DAY #6: George Lucas

Now, before I explain why I am thankful for George Lucas, I need to make a few disclaimers. First of all, I really truly am not a Star Wars nerd. Honestly! Getting on National CBS News dressed as a Jedi does not make one a nerd! Having a Star Wars Museum in your basement does not make one either, nor does going to a Star Wars Convention (complete with an 8 page online photo gallery). Dressing up with friends, altering pictures to make my bother and I fighting with lightning or having a massive Lego Star Destroyer doesn’t make you one either. This is perfectly normal adult behavior. Everyone enjoys Christian songs converted to Star Wars songs and envys churches that preach sermon series based on Star Wars, don’t they? Even though I’ve been known to do Star Wars themed birthday parties for friends’ kids, post Star Wars parody songs and even debated the moral capabilities of clones and questioned the wisdom of Yoda I insist I am a well balanced adult with only a passing interest in Star Wars. While I admit I have waited in line for midnight openings at Toys R Us for new Star Wars toys (where there was only one woman, and one child, the rest grown men), and have taught on reconcilation by having the Skywalker family reunite on a talk show, there are much more anti-social behaviors possible that are far worse than blogging about Star Wars cereal (twice) or Pop-Tarts, candy and toys.

And having a son named Luke doesn’t count, he is adopted and came with that name – even though I have been known to dress him up as Luke Skywalker for Halloween.

All of this is irrelevant to why I am thankful to George Lucas.

OK, perhaps it isn’t. The point is simply this. Due to the massive creativity of George Lucas, he brought a lot of fun and entertainment and joy into my life. And I’m simply thankful for it. Ironically, a lot of Star Wars fan are critical of George Lucas, and frankly, they are ingrates. Without him, they’d have nothing to be complaining about! And ought to shut up go play with their toys. (Humph!)

I even got  to kinda sorta even meet George Lucas in person while at that Star Wars Convention on my sabbatical in 2004, which you can read about. We got lucky, because I was NOT going to camp out all night to meet anyone, even someone I admire as much as George, we just walked in the next morning, and ended up getting front row seats. How cool is that!?!

Star Wars (A New Hope) was the very first movie I ever saw when I was seven years old. I’ll never forget sitting there as that Imperial Star Destroyer seemed to fly directly over my head and I thought it would never end! It was massive and overpowering and I was immediately in love with the entire galaxy – I was hooked for life!

People younger than me are critical of the later films, and while I can see those faults, they don’t get it – they are too objective and detached – for to them, they are just movies, as they never fell in love as a young child. When you are in love, you just enjoy, and “love is blind,” so while true fans may cringe at Jar Jar and wince at younger Anakin’s acting, we are still glad just to be back in that galaxy far far away, and just thank George for taking us back, even if he did lose a little of his magic touch over the years. It’s OK, we do know it’s just a movie, but we enjoy them. Just sit back, and like a kid again, who has no “inner critic” you just eat popcorn, sip soda, and disappear into the film. That is how movies were meant to be enjoyed. Adults have forgotten how to watch movies. Everyone is a critic today and have lost the joy of enjoying movies. Let the directors direct, the critics critic, and the audience watch and chill while the story unfolds… for during those two hours, reality is on hold, and the movie is reality! That is how it is supposed to be.

Thanks, George, for creating that Galaxy far far away!

It’s really just something I need to DO MYSELF – but I thought maybe others might want to join me, and I’d enjoy reading/seeing what others are thankful for. So you are welcome to use the Word doc, or just post in the forum what YOU are thankful for! So let me begin today, with my first post. These are NOT going to be in priority order, otherwise I’d have to go God, Family, etc. and then later on, people might judge me for putting one thing “above” or “before” another – so right out of the gate let me say, these posts will be in RANDOM ORDER of things I am THANKFUL FOR!

DAY 2 – God’s Word

DAY 3 – My Mom

DAY 4 – Photography

DAY 5 – Pandora

DAY 6 – George Lucas

DAY 7 – Breckenridge

DAY 8 – Barq’s

DAY 9 – Mercy & Grace

DAY 10 – Steves

DAY 11 – Freedom

DAY 12 – Luke

DAY 13 – Sara

DAY 14 – My Bookkeeper

DAY 15 – Science

DAY 16 – Da Cloud

DAY 17 – Awana & Sunday School

DAY 18 – My Dad

DAY 19 – True Friends

DAY 20 – Scottevest

DAY 21 – My Customers

DAY 22 – Tennis Balls

DAY 23 – Flight

DAY 24 – Jesus

If you have not seen AngelWars.com you have missed one of the very best Christian animated series for children. Think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and super heroes all blended together into one visually stunning animated show that mixes awesome music and eye-popping animation so well, you might get goose bumps just watching the trailer. And that’s before you even sit down with the pop-corn to enjoy the entire show!

