“Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.” Doris Walker in
For more on what the Bible says about Faith and the characters that talk about it see the post from November 11, 2018.
Believe
Author: reelmeaningful
Prayer– Round 2 for 2019
“I just got a bust in the jaw in answer to a prayer a little bit ago.”
“Oh no no no George- I’m the answer to your prayer!”
Last November 25, 2018 in a post entitled Lessons on Intercession from It’s a Wonderful Life, I used this quote to write about the surprising answers we get when we pray. I’m always interested in enriching my prayer life and excerpts from the following Devotional readings in 2019 divulge the possibility of realizing God’s perspective on our petitions.
Last Spring, Moody’s Today in the Word (May 11) wrote specifically about verse 8 in a passage from Revelation 5:1-14, ” …the four Living Creatures and the twenty four elders fell before the Lamb each holding a harp and golden bowls each full of incense which are the prayers of the saints.”
“Interestingly, verse 8 doesn’t say that the incense represents the prayers of the saints but rather that it is their prayers. What a beautiful picture of how Christ must view our prayers–not as whining or nagging but like a pleasing aroma. When we worship we do not imitate heavenly worship–we join worship already underway, adding our voices to that of the living creatures and elders, angels and the rest of creation.”
Then in Autumn, one of my favorite authors commented on the following verse:
“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears.” 2 Samuel: 22:7
In Letters to Malcolm:Chiefly on Prayer, C. S. Lewis states,”…if our prayers are granted at all they are granted from the foundation of the world. Intercourse between God and man occurs at particular moments for the man but not for God. If there is an adaptation between the free actions of men in prayer and the course of events, this adaptation is from the beginning inherent in the great single creative act. Our prayers are heard… not only before we make them but before we are made ourselves.”
Just last month, I came across this devotional in a scheduled reading plan very soon after I had requested that God would reveal more of His greatness to me. In retrospect, this is not a surprising answer to my prayer. I grew up praying God is great, God is good… That the Creator can and would consider my supplications into his eternal plan, exposing not only his greatness but his kind desire to have relationship with me, is only a token portion of his omnipotence.
Another full year has come and gone and I’m still practicing and learning to pray. Last year These 2 devotional readings shifted my concentration away from myself and onto God when I pray. What have you learned to think or do that has elevated your prayer life? How has God answered your prayers during the past year?
Violet Bick– Last post for November 2019
I love this girl– she possesses that great combination of confidence and foresight with her old fashioned Plan B. Violet is also savvy enough to ask for help when she really needs it and in the film she knows exactly who to approach for that assistance. Violet is confident enough in George Bailey to know he will never turn her aside.
Because of His nature, God will never turn away a genuine seeker. He loves to show Himself faithful to those who need to learn to trust Him.
“…For you, O Lord have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.” Psalm 9:10
For more on what the Bible has to say about this character check out posts from July 22, 2019 and December 9, 2018
Thanksgiving: Toasts and Blessings with Mary Bailey
Although commonly considered to be a Christmas movie, some of the best scenes in It’s a Wonderful Life evoke everyday life in Bedford Falls outside of the superlative season. This still from the film highlight
s a toast timeless enough to be channeled into contemporary holiday gatherings.
Bread that this house will never know hunger.
Salt that life will always have flavor.
And wine that joy and prosperity will reign forever
Coupled with the following blessing Thanksgiving can begin.
As we embark on the holidays, I would love to hear about your traditions.
Judy Haynes
“There were never such devoted sisters” White Christmas
Devotion was God’s idea in the first place. For the eyes of the Lord roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:19 Berean Study Bible
For more on the Bible’s take on devotion see the posts from December 2, 2018 August 2019.
8 weeks out- with Betty Haynes
For more on Betty Haynes and Scripture references relevant to quotes from White Christmas see posts from November 4, 2018 and September 16, 2019
Ready or Not –ChristmasTime
With October’s submission posted, RealMeaningful has completed 15 consecutive months of juxtaposing movie quotes with transcendent Biblical truths. And thanks goes out to many people. Who could tell that a handful of Christmas classics could say so much to contemporary readers outside of the holiday season? (I kind of knew they could.) Who would have thought that locating fashion forward clothing outfitted for vintage characters would be so fun? (I hoped it would be.) Check out the posts for May-September 2019.
Who knew that Biblical Scripture would be so relevant and illuminating? (Actually– I knew that.) Because I was always inspired to connect personally with my favorite Christmas movies I devised an interactive program which would connect contemporary readers to their companion characters . ( See the Screen Test page or https://redemption-press.com/shop/a-reel-meaning-for-christmas) But then I discovered that although channeling and quoting my favorite movies may be entertaining it lacked substance. It was only when the quotes were paired with and illuminated by transcendent Scripture that lasting inspiration came. For 2 months before Christmas one of 8 characters from 6 classic movies were highlighted for their personality, quotes and a related Bible verse. I want to assure you that I do not consider these quotations as equal. God gets the last word.
