A to Z Challenge Wrap-Up

Although I did not make as many connections as last year, I'm glad I decided to join the A to Z Challenge again this year. . . twenty-six posts during the month of April (except Sundays).

Last year, each post was on an entirely different topic....with photos. I honestly don't know how I did it! To see them, go to this link.


I'M GLAD I PARTICIPATED!

This year, since I absolutely LOVED "Les Mis" (saw it twice), I decided to concentrate on different characters and facets of the production for the Challenge. I found so many spiritual applications for life in the almost-completely-sung movie. The main theme of Les Misérables? Redemption! Hard to miss, no matter who you are...

To see my posts, if you missed them, click here.

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The A to Z Challenge helped me to hone my writing, and discover my passion: interpreting life through Biblical glasses. It could be a movie, or an event, a piece of literature or a "day in the life of". Many things spark my thinking.


LOOKING BACK

To be honest, looking back at the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I was frustrated to find very few people reading and commenting on at least five blogs a day. And very few commented back. Not sure if there is any way to resolve that. I did like the idea of labeling our links with a code that reflected the subject matter. I did not do that, only because, although I blogged about Les Misérables, my posts generally are varied.

I did not find any "kindred spirits" to follow, because I faithfully made my way down the list of links, beginning with mine, commenting on at least five a day. I think if I would have specifically chosen writer's or traveler's blogs, I would have found a few. So, I suggest that next year, we be allowed to choose categories, as long as we visit and comment on at least five.

Last year, almost 75 folks chose to follow me. This year, there were about 20.  I do not fault anyone for that, nor am I discouraged. For one, choosing to follow a blog is a personal thing. My blog posts and topics do not resonate with everyone. Why clutter your inbox or feed with posts that do not interest you, just to be nice to me?

I was encouraged by everyone's comments, tho', which was a highlight for me. There were only one or two blogs on which I could not comment, because I had no idea what to say. By the way, I am very thankful you requested the label of AC for those blogs which were "adult content". I purposely avoided those.


STILL DECIDING ABOUT NEXT YEAR

I was faithful to follow the rules, and I did benefit from the Challenge. It kept me writing on schedule. But, because few read and commented on my blog (I'm very thankful for those who did!), and because it distracts me from my writing of articles and children's/Middle Grade books, I have not decided if I will participate next year.


BUT, TRY IT FOR YOURSELF. . . SO MANY REASONS TO JOIN IN 2014!

All that said, I do not want to discourage my readers. If this is your first time with the Challenge, or, you have never tried the Challenge, I definitely suggest you do. It gets you writing, and helps you find your strengths and passions.


THANKS TO THE TEAM!

I do admire and want to thank all the faithful folks who worked so hard to monitor the A to Z Challenge this year. . . Kudos to you!!

Find the list of the co-hosts here.  And visit their blogs!

Les Misérables: Z is for Zest and Zeal!

Can You Hear the People Sing??

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."  1 Corinthians 2:9

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My heart wants to jump out of my chest each time I watch the final scene, taking in the words of the zealously and zestfully rendered song. Here are a few of the words:


Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light

They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
We will walk behind the plowshare
We will put away the sword
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that we bring
When tomorrow comes!


I see the last scene as truly a "finale."  A time when we have triumphantly "crossed the barricade"of death, and come into the "garden of the Lord" or Heaven.

Sometimes, as a child of God, living in obedience to God is an uphill battle. A fight. Against the forces of evil, and the power of sin. But, I am not a slave to sin anymore. And, even better, God has promised a home in heaven for those that follow Him. And what a place it will be! No more pain and sorrow.

Can anyone be sure to go to Heaven when his or her life on earth is finished? Yes! Read Jesus' words below. They point the way. . .

     "Don't let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions. If it weren' t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. Where I go, you know, and you know the way.

     Thomas says to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."  John 14:1-6

For similar view of Les Misérables by a Friend who is an eloquent Biblical scholar, please click here.

Listen to the finale of "Can You Hear the People Sing?"

Do you have that hope of Heaven?

