Wow, tragedy just keeps striking all around us.  A soldier from our church was killed in Iraq last week, more "young" women finding cancer in their bodies.  But the worst has happened for my friend Tracy from high school, her 5 month old son died on Saturday.  He had been born with a congenital heart problem, but he came thru his surgery (at 5 days old) with flying colors, he was so happy and healthy.  This was quite a shock.  I found myself agonizing for her, but then pulling back "What right do I have to go to her house? She can call me, there are other people who are better friends".  But I realized what I was doing, that old I-don't-want-to-impose thing.  So I just showed up on her doorstep yesterday, and spent the day.  It was so much better than I thought.  She just wanted people around her, doing normal things.  It's harder not being with people who are mourning than it is to be with them I think, imagining, etc.  She still could use prayer.

  Bubblegum, I'm so glad that train wreck wasn't you.  

Okay, so I just watched The Passion for the first time. Observations:

Absolutely coolest moment:  Jesus crushing the serpent

Most inspiring moment:  Jesus standing back up after first round of whippings

Moment where my sobs were loud and gut-wrenching:  When Mary was remembering him falling as a child, and Him falling with the cross.

New respect for : John

Part that could have been portrayed better:  Pontius Pilate.  Every movie seems sympathetic to him, and he still did sin

Group that I could have gotten angry at:  Jewish leaders.  I can understand why people got angry at the Jews, but getting angry at 21st century Jews and retaliating is absurd. 

Read this from Secrets of the Vine by Wilkinson:

" Have you ever realized that a 'test of faith' doesn't really test anything unless it pushes you past your last test? Past what you've proven on a previous test?  That's why pruning lasts longer and goes further than we think is reasonable or fair.  And that's why if you pull back when you reach what sems like your limit, you will never grow or know how much you can really trust God."

This little book is full of great truth about vineyards and how real life science and gardening principles apply to John 15.  I think it's pretty awesome learning stuff like that.  

Aside from the screwed up Disney morals of today, I would like to celebrate the cultural contributions this company has made to millions of us saps.

Name a Disney movie (a real one, not a cheesy sequel) that doesn't have winter? It's hard. How about a rain scene? Maybe not Aladdin.

How about those sequels? the worst--Little mermaid 2, Lady and the Tramp 2, Aladdin 2 and 3 Best- Peter Pan 2, Patch's Great Adventure, Cinderella 2

Most symbolic of Jesus and Christianity- Belle and Beauty and the Beast

 A movie that mentions my name Little Mermaid

 How many are set in the US? not any that come to mind

Best portrayal of men Sleeping Beauty

Share your thoughts!

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and  boring people with your troubles,


If you can eat the same food every  day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved  ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and  blame without resentment

If you can ignore a friend's limited  education and never correct him,


If you can resist treating a rich friend  better than a poor friend,

If you can conquer tension  without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,  


If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

  ...Then You Are Probably  The Family Dog!