The Valdez Chronicles

On Christianity and Mental Health

2020-01-22T10:28:00.002-08:00

Christians, we have a major issue with our mental health. Frankly, we don’t address it, rather we are barely beginning to address it.

Keyword: beginning

It’s the one thing that the world can point at us and equate us to Scientologists: a good chunk of us think that mental health is a fantasy. Or just something we can lay at the cross and find healing. While this can work for some, for others it’d be a horribly morbid thing for us because we’d constantly be at the cross laying down everything. Every five minutes. We really should view mental health much like Paul’s thorn. The reality of that needs to be acknowledged instead of the constant “you’re having one of your moods again, just pray it away,” or “she needs to speak to psychiatrist instead of her pastor? How wasteful.”

For as long as I’ve been able to recall, I’ve struggled with anxiety. The word “change” used to be a trigger word. It’s slowly being released. Most of my life, I’ve spent watching my mom make a 32 year old marriage work when she should have kicked my dad out at 22 years of marriage. I never really felt like I belonged anywhere and struggled hard to not just breakdown at every little thing.

The constant I’d get is “you really need to let it go.” When everything around you seems like it's going to crap all the time, sometimes hearing that you need to let it go made me just feel like people didn't care. Sometimes I would actually need that. Other times I really needed people to listen and nod. I do have people like that in my life, I’m not saying that people didn’t care.

Christians love to say they utilize prayer. However, the American Church uses it like windex instead of the spiritual discipline that it is. When we say we are going to pray for someone we better do it, and remember the need. There have been times that I have been jolted out of bed by particular people in mind. Prayer is great, but it is no substitute for what cognitive behavior therapy and/or antidepressants can do.

I remember the first church that I seriously worked at, the pastor talked about how psychology was from the devil. I’d like to say that most of the congregants let the statement lie, either because it was an uphill battle or for other reasons. It was shocking for 2010 me then, partly because I saw and continue to see the benefits of psychology impact my theology and my Christian worldview.

It’s how I know I am supposed to change gears.

It's how I know something else is about to change in my life,

Anyway, can one benefit from having a mental health care team that would include his/her pastor? If the pastor is one that understands, absolutely! But from what I’ve found, the ones that understand are few and far between.

Persistence

2019-12-28T11:05:00.002-08:00

I have always hated exercise. I have always wanted to look like I was ripped and could look great naked, but never really wanted to do the work. I remember eighth grade, where I was trying so hard to at least be like the other boys. If time travel was possible, I’d use it and tell myself that it’s okay to start with the lighter weights, what matters most is form and to perfect my form and then I’d look better than them because my form is better.

Fast forward twenty or more years and I find it interesting that the thing that I just couldn’t grapple in the throes of puberty is something that I still struggle with. BUT, I’ve learned that exercise is necessary.

I've been recovering from a surgery that was necessary, and I have to remember that I'm not 13, 23 or 27 anymore. Things have begun to slow down. I need to start making changes and do the hard work. I have to do it for me.

Change is necessary.

Change is important.

Just like the weather. Make that choice, and stick to it.

Persistence is defined as the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Some decent synonyms are tenacious or tenacity and stamina. Some people that live this out are the most stubborn people you’ll meet. I know, I have been told that I’m quite persistent. I don't know if they were intending to be polite or just plain shady, I frankly don’t care anymore.

Anyways, it’s not just going after any particular goal. Persistence is a way of life.

J.S. Valdez on Sacrifice

2019-12-09T19:35:00.003-08:00

Sacrifice.

This word has taken different meanings for me throughout my short life. As a child, sacrifice was a big word. I understood what it meant, but it held some type of religious overtone. Perhaps it was the upbringing I have, and possibly will continue with my children. Sacrifice meant to just not have something yet for something greater.

As a teenager, this deepened to making the choice about what it was at the given moment that I wanted, and the other would be my sacrificial denial. In hindsight, I have a slight selfish tendency. This tendency shifted and contorted in my twenties as I thought of sacrifice as something that I would deny myself. Also, not quite true and selfish in the opposite direction. If I keep holding myself back, am I not placing limits on myself?

My teenage years were not idyllic. I believe that there may have shared what issues I may have had on this site.I learned more about becoming a man by watching my father make excuse after excuse. Luckily, my brothers and I had some fantastic role models in our lives. However, no-one can really take the place that a father has for his sons.

