"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11
I was raised in a Christian home, and I've been going to church for as long as I can remember. I became a member of our local Methodist church shortly after moving to my hometown. I've been going to said church for over a decade now. I'm an active member of the Senior High youth group, and I went through conformation several years ago. I've been a reborn Christian for several years now, as well.
To all my fellow Christians, teen and otherwise, out there reading this, at any point in your spiritual lives, have you just watched, read, seen, or experienced something so powerful it just changed your whole Christian viewpoint? I experienced such a thing a few months ago when I watched the new movie, Soul Surfer. AnnaSophia Robb's real-life character, Bethany Hamilton is attacked by a shark and loses her left arm. She's a surfer looking to make the pro circuit, and after the attack it doesn't seem likely that she'll ever surf the same level she used to again.
But while faced with the hardship, the paparazzi, and the loss of her dream her faith stays strong. Not many non-Christians would understand something like this. If something really bad happens to a Christian family, or even a non-Christian family they would be like, "Why should I believe in a God who would let something like this happen. He's supposed to help people, He's supposed to protect his people. Why should I believe in a God who is so uncaring?"
But that is where they are wrong. God cares so much about you and me that he came down to Earth as the Son of a Virgin and went through the pain and humiliation of being crucified on the cross just so we could have a chance to go be with him in heaven. Everything happens according to God's plan, even the terrible stuff, and you can choose to embrace and lean on God, or you can choose to be bitter and place the blame on Him.
Bethany, both in real life and the movie stayed true to the Lord. She never lost her faith, in fact it grew stronger. That's what I wish we all could do. Take the situations that God places us in, and use them for His glory. It's all about choice. You make the choice to come to the Lord, you make the choice to lean on Him. God is not going to force you into believing anything, He just wants you to know that He loves you so much and he will love you to the end of time.
If something bad has happened to you, or to someone you know, pray about it. Give it up to God. He's always there to listen whatever the situation, and even if the answer isn't always the one you want He won't leave you hanging.
God has a plan for all of us, and even if at a bad time it seems like He's abandoned you, He's there. And better times will come if you keep the faith and trust in Him. I saw Bethany (Both AnnaSophia and the real Bethany) stay strong in her beliefs and give even more to the Lord then she ever had. Even in the hospital right after the attack, she said, "I don't know what plans God has for me but I trust Him." The wording might not be exact, but it was something along those lines.
God might not always be clear, but if there is anything that I have ever learned, in church, at camp, youth group, or any other Christian function it's that God will never stop loving me, loving you. He knows everything. He knows what I feel, what I think. And he knows what you feel and think. He knows us, He loves us. And He's never gonna stop. So give yourself to Him today, or reaffirm your faith, and join the ranks of warriors for Jesus.
Song of the Day: Blessed be the name of the Lord
Prayer:
Hey God, I love you. I know I've messed up, and I know I'll mess up even more soon, and I just want to say I'm sorry. Thank you so much for giving me a chance for enternal life, because I know I don't deserve it. And I know that sometimes life is hard, but even when it is hard I will trust in you. You give and take away, blessed be Your name.
God's there. And He's waiting.
Monday, February 27, 2012
My Birthday Recipes
First of all I'd like to say that today is my birthday. All the credit of course goes to my mother for going through thirty-three hours of grueling labor to have me (all of my younger brothers and sisters took anywhere from 2-6 hours, guess what they say about the first being the hardest is true!). Anyway, a tradition in our household is that on someones birthday, they get to choose the meal and what kind of cake they get that evening. Our grandparents usually come up the weekend before or after to distribute their gifts and we go out to lunch with them, but on the actual day our wonderful mother cooks for us.
This year I chose chicken alfredo (my mom makes the best) for my birthday dinner and chocolate-chip-cookie-cake for my, well, cake. these are the recipes that we used:
CHOCLOATE-CHIP-COOKIE-CAKE
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 ounces unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat over to 350*
Mix first five ingredients (see cinnamon) until lightly blended. Add in butter and mix on low speed (of you're using a mixer) until mixture resembles large crumbs. Add egg and vanilla and mix until dough begins to form. Add chips & nuts (see above) and mix on medium. Spread in cake pan. As gross as it sounds, I found that it was easiest to use my hands to get it as even as possible. The tricky thing is actually baking the cake. All ovens and cakes are different, so what I do is I put it in for 20 minutes, and then decide if it needs to left in a little more. Now this is a recipe that i found online, but you can use your favorite chocolate-chip cookie recipe instead, you just really nee to watch the time. My mom says that cookie cake is like brownies, one minute to little and they're mush, one minute to long and they're hard as rocks.
