The day I decided to become a blogger, my life became an open book. That was just over 800 days ago. I went through stages. The first had to do with my own feelings of incompetence when it comes to writing. Even as I penned my first story, I remember hoping it wouldn't get noticed for fear of rejection. Joining a writers critique group helped me to overcome my insecurity about writing.
There is something special about discovering your purpose in life. It's like climbing a mountain on a misty day. When you reach the peak and the fog melts away, a stunning view of the world around you unveils itself, stretching all the way to the ocean glistening in the distance.
Other readers, inspired by my stories, are putting on hiking boots for the first time. Some will become writers, others will unleash latent talents stuffed away in forgotten places where childhood dreams once danced in their minds. They long to see the scenery from a new vantage point, to unlock their passions and feel their lungs drawing in fresh air as they make their ascents to their own mountaintops.
Thank you for your willingness to read these pages and for joining me on life's trail. My sights are now set on my own personal Mt. Everest and it will take nearly five hundred days of steady writing, re-writing, and editing to reach the summit. There is no longer a fear of heights, only a longing to encourage others to climb all the way to the pinnacle.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Captain James Starkey
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| Captain James Starkey |
James Starkey was a captain in the army during the civil war era. Unfortunately, his military career ended when he was found guilty of recruiting soldiers under false names. He is not the first ancestor to be exposed. Another one of my ancestors was an Irish king who had an illegitimate son. This son became the first of the Kavanagh clan, a family that ruled part of Ireland for generations until they were scattered when England invaded. The conflict with England led to two hundred years of trouble for my Irish ancestors. From 1600 to 1699, far more Irish were sold as slaves than Africans.
They say two wrongs don't make a right, however, they played a role in the birth of this blog writer, a Mulligan. When James Starkey left the army, he raised a family. His son, Edward, my great-great grandfather, married Mary B. Kavanagh, a descendant of Irish royalty. Mary's family left Ireland and settled in Canada. I'm here today because my ancestors found a way to thrive, even in tough circumstances, like famine. And two hundred years of slavery due to political and religious beliefs.
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| King Diarmait MacMurrough, Irish king from 900 years ago. His illegitimate son became the first Kavanagh in Ireland. |
Here is a link to my great-great-great grandfather, Captain James Starkey, a contributing author in Glimpses of the Nation's Struggle. I'm in awe at how many writers there are in my family line.
I'm hoping this post will help me find more relatives. All of us are connected. It's fun to discover how we are linked. For those friends and family members interested in my research about our family line, I will be adding some pictures in a future story. Stay tuned.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Bruce Marchiano Plays Biggest Role of His Life
"It is the single most desperate passionate act of love in human history." ~ Bruce Marchiano commenting on the life of Jesus.
Bruce Marchiano recounted how his vision for his latest project, Jesus...No Greater Love, was born while eating a ham sandwich in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was 1996 and he was on a speaking tour following the release of The Gospel of Matthew, where he played Jesus. Over 150,000 South Africans heard Bruce speak while he toured the country and they were moved to ask Jesus into their hearts.
My youngest son, Shane, suggested the family watch the 2010 movie, The Encounter, while scrolling through Netflix. After watching the movie, I was so touched by Bruce's portrayal of Jesus I decided to look him up and send him a thank you note. I asked him if he would be willing to share some thoughts about his life as an actor. Here is Bruce's welcome video message followed by the phone interview Bruce granted for my blog readers...
"Good morning, Bruce. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions today about your life as an actor. My son, Shane, picked out The Encounter for our family to watch together and you did a great job in the movie. Thanks for agreeing to an interview today."
"How old is your son?" Bruce questioned.
"Sixteen," I replied.
"My fifteen-year-old is also named Shane," he said. (Cue the Twilight Zone music).
Bruce apologized for the dog barking on the other end of the line.
"What kind of dog do you have?" I asked.
"My wife found Paco, a stray, and brought him home. As you can hear, he's part chihuahua."
My hair began to stand up as I told him our youngest dog is also a chihuahua, a stray we adopted from a shelter. That eerie feeling continued throughout the interview as if I were having a regular conversation with Jesus. Come down to earth, I thought as I asked my first question...
