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Movies are a wonderful form of entertainment, and for Christians, are a great way to affirm faith and learn more about Christianity. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, drama, history, or just a good Christmas story, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Check out our list to find 100 of the best Christian movies of all time -- Britney Wilkins, 100 All-Time Best Movies for Christians, Christian Colleges Blog, http://www.christiancolleges.com/blog/2009/100-all-time-best-movies-for-christians/.
“We answer to a higher authority,” the voice proclaims. -- Red, White and Kosher (Sue Fishkoff, NY Times Op-Ed, 7/2/2010).
Yes, our Gentile family has bought into kosher, well at least Hebrew National, with pride. Maybe it's the New York City influence ;-) One found Hebrew National beef hot dogs w/the Hebrew National Mustard (but they were wheat, not kosher rolls) next to the vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, and baked beans. How about you? What does a Fourth of July spread look like for you? Note: We also had watermelon, hummus/chips, various cheeses, corn, salad, and cornmeal muffins with the impression of the statue of liberty. Drinks included iced tea, chocolate soymilk, water. Vanilla ice cream, blueberry/gooseberry crumble, and chocolate chip cookies to top it all off outside next to the kiddie pool.
FYI: According to the Op-Ed ...
"Kosher is the fastest-growing segment of the domestic food industry, with bigger sales than organic. One-third to one-half of the food in American supermarkets is kosher-certified, representing more than $200 billion of the country’s estimated $500 billion in annual food sales, up from $32 billion in 1993.
Given that Jews make up less than 2 percent of the population, and most of them don’t keep kosher, it’s clear that the people buying this food are mostly non-Jews. While some consumers probably aren’t aware that their pasta or cookies are kosher, many are folks who believe that “higher authority” promise." ... Comment: But there has been some issues with the orthodox, not to mention business/slaughterhouse intrigue. Looking forward to reading more about it. For more visit Red, White and Kosher (Sue Fishkoff author of the forthcoming “Kosher Nation: Why More and More of America’s Food Answers to a Higher Authority." NY Times Op-Ed. 7/2/2010).
Passed by a sign for a Victory Garden, thought maybe it referred to sports. But maybe it was the site of a previous Victory Garden or of a future Victory Garden. I couldn't quite tell.
What pictures/memories does Victory Garden evoke for you? I immediately think of the PBS TV series, which I watched a lot as a child (and is still running). Others probably remember wartime or stories of WWI and WWII gardens for the common cause (not just in the United States, but many other countries). With the economic downturn and the concern for organic food, what a practical time to rejuvenate "Victory Gardens" (including community, industrial, school, special education) and use them as part of educational effort to bring us "close to earth" as we raise/share/cook the "fruit" of our labor?* FYI: Last year Michelle Obama tore up some of the White House lawn for a garden, the first time since Eleanor Roosevelt. Ready to join the effort? Time to stop the mowing, unless it's being done by alpacas, cows, goats, sheep, etc :-)
*Classic resource: Victory Gardens: Handbook of the Victory Garden Committee War Services, Pennsylvania State Council of Defense (April, 1944). Smithsonian's Victory Garden & Resources. Recent research on Urban Agriculture, here.
And no, I'm not talking about how it is likely to END friendships... I did some experimenting and the results were quite favorable. I got to "Day 10" aka The Baking Day. Knowing I did not plan to "bless" my friends with bags of starter I couldn't bring myself to add all the ingredients to the bag, then divide and then make my batch of bread with what was left. So I added nothing to my bag but poured a bit (I didn't measure; maybe 1/2 cup??) in a bowl, added the wet ingredients to it and then added that mixture to the dry ingredients and baked. Voila! Tastes great! It worked so well that I made a second batch of bread later in the day (cinnamon the first time,cranberry orange the second time). If I was really ambitious (which I'm not) I could make at least one more batch, maybe 2. But I'll just the bless the weeds behind my house with the rest of my starter. AFB doesn't top my list of favorite things to bake. Nutritionally it really has nothing going for it. I prefer baking things in which I sneak healthy stuff that my kids won't recognize. But I hope somebody out there has some starter they'll share because, you know, "The Amish are the ONLY ones who know how to make the starter!" Oh give me a break! -- note: originally posted on Facebook.
Good to read Hummus Catches On in America, interesting to read the full title of the NY Times article Hummus Catches On in America (as Long as It’s Flavored). We've been enjoying hummus for quite awhile, but that's the influence of unique family taste buds, family in the Middle East, and international students. Has Hummus always been or recently become a staple for you? If so, do you have a preference in brand or do you make your own? We have it every Sunday lunch and sometimes at other times during the week.
The twins and I have been reading through "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." So we all enjoyed watching the recently released trailer, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrJQDPpIK6I. And we'll be ready to compare the book and film in December ;-) Watch for our comments. ...
