I'm reading Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow right now and I'm loving it! She hooks you from the very beginning, quoting a missionary who made a vow not to complain (even about the weather)... powerful stuff.
I had a pretty sucky day - you name it and it all came at me at once today - but in keeping with all that I'm learning from this book, I decided not to list my complaints, but instead list my confessions. When was the last time we actually confessed our sins? Other than Catholics, I don't know many who do this. We might admit to a past sin; now that we're all saved and fire-proofed, we can mention it without pause. But what about the sin we're walking around in right now?
I had quite a list - selfish, disrespectful, impatient, slow to forgive and quick to get angry, unloving - this is the abridged version; the real one is 4+ pages long.
So what's the point? to wallow in some sin and shame and guilt? ABSOLUTELY NOT. It's to remind myself a) of the importance and place that confession has (a discipline God tells us to do for our own benefit), and b) to never believe the lie that I'm "kinda doing ok" with sin - like I can "manage" it somehow without actually having to confess or own up to it. That's the worst. You know who that characterizes in the Bible? The Pharasees. I do not want to look in the mirror and see a Pharasee.
The whole point of confessing is fully owning up to it so that the next step - a crucial one to the process - repentance can be fully embraced. If you never quite admit that you did something wrong, it's hard to fully turn from what you didn't exactly claim to have done. It's a healthy part of the whole spiritual wellness thing if we truly move from confession to repentance and walk fully in the forgiveness that we know we've had since Christ said, "It is finished," over 2000 years ago.
It was done then and it is done now. We are forgiven. Period. Someone once said that living in sorrowful guilt (which is NOT what God intended as part of the process of maturation) is like hanging Jesus back on the cross every time you sin, and then begging for the forgiveness He's already given you. He was crucified once. He was buried once. He is resurrected. He is risen. And if we believe, our old selves are crucified with Christ and it is not us who live, but Christ in us, living and accomplishing His will for our lives.
All that to say, it was a really great exercise: instead of listing my complaints to God, I confessed my many sins and shortcoming before God. He already knew. They're already forgiven. I'm fully accepted. I'm loved unconditionally.
It turned around my sucky day and I feel better and a wee bit more mature in my faith. It moved me from a "I'm mad because the world owes me and things should be better than all this" list to a "I'm grateful that You love me and give freely of Your life and love and grace" list - a vast improvement.
28 February 2011
London
Me: What are you most looking forward to about London?
Grant: Dancing on roof tops with brooms.
Me: ...
Grant: Watching nannies come in and out with the changing wind.
I love my husband so much. He gets me.
Grant: Dancing on roof tops with brooms.
Me: ...
Grant: Watching nannies come in and out with the changing wind.
I love my husband so much. He gets me.
27 February 2011
fun
Grant and I have had so much fun over the past few days.
Thursday we headed to 5 Paces to support a charity event benefitting the Susan G. Komen search for the cure. A few of our friends - Kellan,Rob, and another guy - played and sang everything from Jack and Diane to Rihanna and Bribed. It was immensely entertaining and the singing wasn't bad either.
Friday night we set my friend Coco up with one of my boss's friends, Matt. The six of us went to dinner in the Highlands at Surin of Thailand first around eight. It was really good and the portions were so big we each had a little of everyone else's. Very tasty. Around ten we made our way to Dark Horse Tavern for a few low key drinks only to discover that in the basement they had live rock band karaoke. This was not the game, but a real live rockin' band and when you sing you are the lead singer. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. We. Were. Rockstars. Shannah sang "Welcome to the Jungle," Matt sang "Bohemean Rhapsody," I sang "Anyway You Want It," and Coco sang "Living on a Prayer." All were crowd pleasers. We're trying to immediately set up when we're going back.
Saturday, Coco and I met up with Leen in Piedmont park. We ran into the Altmixes in the dog park where Georgia and Stella got some play time and headed over to Park Tavern for a leisurely late lunch in the sun. Phenom.
Saturday night we went to dinner with Brian and Kendra at Noche in the Highlands. It was really good. They serve tapas, so again we got to taste a little bit of everything and it was mmm mmm good.
