It's all light. Light and Words.

War of the Worlds

2005-07-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Ray Ferrier: Get in, Manny, or you're gonna die!
~quote from War of the Worlds (PG-13)

My wife and I saw this movie the weekend it opened and we both thought it was a great movie. The film begins by setting the stage and introducing the main characters. When the action starts, it's non-stop until the end. We were on the edge of our seats throughout the movie. I think the only negative was the ending... it seemed abrupt, almost as if they didn't know how to end it, but that didn't ruin the rest of picture... and, like most movies, I was able to garner something to write about. Get in!

In the case of the film, Ray pleads with his friend to leave with him because he fears his friend will die if he stays. It turns out Ray was right. He tried... yelling and screaming, but his friend just wouldn't listen.

When it comes to eternity a very similar thing happens. Everyone, without exception, is gonna die.(a) Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc will someday breathe their last breath and will take that fateful step into eternity. It's unavoidable. There are several people in the world that know the truth of Jesus Christ(b) and the saving power of belief in Him. They know that the only way to eternity in heaven is faith and trust in the Son of God.(c) They do what they can to spread the word, perhaps even yelling and screaming in hopes to convince their friends and family to come with them.

I believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, the one fount of absolute truth and the only source of true life now and on through eternity.(d) The Father is in heaven and will be for eternity.(e) My desire is to be with Him forever and because of this desire I have placed my faith and trust in the one sure thing, Jesus Christ.(f) By doing so I am covered by the righteousness that is Christ... I am in Him.

I am not the only one who has done this and I won't be the last. Each and every day there are people who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Each and every day there are people who are becoming new creations in the Savior.(g) You can be the next one.
When your last breath arrives, the only way to guarantee everlasting life in heaven is in Christ.(h)

Get in... or you're gonna die!

a: Hebrews 9:27

b: John 1:12

c: Romans 10:9-11

d: John 14:6

e: Isaiah 9:6

f: Psalm 37:4

g: 2 Corinthians 5:17

h: John 3:16-17

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2005-06-27T13:13:00.000-05:00

Jane Smith: Who is your Daddy now?
~quote from Mr. & Mrs. Smith (PG-13)

With all the advertisement this movie had, I was a little worried that it would end up a disappointment. However, Mr. & Mrs. delivered a fun action packed film. The combination of humor and action usually are a makeup of an entertaining movie and this was the case for the Smiths. For some reason I had set in my mind that this would be rated R, however, to my surprise it was rated PG-13. Turns out, PG-13 was probably correct for today's standards. Regardless, my point here is not to debate the rating of the movie, but to talk about your Daddy.
In the case of the expression, "who's your daddy", it appears twice in the film... first by Mr. Smith with the simple, "who's your daddy"... then followed up by Mrs. Smith, after taking the upper hand, "who's your daddy now". Of the two I chose to focus on Mrs. Smith and for specific reason. It's more important to know who your daddy is now.

From a biblical perspective, God is the Father of all.(a) He is the ultimate dad, filled with love(b) and willing to provide for His children.(c) He is always there,(d) always listening(e) and always watching.(f) He never fails.(g) There is one question... do you call Him dad?

The Father of Lights(h) is ready and available to be daddy, but it's our choice to accept Him as such.(i) Who's your daddy? Perhaps it's money or fame... maybe it's a person or a place... hey, maybe it's your own self. The problem is, anything other than God will never fulfill the need for Dad. Money is not always there, fame fades away, people can disappoint you, places come and go... and we can certainly fail ourselves. With God none of this is a problem.

No matter what you have called daddy in the past you can call on God, the Father now. Accept Him(j) and live for Him.(k) He will guide your steps(l) and make your ways straight.(m) "Who's your daddy now?"

a: Ephesians 4:6

b: 1 John 4:16

c: Matthew 7:11

d: Joshua 1:5

e: Psalm 65:1-2

f: Psalm 121:7-8

g: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

h: James 1:17

i: John 1:12

The Butterfly Effect

2005-06-15T15:24:00.000-05:00

Jason Treborn: You can't play God, son.

PLaying God.

When it comes to this movie, it's pretty much what Evan (Kutcher) tries to do... going back in time, trying to change things of the past to make life better in the present and future. Without thinking too deeply; it sounds like a wonderful idea, but as Evan learns... it's not something that can realistically be done... and certainly not without unforeseen consequences.
I believe, without exception, people want to be in control of their lives, I know I do. If given an opportunity to change things or have more control, I'm sure many of us would go for it just like Evan did. After all we would convince ourselves that we could make things better and who wouldn't want to be able to improve things. The problem is this just doesn't work.(a) Being in control isn't the way to make life better, more stable or improved.

