March 18, 2024
This Photograph Inspires
March 17, 2024
Celebrating St. Paddy's at Raglan Road
Then came the bill.
Considerations:
- Book early and try to get something after dark for the best authentic atmosphere.
- Nighttime is not kid friendly, so try brunch if there are children in your group.
- Decide ahead of time what type of experience you want. Seating places a big role in this restaurant.
- The live entertainment is excellent- but it is a very loud restaurant.
- Go hungry or don't go. If you've filled up on a big lunch, choose this for another day.
Let me end with this traditional Irish blessing:
"May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love."
March 15, 2024
Tropical and Exotic Adventureland
March 11, 2024
Stunning and Sleek Tomorrowland
March 8, 2024
New Fantasy Springs Ad for Tokyo Disneysea Expansion
March 5, 2024
Making Records with the World's Biggest Stars
The now deceased genius producer and artist goes behind the scenes of American Popular Music and reveals stories about the creation of one iconic song after another. How he did it and how he worked with some of the most gifted writers, musicians and singers to walk the planet. He'll mention the exciting work behind something like Still Crazy After All These Years, and the reader needs to turn on the record to hear what was put into it.
Who is the artist Phil said was most open to feedback? Who was terrified to meet Ray Charles and why? What song took over a decade to complete and which were written in a matter of minutes?
Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music is a fan's dream book! Phil and co-author Charles L. Granata make this one a must-read... and a must listen to.
March 1, 2024
Disney's Tree of Life Points to Something Truly Incredible
Are you just like me? Do you seem to get caught in the same old things over and over again? You know, those snares that seem to take you down. The traps that cause you to think you'll never conquer some bad habit, some old fear. Get in line. This queue is as long as humanity itself.
It's been years and years since I first begun reading the Bible. Since it's the greatest story ever told, I am always uncovering new truths each time I read. Such a gift! Just recently I saw for the very first time something I had never realized in one of the most famous passages in the Bible. It is so powerful in its simplicity that I am surprised I do not apply this truth more often.
The enemy had a strategy that still works well today. Sadly, all too well- on me, on you, and on just about everyone I know.
He questioned whether it was a sin to eat, wearing Eve down bit by bit, planting seeds of doubt regarding God’s goodness- "Why would a good God deny you anything you want?" you can almost hear him saying. Boy, I get this- and buy into it myself sometimes.
But then in verse 4 – “You certainly won’t die” / when you eat, your eyes will be open like God’s" . Here the serpent denied the inevitable consequences and danger of sin, wearing her down again. He's selling the advantage of sin very slyly by offering a falsehood: the half lie and half truth always equals total deception.
Then, he boldly suggests it's to her advantage to sin. Let's be honest: This is exactly where I fall most often and maybe you as well. This proposed advantage helps us justify our own sin nature and the lies we tell ourselves.
But here is where Eve blows it. She has a chance but never runs from the serpent. She doesn’t go back to God for clarification. She blindly takes the serpent’s word as truth. Eve makes the decision alone without consulting Adam, who God gave her for truth and support. Her eyes fixates on the benefits of eating (good for food, pleasing to the eye, gaining wisdom). Instead she indulges and passes on the "blessing" to her husband.
Here's the challenging application:
Truth Number 1: If we don’t run away from temptation, we must face a battle that is even bigger and harder to deal with!
Truth Number 2: With everything we are told/read/watch, we must go back to God for the truth. This includes:
1- What we tell ourselves - "I won’t get stuck in it"
2- What we hear from our wives, friends, and others
3- What the media reinforces all around us- the benefits of sin
Truth Number 3:
We need to know what the word of God says, and we need the support of the people around us when we are tempted.
Choosing to do rightly will be a constant battle- especially if we know what we want to do is wrong! It’s a control issue! We love to be masters of our own destiny. It’s not just about sin- its about obedience and allowing god to direct our lives. Sometimes it is just ego! We don’t want anyone telling us what to do or we are impatient and will not choose to wait for God's best. We do not want to wait for god to take action- so we do it ourselves, what we think is best- even if its against his wishes. “Human wisdom” versus trusting God.
Truth Number 4:
Most importantly of all- let me say this again- most importantly of all: Besides displeasing God, the saddest part about taking things into our own hands is the truth that it limits us from ever seeing God take care of our lives. Read that last line again. He wants to be that personal with us, but our own refusal to submit to his ways or his commands lead us to a life much less satisfying... and then we wonder where God is when we need Him!
We constantly battle giving over control, and we rationalize our sin while we pursue knowledge of God. How can we expect God’s blessing if we knowingly indulge in sin?
Truth Number 5:
We flirt with sin, thinking we are in control, and we end up giving the enemy a foothold.
Our biggest mistake is revealed in how Eve handled herself. Notice the opening of this passage reveals the serpent didn't lead Eve to the Tree. She was already there!
Instead of going about the garden enjoying all that God had given, being thankful and satisfied with God's goodness, she fixates on the tree itself and the forbidden fruit she cannot have. She flirts with it, obsesses over it, perhaps even thinks about how close she can get to it without falling! We do the same thing!
Truth Number 6:
Knowledge without relationship and obedience is not Christianity!
The focus of real faith remains on relationship with him not what He does for us. Adam and Eve traded a pure relationship with God for knowledge like God!
The Pharisees, those religious leaders of the ancient Jews, had all the knowledge anyone could want about God. And Jesus told them they were phonies and frauds! They looked good on the outside but inside, they were dead. And they were leading people in ways of death instead of life.
For some of them, this was hard to hear as they truly desired to please God and desired others would please him. But they flaunted their knowledge, desiring the respect and fear or men. Status was so important to them.
Here they were, the spiritual leaders of the day, and they could not recognize God in the flesh - Jesus- when they saw him.
Back to Chapter 3 of Genesis: "...then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the lord god as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Thankfully, God looks for Adam and Eve, and later we read the episode in the Garden ends with hope and a sacrifice by God on our behalf. A foretaste of what God would provide by sending Jesus to die for our sin while on the cross. God in the flesh dies on our behalf so we can live... and later rises from the dead to prove his conquest over death and sin.
All this is a reminder that God pursues us- even after we are in sin! Satan desires to use guilt and anger to push us away from God, but our loving God draws us near, wanting us to change direction.
Let's put this to application- We’ve got the Ten Commandments as our guide to living a life that pleases God. We seriously add to our troubles and displease Him when we break them. It's always good to take a look at these and evaluate where we are and how we are doing.
Ask yourself:
· What are my idols?
· Where am I involved in sexual sin?
· Do I covet what other people have? etc.
Or is it just an issue of control- Wanting to do what you want?
Is it pride? "No one will tell me what to do!" Or is it just flat out disobedience. Has God told you to do something and you have refused?
If you are a follower of Jesus, admit where you are, and give it all back to the only God who loves you and gave His life for you. If you're not, consider who He is by what He has done on your behalf.
Peace with God. It's available only through the gift of Jesus. It's offered to you. Do you believe Jesus died in your place for your sins? Do you believe He is the Son of God, God made man, and that He died and rose again? Will you turn away from the things that displease Him and give your life back to the One who created you? What will you do with all of it?
(Most photos copyright The Walt Disney Company.)