Song of the Day #12: Never Gonna Dance Again

Today's SOTD was definitely inspired by my recent trip back to the islands...in particular, Nevis.

I know it's George Michael...George Michael in WHAM nonetheless...and it's corny and cheesy...but I don't care. It's very sentimental to me.

It was playing in the background, when I had a very memorable moment with someone special...on one of the holes of the Four Seasons golf course...under a bright, shining, full Caribbean moon, as the Windward winds swirled around the palms, and caressed us.

Every time I hear it...I'm instantly transported back to that night...moment...and him.



I thought of him a lot when I was back in Nevis this time.

He will always have a special place in my heart.

Always.

Return to the (is)Lands #3: Brimstone Hill

We made it to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St. Kitts, the last day we were there (Sunday 3/22).

We had already been, but it had been years ago, so a repeat excursion was a must.

To try to explain the beauty and magnitude of this place would be premature.

Definitely check the link above to learn more about the history of this place.

Return to the (is)Lands #2: Nevis

For the next six days, the sis and I will be visiting with the 'rents in their home on the island of Nevis.

We left St.Kitts and the Marriott mid-afternoon on the ferry for Nevis on Sunday.

Ever since I entered the Caribbean (St. Maarten to be exact), I haven't had any cell service or WiFi access (the Blackberry sucks down here, unless you have a "global" one.) So hence, that's why no Twitter/Blogtastic updates from St. Maarten and St. Kitts. I sincerely do apologize. :-/

But things are back to normal here on Nevis. I've decided that I can't live without the Internet. I literally will melt. I know. It's sad.

Being back on Nevis brings up so many mixed feelings for me.

This is where I grew up, spending my young teen years here. Most of the memories are bad...of childhood experiences in the schools, etc., but the rest is definitely good.

And as I re-experience the island again, after more than a 10+ year absence, I find myself focusing on the good and just enjoying the island for what it is...a beautiful gem in the Caribbean...that just happens to be one of my childhood homes...

View of Nevis Peak from the Sea Bridge Ferry.

Return to the (is)Lands #1

In less than two hours or so, the sis and I are boarding a jet plane bound for tropical climates...and the 'rents.

We both have been up since 8a.m. yesterday (Wednesday) being busy all day doing miscellaneous errands, housework and packing, and before we knew it, it was already 3 a.m.! We figured, why bother with sleep, if only to wake up in less than an hour and head to the airport? I'm sure we're gonna regret that decision. Oy!

After we will be traveling for almost 24 hours, our final...initial...destination will be this (until Sunday)...


Can't wait to rest our weary selves here...


...God willing...

Stay tuned for blogtastic and twitterific updates!

:)

RESET: The Journey

We just wrapped "Week 4: Jesus' Love is Absurd," in RESET.

In Prompt 03, the challenge was learning how to ABIDE in Jesus.

And exactly how does one ABIDE?...

ABIDING= Following God's Commands + Receiving Continuously From God + Trusting in God's Promises (in Good Times and Bad)

The study must've really been on my mind, because I woke up this morning singing this song...



May Your voice be louder
May Your voice be clearer
Than all the others, than all the others

May Your face be dearer
May Your words be sweeter
Than all the others
Than all the others in my life

Please keep my eyes fixed on You
Please root my heart so deep in You
Keep me abiding, keep me abiding
Keep me abiding that I
Oh, that I might bear fruit

May Your presence be truer
May Your presence be nearer
Than all the others, than all the others

May Your light burn brighter
May Your love go deeper
Than all the others
Than all the others in my life

Song of the Day #10: Ricochet

Freakin amazing song and video...minus the taxidermy and animal carcasses.


Ricochet Video

Workout...Harder

Everybody has some form of motivation.

For me, I need some rockin' tunes to run on the treadmill (3-4 days a week, 1 hour, 4.60 miles, 5.3 mph, weight-loss program.)

Without this playlist (and God's grace), I wouldn't make it.

Just couldn't.

I wonder how this playlist will do on the beach?*

• O...Saya by Slumdog Millionaire
• The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson
• Closer by Nine Inch Nails
• Only by Nine Inch Nails
• Satisfaction by Benni Benassi
• RICOCHET! by Shiny Toy Guns

Add a playlist to your page using iLike

And if for whatever reason, the music peters out, rest assured, Kitty will motivate me. Who needs a human trainer?!...

*More on this in upcoming posts...

Apocalypse Now

Many believe that the Bible and end-of the world prophecies are a crock.

No matter where you stand on things...Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Catholic, etc....certain things can't be ignored...like the possibility...the reality...of this world as we know it, coming to an end.

If we Christians are thought of us those crazy kooks who believe in an Apocalypse and there's no validity to what we keep harping about, then tell me why does this exist?...


