I just finished watching the season finale of Saving Grace. I must say there is just something about this show that is just so honest and pure, but gridy and edgy at the same time.

This is the kind of stuff I would like to write one day when I’m an established author. It’s raw, true-life kind of stuff. The show is non-apologetic about being very realistic. It doesn’t try to sugarcoat some of the realities that life throws at you.

But the great thing about this show is the writers have taken a gridy drama and put faith, God and angels in the center of it. It’s so refreshing to see something so good – in many different ways – on tv today.

The last episode really hit a cord with me. The performances were just out of this world. I have to give it up to the writers and actors of this amazing show. They did an excellent job with the sexual abuse story line.

For me those parts of the show were really hard to watch. Especially the scene with just Grace and Rhetta - It was just pure emotion. In that scene Holly Hunter reminded all of us that she is a true actor that has claimed the academy award.

To be so honest with your writing like that seems so hard to me right now. I wish I had that kind of courage to tackle something like that.

There are of course a few things I don’t like about the show; one of them being the fact that it feels the need to have a few graphic scenes of the sexual nature.  That I could really do with out. But other then that the show is outstanding.

The one thing I hate about novels is that it’s so hard to really show the true raw emotion a character is feeling and going through. You really have to work the words of a novel to really jerk the emotion strings of the reader. But I think I also love that about novels. It gives you a challenge. I know, the irony.

If you decide to watch this outstanding show, I must warn you that there are a few graphic scenes of the sexual nature and they do exercise the right of free speech to express themselves. Meaning questionable language. I thought I needed to point that out, being this is a Christian oriented blog.

So Desperate Housewives was all-new tonight and as a fan I was reminded of how much I love this show.

First they’re housewives, second they’re desperate and third they’re hilarious. Now for the slow, let me repeat that. They’re housewives, they’re desperate and there are so hilarious!!

Tonight’s episode was a little shocking to me. And not for the reasons you might think. The episode was entitled, “Sunday.” And as you can guess it revolved around church, God and the number one Jesus.

Lately I’ve noticed a lot of Christian themed elements in prime time network television. You know what I mean if you saw last weeks American Idol results show that opened with the final eight singing “Shout To The Lord.” Yes, a worship song - one that if you’ve been to worship service you’ve probably heard this song a few times. This shocked me. I couldn’t believe it. They even kept in the Jesus parts. I saw again, I was shocked. Then I remembered the week before when they had Dolly Parton on a couple contestants sang songs with Jesus mentioned several times.

Well anyway, back to Desperate Housewives. When the episode started and I learned it was going to center around church and God, I figured it was going to be another mocking, put down episode you see so often on television. As I said before I was shocked to find that they did an excellent job.

Lunette, one of the housewives gets an urge to go to church because of many troubling events that have just happened. They go to another housewife’s church and once the minister was done giving his sermon, Lynette raised her hand. Now in most churches you don’t raise your hand to ask a question. I don’t know maybe it’s different at your church.

Anyway, the minister calls on her and she stands up and says he lost her at some point and she didn’t understand something. He addresses it as well that’s just how it is. Well Lynette doesn’t accept that.

Her statement went something like this, “I just don’t understand how God’s love can be seen in the sunlight. I mean every other month some dumbass goes into a school and shoots it up. Where is God’s love there?”

Haven’t you ever just wanted to ask that to someone? I thought the whole ordeal was just hilarious. And for me, a believer, I already knew the answer to these statements, but I loved how they went about it so a non-believer could understand and maybe be curious to ask more questions.

And I’m sorry, but you have to admit, standing up in a church you’re not supposed to stand up in and address the preacher and say the word “dumbest” is just hilarious. Of course if you’re familiar with DH this is pretty normal stuff for the wives to do.

All in all, I was reminded of how much I love DH and that there is still hope for Hollywood and network television. Who knew?

