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      Newsletter
      March 2, 2004
      Published by Steve Klusmeyer
      Distributed by hundred-acre-woods.com
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      In This Issue

      • By Steve: The Passion of The Christ
      • Quotes to Remember: by Charles Schulz, Paul Galanti, Henry David Thoreau, and Eldridge Cleaver
      • By Someone Else:
        • What About Up?
        • Barbie: In Her Own Words by Tim Bete
        • Courtesy and Rules
        • Golden Opportunity by Ellie Braun-Haley
      • From the Bible: Matthew 7:8
      • Useful Information: Credits, Subscribe/Unsubscribe, etc

      If you haven't read the Useful Information at the end of this newsletter or if it's been a while, please take a few minutes to check it out.

      If you enjoy Blessed to Bless, you might also like another newsletter that I publish. Subscribe to Ponder This.


      By Steve

      The Passion of The Christ
      -by Steve Klusmeyer - 3/2/2004 image of 3 Tickets to The Passion of The Christ

      Experiencing The Passion

      Last week we saw The Passion of the Christ, not once, but twice. In case you've been stranded on a desert island or lost in an underground cave for the last few months, The Passion is the movie that opened in theaters across the USA on February 25. The movie stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus and was directed by Mel Gibson. Already it promises to be one of the most controversial and, at the same time, popular films of all time. And the controversy and questions surrounding The Passion will not end with its debut week.

      Unlike other movies that are only seen, The Passion is an in-your-face film that is meant to be experienced. Following are a few thoughts I took away from the theater.

      First of all, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the images that captivated my attention went far beyond those thoughts. I was not only drawn into the historical setting and into the personal lives of the characters; I was also taken behind the scenes, allowed to see the struggle and the purpose for the events that would unfold.

      Next, many viewers just won't get it. If you have never heard the crucifixion story before or just don't believe it is true, you will probably leave the movie with far more questions than answers. The Passion does not deal with the story behind the story. You must possess at least a vague familiarity with the events of the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible or you will leave with only images of a good man being beaten over and over and over again for no apparent reason.

      If you know the story and believe that it is true, the movie should strengthen your faith. The message of love and faith is certainly there; but it is evident that the message includes redemption and sacrifice . . . the willingness of the Christ to take upon himself the punishment for all the sins of mankind. The triumph of good over evil is unmistakable.

      Another observation, the emotional response of the audience was not the same as had been described in news reports. There were some tears and silence, but not of the level that had been reported at other showings. I must admit that I felt more emotion during the second viewing than the first. I think a possible reason for the response I observed was that we were in a theater with 500 plus people who were mostly from our church . . . people who were familiar with the story and who knew what was going to happen. Being close to the buckle of the Bible belt may have eliminated some of the shock factor that viewers in other parts of the country experienced. (By the way, our church pre-sold over 3000 tickets in 7 theaters for the opening week.)

      Responding to The Passion

      If you are a non-Christian, you may be unsure of how to respond to The Passion. You will probably wonder if what you have seen is true or if it is just more Hollywood fluff. I believe the movie is an accurate account of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. Some artistic license was taken to allow a smooth flow of the story; but nothing shown contradicts the Bible or is unfeasible for the historical setting.

      One flashback in the film shows Jesus using his finger to draw a line in the sand. The Passion has also drawn a line. After seeing the film, viewers will be forced to make a decision about Christ. They must either accept the premise that Christ died a brutal, bloody death to save mankind or they must dismiss it as foolishness. Several links listed below will help you in your search for the truth about The Passion.

      If you are a Christian, the ball is in your court. As mentioned, I believe The Passion will raise far more questions than answers. Everyone, whether they have seen the movie or not, is already talking about their feelings and what they have heard. As a Christian, you have the answers to the questions that are being asked. However, this may require some study and research on your part. Peter, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, said, Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have -1 Peter 3:15.

      Understanding The Passion image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ

      Did the Passion leave you with more questions than answers? Get answers to 10 common questions.

      So you've seen the Passion. Now what? Learn more.

      What's up with the ugly baby? Read Mel Gibson's explanation.

      What is the meaning of other symbolism in the movie? Like the snake, the flies, the dove, and other things . . . find out.

      What happens after the Passion? Learn more.

      Haven't seen the Passion? Find out why you should.

      Read an interview with Mel Gibson.

      Discuss the Passion with other viewers.

      Read more writings by Steve.

      Go to the link above to read previous Writings by Steve. Photos are included with many of the writings. Follow other links in this newsletter to read additional Writings by Others, Quotes to Remember, and Pictures with a Story.


