Hello to those loyal readers who still happen to be along for the ride!

I realize my blog has been getting rather dusty of late, and I apologize. Life has picked up the pace, as though time itself has realized the end of the year is drawing to a close, and is trying to cram in as many things  as it can before December is up.

Thankfully though, I have very little in store over the first few months of 2013 (provided the world is still here, of course) and it is during that time, I wish to bring some big changes to my blog. Be afraid, ye peoples! Mwahahaha!

Actually, they're none too scary changes. Firstly, the blog is getting a new look. (Tut tut! No sentimental "Awww"-ing, you hear?) It's going to be quite an adventure for me to redesign this, as I have very little HTML coding experience. I am going to be pushing my cut/paste skills to the max as I make a patchwork template! However I'm planning for it to look a lot more professional, with a page solely dedicated to my graphic design work. I'm pretty excited about the changes I wish to try and bring in, and there'll be a few weeks where my blog will be under construction. So no panicking if you see random chunks of code plastered all over the place in place of my generally well-ordered blog.

Secondly, there is going to be *fanfare* a writing competition! I'm super excited about this as well. Similar to my last writing competition, the theme of the competition will be to write a short story based off a song. However, since I am unable to pick just one song all on my own, I will be having a poll solely for song nominations, so that my readers - and potential writers! - may vote for the song of their choice. Fun sounding, wouldn't you say?

Along with all these changes, I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Yes, that's right: I have entered in the InkSlinger's soundtrack giveaway contest, and it's a biggie. He's giving away two soundtracks by two fantasticalistic composers, so you won't want to miss it! Just pop on over to his blog at this link and check it out.

Well that's about all to keep y'all updated. Thankyou to all of my loyal followers who still read and comment on my rambly shenanigans! My blog just recently clocked over 10,000 page views. What a blessing that so many people find my posts interesting to read! Stay awesome, friends!

I think the end of the year is partial to promotions. Not really sure why... it could have something to do with the holiday season, I'm guessing... Anyway! I'm here again to do some promoting through my blog!

My friend, author Luke Alistar is running several promotions and sales and giving away free ebooks this December/January. (and yes, they really are free!) Among his books on sale are a collection of forty comical stories and a middle-grade modern fantasy novel, both of which have been popular among families across the country. In addition, he is releasing his second volume of comical stories in January and is holding a holiday story contest, with the prize being a free signed copy of the new book. (muchly awesome, yes?)

See his blog for coupon codes, links, and details about the promotions and the contest:

http://lukealistar.com/2012/12/03/free-books-discount-codes-a-contest-and-a-giveaway/

Very exciting! I've read much of Luke's work, and he is an amazing writer with a great flair for humour, something I very much appreciate.

So take my word for it: hop on over to that link to check out his awesome stuff and be sure to enter the writing contest!

Well I am pleased to announce, that today my blog is participating in something very special -- the Blog Scavenger Hunt for the promotion of J. Grace Pennington's new novel Never!  In case you haven't been parry to my rantings on my awesome friend Grace, I first met her through HolyWorlds and have gotten to know her well by reading her fantastic writing, and listening to her beautiful voice on HolyWorlds podcasts. However her awesomeness isn't the only reason why I'm here. I'm here to promote her awesome new western mystery novel Never, which is going to be released on the twenty-third of this month. But! By following these directions, you can be entered in a giveaway to win a free signed copy of the book! How cool is that? 

Here's how it works.  Each participating blog includes a code.  Gather up all the codes and email them to -



to be entered in the giveaway.  As a bonus, everyone who sends in all the codes will receive two beautiful Never-themed desktop backgrounds!

My code is:



And here's a link to the next participating blog:
P. Rose Williams

Never trivia:
During the revision of "Never", Grace read a number of mysteries to help her better write the mystery side of the story.  Her reading included Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and Ellery Queen.

Now the contest runs out midnight November 22nd (American time, so that's about 5pm on the 23rd for us Aussies!) so enter now! You know I only promote awesomeness, so you will enter and you will read Gracie's awesome book, you hear? I'll know it if you don't! (Actually I won't, but if you want to make the Bushy really happy, you will enter. Maybe buy a few copies for your friends, family members, acquaintances, total strangers, etc.) 

Before you go enter, be sure to visit Grace's blog! www.jgracepennington.com

I was at the library the other day and I got to hear a famous self-sufficiency author speak about many things to do with horticulture, the ecosystem, self-sufficiency, and a host of other related topics. However underneath it all I could feel a spiritual current, as though he was a man who was trying desperately searching for substance in what he does, and not finding it. I was very moved by his apparent lostness, and wrote this poem the night following it.

