Paul, Steve, Greg, and Tim

I am watching "The Guns of Naverone" tonight- one of the best WWII movies I've seen. Can't get better than Gregory Peck- Atticus Finch- the most noble man ever created. Watching it is making me think of another favorite of mine that I've been meanaing to buy for a while- "The Great Escape." I really miss not having AMC or TCM on our very basic cable that we have here. old movies do so much kick new movie butt. I was watching something on PBS recently on minority representation in films, and a famour director (I've forgotten his name at the moment) actually detailed to the millions how much he could get depending upon 1 or 2 african american leads vs. a lily-white cast, and how nowadays "no one is making art anymore, it is all business." It makes me sad. I do think that some are making art, but even those are required to contain some money-making guaranteed formulaic components in order to satisfy the studio that it won't go bottom up. Man, I am so ADD tonight. But I keep gettng distracted by ships blowing up, murder plots, and storms.
Back to "The Great Escape." I love that movie and they recently came out with a 2 Disc Collector set of it- which will surely rock. But its $27 online, so don't think I'll be doing that any time soon. I know that this is probably whacked out for a female, but I really love movies of this genre, and it got me thinking about some of my other favorites- "Shawshank Redemption" - Tim Robbins "Cool Hand Luke" - Paul Newman. None of those fit the contemporary standard of a heartthrob, but they all are real actors. Why aren't there more of those today? Oh well, back to my movie for now.

"Sir, I've inspected this boat, and I think you ought to know that I, um, can't swim."- David Niven

An Interview with Rob Link

I just found out that my pastor did an interview for the RCA website on church-planting and what God is doing in our church. I've put the link below. Its pretty quick, but it gives you a good idea of what God has been doing at the River.

http://www.rca.org/news/journals/incite/1204.html

Praise God for Tuesday night prayer! I always walk away from our regular prayer meetings feeling encouraged, blessed and in tune with God. I wish that I could take 2 hours out of every day to just sit and listen to God, and be blessed by what He is doing in others lives. I am very grateful that it is such a place of openness and trust. Tonight we laid hands on several members of our group who were going through times of hurt- and they also laid hands on me and prayed for me and my ministry.

Angels Watching Over Kyle

I found out some shocking news this morning. One of my boys- Kyle, almost drowned this weekend. He was chasing geese out in his backyard and accidentally ran out onto the ice of the pond beyond his house. With the weird weather we've been having, the ice was not very thick and he feel through. He tried t swim into shore, but it kept breaking as he went. He says that an angel pulled him out. A neighbor saw him and ran out to help. The paramedics came and they had to put him in the tub to get his temperature up. So scary. We have been blessed to never have any of our kids die (we had one mom die of cancer though) but the idea of having t explain it to the others, or deal with one of my babies that I've known since he was 2 being gone- Ahhh! I am so thankful that God protected him!

"Every woman has exactly the love life that she wants."
For Valentine's Day a group of us from HIS Women went out to dinner and to see Wedding Date with Deborah Messing and Dermot Mulroney. It was amusing, and the settingwas very pretty, but the whole time I found myself thinking, But he's a male escort! Why are we rooting for him? And what does that catch phrase mean? I know agreat many women who would be glad to have a man, but who don't. Therefore they don't have the love life they want. If you really look at it, it falls apart like so much of Hollywood does.

By contrast, I went to go see Hitch with my friend Stacie just a day laterand loved it. Maybe because it focused on men as pursuing women rather than women as desperate and men as finally getting trapped into making a commitment. It did have product placement galore, and some plot holes, but the focus was on good guys finding good women with the idea of marriage as the end result. I enjoyed it so much that when my friend Mary really wanted to go to see it tonight up at the wonderfully cheap M-89 I gladly agreed.
Maybe I'm getting to cynical for Romantic Comedies.

