The Passion of the Christ

Today will indeed win itself as perhaps one of the most pivotal moments in my life. Unlike most women, I am deeply affected by visual imagery. This afternoon I attended the Hooksett Cinema 8 Theater with staff of Manchester Christian Church to view Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.

The movie itself was a stroke of genius. Mel has worked on the film for nearly 13 years and it was evident in the study and eventual outcome of script. He depicted historical crucifixion. There were a couple of things left out and a couple of things added, but not one thing that would remove the eternal significance of the cross...The deathbed of my Lord.

I was hurt in several ways. Today I have labeled four:

1. As a woman with maternal instinct, I was slammed with grief when I witnessed Mary suffering over the death of her child. A parent should never have to watch their child be brutalized and mangled all to the point of death. I felt the urgency that she was enveloped in as she envisioned Jesus as a young boy falling to his knees. She quickly ran to his side to assure him that she would be with him. As Mary lifted her head up to see Jesus laboriously drag his cross over his already weary and marred body down the road, he tripped into the sharp rocks and dirt that stuck to his bloodied gashes. She immediately bolted to his side. She was to be with him. Metaphorically speaking, Mary's character portrayed in my mind a picture of God as he too was in deep pain to see his one and only Son take on the sins of the world.

2. As Christ shuttered with anxiety prior to his lashes, my stomach knotted up with tension. It was as though I were standing there awaiting the blow. With every strike tears flooded my cheeks and I repeated over and again, "But he didn't do anything." The men laughed and scoffed at their sport. I saw the humanness in Jesus as his hands shook violently in the clasps that prevented criminals any chance of escape. The violence of this film distinguished it from the fluffed up movies I have seen in the past. It drove the reality of Christ's ultimate sacrifice straight to my heart.

3. I wept as I anticipated what was to come next. I flinched before the cross was turned upside down so the soldiers could bend the nails, I cringed when his right arm was forcefully bound and stretched just to reach the opposite nail hole and I stopped breathing at the sound of his left hand tearing as a result of the pull.

4. Guilt flushed my system as I watched on in disbelief. I put him there. We put him there. What more can I say?

Several things caught my attention: the alluring presence of evil, the flashbacks, the teardrop falling from heaven, the heel that crushed the serpent's head, the resurrection.

I understand that most people would choose to walk away from this movie, let it soak in, and preferably never speak of it's personal implications again. That is not how I tick...As most know, I must verbalize to understand or I may never fully appreciate what it did do to me. Although I may choose to see this movie once, The Passion has allowed me to see what I have heard. I believe without a doubt that Christ is my King...Just as he always said.

I hope and pray that it does that for all who see it.

Facelift

I would like to thank Lucas Motley for miraculously changing my site. I had zero patience for it so he took on the project with delight. Another blessing: I was able to talk to Jeff, Tim, and Todd today. I miss my family. But I know that God is protecting every one of us in our avenues of life. I would really like to rail on about something stupid, but I can't think of anything right now. Maybe tomorrow would be better.

Cooper is doing well. (The dog.)

new title

Once upon a time quite awhile ago, my sweet brother convinced me to clip every long fingernail I wore in order to begin humble guitar lessons. Within a few hours, we were on the verge of strangling each other as I insisted "I can't!" and he insisted "You're not, but that doesn't mean you can't."...well, in his insistent way. Without hesitation, I put my efforts on hold knowing very well that Jeff and I should probably avoid such an encounter again. Jeff is a wonderful teacher - I was just a bad student. Now, some five years later, I have bit my lip, bounced my knees, and attempted to revive my spirit of acoustic learning. Once again, I wished farewell to several nails as innovation took place before my own eyes. I discovered an ability I did not know I possessed! I picked (no pun intended) up the chords quickly. Unfortunately, since my brain is geared towards hands on/visual learning, I cannot recall which chords I mastered...but I know what they sound like...and I know where my fingers are supposed to go. Time. I only need some time.

Word just out: Summer in Stereo now has tracks on the internet (but obviously not on their own website because heaven knows they never update that thing)! After some recording difficulties they finally are available for your listening pleasure. Jeff is the lead vocalist, Lucas and Jason on guitars, Michael on bass, and Mikey on drums. Listen to their new songs and let me know what you think. Remember...this is my little brother we're talking about...

