I've determined that movies without music would be boring. Actually I think they still make those- they're called documentories. Music seems to make the action more exciting, the loss greater, the love deeper and the ending more meaingful.
Don't you agree? I mean can you imagine the 'Titanic' without 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'Top Gun' without 'Danger Zone'. Sarah McLachlan sang the haunting song 'Angel' in 'City of Angels'. I came up with a few movies to see if you can 'Name That Tune'- the song or songs that you remember from each:
The Guardian
Rocky
Back to the Future
Caddyshack
Ghost
Mrs. Doubtfire
The Big Chill
That list has some oldies but goodies as far as movies go (probably showing my age) and great music as well. Maybe you have some personal favorites - songs in movies. At our house Jake knew every song from Beauty and the Beast - even though he now claims to not remember a single one. Oddly, Sherri knows every word by heart of 'Youre a Mean One Mr. Grinch'. And she has worn out two copies of the soundtrack from 'Simon Birch'- just another 'thing I love about Sherri' oddity. Anyway, I think we all have our movie soundtracks and song favorites.
I like the ones from my list and a few others. As far as touching music goes, Van Morrison sings 'Someone Like You' in the first Bridget Jones movie - very cool ending. Bob Seger sings 'Living Inside My Heart' in 'About Last Night'. A couple songs from 'Notting Hill' were great heart-touchers as well - 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'When You Say Nothing at All' which I'll link below:
Chris Tomlin did the impossible, made 'Amazing Grace' even better in the film of the same name. I love his version. Songs from 'The Sound of Music', Disney's 'The Jungle Book' and 'Sister Act' are all on my ipod as well. Ok, I'm odd too.
I guess in a way what I'm really thinking about here is how great the gift of music is. How it not only makes movies better but our lives as well. How music can deepen our worship experience or just our drive to work. In short, music is just another great gift brought to us by our wonderful creator. The soundtrack of our lives is how we need to give thanks for music and all His gifts of love and amazing grace, and eternal life. Any powerful music in your life's thankful soundtrack so far?
I want to see a few comments on your favorite movie music. I'll close with one more great song for a movie ending. This one comes from 'Dirty Dancing'- 'Time of My Life' maybe the best song and scene combo to end a movie. I can't put the video link here but can give you the web address to see it again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo .
Have a great weekend and sing out in church this Sunday! kp
OK- I couldn't resist- one more link for 'Tootsie' (from 1982! almost 30 years ago -man am I getting old) - remember the ending song? If you don't well then just click 'play' below:
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Diamonds!
I debated about telling you this story but I thought it was kinda funny so I will share it with you. It takes a bit of a warped sense of humor to appreciate - see what you think.
Last weekend Sherri and I and my mom and dad headed down to Maryville Missouri to get the house ready for another school year. There was more than plenty to do as our son Jake will never be mistaken for a home improvement guy or a lawn professional. So the first line of attack was to get the yard looking good.
My dad had brought along his weed-eater and was raising Cain with the fenceline tall grasses when he suddenly came to an abrupt stop. 'Keith, come over here and look at this', he told me. I stepped over to see what he was pointing at. It was a beetle of sorts with two beautiful intricate diamond designs on his back.
'Look at that will you. Isn't creation amazing?', he said with a bit of awe in his voice.
'Absolutely dad. It's amazing see how much beauty, detail, time and attention God put into His creation. Very cool.'
And with that said dad crushed the bug as he tried to scramble away.
'Let me remind you to always take time to admire God's handiwork before you kill it.' was his final comment on the subject with a wry smile. Which just struck me as funny. Like I said, it's funny for those like me with a bit of a warped sense of humor.
But maybe squishing bugs after admiring them isn't so odd, maybe it's something we do all the time without thinking. Like admiring how cool it is to have friends and then a little later doing some gossiping about them. Or having a great experience at church, then in the afternoon swearing or using bad language for no reason. Or loving your wife so much, then being cold or heartless when it comes to those in need. We all have some bug squisher in us.
Maybe I'm trying to stretch to make a point - maybe things like this don't 'bug' you. Maybe trying to do good, wanting to do good and then not doing good and in fact doing the opposite of good - which clearly bugged the apostle Paul - seems normal to us. It shouldn't. God is calling us to fly higher, to be a beautiful new creation ourselves.
