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2/5/2019 3 Comments

Find Out What's Within

I needed hiking boots. For years I’ve been managing hikes in sturdy, well-gripped trainers, but for this week’s excursion my hiking buddy insisted I find some sturdy, well-gripped, waterproof boots designed to keep my limbs proper and face out of the snow. You see, my face and limbs are arranged a certain way and I prefer to maintain their current order for as long as possible, so wisdom I heeded.

Maybe you can relate.

I also value- equal parts- form and function, while preferring to maximize resources, so after shopping retail I decided to see about the possibility of a mutual need & fulfillment opportunity on the LetGo app and there she was- a pair of sturdy, well-gripped, waterproof hiking boots, with high mile potential and only three days of trail on them for a third of their retail cost. Win. I grabbed some cash and pulled-into our rendezvous point- the Target parking lot. I let the seller know I had arrived.

“Are you interested in the socks? Or do you have socks?”
She and I had not discussed socks in our app chat convo the night before. She did mention that a salesperson advised her on sizing and blister-prevention when she bought the boots, but that was the extent of it. So why did she ask as though we had discussed it? Maybe she’d had a bunch of inquiries and got our conversation mixed up with one she had with someone else. Maybe she had a brain fart and thought she asked me the night before- it was pretty late. Why am I even taking the time to tell you about this? Here’s why: Though she and I hadn’t discussed it, (trust me- I read and re-read our chat thread), when I saw her question, I didn’t read it as an unfamiliar, not pre-discussed, unwarranted question as it may have seemed to come, but instead as a naturally flowing question in an on-going conversation that she and I shared without having an actual interaction. It was as if she had read my mind and I expected it. With possible -2℉ of frigidity ahead of my toes and me, I had planned to stop at a sporting goods store after meeting with her in case she didn’t bring socks; the only reason I had a backup plan was my own doubt.

God had told me before I left the house that the she would be bringing socks and that I should gift her a jar of my homemade fig spread and that she’d need prayer. After pulling cash from the ATM He said I should not try to bargain with her because she really needs the money. All things I understood personally.

We chatted mildly about the boots and the 24 miles that she hiked in them. She, in active wear and a petite frame, looking quite healthy, wore a medical bracelet. Eventually she mentioned that she became very ill a few years ago and hadn’t been able to use the boots after those three days on the trail. What is it that we’ll be praying for? I was eager to get to the good stuff. I sought her heart and pried with delicate inquiry, aware that to her I was still a strange woman who contacted her online just the night before and was now trying to buy her boots in a Target parking lot. She had no idea the Lord had set her up for a divine encounter. Turns out, she is a walking miracle. Literally.

Not too long after her three day hike, she became pregnant and had a child. Soon after that, her body began to weaken gradually; an autoimmune illness had caused paralysis of her entire body and after three years of complete immobility, the Lord brought gradual healing to it. Her driving to meet me and handing me a five-pound box of boots while she walks on her own is a miracle. She squeezed my hand that I had placed on her shoulder as we thanked God for his love for her, his healing power and his provision for her and her family. After the prayer and a vision He gave me of a time in the near future when she’ll be standing on top of a mountain, feeling so moved by his love for her and all he’s brought her through, we shared an embrace. “I have a sister!!” she cried, hardly wanting to let go. We exchanged phone numbers and agreed to spend time together in the near future if the Lord wills.

Look at that.. I reveled as I drove away. I didn’t even have money for the boots until this morning when Rachel agreed that the amount she had initially intended to give me for my next trip to the chiropractor would go toward the boots instead. ...the boots I need for a very cold weather tent-camping trip- in the snow; I hate the cold. I won’t go swimming if there’s a chance I’ll be even a little cold coming out of the pool. Going to the snow just to be in it? I’ve shirked recent invitations quite successfully and have zero apologies. So why, when a friend invited me to sleep in the snow at the Grand Canyon with her in below freezing temps, would I agree? Because I want to spend time with her? Because I don’t feel comfortable her going alone? Because I crave adventure? Because every now and then I need to test my meddle and prove to myself what I’m made of? I suppose my answer is yes, all of the above. What is God’s justification of my contrariety, I wonder. What if the sole purpose of this trip was to put some cash in his daughter’s hand, let her know that He tells strangers on the internet that she’s going to bring them socks before she mentions it herself, and that she has a weird sister who makes fig jam (but doesn’t remember what pectin is called) and delivers it to strangers she meets on the internet, just to prove His love for her?

