Meet Andrew Voigt: Blogger on Faith, Dreams & Brokenness

Andrew Voigt is a writer currently living in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife Beth and their orange cat, Pumpkin. After spending two years in Los Angeles pursuing a career as an actor, he returned with unmet expectations and broken dreams. Prompted by a close friend, he began writing about his journey - one that is filled with dreams, anxiety, depression, faith, doubt, hope, and the constant struggle with grace. He holds a B.S. in Communication Studies from Liberty University in Virginia and has studied acting at the Film Actors’ Studio of Charlotte.

1. What motivates you to write?

 The desire to share my voice in the marketplace of ideas and thought. I’ve always loved talking about faith, dreams, and the battle with brokenness. Taking that to a public forum where I can share what I’m learning in my own journey is such a joy for me!

2. Could you share a bit about your own experience with depression?

 I was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder called OCD in 2006. I had been struggling with it for most of my life, but didn’t seek the proper help until I was 23. The battle with depression may have been along for the ride during those years, but it definitely made itself more prominent in my life after moving home from LA in 2008. I had failed at my dreams, anxiety was a constant war, and my world was in shambles. Depression has been an off-and-on battle that haunts me, particularly when I put focus on who I am and who I’m becoming.

3. What lessons have you learned from this experience?

 That it’s alright to not always feel good. Feelings don’t determine what is true. Feeling good is a wonderful thing, but that I can still create, dream, and imagine when I’m not feeling at my best.

4. What tips would you share with others to help them become more empathetic?

 Remember that you are broken, as well. Just because your brokenness may look a certain way does not mean that everyone else will have the same experience.

5. What misconceptions do you think we have about depression?

 It is a universal problem. The study of the brain, chemical imbalance, and emotional health has become much more advanced in recent years, yet it has not made its way into the public square in the same way as other diseases. 

6. Your pinned Tweet states: “You are radically loved and your life matters.” Why is that an

important message?

 Because we often internalize our dysfunction, as if it defines our value. It doesn’t define our value. It never did define our value and it never will. Our lives have so much to offer to others and to God. We were created for a purpose; we were breathed into with life to live for something greater than mere existence.

7. What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in your life since coming home to Charlotte in

2009?

 I’ve learned to accept that I don’t have to be a “success” in the eyes of others to be a success in who I become in my character, my art, my relationships, and my dreams for the future. I’ve learned that it’s OK to admit that I’m broken. I’ve learned that it’s worth sharing my story if it encourages others, even if some people don’t understand me.

8. In a recent post you wrote “our feelings don’t determine what is true.” Can you elaborate or

give an example of this?

 We often feel unloved, unwanted, or alone. The truth is, we are all loved, both by God and others. No, we may not always feel loved, but we are loved. The truth is, we’re not alone. There are others who will walk with us and God is closer than we realize. Whether or not I feel that God has abandoned me is irrelevant. God is with me, regardless of how I feel. Other people do care to journey with me, even if I don’t know them yet. I’m not going to be alone forever.

9. How has your understanding of God changed over the years?

 That He’s much more gracious than the angry God I always imagined. That the cost to redeem us was much greater than I’ll ever know. That He is sovereign, even when I can’t understand what He’s doing in my life.

10. Could you name a few writers that you admire? And why you admire them?

Erwin McManus – I’ve admired this guy for a very long time. His passion for the future, for God’s heart, and for human creativity has always resonated with my heart more than any other author.

Brennan Manning - His understanding of grace, the Father’s love for us, and what it means to journey with God have made more of an impact on me than any other author who addresses grace and redemption.

Ravi Zecharias - His understanding of the Scriptures, philosophy, world religions, and science have always been a fascinating blend that challenges me to truly know why I believe what I believe.

11. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

 I still have dreams, hopes, and ideas of who I long to be and who I am becoming, but that I’m learning to be alright with new adventures that I never anticipated. Writing is a passion, but so are many other things in my life. I don’t want to limit myself to one area of life that may just be for a season. We are much more than the jobs we work, the hobbies we enjoy, the people we love, and the dreams that we carry with us.

You can follow Andrew at:

Blog www.andrewvoigt.me

Twitter www.twitter.com/AndrewVoigt

Redefining the American Dream

Recently I've been prodded to think about what the American Dream is.

According to Wikipedia, it's the "opportunity for prosperity and success, upward social mobility for family and children, achieved through hard work..."

The Dream, is supposedly rooted in the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The second paragraph of this document reads: "We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men [people] are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Simple enough.

Of course, as years went by, the American Dream evolved, to include a good education and solid career, obtained without artificial barriers. And more recently a house, plenty of food, high speed Internet, fashionable clothes, a new car, dining out and the latest smart phone. Sara Groves has a great song about this sort of endless yearning for material possessions.

Earlier this year Andrew Soergel wrote in US News & World Report that a large chunk of the US population can no longer afford its own Dream. In fact, Soergel noted that the average family in the US would need an additional $842 a month to achieve it. Soergel cited a Pew Research Center study that tracked the percentage of adults living in the US who were middle, upper middle and highest income levels.