I’ve been a fan of the original trilogy since it came out, but am excited that an all new feature length version (90 minutes) is coming out NEXT TUESDAY…. and…. that Kidology.org will be releasing an exclusive clip of the show in our newsletter on the same day! Be the first to see an exciting scene from Angel Wars: The Messengers never before seen!

That’s right! While you can view the official trailer at AngelWars.com and there are a few clips here and there, Kidology.org’s free newsletter subscribers will be treated to an exclusive glimpse of the video NEXT TUESDAY, the day of the release! If you are not a Kidology.org newsletter subscriber, join the thousands of others who know where to get the inside scoop on children’s ministry today! Subscribe now so you don’t miss it! We will also be hosting an online Q and A with the creator, Christopher Waters.

But what IS Angel Wars?

Angel Wars is a visually exciting, kid-friendly rendering of spiritual warfare that allows children to imaginatively and visually engage with the spiritual realm. While they are not exactly ‘biblical’ in the literal sense (nor claim to be) they do allow children to imagine what life could be like for angels. However, I imagine real angels may envy the hover boards, gadgets and space ships these imaginary angels get to enjoy! For those who are concerned with aspects that do not perfectly match biblical descriptions of angels, such as the angels having free will, it is important to realize that in any fiction, for the sake of a story, often a few of realities rules must to broken to establish a premise for a story. From that point on, a shared world view can exist in harmony. In Narnia, animals talk. In Lord of the Rings, great evil power can be embodied in a piece of jewelry. In Star Wars, there is an impersonal but guiding and empowering ‘Force’ which binds the galaxy together. VeggieTales not only has talking veggies, but they can pick things up without hands, and no one seems to have an issue with that. In the same spirit, Angel Wars grants a few exceptions to the idea of angels to create a spiritual world (and beings) that kids can relate to, and that allows for some powerful moral lessons. Targeted to attract children ages 5-11, I can’t wait until my little boy is old enough to watch Angel Wars with me. We will discuss the themes and lessons in the stories, and then it will create a wonderful opportunity to look to the Bible to study what God’s Word teaches us about real angels and how they relate to God, this world, and us. In the meantime, I’m enjoying them myself!

What is this new video about? Here is the official description:

In a city of darkness, they are the light.

From some of the world’s most visionary animators comes an action-packed, feature-length adventure of two young warriors in the battle between the forces of good and evil!

Kira and Eli are the newest members of the Guardian Force, a group of angel warriors sworn to protect the world from the powers of evil. Not yet full Guardians, the young duo still has a lot to learn, but when darkness descends over the city, the time for training is over. Faced with the responsibility of delivering hope to a lost city, they must learn to work together to drive back the soldiers of darkness and grow into the warriors they are destined to become.

Karl’s official endorsement:

Angel Wars beautifully combines stunning visual story telling with powerful character lessons. Rarely is something designed for kids so engaging that adults get mesmerized too. Angel Wars delights the eyes, ears and heart all at once. Christian parents, teachers and pastors now have something of excellence their children can enjoy that will teach as well as entertain. It’s Christian and it’s totally cool… imagine that!

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist
Founder and President of Kidology.org

Often when I am speaking somewhere (or anytime Star Wars comes up, which it does occasionally in my life) I mention that I got to go see Star Wars Episode II nearly a week early at one of the only fully digital theaters in the country (which had scenes not in the release for the general public since George Lucas kept tinkering with the film even after it was shipped off in film to theaters across the coutry and only digital projector theaters actually showed the version that you now see on the DVDs, not many people realize that.)

Anyway – what I often mention is that when we came out of the theater (and yes, I went dressed as a jedi with a friend) we were interviewed by two national networks, both of which aired that night across the country. We were only able to get a copy of the CBS report.

What did I finally do? I put it up on YouTube. (Again, only by popular demand, it’s rather embarrassing actually!)

Now, before you watch this I need to make a few disclaimers. First of all, I really truly am not a nerd. Honestly! Going to a Star Wars movie dressed as a Jedi does not make one a nerd! Having a custom costume made for yourself (and your puppet) doesn’t make you a nerd. (Thanks again Kim Bradley!!) Having a Star Wars Museum in your basement does not make one either, nor does going to a Star Wars Convention (complete with an 8 page online photo gallery) or meeting George Lucas in person. Dressing up with friends, altering pictures to make my bother and I fighting with lightning or having a massive Lego Star Destroyer doesn’t make you one either. This is perfectly normal adult behavior. Everyone enjoys Christian songs converted to Star Wars songs and envys churches that preach sermon series based on Star Wars, don’t they? Even though I’ve been known to do Star Wars themed birthday parties for friends’ kids, post Star Wars parody songs and even debated the moral capabilities of clones and questioned the wisdom of Yoda I insist I am a well balanced adult with only a passing interest in Star Wars. While I admit I have waited in line for midnight openings at Toys R Us for new Star Wars toys (where there was only one woman, and one child, the rest grown men), and have taught on reconcilation by having the Skywalker family reunite on a talk show, there are much more anti-social behaviors possible that are far worse than blogging about Star Wars cereal (twice) or Pop-Tarts, candy and toys.