If you were to ask my closest friends how I fare in relationship matters, they’d likely tell you that I am “intentional”; I go about scheduling meet-ups and other social matters “intentionally”. I suppose that is true. However, recently, I needed to take a step back from a good deal of socializing in order to receive rest and intentionally let go of some weighty commitments for a season. In this season I found that even though I was being unintentional with my scheduling and the more traditional ministerial duties and service commitments I carried, I witnessed evidence of God’s working power in ways and places I would have easily overlooked when I was in “ministry mode”. Serving from a place of rest has been so much more rewarding than serving from a place of kind-hearted compulsion. “My ministry” has truly gone with me wherever I’ve been- makeup or no-makeup, “prayed-up” and feeling super spiritual or hardly prayed-up, but filled with joy.

“As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and your giving through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God. Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.” (1 Corinthians 9:9-13)

I wonder- What if my only intention of being Love and the Light wherever I go is enough, as long as I simply “go”? What if my crazy, snow camping trip is (low-key) a mission trip dotted with divine encounters- moments full of His love for His children who are in need, seeking provision and a hand to hold? I am fully convinced that in order to truly see what we carry within, we must step out and into places that carry unknown. What if simply living a life to be His Love to others is a mission trip we can accomplish while running errands?

3 Comments

1/14/2019 1 Comment

Sitting At An Open Gate

-Deep post alert- (3 minutes)

Was sitting in front of this gate and thought about how accurately this position depicts my current season of life. Maybe you’ll relate.

If I said that I’ve been “sitting back” or “sitting comfortably” on the sidelines of life I’d be lying. Truth is, for the past decade I’ve been nose-to-the-grindstone, hustling. I’ve been run ragged, pressed to the bone; I lied, cheated and stole. I’ve been to the depths of darkness; hopeless, full of self-hatred and disgust, wishing I was someone else- anyone else- as long as she was thinner. But thin was never thin enough. I’ve been on both sides of disappointment, abandonment, rejection, bullying, criticism, and ignorant judgements in the name of faith. I’ve been on my knees in puddles of tears and snot, pleading for mercy and I received grace. I’ve dreamed and given-up dreams, learned to walk by faith and to love without expectation. I’ve been unemployed and seen miraculous provision, learned to be a servant before becoming a better leader and was stripped of pride and clothed with humility. I’ve been forgiven, redeemed and completely transformed. And all of that came with a price.

At points, the price came as a large slice of humble pie to the face of my unchecked ego. [🤤...mmm...pie...] A good deal of the time it came as great discomfort; of choosing to be vulnerable with others instead of concealing my hurts, allowing them front row seats to the process of my healing- my ugly cry and the painful, ugly truths attached; stepping out of my comfort zone and into places where I felt exposed; wanting to get married, yet letting go of relationships with good men- not because we weren’t getting along, but because prayer revealed the increasing distance between our paths in the future; letting go of *my* idea of just how my life should look as it pans out and looking to God for guidance and direction, even though it doesn’t seem to make any sense humanly, (which is pretty much the greatest secret to eternal success, btw 🔑 ). And sometimes the price came as the need to sit still, to stop running; to show up consistently enough that others would have the opportunity to Love me so that I could learn to receive Love. So that I could learn how to give Love.

With every hardship, every struggle, every sleepless night and every desire and justification to “sit this one out”, run toward a different direction or quit, with support of the Holy Spirit and those precious folks God placed around me, I pushed through. I was called batsh*t crazy to my face and heard only a few of the unsupportive things that weren’t said to my face. But I didn’t quit. Can’t stop won’t stop.

And so now, the last step before a new level of life lies beneath my feet and like every time before, I have the option to sit this one out and wait another few years before this season comes back around (it often does)- or get up and step through that gate, not knowing what might jump out at me from the right or offer itself from the left (maybe that garage door will open to reveal fixin’s for a startup that needs a heart), or how I’d get over that fence if I need to. Who even knows- in the time it’s taken me to write this and for you to read it, maybe someone’s already come to knock that fence down. Or brought a ladder. Or a big trampoline and pie. Or a helicopter to take me to a plane that will take me somewhere white sand-exotic so that I may lay in a hammock and write to you about how tough life is, laying in a hammock somewhere white sand-exotic, especially if there’s no pie.