My mother most definitely tried filling both pairs of shoes as best she could. Of course she was not perfect; no one really is. She may have been too firm when she needed to relax, and she may have relaxed when she needed to have been firm. She’ll probably ask me for certain examples, but I believe she knows when they were. Still however, our house was one that friends would come over frequently. Probably because she picked most of her battles.

Sacrifice has not become this selfish and slightly pious abstraction that I was (and still am) ambivalent about. It became something that just was a part of what I did. Leave at the age of 29, deal with a bunch of much younger men and women for three to nine months for initial training; that’s a sacrifice. Wait two years for a deployment only to be sent in the middle of a family member's serious health treatment? Most definitely a sacrifice.

Sacrifice as a whole is not just something that military members do. It’s a big chunk of what we do, but as everyday people we all make the choice. We make the decision to audition, place a resume, ask the hot girl in the back corner on a date. Sacrifice is a part of risk. Which then makes it an everyday necessity.

Adversity

2015-04-13T06:50:00.001-07:00

When adversity strikes, that's when you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on.

LL Cool J, rapper and actor

__________

As I posted two weeks ago, I've had to make certain adjustments in my life.

I've had to fully embrace being a morning person just in order to make it to work. What does that mean? Yes, it means that I've been taking public transportation to make it happen.

Last weekend I found out some horrible news concerning the accident, I was disheartened but not destroyed. I now have a point on my driving record, and I will now be saving up for a new car being that I was at-fault.

All that to say, when things don't go your way, there are two ways that you can handle it. You can handle it positively, and see it as just a minor setback. There is also the negative view where you can let things ruin you.

Right now, although it is a really horrible situation I'm viewing this as just a little setback. Things are still going in the way that are for my benefit, but now it'll just happen a little later. I'm still here, and not taken from this earth.

Things will and are still moving. I'm going to keep moving too.

Adjustments

2015-03-23T11:18:00.001-07:00

I almost died Saturday.

Okay, that definitely was hyperbole, but I came to terms with my mortality Saturday. As I posted Saturday evening, I was t-boned Saturday afternoon at an intersection in Riverside on my way home from helping friends clear out junk so that they could list their house.

I'm not going into the details about the accident, because insurance hasn't gone through everything.

This new development in my life has left me carless (this is an obvious remark). I have spent last night, when I should have been sleeping, thinking about what I'm going to do for work, how I'm going to work. The usual questions that arise.

The need for a car rose up to combat anxiety that would naturally arise after a situation like that. I tensed several times as I was being dropped off.

However, this is what has happened: Insurance seems happy about the overall situation. The car has been released to the towing company (since it is completely totaled), and there is so much peace in my mind about everything.

Faithful readers, this is how you can pray: that insurance moves quickly and swiftly. That I get into a car quickly and the only work disruption is EXTREMELY minimal.

I am so thankful for the outpouring of well-wishes. It warmed me as I sat in ER.

Ruminations

2015-03-11T07:01:00.001-07:00

The greatest single cause of athiesm in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

--Brennan Manning

I am at a loss of words this week. Usually, I pick something out, find a quote and then write about the quote. Typical impromptu speech writing.

This week has been very interesting and not by me going in to work around 8 am everyday (although that is very very nice!). There's something more happening within me. I'm anxious, but not my usual anxiety.

Hope is involved.

I hope that when I pass through the school sites that I work at, people can tell what I believe. I hope that when I am doing my everyday routine that it reflects my Savior.

And sometimes I know that it doesn't.

I don't want to follow an example set for me that would tarnish the Christian witness.

But it's a struggle.

American Church Mistakes Part 3: Ageism

2015-02-28T14:25:00.001-08:00

Ageism works in both directions. As a teenager in the public eye, people would talk condescendingly to me. When you get older there's this feeling that you have to start carving up your face and your body. Right now I'm in the middle ground--I think women in their thirties are taken seriously.

Alanis Morrisette, singer-songwriter

Ageism is as odious as racism and sexism.

