Kas's Korner

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things - in Entertainment

2011-09-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

So...I've been MIA for about 4 months because I work at a Summer Camp which pretty much RULES MY LIFE between May 15 and August 15th. So, there are lots of things that I've read/watched/seen, etc. that i need to catch everyone up on. Now, without further ado - the list of things that make me jump up and down in excitement/anticipation.

NUMBER ONE:

I DEVOURED these books (pun intended). The best way I can describe them is this: The action/adventure of Harry Potter married the romantic angst of Twilight, and they had a baby and named it The Hunger Games. The plot is fantastic; the characters complex and mulit-dimensional; the protagonists sympathetic; the antagonists deliciously despicable. If I have one gripe it's that the series ends after only three books. Of course, that's not fair to Suzanne Collins, but if she could write twenty more books about Katniss Everdeen, I'd pay my hard-earned money for each one.

SECOND

Watch the teaser trailer HERE

I loved the books so much, I'm anxious to see how the movie's going to work out.

THIRD:

Although I'm not a big Seth Rogen fan, I have never been disappointed in any movie starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Add to that the wonderful Anna Kendrick (who, as Jessica Stanley, outshone everyone except Billy Burke in Twilight, and an oscar-nominated turn in This Little Movie with George Clooney). I really can't wait to go watch it.

THIRD:

Young Adult Sci-Fi at its finest. Seriously. This is the second book in the Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore. The first book, I Am Number Four, was turned into a movie and came out in February of this year and grossed 144.5 million this year at the box office. Not bad. Maybe this'll be optioned for a movie, too. I know I'd go see it.

FOURTHLY:
Anna Karenina Movie

I have no idea how they're going to do it, but director Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) is directing the big screen adaptation of Anna Karenina. See the IMDB page Here. The movie stars Keira Knightly as Anna Karenina, Jude Law as Alexei Karenin, Aaron Johnson as Count Vronsky, and Matthew McFadyen as Oblonsky...among others (seen above). Having read the book several years ago, I'm super excited to see how this thing is going to turn out. The films set to release in 2012, and I'm already holding my breath.

FINALLY (for now):

Hosted by a charming Nick Lachey, and judged by the musically-brilliant Ben Folds (of Ben Folds Five), the experienced and multi-awarded Shawn Stockman (of Boyz II Men), and the talented Sara Barellies. This is, in my opinion, the BEST singing competition on TV today. No instruments to mask pitch problems; no back-up singers who overpower lead vocalists; no judges more worried about reviving their own careers than helping people start in the business; no opening rounds filled with people whose voices sound like nails on a chalkboard or cats in heat; and no lecherous Steven Tyler leering at ever girl who walks in with a pretty face and nice rack. This show is pure, unadulterated vocal brilliance, and, to top it all off, everybody on the show seems to get along. It can't get any better than that!

Glee - Night of Neglect

2011-04-20T10:06:00.000-07:00

So, I was really excited for the return of Glee last night. As always, it was hilarious and entertaining and also had some incredibly sweet moments. There are many reasons why I really liked last night's show.

Firstly: Gwyneth Paltrow's final episode was fantastic. Her characterization of the allegedly hermaphroditic Nazi Sympathizer Wallace Simpson, (the woman who for whom King Edward IV to abdicate the British Throne) was brilliant. And, as much as I like Gwyneth Paltrow, I was SUPER GLAD that she only sang one song during this show. I love when awesome guest stars come on the show, but their musical/singing talent should NEVER steal the spotlight from the existing cast. (And sometimes it does, as in the case of "Sexy" when Gwyneth sang lead in 3 songs).

Secondly: Thank You, Ryan Murphy, for not giving Rachel the episode-ending solo. I love Lea Michele's voice. She's a fantastically gifted performer, but hearing her week in and week out gets tiring. This week Mercedes brought the house down with her Aretha tribute, and it was amazing. Like that time she sang socks off "And I Am Telling You" in the first half of Season One. As Oliver Twist would say, "Please, sir, I want some more."

Thirdly: Blaine was in an episode and didn't have a solo. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I'm a little tired of him being front and center all the time. I love the character and Darren Criss is undoubtedly talented, but the powers that be have sort of turned him into the female version of Rachel. And I agree with Kurt's statement in the "Original Song" episode stating that it's become a little like "Blaine and the Pips."

Fourthly: CHARICE! Sunshine Corazon is back, and she KILLED "All By Myself." Such an amazing talent. I have missed her since her appearance in "Audition," singing "Telephone" with Lea Michele and then belting out "Listen" for her audition. So glad she's back.

Fifthly: The Brainiacs, and the fact that Brittany was the biggest contributor during the competition. "Feline Aids." I mean, seriously, it's awesome. And then the final question of the championship competition being "Hermaphrodite Nazi Sympathizers" was brilliant. Love it.

Sixthly: Welcome Back WEMMA. I don't know anyone who isn't a Will/Emma fan. As much as I enjoy seeing John Stamos on my TV screen, I've been itching for more Will and Emma interaction. The way he sweetly cleaned off her grape was beautiful. So sweet.

Lastly: Santana has a heart! Of all the people in the glee club, or in the school for that matter, to stand up to Karofsky and defend Kurt and Blaine, Santana might just be the last person I'd expect. Of course, I understand that she sympathizes with Klaine because she's "realized" she's gay...and there's some kind of kindred spirit business there, but really, it's so out of her character to protect people. She's usually the one doing the bullying. It was nice to see the compassionate side of her character shine through.

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All that being said, there are also a few bones I have to pick with Glee this season.

Firstly: Where was Terri? I missed her a lot - she's so good at stirring up trouble. I realize that the actress has had some personal issues she's had to take care of, which is probably why her screen time has been diminished this year, which is why her return this episode was so exciting to me. Last night's episode was supposed to be her big return, but she was virtually non-existent. NOT COOL. Hopefully, they were just setting up for something huge in the next couple of episodes. I've missed her CRAZY.

Secondly: Why is Mr. Schuester incapable of coming up with good ideas on his own. All of his fundraising ideas are so dumb! He's an intelligent guy. He's no idiot. But for some reason it's as if he has zero common sense. Last season all his good ideas came from Emma; this season it's been Holly. And let's not forget how he's mooched concepts from Sue (Power of Madonna) anyone? I love Mr. Schue, but that part of his characterization is just plain annoying.

Thirdly: in a night of neglected artists/singers, why isn't Quinn performing? SEriously, she hasn't had a solo since last season's Funk when she sang "It's A Man's World." She's had some duets, "Lucky" and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," and she's shared vocals with several people in "Time Warp" and "Marry You," but the girl hasn't sung a solo IN A YEAR! Sorry, but that's unacceptable. I mean, even Mike Chang has sung this year, and it was basically a solo...so, we're due for a Quinn song. Until we get it, I will feel totally ripped off.

Fourthly: I LOVE Jenna Ushkowitz's character of Tina on the show, and I think she's a really fantastic singer. Some of my favorite songs are songs she has lead vocals on, "Dog Days Are Over," "Proud Mary," and "True Colors." So, my bone to pick is that the last two times she's had an opportunity to sing, she's dissolved into tears. First with "My Funny Valentine" and then last night. On top of that, we've never had a legit "Tina" storyline. She took the forefront in "Theatricality" last year when she sang lead for "Bad Romance," and there was that little sidestory of her and Artie's romance, but beyond that, zilch. As a fan of the character and the actress, I feel decidedly dissatisfied and wish like crazy that the writers would give Jenna some really good material, instead of just using her as a backdrop one-line, one-note character. She deserves better.

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Anyway, I really did like last night's episode. I'm just a little disappointed that some of those folks aren't better utilized.

Swiss Family Awesome

2011-04-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Even as an adult I wouldn't mind living here...

Especially if Francis was there to protect me

Now tell me that wouldn't be awesome!

Four Perfect Songs

2011-04-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Swell Season - In These Arms

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Carries On

Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights

The Avett Brothers - January Wedding

Thanks for making my day better.

Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace

2011-04-08T17:56:00.001-07:00

Oh, baby, that's what I like!!!

And it's been in my head all day.

Why Ms. Bailey will ALWAYS be my favorite teacher

2011-04-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was sitting out on the back porch I share with my duplex neighbors, eating dinner and shooting the breeze, and we got to talking about family, and how some families favor heavily while other families almost don't look alike at all. And so, I went inside to grab a photo album and show them exactly how much I look like my dad. I didn't find the picture I was looking for, which bummed me out a little, but I figured it was in with my stuff somewhere. So, last night, I pulled out all my scrap books and pictures, looking for a couple of particular pictures. I never found them, but came across something fantastic instead.

It's a letter from my Junior High teacher, Mrs. Bailey. I was in an advanced program throughout elementary and Junior High that my school called the VANTAGE program. Basically, there was a teacher each year who was trained to cultivate the growth of students who had tested "advanced" or "gifted and talented" in some IQ and standardized testing. They put all of us in the same class and this teacher gave us more advanced reading, more difficult schoolwork, etc, to stimulate us in order to keep us from being bored out of our minds in class.

In Junior High, that class was expanded to include about fifteen kids, and from 6th - 8th grade, we had Mrs. Bailey for two class periods each day. In sixth grade she taught us reading and world history, making it fun. We made fairytale hats and went on an archaeological dig. In seventh grade she taught reading and language arts. We read Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, I believe, and composed our own poetry. In eighth grade she taught us geography and language arts, tackling O Henry and Shakespeare again, A Midsummer Night's Dream, invented our own countries, establishing the government and writing legislation for it, as well as creating maps of said country. (Amanda C. and I created Whopperland, and everything in our country was named after a candy or snack of some sort from Candy Corn Creek to Blue Razz Barrier Reef to M&M Mountains). And we also did Model UN, the fantastic GTV, and tons of other things I'm sure I'm forgetting.

Although, I'll never forget Aundrea's Limmerick about Kermit the Frog:

Kermit the frog ate a fly
Then he used drugs to get high
Then he did choke
From the weed in his throat
Now to Kermit we say "Goodbye."

I fell in love with the English language, with composition and grammar, enjoyed the heck out of history, and got to read fantastic authors like Poe, Shakespeare, O Henry, Ray Bradbury (just to name a few) in Mrs. Bailey's class. But the main reason Mrs. Bailey will always be my favorite teacher is because she loved us like her own kids...and she invested in us and cheered us on and challenged us to be BETTER. She made us think, forced us out of the typical educational boxes, taught us more than statistics and facts and rules. She fostered in us an ability and a drive to be creative, to be truthful about who we are, to be unapologetic about who we are, and to strive to be great. I have never had another teacher do that for me, not in high school and not in college. Nor have I ever had another teacher care for me and my fellow classmates in the same way Mrs. Bailey cared for us. The proof of that is in this letter that she wrote us as we left her in 8th grade and went on to high school:

So, Mrs. B, in case we haven't said it before -- or even if we have, it bears repeating -- thank you so much for pushing us when we needed to be pushed, challenging us when we needed to be challenged, and loving us even when we were getting on your last nerve. We love you always, and we are truly better people for knowing you and being taught by you.

Glee Celebration Playlist

2011-04-01T18:39:00.000-07:00

Glee has done some AMAZING covers, and some not so great covers of songs. I don't have all of the music from the show, but I do have most of them (166 to be exact). If I listened to them all back to back non stop, it would take 9.4 hours to get through the list. Anyway...while I really like almost all of the songs, there are a few tracks that just stand out as being wildly better than the rest. My current 15 favorite songs covered by the Glee Cast...in no particular order...and the lead vocals are going to by actor name, not character name.

1. Dog Days Are Over -- lead vocals by Jenna Ushkowitz and Amber Riley (orig. Florence and the Machine)
2. Don't Rain on My Parade -- lead vocals by Lea Michele (orig. Barbra Streisand from Funny Girl)
3. Sweet Caroline -- lead vocals by Mark Salling (orig. Neil Diamond)
4. And I Am Telling You -- lead vocals by Amber Riley (orig. Broadway play Dreamgirls)
5. Jessie's Girl -- lead vocals by Cory Monteith (orig. Rick Springfield)
6. Lucky -- lead vocals by Chord Overstreet and Dianna Agron (orig. Jason Mraz & Colbie Callait)
7. Valerie -- lead vocals by Naya Rivera (orig. Amy Winehouse)
8. Over the Rainbow -- lead vocals by Matt Morrison (orig. Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz)
9. Blackbird -- lead vocals by Chris Colfer (orig. The Beatles)
10. Fat Bottomed Girls -- lead vocals by Mark Salling (orig. Queen)
11. True Colors -- lead vocals by Jenna Ushkowitz (orig. Cyndi Lauper)
12. Proud Mary -- lead vocals by Kevin McHale, Amber Riley, and Jenna Ushkowitz (orig. Ike and Tina Turner)
13. On My Own -- lead vocals by Lea Michele (orig. Broadway play Les Miserables)
14. Dream a Little Dream -- lead vocals by Kevin McHale (orig. The Mamas and the Papas)
15. Hello -- lead vocals by Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele (orig. Lionel Richie)

How He Loves

2011-03-26T09:59:00.001-07:00

I Love Crowder. That is All.

When I Grow Up...

2011-03-21T12:26:00.001-07:00

I want to be like these girls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghgpz0IWV0E

Highlights from California

2011-03-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

so, as most of you know, I spent four days this week in sunny California visiting my very good friend, Wendy. We had tons of fun and ate a lot of great food and hung out on the beach and relaxed with "mixed beverages". There isn't enough time to go into a whole lot of detail, but there are a few things I wanted to throw out there. Mainly new friendships and wonderful restaurants you should eat at if you're in LA or Orange County.

First, as soon as we picked up Michelle "Reeder" Reed from the airport, we went to a Mexican food restaurant, where we met Wendy's friends, the wonderful Shannon, the Fabulous Matt, and her roommate, Javier, for lunch. (I'll stop and say, something here: yes, Javier is a man. No, he's not Wendy's boyfriend. And if you're still worried, don't be. Three people split the apartment, kind of like the TV show "Three's Company.") Anyway, the meal was fantastic. I can't remember the name of the place, but the table we sat at was in a little nook, and over Reeder's shoulder there was this resin bust of Jesus. Very typical idol-like little statue. Wendy raised her margarita to it, and I, jokingly raised my water and asked for wine. Some of you guys may think that's offensive and horrible of me, so I apologize for any offense. But, honestly, it was a shrine of Jesus in a restaurant. Kind of ridiculous to begin with. I had pulled beef tacos and a few margaritas. Again, don't be alarmed. We were there for about three hours, so I wasn't trashed, although I did feel very good when we finished.

I didn't have my camera out during the lunch, though I wish I had, because it was outrageously fun. But I did get it out in the parking lot before we went over to the beach, and snapped this fantastic picture of Matty. After I snapped it, I said, "Now I have a gay picture!" and we all laughed SOOOOOOOOOOO hard.

After lunch we went to the beach. I won't go into details. Here are a few really neat pictures.

Wendy's friend Shannon, (And I guess she's my friend now, too) snapped this picture of Wendy, Reeder, and I walking along the beach.

This is one of my favorite shots from the whole vacation. That's Reeder, walking down the beach, looking for rocks, with her cowboy boots tossed over her shoulder.

Wendy's feet buried in the sand.

Rocks on the shore, washed up because of the tsunami

Wendy's writing in the sand: "Kasidee and Reeder Week"

Day two, we went down to San Clemente for Crepes. Again, I can't remember the name of the place, but it is literally right across the road from the fishing pier. So if you're ever there, pop in. I had a breakfast crepe with applewood bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese. Then the three of us split a wonderful berries and creme crepe, stuffed with fresh strawberries and blueberries. Super yummy.

I don't know why I make the most awkward faces when I take pictures, but, oh well.

After crepes we went down to the end of the pier and watched this adorable man fish off the side. And then we watched some teenagers who were playing hooky, attempt to surf. They weren't very good, and weren't following appropriate surfing ettiquite, which was really irritating to another guy out there who was.

Later that afternoon, we went to Irvine, to the mall, and ate at the Yard House. I had a Mai Tai, and a Margherita pizza. If you've never had either, I suggest you try both. (Wait for the Mai Tai until you're 21, though. I don't want anyone getting arrested for underage drinking.) But the Margherita pizza was to-die-for. It was literally the best pizza I've ever eaten in my entire life, and I've eaten good pizza. Then we went to see Adjustment Bureau with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. It was actually a really good movie. then it was back to the apartment to watch Connie and Carla, and eat gooey butter cake. YUM!

