Fireproof - Oh, yes!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

I am a movie nut. I love going to the movies (except those stupid horror flicks that have NO purpose on the screen at any time or in any place). A good action film and I invest my emotions into the characters. I watch movies in my head as I read a book. Take for instance the Biblical book of Ruth. When I read, my mind's eye develops the scene and my mind's ear hears the dialog. I invest in these historical characters with the same gusto as I do the movies on my TV. I cry when the heroine/hero is hurting. I laugh when she/he laughs. I fall in love with the good guys and hold the bad guys at arm's length.

So, I must confess. I spend money on movies. I try to be discerning about the movies. I am only willing to spend so much money on any particular movie. When I learned that the movie ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church released a good movie. I determined to spend money on the movie at the theatre (twice) and to purchase the DVD. Then, I waited patiently for the next release (okay not real patiently).

My daughter and I went to see Fireproof this weekend. I will be going back with my son next weekend. My heart broke during the opening of the movie. I thank God for the clear message. There is much more I'll blog about this movie and my own personal experiences as time goes along (and the Lord tarries).

If you want to put your money where your mouth is and back up your Chrisitian values, go see this movie. Honor God with your presence there.

(Lord, I thank you that you have forgiven my sins. I thank you that you created marriage and that you gave it to mankind. I thank you for a movie that helps show what a marriage that honors you takes. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Messing with Technology Interfaces

It is amazing the knowledge that we have gained and use collectively as a society. Yet, the simplicity of the foundation on which all that knowledge rests is incredible. I

• updated my Facebook,
• updated my blogs,
• transferred pictures from my camera, and
• updated a web site.

Those were the things I did for myself. As an IT professional, I do those types of things (and more) every day for other people. It never ceases to amaze me what we can do with zeros and ones. Yes, that really is what it's all about... 101100111100001101011010... zeros and ones. It's a zero or a one. It's on or it's off. It's either charged or not. I'm alive or I'm not. You believe or you don't. How simple is that?

(Lord, thank you for making it so easy. Forgive me when I try to add to it and make it difficult. Thank you for being the great I AM. In Jesus' name, amen.)

Heavy Confused Heart

Tonight I have a heavy, confused heart. I know that our heart is decietful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9) but I also know that God gives a new heart at salvation (Ezekiel 36:26). Then, I know that those two hearts struggle one against the other (Galations 5:17) as I live out my daily life. Why are people so unwilling to follow the rules? Why are we teaching our children that the rules don't apply to them? Why? How can we expect them to believe that salvation in Jesus is the way when the rules get changed or ignored? Isn't the logical thought process to then believe that if the rules can be changed for me about the class I attend the rules can also be changed for my salvation? Oh, how I wish I could make them understand how dangerous this path is!

(Lord, God, You know what burdens my heart this evening. You know. Please let me hear Your voice as I try to fulfill the work You've called me to in Your church body. Don't let me be distracted by the devil's ways. Thank you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.)

Fireproof the Movie

Why would a single mom experienced in divorce recommend such a movie? I recommend this movie because one of my greatest heartaches is the loss of my marriage. I never want anyone to experience the pain of being ripped in half emotionally. God is good. He will heal if we turn and seek Him.

From the first time that I heard Sherwood Pictures was doing a third movie, I could harldly stand the wait. And now, the movie release date is near (Sept. 26). I praise God this group of people are willing to put it all on the line for the message He wants us to hear.



(Lord God, I pray for the message this movie delivers. I pray that You will use it to touch hearts lives and marriages in a mighty and obvious way. I pray that it will also touch the hearts of single men and women to know the love You give is greater still than any other. Thank you. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Smoking a Camel

I remember my attempt at smoking cigarettes took place somewhere in my grade school years. Mom and Dad both smoked at that time. I checked Mom’s pack of light filtered cigarettes but there were too many in it. She’d notice if it were gone. I checked Dad’s pack of unfiltered Camel’s. Hmmm, there were only three in it. I could sneak that out and no one would really notice. I crawled under the house (out of sight and hiding; or so I thought) to begin my smoking adventure. Well, what an adventure it was. I lit that cigarette, gently sucked in and … Oh! that! hurt!! Cough, cough, cough, spit, spit, and cough some more. OH! That really hurt!! My one and only personal adventure with a cigarette was now complete.

Don’t try to tell me God doesn’t know what He’s doing. It was not coincidence that I ended up with Dad’s nasty, nasty cigarettes. And, even if I was under the house out of everyone else’s sight, God knew where I was and what I was doing. “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” (Job 42:2) Thankfully, it was God’s way of keeping me from an addiction.

(Lord God, thank you for seeing the big picture. I only get to see the pieces of the puzzle that are close around me. I don't always know or understand why things happen in the way they do but You know. That's enough for me. I miss my dad. In eighteen short days it will be two years since he passed. Thank you for holding me close through these days to come. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.)

Alcohol and Spirit

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:18

Many, many moons ago, I regularly partook in intoxicating beverages. When I drank I was making a specific choice to do activities outside my "normal" characteristics. I chose to make decisions I could then blame on the alcohol. Was I an alcoholic? Did I suffer from alcoholism? Well, in order to answer those questions I had to determine how alcoholism is defined. Here's what I found at dictionary.reference.com...

• habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms
• an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
• a chronic disorder characterized by dependence on alcohol, repeated excessive use of alcoholic beverages, the development of withdrawal symptoms on reducing or ceasing intake, morbidity that may include cirrhosis of the liver, and decreased ability to function socially and vocationally.

Did I need a drink when I got up? No. Did I need a drink just to make it through the day? No. Did I need a drink every day? No. Did I suffer withdrawal symptoms after stopping the intake? Mildly and only occasionally. When I examine my use in black and white it is crystal clear. I used alcohol to act like a fool, a choice I consciously made.

Augh, forgive me! I have no words to effectively express the cry of my heart at this depth of realization here.

Today, this confession carries great grief and intense sorrow. I am a wretched sinner saved only by the grace and mercy of the eternal I AM. God is so amazing. (I can't say that enough.) He loved me even when I chose to act like a fool. Christ paid for that foolishness so that it would not be beaten out of me. It was an exacting price far beyond my ability to pay. Yet, He has forgiven me. Totally. Completely.

My grief and sorrow over the choice help keep me from returning to it. However, the Spirit is the antidote. As long as I keep the Spirit fed with fervent prayer and consistent scripture intake so that my relationship with Jesus flourishes, the effects of the poison are countered.

Lord God Almighty, Gracious, Merciful, thank you for the forgiveness that You offer and for the faith to accept it. In my finite mind, I can only minimally grasp the magnitude of Your love and it overwhelms me. Hallelujah! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Back to School!

Yup, it's back to school time in my world. Off-spring are back in their respective schools and we've made it through the beginning of the session at work. I think I'd like the greener grass of year round school. It seems I might find it easier to keep a routine going. However, not ever having done year round school, it's only speculation at this point.

In any case, with the return of routine comes the return of blogging. God is faithful to keep me sustained in Spirit and Truth.

(Dear Lord, I pray that you will protect the teachers under your care. I thank you for the familiar routines of Autumn. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.)