Doug Seus and Little Bart-October 3, 2009
To learn more about Doug Seus and Vital Ground, please visit www.vitalground.org.
Adoptable Me
URGENT!! Beautiful dogs needing homes by October 9, 2009. Please watch the video, pass it on and/or post to other sites. For more information, please leave me a comment with your contact information and I will get back to you. Thank you!
Terrorism works when…
Terrorism is when people bond in hatred toward a common enemy and then act to harm that enemy. But another element has to be in place for terrorism to succeed…the silence of people unwilling to take a stand against it. It is not enough to pray that… someone else will step up and stand against the unjust actions of those operating in hatred. Each of us must take an active stand against terrorism at any level.
Signs of Hope & Change
It’s about the people…the possibility of an administration once again remembering that it’s about the people…what a great HOPE and what a wonderful, welcome CHANGE.
Signs of Hope & Change
Quick thoughts on “The Shack”
I LOVE books!
Love book stores, libraries, book clubs, etc…
I was always the geeky kid that ordered the most books from Scholastic Books during my grade school years.
Love books. Love to read really good books. When I’m in the middle of a really good book, I can’t wait for the time in each day where I get to pick up my book and read.
So when I read a book that has been highly recommended and I find it less than wonderful, I feel a great sense of disappointment.
And that’s how I feel about The Shack.
As a Christian, I agree with almost all of William Paul Young’s descriptions of relationship versus religion and the importance of the first and the detriment of the second. As best I can remember, at only one point in the book did I think, “Nope, don’t agree with that.” (In reference to relationship versus religion.)
But
It could be that I have misinterpreted his point.
For those that have not read the book and are planning on doing so, I’ll not go into detail. If anyone would like to know the point I am referring to, please ask me in a comment and I’ll discuss it there.
While I’m glad to see a fiction book that takes on the difference between relationship with God and religion on the New York Times bestseller list, I just wish it would have been a book with smartly written dialogue.
The dialogue in The Shack is actually painful it’s so poorly written.
The basics to a good story is there, but the dialogue is just plain bad.
Sadly, this is what I find in most “Christian” books and movies — really, really, really bad dialogue.
It’s as if these writers are so afraid of being real, they use some sort of “writing for the Christian market” formula and the dialogue turns out to be nothing but a bunch of cliches and “usable” words and phrases from popular TV shows.
And The Shack is full of this type of dialogue between the characters.
Knowing that Mr. Young did not write this story with the intent to publish it, but rather as one for his children makes me feel a little hesitant to comment on the writing…
But
Since he is looking to turn his book into a movie, I am sincerely hoping any producer that options this book will include the right to hire a [dialogue] writer in his/her contract.
And
Then will hire a good one.
A Body at War with Itself
Michael Phelps is probably the most famous 23-year-old on the planet today.
With a body that did not fail him, Michael Phelps achieved a personal goal that has now surpassed all athletes in the history of the Olympic games — 8 gold medals won at one Olympic competition.
This is more than achieving a personal goal — this is creating history! Amazing!
While every athlete’s achievements are the result of years of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work, the pay off of when their bodies perform at their very best is a reward of tremendous glory and well-deserved recognition.
But
For me personally, those that live in bodies that are at war within themselves every single second of every single day, are also true athletes of dedication, sacrifice, and hard work, if not even more accomplished than those that win medals or large advertising contracts.
Let me introduce to you Tyler Boshae.
Like Michael Phelps, Tyler is 23-years-old.
From the age of 9, Tyler has been dedicated to a physical, mental, and spiritual regime that may astound even the most accomplished of athletes.
From the age of 9, Tyler has climbed a mountain called Tourette’s Syndrome every single second of every single day of his life.
The type of Tourette’s Syndrome experienced by Tyler not only creates great physical pain within Tyler’s body, but the mental and emotional fatigue are beyond any I’ve ever seen experienced by medaled athlete.