I am officially nuts. If you didn't realize already, and you're wondering why, I'll show you:


*points upward* That's why.

It was a spur of the moment decision really. I have been procrastinating on expanding my short story into a novel for quite some time (mainly because I was avoiding meeting face to face the blank document of doom), and decided that NaNo would be the push I need.

So I updated my author info, created my novel, uploaded my cover art on www.nanowrimo.org and am going in with a... tentative vengeance? I have no idea how it's going to turn out, but hey! It's a start! Keep an eye on my word count goal on the right of my blog, and if you don't see it moving, be sure to give me a prod. I'll appreciate it!

Numb.

Yes. That was what it was. Numbness was what one felt when they couldn't feel anything, wasn't it? The sharp gravel beneath her bare feet hardly registered in her cloudy senses, and she could barely feel the icy wind stinging her face. Numb was definitely how she felt.

She was out here to look at the sunset. That’s right. She remembered now. Raising her listless gaze to the sky, she stared through swollen bloodshot eyes at the orange glow permeating the misty rain coming across the horizon. The golden rays of fading sunlight shone down through breaks in the clouds, casting them a lining of pure gold; water droplets glistening and sparkling in amongst the glow as the falling rain drew nearer to where she stood.

 It was a spectacular sight. Truly, she tried to appreciate it. She attempted to take in the splendour of God's handiwork, and admire His hand in the glorious display. Groping through the fog in her bewildered mind, she strove to latch onto a single happy thought; a last glimpse of hope, or fragment of a dream. But there was nothing there. Her mind, like the darkening forest beneath the golden extravaganza, was a dark void.

What good was there in enjoying a sunset, anyway? It was such a fleeting sparkle on the horizon before the world was cast into the shadow of darkness. Already, the golden rays were dissipating, and the fading light retreating from the sky as the black fingers of night twisted their way through the trees in their gathering gloom. So like her life, she mused duly. A moment of goodness; a season of assumed assurance of happiness and joy, when like a thief in the night, what you hold dear is snatched away without a trace; like a cruel hand heartlessly snuffing out a candle, leaving only a hint of smoke in its wake. Smoke will never replace the glow of a flame that once burned, and no thief returns that which he took great pains to steal.

Uniqueness. This is a word that has about a million clichés tied with it:

"Remember you are unique... just like everyone else."

"Be yourself. Everyone else is taken."

Just to name a couple. It is one of the most highly promoted attributes that one should embrace, and yet it is the least applied in day-to-day living for many people.

Ask anyone if they believe that they are unique, you will be answered with a resounding "Yes of course!" Because everyone knows there is only one of them in the world. (unless they are seriously deluded...) However if you ask "Do you live like you're unique?" you may be met with a blank stare, stammering, or a confused "what do you mean?"

Think about it. Are you the same person when you are out grocery shopping? At church? At a party? With your best friend? With your pastor? Your Mum? Your brother? Your dog?

On the surface, most people would probably still answer yes to this question. It's hard to look at yourself from another's perspective in several different scenarios at once. But if you think about this situation: you are at a party with a group of people you know, laughing at the jokes, talking loud and fast with everyone, when a quiet, strict person you know walks over and you suddenly begin to speak softer, taking on a more "civilised" air as you continue your discussion - and much less enthusiastically. After all, what would they think of you, laughing, out loud like that? You must look foolish. Better clam up a little, assume a detached demeanour so they don't think badly of you. You wouldn't want it to get around to other people who believe you are a quiet person that you were found to be laughing at a party, now would you?

Know that feeling?

I couldn't pass up that title. It can't be merely ironic that "promoting awesomeness" has the same initials as "Peter's Angel", now can it?

I don't believe so.

This post is solely for the purpose of promoting a new book written by a dear friend of mine. I think you all know her by now: my beloved Philly. Though I was not a beta reader for this, her masterpiece, I have been watching Philly's journey to complete this book with nothing short of pure awe. She made no secret of what a challenge this book was to write. In fact, the word "challenge" barely covers it. She came so close to giving up, stumbled so many times, overcame countless obstacles, and against all the odds this story threw her way, Philly came out victorious.

And today is the result of that victory.

Peter's Angel has officially been released to the world today... "and the crowd goes wild!" So many of us HWers have been waiting with bated breath for this day, and our joy knows no bounds for us all to see our beloved Philly achieve her goal. I'm really having trouble explaining how I feel right here. I guess the biggest feeling I'm experiencing right now is pride. I'm so intensely proud of Philly for sticking at it, and working so hard at the story God gave her to write.

