Loved

Written by cycleguy on May 9th, 2011

If you REAAAAAAAAAAALY want to know me you have to know the answer to these questions:

WHAT IS MY FAVORITE MOVIE?

WHAT SONG IS THE ANSWER TONE ON MY CELL PHONE?

WHAT ONE HOLLYWOOD ACTOR HAS WRITTEN TWO BOOKS AND IS ONE OF THE FEW I WOULD LIKE TO MEET?

HERE. IS. YOUR. ONE. AND. ONLY. CLUE!

(music begins :12 into video)

http://youtu.be/-NMph943tsw

Doesn’t take a rocket scientist with 1.21 Jigowatts running through his brain to figure it out…does it?  I can remember in 1985 when it first came out.  We missed it.  I rented it on VCR (remember those things?) and thought it was a good movie, but nothing to brag about (I knew I would have to watch it again and again.  😉  Then, in an attempt to hawk their wares, HBO had a free weekend, and BTTF ran almost constantly.  We watched it all the way through.   I had my best male friend and his son come to visit that weekend, and our youngest, Janna, and his son, Adrian watched it over and over.  When Doug and I would come in from being gone, we would pick up wherever it was and finish watching it.  When Doug would come to visit over the years, we would eat pizza and then come back to the house and…you guessed it…watch BTTF.  We taped that HBO version (yeah, I know it was illegal) and Janna wore out the tape so badly, we finally bought an original. She even knew the dialogue.   She and I then watched #2 (home) & #3 (theater).  I even bought “Secrets to BTTF” starring Kirk Cameron as the host.  🙂  This past Christmas I bought her the 30th anniversary edition of the whole series.

Why in the world would I even talk about it?  Honestly, not just because it is my all-time favorite movie(s), but because of the song: “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis & the News.  (Please don’t write me about the evils of listening to rock music.  You will be writing to a brick wall).  And what got the song running through my head is that I began reading a book called “Surrendered and Untamed” by Jason Clark.   Please take a moment and read this excerpt:

God is love and each time I open myself to His love he reveals Himself to me in greater measure.  It’s a little scary, but in a very good way, kinda like when you first dipped your Oreos in milk but way better.  I am learning that the more aware I am of how much He loves me, the greater access I have to the power of His love.

I am learning that the power of His love is life altering.  It’s my salvation, my redemption, and my provision.  It’s my strength, my joy, and my peace. God’s love is an all-consuming fire that encompasses every particle of me-if I surrender, if I let it.  Every need or question I have is answered in a greater revelation of His love.

It is really unfair that I have to stop there because he says so much more…but word count limits me. 🙂  What is your “take” on what Jason has written?  How important is realizing the power of God’s love in your life?  I’d love to hear from you.  (BTW: Did you see BTTF?) I will be out of the office for most of the day but will approve and comment when possible.  Thanks for understanding.  😀

 

32 Comments so far ↓

  1. Jim F says:

    I knew all three without a doubt in my mind I was right —- and I was.

    Realizing God’s Powerful love and allowing Him to work in me are very important aspects of the faith in my estimation.

    I have seen all three and I can quote them all – one and three being my favorites by far – not a big fan of number 2.

    • cycleguy says:

      That “brother thing” really kicks in doesn’t it Jim? 😛 What a difference realizing His love makes. I had to watch #2 several times before I was okay with it. One lesson it teaches: what happens when evil takes over and all that is good steps aside. Thanks Jim.

  2. Tom says:

    “each time I open myself up to it”. He is so faithful, how can I not open myself up…don’t know how I don’t but I don’t at times but when I do it is always a time of rejoicing! Yes, I knew the name of the moving and have watched.

  3. “Last night, Darth Vader came down from planet Vulcan and told me that if I didn’t take Lorraine out that he’d melt my brain.”

    The best line from the movie IMO…thanks for the peek inside your world Bill. My favorite movie is “The Wrath of Khan”…maybe I’ll explain some day!

    • cycleguy says:

      That line always makes me chuckle. Did you know there is a blooper in that scene? I would be interested in hearing that explanation jay.

  4. Zee says:

    God’s love is an all-consuming fire that encompasses every particle of me – if I surrender, if I let it. – sigh… that if is a big if. It seems simple, but it’s not easy to do. And Jason is right in saying that it’s a bit scary (even though good scary). Yet… God’s love is incredible.

    I first watched BTTF in ’05. Yeah… Didn’t really think about that movie until I have read a book called Saving Milly and Michael J. Fox wrote the foreword to that book… When I asked, who’s Michael J. Fox, you can imagine the stares I’ve got. Probably the same I’d give someone if I were asked who’s Harry Potter 😀 So after my friend and I have returned from the trip (where I read that book), we did a BTTF marathon watching all three in one day.

    (Who’s the Hollywood actor you’d like to meet who has written 2 books? If you’re talking about Fox, he wrote three…)

    • cycleguy says:

      Bit “if” Zee. You are right. Yea, MJF is one of the actors I would like to meet (Kevin Costner and Jim Caviezel being two others). I didn’t know he wrote a 3rd. I knew of Lucky Man and Always Looking Up but didn’t know about 3rd. But I just checked out Amazon and see it. Going to have to look into it. Thanks. 🙂

      • Zee says:

        yeah, he wrote another one that was published just last year – A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned – considering that you love BTTF, you’ll probably like this book 😀

        Jim Caviezel would be interesting to meet… Even if just to find out what it was like to play Jesus… I don’t believe that one can play that role just like any other role – it’s gotta leave a mark.

