My son persuaded me to accompany him to watch the new Leonardo DiCaprio action heist movie – Inception.
I was entertained, baffled, intrigued, moved and emerged into the night full of questions. All around me other viewers were echoing the queries in my head – discussions about dreams, reality, guilt, perfection, time and love were breaking out in the cinema forecourt.
I would recommend this Christopher Nolan film if you like to be puzzled with fast action plot lines and lots of cinema trickery. Dom Cobb is a very unusual sort of criminal. Along with his sharp-suited sidekick Arthur, he breaks into other people’s dreams and ‘extracts’ their secrets. After what seems to be a failed job, he is approached by businessman Saito, who has a startling proposition. Instead of stealing information, he wants Cobb to plant information in the mark’s mind – an untested and near-unfeasible process called inception.
Assembling a new team,Cobb sets about doing the impossible. The mark is unsuspecting young business heir Fischer. The method is a bafflingly complex subconscious heist. And, with the shade of the mysterious Mal lurking in the wings, the stakes are far higher than Cobb’s letting on.
I am looking forward to discussing it with my friends and think that, whilst not a Christian film , it raises issues that are fantastic discussion starters.
What is reality and how do we recognise it?
If we created our own heaven how flawed would it be?
How can we ‘take a leap of faith’?
Are we in control of our own dreams?
How do we interpret the end?
Damaris has produced some excellent thoughts and a discussion starter on their website. I recommend you log on to them and then enjoy the film!
Why is it that so many couples have problems with arguments? You simply wouldn’t believe how many couples I have counselled that don’t know how to have a good argument!
Based on my experiences, these are some of the reasons why arguing doesn’t work:
they insist on being right
they want to get their own way
they are oblivious to the meaning of what their partner is really saying
they bring up past grievances at every opportunity
they don’t say what they want, rather they beat about the bush
they play tit for tat
they certainly don’t listen
they refuse to forgive
Does any of the above sound familiar? Well if it does here are some good rules for rows which are used at many couples counselling centres:
1. Choose the best time and place
2. Stick to the real issues( Don’t argue about the cleaning if the real issue is sex)
3. No one runs away, leaves before it is finished
4. No one uses ‘tears’ or the silent treatment.
5. Physical violence is out
6. Avoid hitting below the belt: personal attacks, dragging up past offenses, name calling etc
7. No manipulation by emotional blackmail or withdrawing sex to punish
8. Aim to build bridges and find a way through together
9. Avoid looking for a winner and loser
10. Admit mistakes and start looking for a positive solution
No relationship is perfect and rows are inevitable. If you can use them as a means to grow together rather than apart then your relationship is much more likely to succeed and flourish. After all, no ne wants a bad relationship do they? Why not start to work on making your rows work for both of you instead of tearing you apart?
March 4th – 6th 2011,Four Pillars Hotel, Cirencester
What a fabulous weekend we had!
The sun shone throughout to highlight the beauty of the surrounding lakes and the stunning building. There was a definite ‘Wow’ factor from the arriving guests as the friendly staff settled everyone in.
Friday night was a relaxed low-key supper for those who had made the early arrival. Saturday morning started with the chocolate fountain and danish pastries, and that was after the full buffet breakfast. In fact, good rich food seemed to follow us throughout the weekend. One new supporter asked if our name was not, in fact, ‘ActivEat’!
Michele Guinness was everything we had hoped for – and more! Full of energy and vitality with a faith that blazes out and inspires.
She opened the weekend with an inspirational ‘Woman – the Full Story’ talk.
The seminars began with Caroline introducing the concept of friendship evangelism and community involvement with her ‘Unlocking the Door’ seminar. Liz gave an honest and moving seminar on ‘Journey through life’s challenges’.
In the afternoon Alison gave four lavish ‘Weapons of Attack’ that encouraged people to share their faith with confidence, whilst Mandy ran through the nuts and bolts of running events, including surviving disasters.
The afternoon finished with Michele leading us through the concept of family and home celebration, with time to worship together led by the fantastic Maidstone band.
