Sally Loftis

Where are you, Sally Loftis?

2012-02-15T11:02:00.000-05:00

As you can tell, my fall sabbatical has pushed into the winter months when it comes to this blog. While I have taken a break from writing on this blog, I have been writing in another area.

In January 2012, I finally(!) finished my manuscript for a book about the spiritual themes in the Twilight series. I submitted it to a writing contest for Women of Faith. It is a long shot, but I will hear about any possible publishing of the book on March 31.

With the sabbatical and intense focus on finishing the book, I haven't been able to dedicate as much time to other hobbies like movies, blogs, television shows and such. In fact, I haven't even watched a single episode of Grey's Anatomy this year. I have only seen two of the Best Picture nominees for this year. It sounds shocking and very unlike me, doesn't it? Ironically, it has been a freeing experience to let go of media and just enjoy more relationship time with my family and friends.

I am not sure what will happen with this blog. My heart wants to start back into the blogging world at some point, but my mind knows better for now. I started a new job in February, and that commitment keeps me quite busy while my family is occupied with work and school. We shall see. To stay updated, please subscribe the blog. When I post anything new, you will receive a notification.

In the meantime, I will recommend one movie to you - Contagion. I am so angry that it wasn't included in the Oscar nominations. I will also recommend two television shows - Mad Men and The Good Wife. Every season of Mad Men is housed on Netflix streaming. Wow, I love the art direction of this show. I also enjoy the intertwining of marketing politics with current events in the 1960s. The Good Wife is just a solid and fun legal drama that highlights the incredible talent of Juliana Marguiles and others.

Fall Break

2011-09-14T14:17:00.000-04:00

Hello, faithful readers.

I have missed you this summer. Your encouragement and frequent visits are a humbling reminder to me.

I am doing something this fall that I have never done before. I am taking a break. For decades, I have built a fast-paced life with many moving parts. While this approach has been functional for me, it has not always been healthy. This busyness has impacted my family, my friends, my ministry and of course, myself. For the past few months, I have been soul searching the reasons behind this need to move fast and furiously through life. It has been a bumpy, unexpected yet fulfilling road to walk.

While I hope to share that journey with you in the future, I am oddly being called to silence and rest by the Spirit within me. I am not usually a fan of blank calendar pages, but this calling to sabbath is quite heavy on my heart. Therefore, I will not be blogging for the rest of 2011. Words cannot begin to suffice when I describe the internal warring of the decision-making process for this blog. It is difficult for me to lay down for now, but it feels right in my soul.

This means that you get to inform me about your great findings within culture and life. I would love to hear from you (celebrate1976@yahoo.com). And maybe, you could even guest write on my blog. Look for update from me in January when Oscar time starts heating up.

I love you all. Please pray for me as I pray for you each day.

Sally

Hello, Summer!

2011-05-31T16:12:00.000-04:00

To my loyal blog readers...

Summer brings new opportunities to sit back and relax. This is my time to enjoy time with my kids and reflect back on the last nine months of writing. This is my last blog post until September 1. When you have time this summer, will you try two things for me?

First, please complete the survey in the column to the right. If you receive updates from my blog via email, then you will need to visit the actual site to see these questions and complete them. http://sallyloftis.blogspot.com

Second, subscribe to my blog via the RSS feed in the column to the right or "follow" my blog. To follow, scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on "follow."

I pray that each of you has an amazing summer, and I look forward to writing for you in September.

Sally

I need you!

2011-05-27T10:34:00.004-04:00

I need your feedback about this blog. Over the summer, I will be reviewing what I have written in the last year and what you have been viewing the most and the least. With this information, I can plan for changes to the blog in the fall.

Please take the time to answer the survey questions to the right of this post. Feel free to provide any additional feedback in the comments section of this post.

Thank you!
Sally

Thoughts on Nehemiah 11-13

2011-05-25T16:24:00.001-04:00

That day they offered great sacrifices, an exuberant celebration because God had filled them with great joy. The women and children raised their happy voices with all the rest. Jerusalem's jubilation was heard far and wide. Nehemiah 12:43, The Message

These final chapters of Nehemiah are my favorite because Nehemiah just starts bulldozing people. Yes, in my own sadistic way, I enjoy reading this kind of stuff. Before we get to my favorite part, let's review what happens in Nehemiah 11-12. In chapter 11, Nehemiah is still taking a census of the people. He needs to know who lives where so he can organize protection, provisions and purposely record these names for Jewish history. He assigns some people to live in Jerusalem while others stay in nearby towns. He also identifies those who are qualified and willing to serve as priests and Levites, a key role in Yahweh worship.

In the second half of chapter 12, we read about the dedication ceremony for the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and the people celebrate this moment with great fanfare and reverence. The Levites and priests ceremonially cleansed themselves for this service. The musicians and singers played every kind of worship music. The people met their government and religious leaders on top of the wall to celebrate this enormous day in the history of Israel. Everyone participated in this day. Nehemiah appointed men to care for the offerings given by the people for use with the Temple. It is a pleasing day in the sight of the Lord.

Unfortunately, things go to hell in a handbasket pretty quickly. Nehemiah leaves the people to return to his old job as cupbearer for the king of Babylon. In his absence, the people fall into their old habits and let their obedience lapse into laziness. Nehemiah returns to find the people in a profane state. First, one leader had allowed another leader to occupy a room in the Temple. Nehemiah packs up this guy's stuff and throws it on the lawn. Everybody and everything gets a big ceremonial cleansing after this event. Second, leaders had neglected the Levites in their food portions. Therefore, the Levites moved back to nearby towns and left the Temple of God in disarray. Nehemiah gathers the Levites and fires the leaders for their bad choices. He then installs more trustworthy men into these leadership roles. Third, the leaders had allowed working and selling on the Sabbath (which, by the way, is a big no-no). Nehemiah kicks out the vendors and begins to lock the gates of Jerusalem from sunset to sunrise.

Finally, the people had begun to marry those outside of Israel. This sends Nehemiah into a fury. He yells at the men. He slaps them. And he pulls their hair! Yes, you read that correctly. Nehemiah gets physically violent with these men who have overtly disobeyed the Lord. His passion for reverence rides above his need for popularity. How much do I love this guy? The book of Nehemiah ends with a final prayer from a man who has taken Jerusalem from rubble to respect. "Remember me, O my God, for good." Amen, Nehemiah.

A Grey's Anatomy: Season 7 - "Unaccompanied Minor"

2011-05-23T00:15:00.002-04:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

I totally fell in love with Owen in this scene. Didn't you? At first, I wanted to smack Cristina for her response, but then I remembered that it was a total Cristina reaction. Of course Cristina doesn't want a child under any circumstances. It has been the theme of the entire season - no matter how much we heal from trauma, we still carry fear into our lives.

What did happen? After Alex dropped the bomb last week about Meredith, Owen shared the news with Derek who wasn't jumping up and down for joy. Meredith stood by her decision and tried to protect Derek from her poor ethics. Did you want to scream at her during her and Derek's discussion in the dressing room? It made me wonder just how much Meredith has really changed since season one. In the end, Derek decided to take some space from Meredith, and she went home with a new baby. Wow, I didn't see that scene coming. Meredith plus a baby in an empty house would have scared me last season, but now? It could possibly work.

Cristina ended up at Meredith's house when Owen kicked her out for not wanting to even discuss the baby option. Alex left Meredith's house after she kicked him out for her betrayal. Meredith's poor ethics and Alex's tattle-telling kicked both of them out of the chief resident's race. With Cristina and Avery already booted last week, it only left one logical choice - April. The girl with virgin superpowers will now supervise the group with super drama lives. Nice set-up for next season.

Since Avery didn't need chief resident, he set his sights on Lexie, who was still ogling Mark from a distance. While Mark handed Lexie over like an old rug to Avery. I'm still not sure what to think about this triangle. Another triangle got more complicated with Teddy and Henry. While I haven't felt emotionally invested in Teddy this season, I have been rooting for Henry. Gotta love him. Most of my emotion with this episode stayed with the families of victims in the waiting room. Seriously?! That whole scene about waiting for the girl with no family just sent me into hysterics. Those actors gave the best performances of this episode.

What did you think of the Grey's Anatomy season finale, "Unaccompanied Minor"? It was anti-climatic compared to other Grey's finales, but I actually enjoyed it. The writing was stronger than the previous episodes. The storylines built from previous seasons. And I don't have to wait all summer to see who lives or dies! What a gift. Thank you Shonda and team!

On the blog this week...

2011-05-22T13:07:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Review of Grey's Anatomy season finale, "An Unaccompanied Minor"

Wednesday: Bible study - Nehemiah 11-13

Friday: Blog survey

My Top Five Movie List

2011-05-20T12:32:00.001-04:00

It's that time of year again. After blogging about movies for the past nine months, I reflect on my favorites. Another twenty-eight movies reviewed, another time to pick the best. My criteria for good movies rests on changing my perception about people, places and situations. I also appreciate those movies that push the art of movies forward.

1. Toy Story 3 - I am still mourning that this film didn't win Best Picture. Translating the hopes and dreams of our country into a poignant and entertaining film is no small feat. Pixar rewrote the book on animation this year and taught us about the power of community.

2. Black Swan - It is dark and scary. If you can handle that, then you need to watch this stunning depiction of madness within the ballet world. The details of mental illness will make you question your own practices around stress. You will either love it or hate it, and that's a sign of good work by the director.

3. Inception - Christopher Nolan. That's all I have to say. He totally reinvented moviemaking again with this heady dream movie about one man's need for redemption. Plus, Leonard DiCaprio stars in it. Do I really need to sell you on this?

4. Winter's Bone - My favorite indie unexpectedly landed in the Oscar race. It was no surprise to me as the directing, writing and acting in this Ozark-based film will chill any viewer to the bone. This story about unhealthy family loyalty will linger with you.

5. The Damned United - I am a sucker for the Brits and stories of friendship. These two come together in a soccer film that thrills you and pushes you to go deeper in your relationships. Plus, it is directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper.

Thoughts on Nehemiah 9-10

2011-05-19T12:31:00.000-04:00

(Our small group is studying the book of Nehemiah right now. Since I never have enough avenues for opinion, I am sharing my thoughts on the blog, too.)

You know, I have really struggled in writing this entry because summarizing Nehemiah 9-10 is not an easy task. It is so full of good stuff that I feel like any efforts to write a summary in good blog form is almost heresy to the word. This passage is rockin'!

Imagine the scene with me. The people have heard the words of the Law. They mourned and feasted. Then they celebrated a long-forgotten festival. After this, they come back together to fast as a sign of repentance. The people separate themselves from any non-Jews, which must have been awkward. Then they listen to the Law again and spend three hours confessing their sins and the sins of their ancestors. In the midst of this, the Levites are praying out loud to God for the people. Is this crazy or what?! Can you imagine doing that? It would certainly be a worship service to remember.

The prayer recorded in Nehemiah 9 reflects the history of the Jewish people as a nation chosen by God. It is a beautiful prayer that rightly places blame on the people and glorifies God for His mercy. The prayer precedes the signing of a binding document in which the people declare their allegiance to God. The names of all those present and their commitments are recorded in Nehemiah 10. This passage challenges me to think about my willingness to commit to God and how confession plays such a pivotal role in changing hearts.

And now, our God, the great God,

God majestic and terrible, loyal in covenant and love,
Don't treat lightly the trouble that has come to us,
to our kings and princes, our priests and prophets,
Our ancestors, and all your people from the time
of the Assyrian kings right down to today. You are not to blame
for all that has come down on us; You did everything right,
we did everything wrong. None of our kings, princes, priests, or ancestors
followed your Revelation; They ignored your commands,
dismissed the warnings you gave them. Even when they had their own kingdom
and were enjoying your generous goodness, Living in that spacious and fertile land
that you spread out before them, They didn't serve you
or turn their backs on the practice of evil. And here we are, slaves again today;
and here's the land you gave our ancestors So they could eat well and enjoy a good life,
and now look at us—no better than slaves on this land. Its wonderful crops go to the kings
you put over us because of our sins; They act like they own our bodies
and do whatever they like with our cattle.
We're in deep trouble.

Nehemiah 9:32-37, The Message

A Grey's Anatomy Review - Season 7: "I Will Survive"

2011-05-17T15:18:00.001-04:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

I just loved this clip of Meredith and the social worker because it highlights the fears of every potential mother. We are all scared to death of being held responsible for another person, especially when we don't feel comfortable with our own lives. The social worker calmed Meredith's fears and shared a beautiful revelation about parenthood - stereotypes don't exist anymore in our culture. Parenting will look different for each of us.

Moving from that Hallmark moment to "I Will Survive..." This episode should have been titled "You Got Served." The claws were out, and knives in the backs were flying everywhere in last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Alex finally experienced a strong woman in Lucy, except her strength was marred by her betrayal with the Africa job. This betrayal led to a drunk Alex who shared Meredith's secret with Owen. Cristina went behind Teddy's back with a procedure, so April told Teddy about it. This resulted in Owen's declaration to Cristina about her inability to be chief resident. (I shouted "finally" and "amen" during this scene.) Teddy denied Henry the chance to declare his love by going with Andrew to Germany. Lexie kept going home with Avery, even though her heart still pounded for Mark. And Avery left the clinical trial with little explanation.

Did I get everything? A lot happened this week. We will see the fallout from these betrayals in the season finale this week. Betrayal stings like no other wound, and it is a terribly difficult one to heal. Betrayal changes relationships forever. If I could offer any words of encouragement to the crew at Seattle Grace, I would offer these verses from Proverbs.

The wise accumulate wisdom;
   fools get stupider by the day.

Souls are saved by truthful witness
   and betrayed by the spread of lies.

The Fear-of-God builds up confidence,
   and makes a world safe for your children. Proverbs 14:24-26, The Message

Many of the couples on Grey's Anatomy are facing common relationship problems. Where are they finding wisdom and guidance? Among themselves? A group that betrays each other like we buy milk every week? Seattle Grace is a scary place to raise children. Maybe this will impact Cristina and Meredith in the last episode of the season.

On the blog this week...

2011-05-15T10:27:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "I Will Survive" (Only 2 episodes left this season!)
Wednesday: Bible study - Nehemiah 9-10
Friday: Movies - My Top 5 for this year

A Girl's Movie Review: The Young Victoria

2011-05-13T09:35:00.003-04:00

Starring Emily Blunt
Rated PG for some mild sensuality, a scene of violence, and brief incidental language and smoking.

Are you missing the royal wedding yet? Do you find yourself going back to your recording and watching it again? Or do you just hope that Will and Kate make it through their first year of marriage? We have been bombarded with the British monarchy this year. Between The King's Speech and a little royal wedding, surely British royals are more popular than ever. That's why I present The Young Victoria to you today.

The Young Victoria displays a brief period in the the life of Queen Victoria. She became queen at the young age of 18, and she still holds the record for the longest rule with 63 years. In this movie, we see Victoria ascend to the throne, fall in love and face the beginning years of ruling a country. Being a young queen, every possible mate pursues Victoria, but her eyes fall on her cousin, Prince Albert of Germany. Their courtship is difficult, as Victoria has a close confidant who tries to thwart Albert's romantic efforts. In the end, Victoria and Albert join forces to help the people of England.

The Young Victoria has some lovely elements to it. First, the costume and set designs are magnificent. Of course, I didn't live in the 1800s, but I can only imagine that Victoria's world looked quite similar to this movie. Also, the history is quite relevant today. As I mentioned earlier, the British monarchy is more popular than ever, and The Young Victoria highlights ways royals can make a positive difference. Lastly, this film is surprising in its love story. Victoria and Albert have a romance that seems relatively unknown in these times. Their faithfulness to each other and desire to be together are inspiring to a new generation.
The love story between Victoria and Albert, as portrayed in The Young Victoria, reminds me of the passionate relationship in Song of Songs. After watching this movie, I couldn't help but think that Victoria would say the same thing of her lover, Albert.

Kiss me—full on the mouth!
   Yes! For your love is better than wine,
   headier than your aromatic oils.
The syllables of your name murmur like a meadow brook.
   No wonder everyone loves to say your name!

Take me away with you! Let's run off together!
   An elopement with my King-Lover!
We'll celebrate, we'll sing,
   we'll make great music.
Yes! For your love is better than vintage wine.
   Everyone loves you—of course! And why not?

Song of Songs 1:1-4, The Message
Nothing like a love story, eh? The Young Victoria will delight your taste buds for a true love story in these turbulent times.

Thoughts on Nehemiah 7-8

2011-05-11T09:10:00.001-04:00

(Our small group is studying the book of Nehemiah right now. Since I never have enough avenues for opinion, I am sharing my thoughts on the blog, too.)

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. Nehemiah 8:12, New International Version

We are entering into the parts of Nehemiah that are most exciting to me. Chapter seven can get a little boring with the census, but here's what you need to know about this part of the story. Nehemiah and his team have set out to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. They have completed the task. Now, in chapter seven, Nehemiah must make Jerusalem into a functional city. It's not just about rebuilding the wall. Nehemiah is rebuilding a community. His main priority here is the protection of the people, so he ramps up security and makes sure every person is taken into account within the walls.

After taking a census, Ezra the priest reads the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible) to the people per their request. This community of refugees is going back to the foundation of their faith and heritage. They are rebuilding their sense of identity as a community. Don't miss the fact that everyone capable of understanding, men AND women, are present for this ceremony. The people stand while Ezra reads the Pentateuch for five or six hours. In the beginning, the people praise God. By the end, they are weeping with great sorrow. Ezra, Nehemiah and the Levites try to comfort the people and encourage them to celebrate this new beginning with Yahweh. The people take this advice, go home to celebrate and share their wealth with others.

