Holiday Cinema

Earlier this week, one of my favorite people wrote a post about her favorite Christmas movies and asked what other people’s favorites were.  Rather than respond, I felt the need to make my own post, for there were some brilliant classics that were left out.  Now, keep in mind that she already stole a lot of good ones, so this list has nothing to do with preferential rank or a top 10, they’re just all wonderful.

#1 – Home Alone. It is hilarious, classic and makes me cry every time, which is strange, I know.  Whatever happened to Macaulay Culkin?  Wait, don’t answer that.

#2 – Serendipity. I have such deep and abiding love for this movie.  Anything that involves people falling in love on an ice rink in New York at Christmas wins in my book.  And I really love John Cusack – he’s a little dreamy.  Probably because he’s falling in love with a girl on an ice rink, but still.

#3 – Miracle on 34th Street. Let me just say one thing before I continue on about the brilliance of this movie:  Richard Attenborough has no part in this!  I want the classic, and only the classic.  This movie can only be described as heartwarming.  I love everything about it, from the Macy’s parade to the eyebrow twirling shrink to the chewing gum incident.  It is wonderful, and if you haven’t seen the original, you haven’t seen it.

#4 – Sleepless In Seattle. Now, some people say that this is not really a Christmas movie, but I don’t really like those people.  Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan together are magical.  Plus it doesn’t really get any better than, “Harses, harses, harses…”

#5 – A Charlie Brown Christmas. I’m pretty sure that this is my favorite Christmas movie of all time.  It is so precious and simple and has the gospel in it, which is pretty amazing nowadays that they don’t cut that part out.  It is the ONLY Christmas movie (not made by Feature Films for Families)  that claims Christmas is all about Jesus and not just about family or Santa or love.  And it makes me feel warm inside.

So that’s my list.  I hope you like it.  There are many, many more that I cherish and love, but studies show you’ll get bored reading about them.  You’ve probably noticed that many of them have to do with people falling in love in New York at Christmas.  What can I say – part of me lives in that fairy tale!  If you want to get me something for Christmas, I will take that wrapped up in something shiny. 

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

It’s a humdinger

I have one humdinger of a post coming, but I can’t find the time to get it just right!  So for now…

It’s been a crazy whirlwind of a month and I have been busy and crazy and losing my mind one minute and then finding it in the freezer the next.  It’s been chaotic and finding time to just sit and rest and be has difficult to find.  Today I read my favorite blog and read another friend’s journey toward relaxation and thought I would share my new favorite way to chill.

What I love about this song is its simplicity.  It’s not fancy, not wordy, not incredibly technical or impressive.  But it breathes as so few songs do nowadays, and it reminds me to breathe and reminds me of the simplicity of worship.  Enjoy.

 

Why I Love Fall

Fall.

It is a season that I never used to love. It was cold and involved getting up early for school. But as I get older, I have come to LOVE fall. Here are a few reasons:

• The leaves turn into colors that cannot even be categorized. I have nearly wrecked my car many a time driving past Drake Park, staring at the trees.
• I love that it’s getting cold outside, but when I get in my car it’s nice and toasty from the sun.
• I love, repeat love, watching families gather outside and play in the leaves.
• I love all things pumpkin…only for the short fall season. Try to feed me pumpkin pie in April and I might vomit.
• I love the expectancy that is almost tangible in the air. Other seasons seem to sneak in, but fall is like a beautiful, colorful dance that brings out the child in you.
• Daylight savings time is my best friend (but only in the fall)
• When it’s over, I get to look forward to Christmas!

Why do you love fall? Is it the leaves? The weather? Football? Or do you, like I did so many years ago, believe that fall is just the nagging precursor to a horrible winter? I hope not, because that’s just sad.

Well, I’ve said what I wanted to say, and now I shall leave you with this thought: 62 shopping days until Christmas!

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P.S. I looked over my past blogs and decided I have to get back into this…can somebody help me update my look?

Overflowing

I don’t have anything important to say.  I don’t have any news or any updates.  I don’t have any deep thoughts or truths to share.  I just love this day and wanted to share that.  

