NATO and Movie Trailers

Earlier this week I read an article that NATO (not that one, the other one -National Association of Theater Owners) was issuing guidelines to Hollywood regarding trailers and promotional materials. Heres a link to the NATO Guidelines.

I've noticed on a few other blogs discussing this topic, a veritable horde of trolls and just angry folk who really have a beef with trailers. Their length, their sometimes spoiler heavy imagery, etc. That was just the people who had issues with trailers. Then came the trolls. Griping about the pre-show commercials, ticket price, and everything else.

Having worked at a movie theater for two years, and going to the movies since I was an infant, I clearly have a working knowledge base of all things being discussed and will now, if you allow me, educate and enlighten on the subject. In other words, I'm going to ramble on. Leave now if you have something real and productive to do.

TRAILERS (the stuff that starts playing at listed show time)

Trailers have been around for 100 years. The first debuting in 1913. The basic premise has been the same for that century. Show some key scenes, give the basic plot, and get people interested in coming to see another movie.

According to MPAA trailers are to be no longer than 2:30 minutes long. Studios may break this rule once a year if they deem it necessary for a particular movie. NATO is now requesting that this time be reduced to 2 minutes.

I've seen many comments suggesting that this is the theater owners being greedy. That cutting down the run time of trailers would allow more showings of a movie in a day. Let's break that down. The longer average runtime of trailers pre-feature (not counting the pre-show stuff, but the trailers that start at the time the movie is to begin) is approx 20 minutes. That's 8, 2.5 minute trailers. I don't usually count (because apparently I'm a freak and I love trailers) but I don't think I hit 8 trailers every time. Maybe 3-5.

For the sake of the discussion we'll go with the 20 minutes and 8 trailers. So, we shave those down by 30 seconds each. That's 4 minutes reduced per showing. Say an average length movie at about 95 minutes plays approx 5 times a day, remove 4 minutes x 5 showings = 20 minutes.

Yeah, they aren't squeezing another show time in there champ.


PRE-SHOW (the stuff playing when you walk in before listed show time)

By the way, this is the best time to arrive in a theater. Call me old fashioned. Once the show-time hits and the trailers begin, you should be in your seat, phone OFF or silenced and put away (no flippin blue-tooths in your ears) and whatever loud package of snack should be open and ready.

The pre-show is the time to chat, get settled, and be generally loud. Once the trailers start, shush!

I see a lot of complaints about these. The advertisements, the behind the scenes and on and on. Frankly, I'm okay with this stuff. Unless it's behind the scenes for a movie I'm about to see. I've only really encountered this once. Went to see The Lone Ranger this summer, and there was a whole thing that spoiled a huge moment in the movie...right before the movie started.

The complaints range from things like, "I already paid for a ticket, why do I have to sit through ads!" to things I will not repost here. Just a little FYI, ticket sales go mainly to Hollywood. Theaters see less than 2% of ticket sales. Closer to 1%. Now, this may have changed a little in the 10 years since I worked at a theater, but I can't imagine too much.

This is why concessions cost what they do. More on concessions later.

The pre-show ads help keep the cost of concessions where they are. In the last 10 years, the usual price I pay for a large drink has maintained approx $4.50. This is partly due to the income from advertisers and the explosion of pre-show ads. I remember when the pre-show was just an irritating slide show tricking you into "guessing" movie titles and pushing Coke products, with the occasional movie trivia or definition slide that was actual trivia. Never did see one for what a "best boy" was though...

I will say this for ads though. If my show starts at 4:50, I'm fine with all ads prior to that point. Once the show-time hits, I only want to see trailers and the feature.


 
CONCESSIONS

Concessions are where the movie theater you attend makes it's money.


With out concessions there is no money to pay for employees. No employees means no cleaning. No cleaning means filthy bathrooms. You get the idea. There would be no money for maintaining the equipment, theaters, building etc

You get the idea. If you pay $9 to see a movie, the theater gets about $1. Sure that adds up over a crowded show, but when there are only 5 people? Imagine none of those people buy any concessions. They sit in a climate controlled theater for 1.5-2 hours. The ushers would have entered as soon as the previous movie ended to clean all the trash left on the floor by the previous grumps. Half of which was probably outside stuff that was smuggled in.