Les Misérables: Y is for Youthful Yearnings

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."   Proverbs 13:12 

We've all had longings or yearnings during our lives, especially when we were young. Having the whole world before us, we could dream about what could be.  But, there's another sort of yearning which we see in three female characters (is it always the women who dream?)

Young Cosette dreams of a better life, free from bondage. She longs for her mother's touch.

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Castle on a Cloud

"There is a lady all in white
Holds me and sings a lullaby
She's nice to see
And she's soft to touch
She says, 'Cosette, I love you very much.'

I know a place where no one's lost
I know a place where no one cries
Crying at all is not allowed
Not in my castle on a cloud."

Fontaine also yearns for love. A man who will love her for herself, not for what she can give him. She expresses that longing in the well-known song:

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I Dreamed a Dream

"I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed."

Eponine yearned for a different sort of life. A normal life. A life with Marius. Of course, they are worlds apart, but just for a moment, she believes in her dreams.

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On My Own

". . . On my own
Pretending he's beside me.

All alone I walk with him till morning. . .

And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say there's a way for us. . .

But everyday I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending
Without me his world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness that I have never known. . . "

Here is the "On My Own" performance:

Did you know that God knows and cares so much, that He keeps track of our tears?



You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your book?  Psalms 56:8

Is it a comfort to know God sees your need?

Les Misérables: X is for X-cellence...in Every Way!

The Oscars: Can You Hear the People Sing?  I Dreamed a Dream that They Won All!  Am I On My Own in this?  Les Mis should have won more Oscar Awards!

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At first, I was discontented. Well, okay, miserable. Only three awards out of eight possible? C'mon! Couldn't the judges see the talent, energy, and pathos that went into the production?

Although we don't watch the Oscars, I was curious to see how my favorite film of the year fared against the others. Best supporting actress? Of course! Best sound mixing? I agree. Best Makeup and Hairstyling? I can see that, too. But, I wanted them to win all. Then I settled down and realized two things: 1. there are other deserving actors/actresses, and 2. political correctness played a part in the judges decisions. I'm positive of that. Yes, even, and especially, in Hollywood!

So, I leave you with the musical performance of Les Misérables cast...now that deserved an Oscar of its own! 

Performance at the Oscars 2013

Of course, only God deserves our ultimate praise and worship, but, as we do our best in our work and life, we reflect God's excellence:

"Praise him (God) for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness."  Psalms 150: 2

Do you think Les Mis deserved more awards at the Oscars?

Les Misérables: W is for What Have I Done?

A Convict with conviction...

"Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God."  Jeremiah 3:25


One of the most compelling and poignant scenes is that of convict 24601, falling on his hands and knees in repentance. He has just been shown grace and mercy by the Bishop, avoiding another conviction for stealing. You can see his anguish as he examines his heart:

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"What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night!
Become a dog on the run!

. . . Take an eye for an eye.
Turn your heart into stone.
This is all I have lived for.
This is all I have known.

One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack.
Instead, he offers me my freedom.
I feel my shame inside me like a knife.
He told me that I have a soul.
How does he know?
What spirit comes to move my life?
Is there another way to go?

And I stare into the void-
To the whirlpool of my sin.
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean.
Jean Valjean is nothing now.
Another story must begin.

Here is a fabulous video of Hugh Jackman as he acts and becomes Jean Valjean. Includes clips of "What have I Done?" at the end . . . a "must-see"!

Has the goodness of God or others brought you to your knees in humility and repentance?

Les Misérables: V is for Views of Paris

"Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain."   Psalms 127:1b

Don't you just love the stunning views of Paris from on high? We have Javert to thank! He spent much time "looking down" and considering his part in upholding the Law while on the precipices of ancient buildings in Paris, near Notre Dame.

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Paris is one of my favorite cities. It's history and ambiance intrigue me. There is something about strolling down the streets of Paris, crossing the bridges, or walking along the Seine, even in the rain, that can't be experienced anywhere else in the world...it has a certain "je ne sais pas" (I don't know what. . .)  Hard to describe!

So, here are a few of my photos of our "Tale of Two Cities" tour a few years ago:

Have you ever visited Paris? If you have, what is your favorite facet of this historic city?