On day three we went to Hollywood and did a bus tour of LA, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica. I didn't see anyone famous, or if I did, I didn't recognize them. But, I did get a couple of great shots. Breakfast was bagels from Panera, lunch was burritos at Chipotle. But dinner was the highlight of the day. We ate at an Italian Restaurant called Trastavere, and I had the most amazing meal: Ravioli Riccotta e Spinaci. It's hand-stuffed spinach and riccota ravioli, covered in a tomato basil sauce. So good. Wendy got butternut squash ravioli, and couldn't finish her last one, so I ate that, too. And it was heavenly. I don't have any pictures of our dinner, but many thanks go out to our amazing waiter Luis, who took very good care of us, and paired our meals perfectly with wine. (I actually didn't drink any wine because it gives me headaches, but Wendy's muscato was perfect with her meal). Needless to say, Luis got good tips from us. Here are some pictures from day three

Of course, I had to get a good picture of the Hollywood sign. It's actually no longer owned by the state because CA is in such debt. They sold it to a citizen for private upkeep. Movies have to pay bookoos to use it in film, and tourists are no longer allowed anywhere near the sign.

I can't get this picture to rotate, but this is Billy Graham's star on the walk of fame. I'm not really sure what I think about that.

This is a fountain in Beverly Hills. I thought it was really cool and beautiful.

This is part of the Berlin wall, which went up under JFK and came down under Reagan.

I thought this was funny...that someone would advertise their STD screening company in such a way.

Day four started early with us getting up at 6 to take Reeder to the airport. We ate cold pizza and got Starbucks for breakfast after Reeder was on the plane. Then Wendy and I chilled at her aunt's house, watched Burlesque and part of Chicago, then went to a sandwich shop called Togo, and had turkey and guacamole sandwiches. Again, very good. Then it was off to the airport so I could get back home.

All in all, this was a wonderful trip, and I'm ready to go back. Hopefully I can manage that again soon...and hopefully i can stay longer than four days next time.

funny, funny, funny

2011-03-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Bar-none, Jeff Dunham is my favorite comedian. Here's a few reasons why.

"It's in my other stick"

"Nnnnnnnyearrrrrrrrrrmmmmm"

"Oh, Jeff-fa-fa, oh, Jeff-fa-fa"

Favorite quotes, clips, and pictures from Little Giants

2011-03-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

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Danny O'Shea: Rudy Zoleteck, your friendly neighborhood gasman!

Mr. Zolteck: Gasman? I don't get it.

Mrs. Zolteck: Think about it.
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Spike: Look, you berzerko Barbie doll, when you mess with Spike, you mess with death.

Becky O'Shea: You can talk the talk but can you walk the walk?

Spike: Try me!

Becky O'Shea: I will!

Spike: Let's go!

Becky O'Shea: Right now!

Jake Berman: SOMEBODY CALL 911
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Jake Berman: I CAN'T SEE WITH THIS THING ON!
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Johnny Vennaro: You can't pitch to Johnny! I'm Johnny!

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Becky O'Shea: What a hunk. Wait a minute? What am I saying? I'm the Icebox. Icebox doesn't like boys. Except for that one...

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Mike Hammersmith: What's that cheerleader doing with a helmet on?

Kevin O'Shea: That's no cheerleader, that's my niece Becky. She's pissed
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Sean Murphy: Hey Hanon, do you catch anything ever?

Hanon: Caught a cold yesterday, Murph. Here! Have some!

[sneezes on Murphy]
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Alien - Third Day

2011-03-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

This is off their second studio album "Conspiracy No. 5", which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Awake My Soul - Mumford & Sons

2011-03-04T19:53:00.001-08:00

Love it.

Playlist Thursday: The First Twenty On iTunes On Shuffle

2011-03-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

Audio Adrenaline - Speak to Me
Glee Cast feat. Jonathan Groff - Bohemian Rhapsody
Jeremy Camp - Walk by Faith
Iron & Wine - Carousel
Stryper - The World of You and I
Spring Awakening Cast - The Mirror-Blue Night
Rush - The Color of Right
Dada - California Gold
Glee Cast - What it Feels Like For A Girl
Reba McEntyre - You're the First Time I've Thought About Leaving
Rush - One Little Victory
Chris Tomlin - Glory in the Highest
Cherry Poppin' Daddies - Cherry Poppin' Daddy Strut
Glee Cast feat. KD Lang - You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Shaun Groves - Your Renown
BarlowGirl - Grey
Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun
Shane & Shane - Yearn
Billy Joel - Uptown Girl
Rush - Entre Nous

Best Actors Born 1971 -1980

2011-03-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

As promised...a follow up to last week's best actors born 1981-1990, here's my list of the ten best LIVING actors and actresses born between 1971 - 1980.

1980

Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams

This year was a tight fight between the guys, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Ben Foster both also contending for the win. Everyone knows him because of The Notebook, but ultimately, Ryan's performances in The Believer, Lars and the Real Girl and Half Nelson (for which he received an Oscar nomination), solidified my decision. Also watch his fantastic work in Remember the Titans, Murder by Numbers, and the upcoming film with Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine.

The only other female contender was Kristen Bell, and while I love her work, she hasn't quite proven to me that she can hang dramatically. Michelle got her big break as Jennifer on Dawson's Creek. Everyone knows this, but she has been able to do what the rest of the cast hasn't. She's thrown off the teenage soapy image, and really shown her acting chops. She received an Oscar nomination for her role in Brokeback Mountain, and was nominated again this year for Blue Valentine. She also starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Shutter Island, as his wife, and did a turn of comedy with Kirsten Dunst in 1999's, Dick, about Nixon and Watergate.

1979

James McAvoy and Claire Danes

There were two other actors I considered here. The first, obviously, was Heath Ledger, but I decided to make this a list of living actors, so obviously Heath was out of the question. The other actor was Nick Stahl. Few people know him; he does lots of Indie movies, but his work has always been fantastic. However, I chose James because of his wide acting range. From the hit action movie, Wanted, to dramatic pieces like Atonement, The Last King of Scotland, and The Last Station, to the quirky Penelope, and his role as Tumnus in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, he's shown he's got serious acting chops. He doesn't have an Oscar nomination yet, but he will.

Claire Danes was pretty much a shoe-in for me. The only other person I considered was Alison Lohman because of her performances in Matchstick Men and White Oleander. But I must confess that I am a Clare Danes fan through and through. From her early work in Little Women, My So-Called Life and Les Miserable to The Hours to Shopgirl, The Family Stone, Stardust and Evening, and now to her Golden Globe-winning performance of Temple Grandin, she's proven she can do just about anything.

1978

Gael Garcia Bernal and Rachel McAdams

I struggled a little with this year. I thought I'd give the award to James Franco because he did such a wonderful job portraying James Dean in the TV bio-pic, he was hilarious in Date Night, wonderful in Milk and got an Oscar Nomination for 127 Hours. But I changed my mind, and decided to give it to Gael. His work in The Motorcycle Diaries is brilliant, he played his role in Letter to Juliet to perfection, and he was also fantastic in Babel. I've always been pleased and impressed in every role I've seen him in.

Rachel, however, was pretty much a no-brainer from the beginning. Sure, you have January Jones who is brilliant in Mad Men, and Zoe Saldana who has exploded onto the scene in the last two years with Star Trek and The Losers. But Zoe's all action and no drama/comedy, and I honestly haven't seen enough of January Jones' work to judge. Rachel, however, has done comedy (Mean Girls, The Family Stone), thrillers (Red Eye, State of Play), romantic dramas (The Notebook, The Time Travelers Wife), action (Sherlock Holmes and its sequel) and an intimate character piece (The Lucky Ones). I've never seen a performance from her that I didn't like.

1977

Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Samantha Morton

Jonathan pretty much from the start, was my choice for this year. There was one contender in Edgar Ramirez, but I only considered him after searching through a list of actors born in 1977. Jonathan initially grabbed my attention as the coach in Bend It Like Beckham, and then again in Woody Allen's, Match Point. He won my heart in August Rush, kicked butt in From Paris With Love, won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Elvis in the TV Movie, and has garnered tons of praise for his portrayal of Henry VIII in Showtime's The Tudors.

Samantha Morton is not well-known to most people, but she has been nominated for two Oscars, a SAG award and an Emmy, and won a Golden Globe (among many others). Her breakthrough performance for US audiences was in Minority Report. Her work is always spot on. She starred as Mary, Queen of Scots in Elizabeth: the Golden Age, as an Irish immigrant to America in In America, and as the widowed army wife in The Messenger...which is a brilliant movie.

1976

Ryan Reynold and Reese Witherspoon

Ryan has proven over the years, that while he really excels in comedy, he has the ability to play serious, dramatic roles. He got his start in the TV show Two Guys and a Girl, shines in comedies like The Proposal, Adventureland, and Just Friends, but has also done action (Blade: Trinity, X-Men: Origins, and The Green Lantern), horror (The Amityville Horror), a thriller (Buried), and the dramatic Fireflies in the Garden. Plus, he's not hard to look at.

Reese Witherspoon's one of those actresses who, I believe, could do anything. If you need her to play a tomboy, she can (Man in the Moon). If you need her to play a British character, she can (Vanity Fair, The Importance of being Earnest). If you need her to play an airhead, she can (Legally Blonde 1&2). If you need her to play some innocent ingenue, she's can (Cruel Intentions). If you need her to play someone completely unlikeable, she can (Election). If you need her to play a moped-riding eccentric, she can (Penelope). If you need her to play June Carter Cash, she can (Walk the Line), and do it so well she wins an Oscar.

1975

Tobey Maguire and Kate Winslet

Tobey was a pretty easy choice, especially since his performance in last years Brothers. But I've liked him for years, starting with the Spiderman trilogy, but also for his work in Seabiscuit, Pleasantville, Cider House Rules, and The Wonder Boys. Bradley Cooper, Hugh Dancy, and Casey Affleck were contenders, but they just don't quite have enough to convince me otherwise.

Kate Winslet, on the other hand had absolutely no challengers. Sure, there's Charlize Theron (who won and Oscar for Monster) and Marion Cotillard (who won and Oscar for La Vie en Rose). But Kate his received six Oscar nominations: For Sense and Sensibility, Titanic, Iris, Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind, Little Children, and The Reader). She won in 2008 for The Reader, and should have been nominated in the same year for Revolutionary Road. Plus, she did wonderful films like Finding Neverland, and The Holiday. There is no one born in 1975 who comes close. She's absolutely brilliant in every role she takes, and I never feel like she's acting. She's that good.

1974

Leonardo DiCaprio and Hilary Swank

Leo's only competition was Christian Bale, who just won the Oscar this year. But, I had to give it to Leo. He's been nominated for 3 Oscars (What's Eating Gilbert Grape, The Aviator, Blood Diamond) but he could have easily been nominated for more, including his performances is Gangs of New York, Titanic, Revolutionary Road, and Catch Me If You Can. He's only made one or two movie missteps in his career, (The Beach, Man in the Iron Mask) and I'm happy to forgive him for them. I'd just like him to do a comedy...but the man is so serious, I doubt that will happen.

Hilary Swank was someone I almost didn't think about. She's won two Oscars (Boys Don't Cry, Million Dollar Baby) and they are well-deserved. But Amy Adams was born in 1976 as well (and has 3 Oscar nominations herself), and I almost gave this slot to her. But, Hilary eked this one out because of her Oscar wins, and also because of her roles in Amelia, PS I Love You, 11:14, and Freedom Writers.

1973

Neil Patrick Harris and Vera Farmiga

I know what you're thinking. Why in the world does Doogie Houser, MD get this award instead of, say, Adrien Brody (who has actually won an Oscar). Well, he gets it because I genuinely feel Neil is better. The man is openly gay, and yet somehow manages to convince me every week that he is a completely straight, horn-dog on How I Met Your Mother. Just because he hasn't done the big movies doesn't mean he couldn't. He's a theater guy, and also, it's rare when an openly gay man actually gets the chance to take on a leading film role...much less a role in a film that has Oscar potential. Straight men can play gay, but you won't see a gay man play straight.

Vera Farmiga is also not a huge movie star, or well-known...but she's my winner, beating out Juliette Lewis (who's received an Oscar nom) and Kate Beckinsale. But Vera wins for her fantastic work in Up in the Air, The Boy with the Striped Pajamas, and The Departed. If you haven't watch any of those films you should. But be warned, Striped Pajamas will depress you for a full day or longer.

1972

Jude Law and Toni Colette

Jude had only one real contender, and that was Ben Affleck. I know, there's not really a comparison, and perhaps if Ben had won his Oscar for acting instead of writing a screenplay, I could have given him more credence. But Jude has received two nominations, (Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley). He's also starred in Closer, AI, Road to Perdition, The Aviator, The Holiday, Sherlock Holmes, and Repo Men, just to name a few. And he famously stepped in and helped finished The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus after Heath Ledger died in the middle of shooting the film.

Toni Collette almost didn't win this. I almost gave it to Gwyneth Paltrow, who won an Oscar for Shakespeare In Love. But I chose Toni for her ability to completely disappear into a role. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Haley Joel Osment's mom in The Sixth Sense, was brilliant in About a Boy, costarred in The Hours, shone in Little Miss Sunshine, was fantastic in Evening, and endearing in In Her Shoes. Probably her best role, though, is in her TV show The United States of Tara, in which she plays a schizophrenic, and has won an Emmy and Golden Globe for her performance.

1971

Mark Wahlberg and Winona Ryder

This one was difficult as well, because I had to consider Ewan McGregor and Taye Diggs (who, even though he doesn't have much of a movie career, is a brilliant actor nonetheless, especially on the stage). But Mark got the nod because of his wide variety of roles, including two Oscar nominations for The Departed and The Fighter. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention his breakthrough work in Fear, as well as his roles in action movies (Three Kings, The Italian Job, Shooter,) and dramas (Invincible, The Lovely Bones, The Perfect Storm,) and comedies (Date Night, The Other Guys). (I'm going to completely ignore Boogie Nights.)

Winona was a pretty easy choice, though I considered Emily Mortimer and Sanaa Lathan. Her work as a child actor, (Beetle Juice, Heathers, Great Balls of Fire) led to good work as a young adult which included two Oscar nominations (The Age of Innocence, Little Women) as well as Edward Scissorhands and How to Make an American Quilt. Then she starred in Girl, Interrupted, and Autumn in New York. And more recently has had supporting roles in Star Trek and Black Swan. Kleptomania aside, she's really fantastic.

My Same - Adele

2011-02-28T07:31:00.000-08:00

I know I'm a little late in the game, but i just discovered Adele. For those of you who are familiar with her, you'll have to forgive me. I'm not generally a fan of pop/R&B. So much R&B now is too much like rap for me. Anyway...I bought her first album, 19, a few days ago...and I can't stop listening to it. My Same is my favorite song on the album. I love every song, but this one is SO MUCH FUN

Enjoy.

Top Actors Born in 1981-1990

2011-02-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

I recently was thinking about all the really good actors that were born in the same decade as me, and I decided I'd make a list of actors and actresses who, in my opinion, are currently the best actors of my generation. This list contains 10 men and 10 women who I believe are the best LIVING actor/actress born in each year of the 80's decade. We'll start from 1990 and go backward.

1990

Aaron Johnson and Emma Watson

Aaron's career is just getting started, but it's started with a bang. He is the title character in Kick-Ass, starred as John Lennon in the bio-pic Nowhere Boy, and gave a wonderfully nuanced performance in a little indie movie called The Greatest starring Susan Sarandon, Pierce Brosnan and Carey Mulligan.

And Emma is famous for her Harry Potter role of Hermione Granger, which she plays to perfection. She doesn't have much else on her resume, but as busy as that's kept her, you can't really blame her. Plus, she's getting her degree from Brown Univeristy.

1989

Anton Yelchin and Mia Wasikowska

Anton is one of those actors who disappears into his roles. He got his big break in Alpha Dog, played Chekov in the 2008 Star Trek reboot, and Kyle Reese in Terminator: Salvation, and has starred in some smaller, indie films such as Middle of Nowhere with Susan Sarandon, and as the title character in Charlie Bartlett.

Mia was Alice in last years Alice in Wonderland, starred in the Oscar nominated film The Kids Are Alright with Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, and Mark Ruffalo, and plays the titular role of Jane Eyre in this year's film of the Charlotte Bronte classic.

1988

Haley Joel Osment and Emma Stone

Okay, so Haley hasn't done anything of note in the last six years. Big deal. He OWNED Sixth Sense, was fantastic in AI, and held his own against Robert Duvall and Michael Caine in Second Hand Lions. The only guy who could come close is Rupert Grint, but as much as I love Ron Weasley, I have to give Haley his props.

Emma's probably best known for slapstick comedies such as Superbad (which I haven't watched all the way through, and never will), Housebunny, and Easy A, in which she outshone Amanda Bynes (which is hard to do). But I like her performance in Zombieland best, and I'm really looking forward to watching her portray Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spiderman.