As a writer myself, though one who hasn't yet attempted to achieve the monumental in writing a book, I know the work that goes into publishing. It's a journey I can't begin to explain, and to have had the privilege of watching Philly's, truly... I can only look up to her and salute.

I'm eagerly anticipating PA arriving in my mailbox. Because to finally have this story in my hands...

I know I'm holding much, much more than a book.

Hats off to you, mon Philly. xo

~

And no. I'm not telling you what it's about. You know how awesome it is already, go check it out yourself! The buy button is the big shiny one. Click it. (you know you want to)

Well not really. But it's a funny phrase for passing an iconic point on the numeric scale.

The point of this post, then?

Well, obviously it is to celebrate the passing of an iconic number. This number then being that my blog has just passed:

Dear parents,

This is for you. If there is anybody out there reading my blog who is a parent, God has laid this on my heart to share with you, and I pray that - at the very least - God speaks to you through it in some small way.

I have been in contact with too many Christian young adults who are dealing with - and have dealt with - so many things. Dark things. Emotionally disturbing things. Horrible past things. Temptation things. Self image things. Harmful things. Isolated things... and the list goes on.

What is wrong with this picture? Why are these young Christians being so badly affected and ensnared by the things of the world when they should be liberated, confident, stable, stalwart, peace and joy-filled pillars of the Church? Between the moment they were born, up till the time they became adults, what went wrong?

This is why I am writing this letter.

Parents, your children are vessels. What you pour into them will overflow by the time they reach the age of about 16. And what you don't plant in their lives, will not grow. Also, what others may force into their lives, will fester in secret.

I'm not talking about a typical education or life skills here, folks. I'm talking about something far more serious. Not their bodily needs, nor their education, not even their mind or intellect. If you consider yourself a good parent, these things should already be high on your priorities list. But no: what I am speaking of, is their heart.

Think about it. Do you know your child's heart? Do you know what keeps them awake at night? Do you understand why they respond to different people a certain way? What the reasons are behind their reactions to certain things? What their dreams are? Their hopes? Fears? How about what gives them guilt, or makes them feel ashamed? Are you inside their mind enough to sense when something is wrong, even slightly? Do you know their friends? Their joys? Their hobbies? Do you know their secrets? Does their hearts beat in time with yours?

You may think this is too deep; that knowing these things are delving too far into the reaches of your child. I mean, children need their privacy too.

"NO!"

Sorry for my over-emphatic reply, but this is not true. As your childrens' parents, it should be your sole design to know everything about them! How can you fully understand how best to cultivate something you have been given unless you learn and know everything about it?

A mechanic knows everything about a car, so that whenever something goes even slightly amiss - not even something serious - he knows exactly how to rectify it and make it run even better than before.

This is very important: Parents, you are the primary cause of what kind of adult your child will become.

 I do believe I wrote a short rant and rave about this book not too long ago, before it was published. I have only now just realized that I don't think I ever gave my opinion of it in the form of a review. However, since this is a very special book written by a very special friend, it is only apt that I give it a very special review. And what better way to review it than in one of the author's favourite methods of communication...

Snark.

"Now see here," you say. "How can you give a favourable review of a book whilst being snarky? You use sarcasm when giving an unfavourable view! You can't use snark!"

Who said it was going to be favourable?

...

Scared ya, didn't I?

Well of course it's going to be favourable! I mean, Philly wrote it, didn't she?

[Aside to Philly] It was you, right? I mean, it doesn't have "Philly" written on the front cover... it could have been someone else... it could have been anyone... I never did get an actual confirmation off you that it was indeed you who wrote it...


Dear reader,

Investigations are currently under way to resolve whether or not it was indeed the esteemed Philliness who wrote "Red Rain".

Resolution pending.

Regards,
The Legitimate Author Investigators

It came to my realization that posting rambly devotionals on my blog was merely going to flood my entire blog with my Scripture ramblings. Since my blog is a place consisting of far more than just my daily Bible readings, I didn't want to do that. Neither did I want to abandon the idea.

Then what did I do?

Made a new blog of course! (I'm a blogaholic, what can I say? It's free!)

So! If you are still interested in reading my rambly daily devotionals, please go to over to this link to visit my ramblings' brand new home:



(optional "follow" button, in case you like it that much. ;D)

Let me know what you think!

