Our Humble Opinions

Storyside: B

2009-06-06T16:01:00.011-04:00

I heard one of their songs on the radio the other day and had to get it on my iPod. After listening to several of their other songs, I bought the album. They have a couple of others, but I got the "We Are Not Alone" CD. I absolutely love it!

Songs from this CD:

Fall Down
Tell Me
What You Think Of God
Be Still
All Along
Demons and Angels
Don't Let it Go
That is Love
Sister
I Give You Me
For You

One of my favorite songs from this CD is "Be Still." It's a really encouraging song, speaking to Christians who are struggling in their faith. I know I've felt like that before, and this song really lifted my spirits.

I remember all the times the good times and the bad
I'm still holding on to you
some days I wanna run and times I come undone
but I still belong to you
that's how I know that...

CHORUS:
...When I feel like caving in
my heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
nothing seems at all to add up
can you hear me Lord?
my face is down upon the floor
its then you whisper in my ear
Be still and know I'm here
(end of Chorus)

I see a side of you my friend
the same struggles that I have
my heart goes out to you
I know its hard to feel alone
and this world's so unforgiving
I've been feeling that way too
but I can tell you...

CHORUS: ...When I feel like caving in
my heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
nothing seems at all to add up
can you hear me Lord?
my face is down upon the floor
its then you whisper in my ear
(end of Chorus)

Is that you?
Is this me
It's sometimes hard to believe
that I am not alone
its not just you and not just me
we all need to believe that
we are not alone

We feel like sometimes the Christian life is just too hard and we want to give up, but that's where we have to seek God for the strength and peace.

The City Of Ember Movie

2009-03-26T17:05:00.011-04:00

Rated: PG
Time: 95 minutes

Instead of writing the same post twice, I'm just going to relate back to one of my previous posts when I did it on The City of Ember book. I have to give some credit to the people that made the movie, because they did a lot of things correct in correspondence to the book. I was really pleased with the actors work and how realistic the scenery was (just like in the book).

Scenes:
A few scenes might frighten young children.

Language:
For the most part, the language is pretty mild. Not too many shut-ups, stupid, etc. like some other movies.

Addison Road

2009-03-05T17:44:00.007-05:00

One of my new favorite Christian bands is Addison Road. They are fairly new, so they only have 1 album out. Here are the songs on the album.

All That Matters
Always Love
Casualties
Hope Now
It Just Takes One
Run
Start Over Again
Sticking With You
This Could Be Our Day
What Do I Know Of Holy

I love all of their songs, but one of my all-time favorite is Hope Now. It really illustrates who we are and who God is and how we are nothing and He is everything. The only real hope is in Him.

If everything comes down to love
Then just what I am afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I’m Yours

I’m not my own
I’ve been carried by You
All my life

CHORUS
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I’ll be okay and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

I’m not my own
I’ve been carried by You
All my life

CHORUS
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You’ve become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

Twilight...

2008-12-08T16:12:00.023-05:00

Author: Stephanie Meyers

NOTE: I have never read this book or ever plan to. Just from my research on it, I have come to write my own opinions based off of what I've read.

Lately, a lot of teenage girls have been reading the Twilight Series. After spending some time reading different reviews and articles (I haven't read the book), I have come to believe that this series is definitely not something that I will be reading.

First off, the main focus in the book Twilight and the other books in the series, is an inappropriate romantic relationship. I believe the relationship is inappropriate because of the intense way of their passion with one another. With each book in the series, the author intrigues you to continue reading, which makes them very hard to put down.

Their relationship together grows throughout the series, which makes both of them want to have sex, even though they are not married (yet).

Brio Magazine said this in their article "Twilight: Blood-soaked Romance":

"And what's dangerous about Stephanie's series, is that the reader, too, enters into Bella's obsession with Edward."

-Melanie Cogdill

You can buy the above life-size, stand-up poster of Edward for $40.00. I think it's pretty ridiculous that he's the role model that is set in the minds of teenage girls.

The second reason the book is not on my reading list is because the author is deceiving the reader to believe that evil is good. The whole idea of killing and violence being made to seem okay is wrong.

Scripture is clear about both of these things.

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17: 16

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. " 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:19-21

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God" 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

If we are true Christians, we would live like Christ and not be polluted by the world with all of the tempting books, entertainment, etc. that the world offers. Instead, we should live like Christ, so that others may come to know Him too!

***Update: I have addressed some comments about this post on my other blog, Hannah's World.

The Mystery of the Glowing Eye

2008-10-28T12:38:00.004-04:00

Author: Carolyn Keene
Pages: 192

When Nancy's best friend Ned goes missing, Nancy is completely determined to find him. What she doesn't know is that there is a mystery behind the fact that Ned is gone. The more and more clues that Nancy finds out, the more she becomes worried that whoever took Ned will do something dreadful to him! Threatening notes and a mysterious museum employee make this book filled with scary and suspenseful questions.