It was off to the spa after that, to try out the hydropool, pressured jets, experience shower, steam room, sauna and ice blast. Many managed to fit in a walk round the lakes before dinner. Abby Guiness arrived afterwards with her fabulous Word of the Wives one woman show. How could one woman look and sound so different with just a few rotating props? One minute she had us laughing with her Welsh shepherdess, the next weeping as she became Pilate’s thoughful wife. Mrs Noah, Mrs Zaccheus – we were treated to introductions of many different and fascinating women from the Bible.
Late at night, around 20 women braved the hotel corridoors and lobbies in their pyjamaas to watch the film, ‘The Blind Side’ together. Much giggling, photo taking and eating of popcorn followed before we crept back to our rooms at One in the morning!
Early on Sunday, Caroline led us in some precious moments as we looked at our lives through the perspective of our handbags.
The function room was then transformed into a creative colourful ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’ zone. Some kicked back and read the papers, some were busy making felt books and badges with Sian, whilst others made delicate Achkiy style jewellry with Julia Castle. There was a knitting corner with Sheila and a table of interesting books to inspire book groups with Helen. Alison gave some colour and style advice while Fiona helped others to create cards. At the back of the room was a beautiful reflective area with four tables that invited people to stop and take time with God and his word- whether through jigsaw peices or a cream tea.
The creativity became a celebration with Jan reading a monologue and introducing Michelle’s theme. Party poppers, balloons and a conga helped us to experience worship as it is so often in the Bible – a party!
The last two seminars were Jeanette’s thoughtfull insights into combatting the pressures of parenting and Sarah and Fiona’s ‘Seasons of Evangelism’. Sheila then led us into her journey of seeing how God can use our ordinary everyday lives and many were moved to hear of her security blanked encounter with Jesus.
Thank you –
-to those who were brave enough to come and try a new location and venue, it was great having you with us.
-to all those who prepared and led seminars and talks so well
-to the worship band, who adapted to a shifting programme and played so beautifully
-to Michele and Abby, for being so professional and full of fun
-to the team, who genuinely enjoyed working together and seeing so many happy inspired guests
If you would like to hear more of Michele, her website is
http://www.micheleguinness.co.uk/
You could book Abby to come to your area through
http://www.abbyguinness.co.uk/
Today I went to the supermarket. Nothing unusual in that but as you enter the store there is a clothing sale on. Now I don’t know about you but I confess to being a supermarket-clothing- buying kind of person because lets face it I don’t have the time to wander round endless shops looking for the perfect outfit. The sale of course is to make way for the new autumn and winter clothing but as I wandered around the sale section I became a little wistful, reflecting on the year so far and it’s highs and lows.
One of the highs was our first Women’s Conference held in May.
Women@rbc has been up and running for about two years now. We have held a variety of events all with one aim in mind – to give the women of Rayleigh Baptist Church, Essex, the opportunity to build relationships with God, with each other and with friends who don’t have any faith in God. We wanted the conference to build on what had already begun and especially to encourage women to realise that God wants to use them right where they are, to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to those around them. We called it ‘Making the ordinary, extraordinary’.
Friday night set the scene as we looked at Romans 12: 1-2 and laughed and cried as one of God’s fabulous women warriors shared her story. Amazing how echoes of Sheila’s life journey were felt in the lives of so many women there. We were all reminded just how powerful our own story can be as we share life together.
As we had talked and prayed through a program for the conference it became clear that we needed to inspire women to realise their potential in their own world, and I remembered having been to an AYL event some time before called ‘Unlocking the door’. It was perfect! So Caroline Thompson from AYL came and shared the seminar with us, encouraging us to take a look at our lives and see just how much we can do with what we already have. Halfway through the morning women were invited to go ‘Through the door’ which gave them an insight into opportunities to get involved in the local community such as with the local Pregnancy Crisis Counselling Service, fostering, street witness, Women’s Aid and others. We heard how some women were already ‘unlocking ‘ their doors and creating opportunities for women to get together. It was a really encouraging time.
So thanks AYL for the challenge and inspiration! Now where did I put those new flip flops?
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