Tom Shadyac's "I Am" like Creamy New Age Yogurt

This is a review of a preview screening of Tom Shadyac's new documentary, "I Am." The film’s creators invited not just “Hollywood,” but also church types, so as to include feedback from the faithful on this very spiritual and introspective film. What does yogurt have to do with it? Read on and see.

Part "What the Bleep Do We Know" and part Michael Moore-styled factoid journalism, the doc does keep your interest.

It gives a fascinating inside look at an extraordinary Hollywood director, who was caught up in his success. It takes us into the world of his depression, brought on by injuries from a cycling accident. "Persistent Concussion Syndrome" can lead victims into depression and, as in Shadyac's case, a non-suicidal desire for death.

He had it all, mansions, private planes, cars and all the trappings. From his roles as director and producer to executive producer, Shadyac's success is legendary, including such films and TV hits as “Evan Almighty,” "8 Simple Rules," "Bruce Almighty," “Liar, Liar” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.” These films alone constitute nearly $1.4 Billion in foreign and domestic box office (Box Office Mojo).

But, a cycling accident derailed all of his materialism and he was reduced to a hollow shell of a man, depressed beyond belief. He tried about everything to shake the grip of the syndrome, and he isolated himself to a large degree from friends and family. He welcomed the prospect of death.

And then a funny thing happened. Shadyac found a powerful truth, which shouted at him; he wasn't any happier for all his vast material wealth. In this, the documentary has it's kernel of profound, experiential truth.

Shadyac’s “against the grain” conversion to a new philosophy in the midst of his profound emptiness genuine and included a dramatic recovery from his depression. He sold his Pasadena home after much soul-searching and moved into a Malibu trailer park. He now rides his bicycle to work (which respectfully sounds like a very bad idea!).

The film draws you in and you can't help but be intrigued by it's feelgood-ism and strong call to be better humans.

It goes through a litany of human rights and materialism/capitalism/competition offenses, which it naturally lobbies against. A shot of the USA is shown from satellite and the announcer asks what is the problem? The implication: America is the problem.

The not-so-subtle message is that we are victims of a capitalistic society. A system that gave Shadyac countless millions of dollars, private jet rides and a voice to preach about all of this.

But, it's more than another social justice piece. It is also a compelling re-hash of New Age religion. After the movie, Shadyac said in the Q & A that he thought he would be a preacher someday (or his friends did).

He reaches that goal with this film. Does that mean Shadyac will be labeled a "religious" documentary filmmaker? Probably not, but the label certainly didn't hurt him A.B. (after "Bruce Almighty"). Box office success talks louder than labels.

"I Am" bolsters it's brand of spirituality with a generous helping of questionable “science,” some amusing parlor tricks and humor.

The film attempts to take Utopian ideas from the 60's, ground them in evolutionary science (with a kinder, gentler Charles Darwin espousing love and compassion over competition) and avoid any discussion of man's need for God, for Jesus and/or for salvation.

The social justice part of "I Am" is simply works-based salvation that doesn't even get you to heaven! Ostensibly the payoff is a human utopia. Isn't that an oxymoron?

In which recent decade have we seen anything but largess and disappointment from our human ancestors or our government? The phrase "It will be different this time" is wearing pretty thin.

"I Am" on-camera guests include members of the Institute of Noetic Science, which according to their website focuses "on the intersection of science and spiritual experience, human potential, consciousness and healing, mind-body interaction, social transformation, and creativity" (standard, New Age fare).

In the film, the fact that God is NOT discussed is the elephant in the room, and though Jesus is quoted in the film saying to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," the focus of the film is on we humans acting as our own savior as we change ourselves into loving beings.

No one will dispute the fact that helping the poor is great and noble and should be done as a part of the Christian faith. But the uniting factor for Christians and the catalyst for lasting change is Jesus the Christ alone, not new age, social justice or weird science.

For this film, the mention of God's help would be so natural that it's exclusion is as if Shakespeare left Othello out of the play that bears his name.