Switchfoot- Beautiful Let Down

2008-10-10T13:01:00.007-04:00

This CD is one of my favorites.

Meant To Live
This Is Your Life
More Than Fine
Ammunition
Dare You To Move
Redemption
Beautiful Let Down
Gone
On Fire
Adding To The Noise
24

Here is the lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs.

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
The tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

We are called to live different lives. It is not easy and it will create conflict...but I dare you to move.

So, You Want to Be Like Christ?

2008-10-10T12:50:00.009-04:00

Author: Charles Swindoll
Pages: 160

This book is one of my favorites because of the example it gives for how to be like Christ. Charles Swindoll really illustrates how it is to not only be in Christ, but how to be like Him. It is Christ that deserves all of the glory and not us. If we choose to be in fellowship with Him then that means we are giving up our selfish desires so we may live obedient and Jesus-centered lives. When we live the lives of how Christ wants us to be, then others will see that in us. Most of all, we will do it for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Lights, Camera, ...

2008-09-25T14:26:00.011-04:00

Author: Carolyn Keene
Pages: 160

A director is coming over to River Heights to shoot a movie, and boy are Nancy and her friends excited! However, they don't know what they are getting into.

Morris, the directer and producer, doesn't have much money to use on the movie, but he decides to make the best of it.

Then, before they even are able to shoot some of their scenes, things go missing. Animals that are a part of the act, disappear along with missing laptops, broken generators, and more crazy stuff.

If Nancy and her friends can't figure out who is behind this act, then the production might have to shut it down. Who is this person and why don't they want the movie to be filmed?

This action-packed book will leave you with clueless questions, that will have you reading non-stop until the end.

Stridex

2008-09-23T16:34:00.005-04:00

I used to struggle with finding the right cleansing pads to help with my blackheads. I have found one that works really good! It is called Stridex and I use the "Maximum Strength" type. You can usually find them at Wal-Mart (Target doesn't carry them). I used to use Clearasil and I have to say that it didn't really improve or get any better. However, when I tried Stridex I could really feel it start to work and after each night of scrubbing and rubbing my face, I could see a huge difference. I really recommend Stridex to anyone who wants to get rid of their blackheads.

Nancy Drew - Dressed to Steal

2008-09-22T17:29:00.003-04:00

Author: Carolyn Keene
Pages: 160

This action-packed book is filled with mysterious questions that will leave you breathless. One of Nancy's friend, Alicia Adams, opens a fashion boutique in River Heights (where Nancy lives). For the big opening Alicia sends out some news that her store will be having a sale. It gets carried away and turns into a total mess. With vandalism and robbery from her store she calls Nancy Drew to try to solve this fashion disaster. Suspense and mystery fill each page. It is a definite 'yes' to those who love these kind of books.

*This is a more modern time period than the classics, but it is still a very good book! :)

Girl Talk

2008-09-16T15:57:00.007-04:00

Author: Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Whitacre
Pages: 224

Just recently I have finished a wonderfully-written novel by Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre. It is a book to help strengthen the relationship between the mother and the daughter. Throughout the book, Carolyn and Nicole both share their experiences of their own life and clearly display the true beauty of biblical womanhood. After reading the book Girl Talk, I truly understand what God intended for mothers and daughters. It is a very special gift we have and we often don't think much about it. I encourage you to read this book not only so that you and your mom's relationship will grow but also so that we may live it out in our each and every day lives for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ!

Sorry! New Ones Are Coming Soon!

2008-09-08T15:18:00.003-04:00

I am so sorry we haven't been posting on here for a while. My sister and I have both been extremely busy! Some new posts are coming your way!

Sorry!

Rules

2008-08-01T15:13:00.003-04:00

This wonderful book is about a 12 year old girl named Catherine who wants to just have a regular life. With a younger brother who has autism, it's seems impossible to her.

Even though her parents spend all their time worrying and taking care of David, Catherine tries to teach David some ground rules like keep your pants on in public and no toys in the fish tank, to stop his embarrassing ways.

When summer arrives, Catherine meets a paralyzed boy named Jason who uses a book of pictures to communicate. Also, she has new neighbor, one that's her age, which is what she has always wanted.

Catherine's love for David is bigger than she realizes. I love this book because of it's wonderful meaning.

Reading Level: 9 to 12

Number of Pages: 208

Star Rating:

Hope Was Here

2008-08-01T12:57:00.001-04:00

Author: Joan Bauer

Pages: 192

Ages: 12 & Up

Stars:

Hope, a young shy girl has always had a love for waitressing. Her aunt, Addie, took her at birth because Hope's mom didn't want her. Addie is one of the main cooks in the kitchen. Until Hope was 16, she stayed working at the same diner, but then it went out of business and closed. Soon afterwards, they found a diner in Wisconsin that needed help. When Addie and Hope arrived there they didn't quite feel comfortable. It wasn't the diner they were used to.

