So, as you (even though "you" are imaginary) know, I am a huge classic movie buff.
Which means it is taking alot for me to say this...
Which also means you should be able to have some sort of concept of how much this bugs me.
Marilyn Monroe.
Sure, she was pretty, and she made a couple of movies that I like.
But, for the most part, I think it is kind of pathetic when people cite her as a role model.
She was immoral, uneducated, cursed like a sailor, etc.
And especially when people quote this little ditty: "You're the beautiful one, it's society who's ugly."
Yeah..Says the woman who changed her entire appearance to gain acceptance and get jobs in the fake world of Hollywood.
And you really want to cite somebody like that as your role model?
You really want to be like that?
I just don't understand why everyone everywhere goes so nuts over someone like Marilyn Monroe, when there are so many even more amazing (by a long shot) people out there who can be celebrated and who would make fore much, much better role models.
Why not celebrate someone like Katharine Hepburn?
Now there is a beautiful woman who didn't change so much as her name for Hollywood, and still made it big.
And not only that, but she was extremely intelligent, professional, and funny.
There are others, too.
I don't know why this bothers me so much, but it does. I mean, I know nobody is perfect, but I just look at who people choose to idolize, and most of the time it's pretty sad and pathetic.
And it's still like that today. Actually, maybe even more so than it used to be. I guess it's just a classic commentary on our society and the things we choose to pay homage to, but I think it's pretty ridiculous.
And if I ever decide to cite someone like Lady Gaga, the Kardashians, who knows who else, or even Marilyn Monroe as my role model....
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
How great are these verses?
They are so small, yet hold so much knowledge that we can take and apply to our lives. They're so brief, but they hold such a wonderful promise.
Even for non-Christians, for people all over the world, one of the things we worry the most about is the fact that we don't know. We don't know what decisions to make sometimes, we don't know where life is headed for us, we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, we don't always know what the outcome of our choices will be, etc. That makes us feel like we don't have complete control (which we don't), and therefore, as beings that were created with free will, we don't like that. We feel like we have to have all of the answers in order to have things go perfectly according to our standards.
But we don't.
God has all of the answers to everything that we will ever need or want to know. And He might not reveal those answers to us when we want them, but the point is that He knows all. He knows what the right decision is, where our lives are headed, what is going to happen tomorrow, what the consequences of our decisions will be, etc. Sometimes I think that's kind of difficult for us to wrap our heads around--and not because it's a hard or complex idea, but because it is so unbelievably simple that we overthink it.
Not only does He hold all the knowledge and all of the answers, but He wants to help us use that knowledge and apply it to our lives. And all we have to do is trust Him. That's all He asks--all He ever asks of us. If we ask for His guidance, and simply trust that He will give it, then He will.
Another great thing is that, while this is great to remember in times of a crisis, it's not just for huge and major life decisions. God is the ruler of all things, including our hearts, and He cares about the little things that trouble us. Whether you're worried about passing a test, going to a job interview, a fight you had with your best friend, getting financial aid, whatever it may be, He cares about it. And if you're worried about anything, anything at all, all He asks is that you be willing to put your troubles in His care, that you ask for His help, and He'll give it.
So, I had a pretty great weekend, even though it went by so dang fast.
I went over and helped a friend paint her dining room on Saturday, and then after we were finished with that, we went to the movies to watch this little gem...
And, I know nobody probably cares, but I am going to give my own review on it.
First of all, I should probably clarify that I have not read the books yet. I still really want to, and typically I would've read them first, but I was persuaded to see the movie anyways.
It was a really interesting plot line. And while I'm saying that, I'll also address the whole idea that people think it's "just like Twilight, only better." Uh...no.That was nothing like Twilight, at all.
I do have to admit, though, that it was really sad in more than one way.
While the plotline was interesting, I was surprised by how violent it was. And it would've been violent anyways, but especially since everything centered around kids...survival of the fittest between kids who are encouraged to kill eachother--that is pretty intense.
And you also can't get around the setting of the story. From what I gathered, it's basically a fallen North America with a really depressing history of rebellion against the government. And I already know that in the next two books there are plots to take down government leaders in a revolution.
As a Christian, I just can't think about the darkness of the plotline in those ways without having these verses come to mind:
"Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' Cain replied, 'I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?' The Lord said, 'What have you done?Listen!Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground..."
Genesis 4:8-10
Now, I know that it's just a movie, and it's just a story. But just think of something so dark like that--children killing other children and other people watching it for enjoyment. Think of the massive amounts of blood that are spilled that cry out to God from the ground. It's just pretty depressing when you think about it, even with the knowledge that it's just a story. Because murder isn't just a story--it is unfortunately very real.
And the other verse it makes me think of is:
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against that which God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also as a matter of conscience."
Romans 13:1-5
I'm not saying rulers do everything right, but regardless of that, they are placed in their position of authority by God for a specific reason, and we are not to rebel or rise up against them unless they command something ungodly of us.
Anyways, like I said before, these are just rambling thoughts of mine. I am aware of the fact that it's just a story. I promise. And I won't try to deny that it was very interesting, and that I still definitely want to read the books. Just something to maybe meditate on as a Christian while you read the books.
