A Call To Christians -- A Challenge to be Informed

Knowledge is Power!

Remember that phrase? It still rings true.

I would like to pose a challenge to all of you.....

I've never been interested in politics. I hate conflict and debate and have no desire to be a part of it. I figured, there are plenty of people who are smarter than me, I'll just let them make the decisions and trust their judgement. And that worked okay for awhile. I was blissfully ignorant. But then I got older and started raising a family. I started recognizing how all of those decisions affect my life every single day, and more importantly, how they affect the lives of every person in this country. And I realized something.....They're getting it wrong.

Those 'smarter' people whom I was allowing to make my decisions for me were making the wrong decisions on my behalf. But I can't even blame them for it, because I'm the one who gave them that power. It was easier than learning, and trying to understand complex issues. It was more comfortable than sharing my views and facing criticism. It allowed me to be complacent.

It was selfish.

There are many people who are just like I was. Who hear the word 'politics' and automatically tune out. I've been there, I know.

We can't do that!

Why not?

Because 'politics' isn't just about Republicans or Democrats (don't even get me started on the two-party system) .... To vote or not to vote .... 'Politics' aren't only important every 2 or 4 years .... 'Politics' is about LIFE.  Your life! .... It's about FREEDOM.  Your freedom! ....It's about LIBERTY.  Your liberty! .... It's about what our country once was, what it is now, and what it will become in the future....  And if you decide that you don't care one bit about 'politics', then you don't care about those things either. Not in the way you should.

I know that those are strong words, and they are not meant to offend. They are meant to open our eyes to what our responsibilities are as citizens of the greatest country in the world.

So, here is my challenge..... I have a video that I would like you to watch. It's basically the United States of America in a nutshell - Where it started and where it has come. If you are willing to put aside 90 minutes of your time to watch a movie (and how many of us can say we never do that?), and accept this challenge, I promise I will not ask you to participate in any other 'political' activities ever again. (Or at least not for awhile, 'wink')

I want to be clear about what I am asking from you. I am not asking you to agree with anything. I'm not trying to force you to believe in anything you're against. This video displays history in our country and people who have contributed to that history. All I want you to do, in this order, is.....

1) Watch it with an OPEN MIND. That sounds simple, but it's really not. We are all preconditioned to certain ideas and feelings that can affect how we assimilate information. Try to push those things aside and just listen without judgement. 

Watch the video by clicking HERE.

2) Decide if it's true.
    Do this while remaining neutral. DON"T think about right wing or left wing, liberal or conservative. Just follow the history and decide for yourself if it is true. If it is not true, it has no relevance. If it is true, go to the next step.

3) Decide if it is right or wrong. Do you think the country has gone the way it should? Or not? Regardless of how you may feel on stand-alone issues (i.e. feminism, abortion, etc.), how do you feel about the direction AS A WHOLE? Be honest with yourself. I'm not going to test you later. If you truly believe that it is right and good then you are now confident in what you believe, you know what it represents, and you are happy. If you think it is wrong, go to the next step.

4) You are now also confident in what you believe, and you know what it represents.  Decide what you, personally, can do to change it. It can be so hard to figure out ways to facilitate change.....especially on a grand scale. My advice is to start with the little things.

*Speak up when you normally wouldn't.
*Vote
*Write a blog.
*Change your Facebook status.
*Read. Study. Learn. Get informed and become educated so you know more of what you're talking about.
*Stand up for what you believe. Others will see your example and have the courage to do the same.
*Write letters to your local representatives and let them know what you expect from them.

We are only individuals, small and seemingly ineffective. But when single individuals come together for a common goal we gain power as a group.

Things can change.

Ode To The Birthday Girl!

 Oh, my sweet Emma! I can't believe how big you've gotten! I love you more than words can say. HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!!

This Is Only A Mountain...

I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately..... well, more than a bit actually. Some people thrive in an overwhelming atmosphere, sadly I am not one of those people. I am more likely to just shut down completely. That's how I roll.

I've been listening to a song lately that helps me remember that with faith we can move mountains. Not only do I think about myself when I'm listening to it, but I think about others close to me and some of the things they are going through. I hope this song might be as helpful to them as it is for me.

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your.....Apple?

Molly is in preschool now. Every afternoon when she gets home I have her pick out a book to read for her reading club. Today she brought me the book Rapunzel. But it wasn't your ordinary Rapunzel. It was a book that her sister, Emma, had made when she was in preschool about 5 years ago. Emma had drawn the pictures and told her teacher what to write in the book. So, this is the book Molly and I read for her reading club today. I wanted to share it with you because it's pretty much hilarious! I wish I could show you the pictures that go with it, but you'll have to use your imagination.

Rapunzel
by Emma Shumway

Once upon a time there was Rapunzel.

The wicked witch locked her in a tower.

This is the tower she was locked in. (Insert a big square with a naked stick figure 'laying down' inside.)

The wicked witch gave her an apple.

She was poisoned by the apple.

The wicked witch had another apple that wasn't poisonous.

Rapunzel left her mouth open and the wicked witch woke her up and she told Rapunzel to eat the apple.

And she ate it.

She said that this apple is not poisoned.

The prince came and took away the poisoned apple.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" the prince yelled.

They lived happily ever after.

The end.

Won't Back Down - Review

Last night I had the opportunity to go to a pre-screening of the movie Won't Back Down. This movie  won't be released into theaters until September 28th. So I thought I would just share my opinion of the movie for anyone who might be interested in checking it out next month.

After seeing the preview I knew this was a movie I wanted to see for one simple reason. It's rated PG. How often these days do we get the opportunity to go see a movie on the big screen that isn't bombarded by swearing, sex, and violence? Ummm...pretty much NEVER. So, I like to take advantage of that opportunity whenever I can. I will let you know, if you are thinking about taking your kids with you, there are one or two minor curse words, as well as some scenes of adults drinking in a bar. Those two things aren't anything I would worry about too much for my kids, but all parents are different, so...there you have it.

The movie is about an elementary school that is failing miserably. The majority of students do not even have basic reading skills by the time they leave the school. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a young, poor mother working two jobs to try to afford a better school for her daughter, who has dyslexia. Viola Davis plays a teacher at the failing school who is also having issues with her son. Together, the two women decide to take on the school board and the teacher's union to make a better school and a better future for their children.

The story was good and the actors were good. I think Maggie Gyllenhaal did a fantastic job with her character. I haven't seen all of her films, but in the ones that I have seen she has never played a character quite like this. She is optimistic, bubbly, and a little quirky while also being involved, serious, and tough. I liked her character a lot. Viola Davis, whom I loved in The Help also did a great job with her character; A teacher who at one time was passionate but got swallowed up by the doom and gloom of a public education bureaucracy, and who is racked by guilt from past choices that might have affected her son's ability to learn and succeed in school. Holly Hunter and Rosie Perez also gave good performances in supporting roles.

I really, really enjoyed this movie. There were parts that made me laugh, there were parts that made me cry, there were parts that made me angry, and there were parts that made me feel all warm and gooey inside. I think if you're looking for a nice feel-good movie that the whole family can enjoy, then this is a great option. I give it two thumbs up!

So, there you have it. I'm not a professional movie reviewer by any means and I'm sure I didn't do this movie justice. Quite frankly, I'm just hoping this review made sense. Here's to good movies!!!