Claude Pepper

Here's my question for the preachers who are consumed with attracting people under 25 years old: why? What is the point in attracting these younger people if you only intend on turning around in another five years and totally ignoring them?

christianpundit, via christianpundit.wordpress.com

----

I've already alluded to this separation in the Church as a whole. It's a huge cancer that if we do not take care of it, will be the wrecking ball in the American Church that might lead to chaos. Being now in my late twenties for at least some time now, I've also experienced the start of ageism within the Assemblies of God.

Not from any of my friends, church family nor any network official, but from within my network.

It's not a pretty thing. It's not an honest thing, and last of all it's not what we should be about. Our goal should be about building each other up and pushing each other to our full potential. Our goal should be to share our stories with each other and make deep lasting connections with each other. We should be a family.

Yet, sometimes we get caught up in being offended.

In the original blog post that inspired this series of rants on ministry, I mentioned that in order for us to combat ageism against both old and young in the Church we need to start sharing our stories with each other.

For those that need a more Christianese way of saying it: we need to share our testimonies with each other.

And yet, not only our testimony. We need to share our goals and our aspirations with each other. It sounds so simple, but yet we've dropped the ball as badly as Kobe Bryant's performance this season.

I've shared my story with two older individuals, and they've shared their stories with me. It's incredible to see where God has been involved in our lives as individuals. I've learned that once I've heard their story I've come to a deeper understanding of that person.

We need that again. How can old men mentor young men when they refuse to share their stories? How can older women mentor and inspire younger women when they glare at each other from across the row?

We need to start seeing each other as family, and treat each other like family ( in a healthy understanding of what family is).

It's time.

American Church Mistake 2: Marital Hierarchy

2015-02-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

I thought it best to continue my series American Church Mistakes. The second problem that I see within the American church is similar to the Hindu caste system, especially for those of us in ministry.

This blog post has been the hardest for me to write, partly because I get the main argument. I'll show this later on in the blog post. The main issue I'm slightly critiquing is the married and single ministers issue.

We must talk about how Paul thought about this, and because Paul's view should take precedence over any other modern theologian we're going to look at 1 Corinthians 7.

There is a sense of relief as Paul writes the portion that we know as chapter 7. He's just dealt with very intense issues, ~~the Corinthians were suing each other and one had committed incest by marrying and from the language Paul used, consummated the marriage~~ and now he could answer some of their questions.

Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations? Certainly—but only within a certain context. It’s good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to “stand up for your rights.” Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out. Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it’s for the purposes of prayer and fasting—but only for such times. Then come back together again. Satan has an ingenious way of tempting us when we least expect it. I’m not, understand, commanding these periods of abstinence—only providing my best counsel if you should choose them. (1 Corinthians 7:1-6 MSG)

This entire chapter is known as "The Marriage Chapter". For example, the word that is used for touch in verse 1 is like a binding to a fire to be burned. Which does make sense with the way that most translations use the word. Now Paul makes the case that if you can't control your primal (sensual) urges, that you get married.

He makes it conditional. Not even, he goes on to say that it's good for someone to remain single.

Like he was.

Very recently, I created a vlog about this issues, and while I sound like I'm bitter I'm not.

It's not about how we are, it's about the Lord who calls us out and moves us forward.
Here's the video, poor editing and all:

American Church Mistake 1: Vagueness

2014-12-07T19:41:00.001-08:00

On Thanksgiving, I shared some thoughts as to why the American church is failing Millenials. I looked back this week especially on that post and felt like I could further explain the three faults as parts of a series.

I want to reiterate that this is not an angry rant, this is written with deep love of the Church as a whole. These are my own opinions and I own up to whatever happens as a result of this series.

The first weakness I called out was unclear expectations. I'm going to rephrase it as vagueness since that is more fitting.

In my little area of Christendom, the governance structure focuses more on individual, autonomous churches. Everything is done on a local level, since as a fellowship it is where we are most effective.

The definition of vagueness that is being used is not definitely established, determined, confirmed, or known; uncertain.

In other words, the American church has become a wishy-washy product of its culture. Part of that comes from the "it's a relationship, not a religion" mentality that permeated throughout my teen years. It's downright shameful that this has happened.

We live in a post-Christian, metamodern era where we need to start delineating and clearly stating what it is that we are about.

For those that have no idea what the term metamodernism is it can be defined as this: a set of developments in the humanities which are emerging from and reacting to postmodernism.

There is a new beast. This is why stories matter, which will be explained later.