Les Misérables: U is for Unselfish Love!

". . . see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."  1 Peter 1:22b

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Two of the characters displayed unselfish love. The kind of love that wants what's best for the loved regardless of the cost. And in both cases, the selfless act centered around a letter. . .


Jean Valjean, of course, showed that love when he intercepted and acted upon a letter from Marius addressed to Cosette, pledging his undying love for her. Valjean struggled with his decision:

"She was never mine to keep
She is youthful, she is free
Love is the garden of the young
Let it be
Let it be
A heart full of love
This I give you this day"


But he finally realized that Cosette needed a husband to love and care for her. Jean had raised her. Now it was time to give her wings. Jean Valjean knew he'd be lonely, but he also realized he'd be gone soon. Instead of keeping Cosette to himself, he sought Marius out and protected him during the battle, "bringing him home" safely, so he could eventually marry his daughter.

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."  Proverbs 17:17

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Did you notice that whenever Eponine sings, it's raining? I see that as a symbol of an unfortunate life. But, that life/trouble was washed away with the rain, as Eponine laid dying in Marius's arms. It was all worthwhile.

Eponine loved Marius, even tho' that love was not returned. Again, intercepting a letter from Cosette to Marius, Eponine decided to reveal it just before she died. Instead of feeling jealous, Eponine unselfishly gave Marius hope for the future. Not only that, but she had just shielded Marius from a bullet which ended up taking her life.

Have you experienced unselfish love? Do you love unselfishly?

Les Misérables: T is for The Thenardiers: Talented Tricksters

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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Godless pleasure seekers!

Talk about a couple whose lifestyle is diametrically opposed to Javert! The Thénardiers are the antithesis of the Law. In fact, they are a law unto themselves. Anything goes. It doesn't matter who gets hurt. And they actually have fun doing it!

There are no true atheists in this world. You read me correctly. All humans are created to worship, adore or idolize something. The Thénardiers do have a god. Actually two gods. Pleasure and money. That doesn't leave room for the true God. 

 The Bible speaks to the "Master and Mistress of the House":

"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
 Luke 16:13


The book of Proverbs is full of verses spotlighting the fool vs the wise. . . Take some time to read it!

Who or what is your God?

Les Misérables: S is for Symbolism

Candlesticks and "Living on the Edge"

The protagonist, Jean Valjean, and the antagonist, Javert, each have a symbol which follows them throughout the film. One is a position, and the other, a possession.

Proverbs 28:14 "Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble."

Javert lives and walks on the edge, until one day. . .

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In the song, "Stars," Javert compares the constancy of the stars to the Law. As he is walking above the city of Paris, on a ledge in view of Notre Dame he concludes:

"And so it has been, and so it's written
On the doorway to Paradise
That those who falter
And those who fall
Must pay
The price."

At least three or four times in the movie, we watch Javert dutifully walking a straight line close to the edge of a high wall. I see the ledge as a representation of the law. As long as he stays on the ledge, following the law, he is safe. Javert wrestles with the grace and mercy Valjean embodies, which is so opposed to his straight line of the law:


"I am reaching but I fall
And the stars are black and cold
As I stare into the void of a world that cannot hold
I'll escape now from that world
From the world of Jean Valjean
There is nowhere I can turn
There is no way to go on..."


The minute he wavers, and doubts himself, he steps off the wall and into eternity.

On the other hand, there are the candlesticks. . .

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

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Valjean has just experienced the generous hospitality of the priest, and in the middle of the night, repays that kindness by stealing his silver dishes. He is caught, and the police bring Valjean and his loot back to the rectory.

They tell the priest that Valjean claims he gave him the silver. The priest affirms that claim (even though he knows he has stolen it), and asks the police to release him (mercy). But what he did next was something only one motivated by the spirit could do. . . he said, "You left so early that you forgot the most precious items--the silver candlesticks!" That, my friends, is the grace of God!


Did you notice that mercy (NOT getting what we DO deserve) and grace (getting what we DON'T deserve) came together in one momentous scene?



