A Pastor in The Northwest

There is an odd movie that I love that came out in 2007.  In fact, I still think about it often.  The movie is Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium, and it stars some pretty great actors, including Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, and Jason Bateman (one of my favorites!).   There's a line that captured my heart and imagination from the first time I heard Dustin Hoffman's character say it.  Here's the quote: "Your life is an occasion.  Rise to it!" Oh man.  Our lives have a moment in time - a space on the main stage.  We can rise to that moment!   It makes me think of Queen Esther (Hadassah) in the Hebrew Scriptures.  Her uncle challenges her to use her position and status to save her people, the Jewish exiles in Babylon.  She had a choice, so, here's the big moment: 13 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king's palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep sil...