Gleek vs Jesus Freak

I just finished watching this week's episode of Glee, "Grilled Cheesus". I'll admit it, I've been a Gleek since the very beginning. I'm a music person, it's in me and it's part of me, and that aspect of the show has always grabbed me. I'm one of those people who gets goosebumps when one of the cast hits "the big note" and makes the music "alive". I love it!

But this week, something about the episode touched me in a completely different way.

Yes, I cried.

Is this new to me while watching a Glee episode? Heaven's no!! :P But the reason behind it is.

It wasn't just my emotional being crying, not just those 'girly tears' for a heart-felt moment.

It was my soul.

A full-on, gut-wrenching, spiritual ache in the centre of my being.

The premise of the show this week was:
Finn thinks he sees Jesus in a grilled cheese sandwich, and begins to pray to it/him/??. Meanwhile, Kurt's father has a heart attack and is in pretty bad shape somewhere between the lines of life and death. Kurt stuns the club with his revelation of not believing in God. And though everyone tries to rally around their friend, he doesn't want them to pray for him and his dad, because he sees it as a waste of time.

The whole thing hurt. Literally. My chest got tight. My sides ached. My eyes got sore from shedding tears. My stomach churned a little. I was rocked, and not in an upbeat Glee-ful way.

Things that bothered me:

-Finn caves to Rachel nearly instantly when she challenges his new "faith", because she's jewish and wants their (apparent) future babies to be jewish, too. And then thinks that God (or Cheesus) will grant him his "wish" the fool around with Rachel sexually because he's doing what God/Cheesus says.

WHAT THAT APPEARED TO SAY - Christians are weak minded and will cave to pressure at the first go. Also, God grants our every whim, even when it completely goes against the standards He's set for us (including being sexually promiscuous). Grr..... no!

-Mercedes takes Kurt to church, and before she and her choir sing, she says infront of everyone "Kurt, I know you don't believe, and that's ok... to each his own", with people in the congregation nodding their "amen"s in agreement.

WHAT!?!?!? So now Christians are supposed to idly stand by and say it's ok you haven't found Jesus. 'Cause that's what's good for you.

Um, no! Hate to break it to you but 1) we are specifically called to correct those wrongs and to help people to find the joy that Christ brings through His sacrifice and healing of salvation! and 2) Jesus tells us to "go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation" (Mark 16:15). What Mercedes said, and the people agreed to, in a direct disobedience to God's explicit command. There are NO loop holes, people!

- The songs they sang - Losing my Religion, Bridge over Troubled Water, Papa can You hear Me? etc. etc. etc.

These are songs they referred to as 'religious'.

To me, all these songs make faith seem like such a frivolous thing.

Ok, so you're having a rough go of things (bridge over "troubled water"). Well, just ask God to help and sure, He'll grant your every wish. But when He doesn't, He's just not listening (papa can you hear me), so go ahead and give that up (losing my religion) and try something else.

At the end, just before Kurt's dad starts to come out of his coma, Kurt tells him, "I don't believe in God, Dad, but I believe in you." I literally sat there, tears streaming down my face, shaking my head "no! no! no! no!" Kurt!! So lost! So many in the world just like him! Believing in sinful humans (all of us) and then being absolutely crushed when we're repeatedly let down.

Take a look at John 5: 43, 44 --

"For I (Jesus) have come to you in my Father's name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can't believe! For you gladly honour each other, but you don't care about the honour that comes from the one who alone is God!"

This was Kurt's trouble, as it is so many others. He believed in his dad, actually saying at one point he didn't want a heavenly Father, just his earthly one back. But therein lies the rub! For one, he wouldn't even HAVE an earthly father if it wasn't for the Heavenly One. Also, therein (hmm, enjoying that word :P) as Jesus says in these verses, he's ignoring the honour that comes from the one who created honour! Poor Kurt.... poor millions of "Kurts" around the world. :(

Ok, for all you fellow Gleeks out there (YES! I am still a self-professed Gleek), don't hate me! I still really like the show! You can't argue talent, and these kids have it! I will always enjoy the music, and even the hilarious Brittany ditz moments and occasional Sue one-liners. But this week, I just couldn't help myself.

I hurt.

There was one moment though.... I felt it was one 'redeeming moment' of the show.

Sue has a down's syndrome older sister, Jean, that we met in earlier episodes. She lives in a nursing home type facility. We learn that Sue doesn't believe in God because when they were little girls, she used to pray for God to make her sister "better" because all the kids teased her. And when God didn't answer her prayer, she gave up on Him.