This morning we're going to Grace Midtown and after the past few days, I'm seriously questioning why we don't just move yo Midtown. Well, out lease is up in April, so maybe we'll see!
What have you been up to lately?
Thursday we headed to 5 Paces to support a charity event benefitting the Susan G. Komen search for the cure. A few of our friends - Kellan,Rob, and another guy - played and sang everything from Jack and Diane to Rihanna and Bribed. It was immensely entertaining and the singing wasn't bad either.
Friday night we set my friend Coco up with one of my boss's friends, Matt. The six of us went to dinner in the Highlands at Surin of Thailand first around eight. It was really good and the portions were so big we each had a little of everyone else's. Very tasty. Around ten we made our way to Dark Horse Tavern for a few low key drinks only to discover that in the basement they had live rock band karaoke. This was not the game, but a real live rockin' band and when you sing you are the lead singer. To say it was amazing would be an understatement. We. Were. Rockstars. Shannah sang "Welcome to the Jungle," Matt sang "Bohemean Rhapsody," I sang "Anyway You Want It," and Coco sang "Living on a Prayer." All were crowd pleasers. We're trying to immediately set up when we're going back.
Saturday, Coco and I met up with Leen in Piedmont park. We ran into the Altmixes in the dog park where Georgia and Stella got some play time and headed over to Park Tavern for a leisurely late lunch in the sun. Phenom.
Saturday night we went to dinner with Brian and Kendra at Noche in the Highlands. It was really good. They serve tapas, so again we got to taste a little bit of everything and it was mmm mmm good.
This morning we're going to Grace Midtown and after the past few days, I'm seriously questioning why we don't just move yo Midtown. Well, out lease is up in April, so maybe we'll see!
What have you been up to lately?
21 February 2011
Moses and Joshua
We know pretty well the story of God parting the Red Sea to save Moses and the Israelites from impending death as they escape from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 14:13-31).
Some take aways from this miracle:
The story we hear less about is the second time God parts the waters for the salvation of His people Israel (Joshua 3). When God moves Herarely never does the same thing twice; so, even though these two stories are similar, there are striking differences.
What can we learn from this? God is faithful; He will move on our behalf and to His great glory; earlier in our walk He may show up in huge ways that require very little on our part; as we mature and walk deeper into sanctification He may ask more on our part - more faith, more commitment - we may have to get our feet wet before we even see a hint of the miracle to come, but He is able and powerful to move and He will make a way where there was no way before (Psalm 77:19b).
In case you're wondering,
What's His motivation...? I mean, other than the fact that miracles bring glory to His name, why would He move on my behalf?
The answer is simple:
"He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me." (Psalm 18:19)
Some take aways from this miracle:
- It took the faith of one man: Moses
- It took space - the people stood back and watched from a distance
- It took time - "the wind blew all that night" (v. 21)
The story we hear less about is the second time God parts the waters for the salvation of His people Israel (Joshua 3). When God moves He
- This took the faith of the leader, Joshua, the 12 leaders of the 12 tribes and the levitical preists
- This was a much more close encounter: the people had to leave their camp and come to the water's edge and the priests had to get their feet wet (v.14, 8)
- This was immediate - "as soon as the feet of the priests touched the water... [it] backed up a great distance..." (v.15-16)
What can we learn from this? God is faithful; He will move on our behalf and to His great glory; earlier in our walk He may show up in huge ways that require very little on our part; as we mature and walk deeper into sanctification He may ask more on our part - more faith, more commitment - we may have to get our feet wet before we even see a hint of the miracle to come, but He is able and powerful to move and He will make a way where there was no way before (Psalm 77:19b).
In case you're wondering,
What's His motivation...? I mean, other than the fact that miracles bring glory to His name, why would He move on my behalf?
The answer is simple:
"He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me." (Psalm 18:19)
18 February 2011
Speaking of Love
Brandon and Elizabeth are getting married this weekend! Grant's in the wedding and we're headed out of town today at lunch. The place where they're getting married is beautiful and the whole ceremony, reception and weekend should be pretty awesome.
