GIRL NIGHT OUT

No there isn't a typo in the title of my post. I actually went out by myself last night to see a movie. I had planned on going with another girlfriend but she was busy. Being the melancholy that I am I went ahead by myself. I decided to see a teenage chick flick -- Princess Diaries 2. I really liked the first one and was so curious to see what would happen. I just can't resist a princess/love story wrapped up in one. Plus, Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews are so cute together as g-daughter/g-mother. I was hoping to be the only one in the theater but there was one other couple. I sat down securely in the middle of the last row and had a great time. I don't know why I cried so much, probably hormones, but I thought the movie was really cute. While not Oscar-worthy or morally superior, I did have fun with it. The only bad part was the movie let out at midnight. Oh well, at least I could semi- sleep in on Saturday.


HOLINESS

On a far more serious note: Anyone who knows me well knows how much I admire Elisabeth Elliot and her writings. Recently I've had an idea for an ongoing serious of posts. While I definitely don't claim to have the wisdom or experience of Ms. Elliot and I don't want to seem presumptuous, I have been considering picking up on a series of talks she gave years ago entitled Holiness in the '90s. She spoke very forthrightly about living distinct and holy lives considering the times. Well even though her words certainly ring true today, I thought maybe I could humbly add my thoughts to the "conversation". This topic is one that's very important to me but also one I struggle with. When does wanting to be holy take on an attitude of legalism or arrogance? How can you balance your desires to be holy with loving your neighbor who may not have those desires? I've struggled with these questions in the past few years and I thought maybe I could delve more deeply into the issue in this blog. I'm going to go back to her old website and review those talks on holiness and then attempt to continue the discussion here. As always, please add your comments and questions. I don't want it to seem like I'm preaching to the air. I'd love some feedback.

A couple years back I wrote a letter to Ms. Elliot (actually Mrs. Lars Gren) with some concerns related to this issue of holiness. I asked her if she ever felt like an alien around other people, even Christians, because you felt you couldn't relate to them. I myself had felt awkward because I had different convictions about different things and that excluded me from some conversations or activities. Well, to my surprise and utter delight, she wrote me back!! And though her responses were short, they were filled with wisdom. She said, "I too often feel different, but then when you think about it, so are other women feeling different! We're all in the same boat! Surely we need not feel "more secular or worldly" to fit in with others. Be yourself, by the grace of God. He knows you through and through. Rest on that."

Some of the things I will say may ruffle feathers. You may think I'm being arrogant or legalistic. You may think I'm being too worldly. Well it's impossible to please all the people all the time and I won't get into that trap. I'm going to follow Ms. Elliot's advice and be myself.

Blessings