DennisMansfield.com

BSU Christian Week - Separation of Church and State? How 'bout a separation of God and fate?

Between Heaven and Hell

A Reader’s Theater

Presented by

The Ex-Inmate Theater

Today, Sept. 24^th  7:00-9:00 p.m.

BSU Special Events Center

On November 22, 1963 J.F. Kennedy was killed.  It was also the day C.S. Lewis and Aldous Huxley died.  Come listen to some of the greatest voices of the last century discuss questions we have all considered in the darkest recesses of our minds.

 

A Free Event

Sponsored By:

CampusROAR

In between Michael Phelps' 7th and 8th Gold Medal: Henry Poole is Here.

Two pool(e)s  - two continents apart - same result: faith, hope and big time reward.

Thanks to all who visited the blog yesterday from all over the world. Great to have you join us.

In between Michael Phelps' Utterly Amazing 7th Gold Medal and the Probably Never to be Repeated 8th Gold Medal, we took a MUCH NEEDED rest by heading to the flicks to catch a film.

In honor of swimming, water and "story", we chose Henry Poole is Here. I had NEVER heard anything about the film. I walked in the waters....and they were quirky and they were not shallow.

What an amazing story....of faith, wrapped around a blanket of hope, resulting in a big-time reward. Luke Wilson's work was tremendous - just as inspiring as Michael Phelps' victory for all of us.

When Phelps gained his 8th Gold Medal, in his own quirky way he himself said he was "speechless". We all were.

The film, Henry Poole is Here, left me speechless. In an intimate, quiet and powerful way the film equalled my sense of "should I be watching this ?"  - as I felt when we all saw Michael Phelps wade up into the stands after his 8th medal to kiss his Mom and sisters....wow, what a deep and sensitive feeling - in the Cinema and at the Cube.

Am I crazy connecting two odd and separate ends of "stories"?

Nope, not at all.

Michael Phelps and Luke Wilson delivered performances that will enoble and encourage many, many people. I am one of them.

Jump into the "Poole". The water's fine!

Den

What does "it" matter? - 50,000 page views later

Get this, on September 2nd of 2006 we launched this blog with the following text:

What is "it"? There have been a lot of "its" in the past and many quotes like "it's the economy stupid" and many others. For this website the "it" for now is an attempt in fusing politics, culture, business, personality, religion, you and me.

No longer will there be a perceived hidden agenda - you'll get the straight scoop right here. There has never been a hidden agenda in my life; I like to lay myself right out there. Along with some friends there is a plan to bring many thoughts and plans to help businesses succeed, to help people reach their true potential and see a fusion of different perspectives become a stronger entity.

You'll see video, documents to download, links to other sites and people that speak into this dream - hang on & hope you like "it"!

Well....it's been 23 months since that first post (and 50,000 pageviews later as well - we hit that today.)


I'm sure that's not a big deal for some folks, but on this blog, it's fun to see us tip the scales at 50,000. ( I think that's more than the total number of election votes I've ever received - tee hee)


We've had a bunch of posts and we'll have a bunch more....

Keep hangin' on...and thanks for joining us, lo these many , many days/weeks/months and now years.

Den

 PS: Let me know which ones may have been "favorites", ok?
I just may sprinkle this month of August with a few "Best Of's"

Starry, starry night and more

Vincent Van Gogh is a favorite painter of mine. I love to see his work, even reproduced.

I LOVE to see it in person. His tortured brush strokes are amazing. We visited some of his works a short bit ago. My son and I loved it. My bride looked and considered, but I don't think his work impacted her like it did us.

Susan, watching and enjoying.

Nate enoying it too.

So listen to the song of Vincent Van Gogh.

Starry, Starry night.

Den

Greater Tuna....Texans on a platter

Had a great night at the Stage Coach Theatre with my bride watching "Greater Tuna" be performed by Ben Hamill and Rob Tromp, directed by Randall Webster.

With all my interest in plays and musicals, I'd actually never set foot in the SCT until tonight. It was quite a treat, while at the same time realizing its limitations (small stage, limited seating, threadbare feel to it).

The theater itself kinda reminded me of Scarlett O'Hara, wearing her newly sewed old-drapes-to-evening-gown outfit as she set off to visit Rhett Butler....nice, but.....well, you get the picture. Still, the perfomance was wonderful.

In the second half of the play, a pastor character delivers an impromtu eulogy of a newly-deceased Judge Roscoe Butler.

It reminded me of every bad political speech I've had the discomfort to deliver...and others have had the greater discomfort to sit through. Click above and watch a You Tube version of the hackneyed, used up and public domain expressions of this poor speech and laugh!

Den

Rumsfield, Artwork and Israel

As Donald Rumsfield's time in the Bush cabinet comes to a close there are a few things I'd like to share. As you read the entire post you'll see how Secretary Rumsfield fits into this story.

Robin Hanley is one of the most creative artists to whom I've had the honor of being introduced. Her photographic artwork combines the images of American and Israeli soldiers, along with an amazing backdrop of Old Testament figures.

For those of us who see the value of Israel and America standing "shoulder to shoulder", I would highly suggest that you visit Robin's website and purchase one of her prints. They'll ship it to you. Should you desire to have framed artwork sent to you, please call her sales manager, Tony Ball, in Boise, ID at 208-870-6400.

As I prepare to go to Israel in March, I'm suggesting a visit to Robin's website and a phone call to Tony would be in order for those interested in going with us. As we visit military sites (as well as Holy Sites, you will get a flavor for the depth of God's love for Israel.)

Don't worry about telling them I sent you. I have no business relationship with Robin or Tony...I just love her art.
Dennis