Monday, April 21, 2008

Movies, Baseball, The Beach & and Outrage!


This is going to be the most randomest of posts to date.
And yes, I DO know that is NOT a real word. But, that's never bothered me before!

Lots going on inside my head and heart. Not postworthy yet, and if it were, I wouldn't be able to post it right now. The men of my household are taking much of my time...particularly my hubby! :)
Braves
I recently was commenting over at Thoughts From My Head, that growing up, I knew nothing about most sports, except that only nerds watched them on TV. Or so I thought. Then I met my hubby. It took much time, and much maturity (ha!), but by 1991 I was an AVID Braves fan. Since we live about 6 hours away from their home games, this required us to watch them TV!
Now, 'lo these many years later, I am also an avid NFL fan and I enjoy watching golf (some players more than others) with my hubby. I know. Many of you out there are like "do these people ever mow their lawn? Clean their house?" I promise we manage to do our chores, and have real life conversations...during commericals...kidding!
Anywho, all that was background to say Go Braves! They have just finished winning 4 games in a row. They swept the LA Dodgers (finished up that 3 game set yesterday). I just love this team! Love Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, Tom Galvine, Chipper Jones! Woot!
Movies
During the past few days, we saw two movies which I really enjoyed. I thought they were worth mentioning.
"An Unfinished Life" - this movie was a great movie that really spoke to the ability we have, even late in life, to change old patterns, break the mold and start anew in our lives. It was a great illustration of forgiveness. It stars Morgan Freeman (who I always enjoy) Robert Redford (he really shines in this role, though I am not particularly a fan of his), and Jennifer Lopez.
And
"The Shootist"! We just love John Wayne movies. The Shootist is his last movie. If you ever have enjoyed him, and haven't seen this movie, I really encourage you to rent it. Jimmy Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Henry Morgan, Richard Boone, and Ron Howard! What a cast!
The Beach
Today is the first day of our Spring Break. We went to the beach sans child, as he was entertaining friends and one of them doesn't like the beach (odd, I know, but he's a real sweet kid). It was absolutley a beautiful day! Yup! Hubby grabbed the chairs and bottled water (with his one good arm!) and asked me to simply bring our books, and the camera, and his binoculars. I did. Once we settled in at the beach, after a while he decided to take some pictures, he goes to the truck, comes back and laughing, he kisses me, "I love you!" he says through much laughter.
Suspiciously, I noted there was no camera in his hand "Where's the camera?" I asked.
"You brought the wrong one!" (the 35 mm w/out film)
I surrender! I am a ditz! :) I admit it!
And last, but not least by far.
Outrage!
Yesterday evening my youngest was telling me he saw a young person we both know, (actually it is an extended family member, known for their desire to "party" through life). He said they were "all excited because it was 4 20."
"4 20? What on earth is that?" I wondered.
"4 20 - the National Marijuana Day", says my 15 year old.
I can't explain how angry and frustrated this made me. Some of the reasons why (if you care)First - it bothered me, because come on, a National Day for marijuana? Puh-Leez! How about National Balance your Check Book day ? How about National Work in a Soup Kitchen day. How about National Teach a Young Person how to do ANYTHING (let them pick)!
Second - It worried me for this young person, who I love, their parents love, etc.
Thirdly - This will sound weird, but, hopefully you will know my heart. Our church celebrated their 23 anniversary yesterday. We always have a big picnic at a local park. It bothered the stew out of me, to consider that while we were having fun (not that it's wrong, Rather - its good to celebrate the great thing the Lord has done), part of our community was doing the best they could to desensitize themselves to what was going on around them. It just seemed like a horrible paradox. Life, abundant life, in one corner of the county, and death, rampant, slow death in another corner of the county.
Fourthly - (Yes, I know this is a long list, but, I'm done after this! Thanks for sticking with me!) How out of touch can a person be? How did I not know this existed?
Seriously, it just was a wake up call to me. It reminded me, that we have a great life. Not without challenges, but, a great life just the same, (and what would life be without its challenges? That's what makes the sweetness ultimately!). But while we are living our lives, there is a whole large honking part of the world that is lost, hurting, confused. ignored and deceived. Can I change that? No, I guess not, though that still bugs me! But, prayer matters. And living every day doing MY part to make sure my God given portion is done, through His grace and strength, and looking for every opportunity to show love, live honorably, extend grace, maybe somehow that sum total will make a difference one day.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
and prudent and shrewd in their own sight!
Woe to those who are mighty heroes at drinking wine
and men of strength in mixing alcoholic drinks!"
Isaiah 5:20-22 (Amplified Bible)

11 comments:

Denise said...

Go braves!! They were my dear mommas favorite team. I love them!!

luvmy4sons said...

I always love your rambling thoughts! So much there, but I am with you on the 4-20 thing! Good grief!

Ally said...

Hey there dearest!