After the screening, a question was asked about Shadyac's involvement in Hollywood, "You must've met some really evil people there," said the questioner. “What about the fact that we are all sinful and what about the collective mentality that produced Hitler's Third Reich?”

To this, Shadyac said he thinks there are very few "evil" people. He believes that you can't separate God from people.

But, the Bible's central point is that we are all separated from God at birth by sin and our own choices and Jesus is the ONLY remedy for this fatal condition. Romans 3:22-23 says “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NIV).

Shadyac hopes to market “I Am” to Christian audiences, but he overlooks the simple fact that it doesn’t line up with the Bible’s fundamental truth.

This is the mis-communication with Hollywood and the Church. Hollywood often thinks that because it mentions spirituality (of any type), that the church will support a film. For example, though the “DaVinci Code” is antithetical to Christianity, it was aggressively marketed to Christian churches. Then the studios wonder why Christian audiences are so fickle.

"I Am" unveils a coming kind of group mindset, which is "proved" to be powerful by the effect of strong emotional events like the fallout of 911 on random number generators set up around the world. The generators became not at all random during that time of upheaval.

The power of the mind is further demonstrated by the effect of Shadyac himself on camera talking and thinking about his agent or his lawyer (and getting strong emotional reactions) as we watch a petri dish full of plain old yogurt register high spikes on an electric meter. The sticky electrodes were not hooked up to Mr. Shadyac, just to the yogurt.

Shadyac also replied to the questions, what was left on the cutting-room floor? Among the many things he was unable to tell in "I Am," he said that we are all becoming one collective mind as evidenced by the way cells are mutating. Wow.

It sounds far-fetched, but then so does the thought of Christians buying into this movie. And there were some Christians in the room lining up to promote the film and of course to gain favor with Mr. Shadyac.

Romans 2:8-12 says that God is no respecter of persons. He does not show favoritism or compromise his values. Christians shouldn't either.

What does yogurt have to do with Tom Shadyac's new documentary? If consumed too fast, you might forget what flavor it was.

According to talk radio host Dennis Prager, "What humans need even more than a good heart (as beneficial as that can be) is wisdom. There has been a war on wisdom. Given how much evil has emanated from human idealism, the heart is an awful guide to doing good."

If this documentary fares well among Christians it will be because we have forsaken wisdom and allowed our minds and faith to become weak. The film does not have a Christian worldview. It's not even close!

Marketing this film to Christian audiences is at best ambitious denial of what the film really is. At worst, it is laughing hard at Christians and trying to get them to “swallow the elephant,” along with the creamy New Age Yogurt.

"I Am" is another in a long line of films that promote the idea that we can "fix it" without God's help. It’s time to acknowledge the elephant in the room and to have an open, honest discussion.

Here's an interview with Tom Shadyac and CNN Producer Sarah Holbrooke as they discuss "I Am." Warning, content is offensive in 1 spot at 3:45-4:00. http://vimeo.com/12772545

Fire on the Mountain

I went for a jog up in the mountains above Burbank. I went to a spot that offers an expansive view of Burbank. It's where I often go to talk with God. The amazing view of the city draws lovers, partiers and friends there. I jogged past a car and halfway down the steep hill, and I said "no." The unspoken question was: would I go tell the people in the car about Jesus. I didn't want to.

But, I knew from previous experience that I would feel out of sorts for awhile if I didn't do it. I had witnessed to another lady up there at the overlook some years back, and I didn't want to do it then either but I did.

I went up to the girls, who were not frightened by my sudden presence. After some small talk, I told them I come up here to talk to God. I asked them if they had lost their boyfriends. They laughed. They said they were depressed and came up to talk.

I told them that God was Bigger.

They smiled.

I told them that I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to come back up the hill and tell them that Jesus loves them. They gave me more smiles. They said that they did know the Lord.