Bruce, can you please share with my readers how it feels to play the role of Jesus as an actor?
Playing Jesus is humbling. There is also this sense of excitement. It's so beyond exciting for many reasons. He is the most pivotal figure in the history of the universe. Knowing the Lord, understanding what playing Him counts for...and at the same time, it's heavy with responsibility. It's the pinnacle of fear and trembling mixed with excitement.
Was there an "aha" moment in your life when the light bulb went off and Jesus became real for you?
There were three moments...the time I gave my life to Jesus, the time period shortly thereafter and the surrounding circumstances; and also during the making of the film. I grew up going to church so I knew all the stories. As a young actor in 1989 I had experienced success...but I fast discovered that success can disintegrate, and it was dangerous to build a life on things that could fall apart.
There was this confrontation with truth as stark as boiling water. I knew it was Him. I was on a hill overlooking Universal Studios. Everything below me represented everything in life I wanted, and it was like I had to make a choice what was going to rule my life. I got down on my knees and cried, "Jesus you've got to save me." There was no emotional response, however, there was this weight off my shoulders...no more burdens. I stood up and had a whole new life.
Please share your thoughts on your latest project, Jesus...No Greater Love. How did you get the vision for this project and what is your role?
Currently, I have three roles...writer, producer, and actor. The writing portion is already done. Because it's such a huge film, I will pass off the producer role to someone more experienced, and I may also pass off the acting role - I'm open to that. At the same time, the vision rests with me, and that is a key spiritual role.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the power of the Gospel on the film got results. People were changing en masse. The production quality was low due to insufficient funds. The business interests controlled. I believe the Gospel has to be free to reach as many people as possible. Jesus says you can't serve God and money. The first movie served investors and sales. In the middle of my speaking tours, I thought if I could do this again, another Jesus movie but on a full budget, one that stood up with mainstream films, free of conflict of interests, I would do it using the Gospel of John.
The opening scenes of the script came to me while eating my ham sandwich in Johannesburg, South Africa. I scribbled them on a napkin...in the beginning was the word and word was God.
Matthew was a huge film in South Africa. People didn't know He loved them that way...impassioned, the sun rises and sets in you. The revelation of His heart became the cornerstone. People were saying "I didn't know Jesus loved me like this."
As an actor, I study choices that the character makes. A man's heart is revealed by his actions. You can tell who a man is by his choices. He gave up everything to the point of His blood dripping in the sand. Why? Why? Why? What's the end game?
What Jesus did was obvious. He gave His life for YOU.
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
People need the Lord. I thank God every day I don't have an occupation to just earn money. And personally, my kids need their dad.
The non-believers who worked alongside you when you played Jesus were affected by how you portrayed Jesus. Can you share how their lives changed?
Even the believers were blown away. It was the depth of love, both in Matthew and the Encounter. There was a moment in the Encounter where one of the characters rejects Jesus. In character, I began profusely weeping as the character walks out the door. You could hear a pin drop when the camera cut...the guys were blown away. That's how Jesus feels. Imagine how your heart breaks when your kids make bad choices. Multiply that times a ka-billion, and there you have the heart of Jesus.
The mother of the young girl in the movie told me later that her daughter asked her, "Is that really how Jesus feels?"
This scene did not make the final cut. It did show Jesus weeping because of the pain He felt.
We filmed Matthew in the villages of Morocco. The workers were all Muslims. Many people who were there came to the Lord. I remember them all saying, "I had no idea who Jesus was until today."
Why is it important to you to share Jesus with the world in places far off like Africa?
People need the Lord. At the end of the day, everything withers...the BMW, the checkbook. All that's left standing is you and Him.
You have witnessed healing in audiences when you are speaking about Jesus. Can you describe the feedback you've received about what happened to these people?
It blows my mind. There's no explanation, not en masse. Wow! That's great, the real thing.
Years ago I was in a village in Africa and this man comes running up. He attended the service the evening before. Years before, his leg was badly damaged in an accident and he could no longer work. But there he was running around. He said, "ask the people in the village, they know me, that I couldn't use this leg. Now I'm healed!"
This past September, the same man approached me. He asked, "remember me?" He rolled up his pants to show me the scars. But his leg works 100%. God is alive.