So the theater has made $5 on that show time. That doesn't cover the pay for one employee for one hour! If you like going to the theater, buy some soda or popcorn. True, they may be the highest mark up, but it also means your supporting your theater. I'm not suggesting you get a full meal or use this as dinner time for your family. Unless your single like me, and a tray of 'nachos' will cut it for you.


Back to TRAILERS

Here's my two cents on the whole NATO guidelines. I don't think the 30 second difference is going to change much. I personally like good long trailer. I also like the teaser trailers. I DO NOT like trailers that show spoilers.

In this age where everyone wants to know everything NOW, I like getting surprised at the movies. I can't tell you how many movies have been 'spoiled' for me because of one or two images in a trailer. The first time I really noticed it was that Mel Gibson movie, Ransom. If you remember the trailer, they really loved the shot of him jumping over the hood of a taxi all Dukes of Hazard style. So when I saw the movie, I knew it was getting close to the end when that intense moment showed up.

Or how about What Lies Beneath? They totally showed to much in that movie. I went in knowing that Harrison Ford was the bad guy. They could have easily played up the whole mystery with the neighbor and let the surprise hit you later. Sure, showing Michelle Pfieffer crawling over him saying "You've been a bad boy," while her face changed was a shocking thing to see in a trailer...but it would have been more shocking had I not known it was coming.

One more for posterity. The Island. Sure, it's a Michael Bay movie, so it was going to be mostly predictable. The whole premise of the movie was that these attractive, naive people in white track suits lived on this technologically advanced island. The only way off was to win a lottery and go to someplace better. Of course this is all a hoax and the heroes find a way out blah, blah, blah. You lose dramatic tension if you show some of the final scenes of the movie in the trailer. Namely, dozens of the naive white-track suited people emerging from a giant hatch and wandering about like idiots.

I never doubted for a minute that the heroes would free everyone else.

The only movies that spoilers work for, are true life stories. I'm looking at you Titanic. Sure, you can show the ship sinking on that trailer cause everyone knows what happened. I had no idea what was going to happen to Jack and Rose from the trailer, but I knew the ship would sink. But then you have movies like Argo, which was based on true events, but still kept me on the edge of my seat, because they didn't show them landing safely back in the US in the trailer.


FINAL THOUGHTS

So NATO wants to put some tighter run times on trailers. No big deal. I don't see this really changing anything for my movie viewing outings. I would love it if they restricted trailers to footage from the first half of the movie. Or at least not footage that would make any sense out of context from the 2nd half. I know they want to wow people with some of the cool stuff, or funny moments, but don't put it all or even half the good stuff in the trailer!


Coming Soon: My Guide on How to Go to the Movies! It includes valuable tips and lessons on how to maximize your enjoyment at the theater and ensure that others around you get to enjoy the movie also.


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

This Geek Thing

I've had some thoughts on this whole Geek discussion that's going on, so here they are.

As defined by dictionary.com

geek

 [geek]  Show IPA Slang.

noun

1.

a digital-technology expert or enthusiast (a term of pride as self-reference, but often useddisparagingly by others).

2.

a person who has excessive enthusiasm for and some expertise about a specialized subject oractivity: a foreign-film geek.

3.

a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual.

Origin: 
 1915- 20; probably variant of geck  (mainly Scots ) fool < Dutch  or Low German gek

I left out the fourth definition. Follow the link if you want. It's interesting if you like getting funnel cake.

For a majority of my life the second two were how I primarily heard the word being used. I can't pin point the first time but it was probably in elementary school. So somewhere in the mid to late 80's. By this point I probably already was the 2nd option. I was very enthusiastic about most cartoons. Especially He-Man and Transformers, or any cartoon with animals.

At age 9, while walking with my sister-in-law to a park, I was talking excitedly about something, and she called me weird. Since it was said pleasantly, I said, 'Thank you!" I embraced that description.

Later I would get into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (something that solidified one of the longest and best friendships of my life.) In middle school I got into comic books (particularly X-Men) and movies. I never stopped liking one thing in favor of another. I just added to my interests.

I was always on the outside. Besides a few friends that had the same, or at least similar interests my only other friends during middle school and high school were my friends from my church youth group. 