In the words of my infinitely wise (and newly engaged) friend, Megen:
"Weddings are the best!"
Amen.
In the words of my infinitely wise (and newly engaged) friend, Megen:
"Weddings are the best!"
Amen.
17 February 2011
Valentine Repost
Remember this from last year's Valentine's Day?
valentine 2/14/2010
a note from mama today:
-------------------------------------
Way back when, Warne wrote me the following little verse:
If I could make us something else
to be forever more,
I'd make us two forgotten spoons,
left cuddling in a drawer.
Today, I woke up to find this poem from my love:
My Valentine 2/14/2010
When I was 19 years of age
I wrote a poem for you,
A simple statement of my love,
a rhyming line or two;
I hoped we'd be forgotten spoons
left cuddling in a drawer.
Now years have passed and I can say
It's all been so much more.
We've flown, and grown, and lived a life
together, you and me,
that most folks only dream about
but never comes to be.
So here we are, and life is good
and love grows even stronger,
and these two spoons, while not forgotten,
will cuddle much, much longer.
-------------------------------------
my father is a really really good man. i'm thankful, grateful, and proud to have grown up surrounded by their love. what a testimony.
valentine 2/14/2010
a note from mama today:
-------------------------------------
Way back when, Warne wrote me the following little verse:
If I could make us something else
to be forever more,
I'd make us two forgotten spoons,
left cuddling in a drawer.
Today, I woke up to find this poem from my love:
My Valentine 2/14/2010
When I was 19 years of age
I wrote a poem for you,
A simple statement of my love,
a rhyming line or two;
I hoped we'd be forgotten spoons
left cuddling in a drawer.
Now years have passed and I can say
It's all been so much more.
We've flown, and grown, and lived a life
together, you and me,
that most folks only dream about
but never comes to be.
So here we are, and life is good
and love grows even stronger,
and these two spoons, while not forgotten,
will cuddle much, much longer.
-------------------------------------
my father is a really really good man. i'm thankful, grateful, and proud to have grown up surrounded by their love. what a testimony.
16 February 2011
Bonus Round Answers
a) Lovely Rita
b) Martha My Dear
c) Old Brown Shoe
Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day and can really feel the love with all the Beatles lyrics. I know I can!
b) Martha My Dear
c) Old Brown Shoe
Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day and can really feel the love with all the Beatles lyrics. I know I can!
15 February 2011
Beatles Love Song Trivia – Answers!
Here they are!
1. Because
2. All You Need is Love
3. All My Loving
4. And I Love Her
5. Dear Prudence
6. Do You Want to Know a Secret
7. Don’t Let Me Down
8. Eight Days a Week
9. Good Day Sunshine
10. Got to Get You Into My Life
11. Hallelujah! I Love Her [this was originally written by Ray Charles, but is performed by the Beatles on Anthology 1... tricky tricky]
12. Hello Little Girl
13. Here, There, and Everywhere
14. I Saw Her Standing There
15. I Want to Hold Your Hand
16. I Will
17. It Won’t Be Long
18. Like Dreamers Do
19. Love Me Do
20. Real Love
21. She Loves You
22. She’s a Woman
23. Something
24. The Word
25. The End
And here's a helpful article about the songs of the Beatles. Enjoy!
PS: As a replacement for #11, here's a bonus round:
a) When it gets dark I'll tow your heart away
b) Silly girl
Take a good look around you
Take a good look you're bound to see
That you and me
Were meant to be
For each other
Silly girl
c) I may appear to be imperfect
My heart is something you can't reject
I'm changing faster than the weather
If you and me should get together
Who knows baby
You may comfort me
I want that love of yours
To miss that love is something I'd hate
I'll make an early start
I'm making sure that I'm not late
1. Because
2. All You Need is Love
3. All My Loving
4. And I Love Her
5. Dear Prudence
6. Do You Want to Know a Secret
7. Don’t Let Me Down
8. Eight Days a Week
9. Good Day Sunshine
10. Got to Get You Into My Life
11. Hallelujah! I Love Her [this was originally written by Ray Charles, but is performed by the Beatles on Anthology 1... tricky tricky]
12. Hello Little Girl
13. Here, There, and Everywhere
14. I Saw Her Standing There
15. I Want to Hold Your Hand
16. I Will
17. It Won’t Be Long
18. Like Dreamers Do
19. Love Me Do
20. Real Love
21. She Loves You
22. She’s a Woman
23. Something
24. The Word
25. The End
And here's a helpful article about the songs of the Beatles. Enjoy!