So with Halloween behind us, and the holiday season officially started it won’t be long until the weather conforms to the calendar and we’ll pine for those moments that evoke the Christmas Spirit. Christmas movies fit the bill nicely, and connecting with your companion character can make them more personal.
For the next 8 weeks til Christmas ( That’s right–that’s all there’s left) RealMeaningful will bring you significant couplets of quotations that will connect you to the Real Meaning for Christmas.
CHANGE
This year in late October the seasonal change has just started. Whether late or early, the change is inevitable.
Norman Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you can change your world.” It makes a difference. While it may be true, it’s not simple. Lasting changes in attitudes and beliefs require effort and resolve. Especially when emotions appear stronger and tempt us to renege on our decision to change. At the risk of being trite, I intend to capitalize on the obvious metaphor of change by immediately offering this month’s pairing of classic movie quotes with transcendent scripture.
“Anything can change a life that’s ready to be changed” This truth comes from an original RKO offering called A Holiday Affair with Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum. A surprising change from traditional Christmas films, there is so much to love about this movie– I can’t say enough. Taking time to watch it at Christmas will change your mind about Holiday favorites. But as stated in the March 17, 2019 post (which was by far easier to write ) simply repeating these movie quotes is entertaining but tend to be devoid of any lasting purpose.So I submit the following transcendent Scriptures to underscore the truth in the movie quote.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”Romans 12:2
Some ideas to renew and permanently change your mind
“…Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, just, pure, lovely, and are of good report, …meditate on these things.”Phillipians 4:8.
One of the things I find most helpful in Scripture is emphasized in these 2 verses. The Bible doesn’t just list prohibitions and directions that start with the word Don’t. Instead these verses provide suggestions which if allowed to occupy our thoughts will combat the emotions that threaten our resolve.
Which Scriptures or thoughts do you specifically entertain in order to help you to renew your mind?
A Harvest Moon and pjs for snuggling
No frost on the pumpkin yet, but this past weekend provided the first Harvest Moon–the harbingers of things to come.
During the summer months, in an attempt to keep the significant influence of some favorite Christmas movies front and center, we had fun spotlighting our classic characters wearing contemporary fashion on the Imaginary Runway. The final character to appear is Betty Haynes from White Christmas. A serious Sensor Thinker, as determined by the Screen Test ( See the blog page with the same name or get your own in the devotional at https://www.redemption-press.com/shop/a-reel-meaning-for-Christmas/) Betty wears no nonsense skirts and blouses to answer correspondence, manage the sister act and generally champion integrity.
Crisp and cool, a skirt and blouse emote tailored sophistication to this very day.
But in the famous fireside picnic, Betty admits to being a silly schoolgirl who will only be won over by a knight in shining armor. Over sandwiches at the snack bar while listening to Bob’s (Bing Crosby) crooning, Betty gets in the spirit to indulge her optimism when she assures Bob that counting your blessings is the remedy for any insomnia associated with worry.
“…And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings”
Another cure for insomnia comes from the Psalms. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me. Psalm 42:8
Our contemporary fireside ensemble includes Vintage Chaps silky pajamas, a business worthy trench from H&M, and Ugg fleece slippers.
Inspiration for the pajama shoot comes from these “Sweet Dreamers” pjs– still in original packaging. Vintage through and through. note the price tag affixed to the collar with a straight head pin!! In fact this pajama set was folded and squared off with straight pins in order to fit into the bag. As a little girl, I experienced that dangerous bit of nostalgia on clothes from Robert Hall and Topps. Although it would have been a hoot to see how much these flannels cost, the price tag was torn off and I can only assume that these were purchased as a gift.
What clothing items do you remember from your own childhood or favorite childhood movies/TV? Photographs and accessories courtesy of Bonnie Hilton and Sarah Hallett.
Lazy Days of Summer
With a full 36 days left of summer, this weekend marks the beginning of the school year for our surrounding districts. The local pools have closed and my niece, Amy, points out that for the remainder of this year sunsets will not extend past 8:00pm. Personally I am enthralled with this pre season pseudoautumn, but I am sympathetic with those who pine for a little longer summer vacation. Now instead of luxuriating in seemingly endless weeks of leisure, we’ll have to settle for grabbing short rushes of planned relaxation. Given the sources from which I quote, this is an experience shared by multiple generations.
What would you do with 45 minutes all to yourself? May we suggest taking the Screen Test either on the designated page or in the devotional? Take a break! God knows you need one
This post (and the previous ones from May, June and July) have been part of a series called the Imaginary Runway where we take liberties to flesh out the lives and wardrobes of 8 characters from 6 different Christmas movies highlighted in the devotional A Reel Meaning for Christmas. https://www.redemption-press.com/shop a-reel-meaning-for-Christmas/ The final character is in the Imagination Spotlight for September.
ReelMeaningful 