Even there I was on the fringe because I always had my backpack with my sketchbook and comics with me, and I'm sure other reasons. At school, being a Christian and into comics had me sticking out like a sore thumb. I didn't care. I didn't like the things I did for anyone besides myself. I wasn't making a point. I just like what I like.

College saw me finally adding the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit offically to my geekhood. I had grown up with the animated movies, but never read the books. So I made sure I read them before the movies hit. Now, they are probably the biggest area of my geek knowledge.

I was in college before I started self-applying the term 'geek.' Before then I was just weird. I wasn't a geek because I was ostracized, I was ostracized because I was a geek. 

Then the 2000's came. Huge successful movies about comic book heroes started getting made. X-Men, Spider-Man, Batman relaunch, Watchmen, and eventually TV shows like Heroes . My particular brand of geek was getting noticed. And I was okay with it! I didn't care that now new people were learning who the X-Men were. Even if they messed them up in the movie.

Being a geek wasn't a status or desirable thing. It was just a broad descriptor for people really into specific things. Geek wasn't pointed at comic books and super heroes alone. You could be a music geek, game geek (now gamers) or whatever.

Next came The Big Bang Theory. A show about 4 geeky nerds who live in LA. It's a funny show. I enjoy it a lot. I don't think it accurately portrays anyone I know that is into comics or other geeky stuff. It got the concept of comics and geeks into a wider pop culture dialogue.

Then Patton Oswalt puts out a blog post about being an 'otaku.' Saying he's not a geek, but was 30 years ago when it wasn't cool. This post kinda made me mad.

Frankly, I'm not of the mentality that being a geek is something to hoard. I'm sorry for all the people out there who were physically/emotionally bullied for having interests in the 'not normal.' As far as I'm concerned being a geek wasn't some sort of anti-establishment, proto-hipster way to like things that weren't popular.

Being a geek means you really like something and have a wide and specific knowledge base in that subject. Geek is a generic term. It is not limited to comic books, or video games or anything. I'm sick and tired of all these people who are upset that what they like is suddenly widely popular. It doesn't change what you like! Unless you only like those things because there was limited interest in it.

I don't know what to tell you then.

Right now there is a trendy fad to be geeky or nerdy. It might last a long time. It might not. Why does it matter to you if someone else claims to be a geek? If you've been a geek your whole life, and meet someone who is just now discovering these things, are they not allowed to consider themselves a geek too?

Why is calling your self a geek some sort of victim of bullying or being ostracized merit badge?

And for all the 'fake' geek stuff. Yes, I do believe there are people who are fake about being a geek. Just like there are people who are fake about what sports team they like, or what their religious beliefs are. Every sub-culture, category, and social group has people who make them look bad, and don't really belong in that group.

Let's not become the bullies and jerks we endured. Excluding others just because they didn't go through what we went through. That's a Magneto thing. And despite current alignments. He's a bad guy. You want to keep geekdom different from all the other groups out there? Be accepting!

Your type of geek might be very different from my type of geek. Good! Cause if we all liked the exact same thing...fill in the creepy utopian controlled future story of your choosing!

So lets stop all these rants about how popular culture has killed being a geek. All the things geeks love are still out there. So embrace what you love and let other embrace what they love. And when this trendy fad passes, we can continue on...hopefully with a few more geeks by our side!

Geekfully yours...

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

87 - Wanna Touch Things I Don't Feel

I heard this song for the first time 10 years ago on one of Disney's last "hand drawn" movies.  The poor movie didn't do so well.  But I liked it.  I like the classic version of the story better, but their sci-fi interpretation wasn't too bad.

Personally, the TNT version with a young Christian Bale and Charlton Heston is my favorite.  Oh, right  I'm talking about the movie Treasure Planet.

I was here in PA for Thanksgiving in 2002.  I was not my best self in those days.  I didn't want to be there.  So when my age old friend Shawn invited me to see this move, I leaped at the chance to go out.  That, and I always enjoy going to the movies with that guy.  Lots of memories in that activity for us.  So, there we were out to the movies at the now extinct AMC Camp Hill Mall 2 screen theater, in late November, seeing this movie.  It would be a few months before this song really hit me though.