What is your fondest memory?
My finest moment was standing with my wife and getting married. This is your portion in life. My family is God's hand of goodness. I'm thankful for my wife and kids.
In my acting career, the experience of making Matthew... it was an adventure. There was this fresh revelation of Jesus, and it was like living life as large as life could be lived.
What is your hope for people reading this interview?
That they come to know His heart for them.
How can my blog readers help you with your future vision?
My vision for Jesus... No Greater Love is donation based. If people could log on and give $10 that would be great. An Armenian guy here in L.A. raised $700 from approaching his friends saying, "give me ten dollars for a good cause." So there are many ways to help, and I'm very thankful because it will take all of us coming together.
At the end of the interview, I asked Bruce if he had any idea when his next Jesus movie will be released and he told me he had thrown his hands up in the air saying, "the sooner the better," but only God knows.
I thought to myself, the last time I remember Moses throwing his hands up in the air, the Red Sea parted and God's people were free. Please click on Bruce's message below and support his vision to share Jesus with the world. Don't forget to tell your friends.
http://www.brucemarchiano.com/
My youngest son, Shane, suggested the family watch the 2010 movie, The Encounter, while scrolling through Netflix. After watching the movie, I was so touched by Bruce's portrayal of Jesus I decided to look him up and send him a thank you note. I asked him if he would be willing to share some thoughts about his life as an actor. Here is Bruce's welcome video message followed by the phone interview Bruce granted for my blog readers...
"Good morning, Bruce. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions today about your life as an actor. My son, Shane, picked out The Encounter for our family to watch together and you did a great job in the movie. Thanks for agreeing to an interview today."
"How old is your son?" Bruce questioned.
"Sixteen," I replied.
"My fifteen-year-old is also named Shane," he said. (Cue the Twilight Zone music).
Bruce apologized for the dog barking on the other end of the line.
"What kind of dog do you have?" I asked.
"My wife found Paco, a stray, and brought him home. As you can hear, he's part chihuahua."
My hair began to stand up as I told him our youngest dog is also a chihuahua, a stray we adopted from a shelter. That eerie feeling continued throughout the interview as if I were having a regular conversation with Jesus. Come down to earth, I thought as I asked my first question...
Bruce, can you please share with my readers how it feels to play the role of Jesus as an actor?
Playing Jesus is humbling. There is also this sense of excitement. It's so beyond exciting for many reasons. He is the most pivotal figure in the history of the universe. Knowing the Lord, understanding what playing Him counts for...and at the same time, it's heavy with responsibility. It's the pinnacle of fear and trembling mixed with excitement.
Was there an "aha" moment in your life when the light bulb went off and Jesus became real for you?
There were three moments...the time I gave my life to Jesus, the time period shortly thereafter and the surrounding circumstances; and also during the making of the film. I grew up going to church so I knew all the stories. As a young actor in 1989 I had experienced success...but I fast discovered that success can disintegrate, and it was dangerous to build a life on things that could fall apart.
There was this confrontation with truth as stark as boiling water. I knew it was Him. I was on a hill overlooking Universal Studios. Everything below me represented everything in life I wanted, and it was like I had to make a choice what was going to rule my life. I got down on my knees and cried, "Jesus you've got to save me." There was no emotional response, however, there was this weight off my shoulders...no more burdens. I stood up and had a whole new life.
Please share your thoughts on your latest project, Jesus...No Greater Love. How did you get the vision for this project and what is your role?
Currently, I have three roles...writer, producer, and actor. The writing portion is already done. Because it's such a huge film, I will pass off the producer role to someone more experienced, and I may also pass off the acting role - I'm open to that. At the same time, the vision rests with me, and that is a key spiritual role.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the power of the Gospel on the film got results. People were changing en masse. The production quality was low due to insufficient funds. The business interests controlled. I believe the Gospel has to be free to reach as many people as possible. Jesus says you can't serve God and money. The first movie served investors and sales. In the middle of my speaking tours, I thought if I could do this again, another Jesus movie but on a full budget, one that stood up with mainstream films, free of conflict of interests, I would do it using the Gospel of John.
