Would the Bible get a PG-13 rating?

I've recently started reading Don Miller's Blue Like Jazz and there's no shortage of things to think about from his "take" on Christianity. I love, love his honest raw responses to the way that Christan culture often focuses on the children's versions of the doctrine of the Scriptures. He points to the way many who grew up in the church were taught about the story of Noah. Instead of focusing on the depravity that must have existed for God to destroy the world by flood, we instead focus on the menagerie of animals on the ark. This especially struck me as this week, my small group was studying the Old Testament story of Joseph and as I was reading, I kept picturing the animated character from my kids movie, Joseph. While I once thought, "How great - make more of these animated stories of the Old Testament so my kids will respond/reflect/learn from them the truths of God's Word!" I'm now starting to question the wisdom of this. Do we dillute the real messages of the Word when we offer them up in the same category as bed-time stories? Does offering a visual picture of events or characters of the Bible lead us down the slippery slope where our impulses are to sanitize some of the more uncomfortable events of the Scriptures?

Hmmm . . . . something for me to think about . . . . more on this to come . . .

A dream weekend . . .

It's been the kind of weekend you dream about during the hardest weeks.

Friday started with bitter windchills but the warmth of knowing that it was payday and a trip to Costco would fill the pantry. My husband teases me and calls me Mrs. Hubbard - I love a full pantry. There's something so comforting about seeing the rows of soup cans, tuna, boxes of cereal, Chex Mix, and various other goodies lined up on my pantry shelves like willing recruits, ready for the daily battle of feeding the troops. Friday was also Brad's birthday and a wonderful excuse not to cook (Red Robin take out) and to enjoy a home-made chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert.

Saturday was a lazy morning where I finished Amy Tan's latest novel, Saving Fish from Drowning. It was a good one, but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Bonesetter's Daughter or My Secret Sister. She's still one of my favorite authors and inspirations. She didn't write her first novel until she was in her mid 30's. She has an incredible vocabulary and I have about 20 words underlined in the text to go back and look up the meanings. Later in the afternoon, I watched my son's indoor soccer team win a close match with the score of 5-4. I feel like such an idiot, yelling and screaming at 8 year old boys who don't hear a word I'm saying about "defense" or "pushing up the field". But it makes for a great afternoon when your kid comes off the field with a big grin on his handsome face!

Saturday night was church and Brad and I both walked away challenged and yet somewhat frustrated with the message. Pastor John spoke on Luke 12:13-21 about managing our risks. One quote that really stuck with me - "Our eternal life is forged in the present. Our choices today impact the future." So true - no matter what path you choose, your actions today will impact your tomorrow. This truth moves beyond our choices with our material goods and impacts all areas, especially our relationships. I was challenged to consider the risks I don't take in my relationships with others and the cost of holding back. What regrets will I have in the future, if I know I have squandered myself to a point of not sharing in deeper ways with those closest to me? Wow - I went expecting to be challenged in how I'm a steward of my material possessions but walked away challenged more about my how I'm a steward of my heart. Lots to think about.

Today, Sunday, has been equally relaxing - lazy, big calorie filled breakfast of pecan pancakes, bacon and fresh strawberries. Yum - I love that I married a man who loves to cook. My parents came over for a nice visit and the weather warmed enough that the kids a couple of hours to play outside this afternoon while we caught up on some chores. Gave the dog a great workout and a bath today. She's so tired, she hasn't moved from in front of the fireplace except to have dinner and a potty break. To cap it off, one of my favorite movies is on tv tonight, O Brother Wher Art Thou? So beautifully filmed, and full of wonderful lines and music!

And the best part of the weekend? There's one more day of it!! Thank you Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Washington!

Why one more voice?

I'm not sure why, but I am starting a blog today.

Recently, I stumbled on a group of women artists who share their thoughts, challenges, successes and discouragements on the pages of their journals and blogs. Their words have been rattling around my head for weeks. I find my self checking their blogs daily now to read their latest posts. We lead very different lives, but I have been so encouraged by their transparancy and openness to their audience. Though they speak to different subjects, experiences, events and situations, the theme seems to resonate from them; "Find what you love and do what you have to do to do more of it."

Intruiged by this phenomena, I started "grazing" around more blogs. I'm amazed at the wisdom, insight and sometimes bizzarre thoughts that are being put out there. Why add my voice to the already crowded sphere of blogging? I guess I feel like in my brief history of blogging, I've already been so encouraged and challenged by others, I feel like I owe something back. I don't make claims of infinite wisdom or knowledge or a charismatic personality that will reach through your screen and shake you by the shoulders to motivate you to reach your full potential, but I might have something to say that might encourage someone along their journey. I hope if I do, you'll let me know. Until then, what's one more voice to "embroider the silence with words." (A favorie line from the book, Three Junes.)