Name that Movie

NAME THIS MOVIE:

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, "O me! O life!... of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless... of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?" Answer. That you are here - that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play *goes on* and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?" 

"I stand on my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way......the world looks very different from up here.  You don't believe me?  Come see for yourselves!  Just when you think you know something, you have to look at it in another way....even though it may seem silly or wrong....you must try."

Did you guess it?  These quotes were taken from.......drum roll......
Dead Poets Society (1989) - Awwww yes, the Robin Williams prep school English teacher and his infamous lessons.  Kind of reminds me of my high school English teacher actually.....anyone dare to guess his name?  (Nimitz High School '02) 

I love being transformed daily as I study God's living word.  Reading renews my mind.  So does prayer, meditation, and Yoga.

Another book-turned-movie that comes to mind is Eat. Pray. Love.  (Elizabeth Gilbert / Julia Roberts)  If you haven't read or seen this one - it's a good one!  It's also heavy stuff; full of life lessons.  But the REALLY COOL connection I've made is this:

Romans 12 (the very chapter I've named my blog after) has 3 different sub titles:

1.  A Living Sacrifice - "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" - what is one thing we must do to remain alive in this body on earth? EAT  -  This verse reminds us that things on earth, such as good food, are pleasing to ourselves.  But we were created to please God.  This body you've been given is a holy temple, where the God of all creation wants to live and be glorified.

2.  Humble Service in the Body of Christ - "do not think of yourself more highly than you ought....we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us....serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy" - Finding our gifts and following God's will for us requires PRAYer and meditation in His Word.  God wants to speak to you, but you must first seek Him.

3.  LOVE in Action - this one speaks for itself - I must copy the verses found here, as they are some of my very favorite in the Bible. 

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with the Lord's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.  Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge.....If your enemy is hungry, feed him.....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-12)

There is so much media out there trying to buy your attention.  People jump on a bandwagon and follow their favorite band, actress, author, presidential candidate, TV show, etc.  Bandwagons and soapboxes aren't all bad.  But I will choose to jump on one soapbox only.  My soapbox is the Holy Bible.  God's word.  A lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  In times of happiness and times of sorrow, it's the one book that has always been there for me.  It offers love stories, crazy family drama stories, poetry, encouragement, and hope.  But every story points to this truth: God created me in His image, He loves me unconditionally, and He saved me by sending His son to die for me.

How can someone not want to shout this truth from the rooftops?!  Once I truly discovered God's love for me, my heart began breaking for all those who don't know His love.  My desire to journal and blog about it will only grow stronger as I continue feeding this thirst for knowledge and understanding.  My prayer is that it just might reach out to someone; encourage or inspire someone to come to know Him like I do.

Jesus is the one man who will never let me down.  God is the king of the universe and has a "Crazy Love" for us that only few truly come to comprehend.

If you're searching for a Crazy Love like this, please visit http://crazylovebook.com.

The Perfect Dress

The image of this perfect dress came to me as I laid awake in bed one evening.  I wanted to share my sketch with you before it becomes too colorful and ornate.  The verse that accompanies this idea is from Colossians 3:12-14.  "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." 

I've been reading a book titled The Beautiful Wife, by Sandy Ralya.  It is- yet another- life changing piece of work that God has placed in my path recently.  One thing I'm learning is to take off the masks that women tend to hide behind.  Three masks Ralya mentions are:

1.  Superwoman - trying to please everybody so that you may find favor and acceptance (and forgetting whom we should truly be serving daily- be it your Lord, your husband, your children, or just taking time to renew yourself)

2.  Material Girl - giving in to what the world advertises - "Money can buy you happiness!  The right stuff is all you need!  Everything is bigger in Texas!  Everything is better with coffee/ice cream/you name it/fill in your blank!"

3.  The Perfect Ten - portraying an image of perfection - "I have it all together.  I've got life by the tail.  I'm totally in control and blessed by God.  I'll do it myself....and I'll succeed."  (Quiet Confidence is a good thing; Pride will ruin a person.  Quiet Confidence comes from the Holy Spirit; Pride is a deadly sin.)

Taking off our masks can be scary because we don't want others to see the real us.  The REAL me is not capable of super powers.  The REAL me will never be truly fulfilled with the purchase of a new car.  The REAL me is not perfect.  The real me needs only one thing for sustained JOY and PEACE in this great adventure of life, and that is the LOVE of my Heavenly Father.  Sharing that love with others brings me joy as well.  I hope you find peace, joy, and love today.

That beautiful dress may call your name as you walk by.  But remember this: the woman wearing that dress has been specifically and intricately crafted by the hand of God.  The woman in the dress is the TRUE BEAUTY.

Who Am I?

• The cheerleader who hung out with the band nerds....because deep down I was one of them.
• The friend who was shy until you got to know me. Then it's Katie, bar the door! Literally ;)
• The older sister who was bossy. But my younger brother is loved more than he'll ever know.
• The daughter who would fold, in tears, from just a look of disapproval.
• The wife who will follow my love to the ends of the earth. And back. And back again.
• The teacher who's best tool was Love and Logic.
• The mom who is hopelessly devoted. (thanks for that one, Sandra Dee)
• The singer and dancer who will never go public with my "skills" - only the few and the proud will ever see them in full swing.
• The student who never wants to stop reading, researching, learning.
• The writer who can pour her heart out on paper like it's going out of style.
• The traveler who has a long bucket list. Includes learning the languages of others.
• The country girl who loves dogs, horses and wide open spaces. And the city girl who loves being surrounded by big family and good friends.
• The foodie who has fun in the kitchen. (Baking can happen in the sun too. And it's glorious.)
• The sports fanatic that can leave or take the nightly TV watching of the game but remain a lifetime follower.
• The ice cream connoisseur that will advertise Blue Bell in the blink of an eye.

The list goes on and on. But one thing remains true: Above all else, I'm the daughter of the most high King. My heart is full of love. And if you're not careful, this love will seek you, find you, and change you too.

Who am I?

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

(John 14:6)

 

Did that verse ever strike you as weird...getting to Heaven "through Jesus"....what exactly does that mean? I'll tell you my translation. Jesus walked on this earth to show us what it physically looks like to be a believer AND follower. Remember the old school sweet bracelets WWJD? Let it become cool again. Let's set fire to the rain of this world! (thanks Adele)

Let us walk as Jesus did. Shine a little light. It will reach further than you ever thought possible.