In this world everyone defines themselves by who or what they identify with. I wrote something on my Facebook as my statement, no words can capture the essence of the soul. I truly believe that, there is no one like you or no one like me.
But there is One that I identify myself with and that is God. I am a Christian, a born again Christian. I believe with all of my heart. In this world it is not a very popular thing to be. One can understand why in some ways when you see how those who claim to believe act. I am not talking about doing things that are wrong, I am talking about the hateful way they treat others, some going so far as to tell others that God hates them. My Bible says God is love, how can love hate, it is the complete opposite of who God is.
If there was anyone who didn't fit in with the establishment it was Jesus. he was different and He blew alot of people's minds with His words. They couldn't understand or comprehend Him, it was because they were trying to do it in a worldly way. You can't put God in a box, He's far too big and believe me He's not a pie in the sky that watches you from some distant plain. He lives breathes and moves in love. He is spirit that cannot be contained.
I always loved what C.S. Lewis said when he was asked about prayer. He said it is like a fountain that wells up inside of my soul and pours forth. It is not some dead ritual of praying so many times a day with ritualistic words, it also is alive. It wells inside of me with a longing accompanying it. It is without words sometimes, it is fueled from a well of love deep within me. Many times if not always tears flow when I pray. They are my fountain that pours forth. The Bible says God bottles our tears, I reckon I have alot of bottles stored away.
I want to tell you this, if you have ever known a Christian who told you that God didn't love you, they were wrong. I can absolutely say with all certainty that you are loved, precious and special.
Many times I like to include a song with my blog entry. He makes beautiful things. Don't ever forget that you are beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0
The Writing On The Wall
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Artist, A Night At The Movies
IN THE BEGINNING... The Strand Theatre was built by Rockland businessman Joseph Dondis during a six-week period in the winter of 1922–1923. The Strand was also the first building to rise from the ashes of the fire of June 16, 1922, which destroyed four entire business blocks in downtown Rockland.
The Strand first opened its doors to the public on February 21, 1923 (Washington's Birthday) for a sold-out showing of the silent film My Wild Irish Rose.
The steel-framed theatre, with its terracotta tile walls, and ornamental brick facade was considered unusual and innovative in its appearance. The theatre also boasted a gilded proscenium arch and stamped tin ceiling, jade green plaster walls, an organist loft and an auditorium seating 626. Outside was a traditional Vaudeville style canopy and a stunning "blade" sign with the word S-T-R-A-N-D outlined with electric light bulbs. Two storefronts, a cigar store and a flower shop, were incorporated into the theatre framing the entrance.
The Strand was Rockland's third downtown theatre (the others being the Park & the Empire). However, to compete with the already-established Park and Empire theatres, Mr. Dondis later added a stage, fly tower, and balcony to The Strand to accommodate local dance recitals, theatrical productions, and popular vaudeville shows. The Strand also hosted many fundraising events for local clubs and organizations.
Today, the Strand is the only survivor of the three movie theatres that served the Rockland area in the 1920s.
The Strand first opened its doors to the public on February 21, 1923 (Washington's Birthday) for a sold-out showing of the silent film My Wild Irish Rose.
The steel-framed theatre, with its terracotta tile walls, and ornamental brick facade was considered unusual and innovative in its appearance. The theatre also boasted a gilded proscenium arch and stamped tin ceiling, jade green plaster walls, an organist loft and an auditorium seating 626. Outside was a traditional Vaudeville style canopy and a stunning "blade" sign with the word S-T-R-A-N-D outlined with electric light bulbs. Two storefronts, a cigar store and a flower shop, were incorporated into the theatre framing the entrance.
The Strand was Rockland's third downtown theatre (the others being the Park & the Empire). However, to compete with the already-established Park and Empire theatres, Mr. Dondis later added a stage, fly tower, and balcony to The Strand to accommodate local dance recitals, theatrical productions, and popular vaudeville shows. The Strand also hosted many fundraising events for local clubs and organizations.
Today, the Strand is the only survivor of the three movie theatres that served the Rockland area in the 1920s.
How can I express my excitement over seeing this wonderful movie, The Artist. I happened to go to youtube today and see my friend Chris' video review of this movie. Chris really turned me on to watching silent movies, he is an enthusiastic Rudolph Valentino fan. From the first Valentino movie I watched, Beyond the Rocks, I was hooked. Thank you Chris.
In checking with the Strand I found out this movie was playing. I had been longing to see it and was quite pleased.