(Part of) My point is- if you’re sitting in front of an open gate, get up and walk through it. The other part that I didn’t allude to, because you’ve probably heard this your entire life- please close the gate behind you. If you don’t, the dog’ll get out, and that’s just an unnecessary inconvenience for the person whose backyard you’ve been trespassing.

1 Comment

10/14/2018 0 Comments

Where Am I?

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Different seasons in life will present us with the invitation to ask ourselves, "Where am I?" Am I stagnant, playing it safe on the shore? In spite of feeling that I’ve not moved an inch, am I actually wading hip-deep? Am I on the boat?
---
I must admit- my natural posture, by default, is laying in bed.
Ideally, the shades are drawn, my eyes are closed, and my state of consciousness is peacefully meandering between the gardens of “Carefree Nothingness” and a place I call “Adventureland”, where elements of my waking life meet elements of prophecy and, inevitably, a demon or two are cast out. Some may argue “laziness”, but I call it “leisure” and this is- hands down- my favorite state of being.

But, if something vital needs to be tended to, no matter how much internal hemming and hawing I’m doing while actively deciding that I don’t feel like doing anything productive, something strange comes over me. Eventually my eyes open during a hem-haw and I realize my desk is being organized; my shoes are moving from their usual place of gathering near the front door to their home in my closet; or, my website is being updated- and all of the things I’ve written recently that need to be shared are being typed into my blog, (which has also now, somehow, been updated), all by my own hand.

Granted, as much as I enjoy resting in a dream state, the true desire of my heart is a clean, organized home and easy-to-navigate blog, but how does this happen? How is it that, though my every want is to not do any of it, desire wins?

One simple answer: desire wins.

Desire wins.
The heart wants what it wants. And there is nothing and no one that can change that. Except for God. And even He, over the course of history, hasn’t changed the hearts of many individuals without them reaching out to Him for help in some fashion. And when we do ask for help, no matter the situation, no matter how it’s dressed, it’s always to satisfy one thing: desire. Our desire to love and be loved, our desire to help and be helped, to live and let live- abundantly.

If I’m being honest (as I most always am), my own desire has drawn me into some questionable situations. And at points over the course of my life journey, circumstances were straight rotten. But God replaced the self-serving desires of my heart- the desires that were once formed by jagged safe-guards from trauma in order to prevent more pain, with God-serving desires; the desire for more of Him and more of His plan for my life to take place. I asked for help and surrendered it all to Him.

When we surrender our lives to Him, I’ve found it’s tougher to stay on the shore than it is to start wading into uncharted territory. The desire becomes less about comfort and more about adventure. Less about self-preservation and more about how we can partner with Him in building the Kingdom.

My desire is to be all He has created me to be and to do all that He has created me to do. The identity He designed for me is woven into every fiber of my being and even my flesh, though at times it may try, cannot overpower the desire planted in my heart. And so, though I “don’t wanna”, I fold the laundry and put it away; I write my ponderings and post them for the world to see.

As He takes us from glory to glory, I wonder- do we ever actually make it to the boat during our time here? Perhaps we plop down on donuts and unicorn blowups at points along the way-- those seasons after a marathon when what we really need is rest- but, perhaps "the boat" is simply a mirage, a representation of our heavenly inheritance; a place we'll continue to look to for encouragement and motivation but not actually reach until our ultimate spiritual graduation day arrives.

At points along the journey it feels like the water has rushed up to my eyeballs; (the only way to breathe is to tilt the head back and pray) and sometimes it just barely sweeps the ankle. But there's a happy medium I've discovered. It's neither easy nor insanely difficult, but it's challenging- and tiring and exciting and a real full body workout: Wading hip-deep. Strong waves will come and as we press forward toward that goal, we hold tightly to that immovable Anchor of our soul; the Anchor powered by Love for Love, steadying the one who dare wade past the comfort zone into uncharted waters.

How do you know where you are?
Take a look at your life today. When's the last time you did something that challenged your strength, your beliefs about others, your beliefs about God, your beliefs about yourself? When's the last time you did something that you felt you needed to do but were too afraid of the outcome- unknown or forseeable? When's the last time you stepped-out and put yourself in an uncomfortable position in order to receive the answer to some things you've been praying for?
If "a long time", "never", or "I can't remember" is your answer to any of those questions, it may be time to step into deeper waters.

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9/29/2018

A City Remade

Paved with gold, the streets
there's beryl;
jasper and onyx and garnet and pearl.

