'At Odds'

I found myself trekking to UCLA a few weeks prior, traversing Bruinwalk's evening-signified serenity, clambering up Janns steps as the molten sun submerged lazily into the horizon behind me, promenading North Campus to be dazzled by its majestic Romanesque architecture and manicured vistas, and pitter pattering into one of iconic Royce's multifarious rooms as if 'twas time for class and I was, oh my, tardy yet again. Except I had flung my cap up in graduated glee a near two years ago (Jeepers!), and Royce, on that particular night, was home not to a sonorific lecture, but to the a-buzzing quarterly EthnoCommunications screening,an evening showcasing student films of the documentary variety. Though all the shorts, centered on subjects oft neglected by mainstream media, were products of passion and labor, one imprinted upon me a lasting impression. 'Twas dubbed 'At Odds,' the irrefutably raw and heart-gripping story of Paul De Partee, a Christian who struggled with homosexuality.Perhaps 'twas the culturally controversial subject. Maybe 'twas the pristine editing and all the technical schmance that goes into crafting a film. But I believe 'twas the potently vulnerable and earnestly unfeigned story that stirred my heartstrings most. A tale that testifies to God's amazingly gracious and merciful work in a believer's life that showed me that he who seeks, shall find because our God is so incredibly real, worthy, true, and overwhelmingly loving.

"If someone who's not a Christian just writes the whole thing off as being, you know, fake, or as, oh, there's another poor Christian who's just having to deny themselves for their faith, it doesn't bother me, because I understand it. But that's why...in order to fully experience what's happened to me, you have to experience my God. It's an unavoidable aspect of my story. And I'm not ashamed of that at all." - Paul De Partee

But take not my word for it. Please, I implore you, take a measely 7 minutes to watch 'At Odds' and hear Paul De Partee's story for yourself:

I am so amazed at this testimony. Even after having watched it multiple times, I am still moved to tears. God is so gracious, and I am so thankful for the outlet he used to exhibit nuances of His glory - a short film, a creative masterpiece that holds an even more special nook in my heart for 'twas wholly developed, created, directed, and produced by one of my most dearest friends, Shaina.
Shaina had been toiling on this project for many moons through this EthnoCommunications class she took at UCLA. I've witnessed her growth, struggle, and increasing reliance on God since the film's inception, which has become, since then, a millionthfold more than a mere class project. God really has been so gracious as He used the film to challenge her creatively, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Her endeavor to serve God in this way (where she would sacrifice events and hangouts) to make Him known materialized into an astonishing testimony of His palpable veracity and loving-kindness. The fan club is so thankful to the Lord and so very proud of our dear friend and her very first film.If ever you've an inkling of an inquiry or an itch to discuss the subject matter and how God fits into it all, please feel free to let me know. Shaina would also love to discuss anythang related to her film and/or God as well, so take a gander at her post on her film and subsequently contact her there.