1987

Thomas Dekker and Ellen Page

I know you expected me to say Zac Efron, but I didn't. Most people don't know who Thomas Dekker is, but that's going to change. He starred in his own TV show, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and gave a brilliantly nuanced performance as Taylor Ambrose, Kate's boyfriend and fellow cancer patient, in My Sister's Keeper. Plus, at 23, he's already written and directed his own independent film. Not many guys can say that.

Ellen Page, however, is a shoe-in. She's got this quirky, wry, dry sensibility that works well in comedies like Whip It and Juno, but she was wonderful in Inception, holding her own with Leonardo DiCaprio and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and has been lauded for her work in the dramatic Hard Candy.

1986

Jamie Bell and Emmy Rossum

This was a difficult year to decide in both categories. Jamie's chief competition was Shia LaBeouf, who I think is actually an excellent actor. The edge went to Jamie, though, because he is able to disappear into a role. Whether it's a period piece like Nicholas Nickelby, or an action film like Jumper or Defiance, or a character piece like The Chumscrubber or Billy Elliot, Jamie is always spot on.

Emmy won out over actresses like Gemma Arterton simply because her body of work is more diverse. She did a musical Phantom of the Opera, an epic movie The Day After Tomorrow, and had her break-out role in Clint Eastwood's Mystic River, acting alongside Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, and Tim Robbins. Now she stars in her own TV series on Showtime.

1985

Emile Hirsch and Keira Knightley

1985 was a hard year for men, simply because there aren't many established actors with a decent catalogue of work. But, Emile won the vote because of his lead role in Into the Wild, and his supporting roles in Milk, Taking Woodstock, and Alpha Dog. (I'll pretend someone else starred in Speed Racer).

This was a difficult year for women as well, but for the opposite reason. Ultimately Keira Knightley beat out other actresses, like Carey Mulligan, Amanda Seyfried, and Anna Kendrick, simply because she's got such a wonderfully diverse portfolio. From an Oscar nomination as Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, to a turn as a bounty hunter in Domino, to her Pirates trilogy, to a spot-on Welsh accent in The Edge of Love, Keira has proven that no matter the role or genre, she always brings her "A" game.

1984

Paul Dano and Scarlett Johansson

Paul's main competition was Garrett Hedlund, who has come out guns blazing this year with Tron: Legacy, and Country Strong. However, I chose Paul because he was spectacular as vow-of-silence Dwayne in Little Miss Sunshine, was brilliant in the indie Gigantic opposite Zooey Deschanel, and shone as kid-wonder scientist Simon Feck in Knight and Day.

I first saw Scarlett's work in Lost in Translation, and then I watched Girl with a Pearl Earring and Match Point. I was impressed. But what solidified my decision to go with her instead of, say, Jena Malone (who, by the way, is a fantastically under-rated actress), was actually her performance in The Spirit. Finally, she played a character that didn't reek with sexuality, and she disappeared into the skin of an automaton. Brilliant.

1983

Jesse Eisenberg and Emily Blunt

Everyone knows him from The Social Network. I first saw him in The Squid and the Whale. Then I watched The Education of Charlie Banks, then Adventureland, then Zombieland, and while I am waiting patiently for him to play a character completely opposite to type to prove he's got the chops, there's no arguing that he's one of the best young actors in Hollywood.

She stole the show from Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, won a Golden Globe for her role in TV movie Gideon's Daughter, held her own against Amy Adams and Alan Arkin in Sunshine Cleaning, and was radiant in The Young Victoria. Even in the B-movie homage to old thrillers, The Wolfman, where everything was over-the-top and a little campy, she was pitch-perfect in her choices.

1982

Cam Gigandet and Anne Hathaway

Three years ago, no one knew who Cam Gigandet was. Then he played James in Twilight, out-acting everyone in the film with the exception of Anna Kendrick and Michael Welch. He starred in three movies in 2009, and four in 2010, including Easy A where he showed his comedy chops, and Burlesque where he wowed me as soft-hearted bar manager Jack. He doesn't have a big award nomination or win yet, but don't count him out.

Anne Hathaway had a couple of close followers in Anna Paquin (she won an Oscar when she was 12) and Hayley Atwell (who is brilliant in The Duchess and Pillars of the Earth). But ultimately, I had to give it to Anne. She burst onto the scene with The Princess Diaries, then she chose Havoc and Brokeback Mountain so she wouldn't be pigeon-holed as a Disney actor. She was brilliant in Becoming Jane opposite James McAvoy, and fun in Get Smart opposite Steve Carrell, and was nominated for an Oscar for Rachel Getting Married. Even her work in the recent Love and Other Drugs was brilliant, despite the fact that there was far too much nakedness.

1981

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Natalie Portman

I fell in love with him in Angels in the Outfield. Then he starred on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Then he did 10 Thing I Hate About You. And he followed all those up with a wonderfully mixed bag of big blockbusters (Stop-Loss, Inception, GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra) and Indie films (Brick. (500) Days of Summer, and Uncertainty). Rupert Friend and Chris Evans are the only two who come close, and they just don't have the goods.

Is there anyone other than Natalie Portman I could have given this to? Sienna Miller is the only one I could consider, but even that was so distant it was a no-brainer. From her brilliant turn as Mathilda in The Professional at the tender age of 12, to Amidala in the Star Wars trilogy, to epileptic Sam in Garden State, to her Oscar nominated role of Alice in Closer, to Evey in V For Vendetta, to widowed army wife, Grace, in 2009's Brother's, to this year's brilliant and much-awarded turn as psychologically broken Nina Sayers in Black Swan, she's proven herself to be fantastic in whatever role is set before her. And if she doesn't win the Oscar on Sunday, I'll eat my hat.

-----------------------------
I'm working on at list of actors born in the 70's, which I'll post shortly.

8 TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon

2011-02-11T15:25:00.000-08:00

The first season seemed promising. I was invested in the characters, and LOVED James Van Der Beek's slightly arrogant Dr. Joe Briggs, and Michelle Tratchenberg's Newbie Nurse Chloe.

Before Jesse's Tyer Ferguson's role on Modern Family, before Jason Ritter starred on Parenthood or The Event, before Lizzy Caplan's starred in True Blood or Cloverfield, they starred on this little comedy for one short, beautiful, hilarious season.

What's not to love about a show featuring Claire Danes? Especially when it is rife with teen angst and first love? Plus Jared Leto's not hard to look at.

It was like "The Sopranos" for network television, except the characters were Irish instead of Italian. It was gritty. It was honest. It had a spectacular cast. And for some reason NBC canned it after only a handful of episodes.

Quirky, fun, honest, and well-cast. seriously, look at the cast list! Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Kristin Chenowith, and Swoozie Kurtz. But apparently it was too left of center for ABC execs. And that's a crying shame.

I can't say enough good things about this show. It was intelligent, quirky, engaging. But on a network like the CW where everything must get girls' panties in a tizzy, it was too serialized and not sexualized enough for the execs to keep it. Shame on them. And it's a poor consolation knowing Kristen Bell is the voice of Gossip Girl. But KB really wants to make a Veronica movie. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

It is, I believe, Judd Apatow's finest work. Forget his lewd movies, this 1-season wonder is absolutely brilliant. And the cast are a bunch of up-and-comers: James Franco (Spiderman Trilogy, 127 Hours, Pineapple Express...just to name a few), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, The Green Hornet), Linda Cardellini (Scooby Doo movies, ER), John Francis Daley (Bones), Busy Phillips (Dawson's Creek, Cougar Town), Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How I Met Your Mother).

I've already blogged about the spin-off (or should I say pay-off) movie Serenity, so there's no surprise that my Number One show is Firefly. The writing is witty and hilarious (they cuss in Chinese), the direction is superb, cast is brilliant, the stories are engaging. And seriously, what beats a TV show about cowboys in space? Not a blasted thing. Fox should be ashamed. But I have the DVD box set, so everything is shiny.

Terrific Tuesday Playlist

2011-02-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted a playlist...so I decided, what the heck? Here we go:

Joan Jett - Bits and Pieces
Aerosmith -- I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
The Eagles -- Get Over It
Muse -- Plug in Baby
Rush -- Tom Sawyer
Bob Seger -- New Coat of Paint
The Beatles -- Eleanor Rigby
Fleetwood Mac -- Go Your Own Way
Bob Dylan -- Gotta Serve Somebody
Rod Stewart -- Some Guys Have All the Luck
The Police -- Roxanne
Genesis -- In Too Deep
Foreigner -- Cold as Ice
Heart -- What About Love

Set My Face Like Flint

2011-02-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

I discovered Enation a couple of years ago kind of randomly. The lead singer is Jonathan Jackson of General Hospital fame, and he and his band were featured on an episode of One Tree Hill. Anyway...I immediately listened to their music on YouTube, and I found this song and immediately fell in love.

Everything Is Different

2011-02-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

I love the Shanes for many and diverse reasons. Their music is unpretentious. Their shows are about worshipping the Lord, not about big light shows and fancy fog blowers and lasers, etc. But mostly, because you can really tell that they are humble men who love the Lord and just want to serve and worship him with their lives. Lucky women, their wives. Very lucky indeed.

Seriously LOVE them.

How do I love, thee, Eisley. I shall list the ways.

2011-01-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

I love Eisley for several reasons. First and foremost, they make fantastic music. I can appreciate anyone who makes good music. I love that their music is something that I could play while my little brothers are in the car with me and I wouldn't have to worry about them hearing something inappropriate. I also love that they're from Texas (Tyler to be specific)...but that's just because I'm a Texas girl. But beyond that, I love that they don't compromise their artistic or musical integrity by trying to put out music that sounds just like everything else on the radio. They don't sound like anyone else I've ever heard, and they don't want to sound like anyone else. And as a fellow musician and songwriter, I applaud that the most. In a world where ALL mainstream music sounds exactly alike, Eisley defies the norm with graceful aplomb. And that, more than anything else, is why I love the band.

The band won't let people embed their videos, so please click on the link below to watch the music video for a song called "Memories."

http://www.youtube.com/user/eisley#p/u/0/xewk7OgIrPU

Amoral Nation, Yellow Journalism, and Turning Spades into Hearts

2011-01-29T14:27:00.000-08:00

Read This First

Please view the above link before you read what is written below so you know what I'm talking about and agreeing with.

I'm not one to post another person's blog entry as a link on my own site, but this one begs sharing. And, apart from a photo including the current first lady as a classy woman, I completely agree with the statements being made here. (I will keep my personal and political opinions about Mrs. Obama to myself and not include them in this post.)

Regardless, I'm appalled by how disgustingly amoral our society has become, and how yellow our mainstream journalism has become. You can't turn on a TV show anymore without someone being underdressed at least once during the episode, and you can't watch a cable network show without either nudity or some nasty sex scene. Even kiddie shows have undercurrents and double entendre's sprinkled through them. Kidz Bop is a HUGELY successful music series in which children singing the songs written by adults for adult audiences. (Some remade songs on Kidz Bop albums include songs by Lady Gaga (Bad Romance, Poker Face), Katy Perry (I Kissed a Girl, Teenage Dream), Britney Spears (Toxic, Slave 4 U) and other artists who write sexually charged music. Seriously...there is something SUPREMELY wrong with this. The major networks (minus FOX News) are permanently jaundiced when it comes to reporting the news, and now they are feeding sexualized day-time shows to our children who are clueless to the awful things they're being subjected to. I remember growing up the New Kids On The Block were huge, and they were singing songs called "Popsicle" and others that now, I realize were more sexualized than I could understand at the tender age of 8. I remember in junior high singing along with songs on the radio, Boyz II Men's "I'll Make Love To You," or Nirvana's "Sex and Candy." (I now realize that candy is a drug, but at the time, I thought it was a peppermint or a Snicker's bar.) But at least when I was growing up, people didn't have the audacity to have children sing those songs in order to camouflage the depravity. If something was for grownups, it was for grownups and America (by in large) still had the moral integrity to attempt to make sure that children weren't subjected to it. If it was a spade, we called it a spade. We didn't turn it upside down and try to convince people it was a heart.

But not anymore, and that is what the author of the other blog is in an uproar about.

And it's what I'm upset about as well. Today, when we take our kids to watch a PG movie, it is likely that we will hear every cuss words other than the F-word, and maybe the word "bastard" during the movie, and it is also likely that there will be some inappropriate jokes or even some moments of people without particular layers of clothing. Today, we turn on the radio and the songs we hear a rife with sexuality and cuss words. Our most popular musicians are rappers or R&B artists who talk about having sex, disrespecting women and parents, doing drugs, or committing crimes.

If you don't know what yellow journalism is, read this.

Today, we turn our spades upside down, slap a coat of paint on them, hide the bits that display make it a spad, and show it to our children and tell them, "Hey...maybe it wasn't a heart to start with, maybe it wasn't born a heart, but it always wanted to be a heart, so we helped it out so it could look and feel like a heart. So, if you're a spade and you want to be a heart, then you're a heart, no matter what you were born as. And if you're a heart and you want to be a spade, then you're a spade, and we can take you to a special doctor who knows how to make you a spade."

By the way...a spade is still a spade, no matter how hard you squint your eyes and wish it were a heart.

The Devil Wears Prada

2011-01-28T09:10:00.000-08:00

Rewatched the movie last night. I forgot how stinking hilarious it is. Especially Emily Blunt's ridiculous character "Emily." Every scene she was in, she stole the show. I'm dissappointed, though, because I wanted to show a clip of my favorite "Emily" moment, and there is absolutely NADA on youtube. Just a couple of poor quality trailers and a few deleted scenes. I can't even find images on google of the scene I want. Oh well...the movie is great fun. Really hilarious. And, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt TOTALLY steal the show.

Wherefore art thou, Gnomeo?

2011-01-27T13:02:00.000-08:00

I am super excited to go watch this in theaters. And, it's tame enough that i can actually take my little brothers.

Current Ten Favorite Movies

2011-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Some are old, some are new. Some are little independent films almost nobody has seen, and some are widely-known or might even be huge blockbusters. Regardless, here are my current top ten favorite movies. At some point, I will do a list of what I would term a "best movies," speaking of the movie quality or the plot or acting. Not all the movies on this top 10 list will be movies nominated for Oscars or any other award. so...without further ado: (in no particular order)

What's not to love about the movie adaptation of the most famous and longest-running broadway musical of all time? It's so good, and the cast is phenomenal. But why do I really LOVE it? It is SO unbelievably romantic.

This is a rugby movie, and it came out two or three years before Invictus, (which I have seen, and thought was good). I hate pitting the two movies against each other because the undercurrents and themes in the movies are VASTLY different, but I prefer Forever Strong over Invictus. It is heartfelt and beautiful, and you watch the main character find himself and transform from being an arrogant, selfish, talented player into a strong, compassionate, caring leader. And you still get to watch guys knock the snot out of each other on the playing field. What's not to love?

Every girl went gaga over Ryan Gosling in The Notebook. (I've liked him since The Mickey Mouse Club.) He's played a variety of characters, but there is something about this movie, and this character that sets him apart. I love the whole thing from start to finish. There's not a single moment of this movie that isn't wonderful. But, mostly, I love how the community surrounds and supports Lars through the difficulty he's trying to process. It's a beautiful picture of unconditional love and support for someone who is struggling.

I know it's already made my previous "Top ten sports movies for kids" list, but this is absolutely, unequivocably my favorite sports movie of all time. I know it's cheesy and ridiculous, but I love it. I have loved it since the first time I saw it some 16 years ago. From Becky "Ice Box" O'Shea running boys down on her go cart, to Spike referring to himself in 3rd person, to Johnny "holding a pound of Aunt Betty's Nut Butter," to the "Annexation of Puerto Rico." It's complete and utter fun from top to bottom...and I doubt it's place as #1 sports movie will ever be supplanted.

Yes, it's a foreign film. Yes, it's completely in Chinese, and you have to read the subtitles. But this movie is brilliant and breath-taking. The cinematography is breath-taking. The fight scenes are balletic rather than gruesome. The story is wondeful. And the acting is phenomenal. The entire movie feels like watching a painter with his pallet and brush in hand, filling his canvas with color and shape. It is entrancing and beautiful.

These friends trek across the country, and break into George Lucas' mansion so they can watch Star Wars Episode 1 before it comes out in theaters, because one of them is sick and may not make it to the premiere. Hilarity and ridiculousness ensue. It's a completely outrageous love offering to science fiction in general, but specifically to Star Wars. And, to boot, the movie is full of cameos and appearances by Carrie Fischer (Princess Leia), William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Ray Park (Darth Maul), Seth Rogen, and Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob).\

Do I have to explain myself on this one? Based on (arguably) the best romantic novel ever written, and certainly, the best known and most lauded of Jane Austen's work, the film is a gem. Keira received an Oscar nomination for her role. McFadyen was a brilliant Darcy. Plus, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, and Carey Mulligan (who has since been nominated for an Oscar, herself), as the other Bennet sisters. And top it of with Donald Sutherland and Brenda Blethyn and the colorful Mamma and Pappa, and Dame Judy Dench as the Baroness. Can a girl ask for anything more? It's wonderful. Purely wonderful.

