Free Donuts at the Revolution

Ian Clayton interviews

I deem this my penultimate Ian Clayton interview.  

God is uninhibited and unrestrained. We can reflect that uninhibited, exhilarating, unrestrained life. 

Prophetic? you decide

This is one of those rare music promos where the film captures the power of the song, and the song enhances the visual.  It's a brilliant vid.

I guess in church we'd call this prophetic, 'cos the band is waving Blue Flags around with a victorious feel to it, there's a bunch of bongos. There's like an army of people and a choir and heavenly cloud mist.  

And the song is proclaiming what could be considered a prophetic word: the dog days are over-- let's get out of the wilderness and into the promised land sort of thing. 

However, there are no lion or eagle paintings in this video, so maybe it's not prophetic.   

Lakeland's First Three Minutes

Here's a taster of my film, entitled Lakeland.   It's a 52 minute documentary on The Lakeland Florida outpouring and the ministry of Todd Bentley.  The Lakeland phenomenon began in April 2008, when an outbreak of the Holy Spirit began, and soon the entire charismatic Christian world was involved.    

There were lots of reports of healing, visitations, miracles and other stuff you get during a revival. 

Tens of thousands of people visited the revival in Lakeland, in a short burst of time -- the outpouring lasted about 90 days, before it dissipated.   Many feel this was due to the sin in Todd's life, as he announced a divorce from his wife and was soon re-married to a former intern of his.  

Filming took place in spurts from July 2008 to February of 2010.  We had several delays and setbacks in the editing process, but the film is being mixed now.   

We are planning several films to come out of this project, but this is the main one, and TVF International serve as our Sales Agents, and they are awesome, patient folks. 

As the whole subject of revival, in particular Todd, carries with it a lot of controversy, I just wanted to state a few obvious points, which may or may not disappoint you depending on which tribe or belief system you come from:

1) This is not a miracle-driven testimonial film on how powerful the Florida Outpouring was or is.  Sorry for this, really, I would have loved to have interviewed more people who experienced healing or salvation at the outpouring.   While we do talk to people affected by the ministry there, the film is more of a journey through the revival.    

2) The Film is not an expose or judgement of Todd, or his personal life, although obviously his life is touched upon, from the collapse of the Revival, and his restoration process.   Personally, I believe Todd's still a genuine preacher/teacher/miracle worker and I have done my utmost not to dishonor the guy. (Although some feel differently in their review of the film).       

3) Throughout the film we attempted to show all sides to the story, and to be more fair and balanced by Fox News- so therefore protestors and nay-sayers of charismatic life are included. As the protestors are part of the Body of Christ too, I just don't always agree with the ways the protest is expressed. 

Anyway, enjoy the first few minutes of the film. 

Lakeland - The First Three Minutes from Bubble Up TV on Vimeo.

Here's a sneak peak of the Lakeland documentary, a 52 minute film on the Florida Outpouring & Todd Bentley.

As we are seeking acquisition and looking for other outlets of broadcast, get in touch if you'd are interested in broadcasting.

Food Party

Giant Boris in London

We were filming this morning, and one of the locations was The Arts Club in London.  As we walk into the basement, I discover a 12 foot high Boris Johnson looming in the corner on a giant widescreen tv.  I like Boris. I will work for him one day, soon, I just know it. 

The Gift of Apple

For the last four years, we've been the frustrated owners of a very sick MacBook Pro.  It was purchased in 2006, the very first model of the MacBook Pro 15".  For whatever reason, after about 6 months of use, the thing has always tanked.

I've spent countless trips to various Genius Bars.  Well, about 12 in the last 2 years.  Last week was my final attempt: I took it to Mecca, the Arch Bishop of London: the Regent Street Apple Store. 

I belly up to the Bar, I get the standard questions from the genius, and the standard failed attempt to get Macbook started.

The Genius, named Kelvin, takes a look at our account record, and lists out the journey of the last few years.  He names three hard drive replacements, RAM changes, DVD Super Drive replacement, various software upgrades and take-downs.  He pauses a moment, excuses himself, and takes the computer backstage.

Now here's what usually happens: the Genius reappears from Backstage, and says:

• "It's a software problem"
• "No it's not the logic board, it's your fault"
• "Apple will give it a test over the next 24 hours and give you a call, but you gotta pay for it."

But not this time.  Kelvin approaches the Bar, and states:

"You know, Mr. Petersen, Apple is not your average computer store."  I agree with him, but maybe he can tell as I've got my Steve Jobs good luck icon pendant around my neck, my iPad and iPhone all stacked at the bar. 