And having a son named Luke doesn’t count, he is adopted and came with that name – even though I have been known to dress him up as Luke Skywalker for Halloween.

FINALLY – disclaimers related to the video you are about to watch:

The quote “$110 in tickets” was not because I was going to see it that many times, but was taking my Kids Church Krew when it opened in theaters.

The quote that got me the most grief was “Yoda kicks butt.” I know, as a children’s pastor, that is practically swearing – but if you’ve seen the film, we finally got to see the Jedi Master Yoda FIGHT at the end and it was an entirely new experience, so when I came out and was asked what I liked best, that was the first thing I said. Once they found out that I was a children’s pastor and my friend was a youth pastor (now converted to children’s ministry) they asked us a lot of questions about kids, culture, and the value of good wholesome films like Star Wars, but my “Yoda kicks butt” was the still the main quote they went with, though I kinda liked the line they coined, “these pastors by day, Jedi by night.” Not bad.

(I’m the one with my Jedi hood on the whole time because my hair was a mess and I was trying to hide my identity a little.)

Oh, and yes, it was Mother’s Day – we both ditched our Mother’s to attend this event. Also in this video is the boy who invited me and his mom and dad and his sister, and her friend, and so I must end by saying THANKS again to them for remembering that I was a Star Wars nerd and inviting me to join them and allowing me to bring a fellow Star Wars nerd with me.

DARTH VADER GETS AN UPGRADE: 

and one more:

Now we know where we gets some of his evil ideas.

Several years ago (before I blogged on an official “blog”) I created a page that showed me and my friend Ryan Yoder assembling my Lego Star Destroyer, which at the time, was the largest Lego kit that Lego had ever created up to that point.

I often am telling kids about it (as I was this weekend in Canada) and wishing it was posted on my blog, so I am posting a post about the post where I posted about it: For all the pictures step by step (and cool star background) SEE THE ORIGINAL LEGO STAR DESTROYER POST.

 It took us two full days to assemble the 3000+ pieces of this Lego work of art! So now it is linked and searchable on my blog so I can just tell kids, search my blog for Lego Star Destroyer and you’ll find a link to it!

CHECK IT OUT THE COMPLETE PICTURES HERE. 

A friend sent me a link to this video on YouTube – so I snagged it* for your enjoyment here!

[flv]http://media.kidology.org/flash/kblog/starwars-3yrold.flv[/flv]

Luke loved sitting here listening to it! I can’t wait until he starts to understand and enjoy Star Wars. (no, he’s not seen it yet!)

*I snag YouTube videos so that I still have them after they disappear, get moved, or are removed from YouTube.

There are so many subtle jokes that only true fans will catch, but even a casual Star Wars fan will still get a laugh out of it! ENJOY!

Well, the second Leadership Lab will be live in only a few days and is titled, Visionary Leadership. I’ll post more about it when it goes live, but due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the 100th Toybox Tale, “A Day in the Life of a Children’s Pastor,” – made for adults, rather than Kids, I did it again, bringing back one of the most asked-for characters I (kinda) created, NoDuh, the Wise One.

In this, the 101st Toybox Tale, you get to listen in on the private session of a children’s pastor with her counselor… NoDuh, the Wise One, as he gently lets her know, that in order to survive in children’s ministry leadership, She Must Confront Vision!

You Must Confront Vision!

ENJOY! I’ll let you know when the rest of LAB 02 goes live!

I think it would be cool to do some Bible Stories for Kids Church in this style? Anyone ever seen that done?

Man, does this look GOOD! Here is an overview of the series:

Check it out yourself at: Mariner’s Church (though from the URL the page will most likely change for the next series, that’s why I captured it here)

All I want to know is, can I buy the sermon CDs????

I’m hoping you will be able to watch the sermons here

Without any instruction or prompting, he knew exactly what to do with it:

Strong in the Force Luke is

Attacking his father!

Good thing it was only a toy!

Being a dad is so much fun!

Uh oh, gotta change a diaper now. Light sabers are fun, but there is the practical side to fathering too… peew, gotta go!

READING!

I have never met Tyler in person (yet!) but I hope to some day! His parents are missionaries in a remote part of northern Canada, where kids church looks like this:

(Tyler in the yellow shirt)

I got to know Tyler via his mom when I learned that he is a big fan of Toyboxtales.com, my novel (Order of the Ancient), and my blog. In fact, I am blogging about him today in order to encourage him with his new blog, since I just discovered tonight that he credited me as his “inspiration” to begin his blogging career:

Maybe some of the zillions who come here can visit his blog and leave a comment to encourage him!

