something I watched | Reactions Speak Louder than Words

   Part 1: Cause and Defect

   Part 2: Over and Under Reactions

   Part 3: If God is for Us

While watching on YouTube, I wrote 13 pages of notes in my journal.

I don't know what to write here to really capture how good and helpful the messages are for those who follow Jesus and for those who don't (and he lovingly calls us out for not being good examples to them). 

Andy Stanley talks about reactions in our day-to-day lives, and he takes us to people's stories in the Bible. 

We can be very reactive to the big and small things that happen in our families, in our workplaces, online, and so on. But Jesus' way was to be "over underreactive" even in unjust, unkind, unfair moments when a reaction would be expected. 

If I try to summarize the messages, I will leave out too much. I highly recommend watching the videos (or listening to the podcasts).

something I watched | You're Not the Boss of Me

During the pandemic, I've "attended" church in different places. I've gone to South Carolina with my cousins which was wonderful. And then Andy Stanley became another favorite when a childhood friend of my sister's recommended a series called, "When Religion Meets Politics". 

Presently, I am listening to this series.

Part 1 | From the Heart

Part 2 | Guilt

Part 3 | Envy

Part 4 | Anger

Part 5 | Fear

Part 6 | Undercover Boss

something I watched | Inauguration Day

The Hill We Climb

Poet Amanda Gorman

This Land is My Land

Jennifer Lopez

Colors

Black Pumas

Amazing Grace

Lori Marie Key | Covid Nurse

something I watched | A Sense of Home

my friend's son, Jordan Graves,

followed a mountain bike dream

and moved out west

to teach and enjoy the mountains

something I watched | The Biggest Little Farm

Choosing something for everyone to watch can be a challenge. I ended up with the remote as they seem to think I'm the hardest to please (insert embarrassed face emoji). I flipped through the choices on Netflix and picked this documentary, because I was tired of looking and liked the title. We found an unexpected treasure! It is a heart-lifting, and sometimes heart-wrenching, story about farming and life. I can't tell enough people about it!

something I watched | Just Mercy

Based on a True Story

As I watched their stories unfold,

I cried often.

something I watched | Community Table

Maria Eshman, a first-grade teacher

at Sharpsburg Primary & Elementary,

is a friend of mine across the miles.

It was so heartwarming to see her

with her students and to hear this story.

Fighting for Community: 01

something I watched | A Heartfelt Testimony

May 1, 1969

"I give an expression of care every day to each child to help him realize that he is unique. I end the program by saying, "You've made this day a special day by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you. And I like you just the way you are."

"And I feel if we, in public television, can only make it clear that feelings are mention-able and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health. I think that it is much more dramatic that two men could be working out their feelings of anger. Much more dramatic than showing something of gun fire. I'm constantly concerned about what our children are seeing. And for 15 years, I have tried in this country and Canada to present what I feel is a meaningful expression of care." - Fred Rogers

If you have not yet watched the movie,
"Won't You Be My Neighbor?", please do.

something I watched | Rowing for Gold

Summer Olympics
Berlin, Germany

1936

somethng I watched | The Decline of Play

Dr. Peter Gray

"In this talk, Dr. Peter Gray compellingly brings attention to the reality that over the past 60 years in the United States there has been a gradual but, overall dramatic decline in children's freedom to play with other children, without adult direction. Over this same period, there has been a gradual but overall dramatic increase in anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, suicide, and narcissism in children and adolescents. Based on his own and others' research, Dr. Gray documents why free play is essential for children's healthy social and emotional development and outlines steps through which we can bring free play back to children's lives." - TEDx Talks

something I watched | What is Sole Hope?

Sole Hope

Working in Jinja, Uganda offering HOPE, healthier lives, and freedom

from foot-related diseases through education, jobs, and medical relief

something I watched | What is is a shoe cutting party?

Sole Hope

something I watched | A Happy Little Thing Called "Thank You"

a heart-warming video by Josh Coyne

something I watched | Ian & Larissa

a beautiful love story

Ian & Larissa