THE RED TENT: VOICE OF DINAH

THE RED TENT: VOICE OF DINAH

Promotional Poster of the movie

“The Red Tent” is a sweeping tale that takes place during the times of the Old Testament, told through the eyes of Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob.

 Starring Minnie Driver, Morena Baccarin, Rebecca Ferguson, Iain Glen, Will Tudor, Debra Winger

Here is a link to the teaser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTyYUR_nugM

Jacobs Wives

I have become very vigilant in any movie that comes out that has a Biblical story line. I am those people who get very mad when the facts are not portrayed the right way. So when I came across this mini-series The Red Tent, I was on it. I had already watched Noah and Exodus: gods and kings and I can just put it in one word Blasphemy. The Bible is a historically accurate book, if you want to make a movie and have no respect for Christian Faith then at least do it accurately for the purpose of History.

The novel

Anyways, so I watched The Red Tent, is based on a novel by Jewish Author Anita Diamant.

From what I saw it does follow the Biblical account with a few twists and there is no mention of God or how He worked in their lives. The author seems to feel that God was a god to men and not women. The women in the movie worshipped idols and had their secret practices.

The truth is I can see how that can be true to some extent especially when Rachel hid the idols.

Passing knowledge on heritage

 Genesis 31:34- 35 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find them. She said to her father, "Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is upon me." So he searched but did not find the household idols

Dinah and Jacob

From the movie I got a different perspective. Maybe the women really did not follow what their husbands believed and that is why it was crucial for a Jewish man to marry a Jewish girl. The women were there to serve men basically and bare children. They barely had a role beyond that in society.

Women barely had an existence outside the men in their lives so I can only imagine how Dinah felt when her brothers killed off the family of the man who married her despite the wrong they had done. How was she supposed to exist?

Dinah

The author tries to tell the story in Dinah’s perspective and what her life may have been like since there is no full account of it in the Bible.

It is amazing how we can sometimes overlook the female Biblical Characters but the impact they have is enormous. Very few are fully featured in the Bible as the men are but it is very clear, God used women just as much as He used men [will feature some in a later blog]

Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, Bilhah

There are many lessons I learnt from the story either way.

I do thank God that Jesus came and women were treated with a lot more dignity. There are still cultures today that do not approve of women doing more than childbearing and caring for the home but I am still grateful it is not as widespread as it used to be and eventually things will turn around.

Leah and Dinah

Either way there is still a lot women need to overcome then and now

Rachel and Dinah

·         We need to be there for each other more. We have become so much against each other. As a young woman there is barely an older woman who has ever reached out to me and ensured I am living and not existing. I can say I do so for younger ladies but for me, no one.

·         We need to believe as women that even when someone hurts us we are still worthy of love because when that happens our self-esteem and self-worth are the first to suffer.

·         We women are not defined by what we do but who we are. It just takes some of us longer to figure that out.

·         We cannot run away from our past or hide it, it will eventually catch up with us. We need to accept it, learn from it, and move on.

·         Do not loose who you are, God still has a purpose for you and a great plan for your life

I encourage you to watch the movie either way, it’s a good one with an interesting perspective.

More about Dinah from the Bible

Genesis 30:21

Genesis 34

Genesis 46:15

Pictures courtesy of lifetime.com and www.redtentmovie.com

Book available on http://www.amazon.com/The-Red-Tent-A-Novel/dp/0312427298

MY GIRL: CHILDHOOD MUSINGS

MY GIRL: CHILDHOOD MUSINGS

I recently re watched the 1991 movie MY GIRL starring Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis

Macaulay Culkin, Anna Chulmsky among others.

Basically the story of an 11 year old girl called Vada and her best friend Thomas J.

Vada lived in a funeral home with her single dad and was struggling to figure out life as a little girl living in a funeral parlor. She already felt out of place being raised by single dad, so the funeral parlor did not help at all. Things became even more complex after the dad decided to remarry.

She has a best friend Thomas J who accepted her as she was and was a real source of encouragement for her.

I didn’t realize the impact that movie had in my life until I re-watched it. I probably watched it in my early teens and it was an exciting time because it was those rare opportunities my mum invested in a movie for us to watch instead of books. And of course she always watched the movie with us.

I related to Vada a lot in terms of how I grew up and how I felt. Didn’t really feel like I fit in anywhere. I was sort of a tom boy. I didn’t have a best friend but generally hanging out with boys and getting cars as toys was more appealing to me growing up than having dolls.

I enjoyed the times I hanged out with my dad, they were precious because he was rarely there because of the nature of his job. So when he fixed the VCR I was his assistant, when he was assembling our bikes I watched and tried to remember. I treasured the moments he was around.

Like Vada I also loved to read books and write novels as well. I was very determined to have a book published before I was 18 [didn’t happen] but writing became a great outlet for me to write how I felt. That’s one of the reasons I started the blog as well, to have an outlet of my thoughts and ideas. Of course my diary has more juicy stuff.