Guess what they do the next day? They go back for more! The people go back to Ezra to learn more about these words of Moses. In their study, they learn that the Feast of Booths is normally celebrated in the seventh month. The people immediately obey this command and celebrate a feast that had not been part of Israel for hundreds of years. Not since the days of Joshua had people been so committed to Yahweh! When you read this chapter, you can't help but feel the sense of renewal, the sense of revival within the Jewish community here. The book of Nehemiah is unfolding a plan for revival that every church can use today.

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - White Wedding

2011-05-09T09:45:00.000-04:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Do you ever wonder if real doctors make real unethical decisions and don't receive real consequences? That's how the Grey's Anatomy world works. Izzy stealing someone's heart. Richard operating while drunk. Cristina making rounds with PTSD. Yes, these people usually receive probation, but that really isn't enough for their actions. Why am I going here, you ask? Because I am trying to prepare myself for Meredith's lack of consequences when her own unethical activity comes out by season's end (I hope). The characters are growing up this season, and then we get handed this little debacle. Shonda Rhimes - your need for devastation irritates me!!

OK, now that's off my chest. What happened in our magical world of Seattle Grace this week? In "White Wedding," we saw the marriage of two couples. (Did anyone else want Billy Idol's song to be blaring at some point in this episode?) Callie and Arizona tied the knot in a traditional ceremony, while Meredith and Derek legalized their nuptials at the courthouse. The African children began their surgical procedures. Avery made some breakthroughs in his trial work with the Chief. Alex laid down the law with Meredith about his knowledge of her deceitful ways. April soared to the top candidate slot for chief resident with Stark's approval. And Cristina just annoyed me this week. I am usually a big fan of hers, but I have to side with Teddy in this situation. Cristina has always been dangerous, and at some point, that streak is going to catch up with her.

I can't write about this episode without discussing the exchange between Callie and her mother. Wow, what a heartbreaker, huh? Her mother has been MIA through much of Callie's time at Seattle Grace. That should tell you something right there. While I support her mother's desire to express her feelings to Callie, it was so poorly timed and poorly delivered. I just ached for Callie because she has tried to keep a relationship with her parents, despite their ongoing disapproval of her lifestyle. Where has her mother been throughout her career? Where was she when Callie and George split up? Where was she when Callie laid in the hospital for weeks? Her mother has not been present in Callie's life, which is why Callie had to close the door on her mother after her mother's comments to her on the wedding day.

Commitment is something we need to teach and model in our society. It's not just commitment in marriage (which is huge), but it's about commitment between parents and children, friends, neighbors and communities. For me, a large part of commitment is defined by faithfulness. Faithfulness is loyalty and presence combined into a solid, continual relationship. If only Callie's mother could have shown faithfulness in walking with her daughter in life.

But Ruth said, "Don't force me to leave you; don't make me go home. Where you go, I go; and where you live, I'll live. Your people are my people, your God is my god; where you die, I'll die, and that's where I'll be buried, so help me God—not even death itself is going to come between us!" Ruth 1:16-17, The Message

This passage in Ruth comes from a conversation between two women. Ruth is committing herself to a mother-daughter relationship with Naomi. While Naomi did not approve of everything about Ruth, Naomi's lifestyle and faithfulness drew Ruth to her. What difference would have been made if Callie's mother had shown love through her faithfulness and her convictions? I don't know, but it certainly has given me to something to think about this week.

A Girl's Movie Review - This Is It

2011-05-06T13:55:00.000-04:00

Starring Michael Jackson
Rated PG for some suggestive choreography and scary images

Looking for a way to celebrate someone's life this week rather than a certain terrorist's death? Well, I have the documentary for you. This Is It is the last footage of Michael Jackson before his unexpected death in 2009. Named after his sold-out tour, This Is It provides us with one final glimpse into the rehearsals and preparation for Michael's last concert tour. Unfortunately, that tour never happened, so we can only imagine from this film what experience he was creating for his fans.

I loved Michael Jackson from a young age. Thriller was one of the first albums I ever possessed. Back in those days, the Thriller video was shown on MTV every night at 9 pm CST because the concept was so unique. I watched it religiously. I also watched Michael's demise over the years. That's what fame will do to you, I guess. Reminds me of King Solomon's own thoughts of the subject.

Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over.
   Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
   The body is put back in the same ground it came from.
   The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it. Ecclesiastes 12:6-7, The Message

This Is It really chronicles Michael's life through his music, and trust me, you will be singing his music for days after viewing it. The movie can be slow at moments, but I savor any opportunity to see a real artist and his creative working process. That's what this movie gives you. If you like Michael Jackson, then spend some time with him. He really makes you feel.

Thoughts on Nehemiah 5-6

2011-05-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

Our small group is studying the book of Nehemiah right now. Since I never have enough avenues for opinion, I am sharing my thoughts on the blog, too.

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. Nehemiah 6:16, NIV

Chapter five is where things get pretty interesting between Nehemiah and his fellow countrymen. After listening to the cries of the poor, Nehemiah realizes that the rich are making money from the poor, which is creating a big poverty problem in the province (5:1-5). The rich have charged interest for any loans made to the poor. Nehemiah sees this as a disgrace because each should be helping each other, as stated in the Law (5:7). Nehemiah, being the strong-minded man he is, immediately confronts the rich and tells them to repent of their ways (5:7-11). The rich promise not to engage in these practices again and give back the money (5:12-13). Nehemiah sets the example for everyone by sharing his own wealth with others and not allowing himself to be allured by the greed (5:14-18).

In chapter six, Nehemiah has dealt with problems with the camp. Now his enemies kick things up a notch in the trouble department. Sanballat and his friends request a meeting with Nehemiah (6:1-2), but Nehemiah refuses (6:3). Four times this happens, and Nehemiah refuses to take them up on this questionable offer (6:4). Can you imagine what Sanballat must be feeling at this point? You can get a glimpse in verses 5-7. He sends an opened letter to Nehemiah, accusing him of evil motives for the rebuilding. Nehemiah does not let these threats deter him from his work. He simply rebuts the argument and goes on (6:8-9). Sanballat and Tobiah pay off one of Nehemiah's friends to trick him into hiding (6:10-14). Nehemiah does not take the bait. Why is that? I believe Nehemiah's faith in God overrides any worldly thinking in his mind.

After fifty-two days of hard work and major obstacles, the people finish rebuilding the wall (6:15). What a glorious day in Jerusalem! It was a long day coming. Even their enemies become scared at this point (6:16). Tobiah keeps stirring up trouble by keeping in contact with the Jews (6:17-19). Nehemiah remains unphased by him. These two chapters show a deep faith and commitment in Nehemiah to God's calling on his life. I love his example.

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "It's A Long Way Back"

2011-05-02T20:02:00.000-04:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Really? How many times can I cry over a single scene? I just boo-hooed when I watched Callie with her baby in this fabulous scene from last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, "It's A Long Way Back." After the dramatic and widely panned musical episode, the crew at Seattle Grace returned to their normal speaking voices and shared more drama with us as viewers. Thank goodness!

The race for chief resident is still going (hoping it will resolve by the season finale), and Alex took his turn this week at growing up. After Owen asked about his "plans" for chief residency, Alex jumped onto Arizona's bandwagon of saving African kids. He crossed over major ethical boundaries by asking a patient for money (played jubilantly by Doris Roberts), but you know what? That works in TV land, especially at Seattle Grace. She died before the deal was done. Alex brought the kids over without confirming the money first. He asked Lexie for help, but in the end, it all worked out because that's how Grey's Anatomy rolls. I really enjoyed this storyline. In fact, I wish it had more focus. Here's hoping in future episodes...

The majority of the night was spent on Callie and baby Sophia's recovery. We went from a one week old baby to a twelve-week old in the span of one episode. Before I get into the baby stuff, I have to ask these questions. Where was Callie's family? I realize they have fallen on rocky times, but you better believe that no conflict would keep me from seeing my new grandchild. Even though we haven't met Arizona's family, I thought the same thing for her, too. It seemed like a big miss by the writers.

OK, now I can focus on the good stuff. I am loving the absorbency of Callie as a mother. It has changed her so much. Don't you just love that? For those who are mothers, you know what I am talking about here. Once that pregnancy test turns positive, your whole world changes. Nothing and no one matters more than that little baby in your belly. And, you would give your life for that baby, no questions asked. You know what is even more amazing? It's that God describes His own love for us like a mother and her newborn.

But Zion said, "I don't get it. God has left me.
   My Master has forgotten I even exist."
"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,
   walk away from the baby she bore?
But even if mothers forget,
   I'd never forget you—never.
Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. Isaiah 49:14-16, The Message

A mother cannot forget the infant at her breast. Her baby is always on her mind. God feels the same way about us. Next week baby Sophia gets to attend a big wedding. With all the focus on Callie, when will Meredith's little secret about switching the vaccines come out? Stay tuned!

On the blog this week...

2011-05-01T01:37:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "It's A Long Way Back"

Wednesday: Bible study - Nehemiah 5-6

Friday: Movies - This Is It

A Girl's Movie Review: Love and Other Drugs

2011-04-29T00:37:00.001-04:00

Starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material

Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal. It sounds like a perfect match, right? That's what we are led to believe in Love and Other Drugs. Two hot actors finally meet in a romantic comedy. The film was touted like our hopes and dreams of love would finally be realized in this movie. Unfortunately, it hit way off the mark of romance and comedy.

Jake Gyllenhaal plays a guy named Jamie. Jamie is a pharmaceutical rep, and he is successful because of his charm with the ladies. Nurses and receptionists swoon when he enters a room. Doctors begin to love him when he becomes one of the first to sell Viagra. Enter Maggie, played by Anne Hathaway. She is a patient who Jamie observes with a client. Maggie is bold, free and defiant. She is the woman that Jamie can't snag, so the cat and mouse game ensues. The cat is caught, and we are left with a boring take on love and other drugs.

I really wanted to like this movie. I had high hopes for it. Anne Hathaway just steals the screen in any film, and Jake Gyllenhaal has grown on me. But, Love and Other Drugs fails in numerous ways. The most prominent includes the poorly written screenplay. The holes in the storyline are so large that even the most novice moviegoer cannot make the jump. Do we honestly believe that Jamie will cure his cheating ways with just one relationship? Can we seriously take Maggie as a devoted servant of the poor while she carries herself as such an independent spirit? We see Maggie's independent spirit and Jamie's boy toy ways in the frequent sex scenes. I understand that the nudity promotes the vulnerability in the relationship, but this was just overboard.

Both Maggie and Jake claim to live free in their ways, but their acts to protect their secrets create a rather hard lifestyle for both of them. Neither really have the carefree life they want, but they just keep plugging away and avoiding the facts. Are you looking for a carefree lifestyle? Then here is your answer.

Honesty lives confident and carefree,
but Shifty is sure to be exposed. Proverbs 10:9, The Message

Honesty. It's more than telling the truth. It is living a life of truth in your actions, words and heart. No drug, no relationship, no sex and no movie can give you lifelong freedom. If anything, Love and Other Drugs proves that fact.

Thoughts on Nehemiah 3-4

2011-04-27T11:21:00.000-04:00

Our small group is studying the book of Nehemiah right now. Since I never have enough avenues for opinion, I am sharing my thoughts on the blog, too.

"...Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?” Nehemiah 4:2

In Nehemiah 1-2, we gained a sense of who Nehemiah was. He was a man with a plan. In Nehemiah 3-4, we learn more about his leadership abilities. Chapter 3 is one of those that people skip over because it is full of names, place and random facts. Let us not forget that every word in the Bible is valuable. I find this section particularly valuable for its focus on the rebuilding efforts. Each of us experiences times when our worlds are devastated and a large rebuilding process must take place. This portion of Nehemiah gives us insight into successful rebuilding practices. These include...

Launching a community effort. Everyone was included.
Each person was assigned to his or her own part of the process.
No matter what the skill, all people participated in the rebuilding (3:8).
It was a family affair, daughters included (3:12).
Neighbors worked together to restore their houses (3:28-29).

Nehemiah's naysayers return in chapter 4 to ridicule the Jews and question their abilities. They even mock the strength of the rebuilt walls. What is Nehemiah's response? He prays (4:4-5). He not only prays, but he asks for ruin on his naysayers. Wow. God blesses the rebuilding, and the naysayers become more angry over the progress. They decided to fight Jerusalem and stir up trouble (4:7-8). Haters are always around, aren't they?

Nehemiah sets up a 24-hour guard over Jerusalem. After great ridicule, the people of Jerusalem feel overwhelmed by the rebuilding project. In 4:10, they worry about the strength of the laborers. In 4:11, they agonize over the enemy threats. In 4:12, they fear the enemies that surround them. Again, what is Nehemiah's response? He directs the people back to God and commands them to fight for each other (4:14). He also reassigns the people into two groups: guards and laborers. Finally, he installs a communication network so no group is left to fight alone (4:22-23). The people keep working. The pace is slower, but progress continues on the wall.

On the blog this week...

2011-04-25T20:27:00.000-04:00

Wednesday: Bible Study - Nehemiah 3-4

Friday: Movies - Love & Other Drugs

On the blog this week...

2011-04-17T11:13:00.002-04:00

I am taking a vacation this week from blogging. See you back on Monday, April 25!

A Girl's Movie Review: The Fighter

2011-04-15T13:30:00.001-04:00

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale and Amy Adams
Rated R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality

I have been waiting to see The Fighter. Besides its numerous Oscar nominations, I wanted to see it for a better reason - Christian Bale. I love Christian Bale because he is one of the best actors of our time. Sure, he has a foul mouth and anger management problems, but the really good, creative ones always have the quirks. Christian Bale won an Oscar for his supporting role in The Fighter.

This Massachusetts-based story follows the rise of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward. Micky wants to take his fighting to the next level, but his trainer has some problems. In fact, his trainer is the problem. Micky's trainer is his older brother and former boxer Dicky Eklund. Dicky is a crack addict with a crime spree. He shows up late to his training sessions with Micky, and Micky is left to train with whoever is available. After a particularly difficult boxing match, Micky realizes that his shot at fame may come without his family. With the help of his new girlfriend, Micky takes the risk and acquires new management for his career.

The Fighter is a story about family. Micky, played by Mark Wahlberg, wants to please everyone in his family, but that desire means sacrificing his own interests to his own detriment. Micky longs to please his mother and be looked upon with the same pride as his older brother, Dicky. What Micky can't see is that his mother and brother are too self-absorbed to notice anyone around them. With the help of his dad, Micky does break free from his controlling family and experiences great success. Yet, his longing for his mother and brother's approval is still an open wound. When they come running back, he wants to anxiously welcome them.

At times, The Fighter was painful to watch. Besides its slow start, I felt great sympathy for Micky. He wanted to be a grown-up, but he couldn't stop seeking what he lacked as a child - approval from his family. His desires to belong and be loved by his family were not bad. The ways in which his mother and brother treated him were mistake-filled and selfish. Sometimes, we can hate our God-given desires to be loved and nurtured by other people. Hear me when I say this...Our desires are good. We just live in a fallen world where our desires are not always handled well. Listen to the Psalmist in these verses...

Keep your eye on the healthy soul,
      scrutinize the straight life;
   There's a future
      in strenuous wholeness.
   But the willful will soon be discarded;
      insolent souls are on a dead-end street.

The spacious, free life is from God,
      it's also protected and safe.
   God-strengthened, we're delivered from evil—
      when we run to him, he saves us. Psalm 37:37-40, The Message

"Keep your eye on the healthy soul." While we may never get the approval we so desire in life, we can have the prize of a healthy soul. Our trainer, God, offers a free and spacious life, not one cramped by selfishness and mistakes. That's the message I wanted to give Micky in The Fighter. Find your freedom in someone who won't let you down, unlike your brother.

P.S. I don't know that I would have given Christian Bale the Oscar for his performance in this movie because I have seen much better work by him in The Machinist.

Thoughts on Nehemiah 1-2

2011-04-14T07:07:00.013-04:00

Our small group is studying the book of Nehemiah right now. Since I never have enough avenues for opinion, I am sharing my thoughts on the blog, too.

Nehemiah is one of those books that I want to love but don't always want to read. Nehemiah is a strong, hilarious character in the Bible, but his tedious recount can be boring at times. So, I like to skip to the good parts. Of course, that doesn't give me the full essence of the book. Therefore, we will walk through this book together. In the first two chapters, we learn about who Nehemiah is. Based on this information, I take aways these things about our author:

A sense of compassion - In the very first verses of this book, we learn that Nehemiah has a heart for the people of Israel, his ancestors and his distant relatives. In 1:4, we read that Nehemiah spent time fasting, praying and weeping for those left in Jerusalem. Even though Nehemiah has risen to a supreme position in captivity, he still longs for his own nation to reign in power again. In 1:5-9, he confesses the sins of the people and begs for mercy before God. It is evident that Nehemiah loves his family and the nation of Israel.

A sense of identity - We learn that Nehemiah is cupbearer to the king (1:11). This was an important position because monarchies could be taken down by one poisonous drink. Nehemiah knew the power within his position and used it wisely by asking the king for his favor and resources for his plan (2:1-9). I don't know how long Nehemiah had been in captivity at this point, but he had never lost his identity as a Jew. He had a very good understanding of his own identity, who God was and how his life fit into God's greater plan.

A sense of calling - Nehemiah received a very clear calling in his heart to help rebuild Jerusalem (2:12). We don't know if God spoke with an audible voice to Nehemiah or if Nehemiah simply came up with this plan by guidance of the Spirit. In any case, he experienced success because God was using him (2:20). Nehemiah had his naysayers all along the way (1:10; 2:19), but he never let those insults detract from his calling. The calling was clear, even when the opposition was unclear.

What else do you take away from Nehemiah 1-2?

Off The Map

2011-04-11T06:07:00.005-04:00

From the creators of Grey's Anatomy comes what? Another medical show? Are you kidding me? Yes, it is all they seem to turn out these days. I was skeptical when Off The Map premiered. I mean, really, do we need another medical drama from Shonda Rhimes and team? In the first few episodes, I was questioning whether this show would deep dive into the ocean of emotions that we have come to expect from this creative team. It has been bumpy, but our ride into jungle medicine seems to be smoothing out. Hallelujah!

