You call THOSE "Special Effects"?!

"Special Effects" of "unHolywood"

The heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping, chair-gripping fight scenes in The Matrix Reloaded have thrilled thousands of moviegoers. The physiological effects are akin to para-sailing off a cliff...but in reality, viewers are comfortably reclining in a safe, air-conditioned theatre.
Film buffs have long thrilled over the "effects" of special effects, especially during action scenes created in films. Since 1938 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has given special recognition to special effects in films that have raised the bar in new technology and visual entertainment. Familiar Oscar-winners include The War of the Worlds (1953), The Ten Commandments (1956), Star Wars (1977) and even King Kong (awarded in 1976 for Special Achievement-though it was released in 1933).
More recently digital enhancement, and even totally computerized films, have set new standards in film making. The movies Lord of the Rings, Forrest Gump and Jurassic Park all pushed the "Visual Effects" envelope. One of the most outstanding examples of new technology is The Matrix, which won an Oscar in 1999 for its famous "bullet-time" scene. A series of over one hundred 35mm still cameras was used to create the incredible effect. The cameras were set up in a specific sequence and pattern to photograph the scene. The resulting skills were then fed into a computer and played back at various speeds as desired. The effect was, of course, stunning.
The desire to be "wowed" or impressed, to see something we've never seen before-whether in film of in real life-excites every one of us. It raises our senses above the mundane to new levels of awareness. We love to be excited.
Many times when something extraordinary is witnessed, it is known either to be made up (as in film) or somehow staged in a real-life event. Other times the feat is actually acknowledged as reality, and homage and honor bestowed upon the one who performed the feat.
During the first century, there was a man who traveled the countryside of Palestine performing feats that had equally stunning effects on people. This man healed people of open, leprous sores, restored sight to the blind, and calmed thunderous, six-foot seas. He even reversed death itself. But these were not special effects designed to awe or impress. They were bona fide miracles of God.
Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. (Acts 2:22)
The crowds who witnessed these incredible feats had never seen a movie, but almost certainly asked themselves, "Wow! How'd he do that?!" Many came to realize that only God could perform such feats, and they came to believe who this man must be.
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." (Luke 9:18-20)
His skeptics thought he was either faking, crazy, or some sort of devil-and they wanted to kill him. But Jesus was not a performer, and God is not in the movie business. This was God Himself, in the flesh, come to earth to live among us as a mortal man. "God with us." This God-Man, Jesus, lived without sin so that he could take OUR place when he hung on the cross to die. Then he performed the greatest "special effect" of all. He rose from the dead.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time...(1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
Read the book of John in the Bible. If, when you get to the end, you find your heart pounding, your adrenaline rushing, or you have a strange grip on your furniture, perhaps it's time to decide for yourself. You can either believe-believe that Jesus is God and died for your sins-or remain a skeptic. The choice is yours.
If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
www.ichoosejesus.com
References:
www.oscars.com
http://isd.usc.edu/~kendrav/film/links.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~atomic_rom/moments.htm
www.ATStracts.org Bible references: NIV

The Bookman II (Model NIV-1440)-a great tool for anyone serious about finding scripture verses in the blink of an eye. Different versions available at www.franklin.com You can order cards with different versions that fit in the back! (For example, this is NIV body with KJV card)

Such a cute picture/message causes 1 of 2 effects on people: 1)"How cute!" or 2) "Whatever!" In which camp do you belong?

Joel 3:32, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13

Now HERE is a book enquiring minds should read!
From the back cover-"You've read the novel, now read the truth...This hands-on, accessible guide explodes the myths of The DaVinci Code so you can know exactly what's fact and what's fiction. Bible Answer Man, Hank Hanegraaff, and ancient history professor and author, Paul L. Maier, team up to tackle the claims of The DaVinci Code and present the truth with clarity. The DaVinci Code:Fact or Fiction:? answers the following questions:
-Is the Bible true and reliable?
-Was Jesus married?
-Who was Mary Magdalene?
-Do secret societies control secrets that could change the world?
Whether the questions raised in The DaVinciCode intrigue or infuriate you, this book will give you the historical and biblical facts to answer the tough questions.

VERY disturbing to see "The DaVinci Code" on the shelves of Handong Global University's bookstore.....Are we encouraging young, immature Christians to read blasphemous books that might cause them to doubt their faith?! I guess these days $$ comes before principles-even at "God's university"....

During the 10 years of Handong Global University's existence, they have held H.D.S. (Handong Discipleship School) every vacation. This is the 19th. (Running from July 2nd to Aug. 15th, 2005) People come here to get into the bible, fellowship & pray with other believers and to get their hearts back into the things of God!!! Awesome! (A separate English HDS usually takes place once a year-during winter vacation)

The good old Handong Global University "Snack Camp". The only place open on campus to get lunch during the summer. (Apart from the student cafeteria which doesn't sit well with students like Eric who are not yet accustomed to Korean food...:-))

Chrissy, another of our international students at HGU is a Korean-Canadian. People of Korean ethnicity who were born and raised abroad are known as "gyopos" to native-born Koreans. The term has a hint of prejudice behind it. Enjoy the rest of your summer in Seoul, Chrissy!

Grace Lee, former secretary to Handong President and winner of the Fullbright Scholarship. She will soon be heading off to America to attend graduate school. Many blessings on Grace Lee!

Leave it to the Kids!

Teacher: Cindy, why are you doing your math multiplication On the floor?
Cindy: You told me to do it without using tables.

Teacher: John, how do you spell "crocodile?"
John: K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L"
Teacher: No, that's wrong
John: Maybe it s wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.

Teacher: What is the chemical formula for water?
Sarah: H I J K L M N O!!
Teacher: What are you talking about?
Sarah: Yesterday you said it's H to O!

Teacher: George, go to the map and find North America.
George: Here it is!
Teacher: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
Class: George!

Teacher: "Willie, name one important thing we have today that we didn't have ten years ago."
Willie: "Me!''

Teacher: "Tommy, why do you always get so dirty?"
Tommy: "Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are."

Teacher: Ellen, give me a sentence starting with "I."
Ellen: "I is..."
Teacher: "No, Ellen..... Always say, I am."
Ellen: "All right... I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."

Teacher: "George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherrytree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn't punish him?"
Johnny: "Because George still had the ax in his hand."

Teacher: "Now, Sam, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?"
Sam: "No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook."

Teacher: "Desmond, your composition on "My Dog" is exactly the same as yourbrother's. Did you copy his?"
Desmond: "No, teacher, it's the same dog."

Teacher: "What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested?"
Pupil: "A teacher."