religion on Tv

I am so amazed. Granted they do not have it all put together but...interesting never the less.

*Disclaimer: I am not supporting the show because there is questionable material. But I am saying that sometimes the questionable, has a great level of depth in the midst of it all.

This Scene (in the last 10 minutes of the episode) Lynette is trying to find faith and answers to where was God, during the hurricane, and during her struggle with Cancer. There is some great dialogue between then on a number of different occasions. There is a great scene early in the episode where Bree is embarrassed at her Presbyterian church because, as the Pastor Finishes his sermon, Lynette raises her hand. ahhh who does that in church anyway. As the pastor answers her questions, Bree is so caught up in the not following church etiquette that she doesn't even pause to hear the valid and beautiful questions her friend has. 

I am blown away by how true this scenario could and can be in the church today. I am grateful that Don my Sr Pastor allows freedom and people to talk and ask questions about the sermon. Frankly its refreshing.

This Conversation is Bree's apology for "suggesting" Lynette try other churches where that more acceptable. Lynette's search for truth, makes me smile. Maybe it also makes me smile because people that are searching for truth bring me life. Always have.

"Sunday" Desperate House Wives (Watch on ABC.com)

Bree: also I wanted to apologize.

Lynette: oh you don't have to do that

B: yes i do, you where right. faith shouldn't be blind, you don't threaten it by asking questions, you make it stronger. and I lost sight of that.

L: well maybe a little

B: And it meant a lot that you came to me for guidance and I am sorry that i wasn't there for you. I want you to have faith in our friendship.

L: well there is some things that are easy to believe in.

NARRATOR: Faith is a belief in something you cannot see... when there is doubt our faith begins to vanish and fear rushes in to take its place.

Such truth spoken about faith and friendship. It makes me wonder what happened on the writers strike. Did the writers all find faith. No matter what, I am intrigued and will continue to watch and take note.

Cereality

Today I picked up a student from the steps of SC High and I ask as I always do...so what are you in the mood for? Today My student said Cereality! Its new Downtown and you can pick Any Cereal you can dream up. Basically this place is Buddy the elf's dream come true. Its like the Cold Stone's of Cereal. 

My Combo today consisted of:

• Honey Comb
• Rice Krispy's
• Banana's
•  Cereality Charm Mallows (Lucky Charm Mallows)

My point always an interesting adventure with my students & in Santa Cruz! Nothing like sitting on a sofa, watching cartoons, eating cereal, and talking about life. I have to say it doesn't get better than that. 

Water pressure

At Edge last night while calling for the Jr High Students to come back into the room so that we could begin the Games ohh the Lovely Games.

As I look off in the distance I spot 5 students jumping, which is not unusual to jump while in jr high. But was odd was the moment after the jumping ceased The jumping ceased and then "old faithful" on the upper west side appeared. 

Ahh Crap! Just beautiful...the conversation went like this:

Me: wow what happened?

Dani: wee wee I'm trying to stop the water (while holding a plastic pan over the geyser) This is SOOOO Fun Melinda.

Me: uhh huuh, that's Cool. What happened guys?

Henry: oh ohh ok so we where jumping

Dani: And Making a house.

Henry: and well, the board just swung around and hit that thing.

Gage: oooh and it was Awesome Melinda the Water just Shot up!!

Simon: oooh so cool it was like sweeesh, and I was like Ahhhhh...And then we ran!!

I called some people, and brought the Jr Higher's all back inside (who had all now gathered watching the natural wonder)...sweet things.

Quite the night. Lets just say the energy was high from that moment on. 

no sleep & no compromise

no sleep even though I am well. I am tired but fail to be sleepy. I suppose its back to nights with out sleep. I loath the fact that I cannot sleep. Yet I am up and prone to think...

The Questions I ponder tonight: Why do people continue to compromise, in life choices, and morality, when in fact they claim to follow Jesus?

&

How interesting it is that Eli Stone (abc) has so many Biblical References.

sick

There is a poem by Shel Silverstein which I will not lie in these last few days I believe I could quote the words and claim them as true. And right now besides my flowers I got today   : ) this poem is the only thing that makes me smile after spending the last 4 days inside. only with brief moments in the outside world.

And and section of my friend shel. 

"my tonsils are as big as rocks...