Jean and Sue are playing Checkers, and Sue asks Jeannie if she believes in God, then telling her that she doesn't, and Jeannie asks why not, in that tone that makes you think she is sad about Sue's answer of 'no'. Sue tells her it's because when they were little, in her eyes, Jeannie was perfect, despite all the other kids' teasing and cruelty.

Jeannie looks directly at Sue with a smile, and speaks the truth in love - "God never makes mistakes! That's what I believe!" The she asks, and proceeds, to pray for Sue.

I'm writing this, sitting at my desk at work, crying! :P (Shhh... don't tell, yes I'm at work!)

I love Jeannie's answer!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I love that the love of Christ blatently shown in that answer!!! I want that answer to be proclaimed to the entire rest of the Glee club, the school, the country, the world! I wish the writers had taken that and expanded on it.

I'm not dilusional - I know this is a secular show, filmed in Hollywood, broadcasted in the USA.... yada yada yada. To proclaim the full and ultimate truth of Jesus Christ on this show, in all it's glory, would be the end of Glee. Let's face it. But despite the hurt that this episode caused me this week, PRAISE GOD for those 8 simple words of Jeannie, and the eternal promise that He reminds us of with them. And for the call He gives us because of them.

God doesn't make mistakes. (His promise)

That's what I believe. (Our calling)

Perhaps, because God doesn't make mistakes, this Glee episode was put together just the way He intended? Maybe it was meant to cause a soulful hurt in some of us (are you with me there?)... Was it meant to lift us up with those 8 words, and remind us of His promises again?

Or is it just a part of your regularily scheduled programming?

Autumn Abstractness and Amens

I'm not really sure what this post will be about. I really just felt like blogging today. Call it inspiration if you will.... I was reading through a couple of girl friends' blogs, and wanted to "join the club". :)

Right now, I'm sitting on the couch, looking out the window at the colours in our world. The leaves, the flowers, all the changes that fall brings. I LOVE fall!!! To be honest, I don't think I could pick a favourite season if I had to, but the colours are what makes fall what it is. I mean, if the world didn't become this indescribable display of beauty, what would we really have to say about fall?

I just spent an hour with friends heading off to a photo shoot. It was so fun!! I love when you're so close to your friends you can know what they're thinking even before they say it... they let you invade their 'personal space' and put make up on them.... their kids start showing you affection and love to you like you're family (and you, to them in return :).... pretty much the definition of being blessed!!! (You know who you are! ;)

You know.... all in all, this is a great day! Nothing spectacular or wildly out of the ordinary... but a day to be content in the things that we have (Hebrews 13:5), and to look and see that the LORD is GOOD! (Psalm 34:8)

Life.... Ramblings

Quick update - The book is actually happening!! I have 3 chapters completed, and I'm actually really proud of it! :) Perhaps sometime you'll be able to read it.... maybe ;)

And on a totally unrelated topic...

STRESS!!!!
Seriously, I think personally sometimes, this is the worst part of the fall of man! I hate stress! And thinking about how much I hate stress just stresses me out more!! Grr.....
It's not even my 'problem' that I'm stressing about right now, but for a friend who's struggling with some dramatic trauma.
Oh, my heart... why can't you be more easily turned off?!?!?!?

Seriously, I am one of those people who take on the cares of those that I love. I can't help it! I always have! I was once told I love too deeply. Apparently, that may be the case.

Well, on the other hand.... if you're my friend, consider yourself well loved :)

Hold the presses!

Ok, so it's been a while since the last post. But I can't promise it's going to get any better lol... because....

I am going to try to write a book!

There, I said it!! It's out there!! Now you can all try and hold me to it!! :P hahaha I was inspired by a character in another book I recently read... and well, here we go! Me and God, we're gonna see where this takes me.

But if you're thinking I'm going to give anything away, forget it!! :P hahah A girl's gotta have SOME secrets!! ;) No plot, topic, characters!! Uh uh!!!! You'll have to wait til it hits Chapters shelves! Ha!!!

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Me....

Ok, here's the big confession of the day....

*sigh* I didn't finish the book! Not even close!!
But you know what!? I'm ok with that!! Because despite not finishing the book, this was a fabulous Easter!! And for me personally, there was a strong connection to the Spirit during the entire season as I remembered and reflected on the sacrifice of Jesus and of His fundamental resurrection. I pray that you experienced the fullness of these Gifts as well!

On a side note, it was a ridiculous amount of fun having all 10 of my nieces and nephews at my house for Easter celebrations on Good Friday!!! The best day of weather all weekend was enjoyed with an easter egg hunt and of course, and Adults vs. Kids baseball game!