The opening scenes of the script came to me while eating my ham sandwich in Johannesburg, South Africa. I scribbled them on a napkin...in the beginning was the word and word was God.
Matthew was a huge film in South Africa. People didn't know He loved them that way...impassioned, the sun rises and sets in you. The revelation of His heart became the cornerstone. People were saying "I didn't know Jesus loved me like this."
As an actor, I study choices that the character makes. A man's heart is revealed by his actions. You can tell who a man is by his choices. He gave up everything to the point of His blood dripping in the sand. Why? Why? Why? What's the end game?
What Jesus did was obvious. He gave His life for YOU.
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
People need the Lord. I thank God every day I don't have an occupation to just earn money. And personally, my kids need their dad.
The non-believers who worked alongside you when you played Jesus were affected by how you portrayed Jesus. Can you share how their lives changed?
Even the believers were blown away. It was the depth of love, both in Matthew and the Encounter. There was a moment in the Encounter where one of the characters rejects Jesus. In character, I began profusely weeping as the character walks out the door. You could hear a pin drop when the camera cut...the guys were blown away. That's how Jesus feels. Imagine how your heart breaks when your kids make bad choices. Multiply that times a ka-billion, and there you have the heart of Jesus.
The mother of the young girl in the movie told me later that her daughter asked her, "Is that really how Jesus feels?"
This scene did not make the final cut. It did show Jesus weeping because of the pain He felt.
We filmed Matthew in the villages of Morocco. The workers were all Muslims. Many people who were there came to the Lord. I remember them all saying, "I had no idea who Jesus was until today."
Why is it important to you to share Jesus with the world in places far off like Africa?
People need the Lord. At the end of the day, everything withers...the BMW, the checkbook. All that's left standing is you and Him.
You have witnessed healing in audiences when you are speaking about Jesus. Can you describe the feedback you've received about what happened to these people?
It blows my mind. There's no explanation, not en masse. Wow! That's great, the real thing.
Years ago I was in a village in Africa and this man comes running up. He attended the service the evening before. Years before, his leg was badly damaged in an accident and he could no longer work. But there he was running around. He said, "ask the people in the village, they know me, that I couldn't use this leg. Now I'm healed!"
This past September, the same man approached me. He asked, "remember me?" He rolled up his pants to show me the scars. But his leg works 100%. God is alive.
What is your fondest memory?
My finest moment was standing with my wife and getting married. This is your portion in life. My family is God's hand of goodness. I'm thankful for my wife and kids.
In my acting career, the experience of making Matthew... it was an adventure. There was this fresh revelation of Jesus, and it was like living life as large as life could be lived.
What is your hope for people reading this interview?
That they come to know His heart for them.
How can my blog readers help you with your future vision?
My vision for Jesus... No Greater Love is donation based. If people could log on and give $10 that would be great. An Armenian guy here in L.A. raised $700 from approaching his friends saying, "give me ten dollars for a good cause." So there are many ways to help, and I'm very thankful because it will take all of us coming together.
At the end of the interview, I asked Bruce if he had any idea when his next Jesus movie will be released and he told me he had thrown his hands up in the air saying, "the sooner the better," but only God knows.
I thought to myself, the last time I remember Moses throwing his hands up in the air, the Red Sea parted and God's people were free. Please click on Bruce's message below and support his vision to share Jesus with the world. Don't forget to tell your friends.
http://www.brucemarchiano.com/
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Get Unmired
Here I go again, mangling the English language to express thoughts which have no words. The definition of mired is to be stuck in the mud. This site is an encouraging hangout in the blog world and I'm here to help you get "unmired." Take my cyber-hand and get out of the quicksand you slipped into.
Sometimes, when we fall, we need others to get back on our feet. Don't be afraid to ask for help and please, don't be "a stick in the mud," someone who allows things of seeming enjoyment to pass them by. Life is too short. Get back on your feet. Get unmired.
