Yeah, it is a movie review

I cried for an hour last night.  And everyone in my life should be grateful they didn't receive phone calls at 2am when I stopped.  I watched Remember Me last night.  I am so glad I didn't watch it in the theater.  I cried at the end and then I needed to absorb.   I was aware of the premise and the ending so there weren't many surprises.

Stop reading here if you don't want to know details.  This is not a blow-by-blow description but rather my observations.

Except - the whole stinkin' movie.  I'd been told the beginning starts out kind of slow but then the movie gets good until the end which sucks.  I wholeheartedly disagree.  If you are looking for a feel good movie with a happily ever after then don't bother seeing this movie.  If you like movies that mean something and can twist you up then Remember Me is for you.

The beginning of the movie represents the reality of how mundane life can be.  Each character is struggling with something.  Tyler, the male lead, is not perfect to complement Ally, the female lead.  They are both flawed characters with struggles, internal battles, and real life issues.  They understand each other.

We are introduced to Tyler's divorced parents, his artistic little sister, his quirky roommate, and his stepfather.  Ally's mother died when she was a child and she lives with her detective father.  Each character is flawed and the relationships flawed.  Tyler resent his father for his part in his brother's death.  Tyler's father disregards his sister, Caroline, which angers Tyler and continues to widen the gap between them.

Through a series of events Tyler and Ally meet.  He's tortured to her free-spirit.  She orders dessert first in case she chokes on the entree and dies.  She wants to enjoy the part that she most desires.  He doesn't enjoy much.

We walk through their lives as their romantic relationship grows and their familial relationships change.  Tyler is Caroline's champion.  He'd go to the ends of the world for her.  Case in point the phone call and dinner he makes on her behalf to ensure that his father is present at her art showing.  He'd clearly do anything for her including suffer through time spent with his father.  Tyler is a support to his mother who relies on him when their father disappoints Caroline.  Ally is loved by an overprotective father who can't let his 21 year old daughter gain her independence.  He fears losing her so he holds on too tight.  Eventually he loses her for holding on too tight.  Aidan, Tyler's roommate, is a catalystic sidekick.  (Did I just make up a word?)  His presence jump starts pivotal situations that lead us down this road.

We watch these characters and their various views and expectations on love.  Tyler is aggravated by his father's lack of affection for Caroline.  Tyler's father believes she knows of his love because of the material things he provides her.  Tyler is present for his mother and sister when they need him.  Ally and her father make it work since it is just the two of them.  Tyler tolerates Aidan's antics.

This movie is as much about the interpretation of love as the perception of love.  Sometimes you have to know the person you are with so you don't miss their displays of affection.  And sometimes you have to know the person you want to express affection for so they don't misunderstand your affection.  Tyler's father loves him with a tough love and works to give Caroline a privileged life.  Caroline wants her father to acknowledge her.  Ally wants freedom and her father doesn't want to lose her.

Family

Family

Enough said

Baseball Players

Baseball players if ever need something to fall back on would be qualified to be Rockettes.

An Afternoon In The Garden With God

I come to the garden alone while the dew is still on the roses 
And the voice I hear falling on my ear the Son of God discloses


In the quiet afternoon I seek out my favorite spot in the midst of a serene garden.  Here I can find peace and contentment.  It's a place of respite from the craziness of life.  I sit on the stone bench and close my eyes soaking in the gentleness.

It isn't long before I feel a presence and God sits down beside me.  We meet here on occasion.  He sits next to me and we experience the silence together.  I finally turn and offer him my best "'sup, God?"  He doesn't respond but patiently waits.  I turn my eyes back to the flora before me.  He waits.  I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

I feel Him rise up from next to me.  With disappointment He turns to horizon and simply sighs.  The rocks, the trees, the stream, the flowers, the grass come alive in worship.  A song of praise hums from these inanimate beings.

"My child, My Glory will not go unrecognized.  If you will not cry out then Creation will sing the praise of its Master."  He turns and leaves me in the garden where the rocks cry out in my stead.

"I have all of eternity to sing your praise." I protest, promise, and argue in one ridiculous statement.

"If you can't praise me here and now, what makes you think you'll want to for eternity?"

"Silly Rabbit, it isn't about you." God

Luke 19:40
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."


What prevents you from worshiping God?  What excuses do you give to Him?  There are so many to choose from yet none will pacify Him.  In Bible Study we learned that God has a narcissistic jealous side.  He desires the praises of His people and He won't suffer silence in the presence of His glory.  


"The songs are too slow."


"His shirt doesn't match his pants."


"There are too many songs."


"I can't stand that long."


"My feet are killing me in these shoes, but these shoes are fierce."


"I don't like who leads the worship team."


"Sunday is my one day to sleep in.  I don't like to get up early to be on time for church."


"Did you hear about so & so?"


"Church is supposed to be an hour long and the pastor has been going over."


"There aren't enough instruments."


"You don't know what is going on in my life."


 Do you think God really cares?  Of course He does.  He cares about every aspect of your life.  Do you think though that God accepts these as viable excuses for not praising Him?  Time to check the attitude at the door.  It isn't about you, it is about Him.  If you can't worship Him because you are having a bad hair day then really do you worship Him at all?  


I've used excuses when I couldn't worship Him.  I blamed it on the leadership of the church.  I've blamed it on the hypocrisy in the pews.  I've blamed in on my schedule.  I've blamed it on my circumstances.  I've blamed it on everything but the reality of my failure to hand it all over to God.  God sat back and listened to my poor reasoning for why I was sitting in church doing my duty but not seeking Him.  He listened but His heart broke.  He sat within arm's reach but I failed to reach for Him.  To find the comfort, love, acceptance, and joy that He offered. He sat there waiting, knowing at some point that I'd overcome my attitude.  I'd check the attitude at the door and allow Him to fill the void in my life.  I'd trade the superfluous for the fulfilling.  


It doesn't matter who I stand, sit, or pray next to.  It's all His time.  It is about Him and me.  There is a direct line between the two of us that He allows His love, grace, mercy, and strength to flow through.  


I refuse to let an inanimate object offer Him more praise than I do.  He created me to love and worship Him.  I won't let a hunk of minerals do better than I do.