Lots of days are not like this one.  Lots of days require a fight for joy.  But today?  Today the leaves are changing and it’s still warm outside.  Today I woke up from an incredible night’s sleep and I can’t remember the last time that happened.  Today I celebrated with a friend who is getting married soon, and saw another one that I haven’t seen in far too long.  Today is the perfect day of rest and it’s not even over yet! 

Today is OVERFLOWING with joy.

Granny

This is Granny.  She’s my grandma.  Don’t mess with her.

Tomorrow Never Comes

Have you ever made this statement?

“Tomorrow will be different.”  or  ”Tomorrow I’ll get it right.”

I’m pretty sure I say that almost on a daily basis…especially when it comes to cooking.  :)  Lately I feel like I am on the edge of a cliff – a very high, very large cliff and I am slowly being guided toward the point where I will either fall or fly.  In a few short weeks that time will come.  And I am looking back at the smooth, flat surface of the cliff – so safe, so far from the edge – and I can still hear the echoes of my voice over years and years:  ”Tomorrow will be different.  Tomorrow I’ll get it right.”

There is so much I wanted to be, so much I wanted to have accomplished by this point.  And I haven’t…I haven’t.  And it’s not because I’m not good enough, or smart enough, or pretty enough – it’s because of the daunting escape of tomorrow.  You should see my tomorrow.  It would blow your mind.  It is beautiful and inspired and successful.  It is kind and generous and faithful.  It is bold and fearless and charismatic.  It doesn’t judge, doesn’t hurt, doesn’t get angry.  It doesn’t doubt or hide or stop trying.

But the truth is – tomorrow never comes.  It never, ever comes.  

Today is really all I have.  If I want to be different, look different.  If I want to hold Tomorrow in the palm of my hand – I have to seize it, and I have to do it RIGHT NOW.  I know this is all very vague and mysterious, and maybe you’re wondering what it is – what I want to change, what I wish I got right.  And over time I will reveal bits and pieces (and there are a LOT of pieces).  But as I sit here tonight thinking over the years, I just thought I should tell someone – that I should declare it in print TODAY.  That I am done waiting for tomorrow.

Because tomorrow never comes.

P.S.  I love Steven Curtis Chapman – seriously love him – and I’m thinking of a song he wrote, “Still Called Today” from one of his first albums.  Somewhere in the recesses of my mind and heart is a leg warmer wearing, big haired, headbanded, neon loving, pleather rocking 80’s girl…and sometimes she comes out to play.

Spring Cleaning

I am an extremist…especially when it comes to cleaning. Well this weekend, the extreme clean came out and I went to town on my house. And cleaning just isn’t cleaning without some serious organization. Organization of what? Of everything!!! And with organization comes the discovery of hidden treasures you never knew you had. Things you’ve had since grade school – things that you should not have moved 6 times. And so I bring you:

2009 SPRING CLEANING DISCOVERIES:

Item #1: Pentel Marker Set

Yep, I’ve moved this six times and I still cannot throw it away. This marker set was a big deal to me. I never really had the cool toys growing up. No My Little Pony, no real Barbie, no Carebears…but I had the pentel marker set. I can’t give it up…I just can’t. What if I need to write my name in block letters and use multiple colors?

Item #2: The address book

This was the first address book I ever had. Remember when it was cool to get stationary sets? Yep, my address book was from such a set. And in it I found the addresses to the following people:

Yep. Carman and Petra. I had their addresses…which means I sent them letters. Go ahead…laugh. I sure did.

Item #3: A starbucks card from my birthday…last year (June 2008)!

Not really sure, who it was from, but I love finding gift cards I didn’t know I had!

Of course I found many other things: old cd’s, bills I haven’t paid, clothes that I’ll never wear again…and never should have worn in the first place, old pictures, memories and much more.

What is the strangest/funniest/most interesting/best thing you’ve ever found during spring cleaning?

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday.