Sometimes, when we fall, we need others to get back on our feet. Don't be afraid to ask for help and please, don't be "a stick in the mud," someone who allows things of seeming enjoyment to pass them by. Life is too short. Get back on your feet. Get unmired.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A Love Letter from my Great-Great Grandmother
The treasure hunt for past memories continues. My cousin, Mary, is uncovering hidden gems from our family history. She told me this love letter was sent to my Great-Great Grandfather, Edward C. Starkey, from his wife, Mary B. Kavanagh. There are several other love letters and poems in the collection and a few photographs. My cousin sent this to me because she is aware I write daily love letters to my wife, something that is like a morning ritual continuing for seven years straight. I had no idea the "writing gene" goes back at least four generations.
We don't know if Great-Great Grandma Mary used her own words in this poem or if it came from another source, however, it's beautifully written and worth sharing from the family archives, hidden away for about 140 years.
We don't know if Great-Great Grandma Mary used her own words in this poem or if it came from another source, however, it's beautifully written and worth sharing from the family archives, hidden away for about 140 years.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Changing Teams
My youngest son, Shane, loves football. It doesn't matter who's playing or what level; if it's football, he's engaged. He studies the coaches and the players and can tell me something about every team in the league. Today's blog message is written primarily for my son and for those who like football. I wanted to teach Shane about some people in the Bible who decided to play for God's team. The best way to get his attention is to talk about how God put together a Super Bowl team...
The Romans were a team nobody could beat. They didn't just beat their opponents, they murdered them. It was like what happens when the Raiders come to town to take on the San Diego Chargers. Crime goes up. Families are afraid to go to the stadium. And players are carted off the field. Penalty flags litter the field.
The Raiders have a player on their defense who takes the game very seriously. His name is Saul. Saul's mission is to win the Super Bowl every year. Anyone who gets in his way becomes a target. He blitzes his way to the quarterback and is the all-time sack leader.
One day, Saul is out walking around during the off-season and a bolt of lightning strikes him. He hears a voice asking, "Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul becomes blind and wonders if he will ever be able to play football again. He relies on strangers to get help. God tells Saul He wants him on God's football team...the San Diego Chargers, a team Saul hates more than anybody else. When the Raiders find out Saul is blind they put him on waivers.
The Chargers find out Saul is available but they don't trust him. At first, they are afraid Saul is sent to spy on them and destroy the team from within. Saul asks for a new number and a new position. He is so committed to his new team that he wants to completely forget his past, even his old name. His new name is Paul. The Chargers put him on offense.
Every time Paul scores, he points to the sky and gives all the glory to God. No team can stop him, not even the Raiders. The Chargers go all the way to Super Bowl and Paul becomes the team captain. People from all over the world watch Paul and his team on Super Bowl Sunday and they are in awe of his talents. He had those same gifts when he played for the Raiders, but now, instead of killing his opponents, he uses football to talk about how God asked him to play on His team. He talks about what those lightning bolts mean to him. Because of Paul, people from all over the world start liking football. Two thousand years from now, people will still be reading about Paul, the man who changed teams and became a legend in America's finest city.
The Romans were a team nobody could beat. They didn't just beat their opponents, they murdered them. It was like what happens when the Raiders come to town to take on the San Diego Chargers. Crime goes up. Families are afraid to go to the stadium. And players are carted off the field. Penalty flags litter the field.
The Raiders have a player on their defense who takes the game very seriously. His name is Saul. Saul's mission is to win the Super Bowl every year. Anyone who gets in his way becomes a target. He blitzes his way to the quarterback and is the all-time sack leader.
One day, Saul is out walking around during the off-season and a bolt of lightning strikes him. He hears a voice asking, "Saul, why do you persecute me?"
Saul becomes blind and wonders if he will ever be able to play football again. He relies on strangers to get help. God tells Saul He wants him on God's football team...the San Diego Chargers, a team Saul hates more than anybody else. When the Raiders find out Saul is blind they put him on waivers.
The Chargers find out Saul is available but they don't trust him. At first, they are afraid Saul is sent to spy on them and destroy the team from within. Saul asks for a new number and a new position. He is so committed to his new team that he wants to completely forget his past, even his old name. His new name is Paul. The Chargers put him on offense.
