We went to the movies this evening, on reflection a rather rare activity for us although we did go to see “Gallipoli” the other night. There is usually not much on that we want to see… not much that doesn’t contain wanton violence, explicit sex scenes and offensive language. What is wrong with film directors that they cannot make something of quality that does not rub your face in the worst of human ugliness, or have you attend in other peoples’ bedrooms, attempting to make voyeurs of us all?

“Gallipoli” was a little different. There were no bedroom scenes, but the war was real and the horrors of war. This was a documentary film, and the new angle that it’s predecessors had excluded was the perspective of the Turkish forces who were strenuously defending their homelands from the Allied invaders. Even so, we did not learn anything new… nothing that we did not already know. I guess we are well read on this small snippet of history. War is simply a terrible thing and the dead turn to dust leaving grieving kin no matter which side they are on. Perhaps the greatest good that came from that tragic campaign is the very strong bond of friendship now existing between Turkey and the ANZACs, based on the deep mutual respect for each other that developed on that far too bloody battlefield.

The movie tonight was a treat, a NZ production based on the true story of a Kiwi called Burt Monroe and his motorbike that originally did 54 mph but with some homegrown improvements it broke the land speed record in 1967 at Bonnerville, Utah. The characters were real, warts and all, but good folks and genuine.

Of course, avoiding the ugliness of life is certainly possible as the audience of Cho-Liang Lin who has to be one of the greatest violinists of all times. Last week he played the Brahms’ violin concerto with the NZ Symphony Orchestra and I was in seventh heaven for days afterwards. This was no ordinary performance. This was a master of sheer genius stature playing like nothing I have ever heard before.

Once upon a time I could take the seemy side of life in my stride, but now I find it increasingly dismays and disturbs me. The more that I seek what is good, what is pure and admirable, noble and true, the more distressing I find the opposite of them. This is not the weak and insipid, leached and bleached stuff of timidity and cowardice, but the fullblooded greatness of a reality that truly matters. It is as though the goodness and excellence that I seek is akin to being in His presence where He captivates and captures, wholly and honestly, with the lure of the most perfect fisherman of them all… Himself. In Him there is no ugliness, no evil.

Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.