And what pray tell could this unassuming structure be?

Commonly referred to as the Doomsday Vault, the Svalbard Seed Vault is a secure seedbank located in Longyearbyen, Norway, that primarily was established to preserve a wide variety of plant seeds from locations worldwide, in an underground cavern.

The Seed Vault holds duplicate samples, or "spare" copies of seeds held in genebanks worldwide.

And why was The Seed Vault built?

To insure against the loss of seeds in the event of large scale regional or global crises...in other words...an end-of-the-world scenario or doomsday/Apocalypse.

View the clip below to get a tour of the Vault.



Folks, you may think we Christians are blowing a lot of smoke...but it's very interesting that it took a neutral, foreign government to recognize the inevitable and take matters into their own hands.

Revelation 6
The Seals...a.k.a. Doomsday/Apocalypse

1I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!"

2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"

4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand.

6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

7When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!"

8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

10They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"

11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

12I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red,

13and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind.

14The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

15Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

16They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

Revelation 6 (New International Version)

Jesus Loves Hookers...and So Should We

Nightline recently ran a segment, "Hookers for Jesus," which tells the tale of a former prostitute whose mission is to rescue and convert other prostitutes to Jesus.

The story isn't new but resurfaced on Nightline last night. See a report that ran about a year ago below...



Many are critical of Annie Lobert and her organization. And guess who are the most vocal about it?

You guessed it...Christians.

Christians tend to forget one of the reasons why Jesus came to this earth, and part of the purpose behind His ministry...was to minister to those nobody wanted, those who were considered the lowest of society, those nobody loved, etc.

When Christians get too snooty for their own britches and criticize people like Lobert and The Porn Pastors, I hope they take the time to remember a little story in the Bible...

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.

37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume,

38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Luke 7:36-50 (New International Version)

I hope we...I...can be more Christ-like to those who need Him the most.

Don't Ever Underestimate the Bound Bewteen Man and Animal

Crazy Cat Lady Series #6

Separated at Birth?

I Love You Man!

So, I've been noticing something very interesting lately: straight men who have borderline gay-ish feelings/tendencies/relationships with their straight "bros."

And I don't mean that these guys have actual physical or sexual relationships with their bros...they just act like it.

I know, I know, it's not unusual for heterosexual men to openly express their affection to/for their heterosexual male friends...and not, that there's anything wrong with it...but I think it's been taken to a whole new level.

I know numerous male friends, who joke around with their buds by always saying how much they love each other, how dreamy they think each other is, and here's the kicker...how if they WERE gay, they would date them in a heartbeat.

In fact, they are so affectionate with each other, people sometimes mistake them for actually being gay!

These guys also are constantly leaving ambiguous...and sometimes, not so ambiguous...comments on each other's Facebook wall or in response to blog posts...such as, "I picture you naked all the time, etc." And yes, I have a warped and open sense of humor, but these comments are always being made.

They hang out with each other constantly, constantly seek validation from each other, constantly try to one up each other in everything from, who has the wittiest comeback, to who has the more subtly-penned, "intellectual" blog or status update.

These guys play juvenile games with each other, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there's a limit when these dudes are in their thirties...and some have kids.

These guys spend time with each either making juvenile sketches, music videos, comedy bits, play video games, go on trips together, have guys' nights...and again, I'm not saying in general, there's nothing wrong with all these activities, hell, women have been doing it for forever (at least the road trips and nights outs), but I think at some point, there's a limit.

I even know a guy who is so "obsessed" with his best friend that I strongly believe that he started dating his friend's cousin...just so that he could have an excuse to be closer to his best bro...and eventually be part of his family.

Think I'm overacting about this whole theory?

I present you Exhibit A...


Here's what IMDB says about the flick "I Love You, Man":

"In I Love You, Man, a comedy from John Hamburg (Along Came Polly, co-writer of Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Zoolander), Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd, Knocked Up The 40 Year Old Virgin) is a successful real estate agent who, upon getting engaged to the woman of his dreams, Zooey, (The Offices Rashida Jones), discovers, to his dismay and chagrin, that he has no male friend close enough to serve as his Best Man. Peter immediately sets out to rectify the situation, embarking on a series of bizarre and awkward man-dates, before meeting Sydney Fife (Jason Segel, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), a charming, opinionated man with whom he instantly bonds. But the closer the two men get, the more Peters relationship with Zooey suffers, ultimately forcing him to choose between his fiancée and his new found bro, in a story that comically explores what it truly means to be a friend."

I honestly think that these guys want the best of both worlds...they cherish the commoraderie of their male friends...as well as the physical benefits of being in a heterosexual relationship with the women in their lives.