As a child of God a person is offered to give control of their live to their heavenly Father. God is full of mercy, grace and goodness and desires only the best for His children. He knows what's best and will lead those willing to follow, down the path He has laid out.(b) The only way to make life better, more stable and improved is to give control away... to turn control over to God and submit(c) to His good and perfect will.(d)

The past is the past, it can't and shouldn't be changed. However, we can learn from the past, both good and bad... and the things that have scared our hearts can be healed(e) through the power of God. He is willing and waiting for all people to come to Him and be restored; reconnected to Him and living in agreement with His plans and purposes. In this fulfillment can be found. We must press on(f), leaving the past behind.(g)

Even though we all have the tendency to play God in our lives... trying to control everything, we need to recognize what is best and turn to our loving heavenly Father. He will heal us, and He will lead us on.(h)

a: Proverbs 16:25

b: Jeremiah 29:11

c: Job 22:21

d: Romans 12:2

e: Jeremiah 17:14

f: Philippians 3:12-14

g: Isaiah 43:18

h: Psalm 143:10

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

2005-06-02T16:02:00.000-05:00

~Will it help?

Barman: Did you say the end of the world is coming? Shouldn't we all lay down on the floor or put paper bags over our heads?
Ford: If you wish.
Barman: Will it help?
Ford: Not at all.

~dialog from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (PG)

My wife and I saw this movie this past Monday. Ever since the first previews were aired we had wanted to see this movie. The good thing is we were not disappointed with the movie; it turned out to be pretty good. I found it to be adventurous, at times pretty funny and many of the effects were fairly impressive... and what'dya know I found something to write about.

The movie sets the stage for the coming of end of the world. In a bar scene the above dialog takes place. The truth is when the end of the age comes there's not much any bag could do for you. Lying on the floor or taking cover in some sort of man-made shelter won't help much either. So what's a person to do? Are we hopeless?

If we rely only on our own abilities^(a) we are hopeless, but there is good news... we have help. The help that is available comes from God and through His grace and mercy^(b) eternal security is offered. At the end of the age when the Lord Jesus Christ returns^(c) those who have accepted this gracious offer^(d) will be safe and secure in the ever capable arms of the Lord.^(e) Those who have rejected this offer will be forever lost.

Lying on the floor or hiding under a paper bag won't help you when the end comes, but accepting the mercy and grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ will ensure your eternity.

a: Jeremiah 17:9
b: Lamentations 3:22-23
c: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
d: Romans 10:9-10
e: Isaiah 41:10

(thought history)

Revenge of the Sith

2005-06-01T15:43:00.000-05:00

~Consumed
Yoda: The boy you trained, gone he is. Consumed by Darth Vader.
~quote from Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith (PG-13)

My wife and I acquired some movie tickets before they sold out and we were able to see Episode III on Sunday afternoon. We had both been looking forward to the completion of the Stars Wars saga. My main concern prior to watching the movie was how Mr. Lucas was going to fit so much story in so little time. I was pleased with the result. The movie was fast-paced and was constantly revealing bits and pieces of the story many of us are familiar with. Going in I was very curious to see how the 'holes' would be filled in by this film. I have seen all the other episodes multiple times so I knew before viewing this episode that Anakin was going to become Darth Vadar and the Supreme Chancellor was in fact Darth Sidious (also known as The Emperor), but seeing how the story was going to unfold was worth every penny.

There was so much to tell between the gap of Episode II and IV, but I believe George Lucas did a great job creating the bridge. Even though the runtime was fairly long (2hrs. 26min.), the film's steady pace keeps your attention throughout. Aside from Vadar's very cheesy, "NO!", the movie was fantastic, and like many of you are thinking... I found plenty to write about.

First off, let's get the obvious things out of the way. The "Dark Side" is the portrayal of evil.
Chancellor Palpatine is the Dark Side's puppet master pulling at the strings of Anakin's vulnerable heart. As soon as Palpatine has his claws sunk in deep enough Anakin is at his mercy and soon Anakin is no more... then arises the familiar Darth Vadar. Yoda, being the wise Jedi he is, senses the shift in the Force and shares with Obi-Wan the truth about his apprentice. Anakin had been consumed by evil and turned from the good path of the Jedi.