Where  there is  no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy  is  he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18 NKJV)

The definition of the word "revelation" according to Webster defines the word - 1: an act of revealing or communicating divine truth 2: something that is revealed by God to humans
3: an act of revealing to view or making known 4: something that is revealed; especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure.

In reading and studying Scripture, if one does not receive continued revelation in what they are reading, the Word will not impact them, and will not be making constant changes in their lives. Reading Scripture then merely becomes a moral obligation without any real evidence of God's working in them because the Word has not made an impact. It leads to an unhappy and unsatisfied life and a heart growing bitter towards God.

However those who seek God diligently and pray for fresh revelation daily are those who keep His law. Proverbs 4:20-23 states, "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they  are  life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh."

In keeping the living and revelational Word of God in our hearts, the Lord promises us a happy and fruitful life as we continue walking with Him. May He give you fresh revelation in His Word today!

Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear. (Psalm 10:17 NKJV)

The condition of our heart is one of the most vital aspects of our Spiritual life. When Jesus told the parable of the sower and the seed, the soil depicted the heart. There were those hearts of stone, which could not accept His teachings; the Word of God bouncing off them with nil effect.

There were those hearts that were shallow, and before the Word could take root, it was choked out by the distractions of the world.

Then there was the soft, deep heart into which the Word fell and grew; till it multiplied and bore much fruit.

However one thing that may go unnoticed is that the ground (heart) had first been prepared to accept the seed. No soil is loamy and good without having first been thoroughly weeded and turned by a trowel.

For God's Word to take effect in our hearts; for it to grow and bear much fruit in our lives, we must constantly be allowing Him to tend it by weeding out the things that hinder us, constrict us, or distract us. We must permit the Lord to turn over the soil of our hearts so He can know all of its depths, that His Word may take root, flourish and manifest itself in our lives as good fruit.

Are there placed in your heart that are overgrown and needing the tending of the Gardener?

I have decided to take a stab at writing daily devotionals for my blog, both for the purpose of my own studies, and that my awesome readers may just get something out of my ramblings on Scripture. This is a new idea, and I would be very interested to hear feedback on what you think about them and if you think it will work. (i.e., be found useful and informative to the general public)

Since I feel far to inadequate to officially name them "devotionals" I have adapted my own name for them, since they are based off my own ramblings. I hope the writers among you will forgive me. ;)

Please share your thoughts in the comments! Hate it? Love it? Average? Meh? Suggestions? I'll be eagerly awaiting your feedback.

---

Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.” (Isaiah 29:13, 14 NKJV)

There are times where life drags you from the day to day and throws you into upheaval, in everything from your daily routines to your daily devotions. Someone may call needing a hand, dragging you away from your ordinary day to soak up all of your time; arriving home late to collapse in bed at night with nothing more than a briefly murmured prayer. It may be a holiday season with a houseful of aunts, uncles and cousins, where you haven't even seconds to spare for some quiet time. Either way, we all have those periods where the world kidnaps us for a ride on its rollercoaster circuit of confusion and it is during these times of spiritual depravity that our heart before God fills in.

The above verse tells about a people who say all the right things according to the Lord; do all the right actions such as reciting Scripture and going to church, yet are without hearts that are closely communing with Him. These people are ones who wither and die spiritually when life takes them for a whirl. They conform to men's standards of righteousness by works, rather than cultivating a heart that is passionately on fire their Saviour.

Work on strengthening the heart ties you have between yourself and God rather than falling into the trap that merely good habits will make you acceptable before Him. This is not to say that spending ample time in His Word and in prayer are not important, but when times come that you are without devotions to read or a Bible to study, your heart relationship with the Lord is the ground you will be standing on, so make sure it is firm.
~

Every single car I see is blue.

I recently borrowed a book from a friend called How to Ruin Your Life by 40 by Steve Farrar, and though I haven't gotten far through it, I thought I would share this segment out of the second or third chapter that really impacted me. I think about so many people, and-- well, I guess I'll let you read it yourself.


A number of years ago, I wrote a book titled Finishing Strong. And in that book, I told the story of John Bisagno. John is now retired, but he pastored in Houston for many years.

When Bisagno was twenty-one, he was very excited. He was getting ready to graduate from college and marry the love of his life. He also decided to go into full-time ministry. He was very optimistic about his future. One night, he was having dinner at his fiancee's home. After dinner, he went outside on the porch with his future father-in-law, Dr. Paul Beck. Dr. Beck had been in ministry since he was John's age. You could say he'd seen a lot of water go under the bridge. As they were talking about John's future plans and dreams, Dr. Beck gave him some advice: "As you go into ministry, John, make sure you stay close to Christ every day."