"Sir, you've gone through a rough time with this machine, it's never worked for you.  We'd like to give you a new MacBook Pro for free as a replacement."

My eyes refuse to blink. My jaw drops.

"Would you like matte or gloss screen?"

I keep hitting the guy to see if he's joking. He's not. Apple is giving me a new MacBook Pro unibody 15" for free.  I've been told so many times that Apple does not replace faulty old computers with new models, it's a "like for like" situation. 

But this time, I got Grace.  Some would say I received a certain amount of justice.

I'd break into a 3 point sermon on the parable of the persistent widow praying for a long time for justice, or something on grace and favor, but instead, I will just enjoy the gift.   Thanks be to God and Apple.

 

iPad, i love you

 iPad, I love you. There are so many facets to your nature. 

Movie iPad: I never knew I could do it, but now when I need a break, I can watch Dr. Who on iPlayer from a rooftop in Camden Town. iPad, because you are so lightweight, thin and airy, I can watch movies on you anywhere there's a signal. You are sleek, and cause us to consume in ways we knew not how to, iPad. 

Sensei iPad: you are like a great karate instructor.  I can now swoosh through dozens of apps in a nano-second with the iPad claw technique. I am the stronger for it, and for working with you, iPad. 

Creation iPad: You have taught me a new way of writing, iPad.  With a very simple, bold style, discarding the need for grammar and correct spelling altogether. The early french cave-dwellers would love you, iPad-- just bashing out stuff on a screen must be so similar to the wall paintings they once created. You are instinctual and primal, iPad. 

 

How to Combat the Lizard Brain

The last few months I've been enlightened by the books of Seth Godin. His work is really speaking to me, as I combat the Lizard Brain and work to ship my films on a timely basis. Since Lakeland twin films are overdue, the push from Seth is helping the delivery.  

Another author/teacher I've been listening to is Victor Lorenzo, who although controversial in his views toward the formal church, is just brilliant in combatting the day to day battles of life.  You can find some podcasts of his here. 

What do PBS and God TV have in common?

Christian television & PBS  have one thing in common, and it is certainly not their politics.  

It is the magic of the Telethon.  A collective mass=appeal to their followers for money.  

PBS telethons show four-hour long inspirational teachings from Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra, with intermissions that offer tote bags, coffee mugs and, well, expensive inspirational teachings from Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra.  

Christian TV telethons, as most of you know, feature that crazy dude with the scary white-hair that looks like Andy Warhol- preaching about:

(choose your season) Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Tabernacles 

and how it relates to...

(choose your network) God tv/INSP/TBN/Daystar are the ministries to give a love gift to within the next (choose your seasonal completion) 12 hours/3 days/7 days...

So, last week, God tv were doing their latest telethon called Broadcast Alert, live from Jerusalem, and honestly I'm watching it for laughs.  

"Another telethon," I muse. "Break out the white wigs and the money." 

The hosts are printing out prayer requests and donations on the studio laser printers,the suits and accountants are on camera looking awkward, and the money donations are flashing across the screen in red.  

I'm thinking this is good, cheap, fast food for my cynical blogging soul.   

However, one of the hosts, Wendy Alec, starts praying in tongues in the Spirit.  And she's loud, and anyone tuning in might think she was nuts.  It's getting raw, and as she prays it looks like she might fall or pass out or convulse or something. 

And at that moment, my cynicism was drowned out by a gush of belief. 

Wendy was not making a sanitized PBS request to viewers, she was not manipulating the needy faithful to give cash.  She was praying to God for help to keep the network alive, and moving into an atmosphere where strange and glorious miracles can happen. 

More of that, please.  

  

Zoolander Angels

Why is it that in the Bible, Angels are massive, supernatural and mysterious beings with world-enhancing assignments, yet also can be confused for mere human beings who just want to hang out and eat a meal?

One dude I know studies Angels all the time, and dreams up ways that we can attract angels: the more we worship God, we become magnets for them.

Obviously there's a hierarchy of messengers somewhere, between here and Heaven. There's no shortage of Angels in all religions and philosophies (except for Aetheism, of course).  There are angels in Islam, Judaism and Christianity.  There are Deepak Chopra angels (they bring humans good skin care product), Mormon angels, Scientology angels.

Angels can be twelve-miles high or small enough to fit into your laptop case, like sprites.  I've heard of and angelic sightings from a friend who was in an elevator lift, she  claimed one was wearing a tennis outfit and stood about 8 feet tall.  

How come, though, when it comes to filmic representations of Angels, most are seen appearing as Fashion models sporting a perfect 3-day beard growth, and maybe a british accent?

They look more like Derek Zoolander's flat-mates. New category: Zoolander Angels.