Thursday Night’s NightCap!

Have you seen the Disney movie “Up”?

This movie came out in 2009 and is one of my faves! If you’ve not seen it then I highly recommend that you do!  Yes, I know it’s Disney and why would us adults watch a Disney without the kids?  I believe this movie was especially made for adults and then they added some humor for the kids!  “smile”

In this movie you will meet Carl and Young Ellie who fall in love and stay in love. They grow old together. They begin their life together with hopes and dreams but then life happens. Before long they discover things break, house repairs are needed, and disappointments are inevitable.

But you know what I love about Carl and Ellie the most is how they love each other in spite of all life throws at them!

The first time I watched this movie I was reminded of how I don’t want to grow old alone. (Not to mention the thought of having to ride up and down the stairs on a motored chair when the day comes where I no longer can walk up and down them!)

But truly this movie pulls at the heartstrings in many ways as Carl and Ellie begin their life adventure as a couple working side-by-side to build a home and a family.  Before too long they’re faced with the realities of life that sometimes bring sorrow that so many have experienced.  One is that Ellie finds out she is unable to have children. But what they do next is a life lesson for us all!  They dream new dreams and plan new adventures. Now use your imagination and go with me on this one!  Ellie creates her Adventure Book and the two of them continue on with life making adjustments as they go.

The beauty this animated film displays is we all will struggle at times and we may discover things don’t always end up the way we’d planned. Life goes on and so must we.

Let’s face it, we’ve all experienced what it feels like to deplete our savings and our emotions for the unwelcome emergencies of life!

I look at Carl and Ellie as another couple to leave us and our kids an example of what it looks like to love, work together, and live out “until death do we part.”

And yes, even when Carl was grumpy and life became mundane!

Finally they come to the end and Ellie passes leaving behind her “Adventure Book” which eventually motivates Carl to continue on with life.

I hope you will take the time to watch this sweet and fun movie that reeks of hidden treasure!

Tonight let’s raise our glass to Carl and Ellie!   Let’s also toast you and me as we look forward to a future of love that inspires and keeps us committed to going the distance.

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Happy 4th of July!

Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

The state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

As we prepare to spend the day celebrating may we be mindful of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. How blessed we are to live in America the Land of the Free and the Brave!

We’ve seen and read over the years and most recently how people have been fighting for their freedom to live the life they feel is right for them.

We know freedom can mean different things to different people. But the bottom line is this, we’re FREE to express what that means to us because of the men and women who sacrificed for us and the freedom we live in today. We live in a country that was built on the principles and character of God.

A country that offers freedom to love, live, choose, worship, dress, work, freedom of speech, and so on. And life goes on. We fight for causes pulling at our heart-strings and those which keep us up late at night.

We choose what we feel is right and best for us. We speak out for the things we feel strongly about. We dress to express. And we worship what feels right for us and offers the inner peace we long for and were created for.

And yet, many find themselves missing “something”. In all the freedom one can find they are searching for more. More purpose. More love. More freedom.

It’s my hope today as you celebrate the 4th of July that you will be mindful of how much God loves you. The intent for life on earth from the beginning of time was to bring freedom to love, live, choose and experience peace. Freedom is not a new concept to life, it was present from the beginning of time. (John 8:36)     

“You my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”      Galations 5:13& 14