Jimmy: Patriotism, Faith, and Hollywood

 

JIMMY: A Hollywood Icon. An American Hero. A Wonderful Life
Directed by Aaron Burns
Starring KJ Apa

The press release says that Jimmy is "the story of the iconic role that saved America's most-beloved actor," and I guess I need to take issue with that because this film is about Jimmy Stewart...and his role as George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life is certainly the satisfying climax to this part of his tale, but it's only a part of this movie.

Jimmy is actually several movies wrapped into one:

• Hollywood biopic
• WW II movie
• Romantic comedy
• A "the making of" featurette

And let's get one thing perfectly clear, if your only reference for people pretending to be Jimmy Stewart is Dana Carvey in an SNL sketch, you've got an eye-opening experience waiting for you.

Yes, in the first part of Jimmy, you're aware that an actor is portraying James Stewart in this biopic, but when he goes overseas and starts flying a bomber, it feels like a 1940s war picture actually starring Jimmy Stewart.

I admit that It's a Wonderful Life is on my list of five favorite movies and that's a big reason why I immediately bought tickets to Jimmy when I saw the first teaser trailer, but "gosh darn it" (to quote Mr. Stewart), even if you've never heard of Jimmy Stewart before, you're going to be glad you saw this movie.

When the credits ended (and you WILL stay for the credits), I just had to sit there a bit and breathe, being thankful this movie got made and that Jimmy Stewart once graced this planet with his presence.

What Would Wille Do?: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. XIII

 

GOSPELER: Turning Darkness into Light One Conversation at a Time
Willie Robertson

Willie Robertson, of Duck Dynasty, writes about his story of faith, which came about in large part because a stranger went out of his way  —  as well as his comfort zone  —  to have a spiritual conversation with Willie's father, Phil. And from that story, he tells readers how they, too, can talk about Jesus with their family, friends, neighbors, and even people they meet along the way. Willie offers personal stories, practical advice, and scriptures to help you become confident that you can be a Gospeler. If you know Jesus, then someone likely did this for you!

I didn't go looking for this book. I was just walking down the "Religion" aisle at the library and the strange title caught my eye. Then the author's name peaked my interest. It's an easy read with plenty of reasons to recommend it to anyone who feels like they ought to be talking to people about Jesus but: 1. they wouldn't know what to say.  2. they don't want to seem pushy.  3. they're afraid people might ask them something they can't answer.

And just in case it slipped by you there...yes, I recommend reading this book. 5 Stars.

First Line: Before you jump into the first chapter, I want to take a minute to introduce the concept of this book.

Page 56 / Line 5: The message was, "Get back out there!"

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: The reason I'm not shy about sharing Jesus with anyone is because I feel like I have the greatest gift in the world to offer people.

Last Line: Become a Gospeler.

A Fiction More Real Than Not: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. XII

 

GILEAD
Marilynne Robinson

Gilead is a book that deserves to be read slowly, thoughtfully, and repeatedly....I would like to see copies of it dropped onto pews across our country, where it could sit among the Bibles and hymnals and collection envelopes. It would be a good reminder of what it means to lead a noble and moral life  -  and, for that matter, what it means to write a truly great novel. (Anne Patchett, The Village Voice)

My youngest daughter loaned this book to me, saying she thought I would love it. I procrastinated starting it simply because of the unique feature that it has no chapters. Those 247 pages of unbroken text seemed daunting. Add to that the run-on opening sentence (see below) that reminded me of The Sound and the Fury, and I just didn't think I could commit to reading the whole thing. But after a few pages it clicked in: this is an old, dying man writing to a son who will grow up without him, leaving behind a self‑portrait. Add to that the fact that the dying man is a third-generation preacher, and my interest level multiplied…and was rewarded tenfold. I highly recommend this gentle testimony of a life lived in service and self-reflection.

First Line: I told you last night that I might be gone sometime, and you said, Where, and I said, To be with the Good Lord, and you said, Why, and I said, Because I'm old, and you said, I don't think you're old.

Page 56 / Line 5: I don't know what to say except that the worst misfortune isn't only misfortune  -  and even as I write those words, I have that infant Rebecca in my mind, the way she looked while I held her, which I seem to remember, because every single time I have christened a baby I have thought of her again.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: A man can know his father, or his son, and there might still be nothing between them but loyalty and love and mutual incomprehension.

Another Good Line that I Couldn’t Deprive You Of: Much more prayer is called for, clearly, but first I will take a nap.

Last Line: I'll pray, and then I'll sleep.