Song 87
        "I'm Still Here" by Johhny Reznik from the soundtrack to Treasure Planet

What I love about this song, and how it related to me then, is that it's from the perspective of this kid trying to find himself.  Who he really is.  I was struggling and searching at that time.  Well, maybe not searching, but not really sure what type of person I wanted to be.  I know that sounds silly, but there it is.  It would be a few years of wandering and confusion, or denying (since deep down I knew.)  And oddly, this song is one that has stuck with me, and acts as a type of ground wire when I feel like I'm ready to drift off again.

I really enjoy these lyrics:

And you see the things they never see
All you wanted, I could be
Now you know me, and I'm not afraid
And I wanna tell you who I am
Can you help me be a man?
They can't break me
As long as I know who I am

I might not know every thing about myself.  I know I've got a lot to work on, to change and grow.  But despite that a lot of people might look at my life, where I'm at now, as being...well, whatever, I'm happy.  I know there are other things out there, things I will get to, and do.  But it's okay to not have a detailed plan.  Live life today, and be smart about tomorrow.

I  don't have myself tied into this idea of "what I want to be," anymore.  I'm moderately good at a few things, have insight or experience in other things that make me just smart enough to be dangerous, but more than anything I know there is a lot I don't know, and don't understand. 

But I know who I am.

Some days, I'm better at being me than others...but we all have those.  And every day, I learn something new about myself.  Or try to teach myself something new.  Or find something new to love and appreciate.

grace, peace + hope-Jesse

58/59 - Imagine/She Must Be Worth Losing

This song was one I heard in a movie preview, but it wasn't until a friend  pointed it out that I really noticed it.  I wasn't quite as into watching them online at the time, so it was hit or miss if I saw one.  Unless at the theater.  So, on second thought, maybe I didn't see the trailer for this movie that had this song...

The movie has become one of my top 13 movies.  Finding Neverland is the story of J.M. Barrie creating the tale of Peter Pan

Song 58
        "Come On" by Ben Jelen from the album, Give It All Away

This movie came out in 2004, and I tracked down the instrumental version used in the movie trailer.  I don't really care for the version with vocals.  Which, is what that link gets you.  But when this song really struck me was in 2007, I was a September night and I was thinking about a project I was working on for the church I was going to.

What filled my mind were images and stories that had me quite moved and in tears.  I made a music video to try and relate what my mind's eye saw.  Here's a link to that video.  I did tailor it to work into my project so there are shots of the church at the end.  But I think the idea and emotions can go beyond that.

I just took moments from video and movies to convey this image and story.  Credit belongs to all the people who made these movies and videos.

Hope you enjoy!

--


This next song doesn't have as interesting a story.  But it's still a good song.






It's also from a movie, but this one was actually used in the movie.  A little movie that captured my attention like nothing had since Jurassic Park.  This movie was a pulse pounding thrill ride that came out in the early days of May 1996.  Oh the days of grunge, hooded flannels, and mosh pits.  -sigh-

The movie was Twister.  Helen Hunt and her crew of storm chasers going after tornadoes all over Oklahoma in the span of a day or so.  Developing a device that would collect data from inside the forces of nature.  I was impressed with the soundtrack, and bought it.  Quickly learning for the first time the difference between "soundtrack," and "score."  The CD I bought was full of alternative rock songs that were featured in the movie.  Not the instrumental score.  But I kept it.  Several songs keeping me interested.

Song 59
        "Talula" by Tori Amos from the Twister Soundtrack

While the movie came out in spring, and I saw it many times that summer, this song makes me think of Autumn.  I don't know if I can explain this one as well as others, but it just paints pictures of erratically falling leaves, and shifting Autumnal landscapes.  From hills and mountains to rolling plains and fields.

So I'm gonna leave it at that for now.

Enjoy!

grace, peace + hope-Jesse

57 - Truth or Consequence, Say it Aloud

This song always makes me think of football.  And football (in America) is primarily played in Autumn.  Now, I'm not a huge football fan.  I don't dislike it, but I'm not the guy who gets stoked to go watch the game.  My brothers can get into that.

But this makes me think of football because of a movie that it was used in.  Now, I did know the song before the movie, so there is that.  Because this movie isn't the best.  Meaning, it's an okay story with moderate acting.

I'm talking about that classic 90's high school football flick, Varsity Blues.  The song?