I have never watched a better bio-pic of a musician in my entire life. Seriously. This outdoes everything I've ever watched about a real musician. Possibly the only thing that comes close is The Coal Miner's Daughter, the bio-pic of Loretta Lynn. Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash is brilliant. Ginnifer Goodwin as his first wife was wonderful. And, the you have Reese Witherspoon in her Oscar-winning role of June Carter Cash. PLUS...Reese and Joaquin did their own singing. Come on! FANTASTIC!

In 2003 a sci-fi series about gun-slinging cowboys in space showing on Fox, was canned. It was called Firefly. Its fans were in an uproar, and show creater, Joss Whedon (he created Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) came up with a plan to give the fans an appropriate ending to the series. The result came in 2005: Serenity. I saw the movie before I saw the TV series, and loved it immediately. Then I purchased the series box set and watch the series and rewatched the movie. I never grow tired of it. It's innovative and fun, and the storyline is brilliant. Plus, the cast includes Nathan Fillion (from ABC's Castle), Morena Baccarin (ABC's V) Adam Baldwin (NBC's Chuck) and Summer Glau (Fox's Sarah Connor Chronicles and now NBC's The Cape).

This is my most recent addition to the top ten list. I only watched it a couple weeks ago. And, it would be fair right now to say that it is probaby my current favorite movie. After watching it I was so intrigued by the life of Queen Victoria, I went to Barnes & Noble and bought a biography about her life and the life of her husband, Prince Albert. Emily Blunt gives the performance of her career (so far), as the young princess-turned queen (and earned a Golden Globe nomination for it last year). The movie is beautifully shot, and splendidly acted by all, including Blunt, Rupert Friend (as Albert), Mark Strong, Miranda Richardson, and Paul Bettany, with a few wonderful scenes with Jim Broadbent (as William IV) which are like the sprinkles on top of the perfect ice cream sundae. I could probably write an entire blog solely on The Young Victoria and perhaps I owe it to myself and the movie to do so. But suffice it to say I haven't watched such a pleasing movie in probably six to eight months. The last time I felt this way was when I watched a little movie with Pierce Brosnan, Susan Sarandon, and Carey Mulligan called The Greatest, and if I had eleven spots on this list, it would make the cut.

Greater Things are Yet to Come

2011-01-19T15:14:00.001-08:00

Crime and Punishment

2011-01-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

I finally did it! After two long, arduous months of reading before bed, I have finished the beast that is Crime and Punishment. And i must say that, although it is the quintessential paranoid, schizophrenic Russian novel, I actually enjoyed it. Once I was able to decypher who people were. For example: the main character, Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov, and his sister Avdotya Romanovna, and his friend, Sofya Semyonevna Marmeladov, and so on. Russian names are very difficult to keep straight in your head - especially with all the pet names they have that sometimes make absolutely no sense whatsoever. then again...I'm not really sure how we English-speakers go from Richard to Dick or Henry to Hank - but apparently there's some method to that madness.

Anyway, I digress. The story is very complex and the characters are layered - they aren't caricatures. They have depth and they resonate. the character arcs are good, and even the most despicable characters have some sort of redemptive quality in them. The plot is intricate and intriguing (once you get past the first two or three chapters) and very dark. Like I said above, the book is driven by paranoia and mental instability, so if you can't deal with that, you might want to steer clear.

bottom line, if you don't mind dedicating two months of your life to a book that requires a team of oxen to plow through, you'll enjoy this novel. And, if it gets too heavy, don't be afraid to put it down for a few days and read something a little lighter and easier. Then come back to it, because I believe it's worth the work.

2010-12-31T10:51:00.001-08:00

This is why I love Bethany Dillon.

Wine Glass Music.

2010-12-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

SICK. AWESOME. and TOTALLY RAD.

Playing in the Dirt

2010-12-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

At mom's house, out front, there is this huge pile of red dirt. The boys have always like to play on it or in it...whether it's riding their bikes over the top of it, or playing with army men and match box cars. Recently, the boys decided they wanted to dig a tunnel through it. So, they got a shovel, and a couple of gardening tools and went after it.

When I was at mom's yesterday, Tristan was off camping with a cousin, and Sam wanted to show me the tunnel they were working on. So, we go out there. Sam, in his Lighting McQueen rubber boots, Wranglers, and white t-shirt, proceeds to squirm his way through the tunnel and says, "can you fit?" Of course, I couldn't because he could barely make it through, so we grabbed the shovels and gardening tools and went to work making a bigger tunnel. Here are a few pictures of Sam working and playing hard.

Sam throwing dirt he's digging away from the tunnel

working with some gardening tools to loosen the dirt on the tunnel floor.

This is before we started hollowing it out more. You can see that Sam has to squirm like a worm on his belly to fit through.

This is after, when we were running out of daylight. He's actually crawling. I think, all in all, we had a very profitable 45 minutes.

Brothers

2010-12-09T09:27:00.000-08:00

You might think this is a war movie. It's not. It's a movie about the effects of war...about the stresses of the choices war presents...about relationships and family and misery and regret and guilt and love and understanding. It's a movie about surviving the unimaginable. I like this movie so much that last year when it came out I went and watched it in the theater TWICE. And I NEVER do that. But I went once by myself, and once with my good friend, Wendy. It is superbly directed by Jim Sheridan, and beautifully acted by Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman. It is definitely the best performance I've ever seen from Tobey, and might be the best thing Natalie has done to date. And Jake's quiet, subdued performance is just as noteworthy.

Seriously...watch it.

Rated R for language and violence.

Jars of Clay playlist

2010-12-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

since i'm currently listening to all of my jars of clay music on shuffle, i thought I'd make a playlist of my favorite Jars songs. Song first, then album Enjoy. I do.

(Note: these songs are not necessarily on the above album. They are simply my Essential Jars of Clay songs).

Needful Hands, Exodus (compilation album)

Oh My God, Good Monsters

World Apart, Jars of Clay

They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, Redemption Songs

Jealous Kind, Who We Are Instead

Two Hands, Long Fall Back To Earth

Frail, Much Afraid

No One Loves Me Like You, If I Left the Zoo

The Eleventh Hour, The Eleventh Hour

The Valley Song, Furthermore

Closer, Closer EP

Top Ten Favorite Sports Movies - For Kids

2010-12-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

Having recently rewatched We Are Marshall, I thought about trying to make a top ten list of sports movies...like a best-ever list. I read a few lists that other people compiled, and realized that i haven't watched enough of the "greats" to really qualify as an expert on the subject. So...I rethought the idea, and decided to list my 10 favorite child-friendly sports movies. Most are from my own childhood, but there are a couple that have come out in the last few years that made the list. They aren't necessarily the most artful or penetrating movies...but they are great fun for kids.

10. The Big Green. Classic underdog story. Some hilarious moments...and a rare movie about soccer.

9. Angels in the Outfield. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Danny Glover, and Christopher Lloyd knock it out of the park. Literally.

8. Little Big League. A brief, wonderful appearance by Jason Robards, and an endearing performance by Luke Edwards as Billy.

7. Rookie of the Year. A freak accident gives a kid the ability to throw 100 mph fastballs. Lots of fun. Suspension of disbelief required.

6. Miracle. The true story of the 1980 USA hockey team of college kids who beat the Russians in the Gold medal game at the Olympics. And it has Kurt Russell. Win, win.

5. Remember the Titans. A movie about so much more than football. It's Denzel at his finest, and a fantastic ensemble cast including, Hayden Panetierre, Will Patton, Kip Pardue, Ryan Gosling, and Kate Bosworth just to name a few.

4. Rudy. The underdog movie of the millenium. I cry every time I watch it. Sean Astin is fantastic.

3. The Mighty Ducks Trilogy. Seriously...you can't pick just one. Emilio Estevez is great as Gordon Bombay. Plus...this movie introduced the world to Joshua Jackson. Thank you, and thank you.

2. Little Giants. Rick Moranis and Ed O'Neill crack skulls. Devon Sawa in the movie roll that sparked as SERIOUS childhood crush. A linebacker named Spike. A guy who blows snot bubbles - unintentionally, and a wide receiver who can't catch. and FUMBLERUSKI! Genius.

1. The Sandlot. If you had any doubt that this would top the list, you're crazy. There is nothing better. If you haven't seen it, and really need to be convinced to watch this movie, here it is: James Earl Jones. And if you still don't want to watch it, I have four words for you: "You're killing me, Smalls!"

City and Colour

2010-12-04T13:25:00.000-08:00

At the Bird's Foot.

I am not typically one to go for tree-hugger, save the whale's type stuff. But this song is so stinking good...it deserves a listen.

Old School Country

2010-12-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Good:

Better:

Best:

The Swell Season - In These Arms

2010-12-01T12:49:00.001-08:00

So Good.

In These Arms from banjo bandstand on Vimeo.

babysitting the niece

2010-11-29T09:14:00.000-08:00

so...this past Wednesday and Saturday, i got to babysit my sweet niece, Brylin. This is a rare treat because I'm usually working on both days, but because of the Thanksgiving holiday, I had the time off and we were able to have some awesome, sweet, aunt Kasi - BryBear time. PURE JOY.

Top Twelve Lines: Glee: The Substitute

2010-11-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

12. Miss Holiday: sorry for just coming over like this. I wanted to do this in person. Plus, I heard you had expensive beer

11. Puck: Mr. Schuester is the only teacher who ever touched me...except Mr. Rhyerson.

10. Sue: My first order of business: destroy the glee club
Will: I thought we were friends.
Sue: That got boring.

9. Terri: You have to admit that no matter how toxic our marriage was, I was always really good at taking care of you when you were sick.
Will: That's because you like me best when I'm weak.

8. Rachel: In Mr. Schuester's absence, I'd like to go around and ask everyone what solos they'd like to hear me sing at sectionals.

7. Kurt: You smell homeless, Brett. Homeless.

6. Miss Holiday: Cee-Lo. That's what I'm talking about.
Santana: Excuse me. What would you like about Cee-Lo? You're like, 40.
Miss Holiday: Top 40, sweet cheeks.

5. Rachel: Hi Miss Holiday. I'd like you to know that I have a very severe bruise on my right buttocks from your game of gangsta rap musical chairs.

4. Sue: It's broccoli. When I showed it to Brittany, she began to whimper, thinking I had cut down a small tree where a family of gummy bears lived.

3. Mini- Santana: Lookin' good, Puckerman. Someone's been eating his wheaties.
Mini-Puck: [flexing] These guns are fully loaded.
Mini-Rachel: Mr. Schue, I for one, think we should use our set list for sectionals to start exploring the oeurve of one Bernadette Peters.
Mini-Brittany: Someday, I’m gonna go to Paris and visit the Oeuvre.

Mini-Mike: I just wanna dance.
Mini-Mercedes: Mr. Schuester, you look a little green.

2. Rachel: Well, at least I didn't fall and break my talent.

1. Miss Holiday: Hi, I'm Holly Holiday.
Terri: Are you a porn star or a drag queen?

new to twitter

2010-11-16T15:40:00.000-08:00

so...yeah...i just started twitter. i'm not really sure what i expect from this. and i'm even less sure i know what i'm doing on the twitter network. i feel like it's less user friendly than FB. who knows.

I feel like i'm going to have to weed through all my FB friends and find out who's on twitter that I want to follow. long arduous process that i'm not looking forward to. Oh, well. Such is life.

Anyway...blogger friends...if you want to follow me on twitter. here's my profile page. eventually i'll figure everything out.

https://twitter.com/#!/kasideeg

favorite things

2010-11-15T13:03:00.000-08:00

So, i thought instead of a playlist, which has become a bit too common on this blog, today, i'd post some pictures from the past few years that captured some of my favorite moments.

this is from Tristan's 8th birthday. I love his big smile...which is rare because he's a brooder, and has a very quick temper. adn i love the reason he's smiling: not because it's his birthday, and not because he got money in his card. but because the card says, "poop."

this is a picture from Tristan's 9th birthday, after my niece, Brylin was born. And, i love it because that is my grandma (Bry's great-grandma) holding her, and my PawPaw is sitting beside them.

This picture I love because Wendy and I were being completely ridiculous. it was after a night out in Shreveport with the girls, and we were trying not to starte bawling like babies as she left for sunny CA.

Samuel, a spiderman suit, and a mohawk. enough said.

Sam found a pair of my mom's glasses and decided to put them on. He was 3 at the time. HILARIOUS.

Tristan playing coach-pitch baseball two summers ago. i edited the picture a little bit. what I wish this could show was actually how good he was. his team didn't make the playoffs, but he was picked up by another team.

This is my niece, Brylin's first birthday party. you can see her smash cake. what you can't see is how long it took her to realize that it was okay to play with her food because prior to that moment, she always got in trouble for it.

The boys playing in the living room of mom's house, wrestling like brother's do...until Sam gets hurt and starts crying.

One of the first pics i ever took with my camera. the focus and lack of focus was purely accidental...and subsequent attempts to copy this have failed.

thanksgiving last year: one of the rare moments where the boys aren't yelling at each other, hitting each other, or mad at each other.

Also from Thanksgiving last year: my sis, brother-in-law, and niece, Brylin.

Mom and Bry. Pure Sweetness.

And, finally, a pic of me and the boys from about two years ago. it just makes me happy.

Everly

2010-11-13T11:55:00.000-08:00

Okay...so, these girls are really fantastic song-writers and singers. they've only got a few EP's out right now, but they're working on recording a full-length album. If you like eclectic folk rock, you'll like them.

they did a marvelous cover of Pat Benetar's "We Belong."

check them out on itunes or youtube or their website

i made it through the A's

2010-11-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

So...i randomly decided to start my iPod at the beginning. And see how long it would take me to listen through every song alphabetically. No small feat, considering I have 2600 songs on my iPod. I started last Saturday.

The first song: "Abba Father" by Shawn Groves.

The Last song: "Awesome is the Lord Most High" by Chris Tomlin.

And in between there was a wonderful hodge podge of beautiful music like:

"Accompany Me' - Bob Seger
"Ain't that a Kick in the Head" - Dean Martin
"Alien" - Delirious?
"All I Ask of You" - Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack
"Amazed" - Lone Star
"American Love" - Jack's Mannequin
"The Answer" - Shane and Shane
"As Long As You're Mine" - Wicked Soundtrack
"Assassins" - Muse
"Attics of My Life" - Grateful Dead

Of course, that wasn't all on the list...and I must admit that I have a few repeats because of compilations or live albums, and I tended to skip the multiples. But, I made it through the A's in seven days. I don't think i'll continue with the "B's" just yet. There are a few relatively new purchases i'd like to listen to more...as well as some older stuff that I was reminded of while listening through the "A's"...like my Star Wars: Episode One soundtrack, and my Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack, and my Petra album. But...I'll let you guys know when I start back up, and also what wonderful gifts the songs are when i get through the B's.

Top Twelve Lines: Glee: Never Been Kissed

2010-11-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

Oh, my Glee. how I missed you. Let me preface this whole thing by saying that i almost didn't get to see this episode. I paused the DVR in the middle of recording the show, forgetting that another show on a different channel was schedule to record afterward, so, the last half of the show is the only part that recorded. I'm still not sure how exactly that happened, since you'd think the first half would record and you'd lose the last half...but whatever. I managed to watch it online early this morning, and subsequently have the top twelve list. so, without further ado:

12. Sue: I beleive I just said that, Andy Sullivan. You want me to sign it into your palm?

11. Sam: You're like a chocolate turtle.

10. Rachel: SPIES!

9. Tina: With those abs, you can be my very own "Situation".

8. Mercedes: How are we supposed to compete against a bunch of adorable old people?
Puck: Are you kidding? Brittle bones. Give one of those old ladies a good luck pat on the rear. It'll shatter her pelvis.

7. Sue: This may be the moment I was waiting for. A way to get Bieste out of the school, and your McCauley Culkin stunt double back in your arms

6. Puck: Yeah, you really can't put a dollar amount on talent plus fear.
Artie: I can. It's about three hundred bucks.

5. Brittany: (to Artie) I've been squeezing your leg for the last hour and a half. Are you not attracted to me?

4. Puck: So, I turn around. I flex my left pec, then I flex my right pec, and I say to the guy, 'leggo my eggo.'

3. Sue: ...Who'd rather be dry humping She-Hulk.

2. Will: Look, I'm not tossing the baby out with the bath water.
Brittany: I've totally done that.

1. Coach Bieste: You crap on my leg, I'll cut it off.

Playlist: Blue Tuesday

2010-11-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

"Am I Blue" George Strait
"Blue Collar Man" Styx
"Blue Eyes" Cary Brothers
"The Mirror-Blue Night" Spring Awakening Soundtrack
"Turtle Blues" Janis Joplin
"Break the Blue" Dime Store Prophets
"Summertime Blues" Joan Jett
"How Blue" Reba McEntyre
"Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda)" Rod Stewart
"Cool Blues" Miles Davis

Monday Playlist: Chick Rock

2010-11-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

It may not be a full-out girl band, but the lead singer is female...

