Category: Family
Fireproof – the movie – Please *go* see it!
I very rarely make a bold movie recommendation and I don’t think I’ve ever suggested that there’s a movie *every* married couple must see. Until now. Now, I’m not caught up in the afterglow of a tremendous movie or in a bunch of emotional hype that seems to be the order of the day when a person comes out with a guaranteed to change the purpose of your best life now sort of book and I’m not doing a 40 day program with my church and I am not even saying this movie will change your life, your marriage or your future. But I am saying that if couples (married especially, but engaged couples as well) would go see the movie Fireproof, I believe God would most surely use it to open blind eyes and soften hard hearts and change directions, habits, decisions and futures of marriages – any marriage – current or future.
Wes and I went to see Fireproof last night. I’m telling you it was a powerful, God honouring, insightful and inspiring movie. The message was that powerful. And it wasn’t bcz it was a message about something I’m passionate about – though it is – it’s bcz the underlying message of the Good News of Jesus Christ was the central theme woven in the message that marriage is a covenant and no one/no marriage is beyond hope. I would go see it again today. I will buy it and I would, if I could, buy a copy of the movie for every couple I know (couples from engagement beyond golden anniversary). I would, if I could today, buy The Love Dare Journal for every couple I know (see a sample chapter here); No kidding.
The power of the Gospel – the power of God to save, restore, rekindle love, secure commitment to the covenant of marriage, to power of God to work in lives of husbands and wives… to honour, respect, forgive, love and cherish one another… this is the theme of the movie. This is the powerful message Fireproof presents.
Now, I know there are critics mocking this movie and punching gaping hole in whatever flaws they perceive the movie to have. And there are those who, for seared consciences, are mocking the “religious” answers, approach or reaction to life’s trials and temptations – as if to be disappointed that the movie didn’t go the direction most marriages on the brink of divorce go or the direction physical or emotional affairs go. It’s pretty incredible that a movie of the caliber of Fireproof is even playing in mainstream theaters.
I suppose there’s probably some shock disappointment, by those same sarcastic, hollywood plastic faces and movie critics, and they’re probably incensed that the movie contained no nudity, no gratuitous sex, no philandering, no swearing, no omg’s, no crude language, no drinking, no drugs, no gambling, none of their favourite ‘stars’ and nothing to bolster Barak Obama’s standing in the polls.
My prayer is that this will not become just another hyped up, trinkets and trash, mega’church’ gizmo to attract masses – 40 days of whatever and the marvelous intrinsic value, message and intent is lost to much making of merchandise. (Ezekiel 26.12 & 2Peter 2.2-3)
♥ Go see it!!
life’s monuments
I woke up this morning with the sun beginning to paint the sky and I thought back to yesterday morning…
My first thought was: I did it! I did something I had been wanting to do – something I had planned to do ten years ago – but ten years ago I had a new baby, I had a new daughter in law and lots of other things going on. But I still had this goal – this “thing to do!” in my life. Now, for many, this wasn’t that momentous a goal – it wasn’t something of a ‘big deal’ to them and, over the years, some have laughed when I shared this goal of mine. I don’t know if it was bcz they saw me a I am now? Or as they think I am now or what? I don’t know. They didn’t know me when I was younger… didn’t know I loved to tap dance, I loved trampoline and tennis and swimming, I was cheerleader, I taught preschool, I was a cook… and on and on. So, lots of my life in the last thirty years has been defined, in large measure, by what I used to be.
It’s that way now. Now, I sit with women who are pregnant or have new babies and I join in their conversations…and their sentences begin, and are punctuated with, “I am…” — but mine begin and are punctuated with, “I used to…”
I used to do a lot of things and so, I guess that’s why I have been taking a hard look at my “bucket list” over the last few years. Instead of a new list — a list of stuff I hope to accomplish before I die, I’ve sort of been considering all the stuff I’ve done and then have been thinking: well, okay… so all that happened; what do I want to be sure and do, see or say in my lifetime. Well, one of those things was this goal… this goal to climb Mt. Pilchuck. I know I’m not talking about a big deal for many – but for me it was a big deal – a big deal bcz I didn’t even know what it actually entailed, it just looked hard. I look out my livingroom window and see this mountain – and from here, seeing that 5324′ peak has been such an amazing site – and I have often thought: I’m going to climb up there.