I asked if I could pray for them. Yes. I gave a short prayer and opened my eyes to see them basking in the relief that was offered by the prayer. The prayer seemed to have cut through whatever was ailing them. Their gratitude was intense. I went on my way, knowing that their lives would be different.

Quality beats gratuity!

An amazing thing just happened that I want to tell every filmmaker about. One of our faithful 168 producers went against the grain of the expected and was rewarded for it.

Congrats to producer Jessie Ottolini and director Francis De La Torre for winning the GoDaddy “Create Your Own Commercial” contest and grand prize of $100,000. The team went against the website registrar's normally sex-based advertising strategy in constructing their entry, “Go Momma” and it paid off.

There is a great lesson here. Quality can compete with gratuity. It can and frequently does win.

My hat is off. It is right next to my jaw, which is also on the ground. Why? Because this is so rare. File it under delivering something that is better than what was asked for, under changing hearts, at least for such a time as this moment.

I am sure there is a hoard of pre-pubescent young men who are sitting there watching the runners up and going, "Yeaaahhhh!" Then they see the winner and they are wondering what happened to you GoDaddy? Where's the jiggle? Where's the cat fight?

The least sexiest thing on the planet is possibly selling website domain registrations. So how does one sell them? Take a guess.

For as long as God created woman, men have been captivated by the beauty of the female body. This fact is not lost on advertisers, who use the innate fact to sell everything from power tools to shaving cream to wing nuts.

GoDaddy's practice of using "GoDaddy Girls" as sex symbols in their advertising has paid off. They are by far the largest domain registration company with over 30% of the market or greater than 34 million websites under management (according to webhosting.info).

Ottolini and De La Torre didn't want to do anything GoDaddy has done in the past. “We brainstormed with our writer Lisa Waugh, who came up with the original concept. We knew GoDaddy would either love it, or hate it,” explained Ottolini.

"It was a 168 (Film Project) almost. We had 18 days to complete it because we found out 19 days before the contest closed. We shot everything during one day at the writer's home in Santa Monica.

The 168 Film Project gives teams 10 days of preproduction and exactly 168 hours (7 days) to shoot and edit and turn-in for the deadline.

"Francis did all the post in 3 days, and actually, most of the production funds were provided by my real life ‘Momma.’ Yes, she will get her money back when I get the check,” Ottolini chuckled.

“Prayer was a really important part of the production for myself and Francis, she said. We prayed throughout the process, including at the screening party. I think several people have a new found appreciation for the power of prayer,” Ottolini said with a smile.

“God had his hand on the production the whole time. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. In my experience, there is always some sort of unforeseen crisis on a production, a computer dies, a car wreck or someone who doesn't show up. You can pretty much bank on that. But, it just didn't happen this time. It was very refreshing.”

What’s next for these filmmakers? Ottolini is producing a feature length documentary on Nelson Mandela. De La Torre is producing the brand new “Hope Film Festival” in November. The proceeds be used for youth filmmaker training programs.

Ottolini and De La Torre will use some of the prize money to enter more commercial production contests, like Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl," which has been dominated by 168 Film Project alums in the past.

Technically speaking, "Go Momma" was shot on the Canon 7D DSLR still camera, which shoots HD video.

Ottolini had not used one of these or even seen one on a professional film shoot before. She and Director of Photography, Oktay Ortabasi had worked together before with his full-sized Sony F-900 HDCAM rig, which she was comfortable with.

Upon seeing the relatively small still camera, she asked in shock and horror, "where's the camera!?" Needless to say, she was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Ottolini is no stranger to The 168. In 2005, she produced "Inner Prison," in which acting coach Clay Banks actually gets his head shaved. She was also part of the 168 staff in 2006 and she just line produced the best-comedy-nominated "Sumo Joe" for the 168 Film Project 2010.

"Go Momma" was selected from the field of 10 finalists. The winners were announced by airing as the very last commercial on the Daytona 500 broadcast.