I am so blessed!!!!!!

One Week...

It's been one week exactly since we learned of the passing of one of our town's own, Constable Vu Pham.

I won't recount the details of this tragic event, because I'm sure you've heard them all many times. And for those of us who knew him, reliving it is not something I personally like to do.


What I will tell you briefly, is that Vu was a fabulous person. A beautiful man of God who lived out his faith everyday, in his personal life and his profession.


Though I am extremely saddened by his loss, and I ache for his wife Heather and their 3 beautiful little boys, I am beginning to be excited that one day, I will have the chance to see him again. I wish I'd gotten to know Vu better while he was with us, but knowing that I will have eternity to make up for it does ease the sting a little.


I ask you to continue to pray for the Phams, their extended family and friends, for our town, and for the police force.


Also, if you'd like, please prayerfully consider a donation to Heather and the boys. You can do so through any Scotiabank, account #410120217921, or through McBurney's funeral home, "In trust for Heather Pham".


We'll miss you, Vu. But we'll see you soon! Praise God!

Timelines are Wonderful Things

We're well into the season of Lent, and as such, I've decided to challenge myself a little more.... not only am I reading "The Case for Christ", but I've decided to try and do it before Lent's 40-days are up! I may regret that, but I'll give it the "ol' college try!"

Now a bit of enlightenment for you.... :o)
I found a particularily interesting tid-bit of information while reading, and I think it's especially... well... cool!

People often argue the reliability of the scriptures... you know, they were written so many years ago, and long after the events actually happened; so how can they possibly be accurate recitations with all the time that passed? Well, apparently, that's not the case at all!!
For example, let's examine the writings of Paul. For those who don't know, The New Testament (the second half of the Bible) is written with the beginning of the life of Jesus (the Christmas story), includes his ministry, and ultimately his death and resurrection on the cross.
The apostle Paul is responsible for writing the books of (some of them letters/correspondence) Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews (? there are different opinions on the matter of who wrote Hebrews.). In summary, a pretty hefty chunck of the New Testament! So, it would make sense that if we can prove that this is in fact TRUE, that Paul IS INDEED responsible for writing these books by proven the truth within them, it would be safe to assume that the remainder of the books, written by individuals in the time of Paul, and some actually associated with him, are also true.

So, if the proof is in the pudding, the dish is served! :o) (ok, I'll stop with the cliches now)

According to research, many of Paul's letters incorporated Creeds that were used in the writings of the early church. These Creeds have been proven 100% accurate, consistent, and true. So if Paul has used parts of them in his writings, we can use datings from them to also date Paul's letters/writings. Some of these Creeds are included in the following books of the Bible:

* Philippians 2: 6-11
* Colossians 1: 15-20
* 1 Corinthians 15

Some of the what Paul used in writing 1 Corinthians 15 were Creeds he received between the years 32 and 35 AD, as has been recorded. Now, the Crucifixion of Christ is to have taken place in about 30 AD. Paul's conversion (on the road to Damascas) happened in about 32 AD. To explain the significance of these dates further, here's an excerp from Lee Strobel's book (pages 43, 44),:

"If the Crucifixion was as early as 30 AD, Paul's conversion was about 32 AD. Immediately Paul was ushered into Damascus, where he met with a Christian named Ananias and some other disciples. His first meeting with the apostles in Jerusalem would have been about 35 AD. At some point along there, Paul was given these creeds, which had already been formulated and were being used in the early church.

Now, here you have the key facts about Jesus' death for our sins, plus a detailed list of those to whom he appeared in resurrected form - all dating back to within 2-5 years of the events themselves!" (notes from an interview with Dr. Craig Blomberg, a nationally renowned scholar)

Isn't that amazing!?!?!? All this time, I knew what I believed and I knew there was some historical fact to back it up, but I didn't realize just how closely it had been dated and how consistent it was!!! So awesome!!!

I was excited to learn this!!! Are you!? :o)
Share your thoughts!

Learning to Learn

I've decided to read the book "Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel (1998). I've been a Christian since I was 4 years old, so the concepts being presented aren't new to me. But I've been feeling lately like I don't know what I'm believing.