Song 57

        "My Hero" from the album The Colour and the Shape by Foo Fighters


I'd be lying if I said this song isn't what made me like this movie even at all.  But for some reason it kinda makes up for the rest that is lacking.  Yeah, I like this song that much.

So, today's song is brought to you by a sport I'm not over into, from a movie I only kinda like.

But this song is great for Fall.  And Foo Fighters are great any time.  But just imagine this song to those Sports illustrated highlight videos they used to do.  I dunno, maybe they did one with this song too.

I will say this, athletes aren't my heroes.  I have a few of those.  One in particular is a fellow named Jim Elliot.  Look him up his story is amazing.  Especially...well.  Look his wife up too.


Alright.  That's it for today.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

38 - Thanks for nothing, you useless reptile.

I knew I'd get here eventually.  Not this particular choice, but instrumental soundtrack songs.

I won't over share what this one makes me think of.  It's quite nailed into the movie it comes from.  The movie ties into that whole magical adventure theme, so works fantastic in Autumn.

Song 38
        "Test Drive" from the How to Train Your Dragon Motion Picture Soundtrack, by John Powell.

This song is just a lot of fun.  And it is wonderful for the scene it goes to.  Some movies the music makes sense etc...this one makes the scene for me.  It captures and presents the right emotions and atmosphere to the action.

If you haven't seen this movie, no matter how old you are, do it.  It's a lot of fun and has a lot to offer.  It's not just a clever kids movie.  It has fantastic heart and soul.

Enjoy!

grace, peace, + hope
-Jesse

33 - We Have the Answer to All Your Fears

It really gets to me, in a good way, when a movie picks a song that just fits the emotion of a scene.  It may or may not lyrically fit, (bonus points if it does) but the sound and feel can be exactly what that moment of story needed.  Especially if it can convey the bulk of what is being felt/shared when there is no dialogue between characters.

A few days ago Just Breathe from Pearl Jam was such a song.  It was great, and was what really sold that whole movie for me.  The song for today comes in a movie series not known for using "modern" music at all.  The majority of it's 8 film run is all original score.  I got to see this movie with a couple that loves these stories as much as I do.  It was a great time in St. Louis that weekend in November 2010.

This post is for Josh and Milta Little

Song 33
        "O Children" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on their dual album Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus.

It was used in the penultimate movie in the Harry Potter series, The Deathly Hallows - Part I.  I had never heard of the Australian band before the movie.  Honestly, I haven't taken the time to look up more of their music since I got this song.  Something I should definitely do something about. 

The placement of this song in the movie is quit poignant.  Without giving too much away, if you haven't read the books or seen the movies, the emotion of the song and the scene is important for carrying a huge amount of information.  There are two characters who are almost always part of a trio together alone.  A guy and a girl.  Now the third party, another bloke, has abandoned them.  He and the girl have an obvious but not really spoken about romantic relationship.  Which now seems unbearably strained if not over.

So the scene is the remaining two have been loyal and steadfast friends.  There has never been hints of romance between them.  The guy, knows the girl is feeling low.  Possibly lower than he has ever seen her.  Not just because of what just happened in her guy splitting, but with all the problems they are dealing with.  They have a little radio in their tent (it's a magic tent, so it's quite spacious inside) when O Children comes in on a station.  It's mid song, and the guy looks over to the girl who is huddled in a corner, walks over and gives her his hand.  She takes it, almost as if a drone, as he leads her into an open area.  He slowly starts to mover her arms to the music and they begin dancing.

This song was a fantastic choice.  The tone is haunting and stirring at the same time.  We see a little life and happiness burst into each character.  You know that their bond of friendship is deeper than ever, and that they will always be there for each other.  From trying to end the reign of evil, to just cheering up a friend.

I've gone on quite long enough, but I'll say this as to why I feel it fits Autumn.  First of all, the movie came out in November 2010, so I heard the song in Autumn.  Secondly, Autumn is for fantasy and imagination.   Third, this song just has that deliberate, slow, lumbering pace of the seasonal change and that we're moving from the heat and light of Summer into the cold darker days of Winter ahead.

It chills me and inspires me.  Take a listen.  Maybe you'll explore more of their music before me, if so, let me know what you like!

-Jesse

The Teller of Stories

Where would we be with out stories or the ones who share them with us?

