David Asscherick's Eyewitness Account of the NZ Earthquake

http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=4196

Adventists Respond to Human Need in New Zealand Quake

http://www.adventistreview.org/article.php?id=4189

Altogether at Toomy’s Corner

All Together at Toomer’s corner by Austin Murphy

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1182291/index.htm#ixzz1Eihnlk6I

Recommended Films

My wife and I have seen the following films. They have earned our enthusiastic endorsement. If you want to recommend a film, email me. We’ll watch it, and if Claudia and I like it well enough, it will be added to the list of:

Andy and Claudia Hanson’s Recommended Films

12 directed by Nikita Mikhalkov

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0488478/

A loose remake of 12 Angry Men, set in a Russian school. 12 jurors are struggling to decide the fate of a Chechen teenager who allegedly killed his Russian stepfather who took the teenager to live with him in Moscow during the Chechen War in which teenager lost his parents. The jurors: a racist taxi-driver, a suspicious doctor, a vacillating TV producer, a Holocaust survivor, a flamboyant musician, a cemetery manager, and others represent the fragmented society of modern day Russia.

Summer Hours directed by Olivier Assayas

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0836700/

Two brothers and a sister witness the disappearance of their childhood memories when they must relinquish the family belongings to ensure their deceased mother's succession.

The Cove directed by Louie Psihoyos

Watch the film for free http://thecovemovie.com/freejapanesedownload

Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

An Education directed by Lone Scherfig

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1174732/

A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.

Tuya's Marriage directed by Quan’an Wang

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0949564/

Set in Inner Mongolia, a physical setback causes a young woman to choose a suitor who can take care of her, as well as her disabled husband.

The Band's Visit directed by Eran Kolirin

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032856/

A band comprised of members of the Egyptian police force head to Israel to play at the inaugural ceremony of an Arab arts center, only to find themselves lost in the wrong town.

Tea With Mussolini directed by Franco Zeffirelli, Daniele Nannuzzi http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/177619/Tea-With-Mussolini/overview/

Based in part on his autobiography, director Franco Zeffirelli's Tea With Mussolini is a drama with comic accents about a group of British and American travelers on an indefinite visit to Italy in 1935, when, as one character puts it, "Mussolini was just a man who made the trains run on time."

Last Chance Harvey directed by Joel Hopkins

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046947/

In London for his daughter's wedding, a rumpled man finds his romantic spirits lifted by a new woman in his life.

“Adventists” Wins Telly Award

The Adventists, the new documentary film now airing on PBS stations, has won a Telly Award for Television/Film in the category of religious/spiritual. More information here.

A good egg!

Put this Poached Egg on your breakfast menu.

http://www.thepoachedegg.net/

Editor's message

As editor and moderator, I will suggest sites I think might be of general interest. Of course in the midst of laughter and natural miracles, there are also miraculous connections with God and each other. Let’s share them both here on the Wheel. Check out the squirrel!

Andy

Marcel's Farewell

It's been a great ride editing and contributing blogs, news articles and thought-provoking interviews at Adventist Wheel. When I started this blog in 2006, blogging itself was still an artform, and a rare medium for Adventists to express their views. There were probably less than 10 notable blogs then making a viable impact, pushing the boundaries of Adventism toward an inclusive and vibrant theology . As the Adventist blogosphere ballooned, so did the Adventist Wheel (formerly called "Reinventing the Adventist Wheel"). This little late-night escape into progressive Adventism took on a life of its own and grew to become one of the most popular and well-read SDA blogs this side of Spectrum.

As I hang up the cleats, I want to thank the readers and commenters who have stuck with it since the beginning. Know that you made a difference, and were part of something special. The Wheel now owns original content in its archives that has made history, and gone where no institutional paper or news medium has gone before (as an example, check out the interview with Greg and Shasta Nelson). I've seen people drop in at the highest levels of the church hierarchy to leave comments, and been part of some classic theological debates within Adventism.

But, all good things must come to an end. Due to the growing demand of my career, family and ministry endeavors, it's time I bow out gracefully.

In closing, I point readers once more to the mission and vision statements under the "Info & Stuff" on the sidebar -- to remind yourselves long after I'm gone that this is the reason the blog exists. Carry it forward with confidence.

I leave you in the capable hands of Andy, Gary, Steve, Lorelei and Leslie, and all other future bloggers who get the privilege of contributing their thoughts and voices. It's been a blast.

Marcel Schwantes

Former Editor and blogger, The Adventist Wheel

Reality Trumps Fiction

From the comic Bizarro by Dan Piraro.
(click to enlarge)

Check out Mission Catalyst

Check out the book, “Letters to a Diminished Church”, and check out Mission Catalyst. Dorothy Sayers would approve.