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      Quotes to Remember:

      There's a difference between a philosophy and a bumper sticker.
      -Charles Schulz (1922-2000) USA cartoonist and creator of Peanuts comic strip

      There's no such thing as a bad day when there's a doorknob on the inside of the door.
      -Commander Paul Galanti, (1939-Present) US Navy pilot, spent 6 1/2 years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam

      How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.
      -Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) USA Essayist, Poet, & Philosopher

      Too much agreement kills a chat.
      -Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1998) Former 1960s Black Panther turned born-again Christian

      Read more Quotes to Remember.


      By Someone Else:

      What about UP? image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ

      There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meaning than Any other two-letter word, and that is "UP." It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we waken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

      At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

      We read UP on a story in the paper that we pick UP to find out what is Up in the world & make UP our minds to not give Up hope that some thing good will turn Up.

      We call UP our friends, we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

      At other times the little word has real special meaning. People Stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, think UP excuses, and in a baseball game the batter is UP. To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special, and this is confusing.

      A drain must be opened UP,because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP.

      To be knowledgeable of the proper uses of UP, look UP the word in the dictionary. In a desk size dictionary, UP takes UP almost 1/4th the page and definitions add UP to about thirty.

      If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with Up to a hundred or more.

      When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets UP the earth. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

      One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for my time is UP and I leave it Up to you to step UP & Keep Up the sharing of this list that has been made UP to lift Up your spirit, so put UP or Shut UP. . . . . I give UP!

      -from Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries
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      By Someone Else:

      Barbie: In Her Own Words image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ
      by Tim Bete

      Barbie and Ken have decided to "spend some time apart" but will "remain the best of friends," according to a news release from Mattel, the maker of the 45-year-old doll. Barbie had been dating Ken for 43 years.

      I was shocked. You see, for the past four years, Barbie has been living in a plastic toy box in our basement. A box jammed with Happy Meal prizes, puzzles with missing pieces and other choice items in which my children are no longer interested.

      After reading the news, I rushed downstairs to interview Barbie and get the scoop. Read the rest of the story. (Note: If a different story appears, click on the archives link to find the Barbie story.)

      -from Tim Bete's Humor Column
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      Contact listmaster Tim Bete by e-mail.

      Read more writings by Others.


      By Someone Else:

      Courtesy to Neighbors image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ

      A tenant complained to his landlord, "The people in the apartment upstairs sure are annoying. Why, last night they stomped and pounded on the floor until midnight."

      "Did they wake you?" the landlord asked.

      "No," the tenant explained, "Fortunately I was up playing my tuba."

      - - - - -

      Dorm Rules

      On the first day of college, the Dean addressed the students, pointing out some of the rules.

      "The female dormitory will be out-of-bounds for all male students, and the male dormitory to the female students. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time."

      He continued, "Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will incur a hefty fine of $180. Are there any questions?"

      At this point, a male student in the crowd inquired: "How much for a season pass?"

      -Unknown
      (Found circulating around the internet)

      Read more writings by Others.


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      By Someone Else:

      A Golden Opportunity image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ

      I had stopped at a gas station and as I stood in the cashier's line a man suddenly dropped his change over in front of another younger gentleman and said, "Here, brother, take my change and I hope this can help a little"

      I looked at the change and was trying to figure out what had just transpired. Why had one stranger just deposited what appeared to be about 87 cents in front of another?

      The recipient of the change looked up and thanked the other man then went back to talking to the cashier.

      It turns out the gentleman was trying to convince the cashier to give him the gas he needed to get home, but he had no money. He said he could come back with money if they would just trust him. I found out later that he and his wife, had been going through some tough times and he had just landed a job that day.

      The cashier was puzzling over how to help him and knew she couldn't let him have gas without money. In the meantime another cashier had taken my money and as I stood there, I quickly took the four dollars I had left and gave it to the stranded gentleman.

      The cashier began thanking me because she had been in a quandary about how to handle things and the gentleman turned to me and said, "Thank you so much, but how can I get this back to you?"

      "You don't, I said. "Instead you help someone else when you get the opportunity. And please, don't thank me, because you gave me the opportunity of helping. Instead I thank you."

      As I walked away he followed me out the door and began thanking me again and I told him, "No, I truly thank you for the privilege of helping. God wants me to do this. Believe me, it means a lot to me.

      He smiled at me and said. " I understand." And I knew he did!

      By Ellie Braun-Haley - e-mail
      Ellie's short stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Heartwarmers of Spirit, 2theHeart, Stories of the Heart, Sermon Illustrator, Emerging Courageous, Sun Magazine, Starfish and others.

      -from Christian Voices
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      Read more writings by Others.


      Life's F.A.Qs.

      Many are asking tough questions in today's world. Maybe you have been asking a few of the same ones. Learn more about answers to some of life's tough questions.


      From the Bible:

      image of The Passion poster - Click to visit the official web site of The Passion of The Christ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
      -Matthew 7:8 (NLT)


      What is Blessed to Bless?

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      The End! Thanks for Reading.

      Give a nice day! -Acts 20:35
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