think about it thursday: 09.18.08

Well, here it is Thursday already, and for the third week in a row, I've only posted on Thursday. Hmmm...maybe I should modify this strategy and say I'll just post on Thursdays.  I'll think about it :-)

So, for this week, I am posting a quote/video from one of my favorite movie series:  Rocky.  I have always been drawn to these movies for some reason. All six of them. Maybe it's because it's a story about a man with a such a deep passion for something that he's willing to go the distance.  And he has a supportive woman at his side. I'm married to a guy just like that.  He's passionate, persistent, determined and motivated, just like Rocky. And I like to think of myself as the supportive wife, but Adrian's quietly bold character is really quite something to live up to. 

I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical when "Rocky Balboa" came out so many years after Rocky V.  I wondered who in the world he could be fighting this late in his game. Come to find out, it's more than just another fight in the ring, it's also about a fight deep within his very soul, or "the basement" as he puts it so appropriately. 

So below is a clip of one of my favorite scenes from the final movie.  Rocky is having a heated discussion with his son who is struggling with family and life after his mom dies. This same scene is flashbacked later in the movie when Rocky is in the ring for the final time.  He remembers the coaching he gave his son, and uses it as motivation to go the distance. In my opinion, it really reveals how Rocky has survived and succeeded in both fighting and in life. It's his view of toughness. And it's one of the best descriptions I've ever heard. 

Think about it.

think about it thursday: 09.11.08

"Jesus doesn't scold people into conversion, He doesn't accuse people into conversion, He befriends people into a new way of being."  

Martha Stortz, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

think about it thursday: 09.03.08

I heard this song for the first time this week.  I LOVE IT!  God's timing is never an accident.  I heard it again today and thought it would be the perfect thing to post for today's think about it.

Slow Fade

by Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see 

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go 

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow 

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away 

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray  

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid 

When you give yourself away 

People never crumble in a day 

It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade 

Be careful little ears what you hear 

When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near 

Be careful little lips what you say 

For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray 

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away 

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray  

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid 

When you give yourself away 

People never crumble in a day

 

The journey from your mind to your hands 

Is shorter than you're thinking 

Be careful if you think you stand 

You just might be sinking 

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away 

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray 

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid 

When you give yourself away 

People never crumble in a day 

Daddies never crumble in a day 

Families never crumble in a day

 

Oh be careful little eyes what see 

Oh be careful little eyes what you see 

For the Father up above is looking down in love 

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

christmas is as christmas was

Today, I was going through stacks and stacks of papers.  Among them I found this poem I had written about Christmas.  It was nearly done, but still needed some finishing touches. And while it's still 116 days and 50 minutes until Christmas (but who's counting?), can't we celebrate our Gift every day? 

Christmas is as Christmas was

so many years ago.

For unto us was born that day,

a Savior, baby boy.

The wisemen followed faithfully

'til the Baby they did find.

And at His feet they laid their gifts,

the sacrificial kind.

Now all grown up, He was a King

but not as we know kings.

This Royalty was unique in that

forgiveness He did bring.

He gave His life for you and me,

but on Earth He lives no more.

For at the right of God He sits,

our Redeemer to adore.

Christmas is as Christmas was

so many years ago.

This King still rules o'er Heaven and Earth

our Savior, baby boy.

think about it thursday: 08.28.08

I've been reading an awesome book called The Shack.  If you haven't read it, I'd definitely recommend it.  It's one that really makes you think, perhaps a little beyond your comfort zone. It was difficult to pick just one excerpt for today's think about it, but here it is:

"Pain has a way of clipping our wings and keeping us from being able to fly...and if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place."

--Papa (The Shack, p. 97)

Think about it.

the decade days

I heard a great idea on the radio today, and I think I'll go for it the next time I have a birthday that marks the end of one decade and the start of another.

This DJ was telling a story about how she was talking to her hairdresser about turning 40.  The hairdresser said, "Oh you should do what I did when I turned 30. I celebrated my birthday for 30 days, beginning 30 days before my actual birthday."

She gave some great suggestions about how she could do it, such as:

1. Doing something you've never done before on each of those days. (It doesn't have to be big...she mentioned she was going to eat sushi.)

2. Calling someone you haven't talked to in a long time on each of those days (a different person on each day!).

3. Looking outward, and doing something nice for someone else on each of those days.

4. Reading Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life (it's a 40 day devotional.)

Wouldn't this be cool to do on every new decade of your life?

Being as I am - a perfectionista in the fast lane going slow - I think I need to change it up a little to fit me and my lifestyle better.  Like, let the days span out the entire year for instance.  Or depending on the goal, maybe they will need to span the whole decade.  Perhaps I'll even include something off my bucket list.

I've got 5 1/2 years to plan for my next set of decade days.  I better get cracking if its going to be perfect!

think about it thursday: 08.21.08

I've decided to take a step of faith and try and post something to think about every Thursday.  I don't know if I'll actually be any good at this regular posting thing, but surely in a week's time, something had to make me me stop and think.  So, here goes...

"We like to pop a coin into the machine and get a drink right away.  Prayer isn't like that..."

(Bill Roberson, Join the Journey)

Think about it.