We covet your prayers for our
PS. Be sure to check out Giving Back :: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Marci Weidler. Circle of Life Photography. 6/14/2010) for all the 'hot off the press,' amazing pictures of our family (including some with the chickens). Thank-you Marci! To God be the glory for the gift of family and the ability to 'capture' the moment through Marci's craft and skill.
PPS. In case you haven't heard, Lily turned two on 6/13. Wow! You can see the enthusiastic expression on her face ;-)
My mom amended this recipe to just use red beets. Theresa gave it a shot with our first 2010 red beet harvest. Her review, "Mmm. Pickled my red beets with raspberry vinegar--tasty. But I think I prefer them unadulterated. I couldn't stop eating them as I was peeling and slicing." She drained the vinegar for re-use and froze the Red Beets. I like the red beets too ... one of my favorite side dishes :-)
Pickled Red Beet Eggs
Cook 12-15 medium sized beets. As soon as cooked remove from water and place in cold running water and remove the skin as soon as possible. Slice in 1/4 to 1/2 inch slices set aside.
Make syrup of 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 cup water and 2 bottles of Raspberry flavored vinegar. Recommendation: MAITRE JACQUES Raspberry French Wine Vinegar, available at Giant. Use less vinegar when making only beets -- 1 cup or adjust for taste. Mix together and place over heat to dissolve the sugar. Set aside if making eggs with recipe.
Boil about 2 dozen eggs to hard boil, cool, shell, and place in large glass jar.
Eggs in jar first, then the sliced beets, and finally fill with vinegar mixture. Refrigerate for about 2 or 3 days before serving.
If not making eggs use about 1/2 the syrup recipe or just enough to cover the beets. Serve next day or sooner if no eggs are used.
Family favorites originally posted by Theresa in the form of notes on Facebook.
Trail Mix Muffins
2 1/4 c. flour
1 c. granola cereal w/o raisins
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped dried apricots
Combine flour, cereal, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. In another
bowl, beat the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients
just until moistened. Fold in the chips, peanuts, raisins and apricots.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three fourths full. Bake at 375
for 15-18 min. or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 min.
before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: about 1 1/2 dozen.
(I've never made these exactly as the recipe is written. I just use
whatever I have on hand.)
(More)
Text blocking application for my cell phone, i.e., one which kicks in when I'm driving? Hmm, might be a good investment to stand against the temptation. But it's a significant investment considering that one must have a phone with GPS to use a text blocking application. For a brief introduction watch David Pogue's Text-Blocking Apps (NY Times Video, 2:13 minutes). Note: I appreciate how Pogue humorously draws attention to a number of ways that we're regularly distracted on the road. How many of us eat/drink, talk to another in the car (thereby loosing focus on the road), prep ourselves for the day (e.g., shave, make-up), miss basic traffic signs, play with the radio/CD/tape (not in the video, but immediately comes to mind), read maps/directions (also not in video), etc?
Note: Texting while driving isn't an issue for our kids. They're not old enough for driver training and I have the benefit of modeling passenger texting as Theresa does most of the family driving ;-)
So Theresa and I took the time to catch-up with the reality which has run Sideways to our family and ministry's growth. As the flurry of storybook endings (accompanied by LOST thank-you notes woven into a ton of commercials for the better worlds offered by film trailers, Target, styling cars, Walmart Rollback) reached their crescendo, it was not hard to see the conclusion of Jack's death/funeral after his heroic struggle with the monster who took over Locke's body. Didn't quite get where the pilot came from and how the plane was made ready to go, but I'm sure a fan can explain that one to me.
Is LOST over? For a certain niche, this will no doubt be a classic series with a beautiful ending. For others, it will be a confused series with butterfly story arcs (and loose ends needed to be tied) dabbling in the creation of a vague mythology/mystery, but coming to a popularist ending emphasizing a unitarian life (and afterlife)* which embraces the inner goodness/potential/spirituality of all the characters, one that is truly released by letting go and embracing intimate relationships with others as part of a larger, meaningful community drawn together in shared struggle.** Is this a take on the renewal of creation/life/people, a unique challenge faced by the few, or purgatory? How much of this can be or is worth exploring in the short span of 6 years of TV episodes? Note: Enjoyed reading the conversation at Lostwatch: All of This Matters. Wondering what's the must read site for fan reactions. Any suggestions?
For Theresa and myself, most of the first two seasons, the preview show, and the comments by friends were plenty. It's over for us and we're letting go to move on with our family to immerse ourselves in other stories/realities. E.g., It has been such a joy to dig into Pilgrim's Progress, the Narnia Chronicles, the Jesus Storybook, and the Biblical story with my family over the course of past several months.