While the Christian walk can best be described as a personal journey unique to each believer, we need to start saying that it's a relationship that influences the religion. To simply state that the unique journey is all that matters is to undermine the Church Fathers who made clear bright lines as to what is part of the faith and what isn't.

We have been cheapening ourselves for the sake of a relationship.

I love the fact that I commune with God and that He wants to commune with me. I believe that the "relationship" viewpoint is great, but not in these present times.

I am a Christian, who loves the Lord and loves others.

Let's Cut the Crap

2014-12-03T15:26:00.001-08:00

When you love and accept yourself, when you know who really cares about you, and when you learn from your mistakes, then you stop caring about what people who don't know you think.

Beyoncé, singer and actress

----

I've titled this post Let's Cut the Crap partly because I've been in a weird place.

I'm in two school districts as a substitute teacher/guest teacher. Things in that world are going fine, people are enjoying my work and it is great to be in a spot where hard work is appreciated.

In the world of ministry, where I've always wanted to devote the majority of my time, I'm in an odd place. I turned a church down, and then applied and was turned down by another church.

It's in places like these where I think we drop the ball as Christians.

We don't do enough due diligence, or simply because whatever is going on we don't follow up well. I've noticed this in myself, and to be honest it's something that I learned in my upbringing.

I was raised in the church.

My upbringing in the church taught me many useful things like how to worship and pour into the service. I've learned the value of serving because I love Jesus and want to thank Him.

I've also learned some bad habits. I've learned that if you don't want to talk to anyone that rubs you the wrong way, ignore them. Ignorance is bliss.

This is the part where it sucks that I've been raised in the American church. We don't have a heart for compassion. There are people who are compassionate and will serve the homeless, the marginalized and those in jail.

But if we were to be really honest with ourselves, that takes us out of our own comfort zone. That's not what Jesus called us to.

I want to challenge my readers with this: let's cut the crap and be more genuine with ourselves and others.

Some Views and Thoughts about Modern Christianity

2014-11-25T22:49:00.001-08:00

For as long as I can remember, ~~especially in my journey in ministry,~~ I have been asked about where the Lord is leading me.

I believe ~~for some odd reason~~ that particular question is a trap. It is essentially "what are you doing with yourself?" Only more polite and I guess a more palatable way for some people to get a read.

I have allowed other people some say into very deep parts of me that aren't fully healed and it's created a burn on those helping ergo labeling me ungrateful. This is not the case.

I am not angry nor am I upset, please do not read that into this post. I've noticed a lot problems within modern day Christianity that would drive me, a credentialed minister within a large evangelical fellowship, to throw my card in the fire and walk away.

Here are some of the issues I have:

Unclear expectations: I knew what I was getting myself into, but from what else that I was told during my undergrad years how things worked were and are wrong. I've learned how to be very willing to cooperate, but also how to market, network and promote myself in the hopes of landing a full-time position at a church. Church work is by far the most difficult industry to break into. Most of the time it is unpaid ~~or it hardly pays anything~~
Gender Roles: A predominant amount of men work in the Church. A very strong majority of those men are married. Within my fellowship, it seems like there is almost a caste system where married men and women are ideal, then single women and the least ideal is being a single man. Within churches that I've applied to, most have told me no because I'm single. This is not a rant; this is the harsh reality that I've come to face. The Church as a whole has built a fence around something that Paul considers extremely trivial and even detrimental to ministry (1 Corinthians 7). Yes, I do understand the reasoning behind it, I just think that we've thrown the baby out with the bath water when it comes down to this.
Age Gap: This is one area where I feel it is extremely important that we need to come together. I'm going to echo what a speaker (Dick Foth) and a good friend (Johnny Diaz) have said about this rift that is occurring between age wise older Christians (Greatest Generation and Boomers) and younger Christians (Millenials). This loss of connection happens because we refuse to share our stories with each other. If older Christians shared what they did (like the man who is graciously allowing me to stay in his house) how can younger Christians learn? Likewise, how can the older Christians mentor the younger ones if we don't share our stories with them? Creating Spirit-empowered community requires that both older and younger share.

These are some of the things that have come to me as I pray, ruminate and think about where American Christianity is headed. It's not a fun place, and we will be doing more damage than healing if we keep it up.