Singing and worship,
flooded with love;
the dreams that we dreamed
are no longer above.

Brothers and sisters
who once lived in peril,
no longer condemned
sing daily joy caroles.

"It's here! It's here!
The Kingdom is here!"
We lift up our voices,
"The Kingdom is here!

"The Truth set us free,
we no longer fear;
we no longer stumble
on heroin or beer"

Theft and violence
are things of the past;
we no longer speak
of old acts that are crass.

Now love, peace and kindness
is all that we are;
Oh, grateful and patient,
joy, gentle we are.

For all we endured
we've received our reward-
life pure and holy,
for all sin the King bore.

Now, there's one precious gem
at the start I didn't mention-
For it's beauty, the King
gave a lot of attention;

The City of Emerald,
a people once feared;
He called us a nation
and He led us here.

He showed us His love,
true light in the dark;
revealed plans for our purpose,
though our eyes viewed it stark.

We were long left abandoned
but He called us by name-
The City of Emerald,
a city remade.

©Holly Silva, 2018

7/9/2018

Streets Is Dirty.

You think I am violent
that I need an asylum,
I'm a criminal in spite of despair;
I smell bad, I'm dirty
'think no words can hurt me,
you look at me and act unaware.

"A job's all ya need,
no housing, just be
a success in your tent on the street!"
But where's my I.D.
and the pic of my niece?
They were tossed by the city P.D.

The measure has passed,
the money's changed hands,
now the law book is perfectly clear;
"Here's your citation,
you lost your arm for this nation?
Thanks a lot, now get outta here."

©Holly Silva, 2018

6/26/2018

A Hole The Size of Victory

Boy next door
who came and went freely,
I wrote this down so we can get healing.

Now man and woman
in mirrors we stand;
face to face with the blood of the Lamb.
It's on my face and in my eyes,
running-through my veins, you can't deny
this beauty you see
the woman you feel;
the step you take back
because now I am real.
The woman you feel
the beauty you see
when I'm with you
I feel safety to be-
more than enough,
though I wasn't before;
by the blood of the Lamb
I was raised to my score.
This virtue inside
I can no longer hide.
So you want to be near
but hold me aside.

In the mirror we stand
with the blood of the Lamb;
we see truth of ourselves
in the heart of the man.
This may cause your departing
and though sorrow is starting
the hole you'll leave behind
is the size of victory.

©Holly Silva, 2018

12/18/2013 2 Comments

Stepping Out In The Name of Jesus

Hi All,

Every day millions of women and young girls and boys meditate on their hopes and dreams of being doctors, writers, musicians, athletes, moms and dads and world changers. Every day thousands of us encounter life-pummeling experiences that leave us beyond broken- empty, clinging to anything that feels like comfort, even if that comfort comes in the form of harsh words or a fist or bat to our bodies. To some of us, this describes a painful memory of a past relationship. To some of us, this describes a scene from last night (if this is you, believe that you are worth so much more. Get your kids and get out. A shelter is a better alternative to what you're dealing with). To others of us, this describes something only other people have to deal with.

Whichever category you identify with, imagine for a moment that this is your life on the daily and in addition to numbness and fear of the only person whose love and attention you desire, you must experience violation of your body, mind and spirit or you will be beaten again. A half hour later you have to experience it again but this time with a different man, with a different fetish... maybe even with a putrid body odor. 20 minutes later you have to do it again. By the end of the day you've repeated this cycle 15-40 times but have a warm place to sleep for a few hours with the man who considers himself your father, boyfriend and boss, who will beat you for talking to any man who isn't paying to touch you. If you're lucky he'll feed you. If you're "good" long enough and prove your worth to him, he might even let you drive the Mercedes he bought with the money you've been making for him. You don't have a car. You don't have a place of your own. You don't have a bank account or a penny to put in it. This has been your life for 5 years and you believe there is no way out. Ever. The only hope that exists in your mind is an excruciating memory of who you used to be and the cool things you used to be capable of. This is the daily routine for hundreds of thousands of women, girls and boys all over the world, every single day, for years. For too many of them, death is the only way out.

Through Jesus Christ, I was recently presented with the opportunity to help breathe life into many of these worthy and beautiful souls, helping them to reconnect with the long-forgotten dreams that the Lord placed in their hearts, filling them with the love, hope and joy that every human deserves to experience and share with others.

