I didn’t see this animated film until I was sixteen, and I fell in love with it. Unlike most Disney animations this wasn’t about falling in love with a beautiful person, this was about finding a person of character. This tale is something very special. The music? Well, Disney always does a great job with that.
Pros: good morals, loving father-daughter relationship, and fun.
Cons: Magic.
(I also really love the play version)
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 8 - 10
Description: Twelve-year-old Keith is left in charge of the lighthouse and his two younger siblings while his dad goes out in the storm to help a ship in distress.
As the long night passes with waves pounding against the lighthouse, fear threatens to engulf him.
Can Keith stay awake and keep the lights burning?
Will he worry away the night, or will he find comfort and peace in trusting God's promises?
I was reading through a few of the short stories on my Kindle, and this was one of them. While this story isn’t very long, it is very well written and has a good message. This would make a perfect family read-aloud on a stormy evening.
While this story could be read in fifteen minutes or less, the characters are well done and the story well told. Tero shows a lot of talent in being able to convey a lot in a very short amount of time.
While geared for younger readers, I even found the message to be good reminder. It is easy at times to become worried, but we are commanded in the scripture to trust God. This story, I think, can be enjoyed and be a blessing to a broader age range than even it was intended.
I highly recommend this story for younger readers, those who love short stories, and anyone who wants solid, biblical encouragement.
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 10 and up
Description: Raboc’s eyes narrowed to slits and he thrust his arm forward until his fingers closed around Ancel’s throat. The young man knew better than to resist the powerful lord, but his jaw clenched.
“To the dungeon with you. Guards!”
“Lord, have mercy,” Ancel pleaded. “Give me time and I shall pay the other half.”
One evening I decided to read a few of the short stories on my Kindle, and this was one of them. It was very short, and I found myself a little disappointed in it. While it was an interesting retelling of a parable of Jesus, it wasn’t long enough, nor did it have enough unique elements to really make it a stellar short story.
With that said, I did enjoy the story. Sometimes it is helpful to read a fictional story to see an old story through new eyes. For that reason alone, I think this story was worth the fifteen minutes or less it took to read it.
I recommend this short story for those who like stories with clear messages, retellings of parables, and stories set in the Middle Ages.
This week is just one in my mad dash to catch up on my work, reading, and life. I am also trying to to be more active (which is why I want to walk a mile each day) and keep my working sister from feeling she needs to clean the room on the weekends.
The thing I am most excited about this week? The second Kate's Case Files is about to be placed into the hands of early readers!
I had the privilege a few weeks ago to visit San Antonio. This city has been a favorite place of mine for years. Due to that fact and that I found out that there is an FBI building located there, I decided it would be home for Kate and her friends.
My mom graciously allowed me to turn our little vacation into a research trip, and it was so much fun. I was able to add some detail to the book I am currently writing and lots of fuel for future stories. We spent two days walking along the Riverwalk, soaking up the atmosphere and seeing where many of Kate's future jogging jaunts will take place. We ate at some awesome restaurants (for research, of course) and even visited the Museum of Art, which happens to be across from Kate's appartment building.
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| Looking toward the employee entrance. |
The highlight for me was visiting the FBI building. Although I didn't get to go inside, just getting to see where the FBI team will work was exciting!
Have you visited San Antonio? Where do you think Kate should visit next?
This movie was made by the same people who did Overcome and Island of Grace. It is a Christian retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The acting is good, though perhaps not the best. The story is well adapted including many realistic ups and downs. There is one kiss at the end, but is not overly romantic for the type of movie.
Pros: Great messages, great morals, and a wonderful take on the fairytale
Cons: Sub-par acting at times, weak theme at moments.
Writing emails:
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 15-19
Description: Meg has finally graduated and has the time she’s dreamed of for months: time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and soak up His Word as she seeks what future plans He has for her.
She soon runs into a problem: her family. Unwanted interruptions and household duties tear her away from the time she longs to spend in the Bible. Journey with her as she strives to learn the balance of spending time in God’s Word and applying it to her daily life.
This is the best type of story: one that you can see yourself reflected in and which causes you to ask some hard but important questions. In the space of these few short pages, Tero pulled me into Meg’s world and made me feel what she felt.
Meg felt so real, and her struggles quickly draw you in. I found myself getting upset with her and then realizing that I am often guilty of the same mistakes that she is. It was one of those stories. The rest of her family, although we don’t spend much time with them, is still well written.
Many of the emotions and issues facing Meg are things I think a lot of home school graduates face who are staying home, to varying degrees. The story and the setting I think many will find easy to relate to.
I highly recommend this to teenagers in large families, home school grads living at home, and anyone who likes a good short story.
It was my third week at work and I could tell that she had
something on her mind.
“Do you always wear skirts?” She asked, sounding a bit
hesitant.
I smiled at her. Had she asked the question of someone
before and received a lecture? She wasn’t going to get one here.
“Yes, I do.” I said and sat down at my desk.
“Do you mind if I ask why?” My co-worker asked again.