I also loved riding my bike, I didn’t go too far, my mum gave us a general restricted area where we could go with our bikes.

I also had my crushes growing up, they were always a secret because I felt nobody would ever like me in that way. I felt very misunderstood. I don’t know if it’s something all girls go through but I did. In the process I withdrew and kept to myself a lot. Barely had any friends I guess I actually didn’t know how. I do know that I was afraid of being hurt so that could be a reason that kept me from making friendships when I was younger. Now I am truly blessed with great friends.

Vada didn’t have a mum growing up and she always felt lost. Re watching this movie helped me appreciate my mum’s presence in my life. She was very extraordinary and when I talk about her to people it confirms it even more. Because of her I learnt to appreciate the small stuff even the things she taught us by force for our own good. I’m sure my siblings will agree with me.

As a grown woman I have realized a lot of the values I hold is because of her. I respect people of all backgrounds, I try to treat people fairly. I learnt to negotiate. I learnt to fight for my rights. I learnt to speak up and express how I feel. I learnt to love passionately. Indirectly and directly my mum had a huge influence in my life.

As much as there are girls out there like Vada who never met their mum’s, even losing my mum in my early 20’s still makes me feel lost at times, but I appreciate all she taught me and the few years she impacted my life.

Ephesians 6: 1-4

6 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Photos courtesy of www.imdb.com, www.fotolog.com,  www.popsugar.com, www.ok.com, 

http://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php

SOME INSPIRATION

SOME INSPIRATION

I love quotes, from when I became a believer, I look for inspirational quotes all the time and I love sharing them with others

I was the weird teenager who wrote quotes on the side of the blackboard to inspire my classmates. The positive response made me continue with it daily. The quotes inspired everyone even those of different religious backgrounds. I hope it does the same for all who read this post

1.    My favorite one….. If your mind can perceive you can achieve

2.    If you are down to nothing God is up to something

3.    When God sends you on a stony path, He gives you strong shoes

4.    If you would have God hear you when you pray, hear Him when He speaks

5.    The Will of God does not take you where the grace of God cannot keep you

1.    I can’t brag about my love for God because I fail Him daily, but I can brag about His love for me because it never fails

2.    If God can take away something you never expected to lose He will replace it with something you never expected to have

3.    A relationship with God is the most important relationship you can have. Embrace it

4.    Knowing the Bible is one thing, knowing the Author is another

5.    Worry fixes nothing, prayer changes everything

1.    Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace

2.    The secret to a happy life is to give God first part of your day, first priority of every decision and first place in your heart.

3.    Sometimes God lets you hit rock bottom so He is the Rock at the bottom

4.    Sometimes God works secretly and behind the scenes, but He will reveal His Work to us when the time is right

5.    He has gone before you, He will be with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you

1.    The grass may be greener on the other side but the the water bill is higher

2.    Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can

3.    The most dangerous person in the world is a person with nothing to lose, the most powerful person in the world is a person with nothing to prove.

4.    Faith makes all things possible, Hope makes all things work, Love makes all things beautiful, have all three in abundance

In the Garden of Eden, God has been with man:
In the Old Testament, God had appeared to man:
In the Tabernacle, God had dwelt among men:
In the history of Israel, God had spoken through man:
In the Gospels, God was visible as Man:
But at Pentecost, God became available to dwell in man!

REMEMBERING YOUR MARKERS

REMEMBERING YOUR MARKERS

So this week has been one of those weeks when I really don’t feel like writing my blog nor am I inspired to write it, however, decided I must try.

Been a hard week but I have learnt that when down, count your blessings

So I decided to write about having those spiritual markers. A spiritual marker is basically what the time people in the Old Testament did when God did something major in their lives they made a note of it, mostly by building altars in His honor

I think it is an important thing to do for every believer. Especially when you go through a difficult times and can’t see a way out those markers remind you where God brought you from, how He brought you through it and that He has never left you or forsaken you.

It will also remind you that whatever you are going through, He will bring you through nothing is too difficult for Him.

It’s good to reflect on His goodness in our lives it helps us focus on the truth that He is Loving, Kind, True and many more things.

There are names of God that generally mean more to us than others because we can attach an experience to it. That is what markers are all about. Write them down, make a poster, have a ceremony, just remember. These are what help us when we experience difficult times, remembering where God has brought us from and knowing that he will do it again.

There is always a reason why you are going through what you are going through. There is a big picture, you may not see it but God sees it and it always ends well. It may not end as you want but it ends well for all believers.

The worst thing that can actually happen to a believer is that you die and get to spend eternity with God in Heaven. The truth is as much as that has its level of comfort there are those things we still want to see come to pass. The truth is we can really live our lives thinking it’s about us and it truly isn’t, it’s about God’s purpose prevailing.

Either way, remember your markers and count your blessings it helps a lot. Trust me.

Also look forward to the future and don’t forget it’s all an adventure, just enjoy what God will bring you to because He will bring you through.