Remember the guy in the Bible who was forgiven much, then went out and wouldn't forgive little. He ended up getting tossed in the clink for life because of his bug squishing attitude. The encouragement for today is for us to live as people ever mindful of God's great gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. Enjoy life, savor creation, thank God and then pay it forward - let the bug go.
Blest Regards,
kp
Last weekend Sherri and I and my mom and dad headed down to Maryville Missouri to get the house ready for another school year. There was more than plenty to do as our son Jake will never be mistaken for a home improvement guy or a lawn professional. So the first line of attack was to get the yard looking good.
My dad had brought along his weed-eater and was raising Cain with the fenceline tall grasses when he suddenly came to an abrupt stop. 'Keith, come over here and look at this', he told me. I stepped over to see what he was pointing at. It was a beetle of sorts with two beautiful intricate diamond designs on his back.
'Look at that will you. Isn't creation amazing?', he said with a bit of awe in his voice.
'Absolutely dad. It's amazing see how much beauty, detail, time and attention God put into His creation. Very cool.'
And with that said dad crushed the bug as he tried to scramble away.
'Let me remind you to always take time to admire God's handiwork before you kill it.' was his final comment on the subject with a wry smile. Which just struck me as funny. Like I said, it's funny for those like me with a bit of a warped sense of humor.
But maybe squishing bugs after admiring them isn't so odd, maybe it's something we do all the time without thinking. Like admiring how cool it is to have friends and then a little later doing some gossiping about them. Or having a great experience at church, then in the afternoon swearing or using bad language for no reason. Or loving your wife so much, then being cold or heartless when it comes to those in need. We all have some bug squisher in us.
Maybe I'm trying to stretch to make a point - maybe things like this don't 'bug' you. Maybe trying to do good, wanting to do good and then not doing good and in fact doing the opposite of good - which clearly bugged the apostle Paul - seems normal to us. It shouldn't. God is calling us to fly higher, to be a beautiful new creation ourselves.
Remember the guy in the Bible who was forgiven much, then went out and wouldn't forgive little. He ended up getting tossed in the clink for life because of his bug squishing attitude. The encouragement for today is for us to live as people ever mindful of God's great gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. Enjoy life, savor creation, thank God and then pay it forward - let the bug go.
Blest Regards,
kp
Wayfarer!
I saw this YouTube video today and thought you might enjoy seeing/hearing it as well. Of course it takes me back to the day when 'Selah' came to Atonement and we were blessed with a wonderful evening of music and faith. I'll never forget the ending to that evening- a packed church singing 'Amazing Grace' as 'Selah' silently exited out the side door. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
The words to this song can do the same. Enjoy. Blest Regards, kp
The words to this song can do the same. Enjoy. Blest Regards, kp
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Back Home
Back home and feeling good. My neck is wrapped up in a giant bandage which looks impressive but I'm told I will only have a little scar. Doc said the node he removed was firm which may be a cancer indicator but it could still be a benign inflamation so we'll wait till the results come back the middle of next week.
Even if it comes back as cancer, the cancer was confined to this one node and my throat looked good and clear. If it is cancer we can use some radiation to make sure everything stays clear. So lots of good news and reasons to praise God!
Thanks for your prayers, you do good work on my behalf!
Blest Regards,
kp
Even if it comes back as cancer, the cancer was confined to this one node and my throat looked good and clear. If it is cancer we can use some radiation to make sure everything stays clear. So lots of good news and reasons to praise God!
Thanks for your prayers, you do good work on my behalf!
Blest Regards,
kp
Friday, July 30, 2010
Surgery!
Tomorrow is another day of surgery for me. I told the guy who checked me in for a pre-surgery scan that if the hospital had a reward program for frequent users I'd have millions of points. My first ultra-sound to locate and mark the inflamed lymph node in my neck that needs to come out went quickly. Upon my return to the lobby I told Sherri I had good news- 'It's a boy!' I told her.
According to my scan, I am all clear except for this slightly over-sized node. Doc said we could watch it or take it out though he preferred to have it removed. Sherri and I quickly agreed we wanted it out as well. If it's just inflamed well then that's good news and if it is cancer of a sort then it's good news to get it out as well.