"We saw the first frame of our spot and everyone went nuts, so we missed the whole thing in our celebration. But, it also aired during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Rugby Championship," she said.

For the "Go Momma" website: http://www.gomommabackstage.com/

See the New York Times entitled, "Go, Daddy, And Sin No More."Clik Here

168 Goes To Washington, D.C.

I love traveling. The sights and smells, sounds and texture of a new place is always rejuvenating to me. Trying to keep on task is not as easy.

I'm heading to Washington, DC (June 9-16) to speak at the Moonlight Film Festival and to meet with many new friends and some old ones, including the management of the National Association of Broadcasters. We will continue our partnership in a much bigger and better way at NAB in Las Vegas in April, 2011!

I just happened to Google "Jesus in Washington DC" to see what would come up. Yes, there are many groups that claimed to represent him, but one gentleman stood above the rest.

At 6-1 and 230 lbs, he is the catcher of the Washington Nationals, Jesus Flores from Sucre, Venezuel. Here are stats and the latest on him: Jesus Flores

Being impatient is easy. Some have asked me, "Are you surprised how big 168 has become?" Honestly, I expected it to be much bigger by now, making feature length movies and TV. But, all in his time not mine.

We have to pace ourselves and manage our expectations.

Galatians 6:9 says: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (KJV).

James 5:7 says: Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. (NASB).

If we focus on the good things and pray for all things, it will go well with us. His grace is sufficient.

And things are going very well. I have meetings set up all over Leesburg and DC with NAB, church leaders and media producers, etc. We are possibly doing an interactive discussion event at the Ebenezer Coffee House. TV and Radio appearances are possible too. Still waiting on from a couple of strategic partners.

Your prayers for my trip are encouraged.

Peace,

John

Interview with Jeff Rose, Best Actor 2010

Photo: Jeff Rose and Veronica Cartwright star of "Drop Dead Diva"

Jeff Rose is the winner of the Best Actor Award 2010.

He and the award winning cast and crew of "The Party" won the following awards in the 2010 168 Film Festival: Best Film: THE PARTY: Producer Helen Urriola, Best Director: Jim McKinney, Best Actress: Maggie Jones, Best Actor: Jeff Rose, Best Supporting Actress: Carrie Walrond, Best Screenplay–Drama: Scott Ippolito.

Most recently, Jeff Rose guest-starred on "Drop Dead Diva" with Chad Lowe, Veronica Cartwright, and Ricki Lake. "Diva" has asked Rose to return as a "mainstay" on the show, based on the reaction to the rough footage of his original appearance.

Rose will soon be filming episodes of "Drop Dead Diva” (with guest star Cybill Shephard)."Army Wives" producers have informed him of a new potential character arc, which will take his character to Afghanistan.

Here are some thoughts from Mr. Rose and his recent success in the biz.

How did the verse hit you?

Our verse (Jeremiah 1:6-8) is very profound. The innocence of a child’s heart makes him/her much more inclined and prepared to hear God’s voice. I think our story conveys that truth in a powerful way.

What feelings did the story awaken?

I knew Jeremy Reece must have had a serious addiction and experienced some severe trials and suffering to allow ANYTHING to separate himself from his precious daughter and wife. I built a back story based on circumstances acquaintances of mine had endured. I cry out for those in the middle of similar situations. My heart goes out to them and their families.

How was the shoot? Some stories?

Talk about the Lord orchestrating events and making the most out of what could have been a disaster: We had 6 inches of snow (in Atlanta!) the night before we went into production. I live about 50 miles north of Atlanta (where we had 8 inches of snow) and my call time was 8am.

Helen and Jim (Producer & director) were very gracious and understanding. They were able to complete the scene with Carrie and Maggie frosting the cupcakes during the delay. I finally arrived around 1pm after driving 20 miles-an-hour the entire way. They were almost wrapped out of that scene and it was as if we never missed a beat.

