Things On My Mind...

I know, not the most inspirational/creative title. But that's what this post is going to be about... :-)


Several things: 


First, my deepest apologies for leaving you guys in the dust for so long... 
Second, Soul Surfer - more on this coming, read on.
Third - I have grown spiritually a lot in the time since I've been off of Blogger, and I want to continue growing and sharing that with you all!


Also, I don't want to forget what happened a little over 10 years now. 
A lot of people I know can tell you exactly where they were on that day. A day that changed America and her people forever. That's not a dramatic statement, either. It's true. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I was or what I was doing, but that doesn't matter. 
On that day, people filled with hate against God and against others wrested the controls of 4 planes from the pilots and, in one horrific tragedy, killed nearly 3000 people (Wikipedia), and shocked the nation. Now, 10 years later, we remember that horrible day. There are really no words to describe it, though. Anger, sadness, a thrill of knowing that America is still strong and we will fight back... 
To those who have lost family members or friends in the 9/11 attacks - my prayers are with you all. I can't imagine how horrible that must have been and how horrible it still is, but I pray for all of you. May none of us ever forget the victims or stop fighting the perpetrators. Ever. And thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe from more attacks in the past 10 years. 

                                                                            {source}

                                                                            {source}
                    
This is one of the most moving pieces of music I have EVER heard. My mama and I listened to it yesterday and I cried - so did she. Beautifully written, beautifully played, and an amazing tribute to those who lost their lives. 

------------------------------

Now, to Soul Surfer. Truly amazing movie. Anna-Sophia Robb + Dennis Quaid + Helen Hunt + Carrie Underwood (oh yeah!) = awesomeness. 

                                                                            {source}
Bethany Hamilton (Robb) is a passionate, talented surfer who loves, you guessed it, surfing. It's practically in the family - her parents and 2 brothers are also surfers, and the Hamilton family lives in Hawaii, surfer paradise (in my mind at least). **Note: the Hamiltons are homeschoolers! Yeahyeah!** But Bethany's happy life is suddenly interrupted when a shark attacks her and she loses her left arm. Now, she must learn to live - and surf - with one arm. Powerful, powerful movie. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" is quoted by Bethany and her father (Quaid), and there is a beachside worship service with Carrie Underwood (she plays Bethany's youth group leader) singing "Blessed be Your Name". Although I think the Gospel could have been presented more openly and distinctly (like Sherwood Pictures does in their movies), Soul Surfer still had a definite Christian undercurrent. One of my FAVORITE lines, which is specifically important in this culture of body image, the perfect look, Photoshop, and people (both men and women) who only value you for what you look like, was when Bethany's mom (Hunt) is consoling her daughter after the attack. Bethany is worried that no man will want to marry her if she has only one arm. Her mom replies that the right man will love her for who she is, and only one arm won't make a difference. (That's my paraphrase, so I'm sure it's a bit different in the movie.) That was great to hear in a movie! All in all, watch this movie if you haven't already! It's out on DVD and it's worth a watch! (One note: a good chunk of the movie is surfing/swimming/beachside scenes, and pretty much all that the ladies' swimsuits' consist of are bikinis, which I don't think was necessary. But I also think that this is not a reason to keep you or others from watching the movie - its good qualities FAR, FAR outweigh things like this.)


One last word: This amazing song by Keith and Kristyn Getty has been on my mind a lot these past couple weeks - it was played at a funeral of a friend of ours back in June, and I think that this is one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard (and you've probably heard it many times too). Usually my favorite songwriters and singers of all time are Casting Crowns, but the Gettys do a superb job with this (also listen to the version by Geoff Moore and Adrienne Liesching!). Let your heart really think about these words and meditate on them! 

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh

Fullness of God in helpless Babe

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died

The wrath of God was satisfied

For every sin on Him was laid

Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Could ever pluck me from His hand

'Til He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I stand

{source}

Well, I need to bid you all adieu, but please, please, don't hesitate to comment! I always love to know what you guys are thinking about what I write! Also, I hope to make some big design changes too, when I have the time, so we'll see about that! 


Soli Deo Gloria,


Share

Share |