Valjean is so humbled that he is moved to tears. . . And repentance:



"I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
And I stare into the void-
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from that world
From the World of jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin."


Jean Valjean carries those candlesticks wherever he goes, to remind him of the grace and mercy of God!

Are you walking on the edge of life where it is dark, or do you have the light

of God's grace and mercy to illuminate your path?

Les Misérables: R is for Redemption

"To obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom." dictionary.com

I have been listening to my soundtrack of "Les Misérables" over and and over again. To the extent that I wake up in the middle of the night with the words on my mind! As I listen, it refreshes my memory of the scenes and theme of the book. And what is that theme? 

REDEMPTION, of course! The scenes and the songs scream the word . . . but it comes with a PRICE.

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Valjean is redeemed from a life of slavery to sin. It cost him a life without a conscious. Now, and forevermore, he must do what is right. Not what feels good. . .

Fantine, although she dies, in the end is rescued and redeemed from a life of prostitution. It cost Valjean his anonymity, and his job as Monsieur Mayor. He is now on the run.

Cosette is rescued from a life of child labor in the Thénardier's "business" and later, an isolated life (She is "found" by Marius). Jean Valjean must now live in hiding to protect her. Later, it costs him his constant companion, as she develops a relationship with Marius.


Marius is redeemed from death twice. Once by Eponine, who pays for it with her life as she intercepts the bullet meant for Marius. Then, Jean Valjean rescues Marius from the barricade and carries him to safety. But, it costs him his health, after sludging through the underground sewers of Paris.


Just the same, our salvation, or redemption from a life of sin (such as Valjean experienced), cost our Lord Jesus Christ His life. Not only that, but he BECAME our sin, so we could go free. He paid the price.

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Our sins to Christ were as offensive as the lifestyle of prostitution was to Fantine. Imagine all that ugliness and demoralization placed on Jesus. The Holy Son of God! As we repent and thank God for sending His son to die for us, he in turn, washes us clean!  What an oxymoron.  What grace and mercy!



He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  1 Peter 2:24

Have you been redeemed?

Les Misérables: Q is for Question: Who Am I?

Jean Valjean or 24601?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

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Before his role of Monsieur Le Mayor, the main character had two identities:

He was born and lived as Jean Valjean, until that fateful day. His sister's child was starving. Times were tough. Valjean broke into a house to find food. When convicted of the crime, he became just a number: 24601. Impersonal. Branded forever..

Javert saw Valjean as convict number 24601. Once a slave of the law, always a slave of the law. He relentlessly pursued Valjean . . . For stealing a loaf of bread. But, when Javert began to see mercy portrayed over and over in Valjean's life, Javert, towards the end, called him Jean Valjean. A man, not a number. Capable of doing good. Someone with a soul. Someone with feelings. But, by then it was too late. . . For Javert.

Interestingly, twice Valjean questions who he is.  Both times, he is confessing.  Once to the court in order to free the man wrongly accused of Valjean's crime, and the other when he reveals his true identity to Marius before his marriage to Cosette.

God saw this man as Jean Valjean. Fully forgiven for his crime. The convict had repented. . . he wanted to begin again. The old 24601 had vanished, and Jean Valjean, child of God, emerged.

Are you ready for a new beginning?

Les Misérables: P is for Parol Papers

. . . Or "ticket-of-leave", as the French call it. It seems "once a con, always a con" so, the authorities need to keep track of you.

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Jean Valjean knew his past, and hated it. It was time for a fresh start.

"And I stare into the void-
To the whirlpool of my sin.
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean.
Jean Valjean is nothing now.
Another story must begin!"


One of my favorite scenes in the movie comes after Jean sings the above words. He runs to the edge of the stone wall surrounding the abbey, rips up his parole paper defiantly, and throws them to the wind. The background music was perfect! I actually felt release and relief as I watched the bits of paper float down the mountainside, and I thought of this verse:

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"...God made you alive with him when he forgave us all of our offenses, having erased the charges that were brought against us, along with their obligations that were hostile to us. He took those charges away when he nailed them to the cross."