If I could do one thing, only one thing in my life, it would be to touch someone or a family in the way that Kutless and their song “Take Me In” did for Chelsea Rae and her family. I know if I could do something like that, I would have completed my mission in life. I pray God uses me in that way, because I want to be there for people like this.

I just had to share this story on my blog because it’s a story that is so special and so touching that it should be told over and over so everyone could hear it. It definitely makes you reflect on things and makes you want to go up to all your loved ones and give them a big hug and tell them you love them.

I must warn you though, if you are prone to tearing up when it comes to sad things, I would suggest getting a couple boxes of Kleenex. You will need them!

Take Me In - Kutless

Take me past the outer courts

Into the Holy place

Past the brazen altar

Lord I want to see Your face

Pass me by the crowds of people

The priests who sing Your praise

I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness

But it’s only found one place

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take me in by the blood of the Lamb

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Take me past the outer courts

Into the Holy place

Past the brazen altar

Lord I want to see Your face

Pass me by the crowds of people

The priests who sing Your praise

I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness

But it’s only found one place

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take me in by the blood of the Lamb

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Take me past the outer courts

Into the Holy place

Past the brazen altar

Lord I want to see Your face

Pass me by the crowds of people

The priests who sing Your praise

I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness

But it’s only found one place

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take me in by the blood of the Lamb

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take me in by the blood of the Lamb

Take me in to the Holy of Holies

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

First off I love the story between the two brothers. It’s so interesting to see the emotion from these two and the tension that they have, mainly put there by their evil, egotistical, jackass of a dad, Dan Scott. I know you can tell I like this guy.

I love watching the relationships grow between all of these people that are at times so completely different, but at the same time are on the same emotional rollercoaster ride as the other.

I must say the relationship between Haley and Nathan is so magical. They have this chemistry that you just don’t see much of on tv. They are just the perfect couple. They look so good together and they are both good for the other. Haley makes Nathan a better person and Nathan gives Haley the courage to follow her dreams. I just love them as a couple. I also hated the fact that they split for awhile. I was actually screaming at the tv for Nathan to go after her. But I’m just glad they’re back together.

Payton is my kind of girl. She’s into music and the arts and just does her own thing. She’s head strong, but can also let herself be swept off her feet. She also defies the stereotype of cheerleader. I mean you just wouldn’t picture her as a cheerleader, but she does it because her mom was one and I give her props for that.

I would also have to say Brooke is also my kind of girl. She is funny and out going, but at the same time she can be sweet and loveable. She knows what she wants and goes out and makes it happen. I guess I relate to Lucas having a thing for both Brooke and Payton.

Of course Haley is also my kind of girl. I don’t know where to begin on that one, so I’m just going to skip that.

I think I love this show because it’s an ongoing love story. One emotional love story. There are a lot of sad moments but there are a lot of moments that just warm your heart. I also love the fact the show doesn’t tip toe around the big issues teens face today and that’s exactly what I want in my writing. Something that makes you cry, laugh and even mad. After awhile you get so wrapped up into the lives of these people.

Well I’m going to stop writing and listening to Halo by Haley James Scott (aka Bethany Joy Galeotti) and watch some more One Tree Hill. I know it’s addictive.

Talk to you later.

Jordin Sparks’ new self titled album just dropped last Tuesday and let me just tell you this entire album is just absolutely amazing. I can’t stop listening to it.

You know, normally I’m not real into R&B. I mean I like a few of the more popular R&B songs but it’s just not my taste, but Jordin’s album is just outstanding. It has so much to offer.

Next To You was the first song from her new album to catch my ear. The smooth but, oh so subtle, type of love song mesmerized me at the very start, mainly because I’m a hopeless romantic. The song is about a girl trying to figure out if her friend likes her and that maybe they could or are more then just friends.

Maybe we’re friends/ Maybe we’re more/ Maybe it’s just my imagination/ But I see you stare just a little too long/ And it makes me start to wonder… It’s a really great song and if you have ever been in this type of situation then it is very relatable.

