Wednesday, June 11, 2008

"Bella"

 I recently watched a film recommended to me, entitled "Bella," that I really enjoyed. It was a bit hard to understand at first, and it helped a lot to have someone who had already seen it explain that there was a flashback here or there. The movie starts with a man who has a flashback with more flashbacks in it.. and a flash forward. Once you understand that it is easier to connect the dots!

The main character was a fellow who was headed for great success and wealth in his career, but an accident changes that all and will haunt him the rest of his life. This story is about how he finds a way to heal his past and help others...specifically a woman named Nina who is realizing a huge change in her own life.

Despite the rather serious sounding theme, it was quite an enjoyable film, and there was much happiness in it. The positive portrayal of a Puerto Rican/Mexican family, with their love and warmth, was one of the best parts of the film.

Be sure to also watch the behind-the-scenes extra on the dvd.

Warning #1: This is not for little children. There is nothing "bad" in it, but there is a traumatic accident with a death and the film deals with the issue of abortion.
Warning #2: This movie may make you hungry. There was a lot of cooking going on!
83978: Bella, DVD Bella, DVD

Monday, June 9, 2008

Today's Greetings from the Editor

Quiet Afternoon Together
Quiet Afternoon Together
Giclee Print

Kilburne, George...
Buy at AllPosters.com

Have you ever had one of those days, where you think you are going to do something, and have it all planned out, but God changes your direction? Reminds me of some things I read....

Pro 16:9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Jas 4:13-15 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

I wish the very best of days today for all my readers!
-The Editor

Thursday, June 5, 2008

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.


-Psa 139:1-12

Reverie Aupres des Cygnes




Reverie Aupres des Cygnes

Art Print


Lorieux, Albert




Monday, June 2, 2008

The Etiquette of Summer Dressing


It is that time of year again... the time when many people use the sun as an excuse to strip to as little as they can wear and not be totally nude, while I, on the other hand, have to don my full coat of mail and suit of armor to go into battle in defence of modesty. You might wonder why I go to all the trouble, but if you have ever tried to explain modesty to someone, who is not modest, you will find that it becomes a hugely offensive subject.

I have noticed that the first issue coming up this year (besides hemlines) is immodesty at church.
As much as it is rude to dress skimpily no matter the season, or place, it is doubly extra rude to dress immodestly at church. That includes being fully covered, but wearing something see-through, letting your underwear or straps show from underneath your garment, showing bare skin when you bend over, or dressing in garments that are too tight, or so loose that they fall off. Not too tight, not too low, not to short, and I will add not outrageous. This applies to men as well as women, and children. Wearing a t-shirt with a beer commercial or heavy metal rock group logo to church should not be done.

Let's get to some recent inquiries. By the way, if any of you in the future want a personal answer to questions, I charge a dollar for every ten words of advice, via paypal.


"dear Etiquette Lady,
I don't think that if I went to church with my baggy pants, that God would care. If God doesn't care, nor should anyone else. -A Fellow You Know"

Dear A Fellow,

If you find yourself at church and your pants are falling down from your waist, discreetly pull them up and hold them up until you get home. While you are at it, you might want to say a little prayer of forgiveness for forgetting to wear a belt to church. In the Lord's sanctuary, you are there to worship with your fellow saints, who are supposed to be thinking about the Fruit of the Spirit and not the fruit of the loom. They have better things to think about than your underwear.

"Dear Etiquette Lady,
I can wear what I want to church, no one can make rules for me. I think it is nobody's business what I wear to church." -Miss Crane Keye

Dear Miss Crane Keye,

Isn't it interesting that many places of employment have a strict dress code; and schools, from grade schools to higher institutes of learning, are imposing a dress code on students? For instance, you are most likely not allowed to wear anything blatantly immodest to your school classes. I think church would be considered more important than school, wouldn't you? One is for your earthly education, and the other is to save your soul. Seems to me that you can do the math on that one and figure out how you should be behaving in dress and conduct in the Lord's presence and at His table.

"Dear Miss Etiquette,
This is a free country. I think that you can dress any way you want, and I can dress any way I want, wherever and whenever I want. I do not condemn your style of dressing, and so I expect the same respect from you for mine. And aren't Christians supposed to love everyone, even their enemies? -Anonymous"

"dear Etiquette Lady,
I think that people that think bad thoughts when they look at me or the way I am dressed have filthy minds, and that that is their problem. I can't stop people's filthy minds, they have to. It is their responsibility.
-Please keep my name Anonymous."

Dear Mr. and Miss Anonymous,
First of all, it sounds like you are acquainted quite well with the arguments for modesty, and that you are determined to do what you want anyway. Therefore you will agree with nothing I say. However, you sought a reply, so I will make one.

I will address Anonymous #1 first:
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of wearing what I want in this free country! It is a country rich in beautiful scenery, and I am privileged to share this country with many many others. My concern is that I dress in such as way as not to ruin the view. Or make people think that they stepped into a nut house or nudist colony. Not only that, but I want to appear decent in front of the nations' little children. Furthermore, I want to help people to keep their minds clean, since, according to Anonymous #2, people may have a problem with that. And don't we want to help people with problems in this country? And I am here to help the immodest dress problem.
I consider it part of Politeness to dress modestly. I wonder if people who dress immodestly consider it polite or rude of them to do so?
And since 'tis not my place to condemn anyone, and I certainly have not been appointed to do so, I will happily spare you any pain on that score and instead take it out on your wardrobe. We are supposed to love the person, but not the thing that they are doing wrong. And I think that dressing immodestly is wrong. Is it not then loving to tell people that wearing revealing clothing is a problem?
Though people may think me judgemental, I think that they should be more judgmental themselves. When you look into your closet this summer, folks, please make a better judgement about what to wear, and try to cover up your underwear. Thank you.