-Colossians 2:13b-14 International Standard Version (©2012)

When we come to the foot of the cross in repentance, Jesus literally rips up our parole papers. Our slate is wiped clean. We can begin anew...

Have you been to the foot of the cross?

Les Misérables: O is for Optician's Orb and a Prayer

"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."      Psalm 34:15 

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Obviously. The optician's advertisement one sees on the wall behind Jean is symbolic. He prays, God watches . . . and hears Valjean's prayer.

Twice he prays, and twice God answers "yes". Although God does not always promise an affirmative answer, His ears are always open to the supplication of the righteous.




Jean Valjean's prayer for Marius' safety:


God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there . . .

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home . . .


Valjean is weak. He sees Cosette one last time, and then asks God to take him:

God on high,
Hear my prayer
Take me now
To thy care
Where you are,
Let me be
Take me now
Take me there,
Bring me home...

Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.

Has God answered your prayers lately?

Les Misérables: N is for NOT Now . . . Not again!

Psalms 31:15

My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

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The Thenardiers and Javert turn up at the most inconvenient times . . .

Just when you thought you were rid of these characters, they would come back into the picture. They were two sides of a bad penny. Two extremes.

Javert upholds the law to the extreme. . . the letter of the Law.

The Thenardiers are a law unto themselves . . . Lawless.

Javert turns up at Monsieur Mayor's factory, where he discovers who Valjean truly is. Later, at the docks, he's encountered on his beat, faithfully doing his duty in attempting to "book" Fantine. Thankfully, Valjean intervenes.  Javert shows up at poor Fantine's deathbed, and duels with Valjean. Years later, he's found policing the Paris streets, is revealed as a spy the Barricade, and finally, follows Valjean into the sewers.

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The Thenardiers were regulars on the Paris streets, then Mr. Thenardier encounters Jean in the underground sewers, trying to extract a ring from a supposedly dead Marius.  Finally, they gain a audience with Marius at his own wedding, of all places. They have no shame. It wouldn't surprise me if they showed up years later when the couple have their first child, hoping to be chosen as "godparents". Unthinkable!

I was impressed with how Jean Valjean responded to these villains.  He didn't fight back.  He continued to do what he knew God wanted him to do...help others.

Are you plagued by enemies at every turn?  How do you cope?

Les Misérables: M is for Marius

Deuteronomy 30:19

. . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live . . .

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Marius. Of course he is handsome. The younger crowd who watched the film surely thought so. But, what of his character? Could he compared to Jean Valjean? Hardly!

He comes from a privileged background. His family is wealthy. He has had the best of educations. As far as we know, he has not had many trials in his life. Those of you who have read the book, please chime in if you know otherwise. I plan to read the book soon, but will count on my audience for that detail.

As we have mentioned before, trials build character, and although Marius is a very sensitive character, he seems "wishy-washy". He can't decide what is most important to him in life.  He wavers between dying for France and living for his first love.  If it weren't for Jean Valjean, he would not have survived the battle at the barricade.  Everything seems to fall in place for him without much effort on his part.

Are there areas in life where you are "wishy-washy? Do you wish you were stronger in your stance?

Les Misérables: L is for "Look Down"

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In three scenes throughout the film we see folks being told to "look down". . .


Slave to the others:

Look down, look down,
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down,
You're here until you die.

Look down, look down,
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down,
You're standing in your grave


Gavroche to the aristocracy:

Look down and see the beggars at your feet
Show some mercy if you can.
...upon your fellow man


Jean Valjean to Javert when caught carrying Marius to a safe place:

Look down, Javert, he's standing in his grave
Give way, Javert, there is life to save.


The slaves are looking down in humiliation. They are not worthy to look up at Javert on the wall.

Gavroche asks the aristocrat to look down at the beggars with compassion.

Valjean begs Javert to look down in mercy, and let them pass.

There is someone else who DID "looked down" in compassion and mercy . . . Jesus. As he was suffering and dying on the cross for our sins, he was thinking of his mother. 

 Here is the interaction:


John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And -- from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Have you known a special person who "looked down" on you with compassion and mercy?

