Ridiculous decision

The Christian Chronicle announces that the latest edition of Churches of Christ in the United States will no longer list Richland Hills in Fort Worth because they have instrumental music on Sunday. It seems that the editors( of the volume) think (although they deny it) that instrumental music defines the Church of Christ. They have long ago purged Oak Hills (Max Lucado) and Farmers' Branch in Dallas.

Richland has one a cappella service on Sunday morning with a huge attendance--but this doesn't count--the church has to be totally a cappella--How ridiculous. Seeing as how there is very little evidence in the New Testament that a capella is the desired mode of worship, they are straining gnats and swallowing camels. I am sure the list does include churches that are absolutely insular and dead with no outreach and no growth--but these folks
can be found by travelers traveling through their area (that is one of the aims of the book).

A cappella is my preferred mode of worship, although I have enjoyed worshipping with instruments often. (Worshipping with instruments is another "hinky" statement--as if instruments determine the love and regard that pours out of one's mouth in worship).

Wouldn't it be nice if Churches of Christ were known for their outreach to the poor, their contributions to peace and justice in the world, their absolute integrity--I know some who are and praise God for them.

Oh by the way, the volume also shows how Churches of Christ have joined other contemporary churches in decline losing 526 churches and 78,436 members over the past six years. Wonder why?

More of the Same

Well, it's raining and snowing again here--supposed to continue all day. This is definitely the worst winter here since I moved. But I do say again, I love winter--

One of my best recent purchases is an electric mattress pad warmer. Wow--No more heavy bedding on top, just crawl into a cozy warmness and enjoy the night. I am also finding that cleaning house is a good antidote for being cold. Yesterday I mopped. Today, vaccuuming.

I am so sorry to read about all the job layoffs here and in other places--it is really getting bad. Awaiting a change and renewal.

Happy snow day!

Life lived forward and backward

I was glad to see Benjamin Button receive so many academy nominations. I thought it was a very good film with a unique perspective. Taken (very loosely) from an F. Scott Fitzgerald story, it tells the life of a man who is born old and gets younger as he lives until at last he is an infant. The original story can be found on line. The rewrite is much better in a lot of ways, including the setting.

Curious Case is a rather literary film with gorgeous photography, beautiful stars (how can anyone be as handsome as Bran Pitt? There is a shot of him in a sailboat that knocked my socks off) and even a moral or two. There is a good romance too--but this is more than a chick flick

When reading folklore, one must "suspend disbelief" as one does here--but the ride is worth it. I know it will probably not win--Slumdog Millionaire seems to already be the favorite, but it would deserve the Oscar in my opinion.

Unexpected Fraternization

Here it is four weeks after Christmas and I am still finding (after much vacuuming) little "leaves" from my artificial tree and ornament hooks. They must be breeding somewhere in the dark.

The same is true of Polly Pockets--everytime I pull out furniture or move a table, there are pieces of Polly and her accouterments. Looks like I am going to have to separate Polly and her men pals.

Wouldn't it be fun if the lost money in the couch would do the same thing? Maybe I could pay off my car.

Have fun today!

Inauguration Day

The word "emotional" is being used often to describe yesterday. I concur--it was emotional for me. The swell of the crowd, waving of the flags, the Marine Band, Aretha Franklin's hat, interviews of crying people of color, his hand on the Lincoln Bible, and the inclusion of a poet in the ceremonies made me laugh and cry.

I am not a closet patriot. It is full force for me, as it is for me to be a Texan--displaying those flags and logos, oh yes! Reciting Emma's poem on the Statue, oh yes! Hand over the heart when the flag passes, oh yes! Watching every minute of January 20th, oh yes! Seeing all generations and all colors come together for the celebration, oh yes!

OBama's speech was excellent, I thought--full of challenge and reality, yet very articulate and well-said. I loved the term "patchwork heritage"--wish those crazy people in Nashville wanting to require English as the language in all govt. business could even get a glimpse of that. Commentator Mark ? (can't remember his name) on the Leherer (sp.) show on PBS talked about the moment in the White House when the President was signing in his cabinet--A Catholic, A Jew, the first woman Majority Leader, (all present had some sort of distinction) etc. were standing there watching; what a moment. And Obama's citing that a son of a man who would not have been served in a Washington restaurant years ago was now taking the oath was appropriate and scathing.

