Here’s the view from our (former) roof in Cuernavaca. I liked our roof, and I also like this MagToo.com website that allows you to put together 360° panorama shots. So, here’s my first attempt from photos I took just before we moved.
You’ll be able to see some of the houses around (and the brick and white wall of the house behind us), the flowers on the fence, and the surrounding scenery. Just press and hold your mouse button to move around, or use the controls at the bottom.
If you view this panorama on the MagToo website you can see where it was taken on Google Maps, rate it, share it, etc.
My deepest apologies to anyone who has been trying to look at photos in our gallery. Yesterday, for some unknown reason, it started having problems. The good news (for me) is that it wasn’t anything I did - I didn’t do anything, actually.
Anyway, trying to fix it has been one problem after another. As you can see, some recent photos are back in there. However, you may still be having problems with some of these. For example, if you click on a thumbnail, you may next see something totally unrelated. Just go to the original version of the photo, and everything should be fine (see upper right corner for different photo resolutions - choose the biggest).
The good news (yes more good news) is that the photos themselves are backed up, and some of the information is backed up, so they’re not "lost". But it may take some time to figure out what’s wrong and get everything fixed.
Of course, it had to happen right when I told everyone to go visit. Does Murphy have access to the server?
From 2006 to 2007, Compass Cinema was hard at work creating short films that re-tell several of the parables Jesus told. The stories are recreated in modern times.
Though I had seen the trailers, I hadn’t had the chance to see the complete films until recently. Now, the films are being offered for download, suitable for computer or iPod or MP3 with video - for free!
So, I watched them, and I think you should too. It’s hard to convince you in words - just go check them out for yourself. They would be great to watch and discuss as a family, or a small group, or a Sunday School class (of course the free downloads are only for personal use).
Actually, there are other materials and study guides available, but I think the videos stand well on their own (now you know I’m not an undercover Compass Cinema salesman). Watch them and read the parables and ask how they’re the same and different, and think about the messages you see. There are a ton of things you could discuss and think about in each story. (Actually, I haven’t looked at the study material closely, so I can’t speak for it or against it)
The six parables are The Shrewd Manager, Hidden Treasure, Prodigal Sons, The Widow and Judge, The Sower, and Samaritan. They’re all very different - from a documentary style to drama to comedy. They’re from the United States, but if you are not I don’t think the foreign flavour takes away from them at all. They’re generally well done, and will make you think about all kinds of things that you may have never considered before when reading the parables.
Here are two trailers. Actually, you can view all of Hidden Treasure online. But don’t wait - download the free lo-res versions while they’re still available (I watched them full screen on my computer and they were fine)!
Compass Cinema is hard at work at Volume 2 - I’m looking forward to it (but where’s the Spanish subtitled version?)!
Imagine that! Peacemaker Ministries has jumped into the blogosphere. Their new blog is called Route 5:9 (referring to Matthew 5:9). Ken Sande, founder of the ministry, writes:
This new blog is designed to help Christians learn how to walk the path of conflict faithfully and safely. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped" (Ps. 17:5). As we share our experiences and the insights God gives us into his Word, we can learn together how to live out the gospel of peace more fully and experience reconciliation and renewal in our daily lives.
The blog will feature Jerry Wall (the ministry’s Director of Church Relations), Molly Routson (Director of Global Education Partnerships), Jeromy Emerling (Development Officer) and Fred Barthel (Director of Marketing and Communications). Founder and President Ken Sande (author of The Peacemaker and coauthor of Peacemaking for Families) will also chime in once in a while.