In 1971, 61% of adults in the US were in the middle class. But by 2015 that percentage had shrunk to 50%.

Not surprisingly, during the same time period the percentage of adults living in the US who were considered upper middle class had increased from 10% to 12% and the number living in the highest income bracket had increased from 4% to 9%. This version of the American Dream - wanting ever more stuff - has become unrealistic and unsustainable for most families.

Of course, practically all of the above information pertains only to economic reality.

There is a deeper, spiritual dimension to the American Dream that the writers of the Declaration of Independence were getting at.

What is life? What is liberty? What is happiness?

These are all terms that have a spiritual component.

Jesus (along with other religious leaders) had some interesting things to say about this subject.

Take Matthew 6:19 for instance: "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where months and rust cannot destroy...Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

He's talking about a different kind of treasure, beyond physical accumulation of wealth.

Jesus goes on to say, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Notice he's not saying that having money is bad. Rather, that letting it be your master, in terms of your primary allegiance and motivation, is ill-advised.

Jesus wraps up this particular discussion by saying, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?"

The point, says Jesus, is "Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and God will give you everything you need."

This is a simple but very radical idea. (Based on God knowing what we need, versus what we want.)

And to be perfectly clear, Jesus wasn't talking about ignoring the poor or other victims of injustice, war and politics. Far from it. He had plenty to say about how we should treat these folks.

Jesus was making a clear point: Where is your heart?

To many the American Dream seems to be rooted in financial success and the accumulation of wealth for wealth's sake. Look out for yourself and get caught up in an endless cycle of buying things that show others how much money you have.

Let your wants become your needs and keep chasing after more. And the American Dream can quickly become the American Nightmare.

Jim Wallis has written an excellent book on the subject called Redefining Values. It was published shortly after the Great Recession and was seen as a "clarion call," to get beyond consumption to compassion.

The Advent-Christmas season can be a natural time to pause and reflect and dare to consider what is at the heart of our own version of the American Dream.

And if you should need a witty nudge, here's the link to Sara Grove's song to help you.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Classic Christmas Films

What's your all-time favorite Christmas film?

Here's a few of mine (in no particular order):

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. If you have to be told the plot of this Frank Capra masterpiece, shame on you! It's hard to believe but when IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE was first released, it was a bit of a dud. But, thankfully, it was rediscovered decades later and has maintained an extremely loyal following. Jimmy Stewart won an Oscar for Best Actor. Donna Reed (AKA Mary Hatch) went on to star in her own television series. And I will be eternally grateful to Neal Gabler, who introduced it to me via a PBS telecast on Channel 13-New York City over 35 years ago. As for the plot: a timeless story of an everyday person who discovers that his everyday life is really quite extraordinary.

WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen. It's a simple tale of loyalty between two soldiers from WWII to Broadway. Although most of the tunes are semi-forgettable, Irving Berlin's"White Christmas" remains a classic. And in this case, you can't watch Bing sing it (towards the very beginning of the film) without shedding tears. Another Irving Berlin song, "Count Your Blessings," was nominated for an Oscar.

THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan and Frank Morgan (the Wizard from THE WIZARD OF OZ) head up an all-star ensemble. It's so classic that Nora Ephron borrowed the storyline for her own version, not tied to Christmas (YOU'VE GOT MAIL). The original plot revolves around a department store in Budapest and the clandestine correspondence that turned into a romance between Stewart (Alfred Kralik) and Sullivan (Klara Novak).






A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) Based on the story by Charles Dickens (which was also a strong indictment against the social system in his day), This is the version with Reginald Owen as Ebenezer and Gene Lochart as his long-suffering clerk, Bob Cratchit. Although the list of actors who have played Ebenezer is long and filled with famous thespians (like George C. Scott, Vincent Price, Jim Carrey, Jim Backus and Albert Finney for starters), you'd be hard-pressed to find a more believable turn from bad guy-to-good guy than Owen's portrayal. His Ebenezer's initial mean-spiritedness is so palpable that it shines almost supernatural light on his transformation towards the end of the storyline.

THE BELL'S OF ST MARY'S (1945) Bing Crosby stars as Father O'Malley who tussles with Sister Mary (Ingrid Bergman) over educational philosophy. Father O'Malley is an at-ease sort, Sister Mary is not. Although not technically about Christmas, the film had its premiere in December. The film won an Oscar for Best Picture, and Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman both picked up Oscars (for Best Actor and Best Actress).

THE APARTMENT (1960) There isn't a more
perfect film for those who love to cheer for romantic underdogs. I first saw this Jack Lemmon classic (directed by Billy Wilder) on New Year's Eve in New York City, in a "revival house" theatre showing older films. The Regancy was on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, less than a ten-minute walk from where I was living. Lemmon is a luckless office clerk and Shirley MacLaine is the equally unlucky in love Miss Kubelik. If, for some reason, you've never seen this one, please do yourself a favor and watch it. THE APARTMENT earned Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Writing.