Ok, before anyone freaks out that I'm having a crisis of faith, I assure you, I'm not! :) My faith is strong, my love for God unfaltering. I guess I just felt like I wanted to be better prepared to present my faith as fact to anyone who may ask. Call it an honest to goodness case of curiosity! :)

For those of you who have never heard about the book, a small background -- Lee Strobel was a reporter who specifically reported on court cases (he has a law degree). He was a self proclaimed athiest, and when his wife became a Christian, he set out to proove that the Jesus, this self proclaiming 'Christ', was false. Long story short, he couldn't do it, and ended up discovering just the opposite -- that Jesus did indeed live, and the he always has and always will be the Christ, the Son of God. The book is Lee's compilation of interviews he conducted, facts, texts, and historical evidence backing up this truth.

All that being said, I want to invite you to read it with me! I think I'm going to try to post on this blog some of the things I'm learning, and I'd love to hear your thoughts as well. I pray that this will be a time of learning more about the God I love, and a re-affirmation of his continual presence, both on earth as he completed his purpose for us (his death and resurrection), and now as he reigns in heaven with his Heavenly Father, and ministers to our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

Join with me on my journey! Let's re-find Jesus!

Spiritual Gift or Indigestion?

Lately I've had an unsettled feeling about a decision my friend is making in her life... a rather large one, life changing...
Ok, unsettled isn't the word... more like completely against it and will stop it if I can.
Anyway...
The feeling I have isn't a new one to me though. I've had it before, and (without trying to give this feeling a personality of its own) it's always been right. I've been really wondering if maybe this is a spiritual gift God has given me?? Being aware of it and regarding it in the past had served to protect me from harm in certain situations and to allow me to place a "guard" up, emotionally I suppose, before even realizing the actual form of 'danger' that was there.
Maybe this will make more sense if I give you a couple examples....

There was a man at our church once who showed up at my house to return something to my parents he'd borrowed. I didn't know who it was, but when I saw a car pull into my drive way, I immediately had a 'sense' of being unnerved, aware of danger present, of something being "off". Later, I discovered that unbeknowst to nearly all of the congregation (maybe the minister and a select few excluded), this man was being charged with beating his wife, actually had a restraining order placed on him, and would later be going to court. I had no idea of this at the time, but still, something within me said "be careful". So I listened.

Scenario 2 ... one evening, while chatting with some friends after their hockey game, a guy came up to us and joined in the conversation (he knew some of the other people there, but not me). He started talking to all of us, myself included, and I got the same "feeling".... "danger; be aware".... I was courteous but not overly friendly or engaging, and he soon left. Immediately after he was gone, a friend asked if I knew who it was. When I told him no, he informed me that the guy was in fact someone I'd heard of before.... someone who had been accused, and charged, with sexual assault on more than one girl.

I realize that in either of these situations I was not personally in immediate danger, but I'm still thankful for what I believe to have been God's spiritual warnings, making me aware of the dangers around me. Suppose I hadn't listened?? Maybe I become too overly friendly in a situation with the assault guy... who's to say what could have happened? Or with the other man.. he attended our church, and on first glance would have seemed to be a nice, Christian guy. Apparently, the bruises on his wife tell a different story.

Now, I'm facing this same feeling in regards to the decision my friend is making. Unfortunately, she's living in "happy land" right now and not hearing anything I'm saying in regards to the fact that I "have serious reservations about the decision, and cannot support it". It's painful! Because I care about her alot, and don't know how to tell her how much I am against this.

It's also difficult because she's (claiming) that she's prayed about it, and feels peace about it. But, I know her very well. She's great, but very naive and easily persuaded, kind of like a teeter-totter... Up? ok!! Down? ok!!!
And I don't feel a peace about it, and no one else close to her, most importantly including her family, feel peace about it! They're all strongly against it (as they have personally told me)... But again, she's not even listening to them!

God, this is in Your hands! I feel like there's something else at work here, something evil. Am I blessed with the gift of discernment?? Should I listen to this "feeling" that I think is from you? If so, how can I convince my friend of all of this when she thinks she's hearing from You as well? How do we know who's really hearing and following Your will?
Hold onto us all, Lord! I have a feeling we're just beginning one heck of a wild ride.....

Lovin' Internet

I'm taking a break during a lull at work for a minute, and emailing back and forth with my girl friend in Kitchener (Hi Michelle!! :D). It's something I'm sure we all do everyday... take 5 mins, type out some words, hit "send" and off it goes...

Honestly, AMAZING!!! :)

Think about it... I'm sitting here, at my desk, in Wingham, over an hour's drive away from her, and with a few clicks of some buttons, I can be talking to her as though she's right beside me!!! It's wild!!! I love it!!