Over the course of this minimum 12 month mission I will be serving as a full-time missionary, which means sharing my one-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles with two other people and living minimally, with only the basics. (Thankfully I've never been much of a shopper or needed extravagance, haha.) All funds will provide for my portion of the rent, my car, insurance, gas, cell, food & supplies. Though I'll be in LA I'll be on a stellar mission, focusing on Jesus, sharing His love and studying His Word 6 days a week. With His heart for healing, my team and I will be His hands and feet, and with your prayers, financial support and encouragement, your role is just as important. I mean- what's a party without the guy who brings the dip?? God has given us this opportunity and through Him we will change lives that will change lives and all glory will be His.

Thank you for reading and your support!

Love,
Holly

2 Comments

9/17/2013 4 Comments

Gluttons, Gays & Grace

I am going to assume that the title of this post set-off an alarm in your head that caused your heart to drop a little, readying your adrenaline to rush at a word's notice. If so, then good. This means I have your attention. But before I continue I assure you that I am here for you in love. Really.

Back in the Old Testament days it seemed that God hated, well, mostly everyone. He was actually so dissatisfied with the evil ways of man that he flooded the earth to start over.

Remember how God instructed Noah to build an ark? Marched each land creature onto the boat, two by two- you know the story. When it rained 40 days and 40 nights- people died. A lot of people died. In fact, the entire population of earth aside from the Noah clan drowned to death. By doing this God was like, See this? In case you forget, I run the earth. Check it though- you may not understand it now, but I did it to show you how powerful I am. I love you and I promise I won't ever flood the earth again. Then He put a rainbow in the sky as a constant reminder of that promise.

For the next few thousand years people still sucked. Nothing about their sinful nature changed much; they still disobeyed God- lied and cheated; got drunk and made bad decisions; saw someone they liked and made bad decisions; hurt others with their words; hurt others with the thoughts behind their words, and so on. A lot of people genuinely did the best they could but because God enabled humans to make their own decisions based on two choices: a) to obey Him and b) not to obey Him, as individuals they still often missed the mark.

Then Jesus came along. Oh boy, did the world get funny.

People who were addressed by titles of prestige and righteousness were revealed as unrighteous; priests and pastors whose fathers led generations of peoples through religious laws, persecuting anyone who didn't fit within "the law" were labeled "hypocrites". Suddenly, prostitutes, tax collectors and the other people who were persecuted, considered "social outcasts" and unrighteous were not only being accepted and loved by someone representing God their Father and Creator, but were also reassured that by simply expressing their faith in Him they'd never have to be imprisoned by guilt, rejection or failure again; they were forgiven for all unrighteousness and free from anything spiritual, psychological or physical that had otherwise prevented them from experiencing the true freedom of hope, joy and love they deserved. They now had a Savior.

The only difference between that time and now is that rather than Jesus the Man walking the earth and loving on people, He has His followers, the Christian church doing all of that work. Well, that's the intention anyway.

One of the most famous scripture verses in the bible, John 3:16 says this:

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

To Christians across the globe this scripture is the defining endowment of their faith- salvation. But we see too many of these same people aiming signs- fiery darts that read, "God Hates F*gs", "Sinners' Souls Be Damned" and other abhorring slogans, aimed at others who are doing the best that they know of life.

These "Christians" are forgetting other key verses; Jesus says in John 15:12,13: "This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one but this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

These verses make it very clear there's a great discrepancy between what Jesus commands of us and what the picketers of the world illustrate.

John 3:17- the very next sentence following our gift of salvation:

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (underline mine) Condemnation stands in opposition to love; we can't condemn someone and love them- truly love them- at the same time. Logically and spiritually speaking it's just not feasible. Jesus came here for two reasons: to die so that we can be free from the bondage of sin so that when our time on earth is up we have somewhere awesome to hang for eternity, and to teach us how to be genuine ambassadors of the goodness we receive through Him so that people who are around us will be like, wow, sweet- I want to live in grace and joy and spread love everywhere I go, too!

To observe one verse but ignore another is a sin. Mortal sins, schwortal sins- the bible says that if any one commits one sin they're just as guilty if they commit them all. Aside from denying Jesus, no sin weighs more than another. Forget what they taught you at Catholic school. All sin weighs the same because its end result is distance from God. He never leaves us, we leave Him by disobedience to His commands.