Okay, if you don't already know this about me, then it's about time you learned.
I am a Wyomingite by birth, still loyal 100%, and as most of the country has probably noticed, Wyoming has no professional sports teams. None. So, as a general rule, the true Wyomingite cheers for all of the Colorado teams.
Therefore, I am a Broncos fan, through and through.
Now, in case you haven't heard the news, Peyton Manning is officially going to come to the bright side of life and be a Bronco.
I have nothing against Manning, cause I can't deny that he is a good player and seems to be a decent enough guy off the field.
But I do have major beef with bandwagon fans. You find them in every sport, and they're pathetic no matter what team they're a "fan" of at the time, but when they start coming in droves to the Broncos side, I can't handle it.
It's like Tim Tebow all over again. I never hated Tim Tebow, but I was never on his little bandwagon--I was a Broncos fan anyways by the time he came. But once he did, a multitude of people were overnight Broncos fans, just because of him. Now that there's a chance he either won't get as much play time, or else might even get traded, they're all going to leave. And that's fine with me, overall, because if they're not real Broncos fans then they don't need to be here. But it's still infuriating because it just proves my point.
And I would be willing to bet any money I had (too bad I have none) that it's going to happen all over again with Manning now becoming a Bronco. There's going to be a fresh onslaught of overnight Broncos fans who just decided they are fans of the team just because of Manning, and I.can't.stand.it. I've already been seeing posts all over facebook and other places on the internet saying things like, "I wasn't expecting that from Peyton Manning, but oh well..Guess I'm a Broncos fan now!"
No.Go away. Us true Broncos fans do not want you here.
What people need to realize is that you can remain a supportive fan of a single player without having to transfer your so-called "loyalty" to whichever team he may be playing on at the time. It is possible, believe me. I'm a huge Drew Brees fan--he is a phenomenal player, and he always presents himself as a good and respectable man off the field, too. But I'm not a Saints fan just because Drew Brees is on the team!I'm still a Broncos fan--just a Broncos fan.
Seriously, people, if you want to be a fan of Peyton Manning, go right ahead. I don't have a problem with that. But figure out which singular NFL team you are really a die-hard fan for, and then be a fan of that through thick and thin, and just support Manning as a person and leave us Broncos fans to cheer on our boys in peace.
In regard to bandwagons, take a page out of Captain Jack Sparrow's book:
"I love those [bandwagons].I like to wave at them as they pass by."
Today is the last day of my spring break, and then it's back to my regular schedule on Monday.
The idea of that is kind of depressing, I won't lie, but at the same time, that means that I am officially halfway done with second semester, and only have 7 weeks left until summer vacation. :)
And if that's not exciting, I don't know what is.
I don't think I have ever been so excited to be on summer break in my life.
I mean, of course I've always loved summer vacation, but...
When I was in elementary school, I took it for granted and really paid no attention to it.
When I was in middle school/jr. high, it was pretty much the same.
When I was in high school, I believed I had a full appreciation of how wonderful it is.
But, honestly, college is a whole other game. It's really hard work, way more so than high school, and I can't wait to take a break from it. Can't wait for sunshine, warm weather, outdoor activities, picnics,4th of July, tanning, the beach... :D
Unfortunately, there are a couple of things I need to get through before I can go into total sloth mode.
Obviously, the first thing is the next 7 weeks of school.
Then, the next order of business is to get over this horrible cold I have somehow been infected with. And, while I'm on the subject, just allow me to stress how terrible it is to be this sick while you're on spring break.
Last but not least, salad, salad and more salad!
I'm a fairly healthy eater to begin with, and I'm not obsessed with fitness or anything.
But it has been a long winter, and I've been sick/fairly inactive for the last part of it. Plus I am going to the beach this summer, so it's time to get my act together.
Summer, here I come (but it'd be nice if you'd meet me halfway, so that the time goes a little faster)!
Not that I don't get feelings like this everyday, but today I am completely overwhelmed with the knowledge of how freaking awesome and amazing my God is!
There is nothing He can't do! He is the creator of everything around us, from nature and our immortal souls, to our very free will.
That's right, He even created the right to make our own decisions, knowing that we might not choose Him. But He always hopes and prays that we will, and He is constantly searching for us, so that He might gain our trust, and we might then give Him our hearts.
And let me tell you from personal experience, there is absolutely nothing that will ever compare to the beauty, peace, purpose, and happiness that we gain by giving our hearts to Him, and letting Him be the King of our lives.
Even though God made us with free will, we were still created by Him, so everything in our being naturally gravitates towards what He has to offer. Everyone searches for something in their life--something that will give them the true peace that every immortal soul longs for. You've probably seen people who jump from lifestyle to lifestyle, all because they're on a desperate seach for that peace, but nothing can supply it but God. When you finally discover that, and let Him touch your heart, it will seem like the most natural thing in the world!
"..and what was said to the rose to make it unfold was said to me, here in my chest..."
Everytime I hear this song, it just makes me excited. It's upbeat and fun, but it's also true, and beautiful, because it speaks about all of these things.
It just makes me want to jump around and sing it at the top of my lungs!
Philippians 1:21
"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Isaiah 12:2
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation."
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Romans 8:6
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
