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The Power of Persuasion

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How much better we would get along in our marriage relationship if we became more adept at choosing our words carefully and watching the way we phrase things. Telling your marriage partner what they should, or should not, do rarely achieves what we desire. It rarely makes for a harmonious relationship. The reality is people often resent being told what to do. So how can we deal with this? A far better way is to use praise, encouragement and suggestion. Instead do saying ‘You should do this.’ It would be better to ask, ’What do you think about doing this?’’ … Continue reading →

Friendly Persuasion (1956)

“Friendly Persuasion” stars Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell, father of a Quaker family. He and his wife Eliza (Dorothy McGuire) have raised their children to adhere to all the Quaker beliefs – in fact, Eliza is a Quaker minister. They behave with decorum, they don’t fight, drink, or smoke, and they seek the Lord in everything they do. They are living a peaceful life until the outside world threatens everything they hold dear. The year is 1862, and the Civil War is drawing close to their Indiana home. Many men in the community have taken up arms to defend their … Continue reading →

Real Life and the Movies

What is your spouse’s favorite movie? Do you know? I know Mick’s favorite movie is Casablanca. My favorite movie of all time, as Mick knew when He bought me the CD recently, is Friendly Persuasion. It’s probably no surprise to anyone that my favorite movie is very much concerned with a loving marriage and family relationships. If you haven’t seen Friendly Persuasion can I suggest you take a look? It’s a great story about the lives of one Quaker family and the impact of the civil war on their values, lifestyle and choices. It’s also a film with a lot … Continue reading →

Word Power

One of several treasured gifts I was given recently was a copy of ‘The Friendly Persuasion’ by Jessamyn West. The movie, Friendly Persuasion, adapted from this book is my all time favorite movie. I have read the book before but it is one of those few pieces of fiction I will read again and again. I love the picture of marriage shown between Jess and Eliza Birdwell. In the movie one of my favorite parts is the incident where Jess gets an organ delivered. Music goes against the Quaker way and Eliza is adamant the instrument will not enter the … Continue reading →

Favorite Romance Movies

While talking to Mick the other day about my blog on romance novels, he suggested another topic could be romantic movies. So, I’ve decided to compile a few of my favorite romantic movies. A couple you might find on other lists. Some, I’m sure, you will not. And maybe that’s because I define romantic a little differently to popular opinion. Here’s my short list. They are in no particular order, but as they occurred to me. All of them are films that Mick and I watched together, which tells you that he’s a romantic at heart too – though he … Continue reading →

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” is a classic Gary Cooper film that reminds me quite a bit of “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” starring James Stewart—not just in title, but in premise. Longfellow Deeds is a young man who lives in a small town named Mandrake Falls. He lives a simple life as a staple of his community. He has enough for his needs but he’s not wealthy. He writes poetry for postcards and greeting cards, and plays the tuba in the town band. All in all, he’s a good fellow with a bit of a temper, living a peaceful … Continue reading →

A Man Called Peter (1955)

Recently I watched a favorite movie of mine. ‘A Man Called Peter’stars Richard Todd as Peter Marshall and Jean Peters as Catherine Wood, who later became his wife. The movie was adapted from the book of the same name written by Catherine Marshall. The movie starts in Scotland with a young boy struggling to go to sea. But God had other plans for Peter Marshall as he found put when God saved him from falling into an abandoned quarry. At that time Peter Marshall vowed to live his life for God. Peter did end up crossing the seas as God’s … Continue reading →

How Far Would You Go?

Recently a mother was fined over $3000 for barging into a home where her 15 year old daughter was and taking her home. This occurred after the police had failed to step in and take the girl out of what the mother believed was a dangerous situation staying her 17 year old boyfriend and his mother. How can the law penalize a mother for protecting her child? It made me think how far would I go to protect my child? How far would you go? Would you protect your family regardless of the cost to yourself? Would you take up … Continue reading →

Shenandoah (1965)

The 1965 film “Shenandoah” is evidence that Jimmy Stewart is one of the finest actors we’ve ever seen come out of Hollywood. He truly was at his best in this film about a Virginia farmer named Charlie Anderson. Now a widower with a grown family, Charlie owns land in the Shenandoah Valley and is concentrating on his home, his family, and his own life. The Civil War is raging all around him, but he has decided it doesn’t concern him, and he chooses to stay out of it. His six sons have differing opinions, and their dinner conversations are often … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Integrity

Lesson #12 in the Spencer W. Kimball manual for this year’s course of study is entitled “Integrity.” President Kimball was, himself, a wonderful example of this most necessary trait. Marion G. Romney is quoted as saying: “Throughout the years he has been a pattern of integrity. No one doubts that he would discharge the sacred trust the Lord has placed upon him at the peril of his life . . . How glorious, men of the priesthood, it would be if all of us possessed the integrity of a President Kimball.” As we head into the body of the lesson, … Continue reading →