I think in their perfect world, some guys would love to have the frat-house lifestyle, with the woman on the side. That would be true heaven and bliss for them.

It's not that they hate women or that they are gay...they just might love their male friends more than they want anyone to know about.

Trust me on this one.

I bet all of us women can relate to this. How many times have the men in your life chosen their bros over you? I can't be the only one who's picked up on this! Am I?!

It'll be interesting to see how "I Love You, Man" translates this out on the big screen.

After all...art does imitate life...

Sign of the Time?

For a few years now, I've noticed that every time I look at a clock, TV, microwave, cell phone, computer screen, or any other electronic device that displays the time, it will inevitably always read:

9:11

Now, I realize what 9/11 has come to represent and be associated with, so I don't know if that's what influenced the time significance (as I like to call it) for me or the fact that on that very same day, my grandmother, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, slipped in and out of consciousness, and ultimately never came back and finally passed away on September 19.

I wonder if it's because my grandmother and I were extremely close, that the time 9:11 has greater significance for me or it's just a coincidence.

But I'm not really one to chock things down to coincidence. I always believe things happen for a reason...and for me, that means it's always divinely inspired.

I know several other people, friends and acquaintances who experience similar time/number significance. One friend, says he always sees 3:33.


In the movie Hide and Seek, Robert De Niro's character keeps waking up to see 2:06 a.m. on his bedside clock, which ends up being an integral key to the plot's climax. It wasn't just a coincidence that he woke up from a nightmare fit of sweats, to look over and see 2:06. De Niro's character took a while to figure out the importance of 2:06 (I'm not saying that my time significance is similar to his! At least I hope not! Rent/buy the movie to find out why!)

Speaking of movies and coincidences, the movie Signs is rife with what initially seems like random and unrelated facts, traits and circumstances, about each character, but by the end of the movie, it's clear that every "random" thing wasn't haphazard at all, but actually a "sign" or "miracle" that was integral in fulfilling the most significant role of each characters' lives.


Initially when I saw the movie in the theater on opening night, I thought it was a let-down, but once I grasped M.Night Shyamalan's "message," I found a whole new respect for the film.

Everything from Abigail Bresslin's character's habit of leaving half-full glasses of water around the house, to the various framed pictures and drapes around the house that had circular patterns in/on them, to the little boy's asthma, to the mom's accident, to Joaquin Phoenix's character's innate way with a bat...were just not coincidences. They were signs. Signs of what was to come.

So where am I going with this whole time significance/coincidence thingy?

I think the reason why I and countless other people see a certain time isn't coincidental at all, but rather very significant and possibly serves as a precursor sign, warning, alert - or whatever you want to call it - preparing us for some substantial future event in our lives.

Who knows what or how the time significance will play out, but mark my words, it's happening for a reason.

Towards the end of the movie Signs, Mel Gibson's character poses this question to Joaquin Phoenix's character (starting at 4:48 in the clip below):

"See, what you have to ask yourself is, what kind of person are you? Are you the kind who sees signs, sees miracles, or do you believe that, people just get lucky? Is it possible, there are no coincidences?"

Watch the clip below and decide...are you the kind of person that sees signs?

But more importantly...do you believe in signs?

I would pay attention, if I were you...

Unbelievable Love

When humans fail animals...animals save each other.

This video is truly astounding.

I got the chills while watching it.

I'm still shivering.

I hope we can learn something from this.

I did.

You're Not Fooling Anyone...

I find it incredibly deplorable and cowardly when people try to justify or rationalize things so that, ultimately, they can feel good about the controversial, politically correct...or incorrect...choices they make.

It disgusts me when people stand up and defend their choices, at the lives, suffering and anguish of others.

I can't wrap my head around the choices that people make that make them feel good or satiated, at the expense of others.

We live in a society that has the "moral code," "As long as no one gets hurt, then I should be able to do whatever I want!"

But what do you say of those who live by the "moral code," I don't care who or what I hurt, as long as I'm happy, I can do whatever I want?"

Typically, these people are the ones who have no accountability to anyone or anything.

They don't believe in or are accountable to a higher/divine power, let alone to other people in their lives.

Sometimes, I wonder if these people are even accountable to their own selves and their consciences.

These people also hide behind their "well-thought out," "intelligent," research, arguments, studies, articles, debates, ideologies, etc.

To these people, I urge you to remember this...

...in the end, no matter how anyone tries to rationalize something, there are simply only two choices:

1. right

and

2. wrong

There are facts that go along with those choices, that no one can't ignore or argue around.

It's kinda like trying to argue against the fundamentals of life: the sun shining, the sky being blue, gravity, etc.

You can try to justify your choices and actions, but in the end...

...your gluttonous ways...shows.

