I must say, I think that Michelle Dockery is probably one of the most naturally beautiful, graceful women. She's a fantastic actress, and she has the absolute best fashion sense...or at least she has an awesome team of stylists dressing her. I love everything about her Oscars look from this week.
This dress...perfection. Maybe I'm biased, maybe I love it just because Michelle is wearing it, but nevertheless, I do love it. It is unique and stood out from all of the other gowns. It was traditional, modern, and so sophisticated all in one.
Also, her hair and makeup were perfection. Just love this whole look!
Monday, December 17, 2012
A good friend of mine shared this post that she read earlier today, stating that it's one of the best posts she's seen since the shootings on Friday. I would have to agree. Take the time to read... "In this life, in the muck and mire, in the sweat and tears, we too don’t always know who is winning. It seems very likely that the Evil One prevailed on Friday. If the grief and pain in our hearts is to be believed, he certainly did. But he did not. Instead the grief and pain must remind us that we grieve precisely because things are not as they should be; and the fact that things are not as they should be promises that one day they will be. The fact that the Evil One acts in such deranged, malicious ways proves that he is helpless; his very struggles testify to a prevailing and conquering God. Because in battle,only the winning side has the capacity to be generous, to spare the lives of its enemies; the losing side cannot risk it."
As Christians, i think we often forget that we're allowed to lament. We think somehow that by crying out to God in the midst of our great sorrow and pain, we are questioning his power, might, or goodness, but lament is not blame. Numerous godly men and women lamented in the Bible. It's okay! God hears our cries. These cries draw us deeper into His grace, and love, and comfort. We can lament in times of tragedy.
This morning, as I was thinking about lament, I remembered this song by Jars of Clay. I always took this to be the singers' cries of grief, but I read something earlier in which somebody stated that they always believed this was supposed to be "God's lament" in a way. Either way, it's a powerful song. (Below are the lyrics)
"Oh My God"
Oh my God, look around this place Your fingers reach around the bone You set the break and set the tone Flights of grace, and future falls In present pain All fools say, "Oh my God"
Oh my God, Why are we so afraid? We make it worse when we don't bleed There is no cure for our disease Turn a phrase, and rise again Or fake your death and only tell your closest friend Oh my God.
Oh my God, can I complain? You take away my firm belief and graft my soul upon your grief Weddings, boats and alibis All drift away, and a mother cries
Liars and fools; sons and failures Thieves will always say Lost and found; ailing wanderers Healers always say Whores and angels; men with problems Leavers always say Broken hearted; separated Orphans always say War creators; racial haters Preachers always say Distant fathers; fallen warriors Givers always say Pilgrim saints; lonely widows Users always say Fearful mothers; watchful doubters Saviors always say
Sometimes I cannot forgive And these days, mercy cuts so deep If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep While I lay, I dream we're better, Scales were gone and faces light When we wake, we hate our brother We still move to hurt each other Sometimes I can close my eyes, And all the fear that keeps me silent falls below my heavy breathing, What makes me so badly bent? We all have a chance to murder We all feel the need for wonder We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the thunder
Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven All the times I thought to reach up All the times I had to give Babies underneath their beds Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes, All the comforts of cathedrals All the cries of thirsty children - this is our inheritance All the rage of watching mothers - this is our greatest offense
Today is one of those tragic days. (And a day that reminds--at least reminds me--that every day around the world some people go through tragedies like this, while others of us are just going about our normal days)*. Today is one of those days that reminds me that this world is so, so fallen and that it needs Jesus. It needs a Redeemer and a Restorer. Only Jesus can bring peace and lavish grace. And I pray for the family and friends that have lost children, siblings, aunts, uncles, mothers, fathers, friends today in the Connecticut school shooting. I pray that God will rain down his overwhelming grace and peace on these people. I pray that somehow, some way, God will shine down his glory during this terrible time. Because in times like this, it seems like the world's about to fall to bits. It seems like there is nothing good any longer. And in times like this, I know that the only way that people can get through a is by the grace and peace of God. *This is in no way to take away from what has happened, but it does remind me that stuff that is shocking like this happens all over the world, every day, and we don't ever hear about it. And it should make us just as terrified and sad.
Sometimes I can't decide what to blog about. And sometimes I get so bogged down with school, work, and social life that I don't have time to blog. So I've decided that one thing that will almost always give me a topic to blog on--whether a short or long post--is my bucket list. It's not something that I will have to spend gobs of time deciding on, coming up with, and articulating (hopefully!). So here goes...this is my first bucket list item. (A lot of my list items will probably be music related and about seeing someone in concert, but I will try to be more specific than just 'go see a concert,' also, these will be in no particular order.)
Number 1:
I want to see ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) in concert--preferably in London. It's a little unclear to me whether or not they're still performing together, especially since one of their founding members died in a freak accident a few years ago.
I love SO many of their songs, but specifically I would love to hear them perform "Evil Woman" and sing along with thousands of other fans. How amazing would that be?! And yes, as I'm typing this up, I'm listening to "Evil Woman." This is definitely a jam-out in the car song.
For anybody that doesn't know, a "light orchestra" was popular in England during the 60s. It wasn't a full orchestra, but did include a few cellists and violinists. ELO is popular for Mr. Blue Sky, Don't Bring Me Down, Strange Magic, and so much more!
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame;[a] he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, O you his
angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!
My mom came home one day with a box of stationary that was several different prints of Kandinsky's artwork. I loved his work immediately. In my art appreciation class this past semester we looked at one of his pieces of art and my interest was immediately renewed.
