Gone Fishin'

Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la ... ya'll can finish it, and so the Christmas carol goes. I know several people who aren't a fan of the holidays, these in particular and their reasons vary. It's like the person who says, "Valentine's Day is every day" or "Giving thanks is an every day thing", we've all heard this before, or know these people or perhaps you've said or thought this yourself. I didn't really understand how someone could not have a jolly holiday spirit. Bah humbug, much? I kid.  I do remember taking it for granted as a child and dreading going over to a family members house and hearing the debates over whose house they were going to celebrate next year -- I didn't care, I just wanted my presents! Some of my uncles weren't keen on Christmas shopping so my sister and I always knew we'd get cash. (I wonder if I went shopping for clothes with that money...I'll have to ask my mom. Maybe she pocketed...

It's been awhile! This is where I give an excuse but I'll refrain, I got busy and didn't make the time. I would just say I didn't have time but we know that's not the truth - between school, work, study groups, events, church and more church, there wasn't much writing time -- oh, how I've missed thee! On to the good stuff now that I've gotten that out of the way. A year ago on October 24th, I decided to get baptized at One Church International. All I knew about baptisms at that point was that I was baptized as a baby. A well known Catholic tradition. I didn't know why I was doing it nor what it meant.  It took me a year from the time of my salvation (that defining moment in Dec of 2012) to get baptized. I do realize that I've done things at my own pace because I want to fully understand what I'm doing and the why of it all. Perhaps I was ready sooner but I made sure I felt ready. Sounds silly I know, especially when walking with God b...

In acting class I remember our teachers using this phrase "do the work". What they were referring to was the character background, reading the entire play for context, coming up with a bio for your character, memorization, rehearsing, substitutions, finding the inciting incident, what does your character want, what's the obstacle you're facing, what's at stake and there's alot more. You can dissect a scene down to seconds (dramatic pause, beats, sobbing) you get the gist.  Makes me think of how useful that phrase actually is in our day to day living -- if we applied that is. I've never been so intentional about something as I have been about my Christian walk. I know the term Christian has a bad rap but we're not all hypocrites just like all men aren't chauvisnistic pigs. That sounds personal doesn't it? I simply wanted to add some umph to it, is all.  Do the work. That requires some action on our part. For me, being intentional...

I care, I really do. About what, you ask? About everything. At least that's how I feel at times. I was once in tears because I didn't understand why I cared SO much when people around me seemed to just shrug things off. I didn't want to care anymore, you do tend to live a easier life when you're care free. Through prayer, reflecting and speaking with leaders in the church I realized this was a gift, the gift of compassion. I couldn't help but care when I watched the news and saw a young girl missing as they showed the mother in tears. I couldn't help but care when someone was injured, it's almost as if I felt their pain. I couldn't help but care about my friend and their break up and the list goes on. Now that has reached another level as I see others how God sees them, His masterpiece. I remember people telling me that I cared too much and I actually believed them. If I asked a question they'd reply with, "What do you care, Jen?" Perh...

I tend to err on the side of saying too much sometimes. Then there are those who don't say anything at all and keep it all bottled in. Extremes are never good but I know you and I can find a balance. I've learned to listen, I've learned to keep a tight lid, I've learned how powerful my words are and although a pure intent is there, how you say it matters as well. Let me tell you, I am still learning. My experiences have taught me well and the hard way - use wisdom and don't argue with fools.  I always feel a huge responsibility to say something, to address the issue, to confront the injustice etc. and I like that I am vocal, I like that I don't have to wait for someone to say something first before I do. I like the freedom of speech and expression that we have and that I exercise it. I thank God that He has given me a passion for being a voice to the voiceless. I hope this encourages you to speak up, to defend, to proclaim the truth, to say something if you...

I am missing yesterday's blog post because it's actually a link I'd like to share and I can't do it from my phone application. Yesterday's word was SAY. I shall post when my laptop is accessible. Today's word is JOIN. There's a verse in the Bible that goes, " Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Mark 10:9 To put it into context, the Pharisees (religious folks, the legalistic ones of Jesus' time here on earth) were questioning Him, as they often did, to try and stump Him and prove Him wrong. They did not believe or want to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Ultimately, they wanted Jesus to say something contradictory to the law of Moses (Old Testament) and prove Him to be a blasphemer. In turn, Jesus stepped away from the legastic view and replied by bringing it back to Genesis and what God originally intended. We could all learn from that, sometimes we get uber religious and in those moments we should ask, ...

