"Captain Jack Sparrow"

Yeah, I know.....it was long. It was sometimes hard to follow. It left you wondering if they could possibly be making a POC IV. But you have to admit...this is Johnny Depp's ultimate role!!! I'm a fan!!

"just one more minute..."

1 Peter 4:10 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

I ran across an old Ann Landers clipping from 2002. I've kept it in my Bible and take it out to read it every once in a while. Maybe it's because my dad is battling cancer...maybe it's the messages at GCC lately...but I pulled it out again:

Always be aware that this life is all you have. Once a minute is gone, there is no way to get it back, no matter how much apologizing or atoning you do.

There will come a time when one of you will lay down for the last time. Only then will you wish you had those hours when, in anger, you didn't speak to each other. Only then will you remember all the times you spent with friends while your (spouse, parent, child) waited for you, alone. Only then will you remember the kind words you could have said, but didn't. Only then will you remember when you could have shown understanding, but displayed anger. Only then will you remember when (fill in blank) wanted to talk, but you ignored him/her.

Only then, when you hold their hand for the final time, will you pray for a little more time. " Please God--just one more minute."

Spidey

I recently took in the blockbuster flick "Spiderman 3". Awesome! For me, it was more than just an action film. It was filled with spiritual lessons on temptation & betrayal, bitterness & revenge, grace & forgiveness. I even found verses of scripture popping into my head at certain times throughout the movie..."the wages of sin is death".

Maybe I let a Marvel comic get too deep...or maybe I allowed God to show himself in the secular arts but whichever way, I came away from the theatre experiencing some of God's truths.

"I was found by those who did not seek me, I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me" Romans 10:20

think on these things

I've sat under some incredible teaching recently. Between the "Sound Vows"-marriage series on the weekends at GCC, the "Grace" series taught the past 4 New Communities by Dr. Bob, and a recent marriage workshop....my mind has been swimming with words of wisdom and inspiration. Here's a few that I thought were particularly worth remembering:

"You're going to be a slave to somebody, either Christ or yourself (your own agenda) "-Dr. Bob

"You can not judge people and love them at the same time"--Dr. Bob

"When I need revenge, am unable to forgive, unable to forgive a hurt..I'm saying God isn't enough"---Dr. Bob

"Low self esteem is the flip side of conceit ( it's all about me)"--Kathy Guy

"You want God to get your heart, you put your eyes on Him. When you spend time looking at God and who He is, He'll get your heart"--Mark Beeson

"How much do you love God? The amount of love you give the person you love the least"--Dr. Bob

"Grace defies reason and logic. There are consequences to actions- that is the point of the death of Christ. If only we could be a bit more like Him--the world would be transformed"--Bono

Good Stuff.