Day of Surgery
OK... ready for another cut. I've had nothing to eat or drink since midnight which may not sound like a big accomplishment but on the good side this may serve as the start of a reduced eating plan which I am sorely in need of (sorry to end that sentence with a preposition for all you English majors). OK, gotta go grab one last shower and a clean pair of underwear. Be back shortly to tell you what God told me while I was under anesthesia. : )
Blest Regards,
kp
According to my scan, I am all clear except for this slightly over-sized node. Doc said we could watch it or take it out though he preferred to have it removed. Sherri and I quickly agreed we wanted it out as well. If it's just inflamed well then that's good news and if it is cancer of a sort then it's good news to get it out as well.
Day of Surgery
OK... ready for another cut. I've had nothing to eat or drink since midnight which may not sound like a big accomplishment but on the good side this may serve as the start of a reduced eating plan which I am sorely in need of (sorry to end that sentence with a preposition for all you English majors). OK, gotta go grab one last shower and a clean pair of underwear. Be back shortly to tell you what God told me while I was under anesthesia. : )
Blest Regards,
kp
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Jet-Skis, Ziplines and Pastors! Oh My!
As you may have noted from my last post or from Sherri's post on www.werejoice.blogspot.com we spent the last week on vacation in and around Branson Missouri. We had a great time.
For Sherri and I, vacation time is time to be with family. We especially love spending time with our boys whom we bribe to join us. Bribes include jet-skiing, zip-lining, golf and whatever food they want to eat. It's a week we enjoy so much and well worth the price. These days we don't get to see our four boys all at once very often.
So this past week we did all the normal vacation stuff- saw some shows, spent time on the lake, played miniature golf, shopped and did everything we could except rest and relax. That is what Sunday will be for.
Of all the things we did, maybe the most memorable was meeting old friends- two different families on the same day, people we don't get to see very often any more. And maybe visiting with two former Atonement pastors and their wives in Branson seems like an odd vacation activity but it was not odd at all- it was a great blessing.
Pete and Liz Ave-Lallament spent the afternoon at our rented house and we shared a thousand laughs as we sat at the kitchen table and recalled the old days along with my mom and dad. Then later in the evening we all shared a dinner with Ralph and Susie Guetersloh - with the added bonus of Bill and Lynn Mammel. In short, what a great day.
What a blessing it is to count your spiritual mentors as friends. It is truly one of God's richest blessings when your Pastor becomes a friend as well. I remember very well and with a smile how Chuck Easton sang 'Friends' on Pete and Liz's last service at Atonement. Part of the song proclaims (using only my fading memory):
'And a friend's a friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them.'
'Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know, that a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.'
I think the friendships we form in Christ with one another are indeed special, life-long, even eternal bonds. And seeing each other after a long time apart is wonderful. At Atonement, a banner hangs in the narthex which talks about 'making friends in Christ'. Let me encourage you to do just that this Sunday no matter what church you find yourself in. It is a bonus gift of God that you will be blessed by even on vacation years and years later.
Your Friend in Christ!
kp
For Sherri and I, vacation time is time to be with family. We especially love spending time with our boys whom we bribe to join us. Bribes include jet-skiing, zip-lining, golf and whatever food they want to eat. It's a week we enjoy so much and well worth the price. These days we don't get to see our four boys all at once very often.
So this past week we did all the normal vacation stuff- saw some shows, spent time on the lake, played miniature golf, shopped and did everything we could except rest and relax. That is what Sunday will be for.
Of all the things we did, maybe the most memorable was meeting old friends- two different families on the same day, people we don't get to see very often any more. And maybe visiting with two former Atonement pastors and their wives in Branson seems like an odd vacation activity but it was not odd at all- it was a great blessing.
Pete and Liz Ave-Lallament spent the afternoon at our rented house and we shared a thousand laughs as we sat at the kitchen table and recalled the old days along with my mom and dad. Then later in the evening we all shared a dinner with Ralph and Susie Guetersloh - with the added bonus of Bill and Lynn Mammel. In short, what a great day.
What a blessing it is to count your spiritual mentors as friends. It is truly one of God's richest blessings when your Pastor becomes a friend as well. I remember very well and with a smile how Chuck Easton sang 'Friends' on Pete and Liz's last service at Atonement. Part of the song proclaims (using only my fading memory):
'And a friend's a friend forever if the Lord's the Lord of them.'
'Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know, that a lifetime's not too long to live as friends.'
I think the friendships we form in Christ with one another are indeed special, life-long, even eternal bonds. And seeing each other after a long time apart is wonderful. At Atonement, a banner hangs in the narthex which talks about 'making friends in Christ'. Let me encourage you to do just that this Sunday no matter what church you find yourself in. It is a bonus gift of God that you will be blessed by even on vacation years and years later.