Meta AI as Cartoonist

 

I took the suggestion of my Facebook feed and allowed Meta AI to use a picture it saw in my phone to create a four-panel comic strip. It wasn't comedic enough to use for Almost the Truth, but cute enough to preserve in this space.

Here's the original picture of SweetCheeks, Me, SkittleKid, and MisterSquishy from last Easter:

And here's the rollicking, fanciful adventure Meta turned us into...

Famous Last Words: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. XI

SEVEN LAST WORDS: An Invitation to a Deeper Friendship with Jesus
James Martin, SJ

New York Times bestselling author James Martin, SJ, offers a vivid and compelling portrait of Jesus based on the Messiah's dramatic last words on the cross. Father Martin shows how deeply Jesus understands our struggles and why we can turn to him completely  -  in mind, heart, and soul. Based on Martin's homilies at New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral on Good Friday 2015, each meditation reflects on one of the seven traditional sayings with the warmth, wisdom, and grace that infuse all of his writings.

For quite a while, I have had in the back of my mind the idea that it would make sense to preach a series of sermons about the seven statements of Jesus from the cross during the seven Sundays of Lent. Then, I saw this book on the library's shelves and inwardly exclaimed, "Bingo!"

Martin takes each phrase (e.g., "I am thirsty," or "It is finished") and uses it to show that Jesus understands us deeply. It's a good framework and serves its stated purpose well. I don't necessarily come down on the same plot of ground as the author in terms of "How much did Jesus know about what was going to happen on Easter?", but I still appreciated the discussion.

I still think the sermon series is a good idea, and I think this book could serve as an excellent resource for it.

Fun Fact...I didn't know until a third of the way through this wasn't the first time I'd read a book by James Martin, SJ.

First Line: When I mentioned to a friend that I had been invited to preach the "Seven Last Words" at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, her reaction was not surprising: "The seven last what?"

Page 56 / Line 5: Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: So when you struggle in the spiritual life, when you wonder where God is, when you pray in doubt and darkness, and even when you are close to despair, you are praying to someone who is fully human and fully divine, to someone who understands you fully.

Last Line: He becomes someone with whom we can enter more deeply into relationship. Which is what Jesus thirsts for.

It All Started With a Mouse: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. X

 

DISNEY'S LAND: Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
Richard Snow

One day in the early 1950s, Walt Disney stood looking over 240 acres of farmland in Anaheim, California, and imagined building a park where people "could live among Mickey Mouse and Snow White in a world still powered by steam and fire for a day or a week or (if the visitor is slightly mad) forever." Despite his wealth and fame, exactly no one wanted Disney to build such a park. Not his brother Roy, who ran the company's finances; not the bankers; and not his wife, Lillian. Amusement parks at that time, such as Coney Island, were a generally despised business, sagging and sordid remnants of bygone days. Disney was told that he would only be heading toward financial ruin.

But Walt persevered.

I had seen multiple quotes from this book posted on Facebook. They interested me enough that I availed myself of the wonder called the Public Library and quickly found a copy to devour. And it was tasty indeed! Because of Snow's personal interest in amusement parks, he took the time to do the research that ended up filling his book with behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes, enough to satisfy the most die-hard fans.

I've long appreciated how Disney imagined great things and then worked hard to turn them into reality, even at the risk of his own personal financial stability. And the world has been blessed beyond measure to drink from the well of his creativity. Say what you will about corporate greed, Disney himself was more motivated by his values and ideals than any desire for profit. This book tells THAT story, too.

First Line: Walt Disney had been prowling about his park for hours looking for something to do.

Page 56 / Line 5: So Dear to My Heart is about a spunky midwestern lad named Jeremiah Kincaid and his mischievous black lamb, who together carry a plot wispy to the point of nonexistence.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: The reaction was unanimous: Disneyland would not work.

Last Line: But I knew what Walt Disney understood and had brought about: that another engine  -  perhaps even a better one  -  was just a stop or two down the line.

Alex Pretti Killers Still Protected Instead of Prosecuted

 

I've been waiting for 7 months to hear any kind of news report about an impending trial or charges being filed in the case of the nationally-broadcast murder of Alex Pretti.

And yesterday evening, KARE 11 News shared this post that left me even more convinced that if we don't keep asking about it, it's never going to happen.

7 MONTHS (!!!) after everybody watched a man get pepper-sprayed, thrown to the ground and subdued by several men, disarmed of his legally carried and holstered firearm, and THEN shot to death . . . and still no legal action against the perpetrators.