Netflix Connection - Magic School Bus Rides Again

When I saw that the Magic School Bus was being rebooted. I wasn't thrilled. After seeing older shows redone to fit modern times I was hesitant. But decided if it manages to keep the educational value of the old Magic School Bus, maybe it's worth giving a chance. So is it worth checking out?

The New magic school Bus definitely has a familiar feel to it. Most of the kids are the same as in the old series. However, this series features Ms. Frizzle's sister as the teacher. In the pilot episode Arnold struggles because he doesn't like change. And as the episode continues it explores that struggle as well as the danger of change to an ecosystem.

In episode 2 the kids are putting on a play and they are challenge to use real bricks and make it really wind proof. So Ms. Frizzle takes them on a trip to explore how wind works. While trying to figure things out some of the other kids have suggestions, but the director doesn't want to hear them. By the end of the episode the kids learn how wind works, as well as the value of listening to other people.

Magic School Bus Season 1: 13 Episodes
What this show does well: It keeps a lot of the old. While there are new graphics, it keeps the same magic feel of the old series. Usually there are life values included in each episode along with educational focuses. Other remakes featured on Cartoon Network like Scooby Doo, Teen Titans, Looney Toons, ruin the show by including lots of hyper activity and yelling. This remake fortunately steers clear from that pattern.

Opportunities for discussion: While this is a show that you can sit your child in front of and not fear what might come up, it also provides opportunities for discussion if you watch with your kid. This show also takes the world around us and works it into life lessons. And makes learning fun.

Netflix Connection: I love how this show usually tackles two birds with one stone. Usually a kid has a problem or an attitude to work through. And then as the episode continues and they take a field trip, the kids learn something that sometimes also applies to their Attitude or problem. There's so much that happens each day and I believe that lessons are hiding around every corner. Through objects or circumstances. How can we look at things from a new angle? What might God be telling us through the ordinary things? The first episode focuses on how sometimes change can be a good thing, and other times not. The third episode focuses on the idea of being strong together. One kid encounters a shark under the ocean and learns that a fish will fend off a shark by joining with other fishes. This follows the biblical principle of standing strong together. When we join with friends and family and God, we can get through the harder times. As you're watching this series I'm sure there's plenty of chances to tie biblical principles to what's being taught.

Recommended? While I was skeptical at first, this remake is one I can recommend with no regrets. Trying to find a good show these days can be challenging, but The Magic School Bus Rides again is certainly one to check out. Some older kids might not be as interested, but as a guess I'd say ages 4(or younger) through 10 would enjoy this series. Older viewers who grew up with the original will most likely enjoy the approach to this series and the newer graphics will appeal to kids now better than the original. Well done.

*Please note this review is based on the first four episodes of the first season. I expect that the rest of the episodes are as wonderful as the first four.


 Remember friends keep making ripples. :D

Rippling beneath the Surface

"Are you  ready? You'll want to hold your nose. Joseph I baptize you in the name of..." Those were the last words I heard before I was dunked under the surface of the lake.  With it being at the park, it wasn't as cold as it could have been. In fact the weather was pretty near perfect. (Yes that's my shoe.) It didn't occur to me till afterwards just how pretty that spot is. I've been a Christian since my early teens, but wasn't baptized till  a couple weeks ago. So why now? In part because it had never been done. That was mostly due to not fully understanding what it was/why it's necessary etc. It wasn't really promoted much and it didn't come around very often. At this point in my ministry journey I decided it was important to go ahead even though it was so much later. For one because I knew I would be encouraging others to make the same step. I also realized that baptism is an important action in our faith. Why is something that gets you wet and only lasts a couple minutes so important?

Facts about baptism:

• The practice of baptism is continued today out of obedience to what Christ asks us to do. 
• If you've been baptized it's not necessary to do so again. (Even if wandered away, or if it was done as a baby.) However you can renew your baptism vows as you would marriage vows. (Water isn't essential the second time.) 
• You don't have to "prove your a christian" before you're baptized. Baptism is simply an outward expression showing that you've made an inward decision. Growth and transformation will happen over time, not a requirement for baptism.

Here's a Q&A about Baptism from Whitehorse Church of the Nazarene

 (not connected in any way with this blog. Given as a resource for more information.)

I love the beauty in the picture above. The trees changing, the sky color, but also the ripples in the water from the baptism in action. I've experienced God's comfort in so many situations, and I know I wouldn't be able to do any of this without him. My prayer is that he continues to make ripples through my ministry, None of this is about me, it's all for God's glory. I'll just keep throwing one pebble at a time, and see how far God takes the ripples.

Last Chance?

Baseball brings out the best and worst in the fans that follow it. The Cubs series against the Brewers is coming to a close and my nails are nearly non-existent. Virtually ANYTHING can happen at any moment for the losing team to sneak ahead of the other.

 In the case of this specific series, three of the four games went into the tenth inning. Two of the three clinched by the Cubs. If you've been following this season, there was a lot riding on this series, and the one to come against the cardinals. One of the best parts of baseball is seeing if the losing team can make a comeback. It's better if it's the team you're rooting for, but usually you can nod your head and say "That was a great play."
During this series people keep saying, "This is playoff baseball for the Brewers." They're putting in everything they have right now because they know the end of the season is coming. And they're only a few games shy of the wild card right now. They're putting in everything they have to keep it from being their last game. At the beginning of the season it's easy to say " We'll get the next one" and it's almost taken for granted. However, every game in baseball eventually leads to who makes the playoffs.

What if we lived as if each decision or interaction could cause the world to plunge out of orbit and change the way of life for all as we know it? A little dramatic? Maybe. So let's look at it this way. If you learned that today would be your friend's last day, how would you treat him/her? You'd do everything within you're ability to make this day memorable right? Maybe you'd be careful with what you say and treat this person to ice cream or maybe an amusement park? What if you treated each day, each interaction with anybody, as if that could directly impact their next moment? I know that's heavy. Each moment and interaction we have is a chance to show God's love. All this is temporary. The next moment isn't guaranteed. James 4:14 compares our life to being a mist. Appearing only for a moment and then vanishing. Life is as unpredictable as Cubs baseball. You never really know what could be coming, so treating each moment like it's precious is our best option.

I wrote most of this yesterday. So as I was typing it, I was keeping tabs on the final game in the series against the Brewers. 3rd inning no outs, 0-0. Next moment? one guy singles, another doubles and SCORE!!! Cubs lead 1-0 top of the 4th inning, nobody out. The players were giving it their all to win the game. (The Cubs won by the way!) As they move into the next series against the cardinals, they're preparing physically and mentally to give it their all. Are we giving it our all, to live each moment to make an impact for the kingdom?