Here is Tyler, at a local landmark–the moose head at the gas station, with the autographed copy of my novel I sent him after I learned that he only had the downloads and needed to clear up some harddrive space and was sad to lose it. (The book was released originally online a chapter a week, which is when Tyler read it)

Here is Tyler in trouble with the UFP, er, I mean, the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police). Not really, this was at a police station open house.

According to his mom, Lori, in explaining her son’s fascination with my websites and ministry, said Tyler “was happy to find an adult with an unnatural fascination with Legos, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc.”

I think he is just a Children’s Pastor in the making! But whatever God’s plan is for this young man, I’m excited to watch it unfold.

Well, it was Baby Luke’s first Halloween. While we are not huge fans of Halloween, we do enjoy the dressing up and, of course, giving and getting candy. And, as first time parents, we have been looking forward to, and enjoying all of Baby Luke’s ‘firsts’ so why not have some fun dressing him up?

PROBLEM: What do you do when BOTH mom and dad buy the little guy a costume? Well, not only do you trick or treat twice, and have two separate photo-ops, but you take the issue to your blog readers and ask them to vote!

YOUR DECISION: Which costume was better? The POWERFUL JEDI KNIGHT, Luke Skywalker (not forgetting Luke’s NAME is “Luke”) or dressing him up as a rodent of unusual size?

Please VOTE in the COMMENTS for JEDI KNIGHT or RODENT. Here are the pictures to aid in your valuable vote decision….

CHOICE ONE: The Rodent (aka Mickey Mouse)

Here is Sara with her little adorable mouse boy.

Is he simply adorable, or what?

Em, Eye, See, Kay, Ee, Why?
Em, Oh, You, Es, Ee!

Did you say “Candy?” Oh, wait, I have no teeth yet!

You’ll never spank ME will you?

CHOICE TWO: The Powerful Jedi Knight, Guardian of Peace and Justice in the Galaxy!

Jedi Dad with his Padawan Learner!

Off to get candy from the neighbors… too bad Jedi Luke can’t eat it!

Back inside to play with an X-wing fighter and eat a pilot!

This is sooooo much fun!

I got to go trick or treating twice!!
(granted, only 2-3 houses each time, it was COLD out!)

What IS this stuff people gave me?

I wonder if it is edible?

“Luke, I am your father!” (had to get that in, of course)

Jedi Luke playing with his light saber.

I offered him Darth Dad’s helmet and asked him if he would like to chose the dark side… I was delighted to see his tears… truly a good jedi at heart! Never will he join the dark side!

OK – YOU’VE SEEN THE CHOICES: Noble Jedi Knight, or Rodent. PLEASE VOTE IN THE COMMENTS for your choice!BY THE WAY: Is this Baby Luke with the mascot from the Chicago Wolves? Yes, it is!!

Hope this wolf doesn’t like eating mice!

My nephew, who lives down the street, won a sweepstakes to participate in a costume contest at a Chicago Wolves Game – and then he goes and wins first place! His prize? The official mascot of the Chicago Wolves comes to HIS HOUSE and goes trick or treating with him and his family and friends! Not bad, eh?

Baby Luke in the arms of a WOLF!

Here is my nephew winning with his Ginger Bread Man’s Revenge costume. Full Story Here.

We are actually doing TWO major projects at the same time, but all in the hallways. The preschool wing is getting a blue base color, but will be mostly covered with murals as we create a Spring garden that is inviting to preschoolers. (Especially in winter!) The blue that remains after the murals will be the sky.

The difference is amazing! The current paint job on the walls and doors in the children’s ministry wing hasn’t been touched up in at least eight years (when I started working here) and was actually kinda gross in many places if you bothered to look closely. Amazing how blind we become when a place we love becomes ‘home.’ Hopefully, our new look will make it more inviting for others to make this their church home.

Kelly green? (Our preschool director, Kelly, dressed to match the project!) The door and window frames are being done in a light green, with the actual doors even lighter. There will still be murals incorporated into the doors, but we hope the green adds to the ‘outdoor’ look as well as add a calmin/soothing feel to ofset the busyness of the murals to come!

In the grade school wing we are trying to create a street in Bible times. We use DiscipleLand curriculum and so we want to create a literal “Disciple Land” where the children are immersed in the time they are studying.

My wife has many hidden talents. Unlike her husband, one of them is painting bricks. So far she has painted several hundred and managed to keep smiling at me! (That may be a talent too!)

Turning boring, old, peeling, yucky doors into wood grained doors from Bible times not only looks awesome, but prevents needing a perfectly restored surface to paint. In an old building, that is a blessing. (and a tip!)

Many church people are coming by to help to, BUT (if you are from VCB) we NEED more help! Come join the fun and excitement! What a treat to be able to say later, “I was a part of that!”