BUT I wouldn't be surprised if by popular demand LOST comes back in some form, e.g., film, novels/graphic novels (to expand on what happened on the island, off the island, more Sideways, "life after" together), video game of various sideways realities (does this or a web game of this form already exist).
Back to you, otherwise I'm letting go ...
*How about the unitarian stained glass window with the symbols of the major world religions (not to mention Christian Shepherd) and the use of light (at the core of the island, back of the chapel). ;-)
**Breathe. Please forgive the run-on.
80 a day - Teen Girls Text More than Boys returns to Teens, Cell Phones and Texting: Text Messaging Becomes Centerpiece Communication (Amanda Lenhart, Senior Research Specialist, Pew Internet & American Life Project, 4/20/2010), which I draw attention to Texting is for teens ;-). This piece pulls from the data to drives home how much more girls use texting to keep in touch.
Don't think that our family can sustain that level of texting in our house, but then again maybe texting will be a thing of the past in 2-3 years ;-)
But rain and high winds prevented me from making the Landis Valley Farm Museum's Herb & Garden Faire with my parents and the girls. Instead our family hung out with my parents in the morning/early afternoon and then with Theresa's Dad (Carl) in the evening. At Eden's urging, evening dinner was at Wendy's. The Frosty's were very much appreciated. Thank-you Carl!
On Sunday morning Carl swung by to attend to the younger ones as I helped the twins with their salt-and-flour maps for their state projects (i.e., Ellen's Vermont, Hayley's Montana). We began at 6:37 am and somehow made it to the 8:30 am service. After coming back from lunch with my parents and sister (where we played Ellen's "Sorry: Vermont Edition"), it was back to the maps until Theresa and her mom came home. Then we all gathered together, with the addition of Carl's parents, for a Mother's Day Chinese Take Out Meal at Theresa's parents. The maps were finished off in the evening under Theresa's guidance as I tucked the younger two into bed.
During our adult elective, Jim asked us to consider "what controls we rely upon to get tasks done, to live life" (Tom's rephrasing). Quite simply, I could not do what I do in ministry except by the gift of living in close proximity to family who care for us and are present with us each step of the way. This weekend is a great example.
But one could live in close proximity to caring family and not relate in a mutually beneficial/encouraging manner. Our perception of our relationship to our family and the part which we play in the Story/Mission of God is vital. Each day when I awake I am reminded that I have "One more day." It is God's intention to shape me more and more into the image of His Son Christ Jesus as an individual (i.e., make me a new creation as I was originally intended to be) and a member of the Body of Christ (Kingdom of God/Church) and to bless others (neighbor/creation) through this on-going transformation in such a manner that it will advance His plans/purposes to the praise of His Glory!
Here's an excerpt from an excellent Op-Ed piece regarding differences of educational perspective (what is taught, how, toward what end, and at what price). Note: in the fall, our three oldest children will be in public school with some playful exploration of additional educational opportunities at home, in our local congregation, and through summer programming. Wish we could do it all, but there are limits to our time, energy, finances, and resources. Any thoughts on the article from friends who have decided to invest in homeschooling, charter school, or Christian school?
Cognitive ability, personality and motivation come mostly from home. What happens in the classroom can have some effect, but smart and motivated children will tend to learn to read and do math even with poor instruction, while not-so-smart or unmotivated children will often have trouble with those subjects despite excellent instruction. If test scores in reading and math are the measure, a good school just doesn’t have that much room to prove it is better than a lesser school.
As an advocate of school choice, all I can say is thank heavens for the Milwaukee results. Here’s why: If my fellow supporters of charter schools and vouchers can finally be pushed off their obsession with test scores, maybe we can focus on the real reason that school choice is a good idea. Schools differ in what they teach and how they teach it, and parents care deeply about both, regardless of whether test scores rise. -- Why Charter Schools Fail the Test (Charles Murray. NY Times Op-Ed, May 4, 2010)
In case you haven't already come across it, I have another post on Wisdom Chaser: Finding My Father at 14,000 Feet (Nathan Foster. InterVarsity Press. 2010) at the ESN Blog. Visit Wisdom Chaser: Insights on Parent-Child Relationships.
Married and seeking some group think advice on your mattress pad flipping? Then Steven Strogatz, professor of applied mathematics at Cornell University, has come to the rescue. My question after reading Strogatz's NY Times Opinion Piece is whether we're finding an example of integrating academic and practical living OR if this is what is necessary for certain academics to understand practical living (and hopeful put the skills in practice). My feeling is that many figured have this out by just doing it. But maybe not. Any testimonies or confessions? "Theresa, what do you think about this?"
As a child, I was proud of my dad. Hearing him speak to crowds filled me with excitement; perhaps he would mention my name, or tell a story about me, or in some way acknowledge his home life. At first I think I accepted that God was using my dad to help people. Later I felt mildly ambivalent about the fact that God seemed to need my dad. Somewhere along the way, my feelings shifted to embarrassment and anger that Dad had "holier work" to do. By thirteen I was filled with rage, and I shut down." -- Wisdom Chaser: Finding My Father at 14,000 Feet (Nathan Foster. InterVarsity Press. 2010, p.29).
