• Never Give Up–Week of Hope


    The movie Legion ranks up there on the scale of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. But, one thing that rang true in the movie was its theme of hope.

    Yep. Amongst crappy acting & terrible writing, I found a theme that touched my heart.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8lGCjd9W8U&feature=related]

    Sure, the special effects were pretty good. And, well, I admit, I have a thing for angels and wings.Heck, I’ve even written a couple books that have characters with wings.

    But there’s this one character in this movie, they call him JEEP. He’s kind of a strange bird, really. Jeep hasn’t lost hope. He sees the good in everything even when no one else can see it.

    I mean, he has a dead end life/job & loves a woman who’s pregnant with another man’s child. But still, he continues on, thinking of her first in everything without ever expecting anything in return.

    In the movie, the Archangel, Michael, defied an order from God to exterminate the human race. He did so because he had hope and faith in man when God had lost it. He went down to fight with them despite knowing he would die doing it.

    And at the very end, Michael and JEEP’s hope shines through. I won’t go into details in case you want to watch it and don’t mind wading through the poor acting and poor writing.

    But JEEP & Michael hold on to the very end and are rewarded, greatly.

    So, when you think all is lost. Just hold on. Hold on and you can make it through anything.

  • MUSICAL MONDAYS–Blog Host Caleb Aspros


    Hello. My name is Caleb Aspros. I’m the subject of Lynn Rush’s novel, Guardian. She thought it would be fun to have me host for a week.

    My first response was, “Me? A three-hundred-year-old Guardian? What on earth would I have to write about?”

    Lynn simply replied, “Duh, you’re a three-hundred-year-old Guardian. You must have some stories tucked up that ancient sleeve of yours.”

    So, with the help of my computer savvy fellow Guardian, Madison, I’ll give it a try. It helps that we start with music. This is something I’ve enjoyed over the centuries. But, recently I have found this song, While I’m Waiting, by John Waller.

    I know, you probably expected some classical hymn or something, am I right? Despite my resistance to many of the changes over the centuries, my appreciation of music has evolved.

    I picked this song for a reason. Lynn tells me it is a very long process getting a book published and involves a lot of waiting. Even though the song is from the movie Fireproof and is about marriage, I think it’s appropriate to all waiting. It’s difficult, but we must persevere.

    Enjoy, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3b2jw1rjBc]

    ~~~

    What’s your favorite song?

    ~~~

  • DEATH CRAWL–sports edition


    The death crawl. Have you heard of it? It sounds horrible, doesn’t it? Like crawling to your death or something.

    Now, despite being a sports junkie,I don’t necessarily love football. I’d much rather sit and watch a baseball or basketball game, anyday. BUT…that having been said…I’ve found some football movies that have been really good. Mostly because it’s not just about the game but about teamwork or motiviation. Or even faith.

    I’ve heard a bunch about this movie, “Facing the Giants,” but have not seen it. A facebook friend of mine sent me a clip of the movie on Sunday. And let me tell you, it rocked my world.

    The clip is six minutes long, but I hope you watch it. I truly believe you’ll be moved, even if you hate sports…seriously.

    ***

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ]

    ***

    Just like the coach is next to that kid the entire way, encouraging him, yelling at him, and challenging him, God is there for us as well. Yep, even when things are feeling too painful, or our arms and legs are burning from the death crawl of life, He is there.

    Are we listening for Him?

    We can go further than we ever imagined if we’re focused on His voice guiding us through it all.

    ***

    Has there ever been a movie that has affected you in an unexpected way?

    It doesn’t necessarily have to be a sports movie.

    For me, another is “Remember the Titans” and “Hoosiers.”

    ***

  • THE FIREPROOF PHENOMENON


    As you may well know, I’ve posted about the movie “FireProof” on this website before. When it came out, I’d surfed the blogs out there and found many other sites endorsing the movie as well. After most had seen it, they posted favorable reviews, for the most part. Most read like:

    “Not oscar worthy performances, but touching nonetheless.”

    Well, the other day, I stumbled across a rather scathing review of the movie. I was so disheartened by its harshness. Sure, in the blogging world, we come across all kinds of theories, opinions, and suggestions, it’s our God given right to have each and every one of those things. But sometimes, I think we take it too far. Get a little full of ourselves.

    We’re called to be loving, encouraging, and faithful. Not domineering, degrading, or judgmental. I’m on one spectrum, the “annoyingly un-opinionated” end–well, most of the time. Anyway, I think it’s about time I ranted a little.

    I find it very interesting with us and our puny little minds, think we’re big enough to cast judgment on things. Call them “horrible” or “dumb” or whatever degrading word we can find in our vast vocabulary. And when I found some sites out there shredding the movie “FireProof” I immediately thought about how cruel we can be. Sure, the acting wasn’t amazing and the script wasn’t strong, but look what God is doing through that movie? Those so-called weak and horrible things picked on in those negative reviews. Why would someone want to put up a stumbling block in that? Discourage someone from seeing a movie with a positive message?

    What’s next, gonna critique the Bible and how it’s written as well? It’s amateurish in some places as well, but look what it’s done. Someone stepped out in faith, made a Christian movie for the mainstream theaters. Its opening weekend put it at fourth place when it was showing in a fraction of the number of theaters. It offers a message of hope, faith, redemption. Who are we to post scathing, downgrading reviews? Trying to make ourselves feel more important?

    I applaud the bad acting. I applaud the person who had the guts to step out with a message of love, hope and salvation. I applaud the poor writing. I applaud the quirky attempt at comedic relief humor….as long as it’s in God’s name, spreading God’s word, and giving hope to those who are struggling.

    To all those who have NOT seen it, do NOT be detoured by harsh reviews. Go see it and I have faith that you’ll see God’s message. Then, make your own decision.

    I’d love to hear your thoughts everyone.

  • The Ultimate Gift


    Have you seen this movie? The Ultimate Gift?

    My friend let me borrower the movie over the weekend. I watched it and was completely inspired. I’m all about movies and books that talk about major changes in a person’s character My writing reflects that as well (see my Work in Progress page for a look.)

    There is just something about reading a book or watching a movie about someone changing from a cold-hearted, angry person to a loving, confident person. Maybe because it mimics something through which I’ve gone? Maybe it because it reminds me of God’s saving grace?

    This movie is encouraging and inspiring. I hope you run out and get it. Then, pass it on. You won’t be sorry.