50 What?!!

I'd much rather have 50 years of marriage than 50 shades of anything! But sometimes my plans and dreams don't happen... and then God...

He's redeeming the years the locusts ate! He's taking "loss" and simply making it "change". And He's calling me His Beloved!

Now, as for the dangers of a certain movie that came out this week... here are just a few: 

Fifty Shades of Destruction to Women and Girls

Romance Isn't Dead

Hi, my name is Ann and I'm a "Castle" addict.  

I'm not sure how this television series has been running since 2009 and I had not even watched one episode. It is fantastic!

How addicted am I? Throughout my day I will ask myself... "Is there enough time to watch an episode before I have to do 'such-and-such'?"!!

"Castle" is a crime solving series that has intrigue, romance and humor. The story-line revolves around a beautiful police detective (Kate Beckett - Stana Katic)) who is tasked with solving murders in New York City and a handsome (if a bit awkward), rich and well connected murder/mystery novelist (Richard Castle - Nathan Fillion). The pilot connects these two over a series of deaths that mimic murders in some of the writer's novels. Castle is brought on to "consult" in that investigation and then ingratiates himself into a semi-permanent position as a consultant to Beckett because he's friends with the NY mayor. The show has great writers; it's difficult to predict the outcome of each episode! It keeps you guessing... and laughing!

I started watching current episodes on Hulu simply because I saw that Nathan Fillion was on the show. I loved him in "Firefly". I know, I know... I'm a sci-fi geek.

I also realize these kinds of shows (with gender tension and romance) are like porn for us women! Sigh... that's for another post.

Though the series hinted at Beckett and Castle falling for each other, it has taken until season 4 for it to actually happen. And the thought that ran through my head...? “I want to fall in love that way." Their love grew and evolved. It was good romance!

I don't know what that's like. Not that T was incapable of any kind of romance, but when the relationship revolves around manipulation... the romance is hollow. I doubt it would have changed anything... and I doubt I would/could have changed anything... if I had recognized the manipulation for what it was.

Today I finished an episode that was set around Christmastime. It was delightful to watch Beckett and Castle dance around each other's expectations of Christmas. And then watch them finally communicate with each other, and then acquiesce to each other's ideas to bring the episode to a sweet and romantic conclusion. Again I said to myself (through actual tears of longing), "THAT is the romance I want! I want to be valued and wooed" Almost immediately I could hear Jesus say, "That's exactly how I've pursued you, my love."

Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." This was Jehovah talking about His new covenant with His people. And Isaiah talked about that new covenant also. In Isaiah 54:9-10... "Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you. For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. Psalm 23:6... Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life. And in Hosea 2:19-20... I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.

I started my relationship with Jesus back in 1970. And it took over 40 years of Him pursuing and wooing for me to see how overwhelming, pure and unconditional His love for me truly is! Now, wouldn't you call that a perfect romance?!