I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke

I'm sure that my left leg is broke--

my hip hurts when I move my chin my belly button is caving in...

my nose is cold, my toes are numb....

I have a sliver in my thumb

my neck is stiff, my voice is weak, 

I hardly whisper when I speak.

My tongue is filling up my mouth

I think my hair is falling out.

My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight.

my temperature is one-o-eight

my brain is shunk, I cannot hear,

there is a hole inside my ear.

I have a hangnail, and my heart is...what

What's that? What's that you say?

You say today is---Saturday?

g'bye, I'm going out to play! "

The sad thing was I only got to go play one night which was good. I meet grandparents, and tried to swallow all that i could with a smile still on my face. They tell my tonselitisis (sp?) is going around this place. ehh. thanks doc. I still feel like crap and well I can't swallow well, and truly haven't eaten a real meal since wednesday. Good news is I am keeping hydrated, and am sleeping well between a random cough which hurts, so then I wake up...6 or so times in the night. Only to drink cold water to sooth...wait but that hurts too! eek! 

I just want to be better...no more sickness! 

Bon Jovi

Did I mention that this last wednesday...

I recieved two tickets to a BON JOVI concert!!

Nothing better that a stadium full of people singing Living on a prayer or Wanted. 

AMAZING!! I cannot lie to you! Bon Jovi still has it after all these years. He played song's off a new album but it was the vintage classics I was there for : ) They divided that well among the night!

I have to say that the perks of being a youth pastor is sometimes you get free tickets to things you enjoy, but would never buy for yourself! Seriously what a blessing! Seriously what fun!

Friday 1st Revisited

Well hello friends...

a long time ago I spoke of how my Friday's are first, a day off, and second a day to do something new. Unfortunately, with the last few months me being perpetually out of t

own, i fear that i have allowed this fantastic tradition slide. 

So after my wonderful friday I realized after ranting and raving about the new fun things I had done...i was reminded that indeed I was still following the habit that brought me such joy!

So this is what I did today on my friday 1st:

• Rode in a cable car for some snacks.
• Was in awe of all the pretty scenery...and when the Cable car stopped I fell down. Nice. I just get to excited about pretty things.
• Ate appetizers (ok so I ate a late lunch and didn't actually eat there...shoot) at shadow Brook for the first time.
• Put 8 people in a 7 person capacity cable car
• Ate real dinner at Restaurante Italiano
• had two sauces on my Ravioli. 
• Ate dinner in an Old Hospital (Yeah RI Santa Cruz's old hospital, Pherf's mom was born there we found the records, fun)

Well that's about it for my Friday firsts...and tomorrow is just as lovely.

 

keep on driving...

After our return from Mexico it was only fitting on Mr Chavez' Day to enjoy the views of SC. So with Pherf and I having the day off we ventured to many lovely places. This stunning view and this picture doesn't do justice to what was before my eyes off 1 freeway. Why does a sunny day and a beautiful day always make me happy?! I just can't seem to get enough of it.

Just when I say, Hey God I'm tired...I need something lovely to make me smile again puts amazing people in my life to show me beauty from viewpoints i never knew where there! Simply amazing.

And to think the view i love is so simple but will indeed always be my favorite. 

Some of my favorite days are days with no plans, days where you just keep on driving and you see what adventures lie ahead. Days where conversation is both deep, and shallow, and in

 the same breath refreshing.  That day for me most recently was Monday. It was like a wonderful ending to week in Mexico. 

This last week while in Mexico, God challenged us to be open. For me being open had much to do with God asking me to be quiet before him...He called me to be way more introspective than I thought possible in my undiagnosed ADD mind. Of course God showed up, but not in the ways that I thought or assumed. I cried for multiple reasons on the trip... most where because I was watching our students "Get it" to move out of there normal thought process. This move was not a move lead by a spiritual high, but a movement that cried Maturity in Christ. That brought me to tears... that still does as I type. 

Below is a picture on our last night... where we brought together the nationals and our team for a celebration dinner and worship service. This was because some seniors wanted to work side by side with the nationals. We could not have don't it with out them. This also brought tears. Many of the nationals just three years ago where in the VBA program themselves and now they are the labors. May God continue to bless pastor Alberto & his wife Margarette, and family. May God continue to bless Sonja and the Sunday School teams....may God bless the labor and tears they have shed for the ministry. So Beautiful!