"Head Against the Clouds" Eisley
"Me and Bobby McGee" Janis Joplin
"You don't Know What You've Got" Joan Jett
"Between the Lines" Sara Barellies
"When It Rains" Paramore
"Better" Regina Spektor
"Eyes on Fire" Blue Foundation
"Zombie" The Cranberries
"Satisfy" Vedera
"The Hill" Marketa Irglova
"One Fine Wire" Colbie Callait
"Make Your Own Kind of Music" Mama Cass
"Eternal Flame" Bangles

Thursday Playlist: Countrified

2010-11-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

"Baby Blue" George Strait
"Don't Take the Girl" Tim McGraw
"Amazed" Lonestar
"Young Love (Strong Love)" The Judds
"One More Day" Diamond Rio
"When I Said I Do" Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black
"I Love the Way You Love Me" John Michael Montgomery
"Forever and Ever, Amen" Randy Travis
"Oh, Love" Brad Paisley (feat. Carrie Underwood)
"I Am That Man" Brooks & Dunn

loveliness.

Wednesday Playlist

2010-11-03T12:43:00.001-07:00

"Downtown Train" Rod Stewart
"Stuck with You" Huey Lewis and The News
"Tell Her About It" Billy Joel
"Be Straight" Joan Jett
"Roll Me Away" Bob Seger
"Hard Habit to Break" Chicago
"Blue Collar Man" Styx
"Whoa" Paramore
"Broken" Lifehouse
"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" Sting & The Police

Yes, Please

Tuesday Playlist 11-2-2010

2010-11-02T14:56:00.000-07:00

"Just Like We Do" Eisley
"Fever Dream: Iron and Wine
"Fair" Remy Zero
"Never Think" Rob Pattinson
"Gravity" Sara Bareilles
"I Hear the Drizzle of the Rain" Simon & Garfunkel
"Low Rising" The Swell Season
"Time In A Bottle" Jim Croce
"Ripple" Grateful Dead
"She's Got A Way" Billy Joel

Loveliness.

Trick or Treating with Bizzarro and the Grim Reaper

2010-11-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

So...typically, I'm not much for Halloween. I don't decorate the house with jack-o-lanterns and ghouls and goblins. Something about celebrating death that doesn't quite sit right with me. Anyway, we were coming home from a family reunion and Sam was in the car with me and we were talking about trick or treating last night and about what he was giong to dress up as, and I randomly decided to join in the fun and dress up with them...just to dress up in a costume. I thought about what I had in my closet at home, and realized that if I could find a purple tie, some face paint, a can of temporary hair color, and a purple vest or sweater of some kind, I could come up with something pretty cool. So, we stopped at Wal-Mart, and I managed to find all those items...as well as some face paint and hair color for the boys. And then we got dressed

Sam insisted on having his hair colored green and having face paint, even though he was wearing a superman costume. So...I told him that he could be Bizzaro, an evil Superman, and he seemed to accept it.

Tristan took an old mask and costume and made the mask a little gory looking so he could be the grim reaper.

And I dug out an old pair of pants, a souviner hat from Disney World, and the few items I found at Wal-Mart and went as the Mad Hatter. I'm afraid a lot of people didn't get the costume...and were honestly, not really interested in it. Oh, well. I had a blast and it was super fun to dress up.

I was going for the semi-psycho look Johnny Depp acheives in the new version of the film...but I think I might have skipped the "semi" and went straight to full-on psycho in this picture.

Top Twelve Lines: Rocky Horror Glee Show

2010-10-30T15:32:00.000-07:00

So...since i'm almost a full week behind on this, I'll skip right to the countdown. there weren't as many lines to pick from this week as usual, simply because there was a lot more performance-driven material in this episode than others. without further ado...

12. Emma: I've got the Carl
11. Finn: I don't need to hide behind my muscles like you do.
10. Sue: People who dress like librarians...all sex addicts.
9. Will: This is the face of a guy who stepped in it.
8. Sam: Ain't no carpool lane to sexy.
7. Sue: We've lost the true meaning of Halloween: FEAR.
6. Santana: Earlier today Artie asked if he could make a gigantic ommelette when I'm done with the ostrich eggs I'm smuggling in my bra.
5. Sam: Are you kidding me? You can cut glass with these babies.
4. Mercedes: I'd like to preserve you...in a jar...in my basement.
3. Sue: Seventy percent of all teeth in this school are wooden.
2. Brittany: I'm going as a peanut allergy.
1. Becky: Give me some chocolate or I will cut you.

Top Twelve Delay...Friday Night Lights

2010-10-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

I know you guys might be wondering where my Top Twelve Lines from Rocky Horror Glee Show might be. Well, suffice it to say that yesterday I didn't have internet access, and today I walked out of the house without the list. So, unfortunately, I will have to wait until the next time I am at work to post the list. I also forgot my personal computer, so, I'm breaking my own rules now and am using my work computer during my lunch break to type up this short notice.

Please forgive me. The list is coming soon.

Last night was the season 5 premier of Friday Night Lights on the 101 channel on DirecTV. If you haven't checked this show out in the four previous years, shame on you. It is a wonderful, beautifully accurate portrayal of small town Texas and football. But, if you're not a huge football fan, you'll still enjoy the wonderful characters because, though football is the "vehicle" the show uses, it is not necessarily the primary focal point. This is no Any Give Sunday with a bunch of teeth-jarring, bone-crunching aggression going on. It falls more into the realm of The Mighty Ducks, but with football instead of hockey. You care about the characters a great deal, which makes you want to see them have success. If you don't have direcTV, you'll have to wait until the summer of 2011 to see the 5th (and final) season. But, that gives you plenty of time to Netflix or iTunes the previous four seasons. trust me when I say: It's worth it!

riese

2010-10-26T12:54:00.001-07:00

Playlist Tuesday 10-26-10

2010-10-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

"Fever" Michael Buble
"The Mowtown Song" Rod Stewart
"Tusk" Fleetwood Mac
"Love That Conquers" The Swell Season
"The Longest Time" Billy Joel
"Swim" Jack's Mannequin
"Can't Smile Without You" Barry Mannilow
"Ten Cent Blues" Eisley
"Accompany Me" Bob Seger
"Volare" Dean Martin

Today's Playlist

2010-10-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

"The Freshman" The Verve Pipe
"Dust in the Wind" Kansas
"De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" The Police
"Lights" Journey
"New Slang" The Shins
"Richard Cory" Simon and Garfunkel
"Apres Moi" Regina Spektor
"One of These Things First" Nick Drake
"Dancing Bear" The Mama's and the Papa's
"Too Bad on Your Birthday" Joan Jett

Beautiful

little brothers are so much fun!

2010-10-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Sam spent the night last Saturday. I know...I'm way behind sharing this blog, but I left my camera's usb cable at mom's house. anyway...we had fun. And Sam was hilarious.

tender Sam and beautiful teaching moments

2010-10-20T09:19:00.001-07:00

so...yesterday at mom's we were outside playing: me, sam, tristan, mom, and Brylin (my niece). anyway...we were losing daylight. it was probably 7:30 or later, and definitely time to come in and get baths and finish up homework before sending the boys to bed. sam got upset because he wanted to stay outside and play - he actually wanted to climb on top off a storage shed and jump down from about 7 or 8 feet up, and when he was told "no" and scolded a little, he stomped off toward the house, stopping to intentionally break off a branch from a bush in the yard. a sign of his anger (and a bad habit mom is trying to break). well, i saw it, and immediately snatched him up and got him in trouble for what he did: one little swat to the backside that wasn't hard enough to hurt him or even make him flinch. and then i told him he needed to go tell mom what he did and apologize. well...he fell apart, poor kid. huge tears come spilling out of his eyes as mom and I stood there talking to him about the difference between feeling angry and being ugly.

I got this wonderful teaching moment with him: "It's okay to feel angry, Sam. You will never get in trouble for how you feel, but you will get in trouble for what you do. You aren't in trouble because you're angry. You're in trouble because you acted ugly when you came over here and broke the limb on purpose."

Later, he was still pouting a little, and i went into his room and he said, "everybody's being mean today." I asked him who was mean, and he said, "you." (of course, I knew where it stemmed from.) and I said, "do you think i was mean because I got you in trouble?" and he nodded his head.

so i got another teaching moment: "Sam, when grownups get little kids in trouble, they don't do it because they want to be mean. It's a grownup's responsibility to teach little kids how to be good and do what's right. " he looked puzzled, and I asked him if he knew what "responsibility" meant, and he said no. so, I said "responsibility is like a job. It's a grownup's job to show little kids how to be good and do the right thing. so, when little kids act ugly and do the wrong thing, we have to get them in trouble so they know not to do it anymore."

Well, he's so tender-hearted that he started crying again. And i had to remind him that he wasn't in trouble. we were just talking. and then he said, "tristan was mean to me." and I asked, "Well, isn't he mean to you every day?" and Sam nodded, so I said, "well, if he's mean to you every day, you really shouldn't be so upset about it."

And as i said that i realized, that it's a truth bigger than just that small little relationship between two brothers. It's applicable throughout life in every situation...especially as Christians. when the world comes against us, when the Enemy of our souls comes against us daily, why do we get all bent out of shape over it? The devil has been doing this ever since his fall from grace; we really shouldn't get so upset and emotional about it. just like it's a parent's job to teach one's child to do the right thing, it is the devil's job to try and destroy humanity. at some point, we just need to get past the emotionality of feeling attacked and hated and get to the place where we can just shrug it off and keep on doing what's right.

So, not only did i get two wonderful teaching moments with my sweet, tender Sam. I also got a beautiful teaching moment from the Lord.

Good day...aside from Sam bursting into tears twice. that always breaks my heart.

bry, the boys, and billy joel

2010-10-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

so, yesterday I went over to mom's and hung out with her and the boys. And then my sweet niece, Brylin came over to stay at her Gigi's house because, unfortunately, my sister was sick, sick, sick...and was headed to the doctor. So...I got to spend bonus time with my favorite girl. always a plus!

The boys are so good with her. they get a little wound up at times and get too excited and play a little too hard around her, but it is so much fun to watch them dote on her. and mom, too. mom LOVES getting to spend time with her grandbaby.

Bry and the boys have a favorite game. the boys go hide behind a loveseat, and bry goes to look for them, and they come tromping out on hands and knees and chase her, and she turns on one foot and goes running into Gigi's lap, squealing and laughing. I wish I'd caught it on camera, but anytime i pull the camera out, Bry stops playing and wants to mess with the camera. but last night i was able to snatch a picture of her being silly. you can't really tell, but she's trying to be a monster. it was so funny, and I wish i'd gotten a picture of her facing the camera, but it didn't happen.

Anyway...needless to say, last night was loads of fun with Bry and the boys. And tonight, I'm gonna go back and see the boys again. Bry will be home with my sister, but the boys and I will still have fun.

And now...as a sort of unrelated adendum to a post about my niece and little brothers, I will just say that I purchased Billy Joel's greatest hits Vol 1&2 on iTunes today. So, I get to listen to the wonderful, "Piano Man" and "Only the Good die Young" and "Uptown Girl."

Yeah...it's a good day.

It's fun to be a blessing

2010-10-14T09:12:00.001-07:00

So...last night I went to mom's house again because I didn't get to watch Castle the night before, and I also wanted to watch Tuesday's 19 Kids and Counting. (Love me some Duggars). Plus, any day I get to see my little brothers is a bonus. Anyway, I got there around 7:20 or so and found out mom felt bad. She was sick; the boys were all over the place, and she was all wrapped up in her robe on the back porch shivering.

Anyway...the boys went to bed around 9, and mom laid down and crashed with them, and, I was still there watching TV, and I looked around the messy kitchen with all the dirty dishes from that day, and just mess from having two boys...and I thought...well, why not? So, the clean dishes went in the cabinets, the dirty dishes were washed, the stovetop, counters, and kitchen table were cleaned. The floor got swept and the trash got taken out. And I'm excited for mom to get up today and see that someone took care of her for a change.

I loved the opportunity to love on my mom a little.

Top Twelve Lines/Moments from Glee: Duets

2010-10-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

So, I'm going to preface this by expressing a few opinions on the show. This show was full of wonderful moments. I think the song choices for all characters involved were wonderful and spot on. Especially Mike and Tina's duet, and in actuality, I feel like theirs was the best duet of all. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the set up of the Sam/Quinn romance, and I'm eager to see what direction they're going to take them. Namely if Quinn will maintain her self-esteem and individuality. I just hope their budding relationship doesn't obliterate her "independent woman" attitude set up so well by last years choice to sing "It's a Man's World" (in what I personally believe was her best vocal performance all year) for a class assignment, and her insistence that she doesn't want to get lost in "needing" someone like she needed Puck last year.

I loved the hints of humanity they gave Brittany: that's she's more than just stupid one-liners and an easy lay. She's really not just snark. She has some heart. I also loved how they explored the depths of emotional pain Artie feels about his paraplegia, adn the huge ramifications of seemingly simple decisions. I loved the selfishness that drove Rachel to make a sacrifice, realizing that winning the competition might be bad for the overall goodness and cohesiveness of the group. Who cares that it was all just so Sam would stay and help them get to and win Nationals? Classic narcissistic Rachel, but this had a tint of thoughtfulness. And I loved how the plumbed the depths of Kurt's loneliness and isolation as the only openly homosexual person in school. Gay or straight, that truth resonates with everyone. We have all felt alone and isolated at some point in our lives because of some struggle we're going through.

I will say that if I have one ax to grind with the show it is their over-sexualization of Santana and Brittany - not only as individuals, but also in this grotesque bisexual co-dependency they have with one another. The scene with the two of them on Britt's bed all kissy, kissy was too much. At least they didn't go lip to lip. I've honestly never met anyone as sexualized as the two of them...but especially Santana. Somehow with her character it's more offensive. Maybe it's the fact that she's all up in everyone's face about it. Maybe it's because she has a guy's perspective of sex as some self-satisfying pleasure to be had as often as she wants. I'm not really sure, but I feel as though her character is little more than a high-school hooker in a cheerleading outfit. They took Santana a little too far this week...making her almost depraved. It's disgusting, even if it produces hilarious lines. And, because I'm so disgusted by it, I have to leave out some of her little snarky comments from my countdown because I honestly find them more offensive than Rachel and Finn dressing up like a Catholic priest and nun and singing about being "born again" in each other's love. (I will say that I thought they handled that number well. It was intentionally offensive to serve a purpose, and I don't feel they did it out of disrespect. I feel like by showing that it was disrespectful, that it produced a small teaching moment for people watching the show: that there is a thing as TOO far. Maybe they should listen to their own preaching and relax on the sexualization of the teens.)

So, now that I've written a novel about my opinion of last night's episode, let's get down to the list. Some of these will be multiple lines from multiple parties that lead up to a punchline:

12. Brittany (about Puck): He might be the dumbest person on this planet, and that's coming from me.

11. Rachel: The fact is, I'm only really generous when there's something in it for me.
Finn: Yeah, but I still like you.

10. Kurt (speaking about Sam's blond hair): I have three gifts: my voice, my ability to spot trends in men's fashion, and my ability to know when it comes from a bottle.

9. Finn: You tried to kiss her? Major Glee party foul, dude!

8. Mike: You can get salad at Dim Sum. My mom got salad last night.
Tina: There were chicken feet in it. It was a chicken feet salad. All I want is a normal salad that doesn't have chicken feet in it!

7. Santana: Look, I don't mean to be a B****, well, actually, I do.

6. Brittany: So, i just wanted to you to know...I'm really into you.
Artie: Sorry, I'm a little confused. You've never even made eye-contact with me
Brittany: I know. For a while I thought you were a robot.

5. Sam: He sent me like, sixty MP3's of him singing and I thought it was Faith Hill.

4. Quinn: The blueberry flavor is the worst. Especially if it gets down your pants. I looked like a creature out of Avatar down there when I got slushied.

3. Mercedes: Okay, do I even need to say it?
Sam: That was really rude.
Tina: But like REALLY rude.
Quinn: I seriously wanted to punch both of you.

2. Kurt: Once again, your closeted homophobia seeps to the surface like the contents of a crack cesspool.

1. Santana: I'm like a lizard. I need something warm beneath me or I can't digest my food.

Things that tasted better when I was a kid

2010-10-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased a snack that I used to love when I was a kid, and was sorely disappointed by how "blah" it tasted. So...I started thinking about all the things that I LOVED eating as a child that I've had in the past few years that have left me decidedly dissatisfied.

