There's Nothing on T.V.

hopefulone · Senior Member

There's Nothing on T.V.

davep12and12 · MIP Old Timer

Of those listed, I would watch Overhaulin, Property Brothers, Gift of the Magi, and especially Wall-e. If you have never seen the film Wall-e, it's a really wonderful film. Watch it from the start.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

I suggest 'read'n a book' ... How 'bout 'The Shack' ??? ...

hopefulone · Senior Member

I thought Wall-E had to do with Wallstreet..
really, there are some shows in that list I am not very familiar with and would prob. enjoy so thanks for your vote of approval, dave.

And Pappy, I need to find that book and read it again. I'm reading from three different books right now. Love me books.

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Well H1, ...

'The Shack' is one of my most favorite books ever ... I've read it several times for sure ... and if I recall, you never quite finished it ... this book is a great discussion book ... and many a good 'learning' sessions can come from it ... we had a couple here for a short time, but I think that was before you joined MIP ...

The wisdom in this book is noth'n short of fascinating ... (requires an 'open' mind) ...

Love you guys and God Bless,
Pappy

hopefulone · Senior Member

That was a pretty good book. I didn't finish it? Wow! You remember more about that than I do if that is the case. It has been so long ago, I don't recall.

It bothered me that as I was reading the book for a good part of it, I was sure that the book was non-fiction. The back cover, the Forward didn't clue me in either. (I missed the small "fiction" printed on the bottom of the cover back). So I got really worked up over something horrible which I thought actually happened to a child and copped a resentment towards the author for writing in such a manner and making me feel such intense sorrow for him and his family. (I guess that is considered "good writing" though.)

And, I am such a slow reader, I don't read much fiction. Right now I am focusing on the Bible and a couple of other writings for my spiritual progress. And of course there are those that believe a great part (and maybe all) of the Bible is "fiction". Thats not my problem either. LOL.

-- Edited by hopefulone on Thursday 19th of November 2015 10:53:20 AM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

'The Shack' was written by the author as a Christmas gift to his own Kids ... it was never meant to go public ... and when a friend of his agreed to make it presentable as a gift, and read it, he begged this author to get it published ... I'm sure I have some of the details wrong, because it has been a long time ago ...

I used to read, on an average, of 2 novels a week ... I happened to have been in rehab when a counselor saw me reading a book during my 'personal' time ... he gave me his copy of 'The Shack', and said I ought to read it ... I did ... loved it ... and as it turns out, after his bit with the rehab was over, I asked him to be my sponsor ... and he still is to this day ...

The child abduction in the beginning of this book is something that happens every day ... and to the author's credit, and since he never intended to publish it, has donated all the proceeds from the sale of this book to a 'foundation' that helps families of abducted kids ... the book was on the 'New York' best sellers list for over a year, I think ... His foundation is called 'The Missy Foundation' I think ... named after the girl in the book ...

If all you got from the book was a resentment, then you failed to see the immense spiritual value that was the key to the success of the book ... how very sad ... Our great teacher from the New Testament used 'parables' when teaching the 'Word of God' that used 'real life' examples, just as the author of The Shack did ... why should fiction be more, or less, emotional than than non-fiction ? ... they both can be worded so as to tug at the heart ...

And I think I did suggest the reader read The Shack with an open mind ... just as I would suggest for anyone reading the Big Big Book, and for that matter the AA Big Book ... for me??? ... the characters in The Shack could have been my neighbors, it was that 'real' to me ...

Truth be known, reading that book in my fourth rehab, put my heart in the right place to accept the AA program ... I can honestly say this book literally saved my life ...

Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy

hopefulone · Senior Member

I am glad that the book had such a powerful affect on you. That is great for you.

And that was not a resentment I kept for very long. It disappeared when I stopped reading it. (That's right.....I didn't finish it like you remembered.) And I don't think it is "sad" at all that I was not spiritually moved by it. I just don't care to read about a child being abducted and killed to help my spirituality, that's all. My choice. I probably was not this blunt a year or so ago when you kept on suggesting I read it and I got it because you did. You obviously love the book--I didn't and was afraid you'd get upset if I told you I didn't. That was me back then when I felt I had to be a people pleaser and was afraid of making others mad at me if I was honest and said how I really felt. I am not like that anymore. I finally realized that my feelings are important, too. Just like it is really my choice to decide whether or not I get anything out of a book or if I don't. It really shouldn't bother you or anyone else.