CHICKEN ALFREDO
1 box uncooked fettuccine
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
4 oz cream cheese cubed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 2/3 cups milk
Cook pasta according to directions adding in broccoli in the last 2 minutes of boiling. In the meantime add Italian Dressing and chicken to a nonstick skillet, cook chicken until no longer pink (5 minutes or so) stirring occasionally. Add in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat. Drain pasta/broccoli add sauce and toss pasta. Serve.
This year I chose chicken alfredo (my mom makes the best) for my birthday dinner and chocolate-chip-cookie-cake for my, well, cake. these are the recipes that we used:
CHOCLOATE-CHIP-COOKIE-CAKE
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
8 ounces unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Preheat over to 350*
Mix first five ingredients (see cinnamon) until lightly blended. Add in butter and mix on low speed (of you're using a mixer) until mixture resembles large crumbs. Add egg and vanilla and mix until dough begins to form. Add chips & nuts (see above) and mix on medium. Spread in cake pan. As gross as it sounds, I found that it was easiest to use my hands to get it as even as possible. The tricky thing is actually baking the cake. All ovens and cakes are different, so what I do is I put it in for 20 minutes, and then decide if it needs to left in a little more. Now this is a recipe that i found online, but you can use your favorite chocolate-chip cookie recipe instead, you just really nee to watch the time. My mom says that cookie cake is like brownies, one minute to little and they're mush, one minute to long and they're hard as rocks.
CHICKEN ALFREDO 1 box uncooked fettuccine
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
4 oz cream cheese cubed
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 2/3 cups milk
Cook pasta according to directions adding in broccoli in the last 2 minutes of boiling. In the meantime add Italian Dressing and chicken to a nonstick skillet, cook chicken until no longer pink (5 minutes or so) stirring occasionally. Add in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat. Drain pasta/broccoli add sauce and toss pasta. Serve.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Eye of the Sword
Where angels walk the ground and the future is told in song, does a man of low rank have a chance at love with a princess?
In Camrithia, a land of shadows and mystical secrets, Trevin lives to serve King Laetham. But his heart belongs to the princess, Melaia. When the King sends Trevin on on a dangerous quest to find the missing comains—captains in the king’s army—he must leave Melaia to the advances of a swaggering Dregmoorian prince.
Challenged to prove his worth, Trevin throws himself into his quest. Striving to prove his love, Trevin undertakes a second mission—find the harps Melaia seeks in order to restore the stairway to heaven. Through fire caves, rogue winds, and murderous threats, Trevin remains steadfastly dedicated to his quest—even when he is falsely accused of a heinous crime. As Trevin’s time runs out, he realizes he must face the shame and horror of his own past and the nightmare that has come to life. Will he have the courage to finish what he has started?
Taken from the back of Eye of the Sword.
I had the privilege to review the first book in the Angelaeon Circle series, and so I was very happy to discover that the second was also available for review.
The novel picks up several months after the first one ended, but this time instead of Melaia being the main character, a person we saw for only a short period of time in Breath of Angel, Trevin, takes the stage so to speak.
He has just been appointed comain, which is a captain in the Kings army. Several days before his ceremony, however, he finds his drunken brother in a tavern surrounded by three strangers. Several unfortunate things happen to Trevin, and by the time he returns to the castle he smells like a pile of dung. Also, upon returning he discovers that his tormentors are in the castle on official business, for one of the three is the Prince of the Dregmoors.
Not only does the Dregmorian prince seek an aliance with Camrithia, he seeks the hand of the Nephili (half-human, half-angel) Melaia, whose father is the King of Camrithia. Trevin, who is in love with Melaia does everything he can to stop the wedding, until he is forced to flee do to being accused of a murder one of the Prince's henchmen committed. His flee for his life turns into a quest to find himself and save his love. Will Trevin succeed, clear his name, and get to be with Melaia?
I liked the sequel better then the firs. For one thing, the flow of the book is slower, and doesn't seem as rushed. And in Eye of the Sword, you are shown and taken to more locations in this world then in Breath of Angel. Also, you get a better look at Trevin the you did in the prequel, and also a better understanding of his character.
While the book was a bit slower than the last one, it still was a little fast and that disappointed me because it could've had more content. Also, it could have had more of the original characters included in the text. All in all, however, I enjoyed it as much as I usually do.
It was well written, and an excellent sequel, that had a good ending that left me wanting more.
Eye of the Sword will be available on March 13, 2012.