It just wasn't home.

The owner and manager of the restaurant, G.T. Stoop, is a very kind, generous, and humble man. Several months after Addie and Hope moved in, G.T. Stoop gets diagnosed with cancer. Just after G.T. Stoop becomes sick, he decides to run for mayor. He believes he has some changes that could make the town that they are living in better.

Everyone thinks this is an unwise idea. "Why should we vote for some man who is dying from cancer", the town says. A very rude, inconsiderate man named Eli Millstone is the other man running against G.T. Stoop. Most of the town loves Eli and votes for him.

G.T. Stoop's attitude through the hard and depressing times always stays positive and kind. He always has a smile on his face which makes his character very likable.

The author really describes the characters and what they're going through which makes it feel like they are real. I have read this book 2 times it is so good!

Do Hard Things

2008-07-25T14:55:00.011-04:00

Author: Alex and Brett Harris
Stars:

I have just finished the book by Alex and Brett Harris called 'Do Hard Things'. It has been an amazing book and it has truly changed my life and the things that I do.

Most people in today's culture expect nothing from teenagers. The book is mainly about rebelling against low expectations. Instead of trying to slip away from the things that we don't want to do and that may be hard for us we need to step up and get out of our comfort zone. Maybe something that is hard for you may be keeping conversations with adults. Or maybe it is being obedient and respectful to your parents. Whatever it is in your life there is always a spot for improvement and doing those things that may not always come easy.

Your adolescence years are when you become a man or woman. The more you do hard things now the easier they'll be when your older. For instance: When Brett (one of the authors of the book) used to start taking showers he was really scared and didn't like it. But the more he took them the more he seemed less afraid. That is how it is with doing difficult things that you don't want to do. They will pay off in the future. If your problem is doing chores with a cheerful heart and you work on it now look at how good you'll be at it later when you are a mom.

One of the most important things of all is doing it for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ and letting Him be in control of our lives and not the other way around. I challenge you to read this book and I promise you, you won't regret it later.

For more information about The Rebelution you can visit their blog here.

Joy Williams

2008-06-02T12:30:00.001-04:00

Joy Williams is one of my favorite Christian artists. I can really relate to her songs. Here is the CD.

It's All Good
No Less
I Believe in You
Up
Touch of Faith
Serious
Home
Second Nature
Better Than I
Do They See Jesus in Me

Here are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs, 'Do They See Jesus in Me'.

Is the face that I see in the mirror the one I want others to see
Do I show in the way that I walk in my life
The love that You've given to me
My heart's desire is to be like You
In all that I do, all I am
Do they see Jesus In Me
Do they recognize Your face
Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace
Do I reflect who You are
In the way I choose to be
Do They See Jesus in Me

It's amazing that you'd ever use me
But use me the way You will
Help me to hold out a heart of compassionate grace
A heart that You're spirit fills
May I show forgiveness and mercy
The same way You've shown it to me
Now I want to show all the world who You are
The reason I live and breathe
So You'll be the One that they see
When they see me

In my opinion, the lyrics really go with how we as Christians are supposed to live our life. That is the reason it is a great favorite of mine.

Love, Ruby Lavender

2008-05-08T13:04:00.007-04:00

This touching and special book is about a girl named Ruby who has a close relationship with her wacky grandmother. They stole chickens together and treated them as pets!

When Ruby's grandmother leaves their hometown in Halleluia, Mississippi to see a new grandchild, Ruby has to learn to survive on her own and keep in touch by writing letters. This book was a hysterical and fun book to read.

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Number of pages: 200

Star Rating:

A Wrinkle in Time

2008-05-06T13:15:00.002-04:00

This magnificent and magical book is about three kids who go on a dangerous journey through time. It all started one dark and stormy night when Meg, her youngest brother Charles Wallace, and their mother went to the kitchen for a midnight snack, but get interrupted by a peculiar stranger. When the newcomer gestures Meg, Charles Wallace, and their new friend Calvin to join her on a perilous mission, they are suddenly on a treacherous adventure to find Meg and Charles Wallace's father and save their universe. This book made me do nothing but read, read, read all the time because of its suspense and mysteriousness!!!

Number of pages: 224

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Star Rating:

SMS Text Messenger

2008-05-05T14:35:00.002-04:00

Do not let this high quality looking product draw you into buying it. My sister and I bought it and boy was it a rip-off!

We bought this gadget because we love to pretend that we are spies. We planned on using it like a walkie-talkie outside or talking to each other in our separate bedrooms.