Here's what I like about Off the Map. First, hot Australian guy in the jungle who loves his wife. And hot Latino Mateo. Seriously?! Who wouldn't want to live there? Second, it is filmed in Oahu, Hawaii. The scenery is just breath-taking every week. Between the boys and the jungle, well, my breath gets heavy. I also like how this show is bringing comical light to some real health issues around the globe. Newer episodes have even brought some connection between the radical cases and the drama between the doctors and cast. I am loving Mina. She is just fantastic. And the storyline between Ryan and Keeton and his wife is keeping me intrigued for the future. Plus, I am totally learning Spanish from this show. Finally, a medical drama that is educational for me!

Of course, I always have some issues with any show. Lily is just so poorly cast for me. She looks the part, and I really want her to play the part. But, she doesn't. Lily's emotions are limited. She needs to wake up in the last few episodes. Also, I wish that the creators had made Jason George's character, Cole, into his Grey's Anatomy character (Bailey's old flame, Ben). It would be fun to have characters run between Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Off The Map. Can't you see Ryan going to Seattle Grace for her heart transplant? It would totally be a hoot.

Am I watching Off The Map? Does it get my approval? It was the anaconda episode. That was the one. It's when I knew this show was going to work. The anaconda problem didn't turn into a horror movie, and I appreciate that truth. If I had watched that episode in sequential order, then I wouldn't have known it so early in the season. But, now I do. Off The Map is going to survive, and I may actually like it.

On the blog this week...

2011-04-10T03:36:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Off The Map review

Wednesday: Bible study - Nehemiah

Friday: Movies - The Fighter

A Girl's Movie Review: The Damned United

2011-04-08T12:11:00.001-04:00

Starring Michael Sheen
Rated R for language

If you loved the direction behind The King's Speech, then might I recommend another great film by Oscar winner Tom Hooper?

The Damned United is the story of Brian Clough's short reign of Leeds United. Now, you may be asking what that last sentence meant. In England, their "futbol" is our soccer. Soccer reigns in England almost as much as Queen Elizabeth II, and Leeds United is like the Pittsburgh Steelers in America. They are a legendary team. Only those with the greatest abilities are asked to lead and play for Leeds United. Brian Clough is one of the best soccer managers to have ever lived in England.

Start The Damned United here. Well, actually start it in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film chronicles how Brian Clough moved from the small party to the big dance of soccer with shrewd ways and controversial remarks. In the end, we learn that Brian Clough's true strength as a manager came from his longtime friendship with Peter Taylor, his assistant manager. Unfortunately, it takes a big fall of pride for Clough to see that truth for himself. As the Psalmist says, "Prides goes before destruction." Here is the same verse in modern-day language.

Get wisdom—it's worth more than money;
   choose insight over income every time.
The road of right living bypasses evil;
   watch your step and save your life.

First pride, then the crash—
   the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

It's better to live humbly among the poor
   than to live it up among the rich and famous. Proverbs 16:16-18, The Message
The Damned United is an entertaining and endearing example of pride. Brian Clough makes it to the big leagues, but he compromises his integrity in the process. It takes a good friend, Peter Taylor, to walk through the peaks and valleys with him and display real commitment to Brian Clough. This film is strong for its direction, but it is lasting for its message about friendship and pride.

Romans Bible Study: Romans 15:14-16:27

2011-04-06T21:49:00.000-04:00

(This is the last installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. Romans 15:27, New International Version

We finally come to the end of Romans. It has been a quick ride through a lengthy book. To teach Romans, in the beginning, felt like an insurmountable task. In the end, the book of Romans feels like an old friend. I pray that you have gained a deeper understanding and a greater comfort level with this book. Paul poured his heart into this letter, and we are richer for this insight.

Before he begins into his notes to special people (chapter 16), Paul lays out his travel plans. This is one section within the Bible where we ask about relevance to our time. What can we gain from this information? Paul is going to Spain, but what impact does that have on our lives? After reading this passage, I learn more about Paul the man versus Paul the apostle. The apostle Paul tends to be elevated into superhuman status at times. His great influence on the church and amazing stories of missions stay on par with Moses with Elijah. But, when it gets down to it, Paul was human like you and me. He had real emotions, real problems and a real life.

For me, Paul stands out because he was sold out for God and God's purpose for him - to bring the gospel to the Gentiles (us). When I read a passage like Romans 15 and 16, I am reminded that Paul had one goal in mind - to bring unity into a divided world. He longed for a time when Jew and Gentile, strong and weak, male and female or strong and free would claim equality in Christ. The whole work of Romans leads to this point. In the final chapters, Paul shares one missionary work of unity. During his third missionary journey, Paul began to take a monetary donation from the Gentile churches for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. He saw this as an opportunity to bring healing between two different groups who found identity in one place, Christ. In every way, Paul desired to see a sense of oneness in God's people.

I could go for ages about the messages with Romans, but now it is your turn. It is your study. It is your time to internalize the truths of God's Word and let them reverberate within you. May the God of peace bring you wisdom and spiritual understanding as you seek to know Him and share His message with others.

It's news I'm most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God's powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God's way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: "The person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives." Romans 1:16-17, The Message

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Song Beneath The Song"

2011-04-04T00:29:00.001-04:00

"What just happened? That was weird." Those were the first words out of my mouth after I rushed home to watch my Tivo episode of Grey's Anatomy last Thursday. I was skeptical about a musical episode, but the hype around it seemed so positive. I was ready to embrace this artistic diversion and get my cry on with Callie. Boy, did I miss it. Or maybe, Shonda and team missed it.

In its first (and hopefully only attempt) at a musical, the Grey's Anatomy writers presented an assumed gift to longtime Grey's fans - an episode with music from key scenes from the first three seasons. It was a noble effort, but it was just weird. Through much of the episode, I kept trying to swat at the singing characters. I wanted them to stop singing because the actual dialogue was good - really good. The singing became a distraction for most of the episode. Plus, I thought the singing should only occur when Callie (or her spirit) was present. The surgeons singing with the X-rays while determining Callie's fate was just odd.

The whole episode had potential for moving all the storylines forward. Issues were confronted. Couples were challenged. A baby was born. We learned that the new OB wasn't very good at her job. (Was anyone else concerned by that?) Therefore, Addison made a random appearance in the musical. I, for one, was truly grateful that neither Addison nor Cristina or even Derek made any singing montages. That choice by the Grey's writers was just good for my soul. Cristina's rememberance of a Burke procedure made me miss Burke. Does anyone else feel that way? Man, I just loved him.

This musical episode had about four songs too many. I know it was written in the style of a Broadway musical, but it was just too much of a stretch for this show. I loved the nods to "Chasing Cars" and "How To Save A Life." Plus, "Grace" is the song in the greatest scene ever from Grey's Anatomy (see the link below). My favorite song was "The Story" at the end where Callie sang about being made for her baby. It was totally sweet and totally Callie. That's it. That's my review. What did you think of it?

(If you have 30 minutes to waste on YouTube, then thumb through the following videos in this list. The links show the original scene where a song from the musical episode was played. It is a great walk down memory lane for any Grey's Anatomy fan.)

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol

Running On Sunshine by Jesus Jackson

Universe and U by KT Tunstall

Grace by Kate Havnevik

Wait by Get Set Go

How To Save A Life by The Fray

How We Operate by Gomez

Breathe (2 a.m.) by Anna Nalick

The Story by Brandi Carlisle

On the blog this week...

2011-04-03T03:31:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "Song Beneath The Song"

Wednesday: Bible study - Romans 15:14-16:27

Friday: Movies - Surprise!

Documentary Month! Inside Job

2011-04-01T15:10:00.002-04:00

Running time: 120 minutes
Rated PG-13 for some drug and sex-related material

Inside Job took home the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature this year. That's not why I wanted to watch it. I used to work in the mortgage division of a major bank. Eventually, I left that job because of the greed that surrounded me. Inside Job documents the greed I saw almost every day in my former line of work.

The focus of this documentary is the financial meltdown of 2008, of which we are still feeling the aftermath. Matt Damon narrates the story behind the doors of Wall Street. We learn of corruption layered everywhere between the financial industry and the White House. We see how financial investors banked on the economic disaster of everyday Americans. We watch as these same investors testify to Congress with little accountability or consequence. The viewers of Inside Job acquire a powerful knowledge of Wall Street greed and its effect on everyday consumers.

What should be done with this knowledge? We should vote with more wisdom about the financial services industry. We should give feedback to our politicians about their decisions or lack thereof to regulate this manic group of people. And we should vow to live in a way that promotes moderation in this society. Inside Job shows the extreme end of our addictive culture. No matter what it is or how much it costs, we always think that more is better.

This is not a new problem in our world. Greed has been around since the beginning. It has also infiltrated our churches. The apostle Paul addresses this issue with solidarity in his first letter to Timothy.

These are the things I want you to teach and preach. If you have leaders there who teach otherwise, who refuse the solid words of our Master Jesus and this godly instruction, tag them for what they are: ignorant windbags who infect the air with germs of envy, controversy, bad-mouthing, suspicious rumors. Eventually there's an epidemic of backstabbing, and truth is but a distant memory. They think religion is a way to make a fast buck.
A devout life does bring wealth, but it's the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that's enough.
But if it's only money these leaders are after, they'll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. I Timothy 6:2-10, The Message

"Lust for money brings trouble." Isn't that the truth? We all know its truth because we are all suffering the consequences of greed right now. What does repentance look like? Moderation.

Romans Bible Study: Romans 14:1-15:13

2011-03-31T14:45:00.001-04:00

(This is the twelfth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. Romans 14:13, New King James Version

I can't believe this series on Romans is almost over. When my co-teacher and I first decided on Romans, we were both quite intimidated by the book. Now, I feel like Romans is an old friend. It is a challenging friend but still familiar to me. I pray that you feel the same about this New Testament book. When Paul wrote Romans, he wasn't trying to go above anyone's head or confuse people. He was simply writing what was on his heart for these people in this particular situation.

At this point in Romans, Paul is beginning to wrap up the letter. He uses this climax to address a topic that is still relevant today - the strong and the weak. The strong are defined as those who find great freedom in practicing their faith. The weak are those who still feel the need to adhere to certain laws and traditions from the past. Within the church at Rome, some Christians still practiced a Jewish diet and followed the traditions of some Jewish holy days. Paul doesn't have a problem with someone needing to keep these traditions. He says that this practice crosses over the line when the traditions are required for salvation.

In Romans 14:1-12, we are commanded to accept one another. This acceptance is not just tolerating one another in the name of the Lord. The original language used here connotes accepting another Christian into every part of your life, like a family member. Surely, this is where the church looks different in the world. Paul also reminds his readers that the Christian's master is God alone. We only answer to Him about our actions. Therefore, we are in no position to judge one another.

In typical Pauline fashion, the strong are the ones asked to carry the heavier burden in this segment of Scripture. Paul explains how the actions of the strong can cause spiritual harm to other believers. We are cautioned to use our spiritual freedom for "peace and mutual edification" within the body of Christ (Romans 14:19, NIV). I love how the NKJV represents this language with the command, "resolve this." We are commanded to live in unity, not in division. Oh, how we need this lesson today!

As Paul closes this section in the first part of Romans 15, he draws our attention back to the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus is our best example of the strong. He served when he had every right to demand differently. Paul also recollects - again! - the importance of the Old Testament. Paul quotes passages from the Torah, the Writings and the Prophets to show God's continuing plan for the inclusion of the Gentiles in His kingdom. He ends with a beautiful prayer for each believer to be filled with hope and peace in God and for each other.

The Message has a great translation of our major command in this section of Romans. Let these words fall on your ears and permeate your heart.

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14:1, The Message

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "This Is How We Do It"

2011-03-29T09:37:00.001-04:00

Have you diagnosed yourself with Alzheimer's yet? I have because I keep forgetting those words - truck, cabin, spoon. Truck, cabin, spoon. Truck, cabin, spoon. When I forget, well, let's just say that I freak out a little bit. This Alzheimer's study with Meredith and Derek is becoming my favorite storyline. And Adele's reaction in this clip is powerful. I had tears in my eyes after watching it again.

Last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy, "This Is How We Do It," activated more than one emotion in me. I threw pillows when Owen came home with the responsbility of picking the chief resident. I was screaming at Callie to put her seat belt back on. I was also screaming at Arizona to look at the road. Seriously! These doctors live so much more dangerously than any of us regular people. That's life at Seattle Grace for you. Maybe that's why this episode was called "This Is How We Do It."

Let's get to the recap. Jackson and Lexie were making out everywhere. April denied a makeout session to the Ally McBeal doctor. Meredith and Derek worked on their Alzheimer's trial, even when the Chief begged that his own wife be considered for it. Bailey and hot nurse had some squabbles at work. But the big story of the night was Callie's baby shower. How much did you love watching Mark and Arizona compete in "who knows Callie better?" That part was enjoyable.

What wasn't fun was seeing Arizona turn into more and more of a whiner. Really, Arizona? You made the decision to stick around. Nobody is paying you to stay. Be a team player! Well, I have been convicted this week about my own bouts of complaining, so I leave you with this passage of Scripture.

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing. Philippians 2:14-16, The Message

Apology Needed...Insert Here

2011-03-28T09:31:00.000-04:00

I am sorry for falling off the planet again last week. Sickness at our house always disrupts my superwoman schedule. If you can believe it, I forgot to blog. What is happening to the world?!

Tuesday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "This Is How We Do It"

Thursday: Bible study - Romans 14:1-15:13

Friday: Movies - Inside Job

Romans Bible Study: Romans 13:1-14

2011-03-24T09:44:00.000-04:00

(This is the eleventh installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1, New International Version

Paul takes us on a little detour in Romans 13:1-7. After writing a memorable prose on Christian living in Romans 12, he seems to insert an oddly placed command about submission to government. Why would he address such an issue at this point in Romans? Well, the Roman church was already experiencing oppression by the Roman government and the Jewish synagogue leaders. Some people became part of anti-government movements, and these movements refused to pay any money to the government. Paul is attempting to address a growing question in the early church - how do we live in peace with a hostile government?

We receive three key commands in this first section of Romans 13.

1. Submit to your governing authorities.
2. Pay your taxes.
3. Give what you owe.

It is simple. Our governing authorities have been appointed by God, and they deserve our honor and respect. We may not agree with these leaders, but we must not compromise our command in Romans 12 to "live peaceably with all men." For those who live in the United States, we can exercise our right to vote and change the laws within our country. God doesn't call us to protest or use hateful speech against our leaders. He calls us to peace and love. It is no coincidence that this passage in Romans 13 is couched between two passages on love. We are a people who should be known by our love, not our hate. Unfortunately, we all too often use hate in our political discussions and assume people take it as love. Paul sums up this chapter with an image for us.

But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Romans 13:11-14, The Message

The NIV says that we should "clothe ourselves with Christ." We should be clothed with our Savior, who is known by His love.

Grey's Anatomy - The Musical Event?

2011-03-21T09:25:00.000-04:00

If you have been hiding under a rock, then you might have missed the latest hoopla around Grey's Anatomy. On March 31, Shonda and team will produce their first musical. Musical? Yes, musical. As you can tell from this clip, it looks like Callie will sing her way through a near-death experience. You don't sing in your dreams? Well, Callie does, and we get to be the beneficiaries of it. Sara Ramirez, who plays Callie, actually got her start on Broadway. It should be a memorable episode!

On the blog this week....

2011-03-20T00:31:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Preview of Grey's Anatomy musical episode

Wednesday: Bible Study - Romans 13

Friday: Movies - Documentary Month! Inside Job

Documentary Month! The September Issue

2011-03-18T04:03:00.011-04:00

Running time: 90 minutes
Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

"Fashion is a religion. This is the Bible."

The tagline for The September Issue is a perfect summary of this 2009 documentary. It tracks the production of the September 2007 issue of Vogue magazine, which turns out to be the single largest issue of a magazine ever published at that time. If you aren't familiar with the fashion world, then you need to know this fact. Each year the September issue of Vogue is the fashion world's Bible for the next year.

The September Issue is a documentary that follows Anna Wintour and her small work team around the world in pursuit of fashion. Really, it is what Anna thinks of fashion that dictates much of the fashion world. I had always heard that assertion, but I didn't know if it was true. The September Issue proves it as fact. While the work behind the production of Vogue is outrageous and daunting, Anna Wintour permeates every cell of its being. People bow down to her fashion advice, and people spend their entires lives trying to win her approval. It is sad.

The September Issue is fascinating if you enjoy seeing the "behind the scenes" work of a magazine. It is unbelievable how one group can such authority in a global industry. And, while The September Issue has some fun moments, it also reminds you of why our economy stays in the toilet. The frivolous use of money and the self-indulgence of this fashion team might make you want to vomit. Overall, I really enjoyed it.

I can't talk about fashion without sharing this quick Scripture with you. Let this - not Anna Wintour - permeate every cell of your being.

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
   The woman to be admired and praised
   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
   Festoon her life with praises! Proverbs 31:30-31, The Message

Romans Bible Study - Romans 12:1-21

2011-03-16T07:44:00.001-04:00

(This is the tenth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

Are we done with Romans yet? I don't know if that's what you are thinking, but we are getting to some really good stuff in Romans 12. Paul begins to lay out what Christian living should look like. Romans 12 is not a checklist; it is a guidebook for us. It is addressed to ALL Christians, not to a specific gender or geographical location or leadership position. Instead of explaining the text this week, I just want you to read it in The Message. Let these words seep into your soul today.