Les Misérables: K is for Knowledge of God's Providence

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"The heart of man plans his way,but the Lord establishes his steps."Proverbs 16:9













One Day More!

...Tomorrow is the judgement day.

Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!

I love this rousing chorus! It reveals what each character is looking forward to on the morrow:

The Thenardiers can't wait to steal from the dead who fall in battle. Javert plans to put an end to the revolution. Valjean anticipates yet another move to avoid Javert. The students are preparing for victory. Eponine mourns another day without Marius. Cosette worries about losing a budding relationship with Marius. And Marius can't decide who is worth fighting for...Cosette or France.

One thing is sure: They all realize (surprisingly) that although they can make their plans, God has the final say in the matter.

Is the knowledge of God's providence evident in your life?

Les Misérables: J is for Jean Valjean

"Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." Psalms 34:14-15

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The star of the show. And not because of his looks, or his voice, or his acting. All three, of course, are stellar.  But the last two were gained by much effort on Hugh Jackman's part. The first, only God can take credit for!

No, it's Valjean's character that makes him the star. Not just the fact he is the MAIN character of the story, but, he makes a dramatic change by the end of the film. And that is what a well written character will do.

It seems all the other characters move about him, as if in a dance, but each one remains the same. If they were sweet, they remained sweet. If they were greedy, they remained greedy. If harsh and unfeeling, they remained so until the end.

Valjean, putting his past behind, has determined with God's help, to make up for all the sins he has committed. He goes about doing good wherever he may be. Twice he is called a saint. Once by Monsieur Fauchelevant, when Jean rescues him with Herculean effort from underneath the cart, and by Fantine, when she is on her deathbed, knowing Valjean has vowed to look after her daughter, Cosette.

Each time he is confronted by Javert, he has one more good deed to do. While his prior life was a selfish one, he ends up considering others above himself. He is a humble man, who, even as he faces death, asks God to forgive his trespasses, and take him home to Heaven.

If your autobiography was published, would your readers consider you a dynamic or static character?

Les Misérables: I is for Inspector Javert

Although Javert seems to be heartless, I can't fault him for one thing. His strict adherence to the law. He faithfully fights for and upholds it. He almost worships it. Law has become his god.

That's why he revered the stars...they were predictable. Unchangeable.

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Now, we DO need honorable law enforcement agents. And those who take their job seriously. But, Javert takes his to the extreme.

He believes once a person breaks the law, he is a convict for life. No second chances. No chance for change. Once a sinner, always a sinner. No matter where your humble beginnings might find you, once you've blown it, you're done for...

What a sorry world this would be if there were no chance for repentance, forgiveness or reconciliation. No way to wipe the slate clean. No new beginnings!

Thankfully, God does not see life this way. The Bible says in I Corinthians 6: 9-11:

"Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such WERE some of you:"

We can ALL find ourselves in this list, BUT, this is the GOOD NEWS...

"...but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."

Made clean...completely NEW!

Javert could not admit that Valjean had changed into a responsible, honest, hardworking and loving man. Quite different from the Valjean he knew in prison.

Is it encouraging to know we can have a second chance at life? Do you know anyone who's faith in Jesus Christ has changed them?

Les Misérables: H is for Hugo, Victor

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things."  Philippians 4:8

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These quotes by Victor Hugo, the author of "Les Misérables" reveal his world view.  You will see many similarities between the quotes and the work:

-What a grand thing, to be loved! What a grander thing still, to love!

-The pupil dilates in darkness and in the end finds light, just as the soul dilates in misfortune and in the end finds God.

-Adversity makes men, and prosperity makes monsters.

-A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.

-Those who do not weep, do not see.

-It is on December nights, with the thermometer at zero, that we most think of the sun.

-The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved -- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

-Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

-To love another person is to see the face of God.

-Laughter is sunshine, it chases winter from the human face.

-Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.

For more quotes by Hugo, please see the (former) Byars sisters blog, "Writing Sisters" here and here.  Their posts are short and sweet...just as I wish mine would be!

Which quote (Hugo's or your own) would you consider to be the glasses through which you see the world?