Here are the things that it says it can do:

Send and Receive text messages
Databank/Organizer holds phone numbers, addresses, e-mails, and memos
Secret password function to lock out intruders
Wirelessly instant message your friends

Price: $15.00 (at Target)

Sounds good so far, huh? Well, when you try to send a message you have to be lined up in a straight line only giving you a limited distance of 15-20 feet. There is a sensor at the top of each device that has to be horizontal to one another.

We found this information inside the box. I think that this should have been placed on the outside of the package, so that the customer could know that before they purchased it. I think that this is a kind of false advertising, because the manufacturer only gave a small amount of information to make it sound like it has many great features.

Fortunately we were able to return it back to Target :)

The City of Ember

2008-05-03T13:41:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite books of all time is The City of Ember.

Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Pages: 270
Chapters: 20
Ages: 9-15
Star Rating:

This book is about people in a city that is powered by one light bulb. This city that they live in is called Ember. The Emberites believe that "the builders" (as they call it) created the city many many years ago, but no one has any historical record of it.

When the children of Ember turn 12 years old, the school assigns them each a job. They all draw randomly from a pile the job that they will have to work. One of the main characters named Lina, draws the job for Pipeworks, which means that she would be working underground with clogged up pipes and yucky tunnels. Doon Harrow, a boy in her class, draws the job for messenger, the one she wants! They decide to trade.

When Doon starts working in the Pipeworks, the light bulb that lights the city, starts flickering and then they begin to face scary and life threatening blackouts! He suddenly has to come up with a plan to save the city from the terrible tragedy that could occur.

Lina and Doon work together in order to find a solution to the blackouts. In that process, they discover the truth about "the builders" and the history behind the building of their city.

Every single chapter is filled with suspense and mystery. The author draws a photographic picture of the city and of all of the characters. As you read the book the clues and puzzles start unfolding to reveal the hidden secret that will change the lives of the Emberites forever!

*October 2008 this book will become a movie!

Earthquake Terror

2008-05-03T11:32:00.001-04:00

This thrilling and suspenseful book is about a family of four who decides to go on a camping trip. When their mom gets injured and needs to go to the hospital, it's even harder for 12 year old Jonathan to watch over his younger and disabled sister.

6 year old Abby and Jonathan are soon in terrible danger when an earthquake hits, crushing the bridge to the mainland and destroying their food, supplies, and Abby's walker.

When the two children get separated, it takes courage, bravery, and strength to find each other again, and somehow save their parents.

I loved this book because of its suspense and mysteriousness.

Number of pages: 144

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Star Rating:

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

2008-04-30T13:44:00.001-04:00

The Tail of Emily Windsnap is a mythical book that takes you into the world of underwater fantasy. It's about a 12 year old girl named Emily who lives on a houseboat with her mom, but has never learned to swim. When her mom finally decides to let Emily take swimming lessons, she finds out something amazing yet crazy. Whenever she gets in the water, she becomes a mermaid! Throughout the story, she is putting the pieces of the puzzle together of her family's secret life, and of the strange ways of their creepy neighbor, Mr. Beeston. With the help of her new mermaid friend, Shona, she will explore the sea as a mermaid and try to get her parents back together again.

Number of pages: 224

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Star Rating:

Horton Hears A Who

2008-04-23T17:56:00.002-04:00

Horton Hears A Who

Rated: G
Time: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Horton Hears A Who is one of the cutest movies I have seen for kids in a long time.

There is an elephant named Horton who lives in the jungle along with many other animals. One day, he sees this puff on a flower and hears things inside of it. He truly believes that there is a village living on the puff but that they just don't know it. Living on the puff is a town filled with Whos.Whos (as you may know from Dr. Seuss books) are creatures especially created from Dr. Seuss himself. The mayor of Whoville (their town) has 99 kids total (98 girls & 1 boy). The boy's name is Jojo and he is quiet and shy. Even though the family is very large, the parent's affection on their children is strong and that clearly indicates the family's unity.

All of the animals make fun of Horton for thinking there is a city beyond the puff. Eventually they plan to do something horrible to him and it is up to the city of Whoville to help Horton show the animals that he is right.

There is a kangaroo who is the so called 'Queen' of the jungle. She is the one who convinced all of the other animals that Horton's thoughts are stupid and that he is to be hated. She plays the evil villain who is cruel and hateful and she tricks others to agree with her.

Horton stands up for what he believes in even when it could be a matter of life or death. He is humble, forgiving, and kind which is a great example of Christ, who we are supposed to be like, and who kids can learn from.

Language:
There are words that younger children might imitate.

Scenes:
There is a scene where a vulture is chasing Horton. It might seem very scary to a younger child.