Young John replied, "Yes, sir. I know that's important."

 His future father-in-law continued:

You're just getting started in this race. And it's a very long race. You won't hit the finish line until you're in your seventies or eighties. The finish line is a long way off, John. But the goal of this race is to finish strong. And that's the last thing that Satan wants you to do. That's why you have to keep your heart close to Christ every day. It's been my experience that for every ten men who start strong with Christ in their twenties, only one out of those ten will finish strong.

That shocked John Bisagno. The staggering statistic left him in disbelief.

"That can't be. Just one out of ten?"

"Unfortunately, that has been my experience. Some men are taken out by love of money, others are taken out by theological liberalism, and many more are taken out by [s] immorality. Satan knows how to lay a trap and set an ambush. He knows every man's weaknesses. That's why it's been my experience that only one out of ten will finish strong."

John Bisagno was blown away by the remarks of the older man. He was so stunned that he went home and started thinking about his friends. They were all in their early twenties and all had bright futures. They were fully committed followers of Christ.

He was graduating from a Bible college, and many of his buddies, like him, were going to be pastors, missionaries, youth leaders, and worship ministers. He couldn't believe that only one out of ten would finish strong. The very idea shook him to the core. And it was then that he got the idea.

He took his Bible and turned to a blank page in the back. On that page, he wrote down the names of twenty-four of his friends. He knew these guys. Like him, they were all in their early twenties. The idea that all of them wouldn't finish strong was unthinkable. Maybe Satan would pick off a few, but surely most of them would stick. These were guys who would be willing to die for Christ, if necessary.

I heard Bisagno tell this story a number of years ago. It got very quiet in the room when he began to tell the rest of the story.

"As the years have gone by, from time to time I have gotten a letter or telephone call. And sadly, I have turned to the page in the back of my Bible and had to put a line through a name. I would always do that with such great sadness. The years have gone by and I am now fifty-three years old. Of the original twenty-four names in the back of my Bible, there are just three of us left."

Twenty-four young men who were all in their early twenties. Thirty-two years later, there are just three of them still standing. The majority of those men had ruined their lives before they turned forty.

What will your life look at when you turn forty?

I have recently been acquainted with the blog of a young man by the name of Joshua Eddy. I am a follower of Miss Raquel's blog, which is where I first discovered the existence of this amazing man of God. (Through a bizarre chain of events, I recently found myself talking to his sister Mariah on NaNoWriMo) His life was tragically stolen from the world by a drowning accident a few short weeks ago, yet the impact his words have made on my life and the lives of many others through his blog is profound.

It has led me to ponder. Legacies. What are they to you? Are they a grand monetary inheritance that you leave to grandchildren? A photo album? A box of trinkets? A word of wisdom?

What about a life?

I plan on living to a ripe old age, but I wonder: will the legacy I leave behind match my years? In the short amount of time the world had Josh, he was an impact. But not only that, he still is alive today through what he left behind on his blog, and in the memory of his life. And by his words, the unsaved may come to be saved. By his family's witness of him, the lost may be found. When you arrive in heaven, do you want to come with a handful of cash, or an armful of souls? I know the answer is obvious, but it is the hardest to live out.

The truth of the matter is: life is short, no matter how long you live. The other day I was a six-year-old filling the sandpit up with water in the middle of summer with my two brothers. But then I blinked. Now I'm a twenty-year-old sitting at my computer with this sombre thought on my mind. Have I made the most of that time between blinks? Have I made a scratch in the surface of what we know as the lost world? Is what I have done enough? I regret to say that it isn't. I - like many others - have wasted moments when I could have been a blessing. Wasted times I could have spoken a word of encouragement. Wasted seconds when I could have smiled at someone. It could be the smallest thing that can save a life, which can then lead to saving a soul.

Will what I leave behind live on? Will my existence on this earth outlive me by the things I have done, said, and wrote? It is a heavy thought, because it takes time to think on: time none of us really have. It makes me think with chagrin of all the frivolities: the pointless conversations, the random comments, the idle writings that didn't achieve a thing. What if Josh had blogged all about his new camera, or what the weather was doing, or what his latest favourite movie was? What kind of impact would he have left behind? A mediocre and commonplace one, I would imagine.

In reality, he has left behind a vivid picture of who he is in Christ: a man who is chasing after God's heart, grounded in the Word, disciplining himself whilst challenging others. You can't buy that kind of legacy, and you don't find it in talking about what colour your new shoes are. I am so grateful to the Lord that He caused Josh Eddy to speak up about his faith and to create a lasting impression on the world through his writing.