The biggest surprise for me was working with the spider! Having grown up in the southeast, I’m used to seeing granddaddy longlegs all over the place. I knew they were completely harmless. So, upon reading the script, I had no concerns about handling one.

Then, we get toward the end of day 2 and the wrangler shows me what appeared to be a box full of real spiders! It turns out they were indeed from the same genus as the granddaddy longlegs, but it took a little bit of faith in Jim and the wrangler…and some quick but sincere prayers…before I was going to let one crawl on me!

I don’t ever want to catch myself “acting”. But, let me tell you something…when I was handling that spider, I was truly ACTING like I wasn’t scared. Isn’t that pathetic?!

How was working with 6-Yr-old Maggie?

The next time anyone tells me to be cautious about working with kids, I’ll tell them that they obviously have never worked with Maggie Jones! It was nothing short of a blessing to be able to share the screen with her.

(Though) Jim McKinney (director) and Jay Hunt (editor) did incredible work on this picture, 99% of what you see in the film is pure Maggie. It didn’t take creative editing in post or line-readings on set for Maggie to win this award.

She was there and in the moment! Of course, we were wisely careful about sharing certain details of the story with Maggie. But, she was able to imagine other less traumatic realities that fit perfectly for the film.

She made it so easy for me to find my character and be real. I owe at least half of my Best Actor award to her! Maggie Jones will be a star for two reasons. She’s got the chops and she has the perfect her mom Angie “gets it.” (This will) take Maggie a long way!

Were you shocked at all the nominations?

Of course, being nominated was incredible. When Jim McKinney sent the list of nominees to us by email, I literally shouted for joy as I discovered each of our noms. And, I’m not ashamed to admit my hand was shaking like a leaf on a tree as I scrolled down the page, nearing the Best Actor category. I was overwhelmed when I saw my name. I turned to my wife, with tears in my eyes, and said, “What do I do if I win?”

Yes, I was shocked at all the nominations for our film. Knowing the bar that was already set with past 168 winners…SHOCKED is an understatement.

How did winning make you feel?

I really hoped that “The Party” would take home at least a couple of awards out of our 8 (168 Film Festival) nominations. We all worked so hard to create a truly cinematic short and I thought that even one or two wins would validate our efforts.

When Carrie won in the first category (Best Supporting Actress), I was THRILLED! Carrie was AWESOME in this film and I thought, “Okay, if that’s as far as it goes for us, we’re golden.”

When our writer, Scott Ippolito won for Best Screenplay-Comedy, I said quietly to myself that we stood a great chance at the bigger awards. If the jury had selected Scott’s screenplay for the genius that it was, there was a great chance that the rest of us stood a much better chance in our respective categories.

As Sarah Drew announced, “And the winner of the Best Actor award is…”, I said a quick prayer and tried to keep my heart rate below 250. I remember hearing a “J” sound, but everything went silent. It was the weirdest thing! It took Wes Llewellyn, (3 time Best Film winner) who was sitting next to me, to wrap his arm around me and say, “You won!” (in seeming slow motion) before the reality of the moment sank in.

As I said in my acceptance speech, I was so blown away by the performances of my fellow nominees that I truly did not expect to win. I will always remember their talent every time I think of my award. They were all equally deserving.

I am normally on my “A” game anytime somebody puts a camera in front of me. I tried to compose myself as best as possible for my acceptance speech, but I know when I got backstage, I had to look like a total goober when the photographer(s) were taking my picture and during the post-win interview. I couldn’t put two words together for the interviewers. And though I felt pretty silly, it was kind of fun to be swept away by the moment.

Since I was seven years old, I knew the Lord was going to call me into this business. I’ve met my fair share of success up until now. But, being recognized for my talent by a Kingdom based, professional film festival is a highlight of my career. I am so grateful for this award and the notice our little film has garnered.

During production, I was impressed by the way we all overcame those odds…but, now that we’ve been recognized for our work and been blessed enough to take home so many awards, I’m even more impressed.

