Movie Review: Birdie & Bogey

Release Date: 2004

Directed by and starring Mike Norris (son of famous action star and karate champion Chuck Norris), Birdie and Bogey tells the story of a frustrated and disenchanted golf pro whose daughter has aspirations and dreams big enough for the both of them.

Danny “Bogey” O’Connor is a former golf champion working as a golf pro (golf instructor) for a country club. His daughter Birdie (played by Amanda Alch) is making a name for herself on the junior golf circuit, but wants her father to start playing competitively again. Danny is reluctant and seems to lack confidence in his ability to compete again. It is revealed that he was given the nickname “Bogey” for choking up and losing games with stupid mistakes (“bogey” is a golf term meaning “one stroke above par—the max number of strokes necessary per hole”). His wife has left, making him disillusioned and cynical. He is uninterested in love, faith, or risk, and has made providing for his daughter his only priority. Birdie, however, has other plans, and it is her faith that saves them all.

This movie is hardly blockbuster caliber, but is heartwarming, charming, and uplifting. Mike Norris portrays a man that is not really angry, but has a calm, defeated bitterness about him, and does a great job. Amanda Alch plays an upbeat, optimistic little girl with big dreams and true childlike faith, in God and in her father’s ability. Janine Turner plays a convincing and sweet love interest for Danny O’Connor, and Carey Scott turns in a fun performance as Birdie’s comedic but loving Uncle Lester, a pastor.

There is little in the way of special effects, and the story is somewhat predictable, with an unassuming soundtrack. The movie is definitely not “big budget,” but still rather enjoyable, especially for families with children. The characters are believable, though sometimes incomplete (such as Danny’s ex-wife Sheila, who shows up in one scene with little back story and no follow-up), and very likeable.

The movie unrolls Danny’s return to competitive golf, a family tragedy, and Danny’s path to faith in God. It’s simple, straightforward cinematics, inspiring story, and enjoyable performances by the cast make it a great family movie and, though overlooked in a world of Hollywood blockbusters, Sundance independent projects, and film noir, worth watching. And who are we to argue with Chuck Norris’s kid?

Find Birdie & Bogey on: IMDB       Facebook       Amazon

Mike Norris' I Am Gabriel on Facebook

Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF. She was not compensated in any way for the review of this film, though she does enjoy watching it with her daughter who loves it which is reward enough. her opinions are her own.

Just Between You, Me, & God 9/18/2012

We just got back from a long weekend mini vacation on the beach near Galveston. We were the grateful guest of our Port Arthur connection cousins, Jennifer, her husband Ricky, their two adorable kids Amelia and Noah, and Jenn’s dad, Daddy Dave. Daddy Dave has been a spiritual anchor in my life for quite a while. He’s one of those guys whose faith is so strong that he cannot help but put you in a more spiritual frame of mind when you’re around him. I love walking on the beach by myself and just taking in God’s creation all around me. There has been a lot on my mind lately and I really needed to have some alone time with God to talk things over without interruptions. Sunday morning I got up early, fixed a pot of coffee and headed to the beach just as the sun was coming up. I walked and sipped my coffee with my head down and started a rather lengthy conversation with the Lord. The waves constantly rolled in with a calming relaxing rhythm. As I walked and talked on I could feel the presence of someone with me and their desire to join the conversation. He said, “Have you noticed that there is no longer a trace of those who were here before you? Can you see that even the mark that you have left is no longer visible? But the waves of the ocean have continued on since before any man walked on this Earth and they will continue long after you are gone. They are like my love for you and all mankind. I am constantly rolling over you’re self- impression, trying to get you to notice Me. I roll into your life depositing little blessing like the colorful shells that the waves leave behind. Sometimes I have to roll in like a storm, changing your life so that you might come back to me even if it is in a time of need. I am constantly trying to get you to embrace our relationship. I am glad you have taken the time to seek me out this morning and I hope you will do it more often. I am everywhere and in everything so don’t wait till you come to the beach.” I stopped and I watched for a while as the waves rolled over the sand and then rolled out leaving a new collection of little shells. I thought of how God has used little waves and tidal waves in my life to bring me back to Him and I had a clearer understanding of everything I had been praying about when I first started my walk. Take some time alone with God this week and see if you don’t start to see things a little more clearly.

Luke 24:28-32, As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Go in peace and may the God of peace be with you, Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Outreach & Ministries Pastor for LHF.

On VeggieTales, Leadership, and Wimpy Kids

I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. -- Jeremiah 1:5 NLT

As the Children's Ministry Director and a mom, I am pretty familiar with the VeggieTales. Most Christian parents, nursery workers, and daycare teachers are. For those who aren't, they are these amazing little computer-animated talking, dancing, singing vegetables and fruits that teach children about God, the Bible, and living a Christian witness. (You can read my Rosaleen's review of one of their latest videos to get some idea.) These little $5-$20 DVDs have been providing wholesome, vitamin-rich entertainment since 1993, and don't seem to be slowing down any time soon. But what comes to mind today for me is that at the end of every video, after the stories have been told, the songs have been sung, and the lesson learned has been repeated, Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber (the main characters) remind the children that "God made you special, and He loves you very much."

And while that seems simple, even infantile, it doesn't make it less true. God DID make each of us special--uniquely talented and tailored by our experiences and choices to fulfill a purpose only we can. The same Creator who took His time pulling each star together out of gases and heat took His time pulling you together out of flesh and bones, and as He placed each star in a specific place to shine, so has He placed you in a unique position and place to shine. And He loves you, even when it seems no one else does.