Daisy is a Diesel

I was curious about my little monster of a cat recently, and I found a wealth of info. on why cats purr. I already knew that it was a voluntary action, and that it could show pleasure or a "please don't hurt me anymore- I'll be a good kitty" kind of response, but I didn't know the following information:

"It seems that the measurable Hertz of a cat's purr lies between 25 and 150. Coincidentally (or not) it has been found that sound frequency in this range can stimilate bone growth and healing."

The article that I read also said that sometimes a cat's purr can be around 26 Hertz, and that this is nearly identical to that of a diesel engine. Does that mean that Long Haul driving could be physical therapy?

Oh my Gosh! I took so long on that last post that when I tried to post it, it said that my session had expired and I thought that I had lost it for a minute! That'll teach me to go off on a tangent that probably only I care about.

"Baby Got Book"
Warning: The following post proceeds from an amusing anecdote about a song I recently heard to a diatribe against our culture's tendancy to perpetuate an ever-more finite definition of acceptable artistic expression.

Have any of you heard this new song thats on WayFm sometimes? It was just on, and though I've heard of it before, this is the first time that I've actually heard it. For those who may not know, it is a parody of "Baby Got Back," that classic and oh so classy song about women with large gluteal muscles. However, in this version it is about girls with large Bibles and how it excites the singer- "Sir Reads A Lot." It also was funny to me because in the beginning "Becky" monologue it used the word, "Righteous" which reminded me of a certain play from not so long ago. The actress did a passable impersination of our character, Randy.

Here's a sample of lyrics that I got off of someone else's blog, so I can't account for their accuracy:

I like big Bibles I can not lie,
You Christian brothers can’t deny,
When a girl walks in with a KJV
And a bookmark in Proverbs,
You get stoked.
It got a name in place,
you know this girl has been saved
It looks like one of those large ones,
With plenty of space in the margins,
Oh baby, I want to read it with you,
Because your Bible has got pictures,
My minister tried to consult me,
But the book you’ve got makes me so Holy.

I'm not sure how I feel about it. As a Christian I can laugh at it and see some parallels to contemporary Christian culture, but I've read a couple of blogs- while searching for lyrics- that are by non-Christians who made the valid point that while the song is funny- hasn't it left in a lot of the innuendo- or at least some of it because people will obviously be thinking about the original, and also some of the lines are somewhat suggestive. I have only heard it once though. I also found out that you can see a video of it online- the production values aren't the best, but the part that I saw was amusing.
This kind of discussion reminds me of the controversy recently of another song that is still playing on WayFm. Officially, its called "Every Little Thing" by Hawk Nelson but people usually know it as "The Girl I Once Rejected" People don't like it because they think that the girl shouldn't be interested in this guy after he rejected her. I guess my opinion is that Christian music is too often hypocritical in its nature. If someone is singing about the world from a Christian perspective, but not necessarliy about anything Biblical- say the recent slew of independant Christian artists, then people are unwilling to put it on air, but if it is something random and funny, then by all means put it on- even if it isn't "edifying to the body of Christ." I remember around the time what WayFm went on the air that there was a song entitled "Yodel With My Friend Jesus" (Which I admit that my family owned a copy of) I believe the album was "Space Cowboy" or something. Someone please leave a message if they remember this too, so I know that I'm not just insane. And what about that song who's subject was if cartoon characters got saved? Not that I'm totally dissing these songs- I've enjoyed a good "Houseplant Song" now and again, but would it hurt Christian radio stations to acknowledge artists outside of the contemporary and "Pop" parameters that we have forced it into? Would all of the Day Sponsors dissapear if they played a Caedmon's Call, MattWertz, Nichole Norderman (other than the one that they always pick) Sarah Masen, Buck, Miss Angie, Waterdeep, or Grammatrain song? Those are just my personal favorites, but I know that there are many other talented artists that are forgotten because they don't fit into a neat box.
I know I've kind of gone off on a rant right now, but I think it happened because while I was discussing the whole "Big Book" song the DJ on the radio said that someone had requested something "hard" and played a song that was so far removed from hard, I could have used it as a pillow. I think it was by "Fm Static" or something. Also, while I've been writing I have heard several songs 2 times at least.

