Les Miserables

We saw Les Mis today. It's long been one of my favorite musicals and just stories of redemption in general. For you die hard musical theater fans, you might agree with me that Russell Crowe was a weird choice for Javert. His singing (and acting of the role) left me wanting.

BUT--do NOT listen to critics who pan this movie. It is wonderful and there are nuances you'll catch in the movie that may have been missed in the stage production. It is a beautiful and heart wrenching film. We loved it...beyond loved it.The crown in our movie theater broke into applause at the end.

As I watched, it occurred to me that in life we all know Javerts...those who just cannot seem to grasp grace, even for themselves. And we all know Jean Valjeans...men and women who have been changed by grace received and grace given. The capturing of that truth is a powerful force in this movie. I thought Hugh Jackman was fantastic. Anne Hathaway was wonderful as Fantine, Aaron Tveit was a great Enjorlas and it was so cool to see the original Jean Valjean, Colm Wilkinson, play the role of the priest. Very nice touch! One of my favorite movies in a long time.

No Pit Too Deep

During World War II, Betsie Ten Boom, sister of (later) famous author Corrie Ten Boom, lay dying in a Nazi work camp. As she was dying she urged her sister Corrie to forgive...to forgive those who were causing torture, pain and death. She wanted to infuse a dose of God's reality into Corrie's world view. Maybe my all-time favorite quote was Betsie's in that moment to Corrie. "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still." That, my friends, is the power of Jesus. Impossible love. Impossible grace. The Ten Boom story has shaped my life in Jesus for more than 30 years. Wherever you are today, however far you feel from God, remember: " There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."