One of my ALL TIME favorite movies is “The Chronicles of Narnia”. I absolutely love the feelings it evokes inside of me when I watch it. We love to quote Susan “He’s a beaver. He shouldn’t be saying anything!” I also love the book The SCREWTAPE Letters. Both were written by C.S. Lewis. Saturday evening I was in Adam’s old room, spending my usual 10+hours per week trying to wash a couch I purchased at G&W Boutique-a.k.a. Goodwill. I just can’t seem to get that mysterious smell out. But………..anyway, I was browsing Netflix trying to find something to watch. I somehow saw this movie and then “CS Lewis” I clicked on it. What in the world? What was this? SHADOWLANDS. And much to my delight, it was a true story about CS Lewis. SSHHH………you hear that? Those were the angels singing. I loved it. Most people probably wouldn’t have. The movie was made in 1985. It was nothing like “Hollywood bling-bling” It was an incredible true story that let me glimpse into the life of this very out of the box writer.
What are some of my other favorite movies you might ask? Oh, that’s simple.“8 Track Guy in an I-Pod World” or “Hug yo momma” or “Bail out plan”. What! You’ve never heard of them? What’s your problem? They are movies written by and starring the one and only Dennis Swanberg. He jokes at times and says how the more refined church goers had possibly frowned on his comedy “in the name of the Lord.”
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=J21B1NNU
You know I am sure that these two were not always embraced or understood bytheir parents, peers, teachers, communities. In fact, I’m sure at times they were ridiculed.
I’ve been ridiculed. I’ve been misunderstood. Those feelings have made me want to quit. Perhaps at times I’ve allowed those feeling to cause me to quit.
Last week I listened to Kay Arthur on TV and she challenged me. Because throughher sharing her own life story and struggles, I realized that truthfully the temptation I suffer really is common to man. The temptation to be angry or bitter, the temptation to quit, the temptation to cheat, the temptation to whatever. Human beings face this. It’s not the facing of it, but it’s the decision of what will I do when I’ve been told “it’s hopeless” or “you’re a failure” or “it’s over” or when I feel like I can’t go on.
I was listening to some Christian Hip-Hop from a couple years ago, and it was like putting a glove on. I love it. I get it. I like all kinds of music. So, I can just as easily say the same thing when I listen to Southern Gospel 100.1 Joy FM! At this moment I’m listening to my favorite group. You know it-DC Talk. The lyrics and melody of their songs are the first time I realized Christian music can be gut wrenching and cool and deep. I am sure Dr. Jerry Falwell may have needed a few moments to decide what he thought of this out of the box of professing Christian rock-star wannabees.
I remember in Narnia, the first night Lucy sleeps at her temporary residence of the Professors she says “the sheets are scratchy.” It just didn’t feel right. Many of us are wrapping our lives in a scratchy existence of who we think we should be based on what we’ve succumbed to. We know it’s not right; we’ve just given in to the idea that we just can’t do any better. You’ll feel more comfortable admitting who you are in Christ, than trying to be who you’re not in the name of Christ.
Exodus 4: 13 But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” I Samuel 16:11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Matthew 3: 4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
What is God calling you to do that you haven’t done? Who does God say you are that you continue to deny?There are no limits to what He can do. Why are we trying to put Him in a box?
Out of the box? Freak? Yep. That’s me.
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0MCFNNNU