Mission Catalyst ‎"Let us, in Heaven's name, drag out the Divine Drama from under the dreadful accumulation of slipshod thinking and trashy sentiment heaped upon it, and set it on an open stage to startle the world into some sort of vigorous reaction." (Dorothy L. Sayers, *Letters to a Diminished Church*)

‎

"Somehow or other, and with the best intentions, we have shown the world the typical Christian in the likeness of a crashing and rather ill-natured bore — and this in the Name of One who assuredly never bored a soul in those thirty-three years during which He passed through this world like a flame." (Dorothy L. Sayers, *Letters to a Diminished Church*)

I WANT THIS DOG

The original Space Aliens?

From Non Sequitur, by Wiley
(click image to enlarge)

A Reminder

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us

that though we live in the shadow of death

the shades of mourning

and the specter of desolation

There is life when we

give birth to new ideas

when we plant hope with the expectation of spiritual rain

There is life when we

heal the wounds of misunderstanding and bitterness

when we build a fellowship of faith

when we encourage the old and inspire the young

There is life when we

Laugh out loud

when we proclaim You the Lord of the dancing, swirling universe

There is life when we

embrace new friends and old enemies

when we search for truth

There is life when we

keep praying, no matter what

when we give hope to the poor

There is life when we

speak out against cruelty and injustice

when we love

when we make peace.

Remind us often, Lord

You are the Lord of Life.

ah

1/21/00

revised

2/16/11

Hummingbirds

Owls

Here's a spreadsheet for those who want to track owl boxes and hatchings.

I'm the new guy.

Readers,

I’m Andrew Hanson. My profile can be found in the Meet the Bloggers under INFO AND STUFF on the home page. My blog, Adventist Perspective, concerns itself almost exclusively with Adventism. The Wheel has been and will continue to be inspirational and informative rather than parochial.

In this transition period, my Webmaster, Mike Murray, and I will be getting acquainted with the variety of experiences this blog makes possible. Input is always appreciated, but now is the time your ideas will make the greatest impact.

I have enjoyed your former posts and comments. Look forward to your future contributions.

Andy

aphanson@csuchico.edu

530.343.5696

Feed My Sheep

I was deeply touched when a friend directed me to this video. Narayanan Krishnan is a Brahmin Hindu from a privileged family who had a bright future ahead of him as an award-winning chef, but gave up a coveted position in Switzerland after witnessing devastating hunger and privation in his hometown of Madurai, India. Krishnan founded his nonprofit organization, Akshaya Trust, in 2003 at the age of 22. Seven years later, he had already served more than 1.6 million meals to India's homeless, mentally ill and destitute. In addition to providing three meals a day every day, which he often hand-feeds to those who are too weak to feed themselves, Krishnan also provides baths, shaves and haircuts as needed to the nearly 400 people that he serves. And on top of all that, he gives love - hugs, smiles and encouragement - to these "untouchables," rejecting the caste system which teaches that they are unworthy of his notice. As you watch the video, you can see the deep joy and satisfaction this man feels, knowing his work is truly changing lives. Krishnan may not be a Christian, but for me, his ministry of compassion answers the ubiquitous question "What would Jesus do?" to a T.

Vanesa Delfino, a student at Riverside Community College, was feeling disconnected from God. She visited the La Sierra University Church and heard a sermon on service given by Pastor Chris Oberg in which she related an experience her family had shared of feeding the homeless in Los Angeles. Vanesa immediately decided that she would make sack lunches and deliver them daily to the homeless in her Riverside neighborhood. She and her sister have been doing this for ten months now, and the happiness Vanesa feels when she describes her outreach is almost tangible. She has found the love of God by selflessly serving others.

How about you? How is God's love for you (and yours for Him) made manifest to those with whom you come in contact every day? How do you relate to the homeless and needy in your neighborhood - do you reach out, or walk away? Do you rely on others to care for the destitute, or is the love of God so pervasive in your life that you simply must share it?

Narayanan and Vanesa are bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. I can't help but wonder how changed our world would be if each one of us seriously considered what we can do to share God's love with others on a daily basis - if we, too, reveled in the joy of service to "the least of these." (Matt. 25:40)

New Blog Moderator

Please join me in welcoming Andrew Hanson as our new blog moderator.  Andy is Professor Emeritus California State University, Chico and a great advocate for the growth of Adventism.

I will continue to be involved as an occasional writer and commenter - both here, on the Facebook Page, and Twitter.  Andy is building a team of writers and geeks, to help The Wheel continue conversation started here several years ago by Marcel Schwantes.

Your participation is essential to continuing the conversation of helping the Church move into the 21st century, fully equipped to bring the Kingdom of God into the lives of those who are looking for Him - and a more abundant life.  It is through active discussion, non-antagonistic debate, fresh ideas, and different perspectives that we can build relationships and solidify community.  Community, true, heart-felt community, is how we best reflect the love of God.

Thank you for your support over the couple of years.  You can continue to find me on my personal blog (Daddytude.com), Facebook page, and Twitter.  It has been a pleasure serving you!

 Posted by Gary Walter http://bit.ly/gwalter