Listen. I'm a big movie-goer and there are some great movies out there right now. I'm so proud that Hollywood has finally realized that there is a demographic for wholesome, family oriented movies and that they are producing movies that are worth the visit to the local theater.
I'm so excited about seeing "Billy: The Early Years." Billy Graham is someone that my Papa and Nannie really looked up to and they are the ones who introduced him to me. This movie looks very entertaining and moving. God has really blessed this man's life and ministry. It's definitely one that I'm going to see.
Last weekend my girlfriend and I went to see "The Secret Life of Bees." I had watched some clips of this movie as well and it has an outstanding cast and a beautiful plot line. I love Dakota Fanning, and it's neat to see her growing up. This is another movie that is going to win a bunch of awards, I guar-on-tee (as Debbie's dad used to say.) The movie made me laugh out loud and cry-yes, out loud. Total embarrassment. It was just soooooooo gooooooood!! I highly recommend this movie. Beware though, there are a few bad words. The father is a very sad man and that sadness makes him a bad man.
My friend saw "Fireproof" last weekend and said that it really was good. This is a movie dedicated to helping save marriages in today's world, and I really appreciate and respect the effort. We all know Kirk Cameron from "Growing Pains" and the "Left Behind" series, and we all know his dedication to telling others about the word of God and bringing them to know Him. I'd like to support anyone with such a task as this, especially where he is. This is REALLY a mission field, Hollywood. I'm sure that he would appreciate our prayers and support for him.
I want to encourage each of you to support these films, giving Hollywood the message that we are out here, that we care, and that we want quality in our entertainment!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Saturday, December 1, 2007
"10 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays" by Mary Southerland
1. Create a Christmas countdown calendar. We often hear or say, “I just never got around to it this year, but next year…” Get a jump on the holiday season by creating a Christmas countdown calendar. Plan a special holiday event to mark each day of the season. Those plans don’t have to be elaborate:
• An evening with hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire
• Choose one night of the week to watch a Christmas movie or program
• Make picking the perfect tree a family event
• On December 1, buy a box of Chocolate-covered cherries and have one a day
• Buy or exchange Christmas books to read during December
• Invite close friends over for a casual Christmas dinner. Keep it simple. Ask everyone to bring a favorite Christmas dish.
2. Embrace the senses of the season.
• Enjoy the sight of green and red lights
• Keep cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove
• Make a batch of Christmas cookies
• Buy candles and burn them every day
• Listen to instrumental Christmas music so you can concentrate on the melody instead of the words
3. Share the holidays. In other words, don’t deny others the opportunity to invest in the Christmas season by trying to do it all yourself. Delegate and let others help you. Children can wrap gifts and help bake. Teenagers can put up lights and clean the house.
4. Stick to the lists. According to the American Bankers Association, it takes an average of four months for a credit card user to pay off stress-inducing holiday bills. Decide how much you can afford to spend on each person. Put that amount of cash in an envelope with that person’s name on it. When the envelope is empty, you are done – no exceptions.
5. Put away the Credit Cards. Hide them and do not take them with you when shopping. Freeze your credit cards in a jug of water or mail them to a friend until the holidays are over. If you prefer to use debit or credit cards, keep all receipts in an envelope. Keep a running total of what you have spent.
6. Cancel Duty Gifts. Cut down on the number of gifts you give. If you are still exchanging gifts with friends and relatives you rarely see or neighbors and co-workers you are reluctant to offend – stop. Chances are good that they too will be relieved to hear they have one less gift to buy. Give them a nice cards instead.
7. Give yourself a break. Take a candlelight bath. Go to a movie in the afternoon. For every five gifts you buy, treat yourself to a small gift for yourself.
8. Avoid the Scrooges. Do not yield any part of your Christmas to a Scrooge. When they say something negative, respond quickly with “Yes, but…” For example, if someone complains about the crowds, you might say, “Yes, but seeing all of these people really puts me in the Christmas spirit!”
9. Start celebrating right now! Christmas is not just a holiday or a date on the calendar. Christmas is a way of life. So let the celebration begin … now!
10. Keep one Christmas decoration out all year long. When you begin packing away all of the Christmas decorations, keep one or two of your favorite ornaments out in plain sight as a reminder that we are to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ every day of the year.
Mary Southerland The Stress-Buster
Web: www.marysoutherland.com
E-mail: mary@marysoutherland.com
Check out Mary's new Christmas MP3s and E-Bible Study on Stress
• An evening with hot cocoa in front of a crackling fire
• Choose one night of the week to watch a Christmas movie or program
• Make picking the perfect tree a family event
• On December 1, buy a box of Chocolate-covered cherries and have one a day
• Buy or exchange Christmas books to read during December
• Invite close friends over for a casual Christmas dinner. Keep it simple. Ask everyone to bring a favorite Christmas dish.
2. Embrace the senses of the season.
• Enjoy the sight of green and red lights
• Keep cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove
• Make a batch of Christmas cookies
• Buy candles and burn them every day
• Listen to instrumental Christmas music so you can concentrate on the melody instead of the words
3. Share the holidays. In other words, don’t deny others the opportunity to invest in the Christmas season by trying to do it all yourself. Delegate and let others help you. Children can wrap gifts and help bake. Teenagers can put up lights and clean the house.
4. Stick to the lists. According to the American Bankers Association, it takes an average of four months for a credit card user to pay off stress-inducing holiday bills. Decide how much you can afford to spend on each person. Put that amount of cash in an envelope with that person’s name on it. When the envelope is empty, you are done – no exceptions.
5. Put away the Credit Cards. Hide them and do not take them with you when shopping. Freeze your credit cards in a jug of water or mail them to a friend until the holidays are over. If you prefer to use debit or credit cards, keep all receipts in an envelope. Keep a running total of what you have spent.
6. Cancel Duty Gifts. Cut down on the number of gifts you give. If you are still exchanging gifts with friends and relatives you rarely see or neighbors and co-workers you are reluctant to offend – stop. Chances are good that they too will be relieved to hear they have one less gift to buy. Give them a nice cards instead.
7. Give yourself a break. Take a candlelight bath. Go to a movie in the afternoon. For every five gifts you buy, treat yourself to a small gift for yourself.
8. Avoid the Scrooges. Do not yield any part of your Christmas to a Scrooge. When they say something negative, respond quickly with “Yes, but…” For example, if someone complains about the crowds, you might say, “Yes, but seeing all of these people really puts me in the Christmas spirit!”
9. Start celebrating right now! Christmas is not just a holiday or a date on the calendar. Christmas is a way of life. So let the celebration begin … now!
10. Keep one Christmas decoration out all year long. When you begin packing away all of the Christmas decorations, keep one or two of your favorite ornaments out in plain sight as a reminder that we are to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ every day of the year.
Mary Southerland The Stress-Buster
Web: www.marysoutherland.com
E-mail: mary@marysoutherland.com
Check out Mary's new Christmas MP3s and E-Bible Study on Stress
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