What if?

What would happen if we let go of everything we thought we ever knew to be "right" and started life from scratch? Would we end up with a completely different philosophy, or eventually come right back around to what we originally believed?

a lyric for thought

We are young, heartache to heartache we stand
No promises, no demands
Love is a battlefield

We are strong, no one can tell us were wrong
Searchin our hearts for so long, both of us knowing
Love is a battlefield

Juan Mann

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Funny

Hugh Laurie - 80s Polaroid advert

Who'd have thought this accomplished photographer would become such a cranky doctor?

Facing the Giants!

Two weekends ago, a motion picture that blatantly proclaimed that nothing is impossible with God made it's opening in theaters around America. Facing the Giants is a film about a high school football coach who has his back against a wall in every aspect of his life. His team has been on a losing streak and just lost their best player, which treatens his job. His home and car are falling apart, and he has been unable to provide his wife with the children she wants.

As someone who watches movies with a very critical eye, I had my doubts about this one. Yes, the acting was mediocre and it was at times cheesy, as I expected. However, what I did not expect was to be so emotionally moved. This film reached into me in a way that convicted me. I have failed to give best in so many areas. I forget that with God, all things are possible as long as we give our best.

In one of the more moving scenes of the film, Coach Taylor asks one of his players, Brock Kelley,to perform the "Death Crawl" a second time. The death crawl is an excerise in which one player crawls 10 yards on his hands and feet while carrying another player on his back. In an effort to spur the young man to change his attitude from that of failure, to that of victory, Coach Taylor asks Brock to promise to give his very best this time. Brocks states he thinks he could make it to the 30 yard line. Coach Taylor then blindfolds the ambitious young man so that he won't give up when he reaches the 30 yard line. As Brock starts his crawl, the other players are skeptical and laughing at the whole situation. Coach Taylor walks along side reminding Brock of his promise to give his best. He doesn't let him slow down when he starts to ask if he's made it yet. Brock complains that he's tired, but the coach doesn't let up. As the player moves further down the line, the team stands up and watches closely in amazement at how far he's crawled. Brock begins to complain that his arms are burning and he can't go any futher. Still yelling in his ear, Coach Taylor pushes him to go further. Twenty more steps.... ten more.... 5 more.... Brock finally collapses on the field, crying that he must be at the 50 yard line. He simply must! Coach Taylor removes the blindfold and tells Brock to look up and see where he's at. As Brock pulls himself up, he sees that he's crawled the entire length of the football field, 100 hundred yards. What a stunning example of how much we underestimate what we can do when we give our best. God wants our very best, not just a good effort.



Perhaps the impossible events that took place in the movie are too far fetched for some to believe. If that's the case, take this to heart: the only way that film made it into theaters this September, was by the grace of God. Those folks gave their best, and God took care of the rest. It's really an awesome story of how Facing the Giants came to be.

Face Your Giants!

Chicks Dig It

Cliff Jumping

How many times have you seen a scene in a film where the main character is being chased toward a cliff of some kind and he or she is left with the option of certain death by facing the enemy, or taking a leap that looks just as hopeless? Plenty, right? And every time you see it, you yell at the screen, "Jump! Jump!"

We all have moments like these in our lives. They're just not as easy to see. However, we choose to give up instead of taking the leap when chances are slim to none. If we jump at least there's a chance, right? No matter how small the chance of surviving appears to the film character, he or she always jumps! And we watch, cheering all the while. Yet, how many times do we choose to do nothing, instead of taking the leap? We may be breathing, but when we quit, we quit living.

Keep a look out for opportunities to leap. Cheer your friends to jump as well, when you see them peering over the edge of the cliff. "Jump! Jump!"

Story Time!

What happened to "Coming Out" Parties?

My desire is not to find a husband, but to become a magnificent wife. I do not announce my desire to marry as a way to chase after men, but as a way to make known that I am open to suitors and ready for marriage. I do not wish for you to tell me about any eligible young bachelors that might interest me, but please tell every bachelor you know about me, so he can take action! I do not wish to feminize my husband by seeking after him. I will wait for him to seek after me as a man ought.

"I'm coming out so you'd better get this party started!" -Pink

Scrivere...

I'd like to be more purposeful in my blogging. For a while, my blog has been titled "Scrivere!", which means "Write!" in Italian. However, after reviewing the content of the blog, I've found that it consists more of visual images than of words. I've put the task of re-naming the blog on hold for now, hoping that just the right one will come along. Ta ta for now!

An afternoon with Ethan

 
My photo assistant!
 
Posing in front of the shed.
 
Checking out the garden.
  
Thanks for the glove Uncle John! Thanks for teaching me to play catch Grandpa!

Abby

Ethan

I've just counted 13 children getting on my flight.

Start your day off right!