^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
³I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
^4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.
^6-8If you preach, just preach God's Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don't take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.
^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
^11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
^17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
^20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Sexy Glee

2011-03-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

When I first reviewed Glee back in 2009, I said that its racy themes and cool music would make it popular. Then I mentioned that its lack of emotional depth (solely based on the season premiere) might send this club back to the bus. Boy, was I wrong. Really wrong. While I still don't love the drama aspects of this show, Glee has dominated the singing world and most teenage worlds in Justin Bieber-style. Plus, it is really the only viable network show that addresses teen issues and engages adults.

I point out the success of Glee because its most recent episode covered the topic of sexuality, and I want to give my two cents on it. We don't normally watch this show, but we happen to catch it that night. In the episode titled "Sexy, " the glee club is forced to confront the individual views of sexuality within the school. The adult reaction to teenage sex varied from abstinence to sex education to ambivalence, which seems to cover most adult reactions in real life. The episode addressed sexual relations between a boy and a girl, a boy and a boy, and two girls.

Whether you like Glee or not, you need to see this episode. Why? Because it is the most open and well-presented message about sexuality from our culture that I have seen in a long time. We will look back this episode of Glee one day and see it as a defining cultural moment, much like Donna's debate about sex on Beverly Hills 90210 or Jack's coming out on Dawson's Creek. People of all ages watch this show, and each of us need to be prepared to discuss this message of sexuality with anyone who offers the topic to us.

For too long, most Christians have hidden under the covers when sexuality was discussed in public. And, like the first sexual revolution in the 1960s, our silence or total disdain for a revolution will add nothing to the conversation. In fact, that approach only removes our seat from the table of discussion. We have several biblical mandates for the older to teach the younger, and this includes sexuality. These conversations should be directed by our love for Christ, not our fear of the culture. I am reminded of this command given to fathers in the New Testament.

Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. Ephesians 6:4, The Message

What would happen if Christians had honest conversations about the realities of sex in 2011 with other people? What would happen if we offered help with relationships rather than degrade them through our hateful rhetoric? What would happen if every Christian actually took the hand of a brother or sister and modeled healthy community to others? Would teenage sex rates dramatically decrease? I don't know. Would the rapid rise of STDs stop? I don't know. Would sexuality look any different? I don't know, but I firmly believe that being real offers more of Jesus to the world than hiding behind our religious systems. Watch this episode of Glee if you are interested in making a difference. You can thank me later.

On the blog this week...

2011-03-13T10:00:00.001-04:00

Monday: Television - Sexy Glee

Wednesday: Bible study - Romans 12

Friday: Movies - Documentary Month! The September Issue

Documentary Month! Food, Inc.

2011-03-11T20:39:00.002-05:00

Running time: 94 minutes
Rated PG for some thematic material and disturbing images

Do you really know what you eat? And should you care? Those are the two questions asked by the creators of Food, Inc., a 2010 Oscar nominee for Best Documentary Feature. Food, Inc. is an incriminating look into the way food is produced for the United States. As the documentary's tagline says, "you'll never look at dinner the same way."

The heart of the movie is given in the first ten minutes of commentary, which is why you need to watch this documentary twice. In this time, we learn that our food production has changed more in the past 50 years than the previous 10,000 years. We encounter more than 47,000 products when we walk through the doors of the normal supermarket in our country. Food production is a huge industry which also produces enormous profits for a small number of corporations.

In the spirit of another groundbreaking documentary, Super Size Me, we learn that the creation of the McDonalds fast food chain changed the way we eat and how mass food production takes place. The McDonald brothers invented the idea of having the same-tasting food available anywhere, anytime. With this new feeding frenzy, McDonalds became the main buyer of beef, pork, potatoes and other key foods in the United States. When one group dominates the buying process, they can dictate pretty much whatever they want. The McDonald brothers demanded the same kinds of meat, so scientists had to create ways to produce fatter cows and chickens at the same cost.

This is where things get greedy and gross at the same time. I won't go into the details because you need to watch Food, Inc. for yourself. But, this documentary will blow your mind. I can't testify the truth behind every claim made in Food, Inc., yet a knowledgeable consumer knows much of it is true. Farmers who won't cooperate with the system are being put out of business. Food prices, really driven by the cost of corn, continue to soar with corporate profits. Food-borne illnesses increase every year. And the USDA has had little control over food production processes and companies. (Since the making of Food, Inc., the Food Safety Bill has passed into legislation.)

Food is such a huge discussion in our country right now. With the ongoing epidemic of childhood obesity, we continue to plunge forward as a nation into ever-increasing problems and death rates caused by our bad eating habits. It's awful. Our stomachs have become our gods, and we look to food for healing. This is a problem actually addressed in the Bible. You can find it in Philippians 3.

But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Philippians 3:18b-21, The Message

The writer here is addressing a culture very similar to ours, one obsessed with fulfilling self over anyone or anything else. Food, Inc. is a grotesque but sorely needed look into our willing ignorance about food. We deliberately consume unsafe food so we can satisfy our aching hearts and empty wallets. That's a real problem.

Romans Bible Study - Romans 9:1-11:36

2011-03-10T16:29:00.000-05:00

(This is the ninth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

"It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel." Romans 9:6, New International Version

After an inspiring look into Holy Spirit in Romans 8, one would think that Paul will write more about life in the Spirit. Yet, he takes an interesting detour in Romans 9-11. Paul inserts an overwhelming plea to love Israel and understand their part in God's greater plan. It is easy to forget that Paul is a Jew who has been sent to share the Good News with the Gentiles. Many Jews thought of him as a traitor, yet his words in these chapters of Romans give us a look into his heart for his own people.

In Romans 9:1-5, Paul offers himself in place of Israel if that sacrifice would result in Israel's redemption in Christ. It is a strong statement on Paul's part. I don't know if he is being dramatic or truly would make that offer. No matter what, Paul has a heart for the Jews. His introduction also begins a highly debated series of verses within the Bible. It seems like Romans has lots of those! These three chapters are discussed at great length due to Paul's urging that Israel is still part of God's plan, even though salvation has been offered to all people.

I will let the scholars and theologians determine the details of these three chapters and the involvement of Israel. Above all, these three chapters reveal the supreme sovereignty of God. Paul tells us that we can bank on what God says He will do. Paul quotes several Old Testament resources and writes about many Old Testament characters here. Why does he do that? He is showing that God has been working from the beginning to bring ALL people to Himself, and the selection of Israel as His nation has been part of that grand plan.

I encourage you to search through Romans 9-11 and highlight each Old Testament character. Think about the significance of that person and what he or she said or did that relates to the overall story of Israel. If anything, these chapters should serve as a reminder to us that the Old Testament is still important. While the old law is gone (Romans 7), the Old Testament gives us a basis for what the new law means for Christians. Without understanding our spiritual history, we lose the ancestry that Israel has passed down to us as spiritual children. Romans 9-11 is beautiful picture of a loving God who weaves His people in with His good purposes.

On the blog this week

2011-03-06T00:21:00.002-05:00

Wednesday: Bible study - Romans 9-11

Friday: Movies (Documentary Month) - Food, Inc.

Documentary Month! The Cove

2011-03-04T08:57:00.002-05:00

Running time: 92 minutes
Rated PG-13 for disturbing content

I love documentaries. I am not afraid to say it. I heart documentaries. Really, I would focus on more recently made ones, yet I am just a junkie for that kind of stuff. That's why I am focusing on documentaries in the month of March. Documentaries show us real life from one person's point of view. They are similar to films, yet they push us to look at our own realities. Documentaries give us a semblance of truth.

With that being said, I am kicking off this month with The Cove, the 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary Feature. The Cove follows a crew of marine renegades into Taiji, Japan, home to the world's largest illegal dolphin slaughter. The leader of the pack is Richard O'Barry, the man who trained the dolphins for the TV show, Flipper. O'Barry shares his major paradigm shift about sea animals in captivity and his now total life devotion to saving these creatures. This documentary's crew aims to film the actual illegal activities and share them with the world in hopes that someone or some country will stop these activities.

The build-up within the documentary is huge. In fact, the first forty-five minutes is just a tease. You want to go into that cove! It is fascinating to watch the secret filming missions and massive undertaking this feature required. The evidence in The Cove is compelling, and the story builds around stereotypes. Some Asian countries are known for their heritage of illegal fishing, and this feature only builds on that legacy. I found this documentary even more powerful after a Sea World trainer was killed by a captive whale in 2010.

Whether you love the dolphins or not, nature is important to us. Mankind is responsible for this earth. Here are God's words for Adam and Eve in the very beginning of time.

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
      reflecting our nature
   So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
      the birds in the air, the cattle,
   And, yes, Earth itself,
      and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
   God created human beings;
      he created them godlike,
   Reflecting God's nature.
      He created them male and female.
   God blessed them:
      "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
   Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
      for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." Genesis 1:26-28 , The Message

Be responsible. That's God command to us. Whether it is nature or humans, we are called to be responsible and kind to God's creation.

Romans Bible Study - Romans 8:1-39

2011-03-03T14:23:00.000-05:00

(This is the eighth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..." Romans 8:1, New International Version

Romans 8 has been called a "cathedral of faith" and "the inner sanctuary of the Spirit." It is a cornerstone teaching about the Holy Spirit, which lives in believers and enables us to live in freedom until Jesus comes again. Instead of trying to teach this chapter via a blog post, I wanted to share these words from John MacArthur from his own Bible study book, Romans: Grace, Truth and Redemption.

"In the first seven chapters of Romans, God's Holy Spirit is mentioned only once. In chapter 8, Paul mentions the Spirit almost twenty times. It is the Spirit who frees us from sin and death, enables us to fulfill God's law, changes our nature, gives us the ability to overcome the desires of our unredeemed flesh, confirms our adoption as God's children, and guarantees our eternal glory. In short, there can be no success or progress in the Christian life apart from an utter dependence on the third Person of the Trinity....

The Holy Spirit is the divine agent who creates, sustains, and preserves spiritual life in those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not merely an influence or an impersonal power emanating from God. He is a person, the third member of the Trinity, equal in every way to God the Father and God the Son. Among the many characteristics of personhood that the Holy Spirit manifests are: He functions with mind, emotion, and will; He loves the saints, He communicates with them, teaches, guides, comforts and chastises them; He can be grieved, quenched, lied to, tested, resisted and blasphemed. He is called God, Lord, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Yahweh (or Jehovah), the Spirit of the Father, the Spirit of the Son, the Spirit of Jesus, and the Comforter and Advocate for believers.

Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit has indwelt all believers, illuminating their understanding and application of God's Word. He fills them, seals them, communes with them, fellowships with them, intercedes for them, comforts them, admonishes them, sanctifies them, and enables them to resist sin and to serve God...

Paul closes the chapter (Romans 8) with profound teaching about the believer's absolute security. Not only are we saved by the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Spirit, but we also are safe in the Father's love. The God who is in control of all things, who has graciously saved us from sin and death and who has begun the process of transformation in us, will never let us go."

A Grey's Anatomy Review - Season 7: "Not Responsible"

2011-02-28T00:39:00.001-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Nothing like infected lungs to kick off a blog post! This whole storyline from the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy intrigued me. Two cystic fibrosis patients had fallen in love, yet their love was really toxic to their bodies. It's like a Romeo and Juliet with health problems. Lexie let their "love story" take her down a scary path in her own life.

Lexie wasn't the only one facing some scary stuff in "Not Responsible." Just for the record, remind me to never end up in Seattle Grace Hospital or any hospital, for that matter. This was another episode where you understand why medical errors are made everyday. Who has time to focus on saving lives when so much romantic drama is to be had?! Callie had to make another decision for the trio of parents, which involved an amniocentesis. Meredith temporarily lost some of her eyesight due to the fertility drugs. Cristina and Owen were forced to discuss kids because of everyone else's baby mama drama. The Chief had to confront his own truth with his wife's continued "balance" problems. Alex went headfirst into another rejection from the new OB (who is starting to grow on me). And April got the surprise of the season with a date proposal from the Ally McBeal pediatrician.

Needless to say, it was a busy episode. I finally figured out what I do like about this season of Grey's Anatomy, at least the second half of it. It came with Cristina's comment to Meredith in the lunchroom. Meredith didn't know about a certain topic, and Cristina reminded us that Meredith wasn't "parented." Meredith's vulnerability and her trainwreck of a life is what first attracted me to the show. It is also what made me want to give up the show in season 3. Meredith has grown by leaps and bounds in recent seasons, but she has almost become a superhero. I need her vulnerability because that's how I relate to her character. Her struggle with fertility has brought that "needy" side of her to light again. I love it.

It was Meredith's half-sister Lexie that carried the episode for me. Lexie shared her notion - one that I believed for many years - that everyone has one soulmate. It was the romantic in her and all of us that was speaking during the love story between the cystic fibrosis patients. For lack of sounding unromantic, Avery pretty much shut her down (before meeting her in the shower). Does everyone only have one soulmate? Are we destined to pine for only person in this lifetime? It sounds dreamy and makes love full of angst, but I have to disagree here. I believe certain people speak the most special language of our hearts, but I also believe in wisdom's ability to steer us right. Wisdom can only be found in one place.

Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. Proverbs 1:7, The Message

God alone directs our romantic involvements and our entire lives. We can't throw common sense out of the door for the sake of one soulmate, yet we can throw the world's thoughts aside when we follow God's will for our lives. Dreams of what life might be will be the topic of future episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Arizona's comments about her own dreams of love will become the foundation for Grey's Anatomy first musical episode coming in March. Stay tuned!

On the blog this week...

2011-02-26T10:58:00.001-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "Not Responsible"

Wednesday: Bible study - Romans 8

Friday: Movies (Special documentary series in March) - The Cove

Who Will Win the Oscars?

2011-02-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. I wish that I could say I was excited about the Oscars telecast, but I'm not. I stopped watching the actual show a few years ago because I became so disgusted by the political process of the awards system. In light of that, here are my predictions and thoughts on the major races. The Oscars will air Sunday, February 27, at 8pm EST on ABC.

Actor in a Leading Role
Who will win - Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Sally's wish pick - Colin Firth (love it when me and the Academy agree :-)

Actor in a Supporting Role
Who will win - Christian Bale, The Fighter
Sally's wish pick - I loved Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech, but I haven't seen The Fighter. I think Christian Bale is one of the best actors out there, so I would be happy to see him recognized.

Actress in a Leading Role
Who will win - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Sally's wish pick - I will be crushed if Annette Bening slips us and wins this category because Natalie Portman deserves every bit of it.

Actress in a Supporting Role
Who will win - Hailee Steinfeld, True Grit
Sally's wish pick - I haven't seen most of the movies in this category. In these situations, I always root for the youngest nominee (Hailee Steinfeld) and the oldest (Jacki Weaver for Animal Kingdom).

Directing
Who will win - David Fincher, The Social Network
Sally's wish pick - Darren Aronofsky for Black Swan. The vision behind this film was breathtaking and original.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Who will win - Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network
Sally's wish pick - Toy Story 3, Screenplay by Michael Arndt; Story by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. I have watched this film probably five times and am still blown away by the originality and reinvention of this story.

Writing (Original Screenplay)
Who will win - David Seidler, The King's Speech
Sally's wish pick - No brainer here. Christopher Nolan for Inception. If you read my blog, then you should not be surprised by that pick :-)

Best Picture
Who will win - The King's Speech
Sally's wish pick - Toy Story 3 pushes the moviemaking genre by its animation, creates a cultural conversation by its script and shows how voice actors are just as powerful in their craft as any other actors on screen. Go Toy Story 3!!!!

Romans Bible Study - Romans 7:1-25

2011-02-23T11:56:00.002-05:00

(This is the seventh installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. Romans 7:4

I can't believe that we are already in Romans 7. This study is going by so fast, yet Paul seems to slow down here in Romans 7 as he makes his point about our desperate need for God. Since Romans 5, Paul has been explaining the security of following God and our high-level security threats - sin and the law. We probably all have a basic understanding of sin, but what is the law? What does the law have to do with us? Guess what? You have come to the right place.

"The law," as used by the author Paul in Romans, is the law given to Moses by God on Mt. Sinai. Most us are familiar with the Ten Commandments, which is part of the law. The entire law was given to Moses, which you can find when you read Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. This law became the government and general life principles for the Jewish people, Israel. God gave a clear plan for coming into relationship with Him, but the people could not uphold the law. In fact, they used in the law in two different ways - as a means of disobedience and as a means of legalism. Therefore, they faced the punishment for their sins, which included death, separation from God and captivity by other nations.

Jesus Christ came to fulfill this law for us. He lived a perfect life and become the atoning sacrifice for everyone - past, present and future. Now, we - meaning Christians - live by a new law, a new covenant. In Romans 7, Paul is finalizing his point about our desperate need for a Savior, our Savior Jesus Christ. He uses the example of a woman being married to two different people. The passage (Romans 7:1-6) is not a teaching on marriage, divorce or remarriage. It is an illustration of our death to the old (the law) and our union with the new (Christ).

In verses 7-12, Paul answers the supposed question, "Is the law good or bad?" He surmises that the law was good, but sinful humanity took what was good and made it evil. Does your head hurt yet? Yes, Romans can be complicated at times, yet stick with me. So, why should we even care about the law or even the entire Old Testament? The following is a quote by theologian Douglas Moo. It is the best explanation that I have heard in response to this own question of mine.

“We may not be under its direct authority any more, but we must continue to meditate on His law both as a means of better appreciating just who our God is and what He values and as a means of understanding our own place in the plan God unfolds in Scripture...What the history of Israel with the law reveals is the inability of human beings to obey God."

The law is valuable in its ability to reveal God's character and His plan for us. It is something we should study so we can know more about our Heavenly Redeemer. (Read Psalm 19:7-12 for a beautiful rendering of the delight we find in God's word.) While we have died to the law, we still struggle with the tendency to follow a broken law in a sinful world. Paul illustrates this point in Romans 7:13-25. It is not the religious person who will find victory. It is the person sold in Christ alone.