Tyler Boshae is a true fighter, a true athlete, a true winner.
And
He is in need of your help.
Tyler has been approved to be evaluated to receive a special brain surgery to implant electrodes to help reduce the tics. The surgery is called DBS — Deep Brain Stimulation. Approximately $200,000 will be needed for this surgery to take place — and that’s with the reduced fees from his medical team.
Please meet Tyler through the video and visit his website at www.clubtwitch.com.
Any and all help you can give is greatly appreciated. Even if you can only afford to pass this message along , please do!
Thank you!
more about “A Body in War with Itself“, posted with vodpod
Top Three Summer Television Shows to Watch
Some things are just better when they are over and done with.
Like the pulling of a wisdom tooth.
Or
The first speech you have to give in front of your class.
Or
Every time your mom made you eat liver and onions.
Some things are going to happen no matter what and it’s just best to get them over with.
This past television season was one of those things. Phewy…it was awful. I’ve never been so happy to see reruns of reruns on my television screen.
And
By the looks of what the major networks are planning for next season, I could not be more happy for the emergence of TNT and USA as serious competition for original scripted programming.
Who knew summer television would ever be THE thing to be paying attention to?!
But
Here it comes and it appears to be coming with a BANG!
My choice for the top three summer scripters to be watching are:
MONK
This show continues to shine and just keeps getting better with each year. However, I think every treadmill should come with a warning: Watching MONK while operating this equipment could be dangerous. I’ve fallen off my treadmill twice while watching this show. I get to laughing so hard I lose my balance and off I go! Season premiere is Friday, July 18 at 9/8 central on the USA network.
Burn Notice
If you are like me, you didn’t notice this show during its first season. But, if you’ve caught any of the reruns leading up to the premiere of it’s second season, then you know this show is fantastic! Great writing, excellent cast, creative editing, and humorous. I LIKE IT! Season premiere is Thursday, July 10 at 10/9 central on the USA network.
The Closer
Kyra Sedgwick is absolutely wonderful as Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson. Everything about this show is excellent. For a scripted drama, this show holds its own against any of the major network dramas. Storyline, character development, and the “real” factor of human behavior within the main characters is engaging. Brenda Lee Johnson is a character that many people can relate to and that’s refreshing. Season premiere is Monday, July 14 at 9/8 central on TNT.
So…
Get ready to leave the mosquitoes behind and bring your lemonade on in for some fun summer television!
NO to Loaded Guns in America’s National Parks
As a young girl growing up in Montana, regular visits to Yellowstone National Park were part of our family routine.
If relatives came for a visit, we took them to Yellowstone.
If friends came for a visit, we took them to Yellowstone.
If it was long weekend, we went to Yellowstone.
If friends were going to Yellowstone, we were going to Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park continues to be one of America’s treasures.
And
I couldn’t feel more blessed to have grown up in such a spectacular place of peace and beauty.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I learned that the Bush Administration is, once again, cow-towing to the National Rifle Association by seeking to relax a law that has been in place for 100+ years.
A law that bans loaded guns in America’s national parks.
For more than 100 years, our national parks have been places of sanctuary for humans and animals alike.
When did they become listed as war zones where loaded guns are necessary?
The time in NOW to say NO to the NRA and the Bush Administration once and for all when it comes to the safety of American citizens.
For more than 100 years, loaded guns have NOT been a part of America’s national parks.
Let’s keep it that way.
Please join the U.S. Park Rangers Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Association of National Park Rangers, the National Park Service Retirees, The Wilderness Society, and the National Parks Conservation Association in saying NO TO LOADED GUNS in America’s national Parks.
Take action by learning more on each of the above websites AND by sending a letter to the Department of Interior expressing your opposition to the NRA’s push for loaded guns in our national parks.
In Which Direction Are You Moving?
As America enters into the Memorial Day weekend, I am thinking about various events that have taken place this past week.
- The GI Bill passed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Thank God.
