Joel Osteen in Jacksonville

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I avoid talking politics and religion on my blog.  Instead I focus on [as the subtitle says] a look at the fun stuff.  This post is going to cross the line a bit and talk about Joel Osteen in Jacksonville last Friday night.  

When you start to learn about Joel Osteen your skepticism meter will probably come on.  I know mine did.  

Joel is a second-generation Texas minister who preaches at the Lakewood Church (a former 16,000 seat arena that used to be called the Compact Center and was home of the Huston Rockets).  Joel’s ministry is one of the fastest growing in the nation world.  His weekly sermon is broadcast to over 7 million Americans and is also seen in over 100 nations around the world.  

I’m very skeptical of televangelists.  I’ve seen way too many who preach intolerance and their need for money to, uh, spread the word.  They’ll preach that, “You, yes you!” need to send in a seed [aka money] to show God that you believe in him.  In return he will repay your investment to you many times over.  Or they’ll talk to you about family values and then later be caught cheating on their spouses, plundering the church donations for personal profit or, well, you get the idea.    

Joel Osteen isn’t like that.  His weekly message, is always positive.  It took me a while to be convinced how sincere Joel is. I hope he never proves me wrong.  One thing that I do know is that Joel’s message is always positive and uplifting.  Every time I watch him I feel better afterward.  He doesn’t ask for money.  In fact, Joel’s salary is paid from his best selling books.  Money donated to his church goes to his church.  

My wife feels the same about Joel Osteen.  So we made the trip to Jacksonville for his Night of Hope.  It was a wonderful evening.  

I’m not big on singing, especially church music, but I don’t mind listening.  The music was so good at the Night of Hope that I wasn’t ready for it to end.  [Although I still didn’t sing — my voice may sound great to God, but I know the reality for those around me.] The musicians and singers [including Joel’s son and daughter] were awesome.  There would be song and then Joel or his wife, Victoria, would speak.  Even Joel’s mom had a message.  Local preachers from the Jacksonville area came to the stage to speak.  There was just the right balance of speakers and music.  Then at the end Joel delivered a positive message.  What a great way to end a great evening.

The event started at 7:30 and was supposed to last 1 – 1 1/2 hours but went almost 2 1/2.  I don’t get to church as much as I should.  When I do go, I start getting antsy after an hour.  I didn’t look at my watch once during Joel Osteen’s Evening of Hope.

It was a truly fun evening.  And that’s why I wanted to tell you about it.

 

 

Riddick is Back

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It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Pitch Black and the character of Riddick.  Vin Diesel owned that movie and [with David Twohy] created a character worthy of a series of films.  

The Chronicles of Riddick was an ambitious sequel that strayed a bit too far away from the core of what made Pitch Black [and Riddick] so awesome.  

Now eight years later, Riddick is back.  So is Vin Diesel and David Twohy [writer and director].  Let’s just hope that the coolness of Pitch Black made the trip as well.

Thanks and a flip of the googles to IMPAwards.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Tarzan

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When I was a kid I enjoyed Tarzan movies [Johnny Weissmuller was my favorite], the Tarzan tv show and the occasional Tarzan comic book.  

Over the years, I’ve watched many [if not all] of the  various movie Tarzans from the silent era, to the 60’s when he was a jet-setter, to the 80’s  when Christopher Lambert played him.  

Surprisingly, I’ve never read any of the  Edgar Rice Burroughs’ novels that gave the character his start.

If you’ve read this far, then there’s a good chance you’ll get a kick out 10 Things You Might Not Know About Tarzan.

Doug Dabbs Knows Jack

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Doug Dabbs makes his first, but not last, appearance in our Stallone Sketch Gallery. I first met Doug in 2011 at Heroes Con. I was heading out from the show and saw his art. If there had been time, I’d have got a sketch on the spot.

I told Doug I would get a piece from him in 2012 and I did. Two in fact. This piece is Doug’s take on Sly as an older, but still tough, Jack Carter. He also did an equally cool riff on Barney Ross from The Expendables. I’ll post it soon. – Craig

The Most Terrifying Film You Will Ever Experience.

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“The Most Terrifying Film You Will Ever Experience.”

As John Travolta said in Pulp Fiction, “That’s a bold statement.”  Like Travolta, I’m more than a bit skeptical.

Do you really think that the Evil Dead remake will be “the most terrifying film you will ever experience.”   Remember we’re talking about you.  You’ve seen a truckload of terrifying films.

Perhaps it will be the most terrifying film I’ll ever experience.  But the poster wasn’t talking to me.  It was talking to you.

The Day of the Dead Lives

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If you like the art above, you may want to check out the comic that goes with it.  Dia De Los Muertos [aka Day of the Dead] is the brainchild of artist Riley Rossmo.  

Rossmo will be joined by three different writers [each writing a self-contained story] to create the three issue anthology that drops on January 9th.  

You can learn more in this brief interview with Rossmo at CBR.com.

Count Your Blessings & Say “You’re Welcome”

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Today is Thanksgiving and many of us will come together with family and friends to pause and give thanks for what we have and perhaps what we’ve been spared.  Charles Dickens may have said it best…

  • “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many–not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Of course not everyone gives thanks.  The Sexy Pilgrim doesn’t. Instead he says, “You’re welcome.”

I hope that you and yours have one of the best Thanksgiving Days ever. Count your blessings, eat too much turkey, ignore that family member who irritates you, make big plans, eat too much pie, doze in front of the tube, have a bit more turkey, and remember to watch a bit of the parade and some football!