Your Friend in Christ!
kp
Noah in 3-D
It finally happened, I got to see Noah! Noah the musical play that is. In Branson this past week it seemed like we were so busy that it wouldn't happen. Day after day went by and Noah wouldn't fit into our busy schedule. Then on the last day an afternoon opening turned into a wonderful experience- seeing Noah!
Maybe some of you have seen this play. If so you know how hard it will be for me to explain the sheer size of the stage and sets. The ark itself is a prop that weighs over 18,000 pounds. Animals of all sorts run into ark. The 2000 seat auditorium then becomes surrounded by the animals and cages as the audience sits inside the ark. Amazing really and way to hard to describe.
As the story unfolds, you realize just how much faith it must have taken to build an ark. Ever work for over 100 years on a project for God that brings you continual ridicule? Building an ark in the dessert did just that for Noah. Today 100 seconds of ridicule might be too much for us.
At the end of the play, the ark transforms into a very large cross and Jesus emerges to remind us of His words recorded in Matthew 24, "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be."
Lots of folks had an opportunity to get on the ark- some thought they might consider it in the future, some just declined the offer. Its a lot like today. Jesus is indeed our ark and we are headed for a final rainy day. Where will you be? On the ark (a risen King) or on the outside looking in?
I'm reading "Mere Christian", a book about the imact C.S. Lewis' writings had on people's lives. And one quote from Lewis' "The Personal Heresy" struck me as I thought about Noah- Lewis wrote, "I must look where the writer looks and not turn round to face him. I must make of him not a spectacle but a pair of spectacles." I realized that God is calling us to view our current world through Noah colored glasses.
Have you ever watched a 3-D movie without 3-D glasses? You can still see what's going on but everything is out of focus. When you put on the glasses not only does everything come into focus, but things surround you and pop out at you. What Lewis noted about books in general applies especially well to God's Word (and the story of Noah)- when you view the world through 3-D Bible glasses things come into focus!
What came into focus for me from Noah was that in his day life was godless and evil held sway all around him even as everyday life went on. My Noah 3-D glasses help me see we are living in the same kind of world today. The end is indeed near and the time is now to get on the ark. I was so busy I almost missed Noah- let's not be so busy we miss his message. Grab your glasses and let's go!
Blest Regards,
kp
Maybe some of you have seen this play. If so you know how hard it will be for me to explain the sheer size of the stage and sets. The ark itself is a prop that weighs over 18,000 pounds. Animals of all sorts run into ark. The 2000 seat auditorium then becomes surrounded by the animals and cages as the audience sits inside the ark. Amazing really and way to hard to describe.
As the story unfolds, you realize just how much faith it must have taken to build an ark. Ever work for over 100 years on a project for God that brings you continual ridicule? Building an ark in the dessert did just that for Noah. Today 100 seconds of ridicule might be too much for us.
At the end of the play, the ark transforms into a very large cross and Jesus emerges to remind us of His words recorded in Matthew 24, "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be."
Lots of folks had an opportunity to get on the ark- some thought they might consider it in the future, some just declined the offer. Its a lot like today. Jesus is indeed our ark and we are headed for a final rainy day. Where will you be? On the ark (a risen King) or on the outside looking in?
I'm reading "Mere Christian", a book about the imact C.S. Lewis' writings had on people's lives. And one quote from Lewis' "The Personal Heresy" struck me as I thought about Noah- Lewis wrote, "I must look where the writer looks and not turn round to face him. I must make of him not a spectacle but a pair of spectacles." I realized that God is calling us to view our current world through Noah colored glasses.
Have you ever watched a 3-D movie without 3-D glasses? You can still see what's going on but everything is out of focus. When you put on the glasses not only does everything come into focus, but things surround you and pop out at you. What Lewis noted about books in general applies especially well to God's Word (and the story of Noah)- when you view the world through 3-D Bible glasses things come into focus!
What came into focus for me from Noah was that in his day life was godless and evil held sway all around him even as everyday life went on. My Noah 3-D glasses help me see we are living in the same kind of world today. The end is indeed near and the time is now to get on the ark. I was so busy I almost missed Noah- let's not be so busy we miss his message. Grab your glasses and let's go!
Blest Regards,
kp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)