PS: As a replacement for #11, here's a bonus round:
a) When it gets dark I'll tow your heart away
b) Silly girl
Take a good look around you
Take a good look you're bound to see
That you and me
Were meant to be
For each other
Silly girl
c) I may appear to be imperfect
My heart is something you can't reject
I'm changing faster than the weather
If you and me should get together
Who knows baby
You may comfort me
I want that love of yours
To miss that love is something I'd hate
I'll make an early start
I'm making sure that I'm not late
14 February 2011
Beatles Love Song Trivia – Valentine’s Day 2011
See if you can guess the titles of these 25 Beatles' Songs. Happy V Day!
1. Love is old
Love is new
Love is old
Love is you
2. Love
Love
Love
3. Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you
Tomorrow I’ll miss you
Remember I’ll always be true
4. A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me.
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
5. The sun is up
The sky is blue
It’s beautiful
And so are you
6. Listen
Do you want to know a secret
Do you promise not to tell
Closer
Let me whisper in your ear
Say the words you long to hear
I’m in love with you!
7. I’m in love for the first time
Don’t you know it’s gonna last
It’s a love that lasts forever
It’s a love that has no past
8. Love you everyday, girl
Always on my mind
One thing I can say, girl
Love you all the time
9. Then we lie
Beneath a shady tree
I love her and she’s loving me
She feels good
She knows she’s looking fine
I’m so proud to know that
She is mine
10. Oh! You were meant to be near me
Oh! And I want you to hear me
Say we’ll be together
Everyday
11. Let me tell you about a girl I know
She’s my baby and I love her so
Every morning when the sun comes up
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
12. I often wonder
What you’re thinking of
I hope it’s me
And love, love, love
13. I want her everywhere
And if she’s beside me I know I need never care
But to know her is to need her
Everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes
And hoping I’m always there
14. Well she looked at me
And I, I could see
That before too long
I’d fall in love with her
She wouldn’t dance with another
When I saw her standing there
15. And when I touch you I feel happy inside
It’s such a feeling that my love
I can’t hide, I can’t hide, I can’t hide
16. Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we’re together
Love you when we’re apart
17. So everyday we’ll be happy I know
I’ll be good like I know I should
You’re coming home
You’re coming home
18. You came just one dream ago
And now I know
That I will love you
19. Love, love me do
You know I love you
I’ll always be true
So please
Love me do
20. From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love
21. She says she loves you
And you know that can’t be bad
Yes, she loves you
22. Only ever has to give me
Love forever and forever
My love don’t give me presents…
23. Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me…
24. It’s so fine
It’s sunshine
It’s the word: Love
25. And in the end the love you take
Is equal to the love you make
1. Love is old
Love is new
Love is old
Love is you
2. Love
Love
Love
3. Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you
Tomorrow I’ll miss you
Remember I’ll always be true
4. A love like ours
Could never die
As long as I
Have you near me.
Bright are the stars that shine
Dark is the sky
I know this love of mine
Will never die
5. The sun is up
The sky is blue
It’s beautiful
And so are you
6. Listen
Do you want to know a secret
Do you promise not to tell
Closer
Let me whisper in your ear
Say the words you long to hear
I’m in love with you!
