Curious George Sinks the Titantic

I have always wondered where James Cameron received his inspiration for that scene in Titantic. You know the one I am talking about, the "flying" scene.

"Oh Jack! I'm flying!"

I always knew that I would find the inspiration for that scene one day. And tonight I did, while I was reading books to my boys.

Nothing like reading curious George James.

A Day After Thanksgiving Psalm

God, the one and only--
I'll wait as long as he says,
Everything I need comes from him,
so why not?

He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.

How long will you gang up on me?
How long will you run with the bullies?
There's nothing to you, any of you--
rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters,
Anthills plotting to bring down mountains,
far gone in make-believe.
You talk a good line,
but every "blessing" breathes a curse.

God, the one and only--
I'll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
so why not?

He's solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
I'm set for life.

My help and glory are in
God-granite-strength and safe-harbor-God.
So trust him absolutely, people;
lay your lives on the line for him.
God is a safe place to be.

Man as such is smoke,
woman as such, a mirage.
Put them together, they're nothing;
two times nothing is nothing.

And a windfall, if it comes--don't make too much of it.
God said this once and for all;
how many times have I heard it repeated?
"Strength comes straight from God."

Love to you, Lord God!
You pay a fair wage for a good day's work!

This is Psalm 62. It has always been one of my favorite psalms. This was even the text in a sermon that I preached a few years ago. John Michael Talbot put it to music, and it was a source of comfort on many different occasions. It has meant different things at different times. Today I was inspired to see how it sounds in another translation. I like it, and I have posted it for you, my friends.

P.S. Don't do too much shopping today!

a laden table

It is Thanksgiving Morning, and I am already contemplating the Thanksgiving spread. I am beginning to envision this table spread out with the turkey, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the sweet potato casserole, mom's homemade noodles, and the endless number of pies.

I can see it spread out before me. It is one of the best meals that I will eat all year. And I am planning on savoring every bite of it.

But as I contemplate this meal, I start thinking about those without. I am not talking about those without a thanksgiving meal. Though that is a great cause, and one that is much needed, that is not what I am thinking about right now.

I am thinking about those who have decided that their own way is better than God's. I have been there before. I have been down that path. And it only leads to despair, destruction and a fleeting happiness.

God knows this. And when people go down this path he beckons us back.

"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food."
--Job 36:16

Do you see that? God's way is described as comfort at a table laden with choice food. That is one thing that I never understood when I was younger, when I was headed down that path. I always looked at the Christian life as something that was all about loss and the forfeit of a "good life." But that is simply not true. Paul says that,

"Godliness with contentment is Great Gain."
--I Timothy 6:6

The path that leads to life is one that is characterized by great gain, not loss. The world has it backwards. David joins with God in beckoning us to this life. He says,

"Taste and see that the LORD is good ... Fear the LORD , you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing."
--Psalm 34:8-10

As you are eating your Thanksgiving Day Feast, consider the feast of life that has been laid out before you. Taste it and see that the Lord is good.

Sabbatical

I am going to take some time off.

If you are at all interested in when I start up again, just enter your e-mail address into my notify list and I will let you know when I get er goin'.

good story

A new friend of mine just posted a great story. I heard him tell this story in person, so I was happy to see him actually post it on his blog.

It is a worthwhile read, and drives home an excellent point.

Read it here.

pet peeve #2

pet peeve
n. Informal
Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation.

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the grocery store with my wife, and we decided that it would be best if I just dropped her off at the door so she could just run in and get the stuff. We don't always do this, but when there are only a few items to get and the kids are in the van with us, it is just quicker to wait in the van for her. When I do this, I will usually circle the parking lot for awhile, then I will pull up along the curb and wait.

But just really bugs me when I see people come to the store by themselves and just park their car on the curb and walk inside.

It is one thing when there is someone in the car to keep it running, and to move it if it is in the way, but it is a totally different story when you just park there... in a no-parking zone!

Who are these people?

I know what they are thinking. "I am in a real hurry, and I will come right back out here as soon as I can." But HEY! So is everybody else! We are all in a hurry, and we will all be right back out! How do you get so self-consumed that you think you can just create your own rules for yourself anytime you want?

Man that bugs me!