My Journey through Prayer

2014-11-12T07:21:00.001-08:00

To applaud the will of God, to do the will of God, even to fight for the will of God is not difficult…until it comes at cross- purposes with our will.

Richard Foster

---------------------------

I have been rereading a book that I bought for a class that I had to take twice. ~~It doesn't really make for an interesting story, so I won't go into it.~~

And this book has brought me closer to how I approach my faith. I'll admit that I've abused and that Ive misused the grace most Christians are tasked with. I'm a mean young-ish (?) cuss that doesn't like being vulnerable.

When we walk through prayer and truly understand how it impacts our relationship with the Father, we realze ~~or should come to the realization~~ that God loves us, and that when we champion His cause it means something. The best way I can explain it is through this video where my good friend Josh shares.

Many times we have to sit at His feet.

This Season

2014-10-25T21:05:00.001-07:00

Walking alone with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

Helen Keller

------------

I am blessed.

We are all blessed. There are people in our lives who have seen us through horrible things. Whether it be an abusive situation, rape/molestation, medical emergencies, financial emergencies. Crises of whatever kind, we have our support network.

Our support network is there.

Our support network helps us stay sane. I am so thankful that Silver Linings Playbook is on Netflix right now, partly because some of the ideas that Pat faces are true for everybody.

We all need a strategy.

We are all crazy of some kind.

It's better to have a strategy and have people there to help us work out the mess that life hands out.

In that vein, I want to thank these people that have been my network:

1. My mother: you have helped me calm down and think. And your sass keeps me in perspective.

2. Denny and Waynette Mohr: your love and prayers have been a salve, a firm hand and whatever God has led you to do. I appreciate and continue to press on

3. New Life A/G: your continual love has been inspirational. Pastor Eric is blessed and I am blessed to have served you.

4. Darryn Fisher: You have pushed me further for the Kingdom's sake. Sometimes I may not have been open, or I may not have gotten it but you have inspired me to push harder and not accept less for myself.

5. Johnny and Loleta Diaz: I have nothing but admiration. Thank you for your patience, working through some stuff, the FANTASTIC cuisine and conversations. Thank you for being an example of a strong marriage.

6. Markus and Ashley Witherspoon: The shared sense of humor, and the hanging out have meant the world to me. I am so happy that we are friends and that when I need humbling I can play Madden 15.

7. Koby and Shannon Bryant and Family Praise Fellowship: I want to thank you all for the generous love that you poured out on me. I loved serving alongside Koby and grew so much.

8. The Highway Church: Thank you for taking the risk with me. Thank you for the opportunity and the love. God is continuing and will continue to bless the hard work you all are doing.

I'm officially on the verge of tears, so I'll end this post with this: it's better to walk through hard times with someone than have already arrived.

Much love.

A Comment.

2014-08-20T17:52:00.001-07:00

A terminal diagnosis can really mess with your head. Honestly, it makes you want to run away to the moon. Many ALS patients want to fade away quietly. This was not for me.

--Steve Gleason

----

Today I was pleasantly surprised by an Upworthy post that featured a high school classmate. I (as usual) was stunned to see the caption underneath his picture. So, I checked out the post and I learned something new.

It had nothing to do with ice buckets either.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease, has been getting a lot of attention. It should, this horrible disorder affects people from all ethnicities and the life expectancy can be 2-5 years post-diagnosis (check out alsa.org, this is where I'm getting my information). This is just as serious as any other medical issue that we hail (heart disease, mental health, etc.) and yet because we don't understand, we don't pay attention. Now here comes the rant.

I was outraged by some actions taken by some individuals towards my classmate. It seems that the internet, social media in particular, allows for cowardly people to cast their own judgments, their own horrible and vile views on others that are suffering.

I am ashamed and disgusted.

Ashamed because I blog and I openly express my opinions, and I'm not subtle at all. Disgusted because I have been there. It's not a great feeling being trolled, and feeling powerless.

Usually, in this blog I try to explain what the quote means and how it connects with me this week. I'd like to just leave it unexplained, as a way for us to remember that we need to do our research and empathize with those that are dealing with so much more than we can imagine.

Hooray, a busy Saturday!

2014-07-26T09:22:00.001-07:00

No matter how busy you are, you must make the time to make the other person feel important.

—Mary Kay Ash

----

This summer has been interesting.