Have you ever thought about that?? How did we go from hand writing letters that would take months to get to their destination, to this flat "thing" we call a keyboard attached to a "computer" with "internet" and "email" and being able to tap these "keys" and click the "mouse" and hit "send" and communicating over thousands of miles?!?!? It makes my head hurt a little bit!! :) It's so absurd, and yet we use it every day! And it's wonderful!

Another friend messaged me on Facebook this morning to arrange a Skype chat... from the Czech Republic!!! (Hi Jody! :D) Insane I tell ya!!!

All I really can say... is literally, Thank God for nerds!

Veterans Deserve More!

I was watching TV before bed last night, and there was a clip of a man begging on the street with a Navy seal badge on his jacket. Another man asked him if he'd really been in the Navy, and the vet replied yes. The man emptied the money out of his pockets and gave it to the veteran without another word.

Some of you may read this story and feel it's touching that the man selflessly gave all the money he had to the Navy seal. But I want to tell you that's not why I'm writing this post.... I'm writing this because in the span of the 30 seconds it took for that segment of the show to air, I burst into tears thinking, "That's how we treat our veterans?! That's despicable!"

These men and women literally sacrificed everything they had, their lives, the families, their sanity, their homes... and for what?? So they could end up on the street someday begging for enough money to buy a sandwich, if they're lucky!?!? It's sick!! This just made me so mad I seriously erupted into tears of anger! I didn't know what else to do with what I'd seen. Yes, I realize this was a TV show, but you know what!? IT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING, RIGHT NOW!!! These people who gave their everything so that you and I can sit on our butts and be on this very website, at this very minute, without the fear of bombs falling on our heads or an enemy soldier sniping through our front windows. Do you get it!!?? Is it sinking in!?!?

Remembrance Day only comes once a year (side note: Please buy a new poppy every year.. it's a small amount of change that can make a huge difference!), but it should be a daily memory that sticks with us. I challenge you to take time out of your day to do something for a veteran. I am going to take this challenge myself, and I will let you know what becomes of it. Leave a comment and tell me how you partook of the challenge. Maybe even donate to your local legion. Honestly, it's the least we can do!

True Colours

I was listening to this song last night as I was boxing (yes, I box... no laughing!) and something about it really made me listen more carefully. Take a gander at the lyrics....



You with the sad eyes don't be discouraged
oh I realize it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people you can lose sight of it all
and the darkness inside you can make you fell so small

But I see your true colors shining through
I see your true colors and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors, true colors are
beautiful like a rainbow

Show me a smile then don't be unhappy,
can't remember when I last saw you laughing
if this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear
you call me up because you know I'll be there

Not only does this song have a great musical melody to it, but the lyrics... I don't know about you, but to me, they're perfect! In the society we live in, there are so many things these days that can get us down -- the economy, money (or lack thereof), unemployment, sickness, bigotry, war, prejudgices.. you name it!

It's during these times of (what I'm going to call) trials that we need to stop and think, what are we going to do with it? Oftentimes, we can't change the situation, we're in (if you're sick, you're sick!), but we can control our reactions to situations. We can chose to be depressed and sad and just say "screw you" to the world as we wallow in our own self-pity... or we can stand up, and say, "no way! This is my life, and I'm taking it back!"

It seriously frustrates and saddens me when people just give in to the hardships of life and let them take control. Why do you want to be alone? Why do you enjoy the suffering yourself of others? It's sad and pathetic! If only you would realize the love of family and friends. Who are you going to "call up.. to be there" when you have no one left because you've turned everyone away? Be it family, friends, or even God.

I think that's where the lyrics of the first verse fit in. "Don't be discouraged... I realize it's hard to take courage"... How do we ever hope to accomplish anything when it's not even our true selves we're working through!?!? Because we've let the craziness turn us into someone we're not....

Ok, here comes the "sermon" aspect of it... :)
God made us all unique, different, and wonderfully special! He knit us together before our parents even knew about us, before our grandparents knew about them, before our great-grandparents knew about them, and so on... Think about that... We were "known" before time began! This in and of itself it what makes our "true colours" so beautiful... They're unlike anyone elses! Not even close! It's a baffling thought, and so humbling! Even if Cyndi Lauper didn't intend for her lyrics to have a biblical base at the time, I think she's got a pretty good point. One I love to listen to (especially the new "Glee" version! ;)

A New Year has Dawned

It's the beginning of a new year, and I've decided to try something new... so here it is.

This 'blog' is for me. It will be honest, and raw, and sometimes ranting.. but I think we all need those spaces once in a while. I hope that it will also be light and interesting, maybe something as simple as a movie review.

Keep posted and I will be back soon!