Category Archives: Arts and Culture

The Unexpected Pastor’s Best Picture Countdown 2014, Part One

Posted on February 28, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

With the Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday evening, today we interrupt the series of posts about my Israel trip  for Part One of my annual Best Picture Countdown. Part Two will be posted tomorrow. (The Israel posts so far are HERE, HERE, and HERE and will … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Movies | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas: Bill O’Reilly and Sara Palin vs. Jon Stewart . . . and Pope Francis?

Posted on December 5, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

“I thought Christians used to complain their holiday was getting too commercialized.  Are those days gone?” Good question, Jon Stewart. On the December 3 edition of The Daily Show, Stewart engaged in what he acknowledges is a yearly “dance” with … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christianity, Christmas | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Coming to Peace with the World (Disney World, that is)

Posted on July 13, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

The relationship began with infatuation.  Our first, brief encounter lasted only a few days but I was totally smitten.  She was exciting and wonderful and new.  As I got older, it was only the excitement I craved, but what she … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Parenting, Travel | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The War on Christmas: The Yule Logs in Our Own Eyes

Posted on November 30, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I guess I’m supposed to be outraged.  A charity just called asking for a donation,  and after I declined, the charity lady wished me a “happy holiday season.” The nerve!  Doesn’t she know there’s a war going on?  Is she … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Christianity | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Fishing for Salmon . . . and Faith . . . In the Yemen

Posted on April 9, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” is the new movie from director Lasse Hallstrom.  He’s made some excellent movies – “Chocolat,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” and “The Cider House Rules” are some of my favorites.  He also made “Dear John.”  Nobody’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christianity, Movies | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

“The Hunger Games” at Midnight

Posted on March 23, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

All I asked of “The Hunger Games” was that it keep me awake.  I’ve not read any of the books and probably would have waited for the DVD if my daughter hadn’t so wanted to be among the first to … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Christian Living, Christianity, Movies | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Unexpected Pastor’s Oscar Countdown

Posted on February 25, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

I’m usually only posting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but today I saw the last of the 9 films nominated for Best Picture this year and I wanted to get this up before the Oscars Sunday night.   These are not … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Tree of Life,” Lutheran Theology, The Meaning of Art, and Even Dinosaurs, All in One Blog Post

Posted on February 2, 2012 by pastordavesimpson

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth.  When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? — Job 38:47,  shown at the opening of “The Tree of Life” Mother, brother – … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts and Culture, film, Movies | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments