It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here. But for those who receive notifications, and for those who still may stop by (thank you!), I wanted to let you know that I’ve changed blog homes. My new home is Life Off Kilter–LifeOffKilter.com. Although it doesn’t officially open until Wednesday, you’re welcome to read about it here. While you’re there, why not bookmark the site, or sign up for updates via email or rss?
Thanks for being part of my journey here at Bea Muses. I hope you join me at Life Off Kilter. I’d love to have you join the conversation.
Happy Thursday! Ready for a break from your week? Well, settle in. This week there are more videos than usual. They’re short, but fun.
Daniel Hashimoto is the father of a young son. He also happens to work in animation and special effects for Dreamworks. And when his home and work worlds collide, we get Action Movie Kid. Each clip shows the son doing some normal little boy thing, like playing with a toy light saber or splashing in a puddle. But when combined with the father’s video skills, the results are … well, just watch.
May you see the incredible in your day today. Your Father’s adding some awesome special effects for you–like grace and sunshine, family and friends, laughter and peace.
Today’s the day to double-check the sugar before you add it to your coffee. You might not want to be too trusting when someone tells you exciting news. And if your son’s into acting, you might not want to empathize too much when he tells you dejectedly about the trouble he got into at school. (Yes, it worked on me …)
Happy April Fool’s Day.
Pranks are usually done at someone else’s expense, and they seem easily to slide into mean-spiritedness. But the prank played on waitress Chelsea Roff ended up … a little differently.
Surprising someone with kindness, targeting the gifts to the recipient’s desires, giving with over-the-top generosity, letting others share in the fun and the joy of giving … This is what blessing is about. And it shouldn’t be the exception. If our lives are to be a reflection of the One who is the Creator, the Giver, the Redeemer, then acts like these should be our “normal.”
Maybe you can’t afford to give someone a car right now, or a trip to Hawaii, or a thousand-dollar tip. (Join the club!) But you can give some encouragement, you can share some home-baked deliciousness, you can help that older neighbor with lawn chores–or at least pay them a visit.
God has given us so much. He has been lavish in His creation and in His gifts of light and life, love and laughter. Yes, there is sadness and tragedy in the world–too much of it. But that is precisely why we are called to show God’s love. His love isn’t a gushy feeling; it’s shown through actions that seek to help, to comfort, to care.
Is there someone you can surprise–in a good way–today? Is there a way you can prank someone into having a better day, or a better week? Is there a way to use the day to share God’s love? Have at it!
Modern life is filled, for many, with a quest: They search for meaning and purpose to their lives. Sometimes, instead of relentless pursuing something that may remain just beyond our grasp, it is good to turn around and look at where we’ve come from. The One who created us also gives us purpose.
The broken end table peered at me from its place in the corner, leaning drunkenly to the side. We couldn’t put anything on it, and it certainly wasn’t fit to display; a broken leg made sure of that. It wasn’t even ours to begin with.
“Why don’t they just get rid of it?” I asked. Really, I was wondering why we couldn’t just get rid of it. We were waiting for the perfect match of stain, or a certain piece of hardware; I no longer remember which. But I do remember wanting it to be gone.
I’m feeling a little lazy this afternoon, wishing I could fit in a nap. How about you? Now think back to this morning … How did you wake up? You can only hope to awaken as happily as baby Christian does when he hears Bruno Mars.
Instead of passively watching another video, this week it’s your turn to get involved. Click the link to Draw a Stickman and then see what happens.
Welcome! In case you’re new here, I should explain that Thursdays are a little different. That’s the day we take a break from our week with a couple of videos, games or other fun links. An Intermission.
“Monsterbox” is an end-of-studies CGI short created by students at the Bellecour Schools. It carries themes of friendship, giving, forgiveness and reconciliation … and monsters. It’s charming and adorable and beautifully done. Enjoy.
Honestly, I felt pretty ridiculous standing there, singing to my wood stove.
But it had to be done.
Apparently a bird had managed to squeeze in under the chimney cap. And so, in one of the first signs of spring, he had flown down and was stuck in the stove which, thankfully, was not being used. The bird would be calm for awhile, then start fluttering and pecking, trying to get out.
I heard about Team Hoyt through Max Lucado’s book, “3:16: The Numbers of Hope,” a study of John 3:16 that our small group has been using. In it, Lucado writes about the father-and-son racing team. Here is their story.
The idea of taking second-long videos daily and then editing them together isn’t new. This one is a little different, though. It shows a tragic year in a young girl’s life.
Bea Muses 