Many people assume that if they volunteer at church, help out a friend in need, pray for others, or give money to worthy causes, then they are doing what God has for them. And I'm not knocking those things; they are good things, wonderful things, and please God when we do them, but they in and of themselves may not be the specific thing (or things) God created you for. If God wanted people to just give money, we'd all be rich. But because He loves diversity (just watch a documentary of the Galapagos Islands if you don't believe me), and delights in our individuality, He intends each of us to fulfill the one-of-a kind purpose He has for us.

In his book The Church Unique, Will Mancini speaks to leaders about finding their church's "Unique"--the specific purpose God intends for that church, the reason they exist and the ministry/ministries they are meant for. It is a fascinating read, and many of the precepts in the book can be applied on an individual basis. One example Mancini uses is that of a "funnel," which looks roughly like this:

XXXXXXX

\              /

\            /

\         /

\     /

X

The Xs across the top are the many talents and skills we have. They are good things, often useful, sometimes not, but still they are things that we can do. The single X at the bottom represents what God intends for us to do. It is a beautiful and wonderful thing to understand that God has blessed overabundantly with more than we need to accomplish what He has planned for us! How much more can He show us how He loves us?

That's great for others, but not for me, you think. I've messed up a LOT. I've done things I never want to people to know about. I can't possibly be useful to God after what I've been through. I've soiled the gifts, broken the sculpture, torn the painting. Let me share a video with you that we showed our kids yesterday at our summer program:

Again, simple, somewhat childish, but true. No matter what you've done, seen, experienced, or been, God has a special, unique plan and purpose for you. He has crafted you out of messy, smelly ingredients to make something beautiful, useful, and greatly loved. I pray that you accept what God has for you. Find a church, get involved, and pray for Him to reveal your talents and what He designed them for.

Because God made you special, and He loves you very much.

Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF, incredibly flawed, but wonderfully made. As we all are.

Review: Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

Publisher/Date: Waterbrook Multnomah, 2012


Too often in church we hear the word “no.” We are told what’s not okay, what we shouldn’t do, what’s not “right.” We are reminded of what we as Christians and the church oppose, but rarely is the word “yes” used regularly In The Gospel of Yes, Mike Glenn (pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in the Nashville area of Tennessee) discusses why this is a shame and directly contradictory to the Gospel. He shares the stories of people who have accepted their “yes” from God (which is roughly defined, the gifts that God has for you, a culmination of your talents, your purpose, and the beauty you possess because of Christ).


There is not enough blogspace to fully explain how much I enjoyed this book. I found it eye-opening, humbling, and yet uplifting as I read. I realized that although I had accepted my “yes” from God, I all too frequently allow the world try to drown it out with many a “no.”


Beautifully illustrating basic truths such as our worth being in what God gave to save us, our glory in being made in His image, and why Jesus gave the Great Commandments of faith, Glenn explains how one simple word can carry such magnitude. The language is simple, easy to understand, and well-founded in Scripture.


While I believe that every Christian should read this book, leaders should especially because it reveals to us not only how to find our own “yes,” but how to help others find theirs, and encourage them in it. He speaks about the uniqueness of each believer and that in truth, one “yes” does NOT fit all. It is a great read all around and I encourage you to pick it up. 

I could go on and on about how fantastic this book is, but I don't want to give away too many spoilers; besides, there is little I could say to add or better interpret what has already been written within its pages.. Suffice it to say, if you don't read it, you're missing out. Mike Glenn is a gifted writer and this is truly a God-inspired, Scripture-centered work that will change the way you look at yourself, your life, your ministry, your heart, and God's heart.

(This video is a very rough cut. Please be patient with me.)

Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF. This book was provided as part of Waterbrook Multnomah's Blogging for Books Program, though her opinions are all her own.

Just Between You, Me, & God 5/21/2012

When I was a young man I loved Boy Scout camp. There were so many activities, swimming, archery, rifle range, fishing, hiking, and of course canoeing. There was always one kid in the canoe that loved to grab both sides and start to move back and forth, rocking the boat until it was near capsizing. I would have preferred a smooth ride across a mirror like lake, but that was not to be. Eventually even he got tired of the excitement and we would finish our journey with unsettled nerves and contempt for the one that caused us distress. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a canoe but that guy must still be around because from time to time my boat still gets rocked. All I want is a smooth ride to the other side and a safe landing on the other shore but it seems like just as I get out in the middle a storm comes up and rocks my boat, often to the point of capsizing. What rocks your boat? Is it that unexpected bill, a confrontation you’ve tried to avoid at work or home, or an overloaded schedule? Rock, rock, back and forth. Perhaps it’s the job you’ve been looking for that just hasn’t surfaced yet, or the unexpected phone call about the death of a loved one, or maybe it’s the sinking feeling of dealing with an addiction that’s pouring water over the sides and swamping your life with fear and despair? Let’s go back 2000 years and add some high winds, lightning, and white capped waves. Climb on in the boat with some veteran oarsmen as they fight a sudden, furious storm. Rowing and bailing to no avail, their passenger, Jesus, is sound asleep in the front of the boat. I’ve been in the front of a boat going across heavy waves and it’s a jaw jarring event, but Jesus was tired, He was sleeping despite the apparent futility of the disciples to overcome the storm. Matt. 8:25-27, “The disciples went and woke him, saying “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey Him?” Did you see that, with a word, “it was completely calm.”? Do you have enough faith to trust Jesus to get you through your storms, is He even in the boat with you or did you leave Him on the shore? If the winds and the waves obey without question, shouldn’t we? Prov.3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Pastor Dean

Pastor Dean Hanssen is the Ministries & Outreach Pastor for LHF.