I also loved the poet's vision of "walking in a widening pool of light." Beautiful. I know some are comparing her to Whitman--maybe a little over the top. It was nice to know that the arts have a place in the Democratic agenda. Wonder why the Republicans have never had a poet at their ceremonies???I shall never forget watching Robert Frost at the Kennedy inauguration.

Seeing the children walk in jauntily and wiggle during the ceremony was fun too. Sasha's thumbs-up to her father was a special moment. And didn't the couple look handsome at all the balls? What pretty clothing-- designed and made in America by immigrants! Great choices.

All in all, it was a wonderful day to share with America. I look forward to our "Picking ourselves up" and improving our situations with hard work and optimism. God Bless America and God Bless Barak OBama.

English the Official Language

Nashville is all in a twist over a referendum to make English the official language of government here. Put forth for the third time by a State Official (who also refuses to reveal where he got his money for it), it seems a rather waste of time, money and philosophical debates. I think the election itself is costing over $130,000.

It seems they believe that having to have translators everywhere is a waste of taxpayer's money! What about the election?

All sounds very racist to me--there has been a huge influx of Hispanic population into Nashville in the past few years. I have no problem with translators in government, in hospitals, or schools (why take their jobs away too?) If my taxes can support the greedy, fat cats of "investmentdom" and the criminal bankers and lenders who messed up the housing market, why not support a few translators in offices, schools and hospitals? We are all in this together trying to eke out a life and those who cannot speak English make the life more diverse, colorful and rich.

I don't know, but I will bet that Crafton and his cohorts don't speak English well at times too. I do know they don't speak the iconic American welcome of Lady Liberty.

What a crock! Vote against the referendum early on Thursday.

Grow old along with me

Had he lived, my husband Sam would have been 75 yesterday. He was born on a Friday the 13th at home on a cold, cold day in Groesback, Texas.

I sometimes wonder about this time every year what it would have been like if we could have grown old together as in the Browning poem: "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be...."

Would we have been one of those old couples who sit in restaurants like stones never saying words except "Pass the salt." The old man crochety and demanding, the old woman bent and tired.

Or would we have been like some I see at church, loving, soft, looking more like each other as they age--still holding hands and murmuring "Are you comfortable, honey? "Here, let me open the door for you....Take your time sweetie...." Or is that just a Norman Rockwell picture I am remembering?

I obviously will never know--but I do know I miss him as I age more than I did when I was younger. Happy Birthday, Hon.

January Doldrums

A long time between blogs. Christmas has gone--all the decorations have been filed away in boxes--the snowmen have come out announcing real winter. Surprise and excitement have fled, being replaced by bills and beans and rice. Oh, yes, it is January.

However, those little snowmen are cute and they will decorate until mid- February. I am joyfully using and enjoying all my gifts and eating good soup to warm the bones--so it is not so bad.

_________

Enjoyed having the kids over this weekend and watching Maddie and Sam together. Sam was writing in his "journal" like Maddie--not a bad thing to copy. Good time to start "writing". Trouble is, he wanted me to draw pictures to decorate the journal--and that is bad news. When is the last time you tried to draw Spiderman?

______

Doris and I are enjoying trying to see all the good moview out right now. Not a pet person, but I loved Marley and Me. Good clean entertainment. And the new Eastwood movie--not clean (R) but vintage Eastwood. We have yet to see Doubt and Benjamin Button. Maybe this week.

________

The Golden Globes, I hope, are no indication of the Academy Awards. Much, much political correctness there--so much bowing and scraping to Bollywood. And the thug Mickey Rourke???? Boo!

_________

But of course, the return of 24 made for a good evening's viewing--I like that show!

__________

And so, we begin a new year of writing, blogging, thinking, and musing. Happy New Year!