Thursday SAICFF Report

Today was the first day of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival, or SAICFF. Two special events happened this morning: Vision forum offered a special photography class for attendees of the Academy, and one of the producers held a special pre-screening of a yet to be released film, ‘Remember’. After a brief lunch break, we headed over to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for the first session of films. Six categories of film opened in the afternoon, followed by the opening ceremonies around 6:30 p.m. The evening premieres included Captivated, Crying Wolf, Detained, and Seasons of Grey. Charlie Zahm also gave a concert on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Voting for the audience choice has begun!

In Christ,

Joanthan

SAICFA Report 2

Wednesday was the final day of the SAICFA, or Christian Filmmakers Academy. Once again, Extreme Meetings provided some statistics about the filmmakers in attendance. Christian Filmmakers primarily watch PG-13 rated films (39%) on DVD (71%). When they rent, they like to use Netflix (41%) and Redbox (25%). About half of the attendees see 1-2 films in a theatre per year (49%), and the rest are split between those that visit the theatre 1-2 times per month, and those who have never seen a film on the big screen.

Today’s theme was the business of film, focusing especially on distribution, fulfillment and marketing. Kirk Cameron, Stephen Kendrick, Philip and Chris Leclerc, Curtis Bowers, Collin Gunn, John Moore, David Cook, J.D. King, Geoff Botkin and Doug Phillips all took the stage to offer their unique insights into the business end of film production. One consensus introduced by Curtis Bowers is the importance of grassroots in marketing. Once people are excited about a film, they want to tell their friends. The day ended with Kirk Cameron discussing his new film, Monumental.

Trig Jacobson opened the morning with the ‘Brand Identification Model’, a simple system to evaluate your brand. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream was an example: “Ben & Jerry’s serves ice cream lovers who don’t do things by halves [or halfway]. Ben & Jerry’s fills your face full of flavor so you can feel gloriously righteous about your indulgence. It is outrageously packed full of the stuff we love to love.”

Collin Gunn remarked on the importance of tone in documentaries, saying, “Theology without art is impassionate. Art without theology is selfishness.”

John Moore on distribution noted a maxim that his father had taught him. That is, wherever you are, you are an ambassador for yourself, your business, and your brand. So always be professional.

Oh, and one more thing, unanimously agreed to by the panel: if you can, win the SAICFF Jubilee award; It’s one of the best things you can do for distribution and sales. Thursday the festival begins, and the $101,000 best of festival winner will be decided. Who are you rooting for?

SAICFF Tuesday Report

Hello Faithful Followers,

Here's a summary of what I did yesterday:

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Today was the second day of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Academy (SAICFA). This year, the academy is equipped with automatic voting systems, and the day began with about 15 minutes of polling and research. Some surprising results: over 50% of attendees aren’t currently working on a project. 7% came to look for new films to finance. Another highlight of the day was Justin Tolley’s lecture called, “I once was at Lost, but now am found.” Here, he discussed the difference between working on the set of Lost, and working on the set of Courageous. The evening Keynote was split between retired advertising executive Tryg Jacobson and Doug Phillips. First, Tryg delivered an eye-opening lecture on branding for filmmakers. The key word of branding is trust: making and keeping promises. He also discussed the power of “mental real estate”—how companies can corner a certain word, like Volvo owns “safe” or Heinz meaning “thick.” Then, Doug Phillips spoke on the need for action, and not just story. Here are some quotes:

“This is my father’s world—you may not take it!”
“Don’t pretend to be an expert on a subject you don’t own.”
“The reason some of us don’t write well is that we don’t study well.”
“There are no bench warmers in the Army of God.”

In Christ,

Jonathan

Republic or Democracy?

Democracy is rule of the commoners (greek et. http://bit.ly/blCquw ), Republic is the rule of a body or council of representatives (latin Res Publica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Res_publica ). The founders desired neither: America is supposed to be ruled by law.

John Adams, in his influential book, Thoughts on Government, said:
"As good government, is an empire of laws, how shall your laws be made? In a large society, inhabiting an extensive country, it is impossible that the whole should assemble, to make laws: The first necessary step then, is, to depute power from the many, to a few of the most wise and good." ( http://bit.ly/b3G6D6 )

Thomas Payne, in Common Sense, says this: "If the colony continue increasing, it will become necessary to augment the number of representatives, and that the interest of every part of the colony may be attended to, it will be found best to divide the whole into convenient parts, each part sending its proper number: and that the elected might never form to themselves an interest separate from the electors, prudence will point out the propriety of having elections often: because as the elected might by that means return and mix again with the general body of the electors in a few months, their fidelity to the public will be secured by the prudent reflection of not making a rod for themselves. And as this frequent interchange will establish a common interest with every part of the community, they will mutually and naturally support each other, and on this, (not on the unmeaning name of king,) depends the strength of government, and the happiness of the governed."

For an exegesis on the authority of Government, see Lex Rex by Rev. Samuel Rutherford.

