenwriters. The perfection with which the film portrayed the human decisions making process was so accurate that it nailed every Bible verse on the subject.

If for no other reason, buy the movie and watch it just for the story. Excellent job on the part of the writers, the story earns a 9.

REWATCHABILITY:

That’s a funny word, but it basically means, that the movie is worth watching multiple times. For all its charms and flaws, “The War Within”, is a great movie and an inspiring movie. It leaves its viewers thinking and examining their lives. It is no worse in quality than the Kendrick Brother’s first film, “Flywheel”, and is just as classic. Because of the type of film that it was, however, it does not have a huge draw for multiple watches. Does this movie have rewatchability? Yes. But, the question is, how much?

Well, there are several things that could have been done better, but there are also things that were spot on. In terms of rewatchability, I give this film a 5.

OVERALL RATING:

In each of the four areas I hit on, “The War Within”, scored the average or above, which is 5. It is a Christian film, which means automatically that it had a small budget. It is also a beginning film for the Varvels, meaning that it will not be perfect. Lastly, it is challenging story to do correctly, meaning that it will take experience in filmmaking that the Varvels do not yet have. Overall, I give this film 7 out of 10 stars, and look forward to what comes next from the Varvels.

The film was entered into film festivals in 2014 and has been showered with awards by many prominent Christian Film critics. Even though it was not perfect, I very much enjoyed it. Several of the character roles were masterfully played, but again, the story is the real draw. The film was inspiring, and I encourage you to pick up a copy today. Click here to watch the trailer for the film.

As always, thanks for reading. Like, comment, follow, and check me out on social.

Twitter: @EJaredAllen

Instagram: @ejaredallen

—the anonymous novelist

To Make A Difference

These are the days which I spend in long hours of interospective interrogation, reflections upon my life and the world in general. My thoughts are filled with questions of purpose. What is my purpose? Am I making a difference? What does God want me to be doing?

Like a plague these questions bedazzle my mind’s eyes, the sheer depth of them is a constant reminder of my failure to capitalize on my current state of idleness. I’m in a rut where I hear nothing from God but silence. He is constant, yet quite, and I am unsure if it is for my sake, or because of my lack of faith.

The nagging feeling that something in my life is holding me back from fulfilling the Will of God for me, it lays heavy on my heart. Many a night I’ve spent in doubt, questioning my desires and plans; oft times I scoff at my own lack of direction and purpose as if it were God’s fault that I am dormant.

I need, have needed, and will always need revival for my soul. The day to day travail of doing nothing when a wealth of time is before me has taken its toll on my mind. It is maddening to think that I may be the cause of my own failures when I so desperately want to succeed. Am I not asking the right questions? Am I not praying for the right things?

Guidance from a heavenly source is my sought after desire of the moment. Lord, what would you have me do? Show me the way. It is in times such as these, when lethargy and troubling doubt falls upon my soul, that I turn to God’s bridge for me: music.

Music is my island, my escape. I don’t have to think, I’m taken away from my troubles on the wings of a song. That is why I am so excited about this week. This week is the week of the National Quartet Convention or NQC, in Pigeon Forge, TN. NQC is the largest event in Southern Gospel Music, a week of singing with over 144 artists performing and hundreds of exhibitors. The days, from 4-11 are filled with music from some of my favorite artists, including my own family. 

If ever there was an event, a time to be revived, resuscitated from my living death it is here and it is now. 

Music, like no other element, stirs my heart and rocks my soul in ways I cannot even express. The feelings run deeper when I know the singers on a personal level and their songs mean more to me. I want a difinitive word from God. I want a clear yes or no, but that’s not what he wants for me right now. Perhaps only in searching can we find meaning. If I were content I would not be longing, if I were satisfied I would not be looking, if I were al-knowing I would not be wondering.

God wants me to come to Him on His terms, not mine. And, though I know what to do, I don’t always act upon it. I want to know things now, my flesh fails in virtues such as patience. But, God loves me enough to conceal it, my future, He keeps me yearning for Him and His words by hiding a treasure that will one day be revealed. 

Though I hate the wait, I love the master. I trust His timing is what I need, and all things He has brought together for my good because I love Him. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart.

As always, thanks for reading, it means a lot.

–the anonymous novelist