Then the amazing harmony from the duet with Chris Brown just knocked me on the floor. I mean I can’t get this song, No Air, out of my head. The beat, the rhythm just captures you and takes you on this ride. I don’t know maybe it’s the Irish in me that loves the beats and rhythms of songs, but there is no doubt this song has it all.

This song, I guarantee will be her next single and will be a MAJOR hit. There is no doubt on that. The song is about a couple who separate for some reason and both are trying to tell the other that they can’t survive and breath with out them, because with out them there is no air in there world.

JS: If I should die before I wake/ It’s ’cause you took my breath away/ Losing you is like living in a world with no air/ Oh

Now that is a love song to remember! I just love it so much.

Young And In Love is another type of love song – Is Jordin trying to tell us something? – The music reminds me of the old Donkey Kong game or Pac Man game machines. My uncle has both in his basement game room, which is so fun when all the family is gathered there. But anyway, the song is about a girl telling her disapproving critics off her relationship. That they have no right to offer advise or tell her she shouldn’t be with her guy. And at the same time it’s like she’s telling her guy that even though others don’t think they’ll make it and will tare them down, that they will make it, no matter what if they decide that’s what they want. Basically she’s telling her critics that they are young and in love and to just step off and leave them alone.

Let them pull at the seams/ Don’t they know what it means/ To be young and in love like that/ Who are they to decide/ If it’s wrong, if it’s right/ To be young and in love like that/ Like that, like that/ Like that, like that/ To be young and in love

That’s what I call a great ‘stand by your side’ kind of song.

One Step At A Time is a very inspirational song. Telling listeners to take one step at a time, not to rush, that there dreams will come true, it’s suppose to happen, just take your time. I find this interesting because it’s not direct but it’s almost like she’s trying to say that take your time, don’t get discouraged because God has a plan and that He’ll make it happen in His own time after you learn how to fly. That’s my interpretation. And I’m not afraid to interpreter the song that way because I do know, from what I’ve heard is that Jordin is from a Christian family and is very faithful. And it seems like this is the message the song is sending. I could be wrong though.

You wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yet/ Wonder when and where and how you’re gonna make it/ You know you can if you get the chance/ In your face as the door keeps slamming/ Now you’re feeling more and more frustrated/ And you’re getting all kind of impatient waiting

We live and we learn to take/ One step at a time/ There’s no need to rush/ It’s like learning to fly/ Or falling in love/ It’s gonna happen and it’s/ Supposed to happen that we/ Find the reasons why/ One step at a time

Freeze is about how a girl would like to freeze the moment and keep her and her guy’s love frozen in time. I really like the beat of this song. It really flows and sounds outstanding.

Hold the pose, a perfect picture/ Just so I remember how you’re looking tonight/ Let it go, now the days gone/ Standing in the dark, although we’ve turned on the lights/ Tonight we will deny, that time is passing by/ It’s leaving you and I to… / Freeze / A moment, its never been better

I have to give her props for Shy Boy. She takes a step out and says that she doesn’t care for those ‘rock boys, bad boys, home boys’ who hit on her all the time, that she likes the shy boys. I find that so refreshing. This one also has a great beat and great lyrics that carry you through the story of the song. It’s just nice to know not every girl is swept off their feet by the idiot jock. LoL.

Freak boy/ Fresh boy/ Slick boy/ You’re messing with a tom boy/ Might just know you out like a school boy/ Crude boy/ Playboy/ Cowboy/ I heard it all before, boy/ I’m going out to get me a shy boy

Cause I got my eye on this other guy/ Back in the booth with his boys, he’s all mellowed out/ And tonight I don’t mind me a shy boy/ So I gotta know/ Are you a shy boy?

A refreshing twist to the love driven album is Now You Tell Me. It’s about a guy telling her that he’s in love with her and has always been and now she’s stunned and unsure what to think or do and doesn’t know if she has those feelings back. I’m glad she put this song on this album because it lets us see another side of her, a side that doesn’t just fall in love at the drop of a hat.