-- Edited by hopefulone on Thursday 19th of November 2015 10:42:52 PM

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Okay, I hope I didn't upset you ... I simply said it was 'sad' that the spiritual content (in the 2nd half of the book) was missed ... I am not at all bothered by it ... that is your choice ...

The main 'theme' of this book was the 'spiritual experience' of the main character, not the abduction of the child ... and every time I suggested others read it, I did warn them that the first half of the book was disturbing ... and that it was the 2nd half where the 'pearls of wisdom' were to be found ...

For those looking to put their fragmented spiritual life together, this book puts a unique spin on the idea of God, and one mans perception of the spiritual world ... I, along with millions of others, found this story absolutely fascinating and it opened my mind to the different possible relationships that each person can have with God ... and it was this 'relationship' that made it possible for me to recover through AA ... I do not claim that you or anyone else will have the same experience that I did ... simply that it worked for me and it may work for others ... that's all ...

For others reading this post, I did then, and still do today, HIGHLY recommend reading 'The Shack' if you are struggling with your own concept of God ... and I repeat, keep an open mind, AND it's the 2nd half of the book where you may be moved to believe in the spiritual greatness of God that waits for everyone ...

God Bless,

Pappy

hopefulone · Senior Member

Ok....
Since I started this posting I think I am not overstepping to add to what you shared.....
I was curious as to why I was so different in my reaction than all those millions of people who this book has helped. I think being different can be a very good thing. However, if there is something going on with "me" that missed something really profound and life-changing, I want to know what it is. If there are any changes that I can make --for me--that will be helpful to me than I am perfectly willing to make them. I think that is being pretty open minded.

So, that said, I did some research. Although the book is a best seller and has sold millions and millions of copies in languages I probably never knew existed, there has been controversy about it. In fact, it is one of the most controversial Christian fiction books ever written and it has received much criticism as well as praise.

Everyone is free to do his or her own research. Besides the abduction, there were other things which bothered me which I won't get into here. I just didn't feel "quite right" about different parts of it. I am far from a Bible thumper, but I do have some amount of religious training in my life and to put it simply, the book just was not for me. It went against so many of the things I have learned about God and the Bible. I do feel better since getting some other viewpoints and I do not feel like I am a total brickhead for not loving the Hell out of it like so many millions of people do.

Here is an excerpt from one of the sites (there are many other similar reactions):
"The Shack, while occasionally getting things right is, in the end, a dangerous piece of fiction. It undermines Scripture and the church, presents at best a mutilated gospel, misrepresents the biblical teachings concerning the Godhead and offers a New Age understanding of God and the universe. This is not a great novel to explain tragedy and pain. It is a misleading work which will confuse many and lead others astray."

http://www.svchapel.org/resources/articles/22-contemporary-issues/536-the-shack-a-book-review

Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to check out the t.v. and see if there are any good shows on. Whew!

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Maybe it's just me, but I would think it difficult to judge a book that hasn't been read in entirety ... not that the reviewer's did that ... the whole point of the book was to learn how to forgive ... that's right, it's was all about learning to 'forgive' others that do us harm ... and that is a crucial part of our AA program ...

The book had many other valuable lessons for a good life where 'love' leads us to make the right decisions in life ...

Some like it, some don't ... it's like the very old Hersey's Chocolate commercial about Almond Joy and Mounds ... sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't ... (Almond Joy had almonds, Mounds didn't) ...

You'll have to read the rest of the 2nd half of the book to understand my love for it ... (and I hope you do) ...

'nough said ... ... ... I think, LOL ...

hopefulone · Senior Member

....and if I bite into that chocolate bar and it is too bitter tasting for me, I don't have to finish the whole thing to be able to judge that I don't like it. That judgement is for me. Maybe there was nothing really wrong with that candy....maybe my taste buds are tainted by smoking and coffee overload and it is really impossible to tell how the thing actually tastes without a clean palette. I don't have to go around and convince everyone else it's awful candy. All I know and all that really matters is that it left a bad taste in my mouth. (And it is in good company, with the cig. and coffee tastes...ha!)