I find there is a similar possibility in the world today. There are many of God's children that do their best to walk a path He would be pleased with.(a) The devil, the crown of evil, lurks in their midst searching for a way in... a place he can sink his claws to pull them down.(b) This often is a daily battle(c), evil is persistent and the children of God must be just as or even more relentless.
If we are exposed and fall into evil's trap we must climb out before we are consumed by it. Sin is the exposure we must be aware of... and it is Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that cleanses those sins and seals the exposure.(d) If we fall, He will raise us up when we call out to Him. If we choose to allow sin to continue to expose us we will soon be consumed by it. The more we are consumed the more twisted our view becomes and soon evil appears to be good and good appears to be evil.

Be aware, be alert and stay connected to the source of good, Jesus Christ.(a)

e: John 15:5

Kingdom of Heaven

2005-06-01T15:34:00.000-05:00

~For Strength
Hospitaller: I go to pray.

Balian of Ibelin: For what?

Hospitaller: For the strength to endure what is to come.
~dialogue from Kingdom of Heaven (R)

I had been looking forward to this movie. It happens to be the kind of film I really enjoy. I wouldn't put it in the same category as Braveheart(link) or Gladiator(link), but it was good. I'm thinking that it's going to be similar to Troy(link) for me. The first time I watched Troy in the theater I had thought it was a good movie, but I wasn't that impressed with it. Since then I have added Troy to my DVD collection and I've watched a few more times and I like it more and more. I have a feeling Kingdom of Heaven is going to be much the same. When I find the DVD really cheap on Half.com I'll probably add it to my collection, watch it a couple times and find that I really do like it.

Now, about the dialog that I chose for this entry... the funny thing about it is I don't remember it from the movie, but from one of the trailers I had seen before viewing the entire film. Perhaps I just missed it, but regardless where I heard it... it was connected to this movie and it was one that caught my attention.

Strength is something that we all need to endure various trials in life. The best source of strength(a) is found in the Lord Jesus Christ through joy.(b) The freedom that is found in the belief and acceptance of His sacrifice(c) begins to open a spout of joy in our lives. This joy will give strength(d) to endure anything that may come our way.(e)

Another source of strength is our confidence in who God is. God, the Father, is a strong tower and protection to all His children.(f) He is a mighty fortress(g) and He upholds us with His right hand.(h) We must remember that if God is for us, who could be against us... who could possibly prevail against us.(i) These truths will breath confidence to our souls and strength to our hearts.(j)

When we go to pray, we can have confidence to approach His throne of grace.(k) We can be certain He will hear(l) and we can trust that He will give us the strength to endure whatever it is that we are facing.

a: Psalm 118:14

b: John 15:11

e: James 1:2-4

g: Psalm 91:2

i: Romans 8:31

l: Psalm 10:17

Summer, 2000.

2005-03-10T21:05:00.000-06:00

Never was a small town
kind of girl,
and every place seemed
too reduced
for her taste.

Yet, she knew nothing else,
nowhere else to go
but her fantasies of slumber.
She was complelled to fit
into the place she was born.

She enrolled in the school
of the basic and unimportant,
to learn how to see herself
as the mere commoner cell she was
and could not change.

She covered her face
with a veil of mediocrity,
closed her eyes and
stretched her hands.
She started wandering
and crashing against
dozens of corpses just like her.

She was one now;
one with them,
with no one.
She was a succesful
nobody.

She was compelled to fit.

Quotes of the week

2005-03-01T09:19:00.000-06:00

"I once ate a Danish with no hands for 5 dollars."
Overheard at a financial institution packed with extremely smart stockbrokers.

"Would you still love me if I had 6 toes?"
"Yes, I'd love you even more."
'Would you suck on them?"
"Yes; especially on the 6th one."
From normal conversations of a couple of newlyweds.

'"I'm a porkchop!"
A PMS'ing woman.

I'm Bi.

2005-02-25T08:56:00.000-06:00

I thought I just would come and write something... anything. As I said before, I opened this blog because my double personality sometimes demands fair treatment. Then, when I did, my acquired language went silent.

being bilingual is a lot of fun and a lot of frustration. I can cuss in English and it does not feel like a sin :P I can talk dirty to my husband (on the couch *wink*) and I don't feel like such a slut. If I did it in Spanish it would probably be a whole other story. Maybe that's why I have not done it (besides, dirty talk would sound just as sexy as reciting "La Cucaracha" for him).

On top of that, English seems to bring the Mr. Hyde in me. I can be meaner in English; especially when it comes to writing and chatting. Maybe that's why i refrain from writing many things that come to my Mr. Hyde side of teh brain. Here is my loving husband and his Christian poetry and inspiring words advertising my blog, while I cuss on the world...

I wonder why he married me. I'm sure it was the boobs.

"Mooom! Danny is touching meeee!"

