Movie Review: I'm in Love with a Church Girl

This morning has been all about watching movies...or was.  Now it's afternoon.  Anyway...

Just finished watching "I'm in Love with a Church Girl."  Rated PG, so family friendly.  Nice message about how God loves everyone and is in control of our lives, with a plan, etc.  After that it was relatively unrealistic, fairly cliche, and included some genuinely horrible acting (lots of genuinely horrible acting).  Don't get me wrong, I agree with the message and there were some good moments.  I even related a little bit with some of the characters.  However, I wish they could have done it a little better.  Maybe the message would have reached more people if they had.  Not an awful film if you're looking for something safe for kiddos.  Just don't expect any Oscar-winning performances.

Movie Review - Lost Horizon

Just watched Frank Capra's "Lost Horizon."  (Yea for Netflix's collection of old movies only film buffs have ever seen.)  It's about Shangri La.

It was interesting at least and really impressive for the time in which it was made.  There was a moment toward the beginning where my brain screamed "Hollywood liberals!"  But I got over it.  It really was good.  There were some fun characters, good lines.  I think if the film had been made today it would have had a very different ending.

If you get the chance to watch it, it's worth it just for the historical value.

Day 30

Today got a little rough.  I'm definitely not someone's favorite person.  This is not any real surprise considering the circumstances.  Tonight was a little different though.  Having adults for whom you have no love lost all putting their collective foot down on some ill behavior you think is justified doesn't make one a happy camper.

It makes me sad to think of how many kiddos are in difficult situations - some far worse than this one's.  Children suffer because adults can't make right choices.  That makes me angry.  She can rail and say she doesn't want to be here and that she doesn't trust me and doesn't believe that any of us care about her and that bothers me some but makes me sad for her.  But knowing she feels this way because the adults in her life failed her, that makes me angry.

A couple days' time will calm things down here.  Prayers will have to be the tool of choice for everything else, I think.  And I do pray for this little girl every day.

Book Review: "Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses"

I was planning to read this last weekend when the anniversary actually happened, but there was too much going on I guess.  Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses introduced and edited by Stephen J. Nichols is short, easy to read, and at the same time, packs in a lot of background information.

If you're simply curious what that document was, what was in it and what spurned Luther into writing it, this is definitely the little book for you.  I like that there are explanations or background information for some of the theses.  However, the physical format leaves a little to be desired.  The "notes" (or whatever you want to call them) are on the left hand page and the theses on the right.  When you're used to just flipping to the next page and reading on, it gets a little confusing.  I'm thinking they could have done that a little differently.

Otherwise, I liked the simplicity of the language in the introduction and the easy-to-understand translation of the original Latin or subsequent German.  It gives just enough of the details without being overwhelming and explains things in a way I found easy to comprehend.  It would be a good introduction to the material for someone otherwise unfamiliar with it.

Book Review: "Counter Culture"

Just finished reading Counter Culture by David Platt.  Not real sure where to begin...but I'll try.

It covers topics from poverty and diversity to abortion and homosexuality to the sex slave industry and religious freedom, and much more.  It was interesting.  I guess if I was to summarize I would say the basic point was that those people with a moral compass need to not be afraid to speak the truth but do so respectfully and do something to affect change.

Here's where it gets tricky...and convicting.  It was a real reminder of how often we give up or give in to the political correctness, the pushy bullies peddling lies via the media.  We're taught by the current culture to fear doing something unselfish and saying something true if politically incorrect.

In reading this book, I've become somewhat irritated with myself for allowing myself to fall victim to that fear.  That's the convicting part.  But it also left me a little bit upset or confused.  I'm left with the question "What do I do now?"  It's been a little overwhelming to think about all this.

That said, would I recommend others read this book?  Yes, definitely.  More people need to be exposed to the information and food for thought.  So, yes, check it out.  But be warned, it's not a light read.

Day 21

It is now day 21 with foster kiddo.  There were a couple moments a little over a week ago that were...frustrating.  The last few days have been good though.  Every once in a while I'm even spoken to as if I'm human.  I expect this will not remain the case indefinitely and it's only a matter of time before I'm worth arguing with again.  If "adults" at work can do it, why not a pre-teen living in my house?

Good Times

Saturday Samson and I donned our Halloween gear and headed to Omaha to trick-or-treat with Justin, Sandra, Nikki and Ivy.  We went farther and into more of the neighborhood than Samson or I had gone with them before.  Some houses were really decked out.  Quite a few people were out in their driveways around a fire pit handing out candy from there.  It reminded me of Samson's first Halloween and my last in Arizona.  We hung out in the driveway with the neighbors handing out candy and letting kids pet the dog.  It had been fun.  Spending time with family was good, too.

In our costumes and ready for business!