1. Sugar Wafer cookies. Maybe it was because the ones I ate recently were sugar free, but I was sorely disappointed. They tasted a little like vanilla flavored cardboard and were almost not sweet. Cookies that aren't sweet are just unnatural. And pretty gross.

2. Cheese Waffles. I used to eat these in droves as a child. potato chips sandwiched together with that fake cheddar powdery cheese. My sister and I went in together adn bought a case of them a few years back, adn I couldn't make it through an entire bag.

3. Vienna Sausages. Maybe it's because I now understand what it means when they take the spare parts of beef, chicken, and pork and put it together in a sausage-like item. Maybe it's because when i was a kid I smothered them in ketchup and couldn't tell what they actually tasted like. But now...YUCK.

4. Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup (condensed). I know it shouldn't be on the list, but it is. I've never really liked the chicken bits in that soup - I would venture to say they aren't real chicken bits. Nevertheless, the soup as a child was a comforting thing. Now, it makes me want to gag.

5. Circus Peanuts. You know the orange rubbery things that are some amalgamation of sugar and foam rubber? Yeah...used to love them as a kid. I ate part of one yesterday and almost puked. Who likes them? That's what I want to know. I don't even know what flavor they're supposed to simulate. It sure as heck isn't peanut.

6. Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli. Used to eat that like it was going out of style. It was the quick dinner I'd make myself on Fridays before getting on the band bus to head to the football games, or getting home from football games at midnight, or between after school volleyball practice and marching practice. Now...meh. As I said with the chicken in the soup, I'm not sure that's real beef in the ravioli.

I'm sure there are other things, but for now, those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. anyone else have those childhood favorites that you've gone back and tried and been sorely disappointed over? If so, don't be afraid to share.

Top Twelve Lines from Glee: Grilled Cheesus

2010-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

I have to say that this week's list was difficult, simply because the episode was so serious. It's a departure for Glee, which I liked, but it made finding funny lines pretty hard. At least, I had a hard time finding funny lines that weren't completely sacreligious. So, while most of these lines are funny, I did throw in a couple that actually had some resonance in them. Hope you enjoy.

12. Puck: At this time, I'd like to continue my streak of only doing songs by Jewish artists.
11. Kurt: Suzanne Sommers says that skipping breakfast is suicide.
10. Coach Bieste: It's in your hands now, Lurch.
9. Emma: God works in a lot of mysterious ways, but I'm pretty sure He doesn't spend a whole lot of time trying to speak to us through sandwiches.
8. Tina: Last week we were too sexy. This week, we're too religious. We just can't win
Brittany: Now I know how Miley feels.
7. Finn: Thank you, grilled cheesus.
6. Brittany: I did a book report on heart attacks, if you want to give it to the doctor. It got knocked down an entire letter grade 'cause it's written in crayon.
5. Finn: Jesus appeared to me on a sandwich.
4. Brittany: I made him a card that says, "heart attacks are just from moving too much."
3. Rachel: Let's discuss your newfound love for Jesus, and how it's affecting me.
2. Sue: This country isn't a monarchy, William. Trust me, I've tried.
1. Jean: God never makes mistakes. That's what I believe.

The back room project

2010-10-04T10:22:00.000-07:00

So, i had this entire blog all but finished, and I hit some mysterious button and it deleted everything. I'm not going to put forth the effort to rewrite everything i already wrote once. So, i'm just giong to say this. I have a spare bedroom that for years has looked like a UPS truck threw up in it. I finally got tired of tripping over everything when I wanted to get back and work on my computer. So, i decided to clean it up. The following shots are some before and after pictures. And, because I'm not much of an organizer, I'm pretty proud at what I accomplished. Proud enough to embarrass myself by admitting it was this bad to begin with.

Before:

After:

Sam and Sidewalk Chalk

2010-10-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

So, Sam spent the night Thursday night because he didn't have school, and I didn't have work. He'd been begging for most of the week, and when he asked Thursday while I was at mom's I said, "Maybe." Of course, with Sam, maybe actually means "yes." so, he immediately set about getting his bag packed. I had actually anticipated him asking and was prepared to invite him if he didn't ask, so, even though I said "maybe", the answer was always giong to be "yes." Anyway, when Sam spends the night, we always do fun things. Sometimes we break out Jenga or coloring books. Sometimes we watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoons. Sometimes we play the Wii or my Super Nintendo. (Yes, I said Super Nintendo.) But there are a few things that we ALWAYS do, and they both involve sidewalk chalk. The first, which i don't have pictures of, is that I draw a target on the side of the duplex, and we throw a raquetball at the target. each ring is a different color, and the chalk comes off the wall onto the ball and we can see if we got a bullseye or one of the other rings. The other thing we always do is cover my driveway with chalk drawings. This time, Sam insisted on us tracing each other's outlines...as you will see below.

This is an outline of me that he did. you can see that my head and left arm are unfinished, as well as my left leg. what you may also see is that he made a "hole" in the groin area of my body once i stood up. Now, the explanation to this is very funny. in an outline before this one he'd crossed his right foot over his left knee, so, to get an appropriate outline, i drew the empty space between his legs. Apparently, after that he thought that every outline had to have an empty space between the legs. Thus...the "hole."

Another "hole." this one much more easily distinguishable than the last.

Sam at work on our driveway full of outlines.

Sam next to an outline he made of me. You will see that he gave me hair and a strange, disproportionate face. Sam next to one of his outlines. you can see my appropriate hole between his feet, which led to all future holes in my outlines.

And Sam with another of his outlines. i tried to get him perfectly positioned, but, well, he's five. this was close enough.

Top Twelve Quotes from Glee "Brittany, Britney"

2010-09-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

So, i decided to relaunch the blog. And I thought I'd start it off with my 12 favorite lines from last nights episode of Glee. Without further ado...

12. Rachel: I always thought the boys locker room would be sexy, but it actually smells like feet.
11. Sue: You're flailing, William.
10. Brittany: Did you get a leg transplant?
9. Emma: You look like a cast member from Kids, Incorporated.
8. Finn: You want me to feel bad about myself?"
Rachel: No, I just want to be the only thing than makes you feel good.
7. Santana: No, like, seriously, you can drill me anytime...
6. Finn: See what I'm talking about. They're personifying you.
5. Brittany: It looks like a Jewish Cloud
4. Sue: I mean, seriously, you wear more vests than the cast of Blossom.
3. Rachel: I look forward to the day the papparazzi provokes me and I attack them.
2. Brittany: I'm more talented than all of you. I see that clearly now.
1. Brittany: This room looks like the one on the spaceship where I got probed.

Of course, Brittany gets the most on this countdown because, let's face it, no one on the show can deliver a one-liner like Heather Morris.

What is Lust, and How can we Abide Forever?

2008-09-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

"For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:16-17

For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Websters dictionary defines lust as "a passionate or overmastering desire or craving; to crave, hunger, covet, yearn." Many times we as humans hear "lust" and automatically think of something sexual. The truth is, though, that to lust after something is to unhealthily desire it above everything else--sometimes to the point of obsession. It is that unhealthy covetousness, that unhealthy hunger that leads us away from the Lord; it is that innate desire in our flesh that the enemy of our souls uses relentlessly to separate us from Christ. He even used the same tactics on the Lord to tempt Him when He went to the desert for 40 days:

First, the lust of the flesh: "The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." (Luke 4:3) Christ, being fully man and still fully God rebutted this temptation in verse 4 "Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.' "

Second, the lust of the eyes: "And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." (Luke 4:6-7) Again, the Lord answered him, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

Finally, the pride of life: "The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down from here. For it is written: '"He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." ' " (Luke 4:9-11) And Jesus answered his temptation again, " 'It says: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." ' "

These three categories represent the three areas in our lives where we are tempted. Every temptation we face falls into one of these three categories. And Christ walked through every temptation we face without sinning. Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us that "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

Every time Christ rebutted a temptation, he rebutted with scripture. Though he could have done anything he wanted to rebutt or withstand the devil, he chose to withstand by the Word. Why? Why didn't he simply command the devil to "get behind me." as he does later in Matthew 16:23? I believe he is demonstrating the most powerful way of keeping the enemy at bay...and what is that? Know the Word. Use the Word as a weapon; it is our sword. It is our only offensive weapon against attack. What Christ Jesus resisted, we must resist also, and in the same manner. Succombing or submitting to those temptations removes us from teh presence of the Lord...because sins and lusts are not of God, they are of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever

Here is that world "lust" again, giving us even more proof that lust is not of God. Every time it is used, it is used in a negative or worldly connotation. Therefore lust cannot be of God--because nothing of God is negative and the things of this world are not godly.

Let's look at this phrase "but he who does the will of God abides forever" and ask ourselves this question: what is the will of God? Individually it may vary. God may will Johnny to get married, and will Billy to remain single. But corporately or generally, God's will falls within the score of 3 criterion or precepts.

1. Love the Lord Deut 6:5 tells us that "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
2. Love one another. Matt 19:19 instructs us "honor your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
3. Make disciples Mark 16:15-18 instructs "And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved ; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed : in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

It is God's will that we love Him, love one another, and bring others to Christ. That is the work of God. That is what will give us eternal life, what will allow us to abide forever. John 6:28-29 tells us what the work of God is, and it is so simple that it will blow your mind. "Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God ? Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

Friends, we aren't called to work our way into heaven. "Good works" are an impossibility outside of salvation through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not able, of our own volition or ability, to save ourselves or even protect ourselves from temptation. Jesus displayed this for us in his own temptation. He did not use His own power or ability which is much greater than our own. He used the Word of God to overcome the lusts of this world. And so must we, for to know the Word, to abide in the Word, and use it against the evil one is our only offensive weapon.

One day our struggle with lust will end and all we will have left is eternity--either in His presence or out of His presence. It is God's will that we abide with Him forever, and how do we do that? By doing His work. And what is His work: "Believe in Him whom He has sent."

I just think this is so wrong

2008-09-21T12:21:00.001-07:00

So, part of my job at work is to come up with designs for our future merchandise. This means I am constantly browsing the web for new ideas, constantly looking for new fonts, new clip art, that sort of thing. Well, I was on a free clip art website the other day, looking for new fonts that I could possibly use for some designs. And I'm scrolling through, and I see these sexually charged "ding" fonts--which are basically pictures that appear when you type (like the wingding font on most PC versions of word). This is a free website; these are free fonts that a child could easily access, and while that child is looking for a really neat font to make a poster for a school project or something of the like, he or she comes across a font that has letters in the shapes of male genitals or pictures of people in the middle of sexual activities or pictures of women making provocative gestures.

I felt absolutely violated and dirty and I cringe at the thought that some innocent child is very likely to come across these depraved pictures. I'm not shocked because I have seen the degradation of society increase exponentially in my lifetime, but I am still quite outraged at the idea. I have two little brothers who are seven and three respectively, and I shudder at the thought that they might be exposed to this one day. Not to mention the fact that my sister is expecting her first child and that child might one day come into contact with kind of base and amoral crap.

The saddest and most enraging part of this is that the people who designed these fonts probably did not take one moment's pause, one second to consider the consequences of their actions. They probably simply thought that letters made out of male genitalia would be funny. Well, I have news for those people, should they ever read this blog: It isn't funny. It is disgusting and terribly, terribly wrong.

This thing that starts with "C"

2008-09-08T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's an ugly enemy, this thing that starts with "C"

One of many tragic repurcussions

The comeuppance for our quest for knowledge

The recompence for thinking ourselves gods

The payment for our rebellion at the Fall

How could they have known?
~

Is knowledge really worth the price of this thing that starts with "C"?

A physical affirmation of mankind's spiritual state

Corrosive, destructive, leperous--

Eating away at the flesh like sin at the soul.

It afflicts even those who are upright,

Sucking vitality from the marrow

Stealing health from the bones.

Snatching away precious time with those we love.
~

A painful judgment is this thing that starts with "C"

Atrocious, abhorrent, abominable--

Unrelentingly voracious

Even the pure in heart cannnot escape its clutches.

Even the merciful find no mercy from its grasp.

A vice grip - vicious, vulturine, and vile,

It mars the proud and meek alike.

It molders the guilty and the innocent.

Steals mothers from their children, and children from their mothers

Murders fathers, sisters, brothers, friends

Without thought or conscience.

Where is the justice in this retribution?

The wages of original sin is death...

This I well know, for I have witnessed this thing that starts with "C"

Ransack the bodies of several whom I love

"Tis justice for the pride in Eden's pair

Who sought godship in a fruit,

but found depravity in its stead

And poured out man's mortality on all who came after.
~

Is there any way to escape this thing that starts with "C"?

If only Eve had not been tempted

If only Adam had not partaken would this "C" not be.

But if there had never been a Fall would there be a "me"?

A "me" to sit here with my pen and pad lamenting

This thing that starts with "C"?

Put on Christ and Prepare to be Hated

2008-09-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Eighth Installment of the 1John study

I know that I typically use 2-4 verses per study, but I got so deep into this verse that posting more would have made this installment far too long. So, we're really going to sink our teeth into this one verse and explore some truths and concepts that branch out from it.

"Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1John 2:15

What we love and care about is made evident in the way we act and speak. If our lives are lived enjoying and promoting the things of the world (the lusts of the flesh) over the things of the Lord (the fruit of the Spirit) then we do not truly walk in Christ's love. It is impossible for us to be devoted Christians if we are devoted to the things of the world. If we are compulsive liars, we cannot love the Father because lies are not of God. If we are full of hatred, we cannot love the Father because hatred is not of God. (and so on and so forth.) If we live to gratify our flesh we are not able to live our lives to please the Lord. Let's look at some scripture to support this.

"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 4:13 Though this is speaking about money, the principle applies to every aspect of life. You cannot serve the Lord fully if your loyalties are split between Him and the world. It is an impossibility.

"For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways." James 1:7-8. This text is in the middle of a passage about people who have faith one moment and are given over to doubt the next. If a person cannot decide between believing the Lord or doubting him...if a person cannot decide between living this way or living that way, all of his choices will be unbalanced. He will not be stable; rather he will blow about with the wind. And how can a man blown about by the wind be devoted to the Lord--or anything else for that matter? A person with split loyalties cannot appease or serve or be devoted to one thing or the other. Neither can a man with no loyalties, for he will do what gratifies him most in that moment. Both men are unstable in every action they take.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 If we treasure the things of the world, we will be devoted to the world. But, if we treasure the things of the Lord, we will be devoted to the Lord. Another way of saying this is: "You will desire or long for the things to which you are devoted." A drug addict is devoted to feeding his addiction, therefore he longs for the drug. We, as Christians, ought to be so devoted to the Lord that we long for Him...for His presence to be continually in our lives.

"Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3:11-12. The water that naturally comes out of humanity is bitter--filled with all the sins of the world since the fall in the Garden. Only God's water is naturally sweet, and only the people that allow God to move through them are able to be fountains of fresh, sweet water.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19. This is evidence that the world hates the things of God. The world does not understand the Lord, therefore the world hates people who are of the Lord. And why? Because one is Spirit and the other is flesh. The two are diametrically opposed. They cannot peacefully exist in the same place. They will always strive and war against one another. If we are in Christ, living as we ought to live, the world will hate us because it hated Christ. But, if we live like the world we will come to despise the Lord (and those who love the Lord). Remember, we cannot please God and mammon. We cannot serve the Lord and simultaneously gratify our flesh. The two will fight until one side or the other is victorious.

"I say then: Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit aganist the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Gal 5:16-18

But how do we know if we are in the world or Christ? By our attitude. Human beings are as trees, bearing the fruit of their lives. As human trees we either bear good fruit or bad fruit. We bear either the works of the flesh (which is the bad fruit) or the fruit of the spirit (which is the good fruit). Galations 5:19-26 explains those two fruits to us.

Works of the Flesh: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:19-21

Fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Gal 5:22-23

But how do we ensure that we produce the Fruit of the Spirit instead of the works of the flesh? The answer to that is in the verses following: And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Gal 5:24-26

In Galations 2:20, Paul tells us "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." To walk in the Spirit is to crucify the flesh. To walk in the flesh is to crucify the Spirit. But if we put on Christ, put on the nature of Christ, then we are made like him and walk in his footsteps.

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:11-14. So we see that the only way to escape the world and escape the things of the world is to put on Christ that we might take on His nature and bear the fruit of the Spirit. And the reason that Christ was able to walk on this earth untainted by its lust and sins is because He abided in the Father and loved the Father unconditionally. He was also completely submitted to the Father's will, and it was that love and submission that enabled Him to remain pure in the face of every temptation. (Heb 4:15)

So, let us crucify the flesh and put on Christ (who loved and was submitted to the Father) to escape the works of the flesh. But we must remember that in so doing, the world will grow to hate us because it hates what it does not understand, and it cannot understand the things of the Lord because the things of the Lord are contrary to the things of the world. However, if we choose to love the things of the world, we have chosen not to love the Father. And friends, that is a very scary place to be, because one day the Lord will judge those who rejected him...and that judgment will be far worse than hatred from folks who lack understanding. So, although the hatred is difficult to endure now, it is better to endure the temporary judgement of man than to endure the eternal judgment of God.