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING (1995) I saw this one in Chicago, where it was filmed, which makes it even more special. A young and eternally upbeat Sandra Bullock heads up the cast, with help a-plenty from Bill Pullman, Jack Warden (a seasoned, cigar-chomping wise-guy), Glynis Johns, and Peter Boyle as the family patriarch. It's a sweet film. Watch for Michael Rispoli doing a great turn as Bullock's wanna-be boyfriend neighbor, Joe Fusco, Jr. (Bullock shoots off a great line about him: "Joe Junior? He's so delusional he thinks he invented aluminum.")

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983). Peter Billingsly is preternaturally amazing as a young midwestern kid obsessed with getting "an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle" for Christmas. Darrin McGavin is equally great as his long-suffering Dad. Based on the incredible short story about growing up in Indiana in the 1940s authored by Jean Shepherd.

(McGavin has one of the best lines in the film, saying of his "major prize" when it's delivered in its crate as he mispronounces 'fragile' "See that? It says fra-jill-lay, It's from Italy!") BTW, Ralphie's Dad is the about the only family member who doesn't tell him that "you'll shoot your eye out!"

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) Who could resist a young Natalie Wood as a pint-sized Santa agnostic? And Maureen O'Hara as her supremely down-to-earth, no-nonsense, no time for romance mom? Not to mention Edmund Gween as the sweetest, kindest, most sincere Santa ever captured on film. Gween was so convincing that he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and the picture picked up an Oscar for Best Story as well.



THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947) starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven. A trifecta of lovable sophisticates. Grant plays Dudley, an angel, sent to help a bishop (David Niven) in response to his prayers. Young plays the bishop's wife. While the bishop thinks Dudley is sent to help him with fundraising for a new building, Dudley's ideas involve helping the poor. The film won an Oscar for Best Sound. In 1996 Penny Marshall directed a version of this film, called THE PREACHER'S WIFE, which starred Denzel Washington.

THE POLAR EXPRESS (2005)  An animated masterpiece based on the famously charming book by Chris Van Allsburg. Featuring the voice of Tom Hanks as the conductor on the Polar Express which takes some refreshingly grateful children on a trip to the North Pole where they discover, first hand, the wonder of Christmas. A magical, fun, absolutely beautiful film. The Polar Express captured an Oscar for Best Song. Although released in 2005, it's timelessness helps it fit nicely into the "classic" category.


If you're interested in a more official rating of Christmas films, here's Indie Wire's list, in order:

THE APARTMENT
BABES IN TOYLAND (1930 version, with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy)
BAD SANTA (2003, with Billy Bob Thornton)
THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY (2013)
A CHRISTMAS STORY
ELF (2003) with Will Ferrell and James Cann

Now, here comes the $68,000 question: What are YOUR favorite Christmas films???! Feel free to share!

Photo Credits: 
Playbuzz.com, ranker.com, George Eastman Museum, Wikipedia, Emmanuel Levy, Did You See That One?, Decider,com, Buzzfeed.com

Advent: Hopeful Yearning

It's Advent.

According to Justin Holcomb writing in Christianity.com this season was not always closely linked with Christmas.

Advent has its roots as a period of 40 days of praying and fasting in anticipation of the baptism of new Christians on the feast of the Epiphany. By the 6th Century Roman Christians tied Advent to the second coming of Christ (when he comes to establish the Kingdom of God.)

But it wasn't until the Middle Ages that the connection between Advent and Christmas was solidly established, setting aside the four Sundays preceding Christmas, looking forward to the birth of Jesus.

Holcomb writes that Advent helps us consider that, in a spiritual sense, we are living in exile in the world, like modern-day refugees. Much like the Old Testament nation of Israel in Egypt waited for a savior to take them out of physical slavery.

The lyrics of one of the well known songs of the season tell the story:

O Come O Come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of Man appear
Rejoice Rejoice
O Israel
To Thee shall come Emmanuel

Holcomb concurs with the original intent of Advent - that it should be a season of fasting and prayer -recognizing the tension of living between the first and second coming of the Messiah.

But Advent is essentially a season of hope.

Holcomb quotes Karl Barth, "Unfulfilled and fulfilled promise are related to each other Faith knows for whom and for what it is waiting."

The hope of Advent, writes Dennis Bratcher,  is that all nature would one day be reconciled with the Creator, through the work of the Messiah.

Both Bratcher and Holcomb appreciate the reality and hope of the Messiah - having been born (on Christmas), being present in the world today, and coming at a future point in time.

Advent then, should be a season to embrace that we are broken people living in a broken world. (Brennan Manning was a master at understanding this dynamic. Agniezka Tennant's profile of Manning in Christianity Today points this out.)

During the remaining weeks of Advent, feel free to use any of the following meditation points to further focus on the season.

. In what ways are you experiencing the tension of living in a broken world?

. What might God be trying to tell you about that tension or brokenness?

. How can you live in a way that brings you and others closer to the Kingdom of God?

. What practical steps can you take today to know God better?

Feel free to share your thoughts by writing a comment.


Photo credit: www.churchreporter.org