A pale dismal place devoid of hope or dreams I should think.

Stories are the common thread through every human culture. Stories of hope, despair, valiant heroes and cunning villains can be found in every tribe and creed. But what is a story without someone to tell it.

"Australian Aborigines say that the big stories—the stories worth telling and retelling, the ones in which you may find the meaning of your life—are forever stalking the right teller, sniffing and tracking like predators hunting their prey in the bush."
~Robert Moss, Dreamgates

The story teller is a person who chronicles the history of a people. They capture the hopes and fears of their way of life, and embody them in fantastic tales. Sometimes they are colorful retellings of true events. For what story teller can resist making that one moment more dramatic or diabolical?

Other times the stories are complete fabrications of the storyteller's imagination. But in it's telling truths can be found that are more deep than any you'd find in a court of law. Like the stories Walter's uncles tell in "Secondhand Lions."

Sometimes, it's a fabrication of the truth. A clever disguise of real events told in a fictitious way. As in Hamlet's play revealing he knew the truth about his uncle.

Whether the story is factual or fictitious is irrelevant if a truth can be gleaned from it's depths.


Stories are meant to teach.

If we can learn to be compassionate from a tale about a talking bear, so be it. In growing up I heard stories from many places. Whether I believed they were stories of true events or not didn't matter. It was what those stories taught that was important.

While I hold the stories from the Bible to be true, and Aesop's Fables to be clever tales, the lessons I can take from each are as powerful. The Bible taught me not to kill or steal (and many other things) Aesop taught me things like using common sense and perseverance. Both helped me grow.

There are fundamental truths in these stories, and in others I've never read, that if we take the time to understand them, they help us grow into healthy adults. This is what Uncle Hub (from Secondhand Lions) tells Walt this after he was asked if any of the stories were true,

"Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love... true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in."

Stories are meant to entertain.

Ancient story tellers would gather their people around a fire in the dark of night and weave incredible tales of might and valor. Today we sit in darkened movie theaters. But the same story told over a fire and projected on a silver screen carries the same lessons, and adventures.

Books, movies, songs and poetry can take us, however briefly, from our daily life to another place. We can escape into an world so unlike our own and disappear for hours at a time. Richard Adams takes us down into the grass with the rabbits of Watership Down and leads us on an amazing journey full of outer trials and inner strength.

JRR Tolkien invents a whole other world and fills it with languages and people that have never been seen before. In this world of Middle Earth, we find that they too have stories of their own. Stories that make their story so much richer and vibrant because

If a story told in whatever form can remove us from a problem for a time, give our mind a chance to disconnect, we can approach it with a fresh innovation. Stories can make us laugh or cry, or they can strike a cord so deep that something will stay with us for ever.

"Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book. ~Christopher Morley

Stories are meant to endure.

Some stories are so specific in time that they may not live out the decade. But real stories. Stories that inspire, teach and entertain last forever. Just look at works like the Iliad, the Odyssey, works of Shakespeare, Poe, and Dickenson. Some stories grow and add new chapters as time goes on, others stand strong on their own.

Some, like the Battle of Thermopylae, become huge retellings of ancient achievement, and modern retelling. Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Narnia all continue to pull in young readers and minds, because they are so versatile in their craft. The stories told, while specific, are also universal. Selflessness, right and wrong, trust, friendships, the strength of family...

All these things are in stories. They are also in our everyday lives. Our lives are stories. Sometimes they are too big or close for us to realize what we are experiencing. So step back and listen to a story. If you can't listen to one, then tell one. For without stories we are nothing. 


Stories are Powerful.

Nations rose out of stories. If our nation's stories are hopeful, we can be hopeful. If they are barbarous and depraved...we become likewise. If you need proof of that look at America. But that is a rant for another day.

A story told can not change a life. But what is gleaned or inspired by one can. Look at the greatest storyteller who ever lived. Jesus. He told complicated lessons about God, and life. His lessons weren't 3 point sermons with power point and video inserts. (not that there is anything wrong with that) but he told stories. And if he needed to he explained them.

So what greater thing could we aspire to than to be storytellers ourselves? If you are a follower of Christ, there should be no less than two stories always ready in your mind. His story, and yours.

“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.”
~CS Lewis