Farewell Richard (1936-2010)

Many thanks for all who have prayed for my family during this ordeal. I have a tragic story to tell you, but with an amazing triumphant satisfying twist.

Mom told me on the phone Monday, April 5 2010, that she had to make a decision to discontinue life support for (I’m going to call him) my second father, whom I’ve known for 27 years and who has put up with many shenanigans from me.

Photo: Jackie, me and Richard

Tuesday, when I came home (Columbus, OH), I immediately went to the hospital. My mom Jackie was a wreck. My first sight of him was sobering.

It was clear that there was no one left in the body that lay there on the bed. He still resembled our beloved Richard, but his spirit was somewhere else. Hidden, watching on a cloud, outside heaven’s gate. It’s anyone’s guess.

Mom was so disturbed by his open mouth (filled with breathing and suction tubes) swollen tongue (which he must’ve bitten during the heart attack) and the way his head kept slumping on the pillow. She made sure the staff at Riverside Methodist Hospital kept him well attended. All in all, they were wonderful.

We cried a lot and we prayed with his daughters and their family and our family. The emotions came out in different ways. Those who had regrets had time to voice them to others and to Richard himself.

One of us had unresolved issues of guilt and upon confession to the man in the bed, they felt better, cleaner and they later understood that they were heard both by the man and by the God that lives and loves us more than we can imagine.

Mom’s recently-healed, fragile body had been at the hospital with him ever since Richard collapsed on Good Friday (April 2^nd, 2010) with massive heart failure. Pastor John from the church said that at some point in their conversation, mom thought that Richard might rise (up from the bed) on the third day. We had a good laugh and he said that Jesus’ resurrection is what made us possible for us to rise. And rise we will.

Mom refused to go home to get a good night’s sleep. She would not leave her vigil, just as she had done with her first husband, who died of cancer in 1974. Bad memories.

I told her to expel the bad thoughts and take every thought captive to Christ. “How do I do that,” she asked. “Just ask him ‘Is this of you?’” I said, “Is this what you want me to think and to have to deal with?” It made coping so much easier and her focus so much more intent on the Lord.

The decision was made to release Richard into God’s hands on Wednesday at 11AM. Life support was to be discontinued at that time. Mom had anguished about the decision, but with no brain activity and no reflexes, there was no good prognosis.

As we both curled up for the night in the patient waiting room, we prayed long and hard for strength and for a miraculous healing or if it must be, a merciful death. She wanted so badly to tell him she loved him and appreciated him all he had done for her and us all those years. She needed him to respond somehow, to let her know he had heard. We asked God to allow him to squeeze her hand or open his eyes or something, anything before he went.

No demands were made, no outcomes mandated, just faithful prayers for His will and trust that we would see Him working somehow.

The night was one without sleep for me. She was up and down all night and the incessant voice on the hospital loudspeaker droned on all night, a clarion call for dying souls on the ICU ward.

At 4 AM we went in to see him again (she thought it was 6 AM). There was no change and no sign from Richard. We never lost hope for a miracle. We just didn’t demand that it would be on our terms. Either way, resurrection was certain to occur.

We got some breakfast and prayed some more.

About Wednesday at 11:30 AM all were assembled in the tiny ICU room. We prayed and Pastor John led a reading. We left to allow the techs to remove all artificial life support.

We prayed as a group in a conference room 50 yards away. As we finished praying, the hospital Chaplin Joe rushed in and cried “hurry you have to get back in the room.”

We ran. Richard struggled briefly as we watched. Around the bed, all of us were in tears and holding his hands and each other.

As he died there was a slight sound I liken to a flame being extinguished. My second father then slowly and perfectly closed his open mouth that had bothered mom so much, and he shed a single tear from his right eye as if to say “this is how much I hurt for your pain my love.”

Mom was then able to reach out and wipe his last tear away and save it and the memory of what God did for us that day. We all saw it and no one can deny that God had done yet another miracle for all of us. Oh death where is thy sting, where is thy victory?