“Not at all,” I responded as I started sorting through the
mail. “My family chose to wear skirts and I, as an adult have chosen to continue.
It is a reminder to me to glory in my femininity. God made men and women
different, and that is not something to be upset about, but to be excited
about.”
For all the stands I have taken in the political and theological
arenas, the decisions I get the most flack for is my personal choice in how I
dress. Why? Probably because we have all met that very legalistic family, who
wears skirts, beats the Bible over the heads of others, and argues with
everyone. Because I have chosen to wear skirts, some immediately put me in that
category. Isn’t that being judgmental?
When I was very young, my mom and dad were disturbed by the
way society was trying to blend guys and girls. Even in the Christian community
there was a huge push to have girls do the same things as the boys. So, my mom
and dad decided to do something about it. My mom switched to wearing all skirts
as a daily reminder that God created her to fulfill a unique place that only
women should fill. She also started dressing her daughters in skirts.
Growing up, this didn’t hinder me at all. I climbed trees,
rode bikes, and worked hard on our five acers of land, all in a skirt.
Sometimes I would put leggings on underneath as a modesty precaution, but when
you grow up wearing skirts you learn that it doesn’t keep you from doing much. I
always liked the full ones and despised the straight ones. With a full skirt I
have just about as much ability as I do in pants.
When I turned sixteen, my parents took me out to a very nice
lunch and helped me to understand that I was becoming an adult and as such, I
would need to start making my own decisions. One of the ones specifically that
we talked about was my choice in clothing. While I was still expected to abide
by some modesty standards while I was in their house, I was given the choice to
wear pants if I wanted. My parents even said they would buy them for me.
If you know me in person, you can tell that hasn’t changed.
Why? Because I saw the value in what my parents had done. Yes, if I felt called
into nursing, cleaning up after disasters, or some other job that required
pants, I wouldn’t feel wrong in wearing them. However, by the time I was
sixteen I had discovered some very important things that caused me to choose to
wear skirts:
~ I needed the reminder that skirts bring. I am a
do-it-myself I-can-do-what-they-do type person. While I can still do most
things in a skirt, it is a reminder to me of my femininity and the God given
role I have been placed in.
~ I have found it is a powerful witness that I take my faith
seriously. While I have been mistaken for being judgmental, most people know
that I take my faith seriously.
~ It is hard to forget to act like a lady in a skirt.
I do not think it is a sin, or even a bad thing, to wear
pants. God calls different people to different things. The real question is,
what has God called you to? When was the last time you thought of your
wardrobe in light of God’s glory?
My challenge to you today is to pull out your Bible and dig
into what you think God might be calling you to do. I also challenge you for a
week to dress in a girly manner. That might mean putting flowers in your hair,
wearing a skirt, wearing those pants with the flower design, or that shirt with
the ruffles. What will God teach you through these? There is only one way to
find out.
The title is harsh. Some of you probably winced when reading it. Some of you probably thought about not reading this post, but you knew me. You knew that I wouldn’t be nearly as harsh as this post title made it sound.
Over the last two years, I have seen a lot of harsh posts attacking some of the principles and ideas I was raised on. One lady argued with me that modesty wasn’t a biblical concept and that any attempt to tell people otherwise was legalistic and any modesty standards were judgmental. I have had countless articles and conversation with people that told me that my preferred choice for finding a mate (courtship) was flawed to the point of being stupid. I have been told that my personal standards on movies are harsh, legalistic, and cause me to not understand the world around me.
If you will notice on this blog, I haven’t said much about these topics. First off, I didn’t want this blog to become a place for arguments or sensationalized posts. Secondly, I and my family have always been of the opinion that avoiding giving offence when possible is the best route. I might not be able to prevent offense when people see me in person, but I didn’t need to stir up things on the blog.
I have been thinking and praying about it and I felt strongly that it was time for me to speak. It was time for me to talk about some of the choices I have made and why. However, before I delve into them I wanted to make some things very clear:
~ Most of the things that I will be talking about I think have biblical basis, but I also think the outworking of it can look different. I choose to wear skirts, but I do not see pants as a sinful thing. I have chosen courtship for myself, but that isn’t for everyone.
~ Honest questions will be welcome. If you want to know more, please ask. I am not afraid of tough questions or reexamining what I believe.
~ Unlike the title, the next few Tuesdays are not an examination of where I think most people get it wrong, but simply to help you understand the choices that I have made and why. Hopefully they will help you to understand me and others that have made those choices better.
If you could ask me my stance on anything, what would you like to know?
Well, the last couple of months have not gone anything like what I had planned. I have a mountain of work which I was already supposed to have scaled, and it looks very daunting right now. However, I keep reminding myself that God's ways are not my ways and His plans are not my plans. While I am very behind in what I hope to accomplish, I know I have been busy with the work God has set before me.
Today I am starting a new feature because music has really been ministering to me of late. I wanted to share it with you. If the music is helpful to you, support the artist by purchasing the music.