Put on Christ, friends, and prepare to be hated.

To Do Right or To Be Right...That is the question

2008-09-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, this is going to be a short blog, and it will depart from the 1John study I've posted here.

The last couple of days the Lord has really been hammering home the fact that it is better to DO right than to BE right. Think about that for a second. It is better to DO right than to BE right. This applies to life in general, but should really hit home to us Christians. You can be right about something, but you can mishandle your rightness. In so doing, you alienate the very people who should be positively impacted by said rightness.

For example: let's say you're having a debate about how many animals Noah took on the ark. The person you are debating says "two of each kind." But you open up your Bible to Genesis 7:2 and say, "You stupid idiot. Anyone who really knows the Word knows that he took "seven each of every clean animal, a male and his female; two each of animals that are unclean, a male and his female; also seven each of birds of the air, male and female." (Genesis 7:2).

In this instance your knowledge is right; you answered the debate correctly. But your behavior is wrong. You are right, but you do the wrong thing, and because your behavior is wrong you drive away someone with whom you could share, someone to whom you could have communicated the love or truth of God. But because you did not act in love...because you were self-righteous and arrogant, your correct answer is overshadowed by your incorrect behavior.

Oh, friends...let us always strive to DO right whether we are right or wrong, but especially when we are right. James 3:11-12 tells us that sweet water and bitter water cannot flow from the same spring. May our prayer be "Lord, may we be wells of sweet water that bubble up and flow out to the lost and dying."

If we DO right always, we will be less obnoxious and more loving when we ARE right. After all, there is nothing more poisonous to God's sweet, loving, living water than the self-righteousness of those whom He has appointed to pour it out.

Life happens in Three's

2008-08-28T16:39:00.000-07:00

“I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake. I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” 1John 2:12-14

In these three verses, John addresses three different types of Christians. I use the word “types” loosely, as John is speaking to different maturity levels in Christians, stating the purpose of the epistle for each “type” of Christian: little children (spiritual babies), fathers (the spiritually mature), and young men (the bold and brave – or the spiritual teenagers who usually leap before they think about the jump).

Each “type” is addressed twice. In Hebrew, the number two means “witness.” Another way of looking at that is that John is repeating himself, basically saying, “Hey, listen up. I’m talking to you for different reasons. Pay attention, will you?!” The only “type” of person repeated verbatim is the group known as the “fathers” (which is the spiritually mature.)

We will also find that each group relies more heavily on a separate aspect of the tri-un Godhead. "Little Children" rely on the Father. "Fathers" rely on Christ. "Young Men" rely on the Spirit. And now, let's break it down.

I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

Typically, little children are innocent; they have not been spoiled by experience and knowledge. They are ignorant to the perils and evils of the world. They live their lives blindly trusting their parents to guide them, care for them, provide for them. Little children do not understand right from wrong until they are taught what right is and what wrong is. “For where there is no law, there is no transgression.” Romans 4:15b. A sin is not a sin if there is no knowledge of sin.
The word tells us that we were given the law, not to demonstrate our righteousness, but to demonstrate our sinfulness. If we were never given the Ten Commandments, and the Levitical Law, we would not know that it was wrong to lie, steal, cheat, kill, etc. And so, God forgives the spiritual babies, not for their righteousness’ sake, but to display the goodness of his own name. And why? Because the spiritual babies have not learned enough to know that they are breaking the law. And to display that this life is not about us; this life is about the Lord and our need to place our complete trust in Him.

I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

John establishes the father’s dependence on someone wiser than the “spiritually mature.” Who is this someone? Christ. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1-2. As fathers are wise and lead their families, their dependence on one wiser is a prerequisite. Knowing Christ, who is wiser than the spiritually mature, enables them to lead with wisdom.

I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one.

In the original Greek, the word “overcome” literally means subdued. So, these “strong, brave” men and women of faith have not only overcome the wicked one, but they have subdued him in the process. But how did they overcome? The answer is: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome and subdue and have victory. If we do not walk by the Spirit, we do not walk in Christ’s purpose for our lives; therefore, we do not have victory. The young men are strong, valiant, brave, etc…but they are victorious only when they walk/battle in the Spirit. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor 10:3-5

If they are outside of God’s will, if they war according to the flesh, if they lean on their own abilities and understanding instead of the Lord’s, they cannot succeed. John is commending them for being “in Christ” and walking, not according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. “For as many as are led by the Spirit, these are the sons of God.” Rom 8:14

I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father.

It is enough for the little children that they have a daddy; they don’t need to understand him. This is all they need to make them content, safe, secure: to know the Father. Know him and their needs are met. Know him and they are protected and cared for. Know him, come to him, rest in him and they want for nothing else. And this is what the Lord wants from us: to come unto him simply because he is the Father so that we might be blessed by His touch and His presence. “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come unto Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:13-16. (Cross reference the same story in Matt 19:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17).

I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

This copies the first address almost verbatim. John changes the “little children” address and the “young men” address slightly, but this charge is verbatim. The only change he makes is in the first phrase. Initially, he wrote: “I write to you,” (this denotes a present tense.) The second time he wrote: “I have written to you,” (this denotes a past tense. It is almost as if John is saying, “I have written to you in the past, and I write to you now for the same reason: because you have known Him who is from the beginning. My reason for writing you has not changed.” To me, this seems like John is screaming “Pay Attention, will you! I wrote to you in the past and I write to you now because you know there is one who is wiser and smarter, and more lasting than you; the eternal God, Christ Jesus. All things are known to him, and to know him is your greatest wisdom. And I’m writing because you know Him." John doesn’t write the spiritually mature to display that his wisdom or his words are even more mature or more wise than theirs. He doesn’t write this letter in selfishness or pride. He writes these spiritual elders because they understand there is one greater, wiser, more lasting than themselves. It is their acknowledgment of this that makes them mature and wise.

I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.

In this final charge, John lists three reasons why he has written the “young men.” Let’s look at each reason individually.

1. Because you are strong. So, John writes to the strength of these young men. What is their strength, though, that he should write to them? The Lord is their strength. He is the one who enables them to be strong because they put their faith in Him.
“The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps 27:1b
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped” Ps 28:7
“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Ps 118:14

2. The word of God abides in you. John writes to them because the Word abides in them. And, what is the word but Christ Jesus? John 1:1 tells us that the Word was in the beginning with God, and John 1:14 tells us that the word became flesh and dwelled on earth. John writes them because the Word abides in them. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you…as the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:4-5, 7, 9-10

Webster’s definition of abide is this: to remain; continue; stay. To have one’s abode; dwell; reside. To continue in a particular condition, attitude, relationship. To endure, sustain, or withstand without yielding or submitting. To wait for. (And my personal favorite) To accept without opposition or question.

The Lord desires us to make our residence in Him, to endure, to continue in Him, to accept Him without opposition or question. If we abide in Him, He will abide in us. We will know Him as He knows us, as the Father has known Him. These “young men” were abiding in Christ; that was why they were strong, why they were brave, because Christ was their habitation. What a beautiful promise, that we will be strong and brave if we abide in Him!

3. You have overcome the wicked one. This is how they overcame: the Lord was their strength and they dwelled in him. They had not power of their own to overcome, but they were victorious because they trusted in the Lord. 1John 5:5 says this about those who overcome: “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Friends, if we believe in Christ Jesus as the Son of God and Savior of the world, then we fit into one of these three categories. We are either “spiritual newborns” who need only the assurance that our Father loves us and cares for us, or we are “spiritual elders” who have come to the realization that the one who is eternal is in control and thus we have no reason to fear or stress, or we are “spiritual youths” who stand tall and brave and fight with the able bodies and strength with which the Lord has blessed us.

Life Happens in Threes: infancy, youth, and maturity.

In whatever category we reside, the most important thing for us to know is that trusting the Lord is the only victorious course of action. So, Trust the Father, who will supply your every need. Trust Jesus Christ, the one through whom all things were made and established. Trust the Spirit to lead and guide you in your warfare against the enemy of your soul. Trust that the Trinity is the only thing in the world worth trusting in.

How Bright Is Your Light?

2008-08-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1John 2:9-11

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

I must be honest and say I did not entirely understand why John tagged "until now" onto the end of this sentence. I thought, 'aren't they still in darkness if they say they are in the light and hate others?' But, you see, friends, this instruction is to people who, I believe, were in ignorance. They simply did not know any better. They had not been instructed in the Way, and that is why John wrote this letter to them—and to us. Jesus quotes Levitical law in Matt 5:43 when he says,"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'" (Cross reference this statement with Leviticus 19:18 and Deut 23:3-6). This is what people were taught: love those who love you; hate those who hate you. But now that they are receiving instruction through John's epistle, they can amend their actions, and practice what Jesus commands in Matt 5:44-45 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those two spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

If, however, once we receive the correct instruction, we do not abide in it, we choose to sin. That is rebellion, and John explicitly says that if you hate one another, you cannot love God. And if you do not love God, how can you claim to know Him and be submitted to Him? Hatred towards one another is not of God. The word says that "God is love." 1John 4:8. In 1Cor 13 Paul speaks of the attributes of love: "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy, love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Cor13:4-8a) Jesus' death and resurrection are active demonstrations of this love. Friends, how can we say we love God if we do the things Love does not do? If we are in Christ, we will abide in love and light, thereby doing what the Lord would do. And we will not only love our "brothers." This is not limited to a physical brother; this is humankind. "Love your neighbor" even if your neighbor is the most ungodly person you know. Love them that they might see God's love in you and desire to leave the darkness and step into the light.

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

Let me indulge in an equation here. Loving one another = Abiding in Christ. If we are in him, we will neither stumble nor cause others to stumble. If we love, we will not have hatred, discord, rebellion, backbiting, etc. If we abide in Him, no hypocrisy will exist in our lives and we will not be able to cause others to stumble, nor will we drive away the lost. Friends, the reason hurt Christians and lost humanity don't want anything to with Christianity is because most of the modern-day church doesn't have anything to do with the Love of Christ. It's all judgment and cliques and snobbery and who gave the most money or who has the best attendance record, or which church has the most members. Friends this should not be so! We should be focused on loving the Lost and loving each other, and being open arms for the broken and hurting. "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes." Matt 18:5-6 Why are we so ineffective for the kingdom? Because we cause others to stumble through judgment and offenses. And the Lord says "Woe to us" for offending others.

But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

So, Love = Light (God, good); Hate = Darkness (Satan, evil). In the physical, walking in the dark is dangerous to you. You're easily injured, easily lost. When you walk in the dark, you know nothing about your surroundings…what is before or beside or behind you. But walking in spiritual darkness is even more dangerous, because you harm those around you more than yourself. If hatred and darkness are one and the same, then it follows that hatred causes injury (sometimes irreversible injury) to others and yourself. Hatred causes us to lose our way. It blinds us to God's goodness—to his benefits. When we abide in hatred, all we see is negative; it's all darkness and evil. And if that is what you see, that is what you become. "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matt 6:22-23

The decision is ours, friends. If all we take in is bad, we are full of darkness and practice the things of darkness—hatred, sinfulness, pride, lust. But, if what we take in is good, we are full of light and practice the things of light—love, peace, compassion, mercy. How can we altar what we take in? By altaring where we abide. We can either abide in Christ and take in Light, or we can abide in sin and take in darkness. Which one will you choose?

How bright is your light?

To Love Is to Shine

2008-08-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

"Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." 1John 2:7-8

I want to look these verses in conjunction with one another, and then we’ll delve deep into verse eight. The first few times I read these verses, I will admit that I was thoroughly confused. In verse seven John says "I write no new commandment to you" then in verse eight, he says, "Again, a new commandment I write to you." How can a new commandment be an old commandment? And why in the world doesn’t he clarify which commandments he is writing? Then I realized that the whole book of John is centered on two commandments about love. What is the old commandment? How about the first of Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai: "You shall have no other gods before me." Deut 5:7…which is expounded upon in Deut 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God…" But, what is the new commandment? We find it in John 13 when Jesus is instructing his disciples at the last supper about what is to befall him in a few short hours. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you that you also love one another." John 13:34. That raises the question: how did Jesus love? He laid down his life; he sacrificed himself for us. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one that his, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." So, we see that John is relaying two principle commands to us in these two verses: "Love God and love each other." This is displayed in Matthew 22.

"When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadduceess, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these hang all the law and the prophets." Matt 22:34-40 Everything about the Law and everything the prophets spoke to Israel hinges on those two basic commandments. If we love the Lord, we will keep his commandments. If we love each other, we will keep His commandments and will require no correction from the prophets. If we love someone, we won’t steal from them or lie to them or kill them. If we love the Lord, we won’t take His name in vain or worship other gods. It is so basic: everything about this Christian Life comes down to Love—love for the Lord and love for one another. If we do not love, we do not know Christ.

Now, let’s focus on verse eight. It says, "Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining." The commandment is true in Him. Why? Because Jesus commanded it! He gave us the command in John 13:34. Jesus is the true light, and He is shining. John 1:1-5 explains this, but let’s focus on verses four-five: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." We have life through and in Him, and that life causes us to shine with His light.

"Arise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." Isaiah 60:1 Jesus is the true light, and the darkness is passing away because He shines in this world.
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." Matt 5:14-16 If we know Jesus as Savior, the Light abides in us, and we become bearers of that light. As bearers of Christ, we shine His Light into the dark world. The dark world does not understand the light in our hearts and in our lives…but they are drawn to it if it is pure in us. And we have the opportunity shine His light into their dark hearts.

Friends, If we keep these two commands: "Love the Lord" and "Love your neighbor", we will abide in the light. So we see that the old law perpetuates the light that is in us. To abide in His light is to Love Him. To love Him is to keep his commandments. If we love, we will shine in the darkness. If we do not love we will hide in the darkness. Will you shine, friends, or will you hide?

Do You Walk the Walk?

2008-08-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1John 2:3-6

John has such a way of laying down the bare bones truth of a situation that he is able utterly convict a person without condemning them. I read this passage and thought, ’Lord, I have not always abided by this,’ and I am convicted of my sin but I do not feel condemned because I know that there is hope and I know these words were written through John to the church out of a deep, compassionate love. I hope that as we study these four verses you all are convicted of the truth; but even more I hope that you feel the compassionate love and hope that the Lord desires to show you...

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

This is so simple it almost requires no elaboration, but I’m going to use an example that I hope everyone will understand. Most everyone has watched or played baseball, and most everyone has a basic concept of the rules of that game. Let’s focus on the batter for this example. The batter is given three strikes—three chances to hit the ball. If the pitches are good and the batter swings and misses three times that batter is out. Likewise, if the pitches are good—in the "strike zone"—and the batter does not swing at them, the batter is out. But, many people who are casual observers of the sport do not know that if, when the batter swings he steps on home plate, he is automatically out…whether he has three strikes or not. So many times in Christianity, we become casual observers—maybe even casual partakers—of the faith. We step into the box, dig our toes in, and swing at the good pitches; maybe we even make contact, but before we can run to first, we are called out because we stepped on home plate when we swung the bat.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was." James 1:22-24

Oh, friends—how can we know the Lord if we don’t know His Word? And if we know his Word and don’t abide by it, how can we claim that we truly know and love Him? It isn’t enough to just know or hear the word; Satan knows the word and we know he is not godly. The word must be active in us; we must do that which is commanded of us in the word. And what is commanded? The word tells us to love the Lord and love each other.

There are moments when John’s bluntness takes my breath away. Verse four is one of those moments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Wow. If that statement doesn’t convict you, friend, you should check and see if you have a heart of flesh in your body or a heart of ice cold stone. Look at what he’s saying to us. If we claim to be a Christian and don’t live a life that is guided and directed by the things our Lord has commanded us, we are nothing more than a pack of liars who have no truth in our hearts. If we know our God, we will know his Word, and the fruits of His Word will be visible in our lives. If we keep his commands, we "shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in due season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:3) But if we do not keep his commands, we shall be "clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up [our] own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Jude 1:12b-13. And I don’t know about you, friends, but I want to be part of that first group, not the second.

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

How awesome is it that John follows the chastisement with a beautiful promise! If we claim to know him but don’t keep his word, we are liars. But, if we keep His word, God’s love is perfected in us. WOW!! Now, this does not mean that we are perfect. We are not capable of perfection, in the sense that we are carnal beings driven to satisfy carnal desires. There will always, as long as we are living in the flesh of these human bodies, be sin because our flesh strives against our spirit. So what does this mean? How is God’s love perfected in us? Simply in this: that we will begin to love others with the same love Christ has loved us. And how did he love us? He loved us unconditionally and without reservation. He loved us so much that he became cursed for us that we might be set free from our curse. (Gal 3:13) He loved us so much that he gave up his life for us. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay one’s life down for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you…These things I command you, that you love one another." John 15:13-15, 17

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus! And this is the same love we ought to have for one another—the same love we ought to have for the lost, because Jesus came for the lost and dying…not for the religious.