To deny Jesus is to be the horse that was led to water but wouldn't drink. The horse needs water and is nearing dehydration but it doesn't feel comfortable drinking out of a pond it's never seen before so it suffers through the desert. Or it's used to drinking out of the algae-filled troughs at home and doesn't trust fresh, clean water so hems and haws and continues on its sweltering and skeptical journey. For whatever reason we deny Jesus, we lose our opportunity to be refreshed and live with the great joy that comes with salvation. And like the horse, no one else can accept Him as our Savior for us. That's a decision we have to make on our own. This is personal and penitence is key.

Getting to the point

Nobody is sinless. We all mess up in lots of different ways, but when we recognize that Jesus wants to help us to sin less, we stop fighting the Lord and start working with Him to make the world a better place.

Like any good parent, God loves us all equally. Jesus is the only perfect man who walked the earth. He died for everyone- Christian or no Christian. Believer or non-believer. So that we can all have an equal opportunity to reap the God-given benefits of salvation. The only thing God hates is sin and that's only because it causes us strife and when we sin the distance between Him and us makes it difficult to experience His love. Our only requirement is that we believe Jesus gave His life to save ours.

As Christians it is our job to share with people the acceptance, love and hope that Jesus offers us, not because we're worth any more, but because as His followers we know Jesus personally therefore should serve others just as He would. On behalf of all Christians who have fallen short to your disadvantage I apologize and am here to show you otherwise. We're all works in progress, Lord knows myself included.

We all have common weaknesses that we're genetically predisposed to; obesity by over-indulging on food and drinks, alcoholism by over-indulgence of alcohol, over-indulgence of sex, drugs, pride, jealousy, wrath, etc and not surprisingly, scientists have recently discovered a gay gene. I think rock & roll is one of them as well. Heh. Bad joke. Because I don't know any better, I'm going to assume these are all true. After all, God made everything perfectly and every minute detail works in His perfect plan.

If we didn't have these weakness genes it would be a lot more difficult for we self-sufficient human beings with superiority complexes to recognize that we need a Savior to fight the good fight for us.

As with anything the bible forbids, if we're acting-out physical relations with members of the same or opposite sex before marriage, that's up to the individual and God to sort out and I recommend you engage in some solid conversation with Him about it. Talk to a genuine Christian Pastor and read what God says to us about it in the bible. Sex is a very sacred gift for man and woman and marriage should be prayerfully considered. God forbids sexual relations of all forms outside of marriage for some pretty good reasons- just think of all the drama you could've avoided all these years had you not hooked up with any of those chicks or dudes. ...not to mention the overall societal breakdown in morality as a result of our nation's broad tolerance of behavioral liberties over the years. But I digress.

Not ashamed to admit I made some questionable choices as a young adult- quite a few, actually- and am eternally grateful to the Lord for turning me on to the Truth. Don't we all have the right to be free?

(Btw, here's a fun little tidbit of info just because it came to mind- you've heard and probably in the midst of baby mama drama or some other annoying situation used the phrase, "the truth will set you free"? That's actually a quote from scripture and "the truth" is actually Jesus. In the bible it says He's "the Way, the Truth and the Life". Google John 14:6 and John 8:31-36 if you don't have a bible. You might have an "aha" moment. You're welcome.)

4 Comments

9/5/2013 0 Comments

"Where Christ Comes Life Comes"

The title is a sentence Louie Giglio, a pretty renowned bible teacher of today spoke during one of his sermons I watched on YouTube the other night. I exhausted Netflix of it's collection of anything bible or Jesus-related, including Johnny Cash's "Gospel Road" with a blonde Jesus (note: Jesus was born a Jew in the Middle East and likely had dark features) so I've since resorted to watching YouTube on my brother's fancy TV to unwind. After three years of living in LA he was fed-up with the neighbors' wifi speed (or lack thereof) interfering with his Call of Duty sessions so he broke down and signed-up for some sort of Internet connection of his own. I've always been a no-frills minimalist type; an "I'll just do without or figure out a way around it" type of girl, but- not gonna lie- certainly always grateful when someone makes their technological nuggets available for use- something I'd sometimes utterly refuse to do in my earlier years (see: didn't join Facebook 'til 2007, didn't get a smart phone til 2011, my laptop is, both, a loaner and so old I won't even tell you).

Now- forgive me for being presumptuous in putting words in your mind, but- Why don't I just watch TV to unwind? Because- okay try to follow me on this- If one recognizes the sound rationale of "you are what you eat" so decides that instead of eating fatty foods that make one sluggish one opts for clean foods that provide energy, and "where the mind goes the body will follow" so one starts reading self-help books and/or starts "thinking positive"- by simple reasoning, isn't it just as important to watch the things that go into your mind? Get it??- Watch... TV.. ahh..