What about those of us who are still forwarding the Kingdom of Heaven? Are we moving full steam ahead to make sure that what we leave behind will impact lives in a way that will win souls? We can never do enough, but can we do more? I believe we can. This is my prayer - that I will strive with every fibre of my being to leave God's mark everywhere He takes me; a mark that will outlive me to impact others for God for generations to come.

What about you? The clock is ticking...

In memory and gratitude of Joshua Eddy. Though I never knew you, thankyou for allowing myself and so many people be a witness to your witness of Christ, and for leaving a lasting impression of Him in all that you leave behind. 


www.joshyeddy.blogspot.com 

I found lots of awesome stuffses these last month/s. It's one of the amazing things about knowing a lot of awesome people on the web, because they know a lot of awesome people, and then they share the awesome stuff they found, and they share it with their friends, and then somehow it all winds up in my Google+ stream where I can then stick it all in my awesome stuffses blog post. Awesome, aint it?


Why Bother With Mother's Day? - Some very good thoughts by Gabriel Hudelson. Do we see beyond the simple (precious) fact that our mothers love us, anymore?  Do we see the immense power that lies in the hands of faithful mothers?  Do we fully understand the earth-shattering ramifications of the well-worn adage that "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"?  Do we treasure the awesome calling of running a home?


Things Not Worth Complaining About - A short but very true post on a young lady's blog that I found through a friend on Google+.

Top 5 Things I Dread About Church - From my introverted point of view, I identified with a few of these points, and found it both humorous and insightful.

Direct the Viewer with Faces and Eyes - A brilliant article with awesome illustrations on the composition of your drawing/art by Matthew Sample. I loved this!

The God Debate - A news transcript of a debate between an athiest (Sam Harris) and a Christian. (Rick Warren) I found it highly entertaining and intriguing to hear both sides, and the closing comment is one worth reading the entire debate for: We're both betting. He's betting his life that he's right. I'm betting my life that Jesus was not a liar. When we die, if he's right, I've lost nothing. If I'm right, he's lost everything. I'm not willing to make that gamble. - Rick Warren

I have the extreme pleasure and honour of sharing with you today a post written by my dear friend Gracie whom I met through HolyWorlds. She has recently published her book Radialloy, the first in her "Firmament" sci-fi series of books, which is available for purchase through Amazon. I'm highly excited about getting my hands on it! You can read more about her book (and Gracie!) at this link. Be sure to check it out; if you don't, I will hunt you down and bombard you with threats and bribes of cupcakes until you do. (This is no idle warning, at the very least, I will be doing it telepathically...)

So, without further ado, may I present the lovely J. Grace Pennington!


I'm a Star Trek fan.  The Original Series, mostly--I dabble in The Next Generation, but The Original Series is really where it's at.  TOS, as us Trekkies call it.  I love the mysterious sci-fi situations, I love the veiled political and philosophical messages, and most of all I love the characters.  And my favorite character is Doctor "Bones" McCoy.


When I watched the third Star Trek movie, The Search for Spock, I was gripped by the good doctor's mysterious insanity.  He was acting in strange ways, forgetting things, acting like someone else; and his friends were entirely perplexed.  I was on the edge of my seat.  What had they done to my doctor?

My Dad and brothers are five people in my life who I hold with the greatest admiration. They are men like the warriors of the Old Testament: strong, confident, wise, courageous, energetic, athletic, talented, responsible, enthusiastic... the list goes on. However one of the greatest things I respect and admire in them, is their "get up and go".

I don't know if this is a phrase often used - or at the least, understood - by some of you, so I will give my own definition of it here:

"Get Up and Go" - (n) The keen desire to give your all - physically, spiritually and mentally to any given task or challenge set before you. To not back down or shy away from something that you might fail at. The hunger for a challenge and the enthusiasm for trying something new regardless of the odds. A competitive spirit. The urge to be found useful and to be used to full capacity in any situation you could possible be found useful in. To exhibit strength and vigor in every opportunity for industriousness.

That is a rather lengthy definition, and it probably doesn't even fully encompass the term to my satisfaction. This is a trait I constantly see practiced in the lives of my Dad and brothers. Whether it is a game of ping-pong, an arm wrestle, chopping wood, changing the oil in a car, mending a fence, racing go-karts, football or computer gaming, my brothers give everything their all and hold nothing back. In all this, I place a high regard on their physical strength that allows them to be a blessing to people. If they did not have the get up and go to keep themselves fit and active, could they have helped an elderly couple push their awkwardly parked caravan trailer off a pole in a parking lot? I doubt it.