Blub blub blub. That's right....the sound of a working hot tub! Thanks to the Mullet family I have the honor of borrowing their home and hot tub while they are in Arizona. Rough life? I think not! This is by far the best internship I could have ever asked for. Too bad you foos in IL can't be here to enjoy it.

The roommates and I had the envied pleasure of picking up Isaac Gaff this morning (note: this is the sixth trip I have made to the airport in three weeks). We fashioned four posterboard signs that read "Over here Isaac Gaff" and made our way to the convenient Manchester airport. Driving to the "Carson Mix" in our soccer mom van, the woman next to us in her matching soccer mom van outright laughed at me for car dancing. I began developing a complex when we lined up in the airport with Isaac's signs and received the same mocking tones of laughter. I don't think so many strangers have laughed at me this often in one day before. Regardless, we had a great time and Isaac came right over to us even though we were expecting him to hide his face and walk right by without so much as a glance.

I almost forgot to mention that Jeff PULLED A (pocket) KNIFE in the airport!!! What on earth could he be thinking?! I thought for sure we would be bailing (or not bailing) him out of jail.

By the way, I hate my template.

Nikki and I have had a dream to begin our own independent radio station that would serve our listening area with a good range of music. No more Rick Dees with the Top 40. Simply great artists who make sitting at home with the television off a tremendous experience. I have found such a radio station here in Manchester. When my seek button stopped, it was to the new Norah tune "Sunrise." They followed that with U2, Coldplay, Folk Infusion, and East Mountain South. I could not be anymore excited. No longer will I feel a desperate need for a cd player. As much as I love this station, I will not be sharing it with you. It is for you to discover on your own.

I think I should probably take a trip out West. And Europe is only preparing itself for ME! They didn't let me include the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.



create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

create your own visited european countries map
or write about it on the open travel guide

PRESIDENT'S DAY! Here Jeanne and I thought they cancelled Staff Meeting merely because no one wanted to go to it and it was all because we actually have the day off.

Congress went beautifully. Thursday we spent volunteering so that those of us who stayed could attend Friday and Saturday for free. Cheri, Michele, Jeanne, and I stayed in the Hilton together...I must apologize again for my spirited personality Thursday night that obnoxiously kept us awake until 1 am. It must have been the coffee...the Tylenol...the Ibuprofen...the Coca~Cola...the chocolate...the three hours of sleep from the night before. Regardless, we had a splendid time! Friday night some of us saw Chris Tomlin and Band and following a mob of tourists, Jeanne and I unashamedly had our picture taken with him and Daniel (guitarist).

Yesterday was full. After church I headed over to Cheri's to draw signs for next Sunday's dramatic reading and then I was in charge of our lesson for YDC last night. Those girls are beginning to warm up to me more every week. We finger painted last night and it was so much fun to see them get dirty and play like children should. They warm up my heart and it will be extremely hard to say goodbye...but we aren't going to talk about that right now.

Maybe you have heard of it. I had not. Old Man of the Mountain...Who is he? What is his purpose? Well, now he merely serves as a minuscule reminder that time has warped the beauty of New Hampshire. That's right. He adorns the tail of the state quarter and may as well be illustrated on a milk carton. The old man is nooooo more. Likened to the boulder that once precariously shadowed the waters of Hanging Rock Christian Assembly in Indiana; so the Old Man once shouldered the tremendous responsibility of holding up the pride of New Hampshire. Despite all efforts, the Old Man crumbled to his morbid death, lying as a pile of rubble at the foot of the mountain. Now the people weep and gnash their teeth in mourning. Did the Man mean anything to them prior to his extinction? After talking with some of the locals it seems that he brings more aesthetic value in his death than he did in his life. Tis a tragic thing that possesses a guilt of which I am proudly ignorant of.

Observation #8: Insanity - The process of performing the same actions repeatedly while expecting different results to ensue. Sound familiar?

I have been given permission to depart. So why do I stay? There are a million and one things that I could or should be doing. There is nothing better than blogging my life away. Hark! Michele needs my assistance in the office....

Today I began to feel the wear and tear on my body. It was a slower day in the office, but I had a nice refreshing visit with a woman in the nursing home before I "clocked out." Pretty darn excited about Congress, an event coming up next week that I get to be a part of. A group of us from MCC will be volunteering on Thursday and attend the rest of the weekend. It will be a great chance to grow closer to my MCC family and dive deeper into the mission/vision for New England. Keep us in your prayers and check out the website if you get a chance (Please disregard the goober on the front page wearing the black tshirt).

