On My Obsession Over Movies

Yes, I'm gonna talk about movies. It's okay; I'm kind of an odd person anyways.

I over-analyze every movie that I watch. I won't stay up late to watch a movie, because I'm really not a night owl. However, I like to think about the message a movie is trying to convey to the audience. I hate watching movies to be entertained; I want to learn something. Has anyone seen Catching Fire yet? I won't try to give away anything, but here's my opinion on the film:

The beauty of hope in the midst of great trials is astounding to me. Of course, I hate that it takes such a bad world and horrible things happening in the movie to highlight that hope. But the hope is there. It catches my attention and inspires me to have hope in the fact that God is in control. In the movie industry, values have seemed to have gone out the window. It makes me so glad to see a purpose in Catching Fire.

I love watching movies and TV, but I honestly end up not liking almost every movie I see. I'm glad to say that I learn something from almost every movie I watch, though. I learn a lot of things about myself and the world by watching movies.

What about you? What movies have you seen recently? What did you think about them?

Talk to you later!

-M.

Rain and Storms

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? Just stopped in today to post something new.

Yesterday it was raining most of the day. It's weird, but rain makes me so happy. I love watching the clouds ever so slowly invade the sky before a storm. I enjoy playing the weatherman and predict when the storm should come. I can smell a storm in the air sometimes. I breathe deeply and smile at the world's ceiling, hoping the downpour would hurry up.

That first drop is almost always a surprise. I wince, then second guess myself, looking up to see if I imagined it. Another hits me after its flight down to the earth. "What's it like up there?" I wonder. To touch the clouds, that would be my life's dream. (I know that they probably don't feel like cotton candy, but I still want to know what they're like!) 

If I'm inside when the storm starts, I'll listen to the melody of the rain and the wind weaving its way in and out of the song. I'll look out the window and watch two drops roll down toward the ground, seeming to race towards the dirt. 

The pavement will be slick for the rest of the day. The park by our house will be flooded. Some people will become grumpy and wish the storm would go away. I still smile every time it rains. 

It's interesting, though, how the Bible talks about storms. A storm is usually at the point of the story when someone is trapped in sin or going through a really rough time. I'm reminded of the disciples in the boat when Jesus walked on the water to them. The wind was against them, and though it wasn't raining as far as we know, we are told that Peter was in a storm of doubt and fear. Yet when he was trusting in Jesus, he could walk OVER the waves! 

It's weird. I love rainstorms, because I know it will cause the ground to flourish and it honestly is fun to watch. Do I embrace God's tests and trials in the same way? Do I smile when God is pushing me out of the door into the storm, knowing that he will use the rough times to cause me to grow? I have to follow Peter's example when he stepped out of the boat, and have the faith in God's plan and focus on Jesus's face that Peter did. 

Have a great Thanksgiving! I hope that you are enjoying this blog. 

-M.

Dr. Pepper!

Hey people! It's E. here.

   For those of you who know me really well, you will understand what I mean when I say Dr. Pepper is AMAZING!!!

   I will admit, though, that it is really bad for me, but unfortunately (according to M) that is not enough to convince me to stop drinking it;)

    

   Some interesting things I've learned about Dr. Pepper, and soda in general:

 • It's main ingredient is prune juice 

 • In one can there is enough sugar to keep me hyper for a while

 • In Texas, Dr. Pepper is their leading brand

 • CocaCola spills more soda than Dr. Pepper makes 

 • Dr. Pepper is good to drink when you are eating Gummy Bears

 • Coke can dissolve a penny

 • It's best when you drink it cold

   These are the few things that I know about Soda, besides the fact that its good! I hope this will convince you that it's good too!

   ~E 

A Little More of My Story....

Hi guys!

It's M. here. I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes about what Christ means to me, and how He's worked in my life.

I grew up in a Christian home, and I have an awesome family.  I accepted Christ when I was three or four; I don't remember the exact day. But for a while, I was okay with Christianity being just another thing for me. I would go to church on Sunday and AWANA on Wednesday. That was all.

Three or four years ago I went to a Christian conference called the Rebelution. The speakers asked some tough questions and challenged my faith. I realized that I called myself a Christian, but I lived MY life, the way I wanted to. That day I realized that I needed to live for Jesus, not myself.

The next day, I went back to normal life. I began to learn more about Jesus and act more like a "Christian." But looking back, something was still missing. That something was a relationship with God. Over this past year, I've realized the importance of a daily quiet time to talk AND LISTEN to God. (The listening part was - and is - difficult for me.) Now I try to make it a priority to spend time with him every day.

For the past three years, I've attended Worldview Academy in the fall. The camps have greatly affected my outlook on the culture and my outlook on myself as well. I'm blessed to have had these experiences.

Well, that's most of the story. I've struggled this year with lots of things, but those struggles have caused me to grow. I've been in awe, and I've been confused. I've had some really rough days, but I'm super thankful for how God walks with me on those days. The path in front of me right now - well, I won't say it looks pretty. But actually, I don't want pretty. I'm trusting that God will lead me where I need to be.

Talk to you later! 
-M.

Costume dilemma

So this week I've been debating what costume I should wear for the harvest festival (halloween) and I've fallen between two choices. 

The first is to be a Dalek (shout out to all the doctor who fans out there!) 

The second is to be the mad hatter from alice in wonderland (Jonny Depp style!). 

But I can't decide between the two so I'm giving the choice to you guys! So from now till October 20th i'm open for comments and votes!! Please help me decide!

-E.

(Personally I think that E. is crazy and should be a minion from despicable me... But I won't go there! -M.)