Whenever fear, frustration doubt and hardship come to Jackie in the future, she will be reminded of the glorious way her beloved died and the manner in which Jesus came to take him home. And where he is and who he is with now.

Please pray for her.

John

God's will and the hummingbird

As many of you know, my family has been in difficult times lately. Mom went into the hospital with a critical condition in late-Feb. and I went home to help care for her in March. She has been through a rollercoaster of pain and fear and the like and it has been hellish for us to watch her suffer.

Photo: (L-R) Jackie, me, Richard

My stepdad Richard has been a rock, caring for her with love and tenderness. Mom made a miraculous recovery and is doing fine as of about 10 days ago.

But, on Friday, Richard had a massive heart attack and died in our back yard. Mom did CPR while waiting for the medics and they did revive him. But he was gone for about 1/2 hour and that means no oxygen to the brain.

As I said in my speech at the film festival, life goes slowly until it doesn't. The pain of threatened death and loss allows us to have conversations we couldn't normally. I hope you can use some of my family's pain to talk to your friends about the resurrection this Easter.

The latest news is not good. Richard has no reaction to pain, no reflexes in one eye and very slow reaction in the other. Many other vitals are poor and he has little or no brain activity right now. Mom is believing for a miracle, at least for him to wake up long enough to say goodbye.

I am praying for a miracle of healing, for God's will to be done and for a peace to come over mom.

I told mom (Jackie) this true story:

This Saturday I went for a quick run outside. I have been in so much helpless turmoil, that I needed to run. I found myself going much further than I'd planned and I decided to jog all the way to the top of Tujunga Street, where I often go to talk with Jesus. It has a dazzling view of the valley below here in Burbank. There are many flowers there normally and many birds.

I prayed and I knew that God would show me a hummingbird up there as He usually does.

So I made the jog up, a pretty strenuous trek, especially as I'm not in the greatest physical shape due to time pressures of late. The flowers were far fewer than I had remembered. But, I knew I would see an H-bird, no matter what. I knew it would be up close and specially planned just for me. He knows what joy these creatures give me.

As I watched, an H-bird shot over my head and down the ravine wall like a bullet. It was far away and over in an instant. Nice warmup, I thought and I kept on praying. After awhile, I was prayed out and I needed to get back down the mountain.

As I told mom, I gave up on my demand (of a close-up bird) right then there, knowing full well that God had the power and could show me on the way down, or He could choose to not show me the H-bird at all.

As Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego said before being thrown into the furnace in Daniel 3: " the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

They made their dreams and desires subservient to God's will, while knowing full well that His power was sufficient to do whatever his plans called for.

There is freedom from fear in that. We know he can and if he can, then he will save us if that fits his purpose. He will never leave us or forsake us so then, we know that whatever he does, he has our best in mind.

Jogging down the mountain, I still expected to see the H-bird, but I knew it would be miraculous, because the cars are in very close proximity to any hiding places in trees and there are very few flowers on the road up. I had given up my demand to see it in my timing.

I was enjoying the jog down and at once I felt the urge to cross the street. As I jumped up on the curb, there I was face to face with the most beautiful, blood red hummingbird. It took my breath away as it flitted about in the tree. I was closer than I'd ever been and I stood there watching it longer than I would have thought possible.

Wow. I was totally blown away by the way he chose to reward my faith.

Praise be to God.

The correlation is obvious. Mom want's healing and to have her husband back healthy and whole. But, I told her, if you can ask and petition for that with the overarching prayer to leave it to his timing (because his healing may only take place in the next world), then we will not be disappointed either way. Visually, it's like holding our treasure out with an open palm, hard to do for fear of loss.

The most merciful thing in this case could be to take Richard now. Of course we will all grieve, but trusting Him means we know that the outcome was best for all parties concerned.

And eventually, we will be excited for Richard and his new life with angels, living creatures and Jesus.

Peace.

John David Ware