7. I’m in love for the first time
Don’t you know it’s gonna last
It’s a love that lasts forever
It’s a love that has no past
8. Love you everyday, girl
Always on my mind
One thing I can say, girl
Love you all the time
9. Then we lie
Beneath a shady tree
I love her and she’s loving me
She feels good
She knows she’s looking fine
I’m so proud to know that
She is mine
10. Oh! You were meant to be near me
Oh! And I want you to hear me
Say we’ll be together
Everyday
11. Let me tell you about a girl I know
She’s my baby and I love her so
Every morning when the sun comes up
She brings me coffee in my favorite cup
12. I often wonder
What you’re thinking of
I hope it’s me
And love, love, love
13. I want her everywhere
And if she’s beside me I know I need never care
But to know her is to need her
Everywhere
Knowing that love is to share
Each one believing that love never dies
Watching her eyes
And hoping I’m always there
14. Well she looked at me
And I, I could see
That before too long
I’d fall in love with her
She wouldn’t dance with another
When I saw her standing there
15. And when I touch you I feel happy inside
It’s such a feeling that my love
I can’t hide, I can’t hide, I can’t hide
16. Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we’re together
Love you when we’re apart
17. So everyday we’ll be happy I know
I’ll be good like I know I should
You’re coming home
You’re coming home
18. You came just one dream ago
And now I know
That I will love you
19. Love, love me do
You know I love you
I’ll always be true
So please
Love me do
20. From this moment on I know
Exactly where my life will go
Seems that all I really was doing
Was waiting for love
21. She says she loves you
And you know that can’t be bad
Yes, she loves you
22. Only ever has to give me
Love forever and forever
My love don’t give me presents…
23. Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me…
24. It’s so fine
It’s sunshine
It’s the word: Love
25. And in the end the love you take
Is equal to the love you make
12 February 2011
V'Day Coming Up!
Well, my hunny bunny made me breakfast this morning... awesome. We had eggs and bacon and the wonderful aroma that lingers smells oh so good. He also cleaned up and washed the dishes--quite the catch! I know!
I sent out Valentine's Day cards today. I got excited over selecting and writing the few we sent out, like a little kid in grade school. It was fun!
Thankful for all the love that we are surrounded by, lavished with, given freely, and get to call home. Life is good and God is great.
I sent out Valentine's Day cards today. I got excited over selecting and writing the few we sent out, like a little kid in grade school. It was fun!
Thankful for all the love that we are surrounded by, lavished with, given freely, and get to call home. Life is good and God is great.
11 February 2011
Jeanette Miller
A beautiful pillar of strength and grace passed into the arms of Jesus yesterday. She's survived by her husband Doug, and their two teenage children.
As hard as it is for those of us left behind when a loved one passes, Jeanette is now living in true glory and is praising God face-to-face, not with sadness or regret--only love. Jeanette and I talked and prayed a lot over the issue of peace and rest. Now she has both, thanks be to God.
It's interesting to me, but not at all surprising, that many of the verses God gives us about peace involve also our hearts. I think He knows how much the two are connected and I know that there is an emotional response in our hearts to the peace that comes only from Christ. Here are a few verses I'm praying and using to renew my mind with Truth as I honor and remember Jeanette, seeking out God's peace and searching for His voice to comfort my heart:
Jeanette
Isaiah 57:1-2
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"
2 Timothy 4:5b-8a
... Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you [what a ministry Jeanette had to me, to her family, to each of us who knew her. What a walking example of the Good News that comes in Christ alone]. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give me on the day of His return...
Rest
Hebrews 4:10
For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
Comfort
Isaiah 49: 9b-10
The Lord says..."Come out into freedom!"... They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun will not reach them anymore. For the Lord in His great mercy will lead them; He will lead them beside cool waters [and give them comfort and rest].
Peace
Philippians 4:7
You will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 48:18b (Jeanette heard and listened to the Lord)
... you would have peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.
John 14:27
I {Jesus} am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 16:30
I {Jesus} have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world!
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
May the Lord be with your spirit. And may His grace be with all of you (2Tim 4:22).
We love you, Jeanette. Amen.
As hard as it is for those of us left behind when a loved one passes, Jeanette is now living in true glory and is praising God face-to-face, not with sadness or regret--only love. Jeanette and I talked and prayed a lot over the issue of peace and rest. Now she has both, thanks be to God.
