3 Types of Weeds that Will Take Root and Harm Your Marriage | BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2013/08/3-types-of-weeds-that-will-take-root-and-harm-your-marriage/

30 Days of Facebook: The JDRF Challenge

November begins Diabetes Awareness Month, with November 14 specifically being World Diabetes Day. A friend of mine forwarded me this challenge from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, with 30 different statements to “donate” every day as your Facebook status. I started on September 18 and, with a few days of doubling up because of lost web connections, busy schedules and just plain forgetfulness, I managed to finish up on October 18. I also decided since I had recently been suckered into an Instagram account to cross-post everything there as well, so for the whole month I will re-share my Instagram pics with the day’s status (plus any extra commentary that might have made it to FB and not IG) and any further thoughts I may have had since I first posted. I hope you will have some thoughts and observations as well, and are willing to share them with me.

Anyone who is interested in donating their statuses can hit my email or check out the JDRF website.

7 Habits of a Faithful Marriage | BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2013/08/7-habits-of-a-faithful-marriage/?mode=small

Watch “Brotherly Love Goes Viral, Big Time Rush Surprises Bullied Sister” on YouTube

Even young children get it. What happens between then and teenager hormones to change all of that? And what else can we do to keep it from changing for the worse?

In honor of Spirit Day 2013, a revisit of one brother’s love and concern for his sister, and how that grew into something bigger.

3 Keys to Rebuilding Trust After It’s Been Broken | BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2013/09/3-keys-to-rebuilding-trust-after-its-been-broken/

I Remember Cory

I was in DC at my sorority’s convention when I heard the first rumblings about Cory Monteith’s passing. I got that news about the same time the Zimmerman verdict, so mourning an actor’s passing in the face of such a watershed moment in civil rights and injustice seemed a bit frivolous and shallow. So a broken heart graced the profile of my Facebook page instead of a picture of him…and yes I realize that I never met him and outside of the one song-filled hour a week he came into my home, he had no direct effect on my life. That doesn’t make this any less sad or hurt any less. A young man is dead….he had his own struggles and personal demons but he was trying to live life the best he could, just like the rest of us. I’ve heard so many complaints about the Emmy tribute and why other more seasoned actors should have been featured instead, or that said singularity was glorifying the addict over the actor….to which I say, who gives a rat’s ass? Y’all plan to stop sanctifying Elvis Presley every January and August? What about James Dean, who may have died in a car accident but still died young? How about River Phoenix and Heath Ledger? We gonna keep clubbing THEM over the head in their afterlives, too?

So yeah, I’m remembering Cory. I’m remembering all of the seasons of Glee and his frank addressing of his troubled life on Inside The Actor’s Studio and his last tweet about Sharknado. I’m remembering the character of Finn Hudson and how much of his teenage struggle mirrored my life. And I’m remembering the same way we Gleeks loved Finn, his family and friends and castmates loved Cory. I’m glad for The Quarterback and the opportunity it gave all of us to laugh and cry and grieve and remember. To move forward, and take that midnight train going anywhere. And to let the show go…all over the place…or something.

I remember you, Cory. Godspeed.

Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) 1982 – 2013

What Happy Couples Do Better Than Other Couples | BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

http://www.blackandmarriedwithkids.com/2013/09/what-happy-couples-do-better-than-other-couples/?mode=small

Why You Should See “Grace Unplugged” No Matter Where Your Faith Level Is

This past weekend Grace Unplugged opened nationwide, gaining a pretty respectable $998K first-weekend draw considering the limited number of screens for release. If you haven’t seen it (or haven’t heard of it), here are a few reasons why you should–and maybe bring a friend or two with you….

–Even with the “Christian movie,” well, stigma for lack of a better word, it’s a solid and plausible story. Who can’t relate to teenage angst, parental struggles and growing pains? Plus the characters simply live their faith in such an easy and natural way that it does feel preachy or judgmental.

–Want to do a little star watching? If you’ve ever been a fan of Aly and AJ, Desperate Housewives, Twilight or Entourage, you can check out some familiar faces in AJ Michalka, James Denton, Michael Welch and Kevin Pollak. Hey, even current General Hospital fans and American Idol devotees can catch a glimpse of recognizable faces in Kelly Thiebaud and Pia Toscano.

–It’s 100% family friendly. I’m an adult and was just recently enlightened to some subtly (and not so subtly) questionable content in movies such as Madagascar and The Golden Compass. No such controversial content here–in fact, one of my church members remarked that aside from enjoying the story herself, she especially enjoyed the fact that she felt completely comfortable watching with her 9-year-old granddaughter–who also thoroughly enjoyed the movie. A rare feat for a film to bridge several generations so successfully.

–Movies with strong Christian overtones tend to get a half-hearted push–if not total dismissal–from marketing and promotion. ALL of the press I’ve heard has been through Facebook–there may have been some Christian radio and television coverage, but I never saw or heard any, and NOTHING in the mainstream media. I work for a network affiliate watching TV for 40 hours a week and didn’t see as much as a 10-second commercial. The fact that word of mouth grossed an almost $1 million opening weekend is impressive but not necessarily a big motivator for Hollywood distributors. And that’s a shame, because if you don’t even mention the father being in music ministry or anything about church, it’s still a good movie. The story is relatable to anybody: everybody had dreams they want to follow and choices they have to make in line with those dreams; everybody has had some form of conflict with their parents in their youth; everybody has done a regrettable thing or two they wish they could make right. Sadly, the “Christian” label tends to put some people off at first glance, and without positive promotion, makes the difference between an audience giving it a chance or passing on it sight unseen. Good numbers, however, might just make room for more pictures like it and much more visible publicity.

I was privileged to see a preview of the movie; I went back to my church congregation and pushed for everyone to go see it. Opening weekend I got my mom and another couple from church to go, and I paid admission–FULL WEEKEND PRICE ADMISSION–to see it again. It’s a movie I’d recommend to anyone and everyone, and the fact that it has a Christian focus is just a bonus.

If you haven’t seen it and want to, go to www.graceunplugged.com to find a theater in your area. And tell a friend…or take a friend.

Related articles:
James Denton and AJ Michalka Spar Well in “Grace Unplugged”

Movie Review: 4 Reasons To See “Grace Unplugged”

Grace Unplugged: Must See Movie Sings a Song of Redemption & Dreams Come True