Well… I did it! And now, as I look out this morning, I see that peak and say: Thank you, Lord, I did it!
look ma, no hands!!
from the look out tower at the summit – 5324′ :o)
on our way back down the mountain
Here’s a photo of Mt. Pilchuck from a distance.
money – money – money – money
Everywhere – it’s everywhere. Talk, talk, talk… the economy, jobs, bailouts, recession, buyouts, loans, failures, credit, money, money, money. My husband’s in the swimmingpool business. In the Pacific Northwest. We know about the downturn. Got the memo this past summer – it wasn’t really a banner year. But you know… this country’s been in a free fall for years – we just had enough plastic to cushion the fall — or so it seemed. The free fall has been happening and it seems America was just at the beach admiring the view, sitting under broad-brimmed hats, wearing rose coloured shades and sipping lemonade…
I was browsing the news a little bit ago and saw the reports on Washington Mutual... and then, this one . It’s a familiar name and sensitive topic around our family — our son has worked for WaMu in Seattle for several years – has had a good job with them. I wonder what he’s thinking right about now. We had a delightful birthday dinner with extended family the other night and one of our cousins (also employed by WaMu) was talking over the media hype that’s led to the current debacle. Now, I know he was quick to say that all the bad paper was also a factor – but he believed that the bad press had led to unprecedented stock spiral and demise of the bank.
As much as I’m sort of dreading the impending financial loss and chaos in this country, I sure pray the “powers that be” or the USgovernment takes a long hard look at plunging the country in a deeper quagmire of unending debt by pretending there’s more money to use. So all the news… and I didn’t even mention his name or his or hers.
My-o-my, these are sure interesting days! I know my thinking is greatly influenced by the precious Word – as we’ve been reading through Daniel, Hosea and now, Joel. Because of the reliability of the Word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit and faith in God, in the midst of all this “uncertainty” and failure, I have hope in the Lord. These days have been prophesied and just like the debt that’s increased and lingered seemingly without consequence, so also has sin been increasing and abounding more and more – seemingly without consequence. But God will not be mocked and sin cannot go unchecked. Men and women who have rejected God and mocked His Word may now, in times of great uncertainty, be led to fall before the Living God. These times are in the Hand of the Lord. I marvel, I truly marvel and cannot believe we’re living in this nation at this time in history — that we’re alive in this time in history – His-story!! O, that Christians would unite in prayer for this nation to turn to the Lord, to turn their hearts to the Lord.
No Greater Joy
I suppose I’m still in my travels down the melancholy memory lane. I don’t know if the Autumn season has brought all this on or not — I don’t know if the realization of my own life-season of autumn has brought all this on. Whatever the case, I’m still strolling among falling leaves.
To God be the glory… Great things He has done.
Wes baptized Samuel and three more of our children on the first of this month. I truly know no greater joy than that our children walk in Truth — and no greater sorrow when they do not. I know lots of parents have high aspirations for their children — they want their children do do more, know more, be more than they are/were and they have lofty goals for their children’s future – their future accomplishments, fame and fortune. And… I suppose I have a measure of hope and desire for each of our children – but I suppose that, in reality, I only truly hope one thing for them and will trust the Lord to finish His work — and that is that my children know and walk with the Lord. Whatever else they know, whatever else they do will only be of any lasting value if it’s in the will of the Lord.
My husband’s birthday was yesterday and of all the gifts he could have wished, he was thankful for his children and so grateful to God for those who walk in Truth. We sat for a long time in Starbucks yesterday morning… reminiscing, thinking, thanking, planning. We had to leave long before our reminiscing finished.
My father’s birthday would have been today… I’m remembering a lot of things today. One year ago today, my husband had a heart attack. I never loved him so much as that day. I love him more today. If there are no tomorrows, I’m sure glad for today.