Romans 7 seems to end in a bleak way, but it paves the way for the amazing story of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives in Romans 8. Keep reading Romans this week. Read it in different translations, and write down your thoughts. The Word of God is alive.

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Golden Hour"

2011-02-21T07:03:00.001-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

So...I had to post this scene because it was just too hilarious. I am contemplating a series on this blog that gives my top five Grey's Anatomy moments. My husband votes for this one to make the list. This scene was old-school Grey's like I haven't seen in a long time. The music was perky yet relevant. The pace was fast and fun. And the dialogue was intriguing and charming. Plus, the scene highlighted McDreamy. What could be better?!

"Golden Hour." What a perfect name for this hour of television. The Grey's Anatomy writers came back in full force from an off week and put on their game. The entire hour focused on Meredith's shift as the emergency room senior person or something. It was really her effort to show her strength as chief resident material, which I am calling here - she is totally gonna get. The ER tends to be a hoppin' place, and "Golden Hour" showed us just how much work comes through the door on a normal night.

While most of the staff was focused on patients and their personal lives, Meredith and Derek spent this episode trying to find time for their "date." Now, the Grey's Anatomy writers have been toying with us in regards to call rooms, so this was the perfect setup for the audience. Mer-Der went looking for a place for their "date," and we all thought it was a sexy date. Not so much. In a perfect play of directing, we find that their "date" involves medical stuff and infertility. It becomes a reminder to us that making babies isn't always sexy or adventurous. Sometimes it is time-consuming and tedious. And, partners can have different feelings in the process.

I have walked with many friends through the fertility process. Unfortunately, it is more common than we think. The days, months and years of waiting can seem insurmountable. The silence of the womb can be death to the heart, and the silence of God, after so many prayers, can be death to the soul. King David in the Bible was an artist who could put beautiful words to the language of an aching heart. Read this passage from Psalm 6.

Can't you see I'm black-and-blue,
      beat up badly in bones and soul?
   God, how long will it take
      for you to let up?

Break in, God, and break up this fight;
      if you love me at all, get me out of here.
   I'm no good to you dead, am I?
      I can't sing in your choir if I'm buried in some tomb!

I'm tired of all this—so tired. My bed
      has been floating forty days and nights
   On the flood of my tears.
      My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.
   The sockets of my eyes are black holes;
      nearly blind, I squint and grope. Psalm 6:2-7, The Message

"My bed has been floating forty days and nights on the flood of my tears." That is one of my favorite lines in the entire Bible because I can identify with it. Ironically, this passage also talks about experiencing blindness from the sadness in your soul. Meredith gets her own bout of blindness on next week's Grey's Anatomy.

On the blog this week...

2011-02-20T11:49:00.000-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "Golden Hour"

Wednesday: Bible Study - Romans 7

Friday: Movies - Sally's Oscar Picks and Thoughts

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): The King's Speech

2011-02-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter
Rated R for some language.

I am gonna admit that I am a total sucker for some things. In life, my list is long. In film, my list is short, and The King's Speech hits every item on it. Historical fiction? Check. British humor? Check. Unconventional methods? Check. Great tale of friendship? Check. And, of course, Colin Firth? Check. Check!

The King's Speech is a story of victory against all odds. It is set in pre-WWII England. The British government is monitoring the increasing power of Adolf Hitler while its own monarchy is experiencing quite a few leadership changes. In the midst of this situation, we find Edward VI as played by Colin Firth. (To give you a current context, Edward VI is Prince William's great-grandfather.) Edward suffers from a difficult speech impediment known as stuttering. His wife Elizabeth finds another new doctor who might be able to help, as Edward's speaking opportunities before the nation are also increasing. This new doctor, played so perfectly by Geoffrey Rush, uses some unconventional means for therapy and holds some unconventional thoughts around the root of Edward's problem. The newly crowned King Edward VI and his therapist become friends and allies in a troublesome period for Edward and the nation.

This movie is Oscar gold. The acting is phenomenal. I am totally in love with Colin Firth, and this role will probably earn him the Best Actor award that he deserved last year for A Single Man. Geoffrey Rush is just inspiring in his role as the therapist, Lionel Logue. I haven't seen the other movies within the Best Supporting Actor category, but I am not sure how anyone could be stronger than Geoffrey Rush in The King's Speech. The story is original and poignant. At a time when people feel beat down by the continued economic issues in our country, The King's Speech provides its own stimulus package for the human heart.

I can't talk about a key leader with a stuttering problem without talking about Moses in the Bible. Like Edward VI, Moses was pushed into leadership while questioning his own confidence and abilities. In Exodus 3-4, God calls on Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. This dialogue between God and Moses is one of my favorites because it is hilarious. Moses just keeps going back at God and implies that God hasn't really thought about His plan. God, in His patience and wisdom, just keeps talking to Moses. Here is the passage where we find that Moses has a stuttering problem of his own.

Moses raised another objection to God: "Master, please, I don't talk well. I've never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer."
God said, "And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn't it I, God? So, get going. I'll be right there with you—with your mouth! I'll be right there to teach you what to say."
He said, "Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!" Exodus 4:10-13, The Message

Like Moses, King Edward VI finds that moments in life come when we must rise to the occasion, whether we are prepared for them or not. Edward also learns that what we are told in our childhoods can carry with us for our entire lives. The King's Speech will win Best Picture, yet that's not why you should see this movie. The King's Speech shows us how a loving support system can propel us into even greater moments of triumph than we ever imagined.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Colin Firth), Best Supporting Actor (Geoffrey Rush), Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing

Romans Bible Study - Romans 6:1-23

2011-02-16T11:25:00.000-05:00

(This is the sixth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:2, New International Version

We are getting into the deeper themes of Romans as we move into chapter 6. The author Paul has not lacked for words in his explanation of our need for God and God's plan to redeem us. Romans has thrown out quite a few old-timey words, and I want to spend today in defining them for you. My co-teacher, Gretchen Dowdy, has done a splendid job in researching and teaching these concepts to our class. She is the author of the material today, not me.

Crucial Concepts in Romans

Justification (justify, justified) - Romans 4:25; 5:18
God's act of declaring us "not guilty" for our sins, making us right with Him. This is similar to a courtroom scene where the prisoner is declared "not guilty" of the crime, the charges are dropped and he or she is set free.

Atonement (atoning sacrifice, propitiation) - Romans 3:25
The removal of God's punishment for sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, we are accepted by God and forgiven.

Redemption (redeem, redeemed) - Romans 3:25; 6:23
Jesus has paid the price so we can go free. "The wages of sin is death." Jesus paid the price and bought us back from sin. This is similar to a slave being sold at the slave market. The debt is paid in full.

Sanctification - Romans 5:2; 15:16
Becoming more and more like Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit

Glorification - Romans 8:18, 19, 30
The ultimate state of the believer after death when he or she becomes like Christ.

Romans 6 begins the focus on the sanctification process of the believer. Once we have been justified and redeemed, we spend the rest of our lives on earth in the sanctification process. This means that our lives will reflect differences from our old ways of life. Over and over again in chapter 6, Paul reiterates that we are dead to sin but alive to God. An unchained life is a changed life. In the next few chapters of Romans, we will learn about the earthly struggles of living in freedom.

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)"

2011-02-14T22:01:00.000-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

I can't say that I really loved this scene between Alex and the new OB, but I showed it for one reason. Is it me, or does this new doc look a whole lot like Mark's daughter from last season? I don't think this gal was well cast, especially when her arc revolves around Mark and a baby. Plus, what's up with the crimped, blonde hair? Oh, Grey's Anatomy producers. Maybe one day I will understand your ways.

Really, my favorite scene from this episode was Callie's tirade at the end about how many votes she gets when it comes to the handling of her pregnancy. I was SO with her on that line of thinking. Other than Meredith confirming that her dad rejects anything she gives, including her liver, I thought this Grey's Anatomy episode was pretty boring. It wasn't horrible, but it was just a filler for a much stronger episode next week. If you missed the episode or just love my writing that much, then read on for a recap.

The Chief gave Meredith a choice in participation of clinical studies. She could continue with Derek's study on Alzheimer's or share a new one with the Chief based on her mother's research. After some guilt-tripping manuevers by the Chief, Meredith chose wisely and stood by her man. Baily took the lead when Thatcher Grey appeared for his annual visit to Seattle Grace. He brought a much younger girlfriend which brought a much younger response from his daughter Lexie. In the end, Lexie finally came around and accepted her father's new relationship. Mark used Avery (aka Blue Eyes) to spy on Lexie, which will probably turn into egg on his face in the future. Cristina worked with Teddy on a baby heart surgery, which Alex missed due to his insensitivity with the new baby doc. Finally, Callie walked on eggshells all day when Mark and Arizona kept giving her grief about caffeine. Special note from me on that topic - Unless you have actually carried a baby in your body, then you do not get to give advice to pregnant women. This is a crucial life lesson.

I don't have any special revelations on spiritual themes in this episode. It was another reminder that our birth family isn't always our real family when we become adults. Meredith has learned that lesson through many dark and twisty ways. Her family has become her peers and teachers at Seattle Grace, yet Meredith still treats her parents with respect and honor. I will leave you with these sage words from King Solomon.

Exploit or abuse your family, and end up with a fistful of air;
common sense tells you it's a stupid way to live.
A good life is a fruit-bearing tree;
a violent life destroys souls. Proverbs 11:29-30, The Message

On the blog this week...

2011-02-13T10:17:00.001-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"

Wednesday: Bible Study - Romans 6

Friday: Movies - The King's Speech

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): The Kids Are All Right

2011-02-11T07:44:00.001-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some teen drug and alcohol use.

I am going to stutter here. Let's just get that out of the way. The Kids Are All Right pushes me into a territory of incompetence, and I don't like to admit that. Watching this film reminded me of how I don't have everything about the new structures of families figured out in my own mind, much less in a way to present it on a blog. I have struggled in how I was going to write this review for months. It hasn't been easy. Let's focus on the good parts of this film first. Then I will come back to my stuttering thoughts.

The Kids Are All Right is a movie about family. Nic and Jules, played respectively and artfully by Annette Bening and Julianne Moore, are partners with two teenage children. Their older daughter Joni decides to hunt down her biological father. After what seems like little research, Joni finds out that her father lives in the same town and arranges a meeting with him. It doesn't take long for Joni to share this news with her mothers, who are not happy about the entry of another person into their family. Joni's search for her father sets the basis for the movie, but The Kids Are All Right is really about the relationship between Nic and Jules. Their long-term partnership has become distant over the years, and the entrance of a new man only highlights this fact.

The acting in this movie is faultless. Every single person brings his or her own character to life. Annette Bening and Julianne Moore both bring a touching sense of vulnerability in their own ways. Mia Wasikowska plays the older daughter Joni. You might recognize her from Alice in Wonderland or Defiance. Mark Ruffalo is totally hot in this movie. Wow, it is the performance of his career. I am always a fan of female-written and female-directed films, and the females behind this movie are strong. The Kids Are All Right seems like a story that might be happening in your street. While it certainly seems to bring same-sex couples into a healthy limelight, the movie doesn't have any political undertones. The Kids Are All Right is simply a story about the ever-changing dynamic of families in our country.

Now, back to my stuttering thoughts. I had to ironically laugh when I read the description for the R rating of this film. "Strong sexual content" and "nudity" don't even capture the half of it. I was so shocked by the graphic sex scenes in the first thirty minutes of this film that I almost couldn't watch the rest of it. I am just not used to seeing that much same-sex physical interaction. It was just...shocking. I know, I already said that! This is where I get into confusing territory for myself. Had those scenes been between two heterosexual people, would I have been as shocked? Honestly, I don't know. I would like to think that I would have been just as shocked, but I can't confirm that for myself, which leads me to another set of thoughts...

Am I a hypocrite for being somewhat offended by the graphic nature of a film about a same-sex couple while not being as offended about other things? I think the answer is yes. Sin in any form is sin. We as Christians should always be offended by sin, which means we should live in a state of offense since we are surrounded by sin at all times. Black Swan contained some graphic sexual scenes, and I wasn't really offended by those. It felt like those scenes in Black Swan made sense for the film. I don't know why I felt differently with The Kids Are All Right. Maybe it was the intimate nature reflected on-screen between a committed couple. I don't know, but I do know The Kids Are All Right forces me to confront my own views about the set-up of families. I don't have all those pieces of this complicated puzzle fitting together in my mind at this point. It is really a tough issue for me.

So, that's it - my long-winded, stuttering review of The Kids Are All Right. I Corinthians 10:23-24 says, "Looking at it one way, you could say, 'Anything goes. Because of God's immense generosity and grace, we don't have to dissect and scrutinize every action to see if it will pass muster.' But the point is not to just get by. We want to live well, but our foremost efforts should be to help others live well." I can't make a recommendation for you about this film, but I can offer my own advice about navigating our media culture as a Christian. You can read my thoughts at this blog post, which I offered in September 2010.

Oscar Nominations - Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Annette Bening), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo)

Romans Bible Study - Romans 5:1-21

2011-02-09T07:15:00.001-05:00

(This is the fifth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8, New International Version

Can you believe that we are already in chapter five of Romans? It is going by so quickly! In today's passage, Paul transitions from the "before" life to the "after" life, after justification, that is. As a reminder, justification is the process by which God declares us not guilty because of Jesus' sacrifice for us. In verse one, Paul uses one of his famous "therefores" and begins a new section in this letter about our new status in Christ. Being declared righteous by God does make a difference. Within Romans 5:1-4, Paul lays out three benefits of this justification process.

First, we have "peace with God" (v. 1). Modern-day definitions of peace usually focus on peace as an absence of conflict. That is not the right definition for biblical peace. The word comes from the Jewish greeting "shalom." It is an all-encompassing, life-altering sense of being. Through justification, God's wrath is not directed toward us. There is no longer any hostility between us and God. We must have peace "with" God so we can know the peace "of" God in our hearts and lives.

Second, we have "access...into this grace" (v. 2). We have access to unlimited grace (God's favor that He shows toward an unworthy people) through Jesus Christ. It is not something in the future. It is not a one-time event. Grace happens now and continuously forever in the life of a Christian. We have access to our King who wants to lavish us with His favor.

Lastly, we can "rejoice" (v. 3-4). We can rejoice over our future destination - heaven with God, and we can rejoice here and now that this life isn't our final resting place. We have higher hopes in God. This world may seem uncertain, but we can have assurance in God's love for us and His justification in our lives. In our sufferings, we gain perseverance, character and more hope.

Paul uses the next few verses to prove his point. In verses 5-8, he proves God's love for us in the pouring out of God's Spirit into our hearts and in the cross of Christ. In verses 9-11, Paul shows that God's work for us also proves the certainty of His promise in justification. God will make good on His Word.

The next section of Romans 5 is a highly debated passage within the Bible. Many theologians argue for and against a couple of key concepts by these passages - original sin and security of salvation. I don't have space to cover those topics here, but I want you to be aware of this passage's significance in the greater landscape of Christianity. Paul uses verses 12-21 to show how Adam and Christ both impacted humanity. Adam spread sin through himself (one man), and Christ healed sin through Himself (one man). Through Adam came death, condemnation and judgment. Through Christ came grace, justification and life. As one theologian put it, we move from a state of sinfulness in Adam into a status of righteousness in Christ.

In many words, Paul shares that Adam is an example of God's will to fulfill His promises in Christ. Like Adam, our actions affect the people around us. Our actions can impact future generations. It is important to teach this concept in our families, our churches and our communities. We are not individuals on an island; we are a family in a world that desperately needs a Savior.

Stick with me, friends. I pray that you will read Romans and wrestle with its messages, just as I have wrestled in prayer for you.

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)"

2011-02-07T07:11:00.002-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Hormone casserole? Metaphorical gut? Now, that's some classic Grey's Anatomy phrasing for you. Callie shows off her acting chops in this scene as she confronts the fear of having a baby and losing a baby. It is something that every woman faces when she becomes pregnant - the battle between fear and hope.

Callie's pregnancy was the overarching story while everyone else at Seattle Grace focused on medical stuff. Bailey tweeted her surgeries with great fanfare from the residents and skepticism from the Chief. Derek began his clinical trial for Alzheimer's with opposing views from Alex and Meredith. Cristina and Avery fought to the death for a spot in Teddy's big heart surgery for the day. The Grey's Anatomy writers excelled in showcasing the drama without involving every character.

I really enjoyed Callie's performance in this episode. As someone who has been pregnant, I could totally relate to the innate fears that come along with creating a life and fulfilling a dream. Callie has been wanting children for years, and her time has finally come. Yet, she knows that her life isn't together like she wants. That sounds pretty normal to me. None of us have everything together when we become parents. Callie also portrayed an inner sense of hope, one that could finally believe that her dream was coming true.

Ironically, Callie's story was somewhat similar to the wife of a patient in Derek's clinical trial. This woman knew that her husband could possibly receive a miracle treatment for his Alzheimer's, yet she had to place her hope in someone else - the doctors. Callie had to place her hope in someone who had left her (Arizona). Hope does not disappoint us, as the Bible says, if we place our hope in God. In The Message, Romans 5:1-2 says, "By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."

Fear can suffocate us and limit us. Hope can give us space to breathe and take in what life has to offer. They are both present in our lives today. What can hope offer you right now?

On the blog this week...

2011-02-06T10:40:00.001-05:00

I had posted last week that I would give a review of Off The Map, but I have postponed that review for now. I am way behind on episodes. When I catch up, you will be the first to know what I think!

Monday: Television - Review of Grey's Anatomy latest episode, "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)"

Wednesday: Bible study - Romans 5

Friday: Movies - The Kids Are Alright

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): Black Swan

2011-02-04T10:35:00.003-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis
Rated R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.

"A disturbing thriller."
"Perfectionism in its most frenzied state."
"Madness enveloped in the beauty of ballet."

