#23 Thing I Love: The Shack

So around Christmas time, I read a book entitled "The Shack". This was when the book first began it's popularity. I had heard about it through Hayley Williams' blog and I was very intrigued by the summary on the back of the book. I must admit, despite finding the topic of faith and religion interesting to discuss, I never seem to like reading about it. I feel that some authors can be a little on the preachy side, but William Paul Young's interpretation of a man who has been through great sadness in his life and his encounter with the three versions of God was one of the greatest books I've ever read.

Here are some quotes:

Papa: “The problem is that many folks try to grasp some sense of who I am by taking the best version of themselves, projecting that to the nth degree, factoring in all the goodness they can perceive, which often isn’t much, and then call that God. And while it may seem like a noble effort, it falls pitifully short of who I really am. I’m not merely the best version of you that you can think of. I am far more than that, above and beyond all that you can ask or think” (98).

Sarayu: “Both evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence. I am Light and I am Good. I am Love and there is no darkness in me. Light and Good actually exist. So, removing yourself from me will plunge you into darkness. Declaring independence will result in evil because apart from me, you can only draw upon yourself. That is death because you have separated from me: Life” (136).

Sarayu: “Mack, if anything matters than everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again” (235)

#24 Thing That I Love: Jerry MaGuire

Alright, let's be serious. What's not to love about a movie with a pre-crazy Scientology and Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise. Cuba Gooding Jr. in let's face it, his probably only good career move. And a younger, more girl next door Renee Zellweger. Add that cute little kid with the glasses who has a froggy voice, and you got movie magic.

When I was younger and saw it for the first time...the only cool thing about it was that it had curse words and I felt bad ass watching it. However, it was on sale for $5 in Wal-Mart, and I couldn't help but buy it...and I basically fell in love with it.
First, you have a guy who is realizing his job is to lie to people, and basically take their money...and he realizes it's wrong...just a good message.
Second, the same guy has never had a true relationship in his life...and he's exposed to the love his client Rod Tidwell shows to his wife and family, and then to this little innocent boy Ray, son of Dorothy (Zellweger). Dorothy happens to be madly in love with him.
Besides having some great lines..."You had me at hello" anyone? The movie is just a feel good show at human nature and this guy finally starting his life over again in his thirties, with a whole new outlook.

Also for years I could always quote that whole "You complete me" part, but I never realized the significance until I rewatched it the other day. In one of the first scenes between Jerry and Dorothy they are in an elevator with a hearing impaired couple, and the guy signs to his girlfriend. When the couple leaves Jerry jokingly goes.."Wonder what he said" (after all the couple was making out so he probably assumed it was something dirty) to which Dorothy replies, "My aunt is hearing impaired...he said 'You complete me'." I never noticed that the line had appeared before.

Finally, what's not to love about a movie that has an amazing Bruce Springsteen song as its theme.

25 Things I Love

So I'm stealing this from Tara-Leigh Cobble, who stole this from somebody. Each blog is a "countdown" of 25 of my favorite things. Nothing is in order, and they're just small things that either we take for granted or little known things that I'd like people know about.

# 25 Thing That I Love:
Found Magazine (http://foundmagazine.com/about)

This site is so much fun. It's actually the site that inspired Frank Warren to start his PostSecret blog. Peopl can send little notes, photographs, drawings, or whatever, that they randomly find. It is then posted on the site and interpreted. Some of the stuff found on there can be as small or insignificant as a drawing a kid drew, or a family photograph that got tossed aside...but to someone it means or meant the world.


Some of my favorite "finds":









These are just 2 that put a smile on my face. Of course, some of them are a lot more serious, but interesting and a great way to spend some time when you're bored!

stand unafraid...

Dear little girl, so much hurt for such a young age.
Trapped inside a pretty little lie.
Your bodies betrayed.

Don't fix your eyes on a fix you rely on.
Fixed her eyes on a fix she relies upon.

Stand unafraid, all the good souls stand on unafraid.

When life starts to burn, and the pain returns.
I just wish that I could heal the hurt you feel tonight.
There's life in your veins. These needles are chains to hold you down.
How can you expect to win this war?
Too afraid to fight. Are you too afraid to fight?

Dear little one, there was so much pain.
Time you can't replace.
Trapped inside, too afraid to cry.
And now hands and bruises cover face.

Don't fix your eyes on a fix you rely on.
Fixed her eyes on a fix...

When life starts to burn, and the pain returns.
I just wish that I could heal the hurt you feel tonight.
There's life in your veins. These needles are chains to hold you down.
How can you expect to win this war if you're too afraid to fight?

Stand unafraid.
All the good souls stand unafraid.
Stand unafraid, all the good souls stand unafraid.

When life starts to burn, and the pain returns.
I just wish that I could heal the hurt you feel tonight.
There's life in your veins. These needles are chains to hold you down.
How can you expect to win this war if you're too afraid to fight?
When life starts to burn, and the pain returns.
I just wish that I could heal the hurt you feel tonight.
There's life in your veins. These needles are chains to hold you down.
How can you expect to win this war if you're too afraid to fight?



why is this song so perfect?

fall baby, fall.

I saw the first red leaf today and a part of me wanted to jump up and down.

Something about fall...that first chill in the air...the way the wind blows hair in your face and your cheeks and nose get just a little cold. The crunch underneath your feet when you step on a leaf. The way the taste of a warm apple cider from Starbucks taste for the first time...The red, orange, yellows, and browns. They all blend together and I can't help but smile.

RA-ing is going good, the responsibility is a little much, but bearable. For some reason worrying so much about other people has made my own problems seem so minuscule, even though their issues are probably smaller than some of mine...it's still nice putting some things into perspective.


oh fall. you bring out the best in me.

love.

Then you tell me...
You say that love goes anywhere
In your darkest time, it's just enough to know it's there
When you go, I'll let you be
But you're killing everything in me

I'm done, there's nothing left to show
I try but can't let it go
Are you happy where you're standing still?
Do you really want the sugar pill?
I'll wake up tomorrow and I'll start
Tonight it feels so hard
As the train approaches Gare Du Nord
As I'm sure your kiss remains employed
Am I only dreaming?

oh sigh...life has a funny way of bringing songs in and out of my life. it has a funny way of making me feel different emotions. good emotions, but different.
i'm on a jimmy eat world kick the past few days...and i love this song. i love most of their stuff, just because it's all not so typical.
i'm falling back in love with switchfoot these days too.
and lifehouse.
basically i'm loving a whole lot of different music.

freshman year of college is about to end. if you told me a year ago where i'd be in life today, what it would all look like...i would have killed myself. however, i'm sitting here right now...happy. happiest i've ever been in a really long time.
i've found things about myself.
i've found friendships.
and most of all i've found God in everything.


pretty much life is grrreat.

Irish Blessing

"I wish you not a path devoid of clouds, nor a life on a bed of roses,
Not that you might never need regret,
nor that you should never feel pain.
No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is:
That you might be brave in times of trial,
when others lay crosses upon your shoulders.
When mountains must be climbed and chasms are to be crossed,
When hope can scarce shine through.
That every gift God gave you might grow with you
and let you give your gift of joy to all who care for you.
That you may always have a friend who is worth that name,
whom you can trust and who helps you in times of sadness,
Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you:
That in every hour of joy and pain you may feel God close to you.
This is my wish for you and for all who care for you.
This is my hope for you now and forever."