The founders engineered a system which attempted to correctly delegate the God-given authority of government. The Declaration of Independence states their intent: "whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." The authority of government lies with the people.

So, what form of government seemed most likely to be successful to the founders? The Constitution states: "All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." Throughout the constitution, the rule of law is enforced over the several governing bodies. By essence of the legislative body being representative as opposed to committee of the whole, we are a republic. But, the elected, representative nature of that body insures that it remains accountable to the people, and through the people, the law.

History shows us an example of true democracy: the French Revolution. Americans operated under the authority of law, the French under the authority of the people. Any authority other than that of the people was condemned. Things stabilized only when Napoleon Bonaparte returned the country essentially to a monarchy.

So whether you want to call it a 'Democratic Republic', a 'Representative Republic', a 'Constitutional Republic', a 'representative federation of sovereign states' or a combination thereof, if you recognize the rule of law, the representative nature of congress, and the (obvious) delegated nature of our government, you're at least in general agreement with the founders.

I believe the correct terminology would be "constitutional representative republic", but the continental congress never adopted specific nomenclature.

The constitution and founders recognize that the authority of government comes through the people, ultimately from God. It makes provisions for the people to use their authority to change the laws. When a judge denies the will of the people, he's overstepping his authority. Constitutionally, a judge is supposed to enforce the rule of law and uphold the authority of the commoners against the tyranny of the few. Where the people are in support of their law, and it conforms to ratified federal law, no federal branch is justified in questioning it.

Now, I'm not a constitutional attorney--this is my unofficial understanding of history, literature (some of which is still on my 'to read:' list) and law. I'm not infallible. :-)

I am, however, now a precinct delegate in my township, the lowest elected position available. My first County Convention is on Thursday.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The God of peace be with you all.

In Christ, Fidem Servate,

Jonathan

Mail from North Dakota

Today's is just a quick update--I don't quite have the ambition (or desire) to get you up to speed on everything that has happened since our last real update in February. However, I will attempt to inform you about our current circumstances.

I had applied for an internship in March (a four month affair with the Vision Forum in Texas), and only ascertained last Tuesday (April 13) that I will indeed be staying in Michigan. I was therefore unable to concretely form any plans at home for the next few months; however, the days have been filling quickly.

This Morning (Sunday, April 18), I directed the congregational singing at church. This was my third (and last for the present) Sunday of leading the music. Coincidentally, my first was Easter morning! I was directing the choir, which was accompanying most of the music, and it worked out for me to do the rest, also. Next Sunday, I will be playing the piano while our regular pianist visits a friend out of state. Mom and I also played a duet for the offertory today.

Matthew has been to Alpena again, and his hard study has paid off: he passed both a computer and a math class with scores of 92/100. He only has two more classes to test out of, but those are CLEP examinations and can be taken locally. Also, God has provided a family that he can stay with during his tenure at the school.

On the home front, Matthew has bought some sheep (Finn/Corriedale cross), and they are lambing over at the W. farm. Shortly, four of the ewes (he has seven: four older ewes and three yearlings.) will be coming to stay on his rented acre of pasture across the road.

This is #1, "Abagail" (so christened by an ecstatic great-grand shepherd [Mom]). She had quadruplets (only three are in this picture), and is raising all of them. She was the second to lamb.

"Abby"

This picture is of #3 "Sarah", one of Abby's lambs:

"Sarah"

This is #295, "Elizabeth". She only had twins, but was the first to lamb.

"Elly"

Next up is #8 (unchristened as of yet): She was the third and most recent to lamb, and had twins.

This is the great-grand shepherd with the shepherd, holding #3, Sarah:

Matthew, "Sarah" and Mom

These are the other girls:

Clockwise, from left: #79, #159 MI "Deborah", #84 & #281, "Lumpy"

Lumpy (so named because of a lump on her side) may or may not lamb this year. #79 & #84 are the yearlings.

These are the neighbors (I don't have a picture of the neighbors in the building, which are hogs):
This is the view south from a grain bin near the barn (Matthew's sheep are in the south-most three pens in the barn that juts into this shot):

And now, to the cover story of this post:

I reciently won a contest celebrating Andrew Bornemann's first year of blogging. Friday, the prize arrived in the mail:

A wooden milk can, apparently hand made.

Two shiny new state quarters, one North Dakota 2006 D and a 2004 Michigan D.

The milk can has a removable lid.

And Andrew's initials burned on the bottom.

It will take a place in my desk drawer next to my stress removal tool of choice, a lump of dimethyl siloxane.

I had hoped to offer you a picture of Matthew's new tractor, as well as that of the new and improved (read: more than twice as long with a wood stove and better plastic) greenhouse, the freshly plowed garden at the farm (the rented property across the road), and possibly some of our flowers, but I am unable to find the pictures already taken, and am running out of time before the evening meeting.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3

In Christ, Fidem Servate,

Jonathan Potter

Was Milton an Agrarian?

I've been reading Milton's Paradise Lost (written in 1667), and came across an interesting comparison.