Those are just a few of the descriptions that I heard about Black Swan before seeing it. Honestly, I held back for a few weeks because I thought the film would be too horrifying for me. I am not one to love movies about descents into madness, but director Darren Aronofsky pulls off a masterpiece in Black Swan.

Natalie Portman, in an Oscar-nominated role, plays a dancer named Nina. Nina has trained and performed for years in the New York City ballet company. When the ballet director unexpectedly fires the star, he casts Nina in the lead role for a new production of Swan Lake. The story of Swan Lake involves one woman with two personalities - the white swan and the black swan. As you can imagine, the white swan is a woman of beauty and grace. Nina fits this role perfectly, but the director has doubts of Nina's ability to embody the evil and frivolous personality of the black swan. He encourages her to explore her sexuality and her reserved spirit of rebellion for the role. The movie Black Swan follows Nina's pursuit of finding her inner "baddie" so she can prove herself among her peers and family.

I am not a fan of Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky (best known for The Wrestler and Requiem for a Dream), but he throws a gauntlet down into the arena of directing here. This film is so well made that you hardly realize how much is required of the actors. Natalie Portman's performance in Black Swan is amazing, and I hope it is not the pinnacle of her career. In this amateur's eyes, the dancing is flawless and intoxicating. The costumes and makeup are breathtaking. And the storytelling is stellar. The movie just consumes you from the very beginning.

Now, it seems like I am raving about this movie. I am, but I don't recommend this film for everyone. Black Swan is the story of one's descent into madness. It is not only beautifully portrayed but also eerily realistic. That is why many have described this movie as disturbing and horrific. If you have dealt with this type of story in life, then you may have two reactions to this film - you either love it for its reality or you hate it for its reality. If you haven't dealt with "madness" in your life, then you may not fully understand the depth of this screenplay. The director leaves a lot of room for interpretation in the Black Swan story, so every individual will have his or her own perception of what happens to Nina. It is just hard to watch.

In the Bible, the first king of Israel, Saul, experienced his own descent into madness. After an unknown boy named David defeated a big Philistine giant named Goliath, Saul started to lose his own popularity and ultimately, his mind. Like Nina in Black Swan, Saul began to see his allies as his enemies and questioned the motives of everyone, including himself. Read with me in I Samuel 18.

As they returned home, after David had killed the Philistine, the women poured out of all the villages of Israel singing and dancing, welcoming King Saul with tambourines, festive songs, and lutes. In playful frolic the women sang,
Saul kills by the thousand,
David by the ten thousand!
This made Saul angry—very angry. He took it as a personal insult. He said, "They credit David with 'ten thousands' and me with only 'thousands.' Before you know it they'll be giving him the kingdom!" From that moment on, Saul kept his eye on David.

The next day an ugly mood was sent by God to afflict Saul, who became quite beside himself, raving. David played his harp, as he usually did at such times. Saul had a spear in his hand. Suddenly Saul threw the spear, thinking, "I'll nail David to the wall." David ducked, and the spear missed. This happened twice.

Now Saul feared David. It was clear that God was with David and had left Saul. So, Saul got David out of his sight by making him an officer in the army. David was in combat frequently. Everything David did turned out well. Yes, God was with him. As Saul saw David becoming more successful, he himself grew more fearful. He could see the handwriting on the wall. But everyone else in Israel and Judah loved David. They loved watching him in action. I Samuel 18:6-16, The Message

This passage is just the beginning of Saul's downward spiral into insanity. He follows David for years and isolates himself from God and his family. In an ironic twist, this story is similar to Nina's fight for survival in Black Swan. The incessant questioning of herself and her peers leads to the unraveling of her soul. Black Swan is a chilling look into madness but one that each must confront for the insanity in our own lives. For, if we never confront our madness, then we will always be left wanting for freedom.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Natalie Portman), Best Editing, Best Cinematography

Romans Bible Study - Romans 3:21-4:25

2011-02-02T11:50:00.001-05:00

(This is the fourth installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Romans 4:3, New International Version

The author of Romans, the apostle Paul, has just taken a big detour in Romans. After laying out the premise for the entire book in Romans 1:1-17, Paul jumps off course to show how every person on earth needs a Savior. As he begins this new section in Romans 3:21, he resumes his thoughts about the righteousness given by God through Jesus. Righteousness is a real "churchy" word. Don't be intimidated or turned off by it. Righteousness simply means that God saves us from our wrongs and makes us "right" again.

This righteousness from God has been in His plan from the beginning (3:21), and it is available to all who believe (3:22). This global availability of God would have been a real zinger to some of Paul's audience here. At this point in history, some Christians felt that the Jews had more privileged access to God due to their nation's history with Him. Paul is making his point clear - there is no difference in Christ. We find equality at the foot of the cross.

As a way of explaining the continuity of God's plan, Paul uses the great patriarch of Israel, Abraham, as an example of faith. Paul describes Abraham's faith as one rewarded by God. How does Abraham's life give us a fresh word on faith? In his commentary on Romans, Douglas Moo takes these points from Romans 4.

1. Faith is something completely different from "works" (vv. 3-8).
2. Faith does not depend on any religious ceremony (e.g., circumcision) (vv.9-12).
3. Faith is not related to the law (vv. 13-17).
4. Faith often rests in a promise that flies in the face of what is natural and normal (vv. 18-22).

In a bold move, Paul drives home the point that faith no longer rests on the shoulders of humanity. Within the old law (what God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai), people had to work hard to be made right with God. Within the new law (what God gave through the sacrifice of Jesus), people have only to believe to be made right with God. This belief is not shown through religious ceremony but through a life aligned to the life of Christ (v. 18-22). No one group has sole possession of God; He is open to all people who believe. Isn't that great news?

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): The Social Network

2011-01-31T12:43:00.001-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Jesse Eisenberg
Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug and alcohol use and language.

The Social Network really rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, I was totally upset by it. That's the sign of a good film, one that evokes strong emotion, whether it be positive or negative. And The Social Network is a strong showing of writing and acting in the beautiful art known as film.

The Social Network presents a college student who is highly intelligent and socially awkward. (At moments, I felt like he would fall on the autism spectrum.) He feels left out and rejected by the people who represent validation and popularity for him - his over-achieving, rich peers. As a way to buck the system and assert his own power in a seemingly powerless situation, this college student breaks laws and creates a website that trumps anything his peers (now his competitors) could ever imagine. He is caught up in the whirlwind of fame. Zuckerberg makes some irresponsible decisions and loses his best friend.

The entire movie centers on the lawsuits against Mark Zuckerberg, a co-founder of Facebook. The creation of Facebook is revealed through testimony during these legal proceedings. This approach to storytelling is what really propels The Social Network onto the Oscar field. The writing is fast, furious and fascinating. Really, you want to rewind at many segments because the characters talk so quickly and so technically that you almost feel like you have missed something.

I was disturbed by this film due to its presentation of Mark Zuckerberg. I felt sorry for him. Now, I have never met Zuckerberg or know anyone who has. I can't speak to his character or integrity. As proposed by The Social Network, he really could be a jerk that just cares about himself. In fact, he could be more of a jerk than what the movie actually portrayed of him, yet it felt like the people who hurt him the most in this movie actually got the last laugh by making this movie. The writers show respect to Zuckerberg's creativity and brilliance, but they also present him in total desperation for relationship. And, while this could be true, I struggle to accept this "essay" on a current public figure without some input from this figure himself.

So often, we can get caught up in defending ourselves that we lose our own integrity and character in the process. God calls us to a higher standard - a life clothed in His love. Read this passage of exhortation from the apostle Paul.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:12-14, The Message

The Social Network felt like a naked display of Mark Zuckerberg. The whole movie just felt unfair and mean to me. It was a display that was not cloaked in love. I could write for days about the mistakes I made in college and subsequent years, and thank God, no one is making a movie about them. While Mark Zuckerberg may be made for life when it comes to money, he is still young and vulnerable. He is just 26 years old. Cut the guy some slack, people! The Social Network is building momentum to take home the big prize at the Oscars. The movie is a qualified contender, but its win in Best Picture would only be a loss to highly intelligent and socially awkward people everywhere.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Jesse Eisenberg), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing

Start. Stop. Start. Stop.

2011-01-31T11:59:00.001-05:00

Hey, gang.

I am way late on posting my review of The Social Network, so I am hoping to catch up this week. Thanks for your patience!

Sally

Romans Bible Study - Romans 1:18-3:20

2011-01-27T17:36:00.000-05:00

(This is the third installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

"For God does not show favoritism." Romans 2:11, New International Version

After introducing his letter to the Romans with a controversial "gospel," Paul begins his defense of this Good News. At the foot of the cross, we find equality in that we are all sinners. I pray that you will feel uncomfortable when you read these verses on your own. Paul uses this passage to show how no man is without excuse when it comes to God. The Creator has revealed Himself through His creation.

Paul then begins to segment mankind into four different groups. Using ancient terms for you, the first group is known as the pagans. In Romans 1:18-32, Paul describes this group as a people who know God but deny him. As a result, God gives these people over to "depraved minds" and "the sinful desires of the heart." Paul lays out the results of their minds and hearts in Romans 1:29-32. They are "filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity." (Note here that Paul uses homosexuality as only one example of sin. He could have used gossip or murder or adultery and the result still would have been the same.)

Do you know any pagans?

The second group, as described by Paul in Romans 2:1-10, is known as the moralists. This group is known by judgmental attitudes and hypocrisy. The moralists pass judgment on others (probably the pagans) yet deny their own sinfulness. This second group knows God and thinks they are God. Paul shows that this group is the same as the pagans - all sinners. He highlights this fact in the key verse for this passage - Romans 2:11. "For God does not show favoritism."

Do you know any moralists?

If you aren't feeling uncomfortable, then keep reading. In Romans 2:17-29, Paul depicts the third group as a people who feel superior through religious privileges. Mostly speaking to Jewish Christians at that time, he represents a group that gives religious heritage more clout than a devoted heart. He uses circumcision, a rite of passage in Israel, as an example. Paul indicates that outward appearance does not trump inward wickedness. True circumcision comes in the heart.

Do you know any privileged religious people?

Are you feeling the heat yet? Paul rounds out his segmentation of humanity with a fourth and final group. Let's call them the "no one" group. Using Old Testament verses within Romans 3:9-20, Paul announces that "no one" is worthy of God's grace by human goodness alone. We all fall. We all sin. We all desperately need God's grace.

Do you know any "no ones"?

The author of Romans is speaking to a church that has varied backgrounds and preferences. He speaks a bold word into their hearts by showing that their differences become equal at the foot of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:18-3:20 highlights the bad news. Come back next week for some Good News!

READ Romans 1:18-3:20. Where do you fit into these groups?

READ Psalm 14. Compare and contrast this psalm with today's passage in Romans.

THINK ABOUT IT. What is the difference between being religious and being right with God?

Romans Bible Study - Romans 1:1-17

2011-01-26T15:19:00.000-05:00

(This is the second installment in a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith." Romans 1:16-17, New International Version

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel..." These famous words of Paul set the foundation for a sixteen chapter testimony of Paul's beliefs in the righteousness of God. It is easy for us to overlook the enormous significance of Romans 1:1-17 for the words do not seem very controversial to us. In our day, these first verses seem like a formal greeting found in any religious letter. Yet, and I say yet strongly here, this introduction by Paul is searing in its commentary on Roman culture.

At this point in history, the term "gospel" was known as a declaration by Caesar, the ruler of the Roman Empire. The Caesar was seen as a king, a ruler and a god. When the Caesar announced good news throughout the Empire, it was known as his "gospel." And Caesar's word was the only word in the Empire. Caesar ruled every aspect of a Roman citizen's life. For anyone in the Empire, it was Caesar's "gospel" way of life or the highway of barbarian death.

Notice how many times Paul uses the term "gospel" in Romans 1:1-17. He is openly defying Caesar's authority by declaring that Christians submit to only one authority, the only person to truly be human and divine (verses 3-4), Jesus Christ. In verse 7, Paul says that grace and peace come "from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ." Peace was a promise of Rome. Caesar proclaimed that every citizen would experience peace in his global system. Paul certainly questions the place of Caesar by simply stating the rule of God in the Christian life.

Paul uses this opening to also show his love for the church in Rome. In verses 11-13, he reminds the group that he has planned multiple trips to visit, but he has been deterred for one thing or another. It is ironic that Paul does make it Rome eventually but in chains for the "gospel."

READ Romans 1:1-7. How does Paul describe the "gospel" in these verses? What do we learn about Jesus Christ in these verses?

THINK ABOUT IT....Christians are called to live in God's kingdom versus the kingdom of the world. What trials did the Romans face in pledging allegiance to God's kingdom, despite the rule of Caesar? What trials do you face today in aligning yourself with God's kingdom, despite the earthly ways and leadership surrounding us?

The Oscar Nominations: Best Picture

2011-01-25T00:52:00.007-05:00

Below is a list of what the Academy rolled out today as their favorites for Best Picture. Overall, I am pleased with the list. I am quite excited about the nomination of Toy Story 3 for Best Picture and Best Animated Feature. And Winter's Bone received a lot of love with multiple nominations. In the direction category, I am very disappointed by the snub of Christopher Nolan. I shouldn't be surprised since the Academy has a bad history with him.

If a film is underlined, then you can click on the title to find the review I have already written for it. Otherwise, you can see the dates of upcoming reviews for the Best Picture nominees. I can't wait to hear what you think!

The Social Network

The King's Speech

127 Hours

Winter's Bone

Inception

Toy Story 3

Black Swan

The Kids Are Alright

True Grit

The Fighter

What Makes a Best Picture?

2011-01-24T00:14:00.002-05:00

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards will be given on Sunday, February 28. An Academy Award is the highest honor for the film industry. The main awards ceremony highlights artistic achievement in acting, writing, directing and producing. Each year, the Academy Award for Best Picture is the big buzz after the ceremony. So, what makes a Best Picture nominee?

First, a film must be released within the designated calendar year. The Academy Awards operate on a January-December calendar, which is why nominations are not announced until the following January. Any type of film is eligible for nomination as long as it meets the calendar requirements, yet the production company must submit the film for award consideration. The award for Best Picture reflects the highest level of achievement in all award categories including acting, writing, direction, production and technical specificity. You can review what movies have been submitted for nomination HERE.

Second, a film is nominated by the voting body of the Academy. Over 6,000 people hold membership in the Academy. From Steve Jobs to Bruce Springsteen to Sofia Coppola to Meryl Streep, the Academy membership covers fifteen different areas of filmmaking - actors, animators and short film makers, art directors and costume designers, cinematographers, composers and songwriters, documentary filmmakers, directors, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, producers, public relations specialists, sound artists and engineers, visual effects experts and writers.

The nomination process is where the Academy receives its harshest criticism. The Academy members are solicited by production companies to nominate and vote for the companies' respective films. Members receive screener copies of films, which are condensed versions of the film that highlights key performances and/or social themes. This process of campaigning for votes can be highly political, as you can imagine. Producers know that Academy Award recognition for a film can bring increased money at the box office and increased opportunities for all those involved in the film. As a result of the criticized campaigning process, the Academy increased the number of Best Picture nominees from five selections to ten selections in 2009.

Lastly, the Best Picture award is based on almost unspoken criteria. More often than not, the Best Picture winner speaks loudest to the most prevalent issue in our day, whether it be post-traumatic stress disorder in The Hurt Locker, environmentalism in Avatar or immigration in District 9. The Hurt Locker won last year. As a result, a national conversation about the impact of returning soldiers into our communities ensued. This year's potential nominees cover such broad social issues as mental illness (Black Swan, Inception), learning disabilities (The King's Speech), perseverance of the human spirit (127 Hours, Winter's Bone) and the ever changing face of our relationships (The Social Network, The Kids Are Alright).

The nominations will be announced tomorrow. Check here for the Best Picture nominees at that time.

On the blog this week...

2011-01-23T00:36:00.002-05:00

Monday: Movies - What Makes a Best Picture?

Tuesday: Movies - Best Picture nominees for 83rd Annual Academy Awards

Wednesday: Bible Study - Romans 1:1-17

Thursday: Bible Study - Romans 1:18-3:20

Friday: Movies - The Social Network

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): The Town

2011-01-21T05:11:00.002-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner
Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use.

I had to laugh when I watched the Golden Globes this week. Knowing that my review of The Town was coming later in the week, I smirked at the lack of recognition for this movie by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the voting body for the Golden Globe awards. Apparently, the HFPA was drinking at the ceremony and during the voting process. (Burlesque and Red as best picture nominees? Seriously.) For The Town, a qualified Best Picture nominee possibility, was a little too serious for that Hollywood crowd.

Ben Affleck directs The Town and stars as Doug McRay, the brains behind a smart gang of bank robbers who live in a neighborhood of Boston known as Charlestown. Doug has had a revelation about his life of crime - he knows that it will end in death or jail. He wants something different. Doug wants out. The Town follows Doug in his pursuit of soulful freedom and the law's pursuit of him. His downfall becomes his unexpected romantic involvement with a witness to one of his most heinous crimes.

The Town is a story of one person's fight for redemption, at least how Doug defines it. He is fully aware of his inability at the moment to change his neighborhood, so his gift to his hometown becomes his planned disappearance. Doug's greedy desires lead him down one more robbery road, which makes for a great chase and shootout in the end. The Town is like Point Break in its romantic involvement, the Sopranos in its violence among brothers and Ocean's Eleven with its intelligent heists.

Doug feels like redemption is an impossibility at some points. I was reminded of the story of Samson when watching The Town. Samson was a leader of Israel who let his pride and romances become his downfall. In the end, Samson also desired redemption. He was stripped of his dignity and strength, yet God gave Samson one more chance. While being paraded among his enemies without any eyes left, Samson prayed to God for a final surge of power to defeat his enemies.