2005-02-02T10:05:00.000-06:00

The U.S. is a double headed monster.
The body tries to follow what the heads dictate and we all know how that is going to end.

I believe freedom of speech, choice -you name it- is becoming more of an enemy than a priviledge in this nation. We have taken our 'rights' as far as we can get, seemingly for the mere heck of it. "Let's push it and see how far we can get because someone else starts whining."

I am becoming sicker and sicker of being bombarded by news everywhere about how So and So is offended by This and That, tehrefore, So and So's rights are being violated.

"Bush prayed. He shouldn't have.
'Christmas' is the new four letter word. Let's go max out our credit cards anyway.
Michael Moore and Mel Gibson were practically ignored at the Oscars. They should have honored just one! My favorite , of course.
They aborted and now sue for damages. No comment.
Rolling Stones relented to publish ad for Bible. They are promoting a religion.. that offends me.
Courtney Love think's it's Bush's fault that she is so messed up. Yikes.
The 10 Commandments are still standing. Homeless man says bring them down.
Sponge Bob and Winnie the Pooh promote gay lifestyle. Hmm."

No law made by man will ever be perfect. And if it is close, we'll make sure we mess it up. That's why all are stepping on each other's toes. But my question is, do we really have a need to bounce around and spin with our arms stretched out just to prove someone is crossing the line of our territory? Know this: We share one planet, and there's more than a handful of us here; chances are our "personal spaces" will overlap somewhere. Cut it some slack for crying out loud.

My Gringo

2005-02-01T14:39:00.000-06:00

Meet my Gringo. And also posing for the camera as he knows best, the handsomely dark son I will never bear.

Puerto Vallarta, mexico.
October, 2004.

The male logic

2005-01-24T09:19:00.000-06:00

Men do not understand that not denying something that has been stated, is stating it themselves. At least from my womanly perspective.

When a female lets out the so dreaded words such as "I'm fat." , "This does not look very good on me.", or "My breath stinks." in all of its possible variations, the role of a nearby male is to deny it with all their might, and make sure we buy it. Sympathetic smiles, suggesting another dress or handing us a mint does not make us happy. Problem solved... not. The much recurred "yeah, I've been gaing some weight myself" could be cutting it close to painful divorces and break ups. I understand your thinking, males, but that does not lead me to believe you understand ours. Leave your logical minds aside, for crying out loud; we are WOMEN.

So, in cases like these (be careful to identify a positive case) the basic key is to simply deny it. Prove us wrong even if we are not. You'll save yourself a few hours , or even days, of silent misery wondering "What did I say?".

Weird gringo.

2005-01-12T18:51:00.000-06:00

My husband made me repeat "Ku Klux Klan" three times, then he laughed harder than I ever saw him. By the four time, I refused. He begged and said it sounded funny... (?). That's it. I am going back to Mexico. He is very very, scary.

(He is still laughing even though I theatened to go public.)

2005-01-12T15:56:00.000-06:00

A total paradox, to love you,
and to not feel ashamed
of even breathing.
For I use this mouth to say your name
and then have no space left
to kiss you.

There is not enough surface
in this poor body of mine
to satisfy the voracity
of your eyes.

With those eyes,
who cares about time?

__________________
Blah, Blah, Blah....

Love actually

2005-01-07T14:12:00.000-06:00

Sam:

"But you know the thing about romance is people only get together right at the very end. "

The 2003 movie, "Love Actually" surprised me when it became one of my favorite romantic comedies. Those British people suffer once in a while from some sparks of humor I actually get, and they prove in this movie that, maybe they are not as cold as we always think of them. The central theme of the movie is to show, through a series of interlinked stories, that love actually, is all around!

This particular quote comes from Sam, who crazy in love, discussedsthe complications of love with his stepdad (Liam Neeson). From the first time I heard this phrase, I thought it was one of the wisest things I ever heard. Just think... if couples got together at the beginning of the movie/fairy tale/soap/life, with no obstacle to conquer, and no hard work, would the journey be as enjoyable ? Would they appreciate each other as much when they get to be face to face?

I've heard people wonder at times (including Yours Truly): What was God thinking when he created us, loved us, and then pushed us into a World packed with distractions and obstacles just to see if we would come back to Him? Why take the chance? Why didn't He just created us specifically to love and worship Him happily ever after? No complications; no hate, no crime, no death, no famine... but Sam opened my eyes. What would be so gratifying about a romance like this? I certainly would not liked to be loved by my husband because he knows no different.

The journey increases the excitement of the most intense love. Every obstacle leads us to a bigger pleasure in the end. God wanted us to love Him by choice. He hoped we would conquer obstacles to finally reach His arms one day, and experience wholly our Romance, for all eternity.

