Recent Movies

Jul 30, 2005

The Day After Tomorrow.....just awful
Dodgeball.....vulgar, on so many levels
I, Robot......Asimov might have a few more suggestions

Fend Night

Jul 28, 2005

When I was a girl, my family frequently had a "Fend Night" - for dinner, you had to fend for yourself. Figure it out on your own and have whatever you want for dinner. Mom wasn't cooking, Dad wasn't cooking, but the kitchen was free for anything you wanted to do. And I've never quite gotten over it.

I'm not proud of my ability to fish around in the pantry and fridge until I can throw together something to eat. Mostly it's a selfish practice that prevents me from preparing a real meal that my husband and I can enjoy together. On nights when I do this (when he works late), he insists that I at least sit with him while he eats dinner (which I usually prepare with more attention and concern than what I prepared for myself).

I love that he doesn't want us to fend for ourselves - he wants to share a meal, a moment, some time, with me. And this feels a lot like salvation. I don't have to feel abandoned and left to my own devices.

"Everytime you do this, think of me" meant more than just eating a piece of bread at church. Partly, it's a reminder that everytime we have a meal, we should remember the people we love, experience communion with them, and enjoy some time together. Sometimes that means sitting down to dinner and sometimes it's the easy freedom of a Fend Night.

The Summer of My Discontent

Jul 25, 2005

Yesterday my favorite associate pastor preached the sermon while our senior pastor was out on vacation. He spoke about seasons of life, how to recognize them. And it occurred to me that I'm enduring a personal winter - life is a cold, lonely, and lifeless. But part of the challenge and joy of winter is finding a warm fire and surrounding yourself with people you love.

A dear friend reminded me that when a tree sheds its leaves and becomes dormant, it is nourished from its deep roots. "You have deep roots," she whispered. "It's going to be ok." And she held my hand for the rest of service.

When it feels like nothing will ever change, it is promising to know that Spring is coming.

Faith Like a Little Child

Jul 18, 2005

I've spent most of the past two weekends with my sister who just delivered her fourth child (and third son) Levi. I adore my sister, and I love her children. They are so full of life and completely enchanting.

I constantly question my faith, wondering how so many people can believe so easily while I struggle daily. Then I see these four lives who rarely question an honest reponse from their parents. They simply trust their dad's answer.

I want what they have - to look into my Father's eyes and just know. To not have questions crowding out the truth, not because I'm avoiding those doubts, but because they don't exist. This is what Christ meant - let the little children come to Me.

The First Post

Jul 17, 2005

So, this is the first post. I'll be adding more soon.