Have It Your Way....NOT!

Tonight we went to see The Simpson's Movie. It was really good...just like watching the series had been back in "the day". As a follow up to the movie, we decided we would go to Burger King because they are having a big Simpson's promotion. We thought our oldest could maybe get a toy or two (I guess they talk) and we could kinda continue the theme of the night.

Now let me also add that I am not the biggest Burger King fan. Every once in a while I'll get in the mood for a Whopper, but as a rule I'd rather have Wendy's or even McDonald's before BK. I'm a big french fry person and theirs are kinda gross because they at least used to have batter on them. But I digress.

So, we order our food and got a kid's meal for our son. I looked to make sure there was a toy in the bag and take it to our table. When he pulled the toy bag out of the sack it was a little tiger thing. I'm like, "That's not going to work...let me get you a Simpson's toy." Thinking that maybe they were trying to get rid of these old toys.

When I took it up to the counter the people behind the counter said...yeah we have that or an otter. I'm like, "WHAT?!" There's Simpson stuff all over the place, the bag it came in is Simpson's, the paper that my sandwich came in has the Simpsons on it. I said, "He'd like a Simpson toy please."

The girl behind the counter said, "We don't have any." I was puzzled that on the day the movie opens they're either out or have yet to receive them...always holding out hope I said, "Oh, well will you have them next week?"

She says, "No, we won't get them at all...our regional manager didn't want to get the toys...so all we'll have is the endangered species toys."

Now I'm just aggravated...but not at the girl...I told her, "That's just dumb...I'm not upset with you...but tell your regional manager that that's just not even right. You'll have more than just us coming in for these toys and you all are going to get the brunt of peoples' anger."

She kinda grinned and said, "You know if you want to complain, just call the 1800 number and complain..." She actually told me this twice throughout our visit there...

So, apparently if you want BK Simpsons toys you have to drive quite a distance to get some...the 3 BKs around Huntington don't have any.

Well, It's Almost Here

I remember when it first came out. I was in college and we made it a weekly event. We'd gather together, I think it was on Thursday nights, in one of our dorm rooms and watch the adventures of this kinda strange family. We laughed and began using their catch phrases, "DOH!" "Don't have a cow, man." and others.

It was more than a animated sitcom, it became a chance to get together, have snacks, quit studying and watch FOX. I'm looking forward to seeing the Simpsons Movie...I just hope it's as good as the hype. I look forward to hearing some more wise words from Rev. Lovejoy...he's quite interesting.

But, my favorite Simpson is Maggie...when I took the Simpson's Personality Quiz, I was Lisa...who are you and who is your favorite?

Simon Says

One of my favorite faith-filled movies is Simon Birch...the story of a young boy with a heart of God and the faith of a man several decades older than he is. Simon has a heart problem that hinders his growth and threatens his life. This movie takes a deeper look at faith and challenges some of the things that tend to get in the way of our faith. Among the thought provoking ideas this movie raises are the following:

--God has a plan for your life.

Now, when I was in seminary this statement caused problems. One of my professors said that this is a very risky statement because what if your life takes a terrible turn for the worse? Did God will that to happen? But, the way I view this statement is that ultimately God wants the best for each of us in our lives. Just like a parent, God wishes nothing but the best for us. Now, just like children, it doesn't mean that we'll always fulfill what God desires but still the same God wishes us the best.

One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Another issue that Simon raises in this movie is a question of priorities. One day in church the pastor is inviting everyone to join him and his family for donuts and coffee after the service.

--And Simon asks, "What do coffee and donuts have to do with God?"

Sometimes we get so tied up in what we think is important I wonder if those same things are important to God. Are we more concerned about preparing the donuts and coffee than we are about preparing our hearts to worship God? Are we more interested in getting together and visiting with each other after the service than we are to talk to God in prayer? Where are our priorities centered? On ourselves or on God?

--As Simon continues, "I don't think God is concerned whether or not we have a continental breakfast at church. We're in trouble if God has made the church bake sale a priority."

Another idea this movie raises is the fact that we all worship differently...Simon gets in trouble for disrupting the service with his continetial breakfast statement. During Sunday school he is stuck in the corner while his teacher reprimands him in front of the class. She asks what he's doing and he says something like I'm praying. When she asked how he could do that in a chair in the corner, Simon says,

--Faith is not in a floor plan.

One thing that I think all of us forget from time to time is that we worship God in different ways. Some need to be in a sanctuary surrounded by pews, stained glass windows and the sound of a pipe organ. Some people love to worship to the sounds of a rock band with images displayed on the screen in the worship space. Some worship God in the quiet of the outdoors where God's creation surrounds them on all sides. Some like to worship God by serving others and sitting with those in need as they together hear God's word for them that day.

Simon Birch, it's a GREAT movie that raises many different faith issues. If you've not seen it, I encourage you to check it out sometime...it's a moving, funny and at times sad movie that gets two thumbs up from me.

Christmas Tradition Number 8

Another Christmas Eve tradition is watching of A Christmas Story. This has been a Christmas traidition for us especially since TBS has had it on for the 24 hours of Christmas over the past few years. If you don't catch it all between Christmas Eve dinner and the several church services we have, you might catch it while wrapping the last several presents or on Christmas Day when the hype has kinda settled down.

The story never gets too old or tiresome for me or our soon to be six year old son. Who could tire of hearing, "You'll shoot your eye out," over and over and over and over again?

Christmas would not be the same without it.

Tomorrow's the Big Day

A while ago I posted about not being able to go to the big premiere because the ticket prices began at $250. Well, that was before we found out that the Marquee Cinemas in town were offering tickets for that same night at $25. We are going tomorrow to see the new We Are Marshall movie and our tickets allow us entrance into the green carpet to potentially see the stars.

I'm VERY excited and can't wait to see this movie. Every time they show the preview I get chills. I wonder if we'll be able to see us in "our scene". It's the retro scene where they 're having a board meeting to discuss cancelling the football program.

The town is again a buzz...this is exciting...I can't wait to see the movie.

We Are Marshall Movie Poster Released

Today the new movie poster for the We are Marshall movie was released. It is so cool looking...Matthew McConaughey looking over Huntington. Now to just figure out how to sometime get a copy of the poster for the boys' room. They have the We are Marshall game poster that's been around town.

The time for the movie is swiftly approaching. It's getting more and more exciting. I can't wait to watch it to see if you can pick us out in the crowd.

The clock is ticking...and the excitement is growing.

Below is an alternate movie poster that the Herald Dispatch blog had...the picture is from the Green and White game...maybe we're in that...we'll have to look.