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

We know that we are in Him when we love one another in the same unconditional way He loved us. Jesus walked in power, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, casting out demons, restoring withered limbs, healing the sick and dying. And John says to us, if we abide in Him, we ought to walk in the exact same manner that Jesus walked. We ought to do all these things. We ought to be walking in this power, in this ability. "Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." John 14:12 But we don’t. And why? Because we haven’t gotten the "love one another" part down. If we don’t love each other, we will have no desire to heal broken hearts, to set the captives free, loose the oppressed, clothe the naked—none of that will matter to us. How can we walk this walk without love? It is impossible. If God is love, then abiding in Him means abiding in love. We cannot abide in the Lord and be hateful people. Love abounds in God and if we abide in Him, we will abide in that love. If we walk in the Lord, we will walk in love. If we don’t we are "a sounding brass and clanging cymbal." (1 Cor 13:1b) If we aren’t walking in love all we’re doing is talking big and making a bunch of noise.

So the question, in its simplest form is this: Do you walk the walk, or do you just talk?

Jesus Didn't Just Die for the Chosen

2008-08-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2

Let’s take this whole thing phrase by phrase.

"My little children

I find it very intriguing that the Lord chose to instruct John to call his readers "little children." Some may think that is demeaning, but I find it very comforting, very fatherly, very endearing. It is as if the Lord is saying, ’I care for you all as little children who I must be careful to teach right from wrong.’ You don’t teach children right from wrong by beating them over the head with it. You instruct them gently because they don’t know any better. When they know better, that is when reproof and chastisement comes in. But when teaching a toddler that it is wrong to hit, you don’t smack the kid hard in the face. You correct them gently and explain why it is wrong. And so…the Lord teaches us the following with gentleness and patience because He sees us as His little children.

These things I write to you so that you may not sin.

Here again we see that this is not a chastisement or rebuke of sin. This is an instruction distinguishing right from wrong, truth from lie, and good from evil, that which is godly from that which is ungodly. He doesn’t write this because he desires to browbeat them about their sins. He writes because he desires to instruct them in the Way of the Lord so that they might not sin in the future.

And if anyone sins

This is a recognition that, regardless of the instruction, mankind will sin. Humanity is humanity. We will always struggle with our human nature; our flesh will always desire satisfaction. Our carnal man will always struggle to experience the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." 1John 2:16 He writes so that we may not sin, but if we do sin…we have a promise, we have…

We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

I just love the way this is worded. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. WOW! How amazing is that thought! Jesus Christ, the only righteous man who ever existed, is our advocate. The word tells us that "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26-27.

It also tells us that "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2. And what do you think He does at God’s right hand? He intercedes for us. He is on our side, protecting us and convincing Our Father to give us second chances when we fail. How awesome is that thought! It births so much thankfulness in me that I can hardly contain it.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins

This is why He is our advocate. This is why Jesus is able to intercede for us. He became the propitiation (the NIV says "atoning sacrifice") for our sins. Jesus bore our curse—He became our curse and became the atonement of our sins that we might be called God’s "Little Children."
But wait a minute; how did Jesus become a curse? Under Jewish Law, "If a man guilty of a capital offense is put to death and his body is hung on a tree, you must not leave his body on the tree overnight. Be sure to bury him that same day, because anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance." Deut 21:22-23

This is what our righteous Jesus did for us: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"*), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Gal 3:13-14

If that doesn’t make you want to jump up and down and shout hallelujah, I don’t know that anything will. Jesus Christ, the only sinless man who ever lived, died a cursed death and took upon the curse of our flesh so that we might RECEIVE THE PROMISE. Oh, Lord, my cup runneth over! HALLELUJAH!!!

And not for ours only but also for the whole world. But here is the thing we all get caught up in. We think that He only died for the chosen—for the predestined—for the ones who were fated (if you will) to receive salvation. Friends, that is not the case. This phrase disproves that doctrine; it disproves that mindset; it disproves the lies Satan has told us. Beloved, Jesus didn’t die for my sins alone, nor did He only die for yours. He didn’t die for only those who would believe. He died for the sins of the whole world. Here are some scriptures to back this up:

"For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God." Romans 6:10

"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:11-12

"By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God," Hebrews 10:10-12

Friends, you should really read all of Hebrews 10. It is so rich and powerful a confirmation of this that I feel only listing 3 verses is poor of me, but I don’t have the room to list it all. Christ died once for all! The word doesn’t say that he died once for the chosen, or that He died once for some. The word distinctly says that he died ONCE FOR ALL. Christians aren’t special in the sense Jesus died for us alone. His word proclaims that He died for all. We are made a special people (1Peter 2:9) because we have accepted the sacrifice made on our behalf. We are made a special people because in accepting that sacrifice, we die to ourselves and live in Him. Satan has threaded that lie through the body and we have believed it; but Christ’s death and resurrection was ALL INCLUSIVE and perfect and complete. He died for the crack addicts, for the whores, for the murderers, for the liars, the cheaters, the rapists. He died for Adolf Hitler and Jeffrey Dahmer and Osama Bin Ladin. The same Jesus who died and saved Billy Graham is the same Jesus who died to save Saddam Hussein. The only difference between the two is that Billy Graham died to himself and lived the life Jesus gave him and Saddam Hussein lived his own life and killed the life Jesus gave him.

Friends, Jesus didn’t die for "the chosen." But "the chosen" die for Jesus.

What's in You: Truth or Pride?

2008-08-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. IJohn 1:8-10

v8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

This statement reminds me of the time Jesus deals with the scribes about the adulteress who is probably only seconds away from getting stoned. For those of you who may not be familiar with the story, you can find it in John 8:1-12. The baseline of the story is that there is a woman who is caught in adultery, and in those days the punishment for an adulteress was to be stoned to death. So, the scribes and Pharisees bring him this woman and ask Him a question about whether they should do as the LAW says—in the hopes that they could trap him into speaking inconsistently or repudiating (renouncing) the law. He ignored them at first, probably because he knew they were only trying to trap him, but after they continue to bother him with the situation, he said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone.” John 8:7. The story ends with all of the scribes and Pharisees walking away convicted and Jesus telling the woman to “go and sin no more.” John 8:11

I say that whole paragraph simply to say that there is no one on earth who is sinless. Romans 3:10 tell us that “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In another place the Word compares our righteousness to filthy rags. Friends, we are, none of us, sinless. Believing that we are is, as verse 8 tells us, to believe deceit. But it is also pride and self-righteousness. The scribes and Pharisees in the story in John 8 are perfect examples of this. They were sticklers for the law, so much so that they used the law to condemn and to put down others, all the while boasting about themselves that they “kept the law” and were, therefore, somehow more righteous than people who admitted they did not keep the law. So, we see that verse 8 is really all about pride—pride in our ability to do “good” or “right,” to be at every church service during the week, to not get drunk or high, to never have done drugs; all while we miss what it truly means to be a Christian. Because, you see, we are no better than the girls selling their bodies on the street corner. We are no better than the junkies shooting up behind dumpsters. We are no better than the men luring young children away to rape and murder them. And to think that we are is to believe a lie straight from the pit of Hell. However…we do have hope in this next verse.

v9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This is one of those conditional statements we find in the Bible; an “if, then” statement. People love the “then” part of the statement, but people aren’t that crazy about the “if” part. Why? Because the “if” part holds us responsible for our actions, and people don’t want to be held responsible for what they do. Pardon the sweeping generalization here, but we, as a human race, want all the benefits of life and even God, without any requirements to act or do or behave a certain way. If we could live off of the “then” statements in the Bible without fulfilling the “if” statements, life would probably—at least in our minds—be perfect. A lot more people would probably be Christians as well. But that is not the case. IF we want the benefits of this “then” statement, THEN we must do what is required in the “if” statement.

Let’s break down this verse into phrases, shall we; it’s really full of hope and grace.

IF... we confess our sins. This is an acknowledgement on our part; an admission. If we admit that we are sinners; if we admit that we’re unrighteous; if we say to the Lord, “I am a sinner. I have lied, cheated, stolen, had impure thoughts, whored myself. I have served other gods. I have not believed you.”

THEN… He is faithful and just. Okay…God is faithful and just all the time. His faithfulness and justice to do not in any way, or shape, or form rely on our admission of sinfulness. So why did I separate this little phrase from the one below? Simply to emphasize that HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST. He won’t hold a grudge; he won’t constantly remind you of past failures and sins. Caedmon’s Call has a song, I don’t remember the name right now, but the main line is “My God, My God, why hast thou accepted me?” The answer is simple: HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST. There is no simpler way to ensure to us that the phrase that follows is pretty much a done deal.

To forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Oh, how sweet. Not only does He forgive us; he also cleanses us. We are not simply forgiven; we are also cleansed from head to foot (spiritually speaking) so completely that there is no more unrighteousness in us. But how is that possible when Romans tells us that there is none righteous? Because He comes and abides in us, friends; and because Jesus is sinless, we are unable to sin so long as we abide in Him.

God will forgive us all of our sins and make us pure and righteous IF we admit that we are unrighteous. You really can’t have one without the other. If you don’t believe you are a sinner, you don’t need to be forgiven of those sins, and you have no use for a Savior. But the following is also true of you:

v10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Wow, what a bold statement; but so true, and it bears repeating. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. This verse is so blunt and so simple that it hardly needs to be explained. God says, “You have sinned.” We say, “No I haven’t.” We might as well just say to him, “You lie,” because in disagreeing with God, we covertly admit that don’t believe Him. And there is really no difference between not believing Him and calling Him a liar. They are one and the same. And if we believe that God is a liar, how can his word be in us? How can it impact us? How can it lead and direct us? It cannot.

So, the moral of this piece of scripture: If we are so self-righteous to believe that we don’t need to be forgiven, we have basically spat in God’s face, called Him a liar, and by default there is no way that His word is alive and at work in our hearts. If it were, we would believe him, admit that we are unworthy, sinful creatures, confess our sins, and repent, receiving restoration and forgiveness from a God who is faithful and just to all. I’ll bottom line it with this statement: All that we receive of the Lord hinges directly upon whether or not we are prideful or humble. In our pride we call God a liar and cannot receive his blessings. In our humbleness we call ourselves wretched sinners and God’s mercy abounds. Friends, I don’t know about you, but I really don’t want to be guilty of calling God a liar. I really don’t want to be guilty of living my life without his Word (who is Jesus) working actively in my heart and soul. I don’t want to be self-righteous and braggadocios and pompous. I don’t want to be so sure of my good works that I disbelieve the Lord and find that I have deceived myself and called Him a liar. After all, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.

“When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2

So, as I close this extremely long study, I want you guys to think about that final verse, and decide for yourself in which part of it you want to be classified. Do you want pride and shame, or humbleness and wisdom. The choice is yours; I pray you make the right one.

Walk in the Light

2008-08-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." I John 1:5-7

Again, let's take this phrase by phrase:

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you
Once again, we have a seemingly unimportant piece of a sentence, a mere declaration. But, really, it is something so much more than that. By this phrase we see that John isn't simply living his own life, minding his own business--just going to church on Sunday morning, praying before a meal, doing "churchy" things. He is fulfilling the great commission--telling others about Jesus--declaring his Word. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20

"that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all."
Let's look at some scripture that supports this statement, before expounding on it.
"who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen." 1Tim 6:16
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5

Light signifies truth and righteousness. God's righteousness is unapproachable--we learn that through 1Tim 6:16--which means that no one can attain it of their own power, will, or ability. And it shown in the darkness, but the darkness did not comprehend it. What does that mean? It means that people who live in the darkness, even if they see the light, they don't understand it--they can't comprehend it. I was watching an old clip of American Idol during the season when Chris Daughtry was on, and Mandisa--who is an incredibly talented singer and also very devoted Christian--chose to sing "Shackles" an old Mary Mary song about freedom in Christ and praising him. (Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce8nNTIewaA) Mandisa did a fantastic job, but Simon and Randy "didn't understand her song choice." And that is a perfect example of how darkness cannot comprehend light--they had light shining right in front of them and they simply couldn't comprehend the light. They couldn't understand why Mandisa chose that song. People who live in the darkness (which is a sinful life apart from Christ) simply don't understand the Lord or His ways; nor do they understand why we MUST praise him.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Matthew 6:24 tells us that: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other..." It is impossible for us to abide--truly and completely abide--in Christ and live a life in the darkness. As He is the Light of the World, if we are in Him, we are bearers of that light and servants of righteousness and truth. But if we walk in darkness--in sin-- then we cannot be walking in Him. Light and dark are absolute opposites, as are Christ and sin. If we live a sinful life, fulfilling only the desires of our flesh, we are not truly living for Christ. And the opposite is true as well: if we live a life dedicated to the Lord we are unable to live a life of sin. That doesn't mean that we won't sin; we all sin. But if we pursue Christ we won't sin as often, and when we do sin we will be convicted of that sin and will repent of it.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." If we live our lives in Him, pursuing Him, pursuing truth andlove and righteousness, we have fellowship. It is amazing how well we get along with people when we are truly living our lives for the Lord. His love and long-suffering work through us and make us more kind and more forgiving. And we are better able to fellowship with one another. If we abide in The Light, The Light becomes a part of us and the darkness in our lives must flee because light ALWAYS overcomes darkness.

Micah 6:8 tells us what the Lord requires of us: "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" We cannot do these things if we live in the darkness--it goes against our nature. Our nature is to lie, cheat, steal, to be rash and judgmental, to be proud and boastful, to look out for number one. Our nature is darkness, but in Christ we can fulfill the charge in Micah 6:8 because HIS BLOOD cleanses us from unrighteousness, it washes our old nature away and gives us the nature of Christ. And His light shows us how to live a righteous life.

This is by no means an overnight occurrence. It is a continual process. Why do you think our life with Christ is called a walk? It's full of steps. Each step brings us closer to who Christ has created us to be. Sure, sometimes we're going to trip; sometimes we're going to sit our light down and get off track; and other times we're going to hold that light out before us and press forward. And it's not going to be easy. You can't snap your fingers and make it happen. If it were easy, the whole world would do it and Christianity wouldn't be hated and put down as much as it is. But the Lord is good and His Light is bright, and walking with Him is far better than walking in the dark. And there is hope and blessing waiting for us if we walk in the light.

Walk in the light.

That Your Joy May Be Full

2008-08-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1John 1:1-4

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
This is a declaration that John and the apostles have heard, seen, looked upon, and touched the Living Word—which is Jesus Christ sent from Heaven.
Focus on the phrase: “which we have looked upon.” This indicates that they did more than simply “SEE” Jesus. The fact that they “looked upon” Jesus suggests that they gazed at, watched closely, paid attention to him. They didn’t just “see” him in passing, or see him and know who he was—they studied him, spent time in his presence, watched his actions. This was a relationship…not just a “sight to see.”

The life we manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the father and was manifested to us—
“that eternal life” is Jesus. Why? Because eternal life comes through him, no other (John 3:16). And it was manifested—it wasn’t just some dream or vision…they were physically in his presence. He was a physical being.

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you.” They are sharing what they have seen and heard…not hording it, not keeping it to themselves for Sunday Mornings. They are sharing. But Why? This is answered in the next phrase:
“That you also my have fellowship with us” It is John’s desire to fellowship with us, but more importantly
“Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” They share with us so that we might fellowship with Christ.
But why is it important that we fellowship with Christ? Because without Christ we cannot fellowship with God. In John 14:6-7, Jesus says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” If we know Christ, we know God…and if we have seen Christ, we have seen God.
In Verses 20-21 Jesus says, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in You. He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to Him.” How Awesome is that statement that last statement? If we love Christ, not only will God love us, but Christ will also manifest himself to us. The evidence of his life will be made known to us and will be made evident in our lives as well.

The question remains, however: Why does John bother writing to us? What is his driving force? What is his reason for sharing Christ and Christ’s love with us? Verse four answers this question: "And These things we write to you that your joy may be full."

John writes to us, not for his own recognition, not for notoriety, not for fame or fortune. He writes to us because he wants us to have lives full of joy. Here are some examples of this joy:
Romans 15:13 “joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit”
Hebrews 1:9 (which is a quote of Psalm 45:7) “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”

John 15:9-11 “As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

So we learn just from the first four verses of 1John that a life lived in Christ, a life lived studying and watching and sharing and believing and obeying Christ is a life that is full of joy. John’s life was evidently this way, as he had such a heart to share it with others. And we also, should desire to live our lives as John lived his, sharing Christ’s love with others that their joy may be full as our joy is full in Christ Jesus.