Art by Artemio Rodriguez

Florence Nightingale of Florence

So apparently, for the past five days, I've been dubbed "Florence Nightingale," since I've been taking care of the sick.

I love taking care of and nurturing people...sick or not. It's in my nature. In my DNA. I can't help it.

I guess I can see the resemblance.

Sometimes

Sometimes, I feel completely lost.

Sometimes, I feel completely numb.

Sometimes, I feel so many things.

Sometimes, I'm a roller coaster of emotions.

Sometimes, I feel like life has come to a complete stop.

Sometimes, I feel like life is zooming by and leaving me in its wake.

Sometimes, I feel like there's no future.

Sometimes, I feel like hope...and destiny may be possible.

Sometimes, I feel unmotivated and uninspired.

Sometimes, I fight the lump growing in my throat.

Sometimes, I wonder...what's the point?

Sometimes, I wonder, what do you want from me?

Sometimes, I wonder what do you want of me?

Sometimes, I wonder if there will ever be someone?

Sometimes, I feel like giving up.

Sometimes, I get angry.

Sometimes, I feel like an outcast.

Sometimes, I feel like an alien walking this earth.

Sometimes, I am filled with sadness.

Sometimes, I just don't care.

Sometimes, I think that others just don't care.

Sometimes, I feel like nothing matters or makes a difference.

Sometimes, I am assured.

Sometimes, nothing makes sense.

Sometimes, I wonder why?

Sometimes.

New Meaning to "Walking Away Alive..."

Talk about getting a wake-up call and new perspective on life!

If this incident hasn't changed this man's life completely...what will?

And talk about not being your time to go.

God definitely has more to do with this man!



MYFOX NATIONAL

A miracle was caught on camera in Turkey after a train rammed into a semi-truck as it crossed the tracks in the Mediterranean port city of Mersin.

The truck was sent crashing into a 32-year-old man standing alongside the tracks. The footage shows Cem Tokac flying backwards after he is hit, and then he is seen lying motionless on the ground.

Amazingly, Tokac suffered only minor injures. Now, he says he plans to get married in April, and considers February 25, the day of the accident, his new birthday.

Oh the Humanity

I found out, through a fellow tweep, that someone passed away last week.

I didn't even know this man personally. Never met, talked, corresponded, or tweeted with him. Apparently, he was well known and connected in the social media world.

John Kennedy recently lost his job and some thought that things were amiss with him, evident through his various Facebook and Twitter updates. Apparently, John committed suicide.

Even though I don't know John, upon hearing of his passing, I immediately felt crushed hearing about him. It felt like a close friend of mine passed away.

I instantly regretted that I never had the opportunity to interact with John in any capacity, even if it was just over Twitter.

I regretted not having the opportunity to potentially impact his life, hopefully positively, in any capacity.

I regretted not having the simple chance to say, "Hi John. Hope you have a great day."

Anything. Just a chance to let him know that someone cared.

Why is the loss of human life so compelling?

Why do we care when someone, even complete strangers, die?

It made me think about how much God must feel about our lives.

How devastated He must feel when one of us passes away or takes our own life.

I wonder if God weeps when we die?

Does He get depressed when someone or some animal stops existing?

I can only imagine His grief.

John, even though I only knew about you, because of your death, I want you to know that I am sad you're gone. I want you to know that I care about you.

And I'm sad that you thought there weren't other options.

I want you to know, you'll be missed.

Rest in peace John. God speed.

John S. Kennedy Memorial Service

Thursday, March 5, 2009
11 AM EST
Charles Miller Funeral Home
3464 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45223

If you know or suspect someone may be experiencing depression and suicidal tendencies, please click here to see how you can make a difference and potentially save a precious life.

Click here to offer them spiritual guidance.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18 (New International Version)

All a Twitter

Stumped by why all the cool kids are Tweeting?

Well, let Jon Stewart "educate" you on the social media phenom. Source: BusinessInsider.com

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Twitter Frenzy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Oh...and if you didn't learn anything from Stewart's hijinks, then get it straight from Twitter CEO and co-founder...and coincidentally Blogger.com founder...Evan Williams, above.

Incidentally, you can follow Williams' tweets, here.

Open Letter to Rush Limbaugh

Dear Rush Limbaugh,

Can you please keep your mouth shut...or even better...just slip away quietly from the media spotlight, indefinitely?

You are giving the rest of us...and by the rest of us, I mean Christians...a dirty, bad name and making us look real bad.

Or can you at least, just stop speaking in public entirely?

Also, if you didn't see it the first time around, here's a reminder of just why your ill wish for Obama as the one you, "hopes will fail," in my opinion, just might not pan out as you hope.

Thank you for time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Maureen

Comic Khan

Fun effects with MacBook's Photo Booth.