  5. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I enjoyed the song and the movie clip. I must be getting ‘older’ 🙂 I seem to be trying to step back in time a bit lately. 🙂 That’s going to take a miracle! but all things are possible with God right? :)) BTTF has nothing in it that compares to what God has in store for those who love Him.

    My thought about what you have posted is that it is not necessarily God’s love that enables faith in us, but the measure of our love for God. That is the greatest commandment in the Scriptures. Love for one another. But I believe that the scriptures teach even more that we must love God with all our heart, soul, and all the strength in our being.

    My thinking is that what Jason Clark is saying happens as our love increases for God. Our deep and complete love for Jesus. I believe that my perspective is somewhat reversed from what Jason Clark is saying.

    We know that God loves us. He loves the sinner and the ungodly too. Everyone that lives on the earth enjoys God’s love and his benefits. the sun, the moon and stars at night, nature and all of creation.

    I think to move beyond that in our lives we need to take steps toward the glory of God. I believe that this requires love from us toward God. More and more increasing love for God.

    just some thoughts.

    • cycleguy says:

      Hey Linda: No comment about the “getting older” comment. I may be old but I ain’t dumb. 🙂 I am posting this but don’t have time to think it through. That is not a “cap” against you or what you have said. My time is short so rather than hold it and think, I will post it and see if anyone else wants to comment. Thanks for the thoughtful comment Linda.

      • lindaM says:

        Hey Bill,
        I am turning every which way but inside out these days. That comment was for me unfortunately.:0

        • cycleguy says:

          We have those times Linda. I have been praying for you and your court case. Is there something else I should be adding to my prayer? I am confident God will come through for you in His way.

  6. dustin says:

    Seen all of them…. not my favorite movies, but I definitely enjoyed watching them growing up.

    What Jason wrote was pretty impactful. The more you’re aware, the more access…. that is stuff to chew on right there!

    • cycleguy says:

      Not your favorite? Sheesh Dustin! 🙂 i will forgive you though cuz you are a man with 3 daughters so we have to be kind to each other. Glad the comment gave you something to chew on. Thanks for coming by.

  7. Jon says:

    So, since I was super young when those movies came out, I think I only saw the first one. I might have saw the the second one but I can’t remember (I know, I know).

    What strikes me most about Jason powerful statement is the two “if’s” you highlighted. I think we always assume that if God’s love is there, then it’s taken a hold of our lives. But the reality is that it is a choice. We need to let His love in; to let Him in.

    • cycleguy says:

      You and Zee both mention the “ifs” Jon. And you are right…they are big “IFS!” And dude: if you want to continue commenting on my blog you have got to see the BTTF movies. Do a marathon. 🙂 Thanks Jon for your comment.

  8. Jason says:

    My take is I need to get a copy of that book. 😉

  9. cycleguy says:

    Mercy says: I love the way Jason views God’s love and realizing the power of God’s love in my life gives me confidence, peace and strength. I totally love the excerpt.

  10. Joseph says:

    “God is love and each time I open myself to His love he reveals Himself to me in greater measure.”

    This line hits me the most. I’m still “new” in pursuing his love. Always been in church but just recently in the past few years started trying to reach more of Him. His love is so great I don’t know if we’ll ever fully understand here on earth.

    I’ve seen BTTF. Great movie. Been a while though.

    • cycleguy says:

      As you already know Joseph, it is a lifelong pursuit. You have only just begun but man, go for it! You will not regret pursuing God’s love. Thanks for commenting (and seeing BTTF). 🙂

  11. Paul says:

    My ring tone is from the same movie–weird huh http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Cr7kxjSBs

    Paul

    • cycleguy says:

      Very cool Paul! Man, my friend, it is so good to hear from you. Guys, Paul and I met in 1995 on a bicycle tour that went all week long. What a fantastic time and a friendship was born that week as well. Paul now lives in Georgia so we don’t get to see each other or ride together like we used to. Great to hear from you Paul (sent you a personal email). btw: that is my #3 song from the movie. I love it! Power of Love. Back in Time. Johnny B. Goode. Awesome songs!

  12. Sounds like a good book. God’s love shatters through a lot of our junk and sets our feet on a higher plane.

    • cycleguy says:

      It is a good one Matt, especially for men who desire to seek the adventure of life to the fullest. Thanks for coming by Matt.

  13. jasonS says:

    Wasn’t going to talk to you about the dangers of rock music, but I movie soundtracks are a whole new level of evil, Bill. 🙂 No, I love that movie! I saw it at my grandma’s house one time we were staying a few days and we watched it over and over and over.

    Love the quote from the book too. His love is meant to be experienced, but He will not force Himself on us. There is always more He wants to give and show! Thanks Bill.

    • cycleguy says:

      That is sorta what happened with us. over and over. No matter where we came in at. 🙂 Yeah, I know…whole new set of evil. Movie + music= bad boy. You are jason about Him never forcing Himself upon us. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  14. Jan Frame says:

    In that quote I love that he says, God is Love. That gives me a lot of security.
    By the way, I knew the 1st 2 answers and I couldn’t even look at the clip, it’s blocked(I’m at school). Wasn’t sure about the last one, but I was guessing Michael J. Fox. And, I just read a little bit about Jim Caviezel & he was saying that for awhile after he did The Passion of the Christ he was shunned in Hollywood. big surprise there.
    Great post Bill. Love ya!

    • cycleguy says:

      You are correct in all three Jan. You win a virtual fist bump and a real life hug when I see you next time. 🙂 Love ya too.