It's interesting to me, but not at all surprising, that many of the verses God gives us about peace involve also our hearts. I think He knows how much the two are connected and I know that there is an emotional response in our hearts to the peace that comes only from Christ. Here are a few verses I'm praying and using to renew my mind with Truth as I honor and remember Jeanette, seeking out God's peace and searching for His voice to comfort my heart:
Jeanette
Isaiah 57:1-2
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!"
2 Timothy 4:5b-8a
... Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you [what a ministry Jeanette had to me, to her family, to each of us who knew her. What a walking example of the Good News that comes in Christ alone]. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give me on the day of His return...
Rest
Hebrews 4:10
For anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.
Comfort
Isaiah 49: 9b-10
The Lord says..."Come out into freedom!"... They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun will not reach them anymore. For the Lord in His great mercy will lead them; He will lead them beside cool waters [and give them comfort and rest].
Peace
Philippians 4:7
You will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 48:18b (Jeanette heard and listened to the Lord)
... you would have peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.
John 14:27
I {Jesus} am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.
John 16:30
I {Jesus} have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world!
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
May the Lord be with your spirit. And may His grace be with all of you (2Tim 4:22).
We love you, Jeanette. Amen.
09 February 2011
The King's Speech
I finally saw this movie yesterday. A+mazing.
Why hadn't I seen this sooner? I'm afraid I can't quite do it justice--it was good beyond words--but I will give you my two cents.
Stellar cast, great plot (based on a true story), and incredible characters. Bertie (short for Albert) is an unlikely hero whose stammer keeps him on the verge of fear and failure both politically and personally. The cause and genesis of his stutter is discovered through a series of unorthodox practices implemented by an eccentric speech pathologist Lionel Loague; the process is as humorous as it is revealing. As you witness Bertie's successes and minor set backs you find him to be, in fact, quite brave. It is this very visible internal struggle--the fear and the courage--that endears him to you.
I must say that the other elements that provide the backdrop and setting for the storyline are unexpectedly poignant: England on the brink of war, the commoners and the royalty, and perhaps most significant, the passing of duty and expectation from father, to son, and finally to brother.
But what kept me fighting back tears most were the actual words themselves in his speech at the end. Uttered so long ago, they still hold the weight that resonates when a leader with integrity, overcoming adversity, speaks on the issues of honesty, loyalty, impending chaos, and the faithfulness of God. As the screen shifts back and forth between the man who had conquered so much of the war inside himself and the people--the soldiers, the mill workers, the newsies on the streets--it is impossible to deny the perplexing and integral courage that both the man and the country are forced to exude in the face of possible defeat and failure. As history shows, both prevail in the end, but the journey is long and the cost is great.
This brilliant story is made all the more rich by a cast who portray the characters with a humble humanness and promising poise. I have rarely been this inspired to be better. I already want to see it again. Two thumbs up!
Why hadn't I seen this sooner? I'm afraid I can't quite do it justice--it was good beyond words--but I will give you my two cents.
Stellar cast, great plot (based on a true story), and incredible characters. Bertie (short for Albert) is an unlikely hero whose stammer keeps him on the verge of fear and failure both politically and personally. The cause and genesis of his stutter is discovered through a series of unorthodox practices implemented by an eccentric speech pathologist Lionel Loague; the process is as humorous as it is revealing. As you witness Bertie's successes and minor set backs you find him to be, in fact, quite brave. It is this very visible internal struggle--the fear and the courage--that endears him to you.
I must say that the other elements that provide the backdrop and setting for the storyline are unexpectedly poignant: England on the brink of war, the commoners and the royalty, and perhaps most significant, the passing of duty and expectation from father, to son, and finally to brother.
But what kept me fighting back tears most were the actual words themselves in his speech at the end. Uttered so long ago, they still hold the weight that resonates when a leader with integrity, overcoming adversity, speaks on the issues of honesty, loyalty, impending chaos, and the faithfulness of God. As the screen shifts back and forth between the man who had conquered so much of the war inside himself and the people--the soldiers, the mill workers, the newsies on the streets--it is impossible to deny the perplexing and integral courage that both the man and the country are forced to exude in the face of possible defeat and failure. As history shows, both prevail in the end, but the journey is long and the cost is great.