Blessed week folks

MISUNDERSTOOD FASHION

MISUNDERSTOOD FASHION

Well this week I want to just vent. I don’t know what fashion is like abroad but in my country it’s misunderstood. And not taken as a serious business or industry for that matter

So maybe I just give a few pointers

v  I am not a tailor, yes I can stitch but am not a tailor, designers should know how to stitch anyways

v  I am an artist, do not go downloading pictures off the internet and want me to duplicate it as is. If you like a certain style, that’s fine we can design a look that suits you but do not reduce me to a copycat. Respect the art, do you really think any tailor can do what I do?

v  I love African print fabric, doesn’t mean I can’t sew other fabrics. Fabric is fabric to me I can try different types. And when I do make clothes out of plain fabrics yes I made them I didn’t buy them

v  I don’t make everything. Just cause I make clothes doesn’t mean I make bags, shoes etc. I do design some accessories and partner with people to make them, but I am no Jack-of-all-trades

v  I cannot guarantee fabrics. Especially African print that changes every 2 weeks. Also with other fabrics, I will find it easily if its popular, if it isn’t chances are you’ll need to pay more to get it

v  Just because the design is simple according to you, doesn’t necessarily mean it is. Design is not just about sewing. It’s about patterns and manipulating print and many other things. If it was that simple you’d be able to make it yourself

v  Do not be last minute then blame me. Clothes are not an emergency. They should never be treated as such. They are an art that need time so they are finished well.

v  Alterations are not the end of the world and doesn’t mean I cannot make clothes, they are part of design. Accept that they are there

v  Pay the price. Abroad ready-made clothes cost more than custom made I don’t know why that’s the opposite in my country. People pay for the service. Having someone to measure you and make patterns and make an outfit fit your body isn’t simple, even if you think the design is simple

v  For people abroad I make things and sell for business not for charity. No I am not supporting a women’s group or orphans, am trying to make a living. Period. If you do not want to purchase don’t. If you do, thank you for the business and do come again.

v  Friends and relatives: thanks for all who give me business and support me but if you know you won’t please do not suggest you will. There is really no pressure

v  As for those who would like to model for me in the friends and family category, chances are if you haven’t given me business before it’s not going to happen unless I really love your look

v  For models, please do not ask me to get you into a fashion show, or if you can model for me. If I like your look believe me I will ask and at some point we will work together. It is not automatic. The only models I use when I have to pick from pre picked ones are for fashion shows, that are picked by the organizer

v  Which brings me to fashion show organizers. No I don’t mind getting the information about your show. This does not mean I will participate. And be more formal, sending me inbox messages on Facebook or tagging me on your event just puts me off more than encourages me to participate.

v  Also fashion show organizers, please consider that designers need to make money too. You can’t organize an event and not think of how it will benefit those participating. That’s selfish. And do I really need to beg for pictures? Sharing my work on Facebook to show how well your event turned out does not constitute giving me my pictures.

v  Fashion bloggers: there is more to fashion than how to wear stuff, do your research and make your blogs more appealing. If your content is mainly international and not local, you are targeting the wrong audience and your blog isn’t helping people want to support local industry. Do more research there is more out there than you think

v  Fashion Shop owners: Consider stocking local designer’s clothes. You can even pick the style you want in the shop that you are sure your clients will like. Our biggest hurdle is that we have high costs especially when we rent our own place. If your partner with us that eliminates that cost and helps us sell our clothes at reasonable prices for local people.

v  Celebrities: as fellow artists we should support one another. Do not come to me saying you want an outfit and it will promote me when people see you wearing it. That does not pay my bills. Have a budget for your wardrobe is only fair. Either hire or buy

v  Photographers: please come up with reasonable rates and packages for fashion design portfolios, if you charge me like a corporate client how will I make ends meet. I still have to cover other costs makeup, clothing even the models.

v  Journalists: cut designers some slack and cover fashion in a way that would encourage more people to support the industry. The stories can’t always be so negative. No wonder parents think fashion is a waste of time

v  Parents: support your children as they pursue their fashion career. It does take a while to figure out but it does pay off

v  Banks: cut us some slack. If you supported us more with financing we would be at a better place

v  Government: create systems that support the industry and create jobs. Fashion is an industry that can employ even people who have the most basic of education. It’s an industry worth supporting

v  Fabric Vendors: come on people bring some diversity in fabrics. Just because it’s cheaper to share a container with fellow vendors from China doesn’t mean you all bring the same thing. The more unique the fabric the more customers you’ll get trust me.

v  Fellow designers: Let’s work together to enable the industry to grow, we need each other. My advice for those who are starting out, it takes time to figure it all out, but continue to research, continue to experiment as you grow your skill and I urge you don’t go after fame it doesn’t translate to sales

That’s it, I just had to rant have had a hectic week and it’s not even over yet but I hope it’s helpful.

Either way am glad I do what I do. It cheers me up especially when it's on my own terms J

Blessed week