Memoirous

I once invited a comedian to perform at a homeless shelter. There were several factors at the time that went into this decision. One) Everyone appreciates a little humor Two) Those starting out need a little help and feedback ie they need an audience Three) At the shelter day program you have a built-in audience ie they aren’t going anywhere, they love the extra attention, and, sometimes, participation is mandatory In Chicago I was part of an artist resource network and occasionally there were on-line notices from up-and-coming comedians working on a schtick looking for feedback, bookings, etc. I contacted one of them to see if they were interested. Thus, I booked someone I’ll call Frank. Frank arrived in the alley separating the two across-the-street shelters. I found him nervously smoking a cigarette. It’s gonna be fine, I said. To be honest, Frank wasn’t great. His routine needed a lot of work and polishing. But the guys were generous with their laughter and, at times,...

World Wide Pictures is a film studio/production run out of the Billy Graham Association. Cue “Thief in the Night.” A movie most Christian teenagers remember seeing and responding to the “altar” call. I mean who wants to get left behind (another infamous film and book title). I remember being freaked out by the movie: Wait! What’s going to happen?! The Hiding Place based upon the writings of Corrie Ten Boom ( Tramp for the Lord , etc) is a memoir of sorts, before there was even a thing called memoir. It is the story of how Corrie, a middle-aged woman, and her older spinster sister, and their elderly father Casper Ten Boom a watch/clock repairman are inspired to help Dutch Jews hide and escape from the occupied Netherlands during World War II. The movie came out in 1975. As a kid, I remember it being very Jesus-y. As a young adult entering street mission work in the inner-city of Chicago, I remember the maxim that God gives us what we need at the right time, based upon Casper’s father...