Best this month
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Nebraska
Director Alexander Payne is one of the most sensitive and whimsical explorers of the challenges faced by ordinary people. This comedy, shot in black-and-white, is structured around the quest of Woody Grant (Bruce
The King of Little Things
In this fanci- ful children’s picture book by Bil Lepp, we meet the King of Lit-
tle Things, who is perfectly content in his small realm where he feeds the birds, leaves crumbs for the ants and plants flowers for the bees. He rules over buttons, nails, locks, keys, combs and other such things. But another ruler, King Normous, wants power over all the world. When he learns that the King of Little Things is the only ruler he hasn’t conquered, he attacks with his army—but he is surprised by what happens. What are the messages for children? Don’t under-
The Brussats pub- lish the website www. SpiritualityandPractice. com where you can find more information about the items reviewed in this column.
estimate the importance of the little things in your life. Be content with the small and the simple for they are helpful and provide much pleasure (Peachtree Publishers, www.
peachtree-online.com).
Dern, at left), an aging resident of Bill- ings, Mont., who thinks he has won $1 million in a lottery. His son David (Will Forte) picks him up at the police sta- tion after he is found wandering down a highway on his way to get the money in Lincoln, Neb. Feeling sorry for his belea- guered father and needing a break from his own lackluster life, David hits the road with Woody. They make short stops to see Mount Rushmore and to spend some time in Hawthorn, Neb., where Woody grew up. David’s mother and brother join them in this small town. Nebraska is one of the few films you’ll ever see about the commandment to honor
your father and mother. It also deals with the challenges of being a caregiver and the need for elders to come to terms with their legacy as they near the end of their lives (Paramount Vantage, R—some language).
Giving Up god . . . to Find God: Breaking Free of Idolatry
Human beings are very susceptible to idolatry, states Kerry Walters, who teaches philosophy and peace and justice at Gettys- burg (Pa.) College. At one time or another all of us have run across false gods
created out of our anxieties, desires and fantasies. Walters takes a look at 10 of the most common idols. There is the Genie god whom we want to grant us all our wishes. And Big Brother god who demands self-righteous obedience to his will (this concep- tion of the Creator grows out of a fear of freedom). Designer god is advocated by fans of pop culture and fads. Church god is the favorite of believers who love structures and hierarchies. Walters, in the end, affirms the theological ideal of letting God be God. We are here not to box in the Holy One with our dogmas but to acknowledge and honor the mysteries of the Glorious One (Orbis Books,
www.OrbisBooks.com).
42 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
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