JonathanBenz.com

I'm the One That's Cool

A fun video and great song that relates to bullying...from The Guild.

Thanks to Aric in America and Jeff in the UK who tipped me off on this.

 

Why I Grieve Whitney

 

I have grieved the death of Whitney Houston. I have had close friends and family say they have grieved her too.

I have grieved her death more so than other celebrities of past years. 

I think the reason we grieve her so is because her humanity was so tangible. We could identify with her humanity in a way that we couldn't with other celebrities and people of renown.

Sometimes people become famous and they don't seem quite as human to us. They seem remote, distant, reclusive, or eccentric. But somehow Whitney didn't seem to become more distant with time and fame; she only became more real and relatable to us.

So today I join with others around the world who remember her voice, her life, her pain, her struggle. We remember and celebrate her because as we do so, we remember and celebrate the complexity of our own humanity. She was one of us.

  

Light shines brighter when we let it

A friend shared this video on Facebook today and I had to share it here.

It reminds me of all the donors across America who are anonymously paying people's layaway bills at KMart and WalMart so that they can give holiday gifts to their loved ones.

This video reminds me that on the first night of Hanukkah as well as during this Christmas season that light still shines brightly in the world but only when we let it out.

  

Christmas Rush (just for fun)

A good reminder of what Christmas is and isn't about. (And don't miss the snazzy sweaters!)

 

 

More fun than Holiday shopping

I was thinking of venturing out to the mall today for some Holiday shopping or maybe even buy a Christmas tree.

But I found this and thought it more fun. (It's Hanukkah and Kwanzaa friendly too!)

 

And if you want to see them in person, this one is fun too.

 

Thanks Charlie T. on Facebook for posting these.

You Are Beautiful

As a follow up to last night's post Courage to Speak Out, let's offer a prayer or moment of silence for those kids who will be bullied today in the classroom, on the playground, or on the bus.

You are not alone!

  

A Prayer to "Jesus, Jesus"

Several of my Facebook friends posted this song from YouTube and it caught my eye--um, ear. I've never heard of the artist but listened to several of his trax, mesmerized by the music as well as the message.

I find this song equally haunting and anointed, all at once. It's a prayer to Jesus that echoes the sentiments of many Christians I talk to today.

Caution: If you find strong or raw language offensive, this may not be for you. Click here instead. :)