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Actor Stephen Lang said, "Playing a historical figure to me bears a certain responsibility. You've got the ghosts looking over your shoulder." And the ghost looking over the shoulder of Lang was General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson who he was portraying in the movie Gods and Generals. Lang, who considers Jackson to be one of the three most famous men in the world during the early years of the Civil War, felt especially burdened to accurately portray an individual of such notoriety. According to Lang, "Jackson was so iconic and mythic during his own life, on a daily basis, that everything was written down that he did and that he said."
Stephen Lang is a stage actor of great recognition. His Broadway roles include a Tony-nominated performance as a homeless man in "The Speed of Darkness." He has also narrated numerous audio books and was awarded the Audiolife Earphone award. Yet, in the role of Jackson, the actor was humbled in the presence of such a great leader. Lang felt exceptionally challenged to be a faithful witness to the man who stood as a "stonewall" during the Battle of First Manassas.
Elijah's name means "Yahweh is God." It is a telling name that wherever Elijah went and whatever Elijah did would be a direct representation of God. In his ministry God was indeed looking over Elijah's shoulder. In our lectionary reading for today we have recounted the actions of Elijah that proclaim the power and authority of God. During the great drought that swept over the land Elijah is fed by the ravens. This is a witness that God, as the sole bestower of nature's gifts, is the Creator of the universe. When the son of the unnamed women in whose home Elijah was residing became ill, he healed the child through a ritual of prayer. The prophet gave witness that God is the sole and effective renewer of life.
We carry the name of God with us in all that we do. God is truly looking over our shoulder and challenging us to remain faithful and obedient servants to the best of our ability. This is a calling that does humble us. This is also a calling of great responsibility as we are prophets in our own communities. We witness through our words and actions that God rules over nature and is the giver of life.
Stephen Lang is a stage actor of great recognition. His Broadway roles include a Tony-nominated performance as a homeless man in "The Speed of Darkness." He has also narrated numerous audio books and was awarded the Audiolife Earphone award. Yet, in the role of Jackson, the actor was humbled in the presence of such a great leader. Lang felt exceptionally challenged to be a faithful witness to the man who stood as a "stonewall" during the Battle of First Manassas.
Elijah's name means "Yahweh is God." It is a telling name that wherever Elijah went and whatever Elijah did would be a direct representation of God. In his ministry God was indeed looking over Elijah's shoulder. In our lectionary reading for today we have recounted the actions of Elijah that proclaim the power and authority of God. During the great drought that swept over the land Elijah is fed by the ravens. This is a witness that God, as the sole bestower of nature's gifts, is the Creator of the universe. When the son of the unnamed women in whose home Elijah was residing became ill, he healed the child through a ritual of prayer. The prophet gave witness that God is the sole and effective renewer of life.
We carry the name of God with us in all that we do. God is truly looking over our shoulder and challenging us to remain faithful and obedient servants to the best of our ability. This is a calling that does humble us. This is also a calling of great responsibility as we are prophets in our own communities. We witness through our words and actions that God rules over nature and is the giver of life.