Debt

2005-01-04T09:07:00.000-06:00

My mouth was open for over three hours yesterday.

A couple of years ago I fell of the rooftop of a building. Fine, I jumped. I thought it would be fun, and having been given the instructions on how to fall onto the pile of sand (bend your knees!!!) I stepped off the edge. I bent my knees alright; and the right one hit me right on my chin. Eight teeth broken later and a piece of my tongue missing, I promised I would not do it again. Figures... first time I yield to peer pressure, I am already in my twenties.

So two years later, I am still paying a good price for 1 1/2 seconds of "fun". I had a dentist appointment today..no. I had a butcher's appointment yesterday. I have been to many a dentist lately, and I never wanted to cry so bad as I did yesterday, even when they were only taking X-rays. But anyway... almost four hours later, and a root canal more I stumble towards the front desk.

"Ready?" (The secretary starts printing a bill.)
'I would like to be billed, please"
"Uh, sorry sweetheart, we'd rather you'd pay right now"

I stare at my two inch square purse.
"I'm sorry, my husband called earlier, he let you know we wished to be billed."
'He did not mentioned that, no. You COULD pay iin two days when you come back to be tortured some more" (ok, ok, she did not say the last part, but she thought it).

"uh, ok... how much would that be? So that I can figure out how to pay for it."
"It will be around 1,200 dollars, honey, maybe a little more."

My question is... did she really think I was carrying that much money in my 2x2 denim purse? Maybe she realized that, since I had two last names, I would probably have some drug-dealing relatives in Southamerica willling to pay for it.

I have been worried since then. We are newlyweds, and though, we don't lack anything, that kind of money needs planning (and praying). But, silly me... that's what credit cards are for!!!

I try to tell myself to look around and see what people buy with their credit cards. Stuff; just stuff. I guess teeth are a bit more important. Still, my hubby could have gotten a big arse TV with that money! Still, it's kind of nice to know that he would rather I have teeth for years to come, than having the trophy TV.. at least I think he does.

2005-01-02T19:15:00.000-06:00

I know it's cheesy, i know it's old. I know I am tired and my writing will be crappy no matter how hard I try, but I have to do it! I owe it to the sights and wonders I encountered this last year! There are so many things to be grateful for. We are done writing 2004. We all look back and decide if we want to do better in this brand new year, or if we are pretty happy and we just want to polish a few details. For the most part I am glad this one is over. I had almost too much excitemenmt for my little heart to bear, yet I long for what is year to come. So many things happened:

I started the year with an engagement rign on my finger.
I left home to go back to a job I hated
I was diagnosed with depression (???)
I made it through the year and my depression vanished in the distance along with the sight of my workplace as I left it behind for good.
My heart was touched in so many different ways by a few dozen children who gave their teacher more that I could have possible have given them.
I met wonderful people from all over the world, friends for life, and we all happily shared cultural shocks and accents. I could not have done it without them.
I longed for a long distance phone call every night from the man I learned to love mroe and more every day of the year.
I feared and doubted my own strenght, but my faith grew at a pace I had never witnessed before. I saw His hand holding me up every single day.
I conquered the immigration services of my now home country, and in less than a year, the paperwork was done. (A big miracle unvelied in front o my eyes, just a step at a time).
I married the man with the tenderest heart I have ever encountered, in a perfect wedding.
I became a stepmom to an 8 year old who turns 9 tomorrow. (Happy Bday Lydia!)
I moved three times in a year, so to speak, and I am now home...

And so much more, but in a nutshell thats as short as I can go without putting you to sleep. I have (WE HAVE!) now a whole new year in front of us. One full of challenges and pleasant surprises that await us in the dark. The fun is just starting ... :)

On Light and Words.

2004-12-29T10:29:00.000-06:00

Without them, the world is empty. Lost forever in nothingness. We don't exist, and if we actually do, how can we prove it? It's all about the light.

In darkness we stumble and fear. In darkness we smash our noses against walls (not that it ever happened to me...), and our little toes against furniture. Colors don't exist, nor space. But then there's light... then we need millions of words to record what we see, what we become under the light, what suddenly surrounds us, for it was not there before (except for the couch where we smashed our little toe... that one was there alright).

Words are never enough, can never keep up with our eyes and the gift of light, but what else do I have after all? It's all about them, how they shape us, inside and out. Words change me, making their way out my mouth and fingertips. Light molds and colors my face. I guess darkness too, can give me a nose job and a bigger little toe.

Mexico City. October, 2004.