Michele is pushing her luck today. It seems that she possesses prestige of which "interns" are unworthy. It's okay. I'm allowing the weak outbursts of insults to roll off my back. Jeanne and I could take her.

Observation #7: My blogs are becoming weaker. I believe it to be due to the frequent entries. I'm going to include an article my brother sent me from Anderson, IN. It should spice this up a little.

Imagining the drama after Dean's biblical blunder
By Jack Williams
http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/story.asp?id=2067


Howard Dean had just wrapped up a bull session with reporters when his
campaign aides called for an emergency strategy session. In ancient times,
perhaps, his political consultants might have torn their robes and sat on
the ground in sackcloths with the Democratic candidate. But these were the
days leading up to the 2004 presidential primaries so there was no time to
comfort the governor, only time for a damage control dialogue with his three
top aides…

First aide: You idiot! Job is in the OLD Testament—not the NEW Testament!

Dean: Whaaat? It’s not Mathew, Mark, Luke and…Job??

Second aide: No, you doofus—that would be John, you know, one of the 12
disciples, part of Jesus’ inner circle, the guy who wrote “In the beginning
was the Word.”

Dean: Hey, I'm from New England. We don’t wear the religion thing on our
sleeves.

Third aide: New England?!?! You mean where the Puritans came to build a
Christian civilization, recreate the New Testament church and conduct the
most famous religious experiment in history???

Dean: OK, OK, I’m just now getting comfortable with this faith gig. I’ve
been to Israel, you know.

First aide: Well, right now we’ve got better chances in Israel than Iowa.

Second aide: My advice, Howard, is to refrain from saying, “If you know much
about the Bible, which I do—”

Third aide: Right, after you misidentify one of the masterpieces of world
literature, don’t attempt any scholarly historical criticism or say things
like, “I prefer the version of Job with the optimistic ending.”

First aide: Yeah, after Job gets in God’s face for his suffering and the two
come to a mutual understanding, God doubles his herds of sheep, camels, oxen
and she-asses--

Second aide: And then there’s Job’s new daughters…

Third aide: Oi vey, fairest in all the land. We’re talking optimism.

Dean: Well, that’s the ending you remember.

First aide: Aides, are we all starting to feel a little like Zophar, Bildad
and Eliphaz?

Dean: Eli-who??

Second aide: No, Elihu, Job’s fourth friend, doesn’t appear until the end of
the book. Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz are three of the main characters in
your favorite New Testament book.

Dean, under his breath: With friends like Zoloft, Bulderdash and Eliphant,
who needs Kerry and Edwards??

Dean, looking past his aides: Dear, what are you doing in Iowa? Guess what?
I just lost the Bible belt. What should I do?

Dr Judith Steinberg Dean: You lose the belt, you lose your pants. Curse God
and die.

Dean: Whaat?

Third aide: Let’s stay on task here. This is our strategy: we go back to the
reporters and confess our mistake. People in the Bible belt are forgiving.
It’s part of their schtick.

Second aide: That’s right. Then, just say it’s been awhile since you were
perusing the Old Testament because you’ve been busy out on the campaign
trail--

First aide: Then say, “I uttered things that I understood not, things too
wonderful for me.”

Second aide: Yeah, yeah, and that you abhor yourself and you repent in dust
and ashes because naked you came from the womb!

Dean: Uh, what campaign strategy book are we taking this from?

Second aide: Then just say that some people believe in an original version
of the book, Job came up on the short end of the sheep and she-asses. Keep
it fuzzy. Let’s try not to be the Bible Answer Man

First aide: And we’ll pray this works.

Dean: You know, first aide, I pray every day.

First aide: Well, let’s just pray that no one asks you the difference
between the Book of Jonah and Moby Dick.

Time has surely blown past me in a squall-like fashion today. It all began this morning when I received word that a family within MCC lost their home in a fire last evening. Thankfully, the couple and their five children (ages 8-2) were at the church celebrating the Patriots victory during the blaze. Kelly and I spent several hours with them today so the parents go through the house. They are very sweet children....but it just gave me one more reason to be thankful that I don't have any. :)

Observation #6: Not only is yogurt transportable in pouches, but now it is drinkable at about the same consistency as Pepto. Mmmmm.

Observation #5: In the event that you should live in New England, never make the mistake of informing those around you that your own Super Bowl plans consist of girlie movies and chocolate. It is an inevitable way to end up stoned.