Even kids are getting in to the project. (though in spurts!) I think in time they will really appreciate that they were part of creating this Bible times environment! It’s awesome that they are able to contribute since we don’t need perfect painters, but willing painters to help lay the base colors for the artists to follow and do their magic!

To short to reach that high spot? Zaccheus climbed a tree…. Mandy climbed a pastor!

WHAT?!?!?!? NO DROP CLOTH!!! Hey, I wanna keep my job. Fortunately, new carpet is in the budget this year! The green carpet is original from decades ago! That’s one of the reasons we are pushing hard on this project, once the new carpet goes in, it would be harder to paint and remodel!

Steve, Kidology’s Web Director, came by today to meet with me while I painted. (Multi-taking always!) Here he is explaining a few of the finer points of Star Wars lego.

This is the dungeon where we will put the bad kids in shackles until they memorize Bible verses to be released. (this is a joke, fyi!)

Here is a taste of what it will look like when we are done. Though the bricks are just the base, there is a LOT more coming! Stay tuned to THIS OLD CHURCH!

Today I am 36. And since I love numbers, I was reflecting today that I have lived to be six years old, six times! When I hit the first ‘6′, I was still a youngling at Bellflower Baptist Church in California. By ‘12′ I was a young Gospel Magician already doing shows at church and in my friends’ churches. Six more years and I was a senior in high school, at ‘18.’ By the end of the next six, I would be ‘24,’ a graduate of MBI and married! The next six took me through several ministries, but by ‘30′ I was at my present ministry. What amazed me the most reflecting, was that I have been in the same ministry for the last six years. Which means, that a 1/6th of my life has been at the Village Church! It doesn’t seem that long, so I must still be enjoying myself!

This evening for my birthday, we went out to eat with some friends at a fun restaurant called “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” It was a fun Hawaiian restaurant, and Monday was “family night,” so it was perfect for an evening with kids. I LOVE cheeseburgers! The Veggie ‘Cheeseburger’ song is my favorite Veggie song – and is now the only song that skips on my VeggieRock CD because I play it so much!

It was, in fact, my love of cheeseburgers, that led my wife to plan the meal to be at the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” – she hinted that where we were going to eat was ‘all about the name.’ I am often teased because where ever I go, no matter how fancy the restaurant, I usually order a cheeseburger. Whether on sabbatical driving across the country, on a missions tour of Europe, even sometimes at a steak house… I’ll often opt for the cheeseburger! And I definitely was in cheeseburger paradise!

Instead of cake, Sara planned for 36 mini cheeseburgers to be delivered to the table, complete with “Happy Birthday Karl” candles, and a flaming ‘36!’ Who needs cake when you can have LOTS of mini cheeseburgers!?!??!!

I started eating cheeseburgers while the candles were still burning!

Blowing them out was indeed a challenge… that i failed, but the kids were willing to help me blow them all out!

The restaurant had a balloon guy named Dean, who calls himself ‘The Balloonatic.” He was amazing! He could make ANYTHING out of balloons. I tried to stump him with an ant eater, and there it is in Sara’s hand, complete with a long red tongue sticking out! Check out his website, http://www.deantheballoonatic.com/ and another website he recommends, http://www.mbd2.com/

Eating 36 mini cheeseburgers took some serious effort (though I had help)

But can leave you pretty full! What to do after eating a zillion mini-cheeseburgers???

EAT A FULL SIZED ONE! Wow, if I’d known about the mini’s, I might not have ordered the big one! That was a LOT of cheeseburger for one evening!

Next came the heart touching birthday cards… well, some of them. The rest were funny…
And then it was present opening time… every kids favorite time, even big kids like me!

of course, a giant silver Darth Vader Pez dispenser always hits the spot…

But I LOVED my new shirt… very true. I’ll probably get beat up when I wear it to the office tomorrow, but hey, it’s not my fault that computer problems, spam, viruses, spyware and blue screens are optional. I’ve rather gotten used to my computer working awesome. I know I’ll never go back to PCs. There are soooo many other things I’d rather do than fuss with computer problems!

And this was just TOOOO COOL – PK Cruiser Postage Stamps!!! Did you know you can now design your own US postage stamps?!?!?!? Check it out at: www.zazzle.com

Because of a sweet wife, good friends (and cheeseburgers) it was a very Happy Birthday!

(the girls all playing a game as we wait for the music to start)

Well, it took the ‘Music of Star Wars’ – to get me to finally go – with a very large group of friends from church… it was a great group date with no kids. For only $12 you get to sit on the lawn with your blankets, chairs, snacks, etc. and enjoy the music coming from the Pavillion.

If you squink, you can see stormtrooper in the front of the orchestra. (Boba Fett if you have great eyes!) I would have gotten a better picture, but the ushers came over and said I couldn’t take any more pictures with zoom.