Having said this, I am not dissing the intellectual world in favor of brutal physical prowess. Not at all. To be educated in different fields is also a blessing, and without people of knowledge in such areas, the conveniences and enlightening truths of the world we live in today would not exist. Yet, often in times I find myself noticing the young men in malls or down the street with earphones in, talking on the phone, texting or using some other such digital device who appear to be so much softer; lacking the luster and vigor I am accustomed to seeing in my brothers. It seems that so much of the get up and go; the keenness, toughness and fervor for life that young men once had has slowly waned and vanished. Has "get up and go" got up and left? Is passive intellectuality and love of technology replacing active practicality and vigorous industriousness?

I was asked to write a poem for an item at our church for Mother's Day, and (ridiculously) I agreed. I had two weeks to work on it, but of course, the muse decided not to strike me this time and I had to slave over this poem for the entire two weeks, finishing it the afternoon just before Mother's Day with a tremendous sigh of relief. The muse is a fickle thing; where is it when you need it? Anyhow. In spite of my shaking hands, and trembling voice, the poem reading went very well, and my brother's guitar playing was excellent. I am now, very glad that it's over! Here is the poem and the song that I wrote it to and read it with.

I love listening to movie soundtracks. If I'm watching a new movie, I'm one of those geeky people who actually reads the opening credits in order to find the composer, and then shout excitedly if I recognize them. I'm often heard exclaiming to my family members whilst pointing at the screen, "Oh look! It's so-and-so! He composed the music in blah, and blah, and I think he also did blah as well..." Quickly followed by a lull in the conversation and multiple eye-rolls.

Though far from an obsessed fan, I do love movie scores. So whilst I was sitting at my computer desk compiling a list of all the new ones that I "must buy", I thought I would compile such a list into a blog post as well. I have done a post on soundtracks before, but I thought it was high time I did another one since I have heard so many more since. (plus, it gives me the chance to rant about my favourites all over again!) This list has been set in the order of my personal favourites. Enjoy!

1: The Man From Snowy River
Bruce Rowland


This movie and its music has very fond memories for me, so of course, I am biased. However the score is simply stunning. Every single song from the film tells a story: exhilaration, joy, sorrow, mourning, love, peace. The instrument choices ring with Australian atmosphere, blending guitar and violin together in such an intricate way. These two songs display the most of what I'm speaking of:
Jessica's Theme
End Titles

2: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Klaus Badelt


Need I say more? What I love most about the POTC soundtrack is it's incredible use of strings. I'm pretty sure just about ever single stringed instrument there is (excluding the piano) must have been used in this score. The rollicking melodies, and the swaggering cheerfulness of the songs along with those of dark mystery are awe-inspiring to listen to. My personal favourites from this album are:
He's A Pirate
One Last Shot

3: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Hans Zimmer


True to the form of POTC1 which Zimmer helped compose (when he promised his other client he wouldn't. Oops.) Pirates 2 has some gems that are really beautiful. There are some very sweet melodies among the tracks found on this album, and also some very fun themes.
Tortuga
Davy Jones
Wheel of Fortune

4: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Hans Zimmer


This soundtrack in the trilogy has a peculiar theme not found in the other two. It has a very sweeping sense to the whole soundtrack, and a few slightly strange melodies that I can't say I particularly care for. However there are some very nice tracks that I found well worth listening to. There is one very unique song that I fell in love with the second I heard it, called "Up is Down".
Up is Down
One Day

5: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Hans Zimmer


This can hardly be put into the same category as the rest of the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks. It has an abundance of intricate guitar melodies and harmonies that are incredible to listen to. It seems to lean more towards the "Caribbean" and simplistic side of things in all of this score, and it's a refreshing change from the huge impacting music of its preceding albums.
Angry and Dead Again
South of Heaven's Chanting Mermaids


6: National Treasure
Trevor Rabin


I loved this soundtrack the second I saw the movie! It has such a historic aura about it; the score simply sings of undaunted determination, passion, and treasure. The strings, and the espionage theme makes for an awesome album. Here are some of my favourite tracks:
Ben
National Treasure Suite


7: National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Trevor Rabin


Following on in the footsteps of the first album, Book of Secrets is every bit as good as the first. It has one track in particular that has a gorgeous violin solo in it. I also love some of the sweet melodies that are wrapped into the adventurous themes. The strings are very prominent in these two albums as well, not unlike the Pirates scores.
Page 47
So!