What's on TV?
"The news", (not including morning shows). Disclaimer: I have never worked on the inside of a major news network and, as one who has spent much time on the observation deck of this media cruise we've all been sailing, I am only writing to be a "voice of reason" to you, my brethren and sister-ren, in hope of shining the Light on your lives. Because I love you. Fair enough? K, cool.

Sure, this is an easy one but infiltrating the waves at least five times a day, it's still a relevant example of common brain fodder we should be consuming with caution. Why?

What we're watching: Injustice, violence, loss, woes (economic & societal), governmental play-by-plays
What we're digesting: Insecurity, sadness, fear

Sitcoms
When rehearsing comedic scenes my old acting coach always reminded us: "anger and fear are the fuel for comedy." And it's the truth. Next time you watch a sitcom pay attention to the characters' attitudes. You'll find someone's always angry or scared to some degree. Sometimes it's so subtle you'll watch it and be like "uh, no Holly, you're wrong" to which I'll be like, "Watch it again and this time pay attention to the scene setup." There are some smart sitcoms on TV today, but ultimately what we're feeding ourselves before bed is a stack of cotton candy mixed with cynicism. Sure, it's fun every once-in-a-while but as with any sweet treat, moderation is key.

What we're eating: anger, fear, sex, poor moral standards, irresponsibility, materialism, disrespect, foolishness, self-indulgence
What we're digesting: anger, fear, sex, materialism, insecurity, disrespect, foolishness

Daytime Dramas/Soaps
Other people's business aka gossip, adulterous affairs, lying, cheating, stealing, manipulation, betrayal, superficial concerns; on the daily. We eat it up- it's addictive. But beside an escape from our own drama at home, how is it really helping us to better our own situations?

What we're digesting: sex, insecurity/distrust, materialism, bitterness, depression, sadness, angst, fear, manipulation

Primetime Dramas
Same as above, except the actors are often more recognizable and we only see them one night a week... unless we're primetime junkies. pshh... Don't act like you don't TiVo that ish.

Movies
Then of course we have movies, which pretty much embody all of the above. Horror films are bloody, evil and or twisted and are infamous for teen/young adult nudity (Am I the only person over 25 who thinks that's weird?). And unless it's a feel-good Olson Twins film circa 1993, Hallmark special, Christmas movie, bible story or anything with a dog, dolphin or horse as the heroic lead, we're not digesting much love, hope, compassion, wisdom, understanding or forgiveness. Oh, also anything where Jamie Foxx plays a man who lives on the streets and Cuba Gooding Jr. plays mentally handicapped- those are good too.

Are you getting the picture?
After sitting in traffic all day, dealing with "pre-occupied" people in stores and in the office, dreading rent and bills, you think your boyfriend is cheating, your husband keeps getting texts from random phone numbers, you haven't talked to your mom in months, your kid is sick again and your best friend is going through her own drama, your only well-deserved moment to unwind is spent digesting... junk food.

I am not poo-pooing the TV or film industry. TV and film are invaluable art mediums as well as positive messenger channels when used wisely, "wise" being keyword.

We're in the 21st century; the message is catching-on that being healthy isn't just about eating properly and exercising; it's about spiritual health, too. And the more we explore, the more we recognize that spirituality isn't a New-Agey thing that hippies seek. Whether we've recognized it or not, spirituality is a huge part of each and every one of us and God is making it increasingly more apparent that to be healthy and fulfill our greatest potential we need to keep our "message channels" clean and clear so that He can work through us. He's got amazing messages to feed us in the bible and with each other and I can promise that when you actively seek Jesus in movies, books, documentaries and TV shows you'll never be bored and what you'll digest will actually feed your soul, mind and body and help you to not only keep your head above water, but to actually thrive with Life.

He walked the earth as a loving, compassionate, graceful, forgiving, merciful, radical, self-disciplined, demon-slaying Hippie, which basically makes Him a way cooler friend to have than Superman. Because Superman a) couldn't be everywhere at once b) had to hide his true identity c) was not invincible (Kryptonite) and d) didn't die to save the world from spiritual injustice. There's a reason Jesus continually has more media coverage than any person who ever lived (including Elvis & Biebs).

Seek Jesus. He'll color your world.