Just another day in paradise
Joey is the only one of our children who regularly carries the roosters around and always has a good time with them. He's the one that has the responsibility of looking after the chickens each day and he really takes good care of them. Andrew had a different and exciting experience with them today.
Taking a stand.
I am posting this (below) directly from a Worldnet Daily Article – you can read the rest there. I am, and — you should — if at all possible, take a stand. I don’t very often make the bold statement to boycott things/companies — companies like McDonald’s who, for example, for personal – anti family – gain, exploit families through their seeming “family friendly” restaurants, cheap meals and trinkets that trap parents and children and entice them to buy into or even to simply accept behaviours, movies, entertainment, clothing, toys and other consumer goods that are absolutely contrary to moral or godly living.
I don’t watch many theater movies and I don’t usually care much about what’s going on in the world of movies or Hollywood or all that jazz — and know I am probably pushing the envelope here — by simply bringing all this up today — but as a mother of girls of many ages and as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, the “mainstream” presentation of two movies “that feature pedophilia” is totally over the top and is an egregious, reprehensible outrage. The innocence and purity of little girls — the obligation of society to guard the young — the sensibilities and morality of our society is at stake here. Our sick, sick societal norms are plummeting to new depths with these —mainstream— movies. I am not ignorant to the existence of the multi-billion dollar pornography mill and am not shocked or surprised that this sort of vile garbage exists.
Hate, Not Love, Tolerates Evil
By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
The founder of Movieguide, a top film-rating organization in Hollywood, is joining a growing call for a boycott of two new movies that feature pedophilia, warning of the dangers that come with themes involving sex with children.
“These despicable movies promote pedophilia, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” said Ted Baehr, who’s well known for his Christian Film & Television Commission work. “There should be a massive public outcry against them. The inclusion of children in sexually explicit films is inappropriate. There also is no excuse for the authorities to allow such material to be shown publicly.”
Baehr cited “Hounddog,” a movie featuring a scene portraying the rape of actress Dakota Fanning, filmed when she was 12, and “Towelhead,” which features 18-year-old actress Summer Bishil playing a 13-year-old Arab-American girl who portrays a “sexual obsession,” experiences “grooming” and other scenes.
“We’ve got to have communities rescue these children. Where’s the sense of shame, outrage, the sense of saying, ‘We’re not going to let this happen,” Baehr told WND. “We cannot do this anymore.”
“The thing we need to do is avoid it,” he said. “These people need to be stopped.”
Baehr is joined in the boycott call by a pro-family organization in North Carolina, the state where much of the “Hounddog” movie featuring Fanning’s “rape” was filmed.
Under the headline “Child Pornography is Going Mainstream,” on the website of the Concerned Women for America, Donna Miller, a chapter leader in the Fayetteville, N.C., area and director of the No More Child Porn Campaign, also said those who are concerned by the film’s representation by Fanning of “a 9-year-old that is raped by a man in his late teens, after he tricks her into dancing naked,” should protest to authorities.
THE ENTIRE WND article HERE
Have I done a-n-y-thing… really?
Have you ever asked that question? Have you ever been in a valley and wondered what in the world you’ve accomplished in life – or if the things you’ve done have any lasting value?
As I was praying and going to sleep the other night, I asked the LORD about the value of time and accomplishments to this point in my life. I wondered: have I done anything — really?
Well, interestingly enough — and I don’t consider it a fluke by any means — my busy-as-a-bee, Hannah, was ordering up our storage closet in the attic and she came across many ‘treasures’ and, yes, other things, too. Among the ‘treasures’ she set out in the hallway for me to look through were several boxes of photographs, letters, cards, artwork, journals and an old Bible. Contained in the boxes were answers to my ponderings.
Some of those boxes hadn’t been opened in ten years. As Naomi tried on my wedding dress and as beautiful Kathryn tried on my veil, I marveled that I began making that dress 31 years ago and, thus, sort of began my journey to home & family at that time, too. I marveled that the little dress holds such fascination each time a little girl of mine sees it and then I know the next question will be if it can be tried on and have a picture taken. My bridal bouquet – though not properly dried, still looks sweet to me.