Reconciliation/healing occurs through father-son (twenty-something) mountain climbing ... still reading. Excellent book. Personal reflections/applications related to family coming ...
The other night before our evening prayer, I watched God's Wonderful Surprise and then sang The Creed -- John Michael Talbot and Creed - Rich Mullins* with the twins. They wanted another song so I pulled Michael Card & John Michael Talbot - One Faith.
*Will Ellen pick up a hammered dulcimer after watching Creed - Rich Mullins? She sounded inspired, but had second thoughts when she considered how much of my office the guitar and violin already take up. But if she's interested, I am. Anyone know a teacher?
What do you think about Surprisingly, Family Time Has Grown?
Initial response: Even though Theresa and I spend a lot of time with our four girls, I guess we're a little old school in
Yes, we do desire to spend more focused time with each of our four girls, particularly in reading/conversation. As we've shared at other times, we've been afforded much of our opportunity to do such through living in the midst of family, having some flexibility in campus ministry responsibilities, and an encouraging/supportive local congregation. Here's a quote Surprisingly, Family Time Has Grown. I'd encourage you to check out the whole piece.
The study, by two economists at the University of California, San Diego, analyzes a dozen surveys of how Americans say they use their time, taken at different periods from 1965 to 2007. It reports that the amount of child care time spent by parents at all income levels — and especially those with a college education — has risen “dramatically” since the mid-1990s. (The findings by the husband-and-wife economist team of Garey Ramey and Valerie A. Ramey appear in a discussion paper presented in March at a Brookings Institution conference in Washington.)
Before 1995, mothers [Note from Tom: I assume this is meant to be "mothers who have an additional occupation/responsibility than parenting"] spent an average of about 12 hours a week attending to the needs of their children. By 2007, that number had risen to 21.2 hours a week for college-educated women and 15.9 hours for those with less education.
Although mothers still do most of the parenting, fathers also registered striking gains: to 9.6 hours a week for college-educated men, more than double the pre-1995 rate of 4.5 hours; and to 6.8 hours for other men, up from 3.7, according to an additional analysis by Betsey Stevenson and Dan Sacks, economists at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Family researchers say the news should offer relief to guilt-stricken working parents. -- Tara Parker-Pope, Surprisingly, Family Time Has Grown, NY Times, 4/5/2010
Time to start tracking my hours ;-)
*Note: Is it so unique that my sister and I practically grew up in a Dental Office where our parents work together, Theresa and her siblings spent their early years living in a residence on the edge of a children home where their dad served his alternative service, that I spend a lot of time working out of the home, and our family loves hanging out with students and faculty? I guess it probably is ...
Hayley and I recently concluded C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew (1955). Below is a quote which led me to pray for the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve to open their ears this Holy Week ... for new life to burst forth in many places this Easter. May God the Father grant grace to each and every one of his children to be little Christs proclaiming His Reality through words/life as individuals and the people of God, so that many may step into Reality and draw close to Him through the grace of His Son and the quickening work of the Word and Spirit.
"He [Uncle Andrew] thinks great folly, child," said Aslan. "This world is bursting with life for these few days because the song with which I called it into life still hangs in the air and rumbles in the ground. It will not be so for long. But I cannot tell that to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he would hear only growlings and roarings. Oh, Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do you good! But I will give him the only gift he is still able to receive."
He bowed his great head rather sadly, and breathed into the Magician's terrified face. "Sleep," he said. "Sleep and be separated for some few hours from all the torments you have devised for yourself." Uncle Andrew immediately rolled over with closed eyes and began breathing peacefully." -- Chapter 14.
Theresa and I give praise to God the Father for the many answered prayers of the people of God in response to Prayer for the Groshes Family & Ministry. To God be the glory!
Open up April 2010 Prayer Calendar to read some ... more coming in an upcoming post. BTW, in case you haven't noticed, the prayer calendar has two pages, the second has an upcoming event calendar. Some of the events are sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, others are strategic opportunities offered by local congregations or colleges/universities. With regard to this later category, I use the opportunity to learn from, meet, network with, and pray for those present.
For those in Central PA, please swing by Mark Your Calendar for May 12, 13. Note: Email and Facebook invitations will go out next week. But if you have time this weekend, feel free to sign-up and begin inviting your friends :-)
Looking for some fun family projects for the weekend/spring? Check out Recycled Fun: 5 Spring Activities that are Truly Green. What suggestions do you have to add to the list?
Pray for the focus and creative energy to write for the ESN blog. Thank-you to Miller for this inspirational piece by which to begin the day.
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