The actor who played the young Boba Fett narrated the story as the music wove through all six movies in order. His accent was fun – “Queen I’m a Dollar,” or “Luke went back to the Falcon where he was comforted by Larry” (Leah) When they played the Imperial March a ‘Darth Vader’ from the Vader’s Fist, 501st marched around waving a red light saber. (It would have looked less dorky if he had just marched with the troopers, and not waved the saber around like a bafoon.)

Since you are supposed to be quiet during the music, I brought a book to read – and what better to read during Star Wars music, than a Star Wars book?! I am enjoying reading ‘Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters.’

Curious about the book? Online review: Written by award-winning radio personality Dick Staub, this compelling book is filled with anecdotes from the Star Wars films that serve as a launching pad into rediscovering authentic Christianity. Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters also contains quotes from revered “Jedi Christians” such as Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, the Apostle Paul, G. K. Chesterton, and other theologians, mystics, writers, and philosophers. The author sheds new light on the struggles and challenges of living faithfully in postmodern life and offers a reintroduction to what C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien called the “one true myth,” Christianity.

From the Inside Flap
Star Wars, one of the most enduring pop cultural phenomena of our day, is a spiritual mythology built around a universal energy called “the Force” and a Jedi’s ability to use it. The overt spiritual themes in the Star Wars films convey remarkable theological truths to a younger generation that is dissatisfied with religion but hungry for a spiritual quest. They want to be “Jedi Christians” and are looking for Yoda! Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters opens the door to a fresh exploration of spiritual truth in Christianity by viewing it through the lens of the Jedi Masters.

Here I am practicing what I’m reading….Hmmm, maybe the book is having a negative effect on me….

Anyway, it was an awesome evening, and I definately want to return to Ravinia again, and maybe without the light sabers next time.

Forget the protocol and ettiquette – this droid ain’t one to mess with! Trained in the ways of the Force, this mild mannered droid packs a powerful (and wet) punch!

After pledging his allegiance to Darth Vader (who, as you can see by the t-shirt, still loves his mom), to infiltrate and destroy this rebel outpost, he went on to Saber training.

Jedi Master Nakooki trained all those in attendance in the finer arts of light saber battling. So far his plan to infiltrate these rebel scum was going along fine…

They practiced their new skills sparring with each other…

Each Jedi-wanna-be honing his (or her) skills so that they would be prepared to fight the enemy… little did they know, the enemy was already in their midst!

Then it happened! One of the padawan learners, sensing a disturbance in the Force, struck out at the infiltrater while he was trying to refresh himself with a glass of water…

His response gave him away and so he lept down from the patio and it was all out war – showing himself to be a traitor of the Republic and loyal to the Empire, he took on the whole lot of them!

It was a fierce battle that took them all over the backyard! Though greatly outnumbered, P4-K4 found these short warriors to be a piece of (birthday) cake to defeat!

One by one they charged and retreated… no match for the wit and skill of this fierce droid…

He could feeeeeel their laughter… but would not give in… it would be a fight to the END!

It was almost getting embarassing… then forgetting one of the tips that Jedi Nakooki had given them all – to not leave your backside defenseless, a very short padawan struck p4-K4 down from behind and his older brother finished him off!

P4-K4 was defeated and was tossed in the recycle bin for next Thursday morning. Peace was restored to the galaxy (well, at least to the birthday party) when suddenly…

Darth Vader appeared and attacked with powerful Jets of Water!

But that was when I arrived, and with my proton super soaker, I finished him off!

What to do with Death Star Donut Holes? (besides eat them, of course?)Stick them in your eyeballs!

DELETED SCENE FROM A NEW HOPE:
“Use the Force, Luke. Try it again. Only this time, with these donut holes in your eyes.”

The Galactic Birthday Family!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA! For a TON of more pictures from the party, click here.

The song was so cool (and funny) that I decided to upload it and share it:

HERE IS AN ACC FILE: Moose Butter Star Wars Medley (ACC)
(I don’t know the official title)
HERE IS AN MP3 FILE: Moose Butter Star Wars Medley (MP3)

(Hey, Steve Tanner – looks like they will be performing at the Tanner Amphitheater in Springdale, Utah this Saturday… maybe you can get in for free!! (Did you know there was a Tanner Amphitheater?)

And as long as I am sharing Star Wars Spoof songs, here are two more you might enjoy, the first being the best I have ever heard, sung to the tune of American Pie:

Weird Al: The Saga Begins (MP3 5MB)
Source Unknown: The Microsoft Empire Strikes Back (3.2MB)

* If Tim O’Neill’s generosity moves and inspires you,
you may send your Star Wars stuff to:

Kidology Inc.
Attn: Star Wars Aquisitions Dept.
830 West Main Street
Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Karl, were storm or clone troopers ever good ? I think they were good in the second movie but my dad says they were always evil. From Josh

It’s a great question! Sorry, Josh, but your dad, (who will remain safely annonymous on Alderann), is wrong. In fact, it is such a good question, I decided to post my answer here:

Josh,

When I met George Lucas at the Star Wars Convention, a kid actually asked him whether the storm trooper are good guys or bad guys. His answer was, “They are good guys who follow orders from a really bad guy.” That is the shortest answer, but rather simplistic, but good enough for the little kid who asked. But there is more to that question, and unfortunately, George Lucas is still confused on what he believes about right and wrong. But there is more to the question that I’ll attempt to answer here. (non-Star Wars fans can stop reading here)

Here is my a-little-bit-longer answer:

It is important to know that there are two types of troopers. (very different and the difference is significant!)

