Monte Cristo

One of my favorite movies is “The Count of Monte Cristo,” the recent version that stars Jim Caviezel as Dantes.

Some folks might perceive the big flick as being on the cheesy side, but if you disregard the fact that the characters speak “American” vs. “French” (or other European languages) and concentrate rather on the beautiful scenery of Ireland and Malta as well as allow the poignant delivery of certain lines to sink in, then I believe you will enjoy the film as much as I do!

Highlights:

Mercedes: I don't know what dark plan lies within you. Nor do I know by what design we were asked to live without each other these 16 years. But God has offered us a new beginning...

Edmond: God?

Mercedes: Don't slap His hand away.

Edmond: Can I never escape Him?

Mercedes: No, He is in everything. Even in a kiss.

and

Abbe Faria: Here is your final lesson - do not commit the crime for which you now serve the sentence. God said, "Vengeance is mine."

Edmond Dantes: I don't believe in God.

Abbe Faria: It doesn't matter. He believes in you.


Here are a couple web site links with more details about the enjoyable film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245844/quotes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Count_of_Monte_Cristo_(2002_film)


Have a great day! Be blessed and if you need wisdom, just ask the Lord God who made you!

Love Him with all of your heart, soul and mind!

Coincidence? I think not. :)

Did you know that your life has already been planned since before time by the Creator of the Universe? Pretty spectacular realization, isn’t it? God knew your name before the beginning of time!

As of late I have been connecting the dots of my life and have discovered many things.

Including this little diddy that perhaps for-shadowed what was to come to pass.

In grade school one of my favorite books on my Mom’s shelves was called “The Best Loved Poems of the American People.” I scoured its pages often and thoroughly enjoyed the delightful verbiage between its covers.

For a 10th grade English project, I made illustrations to accent some of these poems, including this one below.

My drawing for the poem called “TO A FRIEND” consisted of a single rose with a tag on it that said “Pour un Ami.”

Fast forward to present day: "Ami" is my nickname for one whom I am so happy to know.


Here is the poem:

You ENTERED my life in a casual way,
And saw at a glance what I needed;
There were others who passed me or met me each day,
But never a one of them heeded.
Perhaps you were thinking of other folks more,
Or chance simply seemed to decree it;
I know there were many such chances before,
But the others-well, they didn't see it.

You said just the thing that I wished you would say,
And you made me believe that you meant it;
I held my head in the old gallant way,
And resolved you should never repent it.
There are times when encouragement means such a lot,
And a word is enough to convey it;
There were others who could have, as easy as not -
But, just the same, they didn't say it.

There may have been someone who could have done more
To help me along, though I doubt it;
What I needed was cheering, and always before
They had let me plod onward without it.
You helped to refashion the dream of my heart,
And made me turn eagerly to it;
There were others who might have (I question that part) -
But, after all, they didn't do it!

- Grace Stricker Dawson



I encourage all to own a copy of this marvelous book or at least inquire if it is at your local library. Every page is a delicious treat that allows one’s imagination to consider the beauty of life’s many different experiences.

This web site link is one of many retail stores that offers the reprint of the 1936 copyright version to consumers.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-best-loved-poems-of-the-american-people-hazel-felleman/1000211468

Have a great day!

On the Lighter Side - Art "Funnies"

Here are two bits of silly-ness that I thought all might enjoy!

1) Location Paris: Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his Econoline http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_E-Series ran out of gas. (See above photo for visual :) When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied:

“I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.”

2) After much careful research it has been discovered that the artist Vincent Van Gogh had many relatives. Among them were:

His obnoxious brother – Please Gogh
The brother who ate prunes – Gotta Gogh
The brother who worked at the convenience store – StopnGogh
The grandfather from Yugoslavia – U Gogh
The brother who bleached his clothes white – Hue Gogh
His dizzy aunt – Verti Gogh
The cousin from Illinois – Chica Gogh
His magician uncle – Wherediddy Gogh
His Mexican cousin – Amee Gogh
The cousin’s American half brother – Grin Gogh
The nephew who drove a stage coach – Wellsfar Gogh
The ballroom dancing aunt – Tan Gogh
The bird lover uncle – Flamin Gogh
His nephew psychoanalyst – E Gogh
The fruit loving cousin – Man Gogh
An aunt who taught positive thinking – Wayto Gogh
The little nephew – Poe Gogh
A sister who loved disco – Go Gogh
And his niece who travels the country in a van – Winniebay Gogh

Have a great day!

Life is a Journey

I found myself saying this week that certainly one cannot know all there is to know about a topic.

Thankfully God has allowed each of us to have similar as well as different passions and interests so that we can come together and share the varying degrees of knowledge that we have with each other in order to solve problems and gain wisdom as we move forward in time!

Two cases in point –

1) Automobiles and how they are wired! – I most certainly am a youngin’ in this area. :) So very thankful to have a father who knows a thing or two about them as well as an incredibly patient mechanic who assists me with my car needs at the drop of a hat. I recommend his business services to everyone in my area!

2) Christianity and how God has wired us to grow in relation to Him! – Have learned so much in the last month about how much God loves us and how were are destined to emulate his character so that the Holy Spirit shines brighter and brighter each day.