This movie did not disappoint, it was far more than I could have imagined in my wildest dreams. It is the story of a silent film star, George Valentin, who refuses to accept the changes of the movies from silent to talkies. In the beginning of the movie he is quite a successful man at the peak of his career. In walks Peppy Miller, a beautiful young woman longing to make it in the business of acting. She is in the crowd of fans when she first meets George. She boldly gives George a kiss on the cheek and the picture makes the headlines. Later on she auditions for a dance part in his movie. She is chosen, but it would seem she might not be included until George steps up and makes sure she is. Peppy is attracted to George, but George is married so nothing can come of this. They go on their separate ways and the roles reverse, because of George's stubborness and pride his life begins to slide downhill as Peppy's star climbs higher and shines brighter. Yet Peppy never forgets George, she cannot forget him because she loves him. As everyone deserts George, including his wife, despair sets in, he no longer has his success or fame, but there is one thing he has that he doesn't even know, Peppy's love.
My heart rooted for the love these two individuals had, tears fell from my eyes as Peppy longed for George, but did that which was right. Their feelings were so palpable I found myself lost in this movie, it truly overwhelmed my heart. Love does indeed conquer all. The talkies have nothing on the silent movies, for more is said with one look than a thousand words. This movie spoke volumes to my heart without a word being uttered.
A link to one of the songs from the movie, I hope you enjoy it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUEPoXhf8WY&feature=related
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Eating a Tangerine
As I peel the skin away from the fruit the scent rises and hits my nostrils. I inhale deeply taking in the clean fresh smell. I rub the peel on my skin wanting to hold the fragrance.
I break off a section of the fruit and raise it up to my mouth, feeling the firmness of the skin brush against my lips as I open my mouth to take a bite. I bite down, the flesh of the skin gives way, the sweetness bursts inside my mouth and the juice is released. I savor its goodness. I eat each segment savoring them. When I am done my lips are swollen and throbbing from the juice that laid its deposit. I lick my lips to ease the throbbing and taste the remnants that the fruit has left behind. This is eating a tangerine.
I break off a section of the fruit and raise it up to my mouth, feeling the firmness of the skin brush against my lips as I open my mouth to take a bite. I bite down, the flesh of the skin gives way, the sweetness bursts inside my mouth and the juice is released. I savor its goodness. I eat each segment savoring them. When I am done my lips are swollen and throbbing from the juice that laid its deposit. I lick my lips to ease the throbbing and taste the remnants that the fruit has left behind. This is eating a tangerine.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The State of Being
The state of being is my favorite term for those moments when there are no words but everything is being communicated.
I think I first realized this some years ago when I was still new in the field of early education. I knew absolutely nothing about how why children did things, but I had something that went beyond knowledge, it was love. Children sense those things, they know when you love them.
There was one particular child who would wake up from nap before all the others. I would sit and hold her, just hold her. No words were necessary. Later on I would take a job at another agency. It was very difficult leaving the little ones I had cared for. My supervisor told me that after I left this little girl that I held every day piped up one day and said, "We miss Juanita and she misses us."
Children are so honest in their feelings, there is no pretension, they say exactly what they think. I think that is why I love being with them. There is nothing like it. When they like you, they like you. I went back to visit some children one time when I had moved on to another job, one of the little girls ran up and jumped in my arms, she placed each of her little hands on my face, looked at me ad said, "Oh Juanita, I missed you so much, I didn't know how much I missed you till I saw you."
We are much like children. There is a craving in the human heart to know that we are loved. I can tell you with all certainty that you are loved. I have felt love cradle me and within that cradle peace abides in my soul. All need ceases to exist because it has been fulfilled in love. Love fills my heart so much that I feel like it is a fountain welling up in my soul and pouring forth. I am being held, just held within love. No words are necessary, I am in the state of being.
I want to conclude my blog with a link to a song by Alison Krauss, When You Say Nothing At All. I love these words, you say it best when you say nothing at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCOimBo5tg&ob=av2e
I think I first realized this some years ago when I was still new in the field of early education. I knew absolutely nothing about how why children did things, but I had something that went beyond knowledge, it was love. Children sense those things, they know when you love them.
There was one particular child who would wake up from nap before all the others. I would sit and hold her, just hold her. No words were necessary. Later on I would take a job at another agency. It was very difficult leaving the little ones I had cared for. My supervisor told me that after I left this little girl that I held every day piped up one day and said, "We miss Juanita and she misses us."
Children are so honest in their feelings, there is no pretension, they say exactly what they think. I think that is why I love being with them. There is nothing like it. When they like you, they like you. I went back to visit some children one time when I had moved on to another job, one of the little girls ran up and jumped in my arms, she placed each of her little hands on my face, looked at me ad said, "Oh Juanita, I missed you so much, I didn't know how much I missed you till I saw you."
We are much like children. There is a craving in the human heart to know that we are loved. I can tell you with all certainty that you are loved. I have felt love cradle me and within that cradle peace abides in my soul. All need ceases to exist because it has been fulfilled in love. Love fills my heart so much that I feel like it is a fountain welling up in my soul and pouring forth. I am being held, just held within love. No words are necessary, I am in the state of being.
I want to conclude my blog with a link to a song by Alison Krauss, When You Say Nothing At All. I love these words, you say it best when you say nothing at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SCOimBo5tg&ob=av2e
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