And Samson cried out to God:
   "Master, God!
      Oh, please, look on me again,
      Oh, please, give strength yet once more.
   God!
      With one avenging blow let me be avenged
      On the Philistines for my two eyes!"
Then Samson reached out to the two central pillars that held up the building and pushed against them, one with his right arm, the other with his left. Saying, "Let me die with the Philistines," Samson pushed hard with all his might. The building crashed on the tyrants and all the people in it. He killed more people in his death than he had killed in his life. Judges 16:28-30, The Message

Samson sacrificed everything to gain redemption. The same becomes true for Doug in The Town. It is one man's story that gives hope to mankind.

Oscar nomination: Best Supporting Actor (Jeremy Renner)

Introduction to Romans

2011-01-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

(This is a thirteen-part series about the New Testament book of Romans. Our Tuesday morning class is studying this book, and these are notes from the class.)

As we look into the book of Romans, we need to understand some of the context from the past and relevance for the future.

Who is the audience? The church in Rome

Rome was a large metropolitan area, the capital of the Roman Empire. Everything was bigger and faster in Rome. Think of the differences between Charlotte and New York City. Both are metropolitan areas, yet New York City has more buildings, more people and more activities. Rome was the New York City of the 1^st century. Paul was preparing for a ministry in a different kind of culture.

The church in Rome was most likely started by Jews who visited Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. These Jews brought back this new movement to Rome. Gentile believers became part of a Jew-dominated faith community. In A.D. 49, the Roman emperor ordered all Jews to leave Rome. The Gentile believers then took leadership of the church in Rome. When Paul wrote the letter of Romans, the Jews had just been allowed to return to Rome. They came back to a different church with different leaders. Tension between Gentiles and Jews increased significantly during this time.

Who is the author? Paul, the apostle

Paul was entering a new phase of ministry with the letter of Romans. He had spent years planting and discipling churches in Israel. Now, God was calling him to do the same thing on a new continent – Europe. Paul uses Romans to introduce his firm beliefs in the gospel to a new missionary group. He is embarking on the second half of his life, yet he is only in his mid-thirties at this time.

What are the themes in Romans?

The power of the gospel – The main theme in Romans is the good news of Jesus Christ, “the gospel.” He uses the entire book to share this news, especially about righteousness. He explains how a right God declares His people right again through His Son and His Spirit.

The individual relationship – At the time of this writing, some believers still thought salvation was based on one’s nationality, religious sect or righteous acts. Paul challenges his readers to see that each individual has a choice in following God.

Daily living – Paul gives some of his most lengthy descriptions of Christian living in this book. He discusses the life-changing transformation for each believer by the Holy Spirit.

How is Romans relevant today?

The gospel today – The gospel is still a powerful message for today and our world. How can we translate this message into words that our culture will hear?

The individual mentality – While we each must make a personal choice about following God, we are still called to live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. How can you create unity within your congregation?

Living daily – The commands in Romans are clear and concise. We are declared righteous by God. What does righteousness look like in your life?

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Start Me Up"

2011-01-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Did I call Callie's pregnancy or what? OK, so most avid viewers saw that twist coming from a mile away, yet the Grey's Anatomy writers unfolded the story well. In this episode, Callie was like a female version of the country music star Toby Keith. She was rough, tough and slightly offensive. The whole episode, "Start Me Up," would have been better titled by a Toby Keith classic, "How Do You Like Me Now?" Each doctor at Seattle Grace had a new revelation that changed people's perceptions of them.

Meredith and Derek continued their journey on the fertility problem path. Cristina got her game back almost too much by debilitating a medical school intern. Alex showed up the other doctors by his skills in teaching. Bailey adopted the new mantra of "whatever" with her love life. Teddy was forced to rethink her decision about offering another person insurance by marriage. And Arizona, sweet Arizona, had to confront her imperfections as part of her hopeful reconciliation with Callie.

Arizona was challenged to see that her facade wasn't faking anyone but herself. She wanted to be perfect. She thought she was perfect. But, Arizona's need for perfection became her most glaring fault. I totally get that struggle. Perfectionism is a sin that seems harmless but is really lethal. It is rooted in pride, a self-image that denies our utter depravity. The apostle Paul reminded some of his friends about this very problem in Romans 3.

Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24, The Message

We all fall. We all have sin. We all need a Savior. It's a simple truth that we make complex. I look forward to seeing how Arizona deals with her own mess now that she has recognized it. Too bad it will be February 3 before we see a new episode of Grey's Anatomy.

On the blog this week...

2011-01-16T00:51:00.001-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "Start Me Up"

Wednesday: Bible study - Introduction to Romans

Thursday: Bible study - Notes from Romans 1:1-17

Friday: Movies - The Town

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): Winter's Bone

2011-01-14T00:53:00.003-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next several weeks, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Jennifer Lawrence

Rated R for some drug material, language and violent content.

When you grow up in the rural South, three things are generally known to you. First, you call yourself a "redneck" because you are one. It's not a derogatory term but a personal acknowledgement of your roots. Second, you claim country music as your own property because your childhood home was filled with bluegrass music and old-school stars like George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams. Lastly, you know at least one person who produces an illegal substance on his or her own farm - whether it be moonshine, meth or marijuana. That's the truth of Southern living.

With this in mind, I present Winter's Bone to you. For those who understand my Southern sentiments, you will find this film to be a hidden delight, a real life look into the unknown darkness of rural America. For those who don't know this life, then you may find Winter's Bone to be a slow and far-fetched independent movie. Newcomer Jennifer Lawrence stars as Ree Dolly, the oldest daughter in a family with a mentally ill mother and completely absent father. Ree has taken on the responsibilities of caring for her younger siblings and the family's property. New burden is placed on Ree when the local sheriff relays that her father has put up their property as collateral for his bail. Unless her father appears for his next hearing, the property will be gone and the family will be homeless.

Winter's Bone is a chilling yet heroic story about the resilience of children. Now, mind you, I did not say heart-warming. This is not a "feel-good, the world is wonderful" kind of movie. It gives a simple story as the backdrop for the complexities that each child faces when he or she is abandoned by parents. Ree rises to the occasion with extraordinary strength and journeys down a path of adult-ridden evil and heartless loyalty within family. This story is gut-wrenching in its portrayal of poverty and the devastating effects upon innocent children, yet it becomes even more memorable in the final scenes of Ree's only solution to her family's problems. (Trust me, you will never look at a chainsaw in the same way again.)

Maybe the average viewer will think that Ree in Winter's Bone and other children like her land on their feet eventually by pure grit and determination. And, while those thoughts have some merit, I believe that any child who survives abandonment is also being protected by God, our Everlasting Father. The Bible holds many passages about God being a father to the fatherless and defending their causes. In the book of Deuteronomy, the author Moses lays out multiple provisions and protections for the fatherless and widows in the Israelite community. In the prophetic writings of Isaiah and Jeremiah, God propels curses onto those who commit violence against the fatherless. Jesus uses much of Matthew 18 to describe the punishment and doom that falls upon anyone who harms any child.

Abandoning a child, whether by a withdrawal of physical presence or emotional support, is a sin. Any sin has lasting effects, and this holds true for those children without parents. It is an enormous burden to carry for life. Yet, God gives us hope. The writer of Psalm 10 urges God to move faster in His retribution for those who hurt children. I love this bold language and God's response to it.

Time to get up, God—get moving. The luckless think they're Godforsaken.
They wonder why the wicked scorn God and get away with it,
Why the wicked are so cocksure they'll never come up for audit.

But you know all about it— the contempt, the abuse.
I dare to believe that the luckless will get lucky someday in you.
You won't let them down: orphans won't be orphans forever.

Break the wicked right arms, break all the evil left arms.
Search and destroy every sign of crime.
God's grace and order wins; godlessness loses.

The victim's faint pulse picks up; the hearts of the hopeless pump red blood as you put Your ear to their lips.
Orphans get parents, the homeless get homes.
The reign of terror is over, the rule of the gang lords is ended. Psalm 10:12-18, The Message

God knows all about it. He will not let us down. He will not let children down. Part of a child's resilience comes from the quickening of a "faint pulse" that finds hope in the love of others. Towards the end of Winter's Bone, Ree finds an unexpected source of love and hope for her family. It's not a Hallmark card kind of ending, but it is a story that will stay with you and push your own mental ponderings about abandoned children down into the longings of your heart.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Supporting Actor (John Hawkes), Best Adapted Screenplay

Intro to Romans (postponed)

2011-01-11T23:28:00.000-05:00

Hello, readers.

Our Tuesday morning class is starting a new study on Romans. We were scheduled to start this week, but the winter weather pushed our schedule back. I will post my introduction to Romans and some commentary on the first chapter next week.

Stay tuned for my review of Winter's Bone on Friday.

Much love - Sally

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Disarm"

2011-01-10T03:40:00.002-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

How much did you love this scene and adore the return of Arizona to Seattle Grace? I laughed when Alex put a "body block" to save the teenage girl's leg. The scene was a balance of intensity (the saw buzzing) and humor (Alex's ungraceful moves). It was also a snapshot of the entire hour's balance as the Grey's Anatomy writers aimed for healing from the trauma this week in "Disarm."

Cristina happened upon a mass shooting at a local college. The tragedy brought too many patients to Seattle Grace and too much memory to the doctors. The fresh wounds of their own fatal situation brought unexpected emotions to the surface. Some fought tears all day. Others fought to save lives and not let another shooter off the hook. Still, a few had to face their own ethical dilemma by saving the shooter from certain death. All in all, the doctors at Seattle Grace were able to face their fears, and Cristina finally made it back to the OR. Hooray!

This episode was almost too "happy, happy, all is well" for me. My own dark and twisted disposition always wants a little more struggle in the quest for happiness. My favorite part of "Disarm" came when the doctors fell into a large round of laughter while watching a surgery. It reminded me of the scene in season six's premiere where the crew laughed hysterically by George's grave. Sometimes you just need to laugh at yourself and your drama. Proverbs 17:22 in The Message says, "A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired." It may be at the weirdest or cheerless moments, but sometimes, you just gotta laugh.

On the blog this week...

2011-01-09T20:01:00.000-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of latest Grey's Anatomy episode, "Disarm"

Wednesday: Bible study - Introduction to Romans

Friday: Movies (Oscars edition) - Winter's Bone

A Girl's Movie Review (Oscars Edition): Inception

2011-01-07T07:52:00.003-05:00

(The Oscars will be awarded on Sunday, February 28. For the next eight Fridays, I will review movies with the most Oscar "buzz.")

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio
Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action throughout

Prepare yourself for a thrilling and mind-bending ride when you watch Inception. The latest movie written and directed by master storyteller Christopher Nolan follows a dream thief who must plant an idea into someone's mind. Leonardo DiCaprio, in the leading role, gives a strong performance as a man who wants reconciliation in the present as much as he wants peace with his past. His need for that balance drives the darkness into his work and poses problems for his peers. It is a story of one man's need for redemption.

Inception can get heady at times because you essentially move through four stories within one dream. It can be hard to keep up with each sub-plot as you try to solve the real mystery of the movie. The CGI effects in Inception are also pretty amazing. Nolan and team produce a dream world that contains supernatural elements layered over natural pieces of the human mind. Between one character's ability to fold buildings onto each other and another's fight in a moving hallway, the movie viewer is left in wonder over anyone's ability to produce such real effects.

As I sat down to write this review, I thought, "How could I possibly write about the spiritual themes of Inception in a short blog format?" It is impossible, but I will leave you with these thoughts. We don't talk about dreams very much in our Christian culture, but they are a powerful magnifying glass into the sub-conscious mind. Dreams are frequently used in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. God uses dreams as a communication tool for His people and those outside of His community. Joseph learned of the future in his dreams (Genesis 37). Solomon asked for his famous wisdom in a dream (I Kings 3). Daniel rose to a place of leadership by his skill of interpreting dreams (Daniel 2). Mary and Joseph were protected from certain death by a dream (Matthew 2). Dreams play some role in our lives, but I just don't know how.

Inception gives a good theory about dreams in its story - your future is tied up with your past as you live in the present. This film deserves two viewings for sure, which tells me that it is a quintessential Christopher Nolan flick. Nolan is known for pushing your mental boundary buttons with a simple, humanistic story. (Other great examples of his work include Memento and The Dark Knight.) Whether the Oscars award him or not, he is the most talented screenplay writer and forward-thinking director in our movie culture today.

Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects

What Could Save Grey's Anatomy?

2011-01-05T00:01:00.006-05:00

As we approach the last twelve episodes of Grey's Anatomy for this season, I wonder how Shonda Rhimes and team could turn this show around in the new year. Grey's Anatomy has seen its ups and downs over the last seven years, but the down times have definitely outweighed the good ones. (Anyone remember all of season 3, particularly the drowning of Meredith?) While I think that the writers need to end this show after the May finale, it isn't going to happen. The show is too successful for a shutdown. So, for those who are rooting for Grey's Anatomy - after all, you have stuck with Meredith for this long, here are three ways the writers could revive the show for another few seasons.

Babies!

A baby for one or two characters on the show would be helpful right now. Bailey holds down the parenting fort for the entire crew, and even now, we rarely hear about her sweet little one. I would love to see a baby born by the season finale, but it may be too late. The most logical and predictable option here is Callie and Arizona. A not-so-surprising twist would involve Callie finding out she is pregnant with Mark's baby after she reconciles with Callie. Yes, it is a soap opera (which makes this storyline fitting), but I would be interested to see the dynamics between those three as parents. Lord knows, every adult on this show needs multiple injections of maturity, and children are an automatic dose of it.

Strangers!

Does anyone remember when the doctors dated people who didn't work for Seattle Grace or become patients there? I loved it when Meredith dated the veterinarian in seasons 2 and 3. The personal life drama seemed normal when the characters interacted outside of the hospital. Since Grey's Anatomy needs every adult to be paired with someone, Teddy would be a good fit for this storyline. I would love to see her become involved with someone who has no medical background. Maybe even a soldier that she doesn't know?

Carnage!
I am not talking about physical killing. I mean character carnage. Shonda and team, let's dump some more characters and just stick with the basics. Grey's Anatomy has suffered from too many characters since the interns of season 4 and the Mercy Westers of season 6. While some main people have exited (Addison, Izzie and George), the show still has too much overlap in the romantic storylines. Alex and Avery have the most potential for strong plots, but the Grey's Anatomy writers do not utilize them well. Cut Alex, Avery and Lexie, too.

That's it. What do you think? Any other ideas on how to keep your attention week-to-week? I haven't read much about the upcoming episodes. Two new ones air on January 6 and 13. Check back the following Mondays for my reviews.

On the blog this week...

2011-01-03T07:03:00.001-05:00

Wednesday: Television - What could save Grey's Anatomy?

Friday: Movies - Inception

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace: Message of Hope, Part 6

2010-12-18T10:48:00.001-05:00

One final advertisement leads the way for the final sizzle reel. Way to go, Chief!

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace: Message of Hope, Part 5

2010-12-17T10:49:00.000-05:00

Dr. Webber, also known as Chief, tries out for the coveted starring role in the new commercial.

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace: Message of Hope, Part 4

2010-12-16T10:44:00.001-05:00

"Amazing Avery" takes the reins as star but surprisingly falters.

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace-Message of Hope, Part 3

2010-12-15T11:05:00.003-05:00

After another advertisement, April gets the boot while Avery takes centerstage in the sizzle reel.

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace-Message of Hope, Part 2

2010-12-14T10:45:00.002-05:00

In this episdoe (after the brief advertisement), Dr. Hunt tries to perform "real" in a fake environment.

Grey's Anatomy, Season 7 Webisodes - Seattle Grace-Message of Hope, Part 1

2010-12-13T10:40:00.002-05:00

In this episode, we see why the hospital needs some re-imaging after the hospital shooting spree.

On the blog this week...

2010-12-12T10:49:00.001-05:00

This week brings a special treat for the Grey's Anatomy fans in the audience. While the show takes a break until January, you can enjoy six (yes, six!) webisodes on my blog this week. These clips provide some "behind the scene" drama for the Chief and some other doctors at Seattle Grace.

A new clip will posted every day this week. These will be my final blog posts for the year. I look forward to finding you again in January. Thank you for reading this crazy experiment of mine. Readers and followers, you are dear to my heart. May you experience true joy this season.

Sally

A Girl's Movie Review: Eat Pray Love

2010-12-10T10:32:00.000-05:00

Starring Julia Roberts

Rated PG-13 on appeal for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudity

Did anyone catch the reasons behind the PG-13 rating for Eat Pray Love? One of them included "male rear nudity." I had to laugh when I posted that phrase. It is a first for my blog! Well, "male rear nudity" may intrigue some of you, but Eat Pray Love, in the end (pun intended), will leave you with no intrigue for this story of self-indulgence.

Julia Roberts stars as Liz Gilbert, a talented writer who decides her marriage is not worth her time and her life is not Zen. Liz divorces her husband and dedicates a year of her life to "find herself." She discovers the delight of rich, relationship-filled living in Italy. Then she finds forgiveness in India. Finally, she unearths the secret healing drink for a bad hangover in Bali. Well, she also dabbles in love along the way, but you get the point.

Eat Pray Love is one of those movies that has so much potential but packs little punch. Julia Roberts plays the part well, but her director (Ryan Murphy, creator of Glee) leaves her in a difficult spot. The story delves too far into each location, which makes the movie seem like three short stories pushed together for the big screen. Eat Pray Love is based on the true story of the bestseller by the same name. The film made me wonder if the book should have been left in its original art form.

Besides the poor directing and screen adaptation, Eat Pray Love also involves an old but familiar twist on spirituality. While in India, Liz searches out meditation and prayer as a pathway to peace. At the end of her visit, she makes a statement like this, "I realized in India that God is in me; therefore, God is me." Liz Gilbert is not the first person to come to this realization. It is popular within many religions. This sentiment elevates the enlightened human being to the same status as God. The thought process has some validity to it as Romans 8:17 says that we are "co-heirs with Christ." If you read this Bible passage without any context, then you might think that we can become equal beings with God's own Son.