Okay- end of rant.

Abigail- a New Daughter of God

Sometimes I am amazed at the absolute and perfect way that God works things out, and the way that He can use us even when we feel inadequate and may not even be aware of our being used to the extent that He uses us. Every day at work I lead Jesus Time at the conclusion of preschool, where we have a Bible Story, prayer and memorize (as much as 3 year olds can) a verse. Now that we have 4 classes, I tend to forget what I have taught in each class, but I try to make sure that at least once each theme that we talk about having Jesus in our hearts, and about our salvation. Of course all of this is in a very simplified version for them to grasp it and not be totally confused. My main purpose in this is simply to plant seeds of faith, and to let them know that there is Someone out there who unconditionally loves them and for the kids who's parents so often seem to busy or too uncaring to take the time out for these precious gifts, that they can talk to God at anytime and anyplace.
Recently, I was sitting in the block area with several of he kids and just talking about Thomas the Train, building towers, and how little sisters can be so mean, but its okay cause they're just babies and don't know any better when Abigail told me something miraculous. "Miss Carrie, you want to know something?" Of course I said yes, but I wasn't really paying all that much attention, because at preschool I must continually be on the lookout for "communication problems" between the kids. Abigail went on unaware of my distraction, "Miss Carrie, I prayed and Jesus is in my heart, and someday you and me and Miss Melissa, we will be in heaven." This garnered my whole attention. I asked her a couple questions to see if it really seemed like she knew what she was talking about, and she sounded very sure of what she meant. My conversation with her ended because Austin, another preschooler, launched into a long narrative about how he not only had Jesus in his heart, but a couple of the Disciples, as well as Jesus's school, His big brother, and Jesus's parents lived in his feet. Don't think he got the concept quite as well as my Abbie.

Super Bowl Party

This Sunday I had the youth group to my apartment for Super Bowl Sunday. We ate pizza and watched the game, but mostly the commercials. The students weren't the most impressed with the Halftime show, but I thought that it was wise of them to play it safe with Paul McCartney. And really, a lot of people would pay good money to see him perform, it just isn't the typical Super Bowl fare. I was also rooting for the Patriots (no particular reason) so I was glad that they won.
I was impressed with the turn out, because several of the guys were going to another party. However, we still managed to have 6 students. I just wish that I had more time to do all that I want to do with them. I really want to get to know them better and reach out into their world. It feels good to have things kind of settle down and that we are getting into more of a regular schedule- not that I'm not feeling overwhelmed at times and struggling to stay caught up with everything. I can't wait tillthe weather is nicer and we can do stuff outside; part of the problem is that it is so hard to find fun activities to do week after week in the confines of our small church basement.

I am the Master Chef

Lately, I've decided to try to cook better food, and actual meals- since if I don't do that, I tend to eat absolute junk. Last night I made myself the ultimate- a roast cornish game hen and corn on the cob. Actually, in an unromantic light I cooked a little chicken in a bread pan (Our kitchen isn't exactly well-stocked) and dropped a cob of corn in water, but I prefer to view it as the pinnacle of culinary prowess. It was really yummy though- but absolutely messy. I really like cooking- which is surprising, because normally I am so tired when I get home, that I just want to eat something that is quick and easy. I think its because food was always a big part of my childhood- not just junk food, but holidays, parties, and just family dinners. Its very easy to feel disconnected as a single woman living with 2 other equally busy women, but cooking gives me a feeling of family and home.

