Amanda has a superpower. She's impossible NOT to love. Go ahead... try. I dare you.
Archive - Influence
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What Katniss Stole from Jesus
Book: The Serving Leader for the People of God
Who Owns Your Body? The Hunger Games and Political Rebellion
If 50 is the New 30, then is 30 the new 21?
Moneyball
Why I was Shocked to Enjoy "The Artist"
Jesus Got a Sex-Change (Sort of...)
Top 10 Posts of 2011
2011 was a big year for this blog. Here are my 10 most popular posts by number of visits. Okay, technically eleven, since there was a two-way tie for the 10 slot.
10. 26 New and Improved Reasons I Love My Wife
What can I say? Everyone loves my wife. So in honor of her 26th birthday, I listed a few of the many reasons I love her. Obviously the masses agreed.
10. The Black Swan Review
One of the craziest films of 2010, but also a great retelling of the Garden of Eden story. If you've never seen an Aronofsky film, prepare yourself. If you have, you have some inkling of the sort of crazy you're in for.
9. Erasing Hell by Francis Chan Review
An awful, half-hearted response to Rob Bell's Love Wins. It didn't perform nearly as well for all kinds of reasons. My review was basically a call to save your money and skip this book.
8. The Fighter and The King's Speech Reviews
These two movies were basically the same exact story. What separated them out was the incredible acting from the entire casts. They transformed a standard underdog story into something pretty special.
7. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan Review
One of the best books I've ever read, and one that really has its finger on the pulse of our collective consciousness right now. Absolutely outstanding writing, and well-deserving of the Pulitzer it won.
6. A Christian Response to Osama bin Laden's Death
The only piece of theological writing to crack my top 10, and again, not a big surprise. I was saddened by much of the celebrating I saw around bin Laden's death. And while I understood it, I believe Christians are called to be better than that, especially when it comes to how we treat our enemies.
5. Why I Switched from a Nook to a Kindle
A dated post since both Nook and Kindle have newer versions available. But I'm still sticking with my Kindle 3/Kindle Keyboard for the same reasons I listed in this post.
4. The Dark Knight Rises Previews
Click here for my take on the Prologue and the Trailer
No one is surprised that I'm pre-obsessed with this movie. But both of my write-ups on it so far have gotten more attention than most reviews I've done of movies that are already out.
3. The Dexter Season 6 Reviews
Click here to go to my review of episode one
Dexter took on God in Season 6, with some surprising results. Though I wasn't wild about how they wrapped up all the themes they'd unpacked, the writers deserve some major kudos for this whole season. One of the best and most direct treatments of religion I've seen on secular television.
2. Love Wins by Rob Bell Review
No surprise here - this was one of the most controversial books of the decade let alone last year. Dozens of times more ink has been spilt discussing this book than it took to write it. And one (relatively quick) read will show you why: Bell raises questions that need to be taken seriously.
1. 127 Hours Review
I have no idea why my review of 127 Hours was by far my most viewed post. I did think it was the best film of 2010, and if you haven't seen it yet, you really are missing out.
ADVENT: Help Build a Home in Benin