The first is “Clone Troopers” which are not human, they are clones. They are like machines with flesh. They look human, but do not have what makes people human: a soul. They know nothing of good and evil, so are they are neither good nor evil by themselves, just as a pizza is neither good nor evil. (unless it has veggies on it, but I stray) They are like machines that simply do whatever those in charge say.

You are right, in Episode II they seem ‘good’ since they fight on the good side, but that is only because they are taking orders from the Jedi. (who are good) However, the clones were actually created by the Sith and given to the Jedi to encourage the war, so that makes them tools of evil in the hands of good men! Remember, the Jedi didn’t even know they had ordered a clone army, but were quick to use it once they had it. The Sith were creating the war and arming both sides in order to gain power – so in that sense the clones were bad too, the Jedi just didn’t know they were being used to spread the stakes and scope of the war.

In Episdoe III you see the clone troopers go from good to bad, but that is only because Palpatine gave them evil orders (to kill the Jedi). So you see, the Clone Troopers are neither good or bad, it is their ACTIONS that are good or bad depending on who is giving them the orders. The clone trooper, Cody, is given a name (rather than a number) because Obi-won has befriended him (spoiler coming!). One second he is being friendly and giving him his light saber back, and the next moment shooting at him. It is because he knows no better, he simply follows orders, and doesn’t feel anything – guilt, shame, or regret, over the orders. One minute they are friends, and the next not, which proves they never were friends to begin with, they are incapable of genuine friendship. Clones have no power to ‘CHOOSE’ which is the #1 thing that makes humans special and in the image of God. It is our freedom that makes us unique from all other creatures. Our freedom has made a mess of the world, but has made a real relationship with God possible. Had God made us clones, there would be no sin, but we could never really know him either. See why God made us free, even though evil results?

Me fighting a storm trooper at the EP2 Premeir.

The other type of trooper is “Storm Troopers” and they ARE human, they replace the Clone Troopers before Episode IV – unlike the clone troopers, they are morally responsible for their actions, and in that sense they are guilty of doing evil because even though they are following orders, they know what they are doing. That is why many of them flee the Empire and join the republic, because they can tell the Empire is evil and does evil with its power. The Rebellion wants to restore Good people to power. It is kinda funny that ‘rebellion’ is usually wrong, but when the authority is wrong, rebellion becomes right. Crazy world huh, where being a rebel can be good!?!? (KIDS: This doesn’t mean it is ok to rebel against your parents! They would have to be asking you to do something against God’s will for it to be ‘good’ for you to rebel!)

I hope I didn’t confuss you too much. That is the medium length answer, if you’d written to Star Wars Insider magazine, you’ve have probably gotten a whole artilce about it!!!! Pages and pages!!

So what is the lesson in all this?? There actually was a good line in the mostly boring movie “Kingdom of Heaven” – where the king says to a young up and coming knight something to this effect, “You will be judged for your own actions, not by whether you followed orders.” The point being, we are morally responsible, and so YOU MUST DECIDE whether an action is right or wrong NO MATTER WHAT the ‘authorities’ over you say. If they are wrong actions, just because you were told to, does not make it ‘right.’ Even if you get in trouble, or lose the ‘battle’, better to do what is right in God’s eyes. HE is the ultimate authority. Later in the movie, the same king, who is dying, offers the young knight the throne and offers to kill his rival, give him the rival’s wife, and kill any men who will not join him. The knight reminds the king of his own advice, and turns down the throne (!) because it would be wrong to kill the rival, even on the king’s orders! He shows he would rather not be king, than become king in the wrong way. Not many people could turn down wealth and power just because the way to get it was wrong.

BOTTOM LINE: Are you a clone trooper, storm trooper, or rebel? A clone, doing whatever you are told without thought, or a trooper, following orders even though they are wrong, or a rebel, saying, “I’ll fight for what is right, even if it costs me everything!”

May the Force be with you!

I whipped out my camera to record what could very well be the end of the earth as we know it…

What is that THING?!?! (note camera in shades)

With cars flying off the road in every direction, I knew this would be on the evening news, this was my chance of a lifetime to get some rare photos of an alien attack on our planet!

Would I survive to tell the tale?!??!!

I hit the PK-Nitro-Turbo-Booster, but it was no use this monstrosity of a truck was gaining on me every second! What would I do? Would this be the end???