God the Creator shares over and over again in His Word how Christ is equal to Him and we are not. Hebrews 1:3 says, "By His Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule." No human has or will sit down at the right hand of God. When people tried to elevate themselves to God's level in the Bible, our Creator usually responded with straight talk about His abilities and our abilities. Job 38:4-7 reads, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" Clearly, no human has the ability to create the very foundations of the earth.

I do not believe that humanity can find equality with God. He is above us. However, I also believe that He is in us like Liz Gilbert says in Eat Pray Love. When we believe in Jesus Christ and submit our lives to God, He places His Spirit inside of us. The apostle Paul describes the Spirit-filled life in this way...

But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's! Romans 8:9-11, The Message

We are "delivered from that dead life" when Christ lives in us. Liz Gilbert didn't find Christ on her existential journey, but I pray that each of you will find Him as you search for peace in your own lives.

Bing Crosby & White Christmas - A Tribute to our Troops

2010-12-09T00:51:00.001-05:00

It is a Christmas classic, and it rings even louder as I think of the many thousands of American troops sitting the deserts of Afghanistan and other places around the world. May this Christmas bring peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Breaking Free by Beth Moore - Session Eleven Video Answers

2010-12-07T12:54:00.004-05:00

For those who are participating in the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore, below are the answers for the session eleven video response sheet. Items in bold are the answers for the blanks.

Identifying ourselves daily by God’s own descriptions will profoundly impact our sustained success.

We are witnesses (Isa. 43:10-12).

We are warriors (Isa. 54:12-17).

Never forget…

The tie between fear and bondage.

“Be far from oppression, because you need not fear, and from terror, because it will not come near you.” (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

The tendency to expend energy on the lesser battle.

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” (Ps. 119:133)

We are brides (Isa. 61:10).

Hephzibah: “My-Delight-is-in-Her” (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Beulah: “Married. The basic sense of the word is ‘to possess.’” (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

“When circumstances and failure and blighted hopes combine to convince us that our name is ‘Forsaken,’ that is the hour to hear the whisper of the Bridegroom to his Bride, with the name that it is his alone to give and hers alone to hear.” (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

How do we conclude our journey?

Nehemiah 9:36-38

“making” – karat – to cut…to make a covenant. (Old Testament Lexical Aids)

“binding agreement” – amanah – from aman – “to believe, trust.” Amanah means “covenant, firm commitment, settled provision.”

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Adrift and At Peace"

2010-12-06T00:03:00.003-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

I really struggled in deciding what clip to use today. The moment when Teddy asked the random patient to marry her was the most emotion-inducing scene for me. You may have heard me screaming at the television. My response was that loud. But, I wanted to share this intimate and angry moment between Owen and Meredith because it shows the power struggle between friendship and marriage. And that's what the Grey's Anatomy writers want us as viewers to ponder right now - who knows you better?

In this week's installment of Grey's Anatomy, Cristina found herself on a fishing trip with Derek. And, may I say, who wouldn't want to be stuck on a boat with Derek Shepherd? While Cristina learned a new hobby, the rest of her fellow doctors scurried to understand her ways and understand themselves. Alex got a great mentoring offer from Callie, but he declined it when his heart kept calling for pediatrics. Callie used an internal chant of "I'm awesome" to paint over her breaking heart. Bailey created a contest to eliminate those nasty fistulas and ended up with a new love interest. Lexie and Mark dangerously danced around their past and finally succombed to it. Teddy sought to validate herself and pulled an Izzie by becoming involved with a patient. (Time out. Can we please not go down this storyline path again? Time in.) Finally, as we have already seen, Owen and Meredith used their work to hash out their personal differences.

While all this drama was happening at Seattle Grace, Cristina and Derek sat on a boat in the middle of a lake. They sat and sat and sat. Cristina couldn't handle the silence and stillness. After Derek finally convinced of the absolute need for it, Cristina uttered the answer we have all wanted since the season premiere - "I can't make my mind stop." That's why Cristina is falling apart. Her mind can't come down from the anxiety and intensity of that life-changing moment when she had a gun aimed at her.

After some time in the wild, Cristina was finally able to feel freedom in the fresh air while holding her big catch. How much did you love that moment? You could almost experience the release in your own soul as Cristina's tears fell on her tender face. The breeze from the lake almost spoke in a whisper to Cristina and the viewers saying, "You don't have to fight this alone. You will make it. It's not up to you." Cristina had the emotional sensation of peace for the first time in months.

Do you ever want that kind of peace? Maybe you want that kind of moment when peace washes over your soul in the most unexpected and refreshing way. Peace is found in Christ Jesus alone. The following passage in Romans 5 explains the beautiful plan of God, where He sacrifices His own Son so that we may live in relational peace with Him and emotional peace in this life.

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. Romans 5:1-8, The Message

The "wide open spaces of God's glory and grace" call to our troubled hearts. Like the angels said on that holy night of Christ's birth, God brings peace on earth and goodwill to men (and women). Will Cristina's encounter with peace last? Will it be the healing touch she needs? Or will her husband have a better idea? Or even her best friend? Practice patience, my friends. We will learn more in January when Grey's Anatomy comes back with more new episodes.

On the blog this week...

2010-12-05T00:05:00.001-05:00

Monday: Television - Review of Grey's Anatomy, "Adrift and At Peace"

Tuesday: Bible study - Video answers for session eleven of Breaking Free by Beth Moore (the final one!)

Thursday: Music - A Christmas Treat

Friday: Movies - Eat Pray Love

A Girl's Movie Review - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

2010-12-03T07:01:00.002-05:00

Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner

Rated PG-13

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse begins with new vampires being created in Seattle, a major city near Forks. Killing sprees are abundant, and no one knows who or when it will stop. Enter our star-crossed lovers, Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Bella is preparing to graduate high school and change into a vampire forever. Edward is encouraging his girlfriend to wait a while longer before making such a final transformation into a "monster" like him. And a third party has entered into the relationship with them. Werewolf Jacob Black, knowing that Bella's human days are drawing to a close, decides to make his final move to secure Bella for his own. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is two supernatural boys fighting over one ordinary girl. Now, that's a good story, folks.

As the movie unfolds, Edward's family realizes that these killings in Seattle are somehow linked to Bella. The vampires of Forks (Team Edward) and the wolves of La Push (Team Jacob) unite to fight an epic battle against this army of newborn vampires. In the midst of this struggle, our heroine Bella finds herself fighting two sides to every coin. She loves Edward and wants to spend forever with him, but she can't let go of Jacob. She wants to become a vampire to help with the fight, but she also wants to experience some more human things first. Bella can't stand the thought of Edward and Jacob engaging in a battle where lives will be lost, but she knows that her own selfishness to make them stay will possibly hurt other people. Bella is lost and confused in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. By the end, she must make a decision and stick with it - forever.

And here is why I had problems with the movie version of Eclipse. Bella's internal thought process is obsolete in the movie. In the book, the reader feels the contrasting emotions pulling at Bella. Her choices are agonizing, and Bella moves through a tedious process to mature in this story. It really seems like Bella may choose Jacob, like he is a viable option for her. In the movie version, Jacob seems like a distraction. The powerful messages of Eclipse are reduced to teenage fodder in the movie version. Even Bella's seduction of Edward in the bedroom scene was simplified. The viewer never fully understands how much Bella must sacrifice for her love with Edward.

OK, enough criticism. Let's find the themes in this story. Eclipse is my favorite book in the Twilight series. When I first read the book, I wanted to hit Bella upside the head with the hard cover of my book. Her character is infuriating and just plain whiny in this story. When I read Eclipse for the second time, I saw how beautifully Stephenie Meyer painted a picture of transition from adolescence to adulthood. Bella must reconcile two sides of herself - the human and the supernatural. Bella's journey is a lot like our own in real life. When we begin to understand the greater reality of being in Christ, we crave a sense of peace between these two existences - living in the world and living in Christ. We need a reconciliation of the heart, a place of commonality for the soul. We as Christians can find this place in the foundation built by God. The apostle Paul describes it this way.

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness...No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love. Ephesians 4:4-6, 14-16 The Message

While our lives may fluctuate with lovers, friends or family, our core foundation in Jesus Christ always stays the same. It never changes or moves. Christ is constant in our lives, and we find a placed of reconciliation with other believers. That's why being part of a community of Christians is so important. Everybody is used differently by God, but each of us is created with the same Oneness in us. In the Twilight series, we see this happen in the wolf pack. Sam and his pack have different personalities, but they are effective when they work together. The same is true for the Cullen family. They have different abilities, but their unity and love far surpasses any supernatural power.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse ends with Bella making some final decisions for her future life. She doesn't play with anyone's emotions anymore. She doesn't act like a baby when she doesn't get her way in some situations. Bella begins to feel empowered by her new maturity. In growing up and becoming part of one community, she finds the peace and reconciliation that she desires. How will Bella's newfound maturity change her relationships? You have to wait until November 18, 2011, to get that answer, my friends.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

2010-12-02T00:10:00.003-05:00

Yes, it's vampire week on my blog. Aren't you excited? For some, it is a Christmas blessing. For others, it is like a bag of coals on Christmas morning. Either way, enjoy it!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is written by Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series. This book, in particular, is labeled as an Eclipse novella. For my non-vampire fans, let me explain this for you. Eclipse is the third book in the Twilight series. For all my readers who haven't visited a literature class in awhile, let me remind you of the definition for a novella. A "novella" is a short story or a short novel. So, this book is a short story about a bigger book in the Twilight series. Don't you feel smarter now?

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner follows a girl named Bree, who falls prey to some nasty vampires in Seattle, WA. Bree is targeted to become part of a newborn vampire army set to destroy Bella Swan, the heroine in the Twilight series. In this book, Stephenie Meyer gives us a glimpse into the nuances of being a vampire in Meyer's world and the evil behind one of Bella's enemies, Victoria. Bree is a young woman pulled into a chaotic world of malice and death. She learns quickly how to save herself from daily feedings by her peers. In these lessons, she also makes a friend who shares the lies involved with her captors, Victoria and Riley. After we get to know Bree and develop sympathy for her, Meyer cuts off her young life in the epic battle scenes of Eclipse.

If you haven't read the Twilight series, then this book will fall to the wayside of your reading path. If you have read Meyer's top sellers, then The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner will extend your Twilight euphoria for 178 more pages. It is a quick read, and the story adds some additional insight into the madness of Victoria's newborn army. The purity of living by carnality is quite evident in this story. Life by natural desires promotes selfishness and strife. I am reminded of this same type of life, which the apostle Paul described in Ephesians. He says this...

And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. Ephesians 4:17-19, The Message

In real life, we can also live by our carnality - our human instincts for evil. I love how Paul describes this existence as "empty-headed" and "mindless." Living by the flesh, as many Bible translators put it, actually tears down our character and intellect. Yet Paul and so many other authors of the Bible offer this solution for us.

But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:20-24, The Message

A life outside of God, a life based in our humanity, is "rotten through and through." God offer us real life with a new beginning and ever-increasing character. Our intellect grows as we become rooted in the truth of God. Ignorance is no longer an option. That's what many of the newborn vampires have in the Twilight series and this novella - ignorance. I am so thankful for a better option in this life and beyond.

Breaking Free by Beth Moore - Session Ten Video Answers

2010-11-30T12:49:00.001-05:00

For those who are participating in the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore, below are the answers for the session ten video response sheet. Items in bold are the answers for the blanks.

The Emphasis of 2 Timothy 3:1-5

What will most remarkably define the times as “terrible” will be social phenomena rather than natural or environmental.

The Construction of 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Seventeen characteristics fall between two profoundly purposeful bookends. “People will be lovers of themselves…rather than lovers of God.”

Abusive – a word in Greek that especially emphasizes speech. (New American Commentary)

Without love – (Greek astorgoi)-hard-hearted toward kindred. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

Unforgiving-irreconcilable…without treaty. (Word Biblical Commentary)

Slanderous-diaboloi means accusatory (Titus 2:3).

Brutal-untamed. (Word Biblical Commentary)

Treacherous-traitors ready to betray their friends. (New American Commentary)

Conceited-swollen with self-importance. (New English Bible)

The Repetition of 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Interestingly, 11 out of 18 vices begin with something in Greek called an “alpha privation” an “a” at the beginning of a word corresponding with our English “un.”

The Warning of 2 Timothy 3:5-7

The primary target: weak-willed women-“The term is a Greek diminutive, literally suggesting ‘little women’ but more precisely showing them as easily deceived and prone to temptation. Their weakness was primarily moral, not intellectual.” (New American Commentary)

Exercise tremendous caution toward…

Incongruity: People with a form of godliness but denying its power (2 Tim. 3:5). Form is the recognizable Greek word morphosis.
Instant intimacy: “the kind who worm their way into homes.”
Increasing control: “the kind who gain control over time.”

On the blog this week...

2010-11-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

Tuesday: Bible study - Video answers for session ten of Breaking Free by Beth Moore

Thursday: Books - The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Friday: Movies - The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Linus' Thanksgiving prayer

2010-11-23T21:47:00.000-05:00

Our house has been filled with great quotes from the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special this week. Linus gives a simple summary of Thanksgiving history and a simple prayer for the gathering.

I pray that you will find blessings in every hidden corner of your life this week. I will be back on the blog on Tuesday, November 30.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

A Grey's Anatomy Review: Season 7 - "Slow Night, So Long"

2010-11-22T00:40:00.001-05:00

(This is an ongoing series that looks at the spiritual aspects of the popular TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Reviews are posted on the Monday after each new episode.)

Did this episode of Grey's Anatomy make you never want to spend a night in the hospital or what? Holy cow. After our sickness last week, I was praying that we could spend our viral nights at home. In the scene above, we see a drunk Miranda Bailey dish out womanly advice like only Bailey can do. I wonder how many times she has instructed someone to "keep your knees together." Boy, they all need to take that dose of medicine to heart.

Whether it was Bailey's virtue corner or her desire for a man who could talk fistulas, "Slow Night, So Long" found our doctors of Seattle Grace moving on different schedules in life and healing. The crew was learning to adjust to new rules about mandatory rest between shifts. (Personally, I am a fan of those rules.) The attending surgeons took the day schedule and night drinking, while the senior residents kept the day sleeping and night working routine.

We learned that Teddy is really trying to date again. Bailey is still pushing through her anger and grief over losing a resident and a patient linked to the shooting. Avery muscled his way through a near breakdown to complete a life-saving surgery with Lexie's help. (The scene with Lexie telling the parents about surgery outcomes was a total tearjerker.) Alex also pushed through his own grumpiness to save a child's life with Meredith. (Their dialogue at the end of episode about being the last residents was classic.) Mark and Callie fed their loneliness with sex, which was so predictable and gut-wrenching for me. Derek watched over Cristina in her madness while Owen finished up his shift. And Owen carried his new bride over his shoulder out of an embarrassing situation.

Here we are with Cristina and Derek again. Grey's Anatomy had some memorable quotes and scenes last week, but I continue to be drawn to Derek's friendship with Cristina. He is the one person who is knocking it out of the ballpark for her (and the least likely, I might add). I am anxious to see how the writers unfold their examples of friendship in this storyline because, Lord knows, we all need better plots around faithful adult friendships.

One of the best models for friendship can be found in I Samuel 20. The two friends are Jonathan and David. Jonathan is the son of the king and supposed heir to the throne. David is the musician for the king and anointed by God to be king. They should be against one another, but they are completely devoted to each other in friendship. It's the first "bro-mance" in the Bible. The friendship of Jonathan and David even went beyond the grave. After the tragic death of Jonathan, David continues to honor his friend by taking care of his son, Mephibosheth.

Unfortunately, this kind of friendship is hard to find these days. Real friendship takes so much hard work and time. In a busy world, we struggle to build real relationships with other people. When we sacrifice our friendships for other things or people, we lose the opportunity to encourage and build up one another. I love how pastor James MacDonald describes five phrases of real friendship, based on Jonathan and David.

1. I will be there for you in times of hardship.
2. I will help you depend on God and not me.
3. I will seek to be a source of emotional stability for you.
4. I will be self-effacing and unashamed in my loyalty to you.
5. I will verbalize my commitment to you.

Do you see any of these evident in Cristina's life? Presence, submission, strength, loyalty and honesty - those are the jewels that real friendship has to offer us. Let's get to digging those treasures out in life.

Unexpected Pause

2010-11-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

Dear Readers,

We have the stomach virus in our house (including me), so I will not be posting my review of Boundaries or Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog this week. I will be back in action on Monday for the next Grey's Anatomy review. If you smell Lysol, then you are smelling my house!

God bless - Sally

Breaking Free by Beth Moore - Session Nine Video Answers

2010-11-16T12:46:00.002-05:00

For those who are participating in the Breaking Free study by Beth Moore, below are the answers for the session nine video response sheet. Items in bold are the answers for the blanks.

Why Does God Make Love the Priority Command?

Love motivates obedience.

Love motivates perseverance.

Love provides protection.

Love for God empowers love for others.

One of the biggest and least addressed obstacles to truly loving God: Thinking I already do when, truth be told, I really don’t.

John 21:15-22. Agapao is “used of divine love and usually carries the connotation of will or purpose as well as that of affection.” (Expositor’s)

Identifying True Love

Does God regularly circulate into my thoughts (Ps. 63:6)?

Am I often drawn to + spend time with Him (Ps. 27:4)?

Does my life demonstrate a love for God (Rom. 5:8)?

Do I often enjoy God (Ps. 16:11)?

Do I ultimately find relief or satisfaction in obedience (John 14:21)?

“To love God in the way defined by the great commandment is to seek God for his own sake, to have pleasure in him and to strive impulsively after him.” (New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Understanding How to Freely Love God

Recognize the source (I John 4:7-8,19).

Pursue it diligently through prayer (I John 5:14,15).