Comments and Concerns

Comments: Back to the movie "Son of God"

I never read any of the REAL movie reviews before attending this movie. I hear that it was not well received by some in the Christian community. I still stand on the side of liking it. I am not a theologian so maybe there were some inaccuracies but I feel it's message was truth and it touched my heart. Yes, it was basically a feel good movie but what is wrong with "feel good movies"? There should be more of them! I also realize the "producers" are probably not Christians but I remember Paul saying in Philippians, chapter 1:18 "but what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives ($ in Hollywood??) or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

Concerns: These are of a more personal matter-my PD (Parkinson's Disease)

I just completed reading Michael J. Fox's book: Lucky Man

It is his personal memoir sharing his life from his childhood, through his acting career, and into the initial discovery of the early onset of Parkinson's Disease and how it has changed his life. Since I share with him an interest in the theater, just reading about his pursuit of and final success in acting was fascinating to me.

 But as he chronicled his journey into and through his illness I often had to pause, get a grip, take a breathe, refocus because as much as I liked sharing his interest in the theater I did Not want to share his disease and yet here I am, one of the one and a half million P.D. Patients who daily deal with their own unique issues; from tremors to digestive problems, from hypophonia, hypomimia, and "cluttering, to micrographia, rigid muscles and "wild" jerking movements. We all have a very serious neurological incurable disease that manifests itself in various "packages", which only become more "packed" as the disease progresses! To say I am concerned is an understatement! The book opened up doors of possibilities I don't want to even consider. 

Yet, I can't run away from the facts. On the other hand, as a Christian, I can choose to "run to" the source of all answers-God!

 Even Michael J. Fox attested to the power of prayer, "The feeling is overwhelming; I have no doubt that being on the receiving end of so much spiritual energy has gone a long way to sustain me over the last couple of years . I no longer underestimate the power of prayer."

So, although I have concerns, I choose to give them to God. I'm learning to love Ps. 55:22

"Cast your burden on The Lord and He shall sustain you."

I think I will join Michael, a recovered alcoholic, in his daily "prayer"-

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, (a diagnosis of P.D.)

Courage to change the things I can (my attitude & view of my disease & my dependence on God)

And the wisdom to know the difference." (gleaned from time in prayer & reading God's Word)!