Book Review: The Searchers by Joseph Loconte

Never before had they known such hope.
In a world drenched in violence and oppression, here was a man armed with a message of peace and freedom. Into lives nearly overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, he brought compassion and healing and the deepest joy. To people who felt like outcasts and aliens, he showed the way home. And then, in one devastating night, all their hopes collapsed.
This is where our story begins—in the valley of despair. It is a tale of two friends, a stranger, and a search for truth in a world gone mad with doubt.
Historian Joseph Loconte unlocks the meaning of their exchange, set in the chaotic days following the execution of Jesus of Nazareth. Drawing from literature, film, philosophy, history, and politics, Loconte shows how this biblical drama is an integral part of our own story.
Sooner or later, we will find ourselves among the searchers.

Book Review: Redemption by Bryan Clay

Another great read: from me, to you! :D

The inspiring and gritty story of the World's Greatest Athlete. Redemption tells the story of Bryan Clay, winner of the 2008 Olympic gold medal and the 2004 Olympic silver medal in the decathlon. By the grace of God, Bryan went from being a fist-fighting, drug-using, presuicidal kid in Hawaii to world champion in the toughest Olympic sport. His secret? A dramatically rediscovered faith and his mother’s relentless prayers.

Redemption goes beyond standard sports memoirs, giving a clear storyline of an athlete’s misspent youth, his desperate Christian conversion at a time of utter personal defeat, and his mother’s fervent prayers that helped transform him into a top athlete, family man, and loving father. Bryan’s story will inspire mothers, fathers, and young readers alike as they experience the rise of a champion from obscurity and failure to the pinnacle of athletic achievement.
The world will be watching Bryan, at the age of 32, defend his gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012.

Under the Hawthorn Tree

Pole Bunny! :3

Lone Rhino

Recent Reads

So I know I've been a little AWOL lately, but in spite of that, I've gathered quite the stack of great new material to share with my dear readers! :D

"What are you scared of?" "Regretting."

Book Review: Simply Grilling

With the weather warming up, it's time to herald the arrival of gorgeous spring days by dusting off the old grill. Grilling is one my favorite cooking experiences. The sizzle of meats, the glow of the embers, the breeze carrying the smoke. It really is all about the experience. Nothing really compares to a summer dinner with the family out on the patio, just enjoying the company and the food.

Anyways, for those already reminiscing summertime memories, Jennifer Chandler's new cookbook "Simply Grilling: 105 recipes for quick and casual grilling" is sure to be the key for creating more wonder times.

Book Review: 1,000 Days

In 1,000 Days: The Ministry of Christ, author Jonathan Falwell sheds light on an area of the Scripture that not many writers have before. The three year period in which Jesus served as part of the public ministry before his death and resurrection. The detail put into this work makes for a fascinating read, whether you are Christian or not. 1,000 Days could easily fit into a bible study setting, with all the interesting points for discussion it provokes.

An opportunity to meet Jesus Christ like never before.Have you ever thought that when Jesus Christ came to earth more than two thousand years ago, he could have simply given us salvation—period!—and never done another single thing? Jesus Christ could have chosen to be born of a virgin, live for 33 years in relative obscurity, die on the cross, be buried, and rise from the dead three days later, and still give us the opportunity for salvation without doing any of the things we read about in the gospels.Yet there was more.For three years—roughly 1,000 days—Jesus served in public ministry while on earth. He didn’t need to do this ministry, yet he did anyway, and that’s the key for us. This intentionality implies that there is a lot of information in Scripture that we need to grapple with. We need to understand what Jesus said and did during his 1,000-day public ministry, so we can apply his teachings to our lives today.What makes these 1000 days of Christ so vitally important?Jesus’ public ministry was to help us understand what true love is all about—both for God and for other people. When we love God and others first, the rest of life falls into place: our possessions, our ambitions, our hopes and our dreams. Jesus modeled everything he taught, and his invitation is to make his mission our mission too

Book Review: The Wedding Dress

Currently, it's 1:58am on a weekday. Why am I still up and blogging you ask? Only because I literally just finished this novel and am eager to share it with my dear readers!

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck is a lovely new book from Thomas Nelson publishers, telling the stories of four women whose lives have been interwoven through history through a bridal gown.

Four brides. One dress.

A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.

Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift—and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress—or feel certain she should marry Tim?

Then Charlotte purchases a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new, shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed”?

Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the beauty of finding true love.

Thinking of You...

Can’t stop

   thinking about

  your smile…   

      I want to

wake up

       next to you…

Heart soars ~ feeling lighter than air

  '

Seeing you

makes

my day…

Book Review: Called to Controversy

In an amazing tribute to the late Moishe Rosen, his daughter Ruth tells a heartwarming account of the man who founded the organization known today as Jews for Jesus.

After reading Called to Controversy: The Unlikely Story of Moishe Rosen and the Founding of Jews for Jesus, it really gave me more insight to the similarities and differences between Christianity and Judaism. The fact that this was told almost in a biographical way only made it more real and meaningful.

Confessions of a Hopeless Romantic

Never give up

on someone you can’t go a day without thinking about.

I'm a closet romantic. 

Many of those close to me don't know this, but I am.

I've been to Narnia and back in this wardrobe.

I love being in love.

I don't fall for someone easily, but when I do...

Grammar Lesson

Hello boys and girls! Popping in for a quickie -grammar lesson- ;)

This made me smile.

Also reminds me of a recent conversation with a friend, in which we both confessed that...we detest stupid people XD

Of course, we don't mean just academically, just in short, people who don't have any redeeming intelligence...in any field.

There are truly SO many types of intelligence that pretty much everyone has something about them. Know your own strengths and weaknesses and strive to improve yourself with each day.

Solution to the above statement in the 'read more' ... just in case some of you misplaced your thinking caps ;)

Job Hunting Gloom

*Gloom* *Gloom* ... approximately five minutes ago I got a call. It turned out to be from a guy whose ad I answered about needing a sales assistant for an expo. My kind of gig, see new things, learn new things, meet new people...I'm always for new experiences. So anyways, I hadn't expected such a quick reply since I had only submitted my application this morning. The guy on the phone sounded happy about calling me, and in my head, I was frankly just like "omgomgomgI'veTOTALLYgotthisyesyesyeyes". Anyways, moving on, he invites me for an interview-but I was pretty sure it was just going to be a thing where they want to see you in person and make sure you're not some weirdo-and just as our conversation is ending, "oh, and just confirming, you're available for the whole ten days right?" SHIT. "March 16th-25th, 10-6?" SHITSHITSHIT. Long story short, I was NOT available. *sob* It slipped right through my fingers ;'(
I also looked like an idiot for wasting his time since it had CLEARLY stated on the ad "March 16th-25th".

*siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*

Book Review: The Founders' Key

   Dr. Larry Arnn' most recent work The Founders' Key explores the connection between the Declaration of Independence,  the United States Constitution and also how religion ties into it all.

The ringing words of the Declaration of Independence have a way of continuing to ring across the ages. The arrangements of the Constitution have a way of organizing our actions so as to produce certain results, and it has done this more reliably than any governing instrument in the history of man. Connect these arrangements to the beauty of the Declaration, and one has something both inspiring and commanding. The Declaration acquires a practical form and operation that do not seem to come from it alone. The Constitution soars to the elevation of the natural law, and its arrangements are reinforced with that strength.

   A very well-researched piece, Arnn suggests that politics and religion are interconnected and that each make the other greater. He also allows the reader to notice the differences between America's government now, and how the Founders first intended it to be. The impacts of such changes are illustrated in a clear and understandable manner.

A Dangerous Method

Micheal Fassbander as Dr. Carl Jung 

Those eyes… ♥

A Belated Birthday Wish...

   I realize this is rather late as dear Rickman's birthday has already passed (doubly late as it is 2:26am here), but I'd still love to wish one of my favorite actors a very happy 66th. One can only hope to still be as dashing as he at that age ;) I'm drooling over the above picture, courtesy of a very talented tumblree...mmm, Alan...

Book Review: Blue Moon Promise

   As a first time reader of Colleen Coble, it was lovely to be given the opportunity to review the leading novel in her latest series, Under the Texas Stars. I've never really been partial to reading Westerns, but the aspect of a Christian romance did pique my interest. It was actually very interesting to see how the author tied in various lessons of faith, such as mercy and love. The other thing that caught my attention was the elegant name of thisromance, Blue Moon Promise. Probably inspired by the saying "once in a blue moon", the significance of the title is grasped by the reader as the book finishes off.