Today's word is GO. I believe I've written on this topic already (in my "MOVE" post) but I know someone who said it way better than I did -- Dr. Seuss. I remember reading this book, "Oh, The Places You'll Go" that was given to a high school graduate and I immediately loved it. Not only is it appropriate for a high school graduate but for all of us as we journey through life. Dr. Seuss keeps it 100. This isn't all of it but it's just as good and can stand alone. And it rhymes, fun read but true indeed, yes I have skill like Dr. Seuss. I hope you know that life isn't easy at times but we can't accept defeat, fight back, stand strong and keep going. Dr. Seuss might've been a Christian too, he speaks on moving mountains.  "...You will come to a place where the streets are not marked. Some windows are lighted but mostly they're dark. A place you could sprain both you and elbow and chin! Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare t...

Today's word is KNOW. Yesterday's word was STUCK. Together, I will write today's post.  Now while I might've felt stuck at some point in my life, I can't recall those moments now. Perhaps when writing, I feel stuck and I feel like I'm not getting anywhere but I'd argue it's me, I am creating the problem. There is always something more to write, to add, to change, there is always somewhere to go.  Some people are stuck in a relationship, one in which they know is hurting or hindering them or simply not for them. What once worked is now strained. What once was love is now tolerance. What once was unity is now division and the only time you're together is when you're in bed at night. That's rough, I can only imagine the tension. I don't want to take away from the reality of what it is - it definitely isn't easy.  I was in a six year relationship and I never felt stuck so I know that one can go the distance and not think ...

When I started my walk with God almost two years ago now, I remember feeling like I could no longer operate as the old Jen, that things had to change, that the term 'born again' actually had truth behind it and it's not just something Christians say. Although I didn't feel different at the time, I knew that I was entering into a new season, new dimension even.  Before you think that religion tricked me into becoming someone different, let me offer a different perspective. There were things from my past that I was carrying into my present. I had emotional baggage, if you will. I didn't know it then because I was hiding under the guise, "Well this just how I am. Love me or leave me alone." I didn't think twice about losing someone in my life because I believed that if you loved and cared for me, you had to deal with ALL of me. Very selfish thinking, I know. Not once did I stop to think about how my actions made the other person feel, how their lo...

Today's word is LEARN. This pretty much sums it up. Stay strong, friends! And keep living! 

Do you guys remember those 3D viewfinders from back in the day? I forget what cartoon images mine had but I was recently at a job interview for an online media company and the images that they had in their old school viewfinders were their stylish, fashionable products; they have a fashion division. With a simple click, the view changed and brought me to another fun image of clothes, shoes and fun imagery. It was obviously customized to what they wanted their audience to see. This concept comes to mind now as I meditate on the word 'view'.   We have the power to change our view, we too can customize them. Let your thoughts be your guide, let it change the view from one beautiful image to another. Put it this way, we have the choice to watch a horror film or an action packed film and they both will alter our view for a moment (if not a lifetime...1, 2, Freddy's coming for you). Was that just me? We can make the choice to see the sun set as a great work of majesty to...

Hey guys! I've joined a 31 day writing challenge for the month of October. I believe this is just what this blog needs as it is new and it is definitely what this writer needs - discipline. If you'd like to join in, you can  here .  Kate  is doing a great job of motivating bloggers and lighting a fire under them. There are writing prompts should you choose to use them and yes I shall. This doesn't mean I am writing just to write (who does that, right?), I am still writing from mi corazon. Today's prompt/word is MOVE.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Six years ago today, during this very season, I was in a new state. New city. New house. Surrounded by new people. A new experience. Thankful that the bravery of my friend Jose led me to strap up my timbo's (I'm lying I gave those up by then but the imagery is better, isn't it?) and head west - to the unknown. I've always wanted t...

Blogging has become quite a thing. Some of us have our favorite blogs that we visit daily and as a reader, you think "I can totally do this" and then reality hits. That's where I find myself right now but that's alright because I said I'd share my journey so here it is. I'm so torn about what to write perhaps because I have so much running through my head. I'm thinking about my readers, my audience, my message, my last post and how long that was. I know you all were thinking the same. I'll just write and see where it goes.  I want to write about the moment I got saved and decided to walk with the Lord but something precedes that, well, a lot does but I'll share some. It all started with prayer. When I was a kid, in middle school, I had a black and white composition notebook which can now be found in my mom's basement closet in New Jersey. Maybe. She has threatened to throw all of my books away to which I say, "One day I'll have...

This is not as easy as I thought and I consider myself a writer. Perhaps because there is a form of anonymity when writing fiction, short stories, and screenplays. I am able to hide behind a pseudonym, a character, a story. However, this blog didn't come about because I want to be hidden, it came about because I've been hidden and hiding too long. Let me explain. The name behind the blog "Gone Fishin'" came about because I realized that although I may tweet about Jesus, although I may be a part of a certain fellowship, although one might find me at a church event twice or even three times a week, I realized that I wasn't really sharing all that God was and is doing in my life. I realized that I wasn't sharing my struggles, I wasn't sharing my blessings, I wasn't sharing how I was following Christ on a day to day basis even when that meant putting down my own desire and dream to be a successful working actor. I wasn't really sharing the good ne...