I purchased a copy of the book called “The Release of the Spirit” from my church bookstore and would encourage all to read its contents. It is written by this gentleman – Watchman Nee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchman_Nee

http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/nee/5f00.0638/5f00.0638.c.htm


Peace and joy to you on this lovely Spring day! Happy growing :)

I love chocolate!

My favorite chocolate bar brand at the moment is Chocolove.

Bonus – Poems about L-O-V-E are printed inside the wrapper!

http://www.chocolove.com/

Here is the excerpt that was included on my recent purchase of Cherries & Almonds in Dark Chocolate.

3

Love is not love until love's vulnerable. She slowed to sigh, in that long interval. A small bird flew in circles where we stood; The deer came down, out of the dappled wood.

All who remember, doubt. Who calls that strange? I tossed a stone, and listened to its plunge. She knew the grammar of least motion, she Lent me one virtue, and I live thereby.

4

She held her body steady in the wind; Our shadows met, and slowly swung around; She turned the field into a glittering sea; I played in flame and water like a boy

And I swayed out beyond the white seafoam; Like a wet log, I sang within a flame. In that last while, eternity's confine, I came to love, I came into my own.


- Theodore Roethke


The entire poem is featured on this web site:
http://www.canopicpublishing.com/poets/RoethkeDream.htm


Happy Spring!

Who Taught the Sun...?

I have been blessed with the ability to teach, communicating ideas to others in person, in written or in verbal form. However, I don’t hold a candle to the greatest teacher of all:
Jesus Christ / Our Lord God / The Holy Spirit – 3 in 1. It is hard for us to comprehend fully, but those who accept Christ as their Savior won’t have all the answers until we are in God’s presence.

Have you been seeking God faithfully in order to learn more about your life and the path that you are taking? If not, talk to God today and ask for guidance. He loves you so much and wants to communicate with you regularly!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Despite the complicated circumstances that exist on the planet today, did you know that the Creator of the Universe has everything under control and has a plan?! He is aware of it all. He is Awesome in Power, showering us with love, grace and mercy as no human could ever supply no matter how they might try.

To learn more, read the Holy Bible. It is sold in a variety of stores including Dollar Tree! Or, if you prefer digit data, there are many web sites with searchable versions of this everlasting text including these: Biblegateway.com, Heartlight.org and Carm.org.

Amazing concepts: God knew our names before we were born and thus planned in advance exactly what talents or gifts we might share with our fellow man. Do you know what yours are?

Here is a link to a site that will help you find out:
http://www.mypersonality.info/spiritual-gifts/

My favorite song that honors our great Creator is called My Redeemer Lives.
It features God’s Talents, His Skills and His Works.

Here are the lyrics:

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?

And who told the ocean you can only come this far?

And who showed the moon where to hide till evening?

Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Chorus:

Well I know my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

All of creation testifies

This life within me cries

I know my Redeemer lives

Ye-e-eah

The very same God

That spins things in orbit

Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak

And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken

They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know, my Redeemer lives

I know my Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I-I-I know

My Redeemer

He lives

To take away my shame

And He lives

Forever I'll proclaim

That the payment for my sins

Was the precious life He gave

And now He's alive and

There's an empty

Grave!

And I know

My Redeemer lives

He lives

I know

My Redeemer lives

Let all creation testify

Let this life within me cry

I-I-I know my Redeemer

I know

My Redeemer lives

*I know my Redeemer lives*

*I know, That I know, that I know, that I know, that I know

He lives*my redeemer lives**

Because He lives I can face tomorrow

He lives*I know, I know*He lives*

I spoke with Him this morning!*

He lives*The tomb is empty*

He lives*He Lives! I'm going to tell everybody!!*

Check on this link for an mp3 download of the song :)

http://www.amazon.com/My-Redeemer-Lives/dp/B00137ILW8

Trust God

I came across a neat little book called Footprints - Journal.

Inside and opposite the title page, it says:

“As one of the most cherished poems of the last century, Footprints has been lovingly handed down from one generation to the next. It stands as a timeless reminder that God never leaves us, that He is as close as breathing.
As you journey through the poem… and the accompanying quotes and Scriptures, let this journal inspire you to express your thoughts, record your prayers, and walk with God. And during those times when the journey is especially trying, let this be a reminder that you can trust God to carry you – often before you even ask.”

On the back cover of the text, it says:

“In these pages, the symbolism of the much-loved poem (Footprints) has been expanded into a timeless message of encouragement. Scripture and quotes accompany passages from the classic poem to lead you, one reassuring footstep at a time, on a journey of hope. Write down your concerns, and then ask God to carry them for you.”

Here is a wonderful quote from the text:

We are to simply trust God. While we trust, God can work.
Worry prevents Him from doing anything for us…
The peace of God must quiet our minds and rest our hearts.
We must put our hand in the hand of God like a little child,
And let Him lead us out into the bright sunshine of His love.
He knows the way out of the woods. Let us climb up into His arms,
And trust Him to take us out by the shortest and surest road.

- Pardington

Excerpts above are from the book called Footprints Journal ISBN – 160936-2349

The photo in this blog entry was taken by me last weekend at a nearby park. :)

Enjoy!