8: Real Steel
Danny Elfman


I think this is Elfman's best score yet. The music is really real. Even though it's for a sci-fi movie, it's music you can empathize with because you can recognize what is playing it, and yet it still has a touch of unrealism to keep it in tune with the story of the movie. I love it! It's one of the highest scores on my "must buy" list.
Charlie Trains Atom
On the Move


9: Conspiracy Theory
Carter Burwell


This one is probably one of the lesser known scores, however I have always enjoyed it ever since I first saw the movie years ago. It has a very hopeful theme to it and a variety of instruments make it a very complex score to listen to. One track is particularly bouncy and quirky, which is something I really like. It's another one on my list of soundtracks to buy.
Main Theme
Riding



10: Pride and Prejudice
Dario Marianelli


A more classically crafted score, as would be fitting for a Jane Austen movie, the soundtrack for the newest "Pride and Prejudice" is one of my favourites. It is so beautiful, and as a lover of beautiful piano themes, this score wins many bonus points off me. Sometimes it is nice to hear a movie soundtrack that consists almost solely of one instrument!
Dawn
Meryton Town Hall


11: Titanic
James Horner


The score for "Titanic" would have to be one of the most popular movie soundtracks of all time. The music is sweepingly majestic, and speaks of so much: of hope, of joy, of mourning, of sadness. It's a score that really speaks without saying anything. I'm not really sure of what instrument is plays the main theme, but whatever it is, it's beautiful.
Hymn to the Sea
Rose



12: Back to Titanic
James Horner


More awesomeness from "Titanic". Not a lot different from the first album. One of the things I didn't like about it is because in some tracks they left words from the movie in it. However, it is definitely worth listening to even if only for the track "The Portrait", because it is the entire main theme done solely on the piano. It is so beautiful.
The Portrait
The Titanic Suite


13: Edward Scissorhands
Danny Elfman


Danny Elfman again! I love this score. It's so pretty, and magical. It captures the whimsical sense of the movie, and at times I can clearly imagine the snow coming down when I listen to it. (coming from someone who hasn't seen "real" snow) It was after I heard this soundtrack that I got excited to see that he also composed "Real Steel" and I wasn't disappointed.
Ice Dance
Introduction


14: Emma
Rachel Portman


I'd never heard of anything by Rachel Portman before (I've more recently found that she did the score for "The Vow" though) until I saw this newer version of "Emma". It's a beautiful soundtrack, and I loved the piano pieces in it so much that I sat at the piano with my ipod and tried to learn some of them. It is playful, and yet tender at the same time.
Main Titles
End Titles


15: While You Were Sleeping
Randy Edelman


I'm probably biased towards this soundtrack merely because I love the movie so much. However the piano melodies are so sweet and beautiful! It has a whimsical sense to it that tells the story of someone lonely who finds another to love. It is cheerful, sadly sweet, and funny all at the same time. I love it.
Riverside Walk
A Happy Ending


16: Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
Harry Gregson-Williams


This is a unique soundtrack. It is the kind of music that takes you to another place; another time. I truly am not even sure exactly what country it's supposed to originate from... the obvious area would be Persia, but it sounds Arabian or something... anyway, rambling. This is a fun score with lots of intriguing instruments, and makes for a great listen!
Main Theme
Ostrich Race

Now with that, I'm exhausted. That was a lot more work than I reckoned for! And to tell the truth, I was only just getting started... maybe I'm a lot more of a movie score geek than I thought I was... Anyhow! I hope you enjoyed this post and the music. ~

Youth Need the Church and the Church Need Youth - A very interesting and true article all about the youth of today's Church, which a friend shared to their G+ stream.

Heroes - An awesomely true post by my good friend Kaitlyn. Very thought provoking, and challenging in how we as Christians should respond to those who have made wrong decisions in life.

Climbing the Mountain - A brilliant blog post by a good friend. Andrew's experience really came at a time I needed a good nudge and a reminder from the Lord, and holds so much truth about our walk with God that it was truly inspiring for me to read.

Love - Also by Andrew. (What can I say? Andrew's blog is awesome!) Some awesome thoughts on the Christian love that God's children have towards each other.

Pangs of Keen Desire - A beautiful blog post I found that was shared to my G+ stream. A good reminder that we aren't living our lives waiting for a "somebody" to come along, but we already have the Someone Who is far greater.

Die First - An insightful post by David on a passage of Scripture that I find intriguing and enlightening to read.