Surely the Galactic Empire is conquering Earth!

Look at the SIZE of those PINCHERS!!!

As it got next to me, I prepared to fire my fender-anchored proton torpedoes…

The wheels were bigger than my car!

I could just make out the Empirial Pilot who was attacking me…

What would I do? How would I survive? Would this be the end of my blog? To see it racing past me, watch this video! (3MB QuickTime)

Through some fancy driving, I was able to out maneuver the evil truck and avoid any blasts from its twin ion canons…. and i slipped behind to unleash my own fire power…..

Maneuvering Behind at high speed…

I HAVE YOU NOW!

I was about to pull the trigger when i heard the voice of a long lost mentor, “Use the Force, Karl!” so I turned off my targeting computer, just then, the phone rang, and Sara said, “Karl, you’ve turned off your targeting computer!” I answered, “I’m fine!” and settled into the last momments…. until a cop pulled up behind me…. I decided I would let him do his duty to save the earth… I pulled back (and lowered the camera) and let the copper pull ahead of me…

What? No red and blue lights?

Obviously, the cops are already on the take from the Empire, as the cop did nothing. But at least I lived to tell the story. I am sure this is only the first of many Rogator Fighters!BY THE WAY: My parents always said I have a tendency to exaggerate stories. While not this one, I just thought I should mention that.

STORE WARS - The Official Site

Scenes from the Epic Food Fight

You can download a 8MB QuickTime here: Store Wars
Get the MOVIE POSTER as well. (very cool)

UP-DATE: I just had to add The Meatrix link.

You will never see a more wretched hive of scum and villiny.

For this third viewing of Star Wars Episode III I went with my K.C. Krew (and some adult staff/friends) and several dressed up. We had 30 people at our last count, give or take a kid. Here are a few of the pictures we took. (Not Pictured: The ones not in the pictures)

Even the Evil Emperor showed up!

And battled his own daughter!

I got caught between two dueling wanna-be Jedis!

Gotta love these princesses

It was great to get to see my Krew before hittin’ the road again in the morning! Off to Michigan for our last church visit and then Cedar Point Roller Coasters!

I’m really “Stuck” on this family.

I’d love to clone this guy… but he already is a clone.

Failed to notice, did I, my brother brought some dark side with him!

As I suspected, the trial proved to be too much. I could sense impatience growing within him. At some point, he said he wanted to be first in line, and I said no. I could see him getting angry. But I wanted to teach my younger brother patience. (and I wanted to be first) When he asked why, and Yoda’s “Ask not why” line failed to have the same effect on Qui-Jar-Jordan as it had on Luke, I explained that I bought the tickets, I drove, and I was the older more experienced Jedi. That seemed to set him off, without warning he pulled out some dark Sith lightening.

Turned to the Dark Side my brother has!

I’ll admit, I was caught off guard at first. This is after all, my little brother. Changed his diapers I have… but I was quick to gather what was left of the Force around us and defended myself. You should have seen the other people around us watching the fierce battle, at one point the power in the Century Theater went out!! (that is no joke!)

Powerful he has become… but no match for Kar-Dewbenobi!

I knew that this battle was pointless and would drag on for hours – strong he has become – so I force grabbed my trusty light saber to end this once and for all, of course crying out, “You were like a brother to me!” To which he responded, “No, I AM YOUR BROTHER!”

Who first in line will be? Always in motion the future is!

I used my saber to start to return his own dark powered lightening back at him. Having seen at the last showing what happens to someone who is getting their own force lightening pushed back at them, and considering he has a honeymoon to leave on next Friday, he reluctantly gave in, accepting his place as second in line.

Other than that little incident, we all had a great time.

As requested in comments, here is Sara and my sister Melissa in their Star Wars costumes:

Can you tell who is who??

12:01 a.m. showing and in the first ten in line!

Well, this is it! I am now sitting in the theater awaiting the beginning of the movie that will conclude a story I’ve followed since I was eight years old. I got to the theater at 7pm, but there were only 2 people in line, so I watched the politically correct (meaning the Christians were the blood thirsty idiots who got what they derserved) “Kingdom of Heaven” – but enough about that. After that, there were only 5 more people in line for SW, so I set up my Celebration III

chair and watched as the line steadily grew by the hundreds! My brother, Jordan, soon joined me along with Kidology board member Steve Clindaniel and his son Jonathan.

Of couse, a review will come soon, but no spoilers, I promise.

Well, between typing and visiting 30 minutes has passed and soon it will be dark…. in more ways than one. (if you sense my drift)

Hard to believe I am about to see it, I started counting the days at over 400!

Signing off now…. Meditate I must, prepare myself I must. Episode III about to see I am, talk like Yoda I must.

May the Force be with you.

UPDATE: Discussion of the movie (with possible spoilers) and my thoughts and others on whether this movie is for kids or not is available now at kidology. CLICK HERE