"Writers Are The Prophets Of This Generation"

"Writers are the prophets of this generation." These words were spoken to me by a friend who has spent his career in the literary and publishing world. At his words, my soul was pierced and a healing balm of God's Spirit was poured in.

Indeed, the prophets of our day use the art of writing to speak to the world at large and to specific individuals. It is true that writers are the prophets of this generation, but not all writers. Thus it is also true that prophets are the writers of this generation, but not all prophets. But for those prophets, with the gift, the calling, and the opportunity to communicate through writing, one stroke of a pen, one click of a button, one signing of a publishing contract and they are allowed, by the grace of God, and by their obedience, to speak to more people than the prophets of old did during their lifetime. But how do we know today the words that the prophets of old spoke? Their spoken words were written--the people read them--and still read them today. To him who has ears to hear, let him hear. To him who has eyes to see, let him see. The written word by the prophet hits its intended target audience.

Writers are the prophets of this generation. With the words of my friend, I found myself at the culmination of a long season of preparation. I am a writer. By God's grace, my prophetic platform goes beyond a blog. It extends to a larger platform. I am a screenwriter and a film producer.  I am inspired to write that which speaks to the individual, to the nation, to the world through feature films.  I write, then film what has been written-two mediums. A greater audience. 

"You will speak to the masses." These are the words spoken to me by my creator many years go. As I have moved through seasons of life, events, struggles, death of many visions, He has been present to show me, in the secret place of the most high, that place where prophets go to have their flesh annihilated and their will prepared to receive. My life is not my own--I am bought with a price--I speak the will of God in season and out--to those willing to hear and to those who might do me harm. "You will care what no man does to you", said my God.  So, now, this season has arrived and I have penned, clicked and signed- to speak the mind and will of God.

Rocky Top Pictures LLC is the structure from which I am writing and producing several feature films (dramatic films for theatrical release). A feature film that is the definitive film about abortion. A feature film based on the life of Saint Moses the Black. An 1800's period piece showing the spiritual evolution of an outlaw. A feature film about the enduring friendship of an autistic white boy born into wealth and privilege and a black boy from the other side of the tracks.  A feature film about a fallen priest who finds redemption defending a Native American tribe from oppressors. Now it seems, the God of all creativity, is saying to me "Go speak what has been written." And with that, He makes a way. He lights the path. He brings others to aide in the process. Even other prophets to add their words and works. 

Writers are the prophets of this generation. "And He Himself gave some to be prophets...For the Lord does nothing unless He reveals instructions to His servants the prophets."

Lord make me an instrument of your peace and write your words upon my heart.

The Theater Of Heaven

Retire from the earth, and look to the theater that is in heaven. If men should praise you, then afterwards they will blame you, will envy you, will assail your character; or if they do not, yet their praise will not benefit you. It is not so with God. He delights in praising your virtuous deeds. Have you spoken well and obtained applause? What have you gained? If those who applauded you were benefited, changed their minds, became better men, and had desisted from their evil deeds, then you might indeed rejoice, not at the praises bestowed, but at the wonderful change for the better. But if they continue their praises and loud plaudits, but gain no good by what they applaud, you ought rather to grieve, for these things turn to their judgement and condemnation. 

Does no one honor you? You ought to rejoice at it. For God will not lay to your charge, among other things, that you have enjoyed honor... For he who is not honored in the present life, who is despised, and held in no consideration, but is insulted and scorned, gains this at least, if nothing else, that he does not have to answer for being honored by his fellow-servants. And on many other accounts he gains by it. He is brought down and humbled, nor if he would, can he be high-minded, if he takes the more heed to himself...

Let us not seek for honors, but evade them when they are offered; let us cast them from us, let us extinguish that desire... The human glory is empty, and an imitation of glory: it is not true glory. Only beauty which is natural, which is within, is lasting: that which is put on externally, when the threater breaks up, and the masks are taken off, each appears what he really is...

Let no man praise you, for it profits nothing; and if he blames you, it does not harm you... And herein we are made like God, that He needs no glory from men. (St. John Chrysostom, Homily II on Titus I)

Orthodox Boy In Motion Picture

Shooting will wrap this week in LA on the film, Gumball. The poignant, humorous, and moving story of nine-year-old Lawrence Ashby, who hatches a plan to save his parents failing marriage, stars Nathan James Sharp, an Orthodox boy, and the grandson of JTO author, Nathan Lee Lewis. Pray for Nathan, his parents, and all Orthodox Christians who work in the film industry.

Orthodox Boy In His First Motion Picture

Here is an opportunity to support Orthodox Filmmakers and Actors. This young man is from a faithful Orthodox family in the Southern United States. Full disclosure--He is Nathan James Sharp and my grandson! The project is a short film, produced and written by one of my former acting students, Sean Harrison Jones, who came to me at the age of nine. Now working in Hollywood, Sean searched high and low for the right boy to play Lawrence, and chose Nathan. In the film, the idealistic and innocent Lawrence hatches a scheme to reenact the day his parents met as children. His hope is that in doing so, he might save their failing marriage. It is a moving and heartwarming story, that encourages all to look at their own relational issues and how our choices effect those around us.

Through the wonderful internet tool called Indiegogo, which assists Independent Films such as Gumball, you may now easily donate to the project. The budget is a small $12,000. You may give as little or as much as you like and choose what "perk" you want in return. After watching Nathan's video appeal below, go the Indiegogo Link and you can read and see more about it.

God bless you for your support of this Orthodox brother!

Where Are All The Orthodox Film Investors?

I recently ran across a blog article that asked the question, "Where are all the Orthodox filmmakers?" My response to the article was, "We are here!" I then added an alternative question, "Where are all the Orthodox film investors?" After many years as a professional filmmaker and producer, I have settled on this adage, "Filmmaking is not brain surgery, but film producing is harder than brain surgery."

There is no shortage of Orthodox filmmakers, though there would be many more if they had the resources. Many are actively working as good stewards of the gifts God has given them, even amidst well-meaning, but ignorant detractors who believe that filmmaking is inherently evil. Those who have a vision for reaching the non-orthodox world through the medium of film, clamor for projects, such as Moses The Black-The Motion Picture, which I and my partner are currently producing. They clamor and pray and ask questions-all good things, however, the pragmatic thing to do is to pull out their checkbook and financially support such ventures. Filmmaking is not brain surgery. Here is the simple equation:

Filmmakers + Investors = A Produced Film

I am thrilled when I hear someone take on the burden of wishing there were more Orthodox films via Orthodox Filmmakers. I would be even more thrilled if those same people would lead out to rally others to financially support those filmmakers.

Do you want to see the lives of Saint Moses the Black, Saint Mary of Egypt, and others, produced as feature films? Look at us and our project and see how you can be involved:

www.mosestheblack.com