It´s so good to have a few mins to drop by and visit you! I have been missing our chats! Just so you know I am still plodding through the book ... It´s very challenging and not the kind of thing you want to whizz through if you know what I mean. I spend a lot of time thinking, praying and underlining!!! I loved this post and I so identify with your wandering thoughts... I am the same. I am also a great ditz too and forget things... Yes the wake up cool about the 4-20 thing... I will be gone again for a few days, but I have done a few posts so come on by for a visit and find out what I have been up to!

She Rose Up said...

Ya'll! - The Braves won last night! Before I could actually get the post up they had a homerun and it was 4-0!

Denise - It is hoped that this will be a very good year for them! God bless!

Leslie - It's good that you don't mind my rambling! Seems that I ramble much lately! :) Yes, the whole 4 20 thing...phew...prayer.

Ally - Hi, Sweetie! I haven't been around as much just lately...I have missed you, too! So glad that the book is seeming to be worth the effort. I too have spent much time in prayer...like breathing...I am surviving on it! Ditz? Cool Ditzie girls LOVE company! :) I got much teasing about that camera, let me tell you!
I will be over to catch up with you! God bless you!

May God surprise you each today with His good plans and purposes in your life. and in your families!

xoxo,
Maria

Sharon Brumfield said...

Wish I could "go there" with you on the sports thing. I guess I could probably get into it--but I have never really tried.
Keith is not into it so much any more unless it is LSU.
The verse at the bottom of your post with wrong being right and right being wrong----I was just thinking about that yesterday.All the warped thinking going on in our world today. Even among Christians.

I took a look last night at one of the classes Oprah was teaching.
So many are being led astray. Christians on line talking about how this changed their lives. Not God, not the Bible--this book.
I will be doing a post on this soon. Like you said their are some things going on in your head that are not ready to be put out there yet.
I would love to say--What is happening to our world--but I know.

Unknown said...

I love baseball too. Go, Cubs Go. And my husband and one of my brothers are Braves fans. So I watch the games a lot and know all the players. Good stuff. Now, I want to go eat a hot dog. Yummy.

I saw the marijuana thing on Fox News and I thought, "Wow, that's the dumbest thing I've ever seen." And then I remembered a few other dumber things. But land sakes--that is dumb.

John and I just did a marathon of Lord of Ring Movies. I loved all the insights JRRTolkien had to Christ's time on earth.

Knit-Wit said...

Dang! I missed the whole Marajuana Day thing! I love a reason to celebrate - Just Kidding!

Maybe we should start our own day and see if we can get on national TV. Really... who comes up with these things anyway and what makes them newsworthy? Is Hallmark running out of card ideas or what?

Glad your hubby was up to a day at the beach. I'm sure he'll be happy to get rid of that cast.

Masked Rabbit said...

Ah sports. I was not a sports girl either. My hubs loves football (soccer), golf and rugby so I have learned to enjoy two of the three (soccer still lacks appeal - as I sit here, hubs is in the other room watching a match with his friend, yelling at the tv - as if the referee can hear them!!)

Yes, rambling thought, I have those often but its lovely to see yours written down. I'm like you, staggered that there is a national day to celebrate something that is known to affect the brain and cause all sorts of problems and psychosis.
Unreal!!

Poopsie said...

Thank you for the nod my way. :) I will keep trying but after 19 years, I do not know if I want to become a fan. :)
PS:
I am tagging for the 6 word memoir. I do not recall seeing one here. :)

Unknown said...

I'll have to come back by and read your post Maria. I am trying to catch up on some blogs that I have neglected over the past few days. Things here have settled down a bit, and I want to thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement over the past week! You are a beautiful spirit!
Peace , Love & never ending blessings for you and yours!

She Rose Up said...

Sharon - :) I hear you loud and clear! Looking forward to your post! Did you see the great one Tiffany did on that topic? Really good. You are right - it is the time we live in...

Carole - Hotdogs! With mustard, onions & chili! Mmmm!

& 3 cheers for Toklien! We LOVE him & you are so right! Have you seen the extended play version that shows Aragon healing? I LOVE that part! I wish it had been in the standard version...but was glad to see it in extended...

Karolee - Ha! You're a riot! I know, what next? No, I really don't want to know what's next! LOL! NOW is quiet enough for me!

Oh - And guess what? The Dr - when we went to our appt - actually took off his half cast - checked everything out & decided to NOT put him in a cast - seems the elbow can get too stiff and you have a whole new set of problems then - so, he is in a sling & doing VERY well. Even has little motions he can do for therapy type stuff...Thank you for the good wishes!

Bunny Girl - Howdie! I'm with you about soccer! I'd put that right up there with tennis! So great to hear from you! Hope all is well across the pond!

Poopsie - you are certainly welcome! Hey, thanks for the tag! I did just do that over the weekend I think. But, I very much appreciate that! It is a very fun one to do! And Go Braves! tee-hee!

Regina - I think the same of YOU! And I pray the same for you. Peace that can't be shaken! Love that overflows & blessings that are bountiful! I am so glad to know things are settling in a bit! Keeping you and your dil & son in prayer. Thanks for taking the time to stop by, I know you are really busy.

To ALL - Hope you are all winning the battle of life! Remember - Love NEVER fails!

xoxo,
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!