Satan has escaped from hell and is spying out Eden to find opportunity to deceive Eve. Beginning at Book IX Line 444:

"Much he the place admir'd, the person more.
As one who long in populous city pent,
Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air.
Forth issuing on a summer's morn, to breathe
Among the pleasant villages and farms
Adjoin'd, from each thing met conceives delight;
The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine,
Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound; "

Almost as if to compare cities to hell and rural country to eden. I'm not saying that's correct, I'm just saying. :-)

Blessings,

Jonathan Potter

News Flash--More Signs of Spring

This just in:

In the semi-sheltered world of the hoop house there is green grass growing!

The garlic has also poked its head above the mulch and one lone onion (which I obviously missed harvesting last year) is bravely daring Spring's sometimes wild and wacky weather.

Now back to studying... :-(

Matthew

Spring's Slow Spread

The wonderful thing about the seasons is that they follow each other so faithfully. Each has its allotted time, and when it passes the next phase of nature begins to blend into the last.

So it is with this spring. The snow is beginning to melt and the driveway is finally down to the lime chips. Bird song fills the air and we've seen red wing black birds at the bird feeders. We've even caught a glimpse of this fine fellow:He eluded me yesterday, but I this morning I managed to nab his photo. (Hint: It's a Robin one of those rare birds that herald the coming of spring!)

Sometime soon I hope to relate more, but for now I've got to get back to the grindstone...

Matthew

More Lovely White Stuff

Now that winter is almost over, and the days for cold and snow are rather on the limited side, we actually have some! [snow that is :-) ] Although our totals aren't nearly as impressive as D.C. (32" I beleive) we've gotten enough to make snowshoes worthwhile on my hikes with the dog. [or squirrel hunting ;-) ] The totals vary to quite a bit in our area, the last big storm we got about 8" on average; but just 9 mi away, at the W. farm they probably got closer to ten or eleven inches.

The flakes are once again falling this morning, which probably means my clothes aren't getting very dry--something to do with the warmer temps and precipitation I think! Ah well, they can always finish in the house. (I'm a very firm believer in hanging clothes outside to dry--as you may remember)

I guess that other places have gotten snow too--Texas for instance. I even hear rumor that the global warming talks, after being postponed three times, were canceled because of all the snow in D.C. You don't suppose that God is "meddling" again, do you? "Global Warming--Ha! I can make it snow in Texas and Florida." Whatever the case it does show that we serve and omnipotent God!

The snow is also making the garden hoop house project drag along a little more slowly than I'd anticipated. Actually, it's mostly the frozen ground. I can usually pound a fence post in (using a regular manual post driver) in about 10 hits or so--no more that 20. The well-pipe stakes I'm trying to pound in now are taking me a lot closer to 200 hits than 100. Admittedly they are rather taller than the fence posts mentioned earlier, but after pounding in two or three of them I'm about sore enough to quite for a few a hours anyway. Hard on your shoulders and hands. Six down eight to go (I think)...

Then I need to get some nine gauge wire to tie the well-pipe hoops to the other 3 ft. stakes I've already pounded in to the ground to support the hoops. The plan was to have everything done by last weekend. Maybe I'll be close by next weekend :-) I do have the blocks for the stove wall in place, but those tall stakes (mentioned above) to hold the blocks in place (for some reason mortar doesn't cure too well at 15 and 20 degrees...) are really holding up progress.

Additionally, I've been trying to put in at least an hour or two in at the great studying. Yippee! (insert extreme sarcasm into that one!) But to accomplish my goal I've got to keep plugging away at it. And we figure better here and now, than later at Alpena where I've got to keep at the slow, expensive, mundane pace they prescribe. Not to mention that if I can conquer this stuff now, when I get up there I should be able to get the A.S.S. degree in one year. Which would be good.

It's a excellent plan, I just need to (by the grace of God) muster up enough fortitude to trudge, march, or somehow, get through it.

So with that in mind I guess I'd better back to something slightly more productive. (although this provides a nice break)

Matthew

South Carolina H4509

This is one of the most exciting thing I've read in politics this year: South Carolina has introduced a bill to nullify gun registration. If this bill gets passed, this will be the most exciting thing in politics this year. Get the scoop at Campaign for Liberty: http://campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=591.

In local news, the sun is shining (temp was 22F earlier), Matthew is out working on expanding his hoop greenhouse, Mom's birthday is on Wednesday (celebration to be held from Tomorrow [cake and steak] through whenever the presents arrive), and I'm working on a website for the local CEF chapter.

In blogging news, I'm mulling over a post on Bible translation and representative theology, but as I don't have anything committed to paper yet, there are no guarantees. This morning, I was reading Malachi. As it seems to really apply to our current national situation, I'm also (very) tentatively considering doing a mini-series on that book. What do you think?

"Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. "They will be mine," says the LORD Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." - Malachi 3:16-18

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." - Malachi 4:5-6

In Christ,

Jonathan