Helene's carnage; A wild and beautiful Robot; Daniel surpasses $250k

3 Things this week and a stone-throwing poem

All the leaves are… still green here. But inevitability is in the air. The season is turning. Better to not resist it.

I did some retail therapy this week and while I shopped saw competing aisles of Halloween and Christmas merch. I haven’t even planned the menu for Thanksgiving (which up here in Canada is now just a week away).

This week the first of a series of new plays I wrote for Christmas dropped over at Skit Guys. I guess I’m part of the problem.

But it’s true, planning ahead matters. So if you’re looking for fresh and inspiring content for your Christmas season at church, check it out (and I’ll start planning my Thanksgiving spread):

Thanks so much for spending some of your weekend with Things I Wrote Down.

Here’s 3 Things this week and a poem.

1. Helene's carnage

Have you been watching these unbelievable images of destruction out of North Carolina? Gut-wrenching to watch as reports of 227 deaths have been counted, and climb. I’ve prayed from a far for those devastated by the hurricane.

The images of devastation are astonishing, just as the ineptitude of the federal response is infuriating.

Elon Musk and Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, had an open conversation in front of the world that led to clearing up the airspace so helicopters of private citizens, non profits like Samaritan’s Purse, and companies could bring needed aid to fill the gaping gap in FEMA’s response. (Reports indicate that the federal agency has run out of money to bring necessary assistance).

Local citizens, especially churches, have been critical in bringing aid. And, of course, Dolly Parton, brought some help.

The generosity and ingenuity of average people always shines through. Kids hiking miles to check on parents stranded in remote regions, finding their way over washed out roads. Caravans of people on foot hauling water and food, diapers, toilet paper, medical supplies and other essentials through the unrecognizable terrain.

Stories of such human courage and grace, even in the face of the most unthinkable tragedy stand out in Helene’s carnage.

This chilling interview of a mom who watched her 7-year-old son and her parents get swept away in the flood breaks the heart, and, tragically, is also a testimony of faith. Her son became here hero as he called on the name of Jesus, his last words.

The heart goes out. And the days ahead will be blistering.

2. A wild and beautiful Robot

I have an informal movie club with a few friends and we try to see a film each month. We went to a late show of The Wild Robot this week. It was a beautiful film. Visually stunning and heartfelt, there’s something in it for everyone.

Critics and audiences seem to love it:

I booked the tickets and there was only a show in 3D (not my preference). Kudos to the storytellers and animators who made something memorable. It’s Dreamwork’s last official film that will be fully animated in-house). And boy did they go out with a bang.

It’s a great escape with a delightful story that is absolutely delightful, visually.

3. Daniel surpasses $250K.

Some exciting things are happening over at Unveil.

I’m so proud of my brothers Daniel and Matthew who have been leading the project to bring our new film DANIEL to life for the past few years. They wrote a sizzling script and will direct a story of the life of the famous prophet.

A film project is a long-term relationship. With the story. With a team. With the audience. And it’s exciting to see some movement towards securing the funding we need to bring it to life.

We welcome your prayers and support as we shift gears toward production.

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A poem

As you may know by now, my creative life is inextricably linked to my brothers’ creative lives. I so deeply respect the work, creativity and faith of Chris (who I recently interviewed as part of the Harmonious Gentlemen podcast trio), Matt and Dan (who I mentioned above).

Daniel Kooman

has a weekly newsletter as well, and he’s been reflecting on the passage from John 8 (my Monday morning ritual is to read his reflections). The passage, one we both treasure, is so deeply enriching. And it reminded me of a poem I wrote down some time ago as I reflected on John 8, the I AM passage of the New Testament.

Provocatively, but I think appropriately, it includes one of the more offensive words in English, which I've toned down through #$@* marks. I've masked them here out of sensitivity, but think that the way the Pharisees demeaned Christ in that famous moment is equivalent to insulting him with the most vile word, of any era.

It’s from a yet-to-be published series of poems by the Gospel Writers themselves. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, let me know what you think. (And if you don't, let me know what you think 😂).

chapter 8

he sure had a one-two punch

could knock the air
right out of you
before you knew how 
you were on the 
ground

those were my favorite
words he spoke on earth

before Abraham was
I am

he must have waited
his whole life 
to say them

whispered them under
his breath 

at night
laughing 

before sleep

his delivery
just right

or else

his inflection 
precise

a tongue with all the 
nuclear power 
of life

restraint, really
was the order of the 
day

humility on his 
lips

when those vipers
name dropped
all the way back to Abraham

suspicious of 
demons

using every foul word
in their arsenal:
Samaritan, 
bastard,
@*&#

he could have vaporized
their souls
breathed fire from his 
mouth

split their heads
like melons

but he didn’t

he was compassionate
his tone 
subtle
so the blasphemous could hear 
blasphemy

the thirsty
water

and those who walked with 
him, insight

words with all the power 
of eternity
from the look
of things
fell from 
his mouth
to the ground

all creation waited 
for him to say it

and then they picked up stones