Waxing theologethic in Hollywood

Ok, gasp, I went to see Angels and Demons yesterday at the cinema...I confess I am a Dan Brown junkie. Here's the kicker, a movie based on a Dan Brown novel has had me thinking about and praising God all day...who knew?
Essentially the conclusion of the film got me to thinking. An aging cardinal speaking to a young professor who is religiously neutral says, and pardon the paraphrase, that religion is imperfect, but only because we (human beings) are imperfect...now that got my wheels spinning.
We as Christians serve a perfect God, and we in human form are fully imperfect. This got me to thinking. Religion is imperfect because religion was created and is carried out by men. Men and women who pervert holy teachings to achieve their own ends tend to be the cornerstone of "religion" in the world. God however is still imperfect with truth as his beacon in the darkness of conflicting religions that seek to explain God better than the next. It's interesting to me that we create something so imperfect in the name of one who is perfect. Instead of serving and building a real relationship with God, men throughout time have used God's name to further themselves and build their own pedestals and monuments. God has never changed, and has never wavered in his opinions on the pharisees of Christ's time or the modern day marvels of Christendom in ours. Whether you subscribe to the Catholic teachings of the Vatican or the mega church phenomenon in Bible Belt, USA you have to admit that mass herding for the sake of cash flow and book sales is not what God had in mind when he endorsed church. I believe he wanted believers who could support each other in spiritual growth as well as other daily challenges. People who can come together in his name to praise him, but also love one another in simplicity and truth. I think when we come away from that and talk about how Rev. So-and-so can draw such a large crowd, and Preacher What's his name can raise so much money we have left the perfection of God and dove full on into the realm of religion. Here's a hint, people are turned off by religion, but someone who will listen and love you in spite of your own imperfection is generally welcomed.
Thanks Mr Brown for writing the book, and Ron Howard for directing a brilliant movie, because God can use a piece of fiction when he desires...he is God afterall...

Relay for Life!! 2009

There is nothing more heart warming, inspiring and wonderful than watching the survivors lap at Relay for Life. These are the people who have or still are facing this awful disease we call cancer in the face. Watching their courage shine through their smiles as they walk the opening lap of the night emboldens me and makes me believe that one day not to far away their will be no reason for this walk anymore, because we will have defeated cancer once and for all.
This year was extra special for me because I was there with Sherrie who respesents so much of where I come from and also with Nikki, Courtney, Abby and Kacie who are such bright spots in my life now. Walking that track with people I love so much and sharing this night which for me is all about honoring my mom's memory was great. Mom would have been happy to see me walking and she above all people would have gotten that I put her picture on top of the word girl on my "Fight Like a Girl" shirt...she would have gotten the "Fight Like a Mom" statement and would have fully endorsed the cheesiness.
SO thanks mom for fighting until God brought you home and you didn't have to fight anymore. I'll keep walking for you every year until there is no longer a reason to walk.

*All photos courtesy of Nikki Paxton Photography

Here Comes the Sun...do do do doo

YaYa wedding number two: Tim and Dano Zynda-Clark
Tears seeped out of my eyes watching my pal Dano say I do to Tim yesterday. This is my Dano, the girl who taught me to love Jane Austen, went tubing with me in Lake Hartwell, and consistently opened my eyes to new adventures between the covers of good books. So there I sat sandwiched between Jackie and Sarah watching as the second of the sisterhood welcomed a fella into the family on a permanent basis. Surreal...and we will do it again in 2 months with Sarah and Adam.
Sitting in Jackie's kitchen you look up to a sign over the window that reads "Here Comes the Sun." These girls are my sunshine. They have been for a while and they will be for a long while to come. These fellas better take care of them, love them and make them happy. I may be the shortest, the chubbiest and in many ways the weakest, but if you mess with my girls the fact that I am the oldest and therefore the big sister will come out and bite you in the ass. That being said, I love these guys. I look forward to living out our lives, sharing stories, memories and witnessing their lives with my yayas.
Late last night before falling over into a deep wine induced sleep I asked Jackie would we be as close as we are if we met as the people we are now as opposed to the girls we were then. I don't really know the answer, but I think we grew up together and that is the tie that binds us. The impressionable years of early adulthood were shared together. Though we are unmistakeably different from our heights and hair colors to our religion and politics, we have left impressions and shadows of ourselves on each others hearts. We took each other in and for better for worse we are now apart of one another until sun sets for the final time in our lives.
To the Yayas their spouses, futures spouses and all those potential petites! Cheers and many happy returns to one another!