Two of my friends have gotten married. A former student is turning fifteen.

And they've found me important enough to share in their joy. This isn't humblebragging, I'm truly overjoyed. I wasn't able to make it to one of my friends' wedding reception but I will continue to hold them up and I share in their joy. Today, I will be busy sharing and celebrating with my other friend and the former student.

Today, while I will be busy and will be thoroughly spent and yet happy I have something for you to ponder: who is important to you and do they know it?

I'll be showing that today.

Summer Time, Drifting away…

2014-07-10T21:40:00.001-07:00

People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy

Anton Chekhov

It's been too long since I posted a blog. I'm currently also trying to start up my YouTube channel as an additional vlog channel, but it's hard for me to articulate on video and audio what I can do better since I learned how to do it: write. Writing for me has always been the best way of communication, and I don't know whether that was because I was (and am still to a degree) very self-conscious about the way that I sounded. I had a speech impediment and what I kindly refer to as a "horse mouth," so elementary school was not very pleasant for me.

However, this blog isn't a cathartic post for me to engage you into a pity party.

I love that this quote from Chekhov speaks a profound truth. It could be one of the harshest winters ever, or the hottest summer on record, but it doesn't matter if you're happy. Joy is hard to cultivate on a daily basis. Sometimes we don't want to deal with a difficult person, situation and it steals our joy. We should really stop ourselves and ask: why am I giving this person or situation any importance? It's not worth my time nor should I be bothered into worrying. That's not going to solve anything.

Chekhov isn't saying that the happy are careless and ignorant; rather, they aren't bothered by the stress that life brings. They're able to take the crap in life (and life throws TONS of it), see it for what it is and work through it. Their joy is a part of who they are.

I always try to give a challenge when I post. So, here it is: how happy are you? Take some time to take count the great things that have happened in your life and think on those things.

Much love!

Cosmically Important

2014-05-30T08:56:00.002-07:00

Nothing about my birth--or yours--was random or accidental. I was born for this time-and so were you. We were each chosen for a particular, cosmically important task that can be done by no one else.
Christine Caine, pastor, evangelist, speaker, author and founder of the A21 Campaign.
I had the blessing of being in an audience that Christine Caine spoke to this last week. I was truly touched, and completely blessed by the passion that was deep within my heart that had laid dormant for so long. Christine helped to ignite that passion I had to bring others to Christ and to be okay with whatever happened.

For so long I had been in this crossroads. It was either going to stay in ministry or do something else. I realized this last week as I was participating in the Network Conference for the SoCal Network of the Assemblies of God that there wasn't really anything else.I could get pleasure from other things in which I'm gifted in. But I wouldn't have that sense of fulfillment and purpose that I get from doing ministry. Even from blogging ~~even when it's so happenstance and irregular like this blog, which I'm surprised has some type of audience~~.

Christine Caine spoke how the American Church as a whole needs to wake up and let the Spirit revitalize and renew her.

I think that's our problem; we've become pnuematologists that box in the Spirit and don't let Him do the work that could completely transform not just our country, but the world. It's time for us that call ourselves Christians or followers of Christ to take a stand and engage the world in which we live in.

It's time for us to get bold.

Movie Comparisions: Much Ado About Nothing

2014-05-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in one woman, one woman shall not come in my grace.
Benedick, Much Ado About Nothing Act II Sc. 3

Oh dear. Oh me, it's another unfortunate movie comparision post. The last one I did was on Wuthering Heights, and while I claimed neutrality there, I cannot claim neutrality on this post. These two films are interpreted beautifully by their directors, however I find myself loving the overall product from Mr.Branaugh. The feel of the older film with theTuscan feel of it plays up the comedy, whereas Whedon's Much Ado feels just a bit more constrained in it's noir tone. However, if you call yourself a lover of Shakespeare in cinema, both of these movies should be required watching. Download both of these as soon as you can!

I do give Mr. Whedon high praise for going for the underlying texts, since this play is really more about cheating and adultery than it is about Claudio and Hero's getting married. Also, for playing with the romantic undertones in the text between Conrad and Don John and making Conrad his lover instead of his follower, which for me did work. The themes of betrayal and adultery are more prominent in the Whedon feature due to the noir black and white. This is a strong choice, which is why I was excited when this feature came out on both Netflix and Amazon.