It is a day most of us don’t even think about, or even know about.  I’ve been a believer in Christ for as long as I can remember, though only a follower for 10 years.  And one thing that amazes me is how God is able, every year, to show me new truths and new mysteries about Easter.

This year’s revelation – Sovereignty.

The Sovereignty of God is His rule, His Lordship, His indefatigable greatness.  It is the fact that He is untouchable and unstoppable.  He is all powerful, all wise, above all, before all, ruler of all.  He created Heaven and Earth – all the majesty of creation was inspired by just a Word.  He is Sovereign, majestic and powerful and deserving of all honor and worship and respect.  

But on this day in history, He got none of that.  

The giant God of the universe became small.  On the cross He set aside all power, all beauty and all majesty to do the most powerful, beautiful, majestic act of all:  save the ones who put Him there.

Mmmm.  It really is a Good Friday.

The Life Changing Pear

At last…

The time has come…

Prepare yourself…

Take a deep breath…

Because here comes the pear. First allow me to entice you with a picture:

Now, allow me to give you this life changing recipe (courtesy of a YOU book):

Roasted Pear with Raspberry Coulis, Chocolate & Pistachios

• 1 large red pear
• 1/2 cup white wine (high quality)
• 6 ounces frozen unsweeted or 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 tbsp coarsely chopped pistachios

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut pear in half; remove core with a melon baller or metal measuring teaspoon. Arrange pear halves, cut side down, in a shallow baking dish. Pour wine over pears. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until pears are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Meanwhile, puree raspberries in food processor; strain and discard seeds. Transfer roasted pears to serving plates, cut side up; sprinkle chocolate chips over the pears (the heat from the pears will melt the chips). Combine pureed raspberries and liquid remaining in baking dish in a small saucepan. Cook over high heat until sauce is slightly thickened. Spoon sauce over and around pears; sprinkle with pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature.

And there it is. Mind you, when I first red this recipe I expected it to be sour and bland. But it most definitely was not. I recommend adding a few more chocolate chips and a tiny scoop of french vanilla frozen yogurt.

The best part? It’s healthy! There is no sugar, no butter, no oil of any kind!

Three cheers for pears!!!

A Brief Intermission

Who knew a pear could cause such excitement and such disappointment?

A little over a week ago I promised a post on a life-changing pear, and it never happened. I have been met with much scrutiny for this fact, and for that I apologize. It was absolutely my intention to post the pear, but sadly (as it often does) life intervened. The kind of life that leaves you without internet, without time and without a post.

I promise to post that pear for you tomorrow come hell or high water (what does that even mean???). But for now, if you’ll allow me a brief intermission, I have something to else to say.

Those of you who faithfully read this blog (all two of you) will have noticed a change in my posts in October both in frequency and content. It wasn’t that I had nothing to say, it wasn’t that I was too busy, it wasn’t that I lost interest. Quite the opposite actually – I had so much to say, but wasn’t ready to say it yet, at least not to the world.

In October I lost my job. Now I know that in this economy, that is a sentence uttered far too often by far too many people. Losing a job means losing income, security, stability. But for me, it also meant losing part of my identity. I realized at the worst moment that so much of how I defined myself was wrapped up in my job. It has been a painful season in many ways, but also the kind of season – the brutal winter – that makes you believe spring will knock your socks off.

I wrote a post back in September that I looked at again today, and I looked back at my own flood season. And I am so amazed at how God was preparing me for it – for every hurt, every hardship He had an answer laid out in front of me. This one met me one October afternoon:

“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!”
-Romans 5:1-5 (The Message)

I spray-painted that verse on my soul and held it out for the enemy to observe. And you know what? I made it through. And I didn’t just survive. Something was shaped and built in my life that cannot be shaken. Although this has been the most difficult year of my life, I wouldn’t trade it – not for anything. And my identity? It is now free to be hidden in Christ like it was meant to be all along.

I know there are many people out there facing similar circumstances: losing jobs, losing loved ones, just losing. But I hope that this sparks in you the reminder that you will be standing right where you always hoped you would be – out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace.