I saw the free screening of Nativity Story in San Francisco and really liked it, as did my friends. While the young girl playing Mary was at times a bit emotionless, the relationship between Mary and Joseph is so well done, bringing them a humanness about which we often forget. Of course, I was tearing up when the shepherds arrived at the manger scene, but was laughing at other humorous moments when the three wise men had center stage. Delighted to see a Christian-friendly film and a Christmas-appropriate one finally gracing our theaters with big-budget backing!

[Miss Potter]

Just saw screening of Miss Potter in San Francisco this evening, and very much enjoyed this lovely film. And I wasn't alone, as the audience clapped enthusiastically at the end and delayed to read the credits and listen to the closing music. How nice to be in a theater when your fellow attendees give heartfelt sighs of delight at seeing the desired outcome of a very chaste romantic scene play out...or who wholeheartedly laugh at the witty script. Throw in stunning Lake Country, Cumbria, and Isle of Man scenery with surprises from the artist's sketch pad and you have a wonderful film.

This is a marvelous film the whole family can enjoy, although not a film designed particularly for children. It is about children's author Beatrix Potter who lived in 19th /20th Century England. Lots of family relationship issues, very touching romance, beautiful and unusual use of animation, fabulous scenery. A touching, emotional film! Don't miss this one!

And, at last, a film for adults and young people that leaves out the unnecessary foul language and gratuitous sex scenes. How refreshing! A wholesome romance with beautiful stories of friendship and challenging family relationships. Funny...I wish Hollywood and its screenwriters with high-school-peeping-Tom mentalities would understand that these are the kinds of movies we're craving! Very high recommendations for this movie and its talented actors Renee Zellwegger and Ewan McGregor.

What can one do about a pastor or exec director of a church community who continually abuses his responsibilities as church leader, resigns, creates another church, and starts it all over again?

David Moore was pastor of the Southwest Community Church in La Quinta, CA. His story is discussed here by former church members and staff http://www.christians4truth.com/. Suffice it to say, the former pastor of SWCC was exposed by a husband in a divorce case as having been in a hot tub with his wife and the other husband's wife with both women at least topless if not nude. Of course, upon further investigation, financial abuses were discovered as well; in fact, he took a donated Mercedes to his private place in Hawaii, bought a Harley with a church check but registered it in his name. And on and on it goes.

Now he has started a new church http://www.newcommunitycv.com/ and the newspaper reports a suspicion land deal http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050520/NEWS01/505200333&SearchID=73208769252398.

Does anyone have any ideas on what people in the community can do? I cannot fathom why he has any followers at all, except to say that he is a very attractive, terrific speaker...lots of devoted ladies in his congregations. But this is frightening for the influence he can have on new believers, for the damage he can do to people financially and spiritually, and for the bad name he gives to other Christians.

Any ideas?