This brilliant story is made all the more rich by a cast who portray the characters with a humble humanness and promising poise. I have rarely been this inspired to be better. I already want to see it again. Two thumbs up!
08 February 2011
Steph
Steph Underwood is my hero.
She's pretty great. Those of you who know her probably know how smart and gorgeous and kind and generous she is, but you may not know what a joy she is to be with--just be with. She's incredibly easy to be with. And I've found that this is a rare and beautiful trait.
There are people you enjoy lunching with, or just having coffee and a quick catch up. There are others that you enjoy in a deeper more intimate setting, like a bible study or church. There are some you look forward to seeing weekly--and perhaps others that you'd rather enjoy in smaller doses. There are people you love to travel with or spend weekends with; there are some you want at your parties because they're fun and others you'd prefer for more laid back times because they are ok with being still and allowing the conversation to lull into comfortable silence.
Steph is that rare breed that you want in all of the above mentioned circumstances.
I love her very much and am eternally grateful for her friendship.
She's pretty great. Those of you who know her probably know how smart and gorgeous and kind and generous she is, but you may not know what a joy she is to be with--just be with. She's incredibly easy to be with. And I've found that this is a rare and beautiful trait.
There are people you enjoy lunching with, or just having coffee and a quick catch up. There are others that you enjoy in a deeper more intimate setting, like a bible study or church. There are some you look forward to seeing weekly--and perhaps others that you'd rather enjoy in smaller doses. There are people you love to travel with or spend weekends with; there are some you want at your parties because they're fun and others you'd prefer for more laid back times because they are ok with being still and allowing the conversation to lull into comfortable silence.
Steph is that rare breed that you want in all of the above mentioned circumstances.
I love her very much and am eternally grateful for her friendship.
04 February 2011
Follow up
Everything's GREAT! I can totally see, which is a miracle itself! Mama, Grandmama, Grant, and Georgia have been excellent nurses ;)
Yesterday I got to go to prayer--awesome--and take mama for the first time to meet everyone in the group--including Patti and Marty and Miss Betty and many many others. It was great and she loved it.
Now I'm off to play with Steph and (assuming I don't get snowed in at her house) I'll get to see Nida Sunday and hug her neck! Which is a much needed play date.
LASIK is awesome and everyone should get it! Don't wait a minute longer if you need corrective vision.
Yesterday I got to go to prayer--awesome--and take mama for the first time to meet everyone in the group--including Patti and Marty and Miss Betty and many many others. It was great and she loved it.
Now I'm off to play with Steph and (assuming I don't get snowed in at her house) I'll get to see Nida Sunday and hug her neck! Which is a much needed play date.
LASIK is awesome and everyone should get it! Don't wait a minute longer if you need corrective vision.
02 February 2011
Intralase LASIK
Today I will be given new eyes, Lord willing. I'm pretty pumped. They have this new technology which makes Intralase a "bladeless" procedure. I think the idea is that they use air pressure to separate tissues, rather than having a blade cut through the eye tissues. Whatever. I try not to think about all that too much. It should be quick and painless (15 min per eye!) and I should have 20/20 or better vision TOMORROW! For someone with eyes as bad as mine (-4.00, -4.75) that is good news, my friend.
Click here to see where I'm getting it done and here for an explanation of what it is (it's not gross, I promise; I wouldn't be able to post it if it were). Pretty awesome!!
Mama and Grandmama are coming to play with me for the next few days and then I'm headed to TN/KY to play with Steph!! Can't wait!
More on the results after my 1:00 procedure!!!!!
-L
Click here to see where I'm getting it done and here for an explanation of what it is (it's not gross, I promise; I wouldn't be able to post it if it were). Pretty awesome!!
Mama and Grandmama are coming to play with me for the next few days and then I'm headed to TN/KY to play with Steph!! Can't wait!
More on the results after my 1:00 procedure!!!!!
-L
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