Acting wise, both casts are tremendous as a whole. With the Branaugh Much Ado, you do have to suffer through Keanu Reeve's overacting as Don John, whereas Sean Maher is melancholic and dangerous, the perfect villian. Emma Thompson's choices for Beatrice are bold, daring and confident, while Amy Acker delivers Beatrice as a confident but injured woman. Both are very strong performances. Kate Beckinsale's debut as Hero was refreshing, and Ms. Morgese's delivery of Hero was very intricate and playful. Both Benedicks delivered his profile very effictively. Nathan Fillion's Dogberry wasthe perfect buffoon whereas Michael Keaton's ~~while effective and hilarious~~ was more one-dimensional.

The sleek and streamlined cast of the Whedon production was probably the boldest move. The consolidation of so many roles didn't really work for me, and left me confused in certain moments.

Overall though, both movies are very well done and very excellent pieces of work.

On a Basketball Scandal

2014-05-01T07:35:00.003-07:00

Yes, this week's post is a take on the recent scandal involving Clippers owner Donald Sterling. I woke up Sunday and the news had just broken about the odious comments that Mr. Sterling had dared to utter. I was surprised by this news, but not truly shocked.

Everyone in Los Angeles knows that Donald Sterling has attempted to keep his team as something like a farm team. There have been many superstars that have been traded out from the Clippers, such as Lamar Odom. Since I was 14, I have always wondered why Mr Sterling has held on to this particular organization, since his ownership has just left me rolling my eyes.

In recent years, I have been pleasantly surprised by the turn of events that have benefited the Clippers. It's about time that they had players like Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, and a coach that could effectively build something with that type of talent like Doc Rivers ~~as a former longtime coach for the Celtics, I should have nothing but vitriol for him, my being a longtime Laker fan.~~. It's about time that the Clippers prove to the rest of the league that they're more than a punchline in a two-team town. Then Mr. Sterling opened his mouth, and showed his true colors.

I hope that the Clippers as a team rise above this adversity. I hope that the other owners in the NBA push Sterling out, I truly hope that Sterling realizes that he's ruined and doesn't fight the inevitable. His old-world worldview has no place in today's basketball and he needs to quietly bow out and let the team truly shine.

Hard Times? Get Harder.

2014-04-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Robert H. Schuller

Times have been very harsh to most Americans recently. Myself included, sometimes it feels like there's a tunnel and no light at the end of it. I've been there plenty of times already, heck I've even said I've had a quarter-life crisis. Times have been rough.

I've stated several times in this blog that when times like these arrive, it is to make you stronger. I know I've had to realize that it is okay to ask people for advice, help, guidance, whatever. It seems like that's a recurring theme right now, but in this I'm learning. I'm learning how to be practical.
Check out the video for more of my thoughts.

The Next Big Blogger? I don't know...but I do know that it's Palm Sunday!

2014-04-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly surprised whenever I check out my twitter feed.

I find things out that blow my mind. The lists I'm on is incredible, Next Big Blogger, Developing Bloggers, Great New Bloggers, Top Bloggers on Twitter -1, whatever. It's been pretty great getting noticed out here on the internet.

However, reality for me sets in. I write and rant on my blogs because I have that free space to do that. I've taken this space, and turned it into a space where I try to be as motivational as I can be ~~a la Jon Acuff, a hero of mine since I stumbled on his Stuff Christians Like blog~~, and why? Because I know that I've been called and set apart to do ministry. I've felt that since I was a teenager.

Aside from my humblebragging, this is my Easter week kickoff post. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to LifeSpring Church in Riverside this morning. I was thoroughly impressed and I loved the experience I had this week.
I know the staff at Lifespring, and I was wrecked by the sermon. It was based from Mark 11:1-11. It has been a long time since I heard an expository sermon with deep Pentecostal roots and that was what I got from Pastor Johnny Diaz this week. it's important that we take note of what we miss in Scripture and really look behind, not read into. I never really thought to think that Jesus was glaring at the crowd, but it does make sense because next Jesus clears the temple. I was challenged to truly think, and that doesn't happen much in church services in North America anymore. That's a crying shame, that's what makes it so important that we not just do the motions. We need to believe with all our hearts, minds, souls. With everything.