Writing

Right now, I am preparing to send in something that I am writing in to Writer's Edge, a service that prepares and distributes manuscripts to Christian publishers. I'm really excited and nervous, but I know that I need to give myself a deadline to subit it, or I will let small excuses get me to not do it. Its the problem of being a writer though, putting yourself, your deepest feelings and emotions, all of your creative spark out on the page and then send it out for people to judge and possibly reject. I'm also writingmy essays for Living Stones and I am enjoying writing them. Its nice to write about something that I am so passionate about. However, I also feel really nervous, because whenever I have applied for things like this (well, not exactly like this) and then I've ended up dissapointed. I think that I am so nervous because I care so much about, and feel so called to this ministry.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irrconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these."

I was reading this recently and because of the "lover of pleasure vs. lover of God" portion, I was inspired to write a list contrasting what these wordly men are like vs. what we as Christians should be like. It was interesting to see what came of it. It is also interesting to note that along with "unholy," "brutal," and "treacherous" is "disobedient to parents" a sin that we usually tend to place on a lesser scale, especially as this verse is in reference to "men" rather than children.

Walls and Tall Shadows
-Waterdeep

Carrie was stretching out on the harbor
She was just trying to let it all go
Down came the rain and the waves
and thoughts of her father
down came the old black hole

Carrie, don't go down there
We all know it's not fair
even parents can lie
Carrie, don't close your eyes
and give way to the lies
that tell you you're all alone

Ruby came home from the store with a bottle
all of her dreams had been locked up inside
since she was fourteen, she'd let out the throttle
and choked out her life

Ruby, don't look that way
you could start again today
you know your real Daddy smiles and smiles
Ruby, you know it's great-
Who you are- its not too late
You're a child of the King

Kelly's been living under walls and tall shadows
She never lifted a finger to build
as for the sun well she can't seem to handle
that it brings light to all that she's killed

Kelly don't look that way
it's time to come out and play
I know a safe sun to play in
Kelly, you look so frail
like you've been in a jail
Pretty soon you will strengthen

Carrie's Crappy Day
Or
Car Trouble and Miniature Swimming Monkeys

Thursday was one of those days where you just want to throw up your hands, take a hot bubble bath, light some candles and then sleep for the rest of the day. Or maybe even forget the bubble bath- just sleep. First of all, my car broke down. It has been behaving a little funny lately, and finally, on my way to work, it decided to break down. There I was, sitting in the Winchell parking lot, and watching the minutes tick on by as I check what few things I knew to check, and franticlly calling work, my father and my car repair shop. Philip, the son of the pastor at the church I work at ended up having to come and get me and take me to work. I arrived late, and then had to teach with a substitute teacher. Thankfully, she was a very helpful sub, but it always hard to teach with someone you're not used to working with. My father had to come and get me and take me to my weekly class that, of course, met on that particular night. My dad knows me too well sometimes- he saw my distress when I got in the car and immediately offered me chocolate.
My class, however, was a breath of fresh air- well not really since we were sitting in a very confined lecture hall for most of class- but it was nice because we got to watch a movie instead of have discussion for most of the time. We are discussing Critical Prose right now, and will be writing critiques of the movie, Aguirre: The Wrath of God. I know, it sounds like a bad 1950s Judo movie, but really it was a movie about Piazzaro's search for the mythical city of El Dorado. It was weird 'cause its a German movie about Spanish people, with English subtitles. At first I really wasn't into it after the worries of my day, but then it grew on me. I don't know why- and really I couldn't have even said that I liked it until the end when I saw the TINY SWIMMING MONKEYS! That just made my day. Completly random thing to thank God for, but it really brought a smile to my heart, even if the portion of the movie that featured the monkeys was decidedly not comedic. Any movie that spends time on little furry primates swimming across a large river is good by me.
The thing about the whole day that really capped off the whole experience was finding out that my mechanic found nothing really wrong with my car, and it had started right up. At least now we are going to take care of some of the many small things that are wrong with my Jeep. The towing, oil change and diagnostic tests alone though are going to cost about $200. Ouch. Just before this I was praying about going to this conference in California about Youth Ministry, but now with these bills, I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.