I received a free copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sierra Jensen Vol. I by Robin Jones Gunn
Robin Jones Gunn is one of the greatest Christian authors whose works I have ever read. Her books aren't fantasy, they're a version of reality and this is shown though her characters, Christy Miller, and her good friends Sierra Jensen and Katie. Gunn has written a separate series for each of these fine young women, but the one I'm writing about today is Sierra.
Christy Miller knows a good friend when she meets her,
and so will you—
Get ready for Sierra Jensen!
*Only You, Sierra
The Europe mission trip brought Sierra Jensen the best gift possible: two new friends, Katie and Christy. But now Sierra is headed home, and she can’t help but wonder will her friendships last? And what about her new home? Her family moved while she was gone, and that means facing a new high school. And the biggest question of all: Will she ever find love? Then a chance meeting in a London airport answers that question. Paul makes her heart leap. But she’ll never see him again! Or will she?
*In Your Dreams
Sierra has had it! She’s done everything she can to find the right job, good friends, and most important, true love. But nothing is working out. Now she has to stay home to care for her grandmother. By herself. For the whole weekend! It will be terrible. But a series of startling surprises shows Sierra just how wrong she is—and before she knows it, she’s on her way to the perfect job, her first real date, and an encounter with a mysterious stranger.
*Don’t You Wish
Sierra has three wishes: visit her California friends; have her older sister, Tawni, disappear; and learn more about the mysterious stranger. When Easter break arrives, Sierra’s first wish comes true! She’s headed to Newport Beach for fun, sun, and surf. Unfortunately, not only does Tawni not disappear, she accompanies Sierra on her escape. What’s worse, everyone has a boyfriend except Sierra. But will her wishes begin to change as she realizes God wants to mold her according to His wishes?
We first meet Sierra in the last 'Christy' book, but you really can't get to know her until you read this, based on her very short appearance.
Only You, Sierra; In Your Dreams; and Don't you Wish give us a close look at the life of this wonderful young Christian. There's not as much of the original God Lovers in Sierra's books as I would like, but that's just my opinion. The balance Gunn created between the new characters and old is very good.
While Sierra is like Christy in some ways, they are as different as night and day. While Sierra became a Christian at a very young age, Christy wasn't saved until her teens. Sierra's free-spirited and isn't ashamed of saying what she thinks while Christy is more reserved and quiet.
But Sierra is just as lovable as any of the God Lovers, and it's easy to relate to her both as a person and as a Christian. Robin Jones Gunn's books and characters capture something that isn't found in most books today. They capture a sense of reality, of realism that makes the characters seem to truly exist.
Sierra Jensen, Volume I follows the story of a young woman as she deals with real-life problems and situations. Between work, school,friends, family, and a grandmother who hardly even knows who she is Sierra stays strong and faces it all with a courage that is truly admirable. Read as she encounters them head on with an attitude and flair that could only be Sierra. Travel with her on her journey to be closer to God, and closer to her family and friends. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free e-copy of this book for writing a honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah.
*Taken from the back of Sierra Jensen Volume I.
Christy Miller knows a good friend when she meets her,
and so will you—
Get ready for Sierra Jensen!
*Only You, Sierra
The Europe mission trip brought Sierra Jensen the best gift possible: two new friends, Katie and Christy. But now Sierra is headed home, and she can’t help but wonder will her friendships last? And what about her new home? Her family moved while she was gone, and that means facing a new high school. And the biggest question of all: Will she ever find love? Then a chance meeting in a London airport answers that question. Paul makes her heart leap. But she’ll never see him again! Or will she?
*In Your Dreams
Sierra has had it! She’s done everything she can to find the right job, good friends, and most important, true love. But nothing is working out. Now she has to stay home to care for her grandmother. By herself. For the whole weekend! It will be terrible. But a series of startling surprises shows Sierra just how wrong she is—and before she knows it, she’s on her way to the perfect job, her first real date, and an encounter with a mysterious stranger.
*Don’t You Wish
Sierra has three wishes: visit her California friends; have her older sister, Tawni, disappear; and learn more about the mysterious stranger. When Easter break arrives, Sierra’s first wish comes true! She’s headed to Newport Beach for fun, sun, and surf. Unfortunately, not only does Tawni not disappear, she accompanies Sierra on her escape. What’s worse, everyone has a boyfriend except Sierra. But will her wishes begin to change as she realizes God wants to mold her according to His wishes?
We first meet Sierra in the last 'Christy' book, but you really can't get to know her until you read this, based on her very short appearance.