Every time Paul scores, he points to the sky and gives all the glory to God. No team can stop him, not even the Raiders. The Chargers go all the way to Super Bowl and Paul becomes the team captain. People from all over the world watch Paul and his team on Super Bowl Sunday and they are in awe of his talents. He had those same gifts when he played for the Raiders, but now, instead of killing his opponents, he uses football to talk about how God asked him to play on His team. He talks about what those lightning bolts mean to him. Because of Paul, people from all over the world start liking football. Two thousand years from now, people will still be reading about Paul, the man who changed teams and became a legend in America's finest city.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Why Am I Here?
On the surface, it seems like a fairly easy question...why am I here? The more you analyze the question, the more complex it becomes. I asked this question over the weekend at our men's retreat. Due to confidentiality that was promised, I'm not allowed to reveal any of their answers. One of the men wanted clarification. "Do you mean why am I here this weekend or why am I on the planet?" he asked.
"The question is open-ended and it's up to the individual to answer it according to what's in his own heart," I replied.
When I was asked to help plan the retreat weekend, I thought of the first retreat I attended with my wife, my sister and my brother-in-law. There was a series of announcements at the end of each church service leading up to the retreat and I resisted saying yes. Thoughts of playing tennis on the weekend and watching football on TV prompted me to reject the invitations. Then it happened. The weekend before the retreat, Tony and his wife Lisa, stood up to give the last commercial. Their children flanked them on each side as Tony spoke about how he became a better husband and father because of attending the three-day weekend. I was hooked. "What are you doing?" my wife asked while standing next to me at the sign-up table after church.
"I'm going to the retreat," I replied. She was shocked and had already decided she was attending even it meant going alone.
Standing behind me was my sister and brother-in-law. Each of us decided we wanted to become better parents and better spouses. That first weekend was life-changing for all of us. I became engaged in my church and learned to be a better man. Now I was given an opportunity to create something from scratch that could provide tools for the men of my church to reach new heights.
Our deacon wanted to include a viewing of "Courageous" at the camp-out, however, the movie was still playing at the theaters and a license to show it during our retreat was out of our budget. Then the rain forecast changed our plans and we decided to spend our first evening at the movies. It set the tone for our three days together. Our three talks...Faith, Calling and Family seemed to compliment the movie. The question and answer period after each talk allowed the men to share their ideas.
On the last day of our weekend, we sat together in church accompanied by our families. Our deacon asked us to stand up before the congregation and acknowledge our renewed commitment to be better dads and better husbands. In his own way, each man found answers to the question..."why am I here?" Invite your spouse on a date and watch "Courageous." It will help you find your own answers to the same question. And your children will thank you.
"The question is open-ended and it's up to the individual to answer it according to what's in his own heart," I replied.
When I was asked to help plan the retreat weekend, I thought of the first retreat I attended with my wife, my sister and my brother-in-law. There was a series of announcements at the end of each church service leading up to the retreat and I resisted saying yes. Thoughts of playing tennis on the weekend and watching football on TV prompted me to reject the invitations. Then it happened. The weekend before the retreat, Tony and his wife Lisa, stood up to give the last commercial. Their children flanked them on each side as Tony spoke about how he became a better husband and father because of attending the three-day weekend. I was hooked. "What are you doing?" my wife asked while standing next to me at the sign-up table after church.
"I'm going to the retreat," I replied. She was shocked and had already decided she was attending even it meant going alone.
Standing behind me was my sister and brother-in-law. Each of us decided we wanted to become better parents and better spouses. That first weekend was life-changing for all of us. I became engaged in my church and learned to be a better man. Now I was given an opportunity to create something from scratch that could provide tools for the men of my church to reach new heights.
Our deacon wanted to include a viewing of "Courageous" at the camp-out, however, the movie was still playing at the theaters and a license to show it during our retreat was out of our budget. Then the rain forecast changed our plans and we decided to spend our first evening at the movies. It set the tone for our three days together. Our three talks...Faith, Calling and Family seemed to compliment the movie. The question and answer period after each talk allowed the men to share their ideas.
On the last day of our weekend, we sat together in church accompanied by our families. Our deacon asked us to stand up before the congregation and acknowledge our renewed commitment to be better dads and better husbands. In his own way, each man found answers to the question..."why am I here?" Invite your spouse on a date and watch "Courageous." It will help you find your own answers to the same question. And your children will thank you.
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