Ragamuffin Movie review

   

     I heard a while back that this movie was playing on a limited amount of screens in different venues nationwide and I wanted to see it. As a high schooler I remember Rich Mullins not just as a Christian musician but also as a person as he played for many of the events I attended at that age. ( youth retreats, CIY conferences , etc) Last week I saw the movie on sale at walmart for $10 so I got a copy.

    Ill be straight up and say I really loved this movie. Although it really didnt focus on all he accomplished in over a decade of his musical career, it did show all about his personal life story as potrayed by his brother David Mullins, co producer and writer. 

     Watching this movie took me back many years to my first hand experiences with Rich, his music, how his songs inspired me and encouraged me and where I was in life during my time of listening to it.  Its crazy when you take time to think about it, how people have such a  big impact on your life. As a beginning guitar player I remember watching his strumming patterns and playing styles, I remember hearing his honest and creative stories and hearing his heart in every song. I also remember hanging out with him many times at CIY in Michigan in the dorm and on campus there at Adrian College. (It was even more strange to see my dorm room and off campus housing area in the movie as he had attended Cincinnati many years before me.) I also remembered helping him set up for some gigs, watching him connect with the most random of people and touring with my friend Beaker at the time who was a good christian mentor.

    What I liked the most in the movie however, was the way the story showed the many struggles Rich faced and how he tried dealing with them. I'm not sure how much portrayed of Rich was true or just over dramatization on some areas of his life but He obviously had many najor challenges. On the other hand he had a deep philosophical side , was very witty, comical and clever which i remember very clearly.  Even tho he was in a high profile position he,as anyone, dealt with his tough stuff and many times talked about it openly which caused a lot of hype and criticism in the church and christian marketplace at that time.  We needed more people like tjat then and now still.  Rich was honest, simple and relational.

      I actually found myself after watching the movie playing some of my cds of his and surprised myself at how many songs I remember as Ive been plucking them on my guitar. This movie is a great example of how God can use anybody in powerful ways.  Its also a good reminder of how real human struggle is even when doing the will of God. If you never knew of Rich the only way to view his true character is to watch some clips on youtube or listen to his music. ( he has over a dozen albums/cds available).  If you want to get a glimpse at his life story definitely watch this movie. 

His music and life obviously had a big impact on me and his message is still very true and something we all need. 

Check out my acoustic version of Hold me Jesus on Soundcloud.com.

http://soundcloud.com/kevinearnst/hold-me-jesus-rich-mullins/s-BNVwP

Check out the movie site at...

http://ragamuffinthemovie.com/ 

2 years at AZCA!

So this week I'm just crossing the two year mark working at Arizonas Children Association here in Flagstaff. Thought Id just take a moment to blog/share about it and what I do there as Im very glad to be doin it!!  I'm definitely very blessed to have found this position and have really enjoyed the chance to work with families in need all over Northern Arizona including Prescott, Kingman, Meadview, Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Winslow, Holbrook, all around Flag and everywhere in between. Just over 32 homes now and thousands of miles driven. Crazy to think about but at the same time its been a privelege as I have been able to help influence, teach and have  direct influence on parents, children and teens in a positive way and helping them to make healthy changes in their lives. My official title is a Clinician and Family Support Tech. The stories I've experienced at AZCA through our "Meet Me Where I am Program" and "In Home" therapy and support, in just the short two years are pretty insane. (and I thought my life was crazy!)

It's exciting personally to be a part of an organization like this because its very hard now days to find employment in a place that you not only enjoy but also believe in and support. In this line of work its also obvious you dont do it for the money. Its about meeting people where they are and providing hope and new directions. Strangely enough, even while at a crossroads in my own life, I have thoroughly enjoyed every part of my role in this organization. I have had more "hands on" opportunites and "ministering" to people than I've had in any previous jobs , ironically including the ministries Ive been invovled in. After all our focus should be on relationships in life and reaching out to help in the world around us and if we arent doing that we are missing the point.

Dont get me wrong this job is not glamorous and perfect. Its actually quite the opposite. It is rewarding tho and for that Im very grateful. Everyday is a new adventure and even if I have a plan or a schedule I never know where I might end up next or how the day might end. I work with people directly in the schools, courts, home, community, wherever.   Each day is a new chance to help families and children in their life challenges and provide some stability, resources and hope. That itself is very exciting. (I actually think I've learned just as much as I have offered to all my clients and am hoping also this year to work on developing a life coaching program as an addition to my role at AZCA to continue helping people where they are. If you want to find out more or are interested in a life coach email me at kevinearnst@yahoo.com).

Not everyone of course has a job where its direct time working with people daily. Whatever the case tho whether you do or want to I encourage you to try making a goal to reach out to a family or friend  that might be going through a tough time and offer some help, advice, a prayer, encouragement. Im willing to bet there's actually a lot of people right in your community or circle of friends who would love someone to reach out to them in their time of need or maybe they are just wanting to build a positive deeper relationship. Don't miss out!

Our Visit to Saddleback & Laguna Beach
We just got back from a week in California. I went to the Saddleback worship arts conferecnce and the fam hung out at Laguna Beach. We all had a blast and it was a great week. I spent the week at the conference and a part of the worship choir that helped out with the worship sets. Pictured below are some of the pics from the week and Ethan who just got his casts off today!

Michigan in June
We just got back from a week long trip to Michigan. We left on Sunday afternoon and drove to Phoenix and then flew into the wee hours of the night. We arrived in Detroit at 2 and then actually met up with some friends for a late night breakfast at Dennys!!! and of course I made my trek to Tim Hortons to stock up on a couple cans of coffee to take back. About 4 in the morning we drove over to Jackson and slept for a few hours at my brothers house. From there we picked up my Nephew Tyler and drove over to Michiana Christian Service Camp. Talk about a long night. About 18 hours later we arrived at our final destination. Below are some of the pics from camp that Corey and I were at. Ethan and Tyler visited the grandparents a few miles away.
It was a great week. The weather was amazingly nice (until the huge storm on Sunday morning on the way to church) Corey sang some of the songs with me and the band during the week and started a surprise fan club. On Wednesday we spent part of the day looking at stars in a portable planetarium and focused on Gods awesome creation in space. During campfire the speaker shared with us amazing facts about the universe and the pic at the top is me singing "Starmaker" from the Cd overflow at that event.

To see more pics from camp CLICK HERE

To see our canoe trip with my dad on the St. Joe River CLICK HERE

To watch Corey singing "Might To Save" CLICK HERE

Corey's Baptism in Buchanan, MI!!

Corey made the decision to become a Christian a couple months ago so on New Years Eve in front of my family, Kathy's family, friends from our old church in Detroit and my home church he gave his confession and was baptized. It was a little over twenty five years ago that my dad baptized me there so it was a great moment for all of us!!!