In those boxes were piles of childrens’ papers, photos of hundreds of days gone by, awards, a plaster of paris handprint mold of a hand of a three year old — that two year old is now twenty-nine and has children of his own. In those boxes were letters and cards commemorating birthdays, mother’s days, births of children, gifts given and many more “accomplishments.” There were childrens’ clothes and little gifts I couldn’t part with.
In the photos I saw my younger self… at the beach with different children… at home celebrating different milestones, birthdays, newborn’s and children at play. There were photos of funny faces and skinned noses and knees… photos of parents the age I am now. I looked carefully at the background of some of the photos: the homes we’ve lived in and the decorations – both familiar and forgotten. I smiled at the messes in some and marveled at the order in many. I miss some of the furnishings, blankets and flowers I see in the photos. I realized I had made up the charts and schedules I saw on walls in the photos, and I sewed most of the dresses on the little girls and many of the curtains, valances, aprons, tablecloths and placemats… I nursed and diapered and bathed the babies, watered the plants, arranged and rearranged the furniture, decorated the cakes and pushed the swings I saw in the photos.
I read journal accounts and prayers for the children I saw in the photographs and could almost hear their little voices as I sat in the hallway yesterday looking at all the memories I held in my lap. Hundreds of photos sparked many more memories. They’ve stayed with me through the night and into this day…
I wondered how all that could have been accomplished in such a short time — for it really doesn’t seem possible that this much time has passed already. But it has passed and it has passed so quickly. In just a very short time, life’s been going by.
I came across a little bag in a plastic bag. On the bag was written: “John & Laurie’s wedding (and in all caps) SAVE (underlined).” Curious, I opened the little bag and found a couple of imprinted napkins: John and Laurie – June 30, 1990; also in the bag was a (used) plate and fork from the wedding cake; a receipt from the Tux Shop; the little box the tuxedo shirt cuff-links came in, and there were several little gold rings that were tied in the teal ribbon around the tulle sachets of birdseed — I know this bcz one of the circles of tulle was still completely intact with the birdseed and little gold rings and another wasn’t. That boy was so sentimental – he saved everything. And yesterday, I was so glad I had saved some of his “everything” when he moved away from home when he got married ten years ago.
Well, that precious couple… the John and Laurie whose wedding memories I held in my hands yesterday… have remained such a blessing to me, in June I had the unbelievable privilege of assisting John helping Laurie in the birth of their 6th child (the midwife didn’t arrive until quite awhile after the birth). That’s a story for another day — I realize I haven’t written about that marvelous event (and so many more things).
Anyway, to close for today and leave some for tomorrow… I guess the LORD answered my question — and it sure was in a gentle way.
It takes a mama…
I don’t get out much… some, but not much. And, for the most part, I like it that way. O, don’t get me wrong: I love to go places, I love to do things and I love to see new things. But I love being home. When I do go out… I sure see why it’s important for me to be here… at home, keeping the home and caring for each one and each thing here.
I love keeping our home and I love home-work. I love making sure that home’s home. O, I know that anyone can clean houses, make food, clean it up and make more food and clean that up, too and do it over and over and over again. I know that anyone can put stuff in the washer, move it from there to the dryer, put more stuff in the washer and do the same thing over and over and over again. I know that anyone can supervise the existence of children in a home and maybe even teach them things, too. I know that anyone can tidy up, dust, vacuum, sweep, wipe, mop, and turn lights on or off in a home. I know that anyone can bar a door from intruders and anyone can uphold a schedule and order.
But it takes a mama to make a home home. It takes a mama to care for the things of a home. It takes a mama to care for the apparel and appearance of the children and husband in her home and it takes a mama to care for the quality of the food and the presentation of the meals and the appearance of the table and the conversation that happens there. It so matters what goes on them,what goes in them and what goes on around them.