   Blue Moon Promise is the story of young Lucy Marsh, who is determined to take care of her siblings after her father's untimely death. With no family or money to support her, she enters a marriage of convenience, hoping for a safe refuge. However, her new husband isn't what she expected and adjusting to life on the ranch is no easy task either. When she discovers that her father's death was no accident, it seems that there are more problems than she can face alone, but will she have her husband by her side?

" Blue Moon Promise is a story of hope, romance and suspense... immersing the reader in a rich historical tale set under the Texas stars."

   One main difference that I noticed between Christian romances and modern romances was

Haircare Review: L'Oreal Professionnel Intense Repair Masque!

   First off, a big thank you to the great folks at the ChickAdvisor product review club (link to join below!) for sending me this as part of a L'Oreal Professionnel duo!  It was the perfect cure for my winter-dry, split ends! I must admit, of the shampoo and conditioning masque set I received, I definitively loved the masque more! I haven't tried many deep conditioning treatments, but of the ones I have, the L'Oreal Professionnel Intense Repair Masque definitively stood out.

   Packaged in a medium sized, rounded tub, I loved how this allowed me to get every last bit of the product as opposed to being in a pump format. On the pricey side at $30 a pop, this isn't a conditioner you want to waste. I also really enjoyed the clean, fresh scent the masque had. It wasn't overpowering at all, just pleasant and light, suitable for both male and female  users.

Lady Killers ♥

For your viewing pleasure...I've compiled the current top three lady killers on the inter-web and for the first time ever, they're all here together ;)

3)                                                                    

With stylish threads and smooth words, who can resist number 3?
He's not small...he's fun-sized.
Gotta love the young 'uns ;)

2)    

He is the epitome of the suave, worldly
gentleman. He's been featured prominently
on television and has spawned countless
memes. Let's give it up for Number 2, *snicker*
"the Most Interesting Man in the World".

Oh, Hai There!

It's been a while, my lovelies...
I'm sorry I've been off the radar for a while here, but I'm baaaack!

How can you not forgive me on behalf of this cutie? ;)

Pip pip cheerio! ♥

Fanfiction Addiction

Just trolling some shipping sites and lo and behold:

"When you stay up until ungodly hours of the night to finish that amazing fic you found and you have to work/take care of your child/function in the morning and you know you will be dead tired but..."

Credits: http://hgxss.livejournal.com/185672.html#cutid1

Story of my life.

Snape vs McGonagall

A showdown between Slytherin and Gryffindor.

Book Review: Then Sings My Soul 3 by Robert Morgan

  

Then Sings My Soul 3 is the latest addition to a wonderful series by Robert Morgan. Then Sings My Soul is an amazing collection of books that explore the meanings and stories behind the hymns of faith that still prevail today. Getting to know the events behind these songs truly add to the experience of singing them and the depth of the background surrounding the hymns is truly astonishing.

  While I've personally never heard many of these hymns before, this only added to the joy of reading this book because it gave me the chance to discover so many new beautiful pieces of music. I love that fact the Morgan chose both new and old hymns, allowing readers to experience a wide range of music. Then Sings My Soul 3 is divided into sections that include some history on the writing and creation of hymns, some early hymns, as well as six hymns with words and lead music included. Truly a treat for any music lover!

Storage Wars: Barry Weiss

Barry Weiss: the only reason people watch Storage Wars ♥

Snape, Snape, Severus Snape!

I want this on my ceiling. ♥

Daily Terrible Haiku

A fine spray of stars,
Splatter the silky darkness,
That is the night sky.

Book Review: Surprised By Laughter - The Comic Word of C.S. Lewis

The name C.S. Lewis brings back fond childhood memories of The Chronicles of Narnia. Of a magical land which could be reached through a wardrobe, of talking animals and wicked witches. So I was overjoyed to receive the book,  Surprised By Laughter: The Comic Word of C.S. Lewis by Terry Lindvall, in hopes of learning more about this acclaimed novelist.

  To be honest, I wasn't quite as familiar with Lewis's non-fictions works  in comparison to his children's literature. Lindvall's wonderful biography highlighted many key aspects of Lewis's life that were previously unknown to me. Surprised By Laughter is the trade paperback edition of a hardcover book, and at 486 pages, it's not a lightweight-neither in size nor content. The author takes us on a journey through Lewis's life, from his childhood as an atheist, to adulthood as a Christian as well as his becoming of a well known theologian and apologist.

Daily Terrible Haiku

That curled up feline,

Oh, that kitty cat creature, 

Purr! Like a motor.