All this time I thought you didn’t need me/ Now I’ve gone from you and now you tell me

You’re in love, but that’s not what it was/ All those times that passed by with no signs/ And now you’re telling me/ You miss me, boy why couldn’t I see?/ And my heart don’t agree with what you’re telling me

It makes me think that she was friends with this guy and then she found another guy maybe and he now tells her he’s in love with her. That’s my impression from a writer’s standpoint. All in all a great song.

No surprise Just For The Record is another love song, however this time she is making a declaration to her guy that he is the one and she wants no one else and never will. Also it’s no surprise that this is also a great song.

Hear me, hear me/ This is for my baby/ There will never be another/ There’s so many ways I love you/ And that’s just for the record, babe/ I need you, need you/ I can’t wait to see you/ I so love when were together/ Can’t nobody do it better/ And that’s just for the record, babe

Permanent Monday is a great ‘I miss you my love’ song. She’s saying that when she’s not with her guy and when his far away things get dark and time starts to slow into a permanent Monday. A very soft, slow tempo song that just holds you and comforts you.

Seven days, it feels like a year/ You whisper through the line/ You know I miss you like crazy/ So baby can you steal a plane/ A boat, the fastes train/ You know it just don’t feel the same when you’re gone

‘Cause everytime you go away/ The sunshine starts to fade
Frozen by the hands of time into a Permanent Monday/ Take me back into your arms/ And don’t ever let me go/ ‘Cause when I see you walk through that door/ I’m not lost anymore/ I’m home/ I’m home

Save Me takes a step back from the love songs and tells of hurt and pain and wanting to be saved by someone. This song is a bonus song you can get when purchasing the entire album from iTunes, Amazon or Walmart. I have to say this is the first time I ever bought an entire album from iTunes and that is saying a lot.

I admire her for putting this song on the album, even if a bonus track, because it tells of something bad happening in her life and her needing someone to come and save her. I love when she talks about if God gave her this pain for a reason that was okay, she just needs someone to comfort her. That’s truly inspiring. I’m so glad she got this song out on her album.

Save me/ I need somebody’s help here/ Thought it would be alright/ but not pulling through on my own/ Is there anyone around who can save me/ I’m falling down, It’s crazy/ If this is the pain God gave me/ I’m cool with that/ but won’t somebody save me

The last song I want to talk about is Worth The Wait. This song is truly inspiring for her, a mainstream artist coming out with this type of a song, especially when she’s 17 going on 18.

The song tells of a girl telling her guy that she will be worth the wait. That when the time is right it will be him, but it will be worth the wait. In the song she mentions a promise to her self that seems to me is the purity promise most Christian teens make at some point. In my interpretation of this song she’s saying she wants to wait until marrige. I find that so refreshing that she is willing to put herself out there with this song. It says so much, but so subtly.

It reminds me of a song that Rebecca St. James came out with a few years ago, that she later turned into a book entitled, Wait For Me. The song and book also addressed this issue and mainly encouraged young women to stay pure and for the guys to wait for them.

And I don’t think I’m stepping over the bounds in assuming this because of everything I’ve heard about her faith. Of course you know what they say about assuming things…

I feel what I’m feeling for you/ Means I’m falling for you/ Something has opened up inside of me/ And I dream/ In shades that only can be/ The colors of you and me/ I think we both know what that means

Please wait for me/ If I fall/ If I break/ If I lose myself in someone/ If I give all I am/ It will be with you/ When I’m ready to take all that you want me to give/ It will be worth the wait/ worth the wait/ It will have been so worth the wait/ Yeah, Yeah, Yeah/ I will be worth the wait

There are of course a couple other songs on her album that are great but aren’t really my taste so you’ll have to decide about those yourselves.

Jordin has an amazing voice and is so talented and her album is just outstanding. I know she will be around for along time. And of course, it was so worth the wait for this album.

You can buy it at amazon or itunes.