It takes a mama to remember the nuances of life… the candlelight and the music of life — to share the yesteryears and stories of generations gone before. It takes a mama to remember the preferences and particular idiosyncrasies that make up each child’s unique personalities and to really care how those children feel and how their character is shaped. It takes a mama to genuinely attend to a nursling, a baby, a toddling child, a maturing son or daughter and all the needs each age and each season brings — it takes a mama to anticipate what the changes will be and what they’ll necessarily require. It takes a mama to care about a rash, a fever, a first step, a composition, a heartache, dental appointment, a physical exam, pictures on the fridge, a skinned knee, an awkward incident, a disappointment, an accomplishment…
It takes a mama to set the tone, the order, the routines, guide the activities and make the sweet memories of the home. It takes a mama to demonstrate God’s precious and specific order for one of the halves of His creation. It takes a mama to show what the Word says… to demonstrate the living Word of God in word and in deed. It takes a mama to hear the heart of her children — and to care what’s going on in each heart. It takes a mama to teach a child to pray… and to listen to the LORD. It takes a mama to do all that matters (and a mama knows it all matters… a lot).
It takes a mama to make a home sweet and it takes a mama to give a home a heart and it takes a mama to make a home a wonderful place to remember and a dear place to long for. It takes a mama to be a real sweetheart for her husband and the first sweetheart of each of her children. It takes a mama to make a home a journey, a launch-pad, a destination and a desire.
When mama’s not home… the home has no heart ♥ and there’s really no-one to look well to the ways thereof. God’s clear design is marred and distorted when mothers lose sight of, or disregard, the inestimable value of motherhood… when women choose lesser things.
H♥me. It takes a mother’s kiss to make some things all better. It so matters when mother’s there. And it so matters when she’s not.
Another first day of school
I woke up this morning with eager anticipation for the day: our 21st “first day of homeschool.” In the early days of homeschooling, I would not have even guessed where we would be today — in terms of both where we’ve been or how many children have been taught at the table. I could not have asked or imagined the blessings that have come through the years. Additionally, I most certainly didn’t know enough to know that there would be days of anguish or exasperation — near despair over what I don’t know and couldn’t communicate. But I also didn’t know enough to know that there would also be days of immeasurable satisfaction and that the accomplishments over the years would bring such great joy. I suppose, I didn’t know the LORD enough to know that He would be my strength and my song — my ever present help in trouble or in time of need.
As always, we seek to train up the children in the way — in the way they should go — in the fear and admonition of the LORD. My goal/our goal is for the children to be taught of the LORD at His pace – in peace – in His time. As a homeschooling mother, I’ve been learning that the greatest achievement will not be what I do, say or model, but what the LORD does in and through each of the children based on how and what they learn and how they apply their studies. So then, I’m profoundly aware each day of the awesome task before me – I’m mindful that they will be influenced for good or evil, to be industrious or slothful in work, attentive or ignorant in learning, obedient or disobedient in behaviour, careful or careless in presentation, eager or apathetic concerning the things of God, studies or prayer or a myriad of other things. If my work is half-hearted, if I murmur or if my example is poor, then the resulting teaching will be unfruitful and will bring them a snare.
… a child left to himself bring his mother to shame.” —proverbs 29.15
what a powerful proverb. But what joy a mother has whose children walk with the LORD.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” –3John 1.4
Truly, I am beginning to grasp the tremendous truth and blessing of faithful children. I know no greater joy than this… and so, today as we embark on another year of homeschooling, I’m desiring this above all things — that the children will walk in Truth — that they will know Him.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children;” –Psalms 103.17
I pray to teach them to love to work, to love to read, help, learn and then I pray to see frequent use of education through application and teaching of others by example. Above all, I pray each one of our children will be found faithful. I pray they will have good understanding and rich insight and that the LORD will make them wise.
I pray to be found faithful to the unparalled calling of motherhood and I pray to demonstrate this in joy to each one of our children. How grateful I am to know that I am not alone in this great calling — in this great charge. King Lemuel’s mother (or Soloman’s mother) taught him well — and, my-o-my, what an example we’ve been given in theProverbs 31 passage of Scripture.
And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. –2Timothy 3.15