This Easter week I want to pose a challenge to my audience to be authentic in their walk. Don't ever dare to put God in some kind of normal sphere. He is not just something to worship, He isn't just some nebulous space thing. He's the One who sent His Son to take on your mess and the mess of the world and eradicate it.

Some Weekend Thoughts

2014-04-11T20:36:00.001-07:00

A woman is like a teabag--you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Men are like steel. When they lose their temper, they lose their worth.

Chuck Norris

Yes. This is one of those posts that will be talking about gender. This is my opinion on gender equality, and all that jazz.

And yes, all of that was sarcasm. First you all should take a look at this video:

I don't normally speak out about issues like this. I keep my mouth shut, partly because I'm still formulating my own personal views on what I bring to the table when it comes to the ongoing conversation of gender equality.

I don't particularly ascribe to the machismo-misogynist worldview that people in society ~~some in my circles even~~ ascribe to. During my time at Vanguard, I took a class that forced me to challenge the larger culture. The professor called it a "World Spirit Challenge." Every person in the class had to come up with something within the culture and challenge it. Then, we had to write a 10-page paper describing and stating how the social experiment worked. This reminds me of what I did: I made a T-shirt that challenged the typical cultural view of masculinity. I bought a baby blue shirt and wrote that real men cry. The feedback still comes back to me to this very day. I got some very dirty looks from fellow students, and some staff at my very evangelical Christian college for wearing that shirt that day. Some got it and there was discussion, but there was a lot of glaring that day. And it makes me wonder, why? Jesus emoted.

Moreso, God created both men and women in His image. God created both as equal. Women should be encouraged to gain an education, and go after the big corporate positions. Men should embrace ~~even though some are~~ the fact that while being a "man" can include dominance, it should never be part of the central dialogue. Influence trumps dominance and courtesy can go a long way.

It's time for us to behave better, especially those of us that call ourselves Christ followers.

It's So Easy

2014-04-11T08:18:00.003-07:00

Social media has given us this idea that we should all have a posse of friends when in reality, if we have one or two really good friends, we are lucky.

--Brene BrownI have told myself over and over again that I don't need to be on Klout. There isn't really a use for it, personally. I have also told myself that I need to limit my exposure on social media. I've over-shared quite a bit of information on the Internet already ~~even on this very blog, but you won't find those posts now~~.

Sometimes I get caught up. My ego gets inflated too much, and I don't live in reality. I'm not saying that social media is evil and of the devil. I'm just saying that sometimes it's easy to put so much importance on something that is trivial.

Are there good things about social media? Absolutely, I can see what's going on with family across the country. I can read other opinions and grow from it.

But am I placing too much importance? Food for thought.

Spring Break, ahhh....

2014-03-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!"
Robin Williams

Today was a great day. Not only did I substitute teach another fantastic day, shaping young minds. It was also the day before Spring Break out in the district I work in. It's great, because I don't work for one week. It's also bad because I don't work for a week.Do I have any plans? No.I don't have anything planned, so that leaves me with binge-watching Netflix ~~and of course cleaning things.~~.

The reason for a Spring Break ~~according to most people,~~ is to celebrate Easter. However, this year Easter is remarkably, ridiculously late. It's April 20. It's basically in May.

That can't ever happen again. Wait, it'll come close in 2017,when Easter will be on April 16 and again in 2019 when it'll be on April 21. Ugh. This has me thinking, why Lord?!?

I just can't handle my Easters being so thrown about.

Thought to post a rant today.

Spring Cleaning

2014-03-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to about 200 blogs. I look for insights and good writing, and I look to get smarter
Evan Williams

Today I decided to run through the archives of this blog. Just to see where I've been and where this blog is heading.

So I took a look back. It was time for me to spruce up the page a little bit anyway. I took a look at my insights and found something very interesting.

My blog is a hotbed for porn.

The humor I found in this was also mixed with terror. How could my writing, passionate as it is be linked to something so demeaning and odious? That's when I remembered the joys of the internet, that what one reads and one does is and sometimes can be something different.

My spammed comments made me feel two things: 1) A sense of disgust and 2) At least I'm reaching people. They're spam pornographers and probably illegally putting the smut on their website.

This leads me to the quote by Evan Williams because I take solace that what I'm putting on, no matter how easily spammed is full of insight, and that helps me sleep at night.