And just for the record....the quotation above is not to convince others not to read the book ...(I don't have that much power....LOL). It was to convince myself more than anything that "Hey, I'm okay. There is nothing wrong with me. Someone else out there agrees with me....not that I have to have that to survive. As long as God loves me I know I am going to be just fine.

And this posting has become less about the book and more about tolerance, I do believe....love and tolerance for others having differing opinions. And I think especially on this particular board, where there have been so many people who have gotten upset, confrontational, and left the board (me included a while back), it says a lot where you and I can agree to disagree and still love and accept one another for just who we are. You are a super man who has helped me as well as many many others. Perhaps I have been a bit too assertive with my newfound assertiveness...nah....I really love saying how I feel. You helped teach me some of that I do believe.

Today is a great and wonderful day....and I am now going to get another cup of coffee and since I don't have any chocolate bars, I am going to dig into some chocolate treats I made. My butt ain't big enough yet, I guess, but I still can make quite an ass of myself, LOL!

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

FYI ... I've lost 43 lbs. with this cancer thingy ... so I been eat'n tons of chocolate and am not gain'n any weight ... the Docs are concerned a bit ... oh well, I'm just glad to know I'm back at the weight I was when I was 25 ... I went from 212 down to 169 ...

hopefulone · Senior Member

I hope the not gaining weight although you are eating "tons" of chocolate isn't a problem to be concerned about.

I was in the 150's range when I had stopped smoking for a short time, then as we all know when you stop smoking, your taste improves as does the appetite and it seemed as though I never could get enough. Since getting back on the cigs and having relapsed, I am trying my best to at least eat healthier. I have lost a considerable amount of weight and still want to lose more. Instead of eating 12 treats, I limit it to one or two. I saw a picture of me the other day when I chunked up and gasped....I had no idea I weighed "that" much. Guess I thought I was hiding all that flesh under my Hanes support hose and squeezing my ass in pants two sizes too small for me! Ha!

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Thanks H1, ...

No, I don't think there's cause to be 'concerned' just yet ... but if I continue to lose weight, then they'll start do'n all kinds of tests ... again ... actually, I'm in the 'ideal' weight range for my height and age ... and I can't take any credit for it, it just happened ...

I may have exaggerated on the chocolate a bit (to try and 'bug' you), but I eat just a little and I'm full ??? ... so I'm not knock'n it ... just enjoying it ... now that we're in the season of 'hot drinks', I'm enjoying a variety of China Teas, and of course some of the more local Teas too ... yummmm ...

Now, where'd I put those old pants I thought I'd never be able to wear again ??? ... darn it, must have given them to Good Will ...........

hopefulone · Senior Member

Well, that's a good thing if it is not a problem and sounds like you trust your doctor to let you know if it becomes one.
And China tea? Yummy? I'll have to find some and try it. I don't think I have ever had any.

Just be like me, Pappy....I don't get rid of clothes very easily...so I have size 4 through size 10. I just go in and clothes start flying everywhere when I am trying them on. Those bad boy ones in that pic may be on the way out the door. I looked so horrible in them in that pic I mentioned, that I believe I have developed a serious resentment for them. I may be damaged for life!

Pythonpappy · MIP Old Timer

Hey H1, ...

If you're really interested, StPeteDean actually gave me his web site for getting 'Turmeric Ginger' tea, for my arthritis ... he drinks a lot of tea, or at least he did ... and being the curious person I am, I have been buying all kinds of tea from these folks ... most of them I have liked, some I don't care for ... I just tried some 'Cranberry Blood Orange' tea last night and I thought that was very unique and flavorful ... if you search though the site, you'll find more types of tea than you ever knew existed ... here's where Dean and I get our 'tea' ...

http://www.republicoftea.com/

hopefulone · Senior Member

Hey thanks Pappy, I'll try that site.
Right now I am drinking a combination of Sleepy Time & Rooibos Detox Teas. Although I am staying sober I still drink the detox teas because with all the other crap I put in my body (caffaine, sugar, salt, smoking, etc), it helps get rid of those toxins. And the flavor I enjoy. The cabinet is filled with
boxes and boxes of teas.