Only You, Sierra; In Your Dreams; and Don't you Wish give us a close look at the life of this wonderful young Christian. There's not as much of the original God Lovers in Sierra's books as I would like, but that's just my opinion. The balance Gunn created between the new characters and old is very good.
While Sierra is like Christy in some ways, they are as different as night and day. While Sierra became a Christian at a very young age, Christy wasn't saved until her teens. Sierra's free-spirited and isn't ashamed of saying what she thinks while Christy is more reserved and quiet.
But Sierra is just as lovable as any of the God Lovers, and it's easy to relate to her both as a person and as a Christian. Robin Jones Gunn's books and characters capture something that isn't found in most books today. They capture a sense of reality, of realism that makes the characters seem to truly exist.
Sierra Jensen, Volume I follows the story of a young woman as she deals with real-life problems and situations. Between work, school,friends, family, and a grandmother who hardly even knows who she is Sierra stays strong and faces it all with a courage that is truly admirable. Read as she encounters them head on with an attitude and flair that could only be Sierra. Travel with her on her journey to be closer to God, and closer to her family and friends. You won't be disappointed.
I received a free e-copy of this book for writing a honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah.
*Taken from the back of Sierra Jensen Volume I.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Departures by Robin Jones Gunn
Departures is a rediscovered book by Robin Jones Gunn, comprised of two novellas that feature her much beloved characters, Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen.
Now Boarding at Gate Ten
After her high school graduation, still aching from Todd's departure, Christy joins her family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives. While there, she reunites with Matthew, and old friend from junior high. When Matthew starts to show a romantic interest in Christy, she realizes this summer vacation could change everything she thought her future would be.
In the Event of a Water Landing
Fifteen-year-old Sierra Jensen can't wait to spend her summer vacation with her best friend Jana at a pristine lake in Montana. But when they arrive, it becomes clear that Jana's only interest is acquiring a boyfriend. Sierra just wants to hang out with the guys as friends, but Jana turns every encounter into a possible romantic relationship. As their friendship begins to suffer, Sierra wonders if it's possible to find a Forever Friend who will listen to you, laugh with you, and keep your confidences.
It was a very good christian read, and as I love all of RJG's books I loved this one as well. At first it was a little weird, for me, because I've read all the books in the Sierra Jensen and Christy Miller series already. These novellas were set during those books, and I have to admit that I missed the usual characters and settings. When I started reading each of them in turn, it felt rather awakward. Several of the main characters did make appearences alongside Christy and Sierra, but the setting was different and if they did appear, it was only for a few pages so it wasn't really the same. However, it was nice to get a fresh look into the lives of the girls. But they were a great set of novella's all the same.
They were awsome little additions to the SJ and CM novels, and it was nice to be able to go back to the girls with a whole new story and new charaters to meet. All in all, I'd reccomend this and any other RJG books to all of my friends.
I recieved a free copy of this book from Waterbrookmultnomah in return for writng an honest review.
Now Boarding at Gate Ten
After her high school graduation, still aching from Todd's departure, Christy joins her family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives. While there, she reunites with Matthew, and old friend from junior high. When Matthew starts to show a romantic interest in Christy, she realizes this summer vacation could change everything she thought her future would be.
In the Event of a Water Landing
Fifteen-year-old Sierra Jensen can't wait to spend her summer vacation with her best friend Jana at a pristine lake in Montana. But when they arrive, it becomes clear that Jana's only interest is acquiring a boyfriend. Sierra just wants to hang out with the guys as friends, but Jana turns every encounter into a possible romantic relationship. As their friendship begins to suffer, Sierra wonders if it's possible to find a Forever Friend who will listen to you, laugh with you, and keep your confidences.
It was a very good christian read, and as I love all of RJG's books I loved this one as well. At first it was a little weird, for me, because I've read all the books in the Sierra Jensen and Christy Miller series already. These novellas were set during those books, and I have to admit that I missed the usual characters and settings. When I started reading each of them in turn, it felt rather awakward. Several of the main characters did make appearences alongside Christy and Sierra, but the setting was different and if they did appear, it was only for a few pages so it wasn't really the same. However, it was nice to get a fresh look into the lives of the girls. But they were a great set of novella's all the same.
They were awsome little additions to the SJ and CM novels, and it was nice to be able to go back to the girls with a whole new story and new charaters to meet. All in all, I'd reccomend this and any other RJG books to all of my friends.
I recieved a free copy of this book from Waterbrookmultnomah in return for writng an honest review.
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